I was so impressed with these two brothers that when I came home I started doing some research just to find out who they are. And I was indeed  impressed!

Matt Rankin with Karl & myself

Mark & Matt Rankin grew up in West Texas , and developed a love for vintage music, guitars, cars and anything from the classic era of the fifties and sixties. At 6 & 7 years old years old one of their favorite things to do was record themselves singing with Jan and Dean, The Beach Boys, and Buddy Holly. They performed in Texas for many years playing the classic music they love.
Now, Mark & Matt are main attractions in Branson Missouri at the beautiful Mickey Gilley Theater! With their talented cast of three female vocalists(The Rankinettes), five musicians, and an outstanding comedian, The Rankin Brothers authentically replicate the classic songs the way you remember hearing them. They will take you on a trip down memory lane, with their favorite classic songs of the last five decades. Hear classics from Elvis, Buddy Holly, The Everly Brothers, Neil Diamond, The Righteous Brothers, Simon and Garfunkel, all the way to Billy Joel, Eric Clapton and Faith Hill just to name a few.

Mark Rankin singing a Elvis tune

This multi-variety show speaks to all groups and generations. Along with their considerable vocal and musical talents, they have brotherly comedy and a stage presence that audiences adore. From parents to children, this truly is one of the greatest family attractions that you would want to be a part of. We enjoyed our time at this show and enjoyed spending the private time with Matt.
If you are ever in Branson, make sure you check out The Rankin Brothers! If you get the chance to meet Matt, Tell him I told you about the show and as usual, I was right! They really rock!

The Rankinettes with Karl & myself

We will be back in Branson hopefully soon and I guarantee you that we will be back at the Mickey Gilley Theater to enjoy this outstanding show!

Checkout the Rankin brothers at www.rankinbrothers.com for show dates and other great information.

Below you can enjoy some YouTube Video clips of the Rankin Brothers!

The 2011 Cauliflower Alley Club recipient of the Iron Mike Award, Sgt. Slaughter, continues to show why his recognizable image spans across the world of professional wrestling and into other arenas.  On July 14 at Time Warner Cable Field in Appleton, WI, Sarge was the featured personaility as part of Military Apprection Day .  The stadium is home to the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, Class-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers.

Sgt. Slaughter poses with Fang, mascot for the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

The Timber Rattlers faced their rivals from West Michigan on this night, and a late-game rally put the home team on top to stay, closing it out with a 2-1 victory.  Military personnel received free admission by showing their military I-D card.  Close to 2900 fans came out for the festivities.  Sgt. Slaughter pulled more than double duty by throwing out the first pitch, holding court during the seventh-inning stretch, and signing autographs both before and during the game.   The feared â??Slaughter Cannonâ? was not necessary on this occasion, as Sarge rode around the infield with Fang, the Timber rattlersâ?? mascot as they fired goodies from the teamâ??s prize cannon on the back of a National Guard truck instead.

Fans of all ages came out to see the Sarge.

â??Sarge was really great to work with,â? said Angie Ceranski, Director of marketing for the Timber Rattlers.  â??He was very concerned, making sure everyone got what they needed.â?Â  Indeed, the response to Slaughterâ??s personal appearance resulted in a number of classic photo opportunities and left hundreds of fans who approached his table with great memories.  Sargeâ??s smile beamed throughout, interrupted only long enough to break out the snarl and scowl for the camera.   â??He was a perfect tie-in to the Military Appreciation Day, â?? Ceranski said.  â??Heâ??s a really good guy overall; he gets it.  He knows about customer service, and our line was consistent throughout the game.â?

No line jumping to meet the Sarge!

Slaughter remembered his early days in wrestling with Timber Rattlers staff before the game, recounting a match he refereed between Mad Dog Vachon and The Crusher in Milwaukee, and thinking he wasnâ??t very good in the role.  When asked by promoter Wally Karbo what made him think that, Sarge said it was due to the crowd getting on his case.  Karbo said, â??Then you were doing your job right.â?

