While travelling for wrestling appearances, I often find myself discussing the Cauliflower Alley Club with wrestling colleagues and diehard supporters of our sport. Inevitably, the invitation is extended -- “Hey, you should really think about joining the club, I think you’d really feel at home there.”
For those among us that have attended the reunion, it is often hard to put into words just how powerful the CAC reunion experience can be. It’s not just about the unforgettable stories that we hear from friends and heroes atthepodium,it’s notas trivialasa photo opportunityora signed piece of memorabilia -- it’s something much more significant.
Many of us have laced our boots and stepped through the ropes, driven byadeep-rootedpassionforprofessionalwrestling.Wehaveeachwalked a different path though our experiences are largely shared - the sights, sounds, smells, and sensations from between those ropes as we look out to a fanbase that shares our passion and lives vicariously through us.
The reunion, a fellowship of professional wrestling, allows us to further enrich our own connection with the sport and each other -- through unspoken understanding of our craft, in deep appreciation for the sacrifices and successes of each other, and -- most importantly -- in support of our peersbymeasuresthatwedo not keep, because werespectourprivilege to help pay it forward.
Among my colleagues, I am aware of at least four new members who will be attending their first reunion this year and I am excited to meet them in Vegas and welcome them heartily to the “Ring of Friendship”.
This year, for the 60thAnnual reunion, I encourage you to invite someone new, that has yet to experience the CAC as we have. I believe, if your experience is like mine, what you will hear from them after the final bell tolls on this year’s event is “Wow! You were right. I don’t know why it took so long for me to get here. But, I know that I’m going to be back.”
Yours in wrestling,
Vance Nevada
Vance Nevada Ear Editor Canadian Director, CAC Executive Board
Want to be part of the team? Writers, photographers, artists, designers wanted. We are always looking for contributors. Contact Editor, Vance Nevada at vancenevada@hotmail.com
“Dangerous”DannySpivey MakeshisCACdebut
as2026InternationalHonoree
However, his most formidable tag team runoccurredinWCW,whereheformed the iconic, powerhouse duo known as “The Skyscrapers”. Managed by Teddy Long, Spivey was first paired first with Sid Vicious and later with “Mean” Mark Callous (who would find global fame as The Undertaker) when Sid was sidelinedbyinjury,establishinghimself as a brutal, hard-hitting force.
ButSpivey’scareerwastrulydefinedby his exploits across the Pacific. Beyond American shores, Spivey achieved legendary status in Japan. Competing for AJPW from 1988 to 1995, he adapted seamlessly to the territory’s stiff, highly physical style. Spivey became one of the promotion’s premier foreign stars, capturing the fabled AJPW World Tag Team Championship alongside Stan Hansenandformingalong-lastingpartnership with JohnnyAce.
In 1995, Spivey returned to the WWF for his final, most creative run. He debuted the brilliant, psychological gimmick of Waylon Mercy—a sinister, deceptively polite character inspired by Max Cady from the film Cape Fear. Complete with a sudden transformation to jet-black hair, the character deeply unnerved audiences and served as a clear structural precursor to modern, dark wrestling personas.
Unfortunately, years of heavy physical toll cut this final run short. Severe knee and back injuries forced Spivey into retirement in October 1995.
In 2022, his enduring ring legacy, dedication, and impact were formally celebrated when he received the prestigiousFrankGotchAwardfromtheNational Wrestling Hallof Fame.
“Dangerous” Dan Spivey built a memorable international wrestling career defined by his massive 6-foot-7 frame, powerhouse style, and elite tag team versatility.
Debuting in 1984 after playing football at the University of Georgia, Spivey quickly gained prominence across major promotions, including the World
Wrestling Federation (WWF), World Championship Wrestling (WCW), and AllJapan Pro Wrestling (AJPW).
Spivey first found mainstream success in the WWF, initially teaming with Mike Rotunda in the U.S. Express when Barry Windham suddenly departed from the company in 1986.
The Cauliflower Alley Club is pleased to welcome Dan Spiveyinto the Ring of Friendship as the recipient of the 2026 International Award, recognizing his tenure as a global attraction between the ropes.
