March 2019 The Ear

OUR 2019 HONOREES

TABLE OF CONTENTS

2019 Honoree’s ................. Front Cover

Hospitality/Nostalgia Room, T-Shirts 2

Fifth Pole of the Mat 3

Bockwinkel Blowout 4

Vendetta Wrestling/Cribbage Tournament 4

2019 Honoree's 5

Annual Belt Raffle/Wrestlebowl 5

2019 Honoree's 6

2019 Honoree's ................................7

Reunion News, R.I.P. 7

2019 Honoree's/Presenters 8

Howard Baum Photos 9-11

Canvas Cavity/Alexis Smirnoff 12

See the Stars! 13

Seminar Presenters/Learning Series 14-15

Gene Okerlund 16

Pro Wrestling Collectibles Show .........17

Karl's Korner 18

Membership/Banquet Form 19

Dory Funk Jr. 20

Royal Duncan

- editor, writer

Chris Jones

- asst. editor

Dean Silverstone

- writer, photos

Dr. Mike Lano

- writer, photos

Karl Lauer - writer

Art Abrams - photos

Howard Baum - photos

Johnny Bradford - photos

Carol Castle

- photosFrankie DeFalco

- photos

Carmine DeSpirito

- photosMiguel Discart - photos

Joel Gertner

- photos

Ed Hellier - photos

Lil Al's - photos

Mallory Lynde - photosJoe Mauriello - photos

CAC United,

It won't be long before the cosmic forces pull us all to the center of the wrestling universe to break bread and fete the duly anointed. An impressive array of professional wrestling's finest take to the stage to be honored for their lifetime's work. Please join us.

On other matters 1) Was tremendously saddened to hear of the death of longtime pal Dale Pierce and Wayne St. Wayne. Two interesting and eclectic people. 2) No one probably noticed, but Mazurki's ear has been replaced by Alexis Smirnoff's on "The Ear" masthead (cover) in tribute to Alexis. This is the highest honor "The Ear" can give. So if a CAC photographer wants to take a photo of your ear - let them. It will only be used as a tribute to you. 3) Re: The Horror Issue Vol. 53 No. III, 2 updates. There was a female wrestler named Alice Cooper and Peter Lorre Jr. (son of Peter Lorre Sr. star of many horror movies) was a CAC member. 4) Have established, with Chris Swisher, a new website - www.wrestlingrealnamesandaliases.com it contains all the data from the book of 25 years ago and updates from the last 25 years.

George Napolitano

Photography Committee

Mike Lano - Chairman

Joyce Paustian (AWA, etc), Scott Teal (Tennessee, etc),

Dave Burzynski (Detroit, Toronto, Ohio, etc.),

Howard Baum (Florida), Bob Mulrenin (WWE, indies),

Dan Westbrook (L.A.), & Terry Machalek (Winnipeg)

THE PLACE TO MEET HOSPITALITY/NOSTALGIA ROOM

This is where you can meet up with old friends and peruse the numerous vendors who will be selling all manner of unique and interesting memorabilia and exclusive items. Be sure to meet your friends here: the place where everyone congregates.

CAC T-SHIRTS

Do not forget to visit the CAC t-shirt table capably manned by all-time great guys and referees Charlie Smith and Bobby Simmons. They will be selling this year’s reunion shirt, designed as always by Charlie. Buy them in the Hospitality/Nostalgia Room.

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.

CAC Life member Tom Hankins has one of the most interesting books ever written about professional wrestling, Mat, Mobs, and Music. Tom's career covered all three areas of our society and it gives the reader a fascinating inside look at the connections they have. In fact, there's talk going around of a stage play being produced that would cover the music end of this saga. Fascinating copy to read...

Our own CAC member Rock Riddle* had a nice role in the film Blue Collar with stars Harvey Keitel and Richard Pryor. Rock gets the stuffing beat out of himself on screen and deserved an Oscar for his job...

It is with deep regret that we have to announce the passing of Billy Swayze, the son of CAC member Bruce Swayze*. Our most sincere condolenced to the wonderful Swayze family. And, we also sadly report the passing of Gene Smith, younger brother of CAC life member Charlie Smith*...

Ric*, Tracy Root*, Brandon Roy*, Matthew Roblez*, Dr. D David* & Peggy Shults, Brent Siewert*, Herb Simmons*, Bobby Simmons*, Verne Siebert*, Michelle Starr*, Keith Smith*, Heather Tumath*, Vincent Tinnirella*, Todd Trause*, Benjamin Tomas*, Joe Tieso*, Stephanie Tarp*, Scott* & Angela Teal, Vanessa Vogl*, Carl Valen*, Nelson Varona*, Steven Verrier*, Jeff* & Jamie Walton, Brian Westcott*, Joshua Waldrop*, Bambi Weavil*, Dan Westbrook*, Steve Yohe*, and of course Tony* & Holly Vellano, Andrew Anderson*, Karl Lauer*, George Schire*, JJ Dillon*, Dory Funk, Jr.*, Royal Duncan*, Gloria Lovell*, Brian Blair* and myself and all of the WWE stars that will be attending. This is going to be a fantastic gathering of kindred souls. Please order your tickets soon because the Gold Coast has a fire code & once capacity is reached, you'll have to wait another year to have four fab days of nothing but fun and enjoyment...

