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!
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