He was very agile and resilient for a man his size; he battled several 60-minute time limit draws against the greats of the time, such as Bruno Sammartino. Mick McManus was a man small in stature, though he induced much fear! British wrestling history has a name - HeritageWrestling Heritage celebrates the glorious days of British professional wrestling. These are the men who became heroes of the ring as Midget Wrestlers during the 1960s and 1970s. President of the WWF from 1978 to 1984. Following that, he made sporadic appearances in various territories to eventually retire for good in the late '70s. British grappler Darren William Regal Matthews is one of the most well-regarded wrestlers in the business, though he never was able to land on his feet at the top of the professional wrestling mountain, where many believe he could and should have been. It would be squaring off against the likes of Satoru Sayama (Tiger Mask), Keiichi Yamada (Jushin Liger), and Dynamite Kid (more on him a little later), among others, which would earn the British grappler his initial acclaim and start him on the path towards leaving an indelible mark on the profession. flickr/Orange County Archives. In it you will find wrestlers who have died in the last ten years, twenty years, and going all the way back to the late 19th century. When autocomplete results are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. He is even credited as the inventor of the figure-four leglock. British Wrestlers. Graham also managed to put the hand on the short-lived WWF International Tag Team Championship. There are five songs, from "Mockingbird" to "My Heart Has a Mind of Its Own," that I learned because they were remade over the next decade or so. Privacy He only spent one year with the company in the '70s, but what a year it was! For most Bleacher Report readers, Mr. Fuji is that iconic manager of the '80s and '90s who led Yokozuna and Demolition to the gold. ALL STAR WRESTLING IN THE 50's, 60's, 70's and 80'S (BCTV ) The former undisputed World Heavyweight Champion last wrestled. 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. He especially made his mark in handicap bouts and in what would become his specialty, the battle royal matches. Wrestled his last match for NWA Wrestle Birmingham, in Birmingham, Alabama. Just like Hogan or Stone Cold, he could not do it all by himself. He had grueling rivalries against Bruno Sammartino and Bob Backlund over the WWWF Championship. He retired, ran a care home and, now aged 70, still sells Kendo merchandise online. In fact, he was more than a pro wrestling top draw; he was, with his size, an attraction wherever he went. Formed in 1952 Joint Promotions was a syndicate of a handful of promoters based around the country. Click here to watch Zbyszko turning on his mentor at the end of 1979; then, treat yourself by clicking here to watch their classic cage match in August 1980. On April 7th, 1986, at WrestleMania 2, The Bulldogs dethroned Greg The Hammer Valentine and Brutus Beefcake, successfully capturing the WWF World Tag Team Championships. Wrestled his last match on his 80th birthday against Bobo Brazil Jr. at a CCW card in Marion, Ohio. Duets have always been perfectly suited to oldies music and love songs, mainly because rock and roll began as a combination of popular styles. Something went wrong, please try again later. 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. Sadly, many of the biographies and details of these wrestling heroes (and villains) have either been lost or passively excised due to political correctnesswhich is a shame, for these men (and and a few women) were athletes and acrobats who excelled at the sport. Little Bruiser in action against Bobo Johnson in Chicago, September 1972. Click here to watch Tony Garea in action against Billy Graham. Regal would debut in WCW in 1993. The Genius Cast with Lanny Poffo (2018-19), HOMAGE.com Our favorite in retro wrestling attire! [Photo: IMDB]His enormous stature was not lifelike as he stood an astonishing 6 feet, 11 inches (1.11m) tall and weighed 685 lbs (311 kg). Wrestled his last match at a show that was independently produced by. Officially, according the WWE, she held the Women's Championship for 28 years without interruption, from 1956 to 1984. The past few years have seen a rapid rise in interest in underground British rock music of the late 60s . Antonio Inoki Not moving as well as his large frame once was able, Arn Anderson recalled this time in Haystacks career on his ARN Podcast, stating, He could only probably fall one more time. As with everything in the Wrestling Heritage pages this is an evolving project taken forward by our Heritage community. PWSTees.com Your favorite Pro Wrestling Stories, on a tee! Click here to watch Bruno Sammartino in a WWWF Title defense against Ernie Ladd, a wrestler who barely made the cut on the current list. A number of rock songs written in the 60s and 70s have gone onto become popular rock anthems. 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. Once Mia Farrow rocked the style, it was a spiral of everyone and their mother wanting to do the same. 