ALL-IN WRESTLING

Greymouth Evening Star, 19 April 1938, Page 3

ALL-IN WRESTLING

KICKING IS PERMITTED. LONDON. Marell 4. “I don’t call all-in wrestling a sport,” declared Mr. Justice Charles in the King’s Bench Division yesterday. “I am accustomed to seeing the contestants described as ‘tigers,’ ‘wolves’ and all sorts of things. They apparently light with terrific energy, get desperately hurt, then go off together and do exactly the same thing in another town." In the action before the Court. Mr. Philip Meader, of Angell Road. Brixton, a. referee of all-in wrestling, sued a wrestler, Carl Reginsky, of Wliitlield Street. AV. He alleged that Reginsky assaulted him after he had disqualified Reginsky in a contest at Seymour Hall, Paddington. Mr. Alban Gordon, for the plaintiff, said that. Reginsky liked to be known as “the roughest and toughest matmauler in the game.” In the contest at Paddington his opponent was Joe Deva Ito. Mr. Justice Charles: 1 suppose Devalto’s name is Smith? (Laughter.) Mr. Gordon said that Mr. Meader had to caution Reginsky. Mr. Justice Charles: Is anything barred in all-in wrestling? Mr. Gordon said there were certain rules. Mr. Justice Charles: Oh. you can't eat your opponent! Mr. Gordon said that kicking was permitted in order to get out of holds. Mr. Justice Charles: There, you have it. If a man has got hold of you and you see his chin in the way, you can kick him hard and away he’ll go. That isn’t, a foul! (Laugh!er). Mr. Gordon explained that Devalto was violently thrown and was lying defenceless on the mat when Reginsky took a series of flying kicks at him. He was cautioned. Mr. Justice Charles: It was a littlediscourteous. (Laughter.) . Finally, said Counsel, the referee disqualified the defendant. What was left of Devalto was carried out and given brandy! (Laughter.) In the dressing room, he said. Mr. Meader was brutally assaulted by Reginsky.

JUMPS ON OPPONENTS. Mr. Justice Charles, an amateur boxer of note in his college days, had a long and hearty laugh when he perused a book of all-in wrestling rules during the hearing of an action in the King’s Bench Division yesterday. Later, when there was a discussion between counsel, he remarked. “You two will be having an all-in bout yourselves directly, and then I shall step down to act as referee and' someone may be disqualified!” (Laughter.) Mr. Justice Charles, reading from the rules, said: “I. see you may not break a limb deliberately. Gouging, scratching, ear-pulling and hair-pluck-ing are not allowed. I am surprised, “Then, I see, you must no throw your opponent out of the ring without touching the ropes. I suppose you

may heave him right over if he. touches the ropes. Water is not to be used in any circumstances unless a wrestler bleeds. Can'you use anything else?” Mr. Meader: A sponge down. In his evidence, Mr. Meader said that Reginsky’s bout with Devalto became rough' and out of hand. Reginsky, whom he had cautioned three times,' '“body-slammed” Devalto By picking him up and throwing him in the air and on the floor. Then he began a

series of kicks at Devalto, who appeared semi-conscious.

He disqualified Reginsky, and in the dressing-room Reginsky knocked him out. and kicked him. Mr. Meader said his “nerve” was not what it was, and Mr. Alban Gordon, his counsel, asked: “Nerve is very necessary in your job?” Mr. Justice Charles: Oh, yes! You needn’t elaborate that. It wouldn’t do to have a. “cissy” as a referee. JUDGE’S EXPERIENCE. When Mr. Meader was describing again how he was knocked out, Mr. Justice Charles remarked "I have been knocked out twice, but I have never been knocked out by a blow on. the mouth. You were, and that is what I cannot understand.” AVhen Devalto went into the witnessbox the judge asked: “Are you the gentleman who was picked up and thrown down?” Devalto said he was.

Mr. D. Conroy, for the defendant, asked: “On Tuesday at Tufnell Park were yon disqualified, and did you knock out the referee and two seconds?” Devalto hesitated, and Mr. Conroy observed: “It is nothing dishonourable to have to admit it.” Mr. Justice Charles: Oh, no’. It inspires one with admiration. Devalto said he did not remember knocking out the referee and two seconds. Mr. Conroy, before calling Reginsky, said that his client wished to apologise to Mr. Meader for losing his temper. Reginsky. in the witness-box, was asked by the judge how he was described. Counsel handed up a hand-bill advertising the contest. ' Mr. Justice Charles (reading): “Germany’s ace bad man....the toughest and roughest mat-mauler at the present moment.”

Mr. Conroy: AVas there any need for you to kick Devalto to win?—Nb. I can always pin him down easily. Mr. Justice .Charles: It is not only pinning him down, but he throws him up '• Reginsky: AVhen I pin a nian I generally take him up and slam him and Mr. Conroy (interrupting): And he stays slammed, I suppose? Reginsky: And then I jump on him. (Laughter.) . , a “During the match, he said, Meader kicked’ me in th face. I donjt. allow no referee to kick me in the face while I am wrestling. In the dressing-room I hit him once or twice and walked away." i Mr. Justice Charles: Did you trarnplfe on him? —I walked over him. (Laughter. ) 1 Mr. Gordon: One of .the tactics ot which you are rather fond when you are in a temper is the playful little habit of breaking a man’s limb, is i|t not? —There have been' accidents, but I never broke a man’s limb deliberately. Mr. Justice Charles, giving judgment for £l5O damages to the plaintiff said that the sport appeared' to him to be an animal contest. i

“They are not milk-and-water people,” he said, “they are rough peopleIf they did not say they were rough they would not get an engagement id this high class entertainment.” :