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Sinceourlastissue,severalmoreawardshonoreeshavebeenannouncedforthe2013Cauliflower AlleyClubbanquetandreunioninLasVegasonApril15-17.Thestarslistedbelowwilljoinour already-announcedhonoreesIvanKoloff(IronMikeAward),PaulBearer(LouTheszAward),Molly Holly(Women’sWrestlingAward)andGeorgeSchire(JamesMelbyHistorianAward).
Sayhellotothenewestmembersoftheclassof2013!
Men’sWrestlingAward–JAKE“TheSnake”ROBERTS Withoutadoubt,JakeRobertsisoneofthegreateststarsevertolaceupapairofwrestlingboots.The sonofanotherall-timegreat(GrizzlySmith,ofthefamedKentuckianstagteamwithLukeBrownin the1960’s),Robertsgrewuparoundthewrestlingbusinessandlearneditwell.Infact,hisfamily boastsanotherpairofgrapplingstandouts,hisbrotherSamHoustonandhissisterandCACmember Rockin’RobinSmith.Fromhisfirstmatch,Robertshas morethanliveduptothefamilylegacy.Withinafewyea ofstartinginthebusiness,hewasheadliningCalgary Stampedeterritory,capturingthearea’sNorthAmerican titlein1979bybeatingBigDaddyRitter,wholaterwenton tostardomastheJunkyardDog.Aftersuccessfulstintsin BillWatts’Mid-South(wherehealsocaptured that company’sversionoftheNorthAmericantitle)andthe CrockettMid-Atlantic,hegothisfirstexposureatthe nationallevelastheleadheelinGeorgiaChampionship Wrestling,whoseTVshowwasseenacrossthenationon SuperStationWTBSoutofAtlanta.FeudingwithRon Garvin,Robertsestablishedhimselfasoneofthetop talentsintheindustry.
Later,afteranotherNorthAmericantitlerunforWatts, Robertsenteredthethen-WWFin1986andmadean impactthatisstillbeingfelttoday.Brandishingalive
Thelegend:Jake“TheSnake”Roberts pythonnamed“Damien,”Roberts’honedhisexcellentheel (photobyScottRomer) personatothepointwherehebecameoneofthebest promoguysthebusinesshaseverseen.Inacompanyfilled tothebrimwithoutrageouscharacters,thedevilishRobertsstoodoutfromthepack,deliveringgreat linesduringhisinterviewslike,“IfclubbingbabysealswasanOlympicevent,I’dwinthegoldmedal!” HefeudedwiththelikesofRickySteamboat,HonkyTonkMan,AndretheGiant,RickRudeandRandy Savage.HisrivalrywithSavageculminatedinanunforgettablepay-per-viewmomentwhenJake’s cobralockeditsjawsontoSavage’sarmandwouldn’tletgo.Robertscontinuedhisnow-legendary careerwithstintsheadlininginWorldChampionshipWrestling(WCW),SmokyMountainWrestling, AAAinMexicoandareturntotheWWF.Inthenewmillennium,hisappearanceshavedrawnflocksof fanstoeventsinTotalNonstopAction(TNA)Wrestling,variouspromotionsinEuropeandevenbackin the(now)WWE.
Throughouttheworld,thenameJakeRobertsremainssynonymouswithexcellenceinprowrestling. That’swhyJakeisagreatchoicetobehonoredbytheCACwiththeMen’sWrestlingAward.
Men’sWrestlingAward—“Cowboy”BOBELLIS Inacareerthatspannedwellovertwodecades,beginninginthelate1950’s,“Cowboy”BobElliswas oneofthegreatestprowrestlingcowboys—ifnotTHEgreatest—thatthebusinesshasproduced.He wasamajorstarintheearlydaysofTV,whenwrestlingtookthecountrybystormonthatnewformof media,andheremainedaheadlinereverywherehewentthroughouthisdistinguishedcareer.
Beingacowboywasn’tjustagimmickforEllis,itwasalifestyle.Asaboy,helivedonaranchwithhis father,whowasonthewrestlingcommissioninSanAngelo,TX,andhadapassionforraisinghorses. Duringthosedays,hisfatherwouldbringhimtothematchesoftenenoughthathedevelopedasoft spotforthebusiness.AfterastintinthemilitarythatincludedastandoutcareerontheArmyfootball
team,EllisbrokeintoprowrestlingwiththehelpofPepperGomez,whohadrecommendedEllistohis eventualtrainerSandorSzabo,himselfagreatstarintheannals ofwrestlinghistory.
Itwasn’tlongbeforeEllis’outstandingphysique,moviestargood looksandclassiccowboygimmickputhimonthefasttrackto wrestlingimmortality.Intheearly1960’s,hehadanall-time classicseriesofboutswithDicktheBruiserthatsolidifiedhisspot atthetopofthematprofession.Alistofhisrivalsintheyears thatfollowedreadslikeawho’swhoofHallofFamegreats: “NatureBoy”BuddyRogers,theDestroyer,HarleyRace,Ray Stevens,FritzVonErich,FredBlassie,WahooMcDanielandso manyothers.HesoldoutMadisonSquareGardenthreetimes headliningagainstRogers,andsoldoutnumerousotherbuildings acrosstheU.S.moretimesthanyoucancount.Hestarredin territoriesrangingfromDetroit(whereheheldtheU.S.title),to SanFrancisco(wherehefeudedwithStevens),tothe then-WWWF,toFlorida(wherehewontheSoutherntitlefrom BobOrtonSr.),totheAWA,toAustralia(whereheheldtheIWA WorldtitleafterbeatingSkullMurphy),totheWWA(wherehe wontheWWAWorldtitlefromBaronVonRaschke).
Asoneofthegreatbabyfacestarsduringtheglorydaysofpro ThegreatBobEllis wrestling,theCACisproudtohonorthegreat“Cowboy”BobEllis.
Men’sWrestlingAward—MATTRIVIERA AstapleofrecentCauliflowerAlleyClubeventsinLasVegas,MattRivierahasamadesuchastrong contributiontoindependentwrestlingaroundNorthAmericaoverthepastdecadethattheCACwill bestowuponhimtheMen’sWrestlingAwardfor2013!
It’snowonderthisnativeofRussellville,Arkansashas becomesoskilledintheringandasapromoter,sincehe’s beenastudentofthebusinesssincechildhood.Hefirstgot involvedasaphotographerandprogramwriterattheageof 15,andwaseventuallytrainedfortheringbybothSouthern starBuddyLandelandEuropeanstandoutDavidTaylor.Hehas wrestledeveryonefromall-timegreatveteranslikeJerry LawlertocurrentstarslikeJayLethal.Rivierahasdevelopeda finishercalledthe“OneNightStand,”aversionofArn Anderson’soldSpinebustermovewhichisthebestversionof thatmaneuvergoinginthebusinesstoday.He’salsothe ownerof“TraditionalChampionshipWrestling,”oneofthe bestandfastest-growingindependentpromotionsin existence,andhasnothingbutoutstandingmatchesforthat company.Infact,youshouldgotoTCW.comandtakealook atthecompany’sweeklyTVshow;you’llbehappytoseeho gooditis,andhowmuchyou’llenjoyit.Asanactor,Matthas astarringroleintheupcomingseasonofthecableTVhit show“MillionaireMatchmaker,”andhasappearedinse w veral Men’sawardhonoreeMattRiviera movies.He’salsoearnedadegreeinBroadcastJournalism fromHardingUniversity.
ItdelightstheCACtorecognizethetalentsandaccomplishmentsoflifetimeCACmemberMattRiviera, oneofthetruestandoutsoftoday’sindependentwrestlingscene.
