[Hanso Amore]

Originally Posted by Iginfest Yes, I was saddened to hear of the death of the great Tony Rowney back in 2009 He was a great heel and his feud with Giant Haystacks is hugely underrated. A wrestler who spent 20 years fighting some of the best-known names of the 1970s and 1980s including Giant Haystacks and Big Daddy has died. Tony Rowney, who was known as The Ring Gladiator, died at his home in Kettering in the early hours of Thursday, aged 70. During his career he was the Midlands middleweight wrestling champion and an Army boxing champion. His son, also called Tony, said: "He loved the showmanship. He was a baddie and he used to love winding up the crowd. "He was a warrior and he fought all his life, right up until the end. "He had an enormous character and loved his family. "There was a tremendous amount of skill in what he did." Mr Rowney, a former steelworker in Corby, wrestled for more than 20 years and went on to spend another 20 years as head of security at Wicksteed Park in Kettering. His family was at his bedside when he died after losing his battle with cancer. His son said: "His strength was amazing and he had a great sense of humour. "I went to watch him wrestle from when I was about 10. I could see him getting hit, but I was more worried for the people he was fighting." ADVERTISING -00:24 Mr Rowney fought in front of crowds at venues across the country including Corby's Stardust Club and the Windmill Club, Rushden. He fought some of the biggest names of the era including Giant Haystacks and Big Daddy.

Oh man you must love and study this business