By
TG Richardson
"How would you like to go to the wrestling with me", asked my father,
We left at seven-o clock that night, The wrestling was due to start at seven thirty. I had never been to see a wrestling match before and I was really looking forward to it.
The ring had been set up in what was called the store back way; this was a piece of waste ground just behind the Co-op. The ring was out in the open and surrounded by loads of folding chairs,
Dad paid for our seats and we joined the crowds to get a seat, Although 1 went several times after that I could never remember it raining on wrestling night. Perhaps God liked wrestling I thought.
The wrestlers had marvellous names such as Mad Max, Bully Boy Johnson, The Ghoul, Killer Watts and all tried to live up to those names, On the night we went the main bout was between the Ghoul and Sunny boy Danson,
'Watch the Ghoul Gordon, said my father, Look out for the rabbit punch'
'What's the rabbit punch dad", I said,
'Hits them on the back of the neck with the side of his hand, Sometimes he hits them so hard he knocks their neck out of place. Then he hits them in the front to knock it back in'
As the match proceeded each wrestler threw one another from one side of the ring to the other, The Ghoul was a large fearsome figure wearing a mask Even through the mask you seemed to be able to see a terrible grin as he smashed Sunny Boy into the ground. Without doubt the Ghoul was starting to get the upper hand. Several times he bounced Sunny Boy of the ropes, As he passed having bounced off the ropes the Ghoul delivered an awesome chop to the chest. Then it happened what everyone was waiting for.
The Ghoul grabbed Sunny Boy by the wrist. Spun him round. Hurled him against the far set of ropes, This time as he bounced back the ghoul let him pass. Smash. The rabbit punch hit the back of his neck you almost felt the pain. There was an audible crack As Sunny boy started to crumple to the floor then he was hit again on the front of the throat. It was all over.
It was marvellous. I loved it. Now I knew what I was gong to be when I grew up. It was a wrestler without doubt, I knew I would be able to do this. Every time dad took me to the wrestling I watched with great concentration taking in all the holds and the throws,
Even though I enjoyed watching the Ghoul the wrestlers I liked the best was the lightweights. They moved with grace and speed. Holds were applied quickly and skilfully and it was quite artistic.
One of the best lightweight wrestlers I watched was George Kidd. Not for him the fancy names he did need them. People came to watch the speed and skill with which he wrestled, He could get out of holds as if by magic would give his arm bent behind his back in a hammer lock to his opponent, The other wrestler could hardly resist this gift. But has he took the arm suddenly with great speed the hold would be broken and George would be in control. A great laugh would go up at this and other moves were played on a lumbering opponent. To me George Kidd was every thing I wanted to be an expert wrestler. I decided to style myself on him.
At the weekend I went to my local library to see what I could find on wrestling, There was stuff on Cumberland wrestling but nothing on all in wrestling which was what I wanted.
I came across some books on Ju Jitsu and Judo and these seemed to fit the bill exactly, They showed strange looking men dressed in weird kind of clothes but more importantly they showed and described the holds and throws of both sports,
I took home a couple of books and studied them avidly, My poor brother Harry was Uki (This was the Japanese for opponent or partner) I practised the holds and locks on Harry trying to get them exactly as shown in the book,
Gordon its' hurting! said Harry,
Good it's supposed to hurt', I said. I'I1 not keep it on very long. Ive got to practice if I'm going to become a wrestler'
Harry was a good sport. How he put up with it all I'11 never know, Mind I always used to let him borrow my bike after each session so perhaps that was it.