Deaf British wrestler Kilby keeps winning over fans
The British Bruiser
Wrestlers Ramblings.com wrestling news
Can you imagine being a professional wrestler, without ever being able to hear the fans’ appreciation for you and your match? Can you imagine being a professional wrestler, without ever being able to speak your mind on the mic? Can you imagine being a professional wrestler, without ever being able to fully communicate with your opponent or referee? Well, please try, if you will - even for a moment - and step into the shoes of one man from Sheffield, England known as Alan Kilby. A man for whom all of these things are reality, and have been for nearly 45 years of his lengthy career.
In case you haven’t already figured out, he is a deaf wrestler who also cannot speak. The question everyone asks is an obvious one, but a common one: “How does he do it?” Well, thankfully for many people involved, they don’t need to know sign language. His interpreter who is also sometimes his corner man organizes all that before hand, so Kilby will know that the referee will either stomp his foot on the mat or touch Kilby’s head, shoulder or back when making the count. He has indicated that the smiles on the faces of the fans are enough to ensure their enjoyment and he’s right, most times he will be the most popular guy on a show.
Despite this disability, it has not held him back. He debuted in the 1960s. One of his most famous matches of his career was against a young Dave “Fit” Finlay from Belfast, Northern Ireland (who now works for the WWE known simply as Finlay) on June 9, 1982. Despite losing after not being able to continue due to a leg injury, he put in a great effort as usual and had a cracking match. He also participated in one of the first British battle royals and despite being eliminated, once again trying his utmost. He has won the British 
Heavy Middleweight Championship five times from 1981 to 1983 and the British Light-Heavyweight Championship also on five occasions from 1985 to 1998. Just recently I attended a show in his hometown of Sheffield (which also featured American wrestler, Tracy Smothers on the bill) and he was wrestling in the main event in a tag team match pitting him and a young grappler against fellow British wrestling veteran Blondie Barrett (who was also the promoter) who likewise teamed up with an unknown rookie. As Kilby came out, the crowd went completely wild for him, making the 30-40 people in attendance sound like far, far more. Kilby eventually won the bout via pinfall over Barrett and following the match loads of people went up to ringside to shake his hand and congratulate him on his hard fought victory.
He is not just confined to singles competition, he is also quite a fine tag team wrestler (as part of a tag team called The Jets along with Steve Logan in the 80s) and has also teamed with his son, Adam Kilby, for a short time in the 90s. To this day, Kilby, who must be in his 60s, still mixes it up in the squared circle and remains one of the most popular people in all of British wrestling. Despite many people calling his deafness the ultimate gimmick, you can’t argue with someone who chases their dreams regardless of their disabilities and earns much success and popularity because of it. Outside of wrestling, he is still settled in Sheffield and is happily married with children.
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