Interesting comment from Bernard as at Newcastle the introductions were performed by a couple of chaps, one also being the timekeeper, in a small alcove on a balcony above the ring. The referees Ernie Baldwin, Gordon Smith, Ron Johnson, Mike Delaney and Ernest Lofthouse described the moves and scores.
Also interesting that I am not alone in my opinion of Mr Lofthouse.
How abut Mark Green. In 60s he was resident M.C. at Belle Vue and all of Rand G promotions in the north Before him Ben Green his father was also M.C. RandG.
A stalwart for Dale Martin for many years- George Lawson-Peeke is worth remembering. I have doubts over his double barrelled moniker being entirely accurate, but he was a convivial character who brought an air of excitement to proceedings and definitely held the edge over Francis P Blake.
Ah well, if we are now mutating into the out and out best MCs ...
Harry Roth, such a fan. Seemed enthralled by every bout. This is clearly the vital ingredient. Did he ever appear on tv?
That wonderful Neil Sowden I only saw on tv.
Johnny Dale for simply looking and sounding the (RAF) part, pirouetting around on his heel.
Martin Conroy's voice was so enigmatic to southern ears.
So you too noticed Charlie Fisher, Paul, headcounting? I have mentioned that many times here. And he did it all with such a scowl and unapproachability. The headcount was intriguing as it told us something about the relationship between the hall and the promoter.
The only time I saw Charlie nice and approachable was when ... he was desperate to flog The Who's Who of Wrestling.
Another awful one was Francis P Blake, whose sole interest seemed to be to get in, get it over, and get out. And he was supposed to be the doyen!!!
Couple of points I found Charlie fisher pretty good but he was always distracted counting the house.Martin was excellent and fans and workers respected him.Ernie was good exactly for reason stated he was approachable and like Martin when it ended he was losthe lived and breathed the game.Anglo made me laugh with his comments about the honourable secretary Mr Green he was awful,he'd kill heat like a water cannon.lofthouse was consistent and hated everyone.Mike Judd proffesional but odd in the office,Roy Harding mentioned got a lot of responsibility when Dales in their death throes his wife worked in the office. Two authorative underated m c s Bob Verlander consummate delivery and polished worked in local government,Stan Rylands a great loss to Wryton his description of falls and intros second to non.
Hate to do this, but have to agree with Hack about the wording of the question.
It leaves us with Ernie. But from what we have seen on Youtube this year of fifties fiery Charles Fisher, regardless of titles, he'd be in the mix too.
I guess you could also stretch it a bit and mention Mick McManus, who dabbled with the mike. Less than skilfully.
Maybe we need a thread BEST MC TO HAVE BEEN A WRESTLER.
Blimey. that's a fancy word from a fellow northerner.
Not guilty m'Lord, just keeping things on track.
As if anyone would believe that.
Lofthouse was to my mind an almost perfect MC. Not a wrestler was he? So we are off topic. But he was so professional, legitimate and embodied all the negatives you mention - why should a good MC talk to punters? I didn't find him surly, but never thought of putting him on my Christmas card list.
Although I feel there is an element of pedantry in the previous comment, Ernie Baldwin was definitely a good referee and M.C. , particularly when contrasted with Ernie Lofthouse with whom he alternated at halls which i regularly attended such as King's Hall, Belle Vue, Manchester; De Montfort Hall, Leicester, and Victoria Baths, Nottingham. Lofthouse was clearer on the mic but never spoke to the punters; in fact, he went out of his way to avoid any communication with them and was surly, ill-mannered and offhand. Baldwin was the total opposite. He always had time to chat with the punters. In fact, I recall several occasions, particularly at The Ice Rink, Nottingham, when he would spend the interval sitting chatting with the punters rather than retiring to the dressing room.
As the question is about the best wrestler to become an MC and not the wrestler who became the best MC I would say Ernest Baldwin was the best wrestler.
Towards the end of his career, Joe Critchley was used as a wrestler (male and female) and referee mainly but I recall Gordon Corbett using him as M.C. on a handful of occasions at Leicester's Granby Hall and he did a fair job. Again, more usually appearing as wrestler, manager or referee, Ken Else M.C'd on a few occasions at virtual home hall The Pavilion Gardens, Buxton, and did a fair job. Of former wrestlers turning to M.C. however, Martin Conroy was outstanding because he had the common touch and could relate to the crowd.
All in all, considering the wonderful quality of hundreds of wrestlers, I think the overall quality of MC-ing was rather poor.
Bobby Palmer, Roy Harding, Peter Bates (?), Joe D'Orazio, that awful man on the Relwyskow tv shows, was he Arthur someone .. none of these added to proceedings.
Mike Judd did. But he wasn't a wrestler.
Johnny Dale was pefection.
Ken Joyce thought we should respect him BECAUSE he was a wrestler. But he was grim.
Surprised to see that John Harris hasn’t been mentioned. Always came across as very polished and distinguished.
A nasty, pompous little man.
Hi Hack. He wasn't even popular with the audience at Newcastle.
Good comment about Newcastle Dave.
Lofthouse was the perfect MC in my mind. But he wasn't the best wrestler, not even a wrestler.
Interesting comment from Bernard as at Newcastle the introductions were performed by a couple of chaps, one also being the timekeeper, in a small alcove on a balcony above the ring. The referees Ernie Baldwin, Gordon Smith, Ron Johnson, Mike Delaney and Ernest Lofthouse described the moves and scores.
