Leicester

This weekend saw the return of Professional Wrestling to the centre of Leicester with Resurgence Wrestling at the prestigious Y Theatre opposite the railway station

WE can add in the whole of 1935 as well. These bill are clearly him.

A bit of investigative work (not a lot) to keep John Shelvey interested.

Gary Currie was around 1936 - 39. Always billed from Australia, specifically Melbourne, and sometimes heavyweight champion. Probably baloney but what I did find was that in March, 1937 he was living at Grafton Mansions in St Pancras, and reported to be 28 years old.

I wonder if THE WRESTLER magazine thought that to publicise a wrestler known as Ivan the MONSTER was just too much of a stretch for a magazine promoting a 'legitimate' sport? The supposed Aussie Currie was...?

I found Gene Janzen on bills from January 1960 to October 1961, all independents, mostly Jack Taylor and two or three Max Crabtree shows.

Keeping that in mind the conclusion to make is that he almost certainly wasn't American.

John, it seemed to be established by Main Mask, The Ost and Ed Lock established that Ivan the Monster was Ivan Kalmikoff.Neither Wade or Ivan were mentioned in The Wrestler. Main Mask supplied a photo of Ivan. Rexine was Rex Maxine. Don't know Gene Jansen

Interesting that the Character of The Hangsman was used a lot later at the Granby Halls by Jack Taylor.

It's possible some keen old fan saw them both.

So, who was Gene Jansen (I doubt it was Jan Jansen), ( Who was Rexine? Why change just your christian name (from Geoff to Jess)? Who was the Australian Currie and finally (for now) was Ivan the Giant or John Wade ever featured, or mentioned in ''The Wrestler''?

Another fine innings from Ron!

These Leicester bills tell the story of wrestling in Leicester. Previous to this I had just thought Granby Hall equals Jack Taylor, DeMontfort equals Morrell, but there's so much more, with Morrell even using two halls at the same time.

Placing the independents alongside Morrell chronologically we see the development of some independents across to Joint. 1962 shows a significant development in British wrestling. At the start of the year we have Kidd, Capelli, Joyce, Kidd, D'Orazio (Tani) Crabtree wrestling for Taylor as independents. At the time they were all promoting independent shows. In March 1962 they all ceased promoting independently and back to Joint, so by summer they are working on Morrell shows. Crabtree was interesting because during the 1960s he continued to promote, moving around from working independently to working in co-operation with Relwyskow as a Joint promoter.

As with Lincoln we have Taylor creatively using a fairly small band of wrestlers. Some interest on 1960s Taylor shows. Who is this Young McAllister? It's a name I've seen around. Interesting that he's billed from Stornaway, Robert McDonald country. wrestlingdata.com links the names Young McAllister an Portsmouth's Pete Wilson, but surely this couldn't be him in 1960.

Then a bit more of a Dr Death mystery. As we noted some time ago we have an early 1960 apparently lighter Dr Death wrestling Ken Joyce and Eddie Capelli. Who was this Dr Death?

I wonder if Germany's Mannie Hermann was Pete Herman from brnsley. As Leon Arras and Harry Bennett were on the bill it seems quite possible. The previously considered Jess Conda crops up again. Last time round The Ost found billings of Bartelli working for Wryton on nights Jess Conda was on bills. Why would he go against his benefactor, friend and the strict rules of Joint Promotions at that time? If he was to moonlight this would be the last name he would chose. He would have used a name that wouldn't arouse suspicion.

Pre Joint outings for Tug Holton, Big Bruno, Danny Lynch, Jack Rowlands, Peter Rann, Linde Caulder, Angus, Leon Arras and Johnny Saint. That's Saint from Paris!

The Morrell shows presented less extravagantly True to form Morrell crams his shows with big names. Just who would have opened the programme on 16th December? Or 2nd December? Or just about most of them. And then there's that packed Granby Hall show with Carnera and Apollon playing second fiddle. Yes, I reckon Morrell was proving a point that night. What was it with this town and Billy Joyce? He didn't get it always right though; Two Rivers against Bobby Graham and Wall v Logan I just don't get - no mystery about the outcome of those.

Fascinating stuff Ron. Thanks.

Also intrigued about the "television parade of Wrestling Champions" where Riley was presented with his belt.

I am guessing that was the May 7 telecast from Leeds.

I have added four more galleries to cover 1960 and 1962 at Leicester.

Morrell starts the next decade at Cossington Baths but in 1962 is at Spence Street Baths. https://www.wrestlingheritage.co.uk/apps/photos/

Somehow Norman Morrell manages to get Granby Halls for this show and it really is a cracker.

