Jump to content

UKFF British and Irish Wrestling Hall of Fame Stage Two - The Finalist


AJSTYLES

Recommended Posts

Thank you everyone who voted in Stage One!!

 

So coming out of stage one 76 different nominees received at least one vote from these votes the list has been whittled down to 30 finalists.

 

People who found it difficult to select 15 names are really going to hate me now as in Stage Two I am asking for you to select just 10 names from the list of 30 below.

 

These 10 names will be your vote to be inducted into the UKFF British and Irish Wrestling Hall of Fame.

 

So if you wish to vote PM me your 10 names no later than 23:59 on 22 February 

 

By the end of Stage Two I hope to have 10 names who will be inducted into the Hall of Fame but this number is flexible based on the votes received. 

 

So without further ado here are the 30 finalists for the first ever UKFF British and Irish Wrestling Hall of Fame:

 

Adrian Street & Miss Linda

 

16683986_10154651213598141_8926441026309

 

 

Welsh Wrestler, known for his outlandish effeminate gimmick which would inspire the likes of Goldust and Rico. Won titles in the United Kingdom and United States. Won Wrestling Observer’s Best Gimmick in 1986. Miss Linda was an important part of the act adding to the ambiguity of the character. She is recognised as one of Wrestling’s first female valets.

 

Big Daddy

 

 

16684351_10154651213098141_8598051897671

 

English Wrestler, started wrestling in the late 1950s, took on the Big Daddy moniker in 1974. Headlined Wembley Arena in contests against John Quinn and Giant Haystacks. Transcended into the mainstream making multiple TV appearances including Tiswas and This Is Your Life. Was due to have his own Saturday TV show. Had own Comic Strip. UK’s biggest crossover star both Margaret Thatcher and The Queen were proclaimed fans.

 

 

Billy Robinson

 

 

16708298_10154651217083141_5147475295523

 

English Wrestler, Held the British Heavyweight and European Heavyweight title simultaneously. In 1970 Robinson moved to the United States where he began wrestling for the AWA holding the AWA British Empire title three times and AWA World Tag titles on two occasions. Also found success in Japan winning titles in AJPW.

 

 

Brian Dixon

 

16729488_10154651212988141_3776834351184

 

 

 Promoter and founder of All Star Wrestling the UK’s most successful promotion. The longest running UK promotion ever at 46 years old. Created the Giant Haystacks gimmick. Run shows all across the UK on a touring basis

 

Davey Boy Smith

 

16712018_10154651213348141_5453585340260

 

 

Started wrestling on World of Sport in 1978 aged 15 before wrestling internationally for Stampede Wrestling out of Canada and NJPW out of Japan. Signed with WWF in 1985 where he won the tag team titles in his first run. Beat Bret Hart in front 80,000 UK fans in the main event of Summerslam 1992 for the Intercontiental title. First ever WWF European champion and longest reigning WWF Tag Team Champion of the 1990s.

 

 

Doug Williams

 

16708494_10154651212833141_8725492388060

 

 

English wrestler, started wrestling with NWA UK Hammerlock aged 19. 2 time FWA British Heavyweight Champion. One of the first wrestlers to tour the United States in many years wrestling for ROH. Where he won the ROH Pure Championship. Signed with TNA in 2009 where he would win the company’s Television titles, X-Division Titles and Tag Team titles. Also found success in Japan.

 

 

Drew McDonald

 

16603021_10154651213058141_6375275710828

 

 

Scottish wrestler, Began working in England in 1984 for Joint Promotions becoming a main stay on the World of Sport show feuding with Big Daddy. After World of Sport continued to wrestle across the UK for promotions such as All Star (where he won the British Heavyweight title) and FWA (where he won the tag team titles.) Wrestled well into the 2010s.

 

Dynamite Kid

 

16681896_10154651212468141_7039026280009

 

 

English wrestler, Started wrestling for Max Crabtree in 1975 before moving to Canada for Stampede Wrestling in 1978. Became Stampede’s first British Commonwealth Champion a title he would hold 5 times. Was WWF Tag Team Champion. Most success came in Japan where he would hold titles in both AJPW and NJPW.

