November 3, 1972

Some of the biggest hotbeds of the Midwest for professional wrestling were cities like Omaha, Des Moines, Kansas City, Wichita and, of course, St. Joseph (or, as we called it, ... St. Joe).

St. Joe was the home of such greats as Ronnie Etchison, Jody Hamilton, Sonny Meyers and, of course, Gust Karras, the promoter of All Star Wrestling every Friday evening at the City Auditorium.

In its heyday, it was not uncommon to see overflow crowds at every match that was there. It was a mixture of city people, business people, farmers and factory workers that came to enjoy seeing their favorites walk away from the ring as victors.

It was just the month before that in Kansas City that I lost the services of Black Angus. He decided to go his own way and be a crowd favorite as the people were definitely behind the bearded Scotsman. They called him their NEW HERO and gave him all the accolades to accompany the new image he had.

I parked my new Cadillac on a side street near the auditorium and began the walk across the street to the sheriff’s office to be escorted to the arena. The local deputies had seen a good side of me and offered their help in getting me to and from the building in one piece without causing riots. We arrived at the side entrance, and I was whisked into the building between two huge officers, followed by Roger "Nature Boy" Kirby.

I was told by security that nearly 2000 people had been turned away at the box office because there was no room for them in the seats. Extra bleachers had been built at both ends of the main floor so they could have more room for fans to sit.

I was taken to my dressing room at the far end of the locker room areas and began to warm up for the big match that evening. I stopped long enough to chat with Roger and then to Juan Sebastian and the Destroyer (Stan Pulaski). We talked about different ideas on winning matches and new holds that could be used to do just that.

Before you knew it, the opening bell rang, and Billy Howard headed towards the ring to face Omar Atlas. Atlas had been seeking revenge for a match he lost to Billy the week before. Billy had been showing a bit of roughness in his style, and the fans were not happy with his turning his back on them.

I had told Billy in a short meeting about three weeks before, that it didn't matter who liked you and who didn't. It mattered how much of the winnings you took home at the end of the night. They wrestled to a 20-minute draw, and, at the end, Billy left Omar in a crumpled mass in the center of the ring.

Next, Les Thornton, the pugnacious bulldog from Manchester, England, met The Destroyer in one of the best matches of the opening card events. The Destroyer made quick work of the bulldog by outwitting him at his own game of psychology and stupidity. Les Thornton was the only guy that I knew that could go into a revolving door and come out on the wrong side.

Ronnie Etchison was welcomed by the sellout crowd with open arms and easily beat Bobby Whitlock with a full nelson and pin using his legs. It was a hold that Ronnie got from Ernie Dusek while wrestling in Omaha.

Betty Niccoli defended her Ladies NWA United States Championship against a very rough Belle Star from San Antonio, Texas. I have to hand it to Betty; she was a fierce warrior inside those ropes once the bell rang. Betty won with a classic hold, the Bow and Arrow.

Following a long intermission, a six-man tag match made up the semi-main event for the evening. Juan Sebastian, Billy Howard and The Destroyer met Danny Littlebear, Omar Atlas and Les Thornton. Littlebear and Sebastian, the team captains, had not had to do double duty earlier and were very fresh and full of energy.

To be continued....

Percival A. Friend, Retired
The Epitome of Wrestling Managers
2004 CAC Honoree