PANTHERS ROAR AGAIN TO SAVE PUB FROM A BEATING 1980s wrestling icons return to ring to protect boozer
A GROUP of former wrestlers are dusting off their spandex in a bid to save their local pub from demolition.
The Panthers, who had millions glued to the TV every Saturday teatime in the 1980s, are literally fighting to save their home from home, The Half Nelson.
The Yorkshire community boozer faces being torn down by developer Paul Peterson, unless The Panthers – AKA ‘Gladiator’ PUB IN A HEADLOCK: Epic bout planned Glenn Higgins, Cliff ‘Edge’ Morris, Tony ‘Sweetcheeks’ Smith, Lara ‘Liplock’ Anderson, The Dixon Brothers, Zulu Dawn and Lesley Beck – can raise enough cash from an epic comeback bout.
Today, they’re more used to grappling with a pie and a pint in The Half Nelson than pinning down an opponent.
But now the wrestlers plan to pull off their best moves some 30 years after their heyday in a daring fundraiser.
Landlord Mark Bolton, the son of legendary fighter Trevor ‘Bulldog’ Bolton, is backing his team, and said that The Half Nelson is more than just a pub.
He explained: “It’s a place to meet your friends and catch up over a quick pint, somewhere you are bound to see a familiar face – a place that brings the community together.”
With British pubs closing at a lightning rate of two per day, it’s been a struggle to keep afloat – leaving The Half Nelson’s future in the hands of developers.
Despite most being closer to wrestling with a bus pass than pulling off a headlock, the Panthers, led by the legendary Bulldog, have promised to put on the show of a lifetime.
And that means pulling on those tight leotards we all remember from the 1980s and getting all the old moves back.
Mark is also getting his shot at glory, after being denied his TV debut as Son Of Bulldog as a 16 year old. The landlord was due to have his first televised fight on the same day TV wrestling was cancelled.
Friends are now hoping Mark can finally live out his teenage dream – and rekindle his relationship with his dad.
He said: “If the pub goes, we’re left with nothing. So we’re going to do the greatest show of our lives.”
The ambitious plan was hatched by local promoter Popsy Wilson Jr, who persuaded the Panthers to reform for one night only.
He said: “This is the future of yesterday’s sport, today.”
So make sure you catch every grapple in the big reunion fight – and watch these plucky Northern powerhouses Walk Like
A Panther once again.