Name: Joe Stetcher
Year Inducted: 2002
Induction Category: Pioneer Era

Joe Stetcher

Joe Stecher was born on April 4, 1893 near Dodge, Nebraska. He perfected the body scissors hold, which defeated many top wrestlers of the day. He is credited as being the first man to win the World's Championship three times. He won his first title by beating Charley Cutler in 1915. He never received the opportunity to wrestle Frank Gotch and therefore was never given the recognition that most experts feel he deserved. He sufferred from depression and spent thirty years in a Minnesota veteran's hospital prior to his death in 1974. The "Scissors King" will long be remembered by the world of professional wrestling.