Cauliflower Alley Club
| File:CAC logo.jpg CAC logo | |
| Formation | 1965 |
|---|---|
| Type | Professional wrestling |
| Headquarters | 4138 187th Ave SE Issaquah, Washington, United States |
President | Brian Blair |
Key people | EXECUTIVE BOARD OF DIRECTORS: Brian Blair, President/CEO Ron Hutchinson, Eastern Canada Liaison/Reunion Seminar & Website Administrator Dean Silverstone, Treasurer Royal Duncan, EAR Publisher Gloria Lovell, Recording Secretary Darlene Kreis, Benevolent Chairperson Bruce Tharpe, Attorney and Legal Counsel Roy Lucier, Social Media Administrator Vance Nevada, "The Ear" Editor |
| 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.
History
The Cauliflower Alley Club was founded in 1965 by Mike Mazurki as a fraternal organization of professional wrestlers, boxers, and actors.[1][2] The first annual reunion dinner was held at the Baron's Castle Buffet Restaurant in Los Angeles, California.[2] 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.[2][3] The Club has a "Benevolent Fund to help people involved in professional wrestling in times of difficulty.[2] Proceeds are raised for the fund during the annual reunion weekend.[2]
Awards
2020
- Lucha Libre award: Rey Mysterio[4]
- Posthumous Award: Jim Londos[5]
- James C. Melby Historian: Greg Oliver[6]
- Iron Mike Mazurki Award: Alundra Blayze[7]
- Rising Star Award: Maddison Miles[8]
- Charlie Smith referee award: Art Williams[9]
2019
- Iron Mike Mazurki Award: Mark Henry[10]
- Lou Thesz Award: Dory Funk Jr.[11]
- Posthumous Award: Larry Matysik[12]
- Men's Wrestling Award: "Dr. D" David Shultz[13]
2018
- Iron Mike Mazurki Award: Baron von Raschke[14]
- Men's Wrestling Award: Tony Storm[15]
- Men's Wