Cauliflower Alley Club
 | This article may need to be rewritten to comply with Wikipedia's quality standards. (August 2020) |
 CAC logo | |
| Formation | 1967 |
|---|---|
| Type | Professional wrestling 501(c)(3) |
| Headquarters | 13900 CR 455 Suite 107-379 Clermont, Florida, U.S. |
President | Brian Blair |
Key people | Executive & Advisory Board: Brian Blair President & CEO Rich Ingling EVP & Treasurer Royal Duncan Secretary & "The Ear" Publisher Ron Hutchison Canadian Director, Reunion Seminar & Website Administrator Darla Staggs Benevolent Coordinator Bruce Tharpe Attorney and Legal Counsel Dan Murphy Vendor Room/Reunion Program Ad Sales & Advisory Board Chair Vance Nevada "The Ear" Editor Social Media Administrator Herb Simmons Benevolent Outreach Ambassador |
Publication | The Ear |
| Website | http://www.caulifloweralleyclub.org/ |
The Cauliflower Alley Club is a non-profit fraternal organization, which includes a newsletter and website, comprising both retired and active professional wrestlers and boxers in North America.
Established in 1965 by Mike Mazurki and Art Abrams, the organization hosts an annual reunion dinner which has traditionally been attended by celebrities and other professional athletes. Several historical Hollywood locations have been home to the reunion banquets such as the Masquer's Club, the Roosevelt Hotel and the Old Spaghetti Factory as well as The Riviera and the RMS Queen Mary.
Its registered symbol is a solid silver mold of Mazurki’s left ear,[1] which was afflicted by cauliflower ear, a common permanant injury among athletes who compete in violent contact sports, one also pictured in its club logo, and its newsletter is accordingly named The EAR.[2]
History
[edit]The Cauliflower Alley Club was founded in 1965 by Mike Mazurki as a fraternal organization of professional wrestlers, boxers, and actors.[3][4] The first annual reunion dinner was held at the Baron's Castle Buffet Restaurant in Los Angeles, California.[4] The Club also presents numerous awards annually at the reunion dinner.
Several prominent former professional wrestlers have been president of the club, including Red Bastien, Nick Bockwinkel, and the current president, Brian Blair.[4][5] The Club has a "benevolent fund which helps people from the wrestling business in a time of need."[4] Proceeds are raised for the fund during the annual reunion weekend.[4]
Awards
[edit]2020s
[edit]| Award | Year | Recipient(s) | Nationality | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Independent Wrestling Award | 2023 | Riea Von Slasher | 
|
[6] |
| Iron Mike Mazurki Award | 2021 | Alundra Blayze | 
|
[7] |
| 2022 | John Bradshaw Layfield |
|
||
| 2023 | CM Punk |
|
[6][8] | |
| 2024 | Sting |
|
[9] | |
| Lou Thesz/Art Abrams Lifetime Achievement Award | 2021 | Rob Van Dam |
|
[10] |
| 2023 | Ron Simmons |
|
[6] | |
| Men's Wrestling Award | 2021 | Ricky Santana |
|
[7] |
| Thunderbolt Patterson |
|
[7] | ||
| 2022 | Kevin Sullivan |
|
||
| Tommy Rich |
|
|||
| 2023 | Joe Malenko |
|
[6] | |
| Koko B. Ware |
|
[6] | ||
| Women's Wrestling Award | 2021 | Jazz |
|
[7] |
| 2022 | Jacqueline Moore |
|
[11] | |
| 2023 | Mickie James |
|
[6][12] | |
| 2024 | Allison Danger |
|
[13] | |
| Lucha Libre Award | 2021 | Rey Mysterio | /
|
[7] |
| 2022 | Konnan |  /
|
||
| 2023 | Damian 666 |
|
[6] | |
| 2024 | Negro Casas |
|
[14] | |
| Tag Team Award | 2021 | The Road Warriors (Hawk and Animal) with Paul Ellering |
|
[7] |
| 2022 | Rock 'n' Roll Express (Ricky Morton and Robert Gibson) |
|
||
| 2023 | The Nasty Boys (Brian Knobbs and Jerry Sags) |
|
[6] | |
| Rising Star Award | 2021 | Brian Pillman Jr |
|
[7] |
| Maddison Miles | 
|
[7] | ||
| 2022 | ||||
| James C. Melby Historian Award | 2021 | Greg Oliver |
|
[7] |
| 2023 | Koji Miyamoto | 