Also interesting that I am not alone in my opinion of Mr Lofthouse.
How do you decide if a person is a referee or an MC ,if he does both ?
Les Kellett was pretty good describing the falls etc, but did not do the introductions.
How abut Mark Green. In 60s he was resident M.C. at Belle Vue and all of Rand G promotions in the north Before him Ben Green his father was also M.C. RandG.
A stalwart for Dale Martin for many years- George Lawson-Peeke is worth remembering. I have doubts over his double barrelled moniker being entirely accurate, but he was a convivial character who brought an air of excitement to proceedings and definitely held the edge over Francis P Blake.
Ah well, if we are now mutating into the out and out best MCs ...
Harry Roth, such a fan. Seemed enthralled by every bout. This is clearly the vital ingredient. Did he ever appear on tv?
That wonderful Neil Sowden I only saw on tv.
Johnny Dale for simply looking and sounding the (RAF) part, pirouetting around on his heel.
Martin Conroy's voice was so enigmatic to southern ears.
So you too noticed Charlie Fisher, Paul, headcounting? I have mentioned that many times here. And he did it all with such a scowl and unapproachability. The headcount was intriguing as it told us something about the relationship between the hall and the promoter.
The only time I saw Charlie nice and approachable was when ... he was desperate to flog The Who's Who of Wrestling.
Another awful one was Francis P Blake, whose sole interest seemed to be to get in, get it over, and get out. And he was supposed to be the doyen!!!
Fred Edwards was good.
Kwango had a go, too ....
Couple of points I found Charlie fisher pretty good but he was always distracted counting the house.Martin was excellent and fans and workers respected him.Ernie was good exactly for reason stated he was approachable and like Martin when it ended he was losthe lived and breathed the game.Anglo made me laugh with his comments about the honourable secretary Mr Green he was awful,he'd kill heat like a water cannon.lofthouse was consistent and hated everyone.Mike Judd proffesional but odd in the office,Roy Harding mentioned got a lot of responsibility when Dales in their death throes his wife worked in the office. Two authorative underated m c s Bob Verlander consummate delivery and polished worked in local government,Stan Rylands a great loss to Wryton his description of falls and intros second to non.
I believe Brian Glover could have made a good MC he was very verbal in the ring while wrestling. Also his acting ability would have been a great help.
Hate to do this, but have to agree with Hack about the wording of the question.
It leaves us with Ernie. But from what we have seen on Youtube this year of fifties fiery Charles Fisher, regardless of titles, he'd be in the mix too.
I guess you could also stretch it a bit and mention Mick McManus, who dabbled with the mike. Less than skilfully.
Maybe we need a thread BEST MC TO HAVE BEEN A WRESTLER.
Pedantry?
Blimey. that's a fancy word from a fellow northerner.
Not guilty m'Lord, just keeping things on track.
As if anyone would believe that.
Lofthouse was to my mind an almost perfect MC. Not a wrestler was he? So we are off topic. But he was so professional, legitimate and embodied all the negatives you mention - why should a good MC talk to punters? I didn't find him surly, but never thought of putting him on my Christmas card list.
Although I feel there is an element of pedantry in the previous comment, Ernie Baldwin was definitely a good referee and M.C. , particularly when contrasted with Ernie Lofthouse with whom he alternated at halls which i regularly attended such as King's Hall, Belle Vue, Manchester; De Montfort Hall, Leicester, and Victoria Baths, Nottingham. Lofthouse was clearer on the mic but never spoke to the punters; in fact, he went out of his way to avoid any communication with them and was surly, ill-mannered and offhand. Baldwin was the total opposite. He always had time to chat with the punters. In fact, I recall several occasions, particularly at The Ice Rink, Nottingham, when he would spend the interval sitting chatting with the punters rather than retiring to the dressing room.
As the question is about the best wrestler to become an MC and not the wrestler who became the best MC I would say Ernest Baldwin was the best wrestler.
Towards the end of his career, Joe Critchley was used as a wrestler (male and female) and referee mainly but I recall Gordon Corbett using him as M.C. on a handful of occasions at Leicester's Granby Hall and he did a fair job. Again, more usually appearing as wrestler, manager or referee, Ken Else M.C'd on a few occasions at virtual home hall The Pavilion Gardens, Buxton, and did a fair job. Of former wrestlers turning to M.C. however, Martin Conroy was outstanding because he had the common touch and could relate to the crowd.
Matey Dave writes:
Tony Mancelli
Charlie Fisher
Bobby Palmer
Mike Dimitre
Joe D'Orazio.
"Max Wall" was a terrible M.C,apparently he also was a wrestler.
I agree with Anglo,Mike Judd was good.......poetry
All in all, considering the wonderful quality of hundreds of wrestlers, I think the overall quality of MC-ing was rather poor.
Bobby Palmer, Roy Harding, Peter Bates (?), Joe D'Orazio, that awful man on the Relwyskow tv shows, was he Arthur someone .. none of these added to proceedings.
Mike Judd did. But he wasn't a wrestler.
Johnny Dale was pefection.
Ken Joyce thought we should respect him BECAUSE he was a wrestler. But he was grim.
It's a skill in itself.
Best left to a fan, rather than a pro wrestler.
I'd be better than any of them.
I always liked Martin Conroy.
Jack Cassidy could hold the audience at his own shows.