Mick McManus

Mick McManus (born William George Matthews; 11 January 1920 – 22 May 2013) was an English professional wrestler. The role he played was noted as a heel European wrestler and often went by the nicknames "The Man You Love to Hate", "Rugged South London Tough Guy" and "The Dulwich Destroyer".

Early life McManus was born in Camberwell, south London. After leaving school he worked in a drawing office and then for a firm of printers. He began training as a wrestler, and during the Second World War helped teach Royal Air Force personnel in the sport. His first professional performance took place in 1945, while on a posting to Australia.

McManus made more television appearances than any other wrestler in a career which spanned more than 20 years. Losing to Peter Preston by disqualification during his later years, he lost the European Middleweight title on television to a younger wrestler Mal Sanders. He was 93.

In his prime, McManus went by the names of "The Man You Love To Hate" and "Rugged South London Tough Guy". British pop artist Peter Blake often cites McManus as a major influence on his 'wrestlers' series of paintings due to his admiration of his wrestling persona; Blake famously painted Kendo Nagasaki's portrait as part of the series.

McManus is alluded to in Morecambe and Wise's Mastermind" sketch, which ends with Ernie Wise getting quizmaster Magnus Magnusson's name wrong and saying "This is a rotten game, Mr. McManus. I'll never watch you wrestle again!" He was also compared to English author Jilly Cooper, by a reviewer of her book Jolly Super Too, citing an opinion that they were both figures the public loved to hate.

Championships and accomplishments British Middleweight Championship (once) British Welterweight Championship (2 times) European Middleweight Championship (4 times) Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame (Class of 2012)