REPORT AND PHOTO’s FROM PWHF
- 05/29/2008 (2:32:42 am)
- Georgiann Makropoulos
……
Hi Georgie,
I'd like to tell you about the Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame weekend. I started out Friday morning with Fred Hornby, Joe Marcianti and Doug Dollars. When I arrived at 1 PM I met with Dr. Bob Bryla. Bob had limited edition Hall of Fame posters which we would get autographed by some of the wrestlers attending, to be sold or auctioned during the year to benefit the Hall of Fame. The day was spent welcoming incoming wrestlers. One by one they arrived. Ray Apollo, Detroit manager Dave Drason, Indy legend Lord Zoltan, Referees Dick Woehrle, Billy Caputo and Dave Dwinell, Terry Gunn, Dave O'Hannon, Pete Sanchez, Hillbilly Cousin Luke, Billy Two Rivers, J.J. Dillon, Johnny Rodz, Baron Scicluna, Tony Atlas, Jimmy Snuka, Red Bastein, Captain Lou Albano, Chief Jay Strongbow, Mr. Wonderful Paul Orndorff, Superstar Billy Graham, Nashville legend Len Rossi, George The Animal Steele, The Great Mae Young, The Destroyer Dick Beyer, Nick Bockwinkel, Betty Niccoli, Tom Drake, Nick Kiniski and former NWA champ Gene Kiniski.
On Friday evening, President Tony Vellano & Vice President Mike Capano took all the wrestlers and their families to Saratogo for an eloquent dinner. This is done every year and is strickly limited so the wrestlers can have time amongst themselves. There was also a wrestling show held in Amsterdam Sunday evening which featured Tony Atlas in the main event.
Saturday was the big day. The day started with a convention featuring a number of vendors selling all kinds of wrestling memorabilia. Many of the wrestlers visited the convention area to chat with the fans. At 3PM the meet & greet convened where autographs and photos were available wit most of the wrestlers attending. Although this was scheduled to run from 3PM to 4:30PM, it was extended to 5:30 to accomodate all the fans on line.
The Induction banquet started at 7PM at St Mary's Institute. The sold out crowd was there to honor Pro Wrestling the way it used to be, and a grand time was had by the fans in attendance. Ray Apollo, was the master of ceremonies, and he did a great job. In fact, all the wrestlers did a great job being nice to the fans throughout the weekend. I only wish I had a camera when 94 year old Angelo Savoldi was talking to 85 year old Mae Young. Gene Kiniski, at 79 years of age, was also in terrific shape, and had a ball seated next to his son Nick and Paul Orndorff , talking about hunting, fishing and wrestling. The night ended in the wee hours with a good number of the wrestlers enjoying the karaoke in the hotel lounge.
It was a great weekend, and I can't wait till next year.
John Pantozzi
Photos from Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame
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Here are the picture I took on Saturday at the Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame. Check out the great photo's. | ||
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