Dear CAC Members,
With our 60th Reunion just around the corner and a dedicated team hard at work to make this year’s event the best one yet, I wish you couldallseewhatIamseeingdaily. It’s remarkable to see the passion of both the Executive and Advisory Boards and the ways they’re looking to innovate and engage. It fills me with great hope for the future of the club and the people who will continue to lead us forward.
60 years is a significant milestone. In that time, so many men and women have contributed to the Club and its mission. We can look back at some of those architects and see the result of their vision today. We see it in the growing membership worldwide, we see it in the work that we are able to fulfill each month through the benevolent fund and we see it in the smiling eyes of ourmemberswhenwehavetheopportunity to meet again.
Here are a few things that I think you’ll be excited about for 2026:
Mark Charles, Josh Belkin, Mitch Obeid and Stony Keezy have taken initiative to enliven the hospitality room. In addition to some of the staple features of this event space, they are preparing a schedule of events to take place in the space
B. Brian Blair
which compliment the other activities throughout the day. You will want to take note of those and plan to check in and visit often throughout the day to take part in some of the events they are creating.
Ricky Santana has assembled another stellar line up of seminars for the reunion and some of those sessions are listed on Page 17 of this newsletter. There is some great stuff and fresh perspectives planned for these sessions that I think we will all enjoy.
David Lawson has been actively creatingnewvideocontentandpromotional pieces which have been actively shared across social media. David has also developed the new“AlleyInsider”e-newsletteryou may have received.
Vance Nevada, in addition to his duties as the Editor of The Ear has been working on the development
of a digital archive of the newsletterandhascreatedanonlinelibrary of past newsletters and reunion progreams so that even new members can access our rich history.
All this in a time as we mourn the sudden passing of Executive Vice President and Treasuer, Rich Ingling.While hiscontributions to the clubandhisinfectiousenergyatthe reunion will besorely missed,it has been incredible from my chair to seetheCACteampulltogetherand keep driving forward.
Tomorrow is not guaranteed. Make todaycount.Seeyouatthereunion.
Keep buzzing,
B. Brian Blair
President and CEO
Bret“TheHitman”Hart
TheSharpshooterlocksintheLouThesz
Bret “The Hitman” Hart is widely recognized as one of the greatest technical professional wrestlers of all time so it’s fitting that he will grace the stage at the 60th Cauliflower Alley Club reunion to accept the Lou Thesz award.
Born into Calgary’s legendary wrestling Hartfamily,hewasrigorouslytrainedby Kazuo Sakurada and Mr. Hito in his father’s infamous “Hart Dungeon”.
Leveraging a highly decorated amateur background, Bret transitioned into professional sports entertainment with an unmatched foundation of physical mechanics. This flawless mastery earned him his iconic moniker, the “Excellence of Execution”.
But while his career may seem to have been pre-destined, early on he wasn’t sure this would be his lasting occupation, telling his brothers, “I can’t wrestle onSaturday-that’smypartynight.”Yet, herelentedtofateandwassoontravelling the globe - England, Germany, Japanandeventuallygainingafootholdin the United States.
During the 1990s, Hart fundamentally revolutionized mainstream NorthAmerican wrestling. He shifted the industry spotlight away from the cartoonish,
Award
power-based giants of the 1980s toward an era defined by athletic realism, intense conditioning, and psychology.
To Hart, the squared circle was a stage for believable, high-stakes storytelling. Every maneuver—from a routine suplex to his devastating Sharpshooter submission hold—was performed with laser-like precision. Crucially, despite orchestrating thousands of hard-hitting bouts over a grueling two-decade career,Hartproudlymaintainedaflawless
safetyrecordandneveronceinjuredan opponent.
His historic accolades directly reflect this technical superiority: Seven-Time World Champion, a double Triple Crown winner in both WWE and WCW, Achieved elite Triple Crown status in both the WWF and WCW, a two-time King of the Ring tournament winner, and a multi-time Hall of Famer.
