William Alfred Robinson was a British professional and catch wrestler, wrestling instructor and trainer.
23 Facts About Billy Robinson
2.
Billy Robinson was one of the few wrestlers who was successful in several continents, winning titles in promotions nearly everywhere he wrestled.
3.
One of the leading practitioners of catch wrestling and a seven-time world champion, Billy Robinson is considered to be one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time, with legendary champion Lou Thesz once saying he was the greatest ever.
4.
Billy Robinson was well known in Japan where he trained mixed martial artists and professional wrestlers in catch wrestling.
5.
Billy Robinson began his amateur wrestling career in Britain in 1955.
6.
Billy Robinson was the British National Wrestling Champion in 1957, and in 1958 he was the European Open Wrestling Champion in the light heavyweight class, beating an Olympic bronze medal winner in the finals.
7.
Billy Robinson had to survive bare minimum amenities, a very rough training environment and rigorous conditioning.
8.
In 1963, Billy Robinson fought at the Royal Albert Hall in a match that was attended by Prince Philip.
9.
Billy Robinson later defeated older fellow Snake Pit wrestler Billy Joyce for the European title on 12 June 1965 and then beat Joyce again for the British title on 18 January 1967, vacating both titles in 1970 when he went off to America.
10.
Billy Robinson had a high-profile feud with legendary masked wrestler Kendo Nagasaki.
11.
In 1978, Billy Robinson made a brief homecoming tour of the UK including a televised win over Lee Bronson.
12.
Billy Robinson traveled to North America in 1969 for Stu Hart's Stampede Wrestling where he defeated Archie "The Stomper" Gouldie to earn a title shot at NWA World Heavyweight champion Dory Funk Jr.
13.
Billy Robinson was one of the most successful wrestlers of the American promotion known for hiring the "Real Deals" in wrestling.
14.
Billy Robinson was the AWA British Empire Heavyweight Champion; he defended the title in both the United States and Canada, winning on 3 occasions.
15.
Billy Robinson wrestled in Montreal in 1982 and 1983 becoming the International Champion beating Dino Bravo and was International Tag Team champions with Pierre Mad Dog Lefebvre.
16.
Billy Robinson wrestled to a 60-minutes time-limit draw against then WWF Champion Bob Backlund in 1982 as well in Montreal.
17.
Billy Robinson travelled to Japan where he became immensely popular as a legitimate wrestler versed in submission holds.
18.
Billy Robinson participated in a professional wrestling match against legendary Antonio Inoki in 1975.
19.
Billy Robinson continued an active professional wrestling career, travelling throughout the world to participate in various events.
20.
Billy Robinson became a part of the shoot style movement when he wrestled in an exhibition match for the UWFi against fellow AWA legend Nick Bockwinkel on 8 May 1992.
21.
Billy Robinson, having previously trained wrestlers in England including Marty Jones and Johnny Saint, began training wrestlers in catch wrestling at the UWF Snake Pit in Japan, including James Maritato, Kazushi Sakuraba and El Signo.
22.
Billy Robinson was inducted into the International Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2003.
23.
Billy Robinson died on 3 March 2014, at the age of 75 and was buried three days later.