Speedy recovery wishes go to CAC members Cindy Hall* with her eye surgery as well as Billy Anderson* who also went through eye surgery for the second time. Glad to report Ken Jugan* and Don Lastra* are better after their hospital treatments as are Frank Mott* and Michael Norris*. Bill White* still improving too and that's good news we all needed to hear... Well, by the time you read this, those attending the April/May CAC Reunion at the Gold Coast in Las Vegas will have tripled, but here's a brief list of our members, both wrestlers and fans, who so far have purchased their tickets: Chritian Andes*, Sam Andreou*, Robert Warren Bockwinkel*, Michael Bockwinkel*, Mark Beadry*, Bobby Bass*, Jim Burke*, Tom Burke*, Greg Crawford*, Jim Connolly*, Esther Cantu, Frank Cantu, John Cosper*, Randy Cohran*, Tim Corvin*, Cruz Diablo*, Rose Diamond*, Michelle Dodgins*, Cynthia Dodgins*, Jude Dawkins*, Ton Daniels*, Curtis Fidler*, Christi Fox*, Cody Hawk*, Andy Hamerlinck*, Ken Hamblin*, Henning*, Patsy Hughes*, Brian Heffron*, Ron Hutchison*, Mike* & Kathy Hoyt*, Jurgen Ihle, Jerry Graham Jaffe*, Joyce Kennedy, Tanya Kirsch*, Roy Lucier*, Keith* & Teena* & Bob* Leydig, Scrappy* & Anne McGowan, Frank Mott*, Pat Matysik*, Brennon Martin*, Buggys McGraw*, Wayne Palmer*, Mike* & Becky Rodgers, Shawna Reed*, Donald Roussell*, Thomas Rude*, Phil Russell*,

THE BOCKWINKEL BLOWOUT AND BANQUET NIGHT

It’s true that these two events, on Tuesday and Wednesday night respectively, offer excellent food and drink. But the big draw is the Awards ceremonies where major stars of the ring are honored by the CAC. At the Blowout on Tuesday, you can dress casually. On Wednesday, banquet night, wear your best attire as the banquet is a formal affair. Doors each night will open at 5 pm. No one without a reunion badge will be allowed entry. Once inside, a host of pro wrestling industry people mingle and create memories.

Be aware that there is live wrestling being presented as well. For the last few years, Billy Blade’s Vendetta Pro Wrestling has been kind enough to organize not one, but TWO big nights of live matches on Sunday (April 28) and Monday (April 29) provide an extra shot of fun to coincide with the reunion. Although the CAC itself does not have anything directly to do with these events, the club is delighted that Vendetta Pro Wrestling chooses to present them at the same time the reunion is taking place. So get ready for another double-header of excellent ring action this year.

TUE, APRIL 30 AND WED, MAY 1

PREVAIL

ALL PROCEEDS GO TO THE CAC BENEVOLENCE FUND.

Credit Pro Wrestling Illustrated

IRON MIKE MAZURKI AWARD MARK

HENRY

Once again an incredible championship belt has been donated to the CAC that will be raffled off at the close of the Wednesday night banquet. You can buy a raffle ticket (or twenty) in the Hospitality Room. Also available at the Bockwinkel Blowout and the Wednesday Banquet. All the tickets will go into the big wheel in the banquet room and a winner will be selected at random. So buy your tickets early and often.

Jimmy Hart, Brian Blair*, Dave Meltzer*

LOU THESZ LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD DORY FUNK JR.

You can register Monday only if you’ve purchased a reunion ticket and have a badge. Entry fee for either event is only $20

Some of the members who have bowled at or made appearances at the Dr. Ken Ramey Wrestle Bowl or have joined us for the fun include: Adam Pearce*, Ross Hart*, Akio Sato*, Vicki Weaver, Greg Valentine, Brian Allen (Illinois referee), Stan Hansen*, Wilma Beyer*, and Ken Ramey* himself.

TAG TEAM AWARD

HAKU & BARBARIAN

POSTHUMOUS AWARD

LARRY MATYSIK

ART ABRAMS LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

TONY VELLANO

MEN'S WRESTLING AWARD

ANDREW ANDERSON TRAINER'S AWARD CODY HAWK

REUNION NEWS

You can pick up your badge from CAC personnel stationed inside the door of the Hospitality Room between 10 am to 4 pm (Mon. April 29), 10 am to 4 pm (Tue. and Wed. April 30, & May 1).

PayPal purchases were occasionally a source of some confusion. This year the CAC is asking that if you purchase a banquet ticket, please bring the receipt from PayPal for the purchase to the Vegas reunion with you, and show it when you pick up your badge. In case there are any questions, your receipt will clear up the matter immediately. The club apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause, but this is a surefire way to make certain everyone gets what they paid for.

Merchandise Tables: if you’re interested in renting a table to sell merchandise in the nostalgia room, please contact: Scott Teal at whtreslr@yahoo.com.

IMPORTANT DETAILS ABOUT THE 2019 BANQUET/REUNION

HERE IS WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

BOOK YOUR HOTEL AND GET YOUR REUNION TICKETS NOW!!!

Rooms in the CAC Gold Coast Hotel & Casino block are for members who purchase a reunion ticket.

The special rate for CAC members is $43 a night, Sunday through Wednesday nights.

For information on hotel reservations, contact CAC executive vice president Scott Teal at whtreslr@yahoo.com

Or call CAC financial secretary/treasurer Dean Silverstone at the CAC offices: (425) 644-2658 (7 days a week, noon to 5 pm PST). PLEASE NOTE: The cut-off date for discounted room rates is March 25, 2019. On that date, the discounted rate will no longer be available.

BOCKWINKEL BLOWOUT & BANQUET: For tickets to Tuesday’s Bockwinkel Blowout and Wednesday night’s Banquet, please cut or photocopy the order form found in this issue and mail it to the CAC (see form for details) with your payment. You can also pay for your Blowout and Banquet(reunion) tickets through PayPal. See www.caulifloweralleyclub.org/shop

QUESTIONS?

If you have any more questions, you will probably be able to find the answers by visiting us on the web at www.caulifloweralleyclub.org/ reunion-faqs.

The Dynamite Kid, Tommy Billington - Dec 5

Larry "The Axe" Hennig - Dec 6

Frank N. Sciullo Jr. - Dec 7

Raul Mata - Dec 19

"Hurricane" Bobby Hunt - Dec 28

Trevor Adonis, Jim Evans - Jan 1

Gene Okerlund, Eugene Okerlund - Jan 2

Alexis Smirnoff, Michel Lamarche - Jan 5

Mike Hammer, Wayne St. Wayne, Wayne Ermatinger - Jan 11

Rex Bacchus, Christopher Sims - Jan 17

Thomas Ivery Jr. - Jan 19

Belladonna, Leah Biggerstaff - Jan 21

Otto Bahn, Peter Corneil - Jan 21

Alex Payne, Alexander Payne - Jan 29

The Playboy, Kenneth Mick - Jan 31

Les Thornton - Feb 1

Gentleman Jim Kelly, Ludger Lévesque - Feb 5

Salvatore Bellamo - Feb 9

Pedro Morales - Feb 12

Honest John Cheatem, Billy Robertson - Feb 15

Clifford Sheats, Cliff Anderson - Feb 16

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

MEN'S WRESTLING AWARD

DR. "D" DAVID SHULTZ

MIKE RODGERS

PROMOTER'S AWARD

JEFF WALTON

Credit Pro Wrestling Illustrated

CHARLIE SMITH REFEREE AWARD

SCRAPPY McGOWAN

PRESENTERS (Tentative list)

