Fortunately there are some excellent bouts on You Tube featuring Brian Maxine confirming his formidable talents in combining wrestling skill with dubious tactics guaranteed to enrage any wrestling audience. Two of my favourites are Brian pitted againt Clayton Thomson where the brilliant Max Ward played a leading role and when he gamely faced a much heavier Johnny Czeslaw. A wonderful wrestler Brian Maxine who never failed to entertain was truly one of the greats of British wrestling.
RIP Brian "Goldbelt" Maxine. He used to infuriate everyone for much of his career with his rulebending and arrogance, though that swing motion move looked more ticklish than painful, mind you, people loved it when it was worked back on him, and when he did rarely lose it was often by disqualification, like the TV bout against Clayton Thomson at Southend in 1977. Around 1979 or '80 he became a face, going after villains like Barnes, Rocco and McManus, but like many others I preferred him as a heel.
He was always good to watch, although like Mick and Nagasaki, you were pretty certain he was going to win. Repeating what I’ve written before, his match on YouTube, against a very young Steve Wright, showed how good Brian could be, giving the youngster plenty of spots to shine before pulling off a ‘lucky’ win. If you can find it, he was in an episode of an early ‘Bill” playing a paramedic and even having a couple of lines.
Brian Maxine was one of the greatest performers of post war professional wrestling, and the word performer is used in the most positive of ways. Probably not the greatest of wrestlers in the way we talk of Dempsey and Colbeck, Brian brought so much more. He personified the theatre of wrestling from his glorified entrance strutting around in his cape and crown, strumming away on his guitar, the exaggerated boasting, yet not allowing any of it to get in the way of the serious business of wrestling. Full of showmanship and still the wrestling outshone the showmanship. Many times we have questioned why he was granted the title and more so, why he endured for so long? Maybe we have overlooked the simplest of reasons, that he could do the job to an extent that more than satisfied both fans and promoters. R.I.P. Goldbelt
Sad news. One of the all time greats for sure. His ring skills were fantastic, could work a crowd into a frenzy. Couldn’t take away his talent in the ring, love him or loath him. RIP Brian Goldbelt Maxine.
Loved to hate him during the 70s, still remember Mick McMichael smashing Maxine's guitar over his head at the end of their bout much to the approval of a jubilant audience. Like Brian's leotard slogan proclaimed he was a "superstar." RIP Superstar.
The man who wound up fans in every hall where he appeared, he used to bug the hell out of me as a young un, We all hoped he'd get his cumuppence but never did. A unique villain, obviously a good wrestler but most fans didn't consider this all we wanted was his opponents hand raised.
Another one of those wrestlers who people "loved to hate", especially when he would "saw" his forearm, back and forth, across his opponents eyes on the mat (like a "sawing" motion, when you are sawing wood). How many of us (as youngsters) would shout out for the ref to stop him, but he just continued doing it!
A late 60's to mid-70's bill topper, and a name that every wrestling fan knew and had seen. I seem to recall him being in a few hard-hitting clashes on the mid-week, late night TV wrestling as well.
I do remember being confused, as a young lad, when I saw him walking down the aisle, to the ring, once, with his LP in his hand, and I was trying to work out how a tough, no-nonsense wrestler, could have another job as a singer. Surely when he wasn't wrestling, he was training hard in the gym? Oh to be young and naïve!
As a final "tip of the hat" to a true professional, I'll never forget reading about, in print, and seeing on Youtube, William Regal, telling the story of how an ageing Goldbelt Maxine was his opponent when WCW came to watch him wrestle, to see if he was right for them, in the early 90's, and he said Maxine basically let Regal (still "Steve" at the time), throw him around the ring, to show off all his offence moves, and make him look good. I'm sure Brian woke up with a few aches and pains the next day, but was basically "doing the right thing" for a young lad and helping him get the job that transformed his life.
A complete enigma in terms of his ring skills, which we have all observed, and his magnificent two-title reign. Let's leave statistics and writings aside: in 1970 the talk was of nothing else - how could Maxine hold two titles? Just down the discussion list was whether the Japanese Kendo Nagasaki could challenge for the British title.
Ricki Starr was defeating all-comers, even the biggest names, but it was Goldbelt Maxine, the original King of the Ring, who was deemed worthy of holding him to a draw in Kensington.
