The Home of British Wrestling History

New to Heritage This Week…

01 February 2026
NEW IN PEOPLE/A BRITISH HISTORY OF AUSTRALIAN WRESTLING

Cometh The Legends

David Cameron continues the stories of the Brits Down Under

01 February 2026
NEW IN PEOPLE/WRESTLERS A-Z

Shock Tactics, Shocking Hair

A wild man of British wrestling in the 1960s, a tribute to Zando Zabo

01 February 2026
NEW FEATURE

This Week’s Anniversaries

Every week Wrestling Heritage delves into the archives to bring you the wrestling news of this week from years gone by. Births, deaths, championship matches and general news.

Join us to discover just what was occurring.

01 February 1907
Birth of George Clark
Read our tribute to George Clarke

01 February 1951
Death of Douglas Clark
Read our tribute to Douglas Clark

01 February 2019
Death of Les Thornton

Read our tribute to Les Thornton

02 February 1928
Birth of Ramon Napolitano

Read our tribute to Ramon Napolitano

02 February 1940
Birth of Mel Stuart
Mel Stuart is in the A-Z

02 February 1980
Death of Johnny Yearsley

Read our tribute to Johnny Yearsley

02 February 1901
Birth of Cliff Attenborough

Read our tribute to Cliff Attenborough

03 February 1888
Birth of Aubrey Coleman
Read our tribute to Aubrey Coleman

03 February 1909
Birth of Jack Tulley (Red Staranoff)

Read our tribute to Red Staranoff

03 February 1910
Birth of Ski Hi Lee

Read our tribute to Ski Hi Lee

03 February 1941
Birth of Tony Costas
Tony Costas is in the A-Z

03 February 1943
Birth of Colin Joynson

Read our tribute to Colin Joynson

04 February 1997
Death of Ray Apollon
Read our tribute to Ray Apollon

05 February 1922
Birth of David Jons

Read our tribute to David Jons

05 February 1942
Birth of Tony Vince
Tony Vince is in the A-Z

05 February 2013
Death of Brian Manelli

Read our tribute to Brian Manelli

06 February 1905
Birth of Promoter Jack Cullen.

Leigh born (of Irish descent) Jack Cullen headed Premier Northern Wrestling Promotions Cullen started promoting in the 1930s and was promoter of Count Bartelli’s first match (as Jeff Conda in those days) at Broadway Palace, Chester, in 1939. He was also promoter at the Ideal Skating Rink in Hanley, Parr Hall, Warrington and at the Tower in New Brighton. In September, 1940, he was fined £20 for not paying stamp duty on tickets he sold at Hanley. His address was given as Dorset Road, Atherton, Manchester.

06 February 1932
Birth of Don
Vines
Don Vines is in the A-Z

06 February 2008
Death of Zando Zabo

Read our tribute to Zando Zabo

06 February 2020
Death of Tony Vallon

Read our tribute to Tony Vallon

06 February 2022
Death of The Empress of the Black Dagger
Read our tribute to The Empress of The Black Dagger


01 February 2026
NEWSLETTER

Wrestling Heritage Newsletter

Every week Wrestling Heritage produces a newsletter with even more information and memories of British wrestling in years gone by. The newsletter is available to all members of the Wrestling Heritage website. Membership is free and easy. More memories, more background, more fun.

New to Heritage 25th January …

25 January 2026
NEW IN PLACES/NOOKS AND CRANNIES

Nooks and Crannies …. Barrow-In-Furness

Ron Historyo is on the move again …. on the long, long road to Barrow

25 January 2026
NEW IN FEATURES

Wrestling Martyrs

“And yet, in my twilight years, as I try to elevate the interests of my youth and analyse what excited me, I feel like a martyr. A believer whose belief was wiped out….” Discuss

25 January 2026
NEW FEATURE

This Week’s Anniversaries

Every week Wrestling Heritage delves into the archives to bring you the wrestling news of this week from years gone by. Births, deaths, championship matches and general news.

Join us to discover just what was occurring.


25 January 2026
NEWSLETTER

Wrestling Heritage Newsletter

Every week Wrestling Heritage produces a newsletter with even more information and memories of British wrestling in years gone by. The newsletter is available to all members of the Wrestling Heritage website. Membership is free and easy. More memories, more background, more fun.

26 January 2026
ANNIVERSARY IN EVENTS/MOMENTS IN TIME

This Is Not All-In. Definitely Not All-In

The National Sporting Club cancelled boxing and replaced it with a wrestling programme. But they insisted they would never stage All-In wrestling, but this would be “Free-style wrestling” and very different from “All-In.”

New to Heritage 18th January…

18 January 2026
NEW FEATURE

This Week’s Anniversaries

Every week Wrestling Heritage delves into the archives to bring you the wrestling news of this week from years gone by. Births, deaths, championship matches and general news.

