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The Specialists
UK WORLD: A 30 years ago retro on UK card with Chris Adams, The Gay One, Kwnago, Roach Sep 12, 2008 - 12:40:56 PM
I know I promised Steve Regal, but his period is somewhat after my time, and I don't know half the card, so, instead, lets do a 30 year retro. The year is 1978.
Friday September 15, 1978, Kilburn, North London
Steve Grey & Chris Adams defeated Mick McManus & Steve Logan
Romany Riley defeated Count Bartelli
Wayne Bridges defeated Pat Roach
Butcher Bond defeated Billy Torontos
Johnny Kwango defeated The Gay One 2-0
It's the dying days for McManus and Logan, but they had been THE team to beat throughout the 60's and 70's. The South London Hard Men, they were practically unbeatable. The biggest heels in the business, their dark arts had many a granny screaming blue murder at them. Both heels in singles, as a tag team they had the ability you pray for in a tag team. They could read each other perfectly. Referees could never actually catch them, but the sligh punches were always there.
But, it's towards the end of their time, so tonight they lose!
Steve Grey and Chris Adams. Yes, that Chris Adams, the one that came to the States. At this time he was a judoka gimmick, and paired with mega face Stevie Grey. That win would have brought the house down.
Romany Riley was a jobber. Good, clean, technician. Destined to go nowhere, but good mid card filler.
Count Bartelli, also very near the end of his career, was throwing matches as he wound down. The original British masked man, he unmasked after being beaten by Nagasaki in the mid-'60s. His career had started in the late 40's, so he is quite old by now.
Wayne Bridges. The personification of "hang on in there, it will come good." A jobber throught the '60s and early-'70s, promoters rediscovered him in the mid-'70s and pushed him up to main event status. He certainly had the look. Bulging muscles, height (around 6-3), and "a decent chap." He was rewarded with the World Title in 1979.
On his way up, a win over Pat Roach is a decent reward.
Pat Roach. A Big Man. About 6-5 and 18 stone, he always looked the part of a heavyweight. A "niggly" heel, he was into occasional punches, but nothing major. He later became a decent actor, with a large part in Auf Wiedersein, Pet.
Butcher Bond. Big, black and burly, and a heel to boot. Need I say more?
Billy Torontos. An import from the States in the early-'60s, he turned out to actually be a middleweight, rather than the heavyweight that was anticipated. A very hard worker, he perfected a "madman" act that was very funny to watch. He had a great mouth on him, and was very entertaining. I always enjoyed watching Billy.
Johnny Kwango. King of the wrestling "black men." A comedic wrestler, his finisher was to polish his head with a towel before head butting his opponent to oblivion. Johnny started the idea that all black men used the head butt.
The Gay One. Need I say more?
A nice balanced card, with something for everyone. Weight divisions still counting for something. But getting towards the end of the "old days" of promotion.
On the current scene I am pleased to announce that Sam Slam has won a title of some repute. He won the XWA championship last weekend. Also on that card, Johnny Phere lost a "loser leaves wrestling" match against Jonny Storm, so I bid him farewell.
I have heard rumours of some interesting American wrestlers coming over soon, but will expand on that next week.
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