SERVINGOURMEMBERS
EXECUTIVE BOARD
B. Brian Blair
Rich Ingling
Darla Staggs
Vance Nevada
David Lawson
Royal Duncan
ADVISORY BOARD
VACANT
Herb Simmons
Mark Charles III
Joe Dombrowski
Bob Cook
R Bruce Tharpe
Ricky Santana
INTHISISSUE
SpecialRecognitionforMickFoley
CACrecognizesringlegend’sincrediblegenerosity
The Cauliflower Alley Club was excited to announce that we would honor Mick Foley with the Iron Mike Mazurki Lifetime Achievement Award, the Club’s highesthonorsatthe59thReunion,but now we can reveal that we had an ulterior motive for ensuring that Mick made it to Las Vegas this year.
Foley has been an active fundraiser for the club, donating the proceeds from his own merchandise sales throughout theyeartosupporttheCACBenevolent Fund, a dedicated account which is allocated to provide financial support to wrestlers in need. It’s a cause that is near and dear to Foley’s heart.
Sitting down for a one-on-one interview withCACExecutiveBoardmemberand webmaster David Lawson, Mick shared why the Club means so much to him.
“It’s a great organization,” says Mick. “The only registered charitable organization whose goal is to take care of wrestlers in need.”
“Icouldeasilybewalkingintheirshoes”, said Mick, reflecting on the physical toll his in-ring style has meant for his own well-being and considering the struggles of so many others after years of labor between the ropes. “I wanna give back.”
Over the past year alone, Mick raised more than $25,000 for the club through his own t-shirt sales and his participationinotherreunion-relatedfundraising activities.
Given his continued visibility and his relationships with fans and wrestlers alike, he felt that he was in a unique position to support the club, which helps so many of his peers each year.
“I’ve got this platform where I can tell not only wrestling fans but my colleagues who don’t know what CAC is about,” says Mick. “The guys now are driving the roads that we re-paved after driving down the roads that were paved by the others before us. So, it just makes sense.”
In recognition of his unprecedented generosityandselflessness,theExecutive Board surprised Mick with an additional honor -- a new award named in his honor “The Mick Foley Philanthropy Award”.
This award will be issued to members and other individuals whose support of their fellow members through the Ring of Friendship demonstrates the values upon which our club was built.
The inscription on the award reads:
Cauliflower Alley Club Mick Foley Philanthropy Award
Presented To MICK FOLEY
In Recognition of Your Generosity and Undying Support of the Cauliflower Alley Club and its Benevolent Fund, the Members and Board of Directors Hereby Honor You with the Mick Foley Philanthropy Award During this 59th Reunion.
After a lifetime of unforgettable acts in servicetowrestlingfans,Mickhasbeen undeniable in his support for the wrestling industry with his contributions to the club, which will be paid forward to his peers through the benevolent fund for months andyears to come.
We are grateful to Mick Foley and to all those who give so generously of themselves, their time, their effort and their financial support in aid of members of thewrestlingcommunitywho have sacrificedsogreatlyandnowareinneedof some support.
Thank you, Mick.
- Vance Nevada
Dear CAC Members,
It’s a feeling that I can’t shake. I felt it when we were together at the reunion and it has stayed with me since I have returned home.
I am absolutely in awe of you -- the members that gather each year at our reunion, those who support the club’s mission throughout the year, andtheoverwhelminggenerosityof thosewhounderstandthevalueand importance of the mission that we undertake. I cannot state it strongly enough that we simply could not do any of this without YOU.
At the reunion and on the pages of this newsletter, you have learned about the contributions that Mick Foley has made personally to the club. It’s almost overwhelming to consider his generosity. It is efforts like these that will ensure that we are able to accommodate so many
B. Brian Blair
requests throughout the year for those who may not have been so fortunate during their ring careers --or for whom life has thrown an unexpected curve ball and they just need a hand to get back on track. Our work as a club touches many livesanditsadutythatwecarryout with great pride.
But I am also grateful to the people who directly support the planning and delivery of the reunion each year. It’s a small, dedicated group of Advisory and Executive Board members (and volunteers that they recruit) that manage every facet of the member experience at the reunion. And while some of those roles are apparent and have a direct touch point with the members, many of these tasks are carried out in the background. They don’t do it for the recognition, to be praised, but simply out of their belief in the missionoftheclubandtheirsincere
intention to help.
