Old School British Wrestling Thread

[Viking Hall]

With British Wrestling on the rise again I thought I'd give a little space to some of the stars of yesteryear and specifically in this particular post to those who kept on doing it when the ITV cameras were turned off in 1988.

'El Bandito' Orig Williams - One of the biggest stars in Welsh wrestling, also ran the Reslo promotion which continued on Welsh television into the mid-nineties and featured a who's who of British and European wrestling at the time.



Giant Haystacks - Arguably the best known British wrestler of the era after Big Daddy, the near 7 footer would continue to wrestle all over the world post-World of Sport including a stint in WCW as Loch Ness.



Johnny South - Mainstay of British wrestling under a number of alias from the mid-sixties through to the early-2000's he made a living in the nineties under the Legend of Doom moniker which as you can guess was an LoD ripoff.



Boston Blackie - Another Reslo regular, Boston Blackie also had a number of names and gimmicks including Rock Steadfast which I believe owed quite a lot to a certain Dwayne Johnson.



The Mighty Chang - Not the Mighty Chang who starred in many Hollywood films in the sixties but a later one who also went by the name Crusher Mason. Known as something of a legitimate toughman who would invite members of the public in to punch him in the stomach pre-match.



Jim Breaks - A veteran by the time World of Sports was over having been in the ring since the mid-fifties. Continued to wrestle into the early nineties though and cemented his reputation as one of the best technical wrestlers of his time.



Danny 'Boy' Collins - One of the best British Light-Heavyweights of the 80's and 90's. Wrestled all over the world and even worked British tours for the WWF in the early 90's. Also became reasonably well known in Japan, working for Michinoku Pro against some of their top stars and is still active today as both a wrestler and a trainer.



Terry Rudge - Considered by fellow his professionals to be pound-for-pound one of the best wrestlers of his generation. Never overly successful in terms of titles, he was still considered one of the best in the business and wrestled worldwide and even tagged with Andre the Giant in Japan in the mid-seventies.



Dave 'Rocky' Taylor - Probably one of the best known names on the list thanks to his work in WCW and the WWE but was considered one of Britains finest heavyweights in the eighties and early nineties. Another one who wrestled just about everywhere.



The Super Flys (Ricky Knight & Jimmy Ocean) w/Sweet Saraya and The Liverpool Lads (Robbie Brookside and Doc Dean) - Two of the leading Tag Teams in the early nineties some of which have gone on to be better known post-retirement. Ricky Knight and Saraya are of course the parents of WWE's Paige as well as the brains behind WAW. Saraya has also had a successful solo career wrestling the world over while Robbie Brookside was well known for being one of the best the UK had to offer, something he later parleyed into a career training WWE wrestlers.



Pat 'Bomber' Roach - A huge star in the UK for appearing on the TV show Auf Wiedershen Pet, he has also worked on some of the biggest Hollywood productions of all time too. Still made time for wrestling though and was still appearing in rings throughout the UK and Europe up until the late nineties.



Tony St. Clair - Maybe one of the most decorated and respected British wrestlers who wrestled worldwide for 40 years. Wrestled extensively in the UK and Europe and toured with New Japan for over 15 years. Also credited for his training skills having broken in Chris Adams and Osamu Nishimura among others.



I'll try to dig out more soon.

[Hurbster]

Any excuse to post some Les Kellett, one of the toughest guys in Wrestling. You may recognize some of his moves.

[Joe Neglia]

Robby Baron, Adrian Street, Bruno Elrington, Mick McManus Johnny Kwango and Mike Marino

I only just found this pic online looking for the pic below. The only one of the six I recognize is Adrian Street, prior to or very early on in his "Exotic" gimmick. I'd really like to know more about Bruno and Kwango (assuming the names are correctly listing them left to right).

