ALL STAR GRAPPLEVINE
presented by RUSSELL PLUMMER
Allmark and Brown back in Fairfield Halls knockout event
All Star Wrestling’s 2012 Croydon curtain raiser on Sunday February 5 the features an international knockout tournament including 'Xtreme' Dean Allmark (above left) and ‘Bad News’ Brown, the two men who battled it out in last October's explosive Fairfield Halls cage match contest. On that occasion, with the ring surrounded by a 20 foot high wall of steel, Allmark held on to the coveted Superslam title and belt by the skin of his teeth but Yorkshire rampage Brown, who spent half of 2011 campaigning for the WWE in Florida, USA, immediately demanded a further meeting. But to succeed in this big bill, starting at 3pm, Brown will not only have to overcome Allmark but two more formidable rivals, including highly rated Japanese visitor Shinya Ishikawa and London-based 'Wonder Kid' Jonny Storm, a contender returning to Croydon action after a break of many months. There will also be tag team showdown with the
colourful 'Football Hooligans' Bud and Bex, from Norfolk, facing 'The Leaders,' the livewire combination consisting of award winner Zak Sabre junior and his partner, south coast-based action star Marty Scurll (pictured above right). It will be their Croydon debut but 'The Leaders' already have a huge internet fan following and in halls around the country. Also on view will be London leading light James Mason, a wrestler always assured of a warm Fairfield Halls welcome, but he will need to be on his toes facing Norwich's vastly-experienced and ever un-compromising Ricky Knight. As always there will be a full supporting programme with tickets on sale at the Fairfield Halls box office (Tel: 0208-688-9291) including a special £45 family offer covering two adults and two children under 16.
Double tag feature for St.Albans opener
All Star will be taking wrestling back to the Alban Arena, St.Albans, on Saturday January 21 with a big line-up featuring international action and not one but two tag team clashes! Starting at 7.30pm, the programme’s first Alban Arena team explosion sees the
colourful 'Football Hooligans' Bud and Bex, facing a challenge from a new pairing styling themselves as the 'Nasty Boys' and consisting of Marty Scurll and always abrasive Jonny Storm. The second team event is a mixed match with 21st century 'Queen of the Ring' Sweet Saraya joining forces with Merseyside medallion man Ringo Ryan to oppose fast rising ladies contender Destiny and partner, the North East's 'Seconds Out' Tony Spitfire.Top solo action introduces with new Japanese superstar Shinya Ishikawa, the 27 year-old product of Big Japan Wrestling and a wrestler whose arsenal includes what is reputed to be the modern ring's most devastating drop-kick. Even so, Ishikawa will need to be at his best when starting a short UK tour in St.Albans as his opponent will be Superslam champion ‘Xtreme' Dean Allmark. There’s more international action as Norway's Eric Oslo faces James Mason, and also on view will be firm fans' favourite, wrestling's mighty midget 'Little Legs.' The Oxford-based campaigner, alias Mark Sealey, stands just 3ft 6in and was recently seen in the Channel 4 television programme 'Christmas House' presented by Vernon Kay. Tickets, including a special £45 family offer for two adults and two children under 16, are available at the at the Alban Arena box office, telephone 01727-844488. Then, on Saturday February 4, the cream of ring talent will be back into its rightful place at the Victoria Hall, Hanley, when All Star’s 2012 Potteries opener sees local lad Dean Allmark, returning to face explosive Midlands campaigner Dave Mastiff. This 'falls anywhere' clash will be right up the street of the aggressive Mastiff who has not looked back since spending several months in the United States at one of the WWE's developmental centres a couple of years ago. The big bill, starting at 7.30pm, also introduces Hanley fans to highly rated Japanese visitor Shinya Ishikawa and his opponent will be campaigner Marty Scurll while in another potential dream match Jonny Storm runs into one of the ring's most charismatic campaigners, 'Rock Star' Spud. Tickets are on sale at the Victoria Hall with booking details are available from 0844-8717649.