Whetherintagteamactionorsolocompetition, Bret’s work stands the test of time and is still studied today. Whether it is matches early in his career against the Dynamite Kid, in tag team action withbrother-in-lawJimNeidhartagainst theBritishBulldogs,orhisheadlinesolo run in bouts against the likes of Curt Hennig, Ric Flair, Shawn Michaels or SteveAustin, Bret’s work is still studied by aspiring stars on the ascent of their careers today.
By treating wrestling as a serious discipline,“TheHitman”solidifiedhislegacy. He proved his catchphrase undeniable: he is the best there is, the best there was, and the best there ever willbe.
WecongratulateBretHartashereturns to the Ring of Friendship in 2026 as the latest LouThesz honoree.
Psychosis
2026LuchaLibreHonoree
Dionicio Castellanos, globally revered under the iconic mask of Psychosis, stands as one of the most influential trailblazers in the history of sports entertainment. Emerging from the legendary training grounds of Tijuana under the tutelage of Rey Misterio Sr., Castellanos developed a high-flying, fiercely aggressive style that fundamentally reshaped the athletic boundaries of professional wrestling during the 1990s. While traditional luchadores relied heavily on graceful aerial maneuvers, Psychosisinfusedhislucharootswitha gritty, reckless intensity that captivated audiences worldwide.
Before introducing his revolutionary talents to an international audience, Psychosis cemented his legacy in Mexico through an era-defining rivalry with Rey Mysterio Jr. within Asistencia Asesoría yAdministración (AAA). Their breathtaking encounters—characterized by innovative springboard maneuvers, rapid-fire technical counters, and deeply emotional mask-versus-mask psychodrama—caught the attention of global talent scouts. This groundbreaking work served as the absolute blue-
print for the impending cruiserweight revolution in North America, proving that smaller, agile athletes could outshine traditional heavyweight headliners.
Has arrival in Extreme Championship Wrestling as a virtual unknown to American audiences set the stage for hissuccessashismatchesagainstRey Mysterio Jr. quickly grabbed the attention of both fans and industry insiders as a talent that should be on every promoter’s radar.
In1996,Psychosisofficiallydebutedfor WorldChampionshipWrestling(WCW), instantly transforming the promotion’s cruiserweightdivisionintoamust-watch television attraction. Clad in his signature intricate mask adorned with prominent horns, he delivered jaw-dropping performances on Monday Nitro that introduced mainstream American fans to the fast-paced traditions of Mexican wrestling. His match against Rey Mysterio Jr. at Bash at the Beach 1996 remains a legendary benchmark for inring innovation. During his memorable WCW tenure, he captured the prestigious WCW Cruiserweight Champion-
Even after losing his mask in a highstakes match against Billy Kidman in 1999, Castellanos continued to thrive. His unique charisma, wild hair, and expressive ring psychology allowed him to reinvent his character without losing an ounce of his star power. Whether soaring from the top rope to the arena floor or anchoring a chaotic multi-man tag team match, Psychosis proved that luchadores could break through cultural barriers and captivate global audiences. His fearless style left a permanent imprint on the evolution of modern wrestling mechanics, establishing him asanimmortaliconofluchalibrewhose influence is still visibly mirrored in the high-flying stars of today.
At the 60th Reunion this summer, Psychosis joins an elite group of lucha legends asthe latestLucha Libre Honoree recognized by the club, and the CauliflowerAlleyClubispleasedtowelcome Psychosis to the Ring ofFriendship.
SPOTLIGHTINGOUTSTANDINGCONTRIBUTORSINCACHISTORY
LOU THESZ
LouTheszisreveredasone of themostinfluential WorldHeavyweight Champions in professional wrestling history. While his in-ring legacy as a master hooker and innovator of the German suplex remains legendary, his later years were defined by a profound commitment to protecting the wrestling community. In 1992, Thesz took office as the third President of the Cauliflower Alley Club (CAC), succeeding boxing iconArchie Moore.
Theszservedasthe CAC President from 1992 to2000, a pivotal eight-year tenure thatfundamentally revitalized the non-profit organization. Under his leadership, the club expanded its mission beyond its original Hollywood social roots into a robust, global benevolent structure. Thesz leveraged his immense industry respect and international prestige to unify generations of performers.Heensuredthattheorganizationformallyprioritizedsupporting and recognizing retired wrestlers, boxers, and actors facing financial or medical hardships.