DR. D DAVID SHULTZ presenter: John Cosper

HAKU presenter: Brodus Clay

BARBARIAN presenter: Brodus Clay

NICK KOZAK presenter: Scott Teal

BAMBI presenter: Nigel Sherrod

ANDREW ANDERSON presenter: Kevin Sullivan

JEFF WALTON presenter: Terry Brodt

SCRAPPY McGOWAN presenter: Bobby Simmons

CODY HAWK presenter: Dean Ambrose

MIKE RODGERS presenter: Scott Teal

TONY VELLANO presenter: J.J. Dillon

LARRY MATYSIK presenter: Herb Simmons & Pat Matysik

Since 1982, when a sixteen-year-old Howard Baum was granted ringside access at the famed Miami Beach Convention Center, his photography has appeared in many major wrestling publications of the eighties and nineties. Howard's first payday as a photog came even earlier, however, when his work was printed in a 1980 issue of Sports Review Wrestling. This early show of support by industry giant Bill Apter* encouraged Howard like nothing else could have. From there, his photos have been featured not only in the "Apter & Napolitano" mags, but Sandy Krebs' Main Event, the Mike O'Hara family of titles, Japan's Gong & Weekly Fight, the UK's Powerslam & Fighting Spirit and more.

Although proudest of his photography, Howard has worn just about every hat that there is to wear within the business, without actually having to take (too many) bumps. Howard has been a Promoter (along with his Dad, Tyree Pride & Cyclone Negro, running Miami & The Bahamas during the '80s), a Manager (a brief but storied career as "Handsome Howard"), a Radio Host, and a TV Announcer.

Currently, Howard is a popular and frequent co-host on the 6:05 SuperPodcast, a wildly irreverent podcast geared toward the old-school fan with a sense of humor. He is also busy re-mixing and re-mastering his greatest photos for an exciting series of wrestling-related art and book projects, set to launch in 2019. Before the official site is completed, you can keep in touch with Howard and check out his work at www.facebook. com/hardwayart.

This issue we celebrate long-time Florida great Howard Baum who's attended many CAC's. Howard, after all these years, still mixes a wicked sense of biz history and humor, plus was one of wrestling's earliest tech-adoptee experts. He also helps document NWA history with fellow CAC members in Florida.

It's great that we're honoring the pride of Silsbee, Texas in Mark Henry because he's contributed so many positive things to the business both on-camera as a global goodwill WWE ambassador and beyond. Giving back even more behind-the-scenes and in his backstage roles fans don't get to see. At 14, Henry was diagnosed with dyslexia. Going public with it once he became a superstar helped shine a spotlight on it, helping others. Flash-forward to age 24. 2x Olympian Henry was acknowledged as the world’s strongest man. No other athlete had ever lifted as much in the five competitive lifts: snatch, clean-and-jerk in weightlifting and squat, bench-press and deadlift in powerlifting. Mark’s five lift totals are still the greatest in history-legit making him one of the strongest who’ve ever lived and according to experts, history's greatest lifter. Silver, Gold and Bronze

It was sad to hear of the passing of Alexis Smirnoff (Michel Lamarche, Jan. 5, 2019), one of the legends we honored at our Las Vegas reunion.

I first met Michel (Mike) in Montreal when the Vachon/Grand Prix and Rougeau/La Lutte territorial promotional was going on. At that time, he was billed as FrenchCanadian heel Michel Le Justice Dubois. Even back then, we could all see the potential Mike had as a heel. And as he said on the CAC stage, when he called San Francisco territory promoter Roy Shire*, in the hopes of going to work for him, Roy wanted him to come in as a stereotypical Russian heel since he really hadn’t had a strong “Russian.” Sure, he had goose-stepping faux German characters (Von Brauners & Von Steigers), salt-throwing Japanese wrestlers (Arakawa, Shibuya* & Saito), but, in Michel’s words, “Just not a Breznioid.” So, Le Justice shaved his head, in his words "learned to act like a Russian", and went to work on perfecting a Russian accent. He worked on top in Northern California and faced all the NorCal superstars, including Ray Stevens*, Dean Ho & Pepper Gomez*. When he left, he retained the Alexis Smirnoff gimmick and worked all over North America as well as tours for All Japan and New Japan and was tag champs with Ivan Koloff* in Ole Anderson's Georgia Championship Wrestling after a memorable "ether" angle, taking the straps from the smothered Tony Atlas and Kevin Sullivan*. Later in his career, he teamed with Chris Markoff for Verne Gagne’s* AWA/ESPN Las Vegas tapings. Personally, I’ll never forget driving him to TC Martin’s NWC shows at Shire’s old classic Sacramento Auditorium. Mike lived about 15 minutes from my house in the Fremont/Newark, CA area. One time, he told me he wanted to go see some of the ECW stars. During our two-hour trip, he talked about how excited he was to see his old pals and specifically mentioned Terry Funk*, as well as meet others like Cactus Jack*, Rob

Medalist at the 1995 Pan-Am Games, WDFPF Powerlifting World Champion, 2x U.S. National Champ plus an all-time, world-record holder in squat and deadlift. Mark also set numerous world records and honors in traditional weightlifting including U.S.Nationals (3x), 1992 American Open, 2x Olympic Festival Championships, was 1996 NACAC overall champion on to breaking all three Senior US American weightlifting records in 1993–1997. In 2002 Mark even won the first Arnold Strongman Classic.

