This past week we lost two more wrestling greats....Swede Hanson and Nick Roberts. I had the pleasure of being in the same ring against these two great gentlemen. The memories they left and the legacy that will follow them are priceless. May you both Rest In Peace.--Percival

The apex of my year for the past three years starts with the annual visit to Las Vegas and the Cauliflower Alley Club Reunion and Banquet at the Riviera Hotel and Casino. I wait with baited breath for the moment to come when I can start making my plans for the next year's event.

From the first year in the penthouse, with it's breathtaking views of the Las Vegas Strip, to the Grand Ballroom, where it was held for the past two years, The Riviera has lived up to its name of being a first class venue.

This year, all records have been broken for attendance to this three-day event. A reported 560 paid jammed into the ballroom to honor many of the greats in Professional Wrestling. The night began with Juan Hernandez giving the benediction for the banquet. How fitting for such a multi-talented individual, who had captured the hearts of not only the fans of Martial Arts and Wrestling, to grace us with his God-given talents of prayer.

As I glanced around the room, I couldn't help but feel an excitement that would put me back some 45 years of being a fan in a room full of main event wrestling stars. Men like Stu Hart, Harley Race, Larry Hennig, Danny Hodge, Jason Sanderson, Tito Montez, Tiger Conway Sr. and Jr., Angelo and Mario Savoldi, B. Brian Blair, Ox Baker, Killer Kowalski, The Destroyer (Dick Beyer), Ross and Bruce Hart, Chris Benoit, Jimmy Valiant, Pepper Gomez, Les Thatcher, Bruce Swayze, Ed "Moondog" Moretti, Nick Kozak, Cowboy Bob Kelly, Jack Laskin and Seymour Koening, just to name a few. Also in attendance were Penny Banner, Ida Mae Martinez, Maria DeLeon and Judy Grable. Special friends Duff Johnson, Joyce Paustian, and Mike Miller from Kansas City were there. Managers in attendance were Sir Oliver Humperdink, Dr. Ken Ramey of the Interns fame, and myself. I know that a few names have been omitted, not by reason, but old age is setting in on me, and my memory bank is starting to slip.

In an act that was not becoming of me in my Percival A. Friend character, I had gone around the ballroom with program in hand and asked many of the greats of wrestling to help bring a smile to a young lad named Chance. The boy's father works with me and had told me of his son's love of professional wrestling, and that one of his many wishes was to get a few autographs from some of the people attending. Chance has some health problems bigger than mine.

Not only did I get a few autographs, but also some of the guys even threw in some signed photos with well wishes on them. The young lad was in dire need of uplift, and the program, with all it's icing, did the trick and turned his somber face into one of a huge smile. He told his dad that now he owes each of those folks a thank you. I am sure that everybody that signed that program knew in advance that helping someone that needs it is an act of love, not an invasion of their privacy.

My meal was Prime Roast with all the garnishments and topped off with a tasty treat from the dessert table. I had the pleasure of having at my table David Ring, my friend from Cleveland; Joann, a friend of David's from Cleveland; Sharon Valentine and her sister from Texas; and Reggie Parks, champion belt maker.

The introductions began, and the awards started for the evening. Posthumous awards for Nell Stewart and Hercules Cortez were given and accepted by family members. Jimmy "Boogie Woogie Man" Valiant, Tim Woods, Ox Baker, Maria DeLeon, Judy Grable, B. Brian Blair, Chris Benoit and Mike Chapman also received awards from the CAC.

Chief of Police Paul Farber and I were the co-presenters for the Martial Arts award to Juan Hernandez. Paul, your solid, no-nonsense speech was nothing short of magnificent. You handled yourself with a very professional attitude. I am also very happy to call you my friend. Being there for Juan and the CAC places you in a category with the greats I have mentioned above.

Juan, I was very proud to be a part of the CAC event and to honor "Mr. Karate." Just being on that stage and being a part of the presentation was more moving to me than you could imagine. To see the smile on your face and the twinkle in your eyes as you came forward to accept your award was payment enough for me. Meeting your family also meant a lot to me in that it gave me a little closer contact with our friendship, which will remain with me for eternity.

Nick Ackerman was also given a special award and scholarship grant from the CAC, and, in doing so, Karl Lauer dug into his pocket and came up with the first $100 towards paying for Nick's tuition balance. Dr. Ken Ramey came forward with another $100, and then Killer Kowalski came forward with $300. Karl sent Ox Baker, Harley Race and Larry Hennig out into the crowd to get more donations. My $100 went into the bunch of bills in the fist of Larry Hennig. In all, over $9300 was collected for Nick, who was just overwhelmed with all the generosity. By the way, in case you didn't know it, Nick is the only wrestler to ever compete without lower legs. He lost both as a young man due to illness. It never weakened or dampened his outlook on life … and what a smile this kid has on his face now.

The evening also gave us a chance to pay tribute to the 57 members of our family that had been lost during the past year. Name after name was called out in reverence. As I looked around, huge men suddenly began to choke up and tears flowed as friendships were remembered. There was not a dry eye in the building, as each of the deaths had affected us in one way or another.

The highlight of the evening was Stu Hart giving Walter "Killer" Kowalski the Iron Mike Award for lifetime achievements. A standing ovation was given for the man that had set the standards for the youngsters of today's business. In a gentle voice, the Killer accepted his award with the words "I was a big mean guy in my career, but now I am looked at like I am an angel. Thank you.... I love every one of you."

Percival A. Friend, Retired
The Epitome of Wrestling Managers