Black Mask Wrestling Ghost
The New Theatre Royal in Portsmouth has a spooky history dating back to the 1960s. It was then known as the Royal Arena, a popular wrestling venue. One fateful evening in July 1960, a wrestler known as the Black Mask claimed he was attacked by an unseen presence in the Rutley dressing room. Several dancers also complained about the atmosphere in the room, describing it as unsettling and eerie. The building's owner was quick to dismiss the reports, denying that the site was haunted.
Historical records show that the Royal Arena was a hub for entertainment in Portsmouth during the mid-20th century. The wrestling event where the Black Mask incident occurred was likely a typical Saturday night show, with a packed audience cheering on their favourite wrestlers. The Black Mask, a well-known wrestler at the time, was understandably shaken by the experience. Although there were multiple witnesses to the strange occurrences, including dancers who shared similar experiences, the incident remains a mystery. The building's transformation into the New Theatre Royal likely brought new life to the site, but the legend of the Black Mask attacker lives on.
The New Theatre Royal was originally built as the Royal Arena for wrestling and entertainment events.
Location
Location Details
Nearby Haunted Places
Portsmouth White Garter Murders
Site of the White Garter Public House, Portsmouth
The White Garter Public House in Portsmouth has a dark history that's said to be still very much alive. When the building was demolished, dozens of bodies were uncovered beneath the floorboards. It's believed that a landlady and her male companion were responsible for the gruesome murders, targeting their own guests and making off with their valuables. The spirits of these unfortunate victims are thought to be restless, and there have been reports of ghostly apparitions and unexplained occurrences around the site. Guests and staff have experienced the eerie sensation of having sheets pulled off their beds, as if the restless spirits are trying to uncover their own bodies.
Laburnum Grove Ghost Dogs
44 Laburnum Grove, Portsmouth
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Ghostly Mother of St Mary's
St Mary's Hospital, Portsmouth
St Mary's Hospital in Portsmouth is said to be haunted by the spirit of a distraught mother. This ghostly woman, often seen wandering the hospital corridors in a dressing gown, is believed to be searching for her baby who sadly died in the hospital back in 1969. The circumstances of the baby's death remain a mystery, but it's thought that the mother's grief and trauma may have imprinted her spirit on the location, causing her to relive the tragedy over and over.
Portsmouth Ghostly Nun Figure
St Agatha's church, Portsmouth
St Agatha's church in Portsmouth has a reputation for being haunted by a ghostly figure. The story began back in the 1950s when the church was being used for storage. Rumours started circulating about a mysterious presence on the site. Although there's no evidence to suggest that the church was ever a nunnery, local legend has it that ghostly nuns have been spotted in the area. The exact nature of these apparitions remains unclear, but they seem to have left a lasting impression on those who claim to have seen them.
The Footless Figure of Portsmouth
Portsmouth & Southsea Train Station, Portsmouth
Imagine standing alone on a deserted platform at Portsmouth & Southsea Train Station, the only sound being the creaking of old signs and the distant hum of the city waking up. It's a scene that's played out countless times over the years, but on one fateful morning in January 2016, a commuter's solitary wait turned into a terrifying encounter. As the clock ticked towards 05:30, a figure clad in a 1940s suit materialised at the opposite end of the platform. The man's face was a blank, devoid of any features, and his body seemed to be... incomplete, as if he was missing something fundamental. Yet, it was what happened next that sent shivers down the commuter's spine - the figure began to walk towards him, its feet somehow not being there, but still moving with a purpose that was hard to ignore.
Portsmouth Church Dark Figure
St Ann's Church, Portsmouth
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Stay Nearby
Haunted hotels and accommodation near Royal Arena wrestling venue

The Union Inn
Cowes, Isle of Wight

Chichester Inn
Chichester, West Sussex
The Royal Hotel
Purfleet, Essex

The Royal Hotel
Ventnor, Isle of Wight