2010 Finishes (RIP)

Remembering those we have lost in 2010

Angelo Poffo  (03.04.10)

Angelo Poffo, 84, the father of Randy “Macho Man” Savage and Lanny Poffo, passed away in his sleep this morning, March 4, 2010.

Angelo began his wrestling career in 1948, and several years later paired up with Bronco Lubich as a wrestler-manager tandem that lasted through the 1950’s, and ranked as one of the hotter attractions of the day.  In the 1970’s and ‘80’s, he operated his International Championship Wrestling promotion, running events in Tennessee, Kentucky and Arkansas.  He retired after nearly 35 years in the ring.

Poffo held the U.S.Navy record for consecutive sit-ups for many years, after logging 6,033 rapid-fire repetitions over a period of four hours 10 minutes.  Given that kind of dedication to physical conditioning, it’s little wonder that he was attracted to wrestling several years later, and made it his life’s work.

Jimmy Valiant’s first ring jacket came from Poffo. Jimmy stated today,“Angelo sold me my first ring jacket in the 60s. I paid $25.00 for that beautiful red sequin jacket from Angelo. I always admired the jacket when he wore it to the ring with his tag team partner, Chris Markoff. They were a great tag team known as The Devil’s Duo, who were WWA tag team champions.
Chris had a green sequin jacket same style as Poffo’s. Brother, under the lights in the darkened arenas with their blonde hair they looked great. At one time, Angelo’s hair was, in deed, platinum bleached blonde.”

The Cauliflower Alley Club extends its deepest condolences to Angelo’s wife Judy, his sons Randy and Lanny, and family and friends.

A more complete biography will appear shortly.

Photo courtesy Brian Bukantis, www.wrestleprints.com

George “Red” Eakin (02.21.10) 

Eakin passed away Sunday morning, Mr. Eakin succumbed after a lengthy battle with cancer. He was 81.

Eakin was an outstanding amateur wrestler, born on September 19, 1929 in Winnipeg, who first delved into the pro ranks in Winnipeg’s active club scene in 1952 for the Crescent Boxing and Wrestling Club’s summer match series at the North Main Drive In. Some of his earliest “semi-pro” successes took place under that club’s banner, where we excelled in both singles and tag team competition, forming a successful partnership with the popular Johnny DePaulo.

However, it was under Gordon Mackie’s Madison Wrestling Club banner that George saw his greatest success. Between 1952 and 1968, Eakin wrestled 401 matches out of the club’s 632 events. More than 100 of those were in tag team action with frequent partner, Frenchy Champagne. Eakin held the Madison Club heavyweight title nine times, trading the title with the likes of Moose Morowski, “Bulldog” Bob Brown, and Lorne Corlett (who gained greater fame world-wide under the surname Von Steiger). Eakin did equally well in tag team competition, holding the Madison Club tag titles on six occasions – five times with Frenchy Champagne and once with Buddy Sprott, who is best known for his work internationally as Ricky Hunter (aka The Gladiator).

At 6′0″ and 218 .lbs, his skills on the mat attracted attention and Eakin did train briefly with Verne Gagne in Minneapolis with aspirations of a full time pro career. However, he was discouraged by the lack of job security, and with a career as a fireman in Winnipeg, he elected to stay close to home. In addition to his occupational and wrestling pursuits, Eakin is regarded as an outstanding football player and as a member of the Norwood-St. Boniface Legionaires, won the Canadian senior championship. George also served as a lineman for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers football club for many years.

Eakin’s last match took place in Brandon, Manitoba on November 15, 1974 when he teamed with a young Roddy Piper to oppose Joe Carona and The Scorpion.

The Cauliflower Alley Club extends its condolences to the family and friends of George Eakin.

Ron Martinez (2.18.10)
Former ring announcer and tv commentator Ronald Martinez, of Tampa, Fl, owner of P.M. Video & Tape Company passed away, due to a fatal heart attack in his home on Feb 18th.

Ron, along with the late Jack Reynolds, covered the NWF and IWA wrestling out of Cleveland, Ohio. Ron was a brother-in-law of the late wrestling great Ilio DiPaolo and he was the son of the late wrestling promotor Pedro Martinez.

The Cauliflower Alley Club extends its condolences to the family and friends of Ronald Martinez.

Charles Baillargeon  (02.10.10)
Charles Baillargeon, the last surviving member of the legendary Baillargeon Brothers of Quebec, passed away on February 10, 2010 in Quebec City. He fell victim to a stroke at the age of 92.

The six brothers, in order of age Jean, Charles, Adrien, Lionel, Paul and Antonio (Tony), all naturally powerful and honed by weight-lifting, began their career in the limelight as a strongman act.  They toured for several years, but grew tired of the continuing trials of arranging their own shows across North America.  They turned to wrestling in 1949, and while some of them had a relatively brief career – the length varied between six and 27 years – they were quite successful in tag team and singles events, and wildly popular everywhere.

