Readers who have travelled on the Talyllyn steam railway will probably be surprised to learn that volunteers ran the first passenger train on the line on May 14th, 1951. Those who haven’t travelled on it will probably be asking, where? As the preserved railway got underway the Labour Party ran out of steam and Winston Churchill was again elected Prime Minister in October of the year. An eighteen year old was fined in Stockholm for kissing in public! Making a debut (and those of a certain age will realise the significance of the event) was “I Love Lucy” on American television.
Debuts were also being made on the wrestling scene. A Yorkshireman always associated with London was Peter Rann. His hard, aggressive style made fans turn up to see him lose. Peter Rann was to become the ultimate professional, and it all began in 1951. Another wrestler joining the professional ranks in 1951 was Yorkshire through and through. Farmer Johnny Allan was to go on and become one of the big names in the mid heavyweight ranks. In 1951 his thoughts were mainly on his farm, but not for long.
A newcomer to Britain, but no stranger to wrestling was a South African heavyweight named Gerry de Jager. Gerry had been a professional wrestler for three years and came to Britain in 1951. Fans remember him for his brilliant drop kicks. Without warning, and seemingly from any direction, he would execute a perfectly placed drop-kick. Although a master of all the holds for Gerry the drop-kick was his jewel in the crown, delivered with a speed that meant it was always a surprise weapon used to devastating effect. He was a big, powerful man and his speciality move combined that power with a natural agility and speed that belied his stature. He was to remain a fixture of the British wrestling scene for the next twenty years.
Another newcomer to Britain was a smiling eight year old from Tonga. He was to grow up to become Leon Fortuna, the popular 1960s welterweight with the permanent smile. Never becoming a main event star in his own right Fortuna worked regularly, most often in the South, and was a favourite with television fans.
Well established in 1951 was one of the great post war middleweights, Vic Coleman. Here was a man whose 
career spanned both sides of the second world war, and in 1951 he was as popular as ever. In March, 1951, Vic won a knock out tournament at Wimbledon Palais to claim the European Middleweight championship. Other contestants in the tournament were Dan Darby (London), Ken Joyce (Canada), Ken Wilson (London), Charles "College Boy" Law (Dulwich.), Bob Russell (N.Z.), Russ Bishop (N.Z.), John Lipman ( Aldgate.). In 1951 professional wrestling was already taking liberties with world geography in this European tournament!
Another old timer still going strong in 1951, twenty years a regular on the wrestling scene was the Fishguard heavyweight, Bulldog Bill Garnon. Garnon had been at his prime in the 1930s, wrestling in the USA and taking the British Heavyweight Title. He remained a force to be reckoned with in 1951 and was still a main event competitor meeting all the top heavyweights of the day. A bit of “stick” developed between Garnon and the masked man, Count Bartelli, now unbeaten for four years. The two feuded around the country, with Garnon holding the masked man to a draw on numerous occasions.
On the British title scene there was no change in the lighter divisions. A new champion was sought at Light heavyweight following the vacancy resulting from the death of Sonny Wallis. Norman Walsh defeated Tony Baer in Edinburgh to take the title. With Bert Assirati travelling to India and stripped of the heavyweight title it was Ernie Baldwin who took over the crown and made successful defences against George Clarke, Bob McDonald and Vic Hessle.
It was another Clark that brought sadness to wrestling fans. In February, 1951, Douglas Clark died just 59 years old. Douglas Clark was a legend of the 1930s wrestling scene. He was British heavyweight champion and had Memorable wins over Jack Pye, the 6’ 8” and twenty-three stone Carver Doone and Henri Froehner. The 1933 bout against Froehner was reputed to be a brutal affair, and went to a sixty minute draw.
Jim Olivera turned to professional wrestling after boxing in the 1948 Olympics. He was known for his bad temper, but in his first year as a professional claimed the European Mid Heavyweight championship. He beat Spaniard Jose Tarres for the title in Barcelona on 30th May, 1951.
Returning to Europe in 1951 was American Frank Sexton. The American had lost his world title shortly after returning home following his previous visit. That didn’t stop European promoters continuing to bill him as World champion. His loss to Felix Miquet, on 22nd January, 1951, in Paris, is thought to have been Sexton’s only defeat of his tour.
Another North American visitor, though considered somewhat more exotic at the time was the native American, Chief Thunderbird. He made the first of two 1950s visits in 1951. The Canadian, real name Jean Baptiste Paul, was already in his mid fifties but made a big impression with British fans, even appearing on a BBC news programme.
Over in the USA the NWA World Heavyweight Champion, Lou Thesz, made a successful defence against a challenger who was to become well known in Britain. In November he retained his title in Toledo against the masked wrestler, The Zebra Kid.
The Zebra Kid was to become a familiar figure in British rings in the 1960s.
The Mountevans style of wrestling, just four years in existence, had swept the country and had played a major part in repairing the pre-war damage caused by extreme violence, gimmicks and a lack of professionalism. Wrestling was nearly ready for the big time once again. Promoters were working together for the good of the business and within a year the single biggest step towards post war success would have been taken.
Continue to the next year......
1951