Newton, Iowa 2006

Returning to the Midwest area is something I enjoy in my golden years. Traveling and learning more about these great United States are something that I want to do as long as I am able to.

I began the day as usual, rising at 5 a.m. and checking e-mails on one of my computers. After a fun day of getting ready, I was westbound on the Ohio Turnpike towards South Bend, Indiana. I would be spending the evening with the Pavlekovich Family.

Arriving at their home around 7:30 p.m., I couldn't help but feel that I had been there before by the gracious hospitality I was to receive from the whole family, including the new German Shepherd puppy. The two daughters were very excited at me coming and had bugged their dad all day long, wondering when I was going to be there. Jack had told them I was involved with wrestling, and they were as excited as I was meeting them.

Following a great meal off the grill, I watched an old W.C. Fields movie that Jack had in his archives of shows that he tapes. Jack and I have many similar interests in characters and actors of the past, some of which include The Three Stooges, The Bowery Boys and many others.

As the 11 p.m. bells rang on his Westminster wall clock, I knew that 5 a.m. would come awfully early, and I bid everybody a good evening. Rising at 5:30, I began by sharing a huge breakfast with Jack. He was originally going to make the trip with me to Newton but was involved with a court case that he had been sequestered to appear at in South Bend.

Leaving at 6:30 a.m., I eased my car back onto the main highway from the beautiful back country of rural Indiana and made my way back to the Indiana Turnpike to go westbound again. It wasn't long before I hit a torrential downpour that had everybody, except a few, slowing down to around 30 miles an hour. It wasn't long before I was crossing over to I-80 and making my way towards Iowa.

At roughly 12:30, I pulled into the drive at the Days Inn in Newton and began a super day. Unloading the car, I hurried to the museum and Hall of Fame across the street. The first to meet me was Charlie Thesz, widow of Lou. I was told that there was a few of the guests in the lower section where the Dean Rockwell library was.

As I rounded the corner, Harley Race was speaking to a fan who had asked him the question as to who was his toughest opponent. I quickly answered "ME," and Harley turned with a big smile on his face and shook my hand and said, "You were among some of the toughest, but …” and began to laugh as we shared a hug.

Glen and his son Patrick, from Chicago, were seated nearby and greeted me with a huge handshake. I still can't believe how big Patrick has gotten over the past few years. As I looked over to the other side of the room, I spotted Bob Roop, former Olympian and professional wrestler, watching a documentary on tape that had been running about an hour.

Always a fan of his, I went over and introduced myself, and we began a conversation that lasted nearly half an hour. Bob was to be inducted into the Class of 2006 the next morning. I returned back to my suite and began a short change of clothes and then went to the Maytag Blue Cheese farm just outside the city limits. I encourage you to try their products if you haven't yet, as I enjoy them very much.

I then went to the National Guard Armory, where they were going to have live matches in a few hours. As I entered the arena, B.J. Race, Harley's beautiful wife, met me with a huge hug and began to tell me all about Ted DiBiase's two boys that would be wrestling that evening. Ted Jr. and Mike were spitting images of their father when he first broke into the business.

I was then asked by the promoter to join the other legends that would be in attendance at the tables in the rear of the building. As I turned, Ted and Harley were coming in the building, and Ted kept pointing at me. I turned to see who he was pointing at and found out it was me. Ted came forward and gave me a huge handshake and hug and asked, "How many years has it been?"

We spoke for about five minutes before he was interrupted by fans seeking pictures and autographs. In a different kind of mode than I was used to seeing him in, Ted had a big smile on his face and obliged everyone that came forward. Age has a way of changing us bad guys into caring individuals that fans remember and love.

Sitting at the tables, I saw Tom Andrews, of The Interns fame, join us, as well as Nikita Koloff, “The Russian Nightmare," and his father. Bob Roop joined us a little later, and Ted Jr. and Mike DiBiase sat down next to me. The small arena filled to capacity as the die hard fans of Iowa anxiously awaited the event to begin.

It was following the intermission that the ring announcer began to introduce the legends in attendance, and, one by one, we walked to the ring and then circled it, shaking hands with the fans. It was a good feeling to be recognized by your peers, but more so by the fans that came to be a part of history that weekend at the matches. Without fans, there would never have been a Percival A. Friend

To be continued…

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

ONE YEAR PRO WRESTLING SCHOLARSHIP OFFERED AT BOOGIE'S WRESTLING CAMP HALL OF FAME MUSEUM FOR ONE INSPIRING PERSON

Boogie's Wrestling Camp and Norville Brother's Title Company are sponsoring one person annually to attend Boogie's Wrestling Camp for one full year starting September 10, 2006 at

Boogie's 14th annual BWC graduation and ending September 9, 2007.

Anyone interested in applying for the free scholarship must submit a typed letter stating why they deserve to be considered for this prized position. One winner will be selected through a voting process by a deciding committee which will include: Jimmy and Angel Valiant

(Founders Of BWC) Jeff and Tim Norville (owners of Norville Bros. Tile Co.) and BWC's credible instructors.

The essay is to be no less than half a page and no more than one full page. Winner will be notified by September 3, 2006. He or she will be on their way to making their dreams come true be it a pro wrestler, manager, valet, ring announcer or referee.

Get your application in no later than August 15, 2006

Good luck to all applicants.

Please send to camp address:

Jimmy Valiant

2916 Alleghany Springs Road

Shawsville, VA 24162

E-mail boogie@usit.net

Web site www.Jimmyvaliant.com

Jimmy and Angel Valiant