Was he trying to show Jack Taylor fans how much better his product is.

Incredibly after all his efforts to build 20th Century promotions and being busy on Jack Taylors International promotions , here we are in 1962 with Max Crabtree now working for Norman Morrell. By now Shirley had gone , not sure if he was injured or took that Lifeguard job at Blackpool

Big Bruno Elroy , I think I found this more than once.

Trained at Glovers Barnsley Gym and shown here with Jack Taylor.

Plenty to enjoy on this great set

I will be ready to put 1960 Leicester on soon , the battles of Jack Taylor and Norman Morrell continue .

But I am going to stir this further. Bartelli did not work for Morrell , so Morrell finds out about Conda in Leicester.

Does Morrell then invent his own Count. I have seen this name once or twice before , but is it Morrells pop at Bartelli or is this Count a real deal wrestler.

And another find at Hinckley Jackie and Mick

Truly incredible find, Ron. Huge risk for Ct Bartelli. The motive: he must have been heavily involved in bringing along Black Mask.

Train Clements also stands out.

In spite of Hack's assertion that Coventry is located somewhere on the Riviera, even on this bill we see Kensington's Classical Stylist mingling with wrestlers from west and north and overseas.

Proper melting pot, Leicester. Even though I lived there, not said in any way with bias ☺

Doing a bit more work on Leicester.

Remember Jeff Conda or even Condor before he became Bartelli.

Well , my eyes nearly popped out of my head.

Is this him Moonlighting in 1960 without his mask.

Still 6 bob in Blackpool twenty years later, That's popular.

November 5, 1946 newspaper ad, they weren't too fussed with spellings on the bills.

Yes that is strange Ron, I hadn't thought of it geographically like that. All three were very different with their distinctive geographical flavours despite their proximity. Coventry shows were very much "southern" Dale Martin whilst Leicester showed Morrell's northern lineage.

Living in Wolverhampton travelling past Coventry still has a feeling of going south,

Strange is it not. Yet all so close.

Wryton Had Birmingham.

Dale Martins had Coventry

Morrell had Leicester.

Leicester is a fantastic collection of Joint Promotions and the independents. What a great place to live. I don't buy this middle of the country idea because promoter Morrell was far more northern focused. The independents are great with Angus and Jock in their pre Scots guises, Bob Retsinnab making quite a few appearances, as did the Talio Kid, introduced to us all by Gerry Hoggarth.

These are great galleries, thanks so much Ron. I finally put a date on a newspaper clipping i've had for about 4 years. It had the results but the date was missing (I have lots like these BTW):

February 22nd, 1937 – Leicester, England

[Granby Halls]

Jack Pettifer b Garry Currie (COR, 1st round)

Bulldog Clayton b Henie Stack (DQ, 2nd round)

Mickey Wood b The Bearded Monarch (COR, 3rd round)

Tarzan Hunter b Carl Ferdinand (2-1)

George Boganski b Bulldog Bill Garnon (DQ)

“a woman spectator lost her wedding ring”

Thus far I need to jump from 1959 to 1963

https://www.wrestlingheritage.co.uk/apps/photos/

Two more galleries showing that by now Morrell has changed from Cossington St Baths to Spence Street Baths , but is also showcasing at DeMonfort Halls.

He ain't short of masked men in 63 with the Legionnaire and the Professor , meanwhile fierce competition all year from Jack Taylor at the Granby Halls fighting back with The Monster , but by now no sign of the Shirley.

In My opinion 1963 was British Wrestling's most popular year with the fans.

1959 is on in two parts , Norman Morrell is still at Cossington Baths going into a new dacade and the other half is the Indy's essentially Jack Taylor at Granby Halls.

https://www.wrestlingheritage.co.uk/apps/photos/

That rare period where Bertie Topham got a try out with Joint and a decade ending with the Crabtree's looking as though they were flying high , similar to their billing in Halifax. Where did it go wrong.

In 1958 Granby Halls emerges as a Rival to Morrell's shows at the baths.

Top names at both. https://www.wrestlingheritage.co.uk/apps/photos/

Anglo , What I meant about a small window in time was that I caught him at Hinckley , prolifically , and could not see why he would be there so often.

No argument about his peak , he even had another big USA tour in him to come.

Get ready for 1958.

The Midlands, epitomized by these Leicester bills, seemed really to be where, logically, northern and southern wrestlers mixed in almost equal proportions.

Masmabula v Gwyn Davies - who on earth dreamt up that mis-match?

And you have even found a bill with Mendoza and Miquet on together, Ron, very unuusal but Al must have been very very young.

