Also known as Jose Cadiz, Tony or Gino Pirelli
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One of the Lancashire old timers trained by the Belshaw brothers at their gym in Wigan so we have no doubt that Joe Heaton was a man who could look after himself. Joe Heaton was born on 27th September, 1913, the eldest son of Elias and Cicely Heaton. Father Elias worked in the local colliery. In 1939 Joe gave his occupation as gardener but was later a well known bus driver in and around Wigan.
Joe began going to the Belshaw’s gym in the 1930s and was certainly wrestling professionally by 1940. Our earliest find was in August 1940 at Preston, where he beat Bobby Byrnes, who retired with a cut ear. The name on the poster was Joe Heaton, though he did sometimes go under the more exotic guise of Spaniard Jose Cadiz. We have evidence of both names in the first half of the 1940s, but Heaton is the more predominant. Joe’s wife also recalled her husband using the name Tony Pirelli but we have been unamble to find any record. We did find three instances of a Gino Pirelli wrestling Cliff Belshaw, so this could well be him.
In days when wrestling was slower with a greater emphasis on ground moves Joe was something of an exception and well known for his acrobatic moves, resulting from his love of gymnastics, at which he excelled. Decades before the likes of Dynamite Kid fans were thrilled in anticipation when they saw him climb on to the top rope, seconds later to propel himself into his speciality back somersault. Another favourite move was the Indian Death Lock, as testified by his two sons, who tell us they spent time gripped in this hold on the living room floor!
A friend of one of Joe’s sons, Steve, said that Joe would these days be described as a “health nut” who ate dandelion roots and drank nettle tea. He remembered going swimming with Joe in winter, when Joe would break the ice before taking a quick swim.
All the matches we have found are in Lancashire with Joe regularly facing men of the ilk of Jack Alker, Vic Hessle, Frank Manto, Jack and Cliff Belshaw. First class opponents that suggests Joe knew his stuff.
Joe Heaton died in 1995, aged 82.
Page added 10/02/2024
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