CAC 2008 The Finale

The crowning jewel of the trip to the CAC is Banquet night. It brings the best out of the best and honors them in a tradition befitting an Academy Award. It is also a time when we reflect as a gathering all the fallen members of our "other family" that have gone on to that big ring in the sky. Seventy-eight were listed in this year’s program, and all were honored in the reception room with a bio and a picture and a flower to remember their friendship.

Since tables were not assigned to us for this night, we chose to join Keri, Dyllan and his grandmother from Arizona. Bill White and I were decked out in our new western outfits chosen just a few days before. We were joined by C.C. Starr and Travis Weberling from Florida (more on him later).

Wandering around the room, I began to chat with many new and old faces from the world of wrestling. Jim Ross from Oklahoma, Steve Austin, Terry Funk, J.J. Dillon, Steve "Dr. Death" Williams, Les Thornton, Bp. Jason Sanderson and many others.

It wasn't long before we were called to order and the meal was served to us at our respective tables. We were once again treated to prime rib with all the adornments and a salad. We were treated to a wonderful hour of piano recital by Joey Boesch. What a talented young artist he is. Finishing the meal, we turned our attention to the center stage where the rest of the evening would be focused.

It was like a who's who as the honorees were called to the stage to accept their awards. This year, they had a beautiful glass trophy along with a printed certificate from the Board of Directors handed to each of the members of the class of 2008.

J.J. Dillon called the first honoree to the podium. The Future Legends Award went to Ricky Landell. Orville Brown's son accepted for his father posthumously. Betty Niccoli Sato accepted the ladies’ award and spoke about the late Penny Banner and how she paved the way for all the ladies.

Paul "Butcher" Vachon was next and spoke about his involvement in over 6,000 matches during his career. The Guerreros were presented with a special recognition to the entire family. Ronnie Garvin was next and was given a standing ovation by the near 400 in attendance.

The International award was next and presented to Haruka Eigen of Japan. This man has a special spot in my heart as he was one of the great tag team members that I managed in the early 70's in Kansas City. Along with Katsuji Adachi, they formed the team of The Great Togo (Eigen) and Tokyo Joe (Adachi). Not only did they bring me the tag team championships, they etched a friendship in my heart that still exists today.

The Lou Thesz award was presented by Jim Ross to Steve "Dr. Death" Williams. This award was set forth by the late Lou Thesz and written into the yearly reunions. The recipients were all hand picked by Lou before his passing.

I was asked to honor the 2008 Cribbage Champion from the center stage and did so with a lot of pride. Dave Bodell is the first “fan” to win the championship and will be back next year to defend its honors.

The Art Abrams Lifetime Achievement Award was next and given to Pat Patterson. It is an award that reflects more than honor, it is a tradition of doing more than just being a wrestler in the ring. It epitomizes an athlete that has gone the extra mile and is recognized almost immediately by more than just fans.

Bret Hart was the last entrant in the long list of honorees. He was given the "Iron Mike Award." It is the top award given by the CAC, and, incidentally, his father, the late Stu Hart, received this award also, in 2001.

His speech was lengthy but informative about not only his career in the ring, but it also spoke about the man Bret Hart that many fans and friends have known and continue to respect and admire.

Pat Patterson was asked to come back on stage, and all the wrestlers were asked to join him in front to sing "We Did It Our Way," a version of Frank Sinatra's "My Way." It was a very emotional part of the evening as we sang our hearts out. Tears streamed down many of our faces as we hugged and shook hands around us.

These reunions are an important time of my life as they have given me the opportunity to stop life and reflect with people that have been an inspiration in my times. It has afforded me the opportunity to pay respect to the many fallen members that were loved by me but no longer here. It gave me a time to give back ... not to be taken from.

As I stated in the previous parts of the columns preceding this, I had given the chance to Travis Weberling, a referee from Florida, to come and share my suite with me during the CAC reunion. He had made a commitment by phone and by email to share expenses for the room during the four nights he was there.

I have never had to knock anyone during the nearly 10 years I have doing my weekly columns, but I am going to do it here this week.

On Thursday morning at 5 a.m., Travis ran out of the room so fast that he banged into the door and woke me up. I asked him if he forgot to pay for the room. He said "there is a card on the nightstand" and closed the door. I had gotten in at about 2:30 that morning from the reunion aftermath of saying my farewells to all my friends.

I woke at 8 a.m. to join Father Jason for breakfast and opened the card and read "Hi, I just want to tell you thanks, not just for this week, but for all the years that you have put up with me. I accidentally left my checkbook at home. Don't worry, I will send you the $ ASAP."

It is now two months later, and I still have not been paid in full for that room that he shared with me. Never once did he tell me that he had "FORGOTTEN" his checkbook. Or offered to pay for a meal that he conveniently joined us at during three of the days he was there.

I had given Travis the benefit of the doubt and he SCREWED me out of my money that I worked so hard to earn. He now has ruined his reputation of being "One of the boys." I have notified a lot of people about him, but, if you want to write to him and express your feelings, his e-mail address is [email protected] .

Travis Weberling, SCAM ARTIST EXTRAORDINAIRE

He should be more than ashamed of himself for pulling this SCAM on me. I really didn't have the extra money to pay for the room but had to because of him. He should have NOT COME to the CAC and Vegas if he did not have any money. I later found out that I am not the only person that he has SCAMMED with being short armed and deep pocketed.

I had even sent him a notice of the WWE hiring referees and put him in contact with Mr. Ed Kaufman to get the job. I have written Mr. Kaufman and apologized for my error in doing so.

I guess the end result is not to try and be somebody that you are. Use the Golden Rule when dealing with people. Keep a good standing in the community and respect your neighbor that lives up to his name.

Percival A. Friend, Retired
The Epitome of Wrestling Managers

2003 BWC Hall of Fame Inductee
2004 CAC Hall of Fame Inductee
2006 LWA Hall of Fame Inductee
2007 TCCW Hall of Fame Honoree