Beancounter
It is not often one sees on the forum a reference to Joe Cornelius, even though he was in the 1960's one of the most skilful, popular and handsome wrestlers on TV, entering the ring in in his trademark sequined cloak and black tights. I don't think I ever saw him wrestle live as his usual patch was London and the South, but really looked forward to his appearances on the box and what's more, cannot ever recall seeing him lose a contest. He wrestled at around fifteen and a half stone but was usually billed against much heavier opponents. the names Ian Campbell, Roy "Bull" Davies, Hermann Iffland and Paul Vachon come instantly to mind. There are also reports of his defeating the fearsome Josef Kovacs and the twenty three stone Zebra Kid. The celebrated photograph of Joe pinning the latter is, in my opinion, one of the very best wrestling images in existence.
It would be good to hear of any memories fellow site users may have concerning this remarkable man.
matey dave
the dazzler beat the butcher of budhpest at wembely early 60's
Ed Lock
I still have a paperback copy of "Dazzler" Joe Cornelius' autobiography "Thumbs Up" that I bought way back in 1984.
It's a decent read and I expect that many of the Wrestling Heritage members would own a copy.
SaxonWolf
I have a copy of the book. While it is an interesting read, Joe protects the business a bit too much, at least for the modern audience. Plus, he is very explicit on his personal life!
Hack
Like Beancounter I didn't see Joe live but he was one of my favourites on tv. He dazzled so much I didn't know the tele was in black and white. I remember the shock of reading in The Wrestler that he was retiring.
matey dave
amazon have copies for sale of thumbs up....at resonable prices, except for brand new copy of £999
ordered copy monday for £2.95 including postage, recieved this morning. amazon have left 9 s/h copies priced up £10. worth a punt
Welsh Davey
Hi, if you look up 'Venues' - Cardiff Memories - Part 2, you'll find a little cameo of Joe playing 'rescuer' one night at the Drill Hall.
Dale Storm
Dazzler Joe! He is one of the reasons I got into the business in the first place I thought he was great. He had immaculate timing, good looks and a charisma not gifted to everyone. He made Brylcreem even more popular as well! Regards Dale Storm
John Shelvey
Would certainly be close to my favourite wrestler, having seen him three times in the one evening against Danny Lynch, Jack Bence and Alan Garfield in that order. Had superstar / matinee idol writ large over him. This would be at least the fourth time I've complained that if you visit YouTube you can see Stretcher, Londos, Lewis, Thesz and many others from the 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s and yet no one seems to be able to come up with a Cornelius match when the game was so very popular on t.v. and many were taking their super 8 cameras along to the shows.
matey dave
none of joe's tv matches were in colour and it appears nobody wanted the black & white ones
marcus63
I read this book many years ago and alas I did not like the portrayal of the zebra kid but that's the joy of wrestling.theres been so many interesting characters
stokes
Saw him twice at Peterborough beating Roy Bull Davies 2 -1 & NBoa the Snakeman by a disqualification
Tom H
My first memory of Joe Cornelias was a match on tv, I hadn't started attending live wrestling then. Joe was the heel matched against Billy Two Rivers.
David Mantell
I expect there are plenty of kinescopes of Joe Cornelious matches in the notorious Granada TV gloryhole, er, archive, but the combination of it being unsorted and Granada charging silly money for anyone to even look at it never mind search it thoroughly, makes it impossible for a 1960s version of the TWC/Fight/Men And Their Mmmmmmmotors Channel style repeat show from which Youtube clips could be plundered.
terry
As I reported elsewhere on the site Joe is now in a care home in Brighton. My wife and I had lunch with Ray Luxford and his wife when we visited Brighton three or four weeks ago. Ray told me that Joe had been ill before Christmas and was now in a home. I first saw Joe at the Sports Stadium in Brighton in the sixties vs Charlie Fisher.
frank thomas
Remember reading a book on Fitzroy Lodge Amateur Boxing Club a long time ago, Joe's brother Billy and himself were mainstays of the club, and remember Kent Walton reminiscing fondly about Joe in his book "this grappling game".
ballymoss
It's amazing to note that Joe Cornelius retired as far back as 1967- still the Southern Area Heavyweight champion. Few could match the "Dazzler" for the charisma and excitement which so enthralled wrestling enthusiasts, as there was never a dull moment when he was in the ring. I can fondly remember his "feud" with Roy "Bull " Davis and other contests against the Zebra Kid (George Bollas), Joesph Kovacs, and other notable 'heels" such as Johnnie Yearsley and "Dangerous" Danny Lynch, with Joe such a popular "blue eye". He also partnered "Drop Kick " Johnny Peters to form a formidable tag team combination.
A promoters dream was when Joe clashed with Alan Garfield which was a guarantee to see sparks really fly. On one occasion I recall Alan adopting his public school persona, and much to the delight of the audience, was disqualified, despite calling Joe a cad and a bounder. Such happy days with Joe Cornelius fondly remembered- a real classy wrestler.
Hack
We have confirmation from son George that the Dazzler will be 90 on May 1st, 2018. celebrating with a party on Sunday.
Hack
We've just had a message to say that Joe and family had an enjoyable party last Sunday. Our tribute The Cockney Cavalier was read out and well received.
Joe was pleased to hear he is still remembered and sends his best wishes.
The Ost
Wow, happy birthday to the Dazzler. He was certainly the featured name on many, many bills.
Riot Squad
Dazzler Joe has now been added to Personality Parade in the Cockney Cavalier, and are told it was read out at his 90th birthday party.
Ron Historyo
Happy birthday Joe
I just finished reading his book, that was something else.