CAC 2005 Part 4

Saturday morning started out for Rob and me with a small breakfast at Katy's in the main part of the Riviera complex. I had my favorite, biscuits and gravy, while Rob had a more traditional meal with eggs and the fixings.

We took a city bus and rode to the south end of the strip to the Luxor hotel. Rob walked through the main entrance, and his eyes lit up like a pinball machine. He couldn't get over the size of the statues and began to take lots of pictures to remember his trip. Next, we began a very long walk back towards the Riviera some six miles away.

We stopped at the Tropicana, and Rob got lucky with the free pull and won a pair of tickets to a show. We both got decks of cards for our efforts. Next, we crossed over to the MGM Grand, where Rob did a little shopping.

We began a walk up Las Vegas Boulevard and stopped at a few different places that sold shirts and souvenirs. We crossed over to Caesar's Palace and went in to view the living statues show. Once more, Rob was amazed at the different things that happen in Las Vegas. While we were going through the Forum Shops inside the resort, I took Rob into the F.A.O. Schwartz toy store. We got a first hand glimpse of a $50,000 toy car for a kid that has parents that are well off.

Next, we went to the Mirage to see the white tigers on display. Then, crossing the street again, we went into The Aladdin Hotel and did a bit of browsing in the mall inside. It's really something the way they design the hotels so that someone doesn't have to leave to go shopping. Of course, if you’re just sightseeing like we were, it's great.

We went by the Eiffel Tower at Paris and then past Venice, where the gondola boats were being sailed. We finally caught a bus for the rest of the trip back to the Riviera. We figured with all the side trips that we took that we logged about eight or nine miles by foot.

We went back to the workout area, where they had matches going from the top 30 people that took place in the trials during the past few days. You can bet that I took my seat and watched as they wrestled their hearts out for a standing room only crowd. I personally think that the ladies had the best match, and the final tag team was the most moving of the afternoon.

We returned to the room to ready ourselves for the banquet that evening. I had a chance to catch about an hour’s nap before hitting the showers and putting on a Western-style dress outfit. It had black boots with blue jeans and a Western-style shirt with a beautiful tiger-eye bolo tie given to me by someone very special and topped off with my favorite jackets of gray with black yoke and trim.

Rob wore his dark suit and tie with a big smile on his face when we entered the penthouse. The room began to quietly fill up with over 275 wrestlers from all over the world. We had members that had come from Japan, Africa, Europe, Mexico and just about every state and province in North America.

It is one of the most important weekends for me during the year when I get to go to the Cauliflower Alley Club gathering. You just never know who might show up; sometimes, it is someone that I haven't seen in decades.

This year was an exception for me as I got to renew my friendships with Terry Funk, Gary Hart, Ross Hart, Harley Race, Jack Brisco, Dick Beyer, Les Thatcher, Bob Geigel, Kenny Jay, Pepper Martin, Ernie Ladd, Fr. Jason Sanderson and, of course, Ox Baker.

Many other notables that would be at the Saturday night banquet included Penny Banner, Kay Noble, Marie Laverne, Killer Kowalski, Tim Brooks, Bruce Swayze, Reginald Love, Rock Riddle, C.C. Starr, Nick Bockwinkel and so many more.

The evening started off with the dinner of prime rib with all the dressings, followed by a wonderful dessert. It was a very enjoyable meal that had lots of conversation at our table and the tables next to us. I don't think a finer meal could be had on the strip at any of the top hotels that would compare with ours.

The program began with the wedding of Miss Linda to Adrian Street. Karl Lauer, V.P. of the CAC, led her down the aisle, and they were met on stage by Don Leo Jonathon, who was the best man. In very teary eyed faces and emotional voices, they both pledged the rest of their lives to each other and got a standing ovation from the over 500 in attendance.

Next, we paid tribute to all the fallen warriors that had left this earth since the last get together just a year prior. Then, Fr. Sanderson asked for a moment of silent prayer and also to remember some of our flock that are sick and shut in. I tried to hold my feelings back, but I felt tears running down my beard. As I turned my head, I saw many other huge men and ladies doing the same as I was. We are a pretty tight knit group that thinks a lot of each other.

