list of british wrestlers of the '60s and '70s

Kelly O'Sullivan Senior Editor Kelly O'Sullivan is the senior editor for The Pioneer Woman and manages the website's social channels, in addition to overseeing content strategy and news. The Fabulous Moolah is the longest reigning champion in pro wrestling history. We have them all, from the 1980's, 1990's, 2000's, including Legends and Brits of note. Copyright 1995-2023 puroresu.com. Backlund will always be remembered as one of the greatest technicians in pro wrestling history who built his legacy by battling other promotional World Champions several times and any comer, often very bigger than him. More of Maciejewskis superb photography can be seen (and purchased) here. Jamaica Kid and Little Beaver backstage at a wrestling arena April 25, 1969. At nearly eight years long, it is the longest World Championship reign in pro wrestling history. By 1960, nearly three quarters of the population had television, and by the end of the sixties, nearly ninety-five percent. [Photo: @WrestlingIsKing on Twitter]In his first three years in wrestling, he claimed the Light Heavyweight Championship and the British Commonwealth Tag Team Titles with Marty Jones. The similarities were apparent. Back in the days, most wrestlers moved from one territory to another, or in other words, there was no promotion exclusivity. Zbyszko slowly climbed the ladder in singles competition until he won the WWWF Tag Team Championship along with Tony Garea, for a 105-day reign. Wrestled in her last match in a tag team match with Stormy Apple as they lost to Josie Navarro and Margaret Garcia at Ladies International Wrestling Association in Las Vegas, Nevada. He built his reputation with a hardcore side that disappeared in the early '80s due to health issues. Also later on in his career he wrestled as Enforcer Luciano in NWA Hollywood. The rise of The Archers, Michael Powell and . He can also brag to have faced all the greats of the era, such as Bruno Sammartino and Billy Graham. The Last Unicorn (The Last Unicorn, #1) by. Five time NWA Polynesian Pacific Heavyweight Champion. Thornley was the original performer who used the Kendo Nagasaki character, but other variations have been used over the years. He later would become a regular performer on WCW Saturday Night and WCW Thunder. Around this time in his career, Matthews began earning more money touring throughout Europe and Africa. Some consider this match one of the greatest matches of all time. First African-American promoter & manager working under Vincent J. McMahon. The fact that Jones was responsible for training a young William Regal speaks to this. Here are twelve British wrestlers who were critical to the evolution of British wrestling and influenced some of the very best of today. An example is Kazuo Sakurada, a Japanese wrestler who used the gimmick in the late 80s. Extreme Record Collecting: Confessions of an analog vinyl snob, A long, rambling blog post about my Nico obsession (+ some astonishing, seldom seen TV performances). By using this site, you agree to the legal terms set out in ourDisclaimer, Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, and Disclosure. From January 1965 to September 85, British wrestling was the hottest it may have ever been. The oldest female wrestler to have a match is Mae Young, who defeated LayCool in a WWE Raw handicap match on November 15, 2010, at the age of 87. He could've been a world champion in any promotion, but he preferred the freedom of travelling all over the USA thus becoming the most popular wrestler in the country. After his face run, he ended his stint with WWWF as a heel, but it was not before earning the 1975 PWI Match of the Year award against Bruno Sammartino and to win a long feud against Jay Strongbow. The best wrestlers (Sky Low Low, Little Beaver, Lord Littlebrook, Little Tokyo) mixed great physical prowess with acrobatic skills to give their fans edge-of-the-seat thrills and entertainment, with just a hint of comedy. Still wrestles in independent shows as of December 2022. In addition to his championships, he left his mark on the WWE hardcore scene, with his uncommon mix of technician and brawler's skills.Click here to watch Pat Patterson defending the Intercontinental Championship against Dominic DeNucci. He worked for Joint Promotions and frequently wrestled on ITVs World of Sport. All are heavyweight unless otherwise noted. When they formed their alliance they left out in the cold many other promoters who were not invited to the party. * Continued to exist after the National Wrestling Alliance was founded in 1948. wrestlingheritage.co.uk. . He especially made his mark in handicap