RINGSPORT ISSUE 10 | November 2024

RINGSPORT MAGAZINE

November 2024
Issue 10

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In this issue: 

Editor's Note
Around The Halls
Roll Call of Champions
News Round-Up
Yesterday’s Men: Roberto Louis-Jean
The Blue Tits
Legend of The Bush
Villainous Terry Grudge
Quadruple Threat
The Professional Returns
3:10 to Manchester: The Creight Train
Letters
Classifieds

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Editor’s Note

Ah, dear reader, we meet again in this rather jolly issue of Ringsport Magazine, where we serve as your humble purveyors of all things wrestling. Whether you're a seasoned veteran of the squared circle or simply someone who enjoys a good yarn about grapplers with the flair of ballroom dancers and the grit of coal miners, this magazine is for you. It has come to my attention that a certain number of our esteemed readers have been dabbling in a bit of “off-ring” activity, to say nothing of certain athletic pursuits on foreign soil (I’ll leave you to speculate). But never fear, we remain your faithful chroniclers of the action, from the grand halls of Blackpool to the ringed arenas of far-off places.

So, settle into your most comfortable chair, unfurl the magazine, and let us take you through an issue packed to the gills with unforgettable characters and events. From the return of the elusive “Quadruple Threat” (what’s that, you ask? Well, you’ll just have to read on) to a rather touching tribute to the legacy of Roberto Louis-Jean, we have it all. In this issue, we honour both the great and the good, and the rest of the decidedly less polished but equally compelling figures who make this sport such a wonderful, confusing, and occasionally hysterical spectacle.

Yours in sport,
Elliot Wanderinghands


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Around The Halls

9/11 (Blackpool, Lancashire): Giant Barack beat Gianluca Silenzi, Jessica Carter & Thaïs Empristikí beat Karla Ward and Mitiz Bopp, Paul Strummer & Topper Jones beat Akira "Dark Wolf" Tanaka & Kenji "The Dragon" Nakamura, Barry Bridges beat Hiroshima Suzuki, Gavin Owen’s beat William Miller Harris, Bulldog Spirit beat Half-Nelson McGrath George Thompson beat Johnny Fresno in a non-title match

10/11 (Blackpool, Lancashire): The Dirty Pretty Things beat King Kyoto and Ayane Nakamura, Jack Sherry beat Eugine Bastiens, The Black Country Boys beat Village Green Society, Eddie Kensington beat Paul Peters, Jenna Jillian Walker beat Kathy Cole, Meritities beat Jabri Awoniyi in a non-title match, George Grouse beat Quick Kick Nakano, Arthur T. Turtle beat Eamon Keane in a Beat The Clock Knock Down match

17/11 (Oldham, England): Bulldog Spirit beat Barry Moran, The Tongan Warriors beat The Black Prince & Mr Rumble, Arthur T. Turtle beat Jack O’Grady, Kashiwazaki BLOOD beat Johnny Fresno, George Grouse and Bert Eagle, Thaïs Empristikí beat The Heart of Africa’ Jabri Awoniy, The Village Green Preservation Society beat Terry Grudge and William Miller Harris, Mitzi Bopp beat Karla Ward.

18/11 (Maidstone, Kent): Barry Bridges beat Baloo, Jack Sherry beat Eugine Bastiens in a non-title match, The Black Country Boys beat Trevor Stubbards and Stuart Nicolas, Jenna Jillian Walker beat La Divino, George Thompson beat The Black Prince in a non-title match, Tiger Kid beat The Black Prince in a catchweight match, Gavin Owen’s beat Sparky Phillips in a non-title match.


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Roll Call of Champions

World Heavy-Middleweight - Bulldog Spirit
World Lightweight - Jack Sherry
World Trios - Kashiwazaki BLOOD
Ladies Wrestling Champion of the World - Taylor Connors

International Mannschaftskampf - The Black Country Boys (Johnny Doyle & Ricky Gallagher)
International Frauen-Berufsringer Championship - Meritites

Commonwealth Heavyweight - George Thompson

European Heavy-Middleweight - Andreas Marinakis
European Lightweight - Johnny Fresno

British Heavyweight - Gavin Owens

West Indies Lightweight Champion - Tristan Weekes

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News Round Up:

Prince of Wales Wrestling Guild: A New Era of British Wrestling

The illustrious KING GEORGE VI WRESTLING CLUB is proud to announce the launch of its new venture, the PRINCE OF WALES WRESTLING GUILD. This exciting initiative aims to nurture the next generation of British and Irish wrestling talent, providing a platform for young athletes to hone their skills and showcase their abilities.

