Christmas Greetings

Christmas greetings to   wrestlers, fans and others out   there for 2013.

Please keep those in poor health at this time in your thoughts. Vern Gagne, Nick Bockwinkel, Bobby Heenan, David Rose, Sergeant Shultz, Wild Bull Miller, Ron Lindsy, the Windhams, Cowboy Bob Ellis,Don Fargo, Lex Lugar and many others.

Death Of The Famed Mad Dog

Maurice "Mad Dog" Vachon has passed away at the age of 84.

Though a star of international repute, known for his feuds with Hercules Cortez, Billy Red Lyons, Vern Gagne, Killer Kowalski and ethers, he had only limited appearances in Arizona.

He was seen there for the AWA and WWF in the 1980s.

He also was a former AWA World Champion and tag team champion.

Death Of Roland Alexander

Roland Alexander, a popular promoter and trainer in California has passed away. Details of his death remain sketchy, but some maintain a heart attack and others contend diabetic conflicts were to blame.

Alexander wrestled briefly in Arizona in the 1970s and was a good friend with Phoenix mainstay, Ricky Thompson.

Cowboy Bob Kelly's Wife Dies

Cowboy Bob Kelly lost his wife to a lengthy illness last week. She had been in and out of the hospital for a long while.

Give Lance Cade A Visit

Deaths have become way too commonplace for the younger wrestlers, either by natural or other causes. Lance Cade was one oft hem., a while ago.

If you are interested in visiting his gravesite, you may find him resting at the Holy Cross Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas.

A Year Later.

A year has passed since the baffling and unneeded death Marvin Lambert, better known in the wrestling world as Brain Damage. Evidently fighting long term depression, which he would have denied and in fact did deny to those around him, (which this correspondent can personally attest to) was a tougher brattle to face than any opponent in the ring. Sadly, he hanged himself last year.

"Everything's fine," he kept muttering in his unnaturally soft voice. "Everything's fine."

Clearly, all was not fine.

This past week, the tributes have flown online everywhere and he is still fondly remembered by those who knew him.

Many of this wrestler's matches may be seen on You Tube. He was known for his extremely violent style He is especially remembered for savage feuds with Mr. Insanity and Necro Butcher. .

Meet Dale Pierce November 4 In Minerva, Ohio

The next lecture on pro wrestling and book signing for Wrestling in Akron (again, many of the people in the book were also Arizona mainstays) will be November 4, at 6 pm at the library in downtown Minerva, Ohio.

Tucson Championship Wrestling

Look for a new promotion, Tucson Championship Wrestling, to be starting soon in... well...Tucson.

The group has a roster and ring, but now seeks venues.

You can find them on Facebook also.

Shadow Fox

Arizona has had some wrestlers with odd and colorful names before. as well as wrestlers with unique, even uncanny styles. The Black Mamba, Stinky The Garbage Man, Section 8,  Masked Frankenstein. The list goes on and on.

Meet Shadow Fox.

A mysterious wrestler in blue gear and a blue mask, Shadow Fox is one of the newer faces catching he eye of fans in the southwest.  He has a fast-paced style and is rapidly becoming he talk of the independent scene. Look for him to be booked for a number of Tucson area cards in the future.

For those wishing to learn more about this colorful new masked man, one may find a number of his recent matches posted on You Tube.

He also has a Face Book page.

Billy Anderson Doing New Book

Retired wrestler, Billy Anderson, is working on a new book that ahs nothing to do with wrestling for a change. Instead, the Arizona based former grappler has been making trips to California to take photos for a new book on Hollywood tragedy.

The book will evidently be a guide to graves, murder locations and other tragic times for the Los Angeles area.

Cousin Luke Dies

Former WWF wrestler Cousin Like has passed away after a long battle with a number of health issues, one of the foremost being diabetes, which has  been a tragic killer and crippler of retired wrestlers in recent years.

Luke made his first Phoenix showing for the WWF as part of the hillbilly connection used in the Fed in the 1980s, where he beat local wrestler, Silver Shadow, who was a fill-in for a no show at the Phoenix Fairgrounds Coliseum. 

October 7 For Ohio Fans

Do not forget the lecture on Ohio wrestling at the Dover Library in Dover, Ohio, October 7 at 6:30 pm. A book signing of Wrestling In Akron will follow.

