By Graeme Cameron
Wrestling Heritage welcomes memories, further information and corrections.
Billy Robinson made his first and only visit to Australia in 1969, making his debut on September 27 and his final appearance on December 20. There was, however, something unusual about his debut. Instead of the standard victories over local preliminary wrestlers at Stadium and on TV, his very first match was on TV in Sydney against the top villain and current IWA “World” Heavyweight champion, American Killer Karl Kox, who was also matchmaker at the time.
Robinson was presented as an unknown newcomer, there to do his duty. This was somewhat absurd, given all the British immigrants in Australia and the fact that “Wrestling From Great Britain” was on TV in Australia in 1961-62 but the American promoter and matchmaker were apparently unaware of this. It’s more than likely some of the audience knew who he was as soon as they saw him. In any case, it soon became apparent that this was no preliminary wrestler. Indeed, here was a wrestler of considerable skill and ability. Kox was soon on the backfoot, using every dirty trick in the book to avoid defeat. Ultimately, to the shock of some, Robinson was the victor.
It was evident that Robinson was a genuine threat to the title. However, there was no immediate title match (likely due to the fact that Kox had only become champion a week before Robinson arrived and wanted a run with the belt). For the next few weeks Robinson largely toiled on the undercard in either handicap or back-to-back matches against two or three local wrestlers. He did defeat American Dick Murdoch and Dory Dixon on TV. He also teamed with future world champion Jack Brisco and popular local blue-eye Mario Milano in matches against Kox and tag team champions Murdoch and Lars Anderson in main events. As well, there were some holds demonstrations on TV, ably assisted by Spike Robson
He finally got his chance to challenge Kox for the title at the end of October and after a few failed attempts, won it in Sydney. He defended it against Kox around the country before moving on to a new challenger. Wrestlers who have been in the ring with Kox have said they learned more from one match with him than in their entire careers. He was a master villain and psychologist in the ring and a creative matchmaker outside it. Robinson couldn’t have asked for a better opponent
His first challenger was the villainous “Vampire” Fred Blassie, so named because of his penchant for biting opponents’ foreheads and drawing blood. In Japan Blassie had taken to bringing a file to the ring and filing his teeth, which he also did in Australia. Fans in Japan had been so terrified by Blassie that a few had died of heart attacks watching him on TV. Robinson successfully defended his title against Blassie, a wild and vicious brawler, around the circuit for a week
His next major opponent was Curtis Iaukea but this was a different Curtis to the one seen in the UK. Although his brawling style had not changed, Curtis now weighed just under 20 stone, having shed 100 pounds on doctor’s orders. He was also now demanding he be announced as “King”, following the death of his father earlier in the year (He eventually just went by King Curtis). Curtis defeated Robinson by knockout in title matches but failed to garner the title. This, however, would not be the last Robinson would hear of Curtis.
Next was former amateur collegiate and future NWA World Heayvweight champion, Jack Brisco. The two engaged in a series of technical classics around the country, either resulting in draws or narrow wins for Robinson. But there was one match for which there was no audience. Being who they were the two felt the need to see who really was the best wrestler. The story goes that they moved aside the furniture in the hotel room and went to work. Both claimed victory, but as there were no known witnesses and both men have passed away, we will never know the truth.
Which brings us back to King Curtis (Iaukea). With Christmas approaching and the season coming to a close Robinson dropped the title to King Curtis on December 17 in Brisbane and failed to win it back in Sydney. A TV loss in Sydney to Curtis’ tag team partner Buddy Austin was followed by another loss to Curtis in Melbourne. This was Robinson’s final appearance.
Other than those mentioned above Robinson met a variety of opponents There were scientific matches with Mario Milano, Roy Heffernan and a highly praised 30-minute draw with Spiros Arion on Brisbane TV. Other notable opponents were Murphy the Magnificent (Maurice LaRue) and the 26 stone Canadian Klondike Bill. Among the Australians he wrestled were Johnny Boyd, Ron Miller and Les Roberts, all of whom went on to have success in America.
In all Robinson was presented with a wide variety of characters and styles to test his skill. Below is his match record.
