Shaun South.. Johnny of course. Later Legend Of Doom..

@poolstead hi Poolstead. Many thanks for your reply. I was lucky enough to see Jackie Pallo live against Adrian a couple of times.. Both humdingers. Jackie did win a British title I recall from Bert Royal I think? But conceded in his much vilified biography "You Grunt, I'll Groan". That similar to Adrian, he didn't need "titles" to get ahead in wrestling, where Adrian had pure wrestling skills & charisma + Jackie relied more on charisma than wrestling and was i quote: "Ever so happy when he "lost" his title two weeks later. Jon Cortez actually won the middleweight title at Liverpool in the eliminating series against Johnny Palance, after Adrian had been "stripped" of his title following the weigh in rumpus, similar to what happened in Scotland. All part of the script I would suggest?

Adrian did eventually annex the "World Middleweight Title" when working for Brian Dixon's "Wrestling Enterprises Of Birkenhead" in the late 70s. He was due to defend against Jon Cortez at Liverpool Stadium, but "lost" it, due to again, the weight "issues" mentioned in the previous post. He took part in a later K.O..competition at Liverpool for the title he "vacated" in a tournament involving I seem to recall, Jackie Pallo, Johnny Palance, and the eventual "winner" the aforementioned Jon Cortez.

I saw Gypsy Smith unmasked as The Mad Axeman by Big Daddy in a k.o. Tournament featuring Kendo Nagasaki & Mike Marino.

Max Crabtree went through a series of "Unmaskings" at Liverpool Stadium, mostly " rent-a-hoods" or cannon fodder and invariably Phil Pearson & Brian Hunt, the "Men Of Mystery". The only genuine unmasking I witnessed featured Eddie Hamill (Kung Fu) V Kendo Nagasaki, which was doing the rounds at the time I think?

Bill Smith, agreed one of THE names in wrestling, certainly did "make it"

NagasakiGoldthorn. Think John Carlo was from Kent, think Rochester rings a bell. Remember when ITV had a spell of broadcasting on Thursday lunch time in the mid 70s, I recall him appearing against a wrestler of South American origin, called "El Exotico". Strangely, never saw either wrestler again.

Brian "Gold Belt" Maxine & Pat Roach never quite "did" it for m e..

Think Dave Taylor took a "Title" when he went

Enjoyed his "Heel Phase" as the Battling Guardsman. What came later as "The Children's Favourite" was a blatant ploy to put bums on seats by his brother and not of his making or for that matter, choice.. He went on too long, but met Shirley a few times and always found him to be a really nice fellow which is at odds with some of the "stuff" I read about him from time to time.

Hi Powerlock, I actually saw him win three times... Against Mike "Flash" Jordan, in Mikes early days as a pro, against a wrestler called Tony Caine at Liverpool Stadium, and surprisingly against Johnny England on TV, in Johnnys "Blue Eye" early days.

Main Mask agreed the nadir of how the business was going at the time sadly..

Agreed Romeo, I always preferred the "Heel" Alan Dennison( "possessed By the Devil") likewise with Brian "Goldbelt" Maxine, (blue eye never convinced in truth). And Pat Roach in his "Bomber" Phase. Pats sheer size and rugged appearance screamed "Heel".

A superb value for money worker, who as well as the aforementioned "Dog Chain Match" took part in such farces as "loser strips to his underpants" and " loser gets a Custard Pie In The Face" matches. Speaks eons for his profressionalism!

Got a feeling it may well have been Steve Best,from York. Something tells me in the back of my mind that his birth name was Roger Adams? Stand to be corrected if not.

No Hack, but did see Shirley in an Austin A40 in his "battling guardsman" days, complete with Walt Disney stickers, Donald Duck, Mickey Mouse & Co!

Remember Steve having a long standing feud with Wayne Bridges at Liverpool. Wayne was playing a h heel turn at the time. Also featured in the first title match I ever saw live, against Count Bartelli for the Commonwealth Title. And for good measure, saw him defeat a pre "Big Daddy" Shirley Crabtree.

Kent Walton did refer to the fact that they were brothers. Mike won a TV award as an 18 year old in 1964. Vanished for a time, then came back as "Marvellous Mike" a tremendous heel turn.

RIP. To a great man, who served our sport well.

Pete was a regular during Best\Wryton days at Liverpool Stadium. Met the cream of heavyweights, from.Albert Wall, to Gwyn Davies & Kendo Nagasaki. Was always billed as 'Pat' A quality wrestler and really nice guy into the bargain. RIP Pete and thanks for the memories..