WhiletheCauliflowerAlley Clubthroughco-founderMikeMazurki has always maintained a philanthropic element, it was under Lou Thesz that the club’s commitment to formalize the benevolent fund truly began. Because of that vision, the club now aids wrestlers of all eras throughout the year, providing grant in aid to countless men and women whose contributions to the sport and sacrifices in the name of professional wrestling might otherwise go unrecognized.
During his presidency, Thesz championed industry fraternity, transforming the annual CAC reunion banquets into premier, high-stakes celebrations of combat sports history. His vision for preserving history bore fruit when he received the club’s prestigious Iron Mike Mazurki Award in 1998, recognizing his life’s work and his tireless dedication to the organization. He institutionalized professional standards within the club, ensuring it remained an elite “ring of friendship” that treated wrestling history with the athletic dignity it deserved.
By the time he stepped down in 2000, Thesz had successfully solidifiedtheCACasthedefinitiveguardianofprofessionalwrestling’s heritage. He preserved the past while building a financial safetynetforthefuture,provingthathisguardianshipofthesport extended far beyond the ropes.
TheCauliflowerAlleyClubtipsourhattoLouThesz,anoutstanding contributor to the Club’s history and ongoing legacy.
Everyone is familiar with our annual reunion featuring three packed days and two nights of primarily wrestling honorees. But beforethe event moved to Las Vegas in 2000 from our longtime Los Angeles home, CAC’s earliest awards celebrated professional wrestling’s inseparable relationship with Hollywood.
The “Reel Award” recognized wrestlers and boxers that appeared on the silver screen,aswellas actorsfromfilm,television and stage. Those early awards, the first to ever be issued by the club were presented at luncheon events hostedatL.A.’s LittleJoe’sorSpaghetti Factory downtown.
Those luncheons later evolved to the Saturday evening banquets hosted at the Sportsman’sLodge-- arecognized hangout for Hollywood actors. Featuring wrestlers, boxers and actors, it’s a miracle how the story-telling that accompanied those award nights ever reached “lastcall”.
In 1965 CAC co-founder and first president Mike Mazurki - who was a wrestler, actor and gridiron star - envisioned CAC as a place “where wrestlers, boxers and entertainers can break bread, leave heat at the door and just let their hair down with each other” as he famously said at reunions.
Mike has an amazing IMDB list of acting credits eclipsed long ago by CAC’s own “Judo” Gene Lebell who held titles in many fighting sports disiplines as well as in pro-wrestling. Gene often appeared as himself and the masked Hangman (in a full red bodysuit and hood) on tons of tv shows ranging from “The Jack Benny Show” “The Munsters”, “Married With Children” and more.
Some of Hollywood’s greatest film and television stars have been CAC members and honorees like Kirk Douglas, Woody Strode, Elliot Gould, Binnie Barnes, Sylvester Stallone, Happy Days star (Mrs. C) Marion Ross, DukesofHazzard’s“UncleJesse” Denver Pyle, and Cesar Romero - immortalized as a The Joker from the 1960’s
TheReelAward
CelebratingCAC’sHollywoodTies
Batman television series among many more. Even a young Andy Kauffman, prior to his wrestling exploits in Memphis, would spend a lot of time hanging out at the Sportsman’s Lodge.
Of course, wrestling’s relationship with Hollywood was one which facilitated many wrestlers to make the leap from the ring to the silver screen. Some of the many Wrestler-Actors we’ve honored include greats like Terry Funkwith film roles in Paradise Alley, Over the Top, Roadhouse and more, Roddy Piper - with numerous film and acting credits, Hard Boiled Haggerty, Jesse Ventura, and more. Two-time reunion host,thelatePepperMartinalsomade thejump fromthe ‘squaredcircle’to the silver screen appearing in many films
-- but prehaps best remembered for a scene where he gets into a brawl with Christopher Reeves in a diner in a Superman film. Pepper was still wrestling part-time when he became wrestling’s first color commentator in Los Angeles alonsgideactorDickLane.Pepperalso didcolor(no,notthatkindofcolor!)with Hank Renner for Roy Shire’s television programming.
