OK, lets get the name dropping out of the way: Tiger Conway, Jr., Killer Karl Cox, Bob Geigel, The Sensational Destroyer, Dick Beyers, Don Leo Jonathon, Dean Higuchi, "Judo" Gene Lebell, Mil Mascaras, Earl Maynard, and oh so many more.
The big social events were the "Baloney Blowout," on Tuesday night (the name commemorates a time when wrestlers on the road would pool their change and buy bread and balogna to keep themselves fed between towns)and the major awards banquet on Wednesday night (April 21st).
On Tuesday, the first honoree, Irish Pat Barrett, was unable to overcome the volcanic ash cloud blanketing Europe, and the UK, and Ireland to appear to accept his award in person. His career lasted from 1960 to 1985, and covered the entire planet.
Vince Fahey, who runs the website "Kayfabe Memories" (www.kayfabememories.com )dedicated to preserving pro wrestling's storied history received the "Red Bastein Friendship" award for his work, and dedication to the sport, and CAC.
Lee Fields, longtime wrestler and Gulf Coast promoter, recieved a posthumous awrd in recognition of his long career. Also recieving a posthumous award was George "Scrap Iron" Johnson. George trained in the legendary "dungeon" of Stu Hart. An "enhancement worker," his work Ethic was legendary. George passed away in 1982. Members of his family were in Las Vegas to accept the award.
Joyce Grable, who had a twenty year ring career after being trained by Lillian "The Fabulous Moolah" Ellison, received the womens wrestling award. Also honored were Vance Nevada, Rip Hawk (originally from Toledo), Magic Shwartz, and Roger Kirby.
The major awards at the banquet were Dean Higuchi, who was introduced by the "Mormon Giant," Don Leo Jonathon. Dean was a legend in Hawaii, both as a wrestler and as a promoter.
A special moment for me, and especially for friend Sybil Starr, who was trained by him, was Dan "The Beast Severn receiving the "Lou Thesz Award," for his achievements in amateur,and professional wrestling as well as his feats in MMA. Dan barely made it from Europe in time to claim his prize. His acceptance speech, like the man himself, was low key, powerful, dignified, and inspiring.
Jim Ross, "Good Old JR" the best play-by-play announcer in wrestling history (IMHO), received a lifetime achievement award for his nearly 40 years in wrestling. His stories of the early days of his career were priceless, if unprintable here. He was introduced by another legend--"Stone Cold" Steve Austin.
The final award, the "Iron Mike" award, went to Ted DiBiase, the infamous "Million Dollar Man." Ted proved to be the total opposite of his gimmick; a humble, polite, and generous man who clearly had earned the love and respect of his peers. This included Harley Race, the tough as nails, seven time NWA champion, who wept as he recalled trying to save the life of Ted's Dad, "Iron Mike: Di Biase. Mike Dibiase died in a wrestling ring when Ted was nine years old. Terry Funk, took over for Race, and somehow they made it through a moving presentaion that I will not soon forget.
There you have it, one persons report. CAC was so much more than I had hoped for. I know that we will be back next year, and if you are a real wrestling fan, you will be too!
Monday, April 26, 2010
Sunday, April 25, 2010
VIP Wrestling At Sienna Hieghts College
Sienna Hieghts Field House, in Adrian, Michigan was the setting for another night of exciting wrestling action tonight. The crowd was small, but enthusiastic, and had plenty to both cheer and boo. Let's get to the action:
Before the main card, a mini-tounament was held between candidates vying for the opportunity to appear on the next VIP card. Mike Musso beat Spencer Irvine, then lost to Jaden Andrews (think of a hefty white guy doing a Michael Jackson schtick, and you will have a picture of Andrews who bills himself as "the new king of pop"). So Andrews will appear on the next card.
The official opener saw Marion Fontaine take the measure of Roderick Stone with a moonsault off the top rope. This was a very entertaing match that got the crowd warmed up, and ready for more.
Next up was an interview segment with "Mild-Mannered Matt" interviewing Jake Omen, VIP Champ, and the members of the "Life Power Church." Things started to turn ugly, when Jake and company threatened MMM. Former champ, Jimmy Shalwin, Jamie Eternal("Michigan's only masked monster"), and Sean Tylerstein, and Joseph Schwartz made the save. When the dust had settled, the disputants had all agreed to an 8-man elimination tag match main event to settle the score.
Match number two saw Ryan Epic take on Jonny Lawless. Epic proved agile and athletic, but it was for naught as he fell victim to his much larger foe. The nod went to Lawless via a slam and press.
Next up was "Madd Dragon," vs Keith Creme. Creme took time out from his busy schedule to heckle me on his way to the ring. Creme proved much too capable for Madd Dragon, and picked up the win.