TheJasonSandersonHumanitarianAward–KEN“LordZolton”JUGAN
TheCauliflowerAlleyClubisblessedtohavesomanymemberswhogoaboveandbeyondthecallof dutytolendahandtothoseinneed.ButnomemberoftheCACfitsthatdescriptionmorethanKen Jugan.Jugan,a37-yearveteranofthewrestlingbusiness,hasbeenputtingtogetherwrestlingshows forcharityforyears.Thefatheroftwodeafchildren,Juganhasbeenorganizingthe“DeafWrestlefest” attheWesternPennsylvaniaSchoolfortheDeafinhisnativePittsburghsince1994,andhe’sgotten helpovertheyearsfromringluminarieslikeDomincDeNucci,ShaneDouglas,BrunoSammartinoand
2011CAChonoreeMickFoley.He’sbeenactiveorganizing manyshows,auctionsandfundraiserstodrumupmuchneededmoneytobenefitautisticchildren,aswellasform andwomensufferingfromcancer(Juganishimselfacan survivor).He’sbeenhighlyinvolvedinrecentyearsinworking toputontoydrivestocollectitemsthatwillshedhappinesson lessfortunatekidsduringtheholidays.Hetrulyworks tirelesslytoleaveworldinbettershapethanhef en cer oundit. as mal
Becauseofallhischaritableworks,itwouldbeeasyto overlookthelongandsuccessfulcareerJuganhashadasa wrestler.Startingoutasaphotographerforsuchnotables NormKietzerandBillApter,Juganwascalledupontofillinfor ano-showonawrestlingcardin1975—withoutanyfor training!—andhe’sneverlookedback.HedidstintsforDickthe BruiserintheWWA,theSheikinDetroitandGeorgeCannonin Newfoundland,wheregettingtoashowsometimesinvolveda 10-hourferryridetoasnowy,remotetown.As“LordZolton,” Juganhadbeenwearingmake-upearlyoninhiscareer,long beforemake-upwasaregularfeatureinthebusiness.Butit
KenJugan,2013Humanitarianaward wasBruiserwhosuggestedheadoptthestrictblack-and-white honoree(photocourtesyofKenJugan) make-upthathasbecomehistrademark,asBruiserfiguredit wouldremindthefansofthemake-upwornbytherockgroup KISS,whowereahotactatthetimeJuganstartedworkingforBruiser’sWWA.Juganwentonto proudlywearthemake-upfordecadesontheindependentsceneacrosstheNortheast.Withoutthe make-up,hemademanyTVappearancesforthethen-WWFin1983and1984.
TheCauliflowerAlleyClubwishestorecognizetheselflesscharitablecontributionsofoneoftheclub’s mostoutstandingmembers,KenJugan.
TheWomen’sWrestlingAward–SANDYPARTLOW Asalarger-than-lifeprofessionalwrestlingpersonality,SandyPartlowwasaheadofhertime.That’s whytheCauliflowerAlleyClubwillpresentherwiththeWomen’sWrestlingAwardatourannual reunionthiscomingApril.
Partlowspentthebulkofhercareerasaheel,andwasgreatinthatrole.It’snomysterywhy:she lovedplayingthebadgirl."Heelingwasinmyheartfromtheverybeginning,"sheoncetold Ear contributorGregOliver.Eveninthedayswhenwomen wrestlerswereusuallyusedasaspecialattractiononthe undercard,Partlowmadeastrongimpressiononallthe fanssheworkedinfrontof,tothepointwheremost peoplereallyhatedher!Shewasanexcellentheelwho wouldhavefitrightinworkingfortoday’sWWEorTNA, becausesherelishedtheopportunitytobreaktherules andangeracrowd.Despitethis,shemaybebest rememberedforheronebigrunasababyface,doinga NativeAmericangimmickunderthename“Princess Partlow.”That’sbecausenomatterhowgoodofaheelshe was,hercharismaandlikeable,winningpersonality alwaysshonethrough.Shealsoworkedforawhileunder thenameJudyDare,apersonasheusedduringagreat runfortheVachons’promotioninMontrealinthe1970’s.
Anaturalinthering,PartlowtrainedunderKansasCity promotinglegendBobGeigelandladiesstandoutBetty Nicoliforjustsixweeksbeforehavingherfirstmatchin Juneof1969.Shewasoverhugeeverywheresheworked untilretiringin1992,afterhavingaheckofacareerthat sawherwrestlealloverNorthAmerica.
EveryoneintheCauliflowerAlleyClubisexcitedtohave
SandyPartlow,oneofthebestfemaleworkersofher
era,attheLasVegasreunionin2013.
by EricChmiel
IfevertherewasaCauliflowerAlleyClubhonoreewholiterallyneedednointroduction,itwouldbe JakeRoberts.There’sabriefrundownofsomeofhiscareerhighlightsearlierinthisissue,inthe articleannouncingthatJakewillbereceivingtheMen’s WrestlingAwardatthisyear’sCACbanquet.However, it’shardtoimaginethatanyonereadingthiswould needaprimeronJake’saccomplishmentsinthering, becauseweallknowthembyheart:headliningrunsin Calgary,Mid-South,WorldClassandGeorgia,withtitles galore,beforebecomingalegendintheWWFas“The Snake,”andthencementinghislegendarystatusin WCW,SmokyMountain,AAAandagainintheWWF.
Alongtheway,healsobecameoneofthegreatest promoguysevertospeakintoamicrophone,createda legendaryfinishingmovecalled“TheDDT”andplayed hisdiabolicalheelrolesowellthatiftherewasan AcademyAwardforprowrestlingperformances,Jake would’vewonaboutadozenofthem.
Recently,Jaketooksometimetoreflectnotonlyonhis careerbutalsoonaseriesofotherassortedissuesin aninterviewwith Ear editorEricChmiel.Speaking candidly,theSnakegaveaninterviewthatwasinmany
JakeRoberts waysjustasfascinatingandmemorableassomeofhis all-timegreaton-camerainterviews,provingonce againthatJakeRobertsalwaysdelivers.Wehopeyouenjoytheexchangesbelowas TheEar salutes thegreatJake“TheSnake”Roberts.
TheEar:Doyoustillkeepsnakes?
JakeRoberts:Hellno!Ineverlikedthosedamn things!Ihatedsnakes!Iwasscaredtodeathof ‘em,man!
Ear:Well,thewholestorywasatthetimewhen youfirstcameintotheWWFthatDamienwas yoursnakethatyouownedpersonally,andthat keepingsnakeswasmorethanjustsomething youdidforTV,youdiditasareal-lifehobby.
Roberts:Yeah,wellthetruthisIhatedthose bastards.Ineverwantedtoownasnakeinmy entirelife.
Ear:Ididn’tknowthat,becauseeveryone alwaysseemstothinkyou’reaguywhokeeps snakesbecauseyoulikethem,andthat’showit gotincorporatedintoyourTVpersona.
Roberts:Nope.Ihategettingbitby‘em,andI gotbitby‘emtoogoddamnmanytimes!Those pythons,theydidn’tmessaround,man.When theybityou,itwas20,30stitches.Ididn’tcare toomuchforthatshit!Theotherthingwas,I hatedcarryingthosebastardsaroundwherever Iwent.You’retalkingabout120or150pounds stuffedintoabag.Andbackthen,wewere goingontheroadforfiveorsixoreightweeks atatime.SoIgotclothesinonebag,a
wrestlingbag,anda150-poundsnakeinabox. I’dsay,‘Jesus,Jake!Whydidn’tyoucomeup withabetteridea,like‘BillytheBug,’or‘Carl theCockroach?’Youknow,ifyoustucka cockroachupsomebody’snose,itwould’vehad thesameeffectaslayingasnakeon‘em.But me?No,Ihadtocarryarounda150-pound snake.Iwasastupidbastardforthatone!
Ear:Didtheygiveyouanyspecialtrainingwith thesnakes,orahandler,oranythinglikethat? Ordidtheyjusthandasnaketoyouoneday andsay,“Well,hereyougo!”
Roberts:Well,therewasasnakeguytheyhad thatlivedinConnecticut.Healsohadthe dragonthatRickySteamboatused,theKomodo Dragon,whichwasamonitorlizard.Notafun thingtoplaywith.Andhehadthebulldogfor theBritishBulldogs.
Ear:Matilda.
Roberts:Yep,Matilda.ThisguywaslikeCharles Manson.Hewaspsycho,man!Hemoveddown toMiamiandwasworkingforthisbigsnake andgatorfarmdownthere,andabighurricane hit.Hehadhundredsofpoisonoussnakes,andI wastryingtogetaholdofhim.Iwasthinking thesnakesallwould’vegottenloose.Finally, afterafewdaysIgotaholdofhim.Isaid,‘Are
youokay?’Hesaid,‘Yeah,I’vebeenhavingthe besttimeofmylife.’Isaid,“Whatareyou doing?”Hesaid,‘I’vebeenoutfordaystrying tofindallthepoisonoussnakesthatgotloose afterthestorm.’Hethoughtthatwasgreat, havingtotrackdownallthesedeadlysnakes.
JakeRobertsaddressesthecrowdatthe 2011CACreunion(photobyScottRomer)
Ear:That’snotthetypeofworkI’dbelooking togetinto.
