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Where Wrestling's Regional History Lives! |
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A Few Ribs
Some of the greatest events, looking back to
mainly the 70s and 80s were in the late 70s, probably 78 and 79. One
night after a Sacramento house show (I had become friends with Pat
Patterson when he bought his huge beautiful Redwood City home) and he
suggested some of us go out for a few drinks. Jimmy Valiant was on the
card; Terry Garvin had refereed; I filled in announcer for Rennar; Rick
Martel was visiting (only about 19 or 20 then) and a few others. We all
took separate cars to Old Sacramento to hit a few of the bars; Garvin
was always a ribber and he said everyone follow him 2 miles to old Sacto
from the arena in downtown. 5 cars followed each other and Garvin purposely
drove right into a dead end... we all had to back up which took 20 min
as Garvin screanmed "back up, baaaaack up, we're on a dead end you
idiots back up......." He was also known for letting air out
of a green worker's tires. In those days drinking/driving were not a big
issue; though I never should have I downed 11 tequila sunrises and drove
- safely - back to my home in Berkeley. They were all wild at the
bars, especially Valiant, and the guys were often getting recognized
though the biz then wasn't as popular as now. The Great Fuji also played ribs; he used to always
think of something for Don Muraco. I sometimes took my shoes off to
relax before announcing and Fuji would hide them until the last second
while Id run around "Where'd I put my shoes???" Fuji would say
"whassa matter you, got no shoes?? Canta finda you shoes
huh???" Next time bringa two pair okaay?" Shire hated when someone chewed gum and cracked
it. I'd crack my gum and he didn't know who did it. "Who the hell
is cracking their gum I hate it" he'd yell. I'd say "Not me
Roy; must be one of the boys" and I'd crack it again. Some of the great workers who were fun to be
around then included Muraco, Patterson, Buddy Rose, Ron Starr, Bob Roop,
Kevin Sullivan, Ed Moretti ( Ed also was able to break into the biz
first as a referee then as a worker... a tremendous worker and a great
person); Red Bastien (Texas Red) and of course one of the most genuine
persons really was Andre the Giant. |
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