1963, from Time machine
I stopped in front of a poster that announced: ‘CATCH: El Selvaje contra El Gladiator Croata’. It had to be the big wrestling event of the season, because television generators were parked on the pavement and the price of tickets was high. I bought myself an armchair seat near the front and, for about ten minutes, I didn’t regret my purchase. The show was taking place in the auditorium as much as in the ring. The sturdier looking El Selvaje punched El Gladiator Croata so savagely that the latter chose to wriggle through the ropes and take refuge among the spectators. Goaded by the onlookers, El Selvaje pursued him and floored him on the spot, while the audience booed the beaten man and spat Coca-Cola and chewing gum at him. When the referee tried to step in, he too was knocked out and the same would have happened to the police officer who tried to take his place. El Gladiator Croata managed to escape from his adversary and stagger to his dressing room: his face was bleeding and he was apparently incapable of holding himself upright. But on reaching the door, he suddenly changed his mind: as El Selvaje strutted around the ring bowing to the cheers, El Gladiator, now miraculously revived and wearing his most ferocious scowl, came back at a run, leapt over the ropes and attacked the victor from behind. Combat ended with El Selvaje tangled in the ropes and El Gladiator Croata borne in triumph by his admirers.
1963, Caracas, Venezuela, wrestling match (g)
