A Brief History of British Wrestling Quiz

Answer: Kent Walton

Kent Walton began commenting on wrestling for ITV from 1955 and continued in the role until wrestling was dropped from the schedules in 1988. The wrestling covered the gap between the half time football scores and the final scores in those innocent days when Sky had not cornered the market in sporting events.

'World of Sport' was introduced for many years by Dickie Davies, who succeeded Eamonn Andrews. David Coleman and Des Lynham also made their names as sports presenters, but not in wrestling.

Answer: Giant Haystacks

Ruane was nearly 7 feet tall, according to his billing, and weighed the best part of 50 stone at his biggest. He wrestled in several countries, including the USA and Canada, as well as in his native Britain. He originally wrestled as Haystacks Colhoun, before changing it to the one by which he was usually known. Ruane appeared for World Championship Wrestling in the USA in 1996, adopting the name of Loch Ness, but was soon taken ill with cancer, dying in 1998.

Answer: Jackie Pallo

Pallo's real name was Jack Ernest Gutteridge, and he was born in London in 1926. He had a long running feud with fellow wrestler Mick McManus, which may or may not have been real. Pallo's autobiography, published in 1985, gave away the 'open secret' that the wrestling bouts were choreographed, describing them as 'pure showbiz'. Pallo also made some acting appearances, including several pantomimes.

He became British Heavy Middleweight Champion briefly in 1969, and all the other options listed were one time holders of this title.

Answer: Mitzi Mueller

Mitzi Mueller was trained in wrestling by her father, Joe Connolly, and made her debut in 1963. She wrestled for All Star Promotions and was a regular contender at different venues up and down the country including theatres and holiday camps. She also appeared on television when a ban on women's wrestling was lifted in 1987, matched against Klondyke Kate and Nicky Monroe at the Royal Albert Hall. Lynne Ormond, Melanie Saunders and Jane Stubbs are all British darts players.

Answer: Auf Wiedersen, Pet

Roach originally wrestled under the name of 'Big' Pat Roach, but later adopted his character's name and appeared as 'Bomber' Pat Roach. He continued his wrestling career alongside his acting. 'Auf Wiedersehen, Pet' featured a group of workers in the building trade, who move to Germany to make enough money on which to live.

The first series ran from 1983 to 1984, with a follow up in 1986. Roach also appeared in the first three films in the 'Indiana Jones' franchise, playing several different roles.

Answer: Kendo Nagasaki

Born in 1946, Peter Thornley, aka Kendo Nagasaki, was a popular wrestler throughout the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. He toured the USA and Japan, but it was in Britain that his popularity grew in strength, especially at the ringside where spectators would wait with bated breath for him to be unmasked by his opponent. An official ceremony was held in 1977 when views saw his unmasking although his face was seen on television two years earlier when he was fighting against his arch enemy, Big Daddy.

Answer: Shirley Crabtree

Shirley Crabtree was born in 1930, and after flexing his muscles as a rugby player, he took up professional wrestling in 1952. Known for his 6' 2" frame, 64 inch chest, and wearing leotards, he was a popular sight on British television throughout his career. His rotund belly could often be seen thrusting into his opponent and they never stood a chance. He eventually retired in the 1990s and suffered a fatal stroke when he was 67 years old.

Answer: The British Invasion

The original British Invasion referred to the impact made by The Beatles and other British groups on the music scene in the USA. The wrestling British Invasion lasted a much shorter time, with the duo staying together only from April 2009 until February 2012. Magnus formed a new tag team alliance with Samoa Joe, real name Nuufolau Seanoa, an American wrestler.

Answer: Mick McManus

Also known as "The Man You Love to Hate", and "The Dulwich Destroyer", Mick McManus started his professional career in 1945. He won the British Welterweight Championship in 1949, the British Middleweight Championship in 1967 and the European Middleweight Championship in 1968. He was a regular on television with people dropping whatever they were doing to watch the Saturday night wrestling. He retired in 1982 and passed away in 2013, just four months after his beloved wife.

Answer: Spud

James Michael Curtin is a pro wrestler with the ring name of Spud, or Rockstar Spud. Standing at a relatively short 5' 4" tall, and weighing 130lb, he makes up for this shortfall through his agility and body moves such as his missile dropkick and body scissors. He made his debut at Ohio Valley Wrestling in America during 2013.