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Many of professional wrestling's legends gathered in Mobile, Alabama over the weekend of March 1-2, 1996 for the 5th-annual Gulf Coast Wrestler's Reunion. The reunion began on Friday afternoon as everyone arrived and immediately began reminiscing and swapping old stories.
The first planned activity took place on Friday evening, as a program was held with several of the attendees sharing their talents on stage. Penny Banner and Ida Mae Martinez each played the guitar and sang solos, while Randy Powell joined them on the guitar as they sang a duet. Scott Teal was up next as he demonstrated the illusion of shoving a long hatpin through his forearm! (Do illusions always bleed that much?)
For the third year in a row, Terry Lathan reprised his role as Karnac the Physic Psychic, with Randy Tyler working as his straight man. Karnac made a smashing entrance as he fell and splintered a table into hundreds of tiny pieces. Utilizing his rather unique (re: peculiar) mental powers, Karnac proceeded to provide answers to questions that were enclosed in sealed envelopes.
The finale for the evening was the first Gulf Coast Pose-Down. Dick Steinborn won the men's division, while Ella Waldek walked away with the ladies' honors. Other contestants included Don Fargo, Rocket Monroe, Buddy Colt, Sputnik Monroe (demonstrating his ability to pose with a lit cigarette hanging from his lips), and Len Rossi. Contestants competing in the women's category included Jeannie Rossi, and the team of Ida Mae Martinez, Sarah Lee, Florence Fields, and Sylvia Hackney.
Former referee Karl Roach opened the Saturday morning program with his rendition of The Star Spangled Banner. After Rip Tyler offered some opening comments, Terry Lathan and his beautiful (?) sidekick (Norman Frederick Charles in drag) introduced the Gulf Coast Wrestling Reunion "Home Shopping Network". The duo offered many interesting and hilarious items to their captive audience, every one of whom were eager to be the first to buy these unique gift items.
Jack Welch brought the invocation and talked to the group about the choices we make in life. Cowboy Bob Kelly then introduced the members of the Gulf Coast Board of Directors and conducted a short business meeting, after which a memorial tribute was held to acknowledge GCWR wrestlers who died since our last reunion ... Bill "Pancho Villa" Dahmer, Frank Dalton, Dick Dunn, Buddy Fuller, and Treach Phillips.
1996 AWARD RECIPIENTS
Ladies International Wrestling Association -- Lee Fields and Don Fields
Cauliflower Alley Club -- Lee Fields, Lester Welch and Billy Wicks
GCWR Referee Award -- Tommy Fooshee, Stu Schwartz, Speedy Hatfield, Charlie Smith, Paul Morton, Ron West, and Joe Powell
Potato Award -- Don Greene
Crowbar Award -- Ray Stevens
Pioneer Awards -- Cora Combs, Diamond Lil', Chico Cortez, Ella Waldek, Gladys "Killem" Gillam, Lester Welch, Bobby Fields, Mae Weston, Lee Fields, Billy Wicks, George Harris, Mae Young
Speedy Hatfield Award -- Tom Drake
After Dick Steinborn took the group picture, Jack Welch offered the benediction and prayer for his uncle, Herb Welch, who has been moved to a nursing home. Not having to be asked twice, everyone pulled up their sleeves, loosened up their belts, tucked in their napkin ... and dug into the enormous buffet dinner. After the meal, door prizes were given away. |
