To start, I have no idea what I am talking about on this subject. I've just never seen a list like this and thought posting one might provoke the more well informed to try their hand. I apologize if something like this is already in the works. By British, I included English, Welsh, Scottish and Irish wrestlers. I hope that doesn't offend anyone. The criteria is any and all factors that make a pro wrestler legendary. The list is about where the wrestlers were born not where they wrestled.
1 Billy Robinson
2 Dynamite Kid
3 Davey Boy Smith
4 Danno O’Mahoney
5 Mick McManus
6 Steve Casey
7 Jackie Pallo
8 Bert Assirati
9 Billy Joyce
10 Big Daddy
11 Kendo Nagasaki
12 George Kidd
13 Lord Alfred Hayes
14 Adrian Street
15 Douglas Clark
16 William Regal
17 Black Angus Campbell
18 Les Thornton
19 Atthol Oakley
20 Billy Riley
21 Lord James Blears
22 Prince Devitt
23 Will Ospreay
24 Chris Adams
25 Johnny Saint
26 Mark Rocco
27 Giant Haystacks
28 Tony Charles
29 Jack Pye
30 Jim Breaks
31 Ian Campbell
32 Black Butcher Johnson 3
3 The Ghoul (Bates)
34 PAC
35 Alan Garfield
36 Count Bartelli
37 Albert Wall
38 Joe Cornelius
39 Mike Marino
40 Bruno Elrington
41 Nick Aldis
42 Johnny Eagles
43 Fit Finlay
44 Sheamus
45 George Gregory
46 Ernie Baldwin
47 Zach Sabre Jr
48 Pat Roach
49 Nigel McGuinness
50 Pat Barrett
< Was Ken Joyce British-born? >
I always assumed so, but only because he and Doug were from Rushden (with love). When he spoke on his 'retirement' from the ring, he sounded Northants.; but you know better than I.
< Including one Yorkshire Terrier and not the more prolific other one is surprising.>
Yeah, I was admittedly in two minds about this, and broke the rule by basing it on his surprising success abroad. I did mention Mick McMick, but should perhaps exclude both in favour of Preston. (BTW one of these for tag teams should be interesting :) ) .
< But a list like this without Alan Garfield. Seriously? >
Admit to professing ignorance. Only saw AG once in late career, when Pat Roach went over.
< Johnny Kwango >
He was allegedly (admittedly by M. Crabtree) professional in terms of honouring bookings, etc. While I was never into the headbutting-the-hand shtick, he seemed high-profile in terms of Albert Hall appearances, etc. I'm leaving him in.
< Mike Marino >
Prestige as perceived by promoters. Stays in.
< Steve Logan >
Seemingly rock 'ard. Stays in.
< Alf Marquette and Leon Arras and Mal Kirk all well worth a shout >
Have to admit that Marquette totally passed me by until his book came out.
Re- Arras, I was thinking 'Surely he's foreign'? until I twigged: yes, Glover had slipped down a crack and deserves to be in.
Mal's rating is (unfairly) affected by all the jobbing he did for Daddy, literally to the death.
< who signed gracious autographs. >
I think this sort of thing should add to their score, as should shoot ability and the fact that some have paid their dues, jobbing for years before getting a push.
< Sir Atholl >
He was mentioned above, so I put him in (you always used to laugh at my stuff on the old Grappling website :D ). Oakley out, Arras in.
Thanks, Anglo. Respect - Dave (Melvin M. Melvin)