I picked this particular magazine up at an All Star Promotions wrestling show in Hanley in 1993.
After wrestling was unceremoniously dumped from British TV in 1988 the old-style British promotions went into something of decline. Some tried to pretend everything was as it had always been. Others resorted to tacky gimmicks like the Restling Power Ranger (yes, really) or blatant knockoffs of The Undertaker and The Bushwhackers.
Eventually new British promotions appeared with something fast-paced and dyanmic, gradually building themselves up to the point where wrestling in the UK is now healthier than it has been in years.
They might not be able to fill the NEC like WWE or TNA but give it time ( I hope)
That was all to come. Back on that a particular Spring evening, the classic World of Sport style was still in effect - albeit more violent than the TV cameras ever allowed. I don't remember all the matches but I do remember Dave Finlay (pre WWE) battering Danny Boy Collins with a chair. I also got to see the late, lamented Princess Paula leaving local girl Klondyke Kate slumped in an unconscious heap.
So a good, family night out then.
Thanks for sitting through my ramblings. Now here's some pictures.
Top: Dave Taylor presses Dave "Fit" Finlay
Bottom right: The Mongolian Mauler lives up to his name.
I never did understand that weird hair antenna.
Bottom left: Your guess is as good as mine.
Tag Team Time!
The Super Flys v The Liverpool Lads
By the way Sweet Saraya is a wrestler/promoter herself and mother of WWE's Paige.
Tis next time has the tagline "1050lbs of Team Trouble"
The late Giant Haystacks and his "little" mate Scrubber Daly.
Julie Starr whips a facepainted Nicky Monroe across the ring.
Alan Kilby The World Of Sports famous for being deaf.
As far as I know, that was legitimate.
Now this guy may look familiar even to non-wrestling fans.
The late "Bomber" Pat Roach
Star of "Auf Wiedersehen Pet"
Also has the unique distinction of getting killed onscreen by Sean Connery, Harrison Ford, Arnold Scharzenegger and Brigitte Neilsen
Two happy men next.
Rising tag-team stars Task Force One.
I don't know anything about them. Sorry.
Finally an unusual pairing on the back cover.
Dave "Rocky" Taylor - who went on to have brief stints in WCW and WWE and Page 3 girl turned tv presenter/actress Linda Lusardi.
I'm guessing she was doing a panto at the time.
That's all folks.
Ah, the memories.
ReplyDeleteTunbridge Wells assembly halls, Catweazel, Big Daddy and the man mountain that was Giant Haystacks.
Happy days watching old ladies smashing the shit out of the villains with handbags and umbrellas.
Little old ladies are a bloody menace.
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