These promoters were commonly known as the independent or opposition promoters. Little Bruiser ready for a bout in Chicago, September 1 1972. Logos are registered trademarks of respective organizations. He built his reputation with a hardcore side that disappeared in the early '80s due to health issues. 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. Here is where he would meet Robbie Brookside. 10. He immediately became the No. The '60s: With Josh Hamilton, Julia Stiles, Jerry O'Connell, Jeremy Sisto. Both men clashed on many occasions with no clear winner until that famous day in 1978 at the Madison Square Garden. 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 Gustav Fritensk wrestled until the age of 72. Initially unpopular with the crowds, he became much loved after his acting career took off. He joined the carnival and started wrestling. British wrestler Dynamite Kid Tom Billington was one of the best to lace up a pair of wrestling boots. Billy started his career in the 1950s, where he established himself as a wrestling bad guy. 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. Many greats, including Hulk Hogan, Stone Cold, Ric Flair and Triple H, were inspired by him to forge their characters. His calculated evil ways made him one of the biggest heels in any company he worked. Although after thirty years of being a performer, he was able to transition into becoming a talent scout for the WWE. In the process, I discovered countless wrestlers I hadn't heard about or I didn't really know. In the '50s, '60s, and '70s, female solo singers were ever-present on radio, TV and the pop charts -- as they should have been! * 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. Discover 100 Huge Hits of the 60s & 70s by Various Artists released in 2007. Tag team: Little Bruiser and Billy the Kid, September 23 1972. He was also credited by the Guinness Book of Records as the Worlds Strongest Midget. The oldest female wrestler was Princess Bonita (19192014), aged 94years, 273days. The Genius Cast with Lanny Poffo (2018-19), HOMAGE.com Our favorite in retro wrestling attire! French-Canadian wrestler. Gorilla Monsoon is not just that face commentator known by the younger fans in the '80s and '90s. 5. This would prove to make him a crowd favorite in Britain throughout the 1970s and 80s. 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. His biggest accomplishments were in the tag team division. He retired, ran a care home and, now aged 70, still sells Kendo merchandise online. The 60s & 70s beer guide; Beers from the past; Beers from the past. He continued wrestling until the late 1980s, when he was enshrined into the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame. 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. 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. 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. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. Known as Sammy Berg. [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! 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. Chances are that grandmother or aunt would not be quite so respectable and may well have been prone to threatening the wrestlers with her handbag, umbrella or any other inanimate object that may have been close to hand. He fought as part of a tag team and was often picked to fight 6ft 10in 350lbs wrestler Blackjack Mulligan who would wallop Bruiser onto the canvas. Last wrestled in an 11-person Royal Rumble style match, where he entered last and won, last eliminating Erik Lockhart, for Rock n Roll Wrestling in Wahpeton, North Dakota. 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. 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. Officially, according the WWE, she held the Women's Championship for 28 years without interruption, from 1956 to 1984. 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 was an instant top babyface who battled Gorilla Monsoon and The Sheik among others. Billy the Kid born John William Guillot in Waco, Texas in 1936. Armstrong's last match was for Continental Championship Wrestling in Dothan, Alabama, where he defeated The Assassin. He needed a solid supporting crew to become such an icon. She took part in a Falls Count Anywhere 2-on-1 Handicap Match against. New Zealand wrestler. Warner Bros. He was a master user of foreign objects and one of the best ever to sell opponents' moves. The best quality video I could find was Stan Stasiak vs. Tony Garea in three parts: part 1, part 2 and part 3. 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. Wrestled for NWA Vancouver and AWA from 1960 to 1972, Japanese female wrestler. 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 0 comments. Graham also managed to put the hand on the short-lived WWF International Tag Team Championship. When his three-year reign ended in 1977, Sammartino established an unbeatable record of 11 years as the reigning WWWF Champion. We do not accept responsibility for views expressed in the forum, articles by Heritage members, or photographs posted in the Heritage Galleries. Rex. published 12 September 2017. 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. And, with his trademark war dance, the fans went as crazy as when Hogan was "Hulking" up in the '80s. Known as the "Living Legend" of sports entertainment, Bruno Sammartino wrestled for 18 years and captured America's imagination. Here are twelve British wrestlers who were critical to the evolution of British wrestling and influenced some of the very best of today. List of oldest surviving professional wrestlers, Oldest wrestlers to ever perform 70 and over, British Empire/Commonwealth Heavyweight Championship, List of premature professional wrestling deaths, "Seattle promoter Harry Elliott dead at 101", "Gary Will: Deceased Pro Wrestlers A Tribute to Mat Stars of the Past", "Betty Wagner, first wife of WWE Hall of Famer Gorgeous George, dead at 98", "Deepest condolences to @nicklaroberts and family on the passing of her mom Lorraine Johnson at age 90. 