Join us to discover just what was occurring.


18 January 2026
ANNIVERSARY IN EVENTS/MOMENTS IN TIME

Bartelli’s Last Big Night Out.

After almost half a century Count Bartelli called it a day. One Heritage member wasn’t just there, he was in the ring!

18 January 2026
ANNIVERSARY IN EVENTS/MOMENTS IN TIME

Not So Genteel Ladies and Gents

Hastings St Leonards, such a nice place. That was until the wrestling came to town.

18 January 2026
NEWSLETTER

Wrestling Heritage Newsletter

Every week Wrestling Heritage produces a newsletter with even more information and memories of British wrestling in years gone by. The newsletter is available to all members of the Wrestling Heritage website. Membership is free and easy. More memories, more background, more fun.

New to Heritage 11th January…

11 January 2026
NEW IN PEOPLE/HERITAGE FANS

Memories of the Norfolk Snake

Memories from a former wrestler and Heritage Member, Norfolk Snake

11 January 2026
NEW IN PEOPLE/ON THE TRAIL

A New Detective On The Trail

Inspired by Ron Historyo a new detective joins Wrestling Heritage. Johnny Kidd adds to Ron’s research as he goes On The Trail of Steve Logan.

11 January 2026
NEW FEATURE

This Week’s Anniversaries

Every week Wrestling Heritage delves into the archives to bring you the wrestling news of this week from years gone by. Births, deaths, championship matches and general news.

Join us to discover just what was occurring.


11 January 2026
NEWSLETTER

Wrestling Heritage Newsletter

Every week Wrestling Heritage produces a newsletter with even more information and memories of British wrestling in years gone by. The newsletter is available to all members of the Wrestling Heritage website. Membership is free and easy. More memories, more background, more fun.

11 January 2026
ANNIVERSARY

In Memory of Two Legends

This week is the anniversary of the birth of unquestionably the two biggest stars of 1960s British wrestling, Mick McManus and Jackie Pallo. Celebrate them on Wrestling Heritage.

New to Heritage 4th January …

04 January 2026
NEW IN MEMORIES/MEMORY LANE

Memories of Paul Lincoln

Callsignmag recalls the day a sixty year interest began

04 January 2026
NEW IN MEMORIES/MEMORY LANE

Nikolai Grave

The story of an incredible man brought to you by his granddaughter and Heritage member Asha Grave.

04 January 2026
NEW IN EVENTS/A MOMENT IN TIME

Wartime Hostilities In Chester

War raged in Europe and the wrestling ring of Chester in this mask v mask contest

04 January 2026
NEW IN EVENTS/A MOMENT IN TIME

Planning For Peace

With peace in Europe could the wrestling promoters of Britain achieve the same goal?

04 January 2026
NEW FEATURE

This Week’s Anniversaries

Every week Wrestling Heritage delves into the archives to bring you the wrestling news of this week from years gone by. Births, deaths, championship matches and general news.

Join us to discover just what was occurring.

04 January 2026
ANNIVERSARY/A MOMENT IN TIME

The Beginning and End of an Era

This week is the anniversary of the night professional wrestling arrived on BBC1


04 January 2026
NEWSLETTER

Wrestling Heritage Newsletter

Every week Wrestling Heritage produces a newsletter with even more information and memories of British wrestling in years gone by. The newsletter is available to all members of the Wrestling Heritage website. Membership is free and easy. More memories, more background, more fun.

New to Heritage 1st January

01 January, 2026
FEATURE

Top Ten Wrestling Heritage Webpages 2025

The ten most visited webpages on the website between 1st January and 31st December 2025

New to Heritage 28th December …

28 December 2025
ANNIVERSARY/A MOMENT IN TIME

1973, A Fanfare for Europe

The people of Great Britain had voted to remain in the European Union (Common Market we called it in those days) and professional wrestling joined the celebration.

28 December 2025
ANNIVERSARY/A MOMENT IN TIME

1966, They Think It’s All Over

Sixty years since one of the most significant days in Britain’s post war wrestling history

28 December 2025
NEW FEATURE

This Week’s Anniversaries

Every week Wrestling Heritage delves into the archives to bring you the wrestling news of this week from years gone by. Births, deaths, championship matches and general news.

Join us to discover just what was occurring.


28 December 2025
NEWSLETTER

Wrestling Heritage Newsletter

Every week Wrestling Heritage produces a newsletter with even more information and memories of British wrestling in years gone by. The newsletter is available to all members of the Wrestling Heritage website. Membership is free and easy. More memories, more background, more fun.

27 December 2025
UPDATE IN PEOPLE/WRESTLERS A-Z

Tony Ancell

With the help of family members we have updated the tribute page to Tony Ancell.

On YouTube, search for “wrestling heritage newsletter” for the extended version (66 mins) or click the link below



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