Happy New Year Heritageers.
On a site that celebrates the events of between 90 and 30 years ago it's not surprising that we so often commemorate those no longer with us. So we end the year in that fashion.
On this day in 1986 the death of a great 1930s wrestler and one who all Heritageers should know very well.
Less familiar to Heritage readers a man who died on 31st December, 1998, Frank Valois.
Canadian bruiser Frank Valois was wrestling in France and Germany when he was brought to Britain in 1950 by Atholl Oakeley to wrestle Stan Karolyi at Harringay Stadium. This is the only British appearance we can find. He was advertised on 3rd April, 1958, to wrestle Jack Pye in Morecambe, but was replaced by Jose Calderon (Professor Adiwasser).
He was later to become known as the trainer of Jean Ferre, a partnership that continued in 1980 when they formed, along with Gino Brito, the Montreal based promotion, Promotions Varoussac.
Frank Valois was born 17th December, 1921, died 31st December, 1998.*
* Initially stated 1988, which was a typo.
Peter 4d
Other websites give the date of death for Frank Valois as New Years Eve 1998 aged 77.Either way You Tube have an impressive appearance at the JWA Annual Tournament in 1960
1998 is right, Peter. That's what it says in our database. It was my typo.
Other websites give the date of death for Frank Valois as New Years Eve 1998 aged 77.Either way You Tube have an impressive appearance at the JWA Annual Tournament in 1960
Nice find with the 1938 Bill Robinson Main Mask. Golden Ace is in the A-Z. Apparently queried our Golden Ace about use of the name.
Wrestling overseas today, Mark Rocco (as Black Tiger), lost to Jushin “Thunder” Liger (Fuji Yamada) in Moscow, Russia, on this day in 1989.
On our TV screens, on this day in 1977:-
Dynamite Kid (F) v Kid Chocolate (0)
Kung Fu (F, DQ) v Steve Logan (F)
Mark Rocco (F) v Bert Royal (F, COR)
Plus the ceremonial unmasking of Kendo Nagasaki..............
In 1912
Birth of Black Butcher Johnson
Read our tribute
Hi Anglo, i am inclined to agree with you Anglo the actual date was DEC. 21st. 1960 , reason being that from Monday to Saturday of that Szakacs & Zarranoff were working for M&B Promotins for all that week on their bills .They were both based down south. The date for 31st Dec 1958 would mean that both these lads would mean travellin all that way on New Years Eve when i cannot see their name on any other bill in the north arround that date
All the best to Anglo & Hack, & everyone else that contribute to this wonderfull site.
Stay well in 2021.
Yours sincerely Ian P.
........but the date is tantalizingly amended to 21st December?
I'd be inclined to think this bill is 1960 rather than 1958 and that there was indeed a typing error.
On our TV screens, on this day, back in 1966.
Heavyweight - John Cox (York) v. John Lees (Stalybridge)
Middleweight - Ted Heath (Leeds) v. Steve Clements (Huddersfield)
Welterweight - Ed Capelli (London) v. Jackie Pallo (London)