Ron Historyo
Gwyn Davies was always a decent watch. Don’t think I saw him in a boring bout.
Shown here tagging with his dad in 1952 and on another show travelling with his dad.
At this point he does not look to be full grown and very light in weight as well.
Moving on 1964 is the first time that I can display him as Welsh Champion and 1980 looks a good bet for when he finished.
I thought he had some great matches with Albert Wall.
Hack
I liked Gwyn Davies very much, preferably when he didn’t edge his way towards a rule breaker, I felt that didn’t suit him. To my mind the second half of the 1960s the pecking order was Robinson, Wall, Davies. And then there were two. Injustice when Wall and Veidor were matched for the vacant title.
Anglo Italian
Hanley scales new depths in 1980, showing a photo of Campbell and Angus and promising a list of giants that includes Naylor and Honey Boy.
These last two serious wrestlers, Gwyn Davies and Johnny Saint, came across as shunning the gimmickry. But Saint being billed from London and Gwyn wrestling in France as James McTiffin, complete with bagpipes, just underscores the theatrical nature of it all. Clearly to allow these wrestlers decades-long careers. The theatre was magnificently and believably implemented.
I like Jerry Jeary’s 1953 concerted efforts to get the ladies in, even a heated buffet – that’s a first for me. In the long-run, these efforts were wholly successful, with the not inconsiderable advantage of tv wrestling.
Ron Historyo
Love your scrutiny Anglo. We don’t miss much detail on here. Gwyn’s Dad had to be Bearded Ken , a mean what is “BEARDED” meant to project.
Is it toughness , manliness , menace even.They really used it.
Anglo Italian
Thanks Ron. Well, years ago, beards, tattoos and shaven heads were head turners, at a time when the typical male strove to look like Rock Hudson. Nowadays males take great care in choosing from the various styles available.
It must have been quite a beard to get its own billing. Slightly surprising then to see Ken billed with his “good clean wrestling.”
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