Ricky Hunter- Real name Charles Sprott. AWA enhancement worker during 1979 and 1980. Born on March 1, 1936 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Learned amateur wrestling at the Winnipeg YMCA. Trained by Ole Olsen, Gordon Nelson and George Gordienko for his pro wrestling debut. Worked as a fireman while learning how to wrestle. Won a few bodybuilding contests in Winnipeg. Billed as Buddy Sprott early in his pro wrestling career. Portland Oregon promoter Don Owens gave him the ring name Ricky Hunter. Had very successful runs in Portland, San Francisco and Florida. Wore a mask and was known as the Gladiator and later the Super Gladiator. Wrestled overseas in Australia, New Zealand, Japan and Africa. Worked the last six years of his wrestling career in the WWF first doing TV jobs as the Gladiator or Ricky Hunter then refereeing and setting up the ring in the Southeastern part of the United States. Lives in Clearwater Florida.    

Roddy Piper- AWA TV jobber in 1973 and 1974. Trained by Tony Condello in Winnipeg. Lost his first match to Larry Hennig on June 5, 1973. Also lost televised bouts to Ric Flair,  Buddy Wolff and Superstar Billy Graham. Teamed with fellow enhancement wrestler Scotty Campbell twice on All Star Wrestling losing first to the team of Larry Heiniemi and Buddy Wolff and then to the duo of Baron Von Raschke and Horst Hoffman. Received his first big break in Los Angeles during 1976. Was the number one heel in wrestling during 1984 and 1985. Hosted a weekly interview segment called Piper's Pit. Teamed with Paul Orndorff against Hulk Hogan and Mr T in the main event of Wrestlemania I. Has made numerious comebacks over the years and recently released a book called In The Pit With Piper.   

Al Snow- AWA enhancement performer in 1982. Trained by Jim Lancaster. Toiled in independent promotions for several years before getting a chance in both Extreme Championship Wrestling and Smoky Mountain Wrestling. Eventually was signed by the WWF. Used to train wrestlers in Lima, Ohio. Was one of the trainers on the MTV show Tough Enough. Still wrestles for the WWE.   

Rob Rechsteiner- AWA undercard performer in 1986. Trained by Eddie Sharkey. Collegiate wrestler at the University of Michigan. Left the AWA for the Universal Wrestling Federation run by Bill Watts. Was transformed from Rob Rechsteiner into Rick Steiner by Watts and Eddie Gilbert. Surfaced with Jim Crockett Promotions when Crockett bought out Watts. Became a member of the Varsity Club and was managed by Kevin Sullivan. A babyface turn was a huge success. Formed one of the best tag teams in the world with his brother Scott in the early 90s.     

Eddie Sharkey- Real Name Eddie Shyman. Took up Boxing in his teens. Then wrestling in the carnivals during the late 1950s. Made his AWA debut in Fargo, North Dakota during 1961. Was a beloved babyface. Challenged Danny Hodge a few times for the World Jr Heavyweight title. Left the AWA over a disagreement with Verne Gagne. Married a female wrestler named Princess Little Cloud (Dixie Jordan). After his wife had children, Eddie left the wrestling business dor eight years. During 1982 while tending bar at a Minneapolis establishment known as Grandma B's, Eddie became acquainted with four really tough bouncers. Eddie returned to the wrestling business by training the four bouncers (Road Warrior Animal, Road Warrior Hawk, Rick Rude and Barry Darsow). Sharkey subsequently opened his own promotion in Minnesota called Pro Wrestling America. In addition to Animal, Hawk, Rude and Darsow, Sharkey trained many other wrestlers such as Charlie Norris, Lenny Lane and the Steiner brothers.  

Special thanks to Scott Teal, publisher of the fantastic newsletter Whatever Happened To. Also a tip of the cap to George Lentz for providing information on Armando Rodriguez and Dick Reynolds.   

Comments, questions and corrections can be sent to jcz64@yahoo.com   

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Nick Bockwinkel competing in the early 80s.