In the months prior to Atlanta’s 1996 Summer Olympics, Mark received more attention and publicity than any lifter in US history, guesting on Jay Leno, Conan, Today, and Oprah plus featured on HBO-Sports, dozens of magazines including U.S. News, People, Vanity Fair, ESPN The Magazine and Life where he was photographed nude by Annie Lebowitz. At this time,Vince McMahon signed him to a 10-year deal which made more media news. His unique contract allowed time-off, 3 months/year to train and continue competing in weight/powerlifting. Henry remains the youngest man in history to squat over 900 pounds plus total more than 2,300 pounds raw and the only person ever to accomplish this under 25 years of age.

The World's Strongest Man and WWE Hall-Of-Famer also excelled at both face and heel roles, while winning titles in his WWF Ohio Valley Wrestling farm system and Main Roster: European, ECW title(2008) and WWE World Title(2011). And whether it was in WWE's Nation of Domination with a young Rock, his Sexual Chocolate skits with Mae* and Moolah* or "Hall Of Pain" master, he never ceased entertaining fans.

Van Dam, and “Sheik’s kid, Sabu.” On the way home he told me, “You have to remember, I was a mark for these guys before I even broke in. I got the same feeling I got when I first met Maurice* & Paul* (Vachon), the Rougeaus, & Edouard Carpentier*. That’s why I love this business. You make lifelong friends. Even if you wind up working opposition to them, you always come back together as family in wrestling.”

Smirnoff worked a variety of jobs, including at Dreyer's Ice Cream, after wrestling.In the 1980s, Mike also promoted many Northern California indie shows in concert with, and at times in opposition to, other long-time Roy Shire NorCal hands, like Jerry Monti & Woody Farmer. “I had so much fun and loved those guys, but me trying to promote? It was like Ripper Antone Leone* type stuff. I promoted mostly just so I could hang out with the boys in the locker room and have fun ... that real magic time in the back before we let all the fans in. It was a different time then than it is now,” he told me in 2013.

Alexis had returned after a many-year absence back to CAC last year to be honored on-stage at our Awards Banquet by Montreal historian Bertrand Hebert* (see my extended column on BH in the last EAR). When we were still at Los Angeles’ beautiful Sportsman’s Lodge, Mike/Smirnoff attended quite a few in the 90’s. He told me when he arrived in Vegas last year, “the last one I was at, I made because I didn’t want to miss seeing Buddy Rogers* and Bobby Davis* besides of course Maurice* and Paul* (Vachon) who all meant a lot to me. And seeing John Tolos* again was always something because he was such a legend in Canada and the U.S.”

He seemed so vital, so full of life in Las Vegas last May. No one noticed that he’d lost a leg because he was as spry as ever, even when he climbed the stairs to the lecturn podium.

Merci, Michel! You were loved, respected, and now are greatly missed.

Mark Henry

Dory Funk Jr.

Haku & Barbarian

"Dr. D" David Shultz

Nick Kozak Bambi

Andrew Anderson

Tony Vellano

Jeff Walton

Scrappy McGowan

Larry Matysik

Cody Hawk

Mike Rodgers

Rooms in the CAC Gold Coast Hotel & Casino block are for members who purchase a reunion ticket. The special rate for CAC members is $43 a night, Sunday through Wednesday nights.

For information on hotel reservations, contact CAC executive vice president Scott Teal at whtreslr@yahoo.com

Or call CAC financial secretary/treasurer Dean Silverstone at the CAC offices: (425) 644-2658 (7 days a week, noon to 5 pm PST).

PLEASE NOTE: The cut-off date for discounted room rates is March 25, 2019. On that date, the discounted rate will no longer be available.

Nostalgia/Registration room (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday) 10am to 4pm

Blowout dinner - Tuesday night 5 pm

Banquet dinner - Wednesday night 5 pm

Ken Ramey Bowling - Wednesday noon

Vender set up (Monday) 8:00 am

SEMINAR PRESENTERS

Ed Hellier

The late AWA promoter Wally Karbo used to say, "promoting is not a bed of roses." Anyone who has courageously delved into putting on wrestling cards, let alone owning a wrestling company on the independent scene, knows how true Wally's words were. It takes dedication, consistency, hard work, business acumen and creativity. It is a line of work not cut out for everyone. Enter The Owner/Promoter of Steel Domain, Ed Hellier*. For over two decades now, Hellier has captained the SDW ship through the sometimes-choppy waters of pro wrestling. Through solid and lean years, he has been at the forefront, booking some of wrestling's greatest independent talents to appear on SDW cards in Illinois, Minnesota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. Perhaps no other company in the United States can boast of having a collection of future champions on its roster over the years. Hellier and SDW have had the likes of C.M. Punk, "Scrap Iron" Adam Pearce*, Colt Cabana, "Sexy" Ace Steel, Austin Aries, Ken Anderson, Shawn and Ariya Daivari and ODB all before making it on the national and world stage.

Hellier justifiably beams when he talks about one of his mentors in the business, the late, great Nick Bockwinkel*. From the beginning, the former legend gave Ed pointers and direction from early on. "Nick wondered why I was such a glutton for punishment to promote wrestling cards, Hellier chuckles. Once he knew I was serious it was 'game on', and I relied on his advice and expertise for years."

The truth of the matter is Steel Domain's popularity is at an all-time high and its monthly events draw packed houses. In addition, the promotion has often contributed to various charities and worthy causes in the Minnesota area.

"I can't do this forever," Hellier said, "but while I am doing this, I am committed to giving the wrestling fans top quality matches with no fluff. We mean business."

No doubt about it. Nick Bockwinkel would be proud.

Frankie DeFalco

Frankie was trained by Al "King Kong" Patterson and had his 1st match on May 8, 1979. In 1980, inside the storied Milwaukee Auditorium, Frankie wrestled in a tag team match with Jeff May against the Slaughterhouse Brothers. They won that match in front of 3,000 fans to capture the UWA Tag Team Championship. He has traveled throughout the country, wrestling for many companies.

After several years with Patterson, he went on to wrestle for Tom "Rocky" Stone's IAW promotion in Milwaukee, WI. He held several titles including as a 5x Tag Team Champion and 3x Heavyweight Champion.

At that time, Stone was involved in getting talent for AWA and WWE(F). Frankie wrestled there on and off for for both companies for nearly 10 years, being on TV & wrestling on house shows throughout the country. He got to know and competed against many wrestlers including Curt Hennig*, Scott Hall, The Road Warriors, Hulk Hogan, Larry Zbyszko, Nick Bockwinkel*, Shawn Michaels*, Greg "The Hammer" Valentine, Ted DiBiase*, Andre The Giant and a host of others.