AUSTRALIAN MATCH RECORD (Courtesy of Ed Lock)
27/9/69 defeated Killer Karl Kox Sydney TV
28/969 defeated Killer Karl Kox Melbourne TV
3/10/69 defeated Les Roberts Sydney Stadium
4/10/69 defeated Dick Murdoch Sydney TV
4/10/69 defeated Les Roberts Festival Hall, Melbourne
5/10/69 defeated Dick Murdoch Melbourne TV
6/10/69 with Cowboy Frankie Laine lost to
Lars Anderson & Dick Murdoch 2/3 falls The Barton Hall, Adelaide
8/10/69 defeated Murphy the Magnificent Festival Hall, Brisbane
(Maurice LaRue)
9/10//69 defeated Les Roberts, then Ron Miller Brisbane TV
10/10/69 with Mario Milano & Jack Brisco defeated Sydney Stadium
Killer Karl Kox, Dick Murdcoh & Lars Anderson
11/10/69 defeated Dory Dixon Sydney TV
11/10/69 with Mario Milano & Jack Brisco defeated Festival Hall, Melbourne
Killer Karl Kox, Dick Murdoch & Lars Anderson
12/10/69 defeated Dory Dixon Melbourne TV
17/10/69 defeated Les Roberts, Johnny Boyd & Sydney Stadium
Ron Miller in a Handicap Match
18/10/69 defeated Ron Miller, then Les Roberts Sydney TV
18/10/69 defeated Les Roberts, Johnny Boyd & Festival Hall, Melbourne
Ron Miller in a Handicap Match
19/10/69 defeated Ron Miller, then Les Roberts Melbourne TV
20/10/69 with Mario Milano & Spiros Arion defeated The Barton Hall, Adelaide
Lars Anderson, Dick Murdoch & Roy Heffernan
22/10/69 lost to Killer Karl Kox 2/3 falls Brisbane Festival Hall
23/10/69 defeated Roy Heffernan, then Larry O’Dea Brisbane TV
24/10/69 lost to Killer Karl Kox 2/3 falls Sydney Stadium
25/10/69 lost to Killer Karl Kox 2/3 falls Melbourne Festival Hall
31/10/69 defeated Killer Karl Kox 2/3 falls to win Sydney Stadium
the IWA “World” Heavyweight title (2 referees)
1/11/69 defeated Killer Karl Kox 2/3 falls to retain Melbourne Festival Hall
the IWA “World” Heavyweight title (2 referees)
2/11/69 defeated Jan Jansen Melbourne TV
3/11/69 Billy Robinson defeated Killer Karl Kox to The Barton Hall, Adelaide
retain the IWA World Heavyweight title
5/11/69 defeated Fred Blassie to retain the Brisbane Festival Hall
IWA “World” Heavyweight title
6/11/69 drew with Mario Milano Brisbane TV
10/11/69 lost to Killer Karl Kox to lose Perry Lakes Stadium,
the IWA “World” Heavyweight title Floreat, South Australia
13/11/69 defeated Ron Miller Brisbane TV
16/11/69 defeated Ron Fury Melbourne TV
19/11/69 defeated Killer Karl Kox Brisbane Festival Hall
24/11/69 defeated Killer Karl Kox to regain Perry Lakes Stadium,
the IWA “World” Heavyweight title Floreat, SA
28/11/69 defeated Roy Heffernan Sydney Stadium
29/11/69 defeated Ron Miller Sydney TV
29/11/69 lost to King Curtis (Iaukea) by knockout Melbourne Festival Hall
1/12/69 defeated Klondike Bill The Barton Hall, Adelaide
3/12/69 defeated Roy Heffernan Brisbane Festival Hall
4/12/69 drew with King Curtis after Brisbane TV
defeating Johny Boyd
5/12/69 defeated Jack Brisco to retain the Sydney Stadium
IWA “World” Heavyweight title
6/12/69 defeated Jack Brisco to retain the Melbourne Festival
IWA “World” Heavyweight title
8/12/69 lost to King Curtis by knock out in an Sydney Stadium
IWA “World” Heavyweight title match
13/12/69 defeated Klondike Bill Sydney TV
13/12/69 defeated Jack Brisco 2/3 fall to retain Melbourne Festival Hall
the IWA “World” Heavyweight title
14/12/69 defeated Klondike Bill Melbourne TV
17/12/69 lost to King Curtis to lose the Brisbane Festival Hall
IWA “World” Heavyweight title
18/9/69 drew with Spiros Arion Brisbane TV
19/12/69 lost to King Curtis in an Sydney Stadium
IWA “World” Heavyweight title match
20/12/69 lost to Buddy Austin Sydney TV
20/12/69 lost to King Curtis in an IWA Melbourne Festival Hall
“World” Heavyweight title match (final appearance)
Page added 04/12/2022
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