Freddie Beell was the first award of the evening, and it was posthumous. Fred was the guy that invented the Flying Beell that many wrestlers use today. We found out, during the acceptance by Chief Paul Farber, that Fred Beell was a policeman following his wrestling career and had died in the line of duty.

Kenny Jay was introduced by Dick Beyer and George Schire and began to "ROAST" just about all the biggest names that he wrestled against in the AWA territory. He had a good time on stage and kept the crowd in stitches.

Percy Pringle III / Paul Bearer and I went next to the podium to honor Sir Oliver Humperdink. Percy III started off by giving praise to all the managers involved in professional wrestling as being an integral part of our business. He spoke of Humperdink's amazing career and the many titles that he helped his men get. He was very sincere about his words and spoke with reverence with every word given.

I took the microphone and began with a huge praise about SOH exceeding expectations and never hurting anyone getting to the top. I also added, “Life is not measured by the breaths that we take, it is measured by the things that take our breath away.” Oliver Humperdink was a true example of that statement, as he always held the crowds in his control. I ended with a short poem and one of my most well liked.

A friend is someone we turn to, when our spirits need a lift. A friend is someone we treasure, for our friendship is a gift. A friend is someone that fills our lives, with beauty, joy and grace … and makes the world we live in, a better and happier place.

Ernie Ladd, former star defensive lineman on the gridiron and superstar wrestler, was honored by our club president, Red Bastien. Ernie gave his all in the ring, and that is one reason we are honoring him tonight, said Red. His work today in the ministry is unequalled. He is a great man and joins the ranks of our Hall of Fame.

Paul Christy and Bunny Love were next to be honored. Reverend Juan Hernandez and Penny Banner, along with Tom Drake, gave a wonderful accounting of this husband and wife team that dominated the Great Lakes area for lots of years.

Don Leo Jonathon gave the Lou Thesz award to Jack Brisco and talked about the years before Jack became a professional. Jack was involved in high school and college wrestling and was an outstanding NCAA champion from Oklahoma.

The future legends award was won by Frankie Kazarian and was presented by last year’s winner, Melissa Anderson. He spoke in his acceptance speech about the future of the CAC and how it belonged to the people that were coming through the ranks now. He urged everybody in the crowd to keep attending the conventions with the same energy that he had seen all weekend long.

The Art Abrams Lifetime Achievement Award went to Les Thatcher this year. Les started a couple of years before I did and hasn't looked back yet. His tireless tribute to his "Mistress" (Wrestling) has sometimes taken a front seat to his wife of many years.

To say Les is a great man would be a huge understatement ... he is the best man that God has put on this earth to do the job that he LOVES. The pride and the dedication to his profession have paid off very well for him in the many talents that he has taught during his 40-plus years in the business. To have Les as your friend is not a hard thing to do ... just be yourself and offer him a handshake. Les does the rest.

The final award of the evening came as Terry Funk stepped forward to get the Mike Mazurki Award. As Terry started his speech, his cell phone went off, and he excused himself and answered it. He repeatedly said OK and yes but ended it with the statement that Verne Gagne was not in attendance and the caller, Chavo Sr., couldn't get a rematch. It brought a huge amount of laughter from the crowd that remembered last year when Chavo Sr. was there and tried to pick a few altercations … one with Verne and more with others before he was asked to leave.

Terry also spoke about dedication and the many years that were in the room of wrestling knowledge and ring tales. He spoke about his family and the many trips he has been on. He spoke about his movie career and the many friends he had made during that time. He closed out by thanking everyone that was in attendance and to pray for those that were not.

What a wonderful time I had sharing this weekend with the Ortons and then getting to finally meet with Rob Moore. This was another special time in my life that will be etched in my memory banks into eternity.

Special thanks also to the Board of Directors of the Cauliflower Alley Club for allowing me the privilege to stand on stage next to a man I honored just two years ago, Percy Pringle III / Paul Bearer.

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