December 2016 The Ear

OUR 2017 HONOREES

HOLLYWOOD

Jeanne Basone

FAVORITE COLOR - Black

FAVORITE NUMBER - 19

FAVORITE TYPE OF MUSIC - Rock

FAVORITE MOVIE - Planet of the Apes

FAVORITE ZOO ANIMAL - Zebra

FAVORITE CHILDHOOD TV SHOW - The Gumby Show

LIGHTNING

Cheryl Rusa

FAVORITE COLOR - The color of my eyes lol, It's called

Ocean/Sea Foam Green/Aqua/Blue Green

FAVORITE NUMBER - 13

FAVORITE TYPE OF MUSIC - Heavy Metal/Rock

FAVORITE MOVIE - Galaxy Quest (Funny!)

FAVORITE TV SHOW - The Walking Dead

MATILDA THE HUN

Dee Booher

FAVORITE COLOR - Magenta, Black, Turqoise

FAVORITE NUMBER - 6

FAVORITE TYPE OF MUSIC - Folk, Rock, Blues, Gospel

FAVORITE MOVIE - Avatar

FAVORITE ZOO ANIMAL - Dolphin

WHO TRAINED YOU - Billy Rogers, Mando Guerrero (M)

MELODY TROUBLE VIXEN

Eileen O'Hara

FAVORITE COLOR - Cinnabar

FAVORITE NUMBER - 13

FAVORITE MOVIE - The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

FAVORITE CHILDHOOD TV SHOW - Star Trek: The Original Series

THE ROYAL HAWAIIAN

April Enriquez Homm

FAVORITE COLOR - Black

FAVORITE NUMBER - 25

FAVORITE MOVIE - The Wizard of Oz

FAVORITE CHILDHOOD TV SHOW - The Brady Bunch

FAVORITE ZOO ANIMAL - Elephant WHO TRAINED YOU - Mando Guerrero (M)

ROXY ASTOR

Tracee Meltzer

FAVORITE COLOR - Black

FAVORITE NUMBER - 23

FAVORITE MOVIE - Queen of the Damned

FAVORITE TV SHOW - uh, duh... GLOW

FAVORITE CHILDHOOD TV SHOW - The Brady Bunch

FAVORITE ZOO ANIMAL - Cougar

SUNNY

Patricia Summerland

FAVORITE COLOR - Blue

FAVORITE NUMBER - 11

FAVORITE TYPE OF MUSIC - Love soulful type music (All Music) Country, Pop, Hip-Hop, Classic Rock

FAVORITE MOVIE - The Notebook

FAVORITE ZOO ANIMAL - Spider Monkey

FAVORITE & LEAST FAVORITE FRUIT - Apples/Cantaloupe

WHO TRAINED YOU - Mando Guerrero (M)

HAVE YOU BEEN INVOLVED IN MOVIES, TV, STUNT WORK, MUSICIAN - Yes, movies, TV and stunts. Several in Los Angeles, CA

DREAM VACATION - Machu Picchu

DREAM CAR - 'Vette

IF I HAD A YACHT, I WOULD NAME IT - Hollywood IF YOU COULD MEET ANYONE - The President, Jim Morrison, Jimi Hendrix

FAVORITE ZOO ANIMAL - Elephant

WHO TRAINED YOU - Debbie Debutante, Ninotchka, Susan Sexton (M), Adrian (M) & Linda Street (M), Mando Guerrero (M), Alex Knight (M), Jesse Hernandez (M), Billy Anderson (M), some Japan Training JWP

DREAM CAR - Millennium Falcon/Shelby GT500

DREAM VACATION - Australia

IF I HAD A YACHT, I WOULD NAME IT - Lightning

IF YOU COULD MEET ANYONE - Jim Morrison, assuming he wasn't high as a kite and I could hold a conversation with him

HAVE YOU BEEN INVOLVED IN MOVIES, TV, STUNT WORK, MUSICIAN - Been in SAG 20 years, I've been in Spaceballs, Married... with Children, many sitcoms. Most recently I was in a film titled The Dog Wedding, I'm a singer, GLOW and in many bands in Los Angeles. Career services spans 30 plus years

DREAM CAR - Cadillac

IF I HAD A YACHT, I WOULD NAME IT - Queen of Curves IF YOU COULD MEET ANYONE - Bob Dylan, and talk and ask any questions. Then Jesus and Mary Magdalene

FAVORITE ZOO ANIMAL - Snow Leopard (but I prefer to see them in the wild)

WHO TRAINED YOU - Lori Palmer, Ann LaBre

DREAM CAR - '73 Mustang Mach 1

DREAM VACATION - Three months in a villa on Lake Como, Italy

IF I HAD A YACHT, I WOULD NAME IT - Lothlórien IF YOU COULD HAVE ONE SUPER POWER, WHAT WOULD THAT BE? - Flight

IF YOU COULD MEET ANYONE - Leonardo da Vinci

FAVORITE & LEAST FAVORITE FRUIT - Pineapple of course, duh!!!/Honey Dew Melon

DREAM CAR - Black Mercedes S550

IF I HAD A YACHT, I WOULD NAME IT - Ikaika- my son's Hawaiian name, means strong warrior

IF YOU COULD HAVE ONE SUPER POWER, WHAT WOULD THAT BE? - Invisibility- so I could help fight crime so the criminals don't see me coming!

IF YOU COULD MEET ANYONE - Barbra Streisand - Have loved her since I was a kid!

WHO TRAINED YOU - Debbie Debutante, Ninotchka

HAVE YOU BEEN INVOLVED IN MOVIES, TV, STUNT WORK, MUSICIAN - Became a clothes designer, I had my own Company called Tickles & Giggles (sold clothes to Kris Jenner) Also appeared on an episode of Oprah and an episode of Friends!

DREAM CAR - Teal Blue Dodge Challenger

IF I HAD A YACHT, I WOULD NAME IT - The Unsinkable IF YOU COULD MEET ANYONE -Randy "Macho Man" Savage.. I was a huge fan!!

FAVORITE & LEAST FAVORITE ICE CREAM - Coconut Cream/None WHO TRAINED YOU - Ninotchka, Debbie Debutante DREAM CAR - One that does not use gas nor electric and flies over the traffic

DREAM VACATION - Around the world in 80 days with the one I love

I LOVE - My Family

IF I HAD A YACHT, I WOULD NAME IT - Sunny's California Dream

CONTRIBUTORS

Royal Duncan

- editor, writer, photos

Chris Jones

- asst. editor

Dean Silverstone

- writer, photos

Dan Westbrook

- photos

Dr. Mike Lano

- writer, photos

Karl Lauer

- writer, photos

PamElla Lee

- photos

Darlene Kreis

- writer impactphotos.com

- photos

Ben of Venice

Paparazzi Magazine

- photos

Christopher Baird

- photos

Leo Garibaldi

- photos

Joe Pottgieser - photos

Thomas Rude

- puzzles

Michael McCurdy - writer

Brian Kelley - writer

Brian Westcott - writer Johnny Griffin - writer

Kari Williams - writer ibhof.com - photos

GLOW - photos

William Taylor - photos

Chuck Thornton Collection - photos

TABLE OF CONTENTS

2017 Honorees Front Cover

Women's Award GLOW 2

2017 Honorees 4-5

Canvas Cavity 6

Fifth Pole of the Mat 7

Karl's Korner 8

Mike Lano Photos 9-11

Banquet Preview 12

Banquet Order Form/Word Search 13

Florida Wrestling Legends Lunch 14

Ricky Najjar/Cryptogram 15

Word Search Key/CAC Membership Form 16

Jimmy McLarnin/RIP 17

Brownbutter Wrestling/Tapping Out 18

Women's Award GLOW ...................19

Newly Announced Honorees ... Back Cover

Good morning CAC Members! Great to be with you again, I hope you enjoy this current issue.

Commitments have been made as the Reunion grows nearer. What a line-up! Kevin Von Erich, Dave Meltzer, Tokyo Monster Kahagas, David Sierra, Tully Blanchard, Bobby Simmons and GLOW. MAKE SURE YOU ARE THERE!

Inside please find our salute to photographer Mike Lano. Mike's been around the globe and has the photos to prove it (My favorite is the Danny Hodge/Kurt Angle photo taken at the Top of the Riv). Also featured is an article on new member Ricky Najjar, a boxing article about one of the first CAC members

Jimmy McLarnin, GLOW girl's personality profiles so we can learn a little bit more about them, B. Brian's Florida Legends Lunch, word search puzzle and a cryptogram provided by diabolical Thomas Rude, a GLOW girl quiz by the page #s, and an article of introduction on Royal Publishing's Chris Jones so you know who is doing all the work around here.

Enjoy!

Royal

P.S. Again, when you see a (M) that means they were or are a member and/or honoree of the CAC.

