Action Photos 21

I remember this day very clearly -- this was the first episode of Big Time Wrestling without Hank Renner! The announcer in this photo is Dick Laine, a veteran wrestling announcer from Los Angeles. I'm pretty sure Hank went on vacation and Roy flew Laine up to fill Hank's shoes. I don't believe Roy was happy with his performance and he was not used again. Laine is interviewing Rocky "Soulman" Johnson and Pepper Gomez. Rocky Johnson's head was cut open the night before in Sacramento by Pat Patterson.

This was the scene right before the photo above -- Pepper Gomez and Rocky Johnson won their match on Big Time Wrestling. Frank Nocetti, a long-time referee who lived in Stockton officiated..

NWA U.S. Heavyweight Wrestling Champion Pat Patterson defended his belt against Rocky Johnson at the Cow Palace on December 4, 1971. This was the "bad" Pat of course, and he is choking Rocky here.

Pat Patterson has just busted Rocky "Soulman" Johnson's head open at the Cow Palace.

Pat Patterson and Rocky Johnson both seem to be having a good time. Rocky's trying to cover his smile with his arm, but Pat decides to smile for my camera. Who cares if 12,000 Cow Palace fans are watching? Pat's taking Rocky for an Airplane Spin hold.

Looks like Rocky Johnson is winning the first or second fall here, because he is not bleeding yet. That's Pat Patterson is who feeling the pain of Rocky's Boston Crab hold. Dean Denton is the Cow Palace referee.

Rocky "Soulman" Johnson threw Pat Patterson into the corner and Pat flipped over the top rope and got caught in the ropes, upside down!

Referee Dean Denton seems to have his hands full in Ukiah, CA. The Mighty Midgets came to town! Does anyone remember the blonde's name name? Lord Littlebrook is the wrestler in the corner.