Roberts:Hewasapsycho,man!ButIloved thatguy.HisnamewasAlbert.Albertwasa goodguy,buthewasCharlesManson.Hewas aweirdguy.Itwasnothingbutreptilesand animalsforhim.I’daskhim,“Albert,doyou everthinkaboutsex?”AndI’dbethinking,‘No hereallyhasn’t!’Itriedtogethimlaidoncein astripjoint.Iwasgonnapayforit.Hetoldthe girl,“No,Ijustliketothinkaboutsnakes, man.That’saboutit.”Iwaslike,‘Well,okay then,let’sgo!Timetogotoadifferent goddamnbar!”
Ear:Hejustwasn’tinterested,Iguess!
Roberts:Andinthebeginning,hewouldsend mesnakesthatwerepsychotic,youknow? Becausehethoughtwrestlingwasreal!He thoughthewasdoingmeafavor.He’dsayto me,‘Hey,thisonewillbiteeverything!’AndI’d
say,‘Uh-uhn!’Becauseifhe’llbiteeverything, thenhe’sgonnabitemetoo.
Ear:Whenyoustartedcarryingthecobra aroundwithyou,asopposedtothepython, howdidthatwork?Howdidyouprotect yourselffromgettingbittenbyasnakethat couldpoisonyoutodeath?
Roberts:Well,thecobradidn’thavefangsinits mouth.Itcouldchewyou,butitcouldn’tinject venom.Itchewedtheshitoutof(Randy) Savage(therewasonceanincidentonaWWF pay-per-viewwhereJake’scobralatchedonto Savage’sarmandwouldn’tletgo—ed.).That wasfunnierthanhell,man.Ilovedthat!It didn’thavefangs.Wehadtotakecareofthe detailstocarrythatthing.Wehadthepoison sacksremoved.Itcouldn’tpoisonyouifit wantedto.
Ear:Let’stalkabouttheDDT.Thatwasoneof thegreatfinishersanybodyhaseverhad.
Roberts:It’snot oneof thegreatest,it’sTHE greatest.Ilovetoseetheseguysdoiton televisionnow,becausetheyuseitforafalse finish.Andthey’rereallyscrewingupthere, becausewhenpeoplewatchittheysay,‘You know,whenJakeRobertsusedtodothat,the guydidn’tgetup.’A-ha!Sowhatdoesthattell you?ItmeansJakecandoitbetterthanyou,so whatthehellareyoudoingitforatall?
Ear:Howdidyoucomewiththeideaforthe DDTinthefirstplace?
Roberts:Iwasclumsy,andIgotmyfoot steppedon.Thatwasreallyit.IhadLenDenton, TheGrappler,downintheMid-South.We wrestled,andIdidalittlefacelockroutine.We workedthatfacelockforlike10or15minutes, becausewewerehavin’todo40minutesthat night,youknow?BecauseBillWattsand JunkyardDogwereinthemainevent,andthey wereonlygonnadoafewminutes.Sowehad toputthetimein.SoI’dfacelockhimandtake himtothematandworkit,workit,workit. He’dfighthiswaytohisfeet,reverseoutofit, thenI’dreverseandhithimwithaclothesline andhookthesumbitchagain.Atthetime,I usedakneeliftasafinish.WrestlingIItoldme touseit,whichwasahellofathingforhimto say,becausethatwashisfinish!Buthewas leavingtheterritory,andhewantedmetohave it.Wow!Thatwasahellofadeal,man!
Ear:Yeah,notabaddealatall.
Roberts:SoIwasworkingthisfacelockand he’dgettohisfeetanddrivemebackintothe cornerandI’dgrabmyback.Usually,we’dend wherehe’dstaggerbackandI’dhitashort kneelift,he’dtakeabigbumpandI’dcoverhim fortwo.Itwasahellofadeal,thefalsefinish
fromhell!Well,onenightIhadhiminthe facelockandhewenttopushmebackintothe corner,andthebigbastardsteppedonmybig toe.Whenhedid,Ifellbackwards.
AyoungJake,inhisearlyMid-Southdays (photobyDannyMiller)
Ear:Whilehewasstillinthefacelock.
Roberts: Right.Ifellbackwardswithhim undermyarmandwehitthemat.Iwasa babyfaceatthetime,andignorant.Iwastrying togetuptocoverforitbecauseweblewa move.Iwaslike,‘Ohno,folks,wedidn’tjust fallover!’ButLenhadthegoodsensetostay down,becauseheheardthepeoplepopwhen wewentdown.Wegottothebackafterwards andhesaid,‘Heyman,thatdealwejust did….thepeoplewentNUTS!’Isaid,“Yeah,I heard‘em.Ithoughttheywerelaughin’atme.’ Hesaid,‘No,man,thatwasapop!That’sa helluvamove!’Ididn’tevencoverhim.Hewas layingthereface-down,butIwastoobusy thinking,‘Youtrippedme,youbastard!”Soit startedthere.Afterthat,Istartedthinking aboutit,andIstartedworkingonit,andIjust wentwithit.
Ear:Therewereveryfewpeoplewhocouldtalk likeyouonthemicrophone.Thepersonayou hadwasoneoftheall-timeclassicheel personas.Howmuchofthatcamenaturally, andhowmuchofitcamethroughhardwork? Wereyoualwaysjustanaturaltalker?
Roberts:Well,itwasdefinitelysomethingthat
neededtobedeveloped.Imean,hell,I’mjust likeeverybodyelse.Whenyoustickacamerain frontofmyface,I’mgonnashitmyself.But practicemakesperfect.Irealizedprettyearly onthatIcouldn’tdointerviewslikeeverybody else,becausemyvoicewouldn’tallowmeto.I hadakneetomythroatyearsandyearsago, anditcrushedmyvoicebox.Sothisisaboutas loudasIget.Icouldn’tbeascreamer.Plus,I justwouldn’thavebelievedmyselfasa screamer.Irealizedthatifyouspokequietly, theyhadtolistentoyou.Thinkaboutthis.If yougointoaroomandstartyellingata hundredpeople,theyain’tgonnawannalisten toyou.Butifyoucalloneguyoutofthe hundredoverandstartwhispering,‘Hey, lemmatellyouasecret,’well,everybodyinthat roomisgonnawanttohearwhatyou’resaying. That’soneofthetwothingsItaughtmyself.
SharingalaughattheGoldCoastwithJimmyValiant andHonkyTonkMan, 2011(photobyScottRomer)
Ear:That’sgoodadvice.Whatwastheother thing?
Roberts:Andtheotheronewas,subliminal thoughts.Ifyou’reatashow,likeamovie theater,andtheyputreallyshortflashesonthe screenofpopcorn,soda,candy….youmightnot seethem,orconsciouslyknowthey’rethere. Butyourbraingetsit,eventhoughyoudon’t actuallyseeit.Soitgetsfedtoyourbrain.IfI saythingsthatpeoplehaveheardbefore somewhereinmyinterview,theywillsay,‘Yes, okay.That’strue.Iknowthat.’So,whenpeople hearyousaysomethingthat’strue,theystart tobuyintootherthingsyou’resayinginyour interviews.Youputthosehooksinthereto makepeopleagreewithyou.Andoncethey agreewithyou,wherecantheygo?That’swhy IneversayanythingIcan’tdo.Ifyoudothat, youdestroyyourcredibilitywiththepeople. Samethinginthering.Youneverseeme clotheslineaguyfivetimes.Myfinishwastwo lefts,oneright,short-armclotheslineandDDT. IfIcan’tbeatyouwiththat,thenIcan’tbeat you.BecausethelastthingIwanttodoisgo outtherehitaguywith50damnmoves,andhe keepsgettingup.Becausewhatdoesthattell you?IttellsyouI’mawuss,andyou’reone
toughsonofabitch.IfIseeaguyclothesline somebodyahundredtimesontelevisionandhe can’tgetapin,Ithink,‘Yep,he’sapiecea crap.’Andthey’reliars,becausetheyhaveno credibilitywithmeanymore.Ontheotherhand, ifyou’regoingtotheringanddoingabunchof bad-lookingcraptoaguyandhe’ssellingit, thatmakes him lookbad.Butitdoesn’tmake you lookgood.
Ear:Soinaway,beingagoodwrestlerisabout havingcredibilitywiththefans.