CAC Land

Chris was born and grew up in Central Illinois until the age of 11 when he moved to Florida where he finished middle school and went on to high school and college. Chris attended a magnet school where he was able to study television and film production, as well as the other standard academic courses. After graduating from high school, he moved back to Illinois to be closer to the rest of his family. Chris worked at several television stations as a crew member, camera operator and master control operator.

In August of 2005 he interviewed for and accepted a position in layout at Royal Publishing. Chris was promoted several times and is currently a Team Leader in the layout department. As well as the regular tasks associated with the position, he also writes a movie review in the company’s quarterly newsletter. This goes hand in hand with his love for film.

With a love of the cinematic arts, Chris has watched all the films from the 1,001 Films to See Before You Die He also attempts to watch every film that is nominated for the Academy Awards each year before the actual presentation. His personal collection consists of over 1,200 films.

As a lifelong fan of both the Chicago Cubs and Chicago Bears, Chris was excited to see the Cubs win the 2016 World Series and as for the Bears (there's always next year).

LOU THESZ/ART ABRAMS LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD KEVIn VOn ERICH

Many names through many genres of entertainment performed within the walls of the famed Sportatorium in Dallas, TX, but no names are as synonymous with the historic structure as Fritz, David, Kevin, Kerry, and Mike, better known world-wide to wrestling fans as the Von Erichs.

Kevin Von Erich, who debuted in 1976 against Paul Perschmann, better known as Playboy Buddy Rose, will be in Las Vegas May 1-3 at the 52nd annual Cauliflower Alley Club Reunion. Kevin will be attending along with his sons Ross and Marshall as the CAC recognizes the Von Erich Family. The Von Erichs are among a list of some of the greatest families in wrestling and the family bond remains strong to this day. “We're a close family and it is a blessing to be together like this. I'm a real family man. I love my family.”

Kevin, who also played football for north Texas before answering the call of the squared circle, said there was no doubt that he and his brothers would follow in their famous father's footsteps, even though it did make for an interesting family dynamic. “We were living for the moment growing up. I loved my brothers so much. The crowds were so big and my dad had so much heat. It was amazing.”

Although, many wrestling fans and historians alike, will point at the Von Erichs feud with the Freebirds as one of the highlights of the World Class era, Kevin gives credit to many of the others who came through there as well as those he enjoyed working with. names such as King Kong Bundy , Ox Baker, Bruiser Brody, Rocky Johnson, Big John Studd, Magnum TA, and Austin Idol highlight the list, as does the current Cauliflower Alley Club President Brian Blair. “I worked with so many great people. More than just the Freebirds. We drew a record crowd against Kabuki and Super Dragon. My brothers and I did. Shows were sold out two or three days before back then.”

Wrestling what Kevin referred to as Texas style is what made the product so good. “We had virtuous reasons to fight. They still need to push those types of ideals. Keep it natural. Make it look like a fight. Don't just give him your hair. Try to take it away from him.”

Many years have passed since his retirement from the ring, but the Von Erich name still lives on through his sons Ross and Marshall. The third generation stars have been making their own mark in the wrestling world and Kevin couldn't be more proud of his sons. "Seeing my sons do what my father, their granddad, did. Doing what their uncles did. It's incredible to see your sons do what their father did. Only love would make you do that.”

Love and Family seem to be the predominant theme for Kevin now and he's happy with that. “It's like no other feeling in the world”.

Kevin won many championships. Here is just a sample:

6x Calgary: Stampede International Tag Team Title

9x Dallas: World Class 6-Man Tag Team Title

5x Dallas: nWA American Heavyweight Title

3x Dallas: nWA American Tag Team Title

3x Dallas: WCWA World Tag Team Title

2x Dallas: World Class Texas Tag Team Title

Dallas: nWA north American Heavyweight Title

Dallas: World Class World Tag Team Title

Dallas: World Class All-Asia Tag Team Title

Dallas: World Class Texas Heavyweight Title

Dallas: WCWA World Heavyweight Title

Japan: All Japan All-Asian Tag Team Title

St. Louis: nWA Missouri Heavyweight Title

Texas: TWF Texas Title

Texas: World Class Tag Team Title

by Michael McCurdy

JAMES MELBY HISTORIAn AWARD

DAVE MELTZER

Born David Allen Meltzer, Dave’s been the world's best known and legitimately trained journalist covering pro wrestling and later MMA; global marketing, finance and television/arts industry ratings, buy-rates and much more. He's published The Wrestling Observer newsletter since 1982 after helping usher in global tape-trading. The Observer, known as the insider's bible, wasn't even Dave's first newsletter either. WON in reality, has always been a well-researched weekly and now online business-trade like Variety or Hollywood Reporter. It continues to be read by nearly everyone, influencing everything. Even those who might not admit it.

The Dave I’ve known since 1972 and went to Japan with first published his California Wrestling Report newsletter detailing primarily Roy Shire’s fantastic San Francisco wrestling territory. Most think he’s always lived in Silicone Valley but reportedly was born in new York City, then moved to San Jose. There were family vacation trips in the seventies to Florida where Dave was able to take in Eddie Graham's incredible cards, exposing him to another great “finish” expert shaping his mindset to make his viewing passion since childhood, his life’s work. He went to journalism school first at San Jose State, then finished his training near Dallas where he also got to experience the magic of Fritz Von Erich's Sportatorium-based promotion. Dave reported on WCCW’s growing TV syndication about the same time as “Observing” wrestling from a more global perspective, first launching the then monthly-WON (eventually went weekly) besides his special year-end-award-annuals and later WON Hall of Fame he crafted using other top historians as voters. Those grew to become the most coveted issues. WON-HOF is recognized as the most serious one by PWI Magazine. Every few issues he highlights his passion by simply writing about wrestling’s history which also are mustreads.

Dave’s skills and craft dedication eventually led him to begin regular contributions to many mainstream newspapers and magazines including quotes and full articles in The San Jose Merc, Oakland Tribune, L.A. Times and he’s a featured reporter for Yahoo! Sports having also been an online and digital pioneer.

Dave had a regular weekly column in Frank DeFord's storied National Sports Daily Newspaper, graciously running my photos with it at times. Dave is "the Dean" of pro wrestling shoot writer/reporters. Sports Illustrated legend Deford has called Dave "the most accomplished reporter in sports journalism." And the most serious and hard-working having to cover the many hours of sports TV and PPV’s besides putting the bible out each week. Dave’s also written several books (contributing editor to the book Wrestling Observer: Greatest 100 as well as full writer for Wrestling Observer Tributes) on pro wrestling and contributed to countless others like the recent Ali/Inoki tome. Several years ago, Dave combined his empire with that of Figure-Four-Weekly long time reporter (and regular CACer) Bryan Alvarez, who handles Wrestling Observer Live Radio plus countless hours of podcasts for their joint venture/website. Few know that Dave briefly contemplated leaving wrestling coverage for soccer or that Terry Funk and Bill Watts were his earliest supporters. He also still regularly lectures on grappling, MMA, boxing and sports-biz at Stanford University's prestigious Graduate School of Business. But everyone knows he’s been TV’s go-to-expert for CNN, HLN and other networks during the Monday night War boom period, the 90’s trials, the Benoit ’07 crisis and more.

Since the net took off in the AOL/Prodigy/Compuserve 90’s days, there’ve been many claiming to be “experts.” None approach Dave’s level. Especially now since he was the first to cover WWE Shareholder teleconference calls, all aspects of content-streaming beyond every possible nuance of these sports he’s popularized and in the process, demystified.

As a wrestling historian, Dave is also famous for his detailed obituaries.

by Mike Lano

MEn’S WRESTLInG AWARD

TOKYO MOnSTER

KAHAGAS

For the past eighteen years Paul Antone “The Tokyo Monster” Kahagas has been one of the most booked wrestlers around the world. During this time he has earned the reputation from the fans as a hard hitting, aggressive wrestler in the style of the Kevin Sullivan, The Road Warriors and the Great Kabuki.

Born in the Cincinnati, Ohio, area to an American father and Japanese mother, Kahagas moved to Florida at a young age. He found success as a catcher and a pitcher for his baseball team. But it would be pro wrestling that would spark his passion at an even earlier age. Looking for a way to become a pro wrestler after baseball, Kahagas knew that there were local wrestlers in the area that could help him out. One man in particular, the “Haitian Sensation” Tyree Pride lived in the area and Kahagas sought him for training and advice. Pride told him that if he could find a ring, that he would lend a hand, so Kahagas sought out the local sheriff, who also worked as a pro wrestler under the name Tom Horne (a former student of Eddie Graham), as well as many numerous retired local stars.