10. The former undisputed World Heavyweight Champion last wrestled. Wrestled his last match at a show that was independently produced by. 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. Look no further, get it all here! From January 1965 to September 85, British wrestling was the hottest it may have ever been. The list is about where the wrestlers were born not where they wrestled. Coventry Live. Something went wrong, please try again later. Think about Yokozuna or Big Daddy V but wearing a farmer boy outfit and carrying a horseshoe necklace from 1955 to the late '70s. Farmer Pete wrestling in Milwaukee, December 3, 1972. Are you looking for a specific British Wrestler? '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. We have taken a lot of time and careful attention to detail in bringing you our free to use and access Wrestler's Database. 13. 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. 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. Graham, one of the greatest brawlers ever, won three different tag team championships during his runs with the company. 11:52, 21 APR 2013. While gender equality was an elusive dream in many fields, women were well represented in popular music, and the best female singers are legends. He was built to become a legend, and he was just that. 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. The Promoters A-Z index has been split into sections. The iconic Bun Boy building located in Baker as captured in this picture from the 1960s. Kowalski, who opened a pro wrestling school after he retired in 1977, trained none other than Triple H and many others. Bobo Brazil Bobo Brazil was born Houston Harris in Little Rock, Arkansas, but moved to Benton Harbor, Michigan as a young man and got a job in a steel mill. When he joined the WWWF in 1977, he quickly made his way into the world championship picture as a top heel. Joint Promotions was a collection of promoters who became all powerful by using their collective force to create a stranglehold over all those who worked for them. "British Bulldog" Davey Boy Smith 39 May . In the '70s, this was hands-down the most romantic song on the radio. 1. In 1978 DeNucci enjoyed his second reign with Dino Bravo as his partner, and they held the belt for 104 days. 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. 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. We also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. He toured across America with fellow wrestlers and held several championship titles. He, however, was a considerable draw himself. Nina Hagens Nunsexmonkrock: Greatest (and weirdest) unsung masterpiece of the postpunk era? So I decided to explore an unknown zone for me and to tackle an era I didn't witness, the '60s and the '70s. Click here to watch The Fabulous Moolah facing one of her toughest rival in the '70s. 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. As of 2017, there are 42 living veterans from the "Golden Age of Wrestling" (1950s1970s) over 75 years old. Sandor Szabo 60 October 16, 1966 Heart Attack; Primo Carnera 51 June 29, 1967 Cirrhosis of Liver . Click here to watch Strongbow taking on Professor TanakaMr. There always was, and still are, boxing shows operating outside the jurisdiction of the BBBC. 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. Karloff Largarde - World & National Champion. Sadly, his fame and glory in the British circuit were cut short. 20. The inaugural WWE Champion lost the title 21 days later against Bruno Sammartino, and he suddenly vanished for a while. The 10 best music producers of the '60s By Simon Arblaster ( Future Music ) published March 04, 2016 MusicRadar users have voted, so here's the countdown. He was ahead of his time, innovating a level of athleticism unlike most before him. The top 100 of the 1960s is an expanded version of a top 15 list that ran last July, a few months after we began our Lost Factor calculations. 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. But the female in the wrestling industry was Betty Wagner, the valet of Gorgeous George who lived to 98 years old in 2011. However, he never got to show his full potential and was often placed in comedy segments alongside his leprechaun sidekick, Hornswoggle. 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars. The oldest male wrestler was Killer Kowalski, who won on an independent show in Massachusetts on March 14, 2008, at age 81. Excellent and Psycho Mike. He died aged 75 on June 24, 2010 in Amarillo, Texas. Peter Thornleys version of the character remained a household name throughout Britain, but most Americans and Japanese fans associated the character mostly with Kazuo Sakuradas version. Then, in June 1971, he and Tarzan Tyler became the inaugural WWWF World Tag Team Champions. Everyone can stop writing love songs now. Giant Haystacks was one of the best-known wrestlers on the British wrestling scene in the 1970s and 1980s. You can find instructions here as to how. Mick McManus was a man small in stature, though he induced much fear! A former tag partner of Big Daddy, they became huge ring rivals. In June, he defeated Ted DiBiase to win the WWF North American Championship, and in September, he merged that title with the South American version to become the first ever Intercontinental Champion. His win streak eventually was ruined by opponent Peter Preston. Also was a bodybuilder, swimmer, and actor. He died, aged 52, in 1998. Training under Marty Jones, Matthews made his pro wrestling debut at the age of 15 for a local promotor at Blackpool Pleasure Beach. Marty Jones perhaps might be the least known of the names mentioned on this list but is one of the best all-around grapplers of the bunch. Pro Wrestling Stories - Your daily source of nostalgia and a peek behind the curtain wall of wrestlings past! A comeback bout with Hulk Hogan was axed in 1995 after Haystacks, born Martin Ruane, contracted cancer. Martin Austin Ruane (October 10, 1946 - November 29, 1998) was an English professional wrestler of Irish descent. From 1970 to 1973, Pedro Morales left a permanent mark on WWE. 