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Talk Wrestling
Share your memories of British wrestling 1930 - 1988
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Ken Sowden
Oct 05, 2024
In Memories of the Old Days
Sad news has been received this afternoon (5th October) that George Burgess aka Jamaica George has passed away. Condolences go to his family and friends at this very sad time.
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Ken Sowden
Jul 24, 2024
In Memories of the Old Days
Chiswick Auctions are currently listing a Middle Heavyweight Title Belt for sale at their Auction being held on the 4th August 2024. It is stated that this belt was won by Mike Marino and comes together with some photographs and two posters featuring Mike.
The Auction has estimated the belt at £200-£400 and there is already a bid of £320.00 on it. (this is at the time of writing and will probably increase further).
For anyone who likes to collect wrestling memorabilia and has a few pound to spare this would be a nice addition to any collection and something that rarely comes up for sale.
The link to the item and all details required to bid are below:-
https://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/auction-catalogues/chiswick-timed/catalogue-id-chiswi10037/lot-595d1a28-e297-400d-8dcf-b1b6015af946?queryId=448f5608de1118e2c6670461f68061d7
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Ken Sowden
Jul 16, 2024
In Memories of the Old Days
It has been reported to us by Tony 'Titch' White that Chris Riley, brother of the late Basil 'Romany' Riley passed away last night. Chris and Basil formed a tag team in the 70s called the Romany Barons.
May Chris now Rest in Peace and condolences go to his family and friends at this sad time.
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Ken Sowden
Mar 13, 2024
In Memories of the Old Days
Kendo Nagasaki will be making an appearance at the iconic Fairfield Halls in Croydon on Sunday 14th April when he will make his case for the return of the Sword of Excellence currently in the possession of LDN Wrestling.
The entire LDN Management team will be in attendance for this show which will also see LDN Head Referee Dave Walker taking charge of the afternoons matches and the legendary MC and Hall of Famer Lee Bamber introducing an array of international stars.
Tickets are still available for this event but are selling fast.
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Ken Sowden
Feb 05, 2024
In Memories of the Old Days
It was reported on the 4th February 2024 by Mal Sanders that 'Bully Boy Ian Muir has passed away aged 81 years of age. May he now RIP.
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Ken Sowden
Dec 11, 2023
In Memories of the Old Days
It has been reported that Ralph Ward who hailed from Lincolnshire and wrestled in the 1960s and 70s paased away on the 9th December 2023. May he now Rest in Peace.
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Ken Sowden
Feb 13, 2023
In Memories of the Old Days
It has been reported by The Mohawk Council of Kahnawake that Billy Two Rivers has passed away in Kahnawake, Quebec on the 12th February 2023, at the age of 87. May he RIP.
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Ken Sowden
Feb 01, 2023
In Memories of the Old Days
It has been announced by his family that Norwich based wrestler Tony Barron passed away on the 31st January after a long illness. Tony worked for Max Crabtree as well as independent promoters throughout his career. May Tony now RIP as he takes his rightful place in the Dressing Room in the Sky.
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Ken Sowden
Oct 07, 2022
In Memories of the Old Days
Sad news to report as John Short has passed away at his home in Bristol. John was one of the characters of wrestling and had been involved in the sport for over 60 years working for various promoters around the country. In 2021 John received a Services to Wrestling Award from the British Wrestlers Reunion at The Bridges Public House. John will be much missed by all who knew him and was possibly the last link between the old and new generation of wrestler. May he now RIP.
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Ken Sowden
Apr 17, 2022
In Memories of the Old Days
Sad news received this morning (17th April) that Tony 'Banger' Walsh passed away peacefully on the 16th April. As many will know Banger had been suffering from Alzheimers for a number of years. May Tony now RIP and condolences to his family and friends.
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Ken Sowden
Mar 09, 2022
In Memories of the Old Days
I am deeply saddened to announce that wrestling legend and former President of the British Wrestlers Reunion Joe D'Orazio passed away peacefully in his sleep today (9th March) aged 99 years. Joe was the last of the great legends of wrestling and was ever present through its golden years. Joe was very instrumental in the careers of many wrestlers and was one of the great referees ever to step into the ring once his own wrestling career had ended. Until January Joe was the one and only President of The British Wrestlers Reunion and it was his final wish that the Reunion in its known form end when it left The Bridges earlier this year when Joe decided to retire from his role. Our condolences go to Joes family and friends at this very sad time and may he now RIP.
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Ken Sowden
Feb 08, 2022
In Memories of the Old Days
It has been confirmed that 'Cowboy' Rick Hunter passed away on the morning of the 8th February 2022 aged 85 years of age. Rick toured the UK in the early 1980s. May Rick now RIP.
