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A few years earlier, around 1920, professional wrestler Joseph Raymond " Toots " Mondt had created a new challenge of professional wrestling that he called Slam Bang Western Style Wrestling to make the entertainment more appealing to spectators.

At the time, pro wrestling consisted primarily of mat grappling ; and while the sport had flourished a decade earlier under Frank Gotch, the fans had since grown tired of the painfully deliberate pace of the bouts.

However, Mondt discovered a solution that would completely transform the industry, as he convinced Lewis and Sandow to implement a new form of wrestling that combined features of boxing, Greco-Roman, freestyle, lumber-camp fighting, and theater into what he deemed “ Slam Bang Western-Style Wrestling .” He then formed a promotion with wrestler Ed Lewis and his manager Billy Sandow.

They persuaded many wrestlers to sign contracts with their Gold Dust Trio.

After much success, a disagreement over power caused the trio to dissolve and, with it, their promotion.

Mondt formed partnerships with several other promoters, including Jack Curley in New York City.

When Curley was dying, Mondt moved to take over New York wrestling with the aid of several bookers, one of whom was Jess McMahon.