CAC 2005 Part 2

Thursday morning, April 14, started for me like any other day, except I was on Pacific time in Las Vegas. I rose at 5 a.m. after about five hours’ sleep. I had been up 22 hours the day before and was really exhausted. The Big O, Bob Orton Sr., at 75 years of age, can still go with the best of them.

The morning started with Rhonda Orton picking us up in one of the family cars and taking us to the Riviera Hotel. As we passed the registration table, I said my hellos to Tom Drake and a few others before we went to the buffet.

Ox Baker and his wife, Peggy, joined us for a wonderful meal. There were plenty of road stories that came from both of these giants of our industry. We adjourned to the lower floor, where the young lions were in preparation for a serious workout, doing cardio and warm-up exercises.

Nick Bockwinkel came over to Bob, and they began to talk until fans were aware that Randy Orton's granddad was in the room. Bob was surrounded by at least 50 people wanting pictures and autographs. Les Thatcher was quick to introduce the pair, saying many praises for both men. He then had to ask Nick to step aside to say hello to Bob. There was an immediate roar from the crowd and applause that just drowned out the accolades just given to the AWA Champ.

True to his nature, Bob stood up from his chair and tipped his hat to the crowd, thanking them in his own modest way. He had a smile that stretched from ear to ear.

As we watched the younger upstarts go through their paces, I often would be sidetracked by somebody grabbing me by the arm or intentionally bumping into me to just get my attention. Malia Hosaka came over and said hello to me, as well as Harley Race, who was one of the trainers for the session.

Killer Tim Brooks came by, and we also exchanged handshakes. There was a group of young stars there from Denver that gave a great showing for their efforts. As my eyes went back to the main entrance, I saw Jack Brisco and Percy Pringle III / Paul Bearer come through the door. A huge roar went out as Terry Funk followed them into the wrestling room.

Les Thatcher gave praise to all the major stars that had entered the room. Cowboy Bob Kelly and his wife, Chris, came in, along with Bill Bowman and Bruce Swayze. It seemed like all the young people were getting the once over by experts that had been there and done that.

We broke for a short lunch break, and I went to the next room, where tripods stood from one end to the other. They were filled with photos, window cards, drawings and wrestling history in short stories of everyone that was someone. I am proud to say that five of my pictures were on three different pods.

Don Fargo bumped into me as I was looking at one of the pictures, and he grabbed my arm in a vise-like grip. I had not seen Don since I was in Amarillo in 1973. We stood for nearly half an hour and just talked. Butcher Vachon came by and asked if I was in the cribbage tournament. I wanted a rematch with him very badly.

As we started for Katy's, one of the fine dining places that the Riviera has to offer, I came eye to eye with Kenny Jay, the Sodbuster from the AWA territory. I congratulated him on his award to be given at Saturday’s banquet. As we were speaking, I got a huge poke in the ribs, and there stood Dick Beyer, asking me if I was ready to get my butt beaten in the cribbage tournament.

Before answering him, I grabbed his wife, Wilma, and gave her a hug hello. I then turned to him and said that he looked better with the mask on. We hugged, and he sat down with me to show off one of the new treasures that he had brought, a new book on his life and career as Dick Beyer / The Destroyer / Dr. X. It was done entirely in Japanese, but he assured me that an English version would be available in a few short weeks. Keep an eyeball on his website, www.thedestroyer.com, for further details.

Bob Orton had returned to the Orton compound for the afternoon to get ready for SmackDown. I just wandered back and forth between rooms, shaking hands and talking to the many friends that I have come in contact with over the years.

Tiger Conway Sr. was seated at the registration table as I came out of the wrestling room, and we stopped to chat for a while. I had brought a copy of a book that had his picture as well as his son in it. It really brought a lot of joy to him, as most of his collection had been lost in a house fire a few years back. He wanted to pay me for the book, and I told him that he didn't have enough money in his front pocket to pay me for it. He got the biggest smile on his face and shook my hand. That was payment enough for me, but I did one better by giving him a few of the copies of pictures that I carry in my briefcase to all the events.

At 6:30 p.m., I was picked up by Rhonda Orton and returned to Bob's bungalow within the Orton compound. We snacked on some of the finest cold cuts and hand made bread, along with fresh fruit and Fosters beer.

Bob and I spoke to Rod Phillips, a former policeman and head of security for Heart of America Sports in Kansas City, Kansas. He has been a friend of Bob and myself for over 30 years and keeps Bob in constant supply of copies of tapes that he collects, as well as tapes that he does on Randy Orton.

I finally remember it was 10 p.m., and I had drifted off to sleep. I had been up for another 17-hour day. Friday morning, I was to finally meet with Rob Moore, and I looked forward to this day, as he had been my webmaster for almost six years. I had a small bowl of cereal and a banana to tide me over until Bob and I would be going to the buffet later on.

To be continued ...

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