Action Photos 6
Action Photos 6
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I took this photo backstage in Richmond, CA when we had a mixed women match -- a team of a little woman and a big woman vs. a little woman and a big woman. That is Mr. Paul DeMarco posing with Toni Rose and Diamond Lil. Can anyone help me out with names?
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Don Carson trying to make Cyclone Negro submit.
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Cyclone Negro (Eddie Lalo) won that match on Big Time Wrestling, but he was hurting! Notice how much scar tissue he has on his forehead -- the true mark of a veteran wrestler.
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That is Antonio Parisi giving Mr. Paul DeMarco an aerial view of Channel 40's studio.
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Antonio Parisi is introducing Mr. Paul DeMarco to the ring post, which sends Dr. Richard Russell jumping to the floor and Pepper Martin flying out of his seat. Hank Renner, remaining cool, calls the action for the viewers at home. That is a very young Bobby Cartago (of WWF fame) right behind Parisi, and Bob's mother. During all of the TV tapings, Roy would watch the action from behind the Control Room windows. When Roy Shire came out to the studio floor, he was either going to appear on TV or become someone's worst nightmare!
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As Antonio Parisi body slams Mr. Paul DeMarco on Hank's table, Hank Renner and Pepper Martin both choose to quickly get out of the line of fire. Ringside Rosie is sitting on the right side this time (with her mouth open.)
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The Three Blondes were an unbeatable three-man tag team. Pat Patterson, Billy "The True Spirit of America" Graham, and Roy "Ripper" Collins get ready to go out to the ring for their Six-Man Tag Team Match.
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Billy Graham, Roy "Ripper" Collins and Pat Patterson proudly raise their arms in victory after defeating, Gerry Monti, Ricky Hunter and Paul Diamond (?) maybe.
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Here is that same three-man tag team, Pat Patterson, Billy Graham and Ripper Collins on Big Time Wrestling, arguing with Pepper Martin and Hank Renner about their next match. The three of them made the rounds through the territory as a team and worked some great matches against an assortment of other teams.
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John Swenski: "Ladies and gentlemen, in the blue corner, my all time favorite wrestler, Moondog Moretti!"
I took this picture in Stockton, CA. For a long time, Hank Renner was the ring announcer there, and John Swenski had come to take Hank's place one night. I carpooled to Stockton with Hank many times because he lived a few blocks away from me. Later on, Allan Bolte announced there for his very first time. (I am still looking for those photos.) When Hank stopped announcing outside of Sacramento, I started carpooling with The Great Mephisto. The sign on the balcony reads "Pat Patterson Rooting Section." Northern California fans were bringing signs to the matches decades before it became popular on WWF and WCW TV shows.
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Alan Bolte, who was an usher in Richmond, CA that night, took time out to interview Paul Diamond for a future program. My brother Erik took over the printing of the programs from me, but after crowds starting shrinking, other things caught his interest and Erik passed on the publishing empire to Allan, who continued printing the programs until Roy's last show on January 24, 1981. (The USHER armband Allan is wearing was the official Usher's uniform at Louie Miller's shows in Richmond, Stockton and other smaller cities. I don't remember ushers wearing those in Sacramento. Ushers at the Cow Palace wore formal uniforms.)
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The Great Mephisto won his match at the Channel 40 Studios by kicking his opponent in the head. Because his opponent dropped to mat unconscious, referee Larry Williams suspected Mephisto may have had something heavy concealed in his boot. While Pat Patterson and Pepper Martin try to revive Mephisto's victim, Larry Williams carefully checks Mephisto's boot.
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Copyright 2003 Viktor Berry •
Illustrated History of Professional Wrestling in Northern California
All Rights Reserved
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