For me I have to choose Starr.His bouts had everything,some comedy,great agility and technical skill,but you were just waiting for that amazing aeroplane spin.A fantastic entertaining wrestler. Your choice please.
A good question Romeo. One I've avoided answering for a few days because it's too difficult for a small brain like mine. It's impossible to name one (or even two or three). Many of the names mentioned I cannot disagree with. Leon Arras was a brilliant entertainer. Some have seen him as a villain, but miss the point. He was a comic genius. Kellett too was always entertaining, as was Pallo. Jim Breaks had everything, including the entertainment package. Not mentioned so far was Pedro the Gypsy. Yes his routine was repetitive, but no less entertaining every time. Al Marquette was another, and Lord Bertie Topham. Many could entertain. The magic was to entertain over and over again. But no, not Vic Faulkner, and definitely not Maurice LaRue.
You cannot pick just one and its subjective, Adrian Street was brilliant but others hated him, same with Jimmy Breaks, Rikki Starr made a huge impact when he first wrestled here but the more people saw him the less impact he had. We had a fair number of gentlemen who entertained audiences across the country all in their own way but with a common goal, to send the punters home happy.
Fortunately the business was never carried by any single name and the group ethic prevailed.
However, in an area where plenty of entertaining wrestlers had similar routines each time, I'd say Kendo Nagasaki. I still remember the first time I saw him in 1968, and all the salt and sword antics at the start - it was incredible. And each time we wondered if he would reach Viedor's or Tibor's nose with the blade. And during the bout, intent on making his often older and more staid opponent work, he would force them into different routines. You never knew what you'd see, also outside the ring.
I watched with interest in the eighties and nineties as he became the Old Man and sidestepped a lot of the dangerous moves that had made him famous.
Totally agree with both Romeo and williamr.Rikki Starr was the ultimate entertainer,who could really wrestle.When he dropped Jackie Pallo on his head with the best executed pile-driver I've ever seen it looked like Pallo was really KO'd
I agree. I consider myself very fortunate that both "Romeo" Joe Critchley and Les Kellett agreed to wrestle for me. There were also something special about promoting Jackie "Mr.TV" Pallo and Adrian Street.
Of those whom I didn't promote but enjoyed watching as a paying punter I'd include Kendo Nagasaki, Billy Two Rivers, Maurice La Rue and "Sir" Alan Garfield.
A good question Romeo. One I've avoided answering for a few days because it's too difficult for a small brain like mine. It's impossible to name one (or even two or three). Many of the names mentioned I cannot disagree with. Leon Arras was a brilliant entertainer. Some have seen him as a villain, but miss the point. He was a comic genius. Kellett too was always entertaining, as was Pallo. Jim Breaks had everything, including the entertainment package. Not mentioned so far was Pedro the Gypsy. Yes his routine was repetitive, but no less entertaining every time. Al Marquette was another, and Lord Bertie Topham. Many could entertain. The magic was to entertain over and over again. But no, not Vic Faulkner, and definitely not Maurice LaRue.
most fun to watch and the overall performer Vic Faulkner, I utube him every single day.
Agreed, Rikki Starr could certainly wrestle well.
You cannot pick just one and its subjective, Adrian Street was brilliant but others hated him, same with Jimmy Breaks, Rikki Starr made a huge impact when he first wrestled here but the more people saw him the less impact he had. We had a fair number of gentlemen who entertained audiences across the country all in their own way but with a common goal, to send the punters home happy.
Fortunately the business was never carried by any single name and the group ethic prevailed.
However, in an area where plenty of entertaining wrestlers had similar routines each time, I'd say Kendo Nagasaki. I still remember the first time I saw him in 1968, and all the salt and sword antics at the start - it was incredible. And each time we wondered if he would reach Viedor's or Tibor's nose with the blade. And during the bout, intent on making his often older and more staid opponent work, he would force them into different routines. You never knew what you'd see, also outside the ring.
I watched with interest in the eighties and nineties as he became the Old Man and sidestepped a lot of the dangerous moves that had made him famous.
Dynamite Kid for me.
Totally agree with both Romeo and williamr.Rikki Starr was the ultimate entertainer,who could really wrestle.When he dropped Jackie Pallo on his head with the best executed pile-driver I've ever seen it looked like Pallo was really KO'd
I agree entirely - Rikki Starr, although I enjoyed the antics of Leon Arras and Romeo Joe Critchley.