British Wrestling

British Wrestling. In its most open form it simply means wrestling taking place in the UK. But to many it stands for a style best remembered from the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s where everything stopped on Saturday afternoons to watch 'the wrestling'.

The photo shows James Tighe, an excellent modern technical British wrestler. The photos on this page all come courtesy of top British Photos collection WrestlingPhotos.co.uk.

This lens remembers both the glory days of British Wrestling and the glitz and glamour of today. Please join in with the debate at the end and ask the question, which was better? Yesterday or today?

Back when 'World of Sport' ruled the airwaves, British Wrestlers were household names. Everyone could name the top wrestlers, even if they didn't follow the sport, and would know when and where the regular wrestling visits to the local community took place.

Here are just a few of the top names of yesteryear. See how many you can remember.

• Kendo Nagasaki
• Giant Haystacks
• Big Daddy
• Mick McManus
• Jackie Pallo
• Johnny Saint
• Les Kellet
• Bomber Pat Roach
• Paul Lincoln
• Dynamite Kid
• George Kidd
• Steve Logan
• Mike Marino

Few wrestlers of yesterday or today hold more intrigue than Kendo Nagasaki. The masked warrior, still plying his trade as in his glory days, holds a captive feel over the audience and his opponents that all wrestlers would long for. Whether blessing the ring with the Ceremony of the Salt, or dismantling his opponents with ease during the contests, Kendo Nagasaki is a clear indication of what the glory age of British Wrestling was all about.

The wrestlers of today and still plying their crafts around the halls and social clubs of the UK. In many ways this shows dedication, as the financial rewards and recognition are just not there in the same way that they were for the warriors of the past.

Here are just a few of the top names of today. How do they rate and what potential do they have?

• Anarchist Doug Williams
• Wonderkid Jonny Storm
• Pac
• Phoenix Jodie Fleisch
• Dave Moralez
• Spud
• Zack Sabre Jr
• James Tighe
• Martin Stone
• Nick Aldis
• Robbie Brookside
• Stixx
• Phil Bedwell

Dave Moralez, shown here dominating former WWE star Eugene, is often seen in main events all around the country, and is a true example of what training and dedication can bring to the modern British Wrestling scene. Having both an aura of respect around him and a physically imposing presence he is a true example of where the sport of professional wrestling could be heading.

The world of wrestling has changed dramatically in recent years. The high intensity style of the WWE means that very few British Wrestlers enter looking to learn the traditional British craft. The more Americanised style may lose some viewers, but it can also produce some incredibly gifted British wrestlers.

This is your chance to say, which era produced the best British Wrestling?

The old 'World of Sport' era of (roughly) the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s?

Or, the modern era of today?

Which era truly means British Wrestlng to you?

Recent videos from YouTube. See what people are watching on British Wrestling.

More places to visit if you like British Wrestling

Here are a few more places to visit if you are interested in British Wrestling:

British Wrestling Pictures.

British Wrestling channel on YouTube