Wrestling Heritage

Frank Rimer Talks About The Wrestlers Reunion 2008:

 

An Interview with Stephen Ashfield

 

August 10^th 2008 was the date, the Bridges Public House was the venue. It was the sixteenth Wrestlers Reunion, an annual event in which wrestlers past and present, promoters, referees, MCs, fans and others get together to share their wrestling memories. Once again this year so many of the wrestlers remembered here on the Wrestling Heritage site got together to swap stories and share a pint. Amongst those present were Bob Anthony, Jon Cortez, Barry Douglas, Jock Cameron, Bob Kirkwood, Prince Kumali, Johnny Kincaid, Gori Ed Mangotich, Mick McManus, Al Miquet, Brian Maxine, Johnny Saint,  Alan Sergeant, and Mel Sanders.

 

Amongst those receiving awards for their services to wrestling were Jon Cortez, Al Miquet and Ray Plunkett.

 

None of it would have been possible without the hard work of the Reunion Committee Wayne Bridges, Sarah Bridges, Joe D’Orazio, Bobby Stafford and Frank Rimer. Amongst the preparations for the event Frank Rimer found time to offer this interview. Frank Rimer told us about the reunion, its history, and its importance.

 

How long have you been involved with the wrestler's Reunions?

I first attended the 1995 Reunion, and have been helping Joe D'Orazio and Wayne Bridges to organise subsequent Reunions since 1997.

 

What have been your most special memories from past British Wrestlers Reunions?

My fondest memories come when a fan might meet his idol for the first time, and last year, when we found the deaf and dumb star; Harry Kendall after 20 years of trying to trace him. Joe D'Orazio embraced him in a hug that brought tears to hardened eyes.

My personal special moment came 5 years ago. Many years ago when I was being raised by the late Johnny Yearsley, following my Fathers death, and he took me to the cinema for the first time, where we watched a movie called 'Kid for Two Farthings' starring the body building and wrestling giant: Mighty Joe Robinson. As a starry eyed poverty stricken 14 year old, I was agog to see this handsome physique artist attracting the crowds by wrestling to make money for his family. Yearsley said to me " If you train hard, one day Frankie, you will be just like him and folks will ask for your autgraph and photo !"   48 years later I was sitting in the garden at the Reunion, and this athletic looking man came up to me to thank us for a nice day, asking for a photo to send his grandson. His name was Mighty Joe Robinson. So all of you out there remember that dreams do come true !!   

 

Fans can attend this reunion, why was that decision taken and how does it add to the day itself?

Fans have always been welcome at the Reunion, since year two when Wayne and Sarah Bridges became Hosts. Without fans, there would be no wrestling, and without wrestling there would have been no legendary house hold names to have a Reunion for. When grappling was second in popularity to football in this Country, and millions watched it on ITV, the boys had to keep an arms length aloof approach, in order to preserve their special quality, rather as the movie stars of the golden Hollywood era did. However, now 20 years later, when most of the legends  have retired, it is wonderful for the die hard fans to be able to meet and greet their heroes face to face at our Annual get together,  and to thank them for the years of pleasure that they gave, a pleasure which cost some of them dearly, such as Tommy Billington (Dynamite Kid). The wrestlers in turn, are able to become household legendary names again , and meet their adoring public, just for one day.

 

The fans are extremely respectful of their idols, and we have never ever had cause to re think the arrangement, which is why we are now the biggest Reunion of its type in the world, except for the USA's Cauliflower Alley Club in Las Vegas. The President of the CAC : Red Bastien came over a few years ago with Al Mondell, and two years ago, we played host to ROH stars, Nigel McGuinness, Bryan Danielson, Chris Hero, Colt Cabana, Joe Legend and more; all of whom thought that we had the greatest set up that they had ever seen.

The Northern Reunion only allows wrestlers and officials to their functions, and attract about 45 only, which speaks for itself.The wrestlers do meet up at Christmas to enjoy a dinner and strictly private evening however.

 

The event has certainly grown in recent years, why do you think that is?

The Reunion has grown beyond all expectations, because of the fraternity , and ring of friendship that we create for the above reasons. Our website is global and it encourages everyone to mix in equally. Wrestling is one of the few Professions, where friendships are maintained for 50 years or more. I have been pals with Wayne Bridges, MelStuart, Ray Fury, Adrian Street, and Vince Randell for at least this long, to name but a few ( and I am still only 38).

 

It's not just wrestlers from the past who attend the reunions but current stars too, how important do you think it is that this is the case?

The reunion started after Catweazle's death as a chance for the wrestlers to meet up at something other than a funeral, but has mushroomed to include everybody. The young wrestlers are the future of this Country and we must do everything in our power to support and nurture them, so that they adopt the Reunion as their own, before we die off completely.

 

Everyone has their favourite time for wrestling and the style that went with it, rather like music, thinking that their era was the greatest. Had TV wrestling not finished in 1988, then the new recruits would have been weaned working with greats such as Johnny Saint or say Jon Cortez every night for three months, after which time they would have been accepted as wrestlers in their own right, and also became household names, proficient in skill, timing, psychology, credibility and kayfabe etc., but with the demise of the World of Sport era, there was only the WWE to use as a role model, and our revered heroes of yesteryear drifted into the background. Young grapplers might know who Johnny Saint was for instance, but had no chance to meet him and could only learn his secrets from watching DVD's or re-runs on Sky TV's Fight Channel.

 

The Reunion has changed all that by integrating the old with the new, and we are constantly striving to encourage more youngsters to the fold. This year, we are honouring some of these modern gladiators and I am actually retiring after this Reunion  having invited Rocker Richards (Martin Berry) to take the helm, and streamline the product especially for the young. It is a young persons world and we must adapt to modern styles and tastes, embracing these athletes with warmth and sincerity.

 

Awards are handed out each year, who will be recipients in 2008?

We are being filmed for the Sky TV Fight Channel this year, and our honourees will include : Jon Cortez, Al Miquet, Bobby Barnes, Dave Prowse M.B.E. , Lee Bronson, Ian Muir, Spencer Churchill, young grapplers : Yorghos, Martin Stone, Jon Ritchie, Danny Garnell, Justin Richards, plus some surprises. We shall also honour non wrestling people who have given time and energy to our Business like Ray Plunkett, Chris Owen of the Furnace Hot Gallery, seconds with a 40year career, Ted Fretwell and Charlie Cornish, Posthumous awards will go to Bob Moncrief, Johnny Kwango, Romeo Joe Critchley. There will also be some surprise awards to be announced at the time

This year will be great for all Star War Fans especially, as they can meet the man voted most hated movie villain in film history : DARTH VADER complete with original helmet and photos to sign.

 

Finally may I say to all readers, plans will soon begin for next year’s event so please come along in 2009 and enjoy our hospitality, it is all free and all we need is you.

 

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