In our knowing times, on here, we want to glorify what constituted, as I said on TV about Mick McManus, "the very essence of a professional wrestler." I think it's fair to apply the same accolade to Goldbelt Maxine even though the many highs of his distinguished career continue to dumbfound us.
I was an ardent member of his fan club. If truth be known, even I myself didn't really understand why at the time, but Betty who ran it was infectiously committed, the marketing was great, and the flow of information most satisfying.
Gee he worked. Has was everywhere. A Captain Kirk lookalike beamed down into venues nationwide 14 nights a week. This was his professionalism. Like Viedor from the same Wirral town, another honorary Southerner made good. Very very good.
Like our Mick , Maxine became the man they loved to hate.
I don't recall seeing him lose. Went eagerly to Belle Vue to see him and Street and they pranced about in what I thought was a very inconclusive poor match.
Well debated on here , great career and sorry to see another one go.
RIP Brian
W'ton above is Wolverhampton , not Warrington , both in Wryton Land.
Fortunately there are some excellent bouts on You Tube featuring Brian Maxine confirming his formidable talents in combining wrestling skill with dubious tactics guaranteed to enrage any wrestling audience. Two of my favourites are Brian pitted againt Clayton Thomson where the brilliant Max Ward played a leading role and when he gamely faced a much heavier Johnny Czeslaw. A wonderful wrestler Brian Maxine who never failed to entertain was truly one of the greats of British wrestling.
Rest In Peace great man.
RIP Brian "Goldbelt" Maxine. He used to infuriate everyone for much of his career with his rulebending and arrogance, though that swing motion move looked more ticklish than painful, mind you, people loved it when it was worked back on him, and when he did rarely lose it was often by disqualification, like the TV bout against Clayton Thomson at Southend in 1977. Around 1979 or '80 he became a face, going after villains like Barnes, Rocco and McManus, but like many others I preferred him as a heel.
A great loss to wrestling.
sad news great self publicist,when promoters started to run on auto pilot
He and Ivan Penzecoff had a return match to die for. The hall was packed, and Ivan won 2-1.
Golden days at Northampton. God we hated the throat saw......................
https://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/uk-news/wrestling-legend-former-debbie-harry-34126299
He was always good to watch, although like Mick and Nagasaki, you were pretty certain he was going to win. Repeating what I’ve written before, his match on YouTube, against a very young Steve Wright, showed how good Brian could be, giving the youngster plenty of spots to shine before pulling off a ‘lucky’ win. If you can find it, he was in an episode of an early ‘Bill” playing a paramedic and even having a couple of lines.
So many more aspects to Goldbelt Maxine:
I remember wincing as he landed on the base of his spine in every single throw.
The fascinating profile of his nose left everybody wondering how it came about.
The near-permananet smirk.
And of course the mesmerising regrowth of his hair in 1973.
Brian Maxine was one of the greatest performers of post war professional wrestling, and the word performer is used in the most positive of ways. Probably not the greatest of wrestlers in the way we talk of Dempsey and Colbeck, Brian brought so much more. He personified the theatre of wrestling from his glorified entrance strutting around in his cape and crown, strumming away on his guitar, the exaggerated boasting, yet not allowing any of it to get in the way of the serious business of wrestling. Full of showmanship and still the wrestling outshone the showmanship. Many times we have questioned why he was granted the title and more so, why he endured for so long? Maybe we have overlooked the simplest of reasons, that he could do the job to an extent that more than satisfied both fans and promoters. R.I.P. Goldbelt
Sad news. One of the all time greats for sure. His ring skills were fantastic, could work a crowd into a frenzy. Couldn’t take away his talent in the ring, love him or loath him. RIP Brian Goldbelt Maxine.
Loved to hate him during the 70s, still remember Mick McMichael smashing Maxine's guitar over his head at the end of their bout much to the approval of a jubilant audience. Like Brian's leotard slogan proclaimed he was a "superstar." RIP Superstar.
R.I.P. Brian, one of the greats that I don't remember seeing live. Anyone ever see him in tag matches?
Although I never met him personally, it's always sad seeing people who were household names in wrestling in that era.
R.I.P. Brian
The man who wound up fans in every hall where he appeared, he used to bug the hell out of me as a young un, We all hoped he'd get his cumuppence but never did. A unique villain, obviously a good wrestler but most fans didn't consider this all we wanted was his opponents hand raised.
R.I.P Brian.
