Meet Dale Pierce April 18

Meet Dale Pierce April 18 at the MEWL wrestling show in Alliance, Ohio, signing copies of Wrestling in Akron and The History of Arizona Wrestling. 7-8 pm prior to show.

Ultraman

Ultraman wrestled in Japan, Korea, Mexico and the western part of the USA in a long career that spanned two decades. Derived from a  popular super hero, the role went over well with the fans, though it was never certain who hid behind the hood.

The move that brought him to the California/Arizona area was a slick one, for he claimed he had the pull to bring a load of wrestlers to Japan. Thus, promoters booked him with hope of an exchange, yet lacked the intelligence not to book him first.

The result?

You guessed it. he wrestled in the USA like he wanted to do and returned to his homeland with more pull, but the promised reciprocation never happened.

People he faced in the western USA and the Mexican border included Cerberus, El Medico  and Toltec, usually in scientific matches.

The Universal Playboy

The Universal Playboy never wrestled, but worked an a manager and more often as a stereotyped corrupt referee siding with the bad guys in the California/.Arizona area.  No one in the stands seems sure who he was, but he always spoke with a heavily Hispanic accent.  He was never unmasked and remained active from 1988 to 1998.

During this decade he provoked the wrath of the fans, more as a referee than a manager, when he would continually make biased decisions in favor of Time Traveler, Larry Ludden, Dr. Jerry Graham, Steve Dalton and others.

When he refereed, he would never wear the striped shirt common to most, but a white tuxedo and his mask with the Playboy bunny logo on it.

He was a colorful character, but for some reason never caught on outside the California/Arizona area

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Ogre

Billy Anderson, John Ringer, Jody Arnold, Tito Montez, The Lumberjacks and so many others so readily identified with Arizona in the past are gone from the scene, either retired or dead. A whole new breed has come along. Times change. That's a fact. The present becomes the past.

While most who saw them would attest to the ability of Arnold, Ringer and the others, fans might take heart, as there have been several newcomers whoa re just as good as these names from the past. They are just as dedicated and just as determined to give Arizona fans quality action.

Drako, Erica d' Erico, Hell Boy and The Hawaiian Lion are others who have started to make a name for themselves in Arizona in recent years

Ogre is another who ahs started to make a name for himself int he western state sin the past couple years. Thanks to the miracle of You Tube also, one does not have to live in Arizona to see him in action.

With a name like Ogre one ahs to imagine him as heel, but on occasion he ahs been cheered by the fans. Go figure.

In any case, whether booed or cheered on, he is a name and a face to watch.

Early this year, he started provoking the attention of fans with a feud with another wrestler known as Outrage in the Tucson area. Look for them to have a whole set of wild and bloody matches in the months to come, with no end as of now in sight. This feud should really help to get him the recognition he deserves.

He is a capable performer with some great moves. Keep your eye on this guy.

Keep Informed On Pierce Book Signings & Events

Keep informed on wrestling writer Dale Pierce book releases, news and events at http://www.dalepierce.blog.com

Syndel

Criss Syndel is a relative newcomer to Arizona wrestling, but in recent years has picked up a load of steam. A high flyer who has made a name for himself on fast past moves, the man has been seen on cards form numerous Arizona wrestling promotions in the past few years. His first big push came from the late David Rose and Real Deal Wrestling, before his reputation grew and he was booked for many other offices as well. The trend continues to this day.

One may find many  results for this man in The History of Arizona Wrestling at http://www.lulu.com/content/16473758 and see him in action on You Tube.

Death of Perro Aguayo Jr.

Perro Aguayo Jr died from injuries evidently sustained in a match in Tijuana, sending  shock waves  through the world last week. There has also been a great deal of speculation as to what caused his death.

At first it was mistakenly believed a badly timed kick by Rey Misterio Jr was to blame, but footage has shown the man was "out" and sagging on the ropes before this move was delivered.

The match and aftereffects are already up on several You Tube posts and is not pleasant viewing. 

In a tag team match, Aguayo sailed through the ropes to the arena floor, climbed back in the ring and seemed to be fine, when he suddenly went limp against the ropes, hanging there like a rag doll.  The match concluded around him, with  wrestlers trying to figure out what was wrong.

Konnan came to ringside and tried to arouse Aguayo, but to little avail, as it became obvious the man was unconscious.

The wrestler was taken to a local hospital and died shortly afterward.