Wrestling In Akron Deals On Amazon

For those looking for better deals on Arcadia's Wrestling In Akron by Dale Pierce, go to amazon.com and log in the title and author as there are several places offering the book at discounts.

Many of the wrestlers in the book would wrestle in Ohio in the spring through fall and come to Arizona in the wine months to escape the snow.

There are many previously never published pictures in this book, which is a specialty of Arcadia's. they are know for editions with rare photos.

Among the wrestler sin the book who also appeared in Arizona are Bennie Mendeblis,  Billy Anderson, Don Kent, Killer Brooks, Sheik, Luis Martinez, Don Fargo, Ron Dupree, Chris Colt, brain Pillman, Chris Kole, The Time Traveler, Rainbow, Ben Justice,  Chris Markoff, Tony Marino, Jerry Graham, Andre The Giant, Kerry Von Erich, Dory Funk, Lou Thesz, Mildred Burke,  Dave Levin, Jim Londos, Wally Walberg, Tex Riley, May Weston, Fred Curry, Rip Tyler, Mr. Cock A Doodle Doo, Navajo Warrior,  Cowboy Bob Ellis, The Swedish Angel and more.

Mac McFarland

Mac McFarland was sometimes billed as being from Los Angeles and sometimes from Ogden, Utah, so take your pick, though for much of his latter career he did live in the California area.  Earlier, hew as seen in Midwestern states where he wa usually on the undercard, in spite of a magnificent build and undeniable talent.

McFarland's Arizona runs came in the 1970s where he worked under a masked routine  as The Spoiler. Though he did not use a claw hold as a finisher, as the original Spoiler, Dan Jardine, he did have a devastating finisher of his own in the form of a neckbreaker much like the one later revamped by Honkytonk Man.

McFarland also trained a number of California wrestlers in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

McFarland last did his Spoiler routine in Phoenix in 1978 when brought in as US Champ, he was set to lose to Tito Montez so Montez could ride the top in his promotion with the belt.  The belt later went form Montez to Jody Arnold, who held the title for a decade until retiring.

Three Big & Sad Deaths

The wrestling world has been stunned by three major deaths in a row.

First, there was Dusty Rhodes passing away at 69.  An international star of great charisma as everyone knows, Rhodes was seen in Arizona with the WWF and WCW promotions, invariably as an Everyman baby face known for his great interviews and finishing elbow smash. There is no point in repeated the many obituary articles that have already come.

Next came Cora Combs, the veteran woman wrestler and mother of Debbie Combs. Though mainly remembered for her work in the south, Combs did have varied matches in Arizona in the 1950s and early 1960s. After retirement, she ran a flower shop in Nashville.

Third and more shocking would be Natureboy Buddy Landel, another wrestler of amazing color and charisma. Details of is death remain sketchy as of now.

This page offers a fond farewell to these great wrestlers. You will live on in legend.

Pedro El Bello Still Goes Strong;

Pedro El Bello of Nogales, Mexico is still looking good and going strong, actively wrestling though in his 50s. He is not taking as many bookings as he once did, but is still as flashy and as tough as ever. Acting as sort of a Mexican Gorgeous George, he has been a long-lasting heel popular on the Mexican bore in particular.

Pedro had a run in Arizona in the 1990s, working in the Phoenix area, where he feuded with fellow Nogales wrestler, Indio Seri. He also faced Thrillseeker Terry Zeller, Fly Boy, Amadeus, Andar, Mike Contreras, Resplandor, The Black Mamba and Flama Negra, among others.

New Tucson Show

Time Traveler Washington Debut

Arizona's iconic manager, The Time Traveler, debuts in Washington at the Snohomish Tribal Center in Snohomish,  June 13.

Also on the card will be Ron Von Hess, Ogre,  Mendoza and more.

See The Memoralbilia Display In Tenino, Washington

Go to the Tenino, Washington library November 1-December 1 to see the displays from the Dale Pierce collection of olden day wrestling memorabilia, including books, signed trading cards, photos, old programs and more.