 

 

Fit Finlay

 

16684329_10154651212898141_5708604602507

 

 

Northern Irish Wrestler, Began wrestling in 1974 as a fill in for a no-show wrestler in Ireland. Began wrestling in England in 1978. Won the British Middle Heavyweight title 4 times and All Stars British Heavyweight Title. Signed with WCW in 1995 where he won the Television title and became the company’s first Hardcore Champion. Signed with WWF as an agent but came out of the retirement winning the WWE United States title

 

Giant Haystacks

 

16729542_10154651214368141_1670742402626

 

 

One of the most recognisable names of the World of Sport era. Made his debut in 1967 under the name Luke McMasters. Joined Joint Promotions in 1975 under the name Giant Haystacks. Formed a heel tag team with Big Daddy. Tag team split resulted in the most famous feud in British Wrestling history which lasted into the 1990s with both becoming household names. Signed with WCW in 1996. 

 

 

Jack Dale and Les Martin

 

 

16711492_10154651213358141_7402616657797

 

Jack Dale was one of the top middleweights in the country. Held the European Middleweight title. Together with wrestler Les Martin formed Dale Martin Promotions. Together they became the principal architects of post war British Wrestling. Became British Wrestling’s most influential promotions. Without Dale Martin Promotions there would be no Joint Promotions. Without Joint Promotions there would be no World of Sport. 

 

 

Jackie Pallo

 

 

16487895_10154651214088141_5011411071419

 

English Wrestler, Known as Mr. TV. One of the first big stars of the World of Sport era. Had 11 year long battle with Mick McManus. Held the British Heavyweight title in 1969. Revealed the inner secrets of Wrestling in his biography. Mainstream appeal led to appearances in pantomime, The Avengers and Are You Being Served?

 

 

Jim Breaks

 

16603112_10154651213703141_1633784313763

 

 

English wrestler, known for his heel tactics. Known as “Cry Baby” to the fans. Turned pro in 1958. Would go on to win the British Light Heavyweight title, British Welterweight title and European Lightweight title. Won the British Middleweight title 5 times. It is believed he won 32 titles in total.

 

 

Jody Fleisch

 

16708466_10154651214148141_7003977883564

 

Made his debut for NWA UK Hammerlock aged 16. Wrestled for Michinoku Pro Wrestling as Dakko Chan. Won the FWA King of England tournament which aired on Bravo. Won the FWA British Heavyweight title in the main event of the first British Uprising show. Wrestled for ROH and CZW in the United States. Influential in evolving British Wrestling from the World of Sport era.

 

 

Johnny Saint

 

 

16681970_10154651214438141_6356027866350

 

Made his in ring debut in 1958. Joined Joint Promotions in the 1960s. Unique wrestling style kept him popular when promoters were turning to more flamboyant wrestlers. Multi time World Lightweight Champion. After the end of World of Sport travelled the world working in Africa and Japan. Retired in 1999-2007 upon his return found he was in demand due to a new generation of wrestler citing him as an inspiration

 

 

Jonny Storm

 

 

16649318_10154651213693141_6162914326115

 

English Wrestler, made his debut in 1997. Wrestled as part of the UWA on Live TV. Has wrestled for almost every UK based promotion. Had a series of matches with Jody Fleisch which helped revolutionise the British wrestling scene. Match with Fleisch won American promotion CZW’s match of the year. Also wrestled for TNA and PWG. Was the first and only ever XPW European Champion

 

 

Kendo Nagasaki

 

16730461_10154651212568141_5425097790221

 

 

English wrestler. Made his debut in 1964. Wrestled a Japanese Samuari gimmick, Feuded with Billy Robinson in the late 1960s. Made his ITV debut in 1971. Toured the United States and Canada in 1972. Beat Big Daddy in 1975, the two had a long feud. Unmasked in the ring in 1977 in a ceremony which was one of World of Sport’s most watched moments. Won the WWA World Title in 1987.

 

 

Kent Walton

 

 

16683972_10154651214733141_3313055831779

 

World of Sport commentator for 33 years. All legendary World of Sport moments have Walton’s voice as accompaniment. World of Sport could command up to 12 million viewers all listening to the voice of Kent Walton

 

 

Klondyke Kate

 

16729133_10154651213433141_5664975762440

 

 

English wrestler, started in the 1977. Worked in Nigeria aged just 16. Toured Japan and USA. Chosen to wrestle Mitzi Mueller in her final match. Changed the perception of pretty women wrestling. One of the few female wrestlers to gain notoriety during the World of Sport era. Only wrestled men on World of Sport.

