Action Photos 12

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One of the most dangerous parts of being a professional wrestler is getting to and from the ring without being injured by a fan with a knife or other weapon. Security for the wrestlers was taken very seriously at the Cow Palace. The security force there wore helmets and carried billy clubs to escort the heels to and from the ring, but it often came down to the wrestlers watching each others backs anyway. In this photo, Pat Patterson, Dr. Ken Ramey and Billy Graham are leaving the dressing room area and making their way to the entry way into the main arena. This was going to be Dr. Ramey's first time wrestling at the Cow Palace and Bay Area fans were dangerously agitated about the stunts he had pulled managing Mr. Paul DeMarco.

The woman walking behind Billy Graham is the late Dorothy Hopkins, who was the president of The Pat Patterson Fan Club for many years. I have no memory what she was doing in the back -- maybe getting photos autographed for her club. Dorothy is the woman who took all of the 8mm home movies of Cow Palace matches that have been transferred to video and is shared between fans of our territory all over the world.

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The heels made it to the Cow Palace ring safely and Pat Patterson, Dr. Ken Ramey and Billy Graham are announced to the crowd as Peter Maivia watches from the far corner.

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I don't know if my fly was down or what, but both referee Bob Beedle and Pat Patterson were looking directly at me when I took this photo while Cow Palace announcer Ken Emery (left) was introducing the Babyface team. Peter Maivia is applauding for one of his teammates. Dr. Ken Ramey (center) looks pretty worried about what the future holds for him..

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Referee Bob Beedle does his best to get Pepper Martin to break his choke hold on Pat Patterson, while Pat's teammates, Billy Graham and Dr. Ken Ramey watch. The boot on the right is Rocky "Soulman" Johnson's, and his other teammate was Peter Maivia (not in photo.)

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On Big Time Wrestling, Pat Patterson (under the hood) attacks his opponent while he was trying to get his ring jacket off. Referee Larry Williams attempts to get Pat to back off. Does anyone recognize Pat's opponent. The name Don Chuy comes to mind, but I have no idea why.

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Pat Patterson has him in a painful ankle-lock of some kind in that same match on Big Time Wrestling.

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These next few photos are from the last film strip of Sacramento's Annual 14-Man Battle Royal. Rocky Johnson is being body slammed by Pat Patterson (?). The referee on the floor of the Sacramento Memorial Auditorium is Frank Nocetti.

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Rocky "Soulman" Johnson was the eventual 14-Man Battle Royal winner, and Referee Larry Williams had the honors of raising Rocky's arm in victory.

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Big Time Wrestling Announcer Hank Renner climbed into the ring to present Rocky Johnson with the Winner's Trophy. (I was just thinking -- maybe this is the trophy Miki Garcia is holding on Page One of this web site. Maybe they were giving it to Rocky again the next night at the Big Time Wrestling taping at Channel 40. I think that mystery has been solved! I compared the trophy in both pictures and it is the same one!

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The next few photos were taken at Channel 40 for a special Big Time Wrestling match between Ray Stevens and the wild man, The Great Pampero (Pampero Firpo.) Frank Nocetti is the referee.

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The Blond Bomber, Ray Stevens keeps a tight hold on Pampero Firpo.

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Ray Stevens body slams The Great Pampero on Big Time Wrestling. Referee Frank Nocetti is the official.

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After winning that match, Ray Stevens talked with Big Time Wrestling's announcer, Hank Renner about his big match coming up next week. Ray is wearing the bandage on his head because his head had been cut open in a match the night before.

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Copyright Viktor Berry •

Illustrated History of Professional Wrestling in Northern California

All Rights Reserved

.Copyright 2003 Viktor Berry •
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
ILLUSTRATED HISTORY OF PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

Roy Shire Hank Renner Miki Garcia Pro Wrestling Rock WWF WWE NWA Wrestling pictures photos history

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