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The Specialists
UK WORLD: A look at a UK card 37 years ago today - learn about another era, another land Sep 4, 2008 - 9:14:36 AM
This week we go back to my era, the time when I went to my local hall to watch the TV giants. Sit back and welcome to 1971.
September 4, 1971, Belle Vue, Manchester
European Welterweight Championship
Alan Colbeck defeated Al Miquet
Kendo Nagasaki defeated Steve Veidor
Steve Logan defeated Mark Rocco 2-0
Johnny Saint defeated Jim Breaks
Well, where to start?
Alan Colbeck was a very technical wrestler, who had been around since the '50s. Hard as nails, like so many from that era. He generally played the heel, unless against a top rank heel, when he went face. In this match, with Al Miquet being a high flying youngster, Colbeck would be heel, who would wear down the youngster with a succession of technical submission moves, to win 2-1, and retain.
Kendo Nagasaki. A true superstar. Decked out in Samurai costume, and wielding a samurai sword that stopped about 2 inches from his opponents nose. At about 16 stone he was a small heavyweight, but he also had all the judo/karate moves expected of an oriental. And of course, he was masked. We didn't have many masked men, and Kendo was the No 1 of them all.
Steve Veidor was a face. How could he not be. Blonde and handsome, the girls loved him. He was big, and could drop kick, unusual amongst heavyweights. That said, he was the best jobber we had, and never won a title, although his title bouts were epic.
Steve Logan. The South London hard man. With a mop of long greasy hair, and a speciality forearm smash, he was hated.
Mark Rocco, at the beginning of his career. A face at this time, he would go on to be one of the best we ever produced, and a mega heel. At this point, a rookie. Thus the 2-0 scoreline.
Johnny Saint. One of the two best technical wrestlers we ever produced. Only George Kidd was better. He could make a fool of people just by the class of his get-outs. He spent years in the independents, before crossing to Joint, and was a star immediately.
Jim Breaks. Another of my favourites. Jim won the lightweight title when he was very young, and a minor star was born. He developed a brilliant "cry-baby" image that crowds loved (so much, they used to throw pacifiers at him in later years). Any match between Saint and Breaks would be a must-see match.
Next week, back to the late-'80s to find some Steve Regal bouts.
The week after, Jackie Pallo and Mick McManus.
CURRENT UK NEWS:
Cards are still somewhat sparse, the most notable being the recent IPW card, where Martin Stone lost his match with manager Gilligan Gordon, when Gordon's protégés beat Martin down.
Elsewhere Doug Williams is getting a number of bouts, though mainly with people of little consequence.
I will also be reviewing some Brit DVDs in the coming weeks, to give you an idea of what is available.
To quote a commentator of times past, "have a good week til next week."
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