CAC Benevolent Fund

Saturday Night Slam

9/12/04 Part Two

Part of the excitement of a trip is getting fully ready for it. I had planned nearly a month for the graduation event at Boogie's Wrestling Camp. Earlier this year, I had attended a Sunday afternoon full of excitement as I watched the up and coming stars do their thing in the ring before a near sellout crowd.

If you're ever in the area of Virginia Tech and get to make the short drive down the majestic scenery that Shawsville gives, please stop and watch these youngsters in action. It is free, and you won't see anything objectionable in the four-hour sessions every Sunday from 12-4 p.m. One other thing is that you are never a stranger there but once.

The afternoon started at 12 with the students going through their warmup and workout schedules. Each individual took their turn at being thrown, chopped, twisted, dropkicked and suplexed beyond their normal training sessions. Today was a special day for the students, as they had many promoters from the Southeast and a few from the New England area watching every move.

Some of the students were involved on a card in West Virginia the evening before and got a chance to show their wares off in front of great fans that still admire the old style of wrestling. One by one as they left the ring, each stopped to pay homage to (BOOGIE) Jimmy and Angel as they went out the main entrance to the arena complex.

During their break from showing off for the huge overflow crowd, some ventured into the building that had the sign on the door that read "End of the Rainbow". It houses the museum and Hall of Fame, where over 300 people have been inducted. There are even new items being added every week as Boogie gets time out of his busy schedule.

Many of the greats of our business have donated and given some of their ring attire to be on display. Some of the items are from the estates of those that have gone onto that great ring in the sky. There are many items from Boogie's personal collection including boots, trunks, caps and championship belts.

I was drawn back to the crowded arena where a special presentation was to be given by Johnny Valiant. For many years, he and Boogie wrestled together, gaining a huge following in the New York area. I stopped about halfway back to the arena and looked down the hill where the Cadillac Limo sat with the sign in the rear window that read VALIANT BROTHERS. It made me stop and think about all the miles those two guys traveled in that huge car. I am glad that Boogie saved this important part of history for future generations to enjoy.

Johnny began his monologue by looking around the arena with the vast amount of pictures on the walls and the ceiling. Most were the guys that these two beat up on during their heyday. Johnny mentioned to the sellout crowd that the only two worst opponents were not pictured; he said that would have been his ex-wife and her attorney.

Johnny talked about Boogie doing things just a little different, like if the hotel or motel had four towels in the bathroom area that Boogie would use three of them and then blow his nose on the fourth and then tell Johnny that it was all his and that it was okay to use the shower. It got a few laughs out of Boogie as he remembered the good times they had.

Following a short intermission, the Graduation ceremonies began, and, one by one, the 37 graduates were called to the ring to accept their diplomas. Names like the late Richard Afflis (Dick The Bruiser), Frank Zela (Boris Volkoff), Gino Marella (Gorilla Monsoon), Bobby Managoff and Luis Martinez were honored in the Class of 2004 along with me. I was asked to give a short speech in which I thanked all the folks that were there and also for the students who had given their best during the past year of training. Everybody had a huge smile on their face as we stood and posed for group photos in the ring.

Tom Shupe, David Parks, Scott Powers, Kenny Plakaros, John Serechen, Timothy Beal, B.J. Strickler, Jack Carter, Roy Griffith, Justin Mitchell, Chris Bennett, Jimmy Blaylock, Justin Guilliams, Matt De Simone, Todd Moore, Patrick Perdue, Steve Gob, John Meredith, Gretchen Bennett, Ryan Johnson, Rob McBride, Ray Bradbury, Charles Waldron, Jay Main, Aaron Polston, Larry Frad, Derek Lawson, Cory Jones, Shaun Lumsden, Brian Aldhizer and Steven Woodrof all received their Doctorate of Devastation for their hard efforts.

We were then treated to 12 matches between the students. They were given great applause and admiration for their efforts. Outside the arena, many of the students posed for pictures with fans and friends. I took my hand at getting a few pictures myself too.

This year was the 12th consecutive year that graduation has taken place at BWC. Overall, there have been more than 200 students to reach the prestigious ranks of professional wrestler. Boogie and Angel thanked everybody that came out for the day and promised even a bigger one for next year.

We went to Ryan's Steak House for a dinner after the event, and nearly 100 people were in attendance from the matches. I shared my phone with Boogie as he talked with a few of my friends during the meal. Sputnik Monroe, Terry Funk and Lord Littlebrook spent about 35 minutes between themselves talking with Boogie.

As I left Ryan's and headed back to I-81 to go north and back to Lynchburg, I quietly thanked Boogie and Angel for the wonderful day and all the beautiful memories it left me. I asked that they both be watched over during the final 16 weeks that Boogie would be on the road before retirement. I also added that they had to care for the two orphans I had left them in their rock garden. It left a great smile on both their faces.

Boogie and Angel are working on a book about his 40 years in the wrestling business, and it will be released in 2005. For more information, check his website at www.jimmyvaliant.com. I look forward to going back to BWC many times in the future.

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