By James Morton
Wrestling Heritage welcomes memories, further information and corrections
Scotland’s Iconic Female Wrestler
At one time the red-headed Scot Rusty Blair held the Women’s World Title, won in Lagos, where she was touring for Welsh promoter Orig Williams. Born in Blairgowrie, Scotland, on 20th December, 1957, Carole Taylor was destined to become a star of British female wrestling in the 1970s and 1980s.
Watching a show in her local town she was introduced to wrestler and promoter Orig Williams who invited her to move from her Scottish home to the North Wales town of Rhyl, where he trained her as a professional wrestler. She dropped her family name and for her debut in the spring of 1977 became Rusty Blair, with reference to her flaming red hair and home town of Blairgowrie.
She worked mainly for Orig Williams and Brian Dixon, travelling the world, with Orig William’s tours in Europe, Africa and Asia. Wrestling enthusiast Dave Rennie remembered Rusty: “The pride of Blairgowrie and Scotland. Ladies World Champion which she won in Lagos, Nigeria if I remember correctly. Always a top performer & one of my favourites…a true Scottish wresting legend!”
She was chosen to tag with Mitzi Mueller at the latter’s winning farewell appearance at the Royal Albert Hall on 24 April 1987, opponents Klondyke Kate and Nicky Monroe. It was the first time women’s wrestling had been permitted at the venue. Rusty retired shortly after her Royal Albert Hall appearance, believed following an injury sustained in a later bout with Klondyke Kate.
Wrestling enthusiast 1978 Kid remembers:
“I saw Rusty at several Orig Williams shows and at Liverpool Stadium when Brian Dixon was the promoter. On one occasion Rusty Blair and Mitzi Mueller were due to fight for Rusty’s World title. However, Rusty turned up with her arm in a sling, much to the annoyance of Mitzi and her promoter, Brian Dixon. The controversy continued as Orig Williams (Mitzi’s manager) and Brian Dixon became involved in the argument, each asserting the rights of their respective wrestlers. I seem to remember Orig Williams brandishing a ‘doctor’s note’ but I don’t think any of the audience got near enough to see it.”
She should not be confused with her frequent opponent Lena Blair.
Rusty Blair died in June, 2025.
Page added 15/06/2025
20115
Wrestling Heritage 