Part of the criteria for CACs Iron Mike award states that the recipient must be “immediately recognizable” to wrestling fans and the non-wrestling world alike.  Between the Marine Drill Instructor hat, the sunglasses, and the jutting jaw, it’s difficult to think of anyone in the wrestling world who could possibly be more recognizable to fans than Sgt. Slaughter.  If you add the other criteria, that the recipient must have achieved success in more than one field, it becomes clear that the Sarge is an ideal candidate for the award named after wrestler/actor Mike Mazuki.  In addition to over 35 years of success in wrestling, the good Sarge is also a major star of the GI Joe cartoon series, having become a live military action figure and pop culture phenomenon. His fame has led to countless appearances at events ranging from major and minor league baseball games, to pro hockey games, to NASCAR races.  He has met “everyone who’s anyone”, including Presidents, movie stars and pro athletes.  Despite all that, Sgt. Slaughter remains humble and has always been known for his big heart, more than anything else.  He works tirelessly for children and youth charities, and also never forgets the military troops serving in harm’s way.

Sarge is mobbed by his fans after a Battle Royal victory

Born Robert Remus and growing up in the Minneapolis, MN area, Sarge has always had a love of wrestling.  With his size, he was a natural sports star in high school, in both wrestling and football.  He grew up during the height of AWA wrestling popularity in Minnesota, watching such greats as the Crusher.  It wasn’t surprising then that he would eventually train to become a wrestler in the Minnesota area,  with teachers likeVerne Gagne and Billy Robinson.  Anyone familiar with Verne’s training camp knows that only the strongest and most talented candidates survived such training.  Those that did, often went on to achieve major stardom throughout the wrestling world.  Such was the case with Sgt. Slaughter.  From his start in the mid 70’s, he quickly moved through areas such as the Pacific Northwest to Hawaii and California, to the Central States area and the Mid-Atlantic.  As Bob Slaughter, he wrestled in and became a star in nearly every major territory of the late 70’s and early 80s.  His Drill Instructor persona really caught fire with the fans at that time, and also earned him many championships in the National Wrestling Association, both as a singles star and as a tag team, with partners like Don Kernodle.

Just a small sample of the many Sgt. Slaughter collectibles that have been available over the years.

As Sgt. Slaughter, he went on to the WWE in the early 80s.  With the advent of cable TV and nationwide coverage, fans from all over the country were exposed to the wrestling ability of the Sarge,   His matches with such WWE greats as Pat Patterson and Bruno Sammartino quickly became classics.  In the mid 80s, Sarge was offered his opportunity to become “a real American hero” and appear on the GI Joe cartoon series as himself.   Handing out American flags and having fans recite the pledge of allegiance prior to his wrestling matches of that time quickly gained Sgt. Slaughter a superhero status that few achieve.  His popularity soared during those years, and he became synonymous with the symbols of American patriotism.   Sgt Slaughter’s image was everywhere in those days, from action figures to t-shirts to videotapes.  He even filmed a commercial for Diet Coke.  It’s no surprise that with his size and natural wrestling ability, he eventually won the WWE World Championship in 1991, defeating the Ultimate Warrior.  Ironically however, his time as champion also occurred during the time of the first Gulf War, when he became associated with Iraqi sympathizers General Adnan and Colonel Mustafa.  During that time, Sarge quickly went from being one of the most popular wrestlers of the time to one of the most hated.  The feud eventually led to a major confrontation with Hulk Hogan at Wrestlemania VII.  As time went by and the first Gulf War ended, Sarge eventually once again aligned himself with American heroism and regained the respect and cheers of wrestling fans everywhere.  Sarge continued wrestling through the 1990s, and later became a WWE road agent and Commissioner.  Few of the WWE wrestlers were willing to challenge the toughness of Sgt. Slaughter’s decisions,  especially when he showed that he wasn’t afraid to still mix it up with any of the current superstars.  Having become one of wrestling’s most beloved superstars, Sarge now travels the country making appearance on behalf of charities such as the March of Dimes and St. Jude’s Children’s Research.  Fans young and old clamor to get his autograph and have their chance to be placed in his feared “Cobra Clutch”.  Sarge also makes many appearances as the WWE’s “Good Will” Ambassador, promoting their many events and other superstars as he travels.   Fittingly, Sarge was inducted into WWE’s Hall of Fame in 2004.