Slaughter demonstrates the Cobra Clutch on fellow CAC member Tom Walker!

He also explained the technique of the Cobra Clutch to local reporters, recalling his training camp under Verne Gagne in the early 1970â??s and how the famed Gagne sleeper applied pressure.  Sarge then demonstrated how the blood flow is constricted on both sides of the neck with his technique and thus, the Cobra Clutch would subdue rivals in short order.

Slaughterâ??s popularity spanned several generations as fans young and old alike patiently waited their chance to meet the former AWA Americaâ??s Champion and WWF World Heavyweight titleholder.  All said, it was an evening filled with fun while also paying respect to military personnel.  Kudos go out to The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers organization in putting together a spectacular day of activities.

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!

With the Reunion approaching quickly, A couple of members have helped me on the website. I want to thank these members for “giving there all”. I get several compliments on the website and I am truly thankful. However, I’m not a English teacher by no means, Nor do I claim to be a journalist. You will find errors in my “writings” on almost anything I do. That’s just the way it is. It’s from the heart…..That’s what matters!

So where do I start?

Jeff Sharkey – Jeff has been a blessing to me. Jeff has spent tireless hours on the phone compelling interviews for the majority of all the bios on the website.  Jeff has also helped me on some other projects on the website as well. His dedication to the CAC is stellar to none. He realizes, it is us, “young guns” that will carry the history, tradition, and the CAC into the years to come. On numerous occasions, In the early AM hours, I have called or emailed Jeff and said, I need this NOW! And within a matter of minutes, Jeff has always come through. At times I feel like I am taking advantage of Jeff by asking so much. Jeff tells me, can you give me a little more notice about this stuff? Sometimes I can and sometimes, we both realize things pop up that need immediate attention and we go to work, get the job done, and smile that we got the situation covered.

Pops – You all know him as Bob Leonard – When Bob was going through some health issues, I told him,”Your health is more important than the CAC”. That, to this day, never slowed Bob down. When I get contacted that someone has left us, be it CAC member or not, it doesn’t matter, Bob is my go to man. He has me a write up within a matter of hours for the RIP section. For someone that never put on a pair of tights( can you imaging that? Bob in tights?) He knows, and has so many contacts it is unbelievable. And his involvement in the CAC is spread all over this website.

Pops has taking so much time out of his personal life to keep the website viewer abreast to the seminars that will be at this years reunion. I’m sure the articles he has wrote has convinced some young gun to join the club and go to the reunion to pick the brain of the icons that are giving these seminars. I don’t believe Bob has mentioned in any of the articles these seminars are all FREE!!!!

Myself, I have been extremely busy in my “private life” as a Wildlife Artist. Then during my busy season, I was contacted by the local Community College to be an Instructor in the Taxidermy Course. After negotiations and contract changes, I accepted the offer they finally agreed to (CAC Reunion date was a conflict of interest, but I got what I wanted!). And am now working as a Taxidermy Instructor. My personal business was extremely successful for the “busy season”. My back log (completion dates) in my studio is well into Aug- Sept of this year. Just this past week I had a client fed-ex,over night, a item from Texas. Shipping on a frozen specimen was not cheap!

Between teaching, my own business and the CAC, my free time is minimal. But with the help of Jeff “Noodles” Sharkey and Bob “Pops” Leonard, I manage to do a decent job keeping everything going. Without them two, I don’t think I would be getting the praises I get. So when you see Jeff and Bob at the Reunion, give them a pat on the back and thank them for the contributions they often do for the CAC website.

“Sometimes old habits are hard to break” – Wes Daniel for over a year “preached to the choir” about PAYPAL. It was a hard sell! But, it was decided to give it a try. The CAC website moved into the modern day era by accepting PayPal on the website for banquet ticket purchases. Jason Deadrich, the donator of the server space for this website, technically installed a program to accept PayPal. The success of this venture? EXCELLENT!  We have had a outstanding response to this, and all indications that it will continue for years to come are a good sign. We may also offer other items for sell from time to time as well.

