‘Xtreme’ Dean Allmark is one of wrestling’s most popular stars.
The 27-year-old, who is based on the Wirral, in Cheshire, will be in action at Fairfield Halls, Croydon, on Sunday, partnering south London-born James Mason in a tag-team clash during a big ‘Halloween Havoc’ bill starting at 3pm.
October has been a busy month for Dean who started off winning the Superslam title before wife Letitia recently presented him with a daughter, Lexie, a sister for the couple’s six-year-old son Joseph. Here he answers our questions.
How long have you been wrestling?
It’s now 11 years and I have had well over 1,000 contests in England, on the continent and in the US and still love every minute of the time I spend in the ring.
How did you get into it?
After watching All Star bills at my home town hall in Hanley, Stoke on Trent, I started training at 15 and had my first contest about 18 months later. Earlier this month it was a great thrill to go back to the Potteries to win the Superslam Championship, my first solo title.
What training do you have to do?
I work out with weights two or three times a week and the rest of it is mainly conditioning as regular contests keep you fit. I run the All Star Training School and looking after a couple of dozen super-keen youngsters every Saturday keeps me on my toes.
Why do you think wrestling is so popular?
Everyone wrote-off British wrestling after ITV pulled the plug in the late 1980s but the fans still keep coming to see us, perhaps because wrestling has gained a big family following and represents value-for-money entertainment.
What is the funniest story you have about your time in the ring?
At the end of a contest I was shaking hands with the referee when the ring collapsed and we finished in a heap on the sagging canvas.
What is the typical wrestling fan like?
There’s no real stereotype with fans of every age, from children to senior citizens. But it is encouraging to see how many youngsters are in audiences of venues like Fairfield Halls.
All Star Wrestling have thrown out a challenge for young fans to enter into the spirit of the occasion by turning out in Halloween costumes on Sunday. The youngsters with the most impressive costumes will be chosen from the ring to go behind the scenes to meet the stars for autographs and photographs.
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