Notable CAC attendees from the realm of music include 1995 Reel Award honoree Tommy Sands and awardwinning actor/singer/songwriter Kris Kristofferson. Kris’ son Jody became a champion pro wrestler breaking in at Roland Alexander’s APW Bootcamp School where he wrestled other standouts like AEW’s Powerhouse Hobbs
Marion Ross
Denver Pyle with Valerie Boesch
WhoAreAmong Our Reel Honorees?
1983 - David Carradine, Tom Brown, Robert Conrad, Kirk Douglas, Sylvester Stallone,Alex Karras
1984 - Charles Bronson, Billy Curtis, Mickey Rooney, Karl Malden
1985 - Richard Egan
1986 - Cesar Romero
1987 - Robert Sacchi,RoyThinnes
1988 -Anthony Caruso
1989-ErnestBorgnine,BobCummings Joe Campanella, Royal Dano, John Doucette, Richard Jaeckel
now Royce Keys in WWE. Jeff Cobb (JC Mateo) and current sensation Jacob Fatu
Globally touring since the 90’s is the multi-platinum band Smashing Pumpkins, crafted by founder/lead singer Billy Corgan who has attended three reunionsandhassincedelveddeeplyinto pro wrestling as the head of the NWA promotiononCOMETTV. Billygrewup on Chicago Amphitheater shows and AWA television and he’s appeared in several documentaries.
While Ata Maivia is a regular attendee of the reunion, we almost had her son Dwayne Johnson attend CAC a decade ago when he was filming in Vegas at the same time as our reunion. Unfortunately his shooting schedule did not enable him to drop by. I’m sure hotel security wouldn’t have been able to handle his appearing even briefly at thetime,alreadythebiggestfilmstaron planet Earth.
TextandphotosbyDr.MikeLano
1990 -Aldo Ray, Richard Webb
1991 - “Judo” Gene LeBell
1992 - Woody Strode
1993 - JohnAgar, Will Hutchins, John Phillip Law
1994 - Beverly Garland, Denver Pyle LawrenceTierney, John Smith
1995 - Elliot Gould,Terry Moore, TommySands
1996 - John Roselius
2000 -Tommy Bond, Joe Roselius, Marion Ross, Stan Shaw, Don Stroud
2001 - Roddy Piper, Mimi Lesseos, Frank Stallone
2002 -Alan Koss, Denny Miller
2007 - Rock Riddle
2010 - Magic Schwarz
2012 - Dan Haggerty
2016 - Pepper Martin
2023 -Al Burke
2024 -Todd Bridges
1991 ReelAward honoree “Judo” Gene LeBell (left) pictured here with Billy Varga and 1986 Reel honoree Cesar Romero.
Roddy Piper in “They Live”
TheGlamourGirls
JudyMartin&LeilaniKaicontinuetomakehistory
The combination of Leilani Kai and Judy Martin have accomplished feats inwomen’swrestlingthat may never be eclipsed and they will do so again this August, when the Glamour Girls are recognized as the first ever women’s team to be recognized with the CAC Tag Team Award at our 60th reunion celebration.
Leilani and Judy will be the 13th team ever to be bestowed this honor since the award was introduced in 1995. But this isn’t the only milestone achievement of their partnership, merely the latest.
As the WWF (now WWE) World women’stagteam champions,The Glamour Girlslaidclaimtoan876+daytitlereign
in theirfirst run as champions,addinga secondreignforanadditional251days. They were never toppled as champions, the division justceased toexist.
Still, over the course a 14-year partnership, the ladies combined to lay a legacy worth celebrating. First teaming together in 1978, they were billed as the NWA World tag team champions in 1980, defending the titles across multiple territories before arriving in the World Wrestling Federation in 1986 amidst the growing momentum of the company’s national (and international) expansionwheretheirtrackrecordwarranted them to arrive, already billed as the World tag team champions.
