Bill Verna

Last updated

Bill Verna
Born1929
Perth, Western Australia
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s) Bill Verna
Billed height5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Billed weight267 lb (121 kg; 19.1 st) (at his heaviest)

Bill Verna (born 1929), also known as Big Bill Verna, was an Australian professional wrestler. He wrestled throughout the world during his 20-year career, especially in his adopted country of Great Britain, winning the All European Championship and the British Empire/Commonwealth Heavyweight Championship during the 1950s. One of the first major heels in Joint Promotions, he was mentioned by "Exotic" Adrian Street as one of the wrestlers who helped shape professional wrestling in Britain. [1] [ unreliable source? ]

Contents

Biography

Bill Verna was born in Perth, Western Australia in 1929. [2] [ unreliable source? ] He moved to Belgium in 1947 and adopted freestyle wrestling as his profession. [3] [ unreliable source? ] When he became a pro wrestler, he weighed around 224 pounds, and stood 5 feet and 10 inches in height. He trained for two to three hours each morning and raised his weight to 280 pounds. [3] [4] [ unreliable source? ] After settling in Britain, he traveled the world to wrestle but continued to return to Britain to face such wrestlers as Billy Two Rivers, Gord Nelson, and Paul "Butcher" Vachon. [5] [6] [7] He also faced, but was defeated by, Lou Thesz in a match that took place in Brighton, East Sussex. [2] In 1948, he wrestled in the main event at a show at Happy World Stadium in Singapore. In the sixth round, he was knocked out by Dara Singh. [8] He then wrestled a series of matches against Jagindar Singh, defeating him in the main event of a show on 4 September and again on 16 October. [9] [10] The following January, he was again knocked out during a match in Singapore. Competing against Jejl Goldstein, he was hit and fell out of the ring and on to a fan at ringside. [11] Two months later, he collapsed during a match; as a result, his opponent, King Kong, was awarded the victory. [12]

Verna fought more than 2000 wrestling bouts. [3] In 1952, he won the All European Championship. Bill married a Singaporean in 1954 while he was living in Belgium. [3] In the mid-1950s, he wrestled in Pakistan as a face. During this time, he was outspoken against the Pakistani media, as he objected to them always depicting local wrestlers controlling matches against foreign wrestlers. [3] While he was competing, Verna's best friend was Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Famer Bert Assirati, although the two had matches in which both wrestlers made each other bleed quite a bit. Verna explained in an interview that neither man held back because they did not want the fans to "complain that they did not enjoy the fight". [13] [ unreliable source? ]

While competing against Pakistani wrestler Akram Pahalwan, Verna's opponent suffered a dislocated left shoulder that forced Pahalwan to take a break from wrestling. [14] [ unreliable source? ] Verna later held the British Empire/Commonwealth Heavyweight Championship in the 1950s before dropping the title to Geoff Portz during a match in Newcastle, New South Wales in 1959. [15] [16] He also defeated Phil Siki, the heavyweight champion of the West Indies, in a match at Cambridge Road Baths. [17] In the summer of 1960, he headlined wrestling events held at the California Ballroom in bouts against Francis Sullivan and Ray Hunter. [18] In the 1960s, Verna appeared regularly on televised wrestling programs in Britain. These were some of the earliest televised matches broadcast in the United Kingdom and, between 1961–62, were promoted by Joint Promotions. Among his opponents included Frankie Townsend [19] and Bill Rawlings. [20] He wrestled as a heel and gained the hatred of many fans. [4] In March 1966, Verna agreed to serve as a last minute replacement for the "flu-struck" Wayne Bridges in his match against Dennis Mitchell at Royal Albert Hall. Verna scored a submission victory in the second round but was knocked out by Mitchell in the next round. [21] [22]

In Pakistan, where Verna spent most of his career, the journal Ash Shuja featured Verna in a 1955 story. He was said to be "appreciated and admired as a player throughout the world". It also stated that he was "acknowledged with great respect among the famous wrestlers of the world". [13]

Championships and accomplishments

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Antonio Inoki</span> Japanese wrestler and politician (1943–2022)

Muhammad Hussain Inoki was a Japanese professional wrestler, martial artist, politician, and promoter of professional wrestling and mixed martial arts. He was best known by the ring name Antonio Inoki, a homage to fellow professional wrestler Antonino Rocca. Inoki was a twelve-time professional wrestling world champion, notably being the first IWGP Heavyweight Champion and the first Asian WWF Heavyweight Champion – a reign not officially recognized by WWE.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Davey Boy Smith</span> British professional wrestler

David Smith was an English professional wrestler best known for his appearances in the United States with the World Wrestling Federation under the ring names Davey Boy Smith and The British Bulldog.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dara Singh</span> Indian professional wrestler and actor

Dara Singh Randhawa was an Indian professional wrestler, actor, director and politician. He started acting in 1952 and was the first sportsman to be nominated to the Rajya Sabha of India. He worked as Hindi and Punjabi film producer, director and writer, and he acted in films and television. His role of Hanuman in the film Bajrangbali (1976) and in Ramanand Sagar's Ramayan made him popular. Singh was inducted into the Legacy wing of the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2018.

