Championship International Wrestling

During the past 25 years since I have been retired from the active business of the wrestling industry, I have been besieged by many to come and be a part of their wrestling cards. Championship International Wrestling asked me to come and be a part of their great matches held recently in a benefit program to help out a police officer that was involved in a horrific accident while in pursuit.

Normally, I do not get emotional about a lot of things with all that is going on in today's world, but this event and its meaning meant something to good friends Juan Hernandez and Police Chief Paul Farber, whom I met in a trip from Chicago to Newton, Iowa last June. Their involvement in the efforts made it an honor for me to be present at the matches and be a part of the group that had joined hands from all parts of the globe to help out a fellow human that had been hurt.

The officer, John Popek, is still alive today because he was thrown from his cruiser after it flipped side to side and end to end and burned. John suffered a broken back but is recovering and is in a wheelchair. Police work is a challenge in itself, as, most of the time, it is a thankless job that most people take for granted. Most people do not realize the amount of time and effort that goes into training and just being in public safety. My tam is off to you, John Popek, and I look forward to the day that you will return to active duty in Peotone, Illinois.

I managed, as many of you readers know, Black Angus, Harley Race, The Patriot, Hank James, Ripper Collins, Tank Patton, and a lot of others. I maintained a zero tolerance for errors at ringside. I made many champions out of mediocre men that were just existing in our great sport. After all, I was the epitome of wrestling managers. I had my own image to live up to.

My day actually began at around 9 a.m. when I rose after a restless night. I had butterflies in my stomach just like I had the first time I crawled into the ring. The adrenaline in my body somehow told me that this was a new beginning in my life, but, somehow, I also knew that I had been there and done it before. Chief Paul Farber had graciously put me up for the night at his home. I had made a 250-mile, four-and-a-half-hour drive from just outside Toledo the night before after working an eight-hour day. That kind of schedule was not uncommon for me during the 13 years I was in the wrestling business.

At around 10 a.m., Luke Williams arrived at the Chief's home after a nice flight from sunny Florida. You wrestling fans know him as Luke of The Bushwhackers of WWF fame. He did not have his partner Butch with him; in speaking with Luke, I found out that Butch is in the hospital with a very serious viral infection that nearly took his life just a few weeks ago. He is recovering but is still in the hospital going through rehab.

In speaking with Luke, I found out that he knew Angus Campbell well and that the two had traveled in Australia and New Zealand together. We shared a lot of stories, and I had the pleasure of showing him many photos from my archives.

After a short, relaxing period following the wonderful lunch with Juan, Luke and The Chief, I made my way with Juan to the auditorium where the matches were to be held. I had always made it a point, even when I was in the business, to be at the buildings a few hours ahead of time. That way, I could be ready for any unforeseen things that might mess things up with my making an appearance.

In my 13 years in the profession, I only missed one scheduled booking. That was because of a huge difference of opinion with a promoter in the Deep South that had taken advantage of my payoff a couple of weeks before. The promoter thought that he should have 75% of my winnings for him doing me a favor of booking me. I certainly did not think that was the case and went elsewhere to make my hard earned money.

While getting ready for the evening's matches, some of the other wrestlers began to come into the dressing room. I had the opportunity to meet with the CIW United States Champion, Hardcopy Coryell. He had his head completely shaved and was sporting tattoos on the sides of his scalp as well as many parts of his arms. Something just told me that I was going to really enjoy the evening that was ahead of me.

Next to arrive was the former Freebird Buddy Roberts and Big Moose Cholak. Moose is nearly confined at all times to a wheelchair due to the cartilage damage in his knees from doing the move he called the "El Squasho." That involved a run into the ring ropes and a huge jump in the air and dropping his entire weight, sometimes in the 400-pound range, on the chest of his opponent. I had the pleasure of being on the receiving end of the "El Squasho" in the early 60's while doing a television taping at the old Marigold Gardens in Chicago, and I can testify that it takes the breath out of you and could break some ribs in the process.

I did a few "Meeting with the Legends" segments with Juan Hernandez and Moose before the matches began and was amazed at my feelings of being back behind the microphone again. It was sure great speaking to Moose and bringing up names of people that he was involved in cards with. Names like Larry Chene, who broke me into the business, and Buddy Rogers, Carl Engstrom, Angelo Poffo, Jose Betencourt, Johnny Kace, Billy Goelz, Paul Diamond, and a few more that came to mind. The look of joy on the big Moose's face when he heard those names again were enough payment to me for being there. We certainly had a good evening. I look forward to doing more of this type of work in the future for CIW.

The dressing room was almost full by the time I was ready to do an autograph session with the legends. Fans really got into meeting with us and getting pictures and autographs. It sure did my old broken heart good to see the faces of smiles after meeting us. It's nice to be known, but it is nicer to have the kind of love that wrestling fans give to you in appreciation of being there for them. God Bless each and every wrestling fan.

As the matches began, I was with my announcer partner, Steve, in the booth high above the arena floor. He was more accustomed to the wrestlers who were in the matches and gave me great support in calling the action. Shuto, a martial arts competitor, was against Billy the Tiger from Puerto Rico. These two young athletes battled before a sellout crowd and went the entire time limit to a draw.

Guy Lombardo, NOT the orchestra leader of New Year's Eve fame, came to the ring next, adorned in a tie dyed top and spangled long tights and sporting a pink cowboy hat and a red feather boa. He was joined by his ringside manager, sexy Shawn Cook. My first reaction was, "What is this world coming to?", but as soon as the antics were over between Guy and the fans and the security surrounding the ring, he was all business, reminding me of the great Governor Jesse Ventura when he began. Guy beat the Outlaw, a 300-plus-pound bad man from Montana.

Next, we were thrilled with an exhibition of Karate by "Mr. Karate Jr.," Cel Hernandez. I was really amazed at the movements and let Steve call the action. Hardcopy Coryell was next on the card and came to the ring with The Chief to face El Borincano, managed by El Buddha, who is in the 400-pound range himself. Hardcopy ended the match by using a Bombs Away move that reminded me a lot of Ray Stevens.

T. Bolt Baxton was the next huge man to come out to the ring. He stands around 6 foot 7, and his movements reminded me of Bearcat Wright, as he completely confused his opponent, the Outlaw, who agreed to substitute for Butch Savage. Butch had been injured in a match just the night before in Missouri. T. Bolt won the match using a leg stretch.

Light heavyweights were next to come out. They had fans right up out of their seats with the velocity of their movements. Steve Davis and Tommy Stryker faced Just Josh and Tom Calloway. That match went the entire time limit and had the fans clamoring for more.

To be continued...

Percival A. Friend, Retired
The Epitome of Wrestling Managers