Speaking of the website, The lay out changed several months ago. I got several compliments on that as well. One compliment was, “I had rather watched the CAC website then the t.v.!” Thanks again to Jason D. for implementing this program we now use. My ideas was used. But it was Jason’s tech knowledge that got this accomplished.

So even though I’m the webmaster. Its just like any other organization. I’m nothing more than a spoke in the wheel that keeps this site rolling along. And I deeply appreciate and thank whole heartily the above people that has made this website and the club something members really enjoy.

I look forward to seeing you all in a matter of days as the Cauliflower Ears invade Las Vegas!

Morgan

As 2009 draws near, I have been reflecting back on my career as a Professional Wrestling Referee. And what got me to where I am today. And what I am thankful for. With that said I need to Thank several. So here we go…

My Mom and Dad for allowing me, to be the only one in the family, to watch violence on TV, Saturday mornings.

Jim Crockett – Never met him! But it was Crockett Promotions that my Mom and Dad’s rabbit ears antenna (with tin foil added) that made me a true wrestling fan. So to the Crockett family I say, Thank you!

Mitch Wall, Dean Bolen, Tommy Hicks – It was the four of us that always invaded Greensboro Cols. when a wrestling match was taking place. Those where the days! We had a blast. The fun cannot be explained. You had to live it to understand it! And yes, I miss those days!

Lucy Jessup Rogers – The lady that I call Mom. That brought my lovely wife into this world. I say Thank you for having a wonderful Daughter, I have called my wife for 15 years.

Jimmy Valiant – If it wasn’t for Jimmy Valiant – You would not be reading this right now. Jimmy opened up doors for me that thousands of people only wished would open. From any kind of wrestling match to the CAC. It was Jimmy himself that opened those doors. I just walked through, looked around, liked what I saw and found a new home. So to Jimmy I say with a big heart, Thank you! Thank you for accepting me in your family and letting me live my dream!

Garry “THE MADD TRUCKER” Stevens – From promoting shows together to being “the best referee money could buy!” Until his opponent busted me up in a cage match I was Ref’n. I say Thank you Brother! We rode that lighten bolt and had a blast! Would I do it again? When you want to start!

All the Indy Stars and Legends I have had the honor of working with. What a ride!

The CAC – WOW! Where would one start? This southern kid was accepted by so many.The friendships that has formed. And every year the friends that increase. It’s simply amazing. To go from being a member, to the Board of Directors, to the Executive Board. Working closely with each other to make sure the CAC Reunion is enjoyed by so many. Thank you all for accepting this southern kid into a organization that is just a wonderful thing!

The dear friends/members of the CAC – There’s so many – I wouldn’t dare try to mention you all. I just don’t want to leave anyone out – You know who you are and to that I say thank you for being my friend!

Last, but by no means Last – The Main Event -  My wife Annette who for some reason allowed me to live a crazy life. Who lets me do what I want to do 99.9% of the time with no questions asked. For driving to a show while I slept – both going and coming back from a show. For 15 years she has put up with my “Wrestling Attitude”. And never offered to “buck the system”. It’s got to be love or good medication one! I thank you for the 15 years you have giving me and look forward to the next 15. As Jimmy Valiant say’s, “Here comes Dollar and Nickel”. I say I love ya Nickel!

Long list? It could be longer! I could have told the story about Wes Daniel using the door frame in the motel room to open up bottles of beer cause no one had a bottle opener! And we was in a suite! Still no bottle opener! But we managed to get them opened! Or the time Jason Sanderson almost gave me a Cauliflower Ear in Mobile Alabama at a wrestling show! Or at the same wrestling show Marcel Pringle telling us, “The Beers on the house”! Glad Jason had a car rental!

Until you think about it, You don’t realize how much “stuff” you have to be thankful for!

I hope you all have a wonderful Holiday Season!