Roberts:Well,tome,agreatwrestlerisaguy whogoesoutthereanddoesalittle,butgetsa lotoutofit.Iseematcheswhereyouworkona guyfor15minutesandthenwhenhegetsup, hedoesn’tsellanythingthat’sbeendonetohim. Soagain,youdestroyyourcredibility.Now,I understandthingshavechanged.It’snotabout wrestlinganymore,it’saperformance.That’s beenahardthingformetoswallow.Butyou knowsomething?Istillmisswrestling.Imissit withallmyheart.It’sliketheysay,‘Old wrestlersneverdie,theyjustfadeaway.’Well, yes,theyfadeaway.Butthey’rekickingand screamingandclawingthewholetime,because theyloveitandtheydon’twanttogiveitup. That’showIfeel.Imissitwithallmyheart.
Ear:Becauseofmyage,thefirsttimeI rememberreallyseeingyouwasworkingfor theCrockettsintheMid-Atlanticintheearly ‘80s,butofcourseyouwereinthebusinessfor quiteawhilebeforethat.
Roberts:Yeah,quiteawhile.Tome,Ithought theMid-Atlanticwasactuallyoneofthelow pointsofmycareer.Iwasnevergiventhe opportunitytoshine.Iwaspromiseditmany times,andIwalkedoutmanytimes.It’spretty funny,becauseeachtimeIwalkedout,Ole Andersonwasthebooker,andOlewastheone whohadmecomeintherefromtheMid-South. HehadcomeouttoworkashowforBillWatts inJackson,Mississippiandwatchedmework, andhewantedmetocometotheCarolinas.I wasbookedtowrestleLarsAnderson.You rememberhim?
Ear:Yeah,LarryHeinemi.
Roberts:Well,Larsrefusedtodothejob,soOle toldhimtogetthehelloutofthebuilding. Anyway,whenIfinallywenttoGeorgia ChampionshipWrestling,IwasridingwithJack andGerryBriscoonaroadtrip,andoutofthe blue,theyaskedme,‘How’dyouliketobook Atlanta?’Well,itwasadreamcometrue!I thought,‘Okay,thatwouldbeweird.”Theysaid, ‘Well,doyouwantto?’Isaid,‘Whatdoyou meandoIwantto?’Iwassurprisedbecause OlewasbookingAtlantatoo,withBuzzSawyer, andIhadjustwalkedoutonhimthreetimes fortheCrocketts!Buttheysaid,‘They’re
needingnewtalent,andwecangetyouin there.’Notlongafterthat,wewereattheOmni forabigshow,andIwaswrestlingGerryBrisco, whichwasabigdealforme.Hecameintothe lockerroomandsaidtherewasameetingin thebackwithalltheshareholdersintheoffice. So,okay.IwentouttotheringtowrestleGerry, andabout8or9minutesintothematch,he saystome,‘Youstillwannabookthisthing?’I said,‘Hellyeah!’Hesaid,‘Well,the shareholderswanttoseeyouafterthismatch.
Ear:Hewastellingyouthisinthering?
NWATVChampionJakeRobertswiththeRoad WarriorsandPaulEllering,Georgia1983
Roberts:Yeah,inthering!Thenhesaystome, ‘Alright,beatmewithyourDDT.”Isaid,‘No way!’Imean,thiswasGerryBrisco!SoIbeat himwiththeDDT.IwenttothebackandIwas half-dressedwhensomebodytoldmethey wantedtoseemeintheoffice.SoIwentin half-dressed.TherewasOleandtheBriscosand Barnett,FredWard,afewothers.Theymadean offer.Well,themoneywasreallyajoke.Itwas $750extraaweek.Theterritorywasonitsass atthetime,butIsaidI’minterested.Ole startedtalkingabouthowIwalkedoutonhim fortheCrocketts.Isaid,“Yeah,wellmaybe nowI’llbethebossandyou’llbewrestlingfor me.”Hestartedswearingatmeandgoingoff. Don’tgetmewrong,IloveOle!Iwantedfull controlovertheTV.Thatwasabigdeal, becausetheywereonTBSgoingnationalbefore Vinceeverwas.Theyhemmedandhawed,but theygaveittome.ThenOletoldmetogetthe helloutoftheoffice.
Ear:Andthenthatwasit,yougotthebook?
Roberts:Yep,Iwasthebooker.That’swhy GeorgiaChampionshipWrestlingduringthat era,thatwasprobablythemostenjoyabletime forme.Itwasahighpointinmycareer, becauseIwasthecaptainoftheship.But that’swhentherealworkbegan.Ihadabig thinggoingwithRonnieGarvin.Ihavethemost respectforRonnieGarvin,man.Everythingwas soeasywithRonnie.Wedidn’thavetosay anything,wejustwentouttotheringandbeat theshitoutofeachother.
Ear:RonGarvinisasuper-niceguy.Imethim attheCACafewyearsbackandI’vealso interviewedhim.He’salwaysbeengreattome.
Roberts:IwantedtoputRonnieoverstrong,so IhadhimknockmeoutonTV.Ialsohadthe RoadWarriors.Theyweregreenasgourds,but theyhadsomething.Ihadtore-establishthem becauseBuzzandBrettSawyerhadbeen beatingthemeverywhere.TheproblemAtlanta hadatthetimewas,theyweredoingsomany run-insthatwhenthekeypointinthematch came,peoplewouldstartlookingtowardthe back,becausetheyknewsomeoneelsewould berunningin.Itdoesn’twork.Theonlytime youdoarun-iniswhenyou’reshootingabig angle,andthat’smaybeonceortwiceayear. Whenyoudoamillionrun-ins,it’sprobably becauseyoudon’thavethesmartstocomeup withadecentfinish.Itreallykillsbusiness.
Inthe1990’sWWF,slappingaheadlockon SidVicious,thenknownasSidJustice
Ear:That’sexactlyright.There’sbeenmore thanonepromotionthatcrappedthemselves outbookingthatway.Evenifitworksfora littlewhile,intheendifyoudoitoverandover andoveragain,itwillstarttodestroyyou.
Roberts:Well,Ilookatitlikethis.Youdon’t wanttogotoaconcert,andhalfwaythroughit somebodyrunsinandhitsthesingerwitha banjo,right?SoIwantedtoestablishthat matcheswouldhaveclearwinners,andthat everyonewasgoingtogetbeatontelevision.I wentoutandgotknockedoutbyRonnieGarvin. IhadRoadWarriorHawkgetbeatonTVbyTim Hornerwitharoll-up.Now,whatdidthatdo? Itshowedthatanybodycanwin.Sonowpeople aren’twatchingfortherun-in,they’rewatching thematch!They’rewatchingtelevisionand
seeingtheseguysgetbeat,itmeansanything canhappen.
Ear:Iwouldimaginetherewasalotof resistancefromsomeoftheboystodoingjobs onTV,whereeveryonewasgonnaseeit.
Raschke:Well,yeah!Alotoftheboysdidn’tlike gettingbeatontelevision.They’dsay,“Ain’tno wayI’mlosingonTV!”SoIfiguredIhadtoset anexample.That’swhyIhadGarvinknockme outonTV.Howmuchmoreofawusscanyou bethangettingknockedout?Thenwhen someonedidn’twanttodoitbecausethey thoughtitwouldkillthem,I’dsay,‘No,that’s wrong.IgotknockedoutrightonTV!’Road WarriorHawkandIwerelivingtogetheratthe time.Hedidn’twanttodothejobforHorner, but Italkedhimintoitandhedidit.IhadTed DiBiasegetbeatbyBradArmstrongwhilehe waswearingTommyRich’smaskasMr.R.
Ear:Irememberthatverywell.Thatwasa greatswerve!
Roberts:ItwassetupsothatifMr.Rturned outtobeTommyRich,he’dhavetoquit wrestlingforeverbecausehe’dalreadybeen bannedbuthecamebackillegallyunderthe mask.SoDiBiasewasfiguringhe’dbeatRich andRichwouldunmaskandthatwouldbethe endofit.ButwhenTommycametothedeskin themiddleofthematch,DiBiasesawthatandit ledtoBradbeatinghim,becauseitwasactually Bradunderthemask.SoDiBiasegotscrewed. Itwaswonderful,anditestablishedArmstrong. ThenallIneededwassomeonetoworkwith theRoadWarriors.WhowasIgonnagetfor that?IhadPezWhatley,butthatwasaboutit. SoIfiguredhowaboutKingKongBundy?Did youseethedealwhereGordonSoliewas talkingtotheRoadWarriorsandtheydidn’t knowthemicwaslive?