Charles was born on July 8, 1917 in St. Magloire-de-Bellechasse, Quebec.   His wrestling career was cut short by a major car accident after six years.  When brother Paul hung up his boots and bought a hotel in Quebec City, which became very well known as Hotel Baillargeon, Charles worked there for many years.

He had recently been living in a home for the aged, and went into hospital the day before his death.  Charles is survived by his wife Denise, son Jacques, three grandchildren and three sisters.

The Baillargeons, from left: Charles, Paul, Adrien, Lionel, Jean, Tony.

The Cauliflower Alley Club extends its condolences to the family and friend of Charles Baillargeon, the last of one of wrestling’s famous families.

Brian Brewer ”Bryan Hart” (2.09.10)
“The Canadian Superman” Bryan Hart passed away Tuesday at the age of 38 due to complications from asthma.
Hart had been a pro wrestler, in the Indy scene for over 12 years and mostly wrestled in Louisiana.

A single parent, Hart leaves behind a daughter, Vivian.

The Cauliflower Alley Club extends its condolences to the family and friends of Bryan Hart.

Jack Brisco (02.01.10)
We are sad to report that Jack Brisco passed away earlier today. Jack was honored by the CAC in 1996 with the Men’s Wrestling award. And then again in 2005 with the Lou Thesz award.

In the days to come, the internet will be a buzz about the outstanding career of Jack Brisco. His career is by all means a outstanding one to say the least.
 
I contacted Jimmy Valiant and informed him of Jacks sudden death. We talked at length about Jacks stellar career. Jimmy told of how the boys would work the match then shower and head back to the motel, or bar, or out to eat. But on several occasions, Jimmy would have his match, rush to the back, shower, and go watch Jack & Harley Race go broadways. Jimmy said, “It was poetry in motion! Harley would hold Jack up for what seamed like 5 minutes with his famous standing suplex. When Jack hit the mat he would sell, sell, sell!”

At the Kiel Auditorium (and other venues)Jimmy would watch Jack go against the likes of Harley Race, Dory Funk Jr. and the list goes on and on.

“One of the Greatest World Champions in the NWA.  From High school to the Pros. I watched his matches not as a worker but as a fan. Jack’s wrestling matches taught me allot. I just loved him dearly. He was some what shy, never had much to say. But when you made eye contacted with him he always smiled back. He was always just happy go lucky. Jack ranks in the top 5 of the business. I’m gonna miss him dearly” Valiant said.

From winning two state high school wrestling championships to the coveted NWA Championship belt. Jack had done it all. Leroy McGuirk,was very instrumental in getting Brisco involved with professional wrestling. His fabulous career began in 1965.

Brisco is survived by his wife of more than 30 years, Jan. Funeral arrangements are not known at this time.

The Cauliflower Alley Club extends its condolences to Jack’s wife, Jan, his family and his many friends.

Phillip Darrell Hedden (1.31.10)
Blackjack Hedden passed away on 1/31/10 at the age of 65.

Hedden wrestled in the 1970’s.

Wrestling for the W.W.A(Indianapolis) in the mid 70’s.

He was born on February 8, 1944 in Fordsville, KY to the late Ira Lee and Bertha Wells Hedden.
Wrestled under the names, “Black Jack Hedden” and the “Russian Brain”.

The Cauliflower Alley Club extends its condolences to the family and friends of Phillip Darrell Hedden.

"Nature Boy" Buddy Rogers (left), Georgiann Makropoulos & Bruno Sammartino

GEORGIANN MAKROPOULOS  (01.25.10)
The wrestling world today mourns the passing of Georgiann Makropoulos of Astoria, New York.  Georgie, as she was known to everyone, succumbed to a heart attack on January 25, 2010, at the age of 68.

Georgie was unique, the epitome of a “super-fan”, completely immersed in and devoted to wrestling.  She became a fan immediately after her high school graduation in 1959, and not long after formed a fan club for Buddy “Nature Boy” Rogers, one of the biggest names in wrestling at the time, then a second club for Bob Orton, Sr.  Georgie’s crowning achievement in this realm was establishment of a wildly-popular club for living legend Bruno Sammartino.

In the late 1960’s, she became a contributor to Wrestling World magazine, penning lengthy columns dealing with  fan clubs and many other aspects of the business from the fans’ point of view.  Georgie later established her own newsletter, The Wrestling Chatterbox, that had a run of over 20 years.  She fitted neatly into the digital universe as it developed, continuing her writing on several popular websites.  Along the way, she tracked down information on her major honorary, Sammartino, and developed an unmatched record of his lengthy and storied career. 

This outstanding lady was honored by CAC at a Club event in New Jersey several years ago, even though she was not actively involved in our organization.

Perhaps Georgie’s greatest contribution to professional wrestling was her close friendship with legions of wrestlers and fans over the past half-century.  Truly, she was one of a kind.

The Cauliflower Alley Club extends its condolences to Georgiann’s husband George, her family, and her amazing number of friends.  

NICK PACCHIANO  (1.24.10)
Nicola “Nick” Pacchiano, a familiar face across the Stampede Wrestling territory in the  1970’s, passed away in Calgary on January 24 2010, at age 72.