Another one of those wrestlers who people "loved to hate", especially when he would "saw" his forearm, back and forth, across his opponents eyes on the mat (like a "sawing" motion, when you are sawing wood). How many of us (as youngsters) would shout out for the ref to stop him, but he just continued doing it!
A late 60's to mid-70's bill topper, and a name that every wrestling fan knew and had seen. I seem to recall him being in a few hard-hitting clashes on the mid-week, late night TV wrestling as well.
I do remember being confused, as a young lad, when I saw him walking down the aisle, to the ring, once, with his LP in his hand, and I was trying to work out how a tough, no-nonsense wrestler, could have another job as a singer. Surely when he wasn't wrestling, he was training hard in the gym? Oh to be young and naïve!
As a final "tip of the hat" to a true professional, I'll never forget reading about, in print, and seeing on Youtube, William Regal, telling the story of how an ageing Goldbelt Maxine was his opponent when WCW came to watch him wrestle, to see if he was right for them, in the early 90's, and he said Maxine basically let Regal (still "Steve" at the time), throw him around the ring, to show off all his offence moves, and make him look good. I'm sure Brian woke up with a few aches and pains the next day, but was basically "doing the right thing" for a young lad and helping him get the job that transformed his life.
RIP Brian "Goldbelt" Maxine.
RIP Brian Maxine.
Terrible News This!-Love him or Loathe him BRIAN 'GOLDBELT' MAXINE is an
Absolute Titan of The Sport! Great Wrestler and Very Tough-Hardened from his Days
in The Boxing Booths-he brought his Own Style of Showmanship to The Ranks of
BRITISH Professional Wrestling! A Prolific Worker with 1000.s Bouts under his 'Belt'
One of the Traits I Really Liked about him was That he Always 'Gave Back'!
Year after Year he Turned-Up at The KENT Reunion and he had Time for All Comers!
I Especially Liked his Sharp Sense of Humour!
I was Lucky Enough to have Several One-To-One Chats with him when he was More
Than Happy to Sign Memorabilia for Me-Often with The Quip-'Who's This Great
Looking Guy!-He Kept his Humour right to the End!
When I Go to All The Reunions I Always Take My Carry Bag full of Programmes/
Posters Etc! Only Last AUGUST at The Wrestlers' Lunch-his Wife had gone to Chat
to Other Guests and he was Sitting Alone!-I went over to him and at once he Smiled
at Me and Said-'Have you got My Wife in your Bag!!'
I Must have seen him Wrestle Live a Thousand Times-including One I Recall
against ADRIAN STREET at One of My Old Stomping Grounds-PARR HALL in
WARRINGTON!-I had the Full Size Poster of That Show on My Bedroom Wall
for Years!!
His Contribution to Wrestling was Immense and I Chatted to him about his Bouts
with MARK 'ROLLERBALL' ROCCO a lot!!
Find Peace Now 'GOLDBELT! Thanx for Everything BRIAN!
MAIN MASK
A complete enigma in terms of his ring skills, which we have all observed, and his magnificent two-title reign. Let's leave statistics and writings aside: in 1970 the talk was of nothing else - how could Maxine hold two titles? Just down the discussion list was whether the Japanese Kendo Nagasaki could challenge for the British title.
Ricki Starr was defeating all-comers, even the biggest names, but it was Goldbelt Maxine, the original King of the Ring, who was deemed worthy of holding him to a draw in Kensington.
In our knowing times, on here, we want to glorify what constituted, as I said on TV about Mick McManus, "the very essence of a professional wrestler." I think it's fair to apply the same accolade to Goldbelt Maxine even though the many highs of his distinguished career continue to dumbfound us.
I was an ardent member of his fan club. If truth be known, even I myself didn't really understand why at the time, but Betty who ran it was infectiously committed, the marketing was great, and the flow of information most satisfying.
Gee he worked. Has was everywhere. A Captain Kirk lookalike beamed down into venues nationwide 14 nights a week. This was his professionalism. Like Viedor from the same Wirral town, another honorary Southerner made good. Very very good.
And then there was his singing..........
Like our Mick , Maxine became the man they loved to hate.
I don't recall seeing him lose. Went eagerly to Belle Vue to see him and Street and they pranced about in what I thought was a very inconclusive poor match.
Well debated on here , great career and sorry to see another one go.
RIP Brian
W'ton above is Wolverhampton , not Warrington , both in Wryton Land.