On a bittersweet note, today marks the fifteen year anniversary of the passing of 'Judo' Al Hayes. During his near-twenty year career here in the UK he wrestled for the likes of Atholl Oakeley, Paul Lincoln and Joint Promotions, had a hotly contended feud against Dr. Death under his 'White Angel' gimmick and made multiple appearances at the Royal Albert Hall. In the early seventies, Hayes jumped ship to the USA and made an equally successful living over there, wrestling the likes of Dory Funk Jr. and Bruno Sammartino before eventually becoming a permanent fixture for the WWF as a commentator and on-screen personality during its peak rock 'n wrestlin' years.
Any fond memories of Alfred Hayes from his time here during the fifties and sixties?
Good to see that a bout from France featuring Al Hayes has recently appeared on YT; https://youtu.be/opE7RIT4Z2w
Actually, come to think of it, Westminster is also sometimes listed as his place of birth, but I always thought that was more to do with his "Lord Alfred" persona.
Did we ever find out where he was actually from? Islington and Windermere (Cumbria) are often listed as his place of birth.
26th November, 1951 at Brighton against George McLean is an earlier possibility.
I only saw Judo Al once in Lancashire, he didn't seem to travel well. I was excited to see him because he was a big name we didn't usually see. I wasn't disappointed, and I did enjoy watching him on tv until he developed the harder edge that didn't ring true.
Close To Perfection
I can just about find him wrestling for 30 years
His name (along with the Royal Brothers and Mick McManus) was one of the earliest in my memory, of being a young lad watching wrestling.
He was, by all accounts, a very funny man, and lived his "Lord Alfred" persona, in the USA, in real life. Most of the old time US wrestlers, in interviews, only have nice things to say about him.