I can’t help but see it everywhere I turn. Your heart is showing. I’m reminded in every interaction why I first got involved with the Club and why I continue to serve as a member of the Executive Board.
Soon, we will look ahead to a club milestone -- our 60th annual reunion -- to be held in 2026. But at thismoment,Ijustwanttotaketime to acknowledge and thank all who make this club what it is.
Keep buzzing,
B. Brian Blair President and CEO
Over the past year, the CAC benevolent fund granted more than $112,000 in support to members of the wrestling community for medical and other urgent needs.
FamilyandFriendshipCelebrated Recappingthe59thAnnualReunion
Every year when we gather for the annual reunion, the strong bond that connects us allis apparent.Those relationships were even more evident this year as we saw brothers and sisters, husbands and wives, sons and daughters take the stage to assist in celebrating this year’s honorees. Each of them left us with more than we expected and somenewstoriesaboutsomeofourfavorite people in the wrestling business that we hadn’t heard before. For those who missed it, here were some of the highlights.
Think about the little breaks and how they add up.
“You keep hitting away, never knowing when the big breaks will come, but the little breaks are just as important,” Mick Foley shared.
Recounting his earliest days in the game under the tutelage of Dominic Denucci, through his formative years in Memphis, his early opportunities in WCW and Japan, Mick took us on a journey through his own eyes of a career with a lot of unexpected twists and turns and creating opportunities where none were intended.
For instance, his arrival in WCW was intended to be a six week stay, one of
a series of monster heels introduced to build up Sting’s status in the company, however, after a particularly poignant promo in the presence of Dusty Rhodes,theformerCactusJackshares that Dusty stepped forward to say “I think we’re gonna keep you around for a while”
Looking back on his life and career, he is grateful for the journey and the lessons along the way.
“There were a lot of well-meaning old timers who had pegged for a wheel chair by the age I am now and I’m so lucky to be standing here today,” said Mick as he took the stage to accept the Mike Mazurki LifetimeAchievement Award.
* * * * * * * * Be the first to break the house.
When a young Nattie Neidhart declared to her father that her aspiration was to pursue the family business, he was not initially warm to the idea, recognizing the hard life and rough treatment that women of his era had perceived. But seeing his daughter’s determination, he led with this advice:
“Be the first to break the house,” Jim Neidhart advised. “When you’re done,
be able to leave neither broke nor broken.”
“I’m still working on that, daddy,” Natalya shared with the CAC audience.
Standing at the podium as the first femalewinneroftheLouTheszaward,she beamed as she recounted how much her grandfatherStuHartlovedtheCAC and looked forward to attending the reunions.Theclubmeantsomuchtohim.
“When I got the call [for this honor] it was so surreal,” she admits. “From the girlthatjustwantedsobadtobreakin,I now stand as the woman who made it.” * * * * * * * * Go For It. The Sky’s The Limit.
There was no denying Santos Escobar’s admiration for his father, El Phantasma when he took the stage.
“WhenI toldmyfatherthat thisiswhatI wantedtodo-thatIwantedtobeasuccessful wrestler inAmerica. He told me ‘Go for it! The sky’s the limit’. That’s my dadinanutshell--asaman,asawrestler, and now as a commissioner. This is one of the greatest honors to share the stage with the man who taught me wrestling, lucha libre andlife.”
El Phantasma was on hand with many members of his family to accept the 2025 Lucha Libre award.
* * * * * * * *
Have a Match They’ll Be Talking About20Years from Now.
A week after a showdown between Abdullah the Butcher and Bruiser Brody where Joel Goodhart had issued the above instruction, he did have a moment of regret when he received the bill for the damages incurred by the two wild men of the ring.
“It was $2,800 in broken tables and chairs,”recallsGoodhart.“Andthatwas in 1986.”
Goodhart, one of two recipients of the 2025 Courage Award, has struggled with the consequences of diabetes and not heeding doctor’s orders. As a result, he has lost a leg, a kidney, and is functioning with two stents in his heart. Still, he shared that he felt fortunate to be honored alongside a roster of men that once topped the bill on cards that he promoted in the 1980’s and 1990’s.