The local wrestlers would not accept money from Kahagas as they were more than happy to share their knowledge due to his will and desire to be a wrestler. From early on Kahagas ventured out for more training and attended John Tenta’s pro wrestling school. From there he earned respect and interest by Tenta and Prince Iaukea. Prince Iaukea would travel out to see Kahagas to train with him. Those were among many that offered their help as he hit the road learning one match at a time. Looking back, Kahagas recalls his first wrestling bout in Leesburg, Florida, in front of 500 fans, a packed house and very well could have been the worst wrestling he had ever seen. Throughout the years Kahagas would work tours in Panama (Lucha Extrema nacional), Revolution Xtreme Wrestling, the Dominican Republic (Dominican Wrestling Entertainment), Puerto Rico (World Wrestling Council and IWA Puerto Rico) and Mexico (Xtreme Latin American Wrestling) taking on a who’s who of top wrestlers. He would battle and team with wrestling great Dusty Rhodes (M) in 2004, while having wars with the likes of Jake Roberts (M), Mike Graham and Jimmy Snuka (M) at Florida Championship Wrestling. Kahagas grew up a huge fan of FCW and the fact that he was able to wrestle there at this point of his career is one that he is truly proud of.

Once he set his sights on the nWA, he quickly made an impact by winning the nWA national Heavyweight Championship by defeating Chance Prophet on March 29 in Miami, Florida, at the NWA Ring Warriors Battle of the Belts. During that reign he would defend the title against former nWA World Champion Adam Pearce. On november 2, 2012, Kahagas won a 9-Way Elimination match for the vacated nWA World Heavyweight Championship in Clayton, new Jersey, at a Dangerous Adrenaline Wrestling Gladiators. After losing the nWA World title to Rob Conway (M) on March 16, 2013, in San Antonio, Texas, at a nWA Outlaw Wrestling event, Kahagas bounced back by defeating Byron Wilcott to win the nWA north American Heavyweight Championship on April 20, 2013, in Houston, Texas at the nWA Parade of Champions Super card. With this accomplishment, he became the first man to have won all three major titles, thus being declared the first ever NWA triple crown champion. Kahagas has been a proud member of the CAC since 2014, making his way to the reunion each of the past three years winning the 2015 Cauliflower Alley Cup as well as the 2016 Casino Royale Over-the-TopRope Battle Royal, last eliminating Sam Houston.

In 2016, Kahagas shows no signs of slowing down as he is a former champion in Herb Simmon’s SICW. Kahagas currently holds the AIWF World Championship that he captured on August 14, 2016, against the Beer City Bruiser in West Allis, Wisconsin, at Brew City Wrestling. He is always willing to work with aspiring young wrestlers to share the love and passion of the wrestling business. Kahagas currently resides in Central Florida as a full time professional wrestler, and a proud father of two daughters, ages 16 and 19.

by Brian Kelley

MEn’S WRESTLInG AWARD

THE CUBAn ASSASSIn

David Sierra was born on July 27, 1955, in Cuba. His family moved to Florida when he was 1 year old. He had a typical childhood and was into sports growing up. He played a little baseball but was heavily into wrestling. The late Eddie Graham worked with many different civic organizations dedicated to reaching out to at-risk youth. Sierra attended one of Graham's special wrestling programs when he was between the ages of 12 and 13 years old and was hooked. After that he went in almost every Saturday morning at 9/10 a.m. Sierra was trained by the late Hiro Matsuda and made his pro debut in 1978 against the late Buddy Roberts of the Fabulous Freebirds. Back then, Buddy Roberts wrestled as Buddy Valentine and Buddy was managed by the late Johnny Valentine. His first major territory was Dallas, Texas-based World Class Championship Wrestling under the later manager/booker “Playboy” Gary Hart (M). Sierra admired the likes of the late Jay Youngblood, Bronko Lubich, King Curtis Iaukea, Rocky Johnson, the late Eddie Graham, the late Professor Boris Malenko, the late Jack Brisco (M), and Jerry Brisco (M) just to name a few. Sierra would have made a perfect candidate for the CAC’s Golden Ear Award. During his career Sierra used a vast number of ring names and worked an impressive list of major territories. When Sierra went to work for Don Owen in Portland, Sierra put on a mask and worked as The Masked Destroyer. The late Dusty Rhodes came up with another one of Sierra's masked gimmicks which went over big in Florida: The Saint. Top Gun, another one of Sierra's names, was a popular gimmick in the northwest, as it was a tribute to the movie under the same name. It was under the name of Top Gun that Sierra got to wrestle the national Wrestling Alliance World Heavyweight Champion “Nature Boy” Ric Flair to a 60-minute draw on Saturday, September 20, 1988, at the Sports Arena in Portland, Oregon.

But even before all that in the early 1980's while in Calgary, Sierra was supposed to go to Japan with the original Cuban Assassin-Angel Acevedo. When the trip was cancelled the original Cuban suggested that Sierra take the Cuban Assassin name as Angel would never be going to Florida or other places Sierra was headed. He has also wrestled as Fidel Sierra, Especialista I, and El Boricua. (see complete list at end). Here is just a sample of Sierra's Championships:

1x Australia: Southern Hemisphere Title

1x Calgary: north American Title

1x Florida: FSPWA Title

2x Florida: IPW Heavyweight Title

2x Florida: FUW Cuban Heavyweight Title

1x Florida: Heavyweight Title

1x Florida: Tag Team Title w/Ricky Santana

1x Portland: CWUSA International Title

2x Portland: PnW Television Title

3x Portland: nWA PnW Heavyweight Title

8x Portland: nWA PnW Tag Team Title

1x Puerto Rico: WWC World Tag Team Title

2x Puerto Rico: WWC Puerto Rican Heavyweight Title

3x Puerto Rico: WWC Caribbean Heavyweight Title

4x Puerto Rico: WWC Television Title; Tampa: ICWA Florida Title

1x Tampa: ICWA Television Title

As far as his biggest match goes, according to David, it’s hard to say. Besides Ric Flair, Sierra had big matches against Antonio Inoki, Carlos Colon, and the late Andre the Giant. The late Curt Hennig was one of his favorite opponents. The Grappler was one of his biggest feuds/opponents.

Sierra worked in many different places and territories such as Carlos Colon’s World Wrestling Council, the Dominican Republic, Japan, ECW, England, India, Mexico, Australia under Mario Milano as his assistant booker, and of course, various independent promotions in Florida. He even had a run in World Championship Wrestling feuding with the likes of “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan and teaming up with Ricky Santana.

Sierra came up with one of the craziest angles in Pacific Northwest Wrestling history, which resulted in the late Playboy Buddy Rose throwing a championship belt off of the highest bridge in Portland into the river below. The northwest Title belt was taken from Jay Youngblood by Buddy Rose, David as the Assassin and Rip "The Crippler" Oliver on TV took the belt on the next day and threw it off the bridge. continued on page 16

BIO: I’ve been a newsstand magazine photographer/ writer since the sixties and covered every CAC event since the late eighties.

West Coast female wrestling star "Beatrice Domino," who was in Vegas with us this year, told me she's a socially-concious grappler. Her in-ring gimmick is a personification of her true self, she said. Gene LeBell helped train Olympic Judo silver medalist and MMA former world champion Ronda Rousey. A current MMA/wrestling cross-over is Shayna Baszler who has appeared on PWG, APW and many other cards and grew up loving our industry. She incorporates her MMA moves and tap-out finishers (which end up looking like cool new highspots) in her pro wrestling repertoire and recently submitted Domino in a tag match where everyone excelled. Speaking of serious female pro wrestlers, WWE's brand split has brought up from their insanely-successful touring farm system nXT, top female athletes in Becky Lynch, Sasha Banks, Pam/Davina(Bailey) Rose, Ric Flair's daughter "Charlotte," Asuka and lockerroom leader nattie neidhart. Several toured Japan which remains the ultimate prestige place for the best of the best foreigners (Gaijin). The popular GLOW female wrestlers from the original 1986-1992 syndicated television show will be honored as a group next year by CAC. GLOW 1986 originals Cheryl "Lightning, Little Mo" Rusa (M) and Jeannie "Hollywood" Basson (M) have been CAC attending members regularly since the 90's and Angelina "Little Egypt" Altishin (M) also helped bring in more of their offshoot stablemates. For several years, GLOW has generously purchased at least one or more full tables and we thank them for getting more each year to join CAC. Their brand new Netflix episodic show features stars like comic/acting legend Marc Maron attached playing a what else, sleazy manager for the females trying to make her mark behind the scenes in GLOW. GLOW's original show-runner and on-camera faux Vince, Dave McLane actually attended our last CAC at the Sportsman's Lodge in 1999. He broke in during Dick the Bruiser's last year of his Indianapolis-based tv promotion Bruiser Bedlam.

CAC itself has been global with attendees, honorees and charitable works of late. We're pleased for example, that so many Canadian legends have been with us since our inception including the Stu Hart family (his daughter Diana Hart returned to Vegas this year with her brand new wrestling/romance novel series), the Vachons (M), Don Leo Jonathon (M), Gene Kiniski (M), Ric Martel (M), Tony Parisi/Pugliese (M), Michelle Starr (M), members of the Leo Burke family dynasty, Buddy Roberts, Sir Oliver Humperdink plus, of course,

master trainer Ron Hutchison (M). Ron, we'd sure be grateful if you can bring Sweet Daddy Siki with you one year.

