From memory, didn't they then dumb it down in 1972 to just four participants for a Viewsport Trophy? And then it all became too difficult to organise ....
To underline the importance of the RAH Trophy, no masked wrestler was ever allowed to participate.
These were televised shows, maybe someone has still got their old results record from their tv watching.
The Brent show was a Wednesday night tv show. It was recorded the previous Saturday, 22nd April. The Watford show was live the following Saturday afternoon.
I have checked the Wrestler for May and that issue did not report any tv matches.
and The Winner of the Final Eliminating Tournament
29/4/67 Watford Town Hall, Herts.
Heavyweight - Steve Veidor (Cheshire) v. Ezzard Hart (W. Indies)
Middleweight - Jackie "Mr. TV" Pallo (Highbury) v. Eddie Capelli (Wimbledon)
And The Final of the Lifeguard Tournament
I am assuming that's when Ray Hunter won the trophy. Any info on the title/venue will be highly appreciated. Thanks to Everyone in advance for their feedback.
Another aside. The author of the article, Fred Barnes, was 1960s wrestler Prince Barnu (not to be confused with the 1950s Prince Banu, who was from New Zealand).
As an aside, Ray Hunter and Judo Al (Lord Alfred) Hayes were business partners in a London nightclub, in the 1960's, along with promoter Paul "Dr Death" Lincoln and Bob Anthony.
Dear Friends thanks for your replies, appreciate that a lot. The thing is I actually do not know whether this photo is or isn't related to Hunter's winning the Harringay Tourney. It is the ONLY photo of Hunter with the trophy I have and apparently it is the same cup as shown on the photo of Mick McMichael from my another post. I would love to figure out which title that cup represented.
Seems like they took a few photos that day. Here's one where you can see the base of the trophy.
Mick MicMichael on the front cover with the same cup Ray Hunter held.
Again, I am leaning towards the 1957 All Nations Tourney.
This programme references Ray Hunter winning a Silver Trophy. (Programme dated 5th January 1963)
From memory, didn't they then dumb it down in 1972 to just four participants for a Viewsport Trophy? And then it all became too difficult to organise ....
To underline the importance of the RAH Trophy, no masked wrestler was ever allowed to participate.
Magnificent Ost. Thanks very much.
Here's the winners, can go into more detail if requested. I'd say my info is about 95% complete: Year Winner Nationality Runner Up Date of Show
1956 DENNIS MITCHELL [GBR] Jose Olivera 29th Feb
1957 no tournament held
1958 TIBOR SZAKACS [HUN] Bill Verna 21st May
1959 TIBOR SZAKACS [HUN] John Da Silva 27th May
1960 TIBOR SZAKACS [HUN] Ray Hunter
1961 BILLY ROBINSON [GBR] Joe Cornelius
1962 TIBOR SZAKACS [HUN] Bruno Elrington 10/20 Jun
1963 JOHN DA SILVA [NZL] Josef Zaranoff 17th April
1964 GORDON NELSON [CAN] Steve Veidor 17th June
1965 STEVE VEIDOR [GBR] Bruno Elrington 9th June
1966 STEVE VEIDOR [GBR] Ian Campbell 13th April
1966 (Dec) TIBOR SZAKACS [HUN] Bruno Elrington 14th Dec
1967 no tournament held
1968 WOLFGANG STARCK [GER] Jim Hussey 17th April
1969 BRUNO ELRINGTON [GBR] Tibor Szakacs 2nd April
1970 GEORGE GORDIENKO [CAN] Bruno Elrington 22nd April
1971 STEVE VEIDOR [GBR] Mal Kirk 28th April
Does anyone have a photo of the Royal Albert Hall championship trophy?
Wrestling's FA Cup!
The RAH heavyweight tournament was the one local tournament that had any status and was known to fans nationally.
Thanks Hack, appreciate. They had KO Tourneys for trophies at Royal Albert Hall as well. Do you have Ray Hunter winning it in the 60's?
These were televised shows, maybe someone has still got their old results record from their tv watching.
The Brent show was a Wednesday night tv show. It was recorded the previous Saturday, 22nd April. The Watford show was live the following Saturday afternoon.
I have checked the Wrestler for May and that issue did not report any tv matches.
26/4/67 Brent Town Hall, Wembley
Semi-Finals of the Lifeguard Trophy
Semi-Finalists
"Irish" Pat Barratt (Dublin)
John Lees (Stalybridge, Cheshire)
Ray Hunter (Tasmania, Australia)
and The Winner of the Final Eliminating Tournament
29/4/67 Watford Town Hall, Herts.
Heavyweight - Steve Veidor (Cheshire) v. Ezzard Hart (W. Indies)
Middleweight - Jackie "Mr. TV" Pallo (Highbury) v. Eddie Capelli (Wimbledon)
And The Final of the Lifeguard Tournament
I am assuming that's when Ray Hunter won the trophy. Any info on the title/venue will be highly appreciated. Thanks to Everyone in advance for their feedback.
Finally some updates...Hack you were right photo was taken in 1967.
Hopefully I will do some digging on this in a couple of weeks. Dave C said he remembers the photo but not where and when.
Another aside. The author of the article, Fred Barnes, was 1960s wrestler Prince Barnu (not to be confused with the 1950s Prince Banu, who was from New Zealand).
As an aside, Ray Hunter and Judo Al (Lord Alfred) Hayes were business partners in a London nightclub, in the 1960's, along with promoter Paul "Dr Death" Lincoln and Bob Anthony.
https://thecromwellian.wordpress.com/
Hunter did not work for Dale Martin between 1961 and Jan 1966. Charles Mascall died 1967. So I would estimate 1960 or 1966 or 1967.
Dear Friends thanks for your replies, appreciate that a lot. The thing is I actually do not know whether this photo is or isn't related to Hunter's winning the Harringay Tourney. It is the ONLY photo of Hunter with the trophy I have and apparently it is the same cup as shown on the photo of Mick McMichael from my another post. I would love to figure out which title that cup represented.
Is there more info inside the programme you could share? That style of 'Wrestling Review' is c: 1966 (when Paul Lincoln had aligned with DM).