[Article] New Zealand Wrestling History - The 1970's
n...@here.enz
Arts magazine. There may be a few OCR errors.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
New Zealand Wrestling History - The 1970's, by Dave Cameron
The 1970's were great years in our mat history. Record crowds turned
out to see top overseas imports, together with our own mat stars.
During a visit to England in 1969 I had seen this great giant of a man
from France named Jean Ferre. It was his first trip out of his native
France. I contacted Steve Rickard, who was at the time co-promoting in
Singapore and the east, and told him what I had seen. Steve wrote me
back and said: "We want that man for Singapore and New Zealand." He
was soon to get his wish. Jean the giant, who was later to become
Andre the Giant, came to New Zealand before the rest of the world had
seen him.
1970 saw some big names come here, Bobo Brazil, Tarzan Tyler, Jerry
Brisco, Rocky Hunter, The Destroyer, Ivan Kolloff, Tony Parisi, Abe
Jacobs, and the mighty American Midgets.
1971 saw the famous masked American mat star The Destroyer stay over,
and live in New Zealand for several months. His children even went to
school here. His matches at Auckland's Y.M.C.A. stadium with Frank
Lipanovich, Steve Richard, and Mario Milano were all sell-outs, and he
wrestled there for twelve consecutive weeks, as well as appearing all
around New Zealand.
Sheikh Wadih Ayoub also carne in and had great matches with John
DaSilva, Dr Death, Andy Harpas, Mighty Tarema, and others.
1971 was a sad year for older mat fans with the passing of out great
former champion Lofty Blomfield, at 62 years of age.
1972 saw the French giant, billed here as Jean Ferre, hit New Zealand.
When he first appeared in Auckland the promoters were not sure who to
match him with, so they put him and his tag partner against three
heavyweights. When he quickly demolished them, he and his partner
were put against four heavyweights.
Also seen in 1972 were big world stars in Haystacks Calhoun, Tarzan
Tyler, Dewey Robertson, Sweet Daddy Siki, Mark Lewin, Pat Barratt,
Mandel Gonzales from Mexico, Tiger Jeet Singh, Big Bad John, Al
Costello, Peter Maivia, Buddy Wolf, King Curtis, Spiros Arion, and
Bulldog Brower.
1972 saw the girls given a license to wrestle, and the first ever
girls tag title was held. The first girls match in New Zealand was at
Auckland between Holland's Monica Schumaker and Linda Tyson of
Wellington. Police stormed the ring to separate the contestants and
their seconds, after New Zealand's first public women's wrestling
contest. Holland's Monica Schurnaker was awarded the match when
Miss Tyson wanted to fight on when the decision was announced. At the
same time the girls' seconds jumped into the ring. The police stepped
in and sent the wrestlers and their seconds back to their corners.
Twenty Four year old Sabrina made her start in pro-wrestling, and went
on to bigger matches around the world. Princess Tara was also popular
while Sherri Sinatra and Moana West came in from Australia. A dozen or
so other New Zealand girls were having pro bouts in the first year.
Many local stars were gaining valuable experience in the early 70's,
and went on to be top stars around the world. Bon Miller and Teddy
Williams later became the Kiwi Sheepherders, and The Bushwhackers. Al
Hobman, Bekkar, Robert Bruce, Ricky Wallace, Del Adams all did well in
Japan, Singapore, Australia and the United States, while Peter Malvia
became a sensation at New York's Madison Square Gardens.
Another New Zealand boy Tony Garea became a star of W.W.F. in the
United States and a World Champion in tag matches on several
occasions. His brother John was also doing great in New Zealand and
went to be a star in Australia and the Far East.
1973 saw an invasion of U.S. stars in Abdullah the Butcher, Big Bad
John, Spiros Arion, Mark Lewin, Jack Brisco, Chief Billy White Wolf,
Waldo Von Eric, Dick Dunn, Don Carson, and Guy Mitchell.
New Zealand provided great opposition in the form of Onno Boelee,
Robert Bruce, Bruno Bekkar, Al Hobman, Steve Rickard,
John Da Silva, Frank Lipanovich, Johnny Frazer, Tau Paa Paa, Alan
Wendt, Mita Mohi, Bronco Barnes etc.
1974 saw many of the same faces return. Wrestling was big here. The
crowds were enormous.