 

 

Mark Rocco

 

16681694_10154651213863141_6482126457557

 

 

English wrestler, made his professional debut in 1972. Defeated Bert Royal for Joint Promotions British Heavy Middleweight title in 1977. A title he would hold 2 times. Toured North America in 1980, wrestling Hulk Hogan in WWF. 3x World Heavy Middleweight Champion. In NJPW took on the moniker of Black Tiger an alternative to Tiger Mask with the two exchanging the WWF Light Heavyweight Title. Retired in 1991 due to a heart condition.

 

 

Mark Sloan

 

 

16684391_10154651212458141_4543476654682

 

English wrestler, Founder of the Fratton Wrestling Alliance, later Frontier Wrestling Alliance which would become one of the most talked about British independents of all time. Head trainer at FWA academy. First ever FWA Champion. Holder of FWA All England title. Trainer of Drew McIntyre, Paul Birchall and Katie Lea Birchill among many others. Still valuable on the scene today contributing to Dragon Gate, NOAH, RevPro and Ring of Honor UK shows.

 

 

Marty Jones

 

 

16708248_10154651213713141_7709129157309

 

English wrestler, made his debut in 1972 aged 18. Beat Mark Rocco to win the vacant British Light Heavyweight Championship which he vacated after 6 years undefeated. Also beat Rocco for the British Heavy Middleweight title. Beat Bobby Gaetano for the World Middleweight title a title he would hold 7 times. Toured NJPW where he shared the ring with Hulk Hogan, Antonio Inoki and Andre The Giant. Won the British Heavyweight title in 1996. Retired that same year.

 

 

Max Crabtree

 

 

16681583_10154651213858141_5069683838677

 

English wrestler/Promoter. Took over Joint Promotions in 1975. Created a boom period in British wrestling with the creation of the Big Daddy gimmick for his brother Shirley. Promotor for the majority of the World of Sport TV shows. Company would go into decline when many stars jumped to All-Star due to the overexposure of Big Daddy. Promotion closed in 1995 two years after Daddy’s retirement.

 

 

Mick McManus

 

 

16684065_10154651214743141_8236521826768

 

English wrestler. UK’s biggest ever heel. Made his debut in 1945 during World War II whilst posted in Australia. Made more TV appearances than any other wrestler. Won British Welterweight title in 1949. Match with Jackie Pallo in 1963 was watched by over 20 million people. 4x European Middleweight Champion. Retired in 1982. Enshrined in the Wrestling Observers’ Hall of Fame in 2012.

 

 

Orig Williams

 

16602609_10154651212453141_1513874264611

 

 

Welsh wrestler and Promoter. Known as El Bandito. Made his pro debut in the 1950s. Became the top billing UK independent wrestler by the 1960s. Known for his rough in ring style. Promoted gimmick matches on S4C’s Reslo wrestling show which could not be seen on World of Sport. Including cage matches, chain matches and women matches. 

 

 

Pat Roach

 

 

16508488_10154651214103141_3573862827271

 

English wrestler. Made his debut in 1960. Won the British Heavyweight title and European Heavyweight title on two occasions. Outside of his wrestling career Roach was known for his acting when he landed a featured role in the TV show Auf Wiedersehen Pet which turned him babyface to the wrestling crowds after years of working heel. He also made an impact in film starring in many Stanley Kubrick projects as well as the Indiana Jones films.

 

Ricky Knight

 

 

16684086_10154651212828141_6222752787243

 

English wrestler and promoter. Owner of wrestling promotion WAW. Made his debut in 1985. Held All-Star’s British Heavyweight title and five times British Tag Team champion. Also held heavyweight titles in HEW, Premier Promotions, RDW, W3L and own promotion WAW. Created a wrestling dynasty with wife Sweet Saraya and children Roy and Zak Knight and WWE’s Paige.

 

 

Robbie Brookside

 

16711821_10154651214588141_8048069353317

 

 

English wrestler, made his debut in 1984. Formed tag team The Golden Boys with Steve Regal on World of Sport. Won the World Heavy Middleweight title. Formed The Liverpool Lads with Doc Dean winning the British Tag Team titles. Worked for WCW for 6 months. 2x All Star British Heavyweight Champion. 2x European Heavyweight Champion. 2x TWA British Heavyweight Champion, FWA British Heavyweight Champion, RQW British Heavyweight Champion. Current works for WWE as a trainer working with the NXT roster.