Sgt Slaughter will receive the Iron Mike award at the April 2011 Cauliflower Alley Club reunion banquet in Las Vegas.  He will join the ranks of previous winners such as Nick Bockwinkel, Harley Race, and Terry Funk.  The presentation of this award promises to be one of the most touching and proudest moments of the CAC Banquet history. Don’t miss it, and as Sarge would say, “That’s an order!!!!”

*Bio submitted by CAC member Joyce Paustian
*Photo Credit,The Joyce Paustian Collection

If you want to get a room in Las Vegas for $36.00(Standard Room) or $50.00(Deluxe Room) you better call the Gold Coast at 1-888-402-6278 and book your room NOW! They will only charge your credit card for one room when you make your reservation.

The CAC members code is 1CACC04. Identify yourself as a Cauliflower Alley Club Member. You can not book your room online at these rates and you must call the Gold Coast.

Reservations Number: 1-888-402-6278

CAC Member Code: 1CACCO4

Honorees. With that said, The CAC is proud to announce the 2011

Cauliflower Alley Club Honorees.

The following will be honored during our annual reunion on April 18-20, 2011 in Las Vegas, Nevada. 

Make your plans now to attend this exciting Reunion!

Check the website soon for Hotel Reservation information.

Along with more exciting surprises involving the 2011 Reunion.

Click on the Honorees name to read more about them

THE IRON MIKE AWARD

SGT. SLAUGHTER

THE ART ABRAMS LIFETIME

ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

 MICK FOLEY

THE LOU THESZ AWARD

RICK MARTEL

MEN’S WRESTLING (RETIRED) AWARD

DAN KROFFAT

MEN’S WRESTLING (RETIRED) AWARD

ALEX KNIGHT

MEN’S WRESTLING (ACTIVE) AWARD 

THE HONKY TONK MAN

WOMEN’S WRESTLING (RETIRED) AWARD

DARLING DAGMAR

WOMEN’S WRESTLING (RETIRED) AWARD

ROCKIN’ ROBIN

WOMEN’S WRESTLING (ACTIVE) AWARD

AWESOME KONG

POSTHUMOUS AWARD 

MICHEL ‘MAD DOG’ MARTEL

MANAGER’S AWARD

BRUNO LAUER

FAMILY AWARD

 TOMMY, DOUG & EDDIE GILBERT

THE JAMES C. MELBY HISTORIAN AWARD

 TOM BURKE

THE FOLLOWING

TO BE ANNOUNCED

AT THE REUNION

THE GOLDEN EAR AWARD 

THE FUTURE LEGEND AWARD 

THE RED BASTIEN FRIENDSHIP AWARD

THE JASON SANDERSON HUMANITARIAN AWARD

Kong stated,” The VERY FIRST winner of this award! I’m so excited and love the CAC! Thank you all! “

This award has been studied with lots of suggestions and interest. And actually was not confirmed until after the newsletter was sent to the printer. The other honorees will be announced in the September Edition of the Ear, mailed out the first week of September.

The CAC congratulates Awesome Kong on being the 2011 Women’s Active Wrestling Award Honoree!

So now the excitement about the 2011 Reunion just kicked up a notch! Start making your plans now as we gather in Las Vegas in 2011!

The names that will appear as the 2011 honorees is rather amazing. This is sure to be a exciting reunion. In the months to come you will find the bio’s of all the honorees in full detail here and in the newsletter.

Start making your plans now to attend the 2011 CAC Reunion in Las Vegas, Nevada.

You may not believe it possible, but it really is true that there are many things to do in Sin City in those agonizing hours when the CAC events are closed. Take it from someone who lives here, there are more things known and unknown than meets the eye.

 From Broadway style shows to Amusement parks that delight the young and old alike, Las Vegas has more varied things to do per square mile than almost any other city in the US. Even if it’s not Thrills & Chills you are after, it’s certain there is something just for your tastes around every corner.

 Food

It used to be that Las Vegas was the Mecca for cheap food or Buffets – and being the “Las Vegas Buffet Examiner” for Examiner.com, I should know!. While this is still true to an extent (You can find “Old Vegas” pricing everywhere), of late we have become known for having the most James Beard award winning restaurants in one city – in the world. This is only a short list of recommendations close to HQ of course – listing them all would take so much space that the CAC website would be overloaded in a moment.