After an intermission Tag Champs Jack Verville, and Mr.Nifty successfully defend their belts against "Dixie Muscle." A back cracker and press won the match, but the chant of :"dixie chicks!" may have broken Dixie Muscle's will to win.
After the break, "Gutter" (with "Cindy"-- a length of down spout!) took on a masked foe whose name was not announced. This was won by "Gutter;" with a version of the "RKO."
Main event was the 8-man elimination tag. This was lively, with lots of action, first man out was Sean Tylerstein of Kosher Club, followed by regular partner Joseph "the Hebrew Hammer" Schultz. Next out both members of the "Hollow Souls," the Jamie Eternal, and then the next to last member of the heel team went. This left ex-champ Jimmie "The Hype" Shalwin in against current champ, Jake Omen. It was Shalwin picking up the win, pinning Omen with a roll-up. This ended the card but set the stage for a future title match between Omen, and Shalwin.
Before the main card, a mini-tounament was held between candidates vying for the opportunity to appear on the next VIP card. Mike Musso beat Spencer Irvine, then lost to Jaden Andrews (think of a hefty white guy doing a Michael Jackson schtick, and you will have a picture of Andrews who bills himself as "the new king of pop"). So Andrews will appear on the next card.
The official opener saw Marion Fontaine take the measure of Roderick Stone with a moonsault off the top rope. This was a very entertaing match that got the crowd warmed up, and ready for more.
Next up was an interview segment with "Mild-Mannered Matt" interviewing Jake Omen, VIP Champ, and the members of the "Life Power Church." Things started to turn ugly, when Jake and company threatened MMM. Former champ, Jimmy Shalwin, Jamie Eternal("Michigan's only masked monster"), and Sean Tylerstein, and Joseph Schwartz made the save. When the dust had settled, the disputants had all agreed to an 8-man elimination tag match main event to settle the score.
Match number two saw Ryan Epic take on Jonny Lawless. Epic proved agile and athletic, but it was for naught as he fell victim to his much larger foe. The nod went to Lawless via a slam and press.
Next up was "Madd Dragon," vs Keith Creme. Creme took time out from his busy schedule to heckle me on his way to the ring. Creme proved much too capable for Madd Dragon, and picked up the win.
After an intermission Tag Champs Jack Verville, and Mr.Nifty successfully defend their belts against "Dixie Muscle." A back cracker and press won the match, but the chant of :"dixie chicks!" may have broken Dixie Muscle's will to win.
After the break, "Gutter" (with "Cindy"-- a length of down spout!) took on a masked foe whose name was not announced. This was won by "Gutter;" with a version of the "RKO."
Main event was the 8-man elimination tag. This was lively, with lots of action, first man out was Sean Tylerstein of Kosher Club, followed by regular partner Joseph "the Hebrew Hammer" Schultz. Next out both members of the "Hollow Souls," the Jamie Eternal, and then the next to last member of the heel team went. This left ex-champ Jimmie "The Hype" Shalwin in against current champ, Jake Omen. It was Shalwin picking up the win, pinning Omen with a roll-up. This ended the card but set the stage for a future title match between Omen, and Shalwin.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Cauliflower Alley Club's 45th Reunion is Spectacular, Part 1
The Gold Coast Casino in Las Vegas, NV was the site this past week (April 19-21) of a spectacular get together of legends of the sport. From 90 year old Ted Tourtas, who proved he can still handle a mike, to Amazing Kong, Cheerleader Melissa, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, "The Million Dollar Man," Ted Dibiase, and the best wrestling announcer of all time--JR, Jim Ross(in my humble opinion)
In the line to check into the hotel, I met a pro wrestler, long retired, who told me that he had "both hips replaced, lower spine fused, and several shoulder operations--but I would do it all again." That was a sentiment that was repeated by more than one grizzled mat veteran in the next three days.
I am not even going to try a linear report, instead, I am going to offer an impressionistic report. First day, Sally and I toured the exhibit hall met a father-son team of "lucha" style mask makers, the producer of a documentary on "The Sheik"(Edward Farhat), Howard Brody, the author of "Swimming With Piranhas: Surviving The Politics Of Professional Wrestling." I also got a photo of Sally with the Alaskan Tag Team Champions, and their title belts. We also met Al "Mr. Outrageous" Burke, wrestler, actor, and stuntman.
Others in the hall included Dave Maciejewski, (davem@communicor.com), with an enormous display of wrestling memorabilia. Dawn Marie, from ECW and WWE, now the head of the Wrestlers Rescue organization, Mad Dog Vachon, Tammy "Sunny" Sytch, Mil Mascaras, Dick "Destroyer" Beyer, Ted Dibiase, and many others.
We met up with Michigan woman wrstler, Sybil Starr, who kept things lively. The workshops offerred included one on the "Psychology of the Wrstling Fan" offered over two mornings by Dr. David M. Reiss of California. It was very informative and avoided being either too simplistic or too technical.
