As I left you last, I had arrived at the Plaza Hotel in Las Vegas and met with Chief Paul Farber, and we went and had steak and eggs at the Las Vegas Club, and I retired to the suite to get some much-needed sleep. I had been up for nearly 24 hours.

As morning approached, the sun was streaming through the huge windows that overlooked the Fremont Street experience. A huge metal structure built over top of historic Fremont Street. It contains over a million lights, and sound projects from many speakers down the four-block structure. Its intent was to draw more attention to the older section of Las Vegas the locals call downtown.

I rose, and, after a brisk shower, I went with David Ring downstairs to the cafe for breakfast. We met many of the greats of our business that were also enjoying a meal. Red Bastien and Juan Hernandez, "Mr. Karate," joined us for a few moments, and we exchanged some items that David had brought for both to enjoy.

After some picture taking, we proceeded to the third floor, where we were met by Fr. Jason "Wolfman" Sanderson, who was at the command of the reception table where our name badges were being put out in alphabetical order. After securing ours, we went into the first room, and eight-time World Champion Harley Race, his wife B.J. and Les Thatcher met us. They were getting contracts signed for the new kids on the block to sign so they could compete in matches later that day.

I glanced around the room, and there was J. Michael Kenyon, The Destroyer and his wife Wilma. Also, I looked, and there came Vader, the monster that Harley Race managed in the old WCW territory. As the morning progressed, we started a cribbage tournament. Its function was to benefit the scholarship fund that the CAC provides each year to deserving kids.

As I began to watch the kids go through their cardio workouts, Bruce Hart and his brother Ross came into the room. Of course, their dad was with them as they began to put their wealth of knowledge of the business into the minds of these youngsters who will be the stars of our future. We had guys and gals and referees … but no managers involved in the training session. I felt uneasy about that, but then again, there was not a reason for managers to be at ringside for this event.

I left the ringside and ventured back into the back end of the room where we had tables set up with vendors and superstars of the old days selling pictures and autographs. Names like The Vachons (Mad Dog and Butcher), "The Boogie Woogie Man" Jim Valiant, Paul Christy and Bunny Love, and many others. Some of the old pictures and window cards were being offered during a silent auction that went through Saturday night.

As I wandered back into the main room, I was asked by Sharon Valentine to be a part of a tribute to her late husband Johnny. Men like B. Brian Blair, who was to be a presenter on Saturday night; Domenic DeNucci and myself were among many who paid tribute to John with memories that we shared of him. It was a very moving and special time of this year's CAC that I will remember for a long time to come.

As I glanced at my watch, it was nearing 7 p.m. East Coast time, and I was getting hungry. David and I went to the Main Street Station and had dinner. Afterwards, we walked back toward the Plaza, and there, parked in a display, was Colonel William F. Cody's Pullman car that he traveled in. As an admirer of his showmanship, I stopped and took a few pictures beside the car. The Old West has a peculiar hold on me, and I enjoy learning more about it every time I go there.

Returning to the Plaza, I freshened up for a few minutes and went back to the ring area in the reception room by myself. I was no more inside the room when somebody grabbed me by the arm and spun me around. I thought to myself, who could this be? It was Omar Atlas, the guy from Venezuela that gave me a lot of problems in the Midwest during the 70's.

I didn't know if he was still mad at me for the abuse that Angus and Roger Kirby put on his body. I didn't know if he still held a grudge against me. I just backed up a step and looked into those blue eyes of his, and then he grabbed me in a bear hug and began to holler about how great it was to see me again. Then, he turned me back toward the ring area and said to me, "Do you know who is there?" It is Colonel DeBeers that wrestled in the KC territory as Easy Ed Wisowski. I walked towards him, and, almost instantly, there was a magnet-like energy that pulled us together to a great handshake and hugs.

Then, I turned, and there was Roger Kirby standing within a few feet of us. Roger looked in great physical shape and was also glad to see me again. He then looked at Omar standing there, and the two locked into each other's eyes as if they were going to come to blows right there. Then, as if time had erased all of their anger towards each other, they shook hands and hugged too.

We sat and watched the youngsters go through the matches. They were designed to let the promoters that attended this function get a good look at some of the talent from other areas around the states.

As I glanced at my watch, it read 3 a.m. East Coast time. It was another tiring day for me. I retired to my suite to relate the stories to David, who had been watching TV.

Percival A. Friend, Retired
The Epitome of Wrestling Managers