Real life experience only ( not something on the telly ) but it could have been in one of those smoky halls or perhaps meeting one of our heroes in the local shop. For me it's no contest. I had read and heard so much about Bert Assirati and when he walked to the ring and climbed through the ropes just a few feet away I had to pinch myself. The sheer presence of the man. Of course in reality what I was seeing was a fat old bloke right at the end of his career but nothing will ever take away the sense of awe that I felt all those years ago.
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I was about 15. Going into the pub with Norman and Flo Walsh, I was asked if I'd like to meet Bert Assiratti. I've got to say everything was an anticlimax after the initial shock.
One that sticks with me, was seeing Johnny Kwango, leaving the building, after the wrestling had finished, around 1970/71, he was carrying a battered old sports bag, and was slowly walking to his car, head bowed. I don't know if he was tired, hurt, or what, but it just seemed really sad at the time, and it has stuck with me ever since.
Watching Rikki Starr aeroplane spin Wild Angus.Angus getting to his feet but spun over the top rope into the crowd.Counted out, got up and staggered back to the dressing room.Perfectly sold! Amazing bout.
Well firstly Hack mentions Jack Pye fighting in 1971 , and only this week I found a bill of him in Hull , and I have the bill for a match in Liverpool the night before.
But back to the question , almost too many things stick out in my mind and even more forgotten , but one thing won't go away no matter how different he looks on youtube or how little fame he achieved. I went down to the ringside to look at Gargantua Jim Moran and I was staggered by the size of the man. Huge bones and a wide back despite long legs that could have had more muscle. For me I have always thought he was as tall as Haystacks and they just never quite pushed him enough. This of course in the 1930's had happened to Carver Doone who had been used once or twice in every town until the effect quickly wore off because of lack of wrestling ability. For me though , I cannot get that image out of my head.
Circa 1970/1 watching Mick McManus fight Jackie Pallo at the Royal Albert Hall with blood pouring from a 'cut' on Jackie's head, Trixie screaming to stop the fight..................and being a naive late teens age, thinking it was real blood!!
Matey Dave writes:
In January 1981, when i was a young lad of 39 and nicely marked found myself in Tampa Florida. was there as in process of checking purchase of 200+ hours of Florida Championship Wrestling, they used to crack a few hours shows a day. Gordon Solie was man in charge.
Dusty Rhodes was attacked outside the ring and blood everywhere and not a pretty sight. When they finished recording the hour show one of the policemen said to Dusty that all the blood had not dried and was slippery and needed to be cleaned up before somebody slipped on it. Well i thought it was amusing.
Mil Mascara was on the bill and Dick "the bulldog" Browser. studio set-up was not that big but had a fairly big ring, 4 cameras, light and about 150 audience. Gordon Solie was a true professional unlike Kent Walton. The matches were geared to get people into the live shows.
Don't ask about the open way drugs were being sold outside the studio on the streets of Tampa
Just one?
That's always difficult.
To name one it would be a pretty boring one, and one I've mentioned before. I was just eleven (going to the wrestling was my birthday present) and the momentous moment was in the hall with all the lights going out to leave just one brilliant ring light illuminating an empty ring.
Others would be
The entry of the original (i.e. not masked) Undertaker with his coffin. An ordinary wrestler in an ordinary match but an extraordinary entrance.
Watching Jack Pye wrestle in 1971, years after his retirement, though a sad sight it was. Interviewing him, writing a complimentary article which he said he liked and then asking me not to publish it.
Nagasaki annihilating Steve Clements. We know the truth these days. But the blood, the body shaking centre ring, the horror of it all.
And finally, another I've told before. Bryan Crabtree telling us that because one of the midgets was unavailable (and irreplaceable) there would be one less match that night. I'd paid ten bob. I wanted that match. Any match. Even Leon Fortuna. Even Eric Turner.
Jack Pye's ring entrances at Belle Vue: captivatingly sensationally staged.
Nagasaki charging with his sword and stopping an inch away from Judo Al Hayes' unflinching nose.