Waterloo, Iowa

To some that live there, it may not seem like much, but the Dan Gable International Wrestling Hall of Fame means a lot to the recipients of the class of 2009. It also means a lot to the fans and friends that attend the gala event every year.

Since the inception of the Hall of Fame and Wrestling Museum, which was in Newton, Iowa from 1999 when the George Tragos / Lou Thesz facility opened up, it has been a sought after event by many to enjoy. The CAC even held their annual inductions there one year.

The museum held many personal items along with cherished public things in it's archives. A 40-year collection of newspaper clippings, letters, clothing and even a replica of a Lou Thesz NWA diamond and jeweled belt that had a center buckle made of gold and silver in one of the cases.

They had items from the collections of Verne Gagne, Danny Hodge, Bob Geigel and Frank Gotch, just to name a few. They also had a wonderful amateur wing that has many awards, trophies and gear from the many wrestlers that have been in the championship ranks.

The class of 2007 was moved from Newton to the new facility in Waterloo. It has a lot more capacity and growing room. It is also in the home town of Dan Gable, Ox Baker and Thunderbolt Patterson. From my own perspective, it has more potential than the building along I-80 that housed the complex for eight years.

I will be traveling with Bob Roop, Olympian, wrestler and teacher, to the 2009 event this coming weekend. We plan on rubbing elbows with all the inductees and also attending the wrestling matches at the Young Arena. Those matches will feature Ricky Steamboat Jr. and many more great athletes from Harley Race's WLW promotion.

Some of the names that will appear are Bob Geigel, Baron Von Raschke, Mad Dog Vachon, Danny Hodge and Larry "The Ax " Hennig, and a few other surprises.

This past year was dampened by the floods that preceded it a few weeks before the event. But, true to its nature, Iowa rolled up her sleeves and proceeded to have the Inductions right on time.

If you’re anywhere in the Midwest and can attend, I am sure that you will have a wondermus time. I look forward to meeting with you there.

Percival A. Friend, Retired
The Epitome of Wrestling Managers