McTiffin

Just found Ken and Gwyn Davies in a tag match right at the strat of Gwyn's time in wrestling.

The intervention of a government minister is an indication that it was still taken fairly seriously.

One example of a match winding up quickly was the first Tommy Mann match. At the twenty minute stage he propels himself out of the ring and promptly fails to meet the count

All these broadcasts from France in the 1950s with the fighters sitting on stools, coming to the ring in dressing gowns, attentive seconds preparing them for the fight go a long way to convince fans that Professional Wrestling is a legitimate sport. The most obvious flaw is the rapid way some matches drew to a rapid conclusion presumably to meet TV deadlines

Agree, looking at that bout as well as reviewing the Lincoln bill on the Met thread from 1962, that was the real heyday.

Men in trunks bring the audience to fever pitch.

Some gimmickry before and after, here bagpipes, but when the bell rang, they were real set-to affairs. No wonder the crowds kept coming back.

Although the colourful gimmicks that developed over the next ten years were attractive - Kellett, Nagasaki, Wild Man of Borneo, Ricki Starr, Hells Angels - regular fans could certainly spot the routines and start to wonder. Up to 1963, however, the integrity of he sport seemed untarnished. Fan reaction in Paris and London was the same: total captivation and involvement.

Great match, I really enjoyed that, and the crowd loved it, lots of cheering and jeering.

In the days when it was simple, straightforward entertainment, all the action was in the ring, no need for anything else.

Thanks John.

So we have the Welsh Champion from Yorkshire wrestling as a Scot with kilt and bagpipes! No mistaking the broad Yorkshire accent in the interview.

I think the commentator also said that he played rugby for England. He certainly acknowledges that he wrestles as Gwyn Davies in the UK.

Great winning submission for any year.

Funny timing -- this French match featuring Davies as McTiffin just showed up online: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdiLavzaHcg

Well, well, thank you for clearing up a long-standing mystery: why they became Davies.

The Bearded Monach was in actual fact my grandfather, one of his many names until he settled with Ken Davies, in which my father had to be Davies to tag team. My father having been born in Meastag

And again Pitman Hercules is working with a Rugby Player in Joe Fletcher .

Also of note Ken McTiffin played with Shirley Crabtree senior. (Who also had a go at wrestling)

Someone was finding a way into wrestling for these guys , was it Harry Smith.

Don't know what Hack thinks about all this , but I can sort of see a rat.

The only thing not quite right is The Monarch being billed as a middleweight.

But if we go back to this bill.

The Pitman Hercules was Harry Smith from Dewsbury. Towards the end of 1935 McTiffin came from Welsh Rugby Union to play league. At this time (1937) he was with Dewsbury.

Is he moonlighting as a wrestler to supplement his income. I have already proved he had three bouts as a boxer.

He was a forward at Rugby league and I think six feet and 14 stones. But if you are learning to wrestle , someone 14 stones could work with a smaller man.

Harry Smith was a smaller man , but crucially , he played for Dewsbury and was a good player who also trained others at wrestling. Whats the odds they travelled to Preston Together to do this show.

Info.....Bearded Monarch pops up December 1936.

Prices seem dear for 1937.

I was paying(when I could afford it) 5 shillings for a ringside seat in 1954.

Seats upstairs were 2 shillings.

I think the 1940 Bearded Monarch from Ireland is probably not Ken Davies , the others are. If wrestling was not such a comedy , these things would be important.

Great collection MM

Now I see Leo Geriaux from Canada I am wondering whether Butts Giraud's name was taken from him.

Yes here's the 30's one:

It seems Ken Davies started wrestling in 1944 and within a couple of years was going under the guise of The Bearded Monarch.

As always with wrestling , it looks like a use of an old idea.

There had been a pre war Bearded Monarch , Unless we have Ken's career mixed into his Rugby days.

Here are the two.

Just noticed that while playing rugby in 1937/38 Ken McTiffin tried pro boxing.

It seems he had 3 fights , lost 2 by KO and won one by Ko , from then on I think he stuck with Rugby League.

A great find Ron. Bryn is only 2 1/2 miles from Maesteg.

Have you got the link Ohtani , would like a look.