* * * * * * * *
The dinner was fantastic. Then I got stretched for two hours.
The CAC’s third ever Independent Wrestling honoree, Steve Rivers is boisterous between the ropes, but kept his remarks short and sweet on the microphone.Amusing all with a tale of his introduction to the Hart family and an invitation to dinner at the Hart House.
“The dinner was fantastic,” he told us. “By that I mean, I was on the floor and stretched by Stu for two hours after the meal. And I thought ... this is great. I’m on my way to becoming a professional wrestler.”
* * * * * * * *
ForYour Students, You Wanna Give Them the BestYou Got.
Introduced to the stage by his brother, Bruce Prichard to accept the Ron Hutchison trainer’s award, Tom’s path to wrestling stardom started down a most uncommon path. He started as a ringside photographer, referee and assistant director working under Houston promoterPaulBoeschbeforehegotthe chance to step in the ring to train for a ring career himself.
After a successful career in his own right, his patience and mentorship of ambitious talent that were hungry to learn eventually landed him a role as the first official coach in the WWE’s developmental system. Prichard is credited with mentoring the careers of Mark Henry, KurtAngle, Dave Batista, Randy Orton, Kofi Kingston, Bray Wyatt, The BellaTwinsandNatalya amongdozens of others.
Humbly, Prichard deflected the praise showered on him by the attendees. “I was fortunate to work with many great coaches to help me along, including BradArmstrong.”
Dad, I Never Knew He Was There.
The Orton wrestling legacy is among one of the sport’s greatest families, but the career of Bob Orton Jr. may not have begun if not for the instistence of his father. Bob’s sister Rhonda shared that when tryouts opened for amateur wrestlingwhenJuniorwas twelveyears old, he didn’t want to participate. But soon after getting his start on the mat, he discovered an aptitude for the sport whichwouldeventuallyseehimlabelled by Gorilla Monsoon as the ‘Excellence of Execution” (before the phrase was synonymous with Bret Hart).
Even though he trained under the likes of Hiro Matsuda and Karl Gotch - recognized as some of the most disciplined wrestlers of their era, Orton Sr. was still cautious when the time came for his son’s debut and he was to be paired against a wrestler with a reputation for hurting his opponents. Senior warned: ‘You hurt even a hair on my son’s head, and I’m gonna kill ya.”
Followingthematch,hecheckedinwith his son to see how the experience was with the opponent. Bob replied ‘Dad, I never knew he was there’.
Orton attended to accept the Men’s wrestling award, his second CAC honor. Previously, the CAC presented the Family Award to the Orton wrestling clan.
* * * * * * * *
Thank all of you for hating my father.
Delivering his comments via a pre-
recorded message, Justin Race was unable to attend the reunion in person due to his mother’s recent illness, but addressed the audience through pre-recorded comments to accept the Posthumous award honors on behalf of his father - the late Harley Race.
“Dad, was one of the best heels ever -and that came directly from the people in the seats,” Justin said.
Attending in person, Attila Khan was humbled and honored to be appointed to the assignment to accept the award for his mentor, boss and good friend.
Well my partner, hewas abit rough in the face ...
The irrepressible Bushwhacker Luke brought the crowd to uproarious laughter multiple times as he accepted the 2025 Tag Team Award for the Bushwhackers on behalf of himself and his late partner, Butch Miller.
Giving people a whirlwind account from their early days in New Zealand and travelling about the South Pacific, to their arrival in North America and ultimately landed with the WWE in 1988, he expressed his gratitude for a career that had allowed him and one of his dearest brothers in the sport to travel the world -- From humble beginnings to wrestling’s largest stage.
“Butch played rugby, you know,” explained Luke, “It gave him bad knees and he was a bit rough in the face.”
Luke also used his time at the podium to credit Hulk Hogan for propelling the sport from Saturday morning television to a proven prime time attraction, that has created the opportunities for so many in the decades since.
* * *
Stu Hart Saved My Life
Abdullah the Butcher created such fear in fans around the world that it was not uncommon for a ringsider to require medical aid from the mere sight of him. But it was Abdullah that once faced a criticalmedicalsituationuponhisarrival in the Calgary territory.
