It wasn't real. But it looked like it to some, and there were plenty of fans.
Professional wrestling started in Detroit in the 1920. By the 1950s, Big Time Wrestling on Channel 7 was one of the most popular TV programs in Detroit.
By the 1960s and 70s, wrestlers like Lord Layton, the Sheik, Leaping Larry Chane, Dick the Bruiser and Bobo Brazil dominated the scene.
Frequently, there were big matches at Cobo Arena in downtown Detroit and the place was packed with adults and teens, cheering on the good guys and booing the evil ones. It coulkd be difficult to tell whether people knew it wasn't real.
We came across these two videos of Big Time Wrestling in the '60s.