|
[6] | |
| Posthumous Award | 2021 | Jim Londos |  /
|
[7] |
| 2022 | Christine "Teeny" Jarrett |
|
||
| 2023 | Killer Karl Kox |
|
[6] | |
| Charlie Smith Referee Award | 2021 | Art Williams |
|
[7] |
| 2022 | Billy Silverman |
|
||
| 2023 | Kevin Jefferies |
|
[6] | |
| President’s Award | 2022 | Jerry Lawler |
|
|
| Courage Award | 2022 | Joyce Grable |
|
|
| REEL Award | 2023 | Al Burke |
|
[6] |
| 2024 | Todd Bridges |
|
[15] | |
| Jim Ross Award | 2024 | Jim Ross |
|
[16] |
2010s
[edit]
2000s
[edit]
1990s
[edit]1999
[edit]- Iron Mike Mazurki Award: Jesse "The Body" Ventura[28]
- Art Abrams Lifetime Achievement Award: Dan Gable[28]
Other honorees included Ken Patera, Jack Donovan and Bob Geigel.[28]
1998
[edit]- Iron Mike Mazurki Award: Lou Thesz[28]
- Art Abrams Lifetime Achievement Award: William Papas[28]
- Scholarship Award Winners: Billy Pappas[28]
Other honorees included Danny Hodge, Fred Blassie, Dory Funk, Jr. and Dan Severn[28]
1997
[edit]- Iron Mike Mazurki Award: Tom Drake[28]
- Art Abrams Lifetime Achievement Award: Penny Banner[28]
- Reel Member Inductees: Elliott Gould, Tommy Sands and Terry Moore[28]
- Boxing Honorees: Don Fraser, Lou Filippo and Robert Salazar[28]
Other honorees included:
- Elizabeth, New Jersey (October 11): Sika Anoa'i, Ted Lewin, Donn Lewin, The Fabulous Moolah, Jimmy Valiant, Jim Cornette, Diamond Lil, The Destroyer, The Dudley Boyz, Devon Storm and Georgiann Makropoulos.
- Studio City, California (March 15): Tony Borne, Don Curtis, Tom Drake, Don Manoukian, Steve Rickard and Jim White.[28]
1996
[edit]- Iron Mike Mazurki Award: Dick Beyer[28]
- Scholarship Award Winners: Gordy Morgan and Marty Morgan[28]
- Reel Member Inductees: Lawrence Tierney, Fred Williamson, Denver Pyle, Beverly Garland, Norm Crosby and John T. Smith[28]
- Boxing Honorees: Chuck Wepner[28]
Other honorees included:
- Tampa, Florida (October 26): Angelo Poffo, Bonnie Watson, Judy Glover, Jack & Jerry Brisco, Carl Engstrom, Wahoo McDaniel, Gordon Solie and Molly McShane.
- Elizabeth, New Jersey (October 5): Vince McMahon, Vince McMahon, Sr., Jimmy Snuka and Tammy Lynn Sytch.[28]
- Studio City, California (March 16): Stan Hansen, Nelson Royal, Art Michalik, Stan Stasiak, Larry Zbyszko, Angelo Mosca, Seiji Sakaguchi, Masami Yoshida, Chigusa Nagayo, Bobby Heenan, Baron von Raschke and Antonio Inoki.[28]
1995
[edit]- Iron Mike Mazurki Award: Gene LeBell[28]
- Reel Member Inductees: Binnie Barnes, Marie Windsor, Jan Merlin and John Saxton[28]
- Martial Arts Honorees: Benny Urquidez and Mimi Lessos[28]
- Boxing Honorees: Gabriel Ruelas and Rafael Ruelas[28]
Other honorees included:
- Elizabeth, New Jersey (September 30): Angelo Savoldi, Capt. Lou Albano, Abe Coleman, Gloria Barratini, Millie Stafford, Pat Patterson, Johnny Rodz and The Public Enemy.[28]
- Studio City, California (March 8): Tiger Conway, Sr., Leo Garibaldi, Susan Sexton, Dave Levin, Ray Stevens, The Sheik and Buddy Lee.[28]
1994
[edit]- Iron Mike Mazurki Award: Vic Christy[28]
- Reel Member Inductees: Harry Carey, Jr.[28]
- Boxing Honorees: Lou Bogash, Joe Graziano, Lou Couture, Jocko V. Ananian, Micky Finn, Tom McNeely, Harol Gomes, Willie Pep, Carmen Basilio and Vincent Pazienza[28]
Other honorees included:
- Springfield, Massachusetts (October 1): Gorilla Monsoon, Pedro Morales, Brittany Brown, Candi Devine, Arnold Skaaland, Jackie Nichols, Karl Von Hess, Ilio DiPaolo and Kitty Adams.[28]
- Studio City, California (March 19): Dick Hutton, Billy Robinson, Stuart McCullum, Al Costello, Peggy Allen, Sherri Martel, Ed Francis and Sue Green.[28]
1993
[edit]- Iron Mike Mazurki Award: Hard Boiled Haggerty[28]
- Scholarship Award Winners: Nick Cline and Mike Bresnan[28]
- Reel Member Inductees: John Agar, Guy Madison, John Phillip Law and Will Hutchins.
