2010 Finishes (RIP)

Remembering those we have lost in 2010

MICKEY GARAGIOLA  08/29/2010
Mickey Garagiola was almost an institution in St. Louis.  He was the ring announcer for the highly-rated weekly television show “Wrestling from the Chase” for much of its existence, and doubled as co-commentator with Larry Matysik in the show’s later years.  He was also a widely-known St. Louis “character”, in the best sense of the word, and a great friend to the wrestling business for the past 40 years.

Mickey passed away on August 29, 2010, at the grand old age of 89.  He was the older brother of MLB catcher and Hall of Famer Joe Garagiola, who was the first man behind the microphone when “Wrestling at the Chase” began on May 23, 1959.  Mickey was an outgoing, popular and well-known waiter at Ruggeri’s, an upscale restaurant, and often served – and bantered with — St. Louis promoter and NWA president Sam Muchnick and many of “the boys” who frequently dined there.

Muchnick saw something he liked in the gregarious waiter, and invited him to the TV taping one night in 1969, at the upscale Chase-Park Plaza Hotel.  Rather than a ringside seat, Mickey was handed a program and given hurried instruction on how to ring announce, and that launched his close ties to the business.  He fitted well into Muchnick’s classy style of presenting his product, that made St. Louis the gold standard of pro wrestling promotion, and he enjoyed a great rapport with the city’s wrestling fans for the rest of his life.

Larry Matysik, Sam Muchnick’s right-hand man,  took the anchor’s chair on “Wrestling from the Chase” in 1972, and brought Mickey on board as co-commentator.  The pair clicked beautifully, balancing their easygoing on-air style with the red-hot action that the top names in the NWA produced inside the ring.  The pair shared mic duties until the final Chase program on September 10, 1983.

The St. Louis Wrestling Club folded for good in 1985 as the WWF wave rolled across the country.  Mickey handled their ring announcing until into the 1990’s, when the company began sending their own announcers on the road.  He was inducted into the St. Louis Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2007, a fitting acknowledgement of his many contributions.in the arena and out in his home city.  Mickey never lost touch with the wrestling public, continuing to attend independent evnts as recently as June 2010.

The Cauliflower Alley Club extends its condolences to the family and friends of Mickey Garagiola.
*Photo courtesy www.missouriwrestlingrevival.wordpress.com

 

 

J. C. BAILEY  08/29/2010
Joseph Carl Bailey, Jr., who wrestled on independent events through most of the past decade as J.C. Bailey, passed away on August 29, 2010 at the age of 26.  The cause of  death has not been released.

Trained by Tracy Smothers and Ian Rotten, Bailey specialized in hardcore matches of all kinds.  He appeared most frequently for Bad 2 the Bone Wrestling in Kentucky, a promotion operated by his father Joe Bailey, IWA Mid-South, CZW and a number of other hardcore promotions.  He had a single brief tour with Big Japan Pro Wrestling several years ago.

The Cauliflower Alley Club extends its condolences to the family and friends of J.C. Bailey.

KOTETSU YAMAMOTO  08/28/2010
Masaru Yamamoto, who received his ring name “Kotetsu” from the famed Toyonobori, second only to Rikidozan in the hierarchy of the Japan Wrestling Association, passed away at the age of 68 on August 28, 2010.  He died of a degenerative brain disease.

Born on October 30, 1941 in Yokohama, Yamamoto initially trained as a body builder.  He joined JWA in 1963 and would be the last student of Rikidozan due to his untimely death on December 16 of that year.  The 5’ 7”, 220-pounder debuted in July 1963, and four years later journeyed to the U.S. to gain experience.  In 1969, he pinned mammoth Gorilla Monsoon in just five minutes to score one of the biggest upsets in Japan’s comparatively-brief 16-year pro wrestling history.

Yamamoto accompanied his mentor, Antonio Inoki, when Inoki left JWA to form New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) in late 1971.  He continued to wrestle actively, and also moved into training and coaching, as well as booking..  He was instrumental in the training of such future legends as Satoru Sayama (the original Tiger Mask), Akira Maeda, Keiichi Yamada (Jushin ‘Thunder’ Liger), Yoshihiro Asai (Ultimo Dragon), and American judoka and Olympic medalist Bad News Allen Coage..

“Although he was a hard task master, he was always fair,” recalled Coage, now deceased.  “I was the second foreigner allowed to train with New Japan……Mr. Yamamoto impressed me as I watched him do 3,000 Hindu squats every day.  The majority of his students turned out to be great pro-wrestling stars.”

Together with Inoki and Karl Gotch, Yamamoto is credited with developing the fundamentals of “strong style” wrestling.  He retired from active competition in April 1980, but continued with New Japan until the end of his life as a trainer, coach, referee and TV color commentator.

The Cauliflower Alley Club extends its condolences to the family and friends of Kotetsu Yamamoto.

*Photo courtesy Shuhei Aoki

ANTON GEESINK 08/27/2010
Antonius Johannes “Anton” Geesink, an Olympic gold medalist and three-time world open-class champion in judo who made the transition to professional wrestling, passed away in his native Netherlands on August 27, 2010. He has been in intensive care for several weeks before his death at age 76.

A huge man in judo terms at six foot six and well over 250 pounds, Geesink captured 21 European judo titles between 1952 and 1967. At the 1961 world title tournament he took the top title, which up until then had always been won by a Japanese athlete, and repeated the victory in 1964 and 1965. He was one of a handful of living 10th-Dan grade judoka.

He retired from competitive judo in 1967. A teacher by profession, Geesink taught at the Dutch Royal Military Academy and other institutions, and continued his involvement in judo by instructing and coaching, and authoring 11 books on the subject..

In October 1973, Giant Baba recruited Geesink to join his All Japan Pro Wrestling promotion. Trained in Amarillo, Texas by Dory Funk, Jr. and Terry Funk, he adapted quickly and moved rapidly into major matches in Japan. He wrestled from 1973 to 1978, and was a popular figure throughout the island nation. His notable opponents included Bruno Sammartino, Dory Funk, Jr., Jumbo Tsuruta, Gorilla Monsoon, Dick Murdoch and Sgt. Slaughter.

Retiring from wrestling in 1978, he was appointed to the Dutch National Olympic Committee in 1987, and was a member of the International Olympic Committee. The Emperor of Japan recognized his accomplishments by awarding him the Order of the Sacred Treasure, and he received other high honors in France and at home. His hometown of Utrecht, The Netherlands named a street in his honor — the same street on which he lived until his death.

The Cauliflower Alley Club extends its condolences to the family and friends of Anton Geesink.

SKANDOR AKBAR  08/19/2010
Jimmy Wehba was a friend and often a mentor to untold numbers of his fellow wrestlers, a seasoned pro whose wrestling roots ran back over 50 years.  He wrestled, he managed, he promoted…..and he was revered by all those fortunate enough to share the long hours of travel, the dressing room and the ring with him.

“The General”, Skandor Akbar, was a master of his craft.  He personified the heel side of wrestling, taking every unfair advantage to achieve triumph.  As a wrestler and later a manager, he drove wrestling fans into a frenzy of fury matched by few others.  He was the antithesis of Jimmy Wehba: cold, cunning, calculating, evil

Jimmy and The General were of course one and the same person.  Their long saga, in the ring and out, came to a sudden end in Garland, Texas on August 19, 2010 when “Ak” passed away in his sleep sometime through that night, at the home he’d occupied for more than 40 years.  He had battled prostate cancer recently, along with the ravages of aging.

Born Jimmy Saied Wehba on September 25, 1934 in Wichita Falls, Texas, he came by his later identity – Skandor Akbar is Arabic for Alexander the Great – in a way legitimately.  His father Jim was from Lebanon, and his U.S.-born mother Mary was of Arabic descent as well.  Raised in Vernon, Texas, he did a two-year stint in the U.S. Army, serving mostly in Germany.  A cousin owned a gym, and Jimmy gravitated into weightlifting early, a natural pursuit with his squat, powerful frame.  Another cousin was Frankie Cain, The Great Mephisto, whom Jimmy undoubtedly plied with questions about professional wrestling.  It was a short step to backyard wrestling with a buddy, many years before that description became part of the lexicon, and a growing interest in taking the sport up professionally.