But Ron: "Garfield is here a lot in some great bouts, just a small window in time when he was at his peak." A small window!!! Like 15 years at his peak, thank you!

Yes, Gordienko appears at the very end. Interesting to see in 1957 that Czeslaw also had great drawing power. He seemed to become over-exposed due to any variation in his career over the next twenty years: no titles, no absences, scarcely a foreign trip (ok, Sweden) - just endless support bouts. He wasn't billed as shaven-headed on any of these bills, must still have had hair?

Reading between the lines of the 1957 wording we can infer that Billy Two Rivers was a sensation when he first appeared on tv.

https://www.wrestlingheritage.co.uk/apps/photos/

Just added 1956 and 1957 to the galleries for Leicester.

Still a very basic newspaper bill and I can confirm that Morrell stayed at Crossington Street Baths all through the 1950's , making it pretty much a twenty year run for the baths as a venue.

Stay with me , 1958 will bring a rival into the Granby Halls to make this more interesting.

I think this was the year Gordienko arrived here. Think he arrived Feb11th.

Staying in Leicestershire and mainly at the Corn Exchange Loughborough, another small window , and many shows featuring those discontent with Joint promotions.

https://www.wrestlingheritage.co.uk/apps/photos/album?albumid=16231928

Careers starting and ending here. Assirati still headlining but working I assume for himself and Jack Taylor.

Thornton (Peirlot) said " If you got involved and went in with Assirati , your money would go up"

Assiratti did not have many Roster options at this stage and had many bouts with Stezycki.

Thanks Anglo and you will enjoy looking at a few more from the South at nearby Hinckley.

https://www.wrestlingheritage.co.uk/apps/photos/album?albumid=16231926

Yet another place that does not spring to mind. The St George Ballroom could , I believe get towards a thousand spectators.

Garfield is here a lot in some great bouts ,just a small window in time when he was at his peak.

Not many Londoners on these shows and McManus's sole bout was against Ted Beech.

However, I did notice Stefan Milla fairly regularly in Leicester, even in a little feud with Alan Colbeck. I wonder if he was living in the Leicester area at that time.

So many title bouts in Leicester.

Thanks for sharing, Ron.

https://www.wrestlingheritage.co.uk/apps/photos/

I have added 1952 and 1953-1954 to the Galleries.

Still at Cossington Street baths and into the age of Joint Promotions.

Frank Sexton was billed to be here back in 1952.

I know some of his GB shows were cancelled such was his schedule and have no result for this one.

In aid of the" never seen the sea fund". Expect there were many children and adults in 1935 Leicester who had never seen the sea

Leicester 1951 now added to the index.

Will catch up on these galleries over the next few days, been researching Leo Lightbody currently and been getting some results from the Granby Halls in the 30's. Have to say Reggie Meen was a big draw first time out, but nobody seemed impressed with his bouts.

Yes he didn't need a title Bernard , he just filled halls , although they did call him champion of the north. Never thought about it but you are right , he nearly always got DQ'd

Hi Ron, re Jack Pye drawing.

What I meant was that he occasionally won a match , but normally he got disqualified.

I saw him get a draw with The Ghoul, but I think that was the only time that I saw him draw .

Hack is right about Cossington Street Baths as I came away from the Granby Halls of the 1930's the Forties into the 1950's wrestling was at the baths.

Two new Galleries covering the 1940's and also 1951.

1950 is also there somewhere from a while back.

https://www.wrestlingheritage.co.uk/apps/photos/

In the 1940's some great advertising with some gimmick phrase almost on ever bill.

Some crazy ways to spell Val Cerino.

And If I ever knew , I have forgotten who African Kruger was.

Yes an at that time shows did not come any bigger than this one.

Bernard makes the Point about a Young Jack Pye only drawing , but in January 1932 these really were the pioneers. Lots of old wrestlers from another age squeezed a couple more years out. Walter Magnee was probably showing Jack all he knew.

Along the way I came across a black wrestler in 1932 called Sam Plate who had excelled at a lot of sports. He did not stick it for long but wrestled under the name of Black Diamond and also Black Devil , which I think was Wango's name.

Later in the 1950's another Black Diamond came along and he was masked , I never found out who he was.

A great collection Ron, of a famous venue. Lucky Leicester having both the Granby Halls and the DeMontfort, and not forgetting Cossington Street Baths. A hall where Reggie Meen, local boy, was a regular. Interesting on that first bill to see the juxtaposition of "All In" and "Scientific wrestling." That's a new one. Thanks Ron.

First bill. interesting.

I don't think that i have seen many (if any) results where Jack Pye got a draw.