22 February 1910
Birth of Bengal Engblom
Read our tribute to Bengal Engblom
22 February 1932
Birth of John Kowalski
Read our tribute to John Kowalski
22 February 1965
Two Scottish Fliers
In Leeds George Kidd retained the world lightweight title against fellow Scot Ted Hannon.
22 February 1972
Wrestler Turns To Song
Wrestling villain and scrap metal merchant Buddy Ward was used to receiving boos whenever he appeared in the ring. It was a different matter when he received compliments
when he appeared as Vulcan in the Chester Operatic Society production of Orpheus In The Underworld at Chester’s ABC Cinema.
22 February 1982
Kilby Win
British heavy middleweight champion Alan Kilby retained his title at the Assembly Rooms in Derby in a one fall each draw with Marty Jones.
22 February 1986
Wrestler Honoured
A trophy was presented to Count Bartelli on behalf of the Sporting Clubs of England. The presentation, at Crewe L.M.R. Club was in honour of Bartelli’s forty-six year career, which had ended five weeks earlier. The inscription on the trophy read “The Greatest Wrestler of All Time.
23February 1911
Birth of Norman the Butcher
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23 February 1938Revenge Worth Waiting For
In December, 1931 French champion Alexandre Poizat had wrestled Harold Angus at London’s Lanes Club. Angus had been leading by one fall when he was knocked out. It was six years before the two met again and this time Poizat’s world welterweight championship was at stake. Their second encounter was at the Millbay Ringeries in Plymouth. With the first two rounds even Poizat threw Angus four times in quick succession in the third round and took the first fall. A leg hold gained the equaliser for Angus in the fifth round and when Poizat submitted to a back stretch in the sixth round we had a new world welterweight champion.
23 February 1940
Who Is That Masked Man?
It was a mask v mask bout at Preston’s Majestic but any hopes of uncovering a hidden identity were dashed. The Red Devil, claimed to have been unbeaten for two years, defeated the Black Owl. There were no problems distinguishing the two. The Owl was the more aggressive of the two and took the opening fall in the second round. All changed in the third round when the Red Devil forced Black Owl over the ropes and he was counted out. Black Owl disputed the decision, stating he thought two knock outs were required. A return contest was planned for 21st March.
23 February 1954
Champion Triumphs
At the Caird Hall, Dundee, Alan Colbeck retained his European welterweight title by defeating French wrestler Andre Dubarry by two falls to one.
23 February 1954
The Welter Belter
Jack Dempsey successfully defended the British welterweight title against Jim Lewis in Hull.
23 February 1960
Golden Boy Gives Two Rivers the Chop
Mike Marino retained the World Mid Heavyweight title against Billy Two Rivers at the Madeley Street Baths in Hull.
23 February 1967
TV Show for Kidd
Grampian Television announced that George Kidd would have his own television series. The “George Kidd Show” would be broadcast to North and East Scotland from April.
23 February 1990
Death of Doug Joyce
Read our tribute to Doug Joyce
23 February 2012
Death of Al Marquette
Read our tribute to Al Marquette
24 February 1931
Wrestling Comes to Newcastle.
Read about Newcastle’s First All-In Wrestling
24 February 1938
Record Crowd Watch Clark Triumph
A record crowd at the Imperial Ballroom in Nelson saw Douglas Clark beat Mike O’Sullivan to retain the British Empire Heavyweight Title. Irish champion O’Sullivan took the lead after four minutes of the second round with a body press. A rugged Clark returned to go immediately on the offensive and secured the equaliser with a body slam and press just 3 minutes and 50 seconds later. In the fourth round O’Sullivan injured his back whilst attempting to evade a flying mare; Clark was declared winner and retained the title.
24 February 1942
Van Der Walt Shot
South African heavyweight Johannes Van Der Walt was shot and wounded by a policeman at a farmhouse near Krugersdorp, Transvaal. Van Der Walt, a commandant of the Ossewabrandwag, an anti-British and pro-German organisation, was armed at the time and had escaped from custody in Johannesburg a few weeks earlier.
24 February 1948
Scots Champion
Scottish lightweight champion George Kidd retained his title at the Caird Hall in Dundee by defeating challenger Tony Lawrence by two falls to one. Lawrence took the lead in the third round, Kidd equalised in the fifth and won with a submission in the eighth of fifteen scheduled rounds.