For the past 15 years, Frankie has successfully run Brew City Wrestling in Wisconsin, providing family fun for all ages. For more information about Brew City Wrestling shows, visit brewcitywresstling1.com

Ask any touring wrestler from the territory days and you'll find that they'll all agree that the greatest education they received in the business was, most likely, from the endless hours and travel days that they traveled by car or van with each other exchanging stories and information.

Most often upwards of 300 days a year, night after night, mile after mile, the wrestlers of the territory era were guaranteed a learning experience that, unfortunately, just doesn't exist for today's young talent.

Gone are the days when wrestlers plied their trade for months and years on end, day after day and territory after territory to put food on the table for their families. Gone are the territories that once existed across North America that enabled such an enriched learning opportunity.

The territories may be gone but many of the territorial wrestlers are still with us. Most are no longer making the full time grind and when they do travel, for the most part, gone are the days when they'd travel with up and coming talent who were able to benefit from their years of experience.

Fortunately, we here at the CAC have been blessed with the opportunity to have so many of these legendary figures in our midst each and every year. They've made a living in the business, picked up knowledge from so many of their contemporaries and, thankfully, are willing to share their knowledge gained from a bygone era with today's up-and-coming talent.

In 2019, in addition to its' traditional seminar subjects, the CAC Learning Series will attempt to capitalize on this abundance of riches that we have within our midst like we never have before.

It's a bygone education that you were able to get on the road that the CAC will attempt to recreate this year, not in a car, but in a discussion setting. It's an opportunity that no young wrestler should miss!!

Please remember that entrance to any of the CAC Learning Series events DOES require the purchase of a 2019 reunion ticket. The lanyard that you'll get to confirm your banquet attendance is your ticket to all of the fun goings on at the 2019 Cauliflower Alley Club Reunion including any and all of the Learning Series events.

Without further ado here is the lineup for your 2019 Cauliflower Alley Club Learning Series. As usual in the pro-wrestling world: card subject to change without notice.

Please visit www.caulifloweralleyclub.org for news on all of the seminars. All seminars will be held in Salon D.

The seminars are open only to CAC members who have a reunion badge. There is no additional fee to attend.

Tuesday April 30, 2019

10:00 AM: Depression and Mental Health in Wrestling

Presenter: Dan Murphy*, Dr. David Reiss* and guests.

Depression is pretty widespread among wrestlers. Pro Wrestling Illustrated senior journalist and author Dan Murphy teams up with Dr. David Reiss, M.D a noted Psychiatrist and CAC Lifetime member, as well as a host of invited panelists to present what could, arguably, be the most beneficial seminar that the CAC has ever presented.

Focusing on recognizing the signs of depression and other associated disorders (bipolar, etc.) and methods for treating it this is a seminar that no one in attendance at the 2019 reunion should miss!

"The Blue Meanie" Brian Heffron* and "The Quintessential Stud Muffin" Joel Gertner*

Host: AJ Kirsch*

The psychology and importance of character development for all performers in the professional wrestling industry will be the topic of Tuesday's noon hour seminar.

Presented by Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) stalwarts and CAC lifetime members "The Blue Meanie" Brian Heffron and "The Quintessential Stud Muffin" Joel Gertner, who makes his first visit to the reunion, this is a seminar that no young talent will want to miss as these two gentlemen and AJ will discuss how to do the best with the character you have chosen or, in most cases, the character that was given to you to portray!

2:00 PM: "Don't Call Me Fake!- LIVE with 'Dr. D.' David Shultz"

Presenter: "Dr. D." David Shultz

Host: Jim Valley*, CAC Radio Co-host

2019 CAC Men's Wrestling Honoree, "Dr. D." David Shultz has requested the microphone to speak his mind and who's going to say no to the Dr.?

Focusing on his storied career that spanned the globe from Tennesse, to Atlantic Grand Prix Wrestling in Canada, to the American Wrestling Association, Stampede Wrestling, the National Wrestling Alliance, the World Wrestling Federation and all points in between. Mr. Shultz will be free of the time constraints of his CAC Honoree speech as the CAC, for the first time, spotlights its honorees by giving them a forum for an intimate and interactive career retrospective which will include a question and answer session for all reunion ticket holders. Hosting this career retrospective will be one of the co-hosts of the award winning CAC radio program, Mr. Jim Valley. A word to the wise though. Please don't call Dr. D fake! The CAC will not be held responsible for the resulting physical harm which is sure to result.

Wednesday May 1, 2019

11:00 AM: CAC Territory Talk "AWA Memories

Presenters: Mick Karch*, Carol Castle, Frankie DeFalco*, Ed Hellier* and guests to be announced.

Based in the great state of Minnesota and headed by Verne Gagne*, the American Wrestling Association (AWA) was one of the sport's elite companies captivating millions of wrestling fans around the US and into Canada with incredible talent and exciting match-ups for decades. Some of professional wrestling's true legends performed in the AWA: Nick Bockwinkel*, Billy Robinson*, The Crusher*, Ray Stevens*, Sgt. Slaughter*, Ric Flair, Mad Dog Vachon*, Larry Hennig*, Curt Hennig*, Jim Brun-

zell*, Hulk Hogan, "Dr. D." David Shultz, Andre The Giant and countless others come to mind.

"AWA Memories" will be a time for those who were there in various capacities to reminisce and share their experiences with seminar attendees about some of the great feuds, rivalries and matches from days gone by. You are invited to ask questions about the stars and what it was like to be part of an incredible era.

Heading up this one will be Mick Karch, former AWA announcer, long time "Voice of Minnesota Wrestling". Mick was there in the later days of the AWA and can speak to the overall climate as things were winding down in the face of the WWF expansion. Carol Castle, who turned her love and passion for the sport of wrestling into the founding of the Minnesota Wrestling Hall of Fame; Frankie DeFalco, the owner of "Brew City Wrestling" in Wisconsin and a journeyman professional wrestler since the 1980's who worked many television matches against some of the AWA's top stars at ESPN tapings around the country; Ed Hellier, the Nick Bockwinkel mentored owner and promoter of Steel Domain Wrestling for 20 years and more names to be announced!

