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Share your memories of British wrestling 1930 - 1988
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inMemories of the Old Days
According to MARK Himself-his First Professional Wrestling Bout was against his Friend and
Mentor-COLIN JOYNSON in Late 1969!-He was 'put in' at the Last Minute as a Sub following
a 'No Show' by Another Wrestler!!-ROCCO further states that despite some previous Training-
he was 'Exhausted' after the First Round!!! + Amusingly 'his' Trunks and Boots didn't fit that
well!!
So his 'Baptism' into The Sport was a Big Reality Check for him!
He began a Proper Training Programme and was Advised that on his Learning Curve he
would be 'Paying his Dues'!-So ROCCO didn't Win Many Matches in 1971-1972-See My
Original Programme for SOUTHAMPTON Below-where he Loses by 2-0 to PETER RANN!!
This was the Case until 1975 and his Appearance as a Stunt Man in the Film ROLLERBALL!
Incorporating the Film's Title into his Ring Name-This was the Year that MARK began to
Move Up the Cards and Win More Bouts!-The Rest-as We say is Wrestling History!
Even having a Father who was a Famous Veteran Wrestler-ROCCO was no Different as
Like Any Other-he had to Start at the Bottom of the Pile!
I was Fortunate Enough to Watch ROCCO Live in the Early to Mid 1970's Many Times-
and I Remember Witnessing his Upward Trajectory and Improvement during This Period!
By 1975 ROCCO's Mastery of Myriads of Moves and Holds was Very Impressive and his
Fitness Levels became Phenominal!
MARK ROLLERBALL MEAN MACHINE ROCCO Evolved into a Fabulous Wrestler and
Arguably-in My View-The Very Best HEAVY-MIDDLEWEIGHT Champion Ever!
Below I Share Some of My Original Posters/Programmes/Flyers for The Early ROCCO
Years-Including a Very Young ROCCO Photo!!
MAIN MASK
15 comments
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15 Comments
Anglo Italian
Jan 14, 2024
The earliest one so far is August 1971. I saw him a month earlier:
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Hack
Jan 12, 2024
Peter is right to compliment the 1975 handbill in a time when dumbing down was the norm. Who was matchmaking Kirkby In Ashfield by then. The bills are Wryton, but these handbills suggest there was a more creative mind behind the matchmaking. Earlier shows are Joe Coates but I would have thought he was long gone.
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adrianpollard.shangri-la
Jan 13, 2024
Replying to
Look at the bottom of these 2 Flyers HACK-it Mentions.....
JOE COATES JNR.!!
Must have been Keeping it in the Family Like Our Recently Sadly
Departed BRIAN DIXON with his Son at ALL STAR!!
MM
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Hack
Jan 13, 2024
Replying to
So it does Main Mask. Thanks for that.
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Peter
Jan 12, 2024
Impressed with the detailed poster as late as 1975
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adrianpollard.shangri-la
Jan 12, 2024
Replying to
These are Brill PETER-aren't they?
Got Lots for KIRKBY-In-ASHFIELD and SUTTON-IN-ASHFIELD!!
MM
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Hack
Jan 07, 2024
That's a great find Ron, Jumping Jim being asked to look after the youngster again, as he had for so many before. I first saw Rocco about 1970, lost to Johnny Saint. Looking at his early outings its surprising how quickly he was travelling far and wide, south to Scotland. None of this working locally for a few years.
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The Ost
Jan 07, 2024
I don't think he worked as a stun man in Rollerball. That was one of the first films that actually credited the full stunt team.
I do think it was an inspired bit of borrowing to use the gimmick, synonymous with a violent movie. It also allowed him to cover up his body without question from the fans.
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RON HISTORYO....Time Cop,
Jan 05, 2024
Fancy a workout with your dad.
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adrianpollard.shangri-la
Jan 05, 2024
Replying to
Great Stuff RON!-Don't Remember Ever Seeing ROCCO Matched against
His Dad!!
MM
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grahambrookjazz
Jan 06, 2024
Replying to
I'd not heard of Hussey v Rocco before but,at The Civic Hall, Bollington, I promoted Harry Palin v Steve Kennedy (son John Palin, later Dave Duran). I remember Orig promoting Eric Taylor v Steve Mc.Cormack (his son, Steve Taylor) and his other son, Dave Taylor, fighting under his real name with dad appearing as The Exorcist on Brian Dixon shows.
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alanapaily
Jan 05, 2024
An absolute HUMAN DYNAMO of a wrestler, loved to watch him.
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SaxonWolf
Jan 05, 2024
One of the very best in the business, light years ahead of most other wrestlers.
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adrianpollard.shangri-la
Jan 05, 2024
Replying to
MARTY JONES Describes ROCCO in a Shoot Interview as........
'Out of This World'!!
I Think JONES Needed ROCCO Like MUHAMMED ALI Needed
JOE FRAZIER!!
MM
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adrianpollard.shangri-la
Jan 05, 2024
MARK ROCCO with Long Hair-1973-Like his Buddy GEORGE BEST!+
A Strange Match-Up MARK ROCCO versus MASAMBULA at KIRKBY-
IN-ASHFIELD'S FESTIVAL HALL!!-Not Sure How Well that would have
Worked Though??!-But he's Moving-Up The Card Now!!
MM
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