24 February 1968
Just Like That!
It was the opening programme of a new series of Tommy Cooper’s “Life With Cooper” starring Tommy Cooper. The situation comedy sketch featured Tommy attempting to retrieve a suitcase from Left Luggage. Tommy became entangled with the Luggage attendant, played by wrestler Mick McManus, because the ninepence he needed to retrive the case was in his suit pocket, which was inside the case.
24 February 1975
One In The Eye
Wrestling rarely made the pages of the national press, let alone on the front page. When Jackie Pallo wrestled show jumper Harvey Smith in Blackburn the match continued long after the final bell with Harvey displaying his black eye to the world (all pre-planned Jackie Junior told us)
24 February 1988
Operation At Home
Surgeons arranged with former wrestler Alf “Man Mountain” Dean to perform an eye operation at his home in Romford. Alf, who was said to weigh 30 stones and 7 feet tall was too big to get into the operating theatre.
25 February 1932
Opening of The Ring
A famous boxing venue that opened it’s doors to wrestling for the first time was The Ring in Blackfriars. On February 25th a boxing and wrestling show began many years association between The Ring and All In Wrestling.
25 February 1948
Birth of Bob Walsh
Read our tribute to Bob Walsh
25 February 1978
A Rare Bartelli Defeat
Marty Jones beat Count Bartelli at the Victoria Hall in Hanley to retain the British light heavyweight title.
25 February 1986
Short Change In Wolverhampton
It was British heavyweight championship night at the Civic Hall in Wolverhampton, champion Ray Steel and challenger Skull Murphy. Murphy took the lead with a submission in round four, with Steel retaining the title by securing falls in rounds six and seven. The match was over twelve 3 minute rounds, another sign of 1980s deterioration. Less than twenty minutes of wrestling.
25 February 2024
Death of Mohammed Yakub
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26 February 1885
Birth of Laurent Gerstmans
Read our tribute to Laurent Gerstmans
26 February 1932
Wrestling Comes To Hartlepool
First wrestling show at the Ice Rink, Hartlepool. More than 2,000 fans packed into the Queens Rink at West Hartlepool for their first taste of All-In wrestling. In the main event Johanfesson beat Gustav Lemm of Switzerland by two falls to nil.
26 February 1934
Black Mask Revealed.
Our first Black Mask appeared in 1934. Walter Ord was a minor player in the professional ranks that we find making his debut at Nottingham on 26th February, 1934. Walter was a well known amateur wrestler in his home town, Nottingham, and also a good swimmer and rugby player. Having helped in the organisation of a professional show in London Walter had his amateur status withdrawn. He declared he had no intention of earning as a living as a wrestler but entering the pro ring was his only way of pursuing his interest. When he made his debut, against Walter Magnee, he assumed the identity of the Black Mask. Unfortunately a number of the Victoria Hall locals recognised Walter and called out his name. Consequently, a seemingly disenchanted Black Mask voluntarily revealed his identity in the third and the unmasked Walter went on to win the match with a pin fall in round three and a submission in round four. Although we have found quite a few references to W.A. Ord as an amateur as late as 1933 we could find no further records of a professional appearance
26 February 1948
Mixed Fortunes.
The soon to be British professional champion Eric Taylor, just 17 years old, was beaten by Albert Jones in the welterweight class of the British Olympic trials at London’s Caledonian Road Baths. Eric’s father, Joe, who had wrestled in the 1932 Olympics secured a points victory over Les Dimmock in the featherweights.
26 February 1949
Masque Unmasked
Jim Anderson wrestled as the masked man Kid Masque until he was unmasked by King Kong Emile Czaja following a third round defeat at the Great World Stadium on 26th February.
26 February 1968
Enforced Diet for Wrestler
The Daily Mirror reported that Kings Lyn wrestler Michael Taylor, known as Sheik Michael, had been signed up by Joint Promotions. However his new bosses had banned an important part of his act. Joint Promotions forbade him from eating light bulbs (in public at least). The promoters said he could continue to demonstrate his fire eating and pushing hat pins though his cheeks.
26 February 1972
Saint KO’d
Brian Maxine knocked out Johnny Saint at Belle Vue, Manchester, to retain the British middleweight title.
