CAC Benevolent Fund

CAC 2004 Part 3

This week's column starts on a very sad note with the passing of Joseph "Pepper" Gomez on May 6. He was a true giant in our industry in the 50's thru the 70's. He will be sadly missed by all that knew and loved him. Rest in Peace, PEPPER.--Percival

I need to begin the final episode of my trip to Las Vegas for the 39th CAC with a short note about the past two editions. I had left for Las Vegas on Wednesday morning and arrived in Las Vegas around noon. I met with many greats of our business and also with fans that had come in early to meet and greet.

Thursday morning, I started another long day by doing autograph sessions and photo shoots with a lot of the young stars of our business that had come in for the training sessions with Les Thatcher and Scott Casey. I was later interviewed by Jason Fury for a radio program he does in the St. Louis area. I later had lunch with my best friend, Dr. David Ring, and Glen Rylko from Chicago. I spent the rest of my evening chatting with friends and fellow brothers and sisters of the canvas.

Friday morning started with a call from Ox Baker, inviting me to breakfast at the buffet in the Plaza Hotel Casino. I met Ox, his wife Peggy, Fred and Rocket Curry, and two friends of the Currys from Rhode Island. Ox was bellowing at the top of his lungs as we entered the buffet that we needed a big table for six. He spotted a couple of tables that were unoccupied and proceeded to rearrange the furniture to best suit his needs.

Ox was challenged by the headwaiter, who was from China, about his style, and they had a battle of words before the waiter, in a few short steps, put the tables in an order that would comply with the aisles. I proceeded to the line and got all the things that I am not scheduled to eat and returned to begin a great breakfast. Rocket Curry sat next to me, and Ox was at the head of the table.

Suddenly, from behind us came George "The Animal" Steele, who grabbed Rocket by the nape of his neck and pulled him to his feet and then delivered a huge forearm between his shoulder blades, knocking him to his knees. Rocket turned to see who had hit him, and he backed away from him and into the table. George muttered something about it being a payback from his grandfather Bull Curry. Then, George grabbed the young Curry and hugged him, saying that it was nothing personal ... just business...

Following a super breakfast and watching Ox Baker do his thing in the crowded buffet room, I went to the ballroom where the CAC was taking place. I was called by Dick Beyer to the Turf Club not far away, where the cribbage tournament was beginning. I faced Scott Zappa, a young wrestler from The High Rollers, and was fortunate to get a win from him after the best two out of three falls. You can read more about this young man by going to www.highrollers777.com.

I was next confronted in the afternoon by The Destroyer and was handed my head in my hands by this great legend. It was a pleasure to be beaten by the better man. The money collected by entrance fees went to the CAC educational fund. The finals of the tournament came down to Ox Baker and Larry "The Ax" Hennig. Larry Hennig was crowned champion the next day following another gruesome matching of opponents.

I retired to my suite to get ready for the Baloney Blowout that evening. It has been a tradition of our Friday evenings to have a great meal together in the way that most of us lived while on the road. Usually, following a hard fought wrestling match, we would load up on and eat baloney sandwiches, along with our favorite beverage, and head to the next town many miles away.

It was following the food session that Red Bastien had the very first open mike. Many of the guys got up and told some road stories and jokes pulled on each other. A lot of the audience that were not being honored the next night was introduced to the overflow crowd.

I went to the mike and thanked publicly all the fine people that had helped me with a project a few years ago when they signed a CAC program and gave of themselves to help bring a smile to a young man in the hospital dying of Cancer. I held back tears and choked up a few times while relating the story to nearly 500 people in the room. As I left the stage area, I was hugged by many of the people that I had just named. It's a nice feeling doing something for someone less fortunate.

Saturday was probably the biggest day of my life. I rose at 9 a.m. and had a good breakfast with friends at Circus Circus buffet. The strip is a wonderful place to visit and has almost anything for anybody in the five miles or so that it occupies. No matter what your style, no matter where you come from, you will find something that makes you happy there. You will also find a lot of compassion the way Las Vegas thinks about the personal losses people have had around the world. The fence surrounding New York, New York has hundreds of bouquets of flowers and cards attached to it from the 911 ordeal. Some of the billboards in front of the largest casinos call out "GOD BLESS AMERICA".

I went to the Tropicana and the MGM Grand looking for some friends that work there. I stopped at The Luxor for lunch and a little shopping. Returning to Fremont Street, I did a little more shopping and retired to my suite again to ready myself for the big night.

At 6 p.m., I went to the ballroom for the CAC Main Event. I went about the room again getting autographs on one of the programs I had for my friend Dylan Everage in St. Mary's, Ohio. He had just come through his 54th operation and is only 8 years old. It's really amazing, the response to my help in trying to put a smile on a young man's face by a simple autograph.

The dinner was served, and then began the program honoring the best that our business had produced. One by one, they were led to the podium to accept their awards. Buddy Rose, Col. DeBeers, Omar Atlas, Ann Casey, Billy Darnell and Margaret Garcia. Ed Moretti, Sandy Parker and Charlie Smith preceded me. It was then that I had a tap on my shoulder and was led to the staging area near the center stage. I had the worst case of butterflies in my stomach. I had not been this terrified of something since I made my debut in the ring some 40 years ago.

I was called by Mike Tenay and Bobby Heenan to come and get my award. They had been the team that introduced ALL of the honorees for this year's event.

I began by recalling a lot that had happened to me in 2003. Among which, I was gifted by the birth of my granddaughter Keelie. I also called to attention the presentation of last year's award to my friend Percival Pringle/ Paul Bearer at the CAC. I made it known that I was also inducted into the Hall of Fame at BWC (Jimmy Valiant's wrestling school and museum) and that I would be returning there in September to be included in the graduating class of 2004. I also spoke of being in Ocala, Florida, and was given a Lifetime Achievement Award by Marti and Dory Funk Jr. on their television program.

I thanked the board of directors for their choosing me for this honor, which I humbly accepted. I thanked two of the greatest managers that I patterned myself after ... Red Berry and Ernie Roth. I thanked Buddy Rogers and Larry Chene for being like a father to me in showing me the right way to go. I then asked God to give me the strength and the health to return to many more of these get togethers. I ended by thanking personal friends Dr. David Ring, Chief Paul Farber, Juan Hernandez, George Gunderson and Glen Rylko for being there to honor me.

I returned to my seat to savor the evening and watch the rest of the honoree's get their awards. George "The Animal" Steele, Baron Von Raschke, Lester Welch and Bull Curry were the ones saved for last. It was then that the future legends award was given to Melissa Anderson. Danny Hodge was the lucky participant to get the Art Abrams Life Time Achievement Award for his many years in the profession. Bobby Heenan was the best of the best as he received the Mike Mazurki award as the highest honored member of the Cauliflower Alley Club.

In all, the weekend spent in Las Vegas was the finest that I have spent yet. I was truly amazed at the over 600 people attending the banquet … the biggest so far. I was saddened to listen to the over 50 names called out in reverence during the 10 bell salute. I was touched by the acceptance speeches given at this year's ceremony.

Coming under the spotlight gives us "OLD TIMERS" one more chance to be recognized by our other family as equals. I am proud, honored and happy to be associated with the CAC and hope to be at many more of these events in the very near future.

Percival A. Friend, Retired
The Epitome of Wrestling Managers