Report From Cauliflower Alley Club Reunion In Las Vegas.

April 18 through the 20th, saw 600 wrestlers, writers, fans and promoters gather for this annual at Las Vegas' Gold Coast. There were so many events that I will have to write this post in several sections.

Part One: "The Bride Wore Tats"

The first official event was the wedding of Sean Dunster and Tanya Lavigne (better known to their fans as "Massive damage," and "Sexy Samantha." Bishop Jason Sanderson was the cleric entrusted with performing the nuptials. About a hundred people attended the ceremony.

Although the powerfully built Groom wore a Mohawk style haircut, he also wear a conservative dark suit. And his Bride, while possessed of the requisite number of tatoos, also wore a traditional white dress. All-in-all it was a touching event, and I know my readers will join me (and the other guests) in wishing the newlyweds much happiness.

Another highlight of the first day, for me, was meeting Jeff Leen, author of "Queen Of The Ring:The Mildred Burke Story." In my humble opinion the best biography of a Professional Wrestler ever written. Still available on Amazon, and most bookstores.

After the Wedding it was time to head to FSW (Future Stars of Wrestling) arena for a card of professional wrestling. The event featured many wrestlers in town for CAC. I can only imagine how these youngsters felt performing in front of an audience that included some of the best known wrestlers of the last several decades.

The card was a twelve bout extravaganza. To accommodate all the workers wanting to appear on the card, we saw a battle royal, tag bouts, three way matches, womens matches, fatal fourways, mixed tags, etc.

Michigan star Noah Lott, and Akron, Ohio's "Sassy" Stephie Sager were both featured and acquitted themselves well. Other highlights included some insane highspots, and breathtaking maneuvers!

My favorite new team was the "Kiwis" an exciting team from New Zealand. They began their match with a synchronized Maori war dance that was exciting to watch, and probably intimidated their opponents, "Cyanide," and Dr. Doom.

The newlyweds, Massive Damage, and Sexy Samantha, celebrated by taking on Sinn Bodhi, and Stacy Carter in a mixed tag match. The latter team picked up the win. In the main event Franco DeAngelo, successfully defended the FSW title against "Lover Boy" Matt Riviera to send the fans home happy

Part Two: Workshops, Awards, and the Baloney Blow out!

On Tuesday morning I attended a seminar presented by Psychiatrist David Riess, and J.J. Dillon, entitled "The Psychology of Faces, Heels, and Turns" this was a very informative discussion of the psychology involved in wrestling. Just one of several workshops offered.

The evening banquet, or "Baloney Blowout," harkened back to a time when traveling wrestlers, short on cash would pool their change to buy bologna, and a loaf of bread to stretch their resources. A number of awards were presented. These included Darling Dagmar, a midget star of decades past, who received the "Womens Wrestling (retired) award. Tom Burke ( Wrestling Historian Award), Michel Martel (Posthumous Award), The Gilbert family: Dad Tommy, Doug, and the late Eddie Gilbert were honored for their storied careers.

Other winners included, Dan Kroffat (Mens Wrestling--Retired). Jack Armstrong received the "Golden Ear Award." Lisa "The Adjuster" Haynes won the "Humanitarian Award," for her work in animal rescue.

Mick Foley was the final honoree of the night, winning the "Lifetime Achievement" award. Foley brought his H.S. Wrestling Coach as his guest. Mention was made of his work with a number of causes and groups.

Part Three: More Workshops, The Banquet, and More Awards

Went to Part 2 of "Faces, Heels, and Turns " seminar with Dr.Reiss, and today's co-presenter, "The Million Dollar Man,," Ted Dibiase. They covered some of the subtleties of successful turns from Heel to face, and vice versa.

After the workshop, it was on to the exhibit hall where the Cribbage Tournament was underway. two time champ Dick "The Destroyer" Beyers seemed unstoppable, until he was upset by a female competitor,Vicki Burdick ! The tournament was finally won by Bill White.

At the final night's banquet award winners included: "Irish" Pat Barrett (International Star). Bruno Lauer (The Manager Award). "Rockin Robin" Smith was honored, as was the Honky Tonk Man, Rick Martel, Amazing Kong (watch for her debut in WWE), and the "Iron Mike" award winner, Sergeant Slaughter.

This ended another CAC Reunion. Congratulations to CAC President Karl Lauer, and his hard working crew for another well run, successful event! Cant wait until next year!