Jimmy began his career by refereeing, but then dropped out for several years. Returning his attentions to the ring in the early 1960’s, he became Mighty Jim, Wildman Wehba and Prince Emir before a fateful talk with Dallas promoter Fritz von Erich in 1966.  Fritz suggested that with his dark complexion and threatening look, he should adopt an Arabic identity, and Skandor Akbar was born.

Usually a heel, he did work out of character in a long run as a tag team with the matchless Danny Hodge in the Mid-South territory, then jumped back to the dark side after back-stabbing Hodge in mid–match.  From there on, he was a full-fledged heel.  “….the villain was my thing,” Akbar told the Dallas Morning News in 2000. “I tried to be a good guy, but the people just didn’t like it.”

The people didn’t like it either, when Scandor unleashed his savage arsenal on the fair-haired set, but it was the right kind of heat.  They turned out to see him in riled-up droves, screaming for his scalp.  It was music to Akbar’s ears, along with the jingle of cash coming into the box office.  He’d made the right decision, and never looked back, even though his tires were regularly slashed, his windshield smashed, and projectiles of every kind were thrown at him..  He even had to wear a bulletproof vest on occasion.

Ak rounded out his active wrestling career in the latter 1970’s.  He’d been in California and the Pacific north-west, across the south-west and south-east, and had a run in Vince McMahon Sr.’s WWWF.  He was far from being finished in the ring, though; he plunged full-time into managing the wildest characters he could find.  It was the heyday of the managers, and Scandor Akbar stood tall in the midst of the great ones.  He was the scourge of the South, leading his various charges into no-quarter battle, often as “Devastation Inc.”, in Mid-South, UWF, GWF and WCCW. 

One tally named 48 wrestlers who appeared under the Akbar banner, probably incomplete but likely a record number for a single manager.   The rampaging alliances included Abdullah the Butcher, Dick Murdoch, Killer Tim Brooks, Cactus Jack and scores more of wrestling’s roughest and toughest over the years.  Led by Ak, the unholy alliances topped the hate parade year in and year out.

Akbar expanded his horizons to include promoting as well, and after the demise of the territories, he made many guest manager appearances for independent promotions.  He loved reuniting with old friends, becoming a regular at Red Bastien’s Texas Shoot-Out reunions.in Dallas, and visiting the Gulf Coast Wrestlers’ Reunion in Mobile.  Though 75, Ak had been booked for an indy show on the weekend of his passing, one of many such dates he was happy to fulfill.

Young wrestlers with whom Ak travelled hundreds of thousands of miles between venues enjoyed a rare privilege as the veteran mentored them, about wrestling and about life.  Iconic announcer Jim Ross and superstar Steve Austin are only two of the many who pay sincere tribute to Ak’s wisdom and knowledge, generously shared with them during long road trips in their rookie years.  The car was a rolling classroom, and one can only guess how many ‘students’ like Jim and Steve absorbed the lessons Ak taught in it over the years.  Jim has written a very personal and heartfelt blog that tells the story, and it’s a more than worthwhile read; see http://www.jrsbarbq.com/blog/general-scandor-akbar-passes-loss-another-dear-friend-and-mentor .

Ak loved the business with a passion, an intensity, all too rarely seen.  He was in many ways a throwback to an earlier era, and the world of professional wrestling is the richer for having had him in its midst for so many years.  

He is survived by his son Daryl Wehba and grandson Trevor Wehba of Duncan, Oklahoma, sister  Dianne (Ken) Cluley of Wichita Falls, and a large extended family.  Funeral services were held in Wichita Falls on August 24.

The Cauliflower Alley Club extends its condolences to the many family and friends of Jimmy Wehba, the one and only Skandor Akbar.

Photos courtesy Percy Pringle III, Chris Swisher www.csclassicwrphotos.com, Mike Lano wrealano@aol.com

 

“NIGHTMARE” TED ALLEN  08/19/2010
Ted Allen was far from a familiar face in the wrestling ring, since he most often worked under a mask, but he was indeed a familiar name in the southern states over the 35 years of his career.  The veteran wrestler passed away suddenly of an apparent heart attack on August 19, 2010, at age 54, in Cartersville, Georgia.

Allen showed a range of talents in his school years, in athletics, editing the student newspaper, and behind the microphone commentating school sports.  He became the ring announcer for wrestling cards in his hometown of Cartersville during his mid-teens, and from there, pro wrestling put an inescapable hammerlock on the rest of his life.

Ted began his active career in 1975, juggling wrestling dates with daytime job duties, under the name Ted Atlas.  CAC lifer Charlie Smith introduced him to the Atlanta office several years later, and he went full-time as Ted Allen.  In 1981, he paired up with Danny Davis under the hoods as “The Nightmares” for three months, but had to end the alliance prematurely. 

Feeling a new level of confidence behind the mask, Ted spent several months as MX-1 in Stampede Wrestling in Canada and as The Power Ranger in Jim Cornette’s Smoky Mountain Wrestling.  As the territorial system dwindled, he retained the hood but campaigned as Nightmare Ted Allen, making no secret of his identity in a departure from the secrecy usually associated with a masked man.  He branched out into training as well.  Arn Anderson of Four Horsemen fame took his initial training from Ted, as did the late Big Bossman Ray Traylor, Bull Buchanan, Scotty Riggs, Ranger Ross and referee Pee Wee Anderson.

Hand in hand with wrestling and training went development of his own Peach State Wrestling promotion in Rome, Georgia from 1989 to 1991, custom construction of wrestling rings, and operation of a furniture moving company.

Ted Allen had an immense love for wrestling, and fully enjoyed the camaraderie of the boys.  “I was really fortunate to break in when I did,” he told his close friend Scott Teal.  “I got to work with so many guys that were just great.”   His love for the business showed clearly in his regular attendance at the annual Gulf Coast Wrestlers’ Reunion, and his membership in CAC.  Just days before he passed away, Ted had attended the NWA Legends Fan Fest in Charlotte, NC where he renewed many friendships and as always enjoyed himself immensely.

In lieu of flowers, Ted’s family – his two children, and three grandchildren – has requested that donations be made to Gulf Coast Wrestlers’ Reunion, 6609 Old Pascagoula Road, Theodore, AL 36582.

The Cauliflower Alley Club extends its condolences to the family and friends of Ted Allen.

Photos courtesy Chris Swisher, www.csclassicwrphotos.com, and Scott Teal.

JEREMY WOOD  08/18/2010
Jeremy Wood, an Iraq veteran and newly-recruited professional wrestling trainee, passed away on August 18, 2010.  He reportedly collapsed during a training session in Newport, Arkansas on August 12, was hospitalized immediately, and expired in the hospital five days later.  It is unclear at this point whether his death resulted from a training injury, or an unrelated medical emergency.

The Cauliflower Alley Club extends its condolences to the family and friends of Jeremy Wood.

 

LANCE CADE  08/13/2010
Lance K. McNaught, who spent the majority of his 11-year ring career with World Wrestling Entertainment,  passed away in San Antonio, Texas on August 13, 2010.  The 29-year old wrestler was apparently cut down by heart failure.

Born on March 2, 1981, Lance began his ring training at age 18 under WWE headliner Shawn Michaels in San Antonio.  His professional debut took place in Japan’s FMW promotion in 1999, where he took the name Lance Cade and often teamed with rising star Bryan Danielson.  Returning to the U.S. in 2000, he signed with WWE’s developmental program the following year, and spent the next couple of years honing his craft in  Memphis, Cincinnati (HWA) and Louisville (OVW) rings.

