Dave Bond (1954-2012)

Real Name - Frank Wallen

Lifespan - 6/27/1954 - 1/4/2012

6’ 235 lbs. - Deptford, London, Britain

Athletic Background - Wrestling [United Club], Judo, Rugby, Soccer, Cricket

Teacher(s) - [Dale Martin’s Gym]

Professional Background - 

Aliases - Soulman Bond, Butcher Bond

Peak Years - `78-`88

Finisher(s) - 

- Hanging Wristlock

- Bodyslam

- Falling Hip Toss

Favorites -

- Snap Mare

- Headbutt

- Illegal Headlock Punch

- European Uppercutt

- Illegal Gut Punch

Place in History - Whether he was the babyface Dave “the Lion” Bond or the subtly bad “Soul Brother” Bond or half of the red-hot “Caribbean Sunshine Boys” or the vicious “Butcher” Bond, Dave Bond was a staple in British cards for many years.  Although he was from London and worked as a civil servant, Bond was one of the numerous black wrestlers whose Caribbean heritage was played up to give him an international persona.  However, after spending some time abroad, he reinvented himself as “Soulman” Bond and embraced heel tactics.  Unlike Johnny Kwango or Masambula, who suffered at times due to their skin color, Bond was willing to push the boundaries.  Racism toward blacks was not uncommon amongst the blue-collar fans and it did not take much rule-breaking to turn up the heat.  He was paired up with Johnny Kincaid as a heel team that were able to ignite violence and riots like few others in British wrestling history.  That harsh reality ended their pairing, but they left an impression.  Bond put on weight for a while and then muscle, but remained a consistently good worker who could be paired with heavyweights, mid-heavyweights or middleweights.  He was never a titleholder in any of those divisions and was mainly a supporting heel.  Toward the end, Bond grew disenchanted with the sport, which had sacrificed much of its athletic credibility for showmanship.  While Dave Bond had transformed himself several times, he was never the most colorful character, but he was a constant on Joint Promotions cards for many years.