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Ken Sowden
Jan 11, 2022
In Memories of the Old Days
I am looking for anyone who may have a poster with Blackpools Jim Green on it. He wrestled late 50s/early 60s. Any help would be appreciated as if none of the members here can help we have no chance of ever finding one !!!!.
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Ken Sowden
Dec 21, 2021
In Memories of the Old Days
On behalf of the British Wrestlers Reunion I would like to send the warmest of Christmas wishes to all of your members and hope that the festive season is a good one for you all and that 2022 brings you all good health and happiness. We would like to thank everyone who attended this years Reunion and we look forward to welcoming many of you back on Sunday 14th August 2022 as we celebrate 25 years at The Bridges Public House and at the same time paying tribute to both Wayne and Sarah Bridges who ensured that for so many years the Reunion continued and became the success it did. We thank you for your continued support and look forward to seeing many of you in 2022.
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Ken Sowden
Oct 03, 2021
In Memories of the Old Days
The following statement has been issued by the British Wrestlers Reunion:- This year the British Wrestlers Reunion reached a milestone in its history when it celebrated its 30th birthday. Sadly, the Reunion was not the celebration we had planned or hoped for. However, as the late host Wayne Bridges used to say though 'no matter what, the show must go on'.....and it did. Despite all of the setbacks we are pleased that everyone who attended commended us on another good day and stated how they all enjoyed it. Since the Reunion many have discussed its future and whether we carry on and we have had many discussions with wrestlers, fellow Reunions and fans to gauge their opinion. We can now confirm that taking everything into account the British Wrestlers Reunion are not about to ring the final bell and we will be back for the 31st Reunion on Sunday 14th August 2022. We would like to thank everyone for your continued support. The Reunion is not about the people who run it but those that attend each and every year, without you we have no Reunion, so please come and join us on the 14th August, make more memories with us and, like us, show your respect and remember all of those that have gone before us, they worked hard to leave a legacy, lets honour all of them because without them none of us would be where we are today.
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Ken Sowden
Jul 07, 2021
In Memories of the Old Days
I am saddened to report that I have been notified earlier today that 'Cyanide' Sid Cooper passed away yesterday. May he now RIP.
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Ken Sowden
May 05, 2021
In Memories of the Old Days
I know this is a real long shot but has anyone here got a poster or a programme where both Wayne Bridges and Peter Maivia appeared on the same show (not necessarily against each other) as we are looking for one to include in a documentary that is about to go into production. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
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Ken Sowden
Mar 31, 2021
In Memories of the Old Days
Whilst reading a article on Shirley 'Big Daddy' Crabtree attending a speech made by the Evangelist Billy Graham at Bramall Lane, Sheffield in 1985 for some unexplained reason the following Boxing/Wrestling poster was also posted which had no relevance to the article at all. The Boxing/Wrestling Show apparently took place in 1931 featuring Shirley Crabtree Snr who you do not see an awful lot about so I am posting it here should any member like to see it, apologies if it has been posted here before
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Ken Sowden
Feb 14, 2021
In Memories of the Old Days
The British Wrestlers Reunion are deeply saddened to announce the death of Frank Rimer. Frank died of natural causes, quietly in his sleep, with no pain on the 12th February 2021. Frank was fit and healthy the day before, so we are all very shocked but the comforting thing is knowing he went to bed the night before just like any other night, with no fear, no hurt, and with only love in his heart. Although Frank had undergone a hip replacement operation in December he was recovering well and was back driving his car and doing some shopping etc, he had also had his first Covid jab and had no side effects. When we last spoke to him on Wednesday 10th February he was in fine form and was keeping himself busy during lockdown although he was keen to get back to his allotment which he loved tending to and had won awards for in recent years. Frank was everyones friend, he was a legend in wrestling and had done it all. He was very instrumental in making the British Wrestlers Reunion the great success it is today and his sudden passing has devastated us all. A full obituary has been posted to the Reunion website and Frank has also been added to the Dressing Room in the Sky. Joe D'Orazio, Sarah Bridges and myself send our condolences to Franks family and friends at this very sad time and may he now RIP.
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Ken Sowden
Jul 25, 2020
In Memories of the Old Days
The British Wrestlers Reunion are deeply saddened to have to announce that former British Lightweight Champion Zoltan Boscik passed away peacefully earlier today aged 81 years in the care home in which he was residing in Christchurch, New Zealand with his wife Suzanne at his bedside holding his hand. We send our condolences to Zoltans family and friends at this sad time.
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Ken Sowden
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