Action Photos 26

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That is Earl "Mr. Universe" Maynard on the mat -- it looks like he just landed a punch into Bobby Nicholl's gut. Frank Nocetti is the referee.

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This is The Masked Gladiator (Ricky Hunter) arriving at the Sacramento Memorial Auditorium with Pat Patterson following him. The mask that The Gladiator is wearing is his "Motoring Mask" -- not one he wrestled with, but a light, comfortable mask to wear on the streets while entering and leaving the shows. His wrestling hood covered his nose and jaw. If you look at Ricky Hunter photos on my site, you will recognize his chin very easily from this photo.

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This is Stan "The Crusher" Stasiak arriving at the Sacramento Memorial Auditorium. These were some of the first photos I ever took at the wrestling matches, using my old Kodaak Instamatic camera, before I convinced my mom to let me use her expensive camera equipment. (She is a professional photographer.)

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This looks like Jerry London getting up off the floor after being thrown out of the ring. London was the wrestler who committed suicide after Roy verbally destroyed him after a match at the Cow Palace.

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This is the "bad" Pat Patterson choking Larry Williams at an early 1970 Big Time Wrestling episode. Williams would later become a referee for Roy Shire.

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During the same episode of Big Time Wrestling, Enforcer #1 (Clyde Steeves) has some kind of hold on Peter Maivia's arm. The wall behind them was part of a ship's set from a children's show that was taping a Channel 40. It was not visible to TV viewers.

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It looks like Pat Patterson (wearing the hood) has just ripped Jerry London's eyes, as Pat's partner, Stan "The Crusher" Stasiak recovers on the mat. The referee is Bob Beedle. London always wore boots with a Canadian Maple Leaf on them, but all three of these wrestlers were Canadian.

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Gerry Monte was Jerry London's tag team partner in that match, and found himself in trouble as Stan Stasiak started choking him.

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Stan "The Crusher" Stasiak delivers his deadly Heart Punch to Peter Maivia as Pat Patterson watches from his corner at the Sacramento Memorial Auditorium.

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Copyright 2003 Viktor Berry •

or

Illustrated History of Professional Wrestling in Northern California

All Rights Reserved Roy Shire Hank Renner Miki Garcia Pro Wrestling Wrestling pictures history Sacramento Memorial Auditorium Stockton Sacramento San Francisco Cow Palace Stockton Civic Auditorium

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