Spectators seated and in Edwardian evening dress. One holds a sign reading “Urban” (the production company). Wrestler Georg Hackenschmidt poses shirtless for the camera against a dark backdrop. As does his opponent. Hackenschmidt pins his opponent to the mat as a suited referee stands over them. An intertitle (before the end of their match) reads “Last Bout. Hackenschmidt Wins.” Trophies are presented. Signs indicate the presence of the “Press”. Another pair of opponents [from another film reel] also appear.
Georg Hackenschmidt (1877-1968) was an Estonian strongman who became a professional wrestler; one of the greatest. He was known as the Russian Lion and was the first person to be recognised as World Heavyweight Wrestling Champion. He held the title from 1905 - 1908 when he lost it to Frank Gotch. He lived most of his life in London and counted Harry Houdini and George Bernard Shaw among his friends.
Hackenschmidt toured New Zealand in 1910. He was, the Wairarapa Daily Times reported, the star attraction at the Masterton Town Hall, on February 4th, where he wrestled with “companion athletes Gunnar Moir and Alex Bain ... Among the Bioscope films [shown that night was] the world’s wrestling championship between George Hackenschmidt and Joe Rogers, the twenty-one stone American champion.” - Wairarapa Daily Times, 5th February 1910; http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz; retrieved 27/09/2013.
The film depicts the Georg Hackenschmidt vs. Joe Rogers matches from January 30, 1908.