Oliver, Randy, & Donna: 2011 Goodbyes

As 2011 comes to a close we all reflect on the year that it was. Like any other year, 2011 was one full of ups and downs. It's part of life, as is the finality of death. Wrestling fans know that fact all too well.

With death usually comes a celebration of life. We reflect on all the positives that the person who has passed provided in our lives. With the passings of those in the pro wrestling community, we are lucky that many of those positive memories are forever preserved.

2011 saw the loss of wrestlers and personalities including Killer Karl Kox, Little Tokyo, "Handsome" Johnny Barend, Scott LeDoux, Terry Yorkston, Bison Smith, Tiki Tapu, and Big Val Puccio.

Three other stars affected me the most personally.

Early in the year legendary manager Sir Oliver Humperdink announced that he was diagnosed with cancer. Although the prognosis was serious, those that knew "Hump" realized that if anyone was spirited enough to beat the disease it was he. Sadly, this was not to be. Said to be comforted and content in his final days, the man known as "SOH" passed away on March 19 at age 62.

While 62 is far too young to pass in this day and age, anyone who ever encountered Oliver knows that he enjoyed life to the fullest and probably did more living than many people in 62 years. His contributions to the business that he loved will always be remembered. The outpouring of love and memories following his death is ample proof of that. A true champion of life...Sir Oliver Humperdink.

Just two months later fans were mourning the loss of one of the biggest names in wrestling and pop culture as a whole. On May 20 many fans were sitting down to lunch when news broke of the death of Randy "Macho Man" Savage. A heart attack felled the reclusive former world champion while he was driving in his home state of Florida.

Although he made very few appearances in the past decade, Savage never left the consciousness of fans worldwide. His distinctive voice, outfits, and wrestling style have been lovingly parodied for years, but there always be only one "Macho Man" Randy Savage.

The end of summer brought the most difficult wrestling passing in 2011 for me personally. On August 25, women's wrestling legend Donna Christanello passed away suddenly at her home. I've written a lot about Donna and I don't know that there was ever a wrestler who deserved it more.

Although her name has been relatively out of the spotlight for the past two decades except among aficionados of '70s wrestling, it was a great comfort to many that Donna received so much coverage upon her passing. She certainly was remembered and I hope that she knew that. Knowing what a humble lady she was, I'm not sure that it would've mattered to her. Family and friends were number one in her life. How can you top that?

I miss my friend, but I'm still honored that I'm just able to label her as such. She was a friend to everyone. An amazing in-ring worker and probably the most underrated women's star of all-time. If you haven't already taken my advice, check out some of her matches on YouTube. In my last controversial statement of the year, I will go as far as to say that she did the Moolah shtick better than Moolah did it. Donna would never admit that. The two considered each other sisters.

The last time that I saw Donna, she told me that no matter how busy she was at work I was always to interrupt her and say "Hi." I know that she's busy enjoying her great reward, but along with my other loved ones who are now departed, I take the time to say "Hi" every day. Donna, you are missed daily by all who knew you, yet somehow we know that you're watching over us.

This is but a small listing of those who passed in 2011 that made a contribution in wrestling. We fondly remember all of them and may they all rest in peace.

Just An Old Sweet Song, Keeps Georgia (Wrestling) On My Mind...

Each year around this time I become nothing more than a walking advertisement. In turn, this blog becomes an advertisement. It's nothing that I'm paid for, just something that I believe in. If you don't believe in what you're promoting, no one is going to believe your words. I can honestly tell you that the weekends I've spent at the NWA Legends Fanfest were some of the greatest in my life.

On August 4th thru 7th, Fanfest returns yet again to provide another dream wrestling weekend. This year the event so closely associated with Charlotte, NC ventures down to Atlanta, GA. Although the events are never officially themed, this year the flavor is most definitely that of the legendary Georgia Championship Wrestling promotion.

WWF, Crockett, Florida, Memphis, or even ECW fan? No worries. That's the beauty of Fanfest. No wrestling fan is left unsatisfied. This year's guest list? Rowdy Roddy Piper, Rob Van Dam, Nick Bockwinkel, Harley Race, Terry Funk, Dory Funk Jr., "Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase, Mr. Wrestling II, Stan Hansen, Ron Simmons, Teddy Long, Judy Martin, Leilani Kai, Joyce Grable, Jimmy Snuka, Greg Valentine, Ron Garvin, Thunderbolt Patterson, Baby Doll, Tully Blanchard, JJ Dillon, Ole Anderson, Masked Superstar, Tony Atlas, The Assassin, David Schultz, Tim Brooks, Eddie Mansfield, Tommy Rich, Austin Idol, Gypsy Joe, Ron Bass, Moondog Rex, Buddy Colt, Lars Anderson, Ivan Koloff, The Mongolian Stomper, Big Mama, Pat & Randy Rose, Scrappy McGowan, Bill Apter, Joe Pedicino, and Boni Blackstone.

You want more?