Keep in mind that many Ohio area stars also appeared in Arizona in winter months to escape the snow. Chris Colt, Luis Martinez, Don Arnold, Cowboy Bob Ellis, Don Kent..,.,.,

Lucha Libre Returns To Agua Prieta

On October 9, lucha libre returns to Agua Prieta, Mexico,a cross from Douglas, Arizona at the Municipal Gymnasium.

The card will feature a combination of American and border town Mexican talent including El Sol De Oriente, Impacto Jr., Genesis and Ron "Section 8" Sutherland

Val Venis In Phoenix

Add Val Venis/Sean Morley to the list of wrestlers who migrated into the Phoenix area to live, such as Honky-tonk Man, Kevin Nash and others.

Venis, seems more intent on political activism, so to speak, as well as for the reformation of marijuana laws. He has created a huge following on Facebook and Twitter. He still does  matches as well and takes bookings.

 

 

 

Happy Birthday, Tony Hernandez

Tony Hernandez celebrated his birthday last week, though few are sure in the wrestling world of his exact age.

A mainstay in Arizona from the late 1960s into the 1990s before retirement, Hernandez held the Arizona title several times. Notable feuds included those Don Fargo, Don Arnold, Jody Arnold, Eddie Sullivan, John Ringer and Nano Ortega.

The Dumpster In The News

Remember ex-wrestler, Duke The Dumpster. Well, he is in the news again. This time it was for an arrest for drug dealing .

Terrific.

Hit Man By Bret Hart

The book has been out for a while now, but may still be found. The autobiography of Bret Hart and much of what is said could be questioned, just as it is with any pro wrestler writing on himself. Still, what is presented makes for an interesting read.

Oddly enough, Hart mentions WWF shows in Phoenix and an interesting encounter with Arizona's grand dirty old woman, Princess Tona Tomah. At long last, the mystery of who made the cartoons of Tomah having sex with Jay Strongbow in the Fairgrounds Coliseum locker room is revealed.

The infamous Montreal Screw Job is dealt with at length, but again, one has to realize how one sided this viewpoint is going to be. Still, an unusual read.

The book is worth a look if you have not seen it yet. Long forgotten people such as Paddy Ryan and Kasavubu show up in print, along with The Stomper, The Sheepherders (Bushwhackers), Frenchy Martin and many more.

The death of a Canadian wrestler via heart attack after a match in Puerto Rico is almost as alarming as the fatal mishap with Owen Hart.

Worth checking out.

Dover, Ohio Display

For those living in Ohio, check out the wrestling memorabilia display at the Dover Library, across from the high school, up for the month of October.

The display features a Blue Demon doll form the 1960s, old programs, a copy of Wrestling in Akron, old issues of The ear and Wrestling Then & Now, 1950s trading cards, a mask from indy wrestler Mr. Cock A Doodle Doo who is on the current indy scene, old fliers from around the USA and a signed Mil Mascaras 8by10.

Many of the people who worked Ohio also worked Arizona in promotional/territorial times to escape the snow in the winters.

Bockwinkel Family Denounces Alzheimer Report

The circulating story that Nick Bockwinkel has Alzheimer is being denounced by the family as false.

Section 8 Returns To Tucson

Ron "Section 8" Sutherland, controversial wrestler and promoter, is returning to Arizona to work on a documentary about himself after a ten year absence and to relieve some of the friction between himself and former friends.

There is also an unrelated book about his career titled And The Crowd Goes Wild, being readied for winter.

 

Health Problems For Stars

A multitude of retired and current wrestlers are suffering from health issues. Keep them in your thoughts.

Nick Bockwinkel is said to be facing the initial stage of Alzheimer at 78. This is the same ailment that killed his father, Warren, some years back. CAC and the Bockwinkel family have all denounced this as false.   .

Billy Anderson has encountered major back problems. He has had to be hospitalized for the same.

The wrestling world has kept as quiet about it as possible, but Bobby Heenan is evidently fighting cancer once more

Jerry Gray has also been fighting cancer for months now. .

Jim McFarland, who wrestled in Arizona as The Golden Eagle, has been ill for months, but no news on his present condition.

David Rose, another mainstay in Arizona, is battling emphysema in Kansas and has done so for years.

Newcomer, Count Coffin, is out of action for the time being with two broken fingers.

