If you would like to drop Mr Wrestling II a card please send to:

Johnny Walker, c/o Carolinas Medical Center,
1000 Blythe Avenue,
Charlotte, NC 28203.

*photo credit – Peggy Lathan

I have tried the Hot Sauce, The Regular Sauce, The Chipotle Ketchup AND the Beef Jerky! And I can’t bad mouth any of it. That Ketchup walks the dogs and leads the puppies! It puts all the others in the back of the bus! It’s that good!

This economy we trying to survive in right now has caused alot of people to stay home and eat instead of going out all the time. What better way to enjoy that burger or those ribs then to add that famous JR’s sauce to the mix! You want a crowd at your house on the weekends? Break out some of that JR’s Sauce! Your house will be the only house in the neighborhood thats packed every weekend!

To busy to cook out? Busy mowing the yard? No problem! I got that covered for ya to! I have found the Beef Jerky JR sells, is a ideal way to enjoy mowing the yard! Deer season cranks up here in the Carolina’s in September! Nothing like sitting in a treestand watching the sun set and chewing on a peice of JR’s beef Jerky!

You a worker in the business? You travel from town to town working shows? How many empty JR’s Beef Jerky bags you have laying in the floor board or back seat? Every workers car or suit case should have a bag of JR’s beef Jerky in it!

Be sure and tell them you seen it here on the CAC website. He might just send another truck load to Vegas in 2011!

 Harley established the camp in 2000, giving many opportunities to young wrestlers to be critiqued and tutored by not only the 8-Time World Heavyweight Champion, but also by trainers at the Harley Race Wrestling academy. We expect to have representatives at the camp from not only World Wrestling Entertainment â, but also Pro-Wrestling NOAH.

Past participants have included, but not limited to, former WWE superstar Trevor Murdochâ, current WWE superstar Ted Dibiase Jr., current WWE referee John Cone, NXT Season 2 superstar Michael McGuillicutty â, FCW Referee Ryan Tran, Ritchie Steamboat, one half of the current WLW tag team champions Superstar Steve Fender (awarded the Cauliflower Alley Club Future Legend award), WLW star Jason Jones (just returning from a 3-month stay at the Pro Wrestling NOAH dojo), and one half of the current Pro-Wrestling NOAH Tag Team Champions Keith Walker.

 Past guest instructors have included Ricky Steamboat, Japanese wrestling legend Kenta Kobashi, KENTA, Naomichi Marufuji, Pro-Wrestling NOAH Heavyweight Champion Takashi Suguira, Former Pro-Wrestling NOAH and WLW heavyweight champion Go Shiozaki, and Takeshi Morishima, Ted Dibiase Sr, and John Laurinaitis.

 With the camp concluding on Friday, there will be a show on Saturday, October 9^th. Participants wanting to be included on the show need to be LICENSED in the State of Missouri. To be licensed in Missouri, you need to fill out the appropriate form found on the Missouri Athletic Commission’s website at http://pr.mo.gov/boards/athletics/375-0236.pdf, along with having a current physical (to be filled out by M.D. or D.O.). Physical forms can be found at http://pr.mo.gov/boards/athletics/375-0299.pdf. Complete blood work showing HIV and ALL hepatitis tests from a licensed clinic is also required.

The cost of the camp is $500.00. There is a $250.00 non-refundable deposit that is REQUIRED to reserve a spot in this year’s camp along with the registration form. This year’s camp has a limited amount of spots available, so early registration is suggested. Registration forms are available at harleyrace.com.

This year’s camp has corporate rates at the Heritage Inn and Suites within a short distance of the camp. For rates and reservations, please call the manager 573-392-2100 and mention that you are part of the camp. Other hotels include the Eldon Inn (573-392-5664) and Randle’s Motor Court (573-392-5661). Lunches are available for purchase at T. Murdoch’s Bar & Grille (573-392-7122). Eldon Family Fitness is the premier exercise facility that all WLW stars train at, and will be allowing camp participants to work out at a discounted rate.

For more information about this camp, feel free to contact World League Wrestling at 573-392-4100, email wlwmom@earthlink.net or visit Harleyrace.com.

