Max Crabtree

Crabtree got into wrestling after completing his National Service along with his brothers Shirley and Brian.[3] After an injury in a match to Brian and Shirley retiring, Crabtree moved into booking. Initially he booked independently for 20th Century Promotions and worked on bringing in foreign talent to wrestle in the UK, such as Sammy Lee (who later wrestled as Tiger Mask) after a recommendation from Karl Gotch.[3] He was due to join Jackie Pallo and Johnny Dale to set up a rival wrestling organisation to Joint Promotions. However, Dale died and Crabtree was headhunted to join Joint Promotions as he was the most experienced booker in the UK at the time.[4]

During the 1970s, Max was appointed Northern area booker with Joint Promotions, where he is credited for bringing Shirley out of retirement and inventing the Big Daddy persona and gimmick for his brother.[5] Crabtree helped to promote a number of wrestlers including Dynamite Kid, Davey Boy Smith, William Regal and George Kidd.[6][7][8] He spent forty years as a wrestling promoter.[9] He was highly regarded in the British wrestling industry for his booking skills.[10]

Crabtree came under criticism for building Joint Promotions around Big Daddy, leading to allegations of nepotism.[11] He offered £5 bonuses to those who would be prepared to wrestle Big Daddy. This came to light following the death of King Kong Kirk in the ring after a match with Big Daddy (though the subsequent autopsy found for a death from natural causes and cleared the Crabtrees of any wrongdoing).[12] When ITV removed wrestling from television, Crabtree criticised them for favouring American wrestling from the World Wrestling Federation calling it "over the top and a load of ballyhoo".[9] However, he later started promoting American-style matches for the newly non-televised Joint Promotions.[13]

Max was the brother of professional wrestler Shirley Crabtree, and referee and MC Brian Crabtree. His nephew Eorl Crabtree is a retired professional rugby league player.[9]