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Professional wrestling is full of larger than life characters, and none more so than Vladimir Waldberg, “The Polish Eagle.” Only the biggest of names, McManus, Pallo, Bartelli, Hayes and a few others have had their deaths reported in the national press, but add to that list Vladimir Waldberg with an obituary in The Guardian, written by Wrestling Heritage’s James Morton, which stated, “Unfortunately, Rondel initially did not understand that the idea in professional wrestling …. is not to maim your opponent”
In the ring Waldberg did only what came naturally. Bert Assirati was one of the few that could resist his force, most likely teaching him a few lessons about the reality of professional wrestling. Assirati was a frequent opponent of Waldberg in a career that was admittedly short.
Waldberg, real name Norbert Friedrich Rondel, was born in Berlin on 29th August, 1927. Following his mother’s death it seems he was abandoned by his father. With the outbreak of war imminent the Jewish boy was transported to Britain as part of the Kindertransport programme and a new life in Manchester.
When the war ended Rondel began training as a Rabbi but that came to nothing and he hit hard times. After moving to London, where he spent some time in a psychiatric hospital Rondel began to concentrate on keep fit and developed an interest in wrestling. He turned professional wrestler in 1951 adopting his mother’s first married name and appearing as Vladimir Waldberg, the Polish Eagle.
Admittedly Rondel’s infamy mainly resulted from his activities outside the ring where he had some of his greatest battles, and certainly his longest. For instance, when he was found guilty of grievous bodily harm following a fight at a dance hall in 1959 he attempted to sue his barrister for professional negligence. His claim that he had not been properly defended was based on a defence that he had not cut off part of his victim’s ear as his barrister had stated, but bitten it off.
Rondel claimed the barrister had been negligent and appealed against the judgement. Forced to defend himself as legal aid was not available it was not surprising he lost the case. During the hearing Rondel was permitted time out of the court room to stand on his head and clear his thoughts. Lost the battle but not the war. Rondel appealed to the House of Lords, reportedly hiring a suit from Moss Bros for £5 for the hearing. The Lords confirmed that a barrister could not be sued for negligence.
On his release from jail following the dance hall fight Rondel became involved with property entrepreneur Peter Rachman, it was said he just needed to turn up at the door for people to pay up. Reports are rife of his collisions with the law in the 1960s, with attendances at Her Majesty’s Pleasure curtailing any wrestling activity. In October 1963 whilst being tried for demanding money with menaces Rondel claimed he had been “framed” by fellow wrestler Peter Rann for “blowing the gaff” about Rachman’s activities. His most high profile court appearance came in June, 1976 when he was found not guilty of conspiring to rob and supply guns for the Spaghetti House Siege, in which hostages were held for six days in the storeroom of the restaurant in Knightsbridge.
When Wrestling Heritage’s James Morton met up with Rondel he was an old man selling used cars in Lambeth still seeking to reverse his perceived injustices. Rondel campaigned against the decision for years until the law was changed in 2002.
Norbert Friedrich Rondel, otherwise known as wrestler Vladimir Waldberg, died on 19 June 2009, aged 81. He was buried on 30 June at Waltham Abbey Jewish Cemetery.
https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2009/jul/22/law-ukcrime
Page added 18/06/2023
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