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It’s hard to believe, but it’s reached the point to where I see my life flashing before my eyes. Life used to flow along with no special reminders (other than birthdays) of the acceleration of time (or age), but since I first attended the Gulf Coast Wrestler’s Reunion seven years ago in 1993, I have a specific event that reminds me of just how fast the years are passing by.
It’s true. The reunion in Mobile is one of the highlights of life for many of us, one that we look forward to with anticipation and pleasure. I look at the calendar one day to see that the month of March is several months away. The next time I glance at the calendar ... the reunion is just a few days away. I make the annual pilgrimage for three days of reminiscing and laughter, and before I realize it, the reunion is over. I return home and the cycle starts all over again. And each year seems to go by faster than the one before. As hard as it is to believe, the reunion this past March was my seventh, and its seems like just yesterday that I was attending the Reunion for the first time.
It seems like the boys (and girls) arrive earlier and earlier each year, as if they can’t wait to begin the festivities. My judgement on this is that it’s tough to cram four days of embellished and dramatized stories (“lies” might be a better word, but I want to be gracious in my reporting) into the two days officially set aside for the reunion. Mac McMurray, Colin West, Joe Powell, and myself rolled in on Wednesday afternoon this year, checking into the Red Roof Inn and meeting at a prearranged location for dinner. (Where else, but Dick Russell’s?)
This year’s gathering was marked by beautiful weather that seemed manufactured just for us. By Thursday afternoon, many others had joined us for lunch, and by dinnertime, we had launched a full-fledged party. Bill and Anne Bowman, Corsica Joe and Sara Lee, Billy Wicks, Dick Steinborn, Benny and Tammy McCrary ... more and more of those who the fans consider “legends” of the wrestling game rolled in.
Friday morning began as usual, with many of us beginning our day with a hearty, country breakfast at Dick Russell’s. From there, we began to filter into the Mobile International Speedway to enjoy the “munchies” that the Fields family provided ... and the Fields family were there in force ... Don and Florence Fields, Lee and Ida Fields, Bobby and Evelyn Fields, Skippy Wetjen (honorary Fields family member), Bob and Chris Kelly, Terry and Joy Lathan, Bob and Chris Kelly, Bill and Anne Bowman, Mac McMurray, Lester and Lucille Welch, and Norman and Ann Charles. Each one of them were running back and forth, making sure that everything was ready, and if they weren’t ready, seeing to it that they would be when they were needed.
The official program began on Friday evening with the entertainment. Attendees were asked to remember and pray for some of our members who were sick or in nursing homes, some of whom include Speedy Hatfield, Millie Stafford, and Nell Stewart. The Fabulous Moolah presented the Ladies International Wrestling Association awards to Anne Bowman, Bill Bowman, and Lester Welch.
Conspicuous by her absence was the “great” Johnnie Mae Young. Believe it or not, at age 75, Mae was booked in Memphis, Tennessee with Power Pro Wrestling. She appeared on the March 6th television show, attacking television announcer Cory Maclin and a security guard with her purse, then wrestling valet Stacey in a short match that saw Mae take two big bumps in the ring before being disqualified.
Cowboy Bob Kelly invited couples to come up front and dance to a slow, country ballad. Wrestlers being the shy creatures that they are, no one would be the first to work their way to the stage, until Sputnik Monroe and Billy Wicks broke the ice by “getting close” and dancing together. They made a wonderful (i.e. strange) couple and that gave everyone else the incentive to come forward. Kelley lip synched “Have I Told You Lately That I Love You” as the couples danced cheek-to-cheek.
Emcee supreme Terry Lathan told a few of his favorite jokes and stories (what would a reunion be without Terry’s contributions), then introduced the “world’s greatest promoter.” Bill Bowman introduced himself and proceeded to interview said promoter, Mr. Jim Barnett (aka Dick Steinborn).
Songs were sung by Ida Mae Martinez (three yodeling songs), Bobby Simmons (“Longer”), and Karl Roach (“Folsom Prison Blues”), after which Billy Wicks played a wonderful rendition of “Amazing Grace” on the harmonica as Karl Roach sang along. Speaking of Ida Mae, she yodeled her way onto national television as she appeared on “Rosie (“I don’t want anyone to own guns, but I shill for K-Mart”) O’Donnell.”
Curtis Smith and the Wrestling Bluegrass Band closed out the program with their rendering of “Ruby.” For the eighth straight year, Bob Kelly showed up on stage in an inebriated state. As in other years, Lee Fields was prepared for that eventuality and managed to keep Bob upright. Members of the “band” included Bob Kelly (banjo), Curtis Smith (mandolin), Ron Garvin (fiddle), Nelson Royal (guitar), and Charlie Stewart (bass guitar).
After the evening program, everyone returned to their motel rooms for a long night of beer, storytelling, laughter, beer, reminiscing, and a can or two of beer. It had been a long day, so everyone got to bed early (2:00 a.m.). By eight o’clock, everyone was back at ... you guessed it ... Dick Russell’s Bar-B-Q Restaurant! |