In1987,theadditionofmanagerJimmy
Hart, and the christening of the team as the Glamour Girls propelled them to status as household names across America.TheirfeudwithJapan’sJumping Bomb Angels - Noriyo Tateno and Istuki Yamazaki was among the spotlight matches of the women’s division during that era, including showdowns onbothsidesofthePacificandonpayper-view.
Even more than three decades after their last match together as a team, fansarestillexcitedtoseethemreunite at FanFests and meet and greet events across the U.S. and we are excited to welcomethemtotheRingofFriendship as the first women’s tag team honorees at this year’s reunion.
“NoClass”BobbyBass
RaiseaglasswithBassfor40yearsofrasslin’tales
Even today, at 79 years old, there is no mistaking that Bobby Bass was thrived as a pro wrestling heel during his four decades between the ropes, and he is just as likely to incite a riot today as he did in his heyday between the ropes.
A regular fixture at the CAC reunion in recent years, some may not realize just how many twists and turns his career took before he became the leading thorn in the side of Leo Burke, the Canadian Maritimes’ perennial fan favorite. He’s coming to the 60th reunion with colorful tales to share over a pint.
Trained by Phil Watson, son of the legendary two-time NWAWorldchampion, “Whipper” Billy, the man we now know as Bobby Bass, got his first big break in 1973 for promoter Phil Golden in Missouri. Dubbed “Percy Pringle”, the promoter envisioned that he would be promotedastheheirtothePringlespotato chip empire, tossing bags of chips totheringsidersuponhisentrance.The plan was immediately scrapped when the frugal promoter realized what it would cost to execute the delivery, but the name remained. Percy spent much of the year battling the likes of Buddy Hack and Plowboy Frazier, instigating riots, causing fans to lose their cool and throw punches (and an occasional hammer) his way.
By the end of the summer, he found himself in the Gulf Coast with a new name and new running mates. Managed by legendary women’s wrestler, Mae Weston (as Ma Bass), he was paired with Don and Ron Bass, becoming a brother tag team and co-holding the Gulf Coast tag team titles. When he left the territory, he kept his name -savefor arun in theVancouver territory where he was billed as The Texas Out-
law, and Portland where promoter Don Owen promoted him as Bobby Kincaid.
He adopted the persona of a relentless cheat who would resort to any underhanded tactic to secure a victory. His unforgettable moniker, “No Class,” was originally coined by legendary Stampede Wrestling announcer Ed Whalen. Whalen gave him the name on-air in a fit of genuine disgust after Bass and tag partner Len Denton threw a midget wrestler through the air. The nickname stuck instantly, perfectly encapsulating his dirty in-ring style.
Over the course of his career, he enjoyed stays in most every territory in Canada - Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, Montreal and the Maritimes, frequently rising to the top of the card and drawinginthecrowdshopingtoseehim,the mainantagonist,gethiscomeuppance.
Bobby Bass will be among the attendees at this year’s reunion. Track him down and get him to share the story about getting tarred and feathered in Glasgow, Kentucky, about his battles against Andre the Giant, and about his onenightwrestlingas“RonButler”.You will be glad you did.
JimmyKorderas
CharlieSmithRefereeAwardHonoree
Likesomany of uswho entered the pro wrestling business for “the love of it”, Toronto-born Jimmy Korderas was no exception.
Starting his career in Jack Tunney’s Toronto based promotion in 1985, the future referee got his foot in the door doingwhateverwasneeded.Ringcrew, driving talent, sweeping floors, the persistence paid off and in February 1987 he refereed his first match for WWE. That would start a 22 year career with the company.
From 1987 until 2009, Jimmy’s humility and strong work ethic helped earn him a reputation for always being a calm and reliable official. Trusted by some of the industry’s most legendary figures including Hulk Hogan, Andre The Giant, The Undertaker, Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels, Jimmy has been fortunate to be present in-ring for countlessmajorWWEmomentsacrossthree
decades.
In early 2009, a legendary career came to an end when Jimmy parted ways from WWE.
Today,heusesthatexperiencecoupled with the same love of the business he
startedwith tohelpothers.From broadcasting analysis to teaching storytelling and psychology, Jimmy continues to stay connected to the wrestling business.Heservesasaninvaluablebridge between old school respect and the modern wrestling era.