Called up to the Raw roster in June 2003, and renamed Garrison Cade, he teamed regularly with Mark Jindrak for the next year.  A knee injury cost him months on the sidelines, then he returned to Ohio Valley Wrestling to wear off the ring rust.  He resurfaced on Raw in August 2005 as Lance Cade, allied with Trevor Murdoch in what became a long-running tag pairing.  The Cade-Murdoch tandem held the WWE World Tag Team Championship on three separate occasions over the next three years.  Lance next allied with Chris Jericho, until being released by WWE in late 2008.

Lance spent the next year on the independent circuit, and with the Hustle and All Japan promotions overseas.  He  returned to WWE in September 2009, but was relegated to Florida Championship Wrestling until being released again in April 2010.  Since then, he had appeared for All Japan and was scheduled to return there in August 2010.

Cade had not been well in the week before his death, and was hospitalized for breathing difficulties on August 10.  He discharged himself the next day, and passed away two days later.  He is survived by his wife, two daughters and a stepson.

The Cauliflower Alley Club extends its condolences to the family and friends of Lance Cade.

 

STEVE STANLEE  07/02/2010
Steve Stanlee, elder brother of the late Gene “Mr. America” Stanlee and a widely-known wrestler in his own right, passed away in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin on July 2, 2010.  He had recently reached the remarkable milestone of 90 years of age.

Paul Oswald Zygowicz, born on February 28, 1920 in Chicago, was one of nine sons and six daughters.  He and brother Eugene – later to become Gene Stanlee — took up amateur wrestling and bodybuilding while in school, and pursued both zealously.  Paul was trained as a tool and die maker, specializing in machine design.  Both enlisted in the U.S. Navy as World War II flared, and Paul spent four years to achieve the rank of  Machinist’s Mate, First Class, including a tour of duty on the USS Birmingham,  He was discharged in late 1945. 

Following the war, the brothers worked endlessly to hone their bodies to championship proportions, climb the ladder in power lifting competitions, and crack the pro wrestling ranks.  He took the name Paul Stanlee for his initial campaign in Georgia Championship Wrestling in 1947-48, then moved on to Toronto under the new identity of Steve Stanlee.

Steve adopted blond hair, dazzling ring jackets and a calculated flamboyance for a lengthy run in the northeast U.S., followed by a stint in California in the mid-1950’s. He teamed with brother Gene in those early years, and the physically impressive pair made a solid impact in the early years of television.  They didn’t team often, however, preferring to pursue their separate paths.  Steve often appropriated the “Mr. America” moniker long associated with Gene, but didn’t catch on with the public as strongly as Gene did.  Nevertheless, he may be the better-known brother as he had a considerably longer ring career.  

The late 1950’s found Steve once again on the east coast, under the banner of Capitol Wrestling.  He most often worked singles matches, until allying himself with another “brother”, towering Bob Stanlee – Bob Merrill, who also worked as Giant Evans and Sky Hi Krueger – as The Stanlee Steamers.  Early in the 1960’s, Steve won the NWA Ohio heavyweight title from Frankie Talaber, his only recorded championship.  He had a number of bouts for the NWA world title over the years as well. 

Brother Gene retired in the early 60’s, but Steve elected to forge ahead.  He spent several years with the WWWF in the mid-60’s, some months in Hawaii, and then had a final run in Georgia toward the end of the 60’s.

Gene Stanlee passed away on September 23, 2005 at the age of 83, after a lifetime of the healthy living the brothers pursued since their school years in Chicago.

Memorial services for Steve Stanlee will be conducted at the Steinke Funeral Home in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 29, with visitation in the hour before the service.

The Cauliflower Alley Club extends its condolences to the family and friends of Steve Stanlee, truly an “old pro” in the world of professional wrestling.

EL SCORPIO  06/25/2010
Rafael Nunez Contreras, one of the most famous masked luchadores to appear in Mexican rings, passed away ON June 25, 2010 at the age of 57, in his native Mexico..

El Scorpio’s career began at a young age in the late 1960’s, and continued into the 1990’s.  Through all of those years, he never lost his mask.  Scorpio reached the apex of his career on April 30, 1985 when he defeated the famed UWA world champion El Canek to seize the prestigious title.  His son Rafael wrestled under a mask as Scorpio Jr., but lost his mask and to this day continues to wrestle successfully under other names.

The Cauliflower Alley Club extends its condolences to the family and friends of  El Scorpio.

TONI ADAMS  06/24/2010
Toni Leah Gant, former wife of the late Chris Adams and a feature ring attraction in her own right, passed away on June 24, 2010 in Louisville, Kentucky.  She was 45 years of age, and reportedly suffered from post-operative abdominal problems that led to a fatal heart attack.

A native of Corpus Christi, Texas, Toni began as a production assistant in Fritz von Erich’s World Class Championship Wrestling (WCCW) in 1984.  She married Chris Adams, a well-established area star, in 1985, shortly after his divorce from Jeanie Clarke.  She soon graduated to doing TV spots and interviews for WCCW and then Bill Watts’ UWF.  Returning with Chris to WCCW, Toni began managing him in 1989, and became embroiled in feuds with P.Y. Chu-Hi (Tojo Yamamoto), Phil Hickerson and Billy Travis

Toni’s landmark feud exploded in 1990, as a manager and then a wrestler.  Chris Adams conceived the entire scenario, eventually pitting he and wife Toni against his standout trainee Steve Austin, the future “Stone Cold” of WWE fame, and ex-wife Jeanie Clarke, who would shortly after become Austin’s wife.  The feud raged throughout the territory for almost a year, one of the most memorable and successful in the region’s mat history.

Toni and Chris divorced in about 1991, but remained in touch until Chris’s death in 2001.  They had one son, Chris Adams Jr., born in 1988.  She resumed her wrestling career in 1993, working in Tennessee’s USWA as a wrestler and a manager/valet, Nanny Simpson, then later in the Global Wrestling Federation.  After managing Brian Christopher, Scotty Flamingo, Koko B. Ware, Rex Hargrove, Tony Falk, Rod Price and Iceman King Parsons, Toni retired permanently in 1995.

The Cauliflower Alley Club extends its condolences to the family and friends of Toni Adams.

COWBOY BOB BRADLEY  06/24/2010
Cowboy Bob Bradley, one of the last survivors of the golden era of midget wrestling, passed away in Amarillo, Texas on June 24, 2010.  He was 75.

The ‘Cowboy’ handle paid tribute to Robert Claton Bradley’s roots in the Lone Star State.  Born in Dickens County, Texas on February 11, 1935, he graduated from high school in Roaring Springs.  After a single semester at West Texas State in Canyon, the school that’s produced so many outstanding wrestlers from the Funks onwards, Bob opted to join the pro wrestling ranks. 

Virtually always the crowd’s hero, Bob toured widely with the Bert Ruby-Harry Light troupe out of Detroit from 1954 to his retirement in 1970.  In that 16 years, he criss-crossed the U.S. and Canada many times, and appeared in several foreign countries alongside Sky Low Low, Little Beaver, Major Tom Thumb, Fuzzy Cupid, Irish Jackie, Tiny Tim and many others.  Like his contemporaries, he blended slam-bang wrestling action with a healthy dose of comedy that always left crowds superbly entertained.

Following his retirement from the ring, Bob spent many years in Las Vegas as a widely-known blackjack dealer, mainly on Fremont Street.

He is survived by his daughter, Tammie Bylina and husband Jim of Las Vegas, three brothers and six sisters, three grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

The Cauliflower Alley Club extends its condolences to the family and friends of Cowboy Bob Bradley.
 

BIG MIKEY  06/18/2010
Bert Ruf Jr. of Winnipeg, Manitoba, who wrestled primarily under the name Big Mikey in Canadian independent promotions, passed away on June 18, 2010.  He was 44, and succumbed to cancer.

