We reported yesterday that “MAD DOG” D.C. (Don) Drake would not be able to make the TWA Reunion Show this Saturday, October 24, 2009 due to health issues.  Today we received a letter from Don talking a little more about his current health and how his past steroid usage partly contributed to his current condition.  We want to thank Don for sending this note as it was not necessary for him to disclose the details of his medical issues, but he did so to get the message out there to help others. 

We will miss Don Saturday night, and we wish him the very best.  We will have him in our thoughts and prayers. 

If you want to send Don a message, please send it to [email protected], mark the subject line as “DC Drake Get Well” and we will make sure he receives it.  He can use all the thoughts, prayers, and well wishes we can give. 

An Open Letter from D.C. (Don) Drake-

 Hi Joe and Mike; 

Please feel free to use none, a part of or all of the below statement regarding my inability to participate in this week's event.  My thoughts will be with you guys.  Thanks.

 "I want to take this time to apologize to the promoters of the TWA Reunion and the fans who will be in attendance that evening for not being able to honor my commitment to the event scheduled for Saturday, October 24, 2009 in Vorhees, NJ.  Over the last 15 years, I have been dealing with extensive coronary artery disease.  Over this period of time, I had two heart attacks and 16 stents implanted in attempts to keep the blood flow intact.  In late summer, I experienced another serious heart attack and underwent triple bypass surgery.  After the surgery, the cardiologist told me that when they opened my chest, they found the heart of an eighty plus year old man.  This cannot be fixed.  And this was the result of a choice I made over 20 years ago. 

Through the years, I have been a strong proponent of substance abuse prevention work among children and adolescents.  Although I have never used any illicit drugs, smoked or drank alcohol, I did use steroids legally in the mid 1980s through a sports medicine facility.  It was this use of steroids, testosterone specifically, that has significantly contributed to my current health issues.  I want to be clear that I do not view myself as a victim as I made a conscious choice to have this medication injected into my body, but I want this to be a case study for young people who may be thinking about using steroids today. 

When we are young, we make choices based on the fact that we feel invincible.  Using steroids to win a powerlifting trophy, or increase your bench press, compete in bodybuilding contests or even to become a professional wrestler seems like a perfectly reasonable choice at the time.  Many young people, myself included, would have traded years off our life to reach these goals.  But as we age – each and everyone of us – we see our perspectives change.  What was important at 25 suddenly becomes irrelevant at 40.  Our bodies and minds mature and we develop insight into what living life truly means.  Spending time with loved ones, watching our children grow and holding our grandchildren makes all the trophies in the world meaningless in comparison.  But with all shortcuts comes consequences and the use of steroids has a whole lot of them.  Because of the shortcuts I took I may never be able to fully experience those things that are important to me now.  So I ask that young people think long and hard about taking shortcuts because in the end, there is a price to pay.

 In closing, I want to thank everyone associated with the rebirth of the TWA, including Joe Zanolle and Mike Tartaglia, the wrestlers and the fans for the opportunity afforded to me.  Although I cannot physically be there, everyone will be in my thoughts.  I am proud to have been a part of an organization that led the way for many other wrestling companies.  To have been a part of Philadelphia history is something I will never forget.  Thank you one and all." 

Don Drake 

 * * * * *

The Tri-State Wrestling Alliance (TWA) REUNION SHOW

 Saturday, October 24, 2009

FLYERS SKATE ZONE - 601 Laurel Oak Road, Voorhees, NJ 08043

(856) 309-4400

 Doors open at 6:30 PM

Bell Time is 7:30 PM.  

The scheduled card* is as follows...  

DOUBLE MAIN EVENT  

- Former WWE/ECW Star Al Snow w/ Head vs. Former ECW Champion "Mr. Wrestling" Steve Corino w/ Rob Dimension 

- The Last TWA Champion, "Nature Boy" Buddy Landel vs. "Beast" Glen Osbourne  

OTHER MATCHES 

- "Hitman" Tony Stetson vs. Breaker Morant  

- "Living Legend" Larry Winters vs. Jimmy Jannetty  

- Don E. Allen vs. "Latin Lover" Rick Perez  

- "Hitman" Michael Bruno vs. Johnny Calzone  

- Blue Meanie, Crybaby Waldo, and Kid America vs. "Wiseguy" Jimmy Cicero, Cueball Carmichael, and Max Thrasher

Also appearing will be Referees John Finegan and Jim Molineaux, Ring Announcer Bob Artese and more!!!

*Card subject to change.

Please come and join us at the Reunion Show on October 24th.  There will only be ONE reunion, and you won't want to miss it!!

Tickets are available at

http://www.twaprowrestling.com/upcomingevents.html via PayPal,

at the door the night of the event,

and at these locations: 

Hair by Dezign

123 Egg Harbor Road

Suite 203

Sewell, NJ 08080

(856) 232-9332

Body Max Fitness & Karate

284 Delsea Drive

Sewell, NJ 08080

(856) 589-5126

For more information on the TWA, events, tickets, directions, and advertising/sponsorship inquiries please visit http://www.twaprowrestling.com, email [email protected], or call 856-232-9332 (Hair By Dezign).

 Go to the TWA FACEBOOK Page at: www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=135315472291 

Also, please visit the TWA Memories Page, where some of the classic TWA roster members share their thoughts on their time with the TWA and their thoughts on the upcoming reunion show.  Check it out here http://www.twaprowrestling.com/classicmemories.html

A portion of the proceeds go to ALEX'S LEMONADE STAND FOUNDATION, a charity that works for a cure to childhood cancer.  We will also have a lemonade stand the night of the event collecting donations for ALEX'S.

You can also visit our TWA Event page on the ALEX'S web page and make a donation on-line at http://www.alexslemonade.org/stands/19069 

PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU CLICK THE LEMON DONATE ICON MID-PAGE ON THE RIGHT-HAND SIDE SO THAT YOUR DONATION GOES TOWARD OUR FUNDRAISING GOAL.