John Robert Hindley is an English retired professional wrestler, better known by the ring name Johnny Smith. He is best known for his appearances with All Japan Pro Wrestling.

Akram Pahalwan, also known as Iki Pehlwan, was a Pakistani wrestler and a part of the Bholu Brothers tag team in professional wrestling during the late 1960s. Some of his opponents were Haji Afzal (1963), George Gordienko (1967), Anton Geesink (1968), Antonio Inoki (1976) and Halal Mahdame (1964).

Muhammad Aslam, popularly known as Aslam Pahalwan, was a Pakistani professional wrestler and World Heavyweight Champion in professional wrestling. He was ranked as the world's No.9 by Wrestling Revue "Official Wrestling Ratings in December 1968. In Europe and America, he had wrestled as the All-India Champion. His son Jhara Pahalwan was also a wrestler.

Manzoor Hussain (1922–1985), also known as Bholu Pahalwan, was a Pakistani wrestler and held the world heavyweight title.

Gadowar Singh Sahota ; born December 8, 1954) is an Indo-Canadian semi-retired professional wrestler known as Gama Singh and Great Gama Sahota was a villainous mainstay and top attraction in Stu Hart's Stampede Wrestling in Calgary for much of the 1970s and 1980s. Sahota also wrestled internationally in Japan, South Africa, Germany, Kuwait, Dubai, Oman, Australia, the United States and the Caribbean. He also worked sporadically, mostly on overseas tours, for Vince McMahon and the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) from 1980 to 1986. His nephew is former WWE Champion Jinder Mahal. Singh made a brief comeback of sorts in 2018, when he signed with Impact Wrestling as the manager for a stable of Indian wrestlers known as the Desi Hit Squad, but quietly left in 2020.

Wadi Ayoub was a champion Greco–Roman style wrestler in Lebanon and then a professional wrestler, best known as Sheik Ali, in Australia and touring internationally. He was famous for his headbutts and his moves included the "Egyptian Deadlock".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Emile Czaja</span> Australian-Indian professional wrestler and actor (1909 – 1970)

Emile Czaja, better known by his ring name King Kong, was an Australian-Indian professional wrestler and actor born in Hungary in 1909. He was active from 1929 until 1970. He wrestled mostly in Japan, Singapore, Europe, New Zealand, and Australia. In professional wrestling, his arch rivals were Aslam Pahalwan, Hamida Pahalwan, Sheik Ali and Dara Singh.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Drew McDonald (wrestler)</span> Scottish professional wrestler (1955–2015)

Drew McDonald was a Scottish professional wrestler. He was best known for wrestling in the United Kingdom since the 1980s.

Peter Minnema better known by his ring name Pete Wilson is a Canadian professional wrestler. He is best known for his time in Stampede Wrestling where he held several titles, including the Stampede International Tag Team Championship which he held three times.

John Arthur Quinn was a Canadian professional wrestler. In the United States, he was best known for his appearances in the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF) under the ring name The Kentucky Butcher in the late-1960s, where he challenged then WWWF World Heavyweight Champion Bruno Sammartino on several occasions, including a 1968 main event at Madison Square Garden.

Gilbert Lee Hayes was a Canadian professional wrestler who competed in North American promotions during the 1960s and 1970s including All-Star Wrestling and Stampede Wrestling where he remained a mainstay for the majority of his 17-year career. One of the first Canadian professional wrestlers to compete in Puerto Rico, he also frequently toured Japan with International Wrestling Enterprise during the mid-to-late 1970s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Skull Murphy</span> Canadian professional wrestler

John Joseph Murphy was a Canadian professional wrestler, better known by his ring name Skull Murphy. He began his career wrestling in Canada and later worked at Jim Crockett Promotions and Georgia Championship Wrestling in the United States. In the 1960s, he teamed with Brute Bernard in the World Wide Wrestling Federation and won championships in several professional wrestling promotions. In his later career, he worked primarily in Australia.

