He was a master of the heel tactics, but he was also very agile in the ring. 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. Rex. WWE Director of Talent Development and Head of Global Recruiting, playing a significant role in building the future stars of WWE. She took part in a Falls Count Anywhere 2-on-1 Handicap Match against. Wrestled in Germany, France, Japan and AWA. Wrestled his last match at a show that was independently produced by. In 1971, he and Bruno Sammartino put the hand on the short-lived WWWF International Tag Team Championship, a secondary Title. Around this time in his career, Matthews began earning more money touring throughout Europe and Africa. Sky Low Low (outside ring) in a tag team with Little Beaver (nearside) versus Mighty Atom, May 5, 1967. It's amazing to see how things in our corner of the Golden State have changed and transformed over time. Wigan-born Davey Boy Smith started out on World of Sport at 15, known as Young David. He died of cancer in 2004 aged 67. Former British Middleweight Champion and British Welterweight Champion. Retired wrestler Saraya-Jade Bevis, better known as Paige, has won the Divas Championship twice and was also its the youngest winner. He especially made his mark in handicap bouts and in what would become his specialty, the battle royal matches. He was a master user of foreign objects and one of the best ever to sell opponents' moves. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 2020-21 O-Pee-Chee Platinum Yellow Traxx #197 Dylan Cozens RC 66/249 at the best online prices at eBay! Wrestled last match as a replecement for Nick Strong, teaming with, Last wrestled on November 14, 2021, for an event in Guadalajara, Mexico where he defeated. But the oldest in the wrestling industry was promoter Harry Elliott (1904-2006) who lived 101 years, 314 days. All are heavyweight unless otherwise noted. 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. Gorgeous George gained epic mainstream popularity, followed in the Second Golden Age in the 1980's and 1990's by the likes of Ric Flair, Andre the Giant, Hulk Hogan, Shawn Michaels, Bret Hart, Sting, The Undertaker, Stone Cold Steve Austin, The Rock, Kurt Angle, and Triple H. Ric Flair Saturday Night was all about the WWF Main Event! Tag team: Little Bruiser and Billy the Kid, September 23 1972. TV Pallo. He went on to win one world title. Oldest female, mainly wrestled as Princess White Dove. 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. 15 episodes 1975-1984 Dickie Davies Self - Presenter 7 episodes 1974-1985 Neil Durden-Smith Self - Commentator 3 episodes 1974-1985 Johnny England Johnny England Brian Crabtree Self - Wrestling Ring Announcer 3 episodes 1981-1985 Tommy Billington Self - Wrestler 3 episodes 1981-1983 Gilbert Singh Self - Wrestler 3 episodes 1981 In two reigns, one with Jimmy and one with Jerry, he was Tag Team Champion for a total of 600 days. His father was an alcoholic and his abusive and violent behavior towards his son led the teenage Murray to run away from home. Wrestling Heritage celebrates the glorious days of British professional wrestling. Now retired, Lord Littlebrook resides with his son in Saint Joseph, Missouri. British Wrestlers. Like everything on Wrestling Heritage this is a developing project and we welcome additions and corrections. 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 his last match on his 80th birthday against Bobo Brazil Jr. at a CCW card in Marion, Ohio. Click here to watch Bobo Brazil taking on his nemesis, The Sheik. Best known as a top showjumper who occasionally flicked a V-sign, Yorkshires finest, 78, also grappled in the 1970s. British musician and wrestler. Last wrestled for ABC Wrestling in Beziers, France, losing to Matthew Ford. It's normal because he was like the main attraction for all those years. Bobo Johnson also wrestled under the name the Brown Panther. Best known for his tag performances with Louie Louie and later Rocky Johnson, Bobo was one of the earliest Black midget wrestlers alongside Haiti Kid. 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 . He did it so often that he was named the PWI Most Hated Wrestler in 1977. 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. The Red Shoes (1948) Film. Photograph: David Redfern/Redferns Swinging. This ultimately proved to be a waste of his ability during a time when he didnt have many years left in the squared circle as a performer. Finlay retired from in-ring competition in 2012 and is now a backstage producer for the WWE. When he left New Zealand after he signed with the WWWF in 1972, he quickly became a big star, earning the 1973 PWI Rookie of the Year. Click here to watch Tony Garea in action against Billy Graham. 