- Boxing Honorees: Genaro (Chicanito) Hernandez, Zacky Padilla, Oscar De La Hoya, Mike Witowich, Chuck Bodak, Jerry Moore, Petey Servin and Jerry Quarry[28]
Other honorees included Verne Gagne, “Cowboy” Bob Ellis, Kinji Shibuya, Wendi Richter, Barbi Dahl and Peggy Patterson.[28]
1992
[edit]- Iron Mike Mazurki Award: Woody Strode[28]
- Reel Member Inductees: Woody Strode[28]
- Boxing Honorees: Clarence Henry, Fabela Chavez,Jimmy Roybal, Jimmy Casino and Dave Maier[28]
Other honorees included Maurice Vachon, Hard Boiled Haggerty, Rey Urbano, Johnny James, Gene Kiniski, Pepper Gomez, Penny Banner, Debbie Combs, Belle Starr, Donna Christantello and Diamond Lil.[28]
Presidents
[edit]| No. | Portrait | Name (Birth–Death) |
Term of office | Country of origin | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Took office | Left office | ||||
| 1 | .jpg)
|
Mike Mazurki (1907–1990) |
1965 | 1990 |  Austria-Hungary/ United States
|
| 2 | 
|
Archie Moore (1913–1998) |
1991 | 1992 | United States
|
| 3 | 
|
Lou Thesz (1916–2002) |
1992 | 2000 | United States
|
| 4 | Red Bastien (1931-2012) |
2001 | 2007 | United States
| |
| 5 | 
|
Nick Bockwinkel (1934-2015) |
2007 | 2014 | United States
|
| 6 | 
|
B. Brian Blair (Born 1957) |
2014 | Incumbent | United States
|
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Manson, Bill (29 September 1991). "Cauliflower Alley Club Lends an Ear to Boxers, Wrestlers". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
- ^ "The EAR Newsletter". Cauliflower Alley Club. Retrieved 21 December 2024.
- ^ Oliver, Greg (April 20, 2010). "Unpredictability rules at Cauliflower Alley Club". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved May 4, 2018.
- ^ a b c d e Smith, Caleb (April 4, 2015). "Cauliflower Alley Club set for a big 50th bash". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved July 28, 2021.
- ^ Johnson, Steven (April 22, 2007). "That's entertainment! CAC banquet ranges from songs to stories to spoofs". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved May 4, 2018.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "2023 Winners". Cauliflower Alley Club. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Oliver, Greg (July 16, 2020). "Cauliflower Alley Club cancels 2020 reunion". Slam Wrestling. Retrieved September 27, 2020.
- ^ "CM Punk Honored with Coveted 2023 Iron Mike Mazurki Award by Cauliflower Alley Club". www.caulifloweralleyclub.org. 2023-05-28. Retrieved 2023-09-01.
- ^ "STING TO RECEIVE CAULIFLOWER ALLEY CLUB'S HIGHEST HONOR THIS AUGUST | PWInsider.com". www.pwinsider.com. Retrieved 2024-03-22.