bouts and in what would become his specialty, the battle royal matches. His run as the World Champion officially lasted 2,083 days, and it took him less than one year with the company to win the title. Instead, he relied on his judo background. The Russian Bear was with the WWWF for only two years, but he claimed the most shocking world championship victory of all times when he defeated Bruno Sammartino on January 18, 1971. Want to Read. Wrestled in a tag team match with Jeff Justice and Officer McKenny to defeat, Wrestled in a tag team match with Shawn Blanchard and Lou Martin to defeat Bobby O, Kris Kash, Shane Starr and Justin Sane for. He was a top draw in Australia and in Europe when he headed to America to join the company. 1 on the Billboard 100 in 1977. He headlined many Madison Square Garden supercards, mainly in two or three-men tag team action, and in 1973, he had a 105-day WWWF World Tag Team Championship reign along with Tony Garea. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features NFL Sunday Ticket Press Copyright . Wrestled his last match for FMLL teaming with. If the whole clan of the Valiant Brothers is inducted into the WWE Hall Of Fame, Johnny is the one who embraced the most success. It was all very respectable. Although he never got a chance to appear in many mainstream promotions, he indeed laid his legacy in his home country. In 1982, Dynamite Kid had an instant classic with Tiger Mask for the WWF Junior Heavyweight Championship at Madison Square Garden in New York City. I found no WWWF footage of The Sheik, but you can click here to see the hardcore legend in action against Dusty Rhodes in the '70s; or, if you're curious, click here for a match between him and Chief White Eagle in the late '50s or early '60s. He eventually became a three-time WWWF United States Tag Team Championship. He didn't fail to bring his aggressive style with him when he joined the WWWF in the mid-60s. Last wrestled for Big Time Wrestling in Spartanburg, South Carolina where he teamed with, Most recently wrestled for AML Acts Of War Games 2 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina defeating, Last wrestled for Hawaii Championship Wrestling as he teamed up with. Known as Sammy Berg. Martin Austin Ruane (October 10, 1946 - November 29, 1998) was an English professional wrestler of Irish descent. Multi-time regional champion. Many prestigious titles and awards are under his belt, and he won Wrestling Observers Match of the Year in 1982 with Tiger Mask on August 5th in Tokyo, Japan. The duo, called The Executioners, holds the distinction to have not actually lost the belts since they were stripped after a third Executioner interfered in a match. Oldest person to wrestle ever at 87 years old. He was a master of the heel tactics, but he was also very agile in the ring. When he joined the WWWF in 1977, he quickly made his way into the world championship picture as a top heel. It was a detective/cop show starring Jack Lord. He managed to win two Tag Team Championships in the '70s, once with Sonny King and once with Billy White Wolf. Monsoon lost the match, but he once again proved he could hold his own against the largest wrestlers in the business at the time, being himself a 6'5", 400-pounder. The Red Shoes (1948) Film. Musician and wrestled in the Pacific Northwest. You can also click here to watch another poor quality video (Sammartino defeating Stasiak for the WWWF Title). French-Canadian wrestler. Czechslovakian wrestler. Peter S. Beagle (Goodreads Author) 4.16 avg rating 103,279 ratings. It was at its peak of popularity when the television show World of Sport was launched in the mid-1960s, making household names out of Adrian Street . Warner Bros. His sole presence guaranteed sold-out arenas to any promoter, and it was no exception for the growing WWWF. So with news that World of Sport is back on ITV in June, we salute the great grapplers of yesteryear. This is the most complete dead wrestlers list on the Internet. His glam rock looks and in-ring ability instantly attracted attention from the fans and cemented his place as a top heel. Graham, one of the greatest brawlers ever, won three different tag team championships during his runs with the company. If there were some great female wrestlers back in the '60s and in the '70s, none of them could overshadow her, and that's why she's the only woman featured on the current list. Tweet. 