Mike Marino
Encyclopedia
Mike Marino was an English
professional wrestler
and a leading name during the World of Sport
era in British wrestling. At his death Marino was (kayfabe
) holder of the three Mid-Heavyweight titles
active in Britain at the time.
of Italian
extraction, Marino initially turned to boxing
as a Cruiserweight. However unable to obtain a licence to box in the United Kingdom
, he spent his entire career in mainland Europe
. He turned to wrestling in the early 1950s and came to prominence after winning an international tournament in Paris
in 1951.
Marino won the World Mid-Heavyweight Championship in 1957 and went on to hold the title four times. The European Mid-Heavyweight Championship was added in 1967, although his claim was for a time disputed Bill Howes, with Marino eventually relinquishing his claim until Howes retirement. He eventually added the British Mid-Heavyweight Championship
, winning the title in December 1966 and holding it until his death in 1981. Marino held all three belts when he died.
A regular on the main shows at the Royal Albert Hall
, Marino was recognised as one of British wrestling's leading technicians of the era. He gained the nickname 'Mr. Wrestling' due to his ability and his length of service. Nonetheless Marino was one of a number of wrestlers to be caught up in a 'tabloid exposé' when in 1972 the News of the World
published the transcripts of a dressing room conversation between Marino and his opponent Albert 'Rocky' Wall discussing how their upcoming match would be arranged. With British wrestling still operating full kayfabe such stories exposing the scripted nature of the sport were common in the tabloids at the time.
. He had been booked to wrestle Big Jim Harris at the town's Leas Cliff Hall but after being adjudged unable to perofrm was taken to Ashford
Hospital where he was treated for a swollen tongue. Marino discharged himself the same night and left with fellow wrestler Mal Sanders but suffered from a convulsive attack as they travelled on the M20 motorway
. He died by the roadside and was afterwards revealed to have been suffering from leukemia
. A Mike Marino Memorial Shield was later contested, with Sanders winning the inaugural tournament.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
professional wrestler
Professional wrestling
Professional wrestling is a mode of spectacle, combining athletics and theatrical performance.Roland Barthes, "The World of Wrestling", Mythologies, 1957 It takes the form of events, held by touring companies, which mimic a title match combat sport...
and a leading name during the World of Sport
World of Sport (UK TV series)
World of Sport was a British television sport anthology programme which ran on ITV between 2 January 1965 to 28 September 1985 in response to competition from BBC's Grandstand...
era in British wrestling. At his death Marino was (kayfabe
Kayfabe
In professional wrestling, kayfabe is the portrayal of events within the industry as "real" or "true". Specifically, the portrayal of professional wrestling, in particular the competition and rivalries between participants, as being genuine or not of a worked nature...
) holder of the three Mid-Heavyweight titles
Championship (professional wrestling)
A Championship or "title" in professional wrestling is a recognition promoted by professional wrestling organizations.Championship reigns are determined by professional wrestling matches, in which competitors are involved in scripted rivalries...
active in Britain at the time.
Wrestling career
Born in LondonLondon
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
of Italian
Italian people
The Italian people are an ethnic group that share a common Italian culture, ancestry and speak the Italian language as a mother tongue. Within Italy, Italians are defined by citizenship, regardless of ancestry or country of residence , and are distinguished from people...
extraction, Marino initially turned to boxing
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
as a Cruiserweight. However unable to obtain a licence to box in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, he spent his entire career in mainland Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
. He turned to wrestling in the early 1950s and came to prominence after winning an international tournament in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
in 1951.
Marino won the World Mid-Heavyweight Championship in 1957 and went on to hold the title four times. The European Mid-Heavyweight Championship was added in 1967, although his claim was for a time disputed Bill Howes, with Marino eventually relinquishing his claim until Howes retirement. He eventually added the British Mid-Heavyweight Championship
British Mid-Heavyweight Championship
The British Mid-Heavyweight Championship was a top British wrestling championship found throughout the country's circuit. The title's history dates back to 1952 and runs to the present day. Officially mid-heavyweights were required to weigh between 14st 2 lb and 14st 12 lb.- Title history...
, winning the title in December 1966 and holding it until his death in 1981. Marino held all three belts when he died.
A regular on the main shows at the Royal Albert Hall
Royal Albert Hall
The Royal Albert Hall is a concert hall situated on the northern edge of the South Kensington area, in the City of Westminster, London, England, best known for holding the annual summer Proms concerts since 1941....
, Marino was recognised as one of British wrestling's leading technicians of the era. He gained the nickname 'Mr. Wrestling' due to his ability and his length of service. Nonetheless Marino was one of a number of wrestlers to be caught up in a 'tabloid exposé' when in 1972 the News of the World
News of the World
The News of the World was a national red top newspaper published in the United Kingdom from 1843 to 2011. It was at one time the biggest selling English language newspaper in the world, and at closure still had one of the highest English language circulations...
published the transcripts of a dressing room conversation between Marino and his opponent Albert 'Rocky' Wall discussing how their upcoming match would be arranged. With British wrestling still operating full kayfabe such stories exposing the scripted nature of the sport were common in the tabloids at the time.
Death
Marino died in August 1981 whilst returning to his South London home from a tournament in FolkestoneFolkestone
Folkestone is the principal town in the Shepway District of Kent, England. Its original site was in a valley in the sea cliffs and it developed through fishing and its closeness to the Continent as a landing place and trading port. The coming of the railways, the building of a ferry port, and its...
. He had been booked to wrestle Big Jim Harris at the town's Leas Cliff Hall but after being adjudged unable to perofrm was taken to Ashford
Ashford, Kent
Ashford is a town in the borough of Ashford in Kent, England. In 2005 it was voted the fourth best place to live in the United Kingdom. It lies on the Great Stour river, the M20 motorway, and the South Eastern Main Line and High Speed 1 railways. Its agricultural market is one of the most...
Hospital where he was treated for a swollen tongue. Marino discharged himself the same night and left with fellow wrestler Mal Sanders but suffered from a convulsive attack as they travelled on the M20 motorway
M20 motorway
The M20 is a motorway in Kent, England. It runs from the M25 motorway to Folkestone, providing a link to the Channel Tunnel and the ports at Dover. It is long...
. He died by the roadside and was afterwards revealed to have been suffering from leukemia
Leukemia
Leukemia or leukaemia is a type of cancer of the blood or bone marrow characterized by an abnormal increase of immature white blood cells called "blasts". Leukemia is a broad term covering a spectrum of diseases...
. A Mike Marino Memorial Shield was later contested, with Sanders winning the inaugural tournament.
In wrestling
- Finishing move
- Small package
Championships and accomplishments
- Joint Promotions
- World Mid-Heavyweight Championship (4 times)
- European Mid-Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- British Mid-Heavyweight ChampionshipBritish Mid-Heavyweight ChampionshipThe British Mid-Heavyweight Championship was a top British wrestling championship found throughout the country's circuit. The title's history dates back to 1952 and runs to the present day. Officially mid-heavyweights were required to weigh between 14st 2 lb and 14st 12 lb.- Title history...
(1 time)