Writing a post like this 20 years ago would have caused a witch hunt and burning at the stake...but its a different age so here goes...Who would all our good readers, be they punters or wrestlers, consider the best at the seemingly lost art of 'selling' ? It seems like these days even the most elaborate routine of holds, throws and kicks results in instant comebacks with little thought of believability and showing the pain. Kind of devalues the best finishes or sets up modern wrestlers as even more superhuman than before ? The believability goes. In days of old I would say Tony St Clair was the king. Everything he did had purpose and every bit of punishment he took the crowd were gasping in total belief. His facial expressions, his cries of pain, his holding onto limbs were all done to perfection and caused even more hatred to the likes of John Quinn who was dealing it out. Marty Jones would also be a close second.Opinions ?
top of page
Talk Wrestling
Share your memories of British wrestling 1930 - 1988
bottom of page
I’ve always rolled my eyes when a wrestler has just had a flaying, lying inert on the mat, close to death, when he reaches down and adjusts his knee bandage!
I thought Rocco and Street sold so well it was even over sold in a way. Those upside down postings that Rocco executed , and Street could bounce along on his bottom after being thrown about.
With regard to "today's" approach, many a time have I seen a wrestler throw his opponent to the floor and then head out of the ring and ascend the "top turnbuckle", or whatever it's called on this side of The Atlantic, prior to a dive on to his grounded opponent - who then shifts his position in order to be able to accept the move! Surely it's for the flyer to adjust his flight.
Steve Viedor the absolute master for me. His smelling salts in his Royal Albert Hall bout with Gwyn Davies are a joy to behold: he even pre-planned his suffering!
One youtube bout that continues to fascinate is McManus giving away several stones to Tornado Torontos. Torontos just crumbles and sells every little flick of Mick. Such a clear sign of an employee trying to ingratiate himself with the boss. It goes beyond what you describe, Norfolk Snake, and creates a realm of overselling.
Steve Grey...yes just as good, his matches with Jim Breaks had us all wincing when the wrist cracked !
How about Steve Grey as a potential contender? Lightweight I know but very good facial expressions and an element of “pain” and believability before the inevitable come back