Billy Robinson passed away
 

Nope, not a Seth thread.

But yeah, amazing technical wrestler from back in the day. One of the best ever to come out of the UK.

RIP

Not one of, he is the best to come out of the UK.

First saw him in a match with Inoki, and I was blown away.

He was indeed the best wrestler from the UK.

I never bother posting RIP threads for older legends as most would just shit all over it.

Billy in recent years has been a huge inspiration to the MMA World as well.

http://www.wwe.com/inside/billy-robinson-passes-away

http://www.wwe.com/f/wysiwyg/image/2014/03/PWI_0045.jpg

WWE is saddened by the news that Billy Robinson has passed away.

Equally influential as a submission specialist and a trainer of Hall of Fame talent, Robinson was a champion amateur wrestler in England in the 1950s before learning the dangerous art of catch wrestling in the infamous Snakepit — a gruff gym in the town of Wigan in Greater Manchester, England. Emerging after years of arduous groundwork as one of the UK’s most dangerous shooters, Robinson became an in-demand talent all over the world.

“He was the first globetrotting British heavyweight, which was something I aspired to be,” William Regal told WWE.com.

Indeed, during his storied career, Robinson had international showdowns with the world’s top grapplers, including a heavily hyped bout against Antonio Inoki in Japan and a grueling encounter with Verne Gagne in Chicago’s Comiskey Park. As a trainer, Robinson’s reach was even greater as his guidance impacted multiple generations.

“My trainer, Marty Jones, was trained by Billy Robinson, so was Johnny Saint and a lot of great British wrestlers,” Regal said.

Robinson also coached WWE Hall of Famers Ric Flair and The Iron Sheik, and still inspires competitors today, including Daniel Bryan, who once told WWE.com, “When I think of a wrestler, I think of Billy Robinson.”

Robinson’s lasting effect on sports-entertainment is an uncommon one, and his unique influence may never be felt again.

“He’s one of those people that’s a one-off,” Regal said. “There’s never been anybody like him. He was a true icon in wrestling.”

Him and Nick Bockwinkel had some great matches over the years.

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Billy vs Verne Gagne for the AWA World Title in IWE Japan
11/20/1974
-Billy and Verne had one of the best feuds of all time.
<iframe frameborder="0" width="480" height="270" src="http://www.dailymotion.com/embed/video/x13n4nx" allowfullscreen></iframe><br /><a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x13n4nx_verne-gagne-c-vs-billy-robinson-2-3-falls-iwe-11-20-74_sport" target="_blank">Verne Gagne (c) vs Billy Robinson - 2/3 Falls...</a> <i>by <a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/SenorLARIATO" target="_blank">SenorLARIATO</a></i>

Billy Robinson vs Giant Baba
7/24/1976
<iframe width="640" height="390" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/hfRs2GpPPRg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Billy Robinson/Les Thornton vs Nick Bockwinkel/Jim Brunzell
-12/05/1980
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There are fewer and fewer stars from the AWA left each year. Mad Dog Vachon and Jerry Blackwell are both gone as is Curt Hennig. Verne is in a nursing home with Alzeimers and Bockwinkel was diagnosed with it a year or so ago. Bobby Heenan has had all sorts of problems. Brusier Brody and Wahoo McDaniel and Ray Stevens are all gone. The height of the AWA is quickly just fading away.

Greatest British rassler was Big Daddy "easy, easy,easy!" But yeah RIP this guy too

It really is sad that a man with the intellect of Bockwinkel has Alzheimer's.

I guess it runs in his family though as his dad Warren had it in his later years.

Superstar Billy Graham is another AWA legend that has been battling health issues for a number of years now too. Blackjack Mulligan has been sickly the last few years too.

AWA Legends like Baron Von Raschke, Blackjack Lanza, Jim Brunzell, Greg Gagne, Sgt. Slaughter, Jesse Ventura, Pat Patterson & others are all still doing well.

The Crusher & Dick The Bruiser are also sadly gone as well.

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Billy's influence in MMA.

Also, tried to come up with a good top 5 of all time from Britain. My best guess was...

5. Davey Boy Smith
4. Adrian Street
3. Dynamite Kid
2. William Regal
1. Billy Robinson

Big Daddy is the best British rassler then Giant Haystacks. Fact.

http://image1.findagrave.com/photos/...9293774599.jpg
He's so bad ass he killed a guy with his big splash. He should be made an honorary American. UK #2!

I would also mention Mick McManus, Mark 'Rollerball' Rocco, Johnny Saint & Chris Adams.

Chris Adams was incredible in WCCW. Id put Johnny Saint ahead of Davey Boy. Was never a huge Davey Boy Smith fan.

Updated list:

5. Chris Adams
4. Adrian Street
3. Dynamite Kid
2. William Regal
1. Billy Robinson

Honorable Mention: Johnny Saint.

Completely forgot about Adams, despite he being the original Matt Hardy to Steve Austin's Edge. I was actually torn about putting Saint on this list at #3. Problem is, he had very few appearances outside of England, hence why I'm ultimately putting him in as an honorable mention.