Anyone remember Ken Elsen billed as the Kangaroo Kid?Ken was bald but put on a wig with specs as a 'heel' manager.At the end of the bout Ken would remonstrate from the ring apron and the opposing wrestler would yank him over the top rope and the wig and specs would come flying off.Then Ken did a hasty retreat with a towel over his head back to the dressing room.Great fun!Another I remember at Belle Vue was Les Kellett on with IIRC Steve Haggerty.Les was presented with a bouquet of flowers then next thing the 'heel' grabs the flowers and batters Les with them.The ring strewn with flower heads.It got great heat from the crowd.Has anyone any in ring Promoters stunts to relay?
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It's interesting that Bernard says Morrell hardly ever came to Newcastle. That was in the 1950s. Was there ever a time Morrell showed an interest in his shows?
At Newcastle, Norman Morrell hardly ever came. The referee was his second in command.
Prince Banu was on with his boring knuckles into his opponent's temples routine.
After about 4 rounds of boredom, the opponent was evidently senseless.
Banu left him lying on the canvas and Les Kellett counted him out.
Les tried to revive him, couldn't, 2 St John's ambulance people got into the ring,
nothing stirred.
Les asked for the mic to be lowered, asked for any doctor in the house and for an ambulance to be called.
When Banu said that he knew how to revive the stricken man Les went barmy and told him to get on with it.
After a bit of massage and neck wringing, the groggy opponent came round.
Les's acting that night deserved an oscar.
I recall the incident at Belle Vue when Haggetty smashed the bouquet all over Les. It was a big show, the main element of which was an eight man battle for the British heavyweight title which culminated in Gwynn Davies being victorious over Tibor Szakacs. In the semis Davies beat Ray Steele and Szakacs beat Pete Roberts. In the first round Szakacs beat Bruno Elrington by disqualification, Roberts beat Johnny Yearsley with a karate chop within seconds of the bell ringing and Steele beat "Bully Boy" Ian Muir but I cannot recall who Davies beat in his opening bout. I also recall a fast-moving tag contest on the bill which saw Johnny Saint teaming with John Naylor to defeat the heavier team of Mick Mc.Michael and Jeff Kaye.
I found Ken Else to be quite money-minded when I booked him for a show in the late seventies at The Civic Hall, Nantwich. I too had seen him losing his wig on a Max Crabtree show and suggested it at Nantwich but he asked for extra money to do it so in the end I just used him in a tag match and, later in the card, as part of a six man over the top rope battle royal.