Born in Winnipeg on April 29, 1966, Bert excelled on school athletic grounds and twice won an award for All-Around Sportsman.  He was trained as a wrestler by Terry Tomko, and debuted in his home city in 1991 for the Canadian Wrestling League.  Best known as “Big Mikey”, Bert wrestled regularly from 1991 to 1994 for various promotions in Manitoba, including brief runs as Mike Cross, Mike Manson, the masked Executioner, and in a short-lived comeback in 2001 as The Mutilator.

Most often a face, Bert always had a friendly gesture and a hearty laugh for his ring colleagues and his fans.  In later life he was employed by Purolator Courier.

The Cauliflower Alley Club extends its condolences to the family and friends of ‘Big Mikey’, Bert Ruf Jr..

J. J. JENKINS  06/18/2010
Jerry Jenkins, who both wrestled and managed on independent shows, passed away on June 18, 2010.  He was 66 years of age, and died after a long battle with cancer.

Jenkins was a fixture in the American Championship Wrestling promotion out of Boaz, Alabama for over 20 years, under the name of J.J. Jenkins.  He was always ready to help out young talent, and had a dressing room reputation for ribs he pulled on the boys.

The Cauliflower Alle Club extends its condolences to the family and friends of Jerry Jenkins.

CHUCK ETCHELS 06/08/2010
Charles “C.P.” Bender, who wrestled in Florida indies as Chuck Etchels, passed away on June 8, 2010 after a long bout with cancer.  He was 35.

Raised in Salem, New Hampshire, C.P. moved with his family to Florida in 1993, and extended his long-time love of wrestling by becoming involved with the Crude Wrestling Alliance (CWA).  His ring name was adopted from famed auto racer and friend Chuck Etchells.  He also did a run as a masked ninja warrior during Etchels’ “absence” from the CWA, and later as a manager and referee.

The Cauliflower Alley Club extends its condolences to the family and friends of C.P. Bender.

TRENT ACID  04/18/2010
Michael Verdi, who competed widely in the independent world as Trent Acid, passed away suddenly on June 18, 2010.  His grandmother discovered the body of the 29-year old wrestler at his residence in Philadelphia.

Born on November 12, 1980, he attended various wrestling schools as a teenager,  His first significant indy appearances were for Combat Zone Wrestling in 1999, where he often tangled with another up-and-comer, Johnny Kashmere.  The two finally allied as a long-running tag team, a rarity in the indy world, dubbed The Backseat Boyz.  They appeared often in CZW, copping tag team titles three times, and also in Ring of Honor where they ruled the tag team roost on a single occasion.

Acid held his share of singles titles as well, in CZW, USA Pro Wrestling, USA Xtreme Wrestling, Pro Wrestling Unplugged, Pro Wrestling Syndicate and Juggalo hampionship Wrestling.  He worked against some of the prime names in indy world, such as Samoa Joe, Messiah, Homicide, Jimmy Jacobs, Alex Shelley,Devon Moore, Justin Credible and more.

Though not a big man at 5’ 11” and 180 pounds, Acid had an impressive set of skills, but failed to capitalize on them.  Reportedly, serious drug problems blocked his progress past the independent level, and indeed kept him from rising to the level of stardom there that he could have. On April 2, 2010 he was arrested for possession of heroin, and had just completed a rehabilitation program days prior to his passing.

The Cauliflower Alley Club extends its condolences to the family and friends of Trent Acid, Michael Verdi.

Photo courtesy Brad Dykens, www.onlineworldofwrestling.com

GRIZZLY SMITH  06/12/2010
Depending on the time and the place, he was Jake Smith.  Grizzly Smith.  Tiny Anderson.  Ski Hi Jones.  Tiny Smith.  And through much of the 1960’s and into the very early 1970’s, “Griz” was the slightly taller half of The Kentuckians tag team so wildly popular with the fans.

Aurelian “Grizzly” Smith, the father of a noted American wrestling family, passed away in Amarillo, Texas on June 12, 2010.   His death at 77 years of age was attributed to complications of Alzheimer’s Disease, of several years’ duration.

Smith was born in Whitesboro, Texas, just north of Dallas, on August 6, 1932, one of four children.  He grew and grew, to somewhere around the 6’ 10” mark and 300-plus pounds.  Professional wrestling was almost a foregone conclusion at that size, but he began his working life in the Texas oil patch, then gravitated to part-time ring duties as Jake Smith in the latter 1950’s.  The ring became a full-time occupation and as Grizzly Smith, he moved on to Oklahoma in 1960. There, he paired up with Texas friend and another mammoth of a man, Carl Dennis “Man Mountain” Campbell from Daisy, Virginia.  At Smith’s suggestion, the pair adopted a new home state, a countrified “aw, shucks!” persona with overalls and plaid shirts, and began campaigning under the moniker The Kentuckians.  Smith became Tiny Anderson, and later Tiny Smith, while Campbell adopted the handle Luke Brown.

Success in the Carolinas, Georgia, Florida, California and Texas followed, along with side trips to several other territories.  The pair held the southern, midwest, U.S. and world tag titles at various times and places, and Griz as Ski Hi Jones later shared the Canadian tag crown with Don Leo Jonathon in Vancouver.  On his own he captured the WWA version of the world title from Freddie Blassie in Atlanta, and the Texas heavyweight title from The Spoiler, Don Jardine.

Far and away The Kentuckians’ greatest ongoing feud – and best run business-wise — was with the original Assassins, Jody Hamilton and Tom Renesto.  The pair teamed up under black and gold masks in 1961, and not long after, had their first collision with The Kentuckians.  Hamilton recalls that their strategy was never to take the big men off their feet, making them seem not just another team to be beaten down, but invincible towers of power.  The  formula worked to perfection in the Carolinas, Florida, California and British Columbia. In each locale, The Assassins came in first, got the fire going, then Griz and Luke arrived and the weeks-long war was on again.

As the 70’s progressed, Smith pared down his active schedule and moved into the backstage scene.  He booked and promoted for Bill Watt’s Mid-South and later UWF promotions, then hooked up briefly as a road agent with WWF and finally WCW.  Retiring from wrestling, he relocated to New Orleans and worked in cemetery maintenance.  The day before Hurricane Katrina, Griz injured his leg at work, and in the ensuing interruption of medical services, couldn’t get it treated.  He finally obtained medical care in Texas and was fortunate to save the leg, but lost all of his belongings in the massive flooding.  Griz had lately been living in Amarillo, and suffered the onset of Alzheimer’s in recent years.  He was inducted into the NWA Wrestling Legends Hall of Fame in Charlotte in 2008, but was unable to attend; his son Michael graciously accepted on his behalf from presenter Magnum T.A.

Smith’s three surviving children made it on their own in the wrestling business.  Aurelian Smith Jr. became Jake “The Snake” Roberts, while second son Michael wrestled as Sam Houston.  Daughter Robin made it into the ring too, as Rockin’ Robin.  All three have been closely identified with WWF in past years.

The Cauliflower Alley club extends its condolences to the family and friends of Grizzly Smith.

Rocket Monroe 06/07/10
Maury High, perhaps better known to wrestling fans throughout the southern United States as Rocket Monroe, passed away on Monday, June 7, 2010. He had spent a few days of the previous week hospitalized with an infection, and was discharged over the weekend. He was the lone remaining member of the Brothers Monroe.

High was once a promising young football player at Somerville High School in Tennessee. His dream of playing professional football came to a crashing halt when he suffered a serious knee injury before being able to enjoy the perks of an athletic scholarship at Memphis State University, now known as the University of Memphis.

After graduating high school and in search of a new dream, hunting buddy Johnny Alexander invited High to join him at a workout. Alexander was wrestling for Jim Holly, who not only wrestled but was also promoting in opposition to Nick Gulas at the time.

Rocket hung up his boots in 1980, finishing up his career working on the occasional spot shows around Georgia and could often be seen putting over the younger up-and-coming stars on WTBS’ Georgia Championship Wrestling program.

High was preceded in death by a son Heath. He is survived by wife Denise, and their children Michelle, Justin, and Heather, as well as Tommy, Bobby, and Rita, from a previous marriage.