Outside vendors will be bringing even more guests to meet the fans, take photos, and sign autographs. How about Jerry Lawler, Bobby Heenan, Dick Slater, Fit Finlay, Bill Dundee, The Rock & Roll Express, The Iron Sheik, Honky Tonk Man, Hacksaw Jim Duggan, Maria Kanellis, Manny Fernandez, Paul Bearer, Luke Gallows, Candi Devine, and Pampiro Firpo just to name a few? From the legendary to the modern to the absolute hardest names to meet on the convention scene, there really is something for everyone at Fanfest.

Meeting and greeting is just part of the greatness of Fanfest. Since the convention takes place from Thursday to Sunday, there are events scheduled throughout. Question and answer sessions, a true blue NWA wrestling event, and the famous Hall of Heroes banquet and induction ceremony are just a few of the highlights.

The Hall of Heroes is an especially unique event at each years Fanfest. After an amazing banquet where you will dine with a wrestling star at your table, several legendary names are inducted into the Hall of Heroes. The evening can prove to be very emotional and memorable as many of the stars are inducted posthumously. Some of the late stars were once even guests at Fanfest, bringing back personal memories for attendees themselves. This year the inductees are The Assassins, Ron Garvin, Sir Oliver Humperdink, Gordon Solie, Ray Stevens, The Masked Superstar, and Ted Turner.

The induction of Humperdink will be especially poignant as this is the first Fanfest since the legendary manager's untimely passing. Many Fanfest attendees have great memories of the man lovingly known as "Humpy" as he was a virtual staple of the event. I had the opportunity to share Mr. Humperdink's Hall of Heroes banquet table two years ago and feel honored to have had the chance. It will be another honor to be present at his own induction where I know that both he and his good friend Gary Hart will be in spirit.

A new addition this year is also one that has many fans buzzing. After a night of NWA wrestling at an off-site location, fans returning to the hotel will be treated to a night entitled "All My Rowdy Friends" starring the one and only Roddy Piper. Fans will also have photo opportunities to not only pose with Piper in his legendary Pit, but to also hold the Starrcade "dog collars" used by Piper and Greg Valentine...while standing next to the legends themselves.

If you haven't already made plans, what are you waiting for? Check out NWALegends.com for more information and stay tuned...more Fanfest memories, stories, and previews next time!

Sir Oliver Humperdink 1949-2011

I decided a long time ago that this blog would only be filled with the good in professional wrestling. That meant nothing too controversial, no huge battles over the change in the product, and no obituaries. The truth is that death should not cloud the memory of someone's life. Everyone dies, so it isn't something unique to anyone. What is unique is the life the person led and the mark they left on others. Late last summer I felt that Luna's life needed to be discussed here. Today, the same goes for Sir Oliver Humperdink.

It's been no secret that since the beginning of the year that Mr. Humperdink has been in a rough battle. While some stars are able to hide their ailments, this simply wasn't so for Oliver. This is not only due to a consistent daily online presence interacting with his fans, but also due to the fact that this legendary manager was loved by EVERYONE.

About a decade ago I was a member of a wrestling e-mail group. I cannot remember the title nor much else about the group, but I do remember noticing that someone claiming to be Sir Oliver Humperdink frequently posted. At the time, I was only a few years removed from learning of the long territorial career of Humperdink. Most fans my age only knew Sir Oliver from his WWF and WCW stints. Looking back through magazines and old footage it became apparent that these runs really only meant national exposure. The true meat and potatoes of the "House of Humperdink" was in the '70s and '80s territory glory days.

As I began to read the posts of this person and the responses he received, I slowly began to realize that this was indeed Mr. Humperdink himself. It was completely foreign to me that such a huge name in the industry would be interacting with ordinary fans. That's because with SOH, as I came to know him, everyone was a friend.

I began to lightly correspond with Mr. Humperdink, who always signed his e-mails as "SOH," through personal e-mail. When he learned that I had copies of a few matches involving him that he really wanted to see again, I put together a vhs tape to present to him at my first wrestling convention. This convention, the 2004 NWA Tribute to Starrcade Fanfest, would also mark the first time that I was able to meet so many of my childhood heroes all in one place. Luckily for me, this convention included two of the all-time greats in managing--Gary Hart and Sir Oliver Humperdink.

SOH was one of the first stars that my friend Adam and I met that weekend. Through various encounters over those three days, we quickly learned that the two managers we were so excited to meet were very good friends. In fact, they seemed rather inseparable.

Later that weekend at their scheduled autograph signing, Mr. Hart and Mr. Humperdink both went out of their way to make us feel like old friends. SOH is also the only star to ever dedicate a photo to me using my initials, "JW." This is because it was how I always signed my e-mails and thus how he remembered me.

My crew and I were lucky enough to meet SOH several more times over the years. In 2009 we were honored to share our dinner table with him at the NWA Legends Hall of Heroes banquet. While SOH was his usual kind self, you could tell that his mind was elsewhere. On this night, SOH was to posthumously induct his friend, Gary Hart, into the Hall of Heroes. While SOH loved meeting his fans and seeing old friends at these shows, you could tell that something was missing with Mr. Hart no longer present.

