What's the one match - televised or non-televised - that left a strong impression on you, so much so that you could watch it over and over again without getting bored?
For me, it's a televised contest between Marty Jones and 'Rollerball' Rocco from '78. Still holds up today. It's the kind of match you should show up-and-comers to showcase how fast-paced, dynamic, kinetic action can get the crowd going whilst also highlighting the subtle, sweet-science of "selling".
**As a bonus, there's also the match between Savage and Steamboat at WrestleMania III (1987) -- the blueprint for most matches since.**
Adrian Street v Jim Breaks 1972. No gimmicks just hard wrestling with neither wrestlers giving any ground. classic British Wrestling to my mind.
As the word "masterclass" has come up, search YouTube for Les Thornton v Tony Charles from Florida. Special mention also to Wild Angus v Mal Kirk. You got the impression that they didn't particularly like one another!
Marty Jones V Rocco for needle, Danny Collins v Mike Bennet for the doubters, Marty Jones v Owen Hart for a Mid heavyweight master class, Ton St Clair v John Quinn, Steve Grey v Jimmy Breaks, and one from the halls I saw - an eight round master class of scientific wrestling from two great youngsters at the time Danny Collins v Tony Stewart (or Billy Reid as he was sometimes known). Terrific stuff !
Agree the Royal/St Clair match is exceptionally impressive
match at dunstable between gladys the impaler and Shirley crabtree. lasted 5 minutes with crabtree getting slaughtered by gladys. it took 8 people to carry daddy back to the dressing rooms after gladys belly butted round the ring and finally did a splash from turnbuckle.
Bert Royal versus Roy St. Clair from the Royal Albert Hall, London. Circa 1978. A fine bout with both wrestlers really giving everything. Some impressive throws and holds by both wrestlers, with Bert throwing the heavier St. Clair from one side of the ring to the other, and making it look so easy. Fantastic win for Bert off the ropes with a roll up pin fall. One of the greatest bouts that I’ve seen.
Seamus donlevy v Steve Viedor
This discussion is inevitably influenced by what matches are available on the internet. One of the first matches not on the net that I remember is Mike Bennett versus the Spaniard Costella from Bolton in January 1965.Always stood out to me as a fine match and according to another web site got the highest TV viewing figures of a non Cup Final Day broadcast of the 1960s
The bout that Just Another Wrestling Fan mentioned to start this discussion, from August 1978 between Marty Jones and Mark Rocco is one of my favourite bouts that I watched as a youngster and I think it shows British wrestling at its best.
I would also add another couple of bouts that I saw as a young fan and have loved watching again in recent years.
Firstly, the first ever wrestling bout I saw, from Leicester in July 1977 between Vic Faulkner and Jim Breaks for the British Welterweight title. The reaction of the crowd at the end of the bout is great and I was hooked as a wrestling fan after seeing this bout.
Secondly, the Dynamite Kid against Mark Rocco, from Oldham in December 1981. A very hard-hitting bout between two of the greatest British wrestlers ever.
You could show these bouts to anyone and they would have to be impressed.
Back in the day Mae Young would have given Rocco a hard time,(no pun intended)
The 1981 match between King Ben and Steve Casey of Boston is a very compelling match between fine mid card wrestlers
it was a shame that they were not used properly with respect at the end. they were more then gimmicks
I know this is a British wrestling site and I'm very bad with years but I turn to WWE when Fabulous Moolah had a shock title victory over Ivory and defended the title on the next RAW against Mae Young. The initial joke was seeing two ageing ladies knocking each other about but what we were actually seeing was two seasoned and highly experienced professionals putting on a masterclass.
I can't watch it as much as I used to as my video recorder has packed in but I still have it and, of course, I have my memories. I'm so glad that I saw Moolah and Young live some years back when they appeared at The Kensington Olympia, even though they were "seconding" Terri Runnels and The kat in an arm-wrestling contest which ended up with them pouring bottles of water over each other.