Steve Rickard

This is an old story that Dave wrote in the 1970’s – Around the World

Steve Rickard is rapidly becoming known as the greatest globetrotter in wrestling. In recent years he has made numerous trips to Australia, several to Singapore, and has wrestled in Canada, U.S.A., Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, India and right through the Pacific Islands New Hebrides, New Caledonia, Western Samoa, American Samoa, Fiji, Tahiti and Hawaii.

Between trips, Steve is to be seen thrilling his many fans in his native New Zealand. At this writing, Steve is away again this time to Australia, then to Japan, after which he hopes to return home via the United States and Hawaii.

This ex C.I.B. detective who gave up an interesting career in the police force because the money was so much better, if less assured in wrestling, called at short notice could produce anything the fans wanted. If they want straight then Steve has at his command a background of 20 years in the amateurs. But if villainy is what they’re seeking then Steve, although he provides the straight role, can give them the heavy stuff. His matches in Australia with Killer Kowalski were real blood baths. “Believe me that man’s a killer all right”, says Steve. “The first time I wrestled him he came straight out of his corner like a rocket and while I was still removing my jacket smacked me over the head, knocked me down and stamped on me. After this display of who was boss, I was warned, and I watched the Killer every moment we were in the ring – even before the bell and after it.

Five years ago Steve wrestled in Canada and he still has the highest regards for the skill of Karl Gotch. “Gotch is a true wrestler with all the science that we are led to believe the greats of earlier generations possessed – men like Jim Londos, Dick Shikat, Stan Zbyszko and others.

Many years had passed since King Kong had wrestled in India, but he had always nurtured the desire to return there, where he had been a tremendous success. At the time of King Kong’s accident he had only recently had word that he was booked for another Indian campaign. Now, however, he knows he could never make it. So he asked Steve if he would go to India and wrestle in his place.

Steve was proud to be the one chosen for the mission, and King Kong asked him if he would keep his name alive by using it. You see most people around Asia regarded King Kong as a legendary figure. I doubt that any other foreign wrestler will ever be accepted so wholeheartedly by the Indians.

Steve Rickard went into India and wrestled as Young Kong, son of King Kong. The Indians liked him. The name alone was sufficient to draw them to his bouts by the thousands. At one stadium in India he found he was the only European wrestler on the bill, and it seemed only natural that the Indians would want their local favourites to win. Steve was booked against the home star, Tiger Sucha Singh, in a place called Zijayawada. It was a hard scientific contest with Steve taking the deciding fall after about 50 minutes. Spectators were storming the ring from all sides. But there was no need to worry. Steve was hoisted on their shoulders and carried from the ring. This is something a wrestler doesn’t expect when in another country. What a pity King Kong could not have been there to see the manner in which his name was revered.

Steve returned to Singapore and visited King Kong in hospital. Two days later Kong was dead. He was 61 when he died, and indeed had been 61 when he wrestled his last match in Singapore. A remarkable example of longevity in wrestling, shown also by other immortals as Stan Zbyszko, Strangler Lewis, Martin Plestina, Jim Londos and Lou Thesz.

On May 17, Steve performed his last duty for the great King Kong when he helped bear his body to its final resting place. His five fellow pallbearers were wrestlers too. That’s the way King Kong would have wanted it.

Although Steve has only had limited experience wrestling in the United States he is quick to point out that America is still THE greatest wrestling country in the world.

Steve was fortunate enough to go into the Carolinas where fellow New Zealander Abe Jacobs was wrestling. It was only natural that they team up and Steve was sorry when his time was up and he had to return to Singapore where he promised the promoters he would open their new season.

He flew to London for three days and then back to Singapore, where the mat action is really rough. The audiences there are unrestrained, uninhibited and simply wild. If the local hero is in danger of being defeated, objects such as cans, bottles, pieces of timber or chains come hurtling in the ring.

American mat fans should be on the lookout for Steve Rickard in the very near future. He is very anxious to do an extensive tour of the U.S. Steve just loves travelling and meeting people, and is always on the lookout for new wrestling worlds to conquer. So look out America Steve Rickard will really make his presence felt.