The Cauliflower Alley Club extends its condolences to the family and friends of Maury “Rocket Monroe” High.

 

RUSHER KIMURA   05/24/2010
Masao “Rusher” Kimura, for years a headliner against many of the top names in Japanese wrestling, passed away in his homeland on May 24, 2010.  Born in the northern city of Hokkaido on June 30, 1941, the veteran grappler was 68 years old.  His death was attributed to pneumonia, and complications of kidney failure.

Kimura made his ring debut on April 23, 1965, against Sarukichi Takasakiyama.  He spent his first year or so in his native country’s first pro promotion, JWA, the Japan Pro Wrestling Alliance founded by Rikidozan.  After a short stint in the original Tokyo Pro Wrestling in 1966-67, he moved on to IWE, International Wrestling Enterprise.  IWE would remain his home base until 1981, and it was there that he climbed the ladder to fame.

In 1970, Kimura and Dr. Death – Canadian veteran Stan “Moose” Morowski – clashed in the first-ever steel cage death match in Japan, held in Osaka.  The match became Rusher’s specialty, so much so that he gained the informal title Kanaami no Oni, Monster of the Steel Cage.  Another first took place two years earlier, when he was part of the first hair match in the island nation.  During his tenure in IWE, he had many matches against top-line Japanese and foreign stars, and became known for his signature offensive moves, the bulldog headlock and the Rusher lariat.  Kimura also became a master at the microphone during those years, one of the very first in Japan to develop that skill and apply it effectively, 

After IWE’s closure in 1981, Kimura moved to New Japan for three years, and had a lengthy feud with Antonio Inoki.  He did a short run with the original UWF in 1984, then transferred his loyalties to All Japan for a 16-year run.  After feuding with Giant Baba regularly through the early years, he later became Baba’s tag team partner.  As he aged, Kimura became a mid-card regular, often in comedic matches that finished with a promo in which he  focused his barbs on his old partner, Baba.  He moved to Pro Wrestling NOAH for the final four years of his career, and retired from the ring in 2004.

During his long career, Kimura held several titles, both tag team and single, and took part in a number of high-profile tournaments.  He made limited appearances in North America, under his own name, The Great Kimura, or Mr. Toyo.  He was an ideal opponent for the gaijin – American and Canadian wrestlers — in Japan, as he spoke English fairly well and could easily communicate with them.

The Cauliflower Alley Club extends its condolences to the family and friends of Masao Kimura.

Photo courtesy Mike Lano, WReaLano@aol.com 

JET MONROE   05/12/2010
Gary Brumbaugh, the real-life brother of tough-as-nails ring legend Sputnik Monroe (Roscoe Monroe Brumbaugh), passed away on May 12, 2010.

Sputnik and his original “brother” Rocket (Bill Fletcher) brought Gary on board as their manager during a tour of New York in the early 1960’s.  He became Jet Monroe, complete with the trademark white streak through the front of his hair, and his interfering ways during their bouts hiked their heat up even higher. “When we put my blood brother Gary in as Jet Monroe, that put the icing on the cake!” exulted Sputnik, in an interview with Georgia Wrestling History many years later.

At the end of the New York run, Rocket departed for Phoenix while Sputnik and Jet moved on to Atlanta.  They got their fair share of heat there, then Jet left for Mobile and Sputnik moved west.  The brothers reunited briefly in Phoenix, then Jet reverted to being Gary Brumbaugh, took a management position with Walgreen Drugs and dropped out of the business.  Sputnik passed away in Florida on November 2, 2006.

The Cauliflower Alley Club extends its condolences to the family and friends of Jet Monroe.

  

EL SUPREMO  05/04/2010
Salvador Cuevas Ramirez, El Supremo of lucha libre fame, passed away in his hometown of Tijuana, Mexico on May 4, 2010.  His death was reportedly due to a heart attack.

Born on July 8, 1950, Cuevas made a rather late start to his career on July 6, 1976, after training under the legendary Diablo Velazco.  His initial character, El Magnifico, was short-lived.  In March 1977 he donned a golden mask and changed his identity to El Supremo, “The Supreme One”. His trademark finisher was the Supremo Special, a figure four necklock.

The highlight of his career came on May 4, 1980 when he defeated Kato Kung Lee to seize the NWA World Welterweight Title, one of the most prestigious titles in Mexico in that era.  He held the title for only a month before dropping it to Lizmark on June 6.  A taste for championship gold led him to defeat Franco Columbo on February 1, 1981 for the Mexican National Welterweight title, which he held for 422 days and through many title defenses in EMLL’s major arenas.

El Supremo was finally unmasked on December 8, 1992 as a result of a “Lucha de Apuesta” loss to Pierroth, Jr in Mexico City.  The rules of this special match provide that the loser must unmask, and reveal his true identity.  He continued to wrestle until 1995.

The Cauliflower Alley Club extends its condolences to the family and friends of El Supremo, Salvador Cuevas Ramirez.

KINJI SHIBUYA   05/03/2010
He was born in Utah, raised in California, schooled in Hawaii, and he never set foot in Japan for any longer than it took to change planes en route to Australia.  Yet he spent over a quarter of his life as the quintessential oriental menace; the salt-throwing, sly, smirking and slippery Japanese heel that everybody loved to hate.

Robert Shibuya was variously Kenji (or Kinji) Shibuya, and early in his career Mr. Hito, for 23 years of a long and fruitful life that spanned 88 years.  He passed away with his family at his side on May 3, 2010 in Hayward, California.

The future Kenji was born in Utah on May 16, 1921, one of five sons of Kinkichi and Kura Shibuya.  The family relocated to Los Angeles, where Kenji took his early education and was a standout on the L.A. City College football squad.  Advancing his education at the University of Hawaii, he was a four-year football star, then played semi-pro ball with the Honolulu Polar Bears and Honolulu Warriors.

Kenji’s football fame brought him to the attention of Al Karasick, the veteran wrestler and promotional power in the islands, in 1952.  Karasick undoubtedly saw a future drawing card in the young man, and suggested he try wrestling on for size.  Shibuya liked what he saw, and his career was launched at the age of 31.

After his baptism of fire in Hawaiian rings, Kenji headed for Minneapolis and then Calgary, both territories where he could refine his craft against tried and true veterans.  For some unknown reason, he began in Edmonton, Alberta as The Mighty Kojo, but used the Kenji Shibuya identity elsewhere in western Canada, and eventually in Edmonton.  Vancouver beckoned as well, and Shibuya ever after looked back on the two Canadian territories as having offered some of the best experiences of his life.

From there, the wrestling world was Kenji Shibuya’s oyster.  He spread his wings, to Australia, eastern Canada, all over the U.S., and particularly to San Francisco.  There, he was a wrestling institution, headlining many cards in the storied Cow Palace as a single and tag team warrior.  He was undoubtedly the top Japanese wrestler of the 1960’s, and Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer lists him as one of the top ten stars in the entire industry in that timeframe.

In fact, tag team warfare became almost his specialty.  He teamed early on (as Mr. Hito) with the redoubtable Mr. Moto, then with rising star Mitsu Arakawa, and following that with Mr. (Masa) Saito.  The crowds flocked in to see the stealthy Japanese get their clocks cleaned, but it seldom happened and fans had to come back again and again in hopes of someone –anyone! – triumphing over them.

After 23 years of traveling and wrestling, and no longer a young man, Shibuya capped off his career.  He opened a business in Vallejo, California, and given his oriental features and villainous look, attracted the attention of Hollywood.  Always playing the heavy, he took roles in such TV hits as Kung Fu and the short-lived Mr. T. and Tina, and the films Hammett and Days of a Bawdy Ballad.  He especially enjoyed meeting the stars, and counted several as friends.

In retirement, Kenji did a 180 degree turn from the turmoil of arenas to the peaceful pursuits of his garden, and raising the ornamental Japanese carp, koi.  He attended many Cauliflower Alley Club functions, and always enjoyed reuniting with old friends and foes alike, until his health began to fail.

