By Lee Dorrian. Photograph: David Redfern/Redferns Swinging. Story Saved. He worked for Joint Promotions and frequently wrestled on ITVs World of Sport. Last wrestled for ABC Wrestling in Beziers, France, losing to Matthew Ford. Garea made his mark in the tag team division by winning the gold on three occasions, with three different partners, for a total of 384 days with the title in the '70s. He was also inducted into the Stampede Wrestling, the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, and the Canadian Wrestling Hall of Fames. She won the Women's Championship in 1956, and she battled each and every woman on her path to build her unique legacy. He was a fierce brawler but also a sound technician. Known as Sammy Berg. His first reign, in 1975, lasted 105 days, and he teamed up with Victor Rivera who was later replaced by Pat Barrett. Five time NWA Polynesian Pacific Heavyweight Champion. TV Pallo. Matthewss extensive knowledge of wrestling holds aided him, even in some of Britains most ruthless towns. The Genius Cast with Lanny Poffo (2018-19), HOMAGE.com Our favorite in retro wrestling attire! However, the highlight of his career was the first ever babyface vs. babyface championship match, at the legendary main event of "Showdown at Shea 1972" against Bruno Sammartino. However, before his run as manager, Mr. Fuji was one of the greatest tag team specialist ever. It's normal because he was like the main attraction for all those years. Kendo was unmasked in 1977, with 12 million viewers disappointed to learn that Peter Thornley was not Japanese after all. In 1978 DeNucci enjoyed his second reign with Dino Bravo as his partner, and they held the belt for 104 days. 30 Best '70s Movies From Hollywood's Grooviest Decade. Once Mia Farrow rocked the style, it was a spiral of everyone and their mother wanting to do the same. Click here to watch history being made when Ivan Koloff defeated Bruno Sammartino for the WWWF; and click here if you want to see The Russian Bear in a cage match again vs. Sammartino, in 1975. 9. 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. Despite his runs as a heel in the '70s, he managed to have a huge fanbase because of his revolutionary style. 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. Welcome to professional wrestling in the 1970s, where anything goes and grapplers weren't participating in sports entertainment. Began his career in the 1940s. 12:36, 4 APR 2013. It would take a whole book to cover his unique career, but to make it short, he was the face of the company for over 15 years. Pro Wrestling Stories - Your daily source of nostalgia and a peek behind the curtain wall of wrestlings past! Father of Bret "The Hitman" Hart, and the late wrestler Owen Hart. An example is Kazuo Sakurada, a Japanese wrestler who used the gimmick in the late 80s. 6 Antonio Inoki Wrestling stars of the 60s/'70s1 of 18. With his 64-inch chest and bleach blonde hair, it was hard for him not to be popular with fans. He won three WWWF Titles in the tag team division with three different partners from 1971 to 1978. Get the latest wrestling news and takes direct to your inbox. Cowboy Bob Bradley was born Robert Claton Bradley in Dickens County, TX, in February 1935. Due to the lack of complete records, it is believed that Farmer Pete was World Champion for seven days in 1957, after beating Sonny Boy Cassidy, who won the title back in a rematch in October the same year. DeNucci, who trained Mick Foley and Shane Douglas among others, was mainly a tag team specialist and a great brawler. These promoters were commonly known as the independent or opposition promoters. His win streak eventually was ruined by opponent Peter Preston. From her blue eyes to her athletic build and immersive backstory, we are Angela Ziegler Or Mercy, was born in Switzerland. He was so popular in Britain that in one of his performances, he pulled in twenty million viewers against Jackie Mr. 1. Clear rating. He died of cancer in 2004 aged 67. The title of the oldest verified wrestler of all time belongs to Polish-born American wrestler Abe Coleman (19052007), who lived 101years, 189days. Keg bitters on draught. 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 heel and was renowned for bending the rules so the crowd would despise him as much as humanly possible. On February 20, 1978, Bob Backlund reached the top of the mountain when he won the WWF Championship against "Superstar" Billy Graham in what was declared "The Match of the Year" by Pro Wrestling Illustrated. 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. Wrestled in the WWWF from 1964 to 1969. 0 comments. 1 on the Billboard 100 in 1977. 