A call from home had alerted him to the death of his nephew due to a motor vehicle accident in a car that Abdullah had bought for him. The sudden flood ofemotionscausedananxietyatticand he was discovered on the floor of his hotel room by Stu Hart who summoned immediate medical aid and vowed to keep the situation a secret. Abdullah shared that Stu had never mentioned a word of it, and he was glad to share the tale for the first time for those attending the reunion.
Fans were delighted to spend time with the ‘Madman from the Sudan’, attending to accept the CAC’s International Award over the three days of the reunion. Sharing with the wrestling legend what an impact he had on them as fansandthefearthatheplantedintheir hearts. Fellow honoree, Mick Foley was also quick to identify the influence that Abdullah had as one of the sport’s most prolific “monster heels” a dynamic
which is largely missing from today’s wrestling landscape.
* * * * * * * *
AFight,APassion, andAPurpose
By her own admission, Jazz had no idea what route her career would take when she first started her foray into the world of professional wrestling, but she entered the ring with a fight, a passion and a purpose.
Though fans may best remember and recite her achievements in the ring, she told the crowd on hand that she holds even greater pride for the victories that she accomplished outside the ring. Breaking stereotypes, kicking down doors and hoping to inspire other women, especially young black women to dare to believe “Maybe I can do this too.”
After more than two decades in the sport,sheisgratefulforherjourneyand leftthenextgenerationwithamessage.
“Neverbeafraidtobedifferent.Bebold. Fightforyourplaceandbeundeniable.”
* * * * * * * *
ALifelong Fan of Wrestling
The familiar, smiling face of Wayne PalmerhasbecomeastapleoftheCAC reunion each year, so it’s fitting that he was honored with the 2025 Red Bastien Friendship Award. Over the years, Wayne has made many friends through
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theclub,including GLOWalumnus, Patricia Summerland, who introduced him to the podium and was the first to congratulate him on his honors. Wayne’s photos have also appeared in The Ear, including this issue.
* * * * * * * *
I chased a dream and now I live it.
Herb Simmons has lived and breathed professional wrestling for 52 years and is among one of the longest serving wrestling promoters in the country. Heading Southern Illinois Championship Wrestling, the list of names that have graced his ring over the decades could fill this full issue and carry on to the next. Herb attended this year’s reuniontoaccepttheKarlLauerIndependent Wrestling Promoter’s award.
Having the opportunity to enter the sport under the tutelage of St. Louis’ Sam Muchnick, Simmons was brought up to honor the age-old secrets of the sport and learn the strategies to build a successful wrestling operation.
Crediting the talent and bookers that he has worked with over the years and also the support of his wife, who has made all of his endeavours and success possible.
This honor is Herb’s second visit to the CACstage.HetookhometheRedBastien FriendshipAward in 2021. *
This is a little too dangerous ...
Whenoneconsiderstheperil thatChris Beyhasexperiencedthisyear,theaudience chuckled to hear that in his youth, ChrisBeygaveupskateboarding,ashe thoughtitwastoodangerous,andcould jeopardize his future aspirations inside the squared circle.
Since age three, Bey dreamed of nothing else but becoming a professional wrestler.Startingwithactionfiguresand evolvingtocollectingDVDs,hecommitted fully to finding a school and sacrificing whatever he needed to in order to get his break. That opportunity came about a year into his pro career when he was signed withTNAwrestling.
His career trajectory changed immediatelyonOctober27,2024whenhewas injured during a television taping and later reported to have broken his neck. TheinjuryrequiredaC6-C7neckfusion and a C6-T1 spinal cord repair. It was believedthathewouldneverwalkagain.
“Idon’tknowhowI’msupposedtofeel,” Bey said of his thoughts while laying in ahospitalbedimmediatelyfollowingthe injury. “But this is day one. What does my future look like?”
Through six days a week of intensive physical therapy, Bey has regained many of his abilities and drew a standing ovation from the CAC crowd when he was able to walk on stage to accept one of two CAC Courage Awards issued at the reunion.
The next time someoneasks me for mywrestling historian diploma, I’ll show them this.
The first ever tag team to claim the James C. Melby Historian award honors -- Bertrand Hebert and Pat Laprade -- were introduced to the stage by broadcasterArda Ocal.
