Also known as Kennet Erlsa and The Kangaroo Kid
Wrestling Heritage welcomes memories, further information and corrections
Ken Else was another who knew the wrestling business inside out but was was never a well known name beyond the dedicated fans. He just helped make it all work as a wrestler, promoter, referee and even as the “heel” manager. In a variety of guises he could be Cheshire’s Ken Else, Austrian Kennet Erlsa or Australian Kangaroo Kid.
Whatever the guise he brought value to a night’s wrestling programme. Wrestling enthusiast Romeo recalled watching Ken as the manager Kangaroo Kid, “Ken was bald but put on a wig with specs as the ‘heel’ manager. At the end of the bout Ken remonstrated from the ring apron and the opposing wrestler yanked him over the top rope and the wig and specs came flying off. Ken did a hasty retreat with a towel over his head back to the dressing room.Great fun!”
Our own memories are of a gritty match against Bob Sherry, with the seasoned Wigan hard man running out the winner. Ken was an Australian that night, having just returned from four years living in the country.
We interviewed him in 2011, three years before his death. Eighty years old at the time he was physically and mentally sprightly and talked enthusiastically about his long career in Britain and Australia. He seemed particularly proud of the part he played in promoting Count Bartelli during his visit to Australia. Another high profile moment, almost certainly the most high profile, had been back in the United Kingdom in 1981 when he performed the managerial role for Giant Haystacks and Wild Angus during the televised F.A. Cup wrestling special.
Kenneth Albert Else was born on 24th May, 1931, in Chapel-en-le-Frith in Derbyshire and brought up in nearby New Mills. A childhood friend, they went to the same school, was Hans Streiger, for whom Ken later performed the role of wrestling manager on occasions. He told us of an interest in wrestling from his teenage days when he was a Wednesday and Saturday night spectator at Belle Vue and the Ardwick Stadium in Manchester, where Jack Pye was his favourite.
Charlie Glover and Carlton Smith were instrumental in training Ken to wrestle and he made his professional debut in 1954 in a contest with Stoke on Trent’s John Hall. The fairground booths of Micky Kylie also proved valuable experience for the young wrestler.
For fifteen years Ken wrestled his way around British rings, working for both the independent and Joint (mainly Wryton) Promotions. Although never a regular main eventer he gained regular work against the likes of Abe Ginsberg, Keith Williamson, Jim Mellor and John Foley. Ken was one of those wrestlers that didn’t actually break the rules but was never a true blue eye. Promoters occasionally added an international hue to his Cheshire credentials by re-arranging the letters and introducing the Austrian Kennet Earlsa. As was the case with most wrestlers Ken didn’t rely solely on wrestling for his income and had a “day job” as a long distance lorry driver.
In 1966 sunshine beckoned and Ken moved to Australia where he continued to pursue his wrestling and promoting career. Ken returned to Britain in 1968, working again for both independents and Joint Promotions. Highlights were the aforementioned Cup Final appearance and manager of Giant Haystacks and Big Daddy in their July 1975 debut.
Ken and his wife returned to live in Australia, finally returning to Britain in 2010.
Ken Else died on 7th July, 2014.
Page added 21/05/2023
992
.
Wrestling Heritage 