- ^ "We are proud to announce the Lou Thesz Lifetime Achievement Award winner, and he is Rob Van Dam! RVD is a former WWE, TNA, and ECW Heavyweight champion, not to mention his training in multiple martial arts disciplines. We look forward to RVD joining us in April and hope you will be too! Congrats RVD!". Cauliflower Alley Club on Facebook. February 7, 2020. Retrieved September 26, 2020.
- ^ "Cauliflower Alley Club To Honor Jacqueline Moore". PWInsider.com. 2022-06-06. Retrieved 2022-08-10.
- ^ "The CAC Congratulates Mickie James: 2023 Women's Wrestling Honoree". May 28, 2023.
- ^ "411Mania".
- ^ "Negro Casas to Receive 2024 Lucha Libre Award". 17 March 2024.
- ^ "Lights, Camera, Action! Todd Bridges Takes Center Stage as the CAC's 2024 Reel Award Honoree!". 20 March 2024.
- ^ "JIM ROSS TO BE HONORED BY CAULIFLOWER ALLEY CLUB WITH INAUGURAL...JIM ROSS AWARD! | PWInsider.com". www.pwinsider.com. Retrieved 2024-06-21.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Johnson, Steve (April 22, 2010). "Ross, DiBiase lead parade of honorees at CAC banquet". Slam Wrestling. Retrieved September 27, 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Oliver, Greg (April 20, 2011). "Lifetime honoree Foley captivates at CAC Baloney Blowout". Slam Wrestling. Retrieved September 27, 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Johnson, Steve (April 18, 2012). "Austin, Steamboat delight at Cauliflower Alley Club reunion". Slam Wrestling. Retrieved September 27, 2020.
- ^ a b c d e Oliver, Greg (April 18, 2013). "Jake The Snake turns CAC banquet into a sobering experience". Slam Wrestling. Retrieved September 27, 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Johnson, Steve (June 5, 2014). "'Odd noise' highlights Cauliflower Alley Club awards". Slam Wrestling. Retrieved September 27, 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s Johnson, Steve (April 5, 2015). "Many years of hard work pay off for Dennis Brent with CAC's historian award". Slam Wrestling. Retrieved September 27, 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Oliver, Greg (April 14, 2016). "Trish brings Stratusfaction, Orndorffs bring tears to CAC banquet". Slam Wrestling. Retrieved September 27, 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f g Oliver, Greg (May 4, 2017). "Tully Blanchard main events 52nd Cauliflower Alley Club reunion". Slam Wrestling. Retrieved September 27, 2020.
- ^ "Baron von Raschke to be Honored This Year | Cauliflower Alley Club". www.caulifloweralleyclub.org. Archived from the original on 2017-12-22. Retrieved 2018-01-18.
- ^ a b c d e f g Oliver, Greg (May 2, 2019). "Mark Henry provides laughs and challenges at CAC banquet". Slam Wrestling. Retrieved September 27, 2020.
- ^ Lee, Joseph (February 10, 2018). "Shawn Michaels To Be Honored By Cauliflower Alley Club This April". 411Mania. Retrieved September 27, 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay az ba bb bc bd be bf bg bh bi bj bk bl bm bn bo bp bq br bs bt bu bv bw bx by bz ca cb cc cd ce cf cg ch ci cj ck cl cm cn co cp cq cr cs ct cu cv cw cx cy cz da db dc dd de df dg "Honorees". Cauliflower Alley Club. Archived from the original on July 6, 2022. Retrieved September 27, 2020.
- ^ "Greg Valentine To Receive a 2018 Men's Wrestling Award | Cauliflower Alley Club". www.caulifloweralleyclub.org. Archived from the original on 2017-12-22. Retrieved 2018-01-18.
- ^ "Tony Storm To Be Honored in 2018 | Cauliflower Alley Club". www.caulifloweralleyclub.org. Archived from the original on 2017-12-22. Retrieved 2018-01-18.
- ^ "Ivory to be Honored at Cauliflower Alley Club Next Year". Diva Dirt. October 6, 2011. Archived from the original on October 26, 2020. Retrieved September 26, 2020.
- ^ Tomas, Ben (April 29, 2013). "Cauliflower Alley Club Reunion 2013 Part 3". SoCalUNCENSORED.com.
- ^ "Santana Garrett Honored for the Second Time | Cauliflower Alley Club". www.caulifloweralleyclub.org. Archived from the original on 2017-12-22. Retrieved 2018-01-18.
