Who originally exposed pro wrestling as pre-determined?

Answer 1

Eddie Mansfield, the "Continental Lover," and former professional wrestler gave up the goods on the business when he appeared on 20-20 with John Stossel in the 1980s. He told how the matches were predetermined and explained how the wrestlers bleed. As a matter of fact, he actually demonstrated the "blading" technique when he cut a double edge razor into a small strip and cut his forehead with it. He explained there was a saying in wrestling: red turns to green, ie., if you bled then you made more money. Another former pro wrestler, Jim Wilson appeared on the same program and also told of how the matches were decided ahead of time. Wilson says he was blackballed out of the business which is why he was giving out this information on the wrestling business. However, I do not believe these were the first ex wrestlers to be on national television and admit that pro wrestling is not a legitimate athletic contest. I recall watching a television game show in the 1960 (I don't remember the name of it) in which an elderly man was a contestant and stated that he had been a pro wrestler when younger. He told the host that the matches were not real. I cannot remember his name but I definitely recall him stating such.