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#Post#: 12538--------------------------------------------------
Wrestling Legend dies aged 93
DIR By: ChrissiCalvert
Date: May 22, 2013, 1:16 pm
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Mick McManus, one of the top stars of wrestling in the 1960s and
1970s, has died aged 93.
McManus headlined big shows against rival Jackie Pallo in an era
when millions watched the sport on television.
The wrestler, who had a number of nicknames including 'The Man
You Love To Hate', made more TV appearances than any other
wrestler in a career which spanned more than 20 years.
Wrestling was hugely popular in the early 1960s and late 1970s
because the sport had a regular 40-minute slot before the
Saturday afternoon football results on ITV.
McManus' death was confirmed by Frank Rimmer, the organiser of
the annual British Wrestlers Reunion.
Mr Rimmer said McManus had had a visit from Lord Attenborough in
his last few months, but had been unwell for a while.
He said: "I am deeply saddened to announce the death of the
legend that was Mick McManus, who passed away at 1am this
morning.
"Mick never recovered from the loss of his beloved wife Barbara,
and lost the will to live, despite the loving care of the nurses
at the celebrity home for retired actors, Brishing House, where
he lived out his final days.
"Even the arrival of his old friend Lord Richard Attenborough
... failed to lift his spirits, refusing all food and drink
until he quietly slipped into a coma three days ago.
Mick McManus was without doubt, through his own efforts, the
greatest wrestling name that the UK has ever seen or will see
again.
"Even 25 years after his retirement, he retained his aura of
stardom until the end. Funeral details will be posted shortly,
and full obituaries will follow on the main wrestling sites."
Reports of his age varied. Although he was 93 at his death, the
entertainment professional had been widely reported to have been
eight years younger.
He grew up in New Cross in southeast London and was also known
as 'The Dulwich Destroyer'.
McManus started to wrestle in 1947 and in the sport's heyday in
the 1960s became notorious for pushing the rules to the limit.
He became famous for his trademark black trunks and cropped
black hair and for his catchphrase "Not the ears, not the ears".
He won the European Middleweight Championship in 1968 defeating
Vic Faulkner, but lost it before winning it back in 1971. He
then held the title twice more in the next seven years. He also
held the British Middleweight and Welterweight titles.
But it was for his televised bouts with Jackie Pallo, which were
seen by millions, that he was best known. Pallo later revealed
in his tell-all autobiography that the fights were completely
choreographed.
His fame was such that he was said to have been an influence on
the work of British pop artist Peter Blake.
After retiring, he settled into a quiet life as a public
relations officer for an American telecommunications company.
RIP Mick McManus. You Will be missed
#Post#: 12703--------------------------------------------------
Re: Wrestling Legend dies aged 93
DIR By: SheriffLonestar
Date: May 27, 2013, 2:27 pm
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Sad to see the old boy go. He was the booker for Joint
Promotions throughout the 70's and was colour commentator for
Kent Walton from time to time.
Here is a bit of a forward thinking gem from his repertoire. The
uber heel Kendo Nagasaki and his manager Gorgeous George Gillete
vs Mick Macmanus and his perennial partner in crime Steve Logan.
The most bizarre thing about this bout is watching Macmanus and
Logan being cheered despite the fact they where the most hated
heels in the country at the time, well except for Kendo
obviously. Heels on Heels, it even worked in Walthamstow you
know.
HTML http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93a493POu4U
HTML http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JuwfnAq7vME
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