The Wrestler & The Cigar

I only smoke one cigarette at MCW shows twice a month and buy an infrequent cigar, which I figure will not kill me as opposed perhaps to those doing two packs a day. Some former smokers in the game, such as Bobby Jaggers, have quit all together. Athletes, after all, aren't supposed to do bad things, but we know how far that goes. The cigar, however, has been a traditional thing with many wrestlers for decades now. As such, I  thought it might make an interesting piece.

I am enclosing a list of the cigar smokers who came through Arizona over the years, now deceased or still living, though of course some may have quit all together. The list is no complete, I am sure. It might make an interesting read. If not, oh well.

Dick Murdoch
Dusty Rhodes
Buddy Rogers
Lou Thesz
Argentina Rocca
Jesse Ventura
Cruisher
Ivan Putski
Bobby Heenan
Mike Gordon
Bobby Jaggers
Chris Colt
Ron Dupree
Johnny Mann
Don Fargo
Ray Sevens
Strangler Lewis  
Sgt, Shultz
Stinky The Garbage Man
Ron Pritchard
Tony Marino
Jerry Graham
Frank Shields
Flama Azul
Toro Bravo 1&2
Bull Montana
Rick Renaldo
Bobo Brazil
Jimmy Valentine
Paul Harvey
Jimmy Kent
Jan Madrid
Killer Brooks
Buddy Dixon
Kangaroo Bob Karson
Farmer Jones
Bobby Davis
The Mighty Jumbo
Eddie Graham
Phil Melby
Rod Fenton
King Milo
El Circulo

Many more went with more economical cigarette smoking. Some living now have quit while others are still at it. A  few died from cancer. The ones who went with cigarettes over cigars included Bambi Ball, Arizona Red, Sadie & Sheri, Eddie Sullivan, John Ringer, David Rose, Kurt Von Steiger, Blackjack Mulligan, Kay Noble, Bob Yuma, Tito Montez, Freddie Gomez, Hercules Stevenson, Rip Tyler, Mrs. Wrestling, Super Dee, Tony Hernandez, Nano Ortega, Barry Bernsten, Mr Murder, Marilyn Bender, CC Starr, Chuck Hondo, The Detroit Mauler, Rick Rude, The Cherokees, Mr. Southern Comfort, Ali Bey, Cerberus
and some others. I know a few years back CC Starr was going as far as to use one of those nicotine patches. I hope it worked for him.

In the other hand, extreme anti-smokers included Fabulous Moolah, Jody Arnold, Lanny Poffo and Chris  Kole. Poffo went as far as to write a kid's book speaking out against smoking a few years back.