This will be a chance to get a capsule look at one of the most successful promotions in professional wrestling history and its incredible legacy!

1:00 PM: Dory Funk Jr. "A Champion's Champion"!

Host: Jim Valley*, CAC Radio Co-host

Our final Learning Series event of the 54th annual Cauliflower Alley Club reunion will be one that no fan, student or even critic of professional wrestling will want to miss as the legendary former National Wrestling Alliance World Heavyweight Champion Dory Funk Jr. has agreed to "tell it like it is" about his wealth of experiences inside of the grunt 'n' groan game.

The son of Dory Funk Sr. and elder brother to Terry Funk*, Dory has just about done all there is to do in our sport, including beating "Canada's Greatest Athlete" Gene Kiniski* to hold the NWA World Heavyweight title for over four years at a time when you had to be held in highest esteem by promoters worldwide to be given the most prestigious title in wrestling. He is a WWE Hall of Famer and, together with his brother Terry are the only brother duo to hold the National Wrestling Alliance's highest honor.

Among topics to be addressed by Dory are what it was like to grow up in a wrestling family, what it meant for him to be chosen and why he thinks he was chosen to be NWA champion at a time when the business was jealously protected from outsiders. The WWF's Funkin' Dojo, his critically acclaimed wrestling school in Ocala, Florida, the Briscos, the wrestling legacy of West Texas State University and so much more are all likely to come up during the CAC's chat with Dory.

If you have any other plans on Wed. afternoon May 1, cancel them as this is one seminar that you won't want to miss!

On behalf of all CAC members and the Cauliflower Alley Club, seminar coordinator Ron Hutchison would like to sincerely thank Marti and Dory Funk, "Dr. D." David Shultz, Brian Heffron, Joel Gertner and absolutely all of our learning series presenters and hosts for volunteering their time to contribute to the CAC's "Ring of Friendship" learning experience! Thank you all for being such a joy to work with.

*Please remember that entry into any CAC Learning Series event requires a 2019 CAC Reunion name badge and the purchase of a 2019 banquet ticket. There is to be absolutely no audio or video recording of the Learning Series event(s) without the express written consent of the Cauliflower Alley Club. Learning Series events are subject to change and/or cancellation without notice.

Mean Gene, born Eugene Arthur Okerlund, passed away, Jan. 2, 2019, at the age of 76. Born Dec. 19, 1942, in frigid Sisseton, South Dakota, he once told me, “The best thing I ever did was get away from those awfully cold winters and too-hot summers and move someplace warm like Florida where all my friends from the biz are already at anyway!”

Gene began his pro wrestling announcing and interviewing career almost by fluke. When Marty O’Neill, the legendary ring announcer for Verne Gagne’s* AWA promotion, briefly went on strike with others from the TV station where the AWA in-studio wrestling show was taped. Okerlund, an area rock ‘n’ roll radio disc jockey, got the call-up even though, “At the time, I knew little about pro wrestling.”

*From my 2000 radio show interview with Gene (I had him on a total of 14 times on various shows, the last being two years ago on the SiriusXM show I co-hosted):

“I was later in Verne’s back pocket. He knew I loved being around the boys and [I] was kind of a big mark once I was around wrestling. Plus, he knew he could count on me, so I did commentary on the matches at times, but as the years grew and Rodger Kent replaced Marty, I became the locker room interview guy. I added all the ballyhoo, hyperbole and name-dropping, which was my style anyway. It was all harmless fun and most of it wasn’t true as I’d all but wink-wink at the audience to let them in on the work. When Johnny Valiant and Hulk Hogan were brought into our AWA territory, we’d later become magic together, with him (Hogan) eventually starting all his promos by saying, ‘Well, you know, Mean Gene ...’ We’d do that routine everywhere — WWF, and later, even WCW and back. I had a blast everywhere, but WWF/ WWE really felt like home to me after all those years with Verne ... again in cold Minneapolis!”

“And as you know, Mike, Jesse Ventura came up with that name for me first. And it stuck and I forever had my niche there, and when Vince brought in Hogan, Jesse, David Schultz and myself, amongst others, and that was just the raid of AWA talent!”

The gregarious Okerlund did exactly that in dropping many names of people he idolized, but most likely, had never met when he first started doing promos for AWA shows. NFL names like Joe Montana, Dwight Clark for the Northern California market; Roger Staubach and Chuck Noll; Tommy Prothro and the NBA’s Kareem Abdul-Jabbar; plus Magic Johnson for Los Angeles and Southern California markets; George Steinbrenner (NY Yankees owner) when they hyped New York area shows, etc. And if you’re one of the boys of any era, you’ll never forget Gene at post-show after-parties. Also at TGIF at our CAC hotel, too! Some might remember Gene’s WWF “training” videos to hype a special TV tag match that paired him with Hulk Hogan, in which he literally got the eventual pin after Hogan “did all the ring work.” Gene was inducted into Vince McMahon’s* WWE Hall of Fame in 2006 and remained friends with everyone he traveled with on the road from Hogan to Savage, Beefcake, Ted DiBiase*, Ric Martel*, Tito Santana, Fabulous Moolah*, Wendi Richter, Roddy Piper*, and so many others. Just minutes after the news broke of Gene’s death, all the major stars from WWE and beyond, including Triple H, Ric Flair, Steve Austin,

Dwayne Johnson, Mick Foley*, Shawn Michaels*, were paying tribute. Utilityman Gene did so many things, but many wrestling fans have fond memories of his TV pairings with Bobby Heenan* and Gorilla Monsoon*. His gentle trash-talk and insult banter with Heenan ran the gamut from the AWA to the WWF, down to WCW and back to WWF when he and Heenan hosted their “gimmick battle royal” for a Wrestlemania, which was the very last match Heenan called before his aggressive throat cancer set in.