Ear:Absolutely!Whentheywereinsulting Bundybehindhisback,andtherehappenedto bealivemicrophonecapturingitall.
Roberts:Yeah,theLegionofDoomwassaying, ‘He’safatpig!Wecan’thavethisguyhanging aroundwithus!’PaulElleringwasrunninghis yap.SoBundyoverhearsit,theyhaveabig confrontation,theRoadWarriorssmashhim, andtheraceison!Wepoppedthatsonofa bitch,man!Ican’ttellyouwhatajoyitisto putsomethingtogetherandseeitwork.Andit workedsomuchbetterthanIexpected.Before that,wewentuptoSaginaw,MIanddid $10,000.Nowwehadthethingwithmeand Ronnie,thethingwithDiBiaseandBradandthe thingwithBundyandtheRoadWarriors,and wewentuptoSaginawanddid$70,000.Iwas stillgettingmy$750aweek,butitwasthejoy ofcreating.Ilovedthat,man.That’swhat madeitsospecialforme.
GREATSEMINARSCHEDULESHAPINGUPFORREUNION byBobLeonard
Thetopprofessionalwrestlersintheworldhavesaidmanytimesthattheyneverstoplearningthe intricaciesofthebusiness,bothinandoutofthering.Andifthatattitudehasservedthemwell,then youngwrestlerswouldbewisetotakealessonfromitandseizeevery opportunitytoexpandtheirunderstandingandknowledge.
JustsuchanopportunitywillonceagainbeapartoftheupcomingCAC reunionasanumberofveteranpersonalitieswillsharetheirexperiences andobservationsinTuesday’sandWednesday’sseminarseries.Whether you’rearawrookieoryou’vebeenaroundforafewyears,there’splenty tobelearnedonavarietyoftopics,withthebonusofbeingabletoask questionsduringtheseminar,orevenone-on-oneatitsconclusion.
Theseminarsareofferedwithoutcostfor CACmembers,anddon’trequireadvance registration.Allthat’srequiredtoattendis yourreunionbadgethatyou’llgetatthe CACregistrationdeskonarrival.
Here’sasamplingof2013'sseminar DanKroffat subjects:
Whatdoyoudowhenyourwrestlingdaysareoverwith?
Wrestlingreallydoesn’tprovideyouwithaskillsetthattranslatesinto meaningfulcivilianemployment.Butyou’llhavelotsoflifeleftand you’llneedtopayyourwaysomehow,so rightnowisthetimetostartthinking, planningandpreparingforthefuture.Dan Kroffatspentover15yearswrestling DanMurphy full-time,andatage40quittheringtoenter anewcareerthathe’dcarefullymappedoutandpreparedfor.He’san excellentspeakerwhocanlayouttheroadmapforyou,andhe’sliving proofthattheformulaworks.
Today’sprowrestlerisineffecta smallbusiness,andabusinesscan’tthrive unlessitpromotesitselfsuccessfully througheveryavailableavenue.Amajor ingredientinthateffortisgettingtheword outthereaboutyourself:topromoters,to commercialmedia,tosocialmedia,tofans.
BeverlyShade DanMurphyistheseniorwriteratPWI–ProWrestlingIllustratedmagazine–and hisyearsofdealingwithwrestlershavegivenhimaclearvisionofallthe ingredientsneededtodealsuccessfullywithmediaofalltypes.He’ll coachyouonpublicitypackages,medianeeds,creatingwebsitecontent andmore,alltoequipyoutopromote yourselfwithmaximumeffectiveness.
Whatapanel!WorldtravellerPaul ‘Butcher’Vachon,veteranladywrestler Paul“Butcher”Vachon BeverlyShade,TomAndrewsofthemasked ‘Interns’,‘Beautiful’BruceSwayzeandotherswillbeonhandtoteachby abrandnewmethod.They’llrecountactualeventswhichtaughtthem specificlessonsabouthowtomanagedifficultin-ringsituations,from seriousinjuriestobuddingriots.ThemoderatorwillbeTedGordienko, nephewofthefamedGeorgeGordienko.Tedknows athingortwo himselfabouthowtohandleyourselfinatoughspot.
Ifyou’vebeentoCACbefore,youknowhowvaluabletheseseminarscan be.Andifit’syourfirsttime,you’reinforalearningexperienceyou TomAndrews can’tduplicateanywhereelse.
DETAILSREGARDINGTHE2013CACREUNION The2013CauliflowerAlleyClubreunionissetforApril15-17inLasVegas.Sincethey’vebeensogreat tousinrecentyears,andwe’vebeensosuccessfulthere,we’llbebackattheGoldCoastHoteland Casinoforthe2013event.
*HOTELROOM:TheGoldCoastonceagainhasguaranteedusthesameoutstandingroomratesaslast year,withroomsavailablefor$36(standardroom)or$46(premiumroom)pernight.Bookyourroom bycallingGoldCoast’sCentralReservationsDepartmentat1-888-402-6278(thecallistoll-free).To receiveyourspecialdiscountedrate,youshouldaskforGroupReservationIDorGroupCode ACACLUB.Theseratesaregoodfromthedaybeforethereunionbegins(Sunday,April14)totheday afteritends(Thursday,April18).Youmayalsobookyourreservationsonlineatthewebsite http://www.goldcoastcasino.com/groups byreferencingthecodeabove.
Thecut-offdateforreservationsisMarch13,2013,butwearelimitedtoacertainnumberofrooms underthespecialrate,sodon’twaittoolongtobook.IfyouhaveaPlayersClubcardorareeligiblefor discountsbyanyothermeans,pleaseadvisewhenyoubookyourroomthatyouarewiththe CauliflowerAlleyClub.
*BALONEYBLOWOUTandBANQUET:TogetyourticketsfortheTuesdaynightBaloneyBlowoutand theWednesdaynightBanquet,pleasecutorphotocopytheorderformfoundontheinsidecoverofthis issueandmailorFAXitintotheCAC(seeformfordetails).YoucanalsopayforyourBlowoutand BanquetticketsthroughPaypal.Seeourwebsiteatwww.caulifloweralleyclub.org fordetailsonusing Paypaltobuyyourtickets.
*MERCHANDISETABLES:Ifyou’reinterestedinrentingatabletosellmerchandiseinthenostalgia room,pleasecontactScottHoseyatshosey@powerplaysportscards.com .
*RENTALCARS:BudgetCarRentalofLasVegashasprovidedasweetheartdealoncarrentalsforCAC memberstheweekofour2013reunion.Forrates,andtomakeareservation,calltheBudget reservationhotlineat1-800-922-2899,orcallBudget’sLasVegasOfficeat1-702-730-0156.Youcan alsobookonlinethroughwww.budgetvegas.com.Whenmakingreservations,youMUSTusepromotion codeR318400inordertoguaranteethelowratesBudgetisprovidingforCACmembers.
REMEMBRANCESOFREUNIONSPAST Beforeourclub’syearlyawardsdinnergrew intothethree-dayspectacularwenowceleb eachAprilinLasVegas,theCauliflowerAlley Clubusedtoholditsannualgatheringsatthe oldSportsman’sLodgeinLosAngeles.The Lodgehadawonderfulareaoutsideofitsmain buildingwhichfeaturedbeautifulfaunaand peacefulsurroundings.ThelateformerNWA andWWWFWorldchampionBuddyRogersuse toloveflowersand,whenheattendedthe eventsattheSportsman’sLodge,he’doften sneakawayfromthebanquettoenjoythetop notchgreeneryoutback.Backin1993atthat year’sreunion,MikeLanosnappedthisphotoof Buddyashewanderedthegroundsandcheck outtheamazinggardenstheLodgehadtoof Manyfansprobablywouldneverbelievehehad suchasoftside,asthisgreatphotoattests. rate d ed fer.
Thenextissueof TheEar willbeoutinMarch.AsthiswillbethefinalissuebeforethenextCACevent inLasVegasinApril(canyoubelieveit’sonlyafewmonthsawayalready?),we’llbedoingacomplete previewofthereunionandbanquet,includingthoughtsfromthe2013awardsrecipientsonbeing honoredbytheclub,acompletelistofseminarsandothereventssuchastheannualcribbageand bowlingtournaments,aninterviewwithanhonoreeandlast-minutenewsonwhowillbeattending.