Hope to see you all in April at the 45th Ann. of the CAC,

~Morgan

This time I would like to discuss and pay my respects to another group of women wrestlers , NO not T & A and their acrobatic show some skin skills but to a group that is not mentioned this day and age. To substatiate this go to any web search engine and type in women or girl wrestling. You may be presented with some of us the woman that first started in 1950â??s or shortly after . You may find the T & A , or you may even find apartment girl wrestling but you will not find my next topic.

Nobody was exempt from getting drawn into midget mayhem. Referee Keith Megson found himself on the wrong end of a head scissors by Cuddles Anderson, but she holds on tight as Megson tries to dislodge her.

MIDGET WOMEN WRESTLERS and I continue to ask myself WHY. First of all I would like to apologise for using the word midget  which in my opinion indicates a stereotype reinforcing that little people are no more than entertainers. My fellow wrestlers and fans this is far from the truth.

Frenchy Lamont looks a little out of it, after he got on the wrong side of Darling Dagmar. She gives him a verbal blast up close and personal, than smacks him in the chops with that right hand.

I got to know Darling Dagmar ( Katie Glass ) and she shared some stories with me. I would like to mention a few more and if I neglected to mention someone please advise me on my face book site. Baby Chery, Cuddles Anderson, Selene Fontain, and as stated before Daling Dagmar. You see some pictures with a brief description of who and what the pictures depict. At this time I would like to thank and give credit to my friend BOB LEONARD for supplying me with this information and pictures from his own private collection. Let us not forget the talent and attendance these women provided for us.

To my knowledge a new group of girls are no longer competing. This is both good and bad as we all miss there ability and stamina but on the good side maybe modern medicine and our courageous doctors and scientist have eliminated some of these unfounded birth defcts. I salute all of you girls and again please inform me of anyone I missed or if in fact if there are still some of you working.

Cuddles Anderson wrings that arm, as Selene Fontaine looks for an escape route.

Well this will be my last issue of UTST unless you want me back. I would like to salute all my fans and wrestlers that have been reading my column. Once again as we slowly come to the end of 2009 we have lost some good friends and I hope those families were able to somewhat overcome their losses as I have tried to do with Princess Jasmine.

Now on a lighter side I wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

And I leave you this about our wonderful business of Professional Wrestling.

BE IT RAIN HAIL OR SNOW THEY WILL BE THERE ON TIME NEVER  FEAR.WHEN THEY ARE SCHEDULED TO WRESTLE THEY WILL BE THERE BE IT FAR OR NEAR. THEIR NERVES ARE STEADY THEIR COURAGE IS GREAT THEIR BONES MAY BE BROKEN TOO. BUT THATâ??S THE SPORT OF WRESTLING FOR YEARS IT HAS BEEN NOTHING NEW.SO LETS SALUTE ALL THE WRESTLERS AS THEY GIVE US THE THRILLS WE DEMAND AND WHEN THEY STEP INTO THAT RING LETS GIVE THEM A MARVELOUS HAND.

                     Yours in wrestling Beverly Shade

My donated item will be the first ever (that I know of) at any CAC Reunion. A one of a kind! The opportunity for one lucky person to step up on the stage and make CAC history! Everyone in attendance will witness one lucky person stepping up on the stage, handed a pair of scissors and (hopefully) gently cut my Ponytail and take it home with them!

Am I nuts? Am I just crazy? Or am I a true believer of the CAC and what it stands for? To answer that for you is simple. I am a true believer in the CAC and what it stands for!

What will my ponytail go for? Who knows. But every penny will go to help someone else. If it’s a Dollar so be it. If it’s $100.00 or $500.00 that would be great.

How long is my ponytail right now? Aprox. 11″ long.

How long will the ponytail be in April 2010? Take a guess!

Where will the winners money go? To help the boys of the biz that might need just a little helping hand along the way.

Why am I doing this? Several members that I am close with, knows what transpired at the bar over my ponytail in April of this year. Therefore, I have decided to do this in a way that will support something I truly believe in.

So there ya go! The first item donated to the “WORLDS LARGEST PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING SILENT AUCTION” will be the Almighty Dollar’s ponytail! Don’t bother rolling your pennies! Go to the bank and take out a loan. If I’m crazy enough to do this, Someone should be crazy enough to bid often and bid high!

