Wrestling Heritage welcomes memories, further information and corrections
Bob Bell was a powerful heavyweight of the sixties and seventies who worked for both independent and Joint Promotions. We would certainly list him in the category of wrestlers who were undervalued, because Bob was just as good as many who were given a greater push and given a higher profile by wrestling promoters.
Bob Bell was born in Chester in 1941, one of eight siblings. Maybe it was sibling rivalry that made him competitive and a keen sportsman from an early age. At school his sport of choice was discus throwing, at which we have been told he was exceedingly good. Wrestling came much later in life, and we have to thank Buddy Ward for bringing out the potential of young Bob. The two men got to know each other through their mutual interest in the scrap metal business. Buddy was already making his way as a pro wrestler and persuaded Bob to have a go, which he did, and demonstrated natural strength and aptitude. At the time there was a strong wrestling contingency from the Ellesmere Port area, numbered amongst them were Brian Maxine, Buddy Ward, Monty Swan, and Steve Veidor.
We came across Bob as a wrestler for the first time in 1966 when he was partnering his mentor Buddy Ward in a tag match, which we believe would have been one of his first matches. In the years that followed we watched him in exciting bouts with the Klondykes, Angus Campbell, and Orig Williams; he was always enjoyable against the villains.
Mostly associated with independent promoters Bob did work for Joint Promotions and a good authority tells us that it was Bob’s choice to leave Joint Promotions and return to the opposition. His tenure with Joint Promotions gave the opportunity for television exposure. That opportunity came in January 1970 when he faced Mal Kirk in a bruising encounter at Blackburn. There were plaudits and bruises for Bob as he retired injured to the disappointment of the fans.
As we have said so many times, and once again it is true, we do feel that Joint Promotions failed to make the most of the potential of Bob. Maybe it was because they had such depth of talent on their books, or maybe Bob had other interests that lessened his fire for success, we wouldn’t know. We do know that he did have more sporting interests. Golf was one, but the greater love was motor cycle side car racing. The two physical sports did collide, not literally, when he wrestled in Australia to raise money to buy a new Yamaha motor.
After retiring from wrestling Bob continued to show an interest in wrestling and his colleagues. In 2001 Bob and his wife, Jean, assisted by a few of their Ellesmere Port wrestling friends, organised the Northern Wrestlers Reunion. It was a huge success with wrestlers attending each June until 2010 when ill health intervened and Bob reluctantly relinquished the role.
Following a long illness Bob Bell died on 25th July, 2017. His friend and wrestling colleague Eddie Rose said, “Another of the good old boys gone. Bob was a cheerful lad and an excellent heavyweight”
Page added 16/04/2023
595
Wrestling Heritage 