Frank Gotch

Frank Alvin Gotch (April 27, 1878 – December 16, 1917) was an American professional wrestler of German ancestry credited for popularizing professional wrestling in the United States. He competed back when the contests were largely legit, and his reign as World Heavyweight Champion (from 1908 to 1913) is one of the ten longest in the history of wrestling. He became one of the most popular athletes in America from the 1900s to the 1910s.
He was the first inductee to both the Professional Wrestling Writers Hall of Fame in Latham, New York and the George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame in Waterloo, Iowa; his professional wrestling record is 154 wins and 6 losses.
==In wrestling==
*Finishing moves
**Bridging belly to back suplex
**Cross kneelock
**Toe hold
**Ankle Lock
*Signature moves
**Double leg takedown
==Championships and accomplishments==
*Wrestling championships
**World Heavyweight Championship (original version) (1 time)
**American Heavyweight Championship (3 times)
**Champion of the Klondike (1 time)
**Iowa Heavyweight Championship (original version)
* Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum
** Class of 2002
*Other titles
**George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame (1999)
**Iowa Sports Hall of Fame (1951)
*Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards
**Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame (Class of 1996)
* World Wrestling Entertainment
** WWE Hall of Fame (Class of 2016)
==External links==
*Frank Gotch Profile at CAGEMATCH
*Frank Gotch Profile at Online World of Wrestling
* WWE.com Profile
Category:American wrestlers
Category:Male wrestlers
Category:1878 births
Category:1917 deaths
Category:Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame
Category:George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame
Category:1899 debuts
Category:1913 retirements
Category:Iowa wrestlers
Category:American Heavyweight Champions
Category:WWE Hall of Fame Legacy Inductee
Category:Wrestlers who have died