Born in Marigliano, Italy in 1937, Nick emigrated to Canada in 1959.  He worked in the building trades in Calgary, and first became acquainted with Stu Hart when he did some concrete work at Hart House.  Stu sensed potential in the husky young man, and took him on board for some training in 1968.  Nick made his bow in the Calgary ring that year, and early on impressed everyone with his massive strength in a compact body.  He worked in the Calgary and Vancouver territories over the next several years.  His last match was in late 1976, then he returned full time to the construction industry where he had a role in building many of the towers on the Calgary skyline.

Nick was always a gentleman, quiet and respectful and a pleasure to be around.  He raised two sons, two daughters and a step-daughter, and had widely-scattered family in Canada, New York, Italy and Venezuela.

The Cauliflower Alley Club extends its condolences to the family and friends of Nick Pacchiano.

IDA MAE MARTINEZ (SELENKOW)  (01.19.10)
Ida Mae Martinez, one of the leading lady wrestlers of a half-century ago, passed away late in the afternoon of January 19, 2010.  Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, January 20, in Pikesville, Maryland.

Born in Connecticut, Ida Mae Selenkow was abandoned by her mother, then ran away from abusive guardians at the age of 15.  On her own, this diminutive lady became a classic example of the indomitable nature of the human spirit. 

She bravely entered the wrestling profession through Billy Wolfe’s booking office in Columbus, Ohio in 1950, and by 1952 had become the champion of Mexico.  Her career continued throughout the decade, as she wrestled against many in Wolfe’s stable across North America, and had particularly tough matches with Mildred Burke and Nell Stewart.  After retiring from the ring in 1960, Ida Mae set out to conquer life with her eye fixed firmly on a dream.

She completed high school by earning a GED certificate in 1971, then in 1975 achieved an Associate’s Degree in Nursing.  Striving further, Ida Mae obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in 1980, and as an RN became a team leader and charge nurse.  The summit of the mountain came in 1990, when she earned a Master’s Degree with Honors, and was inducted into the International Honor Society of Nursing.  Her subsequent work in the area of home treatment of AIDS patients, conducted through the world-famed Johns Hopkins Hospital of Baltimore, inspired her to author a paper that has become part of the medical literature.

Ida Mae served a number of years on the CAC Board of Directors.  In 2006, she received the inaugural Senator Hugh Farley Award from the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame in Amsterdam, New York in recognition of her contributions to society as well as her ring accomplishments.  She appeared in the documentary movie “Lipstick and Dynamite”, which chronicled the highs and lows of ladies’ wrestling in her era. 

Ida Mae was also a world-acclaimed master of yodeling, a difficult musical specialty.  As CAC director Tom Burke said in noting her passing, “Yodel your heart out, sweetheart!”

The Cauiflower Alley Club offers its condolences on Ida Mae’s passing to her daughter, Ida Sanger, and family and friends.

Katsuhisa Shibata (1.16.10)
Katsuhisa Shibata, former New Japan wrestler and referee, and father of second generation pro wrestler Katsuyori Shibata, passed away earlier today following a heart attack. Shibata wrestled on the very first New Japan show on 3/6/72 and after retiring in February, 1976, would become a referee for the company.

He temporarily retired as a referee on 6/25/99 at Korakuen Hall but would return for sporadic appearances, recently officiating in Tatsumi Fujinami’s DRADITION promotion.

The Cauliflower Alley Club extends its condolences to the family and friends of Katsuhisa Shibata.

Ed Chuman (01.15.10)
Ed Chuman, a longtime promoter in the NWA, passed away on January 15 at the age of 62.  Ed was a CAC member and worked closely with Reggie Parks Championship Belts for a number of years.  In addition to his promoting and work with belts, Ed also worked in the business as “Dr. Sidney Hack,” a chain-smoking, alcoholic physician for Carmine DiSpirito’s Mid-American Wrestling in Milwaukee and worked with Steel Domain Wrestling when it was open.  Ed had battled illness for a long time.

The Cauliflower Alley Club extends its condolences to the family and friends of Ed Chuman.

Tony Halme “Ludvig Borga”(01.08.10)
Tony Halme, who wrestled under his real name with New Japan Pro Wrestling as a headliner in the early 90s, and as Ludvig Borga for WWF in the mid-90s, passed away on 01.08.10 in Finland of an apparent self inflected gun shot.  Halme was 47.

Halme, a 6-3, 300-pound powerlifter and boxer, was Randy Couture’s first-ever opponent on May 30, 1997.  Couture won the match via choke in 57 seconds.

The Cauliflower Alley Club extends its condolences to the family and friends of Tony Halme.

James White “Jim White” (01.08.10)
CAC member and past honoree, Jim White passed away Friday after a battle with cancer. Jim’s wrestling career began in 1957 in Chicago.
James also wrestled under the names of Tiny York, Red Shadow, The Scorpian.
Held numerous tagteam titles with Jerry “THE KING” Lawler. White was honoreed at the CAC in 1997.

The Cauliflower Alley Club extends its condolences to the family and friends of James White.