Wrestling Heritage

1949 brought more signs of the recovery from war with the ending of clothes rationing. For many people, though, progress remained pitifully slow and there was resentment against the continuation of rationing. There were positive changes, though, and 1949 brought the first full year of the National Health Service, with 97% of the population having enrolled by January 1^st. Elsewhere in the world new nations were coming into existence, and 1949 saw the birth of the Federal Republic and Democratic Republic of Germany, as well as the People’s Republic of China.

 

In the wrestling world the birth of Joint Promotions formally remained three years away, but that is not to say the foundation stones had not been laid. Ring magazine reported that in Britain a group of promoters were beginning to work co-operatively. The group consisted of Dale Martin Promotions, Billy Best, Arthur Wright, George Relwyskow, Arthur Green, Norman Morrell and Ted Beresford. 

 

Three newcomers from New Zealand came to Britain in 1949. Bob Russell, Ray Clarke and Russ Bishop had heard from fellow New Zealander Ernie Kingston about the flourishing British wrestling business. Kingston had stayed in Britain following the war and by the end of the decade was a popular and regular fixture on the British circuit.  

 

Ray Clarke left behind his New Zealand farm and quickly established himself as a major heavyweight, tackling the likes of Jack Pye, Bert Assirati and Ray St Bernard. Clarke was to remain in Britain for four years before returning to New Zealand in 1953, where he joined the police force.

 

For Russ Bishop it wasn’t just the magnificent physique, or the hairy chest, but the superb wrestling ability that made the middleweight from Auckland such a popular wrestler in 1949 and the early 1950s. 

 

Kiwi number three was Maori Bob Russell. Although popular with fans he didn’t make the initial impact of the other two before changing his name to Prince Banu, which seemed to do the trick. Prince Banu travelled extensively through Europe during the 1950s..

 

Another southern hemisphere newcomer to Britain in 1949 was a rough, tough Australian going by the name of Frank Hurley. Hurley remained a regular British worker for the next two decades, frequently leaving for North America, Australia and Europe, but always returning to Britain where his bad boy image was greatly appreciated.

 

One home grown newcomer to British rings was destined to become one of the most successful and most significant forces in British post war wrestling. Although the “Mr TV” tag was still a decade away it was a young Jackie Pallo that made his professional debut and those first tentative steps towards one of the most successful careers in British wrestling. Success was no overnight achievement, and it wasn’t until the advent of television that he began to make a real impression. His feud with fellow Londoner Mick McManus was legendary.

 

Another Briton making his debut in 1949, but far away in Singapore, was Lord Athol Layton. Layton had been born in Surrey, but moved to Australia when he was just thirteen. Most of his career was spent working in Australia and Canada.

 

There was a significant event in the life of another man who was to remain unknown to British fans for another half dozen years. Kent Walton, who would become the voice of television wrestling, married Lyn Smith.

 

Amongst other visitors to Britain in 1949 were the Belgian Heavyweight Champion, Bert Auwera. He was a skilful and successful wrestler, and had a number of memorable bouts with the great Bert Asirati. He would later spend a significant amount of time in Spain, where he helped popularise the sport.

 

Still making a big impression, and now in the second year of his visit was a Chicago light heavyweight and former University of Michigan champion, Dean Rockwell. By the time he came to Britain Rockwell was an American world war two  hero. He was a veteran of such distinction that at the 50th anniversary of D-Day in 1994, he was chosen to introduce the  then American President, Bill Clinton.

 

One masked man reached the end of the road. Mike Demitre beat The Red Shadow at Peterborough on 28^th December and revealed the familiar face of Australian globetrotter Con Balassis.

 

Greater success came the way of another masked man who would later become known to British fans. On July 7^th The Zebra Kid defeated Buddy Rogers to take the Ohio version of the World Heavyweight Championship.

 

Another long run of over three hundred wins came to an end in the USA when Primo Carnera (pictured left) was beaten by by Antonio Rocca  on 20^th April, 1949.

 

On the title scene Alan Colbeck snatched the lightweight title from George Kidd, though there was compensation for Kidd when he traveled to Paris and took the European crown.. Success came to a young Eddie Capelli when he succeeded Harold Angus as the new British welterweight champion. Jack Dale remained in charge of the middleweights. Bill McDonald was Light heavyweight champion, and Bert Assirati was unassailable in the heavyweight division.

 

In Morecambe Mike Demitre beat The Farmer to take the World Junior Heavyweight Title. He went on to make successful defences against Tony Mancelli and Pat Curry.

 

Slowly but surely professional wrestling had started to emerge from the wartime doldrums. Promoters had established which were the successful venues and dropped the ones that had failed to attract crowds. The sport was beginning to attract youngsters to join, and later replace, the established stars. Most importantly of all, a handful of promoters had realized that success of tomorrow would require co-operation today.

 

Continue to the next year......