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For many fans of earlier decades the 1980s were dark days for professional wrestling. Dwindling crowds, fewer shows and an over-reliance on big men who lacked skill and agility brought a sense of impending doom.
Yet stars shine in darkness. As old fans reminisce about brighter days we have to remind ourselves that in the 1980s there were many young wrestlers coming onto the scene who did have the skills to have found success in any decade. Their achievements may have been overshadowed by the heavyweight flavours of the day but they were the men who entertained the crowds night after night and gave value for money.
Into this category we would include Rex Lane, an emerging 1980s talent who would not have been out of place in an earlier decade. He combined the skill that fans craved for with a harder edge and grittiness lacked by some of the glamour boys, though we never felt that the odd blind side move or sneer at the ringside fans justified the Teesside Tearaway label.
Stockton born Rex was the boy who made his dreams come true. From his school days he loved wrestling. Football was his favourite sport but after seeing Giant Haystacks and Davey Boy Smith on television he was hooked on the wrestling game. Finally the twelve year old was granted his wish, a night at the Middlesbrough Town Hall to watch his favourites live. In the flesh everything was bigger, louder, more colourful and from that moment on he was determined that one day he would climb into the ring and take the place of the men he cheered.
Rex became a ringside regular and grabbed any opportunity to get close to the wrestlers. It was an encounter with Jeff Kaye that led to him being asked to help erect the ring. Wow! He was in the business. Back in Stockton he got to know Jimmy Devlin. He listened to Devlin’s tales of life as a wrestler and became more determined than ever to turn his dream into reality. Jimmy Devlin told Rex about Jim Stockdale and his Apollo gym.
He didn’t need asking twice, Rex was in and was soon training alongside Jimmy Devlin, Jim McCormack, Tommy Stones and Dicky Swales. Stockdale was a hard taskmaster but it was Dicky Swales that made an impression, and it was a case of first impressions definitely not counting. Dicky was tiny, even frail looking. He didn’t look like a wrestler, let alone the first class wrestler he was. “He ran rings round me,” Rex told us, “I knew now that I had a lot to learn.” From that moment on Dicky took Rex under his wing and became his main tutor, though Rex also mentioned that Jimmy Devlin and Pete Ross were also very influential and helpful in his training.
The boy was a good learner but it took the helping hand of fate to make his dream come true. In the summer of 1982 he holidayed in Scarborough and went along to the wrestling. He paid his money and settled down for a good night’s entertainment. He didn’t settle down for long because when Black Jack Mulligan’s opponent failed to show up promoter Max Crabtree turned to him and asked if he would fill the void.
Of course he would, and he didn’t look back. We should also make it known that although a controversial figures Rex has nothing but respect for Max Crabtree, “I owe so much to Max. Without him I wouldn’t have got anywhere.” Following his debut Max put in a good word with promoter Ann DeRelwyskow and he began to receive bookings around the country.
It was the start of a life that the Teesside Tearaway enjoyed, he even liked the travelling, though early morning returns home often meant only a few hours sleep before setting off for his day job on the council.
Happiest of memories include his matches with Greg Valentine and Pete Ross, driving to London with Haystacks holding the car door in place after accidentally pulling it off as he climbed in, TV matches against Ian McGregor and Greg Valentine, and working in Spain and Germany.
In Rex’s 1988 TV match with Valentine it was the man who had started it all, Jeff Kaye, officiating as the third man in the ring. The match, primarily intended to give a push for the promoter’s son Valentine illustrated Rex’s role to bring a touch of realism and grittiness to the fight which was a showcase for Valentine to display his acrobatics. They were enjoyable days which left Rex with wonderful memories. He’s still got the aches and pains to prove it, but yes he would do it all again.
When wrestling came off the television Rex continued to receive regular bookings from Max Crabtree, Ann DeRelwyskow and various independent promoters. Our last sighting was in Stockton in 1995, the local hero unmasking The Destroyer, Ian Wilson.
Page added 27/11/2022
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