Yesterday, 14th January was the anniversary of that match when Peter Preston beat Mick McManus on tv. Most probably know the story, Preston took the lead and was then expected to go down to McManus. But that didn't happen, Preston refused to go down and McManus was unable to put him away and so got himself disqualified.
Now for the mystery. It's a genuine question, someone may have an answer. As was demonstrated in lengthy discussions years ago many of us watched the match reach a conclusion on television. It was certainly seen in the North West (I would assume Yorkshire too as ABC had the weekend franchise for both areas at that time). It was certainly seen in Scotland.
Yet the report in The Wrestler magazine says that the match faded from the screens in round five. If so (or was this a Wrestler 'spin' to minimise the occasion) how did they do it? Obviously straight forward enough to pull the plug in any of the ITV areas, but how did Dale Martin intervene so quickly to get the match pulled? And why only in parts of the country? Why not everywhere? Or were some of the ITV regions more co-operative than others? I'd be interested to hear from others where they were watching, and what happened?
I was a regular at Lime Grove during the early to mid 1960's and I am unable to recall Mick McManus ever appearing at this venue. It was an excellent location because it often featured leading Northern based wrestlers who infrequently appeared on Dale Martin's London promotions. Norman Morrell was rewarded with capacity crowds. After the Preston incident I very much doubt if McManus would grace Lime Grove again. Some of the crowd could be quite quirky as they cheered such notable "heels" as Brune Elrington, Alan Garfield and even Danny Lynch.
And Don Branch was also included in 1971's Who's Who.
But then so was Peter Preston.
Morrell must have insisted for these inclusions - Mick surely wouldn't have wanted them.
Another question: did Mick ever wrestle at Lime Grove again?
bkendo1
4d
Replying to Hack
Totally agree why would you continue to employ him let alone trust him perhaps evidence wasn't conclusive ,but the later bout motive was supposedly about photography rights.
Thanks bkendo. So I'm moving into realms of speculation now.
So Morrell got wind of a Branch double cross and took evasive action, as you said. Branch somehow convinced Morrell he was innocent and was kept on.
Either Branch was planning the double cross and kept his powder dry for a few more years.
Or what if he was innocent? This could have built up resentment against Morrell which led to the later expose, the catalyst of which may or may not have been the disagreement about photography rights.
What do you know about the photography rights issue?
Hi Mad Mac
And of course another odd upshot of all of this: I don't think the fact that McManus had been undefeated on tv was any widespread publicity point at the time. As a result of this match, it became clear that McManus was largely invincible and that his only tv defeat resulted from a disqualification - "Well, we all know he's no respecter of the rules, so a disqualification doesn't really count."
Probably consolidated Mick's reputation for the next eight years.
The People newspaper did an expose in 1965.
bkendo1
11m
Replying to
Hack
The referee is key
Don Branch was the referee. In 1972 Don Branch did the expose to journalist John Lisner of the News of The World.
Was Branch going to expose the 1967 McManus match and Morrell got wind?
Surely not. Or why would Morrell continue to use him?
Or was someone else (i.e. the informer) planned to referee, Morrell got wind and changed the referee. You previously said "It was postponed not cancelled albeit not with the big name."
Come on bkendo1, keep going.
Had there not bee such a rift between the Joint Promotion members the counter to this double cross would have been discussed and agreed by all. Clearly, there was little trust between Morrell and Dale-Martin. This makes it all the more remarkable that they maintained the unity of Joint Promotions for all those years. The sign of mature business men who realised that disunited either one could do a great deal of damage to the other. Business acumen won out over personal animosity.
I agree Anglo , what has been written , that has become legend , is what happened.
There can be no other explanation. I have Peter Preston going south again in the middle of 1970. He went down to Kent quite a lot then , but from what I can see not to London. 1971 he is at Kings Lynn and Bristol.
I think what we are getting at, Ron, is that this whole "double-cross" is a visible sign of what we believe to be a deep split at the heart of Joint Promotions. First the match itself; and then these northern bills with Giantslayer Preston. We have seen three years' worth of bills like you share today, but none in the South. In fact Preston was no longer used by Dale Martin for about six years.
This is the mystery. JPs worked so well for so many years. But this is a visible schism - with no signs of appeasement.
Not sure if this throws any more light on the matter, but the listings for ATV London that day have Professional Wrestling at 4.25, Results Roundup at 5pm, then more Professional Wrestling from 5.25 to 5.40. Unfortunately I don't have listings for other regions.
Interesting that once Preston had this one under his belt , the ability to conjure up sensational scripts for him soon began.
Here in Hull he gets to tag with Adrian Street in a match at Hull , but dirty Preston gets disqualified for punching , leaving Adrian against the Cortez brothers who then proceeded to beat up Street..
Peter Cortez goes on to make Street submit to a single leg boston.
This was pre Hells Angels days when Steet's regular partner was Tony Charles.
The following month , a fight to the finish with Bert Royal at Newcastle , indeed finished for whatever reason as a No Contest.
Peter Preston was now in the Big Time.
And yet by April a strange case of the truth when Preston was billed as the man who got a draw with McManus.
Was that after a reprimand by the Joint promotions Disciplinary Board and an Air Brushing of History.
I don't recall and I don't think I saw the bout.
But I believe there is little doubt it was shown in its entirety because even Dale Martin then acknowledged that PP was the only man to beat McManus on tv. This in the Who's Who and elsewhere.
Mick could easily have quashed any further mention of it, except of course on Morrell bills. Or maybe even there he could have, had he so wished.
Thanks Ballymoss. As you say it's a long time ago, but another bit of the jigsaw to help us along. Maybe when bkendo1 said "it didn't happen" he was referring to the cut-off transmission not happening. Please clarify what didn't happen bkendo1.
What about other London fans. Cast your minds back. Was the broadcast really cut short in London?
Time sadly does erase memory and this event took place around 60 years ago but although far from certain I seem to recall it was shown live in the London area of ITV. It certainly made news in the London Evening News which used to advertise forthcoming contests in the London area. I was a regular at Lime Grove Baths in those far off days and no doubt because of his Dale Martin connections, I don't remember Mick McManus wrestling at the Shepherds Bush venue, instead we often saw such Northern based greats as Albert Wall and Geoff Portz. Also such wresler's as Anglo and my favourite Alan Garfield, who was always a favourite with some segments of the audience. Televising wrestling at Lime Grove was also perhaps a little political for ITV as it was staged bang opposite the BBC Lime Grove studios!
More details please bkendo1.
Talking to a former worker who hadn't begun his career at the time but later made it big ,he believes it didn't happen,I was told by a veteran that what really happened was a double double cross to kill a tell all story agreed with a major newspaper
If this match was the final match of the afternoon it was usual in this era of live broadcasts for a match to fade from the screens.The result would then be given later to add to the illusion of a legit sporting contest. Quite easy with a live event to return to the studio for football results
I wouldn't believe a wrestling magazine. It's just a statement that needs proving.
woodlow
10h
From what i can see, McManus seems to have become booker around 1958 ". He is till booking losses in 1960.
That's much earlier than I imagined Woodlow. What do you mean by "What I can see" and ". He is till booking losses in 1960?"
From what i can see, McManus seems to have become booker around 1958. He is till booking losses in 1960.