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 . Find album reviews, track lists, credits, awards and more at AllMusic. He sadly died at the age of 56 in January 2007. His first reign, in 1975, lasted 105 days, and he teamed up with Victor Rivera who was later replaced by Pat Barrett. Wrestled his last match for Bay Wrestling Federation in Alameda, California, teaming with his son Shane Kody and his grandson Riot defeating Boom Boom Comini, Johnny Starr and Mr. He died of cancer in 1990, aged 53. After one of his shows on December 2nd, 1997, he died from a stroke. Share. 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. He was a master of in-ring psychology and an ace on the mic who could generate heat like no others. In WWE, he was recognized as one of the companys best and most reliable workers. Short hair became a go-to in the 60s. 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. Little Bruiser in action against Bobo Johnson in Chicago, September 1972. . In his later years, he continued to be influential within the British circuit, winning titles such as the Frontier Wrestling Alliances British Heavyweight Championship. (Use code PWS for a nice surprise). 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. 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. By 1960, nearly three quarters of the population had television, and by the end of the sixties, nearly ninety-five percent. If his nine-day reign was short, Stasiak can at least say he was one of the only six WWWF champions of the '70s and to have been a top heel of his time. In the 1960s British professional wrestling was a credible rival to professional boxing for the position of Britain's most popular combat sport. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. He portrayed a Japanese samurai with a relatively unknown past: Kendo Nagasaki. * Some NWA promoters recognized Moolah as world champion After Satoru Sayama (the original iteration of Tiger Mask) retired, Dynamite Kid went on to win the WWF Junior Heavyweight Champion on February 7th, 1984, in a tournament for the vacant title. With an HPI of . His nickname is used by today's wrestlers as a tribute to his legacy, and they are now known as Superstars. Brother of. Now, with no more introduction, let's travel back in time when pro wrestling was absent from the mainstream media and when it caused actual riots on many occasions. Despite he never broke out of the tag team division, he was very over with the fans, and he was one of the best technical wrestlers of his time. The wrestler called The Living Legend had it all to be a genuine superstar. He won the WWWF US Championship in 1971, but he had to drop it one month later, when he became the WWWF World Heavyweight Champion on February 8, 1971. Get the latest wrestling news and takes direct to your inbox. Second oldest British wrestler ever behind Joe D'Orazio. Click here to watch a classic match from the mid-70s between Spiros Arion and Bruno Sammartino. This is the most complete dead wrestlers list on the Internet. Former. Honorable mention: Verne Gagne, Bill Miller, Karl Gotch, Dick the Bruiser, Reggie Lisowski, Wilbur Snyder, Buddy Austin, Bobo Brazil, Sailor Art Thomas, Lorenzo Parente, Light Heavyweight (Mexico): Even today, there are wrestlers who won't dare try the now 75-year-old Jerry. 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. Raised in Texas. 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. The best wrestlers (Sky Low Low, Little Beaver, Lord Littlebrook, Little Tokyo) mixed great physical prowess with acrobatic . By Lee Dorrian. 12:36, 4 APR 2013. Wrestled his last match in Nashville, Tennessee, teaming with his son-in-law. Welcome to professional wrestling in the 1970s, where anything goes and grapplers weren't participating in sports entertainment. The long-running debate over the best Muscle Cars from the 60s and 70s finally ends in this article. If you can provide further information please get in touch. Privacy Inducted into the. Paige. Morales, who would later become the first Triple Crown Champion in WWE history, was known for his uncommon resilience and for his mat skills. Former NWA World Tag Team Champion. Peter S. Beagle (Goodreads Author) 4.16 avg rating 103,279 ratings. 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. This series of highly regarded matches would also lead to New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) contacting Rocco, leading to the birth of the "Black Tiger" persona and some of the most highly rated matches in Japanese television history against Sayamas Tiger Mask. 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. 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. Danny Hodge - World Champion, Challengers (listed alphabetically): Dynamite Kid made his WWF television debut on August 29th, 1984, at the Maple Leaf Gardens teaming up with Bret Hart to defeat Iron Mike Sharpe and Troy Alexander. His powerhouse antics made him popular and he quickly became a star. A number of rock songs written in the 60s and 70s have gone onto become popular rock anthems. To build the list, I had to rely mostly on reading and assumptions in regard to what I could actually watch.