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It would be so easy to fall into the trap of rolling out a list of stereotypical labels to describe the Irish born Kevin Conneely. We won’t. We will just tell you of the joy the Liverpool wrestler’s appearance could bring to fans. A wrestler and comedian of the ring. Liverpool wrestler Kevin Conneely began his career with the independent promoters around 1960, coming first to our attention on an independent show against masked man Mitzuko Chango in 1965. By then he had around five years experience against top opposition men such as Jack and Ray Taylor, Johnny Saint and Bill Tunney.
Outside the ring he was owner of a general store and newsagents in Liverpool. His Nephew, Patrick, told us, “Kevin was my uncle and was always the life and soul of the party. When all the three brothers got together, Kevin my Dad Pat and my uncle Sean, you were guaranteed a few laughs. He is sadly missed by all his friends & family”
In 1969 he was signed up by Wryton Promotions and was an immediate success in Joint Promotion rings, with fans appreciating the combination of wrestling ability and humour. He was to remain a popular figure on Joint Promotion bills throughout the 1970s, returning to the independents in the 1980s.
Kevin appeared on ITV wrestling eighteen times between 1970 and 1976. These included impressive victories over Johnny Kwango, Johnny Saint, Bob Kirkwood and Rollerball Rocco.
Six appearances at the Royal Albert Hall also included wins over top class opposition that included Rollerball Rocco and Marty Jones.
Wrestling enthusiast Peter M. told us, “My memories of Kevin are of a genius who knew how to get the ladies on his side. I remember Conneely would walk around the front rows shaking every hand. He could spend ten minutes oblivious to the ‘heel’ complaining to the Ref to start the bout.Kevin‘s friendly banter with the crowd continued often in Mid-Bout,having everyone in stitches.”
David Franklin recalled: “One slight difference between Kevin and most other ‘comedy wrestlers’ was that a lot of his act involved his verbal Irish comedy routine. He was best enjoyed from ringside where you could hear and thus appreciate the endless chat that went on.”
Kevin disappeared from the ring around 1989, following thirty years of providing the laughs.
Kevin Conneely died on 3rd January, 2005 whilst holidaying in Thailand.
Page added 12/07/2026
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