A legendary British wrestling promoter Brian Dixon has died.
Announcing the tragic news on Sunday, May 28, PROGRESS Wrestling took to Twitter to confirm the news that the founder of the British pro wrestling promotion All Star Wrestling had died.
They wrote: "Last night, the world of wrestling lost one of its best and longest-reigning promoters, Brian Dixon. The founder of All Star Wrestling, the oldest promotion in the UK, which launched the careers of many British wrestlers. Thoughts go out to Brian’s family & friends."
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The ECHO previously reported that Birkenhead-based All Star Wrestling was founded by Brian Dixon in 1970, during the golden era of British wrestling.
Brian began his ring career as a referee, before launching All Star under its original name of Wrestling Enterprises. His first event was a show in Marple, Cheshire, which saw his future wife, the blonde bombshell Miss Mitzi Meuller, face Hellcat Haggerty in the main event.
Loving tributes have since come pouring in. WWE legend William Regal said on social media: "I’m very saddened to hear of the passing of British Promotor Brian Dixon. Without Brian, from Nov ‘86 saying “I’ll put you against someone better than you every night” and many other major things he taught and helped me with, I wouldn’t have had this charmed life. Rest well old rogue."
Stu Bennett added: "Sad to wake up to the news that UK promoter Brian Dixon has passed away. I remember how excited I was to be hired by Brian in early ‘06, only for me to reward him with the worst match in the history of professional wrestling.
"Thankfully, he stuck with me and the reps I got on the All Star Wrestling circuit gave me the springboard to get noticed by WWE and further my career in the US. Brian always conducted business as a professional, which was almost unheard of in that era of the UK scene. One of the biggest contributors to UK wrestling in history and so many of us owe him a debt of gratitude. Thank you Brian."
Xia Brookside, daughter of Liverpool Wrestler Robbie Brookside, said: "I’m heartbroken. To the man that gave me my start in wrestling, from the All Star cheerleader to my first run on the camps, to welcoming me back with open arms when I lost my contract but most importantly for treating me like family for the last 24 years. I love you B."
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