King Curtis brought a house in Auckland and declared, "This is the
greatest wrestling country in the world, and I am staying. It's a
great base for my visits to Australia, Japan and the East."
The Auckland Town Hall was always booked out when King Curtis,
Abdullah, Mark Lewin, Ho Chi Laos, Ciclon Negro, Gorgeous George Jr.,
and Bobby Shane were on the bill. Larry O'Day from Australia and Sheik
Wadi Ayoub from Lebanon were also here in '74.
1975 was a quieter year for New Zealand fans, with less Americans, but
several Greek and Italian boys coming in. John Tolios, Benito Massi,
The Mighty Caramba, plus Rex Casey from England, together with all the
New Zealand boys, saw another entertaining season.
'75 saw the start of the long running TV2 programme "On The Mat"
fronted by Ernie Leonard and Steve Rickard. Originally it was to be a
13 programme series, but it proved very popular and went on for many
years. The programme was also seen on TV channels in Malaysia,
Singapore, Zaire, and Kuwait. It went on to be one of TV2s longest
running programmes.
1976 saw the return of the big names with King Curtis, Zulu the Giant,
Mark Lewin, Paul Graham, Big Mullumba, Don Muraco, and Tiger Jeet
Singh. The New Zealand boys Steve Rickard, John DaSilva, Dr. Death,
Johnny Garcia, Robert Bruce, Siva Afi, Red Wolf, all had great years,
plus the added bonus of trips to Singapore and the East, where Steve
Rickard was co-promoting.
Wrestling hit the headlines in 1976 when the crowds outside the
Auckland Town Hall for a match between Robert Bruce and Tiger Jeet
Singh erupted into violence, with crowds spilling over into Queen St
blocking the traffic. Prime Minister Rob Muldoon spoke of the violence
the next day. The town hall was completely pre-sold, but fans kept
trying to force their way in, causing traffic problems.
1977 saw the young Canadian superstar Rick Martel, hit our shores. The
good-looking French Canadian had a lovely body, and could wrestle.
When he teamed up with handsome Mark Lewin, the female fans turned out
in droves. When they were pitted against the likes of King Curtis and
Bugs McGraw, the "house full" sign was always out early.
[Scanner's note: I seem recall Martel being billed as Lewin's son!]
Some of the other stars were The Mongol, Bruce Wee, Bruiser Broadie,
Butcher Brannigan, The Assassin, Pat Barratt, Don Muraco, The American
Midgets, Giant Baba, Ed Wyscowski, Casy Miller, Great Togo, etc.
Wresting came back to the smaller towns and was really booming, thanks
in no small way to King Curtis, the pony-tailed Hawaiian with a
forehead like the rough side of the moon.
1978 saw World Champion Harley Race put his title on the line in New
Zealand. He had some tough competition, as many top boys were
campaigning here. J. .J. Dillon, Peter Maivia, Mad Dog Martin, Leo
Burke, Chris Markoff, The Von Steigers, Terry Garvin, Pat Barrett, Mr
Fuji, Jack Claybourne Junior, Toro Tanaka, Randy Ails, Les Thorton,
and Ripper Collins, were all seeking a title shot as well as our own
boys, Steve Rickard, John DaSilva, Robert Bruce, Bruno Bekkar, and Al
Hobman.
Harley Race managed to leave New Zealand with his Championship Belt,
but not before going down to Steve Rickard in a "Non Title" match at
Hamilton.
1979 saw Harley Race return a big outdoor show at Western Springs in
Auckland, against Peter "Fanene" Maivia, who is a huge favourite here.
All the old favourites came back -~ Rick Martel, King Curtis, Rocky
Johnson, Mad Dog Martin, Leo Burke, etc. "High Chief" Peter Maivia was
awarded the title, but refused to accept it after Race was
disqualified in the sixth round. While seemingly the whole Polynesian
population of Auckland were ecstatic when Maivia's arm was raised but
the referee, Maivia soon dampened their enthusiasm. "I cannot accept
the title in this way" declared Maivia over the loud speaker system.
It was in 1979 that Steve Rickard's life "On The Mat" was written by
sports writer John Mancer. Steve's popularity and his highly
successful TV series "On The Mat" have ensured him lasting fame.
Steve's sons, Ricky and Tony were also prominent during the late 70's,
but more on them in the 1980's story.