14th ANNUAL BRITISH WRESTLERS' REUNION

Sunday 13th August 2006

The annual reunion of British Professional Wrestlers was held at The Bridges Public House (proprietors, the former World Heavyweight Champion, Wayne Bridges and his bodybuilding champion wife, Sarah), in South Darenth, Dartford, Kent, England, on Sunday 13th August 2006.

Introductions

Frank Rimer welcomes everybody - wrestlers, their families, and fans alike - to the reunion.
    Colin Joynson takes the microphone, and remembers those wrestlers who have passed away since the last reunion.
       Peter Baines tolls the 'final bell' as the crowd observes a minute's silence.


(i) Frank Rimer, Peter Baines, Bobby Stafford, Sarah Bridges
(ii) Wayne Bridges, Colin Joynson
(iii) Peter Baines

The Presentations

Once again, wrestling enthusiast Paul Douglas provided a magnificent set of award certificates to be presented to those wrestlers chosen by the committee for their contributions to wrestling over the years.


(i) Billy Stock's humorous acceptance speech.
(ii) Johnny Kidd presents an award to American wrestler Colt Cabana.
(iii) Colt Cabana speaks of his passion for British wrestling.
(iv) Wayne Bridges, Joe D'Orazio, Peter Baines braving the showers.


(i) Neil Sands pays tribute to Karl 'Nobby' Heinz.
(ii) 'Banger' Tony Walsh makes a speech.
(iii) Dave Gentle, editor of Health & Strength magazine.
(iv) Bob Kirkwood receives his certificate from 'Banger' Walsh.


(i) Marilyn Benjamin, daughter of fans' award winner Harold Benjamin with Steve Grey.
(ii) Frank Rimer waits to persuade Steve Grey to say a few words.
(iii) Johnny Saint presents an award to 'American Dragon' Bryan Danielson.


(i) Peter Baines reads out a letter from abroad.
(ii) Mel Stuart and Mickey West share a joke after Mickey's award.


(i) Frank Rimer & promoter Brian Dixon prepare to welcome ...
(ii) ... 'Rollerball' Mark Rocco.
(iii & iv) Joe D'Orazio pays Rocco a glowing tribute.


84 year old Joe, co-founder of the reunions, is justifiably proud as Mark thanks him for his help and influence over the years.


(i & ii) Attention switches to Mark Rocco's father, 82 year old 'Jumping' Jim Hussey, here with Colin Joynson
(iii) Brian Dixon & Mark Rocco recount some of their memories.
(iv) Jim Breaks, returning from his Canary Islands home, joins in.



(i) Ricky Knight presents an award to Mal Sanders (The crutches are only temporary).
(ii & iii) Joe D'Orazio deservedly receives his certificate from his great friend 'Dr.Death' Paul Lincoln.

Snapshots

Round and about with a camera, catching the famous names in and around the beer garden.



(i) Ray Robinson, Ricky Knight, Johnny Kidd
(ii) Barry Douglas, Lee & Bobby Ryan
(iii) Ray Robinson with Pat Roach's biographer Shirley Thompson
(iv) Al Marquette


(i) American wrestlers: Bryan Danielson, Colt Cabana, Chris Hero and Claudio Castignole
(ii) Bob Anthony, Bob Kirkwood, & Billy Barber
(iii) Brian Maxine, Neil Sands, Steve Veidor


"Dropkixx" wrestlers
(i) Colleen Masters, Lucy Claydon, Rocker Richards, Q.T. McFluff, Barry Ryan, Johnny Moss
(ii) Amit Rambojam, Danny Beckwith, 'Barbell' Bateman, Chris Leonard

The following five photographs are courtesy of 'wrestling historian' Ray Plunkett. Many thanks to him for sharing his pictures.


(i) Alf Marquette & Ray Plunkett
(ii) Pete Roberts, Bob Anthony, Steve Veidor
(iii) Prince Kumali, Mel Stuart


(i) Ray Plunkett, Tony Hooper & Neil Sands
(ii) Mark Rocco, Jim Hussey, Ray Plunkett

The next eleven photographs are courtesy of reader Jim Howard. Many thanks to him.


(i) "Dr Death" Paul Lincoln
(ii) Alan Sargeant
(iii) Jim Howard with "Darth Vader" Dave Prowse
(iv) Johnny Saint


(i) Bobby Ryan and Jim Breaks
(ii) Peter Szakacs & granddaughter
(iii) Mark Rocco
(iv) Steve Veidor


(i) Joe D'Orazio
(ii) Mal Sanders
(iii) John Kowalski

This photograph is courtesy of "Tiny Tom Thumb" Neil Evans. Many thanks to him.


Jim Breaks with "Tiny Tom Thumb" Neil Evans

The following photographs were sent in by the reunion's organiser and compere Frank Rimer, courtesy of Ted Fretwell and/or Dave Gentle.


(i) Claudio Castognole, Chris Hero, Dave Prowse MBE , Bryan Danielson (American Dragon), Colt Cabana
(ii) Paul Lincoln, Joe D'Orazio, "Mad Eli" Collins
(iii) Jim Breaks and Bobby Stafford
(iii) Ricky Knight and Mal Sanders


(i) Jim Hussey and Colin Joynson
(ii) Bob Kirkwood and Prince Kumali
(iii) Steve Veidor and Ted Fretwell
(iii) 'Barbell' Bateman, Jon Ritchie, Ted Fretwell, John Hall, Johnny Moss, Dan Beckwith


(i) Brian Maxine, Ted Fretwell, Jim Breaks and Bob Anthony
(ii) Tony 'Titch' White ,Ted Fretwell, Mal Sanders, Jimmy and Timmy Fitzmaurice.
(iii) Billy Stock and Brian Minelli
(iii) Mel Stuart and Mickey West

The following photographs are courtesy of current wrestler Mark "Mad Dog" L'Estrange.


(i) Mark (left) with Lee Bronson
(ii) "Banger" Tony Walsh, Mark and Bill Bromley
(iii) Mark with John "Killer" Kowalski


(i) "Judo" Al Hollamby, Mark, Roger L Sandilands
(ii) Mark, Ringo Rigby
(iii) Brian Maxine, Mark, Neil Sands
(iii) Jim Breaks, Mark

Any photographs taken on the day, and sent in to this site, will be gratefully received, and added to this page, with an acknowledgement to the photographer.


Return to
PREVIOUS REUNIONS Return to
CONTENTS