Everyone have a fun and safe Holiday season!

Morgan

Two years earlier, I first became aware of professional wrestling by seeing it on television at my grandparents house on the occasion of my grandfather’s funeral (my mother’s stepfather).  My eyes widened as Angelo “King Kong” Mosca appeared in an AWA studio bout and began the match by throwing his opponent directly out of the ring!   It was now early November 1979 when we received word that Mom’s biological father had died in their Marble Falls, TX home.  Professional wrestling intertwined with someone’s passing once more in my life.  With our tickets already purchased for the event, and Mom heading down to Texas for the funeral, Dad made the decision to keep his word and take me to the arena.  I believe he had some guilt initially over doing something fun while his wife was going through a grieving process.  Mom and her siblings were going to travel together, and someone needed to stay behind and watch the kids.  So it went, and Dad and I went to the appropriately-named Brown County Veterans Memorial Arena in Green Bay, Wisconsin on Veteran’s Day, November 11, 1979 for a night of AWA All-Star Wrestling action.  

There were five preliminary bouts scheduled to whet the appetite of the eager wrestling fan, before giving way to the main event, a 14-man, $50,000 over-the-top-rope battle royal.   We took our seats on the east side of the arena and soon, the night’s action was underway!

The curtain-raiser was a 15-minute time limit matchup between Paul Ellering, the muscular powerlifter-turned-pro-grappler and a relative newcomer to AWA rings in the Golden Boy, Adrian Adonis.  For the duration of this bout, Adrian’s new tag team partner sat in his corner, the flamboyant Jesse “The Body” Ventura.   Ellering and Jesse had recently finished a series of bouts that began after an in-ring skirmish on television where Ventura had refused to release his opponent from a bearhug after gaining the submission victory, and Ellering interjected on the fallen wrestler’s behalf.  Their feud was largely inconclusive, as both men had gained important victories.  But now Adonis represented an extension of his partner, and Ellering battled Adrian with much of the same intensity as he had against “The Body”.

time limit draw.  But as Ellering prepared to try a finishing maneuver, Ventura climbed to the ring apron as a distraction.  Before Ellering could approach Jesse, Adonis rose from the mat in time to roll his opponent up from behind.  A small bit of chicanery,  indicative of the kind of tactics we would come to expect from The East-West Connection Ellering drew close to gaining the victory on numerous occasions, but it appeared the bout might reach a en route to their tag team title run.

Match two was also 15 minutes in length and went the duration in a contest between Greg Gagne and Steve Olsonoski.  Considered allies throughout the past few years, Greg and Steve were proverbially “putting the friendship aside for the match” as was the usual mantra repeated by wrestlers who faced each other despite being friendly. The sport of wrestling and staying competitive within its ranks surpassed all other motivations, a goal-oriented focus of professional success leading  the pack.

Gagne used the opportunity to demonstrate his scientific skills on the mat and in the air, while Olsonoski met Gregâ??s onslaught with a deft series of counters that resulted in several stalemates.  At this point, Gagneâ??s tactics became somewhat less sportsmanlike.  Upon a rope break, Gagne slapped Olsonoski in the face.  Steve O was up to the task and was ready to return fire.  The majority crowd selected Olsonoski as their favorite going forward.  Gagne had not completely changed his tactics, just enough for the crowd to notice, subtleties that ring generals honed to a fine art.    As the time-limit expired, all was forgiven between the two wrestlers, and a handshake cemented the â??no hard feelingsâ? that both Olsonoski and the audience had expressed earlier.

A relatively quick match followed, with the monstrous Super Destroyer Mark III (Neil Guay) unable to meet the challenge of the smaller yet always tenacious Mad Dog Vachon.   The Dogâ??s usual wild tactics were tamed to a dull roar here, as I recall many moments where the Super D was grounded by Vachonâ??s mat skills.  Not to fear, for Mad Dogâ??s trademark brawling was being saved for later, I would soon learn.