Farewell to ring's ‘Sunshine Boy’ Dave Bond
The New Year was only four days old when the wrestling world was saddened to hear of the passing of former heavyweight star DAVE BOND who was only 57 and reportedly died after suffering a heart attack while training at a gym. Tributes paid by former rivals including Tony and Roy St.Clair, William (Steve) Regal, Steve Fury and one-time tag partner Johnny Kincaid reflect the esteem with which Dave, seen above far left in his ring hey-day, was regarded both as a fiercely competitive opponent in the ring and a loyal friend outside the ropes. Making his debut in Dale Martin rings billed as ‘Butcher’ or ‘Soulman’ Bond in the mid-1970s, his ring career stretched over almost two decades, latterly including All Star appearances in southern venues. For a lengthy period he combined wrestling with a ‘day job’ as a civil servant and also played rugby for Dartford. Dave’s most successful ring spell came from 1977 when then Dale Martin matchmaker Mike Marino paired him with Johnny Kincaid as the ‘Caribbean Sunshine Boys,’ a team that generated amazing heat around the country including televised contests and featured appearances at top venues including the Royal Albert Hall. Dave was a staunch supporter of the Southern Wrestlers’ Re-union with our second picture coming from last year’s August event.
Despite suffering a rare ring set-back towards the end of 2011 when his more than year-long grip on the UEFA European heavyweight title was brought to an end, JAMES MASON had cause to celebrate just after Christmas when partner Nicky presented him with a 7lb 4oz son Frankie Max! Mother and baby are doing well as James, pictured centre right, waits for the chance to make a fresh challenge for the UEFA belt after being narrowly edged-out in a clash in Germany against new champion Bad Bones. James had successfully defended the belt at home and abroad after first winning it from ‘Bad News’ Brown at Hanley’s Victoria Hall in October 2010.
Legendary drummer LLOYD RYAN, who became well-known to wrestling followers when succeeding George Gillette as manager and ring spokesman for Kendo Nagasaki, has been drumming up a storm of his own in the recording studio creating 12 track CD ‘Drivin’ Force’ with a big band made up of 16 top musicians. During 40 years in the music business Lloyd (above far right), earned renown as a teacher with Phil Collins among his pupils while also drumming for Duke Ellington, Ken Mackintosh and other noted bands, also backing top stars including Johnnie Ray and Matt Monro. The CD, due to go on sale before the end of January, features the highly acclaimed ‘Norwegian Wood’ by Beatles Paul McCartney and John Lennon and top numbers by composers including Van Morrison, Neil Hefti and Bill Potts.
ITV mark 75 years of Butlin's - and All Star return in 2012!
THE 75 year story of Butlin’s was featured in an hour long ITV1 programme on December 20 and throughout 2012 this uniquely British holiday institution will once again include up to two Superslam wrestling events presented by All Star each week at the Skegness, Bognor Regis and Minehead resorts. Wrestling is now the longest-established Butlins entertainment feature and last summer All Star events were watched by crowds of more than 8,000 every week. All Star will be starting a 38th year as exclusive Butlin’s presenters in 2012 with regular programmes from the half term holiday week in mid-February and at weekends until a six shows a week run from mid-July to September. Weekend action then continues to the end of October before a further extended run during the 2012 festive season. All Star also moved in as wrestling presenters at more than 30 centres for Butlin’s associate Haven Holidays in 2011and there will be a longer season in 2012, Haven action beginning at centres in Scotland from June 20 and throughout England and Wales from July 15.