“We believe that British wrestling has a bright future, and the Prince of Wales Wrestling Guild is committed to playing a key role in its development,” said Captain Sandbrook, Secretary of the PRINCE OF WALES WRESTLING GUILD. “Our training program is designed to equip young wrestlers with the physical and mental attributes needed to succeed at the highest level. We've seen the success of the Great Britain and Ireland Amateur Challenge, and we aim to build on that momentum, creating a new generation of wrestling stars. This guild will also help athletes transition from amateur wrestling to professional rules, providing a bridge between the two worlds.”

The Guild will host a series of events featuring thrilling matches and captivating performances. The inaugural event will take place in December, offering fans the opportunity to witness the future of British wrestling firsthand.

In addition to competitive events, the Guild will also offer training workshops, dietary assistance and fitness programs to help aspiring wrestlers reach their full potential.

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Yesterday’s Men: Roberto Louis-Jean

In the halls of post-war Europe, there was one name that struck fear into the hearts of opponents and made crowds roar with excitement: Roberto Louis-Jean. Hailing from the elegant streets of Paris, this charismatic, fast-moving Frenchman was the reigning European Lightweight Champion for nearly a decade. Known for his grace in the ring and his signature moves—like the French Twist, a daring springboard DDT—Louis-Jean made his name not just through brute strength but by outwitting his opponents with precision and speed.

His rise to prominence began in the early 1940s, during a time when Europe was still reeling from the aftermath of the war. Wrestling was a means of escape, and Louis-Jean, with his sharp black mustache and effortlessly stylish presence, became the darling of French wrestling. His rivalry with the German powerhouse Maximilian "The Mountain" Bauer remains one of the most talked-about feuds of the era.

Louis-Jean's ability to glide across the ring was unmatched, and his matches were often the highlight of packed arenas, where fans cheered in unison, chanting his name. But it wasn’t just his wrestling ability that made him a legend. Roberto was also a master of mind games, often winning as much with his clever tactics as with his wrestling expertise.

After a glorious career that spanned more than 20 years, Louis-Jean retired in 1964. He left the ring as the undefeated European Lightweight Champion, his final match in Paris a testament to his enduring skill and influence. Though he never wrestled again, Roberto Louis-Jean’s legacy lived on, with younger generations inspired by his finesse, wit, and his unmatched passion for the sport.

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The Blue Tits

When one thinks of wrestling—a sport typically associated with large fellows hurling each other about with the gusto of an enthusiastic barman tossing out unruly patrons—one does not immediately picture the delicate chirp of small birds. And yet, dear reader, this is precisely the image conjured when considering the dashing duo of the Village Green Preservation Society: Messrs. Ray Quaife and Mickey Davies, pugilists par excellence and champions of feathered friends everywhere.

Ray Quaife, a man of Devonshire stock with the sort of shoulders that could carry a herd of recalcitrant sheep, is a wrestler of the brawling persuasion. His repertoire includes an alarming array of suplexes and the occasional powerbomb, a maneuver that leaves his opponents looking as if they’ve been hit by an errant haycart. Meanwhile, his companion, the effervescent Mickey Davies, hails from London, where he presumably spent his formative years dodging hansom cabs and perfecting his acrobatic wrestling style. Together, they’ve concocted a finishing move, the Dead End Street, so devilishly clever it could have been devised by Jeeves himself—a combination of Quaife’s bone-crunching backbreaker and Davies’ spear, delivered with all the subtlety of a cannonball at a garden party.

Yet, it is not merely their exploits in the squared circle that have captivated the public. No, the true marvel of this dynamic duo lies in their extracurricular activities. You see, Quaife and Davies have recently become members of a wildlife group delightfully named The Blue Tits, dedicated to the care and preservation of our diminutive avian companions. One imagines them, after an evening of clobbering adversaries into submission, exchanging their wrestling boots for wellies and setting off to construct birdhouses with the same fervor they apply to a tag team match.

