WORLD OF SPORT legends reunite for
‘Bomber’ PAT ROACH Memorial Show

One day each year is traditionally marked as Macmillan Cancer Nurses day across the UK and in 2004 it fell on September 25th.

Dropkixx Promotions who are best known for teaching and presenting World of Sport type wrestling, were both humbled and privileged to have been invited to organise a star studded wrestling event to raise funds and also pay tribute to these fantastic nurses who have given comfort and medical assistance far beyond the norm to many of our great wrestling heroes such as the latest victim to this cruel disease: the immortal giant, PAT ROACH

Here is the poster advertising the event:
Note that as wrestling is a physically demanding sport, competitors can and do get injured, and consequently advertised lineups are often subject to change. In the report below, therefore, you will see that the bill differed slightly from that advertised.

(click on poster to enlarge)

The event was held on SATURDAY 25th SEPTEMBER at the
WYLANDS INTERNATIONAL ANGLING CENTRE, POWDERMILL LANE, BATTLE, EAST SUSSEX.
with all proceeds going to the Macmillan Cancer Nurses fund.

Here is a brief summary of the afternoon's action:-

DROPKIXX’S WORLD OF SPORT LEGENDS TAKE BATTLE BY STORM !!

• Saturday the 25th saw continual rain and awful damp conditions teeming down in Battle, East Sussex, but it wasn’t enough to dampen the ardour of the fans who turned out to see the great maestros of the mat world come together to give a quality show rarely seen these days. Because of the dreadful weather the ring was moved indoors to the barn, where seats where hurriedly placed, much to the delight and relief of the audience. Thanks for this saving grace falls to young star and first reserve Martin Berry along with Richard Fretwell the former Dale-Martin second both of whom worked tirelessly to keep everything working.
  
  
• The show was opened by the former four times WWF Heavyweight Champion of the World Wayne Bridges and his good lady the reigning Miss Great Britain Sarah Bridges. Sarah had broken off from training for the forthcoming Arnold Swarzenegger classic in Chicago, especially to pay tribute to the great gladiator who was sadly taken from us recently.
  
  Sarah Bridges is seen here on the left, chatting with a fan (Jean). Many thanks to Jean and her daughter Tarrina for the photographs in this article.

  Bradley Beck v Paul Robinson

  
  
  
  First bout kicked off finally at 3 o’clock, to excited squeals from the girls when handsome young ‘Heartbreaker’ Bradley Beck faced the young aerial specialist Paul Robinson. The first three rounds were a feast of technical skills to make any old time wrestler proud and drew much applause as the bell ended each session. In round four, Beck took a fall, swiftly countered by Robinson in round five following an awesome moonsault somersault off the top rope. The bout ended in a well-deserved draw, which drew acclaim from everyone in attendance.

  Brain "Goldbelt" Maxine v John Ritchie

  
  
  
  In a change to the advertised programme, second bout of the day saw the first of the TV legends when the immortal grappler, former boxing champion, country and western singing star Brian ‘Goldbelt’ Maxine enter the ring, to take on the legendary World of Sport TV star John Ritchie. Ritchie, son of the tough-guy wrestler and shoot champion John Hall, represented his country as an amateur and was ranked at Olympic status, not to mention his awesome shoot skills. However, he did not have a chance to show his talents following an onslaught and barrage of fouls from the evergreen Godfather of Grappling. Maxine, who has been known to fill the Royal Albert Hall in his heyday, did not disappoint his legions of fans who had braved the rain to see him face to face. Referee, the great Bobby Stafford, had his work cut out to control the pair and finally disqualified Maxine following two public warnings in round four. To hear the roar of the fans, you would think that there were a thousand people present.

  Steve Grey v Charlie Rage

  
  
  
  The main event of the afternoon was a belter with that legend supreme Steve Grey entering the ring to tumultuous applause. His opponent was the seventeen stone colossus, the British amateur champion Charlie Rage who, despite his size and arrogance was obviously in awe of his opponent and the reputation that preceded him. Grey, who is featured almost daily on the Wrestling Channel and considered to be the greatest exponent of technical skills in the UK, tried desperately to wrestle with his usual aplomb. Rage sensed that he could not possibly match the lighter man and resorted to tactics that earned him a public warning twice in three rounds. Finally in round five, following a monstrous beating, Steve Grey duped his opponent to land a fantastic drop kick that had the crowd gasping, and leaving Rage knocked senseless.
  
  The referee for this thriller was the Hastings TV star and owner of the Ocean bodybuilding gym Bob Kirkwood, who showed that he had lost none of his skills by taking three bumps himself during the contest.
  
  
  Guest referee, and one of the Reunion founder members, Mal Mason was on hand to take a bow, having taken time out from a tour with Brian Dixon’s All-Star Wrestling, as was another ring general from the sixties Tony Cassio the Italian stallion - now a successful artist in Hastings.

  Tony "Titch" White v Barry Cooper

  Bout four featured two more veteran gladiators of TV fame in Tony ‘Titch’ White and Eastbourne’s own Barry Cooper. The contest brought light-hearted moments to an otherwise serious afternoon, with both grapplers producing a mixture of technical wizardry and sparkling humour full of wisecracks to the drenched audience. Highlight of the bout was when both men were trapped in double leglocks and Bob Kirkwood, who was trying to free them, got caught himself, finding a sea of legs and arms everywhere and making the appreciative crowd shriek with laughter.

  "Doctor Death" Mel Stuart v Pete Nixon

  Final contest of the day was the original God of Hellfire himself, the former British Heavyweight Champion and Doctor Death Mel Stuart, who is enough to drive fear into anyone facing him, let alone the young star of today, Pete Nixon. Totally undaunted by Stuart’s tactics and time wasting moves, Nixon slowly wore the older man down to win the second fall in round five, bringing the afternoon to a fitting close.

  The total affair, organised by former singer and ring second Ted Fretwell, raised in excess of £1000 for the charity, which was received by a nurse from the foundation. Everyone agreed that it was a superb exhibition of professional wrestling long missing from our sight.
  
  The young wrestlers on the show all said it was an honour to be matched alongside such greats and that the welcome, the advice, plus the good natured atmosphere encountered in the dressing room were priceless, making it the best show that they had ever worked on. That says it all folks!

  Have you got photographs of recent wrestling promotions (preferably with the wrestlers in classic style wrestling gear) you'd like included on this site? Please email: furnacehot@aol.com

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