A match from 22 February 1957 is now on You Tube. He is fighting Tony Oliver in France and was broadcast on French TV. An Easter Monday present for his many fans
I must confess to being a little irritated by the Bert Royal -Vic Faulkner tag team combination, but this wonderful video shows what a top-class wrestler Bert was in his prime. A wonderful treat.
At this time France had just one TV station and these broadcasts were at peak time on Fridays. It seems probable that Royal was better known in France than the UK IN 1957
It will be great if gets chance to view it.He could never have imagined when he travelled to Paris over sixty three years ago that his match would still be viewed in the next century.
Peter many thanks for that I'll let Berts son know about that.I was in awe of Berts technical excellence,he was.and remains so one of nature's gentlemen.
Fantastic find, thank you. I’ve heard that ITV indeed hold onto all the old black and white footage. It would be great to see all the old action once again, with truly amazing British grapplers.
Thanks. In this one he is Champion of Australia. The entire commentary is about Australia, the weather there, and kangaroos. Judo Al obliges by bouncing throughout like a kangaroo, so was clearly in on it with the irritating commentator.
But the crowd and atmosphere are wonderful. I think the tag match was 1957, too - seems the same vintage.
How lucky are French fans to have so many BW matches on Youtube!
Bert has a sash! To show he is European and Empire Champion.
The Spaniard is a very credible villain who would enter well into the other thread at the moment as the Verger.
I see his name written as Toni Oliva.
However, by comparison with brilliant Bert, he is very flat-footed. Bert does all the aerials: drop-kicks, throwing himself out of the ring, and what a magnificent dust-up outside the ring amongst the spectators. Basically, Bert does what he can with a limited opponent.
Great to see the knowledgeable crowd at the famous Cirque d'Hiver.
This bout leads into a tag with the "Australians" Hunter & Hayes. Two seconds per team made it very serious, like the RAH.
Great opening fall from aeroplane spin; and then a messy equalizer. And we get cut off without knowing the final outcome.
Fascinating moment during the preliminaries when a Martian invades the arena and has to be removed by the police. The only satisfaction we do get at the end is seeing the Martian in all his/its/her glory.
A very enjoyable hour of quality wrestling, great refereeing. All spoilt by a stupid commentator who felt the need to give a comedy commentary throughout. Long live Kent! (RIP)
The British Wrestling Golden Years Facebook page are in contact with his son. May be able to help?
bkendo1, we've been trying to make contact with Bert for years, but he's remained reluctant. Maybe you will have the magic touch for us?
Just hope in the fullness of time more of his matches become available
Just managed to watch the clip, great! Bert was really an icon in his long career and this clip certainly proves this.
Cheers
I agree even his surviving singles matches from twenty years later are better than the tags
I must confess to being a little irritated by the Bert Royal -Vic Faulkner tag team combination, but this wonderful video shows what a top-class wrestler Bert was in his prime. A wonderful treat.
Toni wrestled in the UK as Toni Olivera, brother to Jim/Jose Olivera who was in the final of the first RAH Trophy tournament.
At this time France had just one TV station and these broadcasts were at peak time on Fridays. It seems probable that Royal was better known in France than the UK IN 1957
Great stuff.Just shows how good Bert was.He was a big favourite in France.
These matches were released by a friend of mine. If you have any questions about the footage you can message me.
It will be great if gets chance to view it.He could never have imagined when he travelled to Paris over sixty three years ago that his match would still be viewed in the next century.
Peter many thanks for that I'll let Berts son know about that.I was in awe of Berts technical excellence,he was.and remains so one of nature's gentlemen.
Fantastic find, thank you. I’ve heard that ITV indeed hold onto all the old black and white footage. It would be great to see all the old action once again, with truly amazing British grapplers.
It is an ongoing sore point that ITV have many black and white matches and will not release them
Thanks. In this one he is Champion of Australia. The entire commentary is about Australia, the weather there, and kangaroos. Judo Al obliges by bouncing throughout like a kangaroo, so was clearly in on it with the irritating commentator.
But the crowd and atmosphere are wonderful. I think the tag match was 1957, too - seems the same vintage.
How lucky are French fans to have so many BW matches on Youtube!
Here is a younger Al Hayes, from 1957.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opE7RIT4Z2w
Bert has a sash! To show he is European and Empire Champion.
The Spaniard is a very credible villain who would enter well into the other thread at the moment as the Verger.
I see his name written as Toni Oliva.
However, by comparison with brilliant Bert, he is very flat-footed. Bert does all the aerials: drop-kicks, throwing himself out of the ring, and what a magnificent dust-up outside the ring amongst the spectators. Basically, Bert does what he can with a limited opponent.
Great to see the knowledgeable crowd at the famous Cirque d'Hiver.
This bout leads into a tag with the "Australians" Hunter & Hayes. Two seconds per team made it very serious, like the RAH.
Great opening fall from aeroplane spin; and then a messy equalizer. And we get cut off without knowing the final outcome.
Fascinating moment during the preliminaries when a Martian invades the arena and has to be removed by the police. The only satisfaction we do get at the end is seeing the Martian in all his/its/her glory.
A very enjoyable hour of quality wrestling, great refereeing. All spoilt by a stupid commentator who felt the need to give a comedy commentary throughout. Long live Kent! (RIP)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6GckSaGJqU
Bert Royal match starts around the 8 minutes mark
link please