| Biography | John Elijah (John Elisha)
One Biblical name wasnt enough for the 17 stone Bearman from Walthamstow, who was known as both John Elijah and John Elisha. Big John turned professional in 1970, beating Bob Kirkwood at Folkestone, following an amateur career at the Sparta Wrestling Club, Shoreditch. Wrestling had not been John's first love; that was swimming at which he excelled, and was to remain an important part of his training regime.
He shared wrestling with a job in the carpet trade, which he moved on to after working in the advertising business, and one forum wag famously commented that he looked like he had a roll of lino under each arm as he approached the ring.
His style, relying on power holds, failed to excite fans, but he certainly had a niche as one of those valuable supporting wrestlers who were the foundation of the business. During a long and busy career he earned respect from promoters as a reliable and dependable wrestler, and genuine affection from fans around the country.
Career highlights were challenging Bruno Elrington in Bognor Regis for the southern Area championship and wrestling Big Daddy in a clean almost technical bout on television. That year he wrestled Big Daddy many, many times. |