Cassandro El Exotico has undergone extensive oral surgery recently.

Scott Hall has been undergoing therapy with Dallas Paige and his program to cope with addictions.

Miss Vicious, out in Phoenix, undergoes some form of surgery next week. No added info.

Diane Von Hoffman is also said to be having varied health issues.

The SCW In Washington

The SCW is a newer promotion operating in Washington, headed by former Arizona wrestler Ron Sutherland. The promotion is set to run varied cards using area wrestlers, as well as big names like Raven and Kevin Sullivan. Foxy Boxing is also being added.

From the late 1980s into the 1990s, Sutherland was a mainstay in Arizona under the name of Section 8, feuding with Louie Spicolli, The Lumberjacks, John Ringer, Special Forces and others.

Sutherland also ran Rage in the Cage for several years in Tucson, where wrestling matches were held in a  cage similar to ultimate fighting rather than a ring.

Sutherland and his SWA may both be found on Facebook.

October 7, Dover, Ohio Lecture

Come to the library across from the high school in downtown Dover, Ohio on October 7 at 6:30 pm to hear Dale Pierce deliver a lecture on professional wrestling  followed by a book  signing of Wrestling in Akron via Arcadia and MEWL by Lulu.

Also come see the cases of wrestling materials dating from the carnival days to the present. See rare photos of Akron referee from carney circuitry referee Jova Copa to present Independent stars. Old programs, editions of CAC Ear and newsletter Wrestling Then And Now, defunct magazines, signed photos and more,  The displays will remain throughout October.

Death Of Scufflin Hillbilly

One of the two Scufflin Hillbillies, Chuck Conley, passed away recently while in his 70s.

This pair of "rassling" hillbillies toured the USA in the 1960s and 1970s, with some stops in Arizona. They were the image of grappling mountain men in an era before the routine was widespread a la Hillbilly Jim and crew.

Their Arizona runs were never consistent, usually being stopoffs for extra cash when traveling between California and Texas.

Meet Dale Pierce August 7

Meet Dale Pierce August 7 at Mary Coyle Ice Cream parlor in Akron, Ohio, on West Market Street, for a book signing session for Wrestling in Akron.

El Nazi

Arizona had its fill of "Nazi" wrestlers from the 1940s into the 1980s, such as Hans Schnabel, Fritz Schnabel, the Von Steigers, Fritz Von Goering, Karl Von Brock and Kurt Von Hess. One of the lesser known would be El Nazi, because he came up from Mexico.

A Mexican Nazi? Well, there's something you do not see every day.

Who the man was is anyone's guess. he appeared along the Mexican border in the 1970s and early 1980s at varied intervals, while making occasional appearances in Arizona, usually when someone brought a lucha libre promotional group across the line.

With the passing of time, his name, identity and career seems to have faded from view, but a for a while he produced a great deal of heat in both the USA during the few times he was seen and in his native Mexico.

Rather than a claw hold like most "Nazi" villains from that bolt of cloth like Fritz or Waldo Von Erich, Karl Krupp or Karl Kramer, El Nazi used a dive off the top rope a la Mil Mascaras to pin his opponents. Not really a heel move, but effective.

Little other data seems available on him, making him sadly one of the many many faces who came and went without really receiving his due.

Chris Colt On You Tube

Chris Colt was one of the greatest heels to ever show up in Arizona, but sadly no known tv footage seems to remain from his stints in the area.

On You Tube, however, there are some examples of his work from different areas.

A vintage clip of Colt with longtime partner Ron Dupree as The Hell's Angels facing Arnold Skaoland and a very young JJ Dillon may be seen.

There are also a handful of Colt matches form the Pacific Northwest as a single or teamed with Al Tomko , now posted.

Check it out.

Death Of Matt Borne

Details are sketchy  now, but the death of wrestler Matt Borne has been confirmed. He was only in his 50s.

Aside from wrestling as Matt Borne, for  better or worse was likewise famous as the original Doink The Clown in the WWF, a routine that spawned many imitators.

The Juarez Bullring

Long before the building of the   Plaza Monumental that was torn down, a simpler  bullring existed in Juarez, across from El Paso, Texas, called the Balderas that still stands to this date. Far from an elaborate structure, this circular stadium attracted fans from both sides of the border for a number of years and still does.

