Could you beat a bear in a wrestling match?
That simple-enough question is hypothetical... for most people.
After a bear was spotted in the Lake of the Ozarks area and a local commissioner jokingly reminded people not to wrestle the bear (since Missouri law prohibits it), LakeExpo decided to put out a poll. The answers revealed most respondents only think they could defeat a gummy bear in the ring.
READER POLL: Do You Think You Could Beat A Bear In A Wrestling Match?
LakeExpo does not condone wrestling a bear (as it's against the law and generally not a good idea) but hypothetically speaking... we're curious how readers think they'd do in a hand-to-hand combat match.
However, one response stood out from the rest.
Dennis Henley, a former wrestling coach at the School of the Osage, told LakeExpo he knew he could beat a bear. Because he did.
Henley's story goes back to the 1970s. He was visiting the Jamestown Mall in St. Louis County and found it packed: Victor the Rasslin' Bear was in town.
This bear had wrestled thousands of people, including a few well-known names, according to Deadspin.com. Some of Victor's opponents were actor Clint Eastwood, wrestler Gorgeous George, and NFL coach Rod Marinelli.Â
Victor even starred on The Ed Sullivan Show, one of the highest-rated TV variety shows during that time.
http://goo.gl/firy - Victor the Bear eats ice cream from Ed Sullivan's mouth, as seen on The Ed Sullivan Show on January 19, 1969. Available on the DVDs "Ed's Amazing Animal Acts" and "The Very Best of The Ed Sullivan Show Vol. 2"
© SOFA Entertainment. All Rights Reserved.
Ronn Moldenhauer, the mall manager at the time, capitalized on Victor's popularity and got the bear to visit in 1977, according to Riverfronttimes.com. He was the first person to climb in the ring.Â
Those brave enough could have their turn with Victor - at their own risk. Victor was de-clawed and wore a muzzle, but that didn't take away from his strength. Henley was told this bear had never been beaten in a match.
"Victor would stand up on command and go after the opponent," said Henley, who watched others easily lose to the massive bear.Â
Henley however had a leg-up compared with other challengers.Â
Seven years earlier, Henley won the 1970 State Championship in the 185 lb weight class. He attended Riverview Gardens and was used to fighting against bigger guys.
"When it was my turn, I went in close and threw him as I did my opponents in high school," Henley said. "I kept him down up high around his head and shoulders, and as I did, he was kicking and growling. After holding him down, the crowd yelled 'Pin, pin!' and I jumped out of the ring."
The story is hard to believe... except Henley provided LakeExpo with a picture.
Bear wrestling was outlawed by Missouri voters through a 1998 ballot initiative. So while LakeExpo certainly doesn't recommend trying to wrestle a bear, we think everyone needs to know about the Missouri wrestling coach who wrestled a bear back when it was legal, and won.Â
To make sure the record was straight, Henley added, "I actually threw Victor twice."
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