THEEAR PRESENTS:THETERRITORYDAYS.... PHOENIX’sOLDMADISONSQUAREGARDEN by DalePierce
ThePhoenixMadisonSquareGardenwasbuiltin1929andheldwrestlinguntil1979,whenitwassold tobecomeawarehouse.Inagrimbitofirony,theplacewasre-titled“ArizonaJobberSupply.”Then in2006,itwastorndownamidmuchpublicoutcry,withasmallmuseumbeingestablishedonthenew officecomplexpremisestoappeasesomeoftheanger.Thiswasbetterthannothing,onewouldhave tosuppose,butforallpracticalpurposes,thehistoricstructurewasgoneexceptforthememories.
Overthedecades,severalCACmemberslivinganddeceasedappearedatthisgreatarena.TitoMontez, LesThatcher,MikeMazurki,PatPatterson,EddieSullivan,ChrisColt,LouTheszandBillyAndersonare amongthem.Overall,thelistofwrestlerswho didstop-offsorlong-termprogramsinthe Gardenboastsawholeparadeofnotables, includingsomecapablelocalswhochosenever totraveloutsidethesouthwest,aswellassome famedvisitorswhoarenotcommonly associatedwiththeregion.
Checkoutthislistoffolkswhoworkedtheold PhoenixGarden:DickHutton,BuddyRogers, KurtVonSteiger,CowboyBobEllis,Man MountainMike,PrimoCarnera,JimLondos, BoboBrazil,JohnTolos,DukeKeomuka,Johnny Kostas,ArgentinaRocca,LouPlummer,Woody Farmer,LuisMartinez,GoryGuerrero,WildRed TheoldPhoenixMadisonSquareGardenatthecornerof Berry,LordJamesBlears,WarrenBockwinkel, 7th AveandAdams,justbeforebeingtorndownin2006 DannyMcShain,DickTrout,BobGeigel,Don Curtis,DoryFunkSr.,GeneAnderson,Larry “TheAx”Hennig,RonPritchard,DickDunn,LenRossi,theTorresbrothers,theChristybrothers,Spike Jones,AlMadril,CountBillyVarga,BaronLeone,RipperCollins,RodFenton,FredBlassie,Duncan McTavish,BobbyMayne(Jaggers),PrincessTonaTomah,JudyGrable,TexasRed(RedBastienundera hood),MildredBurke,Dr.JerryGraham,EddieGraham,JerryKozak,LorenzoParente,TwoTonHarris, TheMedics,TheAssassins,theGreatBolo,Tony Marino,ChuckHondo,TheAssassins,TheGreatBolo, BulldogDonKent,JeffHodge,LeroyMcGuirk,Paavo Ketonen,TheGorkybrothers,ChiefWhiteEagle, ChiefGoldenHawk,NelsonRoyal,DirtyDickRains, GeorgeCannon,MarioGalentoandsomanymore.
JimmyGarvinandSikaTheSamoanmadetheir professionaldebutsthere.BoboBrazilhadan interestingexperienceearlyinhiscareerwhenhe wasbilledastheNegroChampion.Whentheoffice couldn’tfindtherequisiteAfrican-American challengerforBobo,thethen-obscureSamoan wrestlerPeterMaiviawasorderedtotakethematch and“pass”asbeingblackforthenight.Historywas likewisemadewhenJimWrighthadaheartattack ClassicPhoenixMSGaction:TitoMontezdumps anddiedduringatagteammatchattheGardenin the Comancherosoverthetopandintothering the1960’s.Themanactingastherefereethatnight, longtimewrestlerandrefMonteLadue,wouldafterwardsoftenbringuptheincidenttoconvince scoffersthatprowrestlingwasrealbyfalselyinsistingWrighthaddiedformanelbowtothethroat. Thecurrentmuseumroomcoversnotonlywrestling,butalsoboxingandconcertsheldatthevenue. Speakingofconcerts,here’saninterestingsidenote.WhenElvisPresleyfirstcamethroughArizona, hewasdeemed“notfamousenough”toplayanarenathesizeoftheGarden.Butonhissecondtripto thestate,he’dcaughtonasabigstarandthebuildingwasassessedasbeingtoo small forhimtoplay. DalePierceisalongtimeveteranofthewrestlingbusinessandalongtimememberoftheCauliflowerAlleyClub. Heisaprolificauthoronnumeroussubjects,includingwrestling,andhehasawholehostofbooksavailableonthe websiteLulu.com(justsearchfor“DalePierce”).
MEETINGJEREMYandHEATHERHALBERG byJeffSharkey (Inthisandhopefullyfutureissuesof TheEar,CACstalwartJeffSharkeywillintroduceyoutoCACmemberswho youmayseeeveryyearattheannualVegasreunions,butpossiblydon’tknowalotaboutthemonapersonal level.WehopethesearticleswillintroduceyoutoCACreunionregulars,inordertopromotefriendshipand camaraderieamongthemanyCACfaithful.—editor)
SomeofthemostheartwarmingstoriesfromtheCauliflowerAlleyClubreunionsrevolvearound friendships.Insomecases,there’sahappyconclusiontoanoldgrudge,whereanimosityisfinallyput torest.Othertimes,afriendshipformedatalong-agoeventisrenewedandcontinuestothisday.
CACmemberJeremyHalbergcanhappilysharetworecentaccountsofhisown,bothfromthe2011 reunion,thatstandouteveninaclubwithmorethanitsfairshareofgreattales.AtourVegasevent thatyear,hewasaffordedthechancetomendfenceswithhismentor,whilealsobecomingbest friendswithhisfuturebrideHeather.Infact,JeremyandHeatherreturnedtotheGoldCoastHotelfor lastApril’sCACeventasnewlyweds.Theyrecentlycelebratedtheirfirstanniversary.
JeremyHalberghasbeeninvolvedwithprofessional wrestlingsincethelate1990s,whenhebecamecurious abouthowhemightutilizeawrestlingeventasasenior classfundraiser.“IfoundawebsiteaboutKenPatera’s independentpromotiononline.IrememberedseeingKenin hisbattlesagainstTheHeenanFamily,likeHarleyRaceand Hercules,butIwouldn’tsayIwasabigwrestlingfan,” Halbergrecalls.“IwoundupwritingKenaletteraskingfor moredetails,andkindofforgotaboutit.”
Shortlyafterward,Halberg,sittinginhishighschool classroom,wassummonedtothemainoffice.“Mymother haddialedthefrontdesk,andsheaskedmeifIknewwho KenPaterawas,becausehehadcalledmyhome.Iwent throughtheroof,Iwassoexcited!”Halbergsaid.“Igotback intouchwithhim,andtheendresultwasawrestling fundraiserforourgraduationparty.Itwaswaybetterthan anotherideawehad,whichwasa pastrysale!”
Afterhighschool,Halbergfoundhimselfstartingona3-year excursionintothewonderfulworldofindependentwrestling promotion,studyingunderPatera’swatchfuleyeandlearning
JeremyHalbergandhismentor,wrestling valuablelifelessons.“IrantownswithKen,andwealmost greatKenPatera,atthe2011CACreunion alwaysdrovetogether.Wedidprettywellduringthattime. (photobyJeremy&HeatherHalberg) Hetaughtmesomuchaboutwrestling,butunbeknownstto me,hewasalsoteachingmeaboutreallife,”Halbergsaid.“Growingup,youcouldprobablysayIwas somewhatsheltered.Kentaughtmehowtobesmartaboutthings,howtoidentifyahustlerandhow tostandupforyourself.”Today,Halberghasnothingbutkindwordswhenrememberinghisearly experiencestravelingwithPatera.“I’mproudoftheknowledgeKenpasseddowntome.AndIwas fortunatetosaythatwhenKentrainedme,hedidn’tchargemeadime.Amongalltrainers,howmany cansaytheywereontopinasmanyterritories,orsaytheyhavesoldoutMadisonSquareGarden?”
