In the U.S. 'Crowning' a KING of the RING was a popular Angle-30+ Wrestlers
every year in the ROYAL RUMBLE!
In the U.K. we've had 'Self-Styled' Kings of the Mat-going back to JACK PYE in
1951!! (Think ASSIRATTI might have had something to say about that!!) Two Decades
later we had BRIAN 'GOLDBELT' MAXINE using this Self-Promoting Vehicle-handing out
his Leaflets and wearing his 'Crown' into the Ring!!
Say WHO would be YOUR King of the Ring and Why??
MAIN MASK
Great Bernard. Fantastic memories.
Cocky Chick Knight was arrogant, strutting about the ring,gesturing to the audience, but did not have the craft or raise the heat that Jack did.
I have said before that Jack used to bend his body in like an "S" shape with chest pushed forward and his bottom sticking out. Also he padded his tights to make his bottom look larger. Then when thrown he would have his hands beneath him and push up ,to make the landing look worse.
He would howl and then the crowd would howl with him every time he was thrown.
Lots of Kings in American wrestling; Jim Browning, Fred Blassie, Bobby Shane, Louie Tillet, Ernie Ladd, Jerry Lawler, Harley Race, Haku, Jim Duggan, Randy Savage, Owen Hart, Mabel... just to name a few.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqXtVRTmj_c
Harley Race the WWF King of Ring/Mat.
Jack was King long before 1951 Adrian. I have found him billed as "King of the Mat" in 1936 and "King of the Ring" in 1938. Also Cocky Chick Knight billed as "King of the Mat" in 1936.
Jack Pye was the king of the ring, never a dull match and look how long he went on.
If you didn't see him in his prime I don't think that you can be aware of the crowd feeling that he created.
King of Men by Freddie The Classy Blassie.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N89PtR8DZds
In the United States for me there was only one King of Men - Freddie The Classy Blassie. Yes, Harley Race was WWF's King of Matdom, because of his countless titles he won thruout his career. In Britain, Bert Assirati more likely was it, most feared man in the ring and out of the ring.
Goldbelt Maxine all the way: he wore a crown and even gave out crowns. What more could we want?