These are our shorter Biographical portraits which we would like to extend if you can provide information or memories.
Johnny Apollon
One of the better newcomers of the 1980s who met the big names of the time, including television appearances against John Naylor, Alan Kilby and Clive Myers. Apollon was trained by Lee Bronson. We have one unconfirmed report that he was the son of Norman the Butcher, which would make him Bronson’s brother.
El Said Arabet
Moroccan billed Heavyweight wrestler El Said Arabet visited the UK in the 1950s and 1960s. We have recorded contests of his here in 1952, 1954, 1958, 1962, and 1964 He tangled with the top British performers of the time, such as Norman Walsh, Jack Pye and Bulldog Bill Garnon.
Manuel Araujo
He came from a land far across the seas. Well, France anyway. Welterweight Manuel Araujo hailed from Perpignan in South East France and visited the UK in the 1958 and 1961. He worked on southern England Joint Promotion bills in 1958 and northern England Joint Promotion shows during a 1961 visit.
Abe Arbuckle
A very big and powerful man he looked every bit of his alleged 20 stones. Arbuckle put up a creditable performance in his televised loss to Dalibar Singh in June, 1981. Heritage member Mark said he was impressed by the man when he saw him in 1981 at Brent Town Hall, and in an era of oversized heavyweights Arbuckle was certainly more nimble and credible than most of the 1980s big men.
Wilf Archer
We all know that not everyone could make it to wrestling stardom. Often it was due to lack of talent, but in the case of Wilf Archer it wasn’t a lack of wrestling talent but due to talents in other fields.
Wilf was a member of the Old Mossblown Gym, run by brothers Dale Storm and Bruce Welch. Prior to that he trained in martial arts at the Tam’s Brig Health and Strength Club in Ayr under the guidance of Jimmy Moffat. Working at Scottish Aviation in Prestwick it was a works colleague, Tam Campbell who wrestled as The Viking, that advised Wilf to go along to the Old Mossblown Gym. Dale Storm has told us that Wilf was one of the gym’s best pupils, working mostly for Spartan Promotions and other independents including Brian Dixon. During his time between the ropes he encountered Bruce Welch, Young Starsky, Enrico Pirelli, Jim McKenzie and both Jim and Dave Morgan. He also stood in seamlessly as a Fabulous Harlequin. if and when either one of the Simpson twins was injured.
Wilf’s promising career came to an abrupt end when he was offered a very good promotion in Training and Education away from his native Ayrshire. Disappointed to lose such a prize asset, Dale advised his young prodigy to take the job, telling him: “You’re a good lad and a bright and an honest ring worker, but take this opportunity and make something of your life!” And so began a very successful career move which eventually led to higher education and university life.
Dale told us he had no doubt that had he continued in the ring Wilf had the potential to be a really big star with Joint Promotions. Wilf is now a leading member of the Committee which runs the Wrestlers Reunion Scotland, whose Events take place in Ayr every September. He also performs regularly at Folk Clubs etc. and other venues in Scotland’s Central belt as the colourful “Wylfryd the Storypedlar” character.
Jack Arkwright
Tall, slender and muscular Jack Arkwight was a popular figure in the independent rings of the 1960s. In the opposite corner were the flamboyant Flash Lee Edwards, the mighty Ski Hi lee, stylish Bob Taylor, masked Ghoul or the likeable Bobo Matu, and many other big names of the time. Whoever the opponent the fans appreciated the skill of Jack. Our final record of Jack was in 1970, following which he retired to live in Essex.Jack Arkright passed away, aged 78, in July, 2013.
Allan Armstrong
1970s lightweight, even small for a lightweight, from Wakefield worked for the independent promoters, most notably Cyril Knowles in the 1960s and 1970s. “A whirlwind to wrestle,” were the words of wrestler Al Marshall. Allan Armstrong was born on 14th February, 1947, son of George and Bessie. Allan and his wife, Jean, had three sons. Allan Armstrong died on 5th December, 2018.
Jack Armstrong
Croydon heavyweight who appeared in 1978 and seemed headed for the moon after an initial dozen or so bouts against Dusty Miller. He progressed, in the language of the time, to becoming a tag partner of Big Daddy’s, and was set for a televised début against Haystacks and Big Bruno Elrington at the end of September. We may never know what led to Armstrong’s replacement by Gary Wensor in that bout, and Armstrong’s career soon fizzled out that autumn.
Jim Armstrong (Also known as Rasputin)
Leeds heavyweight who seems to have wrestled mainly in the North and Midlands during the 1950s and 1960s. Despite meeting some of the big names of the time, such as Jack Pye, Ian Campbell and Albert Wall, Jim Armstrong never reached the heights of his more famous namesake. He was recognised in the mid 1960’s as British Heavyweight Champion by the independent promoters. Possibly his main claim to fame was appearing in the main event of BBC 1s first televised wrestling tournament. It was in May, 1965, that he wrestled Edouard Carpentier in front of the BBC cameras in Brighton. On occasions Jim would pull on a mask, take on a limp, place a glove over his allegedly disfigured hand and (according to the posters) assume the strength of four men as the masked Rasputin.
