I would like to dedicate this column to the memory of a good friend of mine, Howard Thomas, who passed away on Nov. 1, 2001. Memories of good times shared with friends are like KAYFABE MEMORIES... they never fade. Rest in peace, big guy.

STARRCADE '85 was not your typical JCP card. The intensity level of all the workers that night was at an all time high. The event was so big that it had to be held in two venues... The Greensboro Coliseum, in Greensboro, NC and Atlanta's Omni. In an era before pay-per-view, those fans who weren't able to attend the card live could watch in arenas throughout the country via closed circuit TV.

In a tournament final for the Mid Atlantic Heavyweight title, Krusher Kruschev met Sam Houston. Kruschev, who had approximately eighty pounds on Houston, defeated the young protege' of Dusty Rhodes to REPOSSESS the title. ( Sorry, I just HAD to take that shot... )

In a Mexican Death Match, Abdullah the Butcher and " The Ragin' Bull " Manny Fernandez beat each other bloody, until Fernandez climbed the pole and claimed the sombrero and showing Abdullah that , quite frankly, NO ONE DOES IT LIKE THE BULL!!!

" Superstar " Billy Graham showed the fans why he was BAD TO THE BONE as he defeated Konga the Barbarian in a ten thousand dollar arm wrestling challenge. Graham then went on to defeat the Barbarian by DQ in a wrestling contest due to interference from Paul Jones. ( Best wishes to Superstar for a speedy recovery from his latest maladies.)

Texas Bull rope match between fomer LONG RIDER partners, Ron Bass and Black Bart. " Cowboy " Ron Bass defeated Bart to earn a match with James J. Dillon, Bass's former manager who turned on him. Dillon was taking a beating I've never seen TWO men take, much less one, when Bart snuck in the ring, while the ref was down and pile drove Bass to give Dillon the nod.