I remember reading about a Wrestler In Wrestling Heritage who was meant to be on next against Bert Assirati.
He said in the changing rooms to another Wrestler could you please take my place. I cannot face Bert he said. The Wrestler did and lost the match to Bert. He came back to the dressing room with his nose smashed Into his face.
Are there any other cases of a Wrestler who at the last minute withdrew from his match and had to be replaced because he was terrified of his opponents fearsome reputation?
Sounds like such a lovely bloke ...
There was a story that Black Butcher Johnson travelling to the MIdlands saw when he arrived he was in against Assirati and sent a telegram saying he will ill before returning to London. Kumali told me Assirati had a disagreeable habit of inviting people to take a punch at him and then he would have a free one at them. But he must have had some people with whom he got on. Charlie Scott was matched with him five times one December which must have been a hard way to make a living if A didn't like him.
Lots of wrestlers did not like to wrestle Assiratti.
There are a few stories about Bert saying "the place is too quiet, we need a bit of claret" and then the poor unfortunate got a broken nose.
Norman Walsh told me that Bert was unnecessarily rough.
Got to say I’d question stories like that, it’s good for business to have these rumours circulating if you get my drift. I know lots of wrestlers didn’t like going into the ring with Les Kellet.