Gene also did wrestling commentary for the 1989 Hulk Hogan movie No Holds Barred. When Gene was first brought into the WWF, he did color commentary for the USA Sunday TV shows and was soon doing interview segments for house shows and Pay-Per-Views. Eventually, he also hosted the weekly desk segments hyping PPVs and angles on Pro Wrestling Challenge, Superstars, WWE Confidential, and many other shows for Vince McMahon Jr.* Zooming up to 2018, he interviewed stars like AJ Styles at RAW’s 25th anniversary show, as well as many of today’s younger stars like Sami Zahn and Kevin Owens/Steen. Those youngsters said they were just in awe of Gene.

Gene fell ill at the 2017 CAC reunion. He was to have shared on-stage MC duties with our lead master of ceremonies, Jim Ross. I’ve known Gene since 1977, when I covered the AWA for our U.S.-based newsstand magazines. When the WWF and WCW brought TV and pay-per-views to Northern California near me, I’d always trans Okerlund, along with our Hispanic TV announcer friends Pedro Morales* and Miguel Alonso, from the hotel to the arena and back. Gene was always the first to spring cash for gas and take us out for fast food hamburgers. He loved burgers so much that, 17 years ago, he paired up with a well-known Korean food firm to front his “Mean Gene’s Bite Burgers” restaurants around America. “Our burgers weren’t as good as Maurice* and Paul’s* Mad Dog Burger chain food, but we were close!” he told me. Gene also said he was a mark for all the AWA talent. “Man alive, we had the Baron*, the Vachons, Crusher Blackwell, Kenny Patera*, Duncum, the Blackjacks*, Pat — so many people I’ve loved and stayed in contact with as friends.”

Okerlund known by his pals as Gene-O, used to pay me extra to drive he and WWF(later also in WCW)’s Hispanic show announcers Luis Magana and Pedro Morales* after tv or pay-per-views to San Francisco’s famous North Beach Italian section so he could dine at either Original Joe’s, Little Joe’s or Francis Ford Coppola’s old Tomasso’s Pizzeria. Plus at Lorenzo Patrone’s Northbeach Café, Gene always received a free bottle of Chianti to take with him. I'm thankful Gene participated in my Greatest Announcers CAC seminar nearly three years ago along with Jim Ross*, beloved Lance Russell*, Jerry “The King” Lawler, Pepper Martin* (who I believe was wrestling’s first tv color-commentator and doing it while still wrestling in two territories at the same time: L.A./LeBell and S.F./Shire*!) and others.

Gene attended four recent Cauliflower Alley Club annual reunions, the first in 2009. In 2017, when the CAC’s lead seminar lecturer dropped out at the last minute, I was asked to fill in with my own program. Gene told me he’d assist me in any manner. Also on hand that year was Memphisand-beyond announcing legend Lance Russell, who was there as an honoree. When Jerry Lawler learned of that, he juggled his schedule to make sure he was there to support Lance. Also on the panel was Jerry Lawler, Jim Ross*, Gene Okerlund, Pepper Martin* (who I believe was American wrestling’s first color commentator in the early 70’s for both San Francisco/Roy Shire* and Los Angeles/Mike LeBell territories). Terry Funk*, JJ Dillon*, Jerry Brisco* & Ata Maivia* sat in the front row and their attention never wavered. Also in attendance was Akio Sato*, Alexis Smirnoff*, Brian Blair*, Greg Gagne*, Jim Brunzell* & Pat Patterson*.

Almost everyone in pro wrestling is emotional about the loss of memorable Mean Gene Okerlund. In addition to being an amazing interviewer and speaker, he was one of those only-in-wrestling colorful characters. RIP Gene-O. Say hello to Dick Lane, Jules Strongbow, Walt Harris, Marty O’Neill, Bobby Heenan*, and all your comrades up there.

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

The most asked question I get all the time, is what was it like working with all 6 CAC Presidents and all who were major stars and players in the wrestling world and one in the boxing world. All very different personalities and each with his own idea what they wanted the club to be or become.

In 1979 one of my partners in our wresting promotion called "6 Amigos" asked me if I wanted to go the Cauliflower Alley weekly luncheon in Hollywood. I had no idea what a Cauliflower Alley Club was. Sounded weird to me, but he said "let's go you will love it". When I walked in the first person you had to get by was Maria Bernardi*, she looked at me and said “hey kid, this is a private party no fans allowed”. Gory spoke and said "He is with me he is also the new promoter for the wrestling in San Pedro and Santa Ana - he’s ok". She said he needs another sponsor beside you, I asked if Leo Garibaldi was part of the club. I known had him for over 25 years. She yelled loud enough to hear 2 blocks away "hey Leo get your ass up a old friend wants to get in” Leo came up and said "Little Red, how are you man been years", Mike LeBell said you were going to promote some wrestling. With all the companies you own where in hell are you going have the time.

You know Gory, he will do most all, all I am going to do is the numbers and the publicity which I have a staff the does that for me. I’ll put the fannies in the seats; the talent better bring them back. He said you have not changed-all business. You will do good because you don’t intimidate and aren't overwhelmed by famous people.

When I walked into that room for the first time I was overwhelmed. This man, larger then anyone I ever knew, walked up and said “Welcome to the club kid, I’m Iron Mike Mazurki*. Just call me Mike. You got two great sponsors. They say I’m the President of the club but Art Abrams* here is really the boss and Maria you got by her already. She is the secretary". Over the next few months I got to know Art Abrams and Maria, one day I got a call to meet with Mike, Art and Maria for lunch at a restaurant owned by Baron Leone*. They asked me to become the club's business manager and work with them to build up the club membership. They had 368 members mostly in California. The members had to be either a wrestler, boxer or stuntman or a actor who had played one in the movies. No fans or family members could attend the lunches but could attend the annual awards providing they came with a member. I never knew that meeting was to be a short term for a year or two lasted 32 years. Here is my take on the six Presidents

Iron Mike Mazurki lived up to his name the gentle giant, one of the most caring and giving men I have ever known, he loved the weekly lunches, sometimes he would miss if he was on location filming he made over 100 major movies and countless TV shows but never acted or felt like a star, never knew who might show up with him sometimes, Hollywood loved mike and the stars came out when he called, but i remember his habit of helping wrestlers in need, the club had no money but mike always with cash would have one of us go pay the electric or someone’s rent or car payment sometimes just hand someone a envelope with a few hundred dollars and say when you get back on your feet help someone in need a huge man with heart that matched his body, mile passed away in late 1991.