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From Barbados former Mr. Universe, a bodybuilder wrestler in the 60s and 70s and teamed with Rocky Johnson. Despite this, he managed a very successful career. He was one of the first to implement karate into his performance and is often credited with the invention of the superkick, a now-signature move of many. By Kelly O'Sullivan. 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. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. Gori Guerrero - World Champion A former tag partner of Big Daddy, they became huge ring rivals. Cinemas were closing in large numbers and there was good reason to believe that the small screen would destroy the cinema entirely. Last wrestled for New Age Wrestling in Australia, defeating Bo Boman. 10. With his rising popularity, he eventually won the WWWF Tag Team Championship on two occasions. Adrian Street is one of the most influential British wrestlers of his time. He retired in 1970 and moved to Las Vegas where he became a blackjack dealer. Graham, one of the greatest brawlers ever, won three different tag team championships during his runs with the company. His most notable feud, that lasted for over two decades in and out WWWF, was against Bobo Brazil, and in the process, he became a two-time WWWF US Champion. Sun Sign: Leo. 12:36, 4 APR 2013. Wrestling has been represented well in Vancouver with cards almost every week since as early as 1929 under the enterprising promotion of pioneer, Emil Klank. 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. You probably noticed that the name of Bruno Sammartino was repeated often and was featured in many videos. New Zealand wrestler. However, he was not alone and this top 25 is the proof. Also, the rarer the item the higher the gear score will be within the gears tier range. He got his big break in the United States in 1996, competing in WCW as the Loch Ness Monster. Birthdate: August 17, 1992. His first reign, in 1975, lasted 105 days, and he teamed up with Victor Rivera who was later replaced by Pat Barrett. He was also a trainer even when he was an active wrestler. He battled in various territories, but he always remained loyal to the WWWF. Once Mia Farrow rocked the style, it was a spiral of everyone and their mother wanting to do the same. The forgotten heroes of Midget Wrestling: Vintage photos from the 60s and 70s, Oliver Reed as a prototype Alex from A Clockwork Orange in These are the Damned, I Have No Desire To Be Nico: Post-Punks Muse Of Manchester, Linder Sterling. Read more. [Photo: dailymail.co.uk]McManuss main catchphrase was Not the ears! He had a 57-year wrestling career, winning championships across multiple countries in different promotions such as Championship Wrestling from Florida and Southwest Championship Wrestling. It featured geometric edges that became a hit all over the world while super out-there for the time. Best known by his ring name, Giant Haystacks, he wrestled in such places as Great Britain, the United States, Canada, India, and Rhodesia. 2012 Wrestlers.co.uk - The Home of UK Wrestling & Wrestlers. The Liverpool-born wrestler initially performed in a tag team called The Golden Boys alongside William Regal (then known as Steven Regal). This page was last edited on 4 March 2023, at 00:57. Farmer Pete and Cowboy Lang backstage in Milwaukee, February 3, 1972. Both were combat sports, millions of fans believed both were competitive, contests were split into rounds, combatants were introduced by a Master of Ceremony wearing a dinner jacket, and referees were smartly dressed, usually in white shirts. Professional Wrestler The Professional Stu Hart bret hart , stu hart and owen hart T Tearle British wrestlers 1970s Elvis Presley Videos Andre The Giant Mike Tyson Pro Wrestling Wwf Wrestler Role Models Actors & Actresses Old School Andre The Giant Iron Sheik Wwe Tna Professional Wrestling Giants Andre The Giant Vs. By M.A LeBlanc Ring Of Honor Tag Team Champion Jay Briscoe Passes Away At 38. Unofficially, she lost the title on four occasions, but she only spent 70 days without the gold in that 10,778-day time frame. Oldest Canadian Wrestler. He was 69. Where would we be without films like "Grease" and "The Godfather"? Kendo was unmasked in 1977, with 12 million viewers disappointed to learn that Peter Thornley was not Japanese after all. The list is about where the wrestlers were born not where they wrestled. The inaugural WWE Champion lost the title 21 days later against Bruno Sammartino, and he suddenly vanished for a while. In 1968 he was crowned 'WWWF Champion' in a tournament but would hold it (and his all-time record reign) for an unprecedented eight years without being defeated. Father of Bret "The Hitman" Hart, and the late wrestler Owen Hart. He had the strength, the technical abilities, the charisma and that mythic "it" factor to draw the audiences. 