Buffets:

1. Carnival World Buffet at the Rio. Located just steps away from the Gold Coast (CAC central), this Buffet is consistently ranked as #1 by Locals & Visitors alike. From pizza to omelets, sushi to teppan yaki, fresh carved meats to Asian barbecue, the Carnival World offers numerous experiences from around the world featuring live-action cooking right before your eyes guaranteeing freshness and top quality. (.33 miles from Gold Coast)
2. The Buffet at Wynn Resort. One of a handful of “High End” Buffets serving Gourmet foods, the Wynn caters to those with discerning tastes. Of course along with that taste is a higher price tag, but its well worth the cost of admission. (2.25 miles from Gold Coast)
3. Frisco Market Buffet. This Buffet located at Arizona Charlie’s on Decatur has been a Local’s secret for years. It’s inexpensive compared to almost all other Buffets in town, and while not extravagant, the food is tasty & fresh. (4.5 miles from the Gold Coast)

High End:

1. Mesa Grill. Food Network’s Bobby Flay opened this in 2004 thanks to the success of fellow Food TV offerings in the city. Featuring Southwestern foods, it always pleases those walking the spicy side of life. (1.28 miles from Gold Coast)
2. Delmonico’s. Another Food network Chef, the well known Emeril Lagasse opened this Cajun influenced Steakhouse to great acclaim. Like all Steakhouses of this level, expect to drop a pretty penny for the experience, but believe me, it’s well worth every cent. (1.81 miles from Gold Coast)
3. Bouchon. Chef Thomas Keller of the famed French Laundry in Napa Valley opened this dining experience that even other Chefs rave about. It’s a can’t miss dining experience. (1.81 miles from Gold Coast)

Cheap Eats:

1. Mermaids. (Downtown Vegas)  There’s a lot to be said for having things for 99 cents like Hot Dogs. Combine this with deep fried Oreos and Twinkies for that same price, and you can see why this leads the cheap section! (5.5 miles from Gold Coast)
2. Arizona Charlie’s Boulder. The 2^nd AZ Charlie’s to appear, but this time because of their great $3.29 Sirloin Steak & Eggs breakfast. (12 miles from Gold Coast)
3. Ellis Island. Competing for cheap steaks is this offering near to the Gold Coast, serving New York Steak & Eggs for the paltry sum of $3.45. (1.7 miles from Gold Coast)

Thrills

Having transitioned from a wild west, Mafia run oasis to a Family adventure land, Vegas has once again moved on to something new. There are still plenty of Thrills to be found. Whether it is adrenaline charged Rides to spooky Ghost tours, Vegas has a lot to offer to those of all ages.

1. Stratosphere Casino. Featuring four insanely designed rides, the Stratosphere has become the place to go to get the blood pumping. For those wanting the ultimate thrill, the Skyjump is a controlled free fall from more than 800 feet at a scream-inducing speed. Are you a Jumper? (4 miles from Gold Coast)
2. AdventureDome @ Circus Circus. For just $25 for an all-day pass, you can ride 18 rides at this totally indoor Theme park. On top of that, inside the Casino itself you can watch free Circus shows from 11am. (2.75 miles from Gold Coast)
3. Haunted Vegas Tours. This spirited and spooky ghost tour will take you to the haunting grounds of Bugsy Siegel, Liberace, Redd Foxx and Elvis. Robert Allen, creator of Haunted Vegas Tours now makes it possible to visit such eerie sites by offering a guided Tour and Show, featuring Sin City’s Darkest Ghostly Secrets. The Tour is nightly at 9:30 leaving from Royal Resort at 99 Convention Center Drive. (3 miles from Gold Coast)

Shows

Let’s face it, there are 2 types of shows people want to see in Vegas, those being Broadway style extravaganzas, to the more adult natured Strip/Topless variety. Whichever you prefer, these are sure to titillate and entertain.

