Tex-Firpo Part Three

When I left you before....

The biggest card that had ever been assembled at the beautiful air-conditioned Cobo Arena in Detroit was almost over. It had seen matches involving almost every major star that Promoter Francis Fleser could muster together. Matches that would have been main events in any other arena were known only as “the supporting card.”

Tex McKenzie had been a fighter of justice for the wrestling fan worldwide. He had traveled to some of the biggest cities on the globe. His legendary battles with top ranked superstars have been written in the greatest magazines that support our sport.

Tex had gone to the ring to break up a brutal attack by Pampero Firpo on the Medic. Firpo had gotten an object from under the ring and busted open the mask and forehead of his scheduled opponent. Blood flowed like the mighty Niagara over both men.

Ten huge men from Lou Klein's Gym had been sent in, and six were sent to the hospitals. It just seemed as if no one could stop this Wild Bull of the Pampas.

Pampero Firpo had been escorted to the ring by some of Detroit's finest police force. You could hear the guttural calls coming from him as he took each step … “OOOOOOOOHHHHH YEAHHHHHHH!” He got to ringside and saw big Tex standing in the ring and changed his chant to “TEEEEEEEMMMMMMMMBIRRRRRRR,” and the battle was on even before the announcements could be made.

Ring announcer Bob Finnigan barely made it back to his table at ringside when the two fell outside the ring in a death grip on each other. Firpo had McKenzie by the neck and vice versa. As quick as it began, they let go of each other and began beating each other on the chest.

Firpo kept calling out with his chants of “OOOOOUUUUUU,” and the crowd responded with the same chant. It was if they were in a trance administered by the bearded grappler. The fans of the Motor City were die-hard fans that had come for a battle. They were getting it with these two.

The action returned to the ring, and Tex began to kick the living heck out of Firpo in every part of his body. Then, he began to swing those long lanky arms all over Firpo's body. It seemed that Firpo had finally met his match in McKenzie.

In a desperate move, Firpo jumped from the ring and grabbed a big policeman from his duty as a ringside guard and threw him into the ring. He then jumped back into the ring and began tearing the uniform from the body of the helpless man.

The referee had everything he could do to try and keep the action between the two grapplers and try to get the guest out of the ring. By now, there were three other police in the ring, and nightsticks were flying everywhere. One policeman was not a very good aim as his nightstick struck Tex right between the eyes as he was attempting to get at Firpo.

Pampero saw the huge Texan fall to the mat and took advantage of the situation and covered him for a three count. Fans were unsure if the decision would stick, as there had been a lot of outside brought into the ring.

By now, some 15 minutes had gone by since the initial bell had rung. Detroit had never seen a battle like this one and the fans wanted more than what they got.

Firpo had gotten out of the ring and, through the riot-filled aisles, had made it back to the dressing room with the help of about 50 ushers from the Cobo Arena. They formed a wedge and took the victor to the safe confines of the inner rooms below the reserved seats of the arena.

Tex had been revived by medical staff and, holding his forehead, walked back to the dressing area, aided by fans. He had nothing to be ashamed of. He had been in a battle. He had been in a war. He was beaten by his own friend, the police that guarded him.

The battle was over, but the war went on, and these two greats battled each other again and again … but no clear-cut victory would be won in any of those encounters as well.

Both of these athletes were at the Riviera in Las Vegas for the 2000 CAC reunion and banquet. Time had been very good to them both as they went around the penthouse and renewed friendships. They came in eye contact with each other and just stared. There was a moment when I thought the two might renew their battles, but time has healed the wounds between them. They grabbed each in a bear hug and shook hands and began to speak of the fantastic matches they had. The Ring of Friendship with the CAC has made friendships come together where differences were plentiful in the ring.

We lost Tex on May 31, 2001, but the many memories we had of him are priceless and will live on in the minds of the good friends that knew him. Firpo is still with us and lives in California and is still very active in many circles.

I only hope that God will look over our health to be together again with the GIANTS and friends of our industry at the next reunion in Las Vegas in April.

Percival A. Friend, Retired
The Epitome of Wrestling Managers
2004 CAC Honoree