Rocky leaves rivals on the ropes

Photo: Chris Sunderland

GRIPPING show: TJ Spitfire (blue) takes a hit from Johnny Moss in one of the preliminary bouts

OLDHAM’S man of steel showed he was king of the ring in front of a packed home crowd at the Queen Elizabeth Hall.

A charged-up Clinton “Rocky” Steele would have made his late grandfather, local legend Tommy Bailey, proud as he won the European Heavyweight Championship.

The Moorside fighter showed his class at the top of the bill defeating Valkabious, who is set for the razzmatazz of WWE this summer.

Ian McGregor, the promoter of the American Wrestling show, revealed extra seats were needed as fans bustled into the Oldham venue.

He said: “I have been involved in all of this for more than 30 years and this was one of the best shows I have seen with how the public got involved in the showdowns.

“It’s always fantastic to come back to Oldham, especially the QE Hall, which is one of the best venues for wrestling.”

The superstars took part in five showdowns, which included a tag-team challenge and an over-the-top “rope rumble” spectacular.