The Bholu Brothers were Pakistani wrestlers born into a family of Kashmiri origin.

Tony St. Clair is an English retired professional wrestler. He is well known for his stints in Joint Promotions and All Star Wrestling in the United Kingdom, Catch Wrestling Association in Austria and Germany, and New Japan Pro-Wrestling. He is also known as a trainer, with his trainees including "Gentleman" Chris Adams and Osamu Nishimura.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tiger Joginder Singh</span> Indian professional wrestler (b.1919)

Joginder Singh was an Indian professional wrestler. He was the first All Asia Tag Team Champion, along with King Kong. He was one of the top professional wrestlers of India at that time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mukhtiar Singh</span> Indian wrestler (1943–2019)

Captain Mukhtiar Singh, popularly known as Mukhiya, was an Indian wrestler. He was the first one to grab two gold medals for India in Commonwealth Games and also he won a bronze medal in the 1970 Asian Games. He served Indian Army for 26 years and retired as Hon. Captain in 1988. Indian Army honored him with Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM) for his outstanding services. He was awarded Arjun Award, the second-highest sporting honour of India, in 1967.

Munraj Sahota is a Canadian professional wrestler. He is currently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA), where he performs under the ring name Campaign Singh.

References

  1. ↑ Street, Adrian. "My Tribute to 'The Gladiators' of the Golden Age of British Professional Wrestling". Fight Times Magazine. Retrieved 23 June 2009.
  2. 1 2 "A Legend in Our Midst". Wrestling Heritage. Retrieved 23 June 2009.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Azam, Farid; Mike Hallinan. "Continuing Page on Wrestling". Wrestling in Pakistan. Archived from the original on 26 October 2009. Retrieved 23 June 2009.
  4. 1 2 "1950: A World Champion on the Loose". Wrestling Heritage. Archived from the original on 23 August 2007. Retrieved 23 June 2009.
  5. ↑ Nevada, Vance. "Billy Two Rivers". SLAM! Wrestling. Archived from the original on 16 July 2012. Retrieved 23 June 2009.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  6. ↑ Nevada, Vance. "Gord Nelson". SLAM! Wrestling. Archived from the original on 16 July 2012. Retrieved 23 June 2009.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  7. ↑ Nevada, Vance. "Paul Vachon". SLAM! Wrestling. Archived from the original on 13 July 2012. Retrieved 23 June 2009.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  8. ↑ "Dara Singh KO's Bill Verna". The Straits Times . 19 September 1948. p. 10.
  9. ↑ "Jagindar Beaten". The Straits Times. 5 September 1948. p. 10.
  10. ↑ "Dam Singh Wins". The Straits Times. 17 October 1948. p. 11.
  11. ↑ "Verna Knocked Out of Ring". The Straits Times. 30 January 1949. p. 11.
  12. ↑ "Great World Wrestling". The Straits Times. 6 March 1949. p. 10.
  13. 1 2 "The Iron Man". Ash Shuja. January 1955. p. 8.
  14. ↑ Azam, Farid. "Bholu Brothers of Wrestling". Wrestling in Pakistan. Archived from the original on 3 September 2009. Retrieved 11 July 2009.
  15. 1 2 "British Empire/Commonwealth Heavyweight Title". Wrestling Titles. Retrieved 23 June 2009.
  16. ↑ "Wrestler Profiles: Geoff Portz". Online World of Wrestling. Archived from the original on 19 July 2009. Retrieved 23 June 2009.
  17. ↑ "Another 'no contest' at the Baths". Huddersfield Daily Examiner . 2006. Retrieved 23 June 2009.
  18. ↑ "1960". Gigs: 1960. California-Ballroom.info. 2005. Retrieved 29 June 2009.
  19. ↑ Lister, John (2006). "ITV Wrestling: 1961". ITV Wrestling. JohnListerWriting.com. Archived from the original on 13 July 2011. Retrieved 30 June 2009.
  20. ↑ Lister, John (2006). "ITV Wrestling: 1962". ITV Wrestling. JohnListerWriting.com. Archived from the original on 13 July 2011. Retrieved 30 June 2009.
  21. ↑ Mascall, Charles (March 1966). "Ricky Starr smashes "Bully Boy" Lynch". A Seat at the Ringside. Wrestling Furnace Picture Gallery. Archived from the original on 20 July 2011. Retrieved 27 June 2009.
  22. ↑ "Results from the Royal Albert Hall and Wembley Arena Spectaculars". BritishWrestlingArchive.co.uk. 2003. Archived from the original on 2 July 2012. Retrieved 29 June 2009.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.