However,followingafewyearsofpromotionalsuccessinMinnesota,Wisconsinandothervaried Midwesterncities,HalbergpartedwayswithPatera.“Iwasn’tmatureemotionallyatthattime,andI gotabighead.Wewentinseparatedirections,andIdidn’ttalkwithhimfor13years,”Halbergsaid. FastforwardtoApril2011.HalbergwasintheTGIFriday’srestauranthousedinsidetheGoldCoast Hotel,enjoyingadrink.Suddenly,henoticedafamiliarfacesittingatanearbytable.“TherewasKen,” Jeremysaid.“Iwalkeduptohimandhegreetedmewithasurprised‘Halberg!’ThenIapologizedto himforbeingajerkallthoseyearsago.Kenimmediatelyacceptedmyapology.Itwasallwaterunder thebridge,andhegavemeahug.”Jeremy’sexperienceatthe2011CACReunionwasindicativeofthe camaraderiethatonefeelsuponreunitingwithlongtimeacquaintances.Yearsmayhavepast,butthe tiesthatformedabondbetweenuscanbringbackthegoodtimesas iftheytookplacejustyesterday. 2011markedadecadesinceHalberg’sfirstCACreunionin2001.“Ididn’tknowanyonethatfirst year,”Halbergsaid.“Atthetime,Iwasn’tsureIevenbelonged.Ithoughtatfirstitwasan‘oldman’s
club’.Icouldn’thavebeenmorewrong.IgottomeetsomanyofthegreatslikeNickBockwinkel,Don LeoJonathanandRoddyPiper.ButitwasMickKarchwhomademefeelcomfortable.HeknewI respectedthepastofthisindustry.Micksaid,‘Gladyamadeit,pal!’TheCACwillalwaysholdaspecial placewithme.Ifeellikeakidhere.”
ThereunionwithPaterawasjustthefirstofHalberg’shighlightsin2011.Thesecondwasrenewing hisaffiliationwithhisfuturewife,Heather,whowasattendingCACforthefirsttime.
Assomeonewhohadgrownuparoundthebusiness,attendingareunionwaslikeanextensionof Heather’spersonalexperienceswithwrestling’slegendaryfigures.“Once,IwasinvitedtoKennyJay’s housebyKennyandhiswifeDiana,“Heathersaid.“Tobe sittingtherewatchingathree-waycribbagegamebetween DoctorX(Destroyer),MadDogVachonandKenny,itwasso great.Theytoldsomanygreatstories.ItwaslikeIwaspart ofaspecialclub.ButitwasSheikAdnanAl-Kaissiewho suggestedthatIcometoVegastogivetheCACatry.Finally agirlfriendandIdecidedweshouldgo.”
JeremyandHeatherwouldfindthemselveswrestlingonthe samecardsintheearly2000s.Thoughtheydidn’treallyknow oneanotherwell,theyweren’tcompletelyunfamiliarwith eachothereither.“Itwasn’tuntilCAC2011wherewewere sittingatTGIFridays,enjoyingourhappyhourmargaritas, thatwemetagain,”Heatherremembers.“That’swhereitall startedforus.Wereallyhititoff.”Thus,theCACreunion playedmatchmakertotheyoungcouple.
TheHalbergswithCACPresident Heather’scareerhastakenherontripsthroughoutthe Nick Bockwinkel(photoby MidwestandCanada.“It’ssomuchfuntoseefriendsyou’ve Jeremy&HeatherHalberg) metalongtheway,”Heathersaid.“Irecalloneroadtrip, wewereinourhotelandheardafamiliarSouthernaccentin thenextroom.WeknockedanddiscovereditwasJoyceGrableandMaeYoung.Maewasstillinher pajamas!Whatnicepeople.Wetookphotostogether.Iremembersittingonthefloorlisteningto suggestionsJoycewasofferingformymatches,andthinking howsurrealitwas.Itwassocool!”
Whilethehappycoupleisstillenjoyinglifeasnewlyweds,they canbeseenintheringdemonstratingjusttheopposite.Intheir wrestlingpersonas,Heatheristhedomineeringhalfofthe couplewhileJeremyisnumbedintosubservience.It’sthe classicRandySavage/MissElizabethdynamic,butwiththe genderrolesreversed.“IhaveafeudgoingwithMissNatural, whostartedoutasoneofKenPatera’s(andlaterHarleyRace’s) traineesaboutthesametimeIdid.Inacouplematches,Jeremy hasinterfered,soshechallengedustoahandicapmatch.It’s anotherchanceformeandJeremytospendtimetogether.”
AstheyplanareturntotheCACinLasVegas,theHalbergslook forwardtomeetingothermembers.“Iwantmoreyoungpeople inwrestlingtoknowaboutthewonderfulopportunitiestheCAC affordsthem,”saysJeremy.Butevenmorethanthat,Jeremyhas IntheringwithHeatherandJeremy discoveredthecompassionthatcanbefoundintheclub.“Afew (photobyJeremy&HeatherHalberg) yearsago,Iwasinacaraccident.Ihadconcussionissues.Then IgotaphonecallfromKarlLauer,”Jeremyrecalls.“HewascheckingifIwasokay.Itreallycheered meup!IhavesomuchrespectforKarl.Thisisreallyagroupmadeupofselflesspeople.”
Heatheralsosavorsthechancetocontinueaffiliatingwiththosewhohavecomebeforeher.“MadDog VachontoldmehewatchedmymatchesandsawalotofhissisterVivianinme,”Heathersaid.“Vivian wassuchastrongheel,andforhimtomakethatcomparison,itwasatremendouscompliment.I’mso proudofbeingaladywrestler,andproudthatothershavesharedtheirpassionforwrestlingwithme.”
YouoweittoyourselftoengageJeremyandHeatherHalberginconversationwhenyouseethemata futureCACreunion.Youwilldiscoverafinecouplewithagenuineloveforthewrestlingbusiness.
AlongtimerefereeingandpromotingveteranofthebusinessandaCACmembersince2003,JeffSharkeyhas studiedfromwrestling'slegendarylearningtrees,andhopestopassthatknowledgealongtothenextgeneration.
PASSAGES CompiledbyBobLeonard Thisissue,wesaygoodbyetofourteenoftheboys,whotraveledtheroadswithusandmadetheir mark,howeverbigorsmall,onthebusiness.DetailedobituariesappearontheCACwebsite, www.caulifloweralleyclub.org,under 2012Finishes(RIP) onthehomepage.
DavidDeaton
AwesomeKong October24,2012 (DwainMcCullough)
Drowning
Age51
ChiefThundercloud
November17,2012
Age54
‘Freebird’BuddyRoberts (LouisLangley) (DaleHey)
October31,2012
Age69
BradArmstrong
November28,2012
Age65
Mike‘TheHippie’Boyette (RobertBradleyJames) (MichaelBowyer)
November1,2012
Age51
BroncoBob
December6,2012
Age71
JerryLeeRalph (ChadMichaelBonvillian)
November8,2012
Age40
MikeRyckoff
December7,2012
Age53
GordonNelson (MyronRyckoff)
September5,2012
Age81
December17,2012
Age82
BigBadBob RipHawk (JosephBobElliott) (HarveyMauriceEvers)
November16,2012
Age68
NoPhoto:“Buffalo”Brown(GranvelBrown),August27,2012,Age62
NoPhoto:DougHansen,November10,2012
December21,2012
HeartDisease
Age82
BuddyRoberts,bestknownasoneofthefamed“FabulousFreebirds”withMichaelHayesandTerry Gordy,wasaCauliflowerAlleyClubattendeeonatleasttwooccasionsandwashonoredbytheclubin 2003.RipHawk,amajorstarintheCarolinasforyearsinthe1970’s,wasgoingtobehonoredbythe CACin2010butnevermadeittoLasVegasduetohealthissues.BradArmstrongcamefromofthe renownArmstrongwrestlingfamilythatincludeshisfather“Bullet”BobandbrothersScott,Brian (“RoadDogg”)andSteve.Oneofthegreatshootersofhisera,Canada’sGordonNelsonwas universallyrespectedforhistoughness.HeworkedallovertheU.S.inthe1960’sand‘70’sandalso
hadimpressiverunsoverseas.SomereadersmayrememberAwesomeKongaspartofamaskedtag teamof400-pounderscalled“TheColossalKongs”inWorldChampionshipWrestlingduringtheearly 90’s.Foratime,theduowasmanagedbytheCAC’sownHarleyRace.Obviously,thisAweomeKongis nottobeconfusedwithCACstapleKiaStevens,whoherselfhaswrestledunderthesamename.Mike BoyettehadagreatrunintheGulfCoastregionintheearly70’s,feudingwithfamedCACmember CowboyBobKelly,andworkedmanyotherterritoriesthroughouthiscareer.