20. Karloff Largarde - World & National Champion. There always was, and still are, boxing shows operating outside the jurisdiction of the BBBC. 41.88, Davey Boy Smith is the 2nd most famous British Wrestler. Beforebeing released from his WWE contracton January 5th, 2022, which ended his 22-year tenure with the company, Regal had an even bigger role behind the scenes as theWWE Director of Talent Development and Head of Global Recruiting, playing a significant role in building the future stars of WWE. Strongbow will probably be most remembered for his Native American gimmick, with the complete outfit, including his famous traditional headdress than for his achievements. William Regals story is a great representation that it doesnt matter where you come from, what demons you have, or where you are in life. Initially unpopular with the crowds, he became much loved after his acting career took off. It's amazing to see how things in our corner of the Golden State have changed and transformed over time. In May 1964, the Five were the first British group to undertake a full-scale tour of the USA - and for a while they vied with The Beatles to be Uncle Sam's fave UK act. Whenever not on tour overseas, Rocco would continue to compete for All Star Wrestling back home in Britain for the remainder of his career, which would last into the early 90s. Billy the Kid born John William Guillot in Waco, Texas in 1936. 'Rawness, freedom, experimentation': the Brit jazz boom of the 60s and 70s 'I got to realise my dream' Alan Skidmore performing in the late 1960s. Jack Ernest Gutteridges alter-ego had an 11-year grudge with McManus and developed moves such as the cross-shoulder backbreaker. Along with his accolades, he was one of the first to incorporate a female valet into his act. During his time there, he would become a four-time TV Champion. He is a former WWWF United States Tag Team Champion, and his biggest achievement was to win the WWWF World Tag Team Title along with King Curtis Iaukea. He only spent one year with the company in the '70s, but what a year it was! News. Sadly, his fame and glory in the British circuit were cut short. His wrestling ability is something that people in the modern-day wouldnt be overly impressed with, but back in his time, he could captivate the audience at his command, which enabled him to be the star he was. People in the '60s dressed up for most occasions. The iconic Bun Boy building located in Baker as captured in this picture from the 1960s. var vclk_options = { sid: 11669, placement_id: 'faf683dc-a8b9-443c-316a-9c22984f3fe6', version: '1.4' }; This web site exists to provide the information on professional wrestling and is neither affiliated nor endorsed by any pro-wrestling organization. A comeback bout with Hulk Hogan was axed in 1995 after Haystacks, born Martin Ruane, contracted cancer. Goldberg and William Regal When Things Went Wrong in El Paso, Canadians in Wrestling 13 Individuals With a Rich History in the Sport. It's incredibly . He also had many great matches against British wrestling greats such as Fit Finlay and Mick McManus. Most recently wrestled for Appalachian Championship Wrestling in Williamson, West Virginia, in a match against Kerry Morton that went to a Double Count-out Draw. These are the men who became heroes of the ring as Midget Wrestlers during the 1960s and 1970s. He was a real animal in the ring, and his brutality was matched by only few other hardcore legends. Wrestled his last match at a show in Guadalajara, Mexico teaming with his grandson, Arturo Gaona and Bucanero I defeating Babe Sharon, Comando I and Luis Chavir. Despite this, he managed a very successful career. Buy Wrestling Tickets securely and cheaply online -. In the '50s, '60s, and '70s, female solo singers were ever-present on radio, TV and the pop charts -- as they should have been! Collectors of British & American back issues will find some great stuff here like Beat Instrumental magazine, early 70's glam & pop magazine Music Star, The excellent Zigzag magazine, for blues enthusiast there's Blues Unlimited, Creem, Crawdaddy, Let it Rock . Armstrong's last match was for Continental Championship Wrestling in Dothan, Alabama, where he defeated The Assassin. Fashion Square in Santa Ana in the 1960s long before it became what is now Mainplace Mall. He wrestled for Pacific Northwest, Stampede, NWA, and WWWF. Giant Haystacks was one of the best-known wrestlers on the British wrestling scene in the 1970s and 1980s. Patera made a name for himself as a dominant strongman wrestler who had a successful weightlifting career behind him. British musician and wrestler. From 1972 to 1978, in an age when tag team wrestling actually meant a lot, Fuji portrayed the stereotypical heel Japanese persona, and he was often involved in anti-American storylines. [Photo: huckmag.com]Street played by his own rules, and, according to his peers, was known to be able to hurt you in the ring if needed! In the '70s, this was hands-down the most romantic song on the radio. Cast Moira Shearer, Anton Walbrook, Marius Goring. Most recently wrestled for Pro Wrestling King in Fort Wayne, Indiana, teaming with Shawna Reed and Shotgun Shuler to defeat the team of Jensyn, NERD 5th and Steven Drochner. It is said that Gustav Fritensk wrestled until the age of 72. The 48st Londoner was the bearded behemoth grannies loved to hate. On November 29th, 1998, he would sadly die of lymphoma at his home near Manchester, England. 