At the 2010 version of NWA Fanfest, SOH's career came full circle. Mr. Humperdink began his managing career in the 1970's managing the original Hollywood Blonds team of Buddy Roberts (later known for his Freebird fame) and Jerry Brown. Mr. Brown had long been missing until located earlier in the year. The team and their manager reunited at Fanfest in Charlotte for the first time in over three decades. SOH seemed to have a grand time that weekend and shared that feeling with so many of us.

As I mentioned above, SOH was an original and constant fixture in the online wrestling community. From his days using WebTV from his Key West home to the advent of social networking, SOH was always an early adopter. For those who had him as a friend on Facebook, SOH provided a daily lesson on classic music. When these updates became infrequent, many friends became concerned. It was then that SOH informed the public of his health struggles. The outpouring of concern, prayer, and love on not only his Facebook page but all over the internet has been amazing. NWA Fanfest promoter Greg Price even made sure that SOH got to have his NWA Hall of Heroes award plaque in advance. His upcoming induction this summer will be an emotional moment, but all of his friends know that "Humpy" will be right there in spirit, with old friend Gary Hart.

As a fan, you owe it to yourself to seek out Mr. Humperdink's work from Florida. Most fans would agree that this is Humpy at his finest. This is, of course, where Humpy had the nickname of "The Rooster" who was always receiving bloody comeuppance from foes like Dusty Rhodes not to mention The House of Humperdink which featured some of the most menacing villains ever to grace the squared circle.

One thing that SOH himself pointed out to me is that the WWF "took away" his title of Sir. While there were probably flubs by announcers over his year in the company, for the most part he was simply referred to as "Oliver Humperdink." SOH informed me of this little known fact while signing his WWF promotional photo, showing the great mind and memory of this legend.

Wrestling is all about illusion. Many legends of the ring have been lost, but how many were greats outside of the glitz and glamour? Mr. Humperdink was a treasure of a man in all walks of life.

All day I've thought about SOH as well as my own father, who also lost his battle at the age of 62. Both were great men who live on due to their incredible legacies left on earth. The verse on the back of my father's prayer card seems fitting here as well.

I have fought a good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
2 Timothy iv. 7.

Goodbye, SOH.

Wrestling's Most Missed Concept: The Manager

A lot of things come and go in the pro wrestling business. Some miss the days when venues were lit with but a single light instead of the million-dollar lighting systems of today. Others miss when "preliminary" matches filled the television airwaves thus saving the main events for arena shows or even pay-per-view.

While many of these concepts are gone for good, there is one that is sorely missed and could easily be brought back under the right conditions. That concept is the wrestling manager.

While there have been a few throwbacks in recent years with names such as Armando Estrada and Tony Atlas, there was a time in the business when a manager could be the hottest name in a promotion.

Territories like Florida with Sir Oliver Humperdink, AWA with Bobby Heenan, and the WWWF's "Evil Trinity" (Lou Albano, Fred Blassie, & The Grand Wizard) were nearly defined by these men and their stables of wrestlers. These men were so devious and calculating that fans filled arena seats weekly in hopes of seeing the managers get their comeuppance.

The modern definition of wrestling manager seems to first come about when wrestling first hit television in the 1950s. Men like "Wild" Red Berry and Bobby Davis led such champions as Gorilla Monsoon and Buddy Rogers, respectively, to greater heights thanks to their charisma and gifts for gab. Joined in the 1960s by names such as Gary Hart, Bobby Heenan, and Ernie "Grand Wizard" Roth (under various aliases), it seemed that each territory, as mentioned above, had their own choice managers.

It's no surprise that when wrestling magazines from various companies exploded onto the newsstands, the colorful managers often made the cover. The word "colorful" is not used by accident as it was commonplace to find photos of such managers as Heenan and Humperdink with bright red crimson masks of blood plastered on covers. Arena programs also often featured the managers flanking their various charges.

With the first two major wrestling action figure lines finding their way into stores in the 1980s, the managers came along for the ride. LJN's WWF line featured a whole subset of managers including Heenan, Albano, Blassie, Jimmy Hart, Slick, Mr. Fuji, Johnny V, and Miss Elizabeth while Remco included Paul Ellering, Precious, and Sheik Adnan Al-Kaissey in their AWA series.

Cards, magazines, figures, and even record albums prove that managers were among the most marketable characters in wrestling. After all, the managers were essentially pop culture celebrities kicked up a notch. Bobby Heenan? Johnny Carson. Jimmy Hart? Dick Clark. Miss Elizabeth? Princess Diana. Slick? Well, you get the picture.

Many fans of today's wrestling product feel that there's just something missing. Maybe it's the crazy character at ringside with bleached blonde hair, face paint, a tennis racket, and diamonds screaming at the top of their lungs. The "GM" and "Commissioner" roles are played out...we want our managers back!

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