Ted Dibiase, and Harley Race presented a session called "Getting Heat," in one hour they covered more of the basic art of pro wrestling than you would expect to find in a much longer course. That is probably why they had an SRO audience of fans, indie promoters, and indie wrestlers.
Other workshops included one on planning for "Life After Wrestling." It covered such topics as staying on good terms with the IRS, and investing for the future. It included really down-to-earth, practical advice to help the new generation of grapplers from winding up like "Randy The Ram," (Mickey Rourke's character in the film, "The Wrestler").
In the line to check into the hotel, I met a pro wrestler, long retired, who told me that he had "both hips replaced, lower spine fused, and several shoulder operations--but I would do it all again." That was a sentiment that was repeated by more than one grizzled mat veteran in the next three days.
I am not even going to try a linear report, instead, I am going to offer an impressionistic report. First day, Sally and I toured the exhibit hall met a father-son team of "lucha" style mask makers, the producer of a documentary on "The Sheik"(Edward Farhat), Howard Brody, the author of "Swimming With Piranhas: Surviving The Politics Of Professional Wrestling." I also got a photo of Sally with the Alaskan Tag Team Champions, and their title belts. We also met Al "Mr. Outrageous" Burke, wrestler, actor, and stuntman.
Others in the hall included Dave Maciejewski, (davem@communicor.com), with an enormous display of wrestling memorabilia. Dawn Marie, from ECW and WWE, now the head of the Wrestlers Rescue organization, Mad Dog Vachon, Tammy "Sunny" Sytch, Mil Mascaras, Dick "Destroyer" Beyer, Ted Dibiase, and many others.
We met up with Michigan woman wrstler, Sybil Starr, who kept things lively. The workshops offerred included one on the "Psychology of the Wrstling Fan" offered over two mornings by Dr. David M. Reiss of California. It was very informative and avoided being either too simplistic or too technical.
Ted Dibiase, and Harley Race presented a session called "Getting Heat," in one hour they covered more of the basic art of pro wrestling than you would expect to find in a much longer course. That is probably why they had an SRO audience of fans, indie promoters, and indie wrestlers.
Other workshops included one on planning for "Life After Wrestling." It covered such topics as staying on good terms with the IRS, and investing for the future. It included really down-to-earth, practical advice to help the new generation of grapplers from winding up like "Randy The Ram," (Mickey Rourke's character in the film, "The Wrestler").
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Two Title Bouts Headline WWA Superstars In Toledo
April 11, and Somerset Hall was the venue for another card of wrestling from the
1980's. If you liked that era of pro wrestling, this was the card for you. If you didn't like that style--not so much. A crowd of about 100, mostly faithful regulars, was on hand for the festivities. Now to the action.
First bout saw crowd favorite Halloween take on Pitt Bull (the fans chanted "Poodle" at him). This match served mainly as a warm-up, but the crowd popped big when halloween nailed his foe with a spear for the win! This in spite of interference by "The Sharped Dressed Man," Jason Harris, who announced that he was taking on Pitt Bull as his protege (ala "NXT?").
In an interview segment, Tag Champs, The CIA (Denzell Titan & Black Velvet)announced that they would be touring Japan, and thanked the fans for their support. No one, I suspect, was caught unawares by the run-in by Pastor Pain, and his cohort, except for the CIA! They delivered a beatdown on both of the champs. The culmination saw Titan slammed through a table. It took two tries to accomplish!
The second match of the night saw Brandon Edward delivered into the hands of Babatunde, the 435 lb clone of Kamala. Edwards proved no match for his much larger foe, and was quickly disposed of! Babatunde then went on a rampage pinning "Jungle Jane," one of his handlers in a corner. Much of the roster came to Jane's aid, only to be disposed of by Babatunde!
Bobo Brazil, Jr. finally made the successful save, and cleared the ring so match number 3 could get under way. Anothe local favorite, Bryan Castle--The New Age Patriot took on The Ripper who, needless to say was from "parts unknown." Highlight of this match was a dropkick by the nearly 300 lb Castle, who went to win with a Russian leg sweep.
Last bout before intermission was CIA defending the tag title against the Kentucky Wrecking Crew. Black Velvet was the only member of his team at the start of the contest. Pastor Pain, and his partner attacked their outnumbered foe with utter ferocity, and seemed headed to certain victory, until a heavily bandaged Denzell made his appearance. The champs made the heroic comeback, much to the partisan crowd's delight, and escaped with the win.
After intermission, Andy Chene took on his former partner, Crimsom. It was a wild match filled with brawling in and out of the ring. At one point Crimsom spewed a red mist into Chene's face and the two continued their brawl. After a couple of minutes the announcer declared that Crimsom had been disqualified? A very strange finish! Don't know if someone's timing was off or what?