We arrived Wed. night. Called CAC member Emily Miller and she guided us to the lobby of the Hilton. After a few minutes outside we journeyed to the “work room”. VIP bags was being made for the VIP attendees that would show up Thursday. Annette and myself hung out there for awhile and chatted with Patsy Hughes(another CAC member). We decided to journey up to the bar and get some supper.

Due to the hotel being booked full. We stayed across the street at the Holiday Inn (we had to leave Friday evening in order for me to be back home Saturday to teach school at the local community college). So we headed over to the Holiday Inn checked in and was well pleased with the room. We did book Friday night (for a sat. checkout) at the H.I as we thought we would hang out till about 9pm and then go to the room freshen up for the ride home and checkout roughly around 10pm (that didn’t happen).

Myself, Peggy Lathan, Annette

Thursday morning/afternoon we decided to journey on over to the Hilton. We parked the car and I was standing outside the car waiting on Annette to get some things out of the car and I hear some one hollering, “Dollar man, All right!” Turn around and it’s Jimmy & Angel Valiant! We made our hugs and how ya beens and headed to the lobby. We journeyed downstairs and I looked at Annette and said,”We aint suppose to stand in this long line”. I called Emily again, She said walk on by everyone and keep following the crowd and you will see us. Sure enough 10-15 minutes later we found them. As we was fighting the crowd, We see two more CAC members. Peggy and Clay. Two super fine friends we just met back at the CAC reunion in April. Peggy and myself had heard about each other for years. And back in April it felt like we had known each other since childhood. Annette worked at the gimmicks table with Emily and Patsy along with Emily’s niece, Leigh. And myself,I journeyed around pushing the CAC.

I caught up with Harley Race. Chatted with him about some CAC business along with his wrestling school. It’s always good to see Harley.. Harley is to the Mid Atlantic wrestling scene, like Dean Smith is to the Tar Heels. Was shocked when I turned around and seen CAC member Bruce Tharpe. Bruce and his wife had come to the fanfest. We chatted awhile and went our different ways for the evening. With hopes of catching up later on.

Friday was another busy day(for Annette) as she helped handle the photo ops with Patsy and Emily. Myself, I was pushing the CAC. Emily introduced me to Jackie Crockett. Jackie was the camera man in the Crockett promotions. I would love to tell some of the stories Jackie and I discussed. But to protect the innocent, I will leave them for my “book” some day.

Walked through the vending area and was introduced to Mike Jackson. He was interested in the CAC as I mentioned names that had attended in the past. Talked with the “Patriot”, chatted with Hacksaw Jim Duggan. Then Jimmy Valiant grabbed me and told me to come talk to Ivan.  How many Ivan’s you know in pro-wrestling? I knew right away it was Koloff. I love “old school” And to be standing between Ivan and Jimmy listening to them argue about who could do what was simply amazing. They was working the crowd like normal ! What a blast that was! Old School at it’s best!

Photo Courtesy Bill Apter & "Tadpole's" cell phones.

I was informed I had an appointment made from someone in Illinois named “Tadpole” with Bill Apter. Bill was on the stage doing his thing. He called Tommy Young up on the stage and I really perked up then! After he got his stint done, he walked across the floor and I pointed at him, we made eye contact and he said, Morgan! I said Bill! Problem was, these tables was separating us. Keeping the fans away from the legends. He ask me who was jumping over the table? I told him to not move and I would come around. We had never met before! Now you want to talk about a class act fella. Bill Apter is just that. We discussed some things pertaining to the CAC and of course we talked wrestling. Jimmy Valiant even came around and got in on the conversation. He gave Bill his nick name back years ago. Bill said, hold on a second. He whips out his cell phone, grabs a stranger and says take our picture! This stranger takes Bill and my self’s picture and he said watch this. I stood there and he text this picture to “Tadpole”. We laughed and finished our conversation and agreed to speak again later on. 5 minutes after I leave, I get a text from “Tadpole”! She sent the picture back to me. So now I have it! I seen Bill prob 30 minutes later and said, Bill, check this out, I whip out my phone and show it to him. He got a kick out of that!

Seen a  couple people from the days when I broke in this business. Kimmie and Classic Chris Collins. I always enjoyed working matches with CCC. Every match not only did he get better but so did I. Because of not seeing Chris in about 5 years, I knew exactly how the “legends” felt that hadn’t seen each other in more years than that.