Quaife, a chap who exudes the kind of rugged charm one associates with a moody poet or an unusually handsome blacksmith, attributes this passion to his idyllic Devon upbringing. “There’s something jolly splendid about protecting what’s left of our natural world,” he declares, gazing meaningfully into the middle distance. Meanwhile, Davies, whose wit and charm could disarm even the grumpiest sparrow, adds, “If we can body-slam a few opponents and save the birds, why not do both?”

And so, the Village Green Preservation Society soldiers on, grappling villains by day and guarding their feathered charges by night. One can only applaud their efforts and hope that the birds, if they could, would cheer them on with an enthusiastic chorus of tweets.

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Legend of The Bush

If you’ve ever sat ringside at an Aussie wrestling show, with the smell of sweat and meat pies in the air, you’ve no doubt heard the name Half Nelson McGrath bellowed from the crowd. A deadset legend from Wonglepong, Queensland, this bloke isn’t just a wrestler—he’s the walking, talking, suplex-slinging definition of an Aussie larikin.

Standing at a whopping 6’4” and weighing in at 260 lbs, McGrath is built like a brick dunny and hits just as hard. His signature move, the Half-Nelson Suplex, has flattened more opponents than a roo on a country highway. “I don’t muck around,” he says with a cheeky grin. “When I get my mitts on ya, you’re goin’ for a ride, mate.”

But here’s the thing about Half Nelson—he’s just as famous for his antics outside the ring as he is inside. When he’s not tossing blokes around, you’ll find him up north, knee-deep in croc country, wrestling the big lizards with nothing but a bowie knife and a steely glare. “It’s all about lettin’ ’em know who’s boss,” McGrath reckons. “Croc wranglin’ keeps me sharp for the ring—plus, it’s bloody good fun!”

Then there’s the beer. Oh, the beer. McGrath’s legendary thirst is the stuff of Aussie folklore. Word is, he once out-drank a whole pub full of shearers after a match, then got up the next morning and suplexed two blokes at the same time. “Fair dinkum, mate, you’ve gotta stay hydrated,” he says, raising a frothy tinny. “And nothin’ hydrates like a cold one.”

But don’t go thinkin’ he’s all brawn and no heart. McGrath’s the first to stick up for his mates, whether it’s helping the young fellas in the locker room or flying the flag for Aussie wrestling when overseas critics try to take the mickey. “We might not have the fancy lights or big arenas,” he says, “but we’ve got somethin’ better—guts, grit, and a bloody good laugh.”

Even as he edges closer to hanging up the boots, McGrath’s still got plenty of fight left in him. Whether he’s pinning opponents or wrestling crocs, you can bet Half Nelson McGrath’ll tackle it head-on with a tin in hand and a grin on his face. Good on ya, mate!

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Villainous Terry Grudge

Terry Grudge’s life is far from ordinary. Known for his hard-hitting style in the ring and a larger-than-life persona outside it, the 6-foot, 243-pound heavyweight from Dunstable, Bedfordshire, England, has carved out a reputation as one of wrestling’s most intense and imposing figures.

With a shaven head and a muscular build that commands attention, Terry enters the ring to the Rolling Stones’ Brown Sugar, wearing his signature black or yellow trunks and boots, eschewing knee pads for a no-nonsense aesthetic. A villain in every sense of the word, Grudge thrives on bending the rules and punishing his opponents with his arsenal of moves, including devastating lariats, running knee lifts, headbutts, and his signature Boston Crab. His finishing move, the Running Lariat, has left many opponents flat on the mat and questioning their career choices.
Grudge’s wrestling style is reminiscent of greats like Stan Hansen, Misawa, and Bam Bam Bigelow—a combination of brute force, technical mastery, and raw intensity. Though only 28 years old, he has already made a name for himself on the global stage, spending much of his career in Japan, where his physicality and ferocious in-ring persona have earned him both fans and enemies.

Outside the squared circle, Terry shows a different side. A savvy businessman, he owns and runs two pubs in the Home Counties, a venture he manages with the same intensity he brings to his matches. However, don’t be fooled—Terry Grudge is no gentleman. He thrives on chaos, using every trick in the book to stay one step ahead of his opponents, whether through a surprise headlock or a thunderous body slam.

Though he’s currently focused on his international career, Terry’s goal is to dominate the British wrestling scene and solidify his place among the all-time greats. A villain through and through, Terry Grudge is the heavyweight genius fans love to hate and opponents dread to face.

