Crowd turns out for wrestler Marty Jannetty

The WWE favourite, first name Fredrick, performed in world title contests and headlined pay-per-view events alongside Shawn Michaels as 'the Rockers.'

He beat his former partner in 1993 for the Intercontinental title, regarded as the organisation's second biggest belt. Jannetty also fought Ric Flair for the NWA crown in the 1980s.

Now 54, the tag team specialist visited the West Midlands to pair up with promoter Matt Powell, in character as Mad Dog Maxx, to take on the tandem of Johnny Thunder and Joey Syxx, both 25.

Walsall's Powell, 29, stages wrestling bills for a living. Thunder is car insurance salesman Jamie Firkin from Darlaston, while Syxx works by day as Willenhall welder Mike Jones.

The four put on a great show for an enthusiastic crowd which ended on a familiar note, Powell and Jannetty hitting the Rockers' signature 'Rocker Dropper' finisher for a popular victory.

Jannetty still revels at ring activity in the Indian summer of his career, saying: "It's still all I live for, that may be sad to some people but it's the best thing in the world to me. There's nothing better.

"It kind of keeps you young because you get to be a kid in the ring, which is great when you are 54! And I am still reasonably healthy, apart from a few injuries here and there.

"I still feel like I used to and I still love bouncing around!"

Powell was honoured to team up with one of his childhood heroes, booking Jannetty on one of his shows after previously bringing in WWE alumni Juventud Guerrera and Ultimo Dragon.

He said: "I am very pleased, seeing all of the people who came along enjoying themselves so much made it so worthwhile. We seem to have had nothing but positive feedback.

"Marty was such a nice guy, a real legend in my eyes and it was a coup to get him here. I got to be a 'Rocker' for a night and how many people can say that?

"He watched every match that was on the show and gave all of the lads who were involved advice, just little pointers from his point of view as a professional on how they could improve.

"For him to take the time to do that was really quite humbling."

The Midland Association for Amputees and Friends were also winners on the night, with the Darlaston All Active Centre donating a share of the proceeds to that charity.