And here's Adrian fully decked out, returning home to visit his miner father:

[Joe Neglia]

Oh, and for those who might not recognize him, Pat Roach is probably most famous in the States as the German mechanic that fights Indiana Jones before jobbing to an airplane propeller.

[AJ Smudgico]

Firstly, thank you for posting these. Many great memories month just for me but for my father and grandfather too.
I've actually got a few days off work so I might liberally add to this thread.
On the subject of Adrian Street (an all-time great I had the pleasure to meet once) I heard a story of when he was fighting Jimmy Savile in the late sixties. Without being too 'graphic' Street stated that he'd always suspected Savile and went in a bit heavier handed than he normally would have. He then stated he wished he'd followed his gut feeling and absolutely destroyed him!

[Viking Hall]

Oct 3, 2016 1:20:25 GMT -5 Joe Neglia said:

Robby Baron, Adrian Street, Bruno Elrington, Mick McManus Johnny Kwango and Mike Marino

I only just found this pic online looking for the pic below. The only one of the six I recognize is Adrian Street, prior to or very early on in his "Exotic" gimmick. I'd really like to know more about Bruno and Kwango (assuming the names are correctly listing them left to right).

And here's Adrian fully decked out, returning home to visit his miner father:

I'm just about to go to work so I'll dig out some info later but of that list it's Mick McManus that's probably the biggest name there. He was probably the biggest heel in British wrestling with maybe only Haystacks having a claim for being more hated. He had a legendary feud with Jackie Pallo which at one time drew over 20 million people on TV to see them fight. Was also a Booker in London and was an adviser for ITV Wrestling after he retired in the early eighties. Legitimately as hard as they come apparently too.

[Surfer Sandman]

Oct 3, 2016 1:22:11 GMT -5 Joe Neglia said:

Oh, and for those who might not recognize him, Pat Roach is probably most famous in the States as the German mechanic that fights Indiana Jones before jobbing to an airplane propeller.

Not to be confused with this Pat Roach:

[SmashTV]

Oct 3, 2016 1:22:11 GMT -5 Joe Neglia said:

Oh, and for those who might not recognize him, Pat Roach is probably most famous in the States as the German mechanic that fights Indiana Jones before jobbing to an airplane propeller.

I think he also played the Thugee guard who winds up getting sliced by the fan in 'Temple of Doom'. I'm sure he was in 'Last Crusade' too, but can't remember who he played. A Nazi, presumably...

[SmashTV]

Oct 3, 2016 2:03:54 GMT -5 AJ Smudgico said:

Firstly, thank you for posting these. Many great memories month just for me but for my father and grandfather too.
I've actually got a few days off work so I might liberally add to this thread.
On the subject of Adrian Street (an all-time great I had the pleasure to meet once) I heard a story of when he was fighting Jimmy Savile in the late sixties. Without being too 'graphic' Street stated that he'd always suspected Savile and went in a bit heavier handed than he normally would have. He then stated he wished he'd followed his gut feeling and absolutely destroyed him!

Hindsight's a wonderful thing, right?

[Viking Hall]

Oct 3, 2016 1:20:25 GMT -5 Joe Neglia said:

I'd really like to know more about Bruno and Kwango.

Johnny Kwango was a big fan favourite from the 1950's right through to the late eighties. He regularly fought Mick McManus and was known for being something of a foil to McManus' devious tactics and for his famous use of the Headbutt. He was also an accomplished technical wrestler and could go toe to toe with the best of them and was up there with the likes of McManus, Pallo and Kellett in terms of being a star in the sixties and seventies. He unfortunately died in 1994 but wrestled virtually until he became ill making him a regular competitor well into his sixties. Also related to a wrestler who was a star before and after WW2 called Black Butcher Johnson, although I've seen mixed info saying he was either his younger brother or actually his son but either way, he came from wrestling stock.