1. The Lion King @ Mandalay Bay. This much praised show from Disney has been wowing audiences nightly. You can expect all the splendor one would want from this type of show – and the kids will love it too!  Ticket rates range from $64.00 to $168.50 (3.5 miles from Gold Coast)
2. Crazy Girls. The granddaddy of Vegas Topless reviews, Crazy Girls is a fun-loving adventure through the world of beauty, music dance and comedy. Stunning showgirls grace the stage to deliver a memorable show. Tickets range from $45 to $66 with 2 for 1 vouchers all over the place. (2.8 miles from Gold Coast)
3. Chippendales @ the Rio. Not to be outdone by their female counterparts, the Chippendales dance for the Ladies. Tickets range from $44 to $55. One word of caution though, we are told Morgan Dollar tends to wait outside the show for reasons unknown. Forewarned is forearmed. (.33 miles from Gold Coast)

But we think it’s more about letting the world at large see a small sampling of unsolicited views of the just-completed 2010 CAC reunion in Las Vegas, April 19-21.  And there’s nowhere better to begin than with this statement from today’s dean of wrestling announcers, and our 2010 Art Abrams Lifetime Achievement Award honoree, Jim Ross:

Terry Funk, Darla Staggs Taylor, Jim "JR" Ross

“CAC was a great experience and I certainly hope to attend on an annual basis. The Mrs. had a great time too which always helps. I am shocked that more successful pro wrestlers and that ALL wrestling organizations aren’t more supportive of CAC, which is a completely, 100% non-profit organization. All active wrestlers should become Lifetime Members for the $300 one-time fee plus all wrestling organizations should ask CAC what they can do to help the organization rather than to put them on ‘ignore’, as if CAC did not exist. That’s just damn embarrassing.”
Jim Ross

“Although I myself am not a wrestler, my significant other, Saleem Erakat, is and I cannot express how insightful all of the information and experiences were in being able to offer my support to him the best I can, and also how to excel in my own endeavors…..The newer generation has so much that they can learn from all of those before them and I intend on suggesting to everyone I meet interested in the wrestling business to attend the CAC Reunion…..I never knew I would be around so many wonderful people as I was this past week. God Bless and looking forward to seeing you next year!”
Julie Johnson
Elite Xtreme Wrestling photographer

Bob Leonard, Jim Melby Award winner, Vance Nevada, Shelley Melby Bonin

“You can expect to see me annually, but I am very interested to get more actively involved with the club on a much more frequent basis…… this week was not only a career highlight for me, but tops the list of personal experiences as well.  The whole week was incredibly rewarding. I will be encouraging more of| the current generation in our business to get themselves to CAC| for future events.  My hat goes off to the tremendous effort by the| organizers and volunteers for all of their hard work.”
Vance Nevada

“My thanks to you, Karl, for your “labor of love” in last week’s CAC convention in Las Vegas.   Your participation was largely responsible for having the best CAC meeting I have been to.  This is a wonderful event that you offer to so many for a trip down memory lane that engulfs at least 50 years for people like me.  Sign me up for the 2011 reunion!”  
Bill Kersten

“(The reunion) shows you have done this for years and it shows in the product. You all should be very proud of what you have done there over time, and I am sure your families are also very proud of you….thank you for your kindness, and my very best regards to you and your families”                                                                             
Dan Kroffat
 
 

“Karl, I would like to thank you and the CAC for the awards you gave us, and for treating us with the ultimate kindness. We had a very good time”  
Magic and Evie Schwarz

Mark Posey Nick Bockwinkel

 ”The CAC Sapphire Reunion was the second reunion I’ve attended…..being able to network with promoters and other wrestlers is enormously beneficial.  An often overlooked benefit is the seminars. Vance Nevada’s talk on promoting yourself was excellent, covering all aspects of getting work in other territories — including how to conduct yourself as a professional in the dressing room. Ross Hart & Dan Kroffat’s seminar on planning for life after wrestling should be almost a career requirement because, let’s face it, it’s not going to last forever.

I will absolutely be back next year. Both times I’ve come away from the reunion re-invigorated about the business, and better prepared to deal with all the aspects of a career in professional wrestling.”
Mark Posey

The 45th Cauliflower Alley Club Reunion, our organization’s Sapphire Event, more than lived up to my expectations.   Having had the opportunity to converse with almost all of the honorees and/or their family members in preparation for the feature articles that appeared on the CAC website, I felt a step closer to the recipients than in previous years.  As each of them took to the podium, it was obvious that all parties celebrated the opportunity to greet their fans and peers once again.  But the banquet and the Baloney Blowout comprised only a small percentage of my total CAC experience.

Mando Guerrero renewed his acquaintance with Dirty Dan Denton and the Ring of Frienship continued to prove its name worthy of distinction.

