The story going around from a reliable source, but one I couldn't verify, is that in 1964 when ITV planned to extend their broadcast to Wednesday night they were going to give the slot to the independents because they had Ricky Starr. When Joint Promotions signed up Ricky ITV gave the contract to Joint.
Ricki Starr was extremely popular when he visited the UK and I can recall seeing him live twice back in the mid 1960's. For his "act" to really work he had to be pitted against "heels" and I remember Ricki making short work of Roy "Bull" Davis wining in two straight falls.On the other occasion he was matched against Danny Lynch who proved a much tougher opponent and as so often when Danny was involved there was blood spilled before the American prevailed.Ricki was no giant but combined with his athletic skill he was a first rate technical wrestler. As for the fans- they loved him and no doubt inspired by his television appearances they flocked to see him and in the two contests I attended it was a
packed to capacity crowd. Sad to related I understand he became a virtual recluse in his later years.
Of course I was. Was anyone not? (Well, at the time whatever they say now).
He was unique. Maybe I was too naive at the time to share Anglo's opinion that he aroused prejudice. He was just a fantastic entertainer, very popular and brought justice to those bad uns.
yes I saw him live at St James Hall vs Bobby Graham, the place was sold out with lots turned away, I would have been about 8 or 9 years old and went with my dad and grandad. He won the match with the aeroplane spin and slam, and if I remember rightly Graham didn't beat the count.
Tried to find the clips of Ricki wrestling on You Tube but seem to have been removed
And at the same time, he memorably ko'd Mal Kirk by aeroplane spin!
One of his final ITV appearances was in November 1971 when he knocked out the very tough Steve Heggarty
The story going around from a reliable source, but one I couldn't verify, is that in 1964 when ITV planned to extend their broadcast to Wednesday night they were going to give the slot to the independents because they had Ricky Starr. When Joint Promotions signed up Ricky ITV gave the contract to Joint.
Ricki Starr was so popular he had a prominent role in the 1968 film the Touchables which included a match versus Roy Bull Davies
Ricki Starr was extremely popular when he visited the UK and I can recall seeing him live twice back in the mid 1960's. For his "act" to really work he had to be pitted against "heels" and I remember Ricki making short work of Roy "Bull" Davis wining in two straight falls.On the other occasion he was matched against Danny Lynch who proved a much tougher opponent and as so often when Danny was involved there was blood spilled before the American prevailed.Ricki was no giant but combined with his athletic skill he was a first rate technical wrestler. As for the fans- they loved him and no doubt inspired by his television appearances they flocked to see him and in the two contests I attended it was a
packed to capacity crowd. Sad to related I understand he became a virtual recluse in his later years.
Of course I was. Was anyone not? (Well, at the time whatever they say now).
He was unique. Maybe I was too naive at the time to share Anglo's opinion that he aroused prejudice. He was just a fantastic entertainer, very popular and brought justice to those bad uns.
yes I saw him live at St James Hall vs Bobby Graham, the place was sold out with lots turned away, I would have been about 8 or 9 years old and went with my dad and grandad. He won the match with the aeroplane spin and slam, and if I remember rightly Graham didn't beat the count.
thats cool cheers
Absolutely yes.
Great originality.
A persona finely tuned to arouse the fans' prejudices of the pre-1968 time.
Hard to evaluate his actual ringcraft because there was such heat in the venue, more than for other bouts, due to his mere presence.
Like all the big names, he depended on a willing opponent to make it all work.