Caught up with another true LEGEND! I’m not talking wrestler. But a true LEGEND. That the history books will say in years to come, a ICON in Professional Wrestling, A true gentleman in every word. Rico Mann. The artist of the CAC reunion belts. Rico and I discussed some things about the CAC. What was in in store for 2011. And a few other items of interest that is not ready for public knowledge just yet.

Patsy introduced me to Tommy Young! That’s right TOMMY YOUNG! The Referee TOMMY YOUNG! I had tried valiantly to gain access to Tommy for several years. Penny Banner was going to get in touch with him right before she got sick. And I didn’t want to push her about it. Wendi Weaver was gonna try and things just didn’t work out. So I figured someday if it was meant to be, it would happen. Well this day it happened. I told him about the CAC and I would like to talk more about it later as Tommy was being pulled here and there. So Friday evening, we went to the bar to grab a drink. I set down and turned around and within two inches of me set TOMMY YOUNG! The Referee TOMMY YOUNG! I ask Annette to give me a newsletter and I said Tommy, checkout this EAR! He said what? Looked at it and when he opened it up and seen the reunion review photos he started talking, pointing,asking, he seamed excited as I was to meet TOMMY YOUNG!  He rips out the membership application, fills it out and within a matter of a few minutes, TOMMY YOUNG was a CAC member! I was on cloud nine! I grew up watching Tommy with his famous “Tommy slide” his arguing with the fans. Jimmy Valiant trained me. But really my years of studying Tommy Young is what really trained me. Have you figured out yet…I’m a TOMMY YOUNG MARK and proud of it!

Annette and myself grabbed something to eat and was heading down to the smoking oasis. When at the bottom of the escalator Annette screams, Humpy! It was Sir Oliver Humperdink.We gave our hugs as he was on a mission to go meet Buddy Roberts. We agreed to meet later on as I had promised him a drink in Vegas and it never happened. So later on we got together and set out on the lounge over looking the lake. Partying at “The House Of Humperdink”! Emily , Patsy and a few other wrestlers and promoters joined us and we just had a good old time talking “old school”. Guess what? The time we was heading back home? Remember? I said roughly 9-10pm. I got to be teaching Class at 8:30 Saturday morning. And it’s roughly 1.5-2 hours drive home. Then another hour drive to school….Well, it’s 1:30ish AM now! We sadly say our good byes. Hugs, Loves and Tears and we walk away from something I just didn’t want to walk away from.

We went across the street and checked out of the H.I. The girl at the counter said, You don’t have to leave till in the morning. I explained to her I had to teach class at 8:30am and she said let me see what I can do. She only charged us 1/2 the cost for Friday night.

Emily Miller, Myself, Patsy Hughes, Peggy Lathan *Photo Credit Peggy Lathan

We get to the car and head down the road. Annette agreed to drive so I could try to get some sleep. That didn’t happen. What did was reflections. reflecting on the friends that was still at the Hilton. And thinking about how dedicated the “boys”&”girls” friendships are even the fans, when they come out to an event like this or the CAC reunion, they are true fans. We come together for one thing. One common interest. We can argue about this match or that match or who was better. But we are all dedicated to a dying art. A art that the younger generations, in years from now, will really not know the true meaning of professional wrestling. The days of nothing more than one light over the ring, or a grey hound bus full of wrestling fans, the smell of cigars and popcorn in the arena’s, or what about the Referee checking the wrestlers boots,knee pads, tights for “foreign objects”, those days are over. Long gone and never to return. but get togethers like the NWA fanfest and the CAC reunions will hopefully always remember “where we’ve been” And the fans that attend these events will hopefully keep this tradition going.

I finally get in the bed around 3:15-3:30 am. The alarm clock screams at me at 7:00am. I get to school barely in time. Sad to admit it. And I hope my boss don’t read this, But the students didn’t learn much this day.

I get home around 4:30pm. Walk in tell Annette I lover her but I’m going to bed! I sleep about two hours wake up with the thought of running back down to Charlotte. I didn’t mention it to Annette cause she would have thought I lost my mind. So later on Saturday night I get a text from one of the “Dollar Dolls” that was in Charlotte. It was a simple and short text message. It said,” Wendi says hi!” WHAT? Wendi Weaver!! I immediately called her and said hand your phone to Wendi! She said she’s on the other end of the bar! I don’t care! Get her on the phone! Wendi gets the phone. Mad as a wet hornet! Why didn’t you call me and let me know you was leaving early? I had ask about Wendi several times. I apologized for not getting in touch with her. But promised her next time I was in Charlotte I would call her. We talked for a few minutes and said our good byes.  A true sweetheart. Just as her mom. Every time I talk to Wendi I get teary eyed just thinking about her mom. I miss Penny and the CAC misses her as well.

