I was asking the question earlier as to why some wrestlers became top draw and others sometimes fell a little short. I always felt Pat Roach was someone who could have been bigger than he was, don't get me wrong he was a great wrestler who could mix it with anyone you care to name yet somehow (for me) he just didn't have that extra edge. I've seen him play both Blue eye and heel and maybe that's it, he was never really one or the other. Also I have to say I have a lot of respect for Pat for refusing to play a part in the Big Daddy circus!
top of page
bottom of page
Here's a photo taken by Dave Cameron of Pat Roach in New Zealand in 1969 (incidentally the same year Alan Garfield was here).
I remember the match Roach versus Skywalker. It was a good one. Bomber worked well with Super Destroyer Pete Roberts in some classic clashes. And who could forget the famous Pat Roach Brummagem bump, from way up high?
Loved this match with an even bigger man who went into films also. (Tyler Mane)
He had one of the longest TV careers starting in the mid 1960s billed variously from Ireland,Smethwick and Birmingham and continued until the very end in December 1988
I don't remember the Billy Robinson bout, Hack, but the bout against Wayne Bridges that you and I reviewed in Armchair Corner as "Proper Heavyweight Wrestling" was absolutely fabulous - Max Ward to boot.
Does anyone remember Pat's televised match against Billy Robinson at Solihull? It was one of those powerful heavyweight matches that convinced me it was for real.
Pat Roach was a good heavy-weight wrestler and a great champ, and actually he was the first known to me British champion wrestler. Of course I first saw him in the movies. He sure could have became a champ long before he actually became a champ. But I think it's a 'territorial' matter. In the 60s just like before or after most if not all the champs represented the 'same' region (East Lancashire-West Yorkshire). So not surprised he wasn't holding Britsh title.
Like Ron I think Pat could have been British champion much earlier. But there wasn't much room at the top in the late sixties or seventies. I think it does come down to him being a good wrestler but not convincing as either a goodie or a baddie.
Genuine big man who looked the part (a big athlete, not a fat man)
Pat Roach was fantastic in the ring. I think he practiced yoga, very beneficial for wrestling.
Pretty sure he owned a gym and a scrap metal business too, so I guess a pretty busy man.
Said this before...Pat Roach should have been British Champ long before he was.
I saw him have some fantastic fights with Haystacks.
He was also very popular in Germany winning the annual Hannover tournament
Pat had a lucrative film and TV career, dipping in and out of wrestling around his other commitments suited him quite well