2010 Jim Melby Award Recipient

AUTHOR/HISTORIAN VANCE NEVADA
GETS HIS OWN CHAPTER AS CAC MELBY AWARD RECIPIENT
By Jeff Sharkey

The work of a historian is already completed, yet it is never done.

In choosing a recipient for the 2010 James C. Melby Historian Award, the Cauliflower Alley Club sought to find nominees who typify the dedication and spirit necessary to document the history of professional wrestling that Jim Melby himself embodied.  In 2006, on the occasion of being the first honoree for a historian’s award bestowed by the International Wrestling Institute and Museum in Newton, Iowa (now relocated to Waterloo, IA), Melby stated in his acceptance speech: “History is important and should be accurately documented, and once it is committed to print, that it belongs to everyone.”   The 2010 recipient of the CAC Melby Award, Vance Nevada, continues his meritorious service to the wrestling industry with that dedication and spirit, and does so through both accurate documentation and committing it to print– among other mediums.

“I didn’t even know I was nominated; it was quite a surprise,” Nevada commented on how he learned of his distinction.  “I am very honored and humbled.” 

Vance Nevada with former CAC President Lou Thesz at the Newton, Iowa International Wrestling Institute and Museum for the 1999 Cauliflower Alley reunion.

Vance Nevada’s contributions to the preservation of wrestling history pay homage to pioneers like Jim Melby, who set the pace with his diligence to endless hours of compilation.  “Jim and I began as penpals later in his life, as my focus early on was the career records for Canadian wrestlers.  I think what Jim started in the 1960s, compiling record books and then updating them and keeping them alive is awesome.  He did it all without any access to the Internet.”

The correspondence with Melby was part of a greater network of individuals with similar goals.  “I have been part of a collective of 25 or so historians, including Don Luce, J. Michael Kenyon, Jim Zordani, Scott Teal and others.  For about the past four years, together we’ve been working on developing an electronic archive of wrestling history,” Nevada said.   “Some historians’ focus has been on the history of a certain city; some compiled career records.  I thought there was a better way to share information among ourselves, so I sent word out to all these guys to see how we could pool resources, so everyone could benefit from all the work we were doing.”    Today that project takes up six DVDs of space, packed with event programs, a picture gallery of wrestlers, and old newsletters.  “It’s really snowballed,” Vance said.

Nevada’s detailed, comprehensive histories cover more than Canadian stars, but an emphasis was originally placed on wrestlers with a great tradition and recognition factor, but with significantly less press coverage, “guys like Moose Morowski, Roy McClarty, and George Gordienko,” said Vance.  “I steered clear of the guys on top with lots of press, and looked at the undercard, filled with talent that hadn’t received their due.”

In time, though, Nevada’s research encompassed names that filled the entire card, top to bottom, and yielded some impressive results.  “For instance, between Jim and I, we were able to track down 2,800 matches in the career of Don Leo Jonathan.  A fantastic career, a consistent headliner,” Nevada notes.

Important documentation on a legendary wrestler to be sure.  Yet no one could be more pleased than the subject of Vance’s chronicling.  “I happened to be with Don Leo when he got his disk from Vance,” said Ted Gordienko, nephew of George Gordienko and ambassador for his uncle’s gallery of artwork.  “He was amazed that someone had done all that on him, matching all that stuff.  He thought it was just great.”   Even fellow wrestlers turned a curious eye.  “I was with Red Bastien, who asked ‘who the hell did THAT for ya?’    Nobody kept anything; they travelled around to how many matches … and they carried only one suitcase or bag,” Gordienko said.

Ted’s own quest to document his uncle’s career in both book and movie form have paralleled Vance’s historian timeline.  “When I first contacted him, I found it unbelievable, all the stuff he had. He was so giving of his research.  Thank God he was there, or else I’d still be hunting down the information.  Months of groundwork were already laid down for me.  It is an invaluable chronology of George’s work.   It happened so early in my search, so it reaffirmed the fact that I was going to find stuff out there … it gave me a lot of hope, the confidence that you’re doing it right,” Gordienko said.   “He even found some stuff about my dad, who wrestled locally!  For someone to do all this research, and to have done it for everybody out there for a ridiculously small amount — it showed the need for a database.  Something that could be compiled for their families, and be used in the future.  I have nothing but praise for Vance.”

A look at the cover of Vance Nevada's new book,Wrestling in the Canadian West.

Even closer to Vance Nevada’s vest is a labor of love spanning more than a decade in planning and preparation.  He recently released Wrestling In The Canadian West, a book that showcases more than one hundred years of wrestling history in British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Alberta and Manitoba.  Released through Crowbar Press, Nevada talks about the process of writing and editing the book along with Scott Teal. 

“I don’t think Scott’s ever had to deal with someone so hands on,” Vance said.  “I had specific ideas about the layout and the features to be included, so we often debated.  I was involved with everything from the cover design to picture placement.  I’m very excited about the book.”

Inside Wrestling In The Canadian West, plan on seeing history unfold through the perspective of an insider.  The years of a particular promotion’s operation and its in-ring stylings are the nuts and bolts of the wrestling machine.  Vance Nevada adds the heart and soul, through first-person interviews and accounts that detail the drama of the glory days, and often tumultuous times.  “I talked to the guys about their stories, what it was like to live it.  The ribs that were played, the treacherous travelling and conditions between centers, sometimes 8 to 12 hour drives. For example, I cover promoter Tony Condello’s infamous ‘Death Tours’.  The long, dangerous drives across the frozen lakes of northern Manitoba into First Nation communities, where you usually see ice roads instead of paved roads, for three weeks.” 