Newcomer Dino Bravo had gained a quick following among AWA fans for his initial television appearance, ending the long streak of TV victories earned by Super Destroyer Mark II.  This card and other stops on the circuit at this time marked the first look at Bravo up close.  His aerial displays were augmented with explosive power.  His opponent on this night was Buddy Wolff, only a semi-regular in AWA territory at the time.  Bravo dispatched Wolff on his climb up the ladder of AWA contender rankings. 

The fifth bout was a chance for me to see the much-heralded appearance of Andre the Giant, billed as the King of Battle Royals due in large part for his 484 pounds and 7-foot-4-inch frame.  Whatever his true stats measured, this was one large countenance of intimidation.  Jesse Ventura drew the short straw among the locals who would endure the Giantâ??s wrath.  To his credit, Ventura made a game effort of tactics designed to take Andre off his feet.  Thunderous punches, headbutts and playful maneuvers confounded Jesse at every turn, though.  Frustrated and facing further humiliation, Ventura turned on his heels and fled for the confines of the dressing room, losing via countout.   Intermission followed the match, and the wrestlers used the rest period to prepare for the main event.

The much-anticipated battle royal finally arrived!   Fourteen grapplers entered the arena and surrounded the ring, each entering upon introduction of their name.  Ten men from earlier bouts on the card (Andre the Giant, Jesse Ventura, Adrian Adonis, Paul Ellering, Steve Olsonoski, Greg Gagne, Super Destroyer Mark III, Mad Dog Vachon, Buddy Wolff and Dino Bravo) were joined at ringside by four additional grapplers (Chris Curtis, Buck Zumhofe, Billy Robinson and The Crusher).  In no time at all, the intros were completed and the bell sounded. 

After just a few minutes of jockeying for position, Greg Gagne corralled another crowd favorite, Buck Zumhofe, by the back of the neck and with great aplomb, pitched Buck over the top and to the concrete at the feet of the front-row seat holders.  Was Greg once again turning against men previously considered his friends?  No.  Again, the professional thirst for competition was presumably fueled by a desire for the cash prize, and the promise of a title match against champion Nick Bockwinkel to boot.  

On interviews leading up to the card, tag team partners Steve Olsonoski and Paul Ellering discussed a possible strategy to eliminate Andre the Giant, the tallest hurdle to navigate.  A proposed Ellering bearhug and Olsonoski dropkick combo made the airwaves in design only.  The execution of teamwork dever got off the drawing board, as Olsonoski was tossed out second.

Chris Curtis was an upstart talent who was earning his oats on television, dropping numerous matches to established stars.  He became the third man eliminated after a clumsy-looking sequence that made him appear to be escaping the battle willingly.  His chance to improve would have to wait until another day.

Billy Robinson was eliminated fourth.  Somewhat of a surprise elimination, as Robinson was a top contender and one of the favorites to win.   Now the adept audience recognized a trend at this point in the match: three of the four â??freshâ? wrestlers with no earlier match scheduled all met with an untimely exit from the ring.  Should the fans take that to mean that going in â??coldâ? was not a sound strategy?

Paul Ellering soon followed as the battle royalâ??s next victim.  His prodigious strength was soon to be plied in Southern rings; his early 1979 push had slowed to a crawl on his way out of the territory, yet he capably showcased the newcomers and those who would remain.   Elimination number six was the tweener for the night, Greg Gagne.  Perhaps his change in tactics cost him the trust of some previous allies; perhaps his regular foes capitalized on his embrace of the â??every man for himselfâ? philosophy.  Whatever story was being told, it resulted in an early night for Gagne.

The ring now thinned out, some more spectacular antics and eliminations were free to occur.  Andre tossed out Super Destroyer Mark III next, swatting the 300-pounder away like a fly.  We were down to seven men, halfway through the challenge.

A mangled mass of arms and legs convened on one side of the ring, as the collective mindset of most grapplers seemed to be that Andre would be too difficult to eliminate without help.  Thus it became Andre versus five men.  But why was it not Andre versus six?