We recently lost two beloved greats in Lord Roger Littlebrook and Harry "Mr. Fuji" Fujiwara. Former little person world champ Littlebrook continued training his sons and others besides helping book them all over while Mr. Fuji, besides everything he did in his native Hawaii starting out for Ed Francis (M) and Lord Blears (M) at the classic HIC (now Blaisdale) Arena, WWWF, Portland, San Francisco and even some 70's All Japan tours for Shohei Baba was a character (Iiterally) as a wrestler and manager. They will be missed tremendously. It's also still hard to believe it's been over a year since Rowdy Roddy Piper passed. At his very last event with us in Vegas, he dragged Sarge (Slaughter) and Ric Martel (M) over, put them in headlocks and asked me to photograph everything for some framed shots he wanted of his longtime 70's pals. He did the same years before that at CAC with his LeBell Territory stablemates Johnny "Java Ruuk" Rodz (M) and the Guerrero brothers. We were blessed in Los Angeles, seeing the growth of his brutality on the mike and in-ring skills, that of course CAC's Judo Gene Lebell helped hone. From Great Kojika, Hiro Ota, Allen Coage, Tatsumi Fujinami, several L.A. Rams NFL stars like Don Chuy, Joe Carollo, Duane Allen; Gene helped finesse these wrestling stars usually early on in their careers for both Giant Baba (AJPW) as well as Antonio Inoki (M) (nJPW). It's no wonder he was selected to ref Inoki vs Ali in 1976 (called the first "modern-day MMA match") which was phenomenal to watch just to see Gene interact with the great Karl Gotch.

When CAC Lifetime member and APW school/promotion founder Roland Alexander passed away, his capable booker Markus Mac took over the promotion end while top West Coast referee, Sparky Ballard assumed APW’s Bootcamp. Both are regular CAC'ers and both have done Roland proud. One of Roland’s top students is Jodi Kristofferson, who’s wrestled on Billy Blade’s excellent two nights of CAC cards. He’s been APW’s top champ most of 2016 and a former nXT/WWE developmental star which has become a global phenomenon with its exciting touring events featuring many who’ve attended CAC reunions in the past. Jodi’s legendary father, singer/actor/writer Kris and supportive mom joined us two years ago in Vegas and the entire family often drives to take in Jodi’s matches. Kris told me “I beam when I watch my son do what he loves so much. He’s always loved pro wrestling and what a great entertainer he’s become!” Great praise from the master. Jodi also currently has a most unique character working as “War Pig” that should take him to his dream gig of working for new Japan. He certainly has the talent down and like the best, is a true student of the biz.

I was honored to induct CAC member and honoree Joseph “Pepper” Gomez posthumously into the West Coast Pro Wrestling HOF this month. Pepper wrestled all over the world but gained much of his fame in San Francisco, the AWA, Australia and throughout Texas in the 50’s-early 80’s. He and wife Bonnie(who recently passed but still attended CAC well after Pepper’s death) lived just blocks from me in Alameda and their house was nearly a wrestling museum with rooms filled with pictures of him and best friends Bobby Heenan, Pat Patterson, Ray Stevens, Pedro Morales and Lou Thesz–all longtime CAC greats. Still smiling that Bobby and wife Cindy were able to return with us last spring when we honored the top wrestling voices at my last-minute panel/seminar Jim Ross, Jerry Lawler, Lance Russell, Pepper Martin, Pat Patterson and many of our all time greats helped laud always deserved praise on Heenan. Bobby could do it all. Besides his amazing mic skills, quick wit and reaction shots; Ray and Pat always said he was one of the best in-ring athletes and bumptakers ever. Just Google/Youtube his excellent work in Georgia Championship Wrestling managing Killer Karl Kox. His facials and verbal barbs with Gordon Solie should be studied by everyone.

Several ailing wrestlers of all ages are getting monetary and medical assistance through the many GoFundMe type campaigns. Cauliflower Alley Club however, is the grandaddy of all helping organizations for well over 50 years. It still really is the nonprofit brotherhood of the biz and has helped countless wrestlers, boxers and more along with high school and collegiate athletes and other organizations.

BIO: Dean is the former Pacific Northwest wrestling promoter and currently holds two positions within the Cauliflower Alley Club – Secretary and Treasurer. Dean began working in the Northwest area in 1958 and left the business in 1976 after promoting in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, British Columbia and Alaska. Dean became a CAC Director in 1995 and was named to the Executive Committee in 1999. Dean and his late wife, Ruth, were the co-editors of “The Ear,” the official newsletter of the Cauliflower Alley Club, from 1995 until 2012.

Whena wrestler, or anyone for that matter went on the road, one of the most important things he or she could do was to have breakfast. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, health-wise, and believe me, no wrestler I ever knew skipped breakfast, whether they consumed it at three in the morning or at three in the afternoon.

Four of our CAC members offered their recollections of having breakfast on the road, both good and bad, and the foods that influenced make entertaining reading.

Atlanta resident and CAC Life Member Bobby Simmons recalls his days on the road as a wrestler and/or referee.

“Mammy’s Kitchen in Atlanta ranks as the best all time. It had everything from salmon patty biscuits to T-bone steak and eggs. They had the same biscuit maker for over 40 years. I remember when Freddie Blassie came to Atlanta in the 80’s as a manager, we talked for two hours and the first thing he wanted to know was if Mammy’s is still open and is Miss Dot still making the biscuits.” This place must have been good if both Bobby Simmons and Freddie Blassie recommended it.

Bobby also gave a runner-up status to Dick Russell’s in the Tillman’s Corner district of Mobile, Alabama. This is where all the wrestlers would eat at when attending the Gulf Coast Wrestling Reunion. “I never had a bad breakfast,” Bobby said, “at this fine place.”

As good as these two places were, he also recalls the worst breakfast he ever had while on the road. “I attended a breakfast meeting with Jim Barnett in Columbus, OH, and we ate at the Peppercorn Duck Club atop the Hyatt Regency. Somehow I ordered a casserole with raw fish. I do not like fish and took one bite. Today, some 30 years later, I can still taste the fish.”

Former GLOW star residing in Lake of the Woods, California, recalls her

best and worst breakfasts, but they involved special circumstances. Her most memorable was when she was surprised with champagne and bagels with many fine jams at the top of the huge MGM suite she was in. Making it even more memorable was the fact that there was a bubble bath waiting for her. The perks of a GLOW wrestler were endless. Her other best breakfast happened in Kern County, CA, when her husband was still alive. She woke up to the smell of fresh coffee and bacon over the fire, and Sunny being Sunny is not embarrassed to add “…and a little love making after breakfast made that unforgettable.”

As for her worst breakfast on the road, she and her crew ate at a 24/7 type place and she ordered white rice. What she received was brown rice with eggs sunny side up and there was a dead cockroach fried in her rice. Well even a little love making after breakfast wouldn’t have salvaged that experience.

CAC Life Member Al Ticineto’s food memories are right to the point:

“The best breakfast I have ever consumed was the breakfast buffet at the Mirage in Las Vegas, they offered a Mexican food section.”

Alfred has travelled to many states,

Florida, Missouri, Alabama, Nevada, Washington, but he remembers a meal he had in Illinois as being one of the best. “It was the Original Pancake House in Chicago. The house specialty is one apple cinnamon pancake, but it is huge. I have a very big breakfast appetite but that baby filled me up so full I needed to take a bus tour instead of a walking tour which is what I had originally planned.”

Time to go back to Las Vegas for his worst. This meal was at Denny’s near the Mirage. Al loves the Denny’s in St. Louis, but this one in Las Vegas served mediocre food with absolutely horrible service. He also recalls a bad meal at Uncle Jay’s in Birmingham, AL, where he said that the coffee was horrible and the French toast was burnt and tasteless It was 1976 in nashville, Tn at a Sheraton Hotel. At the time Cindy Hall was a rising singing star and she had been flown into Nashville from her home in Lynchburg, VA, to audition for Hank Williams, Jr. She sang at the Western Room on Printer’s Alley. The next day she sat down for breakfast with Hank Williams manager to discuss her future career. He offered her the job, but then added that she was too young and innocent (21 years old at the time). So while he did offer her the job, he also talked her out of it. At least her breakfast turned out to be her favorite of all time, but her career didn’t take off until later that year.

“The other bad breakfast I remember was not a road trip. It was Christmas Eve 1988 and my gravely ill mother was in the hospital. My mother and I had our breakfast before dawn with just the Christmas tree lights on. The hospital food was horrible, but we didn’t care. It was the sweetest breakfast ever for us.”

And Cindy adds a real good point: “…if you are with the right people, it doesn’t matter how bad the food is, and if you are with the wrong people, it doesn’t matter how good it is.”