5 Times The Forbidden Door Opened in Wrestling, 10 Surprising Moments WWE Deceived Their Fans, 11 WrestleMania Matches That Surprisingly Didnt Main Event, Bruce Hart Explains How He Revolutionized Pro Wrestling, 10 Wrestlers Who Turned Scraps to Gold in ECW. vintage everyday: British Wrestling Posters, Andre The Giant Vs. Iron Sheik #wwe #wwf #wrestling #prowrestling, Food Fight - All the ladies | Mister Edwards, wrestling poster, morecambe by maraid, via Flickr. It is said that his disillusion with his career direction led to a return to the Texas independent scene in late 99. The pedigree of the two sports were linked; combined professional wrestling and boxing shows had taken place in the early 1930s under the auspices of the British Boxing Board of Control. In the 1960s British professional wrestling was a credible rival to professional boxing for the position of Britain's most popular combat sport. Sadly, his fame and glory in the British circuit were cut short. From 1963 to 1971, the man held the WWWF Championship for an astonishing first reign of 2,803 days. [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). Think also about a 600-pound, 6'1" behemoth who could actually wrestle and who finished his opponents with a big splash. As you could see, pro wrestling didn't start with Hulk Hogan in the '80s. Look no further, get it all here! He joined WWE in 2000, where he would becomea four-time European Champion, four-time Tag Team Champion, two-time Intercontinental Champion, and a five-time Hardcore Champion, also winning the King of the Ring tournament in 2008 despite issues outside of the ring. Jack Ernest Gutteridges alter-ego had an 11-year grudge with McManus and developed moves such as the cross-shoulder backbreaker. They represent an era in which Saturday afternoon telly was genuinely gripping. He once was a fierce wrestler, with a heel character back in the '60s. He joined the WWWF in early 1977, and only four months later, he had his first shot at the WWWF Championship against Graham, but he lost via countout. He died of cancer in 1990, aged 53. This is the most complete dead wrestlers list on the Internet. He was 69. He even found time to release the single True Love in 1975 and still has stables in Bingley. He worked in Brixton offices by day but would become a villain by night. It's amazing to see how things in our corner of the Golden State have changed and transformed over time. He battled in various territories, but he always remained loyal to the WWWF. Tag team: Little Bruiser and Billy the Kid, September 23 1972. Let's get straight to the wrestlers information, which we've split up in the following handy sections below: Wrestling tickets currently on offer - click to see more! LEGENDS 1980s; Alan Dennison Alan Garfield Alfred Hayes Bert Assirati Big Daddy Billy Robinson Bruno Erlington Count Bartelli Geoff Portz Giant Haystacks Ian Campbell Jackie Pallo Jim Collins Jim Hussey Jimmy Breaks Kendo Nagasaki King Kong Kirk Les Kellett Les Thornton Lord Littlebrook When he was not embracing success in the tag team division, he had some memorable feuds in singles against the likes of Billy Graham and Ken Patera. The Fabulous Moolah is the longest reigning champion in pro wrestling history. He died in 2013 at 93. There always was, and still are, boxing shows operating outside the jurisdiction of the BBBC. The 60s and 70s set the ball rolling for rock music. In two reigns, one with Jimmy and one with Jerry, he was Tag Team Champion for a total of 600 days. Last wrestled for Lucha Libre Acapulco in, Most recently wrestled on August 6, 2022, for. 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. Clark was to finish the mid-1960s as the second most famous drummer in the . Something went wrong, please try again later. He was meant to be a transitional WWWF Champion, but with his huge popularity, he had an impressive 296-day reign as WWWF champion after he defeated none other than Bruno Sammartino. 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. Raised in Texas. 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. Cowboy Bob Bradley and Joey Russell, February 23 1968. Even today, there are wrestlers who won't dare try the now 75-year-old Jerry. Former British Middleweight Champion and British Welterweight Champion. Along with his accolades, he was one of the first to incorporate a female valet into his act. 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. Owns Pro Wrestling America. Billy started his career in the 1950s, where he established himself as a wrestling bad guy. In the late '50s and in the whole '60s, he never stayed in the same territory very long because his presence often overshadowed the various World Championship promotion matches.