I hope these observations don't come over as the bitter ramblings of an old sweat,but this weekend die to family being around I watched some wrestling from the U S A and I found it repetive, boring and chorgraphed to an inch of its believability.Spotsbwere telegraphed so the crowd whooped in anticipation.However production values were excellent and the performers were skilled acrobats to the point where reactions were shown prior to completion of strike. This reminded me to remove the rose tinted spectacles when joint first came to prominence the criticism it was almost ballectic in follow through link wrestling especially in the lighter weights ,however this was soon viewed as skillfull and when compared to the fag end of joint when operating out of Leeds as a generic Dale Martin it was sublime,so perhaps I'm being unfair to the stateside product, when we televised clueless guys suffering obesity and wearing passed on dralon leotards and who wouldn't know a double wrist lock from a chub lock
There are guys here in the UK wrestling skillfully where we suffer is trying emulate the razzamatazz of big arena wrestling with long rambling intros and Crossroads storylines on a Poundland budget.And breathe ....feel better for that hope not too incendiary for s bankoliday.
I met Jim when he was running his pub in Batley,and still wrestling.I got him to come and be one of the Judges at a talent show final..When he was introduced the crowd both applauded and booed.Jim was delighted,
Yes, that was my point about Jim Breaks: he had all the skills of the slick lightweights, but so much besides as a professional entertainer. I only ever saw him in character, edgy, frustrated, cheating. Can’t imagine what he might have been like in real life. (Well, I did get his autograph but unfortunately can’t recall how it came about)
Jim Breaks was a consistently good wrestler for a long period of time, I don't remember him having a bad bout.
Must agree with bkendo1 and his comments on Jim Breaks.He was the real deal.
AHH right I made the assumption based on a chat few years
No Paul, mitchel.steve454 is not Steve Mitchell, the son of Dennis.
Anglo if you mean Jimmy he was second most influential Yorkshire Wrestler in my era.Denis Mitchell who I have a sneaking feeling is the dad of Steve who's contributed was the total package.jim Breaks was a class above in a very skille lightweight division.Did several bouts early on.During a bout down south partnering Bert I replaced Vic can't remember Jimmy's partner,but it was a masterclass on rope work,nose play,temper,and superb wrestling plus made my eyebrow bleed with a crisp packet. Ernie Baldwin said look and learn how right he was.
Elaborate please Steve.
We all love your ramblings, Paul, keep 'em coming.
There are no right answers. We are all pondering, guessing, making 2+2. The secrecy of the time makes this a glorious puzzle to put together 50 years later.
Boscik v Sargeant v Cortez v Nicol v P. Szakacs could go on all evening with rolls, and throws and handshakes and false finishes and excirement. The great and much loved and much missed Jim Breaks was successful in throwing a spanner into the works with his hystrionìcs. Of course he had great skill too.
Did you wrestle him, Paul? What was he like to work with?