Great words for all of us to digest.

BIO: Was with the CAC for 36 years 1979 till 2015 including 24 years as Executive Vice President, Board Chairman and CEO.

THE GREATEST FATHER AND SON TEAM:

THE GARIBALDIS

Gino Garibaldi along with his 3 brothers, Ralph, John & Chico were major wrestling stars in the late 1920's and 1930's. In 1929 young Leo was born and by the time he was 4 years old he could do the short arm scissors and work most moves on his dad while Gino was on his knees. When TV became more available, the young Leo, now 18 joined his dad as a pro wrestler.

They hit the TV as the first father and son tag team in California and Leo’s movie star good looks had the teenage girls flocking to the arenas. Leo and I had become friends in 1947 when we met at my dad’s shop where some of the wrestlers would come in around 4 or 5 pm and load the trucks for the next day. The shop was on Spring Street about 18 blocks from the Olympic Auditorium, so a few working there on Wednesday or Friday would call and the first to call got the job, about 2 or 3 hours, extra money and a good work out to boot.

Leo (9 years older) for some reason took a liking to me. He and Gino would take me to the matches and if my dad could not come and get me, they would drop me off at home in Highland Park on their way home to Sunland. It was fun watching him become a real teen idol and seeing all the girls flock around him. I, at 10 or so, thought it was icky, but the fans loved him. Want to see what I mean? Go on YouTube and type in Leo Garibaldi vs. Don Lewin. Treat yourself to a fantas-

tic match and see why he was as good as they get.

Leo graduated from a military school in nY. He received his draft notice and decided to join the Air Force during the Korean War. During that time he met the love of his life June. Gino was adamantly against the marriage and he said right now you’re the teen idol, you have thousands of girls in your fan club and you will lose it all if they know you're married. Our bookings will be less and the pay also, now we are the main events every night. But Leo followed his heart and they were married, and Gino did not take it well. It put a huge strain on the relationship. In the 1980's they had a jewelry store in Inglewood, California. Leo would come to the CAC lunches when he could, but Gino never did. We had a call that Lou Thesz was coming to town to do a TV documentary and wanted the CAC to have as many of the boys there as possible to do some workout matches for the TV guys. It was being held at the Golden State Hotel grounds outdoors. The TV company hired my ring and booked 10 of my wrestlers to do 10 minute workouts with Lou.

BUT nOW HOW THIS APPLIES TO THE CAC

When I tell this story (not a story but fact) in person I cannot keep from the wet eyes. Leo was there already and standing with myself, Mike Mazurki, Gory Guerrero and Vic Christy. In walks Gino first time ever. He saw Leo and turned around to leave when all of a sudden Mike Mazurki grabbed him by the back of the neck and turned him around. Mike pushed their faces together noses touching and said “HE IS STILL YOUR FATHER; HE IS STILL YOUR SON GET OVER IT”. Tears fell like a faucet. They hugged and cried as did many of the 100+ there as we all knew the story. A broken family was mended and Gino passed away not too long after that, but he had his son back.

Leo and June were married for over 56 years until his death in 2008. This was written with the permission of June Garibaldi.

CAC farewell to 40 year+ member Joe Pottgieser

In the time before you could start a fan club with the click of a mouse, there were REAL fan clubs, the kinds where the person running it was so passionate, so committed to a single wrestler that they published a newsletter to share with other fans. Often that led to a relationship with their idol. Such was the case of Joe Pottgieser, who died October 21. He was the world's leading authority on Ray Stevens.

He worked on Blond Bomber Revue back in the 1960s, and became friends with Ray. “Ray was able to effect people by just being him,” Joe told me in an e-mail once, and another time he said, "Ray was like a kid, he liked to play, whether that meant wrestling, racing cars, rodeo or whatever.”

The wrestling-related life of Joe Pottgieser Jr., began in the late 1950s when John Swenski, a former World Junior Heavyweight champion, hired the persistent youth as an usher at the Civic Auditorium in San Jose, California. He later worked in the box office, as a timekeeper, and helped with publicity for Swenski, as well as promoters Lou Whittson and Louie Miller. Pottgieser ended up as a realtor for Prudential California Realty in San Jose, CA. Through his association with Swenski, he kept up with many old friends from the Cauliflower Alley Club dinners and banquets. “The biggest event over the years has become going to the CAC banquets,” he wrote in an old copy of The Ear. “The banquets are now a time again when I can meet and talk in person to old friends like Kenji Shibuya (M), Red Bastien (M), Don Manoukian (M), and always someone I never thought I would have the pleasure seeing in person again.”

- Greg Oliver

BIO: I’ve been a newsstand magazine photographer/ writer since the sixties and covered every CAC event since the late eighties. I still cover all our great indies. Best times(and best road stories) were during extended photographic tours of Japan, Canada, Europe and Mexico. Favorite arenas to shoot at included Korakuen, Arena Mexico, both Sportatoriums, Kiel plus course MSG whenever Bruno had a title defense. So proud to witness CAC’s growth, strength and inclusion.

Wrestling magazine photojournalism helped put me through dental school and in many other areas of life. In fact when I started at Jack/ Fritz Von Erich's covering his great Dallas territory in the mid-70's, he wrote me a letter of recommendation for Baylor University Dental School which few know is where he himself went to dental school. He said he quit after his first year, wanting to become a wrestler, but never forgot Baylor and donated money to the school often. I began running the Sheik's primary fan club in the 60's, later taking over the Blassie Fan Club from my main LeBell Hollywood Wrestling Office boss, Jeff Walton, who had to give it up when he became the circuit's publicity head. I worked as one of Jeff's program ringside photographers (at the famed Olympic Auditorium and KCOP-13 TV for the Saturday night tapings) and soon transcend a lot up North to Roy Shire's San Francisco territory where their program maker/Cow Palace ring announcer soon began listing me as their official photographer. When I moved from Los Angeles to San Francisco in January of '79, Shire's and his publicist asked me to work for the office more directly in my off-time from dental school.

All of the photos in this three page section are copyright of Mike Lano - wrealano@aol.com (M) - Cauliflower Alley Club Past/Current Member

1. Roddy Piper (M), Steve Williams

2. Nick Bockwinkel (M), Bruno Sammartino (M)

3. Los Brazos vs Los Villano family

4. "Handsome" Jimmy Valiant (M), Mike Lano (M), "Luscious" Johnny Valiant

Before that, the newsstand magazines transcend me all over the world to photograph and cover the biz which I've done all these decades to date. I wanted to hit every territory including those in Japan, Mexico, Canada, Europe, and Australia which was an early bucket list for me. But Los Angeles and San Francisco were my homebases. My work under various names, was in every newsstand magazine including later both Japan weeklies. I've also cohosted/hosted many wrestling/boxing/MMA radio shows from '73 to current starting with one John Arezzi and I co-hosted for Alan Kaminsky right in new York City (where I spent my summers touring WWWF, etc.) with a 7-state-reach. I worked as CAC co-founder Art Abrams assistant photographer in the late 80's. I still cover all groups but my favorites are PWG, APW, Evolve, and anything in Japan and Mexico. We're blessed so many young stars of the future see the major value in being CAC members whether they can attend our Vegas functions or not.

5. Terry Funk (M), Ken Patera (M) 1 2 3 5 4

6. Mil Máscaras (M), Dos Caras

9 12 17 18 13 10

7. Bobby Heenan (M), Nick Bockwinkel (M), Ray Stevens (M)

8. Danny Hodge (M), Kurt Angle (M)

9. B. Brian Blair (M), Jerry Brisco (M), Roddy Piper (M)

10. AJ Kirsch (M)

11. Kenji Shibuya (M), Bobby Heenan (M), Pepper Gomez (M), Nick Bockwinkel (M)

12. Gene LeBell (M), Count Billy Varga (M), Cesar Romero (M)

13. "Butcher" Paul Vachon (M), Pat LaPrade (M)

14. Mike Lano (M),

Tatsumi Fujinami

15. Jushin Liger, Killer Kowalski (M)

16. Gene Okerlund (M), Melissa Anderson (M)

17. Bob Orton Jr. (M), B. Brian Blair (M), Nick Bockwinkel (M)

18. Bruce Hart (M), Stu Hart (M), Roddy Piper (M)

19. Antonio Inoki (M)

20. CAC Battle Royal great action

21. JR Kratos and Matt Hardy wrestled at CAC (M) - Cauliflower Alley Club

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FLORIDA WRESTLING LEGENDS LUNCH

The last Legends Lunch for the 2016 year happened December 2 at O'Brien's Irish Pub & Grill in Tampa, FL. Legends Lunch is a wonderful fellowship for anyone who is or has been directly involved in the wrestling business. We are very fortunate to have this event hosted by our very own CAC President, “Bee” Brian Blair! This event continues to grow and supports the needs of those who find themselves under financial hardships. One of the exciting things about the Legends Lunch is the special recognition of at least two Honorees each time. Recent recipients have been The new Heavenly Bodies, comprising of “Vivacious” Vito DeNucci and “Casanova” Chris Nelson, along with David Ferrier, better known to WWE fans as Jimmy Del Ray, who passed away at the age of 52 in December 2014. In August we honored Paul Jason Seguin “Buck Quartermain” and Raymond Lloyd, better known as “Glacier.”

