I usualy find Ron's contributions interesting but the boy has surpassed himself with Part 5 of Belle Vue. A great introduction to anyone wanting to learn a bit more about wrestling in the late 30's. Nice one Ron.

What a great shot and probably rare. Thanks for posting.

Ah! Yes. It's all bent- apart from MY promotions of course. It was ever thus.

I think you are being a bit unfair Rusian. It's true that very many amateurs looked down their noses at and did not want to be associated with the pro game but lots of others, including ex-olympians, were happy to turn pro. Still not sure about Wood though.

Thank's MM. These posters are realy wonderful and as Anglo says the wealth of information might keep a punter gazing at them for five or ten minutes. Takes me back to when I first started taking an interest in wrestling posters back in the 1950's. On my way to and from school I would stop and read them over and over. But nip back in the Tardis and see how the posters have less and less information as time goes on. By the 1980's it's pretty much all gone. Thank's again MM.

Sorted. I was using the plural of the password. Senior Moment again.

I also am unwanted! Most members must be getting in or we would have heard.

A great movie and just look at the wrestlers in it. A selection of post war British names, a top US heel turned actor, one of the true all time greats who was a link to the Golden Age of Music Hall Wrestling, and perhaps the best amateur wrestler this country ever produced. What's not to like?

Quite a few I would have thought. Cracking contribution anyway.

Happy Birthday Ron and welcome to the wonderful world of Old Gits. Seriously, the work you have done for W H is just outstanding. Many Happy Returns.

Can't find any mention of weights in Blue Blood on the Mat but the old All In website gives us - Heavyweight over 191 lbs. Light-Heavyweight 174 - 191 lbs Middleweight 158 - 174 lbs Welter 146 - 158 lbs Lightweight 135 - 146 lbs Feather 124 - 135 lbs Bantam under 124 lbs

Some of this stuff can be found on VICE TV https://www.vicetv.com/en_us/show/dark-side-of-the-ring

Assirati, Oakeley and Paul Lincoln of course but it was a long held tradition in the game. Much like the actor-managers of theatrical touring companies. What's the earliest example? Did Jack Dale work on his early shows?

We grew up hearing how Bert was stripped of his title while on "an extended tour of the Far East", without giving any thought about what such a tour must have entailed. Certainly right into the Fifties most long distance travel was done by ship. In the past Ron has found all kinds of stuff lurking in ships passenger lists. International coms was by letter in the main and I suppose that a hand delivered letter of introduction might have been used at times. How far back does all this go? In the last decade of the 19th century and first couple of the 20th most folk would not have moved far from their place of birth but some, and this included proffesional wrestlers, set off to see the world regardles of the difficulties. In his book, "Fighting Spirit of Japan" Harrison talks about an internationaal troupe of wrestlers touring Japan in 1902. The old time grapplers certianly were a globe trotting bunch and what is just as suprising is how quickly worked catch, free style, all-in, call it what you will, spread all over the world. Facinating stuff and some great contributions here.

Yes, I remember Big Bill Varna as being blond when I saw him wrestle Dara Singh in Walthamstow. Lovely bit of research Ron and so interesting. Wrestling always has been a globe trotting game.

Merry Christmas to all members and a special thanks to The Riot Squad for all their stirling efforts this year.

Yes, a brilliant piece but I would expect nothing less from James. It's normal for youngsters to fantasize about becoming like their heroes but I suppose I just never grew up (at least tht's what "Her Indoors" reckons) and becoming a wrestler was all part of a wonderful mid-life crisis for me. I was thrown around by Tiger Joe, sharred a dressing room with Jackie Pallo and would not have missed any of it for the world. Anyway, nice one James.

I think that the halls varied a lot. Some a bit posh and some just like pubs. There is a great book about the halls written by,of all people, John Major. "My Old Man" . What is interesting for us is how even in those early days ,wrestling was considered as much down market show biz as sport.

I think I have mentioned this in the past but Bert apeared in a TV panel game dressed in trunks and boots. He put a headlock on, I think Nicholas Parsons and talked about "upholding the title" in a voice like sandpaper. Sid James was on the panel.

Those bill are a great find Ron. Outside of the big name promoters and famouse venues there was a whole world of small scale shows. Young wrestlers learning the trade, older hands who knew that this was as far as they would get but just loved being involved and the odd very experienced wrestler, it would be unfair to say on the way down. A fascinating scene.