Big Bruno Elrington made his name as the 'Giant' of British wrestling before the likes of Big Daddy and Haystacks arrived on the scene. Was your stereotypical wildman as his look probably suggests and his matches were often massive brawls rather than technical masterclasses. He also apparently trained a lot of wrestlers at the gym he owned and was respected outside of the ring as being something of a gentle giant. Was also an ex-Royal Marine and was a Champion Boxer while he was serving which should tell you something about his fearsome reputation inside the ring. Considered one of the more skilled 'big men' to come out of Britain.

[AJ Smudgico]

Oct 3, 2016 11:39:48 GMT -5 SmashTV said:

Oct 3, 2016 2:03:54 GMT -5 AJ Smudgico said:

Firstly, thank you for posting these. Many great memories month just for me but for my father and grandfather too.
I've actually got a few days off work so I might liberally add to this thread.
On the subject of Adrian Street (an all-time great I had the pleasure to meet once) I heard a story of when he was fighting Jimmy Savile in the late sixties. Without being too 'graphic' Street stated that he'd always suspected Savile and went in a bit heavier handed than he normally would have. He then stated he wished he'd followed his gut feeling and absolutely destroyed him!

Hindsight's a wonderful thing, right?

Can we start to petition for Street to be inducted into the HOF?!

[DiBiase is Good]

Oct 3, 2016 11:38:28 GMT -5 SmashTV said:

Oct 3, 2016 1:22:11 GMT -5 Joe Neglia said:

Oh, and for those who might not recognize him, Pat Roach is probably most famous in the States as the German mechanic that fights Indiana Jones before jobbing to an airplane propeller.

I think he also played the Thugee guard who winds up getting sliced by the fan in 'Temple of Doom'. I'm sure he was in 'Last Crusade' too, but can't remember who he played. A Nazi, presumably...

He gets killed twice in Raiders: He's propeller guy and one of the guys in the fight at Marion's bar
He's three characters in Temple of Doom (but only does twice). He's the guy who bangs the gong at the beginning, the ceiling fan guy and the Thuggee enforcer who gets caught up in the rock crusher.
He's in Last Crusade for a couple of seconds. When Indy and Henry are on the Airship, you see two German Gestapo Officers outside signalling the crew to stop the take-off. One of them is Vogel, the main Gestapo guy, the other is Pat Roach. There was at one point a fight planned between him and Indy but it never ended up happening.

(As you might have guessed, Pat Roach is a hero of mine).

[SmashTV]

Oct 3, 2016 14:45:51 GMT -5 DiBiase is Good said:

Oct 3, 2016 11:38:28 GMT -5 SmashTV said:

I think he also played the Thugee guard who winds up getting sliced by the fan in 'Temple of Doom'. I'm sure he was in 'Last Crusade' too, but can't remember who he played. A Nazi, presumably...

He gets killed twice in Raiders: He's propeller guy and one of the guys in the fight at Marion's bar
He's three characters in Temple of Doom (but only does twice). He's the guy who bangs the gong at the beginning, the ceiling fan guy and the Thuggee enforcer who gets caught up in the rock crusher.
He's in Last Crusade for a couple of seconds. When Indy and Henry are on the Airship, you see two German Gestapo Officers outside signalling the crew to stop the take-off. One of them is Vogel, the main Gestapo guy, the other is Pat Roach. There was at one point a fight planned between him and Indy but it never ended up happening.

(As you might have guessed, Pat Roach is a hero of mine).

It shows! Thanks for the info dude - I had no idea he doubled up in all three films.

[Limity (BLM)]

Oct 3, 2016 8:09:14 GMT -5 Surfer Sandman said:

Oct 3, 2016 1:22:11 GMT -5 Joe Neglia said:

Oh, and for those who might not recognize him, Pat Roach is probably most famous in the States as the German mechanic that fights Indiana Jones before jobbing to an airplane propeller.

Not to be confused with this Pat Roach:

Don't let him take his pants off!

[mizerable]

Any love for Kendo Nagasaki?