TAKEALISTENTOTHECACRADIOPROGRAM CACRadiohasnowbeenontheairforoveroneyear!CACRadiois theofficialradioprogramoftheCauliflowerAlleyClub,andlikethe CACitself,theradioshowpayshomagetovariousnotablesinvoled withprowrestling,boxingandthesilverscreen.Eachepisodeof CACRadiohighlightsimportantinformationabouttheclub, includingmembershipupdates,reuniondetailsandaward nominees,aswellasfeaturingaspecialguestinterview.Inthefirst yearofCACRadio,manybignamessuchasJ.J.Dillon,Dan Haggerty,“Handsome”JimmyValiant,WendiRichter,RockRiddle, PaulBearerandmanymorehaveappeared.
CACRadioishostedbyactor/producerDavidBuckler,aveteranof theWashington,DCfilmscene,andCACExecutiveDirectorMorgan Dollar,whohasbeenhonoredbytheGulfCoastWrestlersReunion withtheSpeedyHatfieldRefereeoftheYearaward.Davidhasover tenyearsofcommunicationstrainingandmediaexperience,while Morgan,aCACboardmembersince2006,isalsothebanquet coordinatorfortheCACReunionheldinLasVegaseachApril. GototheCACwebsiteformoreinformationaboutCACRadio,andheartheshowsat www.caulifloweralleyclub.org/category/radio.Thewebsitecontainsallpastepisodes,soyoucancatch uponanyyoumayhavemissed.Toheartheinsidestoriesfromsomeofthegreateststarsin wrestlinghistory,listentoCACRadio!
CACMEMBERCLARKPETERSONCONTRIBUTESTO UPCOMINGBOBBACKLUNDBIOPROJECT CACmemberClarkPetersonhasjustcompletedhiscontributiontoBobBacklund’supcoming biography.Clark’s13-pagechapteriscalled“Monumentalisms,”atermthatClarkhimselfcoinedto describewhenapersonreacheshispeakandthengoesbackandfondlyremembershisachievements. BacklundpersonallydraftedClarktowritethechapter,afterBobwasimpressedwithClark’stwo full-lengthbooks,“BlastedOntoaPileofRubble”aboutthe OklahomaCitybombingin1995,and“TheDevouringRagesof Fire”abouttwomassiveforestfiresinMinnesotainthelate 1800’s.Infact,ClarkisasurvivoroftheOklahomaCity Bombingwhichkilledover165people.Afewyearsback,C wasdrivingBobtotheairportinMinneapolis-St.Paul,MNand gavetheformerWWFchampionacopyofhisbooks.Bobtold Clarkthatheplannedtoreadoneofthebooksonhisflightback hometoConnecticut,addinginclassicBobBacklundfashion, “Clark,I’mgonnareadthisbook,andI’mgonnafindoutwhat kindofamanyouare!”Backlundwasimpressedenoughthat hedecidedtohaveClarkwriteachapterforhisb
ioproject.
Backlund’sbook,whichisasyetuntitled,istentativelyslatedto goonsaleatsomepointnextyear,withplansforittobesold simultaneouslyinboththeU.S.andJapan.Clark’schapter ClarkPetersonatthe2012CAC tellsthestoryofhowVinceMcMahonJr.tookovertheold reunion(photobyScottRomer) territoriesintheearly1980’s,includingthedecisionVince madetoforegoBacklundasthecompanychampioninorderto goinsteadwithHulkHogan.ItalsodiscussesHarleyRace’sinfluenceonBacklund’scareer.Many peoplemaynotrealizeit,butBacklunddefeatedRacefortheNWAMissourititleinApril1975,when RacewasalreadyaformerNWAWorldchampionandBacklundwasjustayoungupandcomertrying toestablishhimselfinthebusiness.
lark
CANVASCAVITY byDr.MikeLano
---Inthisissue,werememberBuddyRoberts,whopassedawayinNovember.Buddyrosetofamein Montrealin1971teamingwithJerryBrownastheHollywoodBlondes,managedbyOliverHumperdink. Later,hewasamajorstarteamingwithMichaelHayesandTerryGordyastheworld-famousFabulous Freebirds.BuddyattendedtwoCACreunionsandwashonoredwiththeMen’sWrestlingAwardin2003. Hesuccumbedtothroatcancer,similartohislatefriendSteve“Dr.Death”Williams.Thoughbornin Canada,heconsideredhimselfaChicagonative.Robertsalsohadastepbrotherinthebusinessaswell.
Onasimilarnote,welostseveralotherlegendsrecently,includingOlympicwrestlinggoldmedalist JeffBlatnick,FloridastarMikeGrahamandlongtimeringstandoutBradArmstrong.Blatnickdidthe commentaryonthefirst11yearsofUFCpay-per-views.Hecoinedtheterm"mixedmartialarts"asa friendlierwaytodescribetheUFC,helpingthatcompanygetsanctionedstate-by-state.Afavoriteof SportsIllustrated,JeffwasafriendofmanytopprowrestlerswithOlympicandamateurbackgrounds likeKurtAngle,BrockLesnarandMikeRotundaandwasaclassathletewhoalwaysgaveback.
WealsolostalongtimefriendoftheCACinboxinggreatCarmenBasilio,whoattendedouronlyCAC reunioninNewEnglandcirca1993(Springfield,MA)andalsowasaregularatourNewYork/New Jerseyfunctionsinthe1990’s.BasiliooftenattendedwithfellowboxinggreatWilliePepandthe famedboxingwriterBurtSugar.Hewasalwayshappyto poseforpictureswithfansandcouldoftenbeseenchatting uphismanywrestlingfriendslikeLouThesz,VerneGagne, theVachons,GordonSolie,GorillaMonsoon,LouAlbano, DominicDeNucci,PatPattersonandmanyothersbackwhen theCACusedtohaveanactiveboxingcomponent.Originally, ourfounderMikeMazurkibroughtthreeaspectstotheCAC: wrestling,boxingandmovies/TV.Basiliousedtotellsome greatstoriesaboutMikeandwhatafineboxerhewould've madehadhegoneintothatprofessionfull-time."Mazurki hadawickedlefthook,”Basilioalwayssaid.
---I’dliketosendgetwellwishestoourownPercival(Al) Friend,whodoessomuchfortheCACandisbelovedby everyoneintheclub.Hespentsometimeinthehospital,but we’reallhopinghistickerisbetterthanevernow.
---LongtimeCAClegend“Judo”GeneLeBellisalwaysinthe limelight.Whetherit'sbeinghonoredbyWWEstarDaniel Bryanwithhis"LeBellLock"submissionfinisher,orbeing publiclythankedbyMMAwomen'schampionRondaRousey fortrainingherasbothanamateur(helpinghermedalin judoatthe2008Olympics)andasapro(helpingherquickly
Theincomparable“Judo”GeneLeBell taketheStrikeforce/UFCZuffaworldbystorm),Genewill alwaysbethe"GodfatherofGrappling."Allovertheworld,he'ssupremelyrespected.Plus,he’sdone amazingstuntworkinclassicmoviesandTV,andcontinuestobeactiveinthestuntworldtothisday.
---Ican'twaitforPatLaprade'sbookonMontreal'sgreatprowrestlinghistory,whichdropssoon!
---Iwasfortunatetohavehadsoon-to-be2013CACLouTheszAwardhonoreeBillMoody(akaPaul Bearer,akaPercyPringle)backonmynationalradioshowrecently.Heisoneofthetopwrestling historiansoutthere,havingknownandworkedwithalmosteveryoneofnoteduringhisgreatcareer.
---OneofBillMoody’sfavoriteswasEddieGraham.WeallagreethatEddiewasageniusatbooking finishes.Iwould’velovedtohaveseenwhatEddiewouldbecontributingtowrestlingtodayhadhe lived.Hismanyathleticaccomplishments,likehismaineventsatMadisonSquareGardenandallover hisoldFloridaterritory,wereequaledonlybyhissupportofcountlesscharities.That'swhatweseein theabsolutebestthewrestlingbizhastooffertoday,withfolkslikeMickFoley,AwesomeKong(Kia Stephens),DonLeoJonathon,TheVachons,theHartFamily,BettyNicoliandAkioSato,andsomany othersmakinglifebetternotjustforusintheindustrybutforeveryoneontheplanet.
MikeLanoco-hosts“Legends”,aweeklynationally-syndicatedsportsandentertainmentradioshowwherehe interviewswrestlers,MMAstars,boxers,musicians,actorsandpoliticiansincludingnotableslikeLouFerrigno, SarahJessicaParker,RudyGiuliani,JoanRivers,HowieMandel,DrewCareyandmanymore.
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