Sunday I find out that Bruce Tharpe’s wife fell at the mall in Charlotte and broke her wrist and cracked her tail bone. I want to send out a speedy recovery for those injuries. And the famous Mr. Wrestling, Johnny Walker was rushed to the hospital via ambulance as well. Seams he had fluid build up around his heart. Patsy Hughes went over Sunday and said he was “acting like a typical wrestler” , talking junk and laughing. So the CAC wishes Johnny a speedy recovery as well.

I want to thank Greg Price for putting on a true NWA fanfest. As long as Greg Price is alive, I honestly feel that the NWA will always live in the Mid Atlantic Area. And to, Patsy and Emily or is that Emily and Patsy? Peggy, Clay, Leigh, Sir Oliver Humperdink and all the others I forgot. We appreciate the hospitality you showed us. We all are more that fans. We are more than workers. We are family and we love you all!

Stars from the glory days of the National Wrestling Alliance converge on the Carolinas not only to renew old friendships but to rekindle old rivalries.

28 featured legends will take part in next month’s NWA Wrestling Legends Fanfest Weekend. Skandor Akbar, The Assassin, Tony Atlas, Joe Blanchard, Tully Blanchard, Jerry Brisco, Jerry Brown, Bob Caudle, “Million Dollar Man” Ted Dibiase, Dory Funk Jr., Terry Funk, Danny Hodge, Sir Oliver Humperdink, Rocky Johnson, Kimala “The Ugandan Giant”, Sonny King, Mr. Wrestling II, Nikita Koloff, Reggie Parks, Harley Race, Buddy Roberts, Billy Robinson, Jim Ross, Tommy Seigler, Dan “The Beast” Severn, Les Thatcher, Greg Valentine, and Tommy Young will be reuniting with fans, signing autographs and taking photos that you’ll cherish for a lifetime.

VIP “All Access” Pass holders will have early admission each day, first access to all autograph signings and photo opportunities, exclusive admission to revealing Question-and-Answer sessions, and ringside seats to the live wrestling matches on Saturday night and Sunday afternoon! Throw in a free fanfest weekend t-shirt and a laminate VIP “All Access” Pass with neck lanyard and you have the VIP hookup!

Your ticket purchase helps support our efforts to celebrate the tradition of the once-mighty National Wrestling Alliance and to honor the heroes of wrestling’s past and present. Thanks for being part of a truly special weekend. Most folks will tell you it’s a remarkable reunion.

To learn more about Wrestling’s East Coast Extravaganza, Vist the Official NWA Legends Fanfest site at www.nwalegends.com

Should you have any questions or comments to share, please feel free to email us at NWALegends@aol.com

Trevor wrestled for 4 years in high school and lettered. Even with the wrestling he maintained a 3.98 GPA, while taking University level classes including Latin, Algebra 1 and 2, Geometry, Trig/Calculus and AP Chemistry. He received the Salutatorian honor as well.

Trevor With Proud Grandparents, Karl & Barbara Lauer

Trevor attended Rolla Technical School in the evening and at 16 received his state certification in Heating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration, and this last year became certified in welding. He is the youngest ever to be certified for HVAC-R. These are all important for petroleum engineering; most students do not get this until after college.Trevor was selected for the National Honor Society, a member of the A+ program which involves over 50 hours of tutoring students who struggle in academics. Trevor has also devoted his time with community service working on homes damaged from fire or weather for low income families.

Trevor was part of the Science Olympiad Team for 3 years and served as President during his senior year. Trevor built a catapult which placed 1st in state his senior year! Trevor also took 10th place in Nationals at SKILLSUSA for HVAC 2010.

Trevor meets and exceeds all the requirements the CAC has ever set for the scholarship fund and the CAC is proud to award Trevor K. Lauer the 2010 CAC Scholarship.