The Honorees for December no doubt brought the house down. Beloved Rusty Brooks “Kurt Koski”, who was trained by the one and only Boris Malenko and Steve Keirn were in attendance to receive an award which is long over due! Best known as part of The Fabulous Ones, Steve "Gator" Keirn and at times, Doink the Clown, Steve has his finger prints all over professional wrestling. Ask anyone in the business about who is one of the best trainers in the business and surely his name will come up. Attendance continues to grow and you never know who will walk through the door. Fred Ottman, better known as Typhoon, Tugboat, Shockmaster, Buddy Colt, Jerry Brisco, Bob Cook, Hector Guerrero, The Outlaw Ron Bass, Buggsy McGraw, Rocky Johnson, Lanny Poffo, Robert Fuller, Tony Marino, Leilani Kai and a host of others. Keep your eyes open as I continue to report on all the LEGEnDS LUnCH action!

By Darlene Kreis

Ricky

BIO: Kari Williams began her journalism career in high school, became editor of her college newspaper and has worked for various publications in the Midwest since 2011. She received her bachelor's and master's degrees in Mass Communications from Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville. Kari is currently the editorial associate for VFW Magazine and has been freelancing for SLAM! Wrestling since 2014.

najjar always knew he wanted to be a professional wrestler. Growing up idolizing the likes of Ricki Starr, Gorgeous George (M), Triple H and the Ultimate Warrior, the athletic endeavors he undertook were all under the guise of preparing to step into the squared circle.

“My dream is to wrestle in Japan and all over the world, as well as find a home for myself with WWE,” Najjar said.

najjar, a native of the Inland Empire region of Southern California, first got on the mat as a varsity wrestler at 16 years old for Upland High School, wrestling in styles ranging from Greco-Roman to sumo.

“Even in high school, I knew that this was what I wanted to do because I was in theater for four years. I was an honorary thespian, which I still am a thespian now,” Najjar said. “[I participated in] four years of theater and directing. So I always knew I wanted to be a professional wrestler. I always knew that I had to get myself toward that.”

During his five years in the wrestling industry, najjar has worked under a variety of names — Stryder, Prince Raccid Mohammad Abdula najjar, El Grand Maravilla Jr., Trés III and, most recently, Prince najjar — for various promotions.

He has graced the ring at Empire Wrestling Federation, Oregon’s West Coast Wrestling Connection, Paragon Pro Wrestling in Las Vegas, among others.

Najjar said athletes like Starr and Gorgeous George (M) influenced him because they were humorous, entertaining and unique — along with being “character-based.”

“There was nobody like them. Nobody did what they were doing,” najjar said. “They were innovators. They really were innovators, and the

Thomas J. Rude was born and raised in Alpena, Michigan which means he grew up on Big Time Wrestling. Graduated Central Michigan University, joined the US Army as a paralegal/court reporter. He is currently working for Sabu and Super Genie. He also is a co-promoter of Capital Pro Wrestling, sends results and top ten ratings to Pro Wrestling Illustrated and harasses people by taking their photo for The Ear. Photo on P.13

fact that they were so unique and used different styles and new methods was definitely something that attracted me to them.”

In addition to his pro wrestling aspirations, najjar also found his way into the fitness modeling world. While training for the squared circle, a ring announcer named Josh Austin, who worked at Muscle Beach, asked najjar if he wanted a job. “I [had] seen people that were in my weight class that were doing bodybuilding, and thought, ‘Oh my God, I could totally do this,’” said Najjar, who subsequently began training for fitness modeling while doing camera work and odd jobs.

Currently a stage manager for the Lauren Powers Classic, najjar also has taken what he’s learned from wrestling and applied it to the fitness industry to promote events. His first solo promoting gig occurred in October at the FitConvention Sports Festival’s FITTEST ATHLETE Contest in the Inland Empire.

najjar attended American Sports University on a wrestling scholarship, but in 2009 started training for professional wrestling. He trained under Jesse Hernandez (M) at the School of Hard Knocks in San Bernardino, Calif. The school’s graduates include Awesome Kong (M), Melina, and Frankie Kazarian (M).

"Have you seen the way these peasant sorts carry on? Chewing tobacco, drinking beer, drinking whiskey, swearing, spitting all over the place–and some of the men are just as bad."

-1985 Adrian Street (M) promoting an upcoming match with Adrian and Mr. Wrestling (Tommy Gilbert) against the Batten Twins.

CRYPTOGRAM by Thomas Rude

Solution on bottom of page 18

PAST CONTRIBUTORS

Ron Hutchison - writer

Dan Westbrook - writer, photos

Jeff Leen - writer

Brad McFarlin - photos

Vance Nevada - writer, photos

Greg Oliver - writer, photos

Joyce Paustion - photos

Jeff Sharkey - writer, photos

Alfred Ticineto, Jr. - writer, photos Mike Rice - graphic artist

Sierra created the Cuban Heavyweight Championship title on June 2, 2001 in Morovis P.R. Specifically, he just put a Cuban flag over the Puerto Rican one, similar to what Lance Storm did in WCW years later.

Thankfully, there is life after professional wrestling. Sierra still wrestles now and then and owns a Sports Bar named Crazy Dave's in Largo, FL, near Clearwater. He has been married to his 4th wife Fantasy for 24 years. who also was his manager and worked with him all over Puerto Rico, Mexico, Bahamas, England, India, and Florida starting in the early 1990.

David has a son named Manuel. Manuel works as a meat specialist for a restaurant. He has a daughter named Tanaya. She works at a Toyota dealership in Oregon as well as a daughter named Courtney.

Previously the late Red Bastien tried to get Sierra to come to a CAC reunion. Sierra finally was able to come, unfortunately it was after Bastien’s death and to this day he deeply regrets not coming sooner. Sierra says CAC is a great thing and worthwhile cause.

David Sierra's Ring Names DATE nAME AREA

1978-82

David Patterson Texas, Carolina, Georgia

1981 Crazy Dave Patterson Calgary

1982-83 The Destroyer Portland, nW

1983 Assassin Portland, nW

1985-86 The Cuban Assassin Fla, P. Rico & Australia

1987? Top Gun Portland, nW

1990/WCW The Terrorist WCW

1990/WCW The Punisher WCW

1990/WCW Cuba's Top Gun WCW

1992 Fidel Sierra Atlanta, P. Rico, Saudi Arabia, Peru

Fidel Sierra in the Barrio Brothers w/Ricky Santana, The Especialist (masked) w/ Ricky Santana, The Especialitos (masked) w/Ricky Santana, The Ice Man #2 w/Ricky Santana, El Boricua, El Cubano, Cuban Terrorist, David Sierra, El Diablo, Espelicitos #2, Cuban Assassin #2, Fidel Barrio, Hitman, The Saint, Top Gun Assassin, El Hombre De La Habana Cuba

David Patterson

(This article is dedicated to the memory of David Sierra’s father-in-law Paul Kostomlatsky.) by Brian Westcott

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BIO: I go by the "plume de nom" Irish Johnny Griffin. Based on the East Coast, I split my time between New York and Co. Kerry, Ireland. I followed the WWWF territory wrestling in the 1960's and 70's, attending the matches at Madison Square Garden and Sunnyside Garden. I have a special interest in late 19th/early 20th century wrestling memorabilia. I've also done several Hall of Fame inductee biographies for the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame (PWHF). Plus, a few articles in their annual HOF programs. My boxing and wrestling collectors website is WWW.RINGMEMORABILIA.COM I've been collecting boxing and wrestling memorabilia since the late 1970's.

Born in 1907 in Ireland, Jimmy McLarnin was 3 years old when his family emigrated to Canada where his father sought steady employment. One of 12 children, Jimmy did his part by selling newspapers on a busy street corner, where he first learned to use his fists when defending his turf against rival lads. He joined the local boxing gym and struck up a lifelong friendship with owner/manager Charles “Pop” Foster. With daily tutoring and a natural athletic ability, he debuted as a professional prize fighter at age 16, and won his first four-rounder and the handsome sum of one dollar.

