GREG GAGNE: MEMORIES OF BILLY ROBINSON @THE APTER CHAT

[@tombaranyai3062]

Billy Robinson probably wouldn't appeal to todays wrestling fans, but he was one of the best submission wrestlers ever and deserves recognition for that. His matches with Verne Gagne, Nick Bockwinkel, Giant Baba and Antonio Inoki are classics. R.I.P Billy

[@gopherstate777]

You are out of your mind. If you had seen a prime Billy Robinson in 1971-1973 as I had, then you would have seen an acrobatic wrestling machine better than Kurt Angle but in the early 70s. Billy Robinson was a freak, bigger than Angle and lite on his feet like a luchador. Moves like Dean Malenko but at 6'0 255 and a good-looking fellow with an English accent like Tom Jones. At the time the World Champions were Dory Funk Jr. in the NWA and Bruno in New York. Robinson was all movement and combinations and you never knew what he would do. If you can get a copy of the Wrestler from 1974 it shows you everything Billy could do in his prime. (you can even find this movie on youtube) kzbin.info/www/bejne/a3ayhqljq7uZr7s At 4:50 in a long match with former World champion Edwardo Carpentier, I watch Billy do this move with a high bridge in 1972 to win the match. It was electric. For those fans who love the Bret Hart style or Curt Hennig style of wrestling, this is what you came to see and this is what brought in the crowds. To this day he was the most exciting pure Wrestler, I have ever seen in person and I have watched wrestling since 1964.

[@justamurse5646]

@@gopherstate777 dude he’s praising Billy not saying he’s inferior to today’s wrestlers. He said he wouldn’t appeal to the fans today who would probably boo double wrist lock but j*zz their pants for a high spot.

[@hectormunoz6052]

These old interviews are Gold . Thank you Bill and thank you Greg. In my opinion , both of these guys are real treasures to True Professional Wrestling fans . And yes , Billy Robinson was the real deal when it came to Shooting and Hooking in the ring

[@MrPotatoesLatkie]

Jake Shannon, a fellow interested in resurrecting old style Catch as Catch Can wrestling hired Billy to be their head coach during the last several years of his life. There are many youtube videos of him teaching techniques.

[@richardbain8746]

Billy Robinson was a all time legend!

[@charleshatton5569]

Bill, Robinson and Gotch did indeed wrestle and the footage should be available on KZbin,

[@kasiestrickland7890]

It is my friend.

[@mkl62]

In 1979, a new pro wrestling publication hit newsstands and magazine racks across the nation. It was Pro Wrestling Illustrated. When the first issue went to press, Greg Gagne was ranked at #3 in the now defunct American Wrestling Association (AWA). Also, he and Jim Brunzell were ranked at #7 in the tag team division. Billy was ranked at #5 in the AWA.

[@charles2675]

Hi. Gregory. From. North Branch Minnesota

[@AmericanCombatAssoc]

EXCELLENT VIDEO Mr Apter

[@theoxley]

Karl Gotch and Billy Robinson wrestled to a half hour draw in Japan around '71.

[@AlwaysHalloween000]

There isn't a wrestler alive or dead who Billy Robinson couldn't tie up in knots(except for a young Andre The Giant).The two best wrestlers i ever saw are (Kurt Angle and Billy Robinson) Bruno And Harley and Nick Bockwinkel are also in my small category

[@shooter8663]

Lou Thesz, Danny Hodge and Karl Gotch especially I'd add.

[@blacquesjacques7239]

+Shooter 86 Here is someone no one ever acknowleges , but Adrian Street could hurt you quickly .

[@brainhakker7133]

Hodge & Street are Excellent additions. Allow me to add Gene LeBell to the mix

[@spencerantoniomarlen-starr3069]

@@brainhakker7133 Gene LeBell did professional wrestling??

[@brainhakker7133]

@@spencerantoniomarlen-starr3069 yeah I believe in San Fran, but hell I may be messing up my stories, I'm just an old man who was born in 1980 so I'm very forgetful

[@magicbus63]

My dream match Billy Robinson&Harley Race vs The Road Warriors

[@brainhakker7133]

Road Warriors would be Dog Meat !!

[@therehastobeme]

The AWA title was worn by many wrestlers , but Billy Robinson never had that achievement but never less a great wresting technician

[@freddiedavis1649]

+therehastobeme that was bad because he was the best one in the awa.

[@baberuth2863]

karl gotch vs robinson is on youtube mr apter

[@beingright]

Greg taught Billy catch wrestling and gave Hulk his whole personality. Greg also stopped several world wars. lol

[@VictorParlati]

If you want to start counting from back in the mid 1940’s to today the top three REAL wrestlers who also knew real submissions there are three who are at the top of the list: Karl Gotch, Billy Robinson, Lou Thesz. Other great wrestlers were Verne Gagne, Jack Briscoe, and Gene Lebell. And one of Billy Robinson’s students must also be mentioned: Kazushi Sakuraba (who beat 4 Gracie’s in real mma matches).

[@charles2675]

2024 Now

[@richardbain8746]

Billy Robinson greatest wrestler to never hold a world title!

[@sjames304]

Held the world AWA tag title with The Crusher in the early 70s.

[@magicbus63]

Oh Yeah I Forgot He Was A Tag Team Champion Thank You

[@carlosdanger947]

Tithes are meaningless ….. ya know it’s fake right ?

[@charles2675]

I remember Billy slap a fan in the face on TV. AWA. I watch it for real

[@carlosdanger947]

Greg still keeping up the Kayfabe in 2014.

[@brainhakker7133]

Gotta love it

[@hillhill68]

Greg getting in comment about getting not getting kickbacks...didn't Verne sell off the rights to WWE ?

[@brainhakker7133]

Yeah everyone has now except those still going today , like NWA and Impact

[@richardbain8746]

Did Billy Robinson ever wrestle Dory Funk Jr

[@SteveSport_]

Yes he did. It's on youtube in Japan

[@scoh840]

They were both way past their prime

[@W67w]

Lou Thesz was the best

[@stealthbombsmith7770]

Billy was an amazing technician and I think if MMA had been around in his prime, he would have been a champion.

[@scoh840]

Greg is still kayfabing it. It is best not to believe him

[@jamieday5157]

6'7" 300lb..........Hogan lol.

[@OaktownABQ]

I always enjoy interviews with Greg Gagne, but somebody needs to remind him that kayfabe is dead.

[@mikehammer5346]

WTF are u talking about?

[@mikehammer5346]

That is a true statement!