In the 1974 Heritage Year of Wrestling, we wrote:
"As in the previous year, Scotland once again proved the graveyard for ageing Dale Martin bill-toppers. Just like Alan Garfield before him, Mr TV Pallo now exited Joint Promotions’ employ following an extended Scottish tour where his frequent opponent, also on his last wrestling legs, was George Kidd. Pallo and Son skulked about on these fringes of Joint Promotions’ territory for the latter part of the year, no doubt establishing the groundwork for the breakaway to come. This Garfield-Pallo departure lounge in Hibernia would continue in 1975 with yet another topliner, as will be revealed “next year”."
As our Year of Wrestling stated, change was afoot in 1974. Some kind of schism was appearing within the JP members, possibly with Pallo as agitator-in.chief.
We know that the JP promoters were ageing and retiring. We know that: either Mike Marino was matchmaker for DM; or Max Crabtree was already in control. Whichever, this new powerbase seems to have caused discontent after McManus had managed Pallo's ego skilfully from 1967 through to their RAH trilogy with Pallo winning the European Middleweight Championship for those few seconds in 1973.
The Ost has rooted out that Pallo & Son appeared on Scottish JP bills in May even after having started promoting in April.
My impression is that Norman Morrell had perhaps retired on 31st March and there was a scrambling for the spoils and grabbing of opportunities. There is no way he or Dale Martin would have allowed a rival promoter to wrestle on their bills. Officially, Morrell's company closed down in December but I suspect he had pulled the plug operationally at the end of the financial year nine months earlier.
I wonder if between us we can answer any of these questions, the replies to which might help us to piece together what actually happened in 1974?
When was Pallo's last appearance on a Dale Martin bill?
When was Pallo's final tv bout?
When did Norman Morrell retire?
Who was the promoter at Nottingham Ice Rink for the remainder of 1974 and into 1975?
How active was Ted Beresford as a promoter after 31.3.1974?
Did Beresford and/or Morrell continue as tv promoters beyond 31st March 1974?
Did Peter Keenan take over Relwyskow & Green's Scottish venues in 1974? Or was his title match a one-off, a disguise?
Relwyskow never merged into Dale Martin and continued until 1992. But did they retain tv shows? When was their final tv show?
Remember Also That at least 2 Top Top Wrestlers left JOINTS in 1974!-
ALBERT WALL Retired from The Ring-Taking his Original MOUNTEVANS
HEAVYWEIGHT Belt with him!!
Plus ADRIAN STREET also Quit JOINTS-Citing a Lack of a Payment Recognition
For his Talents-Skills and Contributions to The Business!!
2 Major Losses to The 'Roster'!!
MAIN MASK