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Quadruple Threat
by April May Junestein

In our glamorous globe of gimmick gals, one grapperella grinds a different gear. Most mat-based maidens project one persona publicly. Azurine Vebbins shares several compartments of her character. “Da Pleasant Peasant” could be viewed as the reader’s radar ping. This gabby gremlin’s smack dab between suplex saint, superkick sinner, lariat-loving lass, and airplane spin sadist. Cartographer-included folk can visualize such movement via North, South, West, and East directional markers.

She also plies multiple trades which complement combat choreography. Who else can be described as third-generation steel chairsmith, Ascension Auxiliary for Kayfabe Airlines, or practitioner of professional pole pageantry? Your humble correspondent counts zilch “Glitter In Their Eyes” participants on November 23rd possessing similar credentials.

The preliminary skill should not be viewed under nepotistic lens. She studied the art of assembling arena-grade plunder when abroad with her father Archie. However, knowledge of said craftswomanship came from bulk buyers who saw her forge each chair firsthand. Perhaps that innate iron will contributed to Ms. Vebbins’ prevention of piledriver paralysis. She often regales Twitter fledglings about how that excruciating encounter made her “Da Hardheaded Housewife.” Can she outlast orchestrated onslaught from nine credible competitors? King George VI Wrestling Club’s only established edict appears to be elimination by jettison over the top rope. Viewers inside Fairfield Hall should expect immediate cling when Ms. Vebbins states someone should take their seat.

Saturday’s showcase shall also be an experimental crowd control exhibition. Azurine’s experience as an Ascension Auxiliary provides ample preparation. She halted muscle matrons from stuffing punier passengers into overhead bins. Likewise, Ms. Vebbins made certain brawling brutes stowed their Emotional Support Foreign Objects safely. Citing calm cabin climate, this aviatrix’s not above undulating an unruly frequent flier if need be. That latter sentence should be interpreted as a memory bank deposit.

Speaking of deposit and monetary concerns, I should wrap up this profile on her other provocative pastime. Future Letters to the Editors may indicate I churched up her salacious sidejob. She would argue that performances allow her to remain limber when outside a ringed environment, contemplate turnbuckle post twirls, and increase spatial awareness.


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The Professional Returns! European Heavyweight Contender's Big Comeback to the UK on 24 November

Once considered a top contender for the European Heavyweight Championship, Leon "The Professional" Van Zandt is placing high expectations on himself when he makes his UK comeback to Croydon this weekend.

"It is my intention to prove that I have not forgotten what it is to compete in a ring steeped as much tradition and history as this one," the Belgian grappler stated firmly, "and that the traditional European style of professional wrestling is still relevant in the modern age."

Concerning William Miller Harris, his opponent in Croydon, "I have no doubt that Meneer* Harris will try to strongarm his way to victory at my expense. But for every underhanded tactic at his disposal I have several techniques that will neutralize them; some of which I'm sure almost nobody remembers from the olden days of this sport!" With a chuckle, the Gent from Ghent continues on, "I am confident that fans of the classic style of British wrestling, of European wrestling, will be quite pleased with what I bring to the ring. And if Meneer Harris thinks he can cheat his way to the winner's share of the purse... well, he's in for a surprise, I would say."

* a Dutch honirific similar to "mister" in English.


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3:10 to Manchester: The Creight Train

“Keep that hand speed up, Aubs. Punches in bunches!”

It’s not even daybreak and North London Boxing gym is already hectic with fighters sweating and grunting their way through a grueling workout. The legendary gym has for decades produced throngs of the Commonwealth’s greatest pugilists, hall of famers and champions. Those who strive to be the best train here.

For Aubrey Creighton, who is drenched in sweat as he batters his sparring partner, this is the perfect place to hone in one half of his combat craftsmanship. With his 12-0 heavyweight boxing record on the line on Christmas Eve in Liverpool, the 23 year old dual combat sport sensation has been working double shifts. Once the boxing gloves come off, the wrestling boots are on.

This pleases his coach and promoter, former 7 time American wrestling champion and current Undisputed boxing Cruiserweight champ Tony Savage. Tony watches his tutoring pay off as Aubrey goes in harder sparring than most in a sanctioned bout.