The main purpose of the arena was of course for bullfighting,. Many top Mexicans tars appeared there, including Pepe Luis Vazquez, Luis Procuna, Gregorio Garcia, Leopoldo Ramos, Lorenzo Garza, Eduardo Liceaga, David Liceaga, Carlos Arruza, Manuel Capetillo, Fermin Rivera, Eduardo Solorzano and El Soldado were some of them. 

The arena also housed outdoor wrestling and boxing cards. aside from the regional stars in these fields, various people from Arizona and Texas also came down.

Vincent Lopez, who was a regular in Arizona in the 1940s, but usually on the undercard, became a top draw in this Mexican city. While he usually lost in Phoenix and Tucson , he tended to win big in Juarez.

Paavo Katonan, a longtime wrestling attraction in the California/Arizona , also made brief appearances in Juarez within this bullring.

Hans Schnabel

Hans Schnabel, also spelled Hans Sabel and Hans Shabel in some areas was an interesting villain, as he did the arrogant German routine BEFORE World War 2. As early as the late 1930s he was doing this in the Ohio/West Virginia area, before heading westward.

In Arizona, he was seen at intervals in the 1940s, both on his own as a single and as a tag team partner with a "brother" named Fritz.  During the war, it was a wonder he escaped from arenas alive.

Brother Fritz, by the way, was the journeyman wrestler, Frank Jares.

Awesome in appearance, he often wore a long, flowing cape and looked like something from a Universal vampire film.

In the ring, he was recognized as a savage brawler, again long before fights spilling unto the arena floor and up the aisle were commonplace.

In many regards, he was a true pioneer among the heels.

A photo of him and brief notations about his career appear in the Wrestling in Akron book out by Arcadia. Though he appeared around the USA, he was especially pushed in the Midwest.

Long before Arizona had the Von Steiger, Karl Von Brock, Fritz Von Goering or Sergeant Shultz, they had this man, spreading chaos throughout the arenas of Phoenix, Tucson, Yuma and more.

Death Of Hector Garza

Mexican star, Hector Garza, passed away a few weeks ago after a lengthy illness.

Though a major star in Mexico, he was also seen but not heavily pushed in WCW when the promotion started booking a host of luchadores from Mexico.

Henry Pulusso's Death Confirmed

The death of talented Hispanic wrestler Henry Pulusso (also spelled Puluso and Piluso as in programs, in Az they could not seem to get it right) has been finally confirmed by his oldest daughter at this page.  Sadly, he died in 2006 without the bulk of the wrestling world being made aware of it, due to complications from  diabetes.

He was a major star in Mexico at one time, famous for his feud with El Santo.

In Arizona Henry had many wild feuds with Cowboy Bob Ellis, Tito Montez, Ray Gordon, Phil Melby, Al Madril, Eddie Lopez and Armon Hussein.

Among his varied tag team partners around the USA and Mexico were
Francisco Flores, John Shane and Chuck Karbo, as well as a very green newcomer called Bobby Mayne, who alter became famous as Bobby Jaggers.

   ,    .

Book Jerry Brisco

Gerald "Jerry" Brisco is available for lectures, training seminars, sports fests,  card shows,  autograph fests and more. Info at http://www.geraldbrisco.com or http://www.callachamp.com

Wrestling In Akron Book Now Ready

Wrestling in Akron is now ready from publishers at http://www.arcadiapublishing.com or may be ordered at any book store chain if not stocked. Amazon also offers the book at a discount from the original $21.99 price at several dollars lower for the moment anyway or around $15.00 and may be worth looking into.

The book includes photos of many wrestlers who worked Arizona as well and notes a brief trade agreement with Paavo in the west and Walter Moore, though it did not last long. Moore was sent Monte Ladue and Rod Fenton and Ohio was just not used to those two lunatics or their way of doing things.

Some 200 photos in all, including many rare shots and those never before published.

Images of some of the people who worked both Ohio and Arizona within include Mike Gordon, Sheik, Funk, Fred Curry, Kurt Von Hess, Louie Spicolli, Billy Anderson, Mae Weston, Mildred Burke, Roy Shire, Legs Levin, Lou Thesz, Chris Colt, Ron Dupree, Chris Kole, Ben Justice, Killer Brooks, Navajo Warrior, Rainbow, Jerry Graham, Red Bastein, Hans Shabel (also spelled Schnable and Shabel, who knows....), Don Arnold, Luis Martinez, Chris Markoff, Kevin Sullivan, Killer Brooks, Brian Pillman, Gold Dust, The Smoking Guns, Primo Carnera, Irish McGee, Paavo Katonan, Billy Watson, Mil Mascaras, The Mummy, The Swedish Angel and more.

