Re: RIP Captain EdGeorge
Just remember, you asked for it. PART ONE I started watching wrestling in my home state of Kentucky on WCPO TV out of Cincinnati. It was Big Time Wrestling and I had no idea it was owned by The Sheik. Then, one summer I went to visit a cousin who lived in Cincinnati. That was a week end that stands out in my mind because on Saturday night we went to Cincinnati Gardens to the matches and on Sunday afternoon we went back to the Gardens to see Porter Wagoner. The opening match that Saturday night featured The Spaceman Frank Hickey. He went over that night. I don't remember his opponent. Others on the card were Fred Curry, Bobo Brazil and Argentina Apollo. Thr main was Sheik vs, Mark Lewin.I remember it was a blood bath. The next time I got to go it was at Cincinnati Music Hall. I remember on the card were the Scufflin' Hillbillies, and Rocky Johnson. I was hanging around outside the show and the Hillbillies came out complaining they had just gotten their notice. Fast forward to Richmond, Ky. and the Colonel is in college at Eastern Kentucky University. In those days (early 70's) when a wrestling show came to the area the promoter would hire a local d.j. to announce because they knew the show would get free plugs. Well, Nick was running a show at a school in Berea, Ky. and I was hired to announce. Sparse crowd, but as well as I can remember,a decent show. The only ones I can remember on the show were Les Thatcher and referee Paul Morton. One of the guys didn't show so Paul had to wrestle in the main with one of the girl wrestlers refereeing. Fast forward to Nashville where I started attending Nicks matches at the fairgrounds. One thing led to another and I boldly approached Nick and related to him the Berea story. As rime went on I became a thorn in Tojos side. I drove him crazy. He literally wanted to kill me. He would invite me into the ring. Invitations I wisely turned down. He told me later that if I had gotten in he was going to hurt me.A fan in the ring story later, again involving Tojo. Finally, one night at the fairgrounds Nick saw me and pulled me aside and wanted to know if I would be interested in announcing som shows. Well, yes I would. What I found that entsiled was hauling my p,a. around and providing trans for guys who came in. I remember one of those guys was Les Thornton, who was super nice.When Nick would bring guys in he would provide lodging. Most of the time at the Lee Motel on Murphreesboro Road. Les took one look and refused.There were only two workers I remember actually sraying there. Gypsy Joe and the midget Little Lone Eagle. Back tracking... The first spot show I announced was in Glasgow, Ky. I got there and a guy working for Nick in a position that would now be called an agent met me at the door and for me to see Tojo for the linr up. I see Tojo back by the dressing room door and he motions for me to come there. Now remember Tojo and I are not on the best terms so my butt puckers and I slowly move that way. When I get close to him he sticks out his hand and says. "Nick says you are not a mark any more, so we are good. Old Terry was glad. After that we never had a cross word. He came to my house for dinner one time and as a gift to Wahoo he brought a jar of some kind sauce he had made. the nastiest sruff I ever tasted. After my debut in Glasgow it was a never ending tour of spot shows in Tennessee, Alabama, and Kentucky. But, we had some fun times in Huntsville every Friday night. Next time the Alabama saga and some road stories. Thanks for asking and I hope this isn't too boring.
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T. Rice