Dear Friends, after we had a very lively discussion about "titles" and "lineages" I decided to share a couple of some important finds related to this matter. Let's for a second "accept" an "idea" that Hack was world's catch as catch can champion because he beat a champ (common sense and perfectly fits Ric Flair's theory), and I mean Jenkins. Below are the "credible evidences" of what kind of title Jenkins held before his 1905 match against Hack and where from he actually got that title. But as I said before, let's accept it for a second, now I will add for just a second. Because we see how freely back then they journalists paparazzies of the sports used the word 'title', and whenever they needed they called it 'world championship' and when they wanted they called it "American championship" and for them as well as for everyone else it was absolutely OK.
San Francisco Call, 5 January 1905
Wrestlers Are in Training.
In limiting falls to an hour's duration in the Jack Carkeek-Tom Jenkins match for the world's catch-as-catch-can championship at Woodward's Pavilion next Tuesday night, Manager Levy has struck a popular chord. The wrestlers maintain that there is little doubt that the time limit will be pressed, but the knowledge that sixty minutes will be practically wasted If no fall ensues will serve to make action livelier. Carkeek is master of the catch-as-catch-can game and has never been beaten at it since he gained the championship belt. He has never met Jenkins; who admits this to be his best style, so the combat should be doubly Interesting.
San Francisco Call, 9 January 1905
JENKINS IS AFTER TITLE HELD BY JACK CARKEEK
Wrestling Giants Are Primed for a Hard Struggle on Mat Tomorrow Night. The catch-as-catch-can championship of the wrestling world is likely to change hands to-morrow night at Woodward's Pavilion when Tom Jenkins goes after Jack Carkeek's title. A visit to San Rafael yesterday revealed the fact that the Cleveland giant is close to physical perfection and confident of putting a new handle on his name in the shape of a championship he has never claimed. Jenkins wrestled with three imported opponents and the way he tossed the big fellows about was a good indication of just how good he is. Carkeek is slower to move than Jenkins until he is on the mat. Then his energy begins to exert itself and the slow-going man in citizen's clothes is a seething furnace of action. Without being excitable or nervous, he is ever ready to turn an opponent's mistake to his advantage and loses no time in doing it.
San Francisco Call, 10 January 1905
BIG WRESTLERS MEET TO-NIGHT
Jenkins and Carkeek Will Compete on the Mat for Championship of Country.
Jack Carkeek will make his San Francisco bow to-night on the big mat at Woodward's Pavilion to swap trials of his great strength with Tom Jenkins. For more than fifteen years Carkeek has held the palm at catch-as-catch-can wrestling, defying the best men in the world to put his shoulders to the floor in this particular style of the game. Jenkins has won and lost with men that Carkeek has never met in the last few years and he is considered America's greatest wrestler because Carkeek has spent most of the last few years in foreign lands. In bringing them together Manager Morris Levy has made one of the most interesting matches possible and the entertainment promises great results. The catch-as-catch-can style permits of more action than any other. Practically any hold is permitted, the legs as well as the arms being brought into frequent play. To eliminate any resemblance of brutality the strangle hold has been barred; everything else goes, and the spectators will see some clever tricks between these two masters. Falls are limited to an hour each, best two in three, but both men say there will be no need of the stipulation. They are both out to win early. To popularize the sport with ladies it has been determined to admit them free when accompanied by escorts, and the balcony will be reserved for the gentler sex. Shortly after 8 o'clock the preliminary match will be called between two local favorites, George Braun and Al Brill, representing rival clubs. This bout will be under the same conditions as the big affair. George Miehling will act as referee.
NOTE: American Championship is mentioned, which apparently Carkeek held for 15+ years, and never was defeated, which means that neither Evan "The Strangler" Lewis, nor famous "Farmer" Burns or Dan McLeod ever held that championship in the time span between 1890 and 1905, but rather were just claimants.
San Francisco Call, 11 January 1905
BIG WRESTLER BEATS CARKEEK
The Veteran Cannot Resist Strength of Tom Jenkins, Who Has Youth in Favor.
By sheer strength Tom Jenkins, the champion all-round wrestler, forced Jack Carkeek, the veteran of catch-as-catch-can, to the mat twice last night at Woodward's Pavilion. It was Father Time who helped get the victory for the big fellow. The elder man showed that he had all the tricks of the game by heart, but he could not work his holds on Jenkins.
The veteran went down fighting on each fall. Every muscle on the frame that was not as supple as It used to be strained to the utmost in futile resistance as the Cleveland giant forced his shoulders to the mat. The first fall was won in 17 minutes and 30 seconds. Carkeek was thrown, but cleverly stalled all attempts of Jenkins to get a good hold. Just when it looked like curtains for the veteran he suddenly slipped away and put the big fellow on the defensive, but not for long. Jenkins secured a half Nelson and bar wrist hold on the veteran. One of Carkeek's shoulders touched the mat. Jenkins threw into the hold all his enormous strength. Slowly the other shoulder of the veteran was forced down. Carkeek struggled gamely, but youth told. The other shoulder touched the mat. Referee Eugene Van Court tapped the big fellow in the back. First fall for Jenkins.
The second fall resulted after some lively work. Carkeek caught the big fellow napping and had him guessing for a few minutes. The veteran secured good holds twice. If he had the ginger of other days, Jenkins would still be wondering how it happened. But Jenkins escaped the slaughter and got a three-quarter Nelson. Suddenly he shifted to a half Nelson and an arm hold. Jenkins threw forward all his weight and Carkeek was out. Time, 4 minutes and 45 seconds.
Woodwards Pavilion was also used for World Title Boxing Matches