Death Of Buck Robley

Buck Robley passed away recently following a long illness.

Bets known for his work in Texas in the 1970s, Robley also made it to Phoenix on varied occasions.

In Phoenix,  he might best be remembered for a 2/3 fall main event with Jerry Kozak at the Immaculate Heart Gym. Kozak, however, ended up the victor.

Robley was an unusual and colorful villain who used a sleeper as a finishing move.

Ohio Reunion Date Reset

An old timer reunion originally set for late June in Dover, Ohio outside Canton will be reset for late August instead.

Details to come.

Rememebring Owen Hart

May marks the sad anniversary of the death of Owen Hart and one of the most unfortunate incidents in the history of wrestling. It was a death that should not have happened.

For those unaware of the incident, Hart fell to his death while wearing a mask as The Blue Blazer. He was to have "flown" into the ring like a "superhero" when a harness malfunctioned and he fell, bouncing off the ring ropes like a basketball hitting a wall and landed in a heap in mid ring. He died a short time later from the impact which crushed his chest.

Long gone, dead too soon and always remembered.    .

Galley Proofs For Wrestling In Akron Done

Galley proofs for Wrestling In Akron are done, keeping the book on schedule for June 10 release at http://www.arcadiapublishing.com

Several wrestlers depicted here also were seen in Arizona, including Rip Tyler, Don Kent, Kurt Von Hess, Sheik, Bobo Brazil, Luis Martinez, Jerry Graham, Ben Justice, Dory Funk Jr,  The Comancheros (Hell's Angels in Ohio), Chris Kole, Navajo Warrior,  Don Arnold, Pampero Firpo, Jim Londos, Lord Carlton, Mr. Cock A Doodle Doo, Kerry Von Erich, Gold Dust and more.

Many photos have not been released in print before this.

Death Of Don Duffy

Don Duffy passed away this month, but he lived to see his 80s and had a long life.

Duffy was mainly known for his work down south, though he made trips westward.

He was an especially arrogant heel and could provoke the fans to riot pitch on any given evening. He was also known for giving great and heat-provoking television interviews.

Death Of Hollywood Hippie

Hollywood Hippie Bill Smithson died in Tennessee this week. Though a mainstay in the southern states, he also made appearances in northern Arizona, Utah and Wyoming.

There are no other details available.

Steve Gator Wolf Recovering

On March 1, Steve Gator Wolf was in a major truck accident and has been in the hospital, but is recovering rapidly.

He is expected to be released in a few days.

Gator Wolf ran his own shows in Arizona in the 1990s and beyond, while wrestling earlier for other promoters in the area. past opponents included JT Law, Jody Arnold, The Lumberjacks and more.

Death Of Paul Bearer

William Moody, also known as Percy Pringle and as Paul Bearer more so during his WWF/WWE run, passed away yesterday. The cause of death has not yet been released, but speculation has been a heart attack or blood clot. He was 58.

Just prior to his death, he was seen at the Gulf Coast reunion for old time wrestlers in Mobile, Alabama.

Moody was seen often in Phoenix at house shows and TV tapings as the manager of The Undertaker and others.

Bill Parks

Bill Parks made the rounds in the 1950s, usually as a heel, though in Arizona he worked as a fan favorite. He was never a major star ranking among the biggest names in the game, but capable and charismatic in the ring. He did enjoy a lengthy career and found his way into main event status in different places.

In the 1950s, Parks had a lengthy feud with Monte Ladue, who was then one of the smaller men in the game, but also one of the top villains.

Parks lost most of his encounters with Ladue, but increased rather than decreased with each defeat. This was due to the fact that Ladue always was sure to cheat in order to win, thus depriving Parks of the victory he deserved.

Ladue was the master at playing up to the crowd and simple things like holding trunks or placing his feet on the ropes to win would rive the crowd to a riot pitch. With Parks always just about to score a pin and Ladue pulling something cheap out of thin air to put him down was a sure fire way to put the audience in a rage. This brought them back fort he rematch, where again they hoped Parks would win and Ladue would once more, do something dirty to score a pinfall.

