Wild Bill White

This weekend, I received a call from a friend that I had made at the Cauliflower Alley Club reunions over the past few years. He was very happy and elated at the fact that he would be in the group of people honored at the 41st annual convention in Las Vegas in June of 2006.

Bill White had impressed me with the art of being a cribbage player from way back. He also impressed me with the fact that he had been in the wrestling business for a lot of years. I am very happy for him getting the nod, as I was the one that had nominated him for the award. He is a very deserving and humble guy.

This is his story … as it was sent to me.

********************************************************

The "Wild Bill" White Story 1964-2005

It all started back in 1964 when I was in Florida, helping coach wrestling with John Heath at a Catholic high school in Sarasota. I went up to Tampa to a youth camp that was run by Eddy Graham to put on a wrestling demonstration. While there, I was asked to go and see a pro wrestling event at the Sportatorium. I was set up for a tryout because I was told I had potential of being a professional wrestler.

Cowboy Luttrell and Eddy Graham sent me to Tennessee. I arrived in Nashville and was met there by promoter Nick Gulas. I remained there for a year. I wrestled guys like Johnny Long, Whitey Caldwell, Don and Al Green, and my biggest critic and mentor, Les Thatcher. At this time, I was advised to go seek other experiences. So, I went west to the Gold Coast of California.

I hooked up with Roy Shire, and he put me on the next card. I wrestled Ray Stevens, Pat Patterson, Peter Maivia and Mr. Fuji. I gained a lot of knowledge and experience. I was asked by Ray and Roy to go to L.A. to wrestle for Gene LeBell. This was the start of my wrestling career. I wrestled in Southern California from 1965 thru 1967. Then, I went to New York.

While in the Northeast, I met up with Gorilla Monsoon and Joe Scarpa, whom I met earlier while learning in Florida. They helped me get an interview with Vince McMahon Sr. I wrestled in the New England area for the WWWF. I had the opportunity to wrestle people like Victor Riviera, Don Muraco, Johnny Rodz and Jimmy Valiant. I finished up in 1981 and was looking for a new territory to go.

I called Jerry Prater in Tampa, Florida, and he informed me that Cowboy Luttrell had passed away, and Eddy Graham was in charge now. I called and asked if I could come in to wrestle. He told what he needed, and I was satisfied with that. So, I proceeded on down to Florida, where I wrestled for about another year.

I was told I could perform in any territory. At this time, I went to Georgia Championship Wrestling. I met some of the greats there, like Bob Armstrong, Darrell Cochran, Bill Dromo, Sandy and George Scott, Billy Spears, Steve Williams, Buddy Colt and Jerry Stubbs. I stayed in Georgia almost a year and moved again.

This time, I went north to the Mid-Atlantic area. To my surprise, I met up with George and Sandy Scott. They put a good word in for me with Jim Crockett Sr. At that time, John Ringling was doing the book. They told me that, if the Scotts recommended me, that was enough. Jim Crockett kept me in the Carolinas, and I remained here to this day.

While here, Jim sent me to wrestle in other places like Dallas, for Fritz Von Erich. While I was there, I had the opportunity to wrestle for Joe Blanchard and also Paul Boesch. The thing that I liked about Mr. Boesch is, he gave his word and kept his word, just like Jim Crockett, Sr. I liked the way these men promoted their territories and their men. Never putting their men down, always building them up. While in Houston, Texas, I got to meet one of the best action photographers and publicity shots, and that was Alice Marie.

She always worked hard and always had tenacity for her work. While in Texas, the late great Wahoo McDaniel helped get me booked in Puerto Rico. Went in and out of Puerto Rico for nine months and enjoyed the tremendous talent they had on their cards. I would like to mention that, while in Puerto Rico, I wrestled as one of the Masked Medics, and, while in the Carolinas, I wrestled as the Blue Demon, Destroyer and the Scorpion.

I returned to the Carolinas, stayed for six or seven months, and I was sent to Oklahoma for Wally Karbo. Was there a short time and received a call from Verne Gagne, so I went to Minnesota and wrestled for about another year. I was around some of the greats like Bobby "The Brain" Heenan, Greg Gagne, Jesse "The Body" Ventura, Black Jack Lanza and Jerry Blackwell.

In 1987, I finished wrestling full time and began a career in private enterprise.

To summarize, I wrestled for 24 years, traveling to many foreign countries like Japan, Europe, Australia and New Zealand. I was glad to have had the opportunity to demonstrate my talent throughout the world. It is good to say I wrestled when men were revered and honored for who they were. I could go on to name other wrestlers that I respected, like Klondike Bill, Bruce Swayze, Ricky Osborne, Billy Howard, Maurice Williams, and the man that I truly think of as a brother, Mike Pappas.

In closing, I would like to say all these men will always have my respect and loyalty that helped put me on the map of wrestling.

*********************************************************

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