27 February 1915
Birth of Alf Kent
Read our tribute to Alf Kent
27 February 1939
Birth of The Empress of the Black Dagger
Read our tribute to The Empress of The Black Dagger
27 February 1940
Birth of Al Miquet
Read our tribute to Al Miquet
27 February 1951
Disappointment for Fans and Disappointment for Kidd
Local boy and world lightweight champion George Kidd had the rare experience of not having his arm raised at Dundee’s Caird Hall when he challenged for the British welterweight championship. Champion Alan Colbeck was held to a draw over fifteen rounds by the lighter man and fans’ favourite. Ten rounds passed without referee Les Kellett declaring a pin fall. It was in the eleventh that Colbeck made his move and took the lead with a reverse leg lock. Two rounds later a reverse Nelson from Kidd and it was all square. The fans were vocally behind their boy and sensed victory as Kidd dominated the fifteenth and last round. Each time Colbeck was thrown the fans joined Les Kellett in the count. But each time Colbeck climbed back on his feet and the bell rung. The result a draw, and Alan Colbeck was still champion.
27 February 1967
Kidd Beats Breaks
George Kidd retained the World Lightweight title against Jim Breaks at Bradford.
27 February 1968
Robbo Wins in Wolves
Bill Robinson beat John Lees at the Civic Hall in Wolverhampton to retain the British heavyweight title.
27 February 1979
Death of Dominic Pye
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27 February 2020
Death of Frank Robb
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28 February 1913
Birth of George Busfield
Read our tribute to George Busfield
28 February 1936
Masked Wrestler Loses.
Fans stood and cheered for several minutes at the Liverpool Stadium. The object of their admiration was Scotland’s Tony Baer who had just beaten The Masked Man. The Masked Man had appeared the cleverer of the two wrestlers and was unfortunate in his loss. This resulted after a failed attempt by the masked man to body slam Baer. Baer fell on top of the masked man and secured a fall. The masked wrestler removed the hood to reveal the features of Louis Pergantes.
28 February 1938
All Go In Aberdeen
First All In wrestling in Aberdeen, promoted by George DeRelwyskow (except for an exhibition in 1935)
28 February 1948
Beaumont Wins
Jack Beaumont beat Tim McllCoy at the Victoria Hall, Hanley, to retain the British light heavyweight title.
28 February 1952
Midget Debut
The wrestling midgets made their debut in Britain at Harringay Arena
28 February 1953
Felix Keeps Title
Bernard Hughes saw Ernie Baldwin (billed as the British Heavyweight Champion) wrestle Felix Kerschitz for the European Heavyweight title at Newcastle on 28 February, 1953. It was a two fall fight and Felix gained the only fall after 33 minutes. thereby retaining the title.
28 February 1956
Pit Disaster
Wrestler Tim McCoy was buried 1,500 feet below ground but was fortunate to survivors when a concrete roof fell in at Bradford Colliery in Manchester. Rescuers worked in relay for five hours to reach the buried men.it took a further three hours to transport the men to the surface. The Coroner’s Court was told that he was one of three survivors (two died) and was located when rescuers spotted his fingers and light from his lamp.
28 February 1983
Six Sides, Two Titles
Wrestling at the Hexagon in Reading with two championship matches. Marty Jones knocked out Skull Murphy to retain the World Mid Heavyweight title and Alan Kilby beat Dave Fit Finlay to keep the British Heavy Middleweight title.
28 February 1986
Championship Night in Gillingham
At the Black Lion Sports Centre in Gillingham Marty Jones defeated Clive Myers to retain the World Mid Heavyweight title and Steve Grey beat Michael Bennett, who was disqualified, to retain the British lightweight title.
28 February 2014
Death of Arthur Jackson
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29 February 1908
Birth of Bulldog Bill Garnon
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29 February 1936
Control Board
The Daily Worker announced steps were being taken to clean up wrestling with the imminent formation of a Board of Control. Wrestlers would require a licence from the Board before being allowed to compete, rules would bring severe penalties for foul tactics, there would be monitoring of pay and poor matchmaking, penalties for wrestlers failing to appear or arriving late, and matches would not be fixed in advance. It was a story we had been told before and would be told many times again.
29 February 2024
Death of Paul Vachon
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Wrestling Heritage 