Lord Emsworth
Director
Drive safely, we're walking or cycling...
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Post by Lord Emsworth on Mar 28, 2019 18:05:03 GMT
"Greetings, grapple fans" - are there any here?
As a kid in the 70s I loved the Wrestling on World of Sport, before the football results came in
Simon Garfield's book 'The Wrestling' is an essential account of the era
Relive the unmasking of Kendo Nagasaki...
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Post by Sam Tyler on Mar 28, 2019 23:53:17 GMT
I must admit to never being a fan of wrestling or boxing and can't understand why people would put themselves through such poundings.
The thought of being pummelled in the ring fills me with dread so I just wouldn't consider it.
Sam.
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Post by Dirty Epic on Mar 29, 2019 7:47:40 GMT
Good post LE!
Yes used to enjoy these ‘grapple fan’s’ bouts on World of Sport with the likes of Mick McManus, Giant Haystacks, Big Daddy, Kendo Nagasaki, ‘Skull’ Murphy, Dave ‘Fit’ Finlay, Johnny Kincaid and ‘Rollerball Rocco’ amongst the faces featured along with the very unique commentary of Kent Walton. Even Auf Pet’s Pat Roach got in on the act too… as featured in Series 2’s titles. Yes cheesy as hell and let’s be honest the ‘bouts’ were completely and blatantly rigged to the extent someone who took a massive pounding by the ‘heel’ would miraculously and suddenly turn the bout around and win it with aplomb. Still a bit like say Bullseye in a way it was good brain off entertainment. Just wondering did anyone watch Reslo on S4C in the early 90’s when ITV’s Greg Dyke deemed British wrestling, like darts and many other ‘working class’ pursuits persona non gratia in the late 80’s. Also there was a very good BBC Four documentary shown a couple of years back on this scene – hope they repeat it again:
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01p96ly
Having said that I was never fussed or bothered with the American version – WWF, WCW etc. Yes they had their big names like everyone from Hulk Hogan to 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin to Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson but it just seemed a bit too much of an over emphasis on fake entertainment and naff posturing which to be honest and didn’t have the redeeming cheesy-ness of the UK version either. Having said that I did like the Louis Theroux documentary on it that he did – especially when he intimated it was ‘fixed’ to the top boys at the WCW and got the training session from hell for his trouble!
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Cartman
Producer
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Post by Cartman on Mar 29, 2019 8:17:45 GMT
Yes, I quite liked it too. It used to be on at 4 o clock on Saturday and filled in the last bit before the football results. Tally Ho Kaye was another name I remember and a Sweeney star, Brian Glover, who wrestled under the name of Leon Arris, who was in Thin Ice. Agree with DE about the American versions, they are just overblown stupidity and I can't stand those at all.
The British version worked because it was cheap and cheesy.
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Post by Dirty Epic on Mar 29, 2019 9:10:38 GMT
Ah forgot good old Brian Glover's had a stint in the wrestling game. Loved his performance as a Yorkshire country-boy with Rik Mayall in American Werewolf too.
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Sparky
Producer
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Post by Sparky on Mar 31, 2019 15:29:37 GMT
My Gt Nan bashed one of the Wrestlers over the head with her Hand Bag for cheating while at a Wresting match in Southampton.
The one with jet Black Hair - was it Jackie Pallo?
I always said Monty Python modelled their old ladies on my Gt Nan!!
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Post by Arthur Pringle on Mar 31, 2019 15:47:44 GMT
The black haired one was Mick McManus ( 'Mr TV' I believe he was known as ), Jackie Pallo had blonde hair with a little pony tail tied with a bow, he was even in an episode of 'Are You Being Served?'. Strange today that these often middle aged, not very glamourous working class bruisers were household names. Edit- it was Pallo who was 'Mr TV'.
There is a full bout featuring Brian Glover as Leon Arras ( 'The Man From Paris' ) on yt, more slapstick comedy than wrestling.
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Sparky
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Post by Sparky on Mar 31, 2019 16:50:22 GMT
Mick McManus of course!!! Thanks Arthur!
There was also "Kid" McCoy - who was pretty well known in 80s - I used to think it was him that did that song "Do the Hustle".... I later discovered that was Van McCoy - and he wasn't related to the (then) current Dr Who (Sylvester) - or made Crisps for that fact
I saw some middle aged men wrestling last weekend- mind you they had both drunk copious amounts of Lager beforehand.
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Post by Dirty Epic on Mar 31, 2019 20:08:54 GMT
My Gt Nan bashed one of the Wrestlers over the head with her Hand Bag for cheating while at a Wresting match in Southampton.
The one with jet Black Hair - was it Jackie Pallo?
I always said Monty Python modelled their old ladies on my Gt Nan!!
Wasn't he the one Mick McManus gave a bit of a hiding too when he was 'allowed' to have a un-rigged bout with him in the 60's?
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Post by Dirty Epic on Mar 31, 2019 20:11:36 GMT
Massambula was another interesting character from the old school era.
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