A memorial service for Kenji will be held in Union City, California on Sunday, May 16.

The Cauliflower Alley Club sends its condolences to Kenji’s wife of 59 years, Janet, his daughter Michele and son Robert Kinji, grandchildren Robert Kinji III and Richard, and to other family and friends.
(Photo credit: George Schire collection)

SCREAMER  04/26/2010
David Kistulenic, who wrestled as Screamer of the Dream Warriors in the early to mid-1990’s, passed away on April 26, 2010.

The Dream Warriors, a solid attraction for Windy City Wrestling of Chicago, were actually brothers.  David was Screamer, given to maniacal outbursts at the top of his lungs when the pair did promos.  Dennis Kistulenic was Brood, the more composed of the two but nevertheless heavily threatening whenever a microphone appeared.

The Cauliflower Alley Club extends its condolences to the family and friends of David Kistulenic.

Peggy Ann Kawa-Baker 04/24/10
Peggy Ann Kawa-Baker,58, of Danielson, CT, died unexpectedly Saturday April 24, 2010 at home. She was the beloved wife of Douglas “Ox” Baker, they were married February 14, 1992.
 
She was born January 14, 1952 in Windsor, CT,  daughter of the late Frank and Veronica Kawa.
 
She made her home in Danielson for the last 9 years, and worked for US Security at Staples Distribution Center in Plainfield, CT. She was a professional clown and was Ox Baker’s personal manager.
 
She leaves her husband Douglas, son Jarren David Wilcox of New Britain, daughter Jenny Lynn Daley of Sumter, SC, brothers, Frank Kawa and Fred Kawa, both of CT, nine grandchildren and one great granddaughter. Predeceased by siblings John and Patricia.

The Cauliflower Alley Club sends its condolences to  Ox, the family and many friends.

GORGEOUS GEORGE GRANT   04/21/2010
If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, the original Gorgeous George – George Wagner – must have been flattered indeed by George Grant.

Perhaps the best-known imitator of the original George, and later a very well-known evangelist throughout the south, George Grant passed away in Dorn Veterans Hospital in Columbia, South Carolina on April 21, 2010.  He was 85.

Originally from Honey Grove, Texas, George was a World War II Navy veteran.  He labored on undercards through his first few years, including a stint with Jack Pfefer’s touring troupe, husky, bearded and long-haired, and far from ‘gorgeous’.  His turning point came in Marietta Georgia in 1952, where he lost a mask vs beard match to the Green Hornet.  His newly-shorn face as smooth as a baby’s, Grant was razzed unmercifully by the raucous crowd.  Apparently, long-haired and bearded was one thing, but in their view, he was now just a long-haired sissy.

George saw dollar signs in the crowd’s reaction – if they thought he was a sissy, he’d really serve it up right.  Out came the peroxide bottle, satin and lace and feather robes, looking suspiciously like ladies’ gowns, were created, gold bobby pins were ordered and a manservant enlisted.  Presto!  Gorgeous George Grant was born, and hit all the centers that were too insignificant for the original to bother with.

Coincidentally, the original George passed away on December 26, 1963, and earlier that year George Grant ended his wrestling tours.  Gone were the long, curly blond hair, the robes and the Georgie pins. He appeared in his final few matches with dark hair, his body unadorned with robes, just plain George Grant.

The Cauliflower Alley Club extends its condolences to George’s daughter Melody and other family members, and to his friends.
(Photo Credits, Chris Swisher, www.csclassicwrphotos.com and Brad Dykens, www.onlineworldofwrestling.com)

MR. HITO  04/20/10
Katsuji Adachi, 安達勝治, known far and wide as Mr. Hito during much of his 32 years in the ring, passed away on April 20, 2010 in Osaka, Japan.  His death was related to his long-standing diabetes.

 Hito-san, as he was often respectfully addressed by young boys through to veteran matmen in the latter stages of his career, was a tried and true warrior in Japan and North America.  He spent about half of his active career in each area.  Born in Osaka, Japan on April 25, 1942, he entered sumo training in 1956, at the tender age of 14. 

After a number of years spent pursuing this martial art, he migrated to professional wrestling in the late 1960’s, signing on with Nihon Puroresu Kyokai, or the Japan Wrestling Association (JWA).  He appeared in the promotion’s New Year Champion Series in January 1970 and the Golden Series in July.

North America beckoned in 1973, and his first landfall was the NWA Central States area where he took the name Tokyo Joe and teamed with Kung Fu Lee under the management of long-time CAC member Al ‘Percival A.’ Friend.  A highlight of his run there was participating in a rare 12-man Battle Royal at Kiel Auditorium in St. Louis with Lee, Jumbo Tsuruta, Andre the Giant, Bill Miller, Reggie Parks, Dory Funk, Jr. and others.

Stu Hart’s Stampede Wrestling was the next stop, along with an identity change to Mr. Hito since another Tokyo Joe, Joe Daigo, had recently appeared there. Hito clicked big with Stampede devotees, wrestling with a drive and toughness they appreciated.  Even though he turned heel on several occasions, and although fans showered him with boos, they still realized his true worth.

Hito held Stampede’s North American championship twice, and its International Tag Team title on eight occasions.  His tag partners included Big John Quinn, Gil Hayes, Heigo “Animal” Hamaguchi, Michel Martel, and Jim Neidhart, but his standout partner was fellow Japanese grappler Kazuo Sakurada.  The pair held Calgary’s International tag belts twice, and on a rare venture away from western Canada in 1979-80, captured both Championship Wrestling from Florida’s and WCCW’s tandem titles.

During his Stampede campaign, Hito spent considerable time training budding  Japanese talent sent to the territory by Antonio Inoki’s New Japan group, and promising local talents as well.  He was especially high on young Hiroshi Hase and Keiichi Yamada – Jushin ‘Thunder’ Liger — and they became world-class talents.  The same held true for Chris Benoit and Dynamite Kid.

In tandem with Kazuo Sakurada, Hito developed the basics in Stu Hart’s son who would become “The Hitman”, Bret Hart.  Bret paid particular tribute to Hito as his trainer and mentor in this way: “People often say to me, where would wrestling be without Bret Hart. But my answer to that is, where would Bret Hart be without Mr. Hito.”

After 32 years on the mat, Mr. Hito retired in 1988.  He remained in Calgary for 15 years, then in 2003 returned to his native Osaka where he worked at his sister’s restaurant.  His diabetes did not treat him kindly, and he had his right leg partially amputated in October 2009.  Hito’s condition continued to decline, until his death on April 20, 2010.

The Cauliflower Alley Clun extends its condolences to the surviving family of Katsuji Adachi, Mr. Hito, and to his many friends.
(Photo Credits, Bob Leonard Collection)

STEVE STACK   04/20/2010
Steve Stack, the very capable television commentator in Amarillo and San Antonio, Texas, passed away on April 20, 2010.  He was a victim of Alzheimer’s Disease.   

Stack began his association with wrestling in Amarillo as the main voice on their TV show.  He later moved on to San Antonio and Joe Blanchard’s promotion, where he commentated Southwest Championship Wrestling.  The show was picked up by the USA Network on December 5, 1982, and had a highly-rated run before being replaced by WWF programming in the mid-eighties.  Stack is remembered as a solid commentator, and had a very good reputation in the business.

The Cauliflower Alley Club extends its condolences to the family and friends of Steve Stack

 

Gene Kiniski (04.14.10)
He styled himself Canada’s Greatest Athlete in the 1950’s, long before it was fashionable to be quite so self-aggrandizing before the general public.  Promoters dubbed him Big Thunder, acknowledging his rambunctious ring behavior and his in-your-face style on the microphone.  The press dubbed him Genial Gene and Gentle Gene, a tongue-in-cheek poke at the blustery, bragging and boisterous interview style of the “bad guy” who, in truth, they always loved to interview. There was never a dull moment when Gene Kiniski was in the room, or out front in a wrestling arena.