- ^ "Princess Victoria is a 2018 Honoree | Cauliflower Alley Club". www.caulifloweralleyclub.org. Archived from the original on 2018-02-27. Retrieved 2018-02-23.
- ^ "1st Lucha Libre Award to be Presented | Cauliflower Alley Club". www.caulifloweralleyclub.org. Archived from the original on 2017-12-22. Retrieved 2018-01-18.
- ^ "Harlem Heat Will Be Honored in Las Vegas | Cauliflower Alley Club". www.caulifloweralleyclub.org. Archived from the original on 2018-08-28. Retrieved 2018-01-18.
- ^ Murphy, Dan (June 4, 2014). "Santana Garrett — TNA's Brittany — named CAC Future Legend". Slam Wrestling. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
- ^ "Kevin Kross to Receive the 2018 Rising Star Award | Cauliflower Alley Club". www.caulifloweralleyclub.org. Archived from the original on 2018-11-19. Retrieved 2018-01-18.
- ^ "Historian Don Luce to be Recognized at the CAC Reunion | Cauliflower Alley Club". www.caulifloweralleyclub.org. Archived from the original on 2017-12-22. Retrieved 2018-01-18.
- ^ "Long-time Referee to be Honored in Las Vegas | Cauliflower Alley Club". www.caulifloweralleyclub.org. Archived from the original on 2017-12-22. Retrieved 2018-01-18.
- ^ a b Oliver, Greg (February 11, 2001). "Stu Hart honoured by his peers". Slam Wrestling. Retrieved September 27, 2020.
- ^ a b c d e Oliver, Greg (February 10, 2002). "Kowalski gets top CAC award". Slam Wrestling. Retrieved September 27, 2020.
- ^ a b c d Oliver, Greg (April 6, 2003). "Mad Dog gets top CAC honour". Slam Wrestling. Retrieved September 27, 2020.
- ^ a b c d e Oliver, Greg (April 18, 2004). "Heenan given CAC's top honor". Slam Wrestling. Retrieved September 27, 2020.
- ^ a b c d Hemmings, Jamie (April 19, 2005). "Terry Funk honored by his peers at CAC". Slam Wrestling. Retrieved September 27, 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f g Oliver, Greg (June 11, 2006). "Race & Hennig go over at Cauliflower Alley Club Banquet". Slam Wrestling. Retrieved September 27, 2020.
- ^ a b c d e Nation, Ryan (April 18, 2007). "Don Leo Jonathan earned CAC's top honour". Slam Wrestling. Retrieved September 27, 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Johns, Fred (June 10, 2008). "In awe at my first Cauliflower Alley Club reunion". Slam Wrestling. Retrieved September 27, 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Oliver, Greg (April 16, 2009). "Top CAC award goes to top CAC man Nick Bockwinkel". Slam Wrestling. Retrieved September 27, 2020.
Further reading
[edit]- "Cauliflower Alley Club Lends an Ear to Boxers, Wrestlers". Los Angeles Times.
- "Cauliflower Alley Club: 'Gentle and Warm People'". The Argus-Press.
- Historical Dictionary of Wrestling. p. 65.
- Blassie, Fred and Keith Elliot Greenberg. "Classy" Freddie Blassie: Listen, You Pencil Neck Geeks. New York: Simon and Schuster, 2003. ISBN 0-7434-6316-1
- Funk, Terry and Scott E. Williams. Terry Funk: The Hardcore Legend. Champaign, Illinois: Sports Publishing LLC, 2005. ISBN 1-58261-991-3
- LeBelle, Gene. Gene Lebell's Grappling World: The Encyclopedia of Finishing Holds. Champaign, Illinois: Sports Publishing LLC, 2005. ISBN 0-9676543-1-9
- Loeffler, Carl E. and Darlene Tong. Performance Anthology: Source Book of California Performance Art. San Francisco: Last Gasp Press, 1989. ISBN 0-86719-366-2
- Meltzer, Dave. Tributes II: Remembering the World's Greatest Wrestlers. Champaign, Illinois: Sports Publishing LLC, 2004. ISBN 1-58261-817-8
External links
[edit]- Cauliflower Alley Club official website
- Cauliflower Alley Club official radio show
- SLAM! Wrestling: Cauliflower Alley Club stories
- House of Deception, Cauliflower Alley Club history and photos