5. Despite a BMI of 43.3, he became an icon of the sport.He retired in 1993 to run a gym in Halifax, West Yorks, and died in 1997 aged 67. With adopted names like Little Bruise, Sky Low Low, Billy The Kid, Little Beaver, Lord Littlebrook and Little Tokyo, men (and a few women) who might have eked out a living in the circus started a spectator port. Just about the most recognisable name ever to come out of British wrestling started grapplin' in the late 1950's, but it would be almost another two decades before he had become Grandma's favourite.. Admittedly, we've had a lot of fun putting this wrestler information together and we hope you enjoy reading it too! In the 1960s British professional wrestling was a credible rival to professional boxing for the position of Britain's most popular combat sport. The 60s and 70s set the ball rolling for rock music. UK hitmakers The Dave Clark Five were one of the foremost 'British Invasion' acts. He was a top heel and was renowned for bending the rules so the crowd would despise him as much as humanly possible. These contests, though, receive little publicity and mostly go unnoticed by the general public. Mexican actor, wrestling announcer and baseball broadcaster. Tag team: Little Bruiser and Billy the Kid, September 23 1972. This is a list of oldest surviving professional wrestlers. Wrestled in the Central States and was a light heavyweight champion. It's an impossible task, surely. Wrestling was the sort of place you could take your grandmother or aunt. Many greats, including Hulk Hogan, Stone Cold, Ric Flair and Triple H, were inspired by him to forge their characters. However, at the end of the decade, he could not get rid of his "Sammartino's Protg" label, and he turned heel, to eventually leave in 1981. Officially, according the WWE, she held the Women's Championship for 28 years without interruption, from 1956 to 1984. Click here to watch a classic match from the mid-70s between Spiros Arion and Bruno Sammartino. Are you looking for a specific British Wrestler? The iconic villain had a mysterious past, Samurai skills, supernatural powers and a cheap red face mask. Excellent and Psycho Mike. Wrestlers fell in two categoriesthe goodies and the baddies, who would either seek the cheers or loud disapprobation of the audience by skill or pantomime cheating. Last wrestled on a show independently produced by. His reputation is tarnished for many due to several violent interactions with fellow wrestlers andmean-spirited ribbing, though he leaves behind an incredible legacy in the ring. Wrestled in the WWWF from 1964 to 1969. Dozens of wrestling tournaments were held every night of the week, (with a handful on Sunday), whilst boxing in the doldrums struggled to put on a couple of shows a night. Referee George Gadaski talks to the legendary Little Beaver (back to camera) with tag partner Jamaica Kid to his left, and rivals Billy the Kid and Cowboy Bradley to his right. He was 67. The former undisputed World Heavyweight Champion last wrestled. Wrestled as The Minnesota Farm Boy from 1957 to 1966. Professional wrestling in the United Kingdom spans over one hundred years but became popular when the then new independent television network ITV began showing it in 1955, firstly on Saturday afternoons and then also in a late-night midweek slot. He died of cancer in 1990, aged 53. Wrestled in his last match defeating Frenchy Roberre at a. Wrestled his last match in a tag team match with his son, Wrestled his last match at the VerdugoMania 3rd Anniversary show in Tonala, Jalisco, Mexico, teaming with Jaque Mate Jr., Rafaga, and Rayman in a loss to the team of, Wrestled his last match in an event in Mexico City, Mexico, teaming with, Wrestled his last match for Battleground Championship Wrestling in Feasterville, Pennsylvania, teaming with. Matthewss extensive knowledge of wrestling holds aided him, even in some of Britains most ruthless towns. Click here to watch The Fabulous Moolah facing one of her toughest rival in the '70s. Nowadays, he trains the stars of tomorrow at the WWE Performance Center. Click the appropriate section on the right. 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We do not accept responsibility for views expressed in the forum, articles by Heritage members, or photographs posted in the Heritage Galleries. Ruben Juarez - National Champion, Middleweight (Mexico): He had grueling rivalries against Bruno Sammartino and Bob Backlund over the WWWF Championship. Our free email updates are the best way to get headlines direct to your inbox. His powerhouse antics made him popular and he quickly became a star. Throughout his whole career, Killer Kowalski was a top heel everywhere he wrestled, and he cemented his status when he ripped off an opponent's ear in the ring. And, in those years, he often fought in 60-minute time limit draws. Began his career in the 1940s. Knowing every heel tactic in the tag team action environment, he became the manager known as "Luscious" Johnny V who introduced Demolition to the WWF and who worked with The Dream Team (Greg Valentine / Brutus Beefcake) among others. McManus has been described as the greatest name in British wrestling history, yet he remains mostly unknown outside of the United Kingdom. Out of traveling carnivals, circus acts and sheer ambition, these wrestlers started a sport that was followed by hundreds of thousands across America, Canada and England. Click here to watch The Fabulous Moolah facing one of her toughest rival in the '70s. In 1991, Matthews had his first taste of the then-WWF after having several try-out matches at both the UK Rampage and Battle Royal at Royal Albert Hall events, where he shared a ring with the likes of Dave Taylor and Fit Finlay. British wrestling history has a name - HeritageWrestling Heritage celebrates the glorious days of British professional wrestling. He was also a trainer at the WWE Performance Center, where he trained the newest batch of WWE superstars. In the end, there can be only one! In addition, he accomplished the unthinkable when he ended Sammartino's seven-year reign. 1963-09 - Boxing Illustrated Wrestling News, 1967-10 - The Wrestler (credit: @wrestlerweekly), 1968-12 - Wrestling Revue "Official Wrestling Ratings" (credit: Tom Burke), 1968-12 - Ring Wrestling: "Official World Ratings". Kowalski, who opened a pro wrestling school after he retired in 1977, trained none other than Triple H and many others. He had the strength, the technical abilities, the charisma and that mythic "it" factor to draw the audiences. Adrian Street is one of the most influential British wrestlers of his time. Former. For many, including myself, that name is totally unknown, but he left a big mark on the WWWF from 1966 to 1975. Dozens of wrestling tournaments were held every night of the week, (with a handful on Sunday), whilst boxing in the doldrums struggled to put on a couple of shows a night. Sun Sign: Leo. Wrestling stars of the 60s/'70s3 of 18. From Wrestleview.com Jay Briscoe has passed away. You can find this story in My Bookmarks. In the process, I discovered countless wrestlers I hadn't heard about or I didn't really know. As you could see, pro wrestling didn't start with Hulk Hogan in the '80s. 30 Wrestlers You May Not Know Were Related! Little Tokyo (aka Shigeri Akabane) who was inspired to quit homeland and join Lord Littlebrook and his troupe after they visited Japan in the 1960s. He started his career as a circus acrobat before taking up wrestling in the 1950s. Birthplace: Norwich, Norfolk, England. As a result, he never got to show his full potential on the grandest stage. He needed a solid supporting crew to become such an icon. The inaugural WWE Champion lost the title 21 days later against Bruno Sammartino, and he suddenly vanished for a while. Kendo was unmasked in 1977, with 12 million viewers disappointed to learn that Peter Thornley was not Japanese after all. Oldies duets largely focused on romantic relationships, and for many, the greatest love songs are those featuring two great 50s, 60s, and 70s artists singing directly to each other the more believable the chemistry, the better! We're a brand new wrestling site dedicated to the most superb of sports - Wrestling! I also considered the longevity with the WWWF, a point not very important after the early '80s and the death of the territories concept. From his debut in 1973 and for the rest of the decade (in fact until 1987), Andre was one of the most beloved wrestlers and the most well known across the planet. 1 Billy Robinson 2 Dynamite Kid 3 Davey Boy Smith 4 Danno O'Mahoney 5 Mick McManus 6 Steve Casey 7 Jackie Pallo 8 Bert Assirati 9 Billy Joyce 10 Big Daddy 11 Kendo Nagasaki 12 George Kidd 13 Lord Alfred Hayes 14 Adrian Street 15 Douglas Clark 16 William Regal

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