The odd part was again how Parks was cheered in Arizonan, but was a rule breaker in most other places. if nothing else, this proves his diversity as a wrestler.

Parks lived to be quite elderly and passed away in 2004.

Ohio Old Timer Reunion

Keep in mind many wrestlers over the decades worked both the Midwest and Southwest. With this in mind, there will be an old timer wrestling reunion and potluck set for either the first or last Saturday in June, with details to be announced.

The gathering will be in Dover, below Canton.

Interested parties may query here.

Death Of Ciclon Negro

Ciclon Negro has passed away and we go with the Spanish spelling of his ring name, though there are other variations.

Ciclon Negro is best known for a marathon Texas Death Match with Dory Funk Sr. at the Travel Lodge (Now Celebrity Theatre) in Phoenix in the early 1970s. In a marathon bloodbath that lasted numerous falls, Funk eventually won.

The wrestler also had a lengthy run for the Amarillo office, where he again faced Funk in a Texas Death Match where he likewise lost, following innumerable falls.

Throughout his career, he was known for a brutal and brawling style. He had many magazine features and photo spreads in The Wrestler and other publications as well in the 1970s.

Broadway Venus

Broadway Venus died a while ago. I cannot pinpoint the exact date off the top of my head, I remember it happening and seeing his obituary in some bulletins. This I do remember. If I recall correctly, he also lived to be ancient, so who could ask for more!

Broadway Venus and one has to love that name, was a capable journeyman wrestler who was seen throughout the United States during a long career. Sometimes he was on the undercard and sometimes in the main event. Likewise, sometimes he ended up cheered and at other times booed, depending on the opponent.

Broadway Venus was never a regular in Arizona, though he did appear there from time to time, usually facing Jesse James, Johnny James or Don Arnold. In the southwest, his loss  record was bigger than his list of wins. Oh well.....

Though not the most famous of names, he did his part for the wrestling world.

Dale Pierce 2013 Lectures

Several Wrestling In Akron lectures and book signings are set, with specific dates to be announced  once Wrestling in Akron is released on June 10 throughout Ohio.

Locations to be announced soon for specific dates. Cleveland, Akron, Salem, Columbus, New Philadelphia, Dover, Canton, Massillon and Hudson are just some of the towns.

Many of the wrestlers depicted in the text also appeared  in Arizona on a  regular basis indignant Don Kent  The Hell's Angels (Comancheros in Phoenix), Luis Martinez, Dizzy Davis, Sheik, Killer Brooks, Tex Riley, Andre The Giant, Cowboy Bob Ellis, the Grahams, Hans Shabel, Lord Carlton, Chris Kole and more.

The Brisco Name Continues

The Brisco brothers wrestled all over, but never too much in Arizona, as this was more or less Funk stomping ground and there the Funks could do no wrong in the eyes of the fans. Good guy versus good guy never drew all that well in Arizona, where fans were accustomed to brawls and blood. Thus, the ever popular Brisco brothers did not see as many Arizona bookings while the more established Funks were regulars.

There was one NWA World title match that took place in Phoenix when Jack Brisco had his reign. The 2/3 fall match with Dory Funk Jr. ended in a draw, with the fans split for the bulk of the encounter  until they sided with the age old favorite. Upon being booed, Jack lost it and started fighting dirty, even running Funk into the ringside table to draw blood (Blood seldom ended up spilled in their encounters). Dory turned things on him, however, with the belt within his grasp, when lo and behold, the time limit expired.

The Brisco brothers probably came through Phoenix when they were a tag team in the WWF and the Fed was invading all the old territories, but this writer is unsure of when.

Jerry Brisco, Jack's brother, was in Arizona later on as part of the WWF office. That is a certainty.

Ironically, this week marks the third anniversary of Jack Brisco's death.

Life, however, goes on.

Wes Brisco, Jack's nephew and Jerry's son, has been seen recently in TNA where as of this week he seems geared for a push.

Time will tell on this one, but with TNA having done a recent show in Phoenix and the likelihood of their return, it could well be a new Brisco will become a star in the area.

This writer is pulling for the new Brisco. Fans seem to think the son of a famous name always has it easy inn wrestling  but this is not necessarily true. While the son may get some breaks, he also has the shadow of a famous father hanging over him. To break away from this, he must be twice as good as the norm.