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. He later found fame as an actor on TV and in films such as Kes and Alien 3. Sources say that Gama remained active as a wrestler until 1952. Mexican actor, wrestling announcer and baseball broadcaster. Former printer William Matthews nickname, Rugged South London Tough Guy, was hardly catchy yet he was one of the sports biggest draws. On November 29th, 1998, he would sadly die of lymphoma at his home near Manchester, England. (Youngest WWE Divas Champion) 44. Nina Hagens Nunsexmonkrock: Greatest (and weirdest) unsung masterpiece of the postpunk era? Karloff Largarde - World & National Champion. Rogers mostly worked for Capitol Wrestling Corporation, the promotion that was the ancestor of the new WWWF created in 1963; he then became the first world champion on April 29 the same year. In 1978 DeNucci enjoyed his second reign with Dino Bravo as his partner, and they held the belt for 104 days. Clockwise from top left: the band Chicago in 1978, Paul Butterfield of The Paul Butterfield Band, Jerry McGeorge of The Shadows of The Knight, Frankie Sullivan of Survivor, Jim Sohns of Shadows of. There's no Buddy Rogers WWWF footage available but click here to watch a little gem from the '50s between him and Johnny Valentine. Morales, who would later become the first Triple Crown Champion in WWE history, was known for his uncommon resilience and for his mat skills. Mark Rocco was a fourth-generation British wrestler. Widely respected for his integrity and personal principles, Sammartino was one of the most popular wrestlers in the 60's and 70's. Born and raised in a small Italian town, Bruno Sammartino's childhood was quite tough. 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. Worthington 'E' Ind Coope Double Diamond Draught (launched 1962) Whitbread Tankard (launhed 1957) Watneys Red Barrel His impressive reign lasted until December 1, 1973 when Stan "The Man" Stasiak defeated him for the title in a shocking moment. Antonio Inoki I hope you enjoyed that ride back to the old school universe, and as usual, your comments are more than welcomeespecially if I missed anyone on the list and/or if you disagree with the order. One bout with Jackie Pallo was seen by 20 million fans. Peter S. Beagle (Goodreads Author) 4.16 avg rating 103,279 ratings. Sadly, his fame and glory in the British circuit were cut short. Joe wrestled his last match at the Gypsy Joe retirement show held in Tullahoma, Tennessee by the Southern Wrestling Federation. Nowadays, he trains the stars of tomorrow at the WWE Performance Center. 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. He was a muscular 6 feet, 6 inches. The Fabulous Moolah is the longest reigning champion in pro wrestling history. Fit Finlay 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. One such style was the Vidal Sassoon pixie, which was created by the British hairstylist of the same name. Mick McManus was a man small in stature, though he induced much fear! He was so pushed on television that he was unbeaten for twenty years. From 1970 to 1973, Pedro Morales left a permanent mark on WWE. Wrestling stars of the 60s/'70s2 of 18. * 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. Mexican wrestler who teamed with the Great Goliath. Drama. He didn't fail to bring his aggressive style with him when he joined the WWWF in the mid-60s. 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 . This is a list of oldest surviving professional wrestlers. ITVs World of Sport was a household name in Britain, where it saw millions of viewers weekly. 1961-09-29 - National Wrestling Association (source: LegacyOfWrestling.com) During his time there, he would become a four-time TV Champion. while others continued to bill Byers as the title holder. Brother of. Coventry Live. Directors Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger. He won the WWWF World Tag Team Championship in 1976 with one of his students, Big John Studd. Oldest living female wrestler. 0 comments. Despite his runs as a heel in the '70s, he managed to have a huge fanbase because of his revolutionary style. 10. Cowboy Bob Bradley and Joey Russell, February 23 1968. At that age and size, one bump is likely all he had left in him.. 1962-08-10 - National Wrestling Association (source: LegacyOfWrestling.com) Admittedly, we've had a lot of fun putting this wrestler information together and we hope you enjoy reading it too! With two different partners (Professor Tanaka and Mr. Saito), he managed to have five reigns as Tag Team champion, for a total of 932 days. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. Whilst the enthusiasts focus was quite rightly on the wrestlers they could never have taken their place centre stage had it not been for those who made it happen, the promoters. From January 1965 to September 85, British wrestling was the hottest it may have ever been. 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. 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.