As ring announcer, I had the privilege of associating with most of the superstars in particular & the promotion in general. I suggested that because the Cow Palace completely sold out - totally - every year, maybe the battle royal should be run twice a year. "No way, it should be kept a novelty, don't spoil it, once a year in January is just right," Shire said. He was completely right.

Many of the participants throughout the years included Pat Patterson, Andre the Giant, Ray Stevens, Pepper Gomez, Haystack Calhoun, Rocky :"Soulman" Johnson (The Rock's father), Peter Maivia (Rock's grandfather), Moondog Mayne, Ron Starr, Playboy Buddy Rose, Kevin Sullivan and more. The battle-royals were worth the wait and anticipation and looking out at the huge crowd of about 17,500 was an exciting thrill in itself.

Other big drawing events included whenever the mighty midgets would appear; Andre; Haystack; even the live wrestling bear. Yes, Terrible Ted was a live brown bear from Alaska, standing 6 feet 5 on two legs, 400 pounds, claws clipped, muzzled and trained to wrestle. And he could. The bear also drew huge crowds.

Some of the great wrestlers then was Alexis Smirnoff "The Mad Russian", Moondog Ed Moretti (still wrestling with great showmanship/ability), Don Muraco, Pat Patterson, Flying Red Bastien, and so many others.