Before World of Sport Wrestling, before TV fame, and long before the Superkick became one of the most iconic moves in professional wrestling… there was Black Butcher Johnson.
In this episode of The Grapple Of Your Eye Show, we uncover the incredible true story of one of British wrestling’s most overlooked pioneers — a two-weight world champion, a master of crowd psychology, and possibly the first Black world champion in pro wrestling history.
From the smoky arenas of 1930s Britain to championship glory in the 1950s, Johnson helped shape the evolution of professional wrestling, blending technical grappling, All-In wrestling, and high-impact striking — including his devastating Savate Kick, the precursor to today’s Superkick used by stars like Shawn Michaels and The Young Bucks.
We also explore:
✅ The rise of British wrestling before television
✅ The impact of race and opportunity in UK vs US wrestling history
✅ The revolutionary shift from Greco-Roman to All-In wrestling
✅ Johnson’s battles with legends like Jackie Pallo
✅ His championship wins in Aberdeen & Edinburgh
✅ His role as a promoter, publisher, and mentor
✅ The legacy of his brother Johnny Kwango on World of Sport
This is wrestling history you NEED to know.
The Grapple Of Your Eye Show 
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