Billy Wicks and Johnny Huskey vs the Gracies

**Toby Christensen** · Posted On: 11/15/2005 8:22am

I had the privilege of having a good old whinge via the phone to Billy Wicks, one of the last surviving Catch wrestling purists.

Billy Wicks made it clear that he didn't like the Gracies, nor their method of fighting from their backs.

He also mentioned he was trained primarily be Ed Strangler Lewis, as was Gene Lebell, but doesn't know who Gene Lebell is.

I also say that Billy Wicks is cooler than Gene Lebell because he drinks beer and rumour has it he carries a knife :icon_twis

Anyhoo, I propose that Billy Wicks and Johnny Huskey (Billy Wicks' understudy) fight the Gracies.

:wrestlerb

**JohnnyFive** · Posted On: 11/15/2005 8:37am

NOBODY IS COOLER THAN GENE LEBELL. NOBODY.

***JohnnyCache*** · Posted On: 11/15/2005 8:39am

man it's good of you to volunteer a fight on the behalf of someone else.

But seriously, I'd pay like 2.87 euros or so to see that.

Disclaimer: I have no euros

**Pandinha** · Posted On: 11/15/2005 8:40am

Doesn't know who Gene is?

Creditablity out the window.

**PirateJon** · Posted On: 11/15/2005 9:03am

Originally Posted by Anthony

Doesn't know who Gene is?

Creditablity out the window.

Correct. The only way I could accept this is Gene saying "that dude? I stayed the **** outta his way. He's a monster!"

Somehow I do not see this happening.

**Toby Christensen** · Posted On: 11/15/2005 9:12am

Asia can fill us in on Billy Wicks

Ahem

M'LORD ASIA?

YOUR SERVICES ARE REQUIRED!

**It is Fake** · Posted On: 11/15/2005 9:50am

I think you are mixing crediblity with fighting ability. No one said Billy Wicks can't fight.

Gene Lebell is famous outside of MA circles. He is one of those people you recognize similar to Bruce Lee. For someone to say he is trained by the same teacher as Gene andnever hear of the guy is silly.

That is akin to an English Lit student saying Shakespeare who?

See, credibility out of the window.

Are you sure you didn't ask him about Gene and he answered "no" sarcastically?

**DSDbronson** · Posted On: 11/15/2005 9:53am

nobody "knows" Gene on here(personally) even though everybody knows of him, not surprising he wouldn't either

**Cullion** · Posted On: 11/15/2005 10:02am

Originally Posted by It is Fake??

Gene Lebell is famous outside of MA circles. He is one of those people you recognize similar to Bruce Lee.

Not even vaguely. Lots of martial artists I know haven't heard of him when I first mention him.

Gene Lebell is cool because he was a master of grappling when all us martial arts nerds were still trying to perfect their reverse spinning hook kick on the tyre swing back in 1986, but I can't think of a single reason why I would expect the average person who doesn't regularly read MA websites or magazines to have heard of him.

For someone to say he is trained by the same teacher as Gene andnever hear of the guy is silly.

This part I can agree with.

**It is Fake** · Posted On: 11/15/2005 10:16am

Originally Posted by Cullion

Not even vaguely. Lots of martial artists I know haven't heard of him when I first mention him.

This part I can agree with.

Umm, that is why I said outside of MA circles. My dad knew who Gene Lebell was, and I've bumped into quite a few non-MA who know Gene Lebell. Maybe because he was on Reno 911.

Bruce Lee was a bad example he crossed both extremes MA and Movie Stardom

I meant everyone knows who Bruce is outside of MA.

You know the average Mom or dad may not know a thing about MA but, they know/knew who BL was.