Other highlights of the book include details on numerous wrestling offices’ formation, and the in-fighting that may have led to it, giving those faceless bits of history a personality that lets it leap from the pages.  “A lot of stuff was happening that still rings true today,” Vance said.  “Things that were a catalyst for change or movement.”

The electronic archive and book projects have consumed much of Nevada’s schedule over the past decade.  The remainder of the time, Vance plies his trade inside the wrestling ring as he has for the past 16 years, and keeps a steady stream of bookings spanning Canada.  His list of titles since his 1993 debut are as impressive a portfolio as can be for someone working a part-time in-ring career.  One of his current championship laurels is the Trans-Canada Heavyweight title for Gorgeous Michelle Starr’s All-Star Wrestling promotion.  “Vance is a tremendous pure wrestler,” Starr noted.  “Very versatile, and a good hand.  I value his opinion and get recommendations about wrestlers for my shows.  I appreciate all he’s done for me.”

A sixteen-year ring veteran, Vance maintains a high level of passion and intensity when he steps between the ropes.

The past ten years’ time spent as a historian and researcher might have been curtailed, had it not been for an unpleasant situation with Nevada’s active wrestling career.   Two consecutive five-year bans from entering the United States due to work visa complications.  “The first time was in 1999, due to a vindictive promoter who was trying to restrict my career opportunities,” Nevada recalled.   The second was in 2004, with Vance on the verge of a WWE tryout on the west coast.  “It was devastating to have to call them and say that although I’ve been working toward this for a long time, I can’t come.  It was a career low for me; my goal was always to get to a major U.S. company.  Initially, I was very negative about it.”    CAC’s Director of Canadian Affairs, Bob Leonard notes that the U.S. bans may have reinforced Nevada’s desire to research.  “By not working as many regular dates as he might have, it may have given Vance more time to dig deeper.   He’s one busy guy; I don’t know when the man sleeps.”

Nevada did not fall asleep at the wheel when, as one window of opportunity closed, others opened up.    “It got slow for a time, so I began to get actively involved as a trainer and mentor,” Nevada said.  “I began to work with some young men with an enthusisam that reminded me of 16 years ago.”  Those names include brothers Gurv and Harv Sihra, and Kyle Sebastian.  “Those guys have a high energy level, and haven’t been jaded.”   Vance also noted these protégés have previously attended Cauliflower Alley in recent years; he plans to do the same to receive his award in 2010.  “My ban is now up,” Nevada said.  “I can travel anywhere in North America I want.”

As much as Vance Nevada the historian is dedicated to the preservation of pro wrestling history,  Vance Nevada the mentor has an equal concern for maintaining the framework for wrestling’s inner machinations.  A realization that there was a need for this kind of education came following an offhanded, disrespectful remark from a young wrestler in the dressing room.  “Initially I was just angry at the kid.  But what I realized later was that he simply hadn’t been properly taught the traditions of our business, to respect the people who paved the road for us today,” Vance said. 

To that end, Vance pens a series of columns and blogs focusing on two audiences.  “One is strictly for the boys in the business.  I want them to know there are people who do care about the wrestling business, and to learn about those who made it possible for us to live our dream.   The other is done to amuse myself.  It sort of antagonizes the media, challenging them to give wrestling the proper coverage it deserves,” said Nevada.

Wrestling in the Canadian West is garnering interest from those who follow the sport, as well as many who are actively involved with it.  “I’m really looking forward to it,” Starr said.  “It should be a good read, and it will be good to find out more about those who walked before me.”  Bob Leonard concurs.  “Vance did a terrific job in documenting this history; he’s gone to every nook and cranny as you would expect from any dedicated researcher.” 

With Nevada wearing numerous hats, it is the one labeled ‘historian’ that he seems to be donning more often than others these days.  It isn’t the hat that casual observers  might think wears well at the conclusion of a hard day’s work in the ring.  “A lot of times, the guys want to go out… and I’ll tell them I have to write down the details first.  Occasionally they’ll give me a hard time, but as time goes on, they start to see the big picture,” Vance said.  “It’s then they finally say ‘hey, that’s cool.’

Gorgeous Michelle Starr is one who acknowledges and appreciates Nevada’s extra time on task in documenting.  “I stopped keeping track of listings for me long ago,”  Starr said.  “But Vance gives so much amazing detail, and spends a great deal of time and effort.  My hat is off to him.”

When asked about his own place in the history books of professional wrestling, Nevada is comfortable to hang those proverbial hats of both wrestler and researcher on their respective bodies of work.  “After sixteen years if more people remember me as a historian and an advocate for the business, I am comfortable and happy with that,” Vance said.   “But my interest in the guys who were able to wrestle full-time… they make me so envious.  It’s been said that Superstar Billy Graham was 20 years ahead of his time; sometimes I feel like I was born twenty years too late.” 

As the days tick down to the start of the 2010 CAC reunion, Vance Nevada’s name is gradually rising in terms of recognition and respect for his accomplishments.  From a low point spread across a ten year arc, the curve is now on the upswing. “By the time we get to spring, I’ll have had the opportunity to meet some guys, and talk about new projects,” said Vance.  Indeed, as one challenge is completed, another quickly takes its place as the next course in the smorgasbord known as professional wrestling.