You can view the obituary and leave condolences  by CLICKING HERE

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

Promo of “Mr. 100% Gary O. Davis”

Karl Lauer - “Steve was a well mannered gentleman and very polite to talk to. I look forward to his return to future reunions.”

Morgan Dollar – “I spoke with Steve for sometime at the local hangout in the casino. Steve  has 100% dedication to the wrestling business and has the drive and determination to master this craft.”

Destination: Shawsville, Virginia. A small laid back town in the New River Valley area of Virginia. Where folks still sit on the porch in the evenings and drink lemonade and reflect on the past and discuss the future.

It all began in August, 1942 in Crysler, Ontario, Canada when a future wrestler was born. 18 yrs later this young man left high school and joined Jack Wentworth’s wrestling school in Hamilton, Ontario, where he would lift weights and learn wrestling holds.

Also in August, 1942, in Franklin County Tennessee the youngest of 5 children was born. 22 years later, he was in the World Wide Wrestling Federation making  a living being a Professional Wrestler.

Who are these two people you ask?
“The Russian Bear” Ivan Koloff & “Handsome” Jimmy Valiant

The careers of this two first crossed paths in 1968 in Chicago. Then in 1970-71 they crossed paths in New York. 1973 saw these two working in Indiana. However they never worked against each other or as a tag team. Both was working as heels when ever they crossed paths. However, in 1981 began a feud of all feuds in the Jim Crockett Promotion of the Mid-Atlantic area. Valiant says, “From 81-87 we was married together. We feuded from Richmond to Atlanta and every town in between!”

Fast forward to now, Valiant called up Koloff one day and ask him what he thought about him(Valiant) getting in the ring one last time. Lace up the boots, kiss the wife for good luck and take the claim of wrestling in 6 decades. Koloff in his Russian voice said, “If you will do it I will to!” The rest is history.

Only a very small handful of Professional Wrestlers have ever wrestled 6 decades. May 1, 2010 saw two wrestlers born the same year(1942), and the same month(August) tag team for the first time in both of there storied careers. All though through the years they had worked for the same promotions on and off and had some of the best feuds of the (Jim Crockett’s) Mid Atlantic area. WWE Hall of Famer, “Handsome” Jimmy “Boogie Woogie Man” Valiant and the former WWWF World Champion The “Russian Bear” Ivan Koloff (Managed by Col. Howard) in a Old School VS New School Match against Shawn Christian & “Mean” Donnie Green (Managed by Bobby O’Neil)

For one night, In front of over 600 screaming fans, in a town that has no stop lights, Shawsville Middle Schools, “Spring Time Bash” brought the low keyed town of Shawsville, Virginia alive. This was the 10th annual fundraiser BWC (Boogies Wrestling Camp) had held at the Shawsville Middle School. And each of the past 10 yrs. BWC has raised $1000.00 for the scholarship fund. At a later date in the year, Jimmy & Angel Valiant present one student with the $1000.00 scholarship. This year was different. This year it was a “packed house”, standing room only. $2000.00 was going to the scholarship fund. The locals was wondering if the National Guard was going to be called in. The roads was bumper to bumper with vehicles. One family stopped at a rest area some 60 miles away (on hwy 81) and was asking directions to Shawsville. Shawsville will never be the same.

Shawn Christian and Mean Donnie Green realized in short time what they had stepped into. Old School prevailed yet once more. Respect was taught on May 1st 2010 in front of 600 screaming fans as Ivan Koloff & Jimmy Valiant showed these two “new school” puppies what it takes to run with the big dogs! When out of the blue Valiant hit the “Boogie Cutter” and Koloff hit the “Russian Sickle” and the 1,2,3 echoed across the gymnasium.

It was six decades in the making for both Koloff and Valiant. And this night the crowd acknowledged this great accomplishment for these two wrestling legends of this sport so many love.

If you ever in Shawsville , Virginia, on a Sunday, find Alleghany Springs Rd. head down that road. Be sure and keep your windows down and listen for the bumps, screams, words of encouragement and 1,2,3′s. Look to your left, up on that hill, is where you will find the lovely, Angel Valiant. And of course I better mention that Handsome fella, Jimmy Valiant. High on that hill, The words, “I can’t” are not accepted. High on that hill is the place where “Dreams Come True”.

I know first hand. Cause that’s where my dream became reality.