The House of Humperdink has an increase in membership as Michael McCurdy and Joe Sousa enlist their help to Sir Oliver himself.

Judo Gene LeBell and his newest friend Dante, who attended as part of a Make-A-Wish Foundation trip.

For those taking in the CAC reunion for the first time, there may have been an uncertainty in how to drink in the entire atmosphere.  Realistically, one can only tread warily once; the entire week of events is as rich and varied as can be in the hopes of attracting our esteemed veterans, as well as the rising stars of tomorrow.  I witnessed the genuine enthusiasm of a Vance Nevada packaged in his very humble yet friendly personality.   I met Dan Kroffat for the first time, whose seminar with Ross Hart was encouraging and enlightening for newcomers to our sport, and validating for our grizzled warriors who seek to maintain some comfort and stability at the end of their active days.

Meeting Howard Brody, former President of the National Wrestling Alliance stands out to me.  As I would soon learn from reading his book SWIMMING WITH PIRANHAS, his road to both success and failure was traveled with an undying passion to do relevant things within the wrestling business, which I term to be a goal he reached successfully.
The emotion displayed by Earl Maynard, also making a CAC debut, was such that he vowed to return in future years; his tale may be the ideal expression of the mission CAC aims for: creating a sociable environment that encourages rave reviews such as Earl’s.

Disco Fury and Gorgeous Michelle star flank Dean Higuchi at the close of the 2009 CAC Banquet.

I will have more to say in subsequent features here on the CAC website as the weeks progress.  These few examples spoke volumes to me as it relates to the impact that such a modest gathering of peers can have.  Each night as I returned to my comfortable room, I counted my blessings that the accommodations at the Gold Coast Hotel were more than satisfactory, and yet I felt as though there was more to experience and others to meet and interact with; I struggled with the idea of returning to the main floor to drink in more of the atmosphere, yet eventually fatigue would prove to be the victor.

I am looking forward to the next reunion, set for April 18-20, 2011 back at the Gold Coast.  Let me encourage all who read this to send your own short recap of the reunion events to the webmaster, Morgan Dollar.  Any photographs you’d like to share are sure to be unique, and a personalized perspective is welcomed.   Whatever you have time to commit to writing, it will be that much more of an impetus to have others consider joining me and all our CAC bretheren in 2011.  Cheers.

The highlight for me this year was the banquet.  I have to admit, I thought it would be long and drawn out, but Terry Funk and J J Dillon were the best emcee’s that I have heard.  They made the evening fun!  The speeches were tremendous by all of the recipients and very emotional.  It is really touching to see my heroes stand on that stage and talk about their days in the business and they have tears in their eyes.  It is obvious how much they loved what they did, just as their fans loved them.

I was thrilled to be a part of honoring Vince Fahey with the Red Bastien Friendship Award.  Vince has been a great friend from the first moment I met him.  He does a remarkable job with the Kayfabe Memories site.  He even likes my snorting laugh!

Most of all, it was a special few days for me to be able to spend quality time with my “wrestling” family, Mick Karch, Dale Spear, Shelley and Chad Bonin, Morgan Dollar, Wes Daniel, Joyce Paustian, Vince Fahey, and Jeff Sharkey.  They are some of the BEST friends a person could ask for. 

And a special Thank You to my new friend, Raven, for sitting at our table both nights and entertaining us!  What a great sense of humor he has.

I’m already counting the days till CAC 2011.

Darla Taylor

President Bockwinkel, Mick Karch, Ted DiBiase

Sir Oliver Humperdink, Darla Staggs Taylor

Darla Staggs Taylor, Joyce Grable

Cribbage combatants Jeff Sharkey, Wes Daniel

Bob Leonard,Jim Melby Award winner, Vance Nevada, Shelley Melby Bonin

Steve Austin, Darla Staggs Taylor, Ted DiBiase, Shelley Melby Bonin

Mil Mascaras, President Bockwinkel, Danny HodgeDarla Staggs Taylor,Veteran ring announcer Mick Karch

Jim Ross donated sauce for all the tables at the banquet!

Darla Staggs Taylor, Veteran Ring Announcer,Mick Karch

Dan Severn , Darla Staggs Taylor

Morgan Dollar, Darla Staggs Taylor

Terry Funk, Darla Staggs Taylor, Jim "JR" Ross