“Aubrey is King Gym Rat. Makes me look lazy and I put in 40 a week like I’m blue collar. Always testing himself, always on schedule, always trying to improve his game. The man simply goes above and beyond training wise every time.”

When asked what drives the Manchester born prospect to approach combat sport with such a voracious appetite, it was the conditions he grew up surrounded by.

“Mans grew up in Moss End. Not the nicest of blocks. Lot of mates I know got locked up or worse out on the blocks trying to eat. People in Moss hustle, work extra shifts, sometimes out in the ends engaging in certain unsavory activities. Hunger is always a default setting. It motivates people to simply work harder.”

“People tell me I’m daft for trying to achieve stardom doing the fighting thing on two fronts. Considering people from City usually have multiple jobs, this concept’s a no brainer. Plus…”

He flashes a cheeky grin as he sips his water.

“I remind them mans ain’t trying it, he’s doing it. Then hop in the driver’s side of something that costs more than their flat’s mortgage.”

RingSport saw first hand the work ethic Aubrey brings to the table during the duo’s fight camp regimen. It was a grueling 8 hour shift including:

-1.5 km swim before sparring practice
-6 3 minute rounds of sparring in the morning, followed by 1 hour of takedowns in the afternoon
-3 hours of gym work
-30 minutes of jump rope.

Even with hands still recuperating from micro-surgery, Tony still participates in many of the drills. For him, being a manager means being a coach on the pitch with his players, being there through the entire process and instilling both skill sets and a culture of excellence.

“Over a year ago when Aubrey asked if he could sign with London Prize Fight Promotions, my company, I was floored. Guy with that much blue chip raw talent, it was almost a no brainer. Then I had to step back and realize “this is about the fighter’s career, not mine.” When you’re coaching somebody, that means making it about them to a point, not you. My job is to put him in the best spot possible to succeed, even if it comes at certain expenses to me. He deserves all the spotlight, and I’m the guy that makes sure the lighting dept. shines it on him.”

Laser focus, a training regimen that’s unparalleled, and with the support of a combat sports legend, Aubrey’s moniker “Creight Train” is more than just a boast about bone crushing power as he explains at the end of his sessions.

“A train is reliable. It arrives and departs when it should. It’s a complex puzzle of mechanics that functions in unison, and when it rolls, little can stop it from getting to the destination. It’s a perfect explanation of what I am and what mans does once the bell rings.”

“There are lots of people in wrestling that give themselves names like king or icon or god. Man’s here to tell that lot something; don’t matter what silly pirate nickname you brand yourself. Once you’re on the tracks against a Train…”

WHAP! His taped punching hands smacks with an eardrum popping retort.

“You get run over!”

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Letters

Dear Editor

As a lifelong fan, I must say I am utterly delighted by the athleticism and drama in today's wrestling matches! But, I do wish the wrestlers would be a bit more gracious in their conduct. Back in my day, it was all about honor and respect for the sport. While the excitement of the rings is thrilling, I miss the days when it felt a little more refined. I hope we can find a balance between the spectacle and the tradition of wrestling.

Warm regards,
Ethel, 79

Dear Editor

Oh, how I love the wrestlers of today, but do they have to yell so much? I remember when everything felt more subtle and less theatrical.

Dorothy,
Bestwick-on Sea

Dear Editor,

I read the news of the Prince of Wales Wrestling Guild and would like to suggest that Eamon Keane is sent there to learn the rules of the game. His antics and behaviour have no place in our rings.

Keneth McKen,
Leeds.


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Classifieds

FOR SALE: LEFT-HANDED SCREWDRIVER
Rare left-handed screwdriver, perfect for those who shun the tyranny of right-handed tools. Slightly used with a few charming scuffs. £4.50 or nearest offer. Call Herbert at Puddleby 5593.
FOR SALE: JOHNNY FRESNO’S WRESTLING KNEE PAD
Genuine knee pad worn by wrestling legend Johnny Fresno, complete with arena scent and traces of mystery oils. Ideal for fans or anyone needing a piece of history. £6 or best offer. Call Sylvester at Grapevine 2047.
WANTED: BICYCLE PUMP WITH STYLE
Seeking a reliable bicycle pump with a touch of class—must inflate tyres quietly and smoothly. Bonus points for elegance and a bit of brass. Call Caroline at Fallowbrook 4881.

The Advertisement Manager reserves the right to refuse any advertisement without explanation.