Also known as Martin Robson
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One That Sadly Got Away
In the first half of the 1960s Salford’s Lionel “Spike” Robson was a familiar worker in the wrestling rings of the northern England and midlands independent promoters. He was a good technical wrestler who was usually a fans favourite who shared the ring with the likes of Wild Angus, Pat Curry, and Lord Bertie Topham. We watched him on a number of occasions, billed as Martin Robson, and imaginatively labelled Scottish heavyweight champion, though what Ian Campbell would say about that we fear to guess. Martin was certainly not a fully blown heavyweight when we saw him, and we doubt if he ever was. Promoters billed him as anything from lightweight to heavyweight.
Spike was in the unfortunate position of being the man opposing Jack Beaumont in October 1963, the night Jack died of a heart attack..The match was over and Beaumont was leaving the ring following his victory when he collapsed and died at ringside. The Coroner returned a verdict of death by natural causes and said, “I am glad to make it known as publicly as possible that there is nothing to cause Robson any misgivings at all as to whether he had anything to do with his death.”
Prior to wrestling Spike had a sporting background as a rugby league player for both Salford and Swinton. Eddie Rose recalled meeting Spike, “I was on a couple of bills with him when I was starting out in wrestling about 60 years ago in Manchester. Jimmy Lewis introduced me to him in the changing room. A very good wrestler and good hearted man.” Heritage member William Richmond shared those sentiments, “I only remember Spike billed as Martin Robson and saw him topping Independent bills at Preston Public Hall in the early to mid 1960’s. A good wrestler.”
Late in 1965 Spike emigrated to Australia, where he carved out a successful wrestling career and we hear his technical ability was appreciated against usually larger, gimmicky Australian and American opponents.
Ed Lock saw Spike wrestle in Sydney and was impressed by his technical ability, sometimes seen in action with his friend, fellow Salfordian Arthur Openshaw, “I found both Openshaw and Robson to be very skilful, talented, technical wrestlers, who never put in a bad performance. While both wrestlers were cast as preliminary matmen I was always happy to see Arthur and Spike on Sydney Stadium events and on the World Championship Wrestling TV shows. I was just a boy in 1966 so I couldn’t attend the licensed club shows but I am aware that Openshaw and Robson achieved main event status on that circuit.”
We turn to Australian member Graeme Cameron to take up the story.
Spike Robson worked on the club circuit and for WCW from 1966 to 1974, with a brief comeback in 1977. He did his duty many times on TV against many big names from America.
He made his stadium debut in January, 1966 with a loss to the bigger Johnny Boyd (future tag team partner of Maurice LaRue in The Royal Kangaroos). He followed this in March with wins over Arthur Openshaw and Alan Pinfold in catchweight bouts . Because of his relatively small size he was often used in the opening match on stadium cards in catchweight matches against lighter men such as Ken Medlin and those named above which provided a fast-paced and entertaining opening to proceedings. He actually has a decent win record in these matches
On the club circuit he was one of the top group of wrestlers. He was also one of the twelve wrestlers who broke away from Hal Morgan to form their own promotion when Morgan wouldn’t increase their match payments
I had the pleasure of meeting Spike at Libnan Ayoub’s DVD launch. Despite being 84 years old at the time, he didn’t look any older than the blow up photo of himself from 40 years ago. I still maintain he must have a portrait in the attic which ages while he remains the same.
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