After serving time in Canadian rings, McLarnin headed to Los Angeles in 1924 as a Flyweight (112lbs limit) and fought three fights with recent Olympic gold medalist and future Hall of Famer, Fidel LaBarba. He won two of the three, with one ending in a draw. Popular with the L.A. film crowd, Jimmy notched up several wins including future Hall of Famer Pancho Villa, before being matched in 1925 with the tough, vicious and experienced Bud Taylor, who later went on to win the Bantamweight crown. He lasted the 10 rounds, but his battered ribs were a testament to the skillful body punching of Taylor. After KO’ing leading lightweight contender Sid Terris in the first round, McLarnin found he had grown into a full-fledged welterweight (147lbs. limit). After being offered a shot at the Lightweight crown (135lbs. limit) in 1928, he sweated off the extra pounds only to be well beaten over 15 rounds by the Champion, Sammy Mandell. now concentrating his efforts on the welterweight division, Jimmy defeated several world champions and top contenders en-route to a shot at the Welterweight Championship in 1933 where he KO’d the southpaw champion, Young Corbett III (CAC member) in the first round.

The following year, McLarnin defended his Welterweight crown against the Lightweight and Jr. Lightweight champion Barney Ross. Ross won a split decision victory over Jimmy. Four months later, in a fascinating duel of skillful boxing moves and furious exchanges, McLarnin regained the title. The rubber match came in 1935, in front of 55,000 spectators at the Polo Grounds in new York, with Jack Dempsey as referee. Barney Ross

Christian Able (Joshua Burgess) - Apr 14, 2016

(Thanks Thomas Rude)

D.C. Dillinger (David Cahill) - Aug 14, 2016

Scott Williams - Aug 17, 2016

Joe So Delicious (Joe Montanino) - Aug 18, 2016

Denny Kass (Dennis Kasprowicz) - Aug 22, 2016

Curt Otterholt - Aug 28, 2016

Mr. Fuji (Harry Fujiwara) - Aug 28, 2016

Bobby Chacon - Sep 7, 2016

Lord Littlebrook (Eric Tovey) - Sep 9, 2016

Moose Morowski (Stan Mykietowich) - Sep 10, 2016

"The Outlaw" Don Bass - Sep 16, 2016

Sterling Brewer - Sep 20, 2016

won a close but unanimous decision to regain the welterweight championship. While disenchanted at the outcome and wanting to quit the ring, McLarnin fought three big money fights in New York in 1936 by splitting a pair with Tony Canzoneri and then defeating Lou Ambers. He hung up the gloves at the age of 29 and opened a machine shop in Los Angeles. During World War II, it grew into a highly profitable business. After the war, he sold the business as a going concern, invested the profits and purchased a fine home in Glendale, CA. Though life was comfortable for Jimmy, his wife and son and three daughters, he didn’t rest on his laurels and ran a successful tool and die business, operated a travel agency in Hollywood and in 1970 formed McLarnin Sales. Jimmy loved to play golf and traversed the greens with the likes of Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire, Bob Hope and Spencer Tracy. An enormously popular fighter, McLarnin is always ranked among the top Welterweights of all-time. A marvelous boxer with a jaw of granite and a tremendous right hand, he defeated 13 world champions during his 14 year career and fought 13 of his final 14 bouts in New York. Elected to the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, NY, in 1991, Jimmy passed away at the age of 96 in 2004.

Editor's note: Braven Dyer of the Los Angeles Times wrote "The Irish youngster had dynamite in his dukes". Hugh Sublett (President of the Golden State Boxer's and Wrestlers Assoc. and CAC Member) introduced Jimmy at a banquet as "one of the greatest fighters to ever step into the ring."

"Some people when you and I (Lance Russell) have forewarned and told people 'watch your ignorance gland'"

Dream Warrior (Mel McGhee) - Sep 23, 2016

Age 52

Bobby Lombardi - Sep 23, 2016

Chef D Z Gillespie (David B. Gillespie) - Sep 24, 2016

Age 50

El Mongol also used Mad Mongol (Raul Molina) - Oct 9, 2016

Age 86 (Thanks Dan Westbrook)

Frenchy Martin (Jean Gagne) - Oct 24, 2016

Joe Pottgieser - Oct 21, 2016

Fernand Ste-Marie - Oct 29, 2016

Tamayo Soto/Joe Soto/Inca Peru/Blue Demon #2 (Victor Tamayo) - Oct 30, 2016

"Gentleman" Ed Francis - Nov 18, 2016

Thanks to Greg Oliver - SLAM! sports slam.canoe.com & www.caulifloweralleyclub.org

A BIG THANK YOU! to Patricia Summerland aka Sunny The California Girl for all the help with the GLOW Girls. and to William Taylor for helping with editorial and photos of the GLOW Girls as well!

WHAT IS BROWnBUTTER WRESTLInG?

I started Brownbutter Wrestling to research and develop opportunities within professional wrestling to make more money for wrestlers (active, retired and the families of the deceased) and promotions. I have 20 years of experience as an entrepreneur in the music industry and it has given me perspective on working with independent contractors as well as developing, monetizing, marketing & distributing media & merchandise through the internet and at live events.

I'm looking to fill the gap, collaborate with wrestlers and promotions at every level and work with the industry as a whole. After analyzing wrestling as an industry, the opportunities are there to utilize modern technology, design and business strategy to evolve the way that stories are told, to advance and diversify the way that wrestlers are marketed and merchandised, and, most importantly, to provide new ways for wrestling talent to earn money, regardless of where or when they

First I want to say Happy Birthday to the toughest man on the planet, CAC's own Gene LeBell on turning 84. Bret Hart to star in the movie Tales from the Dead Zone along with The Lost Boys Corey Feldman. After 14 years Gawker collapses under the weight of Hogan's 140 million dollar lawsuit victory and Peter Thiel's zeal. Hogan settles for 31 million. 8/19/16 at NWA Legends Fest in Charlotte. CAC's Ric McCord won the Spaceman Frank Hickey Memorial Scientific 'Rasslin Trophy. When CAC's Count Grog was briefing Ric on how the title was to be defended 24/7, Jimmy Valiant (a long time CAC member) put McCord to sleep to win the title which Jimmy gave to Bobby Fulton. When Fulton layed in the ring to see how Tommy Young counted his pinfalls, Young put his hand on Fulton as he layed prone and Young won the title. Young then went to show Bill Apter (M) and Apter put Young to sleep to win the title. Apter was then attacked by Count Grog who beat Apter with a cobra clutch. Then Grog showed Sunny (Tammy Sytch) (M) the belt, she kissed him causing momentary confusion and Hurricane Helms pinned Grog. Helms was immediately pinned by David Wallis (Actor from Tosh show). Wallis ran thru the Fan Fest celebrating but it wore him out so he layed down on a couch and was pinned there by Seymour Snott who immediately left the Fan Fest with the trophy. And speaking about Sunny, she's now making adult videos for Vivid. Sytch also is in an online war with Brooke Adams.

Bobby Chacon (CAC member) former WBC Featherweight and Super Featherwight Champ died 9/7/16 at 64 of dementia pugilistica. Chacon (59-7-1 with 47 KO's) fought Rafael "Bazooka" Limon, Cornelius BozaEdwards, Ruben Olivares, Danny "Little Red" Lopez, Alexis Arguello, and Ray "Boom Boom" Mancini. Bobby was inducted into the West Coast Boxing Hall of Fame and the International Boxing Hall of Fame (The big one).

Variety magazine states that Allison Brie (Community, Mad Men) will star and Jenji Kohan (Orange Is the New Black) will be producing a new GLOW TV series on Netflix. The show's premise is for Brie to play a struggling actress who hopes to revive her career on a series about female wrestlers.

Colt Cabana with a new documentary The Wrestling Road Diaries 3: Funny Equals Money. It looks at comedy in wrestling. Available on digital download and DVD @ coltmerch.com. This is the 3rd documentary in Cabana's line of "Wrestling Road Stories" series. Also does the Art of Wrestling podcast for six years.

CAC member and favorite Frankie Kazarian working on a new album with his band VexTemper (Frankie plays bass). ROH allowed VexTemper to record the entrance music for he and Christopher Daniels.

work(ed) and particularly after their ring careers are largely over. To break it down into nuts and bolts, 99% of wrestlers are leaving money on the table. My job is to find it for them, even if it means building the table. There are a few live examples of what I'm doing on the BrownbutterWrestling.com website. I speak from both the heart and experience in my efforts to create that kind of income within pro wrestling.

My inaugural client is the great Ox Baker and that has led to a number of other clients. By the end of 2016, we'll have merchandise available, an online photo archive, a TV show, and a handful of new ways for wrestlers to earn, not to mention a number of partners to help facilitate all of it. I'm thrilled to become a lifetime CAC member and launch Brownbutter Wrestling publicly at the reunion this past April.

Billy Corgan sueing TnA et al. and with a restraining order against the owners. Like to see a "Battle of the Bands" between Smashing Pumpkins, VexTemper, Fozzy (Chris Jericho's band) and PeroxWhy?Gen (Jeff Hardy's band).