The big Canadian, who passed away in Blaine, Washington on April 14,2010,  lived up to all these sobriquets and more.  Gene lit up the wrestling sky through many of his 40 years in the ring, battling the biggest names decade after decade.  He wrestled a long string of NWA world champions scores of times: Lou Thesz, Dick Hutton, Pat O’Connor,  Buddy Rogers, Dory and Terry Funk, Harley Race, Jack Brisco, Giant Baba, and Whipper Billy Watson.  His epic running battle with Watson raged across every province in Canada and into the U.S. for several years, and was familiar to virtually every Canadian over ten years old thanks to Gene’s never-ending barrage of bombast on the airwaves.

 And of course, Gene held the NWA belt himself from January 7, 1966 to February 11, 1969, capturing it from Lou Thesz in Toronto and finally dropping it to Dory Funk, Jr. in Tampa.  The NWA kings of that day worked harder than anyone in the business, and Gene kept up a killing pace all over North America and Japan for three solid years.  That pace exhausted him totally,  but after a short break to recharge, he hit the trail again and wrestled for another 13 years.

Gene was born in Edmonton, Alberta on November 23, 1928, one of six children of Julia Kiniski  who, years later, gained considerable fame as a strong, outspoken and sometimes feisty voice on Edmonton’s city council.  Gene’s brother, Julian became the long-serving and widely-known weatherman on the CBC-TV station in the city.  Between the three of them, Kiniski was a household name in the Alberta capital.

Big and brawny even at a young age, Kiniski captured the attention of a scout for the Edmonton Eskimos, of what would ultimately become the Canadian Football League. Also on the team were Stu Hart and wrestler/zoologist Al Oeming, the pair who promoted pro wrestling in Edmonton at the time, as well as future wrestlers Wilbur Snyder and Joe Blanchard.  Young Gene impressed the club enough that at the end of the 1949 season he earned a scholarship to the University of Arizona, enrolling there in September 1950 and joining their football squad.  Returning to Edmonton for the 1952 season, he tore up a kneecap in the first league game, returned to Arizona for the balance of the year, then came home again for the Eskimos’ 1953 season.

While he was at the University of Arizona, wrestler/promoter Rod Fenton introduced him to the sport and Dory Funk, Sr. and Tough Tony Morelli undertook his training.  Gene debuted on February 13, 1952 in Tucson, defeating Curly Hughes, and he was off and running throughout Arizona, New Mexico and west Texas.  Back in Edmonton for the 1953 football season, he wrestled but a single match for promoter Stu Hart, downing veteran Toar Morgan on September 22, and at season’s end retired from the gridiron and headed back to Arizona.  Wrestling full-time now, he moved on to California in 1954, and cracked the big leagues with a November 3 title bout against Lou Thesz, the first of many.

Texas was the next stop, where he campaigned as Gene Kelly and roughed up everybody in sight.  Gene next cut a wide swath through Ontario and Quebec, and it was there that he ignited his running battle with all-time Canadian hero Whipper Billy Watson, and became a national name.  The two collided several hundred times in succeeding years, all across the nation, fan interest spurred by several of their explosive matches being televised nationally from Toronto.

Gene went next to Minneapolis and the AWA, then to Vancouver where he established a home base and worked many events for his old mentor, Rod Fenton. A lengthy run in the WWWF, capped off by a main event against Bruno Sammartino in Madison Square Garden in 1964, and then a stint in the midwest came next, just before his ascension to the NWA title.  Japan tours were interspersed with North American dates over the years as well.

Kiniski was most definitely a heel champion, roughing it up at will against every challenger, his style reminiscent of Wild Bill Longson in the 1940’s.  Gene was completely comfortable in that role, never at a loss for words to get the local contender over, but always leaving no doubt as to just who was the true champion, in his view.

In the late 1960’s, as Gene’s NWA title reign was winding down, he and Sandor Kovacs took over the NWA All-Star promotion based in Vancouver from Rod Fenton.  Gene was often on the road across the continent in the 1970’s, but the territory thrived with the top talent the duo imported and Gene’s presence on the cards from time to time.  Kovacs retired from promotion in 1977, and Gene carried on until 1983 when he sold out to Al Tomko.

He curtailed his wrestling from the latter 1970’s on, tag teaming occasionally with sons Nick and Kelly, taking a few singles matches, acting as a special referee for world title bouts, and promoting Stampede Wrestling and AWA events on Canada’s west coast.  Gene’s final ring appearance was in Winnipeg, Manitoba on February 25, 1992, teaming with a youthful Chris Jericho and Lance Storm in a no-contest brawl with Bulldog Bob Brown, Don “The Natural” Callis and Champagne Gerry Morrow.

Away from the ring, Kiniski appeared in three movies: Paradise Alley with Sylvester Stallone in 1978, Double Happiness with Sandra Oh in 1994, and Terminal City Ricochet.with Peter Breck in 1990.  Coincidentally, Gene had met Peter Breck almost 25 years earlier at a Calgary Stampede social event, when he was NWA champion and Breck was starring in TV’s “Big Valley” series in the late 1960’s.

Gene was honored by the Cauliflower Alley Club in 1992, and inducted into the George Tragos/Lou Thesz Hall of Fame in Newton, Iowa (now located in Waterloo) in 2004.

Gene Kiniski was one of a kind, and they don’t make them like that any more.  He was made for wrestling, and wrestling was made for him.  Big, brash and bold in the ring and facing the media, he wasn’t all that different outside of it, just a little quieter but no less talkative.  A man of strong conviction, Gene spoke his mind and marched to his own drummer. And a magnificent march it was, as Big Thunder rolled across the wrestling world.

The Cauliflower Alley Club extends its deepest condolences to Nick and Kelly, the Kiniski family, and Gene’s many friends.

Chris Klucsaritis “Chris Kanyon” (04/02/10)
Chris Klucsaritis, who wrestled as Chris Kanyon, passed away last night at his apartment in the Sunnyside section of Queens, NY.  He was 40.

Klucsaritis was trained locally in New York by Bobby Bold Eagle, and later in Columbia, SC by Lillian “Fabulous Moolah” Ellison at her home gym in Columbia, SC.  He debuted in 1992, and wrestled the majority of his career for WCW.

He started with Mark Starr as part of a tag team “Men at Work,” and later developed the Mortis gimmick.  His highest profile role, including holding the WCW tag team titles, came with Diamond Dallas Page and Bam Bam Bigelow as the Jersey Triad. During that same period, he worked in Hollywood on movie “Ready to Rumble”.

The Cauliflower Alley Club extends its condolences to the family and friends of Chris Kanyon.

Tom “THE BUTCHER” Burton (03/29/10)
Retired pro wrestler Tom Burton died in the am hours on March 29th. He was married to women’s wrestler Candi Devine.

Burton worked in a number of territories, including short stays in WWF and WCW, but had his most successful run in Tennessee as part of the “Dirty White Boys” tag team with Tony Anthony. Tom was well known in Japan as a regular during the glory days of the UWFI promotion in the 90s.

The Cauliflower Alley Club extends its condolences to the family and friends of Tom Burton.

Kenneth Laymon (03/26/10)
Independent wrestler Kenneth Laymon(45), who worked as Kenny Valentine was involved in a fatal wreck in the early morning hours, Friday in Kentucky. Layton was from Carbon Hill Alabama. It is believed he was 45 years old.

The Cauliflower Alley Club extends its condolences to the family and friends of Kenneth Laymon.

 

Mikel Scicluna (3.20.10) 
Scicluna started wrestling during the 1950s, and used the name Mike Valentino early in his career. Scicluna worked primarily in Canada until 1965, when he ventured to the World Wide Wrestling Federation, using his most famous moniker “Baron” Mikel Scicluna.