GaryMichaelCappetta
JimRossAnnouncerAwardHonoree
Gary Michael Cappetta is widely celebrated as one of the most distinctive and professional ring announcers in sports entertainment history. Affectionately dubbed “The World’s Most Dangerous Announcer” by colleague Jim Cornette, Cappetta’s precise,authoritative cadence defined the auditory land-
scape of professional wrestling across a multi-decade career.
Cappetta boasts the rare distinction of serving as the primary voice for nearly every major North American wrestling promotion during his historic run: anchoring the golden era of the Northeast
territory under both Vince McMahon Sr. and Jr. for the WWWF/WWF (now WWE); Bringing his elite showmanship to Verne Gagne’s AWA and Jim Crockett’s NWA broadcasts in the latter half ofthe80’sand,ofcourse,WorldChampionship Wrestling in the 90’s where he solidified his legacy as the premier voice of the company prior to the Monday Night Wars.
A versatile talent, the bilingual emcee introduced thousands of international eventsinbothEnglishandSpanish.His ability to inject genuine excitement and elevate the stature of every performer made his introductions legendary. He remains a benchmark of broadcast excellence
To cement his enduring impact, the Cauliflower Alley Club will honor Gary withthe prestigious JimRossAnnouncerAward at our 60th Reunion.
TheBaloneyBlowout
Anodtoasharedpieceofourwrestlingjourney
In the grit-and-glory history of professional wrestling, few traditions encapsulate the industry’s raw, blue-collar roots quite like “The Baloney Blowout.” Originating during the strict territory days, the term represents both a literal survival tactic for underpaid wrestlers and a revered symbol of backstage fraternity.
Historically, life on the road for a “journeyman” wrestler was far from glamorous. Long road trips between isolated towns often left performers with minimal money between major arena paydays. To survive the grueling travel schedules, acarload of wrestlerswould frequently pool their meager pocket change. They would buy a basic loaf of white bread, a cheap package of bologna, and a case of beer to split among themselves. This humble, shared meal in a moving vehicle or a cramped motel room became affectionately known as a “baloney blowout”—a feast born entirely out of necessity.
Though the practice is uncommon in today’s wrestling climate and seems to represent the harsh realities of “paying your dues” back in the day, the practice
servedtodomorethannourishthebodies of those partaking -- the bonds that were created in struggle established lifelong friendships and loyalty among themenandwomeninthesport--forging unbreakable bonds.
As the industry evolved and formalized its heritage through institutions like the Cauliflower Alley Club (CAC), this survival tactic was elevated into a proud, institutional tradition. To honor the resourcefulness of past generations, the CACestablishedthe“Baloney Blowout” as the official welcoming dinner for its annual Las Vegas reunion. Instead of servingalavishgourmetmenu,theclub deliberately opted to serve humble cold cuts to the attending legends, promoters, andfans. It stood as an intentional, self-deprecating nod to the historical hardships of the business.
The event has also served as a profound stage for honoring the sports’ architecture. Further celebrating the brotherhood of the ‘squared circle, the evening has been used to unofficially celebrate fallen comrades, such as Oliver Humperdink. Following the legendary manager’s passing in 2011,
friends unofficially declared that Hawaiian shirts, a staple of Oliver’s wardrobe wouldbewornbyeveningattendeesas a tribute to our fallen friend -- someone who was no stranger to the baloney blowout himself.
During the club’s 2014 reunion, the legendary former CAC President andAWA World Heavyweight Champion, Nick Bockwinkel, made a deeply emotional appearance at the dinner. Recognizing hisimmensecontributions,theclubofficiallyrenamedtheeventtheNickBockwinkel Baloney Blowout.
Today, the gathering acts as a mandatory “toast and roast” session where industry icons share unvarnished backstage stories, pay tribute to departed friends, and celebrate the unique bond shared by those who lived life on the road.
Ultimately,theBaloneyBlowoutbridges the gap between wrestling’s lean past and its celebrated present. It ensures thatnomatterhowlucrativetheindustry becomes, the community never forgets the humble sacrifices that built modern sports entertainment.