Patsharedthatoneofthechallengesof being a historian is finding the truthin a century of mythandlegend that isoften largely invented.
“They simply don’t understand how hard it is to research pro wrestling,” Pat said. “To research the truth in a businessthat’sbeentellingalieforsomany years.”
Still, the partnership has endured close to two decades and they have collaborated on multiple books and projects together, primarily focused on the rich legacy of professional wrestling in Quebec and the stars that the Province has produced or molded.
“I was fortunate to meetthe heroes and villains who made me a lifelong fan as we strived to keep their memories and stories alive,” added Bertrand.
Fifteen honorees were celebrated at the59thannualreunion,andmorethan ever evidence of the interwoven journeys and relationships of our members across generations were told on stage.
- Vance Nevada
SomanyThankYousareowed
TheunsungheroesoftheCACReunion
Each year, there are many people who step up to ensure that the three days of the CAC Reunion are memorable, engaging and funforall.TheExecutiveBoardwouldliketothankallwhoparticipateinwaysthatattendees canseeandfeel,butalsothosewho volunteer their time, effort and network to ensure theevent is a success.This includes the volunteers at the registration table, the hospitality roomcoordinator,the vendorswhoparticipateinthe event,theadvertisingsales coordinatorfor the event program,the sponsors that support the event, our honoree presenters, our national anthem singers, our masters of ceremonies, our raffle belt craftsmen who create stunning one-of-a-kind pieces for a club member to take home each year, our seminar coordinators and participants, the WWE for their perpetual support each year, and of course our members who make the CAC Reunion a standing engagement in their calendar each year to join us in the ring of friendship as we honor and celebrate the men and women of this great industry. We’ve included photos of a few here, but there are so many others who contribute. We thank you.
MyFirstCACReunionExperience
been friends with through social media buthavenevermet.Forme,itwaspeople like Ron Hutchison, Bobby Bass, Michelle Starr, Nathan Burke and Desiree Peterson.
I could talk at length about any of the educational and social gatherings: the seminars, the meet and greets, the awards banquets and of course, the extra-curricularactivities.Attheheartof alloftheseandtheentireReunionitself though, was the people. That is what impressed me, that is what “sold” me and that is why I say, “thank you”.
ThankyoutotheExecutive,totheorganizers, to the fans and to all my Brothers and Sisters who made my first time a fulfilling and memorable experience thatwasworththewait.Ihopeitwasas good for me as it was for you.
DoYou RememberYour FirstTime?
Well, do you? Were you nervous? Unsure of what it would be like? Are you building it up in your head too much? Are you doing things right? How would it feel? Will it be special and memorable? I mean, everyone has to have a first one, right?!
While everyone’s individual experience may vary, I can speak from firsthand experience when I say that after years and years of procrastinating, my first time attending a Cauliflower Alley Club Reunion this past August in Las Vegas lived up to my lofty expectations.
Want to network for future opportunities? The Reunion is your place. Want to meet and sit under the “Learning Tree” of a who’s who of pro wrestling veterans and legends? The Reunion is your place. Want to do that in the Entertainment Capital of theWorld?Then, my friend, The Reunion is your place!
As a 29-year veteran of the wrestling business, I have been blessed to have worked around the world with many amazingpeople.Unfortunately,withthe transient nature of what we do, we can form bonds and friendships with others and then go years without seeing them in person.
The Reunion gave me the opportunity to reconnect with friends and mentors I had not seen in 10, 20 and even 23 years! Ricky Santana, Fidel Sierra, Fantasy, Bushwhacker Luke Williams and Dr. Tom Pritchard all had roles in my development at some stage of my career. It was great to see them, share some stories and say, “thank you”, for taking the time and believing in me.
Just as great, was being able to meet those you have heard about, or have
Until next year.
-AndyAnderson
Andy Anderson, (not to be confused with Andrew), has been wrestling since 1996 including time with IWA Puerto Rico, CMLL (Mexico), BattleArts (Japan), All Star Wrestling (England), plus matches for the WWE, WCW and ROH. He is a newly minted member of the Club.