The answer to that question could be found in a corner far away from the rest of the participants.  It was one smirk, one point to the noggin to symbolize his intelligence, one man strategizing to work around the rest, rather than through them.  One Buddy Wolff.
  
This posturing went on for thirty seconds or so until Wolffâ??s ploy was noticed by his own brother-in-law, Mad Dog Vachon.  The Dog decided the time for Wolff to compete was immediately!  And so, emerging from the pile, Mad Dog snuck around the back of Andre, who fended off attackers against the ropes.  With a deft motion, Vachon applied one of his patented back-rakings with fingernails no doubt sharpened pre-bout.   Enraged, Andre turned to face his assassin. Now, the collective smirk of 5,000 plus fans emerged, as Buddy Wolffâ??s jaw dropped to the floor, his eyes widening with every passing second.    Andre versus One Buddy Wolff became the lopsided matchup of the night, and within 15 seconds, the Giantâ??s wolff hunt was completed with a tanned hide and hurt pride for Buddy.

Next, the partnership of Ventura and Adonis came into play, and some of their actions earned numerous boos.  They tossed The Crusher between the ropes to even the odds a bit; Crush was down but not out.   They pounded The Giant in machine-gun-like rhythm to the beat of their own fists.   Dino Bravo suffered a similar fate as he fell almost over the top, only to be saved by Crusherâ??s helpful hand from ringside.
 
Vachon was next to go, as Ventura did the deed with a deliberate forearm to the backside of Mad Dog.  Seemingly unaffected, Vachon proceeded to dismantle the ringside barrier and lambaste Ventura in the back of the head with a portion of the pole removed. Before departing to the dressing room, Vachon unearthed a bucket containing metal fasteners for turnbuckles and other metallic goodies.  The bucket was promptly tossed into the ring, contents and all.  Vachon received the crowd pop of the evening.

Ventura and Adonis continued fire on both Bravo and Andr; meanwhile Crusher struggled to return to action near the apron.  Together, the East-West Connection finally got under the Giantâ??s considerable structure, leveraging it to near-elimination.  Finally with a mighty roar, Venturaâ??s muscle provided the oomph to send Andre to a crash-landing and out, only to find himself teetering to Andreâ??s totter.
 
Dino Bravo alertly used this opportunity to help Jesse complete his forward progress, and Ventura found himself deposited on the floor seconds later.   But just as quickly, Adonis was had the presence of mind to catch Bravo from the blindside and eliminate the Canadian star.  The last man in the ring was Adrian Adonis!
Or was he?

Slowly, from the depths of ringside, The Crusher crept back into the ring.  His ring time was lessened toward the end of the match, but not his eligibility to win.  As Adrian Adonis paraded around the ring, unaware of the work still to be done, he drank in the crowdâ??s reaction.  Then, the inevitable: KAPOW!   Rat-a-tat-rat!  There was some joy left in Mudville!  Crusherâ??s megaton biceps moved in rapid succession as the punches befell the Golden Boy. Then, to cap off the eveningâ??s events, Crusher tossed Adonis over the top rope, to a heap at ringside. No gimmicky paycheck was awarded, but surely Crusher would be collecting his fifty grand later.   The promise of a title shot against Nick Bockwinkel on next monthâ??s card would have sufficed.   And so it went.

On this Veteranâ??s Day, I recall the great stars of the squared circle who put forth an incredible effort for a young ten-year old newly interested in the mat sport.  I recall Mom receiving her fatherâ??s American flag from the funeral. And I recall Dadâ??s decision to honor his father-in-law by keeping a promise to those grandchildren he only saw a handful of times. In different ways,  on this Veteranâ??s Day, I can appreciate their personal struggles. And I thank them all for their service.

But I wanted to share a little story from this year concerning B.J.