One cannot help but want to wish him luck.

Death Of Tito Montez

An Arizona wrestling legend passed away up in Oregon on January 30th, when Tito Montez finally lost his battle with Alzheimer.

From the late 1950s into 1978, Tito was a mainstay in Arizona, holding independent versions of the World Tag Team Title and the Arizona title several times. He also had a  run as an Indie US champion which he won from The Spoiler (Mac McFarland) and lost to Jody Arnold. He was considered the Cage Match Champion, an unofficial title given to him by his fans, as he lost only one such match in his career, again to Jody Arnold.

Tito's feud with Jody Arnold lasted several years, from the point where he was introduced to wrestling as "Don Arnold's nephew" until he left the ring.

The Jody vs. Tito thing was a natural, for Tito and Don Arnold had likewise had a long-lasting feud in Arizona that spanned over a decade..

Others Tito faced in his Arizona years, usually in an extended series of grudge matches, included Don Kent. The Comancheros, Kurt Von Steiger, Charlie Carr, Jimmy Kent, Chuck Karbo, Tony Hernandez, Maniac Mike Gordon, Blas Corona, The Medics, Don Fargo, Bobby Mayne (Jaggers), Jim Osborne, Karl Von Brock, Woody farmer, Bearcat Wright, Killer Kane, Henry Pulusso, Sputnik Monroe, John Shane, Duke Keomuka and The Lumberjacks.

Problems From Last Posts Fixed

Problems with the last few blogs which included not getting spell check to work or photos to download, have all been repaired. Corrections made in the text and photos added.

Go figure!

Graham Out Of Hospital

Superstar Billy Graham gave everyone a scare again recently, but as par for the course, has made a comeback.

Last week, Graham was in the hospital in Phoenix and in awful shape due to pneumonia.

Friend and fellow wrestler, Billy Anderson, has reported Graham has since been released from the hospital and is back home.

The Death Of Don Arnold

Don Arnold has passed away from the effect of Alzheimer.

From the early 1950s to 1970, Arnold was a mainstay in Phoenix and one of the greatest heels the area ever saw. He held various belts in the area and had many feuds though in most other territories, he appeared as a fan favorite.

Wrestlers Arnold feuded with in his eternal Arizona run included Charro Azteca, Tito Montez, Luis  Martinez, Gory Guerrero, Phil Melby, Cowboy Bob Ellis, Pancho Pico, Roberto Pico, Armon Hussein, Brute Bemis, the Torres brothers, Les Thatcher, Count Billy Varga, Kangaroo Karson, Ray Gordon, Eddie Lopez, Omar Atlas, Broadway Venus and Al Pago Pago, just to name a few.

Jody Arnold, who came on the scene in 1968 claiemd to be Don"s nephew and Don helped get him off the ground though they were not really related.

A few of Arnold's matches from the Midwest apepar on You Tube. Sadly, nothing seems to survive from Arizona as promoters usually taped over the shows, using the same tpa again and again to save money

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Wrestling in Akron June 10 release

Wrestling in Akron from Arcadia Publishing at http://www.arcadiapublishing,com   will be on the stands June 10. It may be ordered from any book store chain also.

Mainly photographic in content, the book includes The Sheik, Chris Kole, Brandon X, Whipper Watson, Brian O, Jake Roberts, Don Eagle,  Hank James, Waldo Von Erich, Hans Schmidt, Kevin Sullivan, Dave McKigney, The Crusaders,. The Mongols, Bull Curry, Fred Curry, Mark Mustang, Bad Boy Hines, Tony Altimore, Ivan Putski, Stan Hanson, Zoltan,  Bobo Brazil and many others.

The book also has photos and bios of many who were regulars in Arizona, including Lou Thesz, Monte Ladue, Benny Mendeblis (he never made it east though he tried as the Midwestern offices felt him too small, a fact noted), Killer Brooks, Ben Justice, Luis Martinez,  Mildred Burke, Dory Funk Jr., Tex Riley, Jerry Graham, Lord Carlton, Mike Mazurki, Primo Carnera , Marvin Mercer, Navajo Warrior and Don Kent.

Joyce Grable Fighting Cancer

A speedy recovery is sincerely wished to veteran wrestler, Joyce Grable, who is bravely battling cancer.