Violent J (half of the rapper/wrestler duo of the Insane Clown Posse) wrote a guest feature for Time magazine on the clown outbreaks in America. (Faygo all around)

Tom Hankins (a.k.a. Crazy Charlie Reid) (M) out with a new book from Scott Teal (M) Crowbar Press - The Mat, the Mob & Music. While in Cedar Rapids, IA, Tom formed a band called The Untouchables who became the house band at Danceland (Midwest's finest ballroom) and opened for The Dave Clark Five, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, The Everly Brothers, Sam the Sham, Chubby Checker, The Turtles, Marty Robbins and The Doors. Also, Tom had appeared on the Phil Donahue show. Canada premiered The Great Sasuke film on 10/16/16. Sasuke brought Mexican-style lucha to Japan in the 90's.

CAC's Bill Apter putting together a one year anniversary video for his book. Big Van Vader says he has two years to live due to congestive heart failure. Rob Van Dam performing a comedy show in Baltimore. new book out called The Donald: How Trump Turned Presidential Politics into Pro Wrestling, not to mention that Trump is the 1st President in the WWE's Hall of Fame. [Will Abe Lincoln (wrestler) and Jimmy Carter (fan) be next?]

BTW, Rich Visek's Bruiser autobio is terrific and available only at Scott Teal's Crowbar Press publishing house.

CAC's own Awesome Kong(Kia Stevens) has been added to the new Netflix GLOW series.

Paul O'Brien's Blood Red Turns Dollar Green trilogy was originally self published. They have now all been republished by Skyhorse Publishing.

Jake “The Snake” Roberts (M) with So Sick Social Club filmed a music video in Toronto.

King Kaluha (M) faces Disco Dave in a Lumberjack match for Right Coast Pro Wrestling.

Variety is reporting that John Cena is filming season two of American Grit and has signed on to co-star in The Pact motion picture.

West Coast Boxing Hall of Fame honors Pepper Gomez (M) with a posthumous award. His granddaughters all wore robes that Pepper had used during his career, 22 of his daughthers and granddaughters attended. (Thanks to Mike Lano)

Our buddy Steve Ogilvie (M) reports two big cards in new Zealand. new Japan in Auckland w/ King Haku, Hiroshi Tanahashi, Tama Tonga, Young Bucks, Kenny Omega and more. WWE nXT to be touring new Zealand (12/5 - Aukland, 12/6 Wellington) and Australia.

Ann Casey recently had total knee replacement. Sabu (M) just had hip replacement.

Toronto's midget wrestling promotion, the Mighty Mini's pitching a deal to the CBC.

Jesse Hernandez (M) wishes to share their updated news at empirewrestlingfederation.com/2016/09/empire-wrestling-federation-announces-new-tv-deal-with-sirktv

Rhino loses his political bid he ran for Michigan State Representative and received 38% of the vote. He did however win his primary.

ANGEL

Andrea Micheil Baird

FAVORITE COLOR - Purple/Green, loves to wear black

FAVORITE MOVIE - Monty Python and the Holy Grail

FAVORITE ZOO ANIMAL - All the animals

DREAM CAR - My first car was a 1959 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia. It may not be my dream car but it’s the car I still dream about driving up and down the California coast.

BEASTIE

Kelle Favara

FAVORITE COLOR - Purple

FAVORITE/LUCKY NUMBER - 3

FAVORITE MOVIE - Forrest Gump and Band of Brothers

FAVORITE SEASON - Fall

FAVORITE ZOO ANIMAL - Giraffe

WHO TRAINED YOU - Mando Guerrero (M)

ORPORAL KELLEY #2

Lily Crabtree

FAVORITE COLOR - Red

FAVORITE/LUCKY NUMBER - 13

FAVORITE TYPE OF MUSIC - Punk

FAVORITE MOVIE - Almost Famous and Goodfellas

FAVORITE ZOO ANIMAL - Panda Bear

FAVORITE TV SHOW - Orphan Black

DAISY

Helena LeCount

FAVORITE COLOR - Burgundy

FAVORITE MOVIE - The Wizard of Oz

FAVORITE CHILDHOOD TV SHOW - Little House on the Prairie

FAVORITE ZOO ANIMAL - I love them all but hate to see them in cages.

DALLAS

Debi Pelletier

FAVORITE COLOR - Pink

FAVORITE/LUCKY NUMBER - 5

FAVORITE MOVIE - The Notebook

FAVORITE CHILDHOOD TV SHOW - The Dukes of Hazzard

FAVORITE SEASON - Fall

FAVORITE ZOO ANIMAL - Giraffe

GODIVA

Dawn Maestas

FAVORITE COLOR - White

FAVORITE TYPE OF MUSIC - I have lots of favs...from rock to roots to EDM to funk

FAVORITE MOVIE - Gone with the Wind

FAVORITE CHILDHOOD TV SHOW - The Carol Burnett Show

GREMLINA

Sandy Manley

FAVORITE COLOR - Green

FAVORITE/LUCKY NUMBER - 3

FAVORITE TYPE OF MUSIC - 80's/Classic Rock

FAVORITE MOVIE - The Wizard of Oz and Gremlins

FAVORITE ZOO ANIMAL - Black Panther

WHO TRAINED YOU - Ninotchka

HAVE YOU BEEN INVOLVED IN MOVIES, TV, STUNT WORK, MUSICIAN - I was involved in many movies and TV shows before and after GLOW. Mostly background work, ho ever I did some minor stunt work. The Fan and Starship Troopers are just a couple. Recently I’ve been doing pottery for the last 2 years and have done some painting in the past. Plus I do a pretty good karaoke.

IF I HAD A YACHT, I WOULD NAME IT - “Angels NV” would be great as a Yacht.

IF YOU COULD MEET ANYONE - Annie Oakley the sharp shooter

FAVORITE & LEAST FAVORITE ICE CREAM - Birthday Cake/Vanilla

HAVE YOU BEEN INVOLVED IN MOVIES, TV, STUNT WORK, MUSICIAN - Various, GLOW, Married... with Children, She Devil, etc.

DREAM CAR - Shelby Mustang

IF I HAD A YACHT, I WOULD NAME IT - Knotty Lady

IF YOU COULD HAVE ONE SUPER POWER, WHAT WOULD THAT BE? - X-Ray vision

IF YOU COULD MEET ANYONE - Elvis

WHO TRAINED YOU - Ninotchka

DREAM CAR - My Scion XD, Herman the Merman mobile IF I HAD A YACHT, I WOULD NAME IT - Waste of my Money

IF YOU COULD MEET ANYONE - My dad. He died when he was 53 and I need to fill him in on so much!

HAVE YOU BEEN INVOLVED IN MOVIES, TV, STUNT WORK, MUSICIAN - I was a singer in Cincinnati, LA, and Reno. I was in The Explosive Broomhandles, Gypsy Skanks, Co-Texans, and sang back up for The Flesh Hammers on Apathy Park.

WHO TRAINED YOU - Laurie Palmer, Mando Guerrero (M) and Benny Diamond

FAVORITE & LEAST FAVORITE ICE CREAM - Thrifty's Bing Cherry Pistachio Nut/Rocky Road

DREAM CAR - '69 Dodge Charger

DREAM VACATION - Rome/Greece

IF I HAD A YACHT, I WOULD NAME IT - Hells Bells I LOVE - My beautiful children, Rachel and Jacob IF YOU COULD MEET ANYONE - Probably a great great great grandparent to kind of see where it all started

WHO TRAINED YOU - Jay "The Alaskan" York (M) & Gene Lebell (M)

FAVORITE & LEAST FAVORITE ICE CREAM - Butter Pecan/ Neapolitan

DREAM CAR - Corvette

IF I HAD A YACHT, I WOULD NAME IT - Destiny, after my daughter

IF YOU COULD HAVE ONE SUPER POWER, WHAT WOULD THAT BE? - To fly

IF YOU COULD MEET ANYONE - Elvis Presley

FAVORITE ZOO ANIMAL - Polar bears WHO TRAINED YOU - My gymnastics coach and then Ninotchka

DREAM CAR - My car! Slate grey Mini Cooper!

IF I HAD A YACHT, I WOULD NAME IT - Ruby No!

I LOVE - My family, friends, dogs, and Jesus.

IF YOU COULD MEET ANYONE - I'd love to meet Elvis Presley, John Kennedy, Ellen Degeneres, Andy Warhol, Jesus, the Apostle Paul, Frieda Kahlo, Tony Bennett, Cleopatra, and of course....the original Lady of Coventry, Godiva.

FAVORITE & LEAST FAVORITE ICE CREAM - Rum raisin/ Mint chocolate chip

DREAM CAR - Black '67 Chevy Impala

DREAM VACATION - The British Isles, Prague, Czech Republic, Italy

IF I HAD A YACHT, I WOULD NAME IT - Dreamweaver or Castle

IF YOU COULD HAVE ONE SUPER POWER, WHAT WOULD THAT BE? - Magic

IF YOU COULD MEET ANYONE - Misha Collins

Where is Beverly Hills, CA 19