 

 

Sweet Saraya

 

 

16729275_10154651214288141_8750514169152

 

English wrestler, became involved in the wrestling scene in 1990. Originally making costumes and working ring crew. Later became a manager for Ricky Knight. Made her in ring debut in 1993 under the name Saraya. Wrestled for multiple promotions across the UK including All-Star, WAW and FWA. Winning multiple title along the way. Made her Shimmer debut in 2011. Where she would team with her daughter the future WWE’s Paige. After turning on her daughter she would win the Shimmer title in 2012. 

 

 

William Regal

 

16640550_10154651212593141_2385883067648

 

 

Made his debut in 1983 at the age of 15 at the Blackpool challenge booth. Formed The Golden Boys with Robbie Brookside on World of Sport. Signed with WCW in 1993. Won the WCW Television Title four times. Battled Shinya Hashimoto for the IWGP World title. Following a stint in 1998 and a return to WCW, Regal signed with the WWF proper in 2000. Worked as the commissioner and wrestler. Where he won 5 Hardcore titles, 4 European titles, 2 Intercontinental titles and 4 Tag Team titles. Won the King of the Ring in 2008. Now works as talent scout, a trainer in NXT as well as the on air authority figure. Instrumental in creating the WWE United Kingdom Championship

 
 
 
So get voting.  As with stage one feel free to champion your guys on here and make sure you get your votes in by 22 February
 
 
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Paid Members

Man, that was incredibly hard. I had to justify to myself why I DIDN'T include Dixon, Max Crabtree and even Giant Haystacks- all of which are worthy of a place on a British hall of fame but just behind at least 10 others.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Paid Members

Another tricky one. Of my original 15, two were eliminated: George Kidd (perhaps understandable as he wasn't a big TV name across the country) and Norman Morrell (who'd be a contender for #1 pick for me.)

 

That left me three names to weedle out. I decided to try to keep the final 10 broadly representative, so I looked for people who crossed over to some degree.

 

First out was Haystacks on the grounds that his fame was largely being part of "Big Daddy and..." and that Daddy would have been a similar stature historical star without Haystacks, but not vice versa.

 

Then I dropped Johnny Saint on the grounds that he and Breaks both fitted the "lightweight/British style" category but that Breaks was a bit more versatile by allowing for the face/heel dynamic and more storytelling.

 

Finally I weighed up Rocco and Dynamite. Both very similar candidates, but I went for Rocco simply because while both men influenced in-ring here and abroad, Rocco was a more important business figure as he was such a key player in Dixon being able to build up an opposition and get into venues and eventually on to TV.

 

That left a final 10 of:

 

Big Daddy

Mick McManus

Jackie Pallo

Kendo Nagasaki

Max Crabtree

Brian Dixon

Kent Walton

Jim Breaks

Mark Rocco

Billy Robinson

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I went to an All-Star show last night, mere hours after including Brian Dixon as one of my ten picks.

 

I felt justified seeing him enthusiastically selling merch in the foyer followed by a very entertaining show that he had put on.  :thumbsup:

 

(Weird seeing the UK Hooligans as smiley, high-fiving babyfaces though. Their match in the main event against James Drake and some fella from Finland was great)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Voting is now closed! Thank you to everyone who took the time to vote on this! 

 

I can confirm there will be ten names inducted into the first class of the UKFF British and Irish Hall of Fame.  The names of which I will reveal in the coming days

 

As of 23:57 last night there was eleven names going into the Hall of Fame as there was two names tied for the tenth position. However at 23:58 a vote came in which broke the tie break resulted in one name being eliminated with just one minute left of the voting period!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Paid Members

Voting is now closed! Thank you to everyone who took the time to vote on this!

 

I can confirm there will be ten names inducted into the first class of the UKFF British and Irish Hall of Fame. The names of which I will reveal in the coming days

 

As of 23:57 last night there was eleven names going into the Hall of Fame as there was two names tied for the tenth position. However at 23:58 a vote came in which broke the tie break resulted in one name being eliminated with just one minute left of the voting period!

 

 

 

Look forward to hearing who made it and who nearly made it

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

×
×
  • Create New...