Back around the first of the year, I called Harley up on the phone. B.J and himself was heading down the highway going to a autograph signing. I had to ask him a important question. But didn’t want B.J. to hear us. So I ask him if he was on the speaker phone. He told me he wasn’t. So, I proceeded to verify that they would be at the Reunion this year. He informed me that they would. I ask him if he knew what KAYFABE meant? He was puzzled and finally said yes. I told him to not tell B.J. a word to “KAYFABE” what I’m about to tell you. He said it depends. I told him the CAC was going to honor B.J. this year with the “Above and Beyond” award. He said to me, Morgan, KAYFABE that! HARLEY RACE telling me to KAYFABE THAT! What a hoot!

Fast forward to the reunion. Believe it or not, I managed to catch Harley when B.J. wasn’t around. I ask him if he would like to present B.J. her award. Now people what I’m fixing to tell you shows the true character of Harley Race. And I’m not talking about the Wrestler Harley Race. I’m talking about the man Harley Race. Harley looked at me and said, NO! I was shocked! He said I had rather you and Jason Sanderson present the award to her. It would mean more to her and me if you two presented it to her. So we decided to have him come up on the stage and call her up. When she got up on the stage she ask me,”Morgan, what are they giving to him?” I looked at her dumb founded and said,”I dunno”. And when Jason started talking the more she listened the more she realized. She was set up! Bless her heart, Harley had to say thank you to the 100′s in attendance on behalf of B.J. Her eyes had watered up and she had a lump in her throat the size of a goose egg! She punched me when she got off the stage and said, “You three pulled one over on me!” Later on as they was leaving she found me, done the MOM thing, and gave me a hug and whispered to me, Morgan thanks so much, and we both love you. My friends, that was the last time I got to conversate with B.J.

So to my friends that have called and checked on me (you know who you are). My apologies for lying to you and tell’n you I was fine. I’m ok…And will be fine…. in time. Sad to say, but this aint my first rodeo.

And to my buddy Harley, If for some reason you stumble across this, I want you to know, the CAC is here for you and your family. When one hurts we all hurt. If there’s anything I or the CAC can do for you, you know how to get in touch with all of us. You and B.J. have been and will always be a special part of the CAC.

This Morgan’s Corner is dedicated to my true friend, a friend to thousands, and a true angel, B.J. Race.

Well how many of us started the same way? I for one worked my first match for Cowboy Luttrel it was a battle royal and I got the living crap beat out of me. I then was trained by the great Ella Waldeck. Where would some of us be if it was not for those carpenters? A TV squash job led to a main event that night. Who were these people? Some were actually pistols but lacked the showmanship of the business to be on top. Some got old and did not want to quit. Some did it part time as they wanted to keep their jobs or business ( note- these may have been smarter than most of us ). Then there was the poor bastard that the promoter threw in the ring so his friends could see him on TV. Some worked for the opposition and were stretched then told to get out the locker room. Then there  was the one that caught some ones eye who then talked to the promoter and worked his way up the ladder.

Now a word of advise to all you young oneâ??s out there. So you want to be a wrestler? Let me tell you what to do first!  You find a coach then you train a year or two, lead a good clean life and stay out of trouble,  As trouble, you have to get a headlock on it before it gets a scissor lock on you.  While your in your training youâ??ll find you’ll meet a test.  It may take you ten or fifteen years to mingle with the best.  But when your training days are over and thru and people would like to see a real wrestler they will take a look at you. Hey muscle heads you did not know I was a poet. Well as I stated in my first issue of Under the Shade Tree my writing may be controversial. Well l am going to arbitrarily pick a percentage. I will say 60 % of all carpenters, jabronies, jobbers or whatever name you use could of out wrestled a So Called Super Star with the initials H. H. At my age I would like to see him beat me with a leg drop. On second thought maybe his leg is as big as his head.

Well now its time to say goodbye to my friends at CAC.

C is for the courtesy that all of you have given me at the convention.

A is for the admiration I have for all of you.

C is for the consideration you gave me when I accepted the award for my good friend Princess Jasmine who sadly passed away shortly after the reunion due to complications from cancer.
Well until next time be safe, happy and above all stay healthy.

See you soon as we once again, sit Under the Shade Tree.
                               Beverly Shade