CACAcquiresVastPhotoLibrary
TerranceMachalekCollectionNowOwnedbyCAC
TheCauliflowerAlleyClubispleasedto announce that it has just acquired the full photo library of one of wrestling’s most profilic ringside photographersthe late Terrance R. Machalek.
Terrance “Terry” Machalek Sr. holds an enduring legacy as one of the most dedicated and vital photojournalists in Canadian professional wrestling history. Based out of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Machalek spent over three decades capturing the raw, athletic essence of the industry. His work bridged the gap between old-school fandom and formal ringside documentation.
Machalek’s journey behind the lens began in the late 1960s when the former amateur wrestler began shooting ringside action at American Wrestling Association (AWA) events. His sharp eye and technical execution quickly made his work indispensable to the wrestling community.Overthenext few decades, his lens chronicled the golden eras of both theAWAand Stu Hart’s Stampede Wrestling. He captured intimate, definitive portraits of icons like a young Roddy Piper long before they became household names.
Beyond merely taking photographs, Machalek immortalized his imagery through self-published newsletters like “Gettin’ Results” and “Canadian Championship Wrestling”. These publications were highly sought-after archives filled with regional results, newspaper clippings, and his own striking photography. His excellence did not go unnoticed; the Wrestling Fans International Association named him Photographer of theYear in 1985.
Promoters and wrestlers trusted Machalekbecause he wasatrueinsider who respectedthe business.Onecan tellby some of the candid shots that he was allowedtoshootofNickBockwinkelbehind the scenes and others the level of trust the wrestlers had of him.
Sooften,whilegivenfreereigntoshoot the matches from ringside, he would print free copies for the wrestlers featured and bring them to the following matches. Terry was a passionate member of the Cauliflower Alley Club and
had attended reunions as recently as 2017.
Terrypassedawayin2023attheageof 76, his sprawling archive of thousands of rare photos and negatives remains a crucial historical record of Canadian sports entertainment, treasured by collectors for decades.
In June, the CAC was able to acquire thesurvivingarchiveofhisworkandhis images will live on through the videos, publications and other future projects.
Featuredherearejustafewofhisgreat shots -- many of these legends are no longer with us but are immortalized in these iconic photographs.
Tables&ProgramAds
As the weeks approach until we all meet again in Las Vegas, we are excited to see the reunion agenda take shape. With a great line up of wrestling personalities and industry associates assembled in ont place, there are few opportunies to get your message and your merchandise in the hands of the right people.
The deadline to book your vendor table for the hospitality room is fast approaching. With a newly revamped activity schedule, this site is certain to be a hub of activity throughout the reunion and give you access to every attendeeoverthecourseofthethreeday event. Reserve that spot now.
Also,advertisingspaceinthereunion program for our 60th ever reunion is in high demand.The club puts a hard copy of that comemorative publication in the hands of every reunion attendee and honoree.
Advertise your podcast, product or service to the membership, or commit a banner ad to congratulate one of this year’s deserving honorees and celebrate your involvement in theCauliflowerAlleyClub’smilestone 60th Reunion.
Contacts for program ads and table reservations canbe found, right here:
REACH THEMALL
Advertise in the Banquet Program
The banquet program is circulated for free to every member in attendance at the banquet and has become a valued souvenir from the event that members take home with them.
Advertise your wrestling promotion, podcast, product, store, and more. You can also wish your congratulations to a specific honoree (first come, first served)
To reserve your ad, contact Stone Keezy at stonekeezy@icloud.com
Pre-payment is required to confirm your ad space.
TABLE REGISTRATION IS OPEN
If you have attended a CAC Reunion, you’ll know that the Hospitality Room is at the heart of our annual reunion. It’s a gathering place for honorees and attendees, home to the annualcribbage tournament, and the place for selling and sharing one-of-a-kind memorabilia and collectibles. You can reach EVERY attendee of the CauliflowerAlley Club reunion in the Hospitality Room.
Book a Full Table: $125.00 Share a Table: $75.00 per vendor
To reserve your table, or for more information, contact Stone Keezy at stonekeezy@icloud.com