Archie Moore*, World Light Heavyweight champion agreed to be the President for 6 months until we could find a wrestler but I really felt it was not his cup of tea. He just did not have the time with his gym and training camp in San Diego

Lou Thesz*, after several meetings, took the job and put

100% into

it. He made himself available for everything I asked him to do. His main thing was he wanted to move the banquets out of Los Angeles and establish a non profit status. He brought Tom* and Chris* Drake into the club as our VP's and legal council. They set up a 501(c)3 non-profit in Alabama and started the benevolent program with a $10,000 donation from the estate of Joe Malcewicz. Lou would talk to me almost daily and kept informed with all the progress of the club. Our membership had grown to over 2000 by then included those who had passed on. Lou always had time for you and he was the one who opened membership up to the fans feeling the benevolent program could not accomplish its goals without more active members. Lou Thesz remained President for 8 years when he asked if someone else would like to take the job as he had been asked to be part of the International Wrestling Institute and Museum in Newton Iowa. The pro wing was to be called the George Tragos Lou Thesz Hall of Fame. He recommended Red Bastien* who accepted and was confirmed by the board for the 2000 banquet.

Roland “Red” Bastien. I had known Red for 21 years as he was on the CAC board when I joined. During that time after leaving WWF he went to work for me taking over the booking that Gory Guerrero* was doing and working in my travel agency. We kind of used that as a CPW office also. No matter where you would see Red, he always had membership apps with him and he and Carol* were gone much more then anything, but he went to all the wrestling fan fests all the wrestling events if he was there and always had a supply of newsletters and apps with him. During his time, membership grew by several hundred. Even after the Alzheimer’s started he would still call at least once a week and ask "how is the CAC doing", Red was a great friend and a very caring person. He and Carol were a team that was unbeatable when it came to promoting the CAC. I never met a person who did not like and respect Red Bastien. When Carol told us, Red had to step down very soon, we knew who we hoped would take the CAC over. That was my second oldest friend in wresting-Nick Bockwinkel*. Nick and I first met in the summer of 1956. He was just getting started and I was working the Monday night wrestling show at the Pasadena arena running the concession stand. It was extra money while going to Pasadena City College. Nick had already been the hardest working board member for 8 years. He took care of all the supplies, set up the nostalgia room and was our good will ambassador in Vegas. Nick was a natural people person, and a total gentleman at all times. I had been working with him on the banquets for 8 years. He was the main reason our Vegas events were so successful, he made them a true ring of friendship. During his 8 years as President we talked several times a week and he never said "no", always gave the club 100% of his time and knowledge. Nick was a wonderful friend and I miss his wit and humor every day. A victim of that terrible Alzheimer’s. When Darlene told us it was time for Nick to retire, we did not have anyone in mind or on the board and I talked to several for advice and it was Harley Race who have you talked Brian Blair, he is as close to a Red Bastien as you will find, I really did not know Brian only casually from the CAC reunions, I called him ask him if he was interested in meeting with the board of directors and seeing if they liked him and if he felt he could work with them.

I retired in 2013 Brian runs the club as a full time active president.

A CORRECTION FROM THE LAST ISSUE

CAULIFLOWER ALLEy CLUB MEMBERSHIP

NEW RENEW

AMERICA ANNUAL:

$25 via Check*

$27.50 via Credit Card**

$28.50 via PayPal***

AMERICA LIFETIME:

$300 via Check*

$307 via Credit Card**

$312 via PayPal***

CANADA ANNUAL: (U.S. Funds)

$35 via Check*

$37.50 via Credit Card**

$38.50 via PayPal***

CANADA LIFETIME: (U.S. Funds)

$450 via Check*

$460 via Credit Card**

$467 via PayPal***

OVERSEAS ANNUAL: (U.S. Funds)

$45 via Money Order*

$47 via Credit Card**

$49 via PayPal***

OVERSEAS LIFETIME: (U.S. Funds)

$550 via Money Order*

$565 via Credit Card**

$570 via PayPal***

*To pay via Check or Money Order mail form to:

Cauliflower Alley Club 4138 187th Ave SE Issaquah, WA 98027

**To pay via Credit Card mail this form to above address with Credit Card information; or phone CAC at (425) 644-2658. Open seven days a week noon to 5pm Pacific Time.

***To pay via PayPal go to www.caulifloweralleyclub.org/shop and follow instructions.

Name _____________________________________________ Ring Name _________________________________________ Address ___________________________________________ City __________________ State _________ Zip __________

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2019 CAC BANQUET/BOCKWINKEL BLOWOUT

Gold Coast Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, NV

Blowout: APRIL 30, 2019 Banquet: MAY 1, 2019

Total number of Tickets You Wish to Order __________

PRINT & MAIL FORM TO:

CAULIFLOWER ALLEY CLUB 4138 187TH AVE SE ISSAqUAH, WA 98027 or Call in your Credit Card seven days a week, noon to 5pm PST (425) 644-2658

NO BANQUET TICKETS SOLD AT DOOR!

ALL ORDERS BY CHECK MUST BE IN U.S. FUNDS, INCLUDING CANADIAN and OVERSEAS ORDERS

TICKET OPTIONS

MEMBERS:

$125 per person by check for BOTH NIGHTS - Blowout & Banquet

MEMBERS:

$130 per person by credit card for BOTH NIGHTS - Blowout & Banquet

NON-MEMBERS:

$150 by check

$170 Canadian orders, $185 overseas orders

NON-MEMBERS:

$155 by credit card

$173 Canadian orders, $185 overseas orders

(only one non-member charge per immediate family is necessary)

(List the RING NAME of each person who will be using the tickets) PRINT NAME CLEARLY

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*To pay via Check or Money Order mail form to: Cauliflower Alley Club 4138 187th Ave SE Issaquah, WA 98027

**To pay via Credit Card mail this form to above address with Credit Card information; or phone CAC at (425) 644-2658.

Open Seven days a week noon to 5pm Pacific Time.

U.S. Postage Paid Peoria, IL Permit #376

54th Anniversary of The CAC Gold Coast Hotel/Casino, Las Vegas April 28th to May 1st 2019

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