Tony Armstrong
Many appearances on Paul Lincoln shows in 1962 and then seemingly disappeared. Possible retirement or change of name, we would like to know.
Sailor Jack Arnold
Muscular North American heavyweight visited Britain between September 1934 and May 1935, sharing his time with wrestling in France. He had been a professional for about four years in the United States
Paco Arranda
Made a four week visit to Britain in November 1958 working for Dale Martin Promotions. Opponents included Steve Logan, Mick McManus, Tommy Mann and Harry Fields.
Jose Arroyo
The bald headed Spaniard from Madrid was an obsessive globetrotter who travelled the rings of the world displaying his technical skill, though he could undoubtedly mix it with the best of them. Arroyo was a regular feature of British rings in the 1960s, tackling the best on offer.
We find him first in British rings in November, 1959, opponents including Alan Garfield, Dennis Mitchell, Geoff Portz and Judo Al Hayes at the Royal Albert Hall. The tour lasted until the end of January.
Jose was back in Britain the following January, again top opponents including The Zebra Kid and Count Bartelli, but television losses against John Allan and Mike Marino, and another defeat at the Royal Albert Hall by Al Hayes. Unlike many visiting stars Jose did travel extensively during these tours and appeared in all parts of the country.
The January until March 1962 seems to have been confined to the midlands, north of England and Scotland, returning for a fourth visit just for southern fans in February, 1964, and back to natiowide travel in 1965.
The 1966 visit brought a return to the Royal Albert Hall and another loss, this time succumbing to Tibor Szakacs. For such a talented wrestler the promoters gave this man no breaks! 1966 v was Jose Arroyo’s last visit to British rings.
The Spaniard was equally popular in Germany where he was a regular competitor in the German tournaments, and also regularly worked in Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, Italy and Japan as late as 1981.
Ebo Ashanti (Also known as Billy Masa Dula)
We have little to offer about the short lived appearances of Ebo Ashanti. A fellow wrestler tells us that the Leicester wrestler started out as Billy Masafula and he had met him on a Jack Taylor show, which leads us to suspect Leicestershire’s Taylor played a part in his training. It was Max Crabtree who renamed Masadula as Ebo Ashanti when he used him on his shows in October and November 1978. A reported win over Ted Heath stands out amongst less than glorious results against Peter Kaye, Bert Royal, John Naylor. He took part in a number of 2v1 matches (with various partners) against Giant Haystacks. We would certainly like to learn more.
Bruno Asquini
The bald headed Bruno Asquini was a rugged, cauliflower-eared middleweight who came to British shores in the spring of 1961. This first of numerous visits was to work for the independent promoters, with opponents including George Kidd and Ken Joyce, who were at that time also working for the opposition.
The weather and the food couldn’t have been too bad because he returned in 1965, a tour, this time at the invitation of Joint Promotions. Opponents included bouts with Clayton Thomson on television and Les Kellett at the Royal Albert Hall; both hard matches that ended in knock-out defeats.
It was a happier outcome on his third visit in July 1968 when he wrestled in the presence of HRH Prince Philip, defeating Steve Logan as a member of the French team with Jean Corne, Gil Cesca, and Jacques Lageat against the London team of Mick Mcmanus, Jackie Pallo, Steve Logan and Al Hayes.
Craven Atkins
A busy worker around Southern England from 1950 until 1954. His sudden disappearance makes us wonder if he changed his name to someone else we know.
Maurice Atkinson
A welterweight from Bradford worked regularly throughout the north of England during the 1950s, opponents including Jim Mellors, Danny Flynn and Bernard Murray. Worked for Joint Promotions during the 1950s, drifting across to the independents in 1960 and disappearing shortly afterwards.
Aussie the Butcher
Another of those names associated with the 1930s. The Australian Assassin Aussie The Butcher was one of the stars of the all-in days, colourful and big with seemingly little in the way of wrestling finesse. He was first seen in 1935 and travelled all around the country facing the big names of the day. He disappeared from our rings when the Second World Was broke out.
Bert Auwera
Bert, or Albert van der Auwera as he was sometimes more grandly known was a genuine The farmer from Belgium made a short visit to Bitain in March, 1939. The Second World War intervened and there are reports that he was taken prisoner of war. Bert returned to Britain in 1946 and each year until 1950. He was a skilfull and successful wrestler, holding the European and Belgian heavyweight title, having a number of memorable bouts with the great Bert Assirati. In the 1950s he spent a significant amount of time in Spain, where he helped popularise the sport.
Reviewed 28/12/2022
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