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When I left you last, I had gone to my bedroom in my suite for a short nap before the banquet began. I had really been pushing myself for the past three days.
Las Vegas is a city without clocks, and it seems like every time I am there, I forget about everything and burn the candle from both ends. I had spent the past few days getting re-acquainted with folks that I had not seen in many years.
I had lunch with Bob Orton Sr., Sir Oliver Humperdink, Diane Devine, my friend Alan Osborn from Amarillo, and Bruce Tharpe from Florida. We were joined by Barry Orton, Rhonda Orton, Omar Atlas, and John Tolos, who was celebrating his 72nd birthday. Following lunch, we went back to the reception room where young wrestlers were being helped by some of the greats in our business.
Bob Orton Sr. had the time of his life speaking to many of the old timers that he had been in the business with. It seemed as if every time one person would leave him another would come over to say hello. The best meeting was when Jack Brisco spotted Bob and came up behind him and said, while holding his shoulders, I beat you up all over Florida and Georgia. Bob said it must be Karl Gotch ... because nobody ever BEAT ME UP in the ring. The two exchanged hugs and handshakes and sat and talked while the flashbulbs went off all over them.
I went back to my suite to change into my suit for the evening. I was getting very excited as the time was drawing closer to the banquet. Greg Valentine called and thanked me for saying all the nice words I did about his dad John earlier in the day. I had talked on a taped interview about the first time I wrestled John on Milwaukee TV in the mid 60's. John had come and told me prior to the match that I may not believe all there was to wrestling ... but that I would believe that he was real when the match was over. I carried a forearm print from his blows to my chest for nearly two weeks after that.
At 6 p.m., I entered the ballroom where the banquet was and went directly to tables 31 and 32 that had been set aside for our group. David Ring was seated with Linda Klein, Ginny Alsdorf, Brenda and one of the greats in our business, Tiger Conway Sr., along with two other of the Valentine kids. I was seated with Greg Valentine and his wife, Sean Mayne, Sharon Valentine and Kurt Nielsen.
Prior to the meal, the benediction was given by the newest Board Member of the CAC ... Juan Hernandez, "Mr. Karate."
Following a meal of Prime Rib with all the extras, I proceeded to the front of the room where the presentations were to be. The evening started with the 10-bell salute to over 60 members of our families that had passed away during the 14 months that we had not been together. Huge men and beautiful ladies joined together in remembering the lives of these people. Some had tears rolling down their cheeks as Fr. Jason Sanderson and Tom Burke read the names.
Bruce Hart was next to honor Rhonda Singh from Calgary. Normally, Bruce is not a vociferous person, but he let his emotions go that night and gave a 15-minute speech in which he voiced his opinion on the loss of so many and the way wrestling is today.
Next were Harley Race and Jim Starr to honor Tom Andrews of Kansas City. Tom and Jim were the Interns.
James Cornette was not able to attend, so I was called upon to honor Paul Bearer by myself. As I stepped up to the podium, I felt my stomach starting to get knots in it. I began my speech by thanking the Board of Directors for allowing me the pleasure of honoring Paul Bearer tonight. I spoke of the year gone by and how I had undergone a quintuple bypass and thanked all the folks that had send cards and mail and thank -yous from all over the world.
I then thanked my best friend, Dr. David Ring from Cleveland, for being there for my family. He sat with them for over nine hours until I was in my recovery room. I asked him to remain friends with us for at least another 100 years. He got a nice round of applause for his recognition. I then spoke about Teri and Steve giving us our first grandchild. I will spoil Keelie Mildred Minnick rotten until I draw my last breath.
I then spoke about how Paul and I had met over the Internet in a post about his wife going through cancer like Nancy had been through the past year. I offered my strength and prayers to him and befriended him. I spoke about how strong our spouses had been to us in supporting our dreams in the world of Professional Wrestling and life.
I tried to exemplify all the accolades and tributes given to Paul Bearer but could only add the statement that went ... "Good Friends are like the stars, you don't always see them ... but you always know they are there." It was then I asked Paul to come forward to be honored. He came to the stage and gave me the biggest hug and shook my hand and said, "Thank you, Brother." I had a tear in my eye as I gave him his award and quietly stepped to the rear with Bobby Heenan and Mike Tenay.
Paul began his speech with thanking the many people that had come to honor him. He then spoke about his wife and what he had been through with her and pleaded with all to have a check up done, so that we would not have to go through the problems and frustrations he did.
Next to be honored was Buddy Colt. He had nearly four tables filled with family and friends to honor him. B. Brian Blair and Bobby Heenan did the honors. Of course, Bobby had his wit and humor with him and picked on just about everybody.
Don Leo Jonathon was honored next by Killer Kowalski and Dr. Phil Nuytten. The Dr. amazed a lot of us by giving the last part of his speech in Carnival slang ... a language spoken by a lot of us old timers.
Tito Montez was honored by Dean Silverstone and Marie Johnson, his sister. A very emotional and intense speech by Tito left a lot of us with tears in our eyes. Tito is a deeply religious person and spoke of his love for Jesus Christ.
Moose Morowski was honored by Red Bastien and Dick Beyer, "The Destroyer," for his many years in the wrestling business. Moose spoke about all the friends he had made in the business and thanked all for coming out to honor him.
I retook the stage and spoke about the Cribbage Championship that was held the past two days. I talked about how we had raised over $150 for the scholarship funds and then called Paul "Butcher" Vachon to the stage to give him the cribbage board engraved with the words "2003 CAC Cribbage Champion." I then issued the statement that it was an honor to lose to him, as I had come in second.
Buddy Roberts of Freebird fame was the next to be honored by Sir Oliver Humperdink. Oliver had managed the Freebirds in his earlier years.
Referee Mickey Jay was honored by Bobby Heenan as being a super third man in the ring for so many years. Mickey was a referee in WCW and other territories.
Bruce Swayze was next to be honored by Gene Petit and Reggie Love. What a humble man Bruce is, and he accepted the award with great humility and pride.
Angelo Savoldi took the stage next, as he was honored with the Art Abrams Lifetime Achievement award. All the living winners of this crown honored him on stage.
The final award came as quite a shock to Mad Dog Vachon. He was not ready to be given the Iron Mike Award and had not thought about a speech. But, true to his spirit of being a legitimate tough guy, he rose from his wheelchair and, with the help of his brother Paul, he came to the podium as a thunderous standing ovation was given to him.
He began the acceptance in front of all the past winners of the Iron Mike award, saying that he was honored to accept this the greatest award that could be given. Then, with a gruff voice, he admitted that it's a DOG EAT DOG WORLD to another standing ovation. Maurice Vachon had the crowd eating out of his hand, and he loved every moment of it.
I want to give credit to the many that have spent countless weeks getting the CAC Banquet together and to everyone that traveled the hundreds of miles to be with their other family. For us to share a weekend together has been the biggest thrill for me this year.
May God watch over us and keep us well until next time when we can share the spotlight again ... even if only for a few moments.
Percival A. Friend, Retired
The Epitome of Wrestling Managers
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