Newton 2005 Part Two

Fr. Jason Sanderson, Karl Lauer and I had gone to the Newton High School for the WLW matches at 5:30 on Friday. Arriving at the back of the school, we proceeded through the rear doors, where security met us. We were first whisked past fans and then ushered into the dressing rooms. After meeting with all the wrestlers on both sides of the building, we proceeded to the arena floor. They had an entire section of the bleachers set aside for us as well as autograph tables at both ends of the gym.

As I looked around the room, many familiar faces began to come into view. Mad Dog Vachon, Larry "The Ax" Hennig, Tom "The Intern" Andrews, Brad Rheingans, Paul "Mr. Wonderful" Orndorff, Bob Geigel, Baron Von Raschke, Danny Hodge and Jerry Brisco. These were the legends that came to honor Harley Race being inducted into the Hall of Fame the next morning. They also came to see WRESTLING!!!!!

The following were the match results given by Greg Oliver, producer of Slam Wrestling of Toronto. Greg is also a recent author of a new book about Tag Team Wrestling. If you get a chance to put one of these into your collection, it will be well worth your efforts.

Starting with the main event and backing up to the opener, these are the results…

Rick Steiner beat WLW champion Ty Dalton in a non-title match. Steiner was really over with the crowd, who barked along with him. In the end, Dalton's manager, Johnny Gold, accidentally hit his charge with his cane, leading to Steiner scoring the duke. Wild Wade Chism and Dakota beat Superstar Steve and StreetFighter Jason Bates when Chism pinned Bates. Mr. Destiny beat T.S. Aggressor in a battle of two Iowa wrestlers. Josie beat Wonderful Wendy in a women's match. Psycho Sarge beat Darin Wade and Daniel Cross in a three-way tag match when Wade missed a top-rope move.

I had a marvelous time as many of the older fans came to me to shake my hand and get pictures autographed. The younger fans, for the most part, did not know me, as I was from another generation, but, as they began to hear of my exploits from the older ones, they began to come forward as well.

I sat next to Paul Orndorff, and what a nice guy he is. He offered me a firm handshake and wanted to hear all about Angus and some other people that I had managed.

Danny Hodge joined me after the intermission, and we spoke about the CAC and many things that had changed our lives as of recently. I had not seen Danny and his wife since the 2003 Newton event, but we have kept in contact by phone almost every weekend.

I ended my evening by meeting Johnny Gold. He is a very outstanding athlete that is involved with the WLW promotion as a ringside manager. He comes to the ring with scissor-tailed tuxedo and gold-tipped cane in hand. Usually, he is beside the main event guys as he enjoys the final spotlight. He expressed the joy it was in finally meeting me, as Harley had told him a lot about me and the old Kansas City territory.

Fr. Jason, Karl Lauer, Chief Paul Farber and I went for a late night meal and to cool down from the heat inside the gym. We picked out an eatery next to the hotel we were at and had a wonderful meal. I retired back to my suite on the hill for the evening. I had again been up for nearly 20 hours.

Saturday morning, I rose around 7 a.m. and readied myself for the inductions in a few hours. I had breakfast with Fr. Sanderson and then returned to my suite to gather any final thoughts about the day coming up.

Arriving at the museum at 10:30, I ran into old friends George Schire, Jim Melby, Bill Fernow and Joyce Paustian. As I entered the professional side of the building, many of the older fans began to come forth and give me the praise and accolades of someone that had touched their hearts.

In a side of me that not many had seen, I had a smile on my face that just would not stop. I gave a few pictures away and signed some of the programs and posters the museum had sold at their gift shop. At 11:00 a.m., we were told to be seated and come to order.

The morning began with Mike Chapman thanking the many fans that had come to the museum. He assured them that all of the legends would be available later for autographs. There would also be a book signing later in the day.

Gene LeBell was called to the front to be honored with the Frank Gotch award. It is given to a wrestler that has brought recognition and honor to the sport. Gene talked about the honest tough guys in the business that had beaten him. He spoke about his movie career and also the wrestler vs. boxer match when he was the referee between Inoki and Muhammad Ali. He is also a well-respected author of many books on martial arts and wrestling.

Next forward was Mary Pesek, daughter of the late John Pesek, who wrestled during the late depression days and later became a world-renowned breeder of Greyhound dogs. John passed away in 1978 at 84 years of age.

Danny Hodge took the center stage to accept for the late Earl Mc Cready, who had turned pro after a collegiate career that gave him top honors in NCAA at Oklahoma A&M in 1928, 1929, and 1930. Earl turned pro in 1930 and wrestled until 1958. He died in 1983 in Edmonds, Washington.

Next, I was called to represent the Miller Family on behalf of Dr. Bill Miller. I spoke about how proud that Bill would have been to be standing on this spot and seeing all the fans that had come to honor him. I thanked everybody in attendance and took my seat in front of the ring.

Brad Rheingans accepted for Antonio Inoki, who could not make the event, as he had to return to Japan unexpectedly. I was amazed at the fact that Brad spoke very fluent Japanese. He closed his speech in Japanese, much to the delight of Mike Chapman, who asked if anyone could interpret for him.

Jerry Brisco was then called forward to accept his plaque and spoke about the toughness of everybody on the wall behind him. He was also very proud of the fact that he and his brother Jack were the only two brothers to be on the wall thus far.

To a standing ovation, Harley Race came up off the head chair and graciously accepted his honors. He spoke that if his dad could have seen this happening in 1959 that he would have never believed it. He said that Wrestling was the only thing that he ever knew to make a living by. He thanked all the people that had given him the help in climbing to the top of the NWA eight times to be champion.

Flash bulbs went off, and video cameras were going at full speed as the honorees once again took their spot in front of the wall of fame at the Newton Wrestling Museum.

To be continued...

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