The Socialist Principles of Mr Morrell

That would further explain the theory that McManus would often book himself on the same show as the latest big attraction/ticket-selling rivalry. I've heard a few people say he'd do this to make it look like he was a bigger draw, but it sounds like doing so would also make him more money directly. I'd imagine the British model of generally flat fee rather than a percentage of the takings made more sense because we didn't have television interviews and direct hype for events. In the US, the set-up meant it was in the interest of a wrestler to "talk the fans into the building."

Good info in here. The percentage I referred to was an Agreement common in America among the bigger names. I can see how Mick would've been at that level.

The weekly guarantee or flat fee makes sense in the UK, of course the promoters can make your life more difficult by then booking you in towns very far apart.

Thanks bkendo. Pleased to see your Barcelona quote has gone awol.

Sorry for late reply Hack,like most things in the game there were rules set in stone at Kirkgate that were chipped away at by individual promoters ,Ted Beresford was always keen to know anything in Dale Martin land ,Ernie Lofthouse was always keen to learn about Wrytons houses.Keeping stum was a skill much valued unless they were asking,I did a Barecolona quote to everything, I know nothing.Percentages were rare when I first started only a handful were privileged Mick being one.In later years when joint became disjointed all together different ball game a free for all and agreements not honoured or attempted to be ,never happened to me but heard from a few lads happened to them.

Hi John-Thank you.

No, it's what many of the wrestlers I've interviewed said, for example Johnny Kincaid, Eddie Hammill and Adrian Street.

Hi John.

" a particular wrestler would negotiate a wage and then be paid the same for every match regardless of venue or crowd size. So in theory somebody could be "underpaid" when wrestling at Belle Vue and "overpaid" when working at Yate but it would all even out."

Please tell us where you got this information from.Was it your personal experience?

Remember that Joint Promotions had a model where, other that the Royal Albert Hall and TV matches, a particular wrestler would negotiate a wage and then be paid the same for every match regardless of venue or crowd size. So in theory somebody could be "underpaid" when wrestling at Belle Vue and "overpaid" when working at Yate but it would all even out. There's also a strong argument that, for example, Jackie Pallo would be as or even more valuable working in a small town. Add him to a Liverpool Stadium show that's running every week and it might only make a big difference to the crowd if he's in a particularly attractive or built-up match. Add him to Barnstaple Baths that has a few shows with mediocre crowds a year and even though he's against Joe Blow, the fact that a TV star wrestler is appearing in person could mean a sellout.

Falling demand led to lower prices as it became less popular

Generally, the pay scale would be a percentage of the house. I will say i've been surprised how low ticket prices were through the 1970's for wrestling shows.

Market forces usually outweigh principles.

bkendo1 2h ago

The thinking was based on the co operative movement but the workers divy varied.The agreed pay scales established at Kirkgate chambers were routinely broken workers encouraged not to discuss with anyone ,the individual promoters mislead fellow promoters.

Interesting Paul. I gather you're saying there was a common agreed pay scale across all Joint Promotion members, but then the scale was routinely disregarded by members.

Was it a case of promoters paying less than the agreed amount, or more to pay the most sought after names?

I don't know if meeting Hitler changed him at all.

I was thinking more of flash American cars and well cut suits.

I think that he became more of a capitalist when he had made it.

The thinking was based on the co operative movement but the workers divy varied.The agreed pay scales established at Kirkgate chambers were routinely broken workers encouraged not to discuss with anyone ,the individual promoters mislead fellow promoters.

I think it's called loss leader selling, Hack

😉 Anything to do with him meeting Hitler?

Well, I don't know about that Hack. I think that Mr. Morrell might have been a socialist at one time, but perhaps he moved a bit to the right later.