Wrestling Heritage welcomes memories, further information and corrections.
Muscles Unlimited
The fans loved “The Cover Man” as he posed to listen to their cheers before tackling the latest bad guy. Not that they were all bad guys, Spencer was known for some terrific sporting contests with the most skilled light heavyweights in the country
Spencer Churchill was born in May, 1929, in Kensington, London. He turned to wrestling following success as a diver and a body builder.
To say that he was a body builder is something of an understatement as Churchill was one of the most successful and well known body builders in the country, known as “Mr Muscles Unlimited,” and a competitor in the Mr Universe competition. “Definitely the greatest physique in the business” according to fellow wrestler Bob Kirkwood.
He learned to wrestle at Tottenham Court Rangers Amateur Wrestling Club, and then turned professional aged twenty, within months of completing his National Service as a Physical Training Instructor. He told the British Wrestlers Reunion he lost to drop kick expert Johnny Peters at the Royal Pier Pavilion, Southampton, but the earliest we found him was at the Costa Green Stadium in Birmingham against Lou Ravelle in October 1951.
Throughout the 1950s Spencer continued in body building competitions alongside his flourishing wrestling career. Popular amongst television fans he wrestled over thirty contests on television. One of the snippets of information that never failed to intrigue us 1960s fans was the story of Spencer and his wife, Joyce, living on a houseboat.
Fellow wrestler Paul Mitchell said, “Spencer was a lovely bloke to chat to and a consummate professional. A Dales stalwart.” More fond memories from enthusiast Ballymoss, “I lived in West London during the mid 1960’s and Spencer Churchill from Kew was a favourite with the fans at the Hammersmith Commodore and the Lime Grove Baths in Shepherds Bush.He was always well received and is fondly remembered for the skill and ability he showed.”
Although never a regular top of the bill performer Spencer Churchill remained a popular and well respected wrestler for two decades, retiring in the mid 1970s. Bodybuilders Roger Green, Reg Trood and Bob Sweeney all testified to the immense influence of Spencer Churchill in their decision to take up wrestling.
Spencer Churchill died on 2nd January 2023.
Page added 12/05/2024
11186
Wrestling Heritage 