CAC Benevolent Fund

St. Mary's, Ohio

Yesterday, I took to the road again like an old cement sailor. I was to be a guest of Midwest Championship Wrestling at a huge card in St. Mary's, Ohio. Big Jim Lancaster had promoted and wrestled on many cards under that banner for many years.

Today's card would be headlined by current WWE star Al Snow, going against Bad Brian Beech from Gainesville, Florida. The setting was the McBroom High School Gym.

As I traveled down Interstate 75 south towards Wapakoneta, Ohio, home of Neil Armstrong, an astronaut in the early stages of space exploration. After about two hours of travel, I turned off the Interstate and proceeded west another 10 miles to the St. Mary's exit. It was nearing noon, and I was scheduled to be at an afternoon banquet and get-together for all the former stars of MCW.

It was 12:15 as I turned into the drive of the restaurant selected by Jim and his wife to be the start of a wonderful day. One by one, the guys began to arrive and exchange hugs and handshakes. The first to come forward was one of the original Flying Tigers that wrestled under the MCW banner. Larry Wilson and his partner, Carl Ben Patrick, were the first tag team champs in the MCW area, winning that title on 6/27/86.

Greg Lake made his way towards me, and oh how happy I was to see him again. I had been a part of cards in the Chicago area for Championship International Wrestling with him and his manager Cody Steele. Greg had been a part of MCW for nearly 25 years and was their first Heavyweight Champ, getting crowned on 10/31/81. He brought his father and son with him to join in the festivities.

Next came Dave Burzynski, who managed under the name of Dave Drason, the next to come forward to me. We had been friends for nearly 40 years, and I had not seen him since the last CAC get-together in Las Vegas in April 2003. Mark Bujan of Legend's Entertainment Group, from Holly, Michigan, and Rob, his friend from Detroit, were with Dave, and they carried a lot of nostalgic programs and papers with them to share. How great it was to see them again.

I turned, and there was Scott DiMoer from Motor City Wrestling, a good friend that I had the opportunity to meet at the Legends matches in Birch Run, Michigan last year. He is currently also a trainer with NWA/TNA in Nashville during his time he is not involved with the promotions end of MCW.

About 30 more people from the governing groups of independent wrestling territories were also a part of this afternoon's event as guests of Jim Lancaster and MCW. They were there to get a first hand glimpse of some of the young talents that would be on tonight's card.

The room suddenly got very quiet and reverent as Mickey Doyle made his way in with Al Snow and his son Jacob. Mickey and I go back to the late 60's, when he emerged from Lou Klein's Gym and became the rookie of the year with Big Time Wrestling and World Wide Sports. Mickey and I have been in contact with each other over the years by phone and the Internet. It's really amazing that he has not aged in the last 30 years since we were a part of the Kansas City promotion.

It was if time stood still as Al Snow went around the room saying hello to everybody there. I really envy this great talent of the WWE, as he had come in from a recent tour of the Far East and California just the night before and had very little sleep before making the short drive down from Lima to St. Mary's. I only wish I had the energy that these people have.

Following the invocation by Jim Lancaster, the audience began a feast of Chinese and American foods prepared by the best chefs in St. Mary's. I had Sweet and Sour Chicken with rice and soup.

Following the dinner, we were treated to some videos brought in by various people in attendance. Some were shot with 16mm and some with regular camcorders and preserved on VHS for all time to enjoy.

We honored Sgt. Bobby Golden posthumously at this dinner, as his son had to leave early. Dave Drason gave a speech about the terminology and how those words are often misled by people not in the business. He has not lost his touch, even after all these years, with being very vociferous and long-winded. I sat in awe of this spokesman who delivered non-stop verbiage for nearly a half an hour.

Dave was to also be the guest announcer at the matches and present the Hall of Fame certificates to those being honored. Al Snow came to the mike and carried on the tradition of being on track with quick deliveries and humor about life in general.

To be continued…

Percival A. Friend, Retired
The Epitome of Wrestling Managers