Scicluna was famous for entering the ring with a cape over his shoulders, indicating that he was of Maltese royal descent. Scicluna was also known for being a master of the “foreign object”, mainly utilizing a roll of coins to bash opponents out of sight of the referee. He enjoyed success as a tag team wrestler, winning the WWWF United States Tag Team Championship with Smasher Sloan on September 22, 1966 in Washington, D.C. (though they eventually lost the belts in the same city to Spiros Arion & Antonio Pugliese), then the WWWF World Tag Team Championship with King Curtis Iaukea on February 1, 1972 in Philadelphia.

In singles competition, Scicluna defeated Spiros Arion for Australia’s IWA World Championship on June 15, 1968, and would challenge Bruno Sammartino and Pedro Morales for the WWWF Championship from time to time. One of his biggest career wins was pinning Waldo Von Erich (who was also a heel) in 6 minutes at Madison Square Garden, prior to two Garden title matches with Bruno Sammartino. In the first match at MSG vs. Bruno he was disqualified; Sammartino scored the pin in a rematch. Scicluna went on to lose a series of matches to Spiros Arion. In June 1976, Scicluna found himself part of history, as the opponent for Gorilla Monsoon on the night Monsoon engaged in an impromptu tussle with boxing great Muhammad Ali. Scicluna was wrestling Monsoon in a televised match, and was sent over the top rope to the floor after receiving a Manchurian Chop. Scicluna waved off his opponent and walked off, taking a countout loss. From there, Ali entered the ring from the audience and tried to jab at Monsoon. Monsoon responded by dropping Ali with an airplane spin. This angle was part of the buildup toward Ali’s infamous boxer vs. wrestler match with Antonio Inoki later in the month.

Scicluna retired from active competition in 1984. He was inducted into the WWF Hall of Fame in 1996. In retirement, he lived in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He died March 20, 2010 after a long battle of cancer. He was 80 years old.

The Cauliflower Alley Club extends its condolences to the family and friends of “Baron” Mikel Scicluna .

Francois Miquet(Corsica Joe) 3.14.10
Miquet,better known to wrestling fans as Corsica Joe has passed away. He was 90 years old.
Miquet passed away on Sunday, March 14, 2010.

He traveled all over North America from Washington to Calgary to Montreal. That is where he would meet his future tag team partner Corsica Jean (Jean-Louis Roy, Sr.) in 1948, but it wasn’t for a few more years they became a solid item in Tampa. The two held many regional tag team titles for the NWA in the ’50s and ’60s. In 2008, the Corsica Brothers were inducted into the NWA Hall of Fame.

For over 45 years, he was married to pro wrestler Sara Lee. She passed away in 2008 at the age of 76.

The Cauliflower Alley Club extends its condolences to the family and friends of Corsica Joe.

Jerry Valiant (John S. Hill) (3.11.10)
John Hill 68, of Franklin, Indiana, formerly of Nineveh, passed away Thursday, March 11, 2010 at Franklin Meadows.
He was born July 8, 1941 in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada to William and Kathryn (Graham) Hill. He married Carolyn F. Hill on April 5, 1964 in Indianapolis; she survives.

John began his professional wrestling career in the United States with “Dick the Bruiser” in1961. Throughout his career he traveled the world and wrestled in every state of the United States, province in Canada, in Japan, China, Saudi Arabia and Australia. He held 19 Championship titles throughout his career in the 1960’s, 1070’s, and 1980’s. Wrestling under the names of  ”Gentleman” Jerry Valiant, Guy Hill, “The Stomper”Guy Mitchell. He also was the owner of Hill’s Landscaping for 14 years in the Sweetwater and Cordry Lake communities. He also was employed by David R. Webb and Company in Edinburgh.

Coincidently Johnny & Jimmy Valiant was together in Atlanta Ga. when they heard the news of John’s passing.

John enjoyed volunteering as Santa Clause for different organizations in central Indiana.

Survivors include his wife, Carolyn F. Hill; a son, Jonathan S. Hill; three brothers, Clarence Hill of Ireland, James Hill and George Hill (wife Arlene) of Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; two sisters, Margaret Butler and Betty Elliott (husband Jim) of Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.

The Cauliflower Alley Club extends its condolences to the family and friends of Jerry Valiant.

Sandy Scott  (03.11.10)
Sandy Scott, half of one of the longest-running tag teams in wrestling, passed away on Thursday, March 11, 2010 in Roanoke, Virginia, at the age of 75.  He was stricken with pancreatic cancer in 2009, and though it was done immediately, radical surgery could not contain the deadly disease.

Born Angus Mackay Scott in Hamilton, Ontario on May 27, 1934, he followed his older brother George into pro wrestling in late 1953.  After working small-time events in his native Ontario for his first few months, he joined George in Stu Hart’s Stampede Wrestling territory in June 1954.  The family tag team – a real one, in this case, during a time when most “brother” tandems each had their own set of parents – was launched. 

Adopting the catchier first name Sandy, he and George clicked immediately with their smooth, speedy style.  They headquartered in Calgary for the next half-dozen years, and became a wildly popular pairing there and in the mid-Atlantic area, Oregon, the upper mid-west, New York and Ohio, British Columbia and Ontario.  The also did a swing through Japan in 1962, and two tours of Australia in 1966 and 1968.   The brothers’ aerial attack, featuring dropkicks and flying head scissors in a time when much of wrestling was still ground-based, soon earned them the nickname “The Flying Scotts”. 

George and Sandy capitalized on their growing reputation, opening a popular Calgary restaurant, The Scott Brothers Paddock, venturing to other areas of Canada and the U.S., and facing many of the top teams of the day. In Calgary alone, they faced the Miller, Tolos, Neilson, Mills, Kalmikoff, Smith, Vachon and Gallagher clans, Fritz von Erich and Karl von Schober, Iron Mike DiBiase and Danny Plechas.  Many more teams lined up against them elsewhere, particularly in the Carolinas.

After a long and successful run together — The Flying Scotts shared tag team honors on 16 occasions in Canada, the U.S. and Australia — Sandy and George parted company in 1970.  Sandy worked widely as a solo and with other tag partners, notably Jerry Brisco, almost exclusively in the Mid-Atlantic area.  Through it all, he never forsook his scientific style going into a match, but he could and did roughen up his approach when his opponent’s behavior demanded it.

With the 20-year mark of his career approaching, Sandy looked to the future and a change in his role in the wrestling industry.   He had a strong relationship with the Crockett family, and began taking an active part in many facets of promotion, booking towns and venues, handling public appearances and advertising, and tending to the myriad of details that the promotion’s success depended upon.  He had an on-air persona as well, as a special representative of the NWA, and was instrumental in many of JCP’s major angles. 

Following his last matches in 1976, Sandy continued his promotional role full-time.  When World Championship Wrestling bought out JCP, he transitioned to the larger company, adding the role of on-air host of WCW World Wide to his duties.  In 1991, he moved to Jim Cornette’s fledgling Smoky Mountain Wrestling out of Knoxville, Tennessee, and continued with the company until its demise in 1995.

Throughout his 20-plus years of active wrestling, and another 20-plus years of work in small and large promotions, Sandy Scott had done it all, and done it very well.  He was inducted into the NWA Wrestling Legends Hall of Heroes in 2008, a fitting tribute indeed.

Sandy is survived by his wife Sandra, sons Drew and Sandy, daughter Tracey and grandson Coleton.

The Cauliflower Alley Club extends its deepest condolences to Sandra Scott and family, and to Sandy’s many friends.

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

MOOSE MAHONEY  02/21/2010
Tony James Mitchell, a fixture on the Alabama and Georgia independent scene as Moose Mahoney, passed away in Scottsboro, Alabama on February 21, 2010.  He was 44 years of age.

Big and burly, Mahoney threw his weight around the ring with gusto all through his career in the deep south.  He also promoted cards in the area, and played an important part in bringing Ultimate NWA to his hometown of Scottsboro.

Ultimate NWA paid final tribute to Moose during an event a week after his passing.  The traditional ten-bell salute was tolled before several hundred Scottsboro residents at the local National Guard Armory.

The Cauliflower Alley Club extends its condolences to the family and friends of Moose Mahoney.

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 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.

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.