SPOTLIGHTINGOUTSTANDINGCONTRIBUTORSINCACHISTORY
OnTheHotSeat:MickFoleyGetsRoasted
The Cauliflower Alley Club continues to find new events to draw fans to its annual gathering. At the 59th reunion in Las Vegas, NV, the club held its first roastinmanyyearswithguestofhonor, Mick Foley.
TheLegendsRoastservedasanopener to the week’s festivities. Organizers brought together a panel of former professional wrestlers and comedians to spend an evening making fun of and telling stories about the beloved Mick Foley, this year’s recipient of the CAC Iron Mike Mazurki award.
FellowwrestlersBrianBlair,CACPresident, the Grappler Len Denton, Greg “The Hammer” Valentine, Dave Sierra the Cuban Assassin, the Godfather Charles Wright, Missy Hyatt, Jimmy Hart, Ricky Santana, and Katie Lea each had a turnto lay into Foley.
The lineup of comedians included roast master Bob Zany, Alonzo Bodden, Kathleen Dunbar, Chicago Steve Barkley, Frank Nicotero, Susan Jones, Frazier Smith,Todd Royce,andMatt Lund. As each of these jokesters took to the microphone they first busted on all the other wrestlers and comedians before ever starting to rip on Foley.
The night became one long laugh. There wasn’t any time to catch your breath as you were hit with another punch line.
“It’s always interesting to try some-
thing new and different,” said the 2025 CAC Karl Lauer Independent Promoter awardwinnerHerb Simmons. “Ibelieve it takes a special individual like a Mick Foley to roast. The crowd seemed to enjoy and after all, they paid to be entertained.”
Nearly every person that told jokes reallydidtheirbesttoblastHyatt.Attimes itfeltlikemorethanenough.Theformer manager/valet got her turn to respond and gave it back to the comedians in spades. Hyatt said, “I haven’t seen this disappointing of a lineup since Vince Russo booked a TNApay-per view.”
Wright remarked that when he thinks about the three faces of Foley – Cactus Jack, Mankind, and Dude Love – it reminds him of porn star names. Then
came some good jokes playing off the catch phrases Foley has used in his career.
ItwasBoddenthattookMVPhonorsfor the best comedic set of the night. The man laid it out very simply for everyone as he went on a rant about this event. Bodden made fun of everyone and everything surrounding the roast. From the age of those involved, to the wrestlers, fellow comedians, and even the fans.
Bodden said he felt like his career was ending in real time. Bodden was at the Tom Brady Roast and said, “Now look at me.” He had to Google the wrestlers involved to find out about them and asked Lea what she was doing here and advised getting out while she still could. Bodden said he wasn’t going to make fun of Foley because he had suffered enough already, and he let Zany know that their friendship is over.
Foley said at the show’s conclusion he was happy to be part of it because the money was going to the CAC. Foley saidhewantstohelpbringmoreawareness of the organization to the fans.
It was definitely an event that was a lot offun.Itmayhaveranalittlelongerthan needed and one suggestion heard was to not have as many comedians and let the wrestlers have more time. I’m sure the CAC will at least be thinking about having another roast next year.
- Ty R. States
Titlevs.TitleShowdownLooming?
Eachyear,theCACRaffleBeltisamongoneofthemostpopularfundraisersofthereunion.Thisyear,throughthegeneroussupport of two donors, we doubled up. The Reunion title belt, crafted by Kevin at Legacy Belts in the U.S. was won by Josh Belkin, whilethecommemorative“ThreeFaces ofFoley”belt,craftedbyGavinatMainEventBeltsintheU.K.wastakenhomebyJames Carter (aka Stone Keezy).
Ear is the official publication of the CauliflowerAlley Club, published quarterly as a member benefit, and is delivered to all of our annual and lifetime members around the globe.
“I’llgetyounexttimeLeroux! Nexttime!”
An internationalgrudge match played out at the annual CAC Reunion cribbage tournament with Vancouver, Washington’s Stuart Kemp going to toe to toe with Pierrefonds, Quebec’s Yves Leroux. California’s Joe Sousa raised the hand of the victor. But we expect that a rematch may be in store for the 2026 tournament at the 60th reunion.
Cauliflower
“What do ya mean ‘you missed the Reunion’? Now you’re gonna have to wait ‘til the 60th!”