Next up was what proved to be the best match of the night! Jason Harris, AKA, the "Sharp Dressed Man," vs D-Ray 3000. This was a classic example of storytelling at its in-ring best! Action went back and forth until D-ray nailed the win with a brain-buster. Pitt Bull then entered the ring and, with his new mentor delivered a beatdown to D-Ray. These two deserve a push, and a good feud is the proper vehicle for that push.
Main Event was another in a series of wierd stipulation title bouts. This time it was a "wave the flag to surrender" match. Match could only be won by one of the combatants seconds waving a white flag (presumably to save his man from further damage). Bobo Brazil,Jr., the Champ, was seconded by Dr. Jerry Graham, Jr. Challenger Sebastian Rose was seconded by the ubiquitous Pastor Pain.
Brazil won when Pain attempted to hit him with the flag, prompting the referee to declare: "you waved the flag!" a furious Pain called for Babatumbe to come to the ring and attack Brazil. The two (Brazil and Babatumbe) then battled all the way back to the dressing room! The two will meet again on May 9, at the next event.
The good: Jason Harris and D-Ray 3000.
The bad: misscues
The ugly: Wierd stipulations, and wierd finish in the main event. Brazil and Rose can put on an entertaining match without this nonsense. Fans who pay to see these shows deserve clean finishes.
1980's. If you liked that era of pro wrestling, this was the card for you. If you didn't like that style--not so much. A crowd of about 100, mostly faithful regulars, was on hand for the festivities. Now to the action.
First bout saw crowd favorite Halloween take on Pitt Bull (the fans chanted "Poodle" at him). This match served mainly as a warm-up, but the crowd popped big when halloween nailed his foe with a spear for the win! This in spite of interference by "The Sharped Dressed Man," Jason Harris, who announced that he was taking on Pitt Bull as his protege (ala "NXT?").
In an interview segment, Tag Champs, The CIA (Denzell Titan & Black Velvet)announced that they would be touring Japan, and thanked the fans for their support. No one, I suspect, was caught unawares by the run-in by Pastor Pain, and his cohort, except for the CIA! They delivered a beatdown on both of the champs. The culmination saw Titan slammed through a table. It took two tries to accomplish!
The second match of the night saw Brandon Edward delivered into the hands of Babatunde, the 435 lb clone of Kamala. Edwards proved no match for his much larger foe, and was quickly disposed of! Babatunde then went on a rampage pinning "Jungle Jane," one of his handlers in a corner. Much of the roster came to Jane's aid, only to be disposed of by Babatunde!
Bobo Brazil, Jr. finally made the successful save, and cleared the ring so match number 3 could get under way. Anothe local favorite, Bryan Castle--The New Age Patriot took on The Ripper who, needless to say was from "parts unknown." Highlight of this match was a dropkick by the nearly 300 lb Castle, who went to win with a Russian leg sweep.
Last bout before intermission was CIA defending the tag title against the Kentucky Wrecking Crew. Black Velvet was the only member of his team at the start of the contest. Pastor Pain, and his partner attacked their outnumbered foe with utter ferocity, and seemed headed to certain victory, until a heavily bandaged Denzell made his appearance. The champs made the heroic comeback, much to the partisan crowd's delight, and escaped with the win.
After intermission, Andy Chene took on his former partner, Crimsom. It was a wild match filled with brawling in and out of the ring. At one point Crimsom spewed a red mist into Chene's face and the two continued their brawl. After a couple of minutes the announcer declared that Crimsom had been disqualified? A very strange finish! Don't know if someone's timing was off or what?
Next up was what proved to be the best match of the night! Jason Harris, AKA, the "Sharp Dressed Man," vs D-Ray 3000. This was a classic example of storytelling at its in-ring best! Action went back and forth until D-ray nailed the win with a brain-buster. Pitt Bull then entered the ring and, with his new mentor delivered a beatdown to D-Ray. These two deserve a push, and a good feud is the proper vehicle for that push.
Main Event was another in a series of wierd stipulation title bouts. This time it was a "wave the flag to surrender" match. Match could only be won by one of the combatants seconds waving a white flag (presumably to save his man from further damage). Bobo Brazil,Jr., the Champ, was seconded by Dr. Jerry Graham, Jr. Challenger Sebastian Rose was seconded by the ubiquitous Pastor Pain.
Brazil won when Pain attempted to hit him with the flag, prompting the referee to declare: "you waved the flag!" a furious Pain called for Babatumbe to come to the ring and attack Brazil. The two (Brazil and Babatumbe) then battled all the way back to the dressing room! The two will meet again on May 9, at the next event.
The good: Jason Harris and D-Ray 3000.
The bad: misscues
The ugly: Wierd stipulations, and wierd finish in the main event. Brazil and Rose can put on an entertaining match without this nonsense. Fans who pay to see these shows deserve clean finishes.
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