All Star Wrestling’s 2012 Croydon curtain raiser on Sunday February 5 the features an international knockout tournament including 'Xtreme' Dean Allmark (above left) and ‘Bad News’ Brown, the two men who battled it out in last October's explosive Fairfield Halls cage match contest. On that occasion, with the ring surrounded by a 20 foot high wall of steel, Allmark held on to the coveted Superslam title and belt by the skin of his teeth but Yorkshire rampage Brown, who spent half of 2011 campaigning for the WWE in Florida, USA, immediately demanded a further meeting. But to succeed in this big bill, starting at 3pm, Brown will not only have to overcome Allmark but two more formidable rivals, including highly rated Japanese visitor Shinya Ishikawa and London-based 'Wonder Kid' Jonny Storm, a contender returning to Croydon action after a break of many months. There will also be tag team showdown with the
Double tag feature for St.Albans opener
All Star will be taking wrestling back to the Alban Arena, St.Albans, on Saturday January 21 with a big line-up featuring international action and not one but two tag team clashes! Starting at 7.30pm, the programme’s first Alban Arena team explosion sees the
Farewell to ring's ‘Sunshine Boy’ Dave Bond
The New Year was only four days old when the wrestling world was saddened to hear of the passing of former heavyweight star DAVE BOND who was only 57 and reportedly died after suffering a heart attack while training at a gym. Tributes paid by former rivals including Tony and Roy St.Clair, William (Steve) Regal, Steve Fury and one-time tag partner Johnny Kincaid reflect the esteem with which Dave, seen above far left in his ring hey-day, was regarded both as a fiercely competitive opponent in the ring and a loyal friend outside the ropes. Making his debut in Dale Martin rings billed as ‘Butcher’ or ‘Soulman’ Bond in the mid-1970s, his ring career stretched over almost two decades, latterly including All Star appearances in southern venues. For a lengthy period he combined wrestling with a ‘day job’ as a civil servant and also played rugby for Dartford. Dave’s most successful ring spell came from 1977 when then Dale Martin matchmaker Mike Marino paired him with Johnny Kincaid as the ‘Caribbean Sunshine Boys,’ a team that generated amazing heat around the country including televised contests and featured appearances at top venues including the Royal Albert Hall. Dave was a staunch supporter of the Southern Wrestlers’ Re-union with our second picture coming from last year’s August event.
Despite suffering a rare ring set-back towards the end of 2011 when his more than year-long grip on the UEFA European heavyweight title was brought to an end, JAMES MASON had cause to celebrate just after Christmas when partner Nicky presented him with a 7lb 4oz son Frankie Max! Mother and baby are doing well as James, pictured centre right, waits for the chance to make a fresh challenge for the UEFA belt after being narrowly edged-out in a clash in Germany against new champion Bad Bones. James had successfully defended the belt at home and abroad after first winning it from ‘Bad News’ Brown at Hanley’s Victoria Hall in October 2010.
Legendary drummer LLOYD RYAN, who became well-known to wrestling followers when succeeding George Gillette as manager and ring spokesman for Kendo Nagasaki, has been drumming up a storm of his own in the recording studio creating 12 track CD ‘Drivin’ Force’ with a big band made up of 16 top musicians. During 40 years in the music business Lloyd (above far right), earned renown as a teacher with Phil Collins among his pupils while also drumming for Duke Ellington, Ken Mackintosh and other noted bands, also backing top stars including Johnnie Ray and Matt Monro. The CD, due to go on sale before the end of January, features the highly acclaimed ‘Norwegian Wood’ by Beatles Paul McCartney and John Lennon and top numbers by composers including Van Morrison, Neil Hefti and Bill Potts.
ITV mark 75 years of Butlin's - and All Star return in 2012!
THE 75 year story of Butlin’s was featured in an hour long ITV1 programme on December 20 and throughout 2012 this uniquely British holiday institution will once again include up to two Superslam wrestling events presented by All Star each week at the Skegness, Bognor Regis and Minehead resorts. Wrestling is now the longest-established Butlins entertainment feature and last summer All Star events were watched by crowds of more than 8,000 every week. All Star will be starting a 38th year as exclusive Butlin’s presenters in 2012 with regular programmes from the half term holiday week in mid-February and at weekends until a six shows a week run from mid-July to September. Weekend action then continues to the end of October before a further extended run during the 2012 festive season. All Star also moved in as wrestling presenters at more than 30 centres for Butlin’s associate Haven Holidays in 2011and there will be a longer season in 2012, Haven action beginning at centres in Scotland from June 20 and throughout England and Wales from July 15.