CAC Benevolent Fund

Saturday Night Slam

Press Conference

A couple of weeks ago, after returning from Las Vegas, I ventured north into Michigan. I made my usual stops at cemeteries in Flint to pay my respects to departed family members. I called my aunt Darlene, the only relative that I claim on my side of the family, and we spoke for a few moments.

I stopped by a few friends' homes in Flint before going on up Saginaw St. towards Frankenmuth, my first stop. I always enjoy the atmosphere and friendliness of the old German town that was once home to a couple of breweries and the best chicken dinners that can be bought.

I stopped at Zehnders and got 10 loaves of German Stollen bread for some friends and me. I then got some wide German noodles made especially for Zehnders and some spices for chicken, like that served every day upstairs. I then started out of town when it occurred to me that I would like some authentic German Bratwurst from Kern's Sausage Haus. Along with the Bratwurst, I got some locally brewed dark beer to return home with.

I ventured back out of Frankenmuth towards Birch Run. As I approached the corner near I-23, I looked to the north, and there was a home that my grandmother had owned some 40 years ago. It brought back some fond memories of my earlier years. My train of thought was shaken by the tooting of horns behind me as people wanted to go forward … not sit through traffic lights.

The Expo Center, across from the Shops of Birch Run, had a large marquee out front with the wording of the press conference in huge bold letters. I turned into the private parking area reserved for promoters and staff and was met by a friend from the Detroit area that I had just seen a few weeks back in Las Vegas. Dave Burzynski, a former manager of the Original Sheik and manager to a lot of other main event people, met me with a firm handshake as we gathered stuff to go inside.

As we approached the stairs leading to the conference area on the second floor, we were met by Steve Rau of Legend's Group. They are the company that is bringing the very best of wrestling to the area in future shows. They have many superstars of the former WWF and WCW era within their reach. A lot of them were on the initial program last year.

As I topped the stairs, I looked to the left, and there was Jimmy Hart, "The Mouth of the South," speaking to Mark Bujan, also from Legend's. Jimmy stopped what he was doing and ran over to me to shake my hand. I showed him the beautiful plaque that I had just gotten from the CAC, and he spoke about how much that must have meant to me to be honored.

We spoke for a few minutes and exchanged memories about a lot of the guys that were and are in the business. I showed him a few old pictures of people that we both knew. Suddenly, he was called to the rear of the area to get with the program director of the press conference.

As I looked over to the stairs, Malia Hosaka and The Warlord were coming up the last few steps to join us. We exchanged handshakes and hugs and spoke about how great it was to see each other again. Malia asked to see the award I got from the CAC, as she had read about it in the column I write. The Warlord was really impressed with the plaque and told me that it was long overdue coming to me.

I turned to see what the commotion was behind me, and here came Virgil up the last step. He was the guy that was associated with Ted DiBiase as his bodyguard in the WWF. It was the first that I had met this muscular young man. I had read and seen a lot of his career on tape. After we exchanged words and hellos, we were escorted to the rear of the area where they were doing a format of the program.

We spoke and gave some ideas to the director and producer of the program, and then everything was put into order for the evening. I had a chance to take some pictures with these wrestling greats and enjoyed every moment of it.

We were suddenly interrupted by the loud voices of Frantic Frank and A.T. Huck of the IWF grouping from Detroit that were joining hands for the upcoming card on June 26 at the Expo Center. One by one, I was introduced to the guys of IWF. I have to tell you folks that I am really impressed with not only their looks, but by the way they are professional in their every move.

This is going to be the start of something really big here in the Great Lakes area, and I look forward to it branching out nationwide and worldwide before it is over. Legend's group has really gone out of their way to bring the top talent to this area. I look to be in contact with the group, as they value my input into this venture.

As 6:30 came, the gate was opened, and fans numbering around 250 were seated for the start of the conference. They were treated to free drinks and finger foods. In attendance was one young man that caught my eye. I had seen him on many of the WWF programs seated in the front row cheering on Hulk Hogan as the Number One Hulkamaniac. Jimmy Hart made sure that he was known to all the fans.

The program was started, and, one by one, the entire staff of the Legend's group were brought to the table near the podium bearing their banner. Then, the entire staff of IWF were brought to the table, along with all their wrestlers, so the fans could see what they had in store for them to watch on the upcoming card on June 26. Jimmy Hart came out to be the emcee of the program and began to bring the other people forward that belonged at the front table.

Malia Hosaka came to the center stage and was greeted with all kinds of whistles and cheers. She resembles all those accolades, as she is a very nice looking lady and a great wrestler in her own right. Next was Virgil, who got a standing ovation as well. He spoke about what Saturday Night Slam meant to him and how glad that he was to be there. Then the biggest one of them all came forward carrying a 2X shirt with the SNS logo on it. Jimmy Hart asked him why he wasn't wearing his shirt, and the Warlord calmly expressed that he wore a 3X shirt and that this one was just for the average wrestler ... not a MAN like him.

It was then that Mark Bujan asked Jimmy Hart to tell the crowd about the two other great managers in the audience. I was given a huge round of applause, and then Dave Burzynski got an even bigger one when they found out that he managed the Original Sheik. It sure is nice to be appreciated by true wrestling fans.

The conference outlined everything that would be done in the future between the two groups and then dropped a bombshell on the audience by proclaiming the Main Event would be Abdullah The Butcher against Kevin Sullivan. They also let out of the bag that Malia Hosaka would be in a girls championship match and that more stars would be added to the card in the next few weeks.

The fans then were told to be in an orderly fashion and line up, as all the stars from both groups would be signing autographs and greeting the fans. Some of the stars even brought pictures to sell and autograph as well. The meet and greet session lasted until nearly 9:30 before the last fan was satisfied. I like that in the group's efforts ... to make every fan happy and leave with a smile on their face.

As I had nearly 150 miles to travel home, I gave my best to everybody, and then I was out the front door for the long ride home.

I want to say in closing that I am happy to be associated with the many friends I have made in the Legend's group and IWF. Their love of the professional wrestling business is a shared feeling with me. I am looking forward to meeting with all the fans in the Great Lakes Area that will be coming to this big event on June 26 ... I hope to meet every one of you ringside and have my picture taken with you.

Percival A. Friend, Retired
The Epitome of Wrestling Managers