Ron Historyo
Albert Wall, sometimes Abe Wall as shown on the 1958 Bill here.
The “Rocky” introduced a few years later. Not seen much after 1974 . but it seems one or two fleeting appearances as late as 1977.
An additional bill from South Africa that I have used before.
Albert was a real favourite of mine.
None of them were near Bill Robinson, but when he had gone, Albert looked every inch a Champion.
Indikator
Cases like the 1978 match are the reason why I now try to save all the posters/flyers as screenshots, so that it’s easier to check inconsistencies and whatnot.
Anglo Italian
Watching Rocky live, the bouts were almost spoilt just waiting for the flying head butt.
I saw him plenty of times – mostly in 1972. He made the most tv appearances that year, toppling McManus. This was just what the business needed, a credible heavyweight champion travelling far and wide, seemingly wrestling six nights a week.
Unfortunately, he must have overworked and just crumpled over the next two years, playing out time in endless Nagasaki bouts for other promoters, after just three 1973 tv bouts.
Ironically, he was brought in to plug the embarrassment of the Robinson gap, but left hown Hole in the Wall. Worse, while wrestling thrived without Robinson, 1968 to 1971, the Hole in the Wall saw the belly butt brigade seize their moment to replace the importance of the British Heavyweight Championship.
If ………. great word ……….if Rocky had hung around for a few more years, Crabtree would have been seen to be beatable and the whole Crabtree circus may never have taken hold.
Hack
Albert was the obvious successor to Billy Robinson. Powerful, strong and skikful, he had all the qualities of champion. Saw him in a match with Kendo around 1970, so both in their prime, which was a very hard hitting match. I don’t think Albert or anyone staying around would have stopped Crabtree leading the belly butters. By then only money counted and Max was short sighted enough to take a shilling today and sod tomorrow.
Add your own comments at Talk Wrestling/Careers Early and Late and Moments
30014