[Joe Neglia]

Oct 3, 2016 12:38:01 GMT -5 Viking Hall said:

Oct 3, 2016 1:20:25 GMT -5 Joe Neglia said:

I'd really like to know more about Bruno and Kwango.

Johnny Kwango was a big fan favourite from the 1950's right through to the late eighties. He regularly fought Mick McManus and was known for being something of a foil to McManus' devious tactics and for his famous use of the Headbutt. He was also an accomplished technical wrestler and could go toe to toe with the best of them and was up there with the likes of McManus, Pallo and Kellett in terms of being a star in the sixties and seventies. He unfortunately died in 1994 but wrestled virtually until he became ill making him a regular competitor well into his sixties. Also related to a wrestler who was a star before and after WW2 called Black Butcher Johnson, although I've seen mixed info saying he was either his younger brother or actually his son but either way, he came from wrestling stock.



Big Bruno Elrington made his name as the 'Giant' of British wrestling before the likes of Big Daddy and Haystacks arrived on the scene. Was your stereotypical wildman as his look probably suggests and his matches were often massive brawls rather than technical masterclasses. He also apparently trained a lot of wrestlers at the gym he owned and was respected outside of the ring as being something of a gentle giant. Was also an ex-Royal Marine and was a Champion Boxer while he was serving which should tell you something about his fearsome reputation inside the ring. Considered one of the more skilled 'big men' to come out of Britain.

Much obliged. Both just have such unique looks I had to know more.

[Joe Neglia]

Oct 3, 2016 14:45:51 GMT -5 DiBiase is Good said:

Oct 3, 2016 11:38:28 GMT -5 SmashTV said:

I think he also played the Thugee guard who winds up getting sliced by the fan in 'Temple of Doom'. I'm sure he was in 'Last Crusade' too, but can't remember who he played. A Nazi, presumably...

He gets killed twice in Raiders: He's propeller guy and one of the guys in the fight at Marion's bar
He's three characters in Temple of Doom (but only does twice). He's the guy who bangs the gong at the beginning, the ceiling fan guy and the Thuggee enforcer who gets caught up in the rock crusher.
He's in Last Crusade for a couple of seconds. When Indy and Henry are on the Airship, you see two German Gestapo Officers outside signalling the crew to stop the take-off. One of them is Vogel, the main Gestapo guy, the other is Pat Roach. There was at one point a fight planned between him and Indy but it never ended up happening.

(As you might have guessed, Pat Roach is a hero of mine).

And was General Kael, the "Darth Vader"-y guy in Willow, as well as was in two Kubrick films (A Clockwork Orange and Barry Lyndon), a James Bond film (Never Say Never Again), a Ray Harryhausen film (Clash of the Titans), three of the Robert E Howard adaptations (Conan the Destroyer, Red Sonja and Kull) and Costner's Robin Hood. I dare say that even if he didn't have major parts in them, Roach just may have the most prestigious filmography of any wrestler.

And adding my voice to the poster above regarding Kendo Nagasaki. I know of his famous unmasking, but little else, beyond a different guy snooking the name for use in the States.

[111111]

Wow, Goldust must have taken a lot of inspiration from Adrian Street.

Also thank you for reminding me of the whole WWF "Tribute" shows that used to tour the UK in the early 2000s, I'd love to see some footage from one of them if any exists.

[Viking Hall]

Here's Kwango against a familiar foe in 'Mr. TV' Jackie Pallo. Well worth watching for Pallo's interaction with some of the people at ringside.

[Viking Hall]

Oct 4, 2016 7:28:12 GMT -5 111111 said:

Also thank you for reminding me of the whole WWF "Tribute" shows that used to tour the UK in the early 2000s, I'd love to see some footage from one of them if any exists.

I'm sure I've seen footage at some point, so I will try to find some to put on here, but for now here's Johnny South in Legend of Doom mode against Raging 'P.N. News' Bull for Reslo.