Wrestling Heritage

The 2008 Wrestlers Reunion

We thank wrestling fan Bearhug and journalist Russell Plummer for contributing these photos from the 2008 Reunion.

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A few well chosen words from the all time superstar Mick McManus and fans and professional sportsmen alike were reassured that the British Wrestlers Reunion remained in safe hands with the current committee and had a healthy future ahead. Mick, as the photo on the right shows, was just one of the many wrestlers present whose physical appearance seemed to have defied the passage of time. Prince Kumali, Mick McManus, Pete Roberts, and the rest, has it really been twenty, thirty, forty years and more since we cheered, and jeered them on?

Anyone old enough will remember these two old time favourites with very different styles and temperaments. Both began their careers in the independent rings and were later signed up by Joint Promotions.

On the left is the stylish Portsmouth light heavyweight Bob Kirkwood, nurtured in the rings of Paul Lincoln he went on to become a popular television favourites of the late sixties and seventies. He was everyone's favourite it seemed, and their mum's too.

His companion here was a favourite but in a very different sense of the word. Big, bearded and brutish Jock Cameron looked the part of a great wrestling villain, which he most definitely was.

Two more old favourites on the right, Burly Barry Douglas and Pretty Boy Mel Stuart. Barry was a bit of a tough nut, relying on strength more than his not inconsiderable skill. Despite coming from the Relwyskow  wrestling and promoting family Barry made his own way in the wrestling field. Pretty Boy Stuart was adaptable for any opponent and made a significant contribution to the wrestling scene from the mid seventies onwards.

Notice that both photos show wrestlers of the North and South fraternising with one another, maybe still trying to find the answer to the never ending question of which part of the country provided us with the best wrestlers.

The man on the left may well have had an opinion on the matter. That's Bulldog Joynson, another rumbustious old timer who had an all action style that always left the fans wanting more. Although many of us thought Colin never received the acclaimn he deserved we were always quick to acknowledge the world championship sized sideburns.

Whilst wrestlers often receive Reunion Awards for services to the sport it's less common for fans to receive acknowledgement from the Reunion Committee for the contribution they have made. This year our good friend Ray Plunkett, pictured on the right with MC Peter Baines, was honoured for his work in archiving the contests that have taken place throughout the twentieth century. There could have been no honour more deserved than this one as we are sure many readers will agree.

Other youngsters who could probably take Ray  eight rounds also received  rewards from the Reunion Committee. Al Miquet and Jon Cortez were two of the finest lightweights to enter our rings, but you, of  course, didn't need us to tell you that. Al and Jon, who formed the Jet Set tag team as well as being top contenders for the lightweight and welterweight titles, both received recognition for their contribution to wrestling. Al is seen receiving his award from Al Relwyskow, (far right) whilst Jon is showing his award to Bob Archer O'Brien. 

Two more goliaths of the ring to end our short record of this year's reunion. One was a real giant of the ring in more ways than one, and we are talking about the man on the right of the picture, the one and only Prince Kumali. Looking at this photo now we find it hard to believe that it's forty years since we watched him in action. Good grief, a posting by that man could make the ring shake. Easily recognisable on his left is Judo Pete Roberts (we are much too old for him to be a Super Destroyer). A great favourite over the years many of his contemporaries now acknowledge that Pete never did receive the acclaim that he deserved.

All who attended the event seemed to agree that it was a great day out. A wonderful opportunity for the fans of yesterday to once again pay their respect to the wrestling stars that gave them so much pleasure many years ago.