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. If you can provide further information please get in touch. Martin Austin Ruane (October 10, 1946 - November 29, 1998) was an English professional wrestler of Irish descent. Are you looking for a specific British Wrestler? The similarities were apparent. Tag team: Little Bruiser and Billy the Kid, September 23 1972. (Youngest WWE Divas Champion) 44. He dropped out of West Texas State College in 1953 to take up the fight game. Many greats, including Hulk Hogan, Stone Cold, Ric Flair and Triple H, were inspired by him to forge their characters. 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. Little Bruiser was a demon in the ring, but a gentleman outside. * Continued to exist after the National Wrestling Alliance was founded in 1948. Luke Graham was one of the rare to have a gimmick that didn't include specific outfits such as cowboy or other Russian characters. Most recently wrestled on October 22, 2022, at Niigata Pro Wrestling event in Niigata, Japan, where he teamed with, Last wrestled at the 2022 C-K Autumnfest in Kenova, West Virginia, where he teamed with, DeNucci wrestled his last match at a PWS card in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, teaming up with, Last wrestled at the 2019 Expo Lucha convention in San Diego, California, teaming up with. He was ahead of his time, innovating a level of athleticism unlike most before him. 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. The Last Unicorn (The Last Unicorn, #1) by. He would win his first singles championship from none other than Mark "Rollerball" Rocco in November 1976 when he defeated him for the British Light Heavyweight Championship, a Joint Promotions title he would go on to hold five times. Dave Clark. As might be expected, Jones is now a trainer for several British-based wrestling promotions and, in recent years, even mentored multiple members of the current NXT UK roster. Wrestled his last match defeating Rat Ferraro at a wrestling event in Montreal, Canada. He later quit because of back pain and died in a auto accident in 1995. Father of Bret "The Hitman" Hart, and the late wrestler Owen Hart. Frost. In addition, he accomplished the unthinkable when he ended Sammartino's seven-year reign. The mostly overweight men in leotards, often facing off at The Dome in Brighton, were a world away from todays slick, toned stars. Click here to watch Mr. Fuji in rare singles action taking on Pedro Morales and click here to see him in some tag team action. Through a succession of promoters, the. He would win tag team titles in All Star Wrestling alongside fellow Liverpudlian Doc Dean before eventually being signed to WCW in the mid-90s. The best British wrestlers: From Big Daddy to Mick McManus, what became of our wrestling stars The mostly overweight men in leotards, often facing off at The Dome in Brighton, were a world. By M.A LeBlanc Ring Of Honor Tag Team Champion Jay Briscoe Passes Away At 38. The inaugural WWE Champion lost the title 21 days later against Bruno Sammartino, and he suddenly vanished for a while. Copyright 1995-2023 puroresu.com. He won three WWWF Titles in the tag team division with three different partners from 1971 to 1978. Wrestling was the sort of place you could take your grandmother or aunt. * Championships in parentheses ( ) are noted according to the approximate date of the information, usually three or four months prior to the publishing date, in order to give a better idea of why the wrestlers may be ranked. Initially unpopular with the crowds, he became much loved after his acting career took off. Everyone can stop writing love songs now. Click here to watch Pedro Morales defeating Ivan Koloff for the WWWF Championship. McManus has been described as the greatest name in British wrestling history, yet he remains mostly unknown outside of the United Kingdom. British wrestling legend Kendo Nagasaki. The number one hit singles in Australia in the 1960s 1960: 'It's Now Or Never', Elvis Presley 1961: 'I'm Gonna Knock On Your Door', Eddie Hodges 1962: 'Good Luck Charm', Elvis Presley 1963: 'I Want. His father was an alcoholic and his abusive and violent behavior towards his son led the teenage Murray to run away from home. Profile aside, however, there were many reliable independent promoters and, although statistics do not exist, it seems quite credible that on any one night the independent shows presented would outnumber the Joint Promotion shows, albeit many being in small halls and clubs. t.co/O5GfUklP1O", "Cowboy" Bob Ellis profile, from LegacyOfWrestling.com, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_oldest_surviving_professional_wrestlers&oldid=1142721943. 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. Oldest Canadian Wrestler. Admittedly, we've had a lot of fun putting this wrestler information together and we hope you enjoy reading it too! In 1971, he and Bruno Sammartino put the hand on the short-lived WWWF International Tag Team Championship, a secondary Title. For many, including myself, that name is totally unknown, but he left a big mark on the WWWF from 1966 to 1975. Fuji's tag team partner at the time. 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.. For most, there were no high spots; the German suplex and a bodyslam were finishers, and nobody knew what a hurricanrana, five-star frog splash, Swanton bomb, and outside dive were. His impressive reign lasted until December 1, 1973 when Stan "The Man" Stasiak defeated him for the title in a shocking moment. Little Tokyo went on to win the NWA World Midget Champion three times equaling Lord Littlebrooks achievement. Giant Haystacks was one of the best-known wrestlers on the British wrestling scene in the 1970s and 1980s. If it was not really his fault, it was still the birth of a legend. 6 Antonio Inoki ITVs World of Sport was a household name in Britain, where it saw millions of viewers weekly. With his famous headbutt and his piledriver, he became a seven-time WWWF United States Championship from 1963 to 1971, when the title was deactivated. Directors Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger. Antonio Posa - World Champion Another World of Sport favorite, Martin Austin Ruane, as Giant Haystacks, became a massive star in 1975 after teaming up with previously mentioned Big Daddy as one of the most dominant tag teams in British Wrestling history. We use ads to keep our content free for you. The theme to the show was created by Morton Stevens and is recognized easily by millions of people even now, more than 40 years later. 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. Multi-time regional champion. The Liverpool-born wrestler initially performed in a tag team called The Golden Boys alongside William Regal (then known as Steven Regal). Farmer Pete and Cowboy Lang backstage in Milwaukee, February 3, 1972. Morales, who would later become the first Triple Crown Champion in WWE history, was known for his uncommon resilience and for his mat skills. Was the promoter of Seattle wrestling, from 1958 to 1969 he was the sole promoter in Washington, Idaho, and Northeast Oregon. Along with his accolades, he was one of the first to incorporate a female valet into his act. Wrestled in Studio Wrestling out of Pittsburgh in the 1950s and 1960s. News. Also, the rarer the item the higher the gear score will be within the gears tier range. He held the new championship 233 days, then he hung his boots a couple years after his historic reign. 3. He was so pushed on television that he was unbeaten for twenty years. Although after thirty years of being a performer, he was able to transition into becoming a talent scout for the WWE. Jackie Pallo (Mr TV! Graham, one of the greatest brawlers ever, won three different tag team championships during his runs with the company. Oldest living female wrestler. Former printer William Matthews nickname, Rugged South London Tough Guy, was hardly catchy yet he was one of the sports biggest draws. 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. Think also about a 600-pound, 6'1" behemoth who could actually wrestle and who finished his opponents with a big splash. He also had many great matches against British wrestling greats such as Fit Finlay and Mick McManus. By 1960, nearly three quarters of the population had television, and by the end of the sixties, nearly ninety-five percent. [Photo: mirror.co.uk]Nagasaki had superhuman powers, such as the power of healing and the ability to hypnotize. He would have memorable feuds against the Von Erichs alongside Gino Hernandez as the Dynamic Duo in the World Class Championship Wrestling promotion, where he joined in 1983. 1960 Summer - Wrestling Revue Men (Heavyweight): Pat O'Connor ( NWA World Champion) Killer Kowalski Antonino Rocca Lou Thesz Edouard Carpentier Don Eagle Buddy Rogers Dick Hutton Don Leo Jonathan Gene Kiniski Women: June Byers ( World Champion) Judy Grable Lorraine Johnson Tona Tomah Rose Roman Kathy Starr Barbara Baker Lee Chona LaClaire He was a top draw in Australia and in Europe when he headed to America to join the company. The former NWA World Champion Jack and the former Stooge Jerry both began in the late '60s and had careers that spanned decades, including winning the NWA Tag Team Championship several times during their career. Nowadays, he trains the stars of tomorrow at the WWE Performance Center. Professional Wrestlers The Professional Andr The Giant Giant People Tall People Vintage Photography Andre Wwe Wrestlers Jean Ferrat Jesse Ventura andre the giant Wrestling Posters Great Memories Hall Of Fame Wwf Champs Legends Title Greats Pedro Morales poses with the US Title Belt Wrestling Stars Good Looking Men Wrestler Vintage Men He was even put in rare face-against-face matches when he challenged Bruno Sammartino for the WWWF World Title on a few occasions in the mid-60s. He became one of the most infamous heels ever in the late '70s when he injured many babyface wrestlers with his signature swinging full nelson he didn't release after the bell. Wrestling stars of the 60s/'70s3 of 18. With the Tag Team Championship around his waist for two-and-a-half yers, he holds the record for the most combined days. He needed a solid supporting crew to become such an icon. From an early age, Lamonte had a great interest in wrestling deciding at eight to become a wrestler, telling his mother Im gonna be a dirty one. Trained by Lord Littlebrook, Lamonte made his debut in 1963. Thornley was the original performer who used the Kendo Nagasaki character, but other variations have been used over the years. A number of bands emerged with an amalgamation of diverse musical influences. wrestlingheritage.co.uk. David Fit Finlay began his wrestling career in 1974, though his first mainstream exposure came when he debuted as the Belfast Bruiser in WCW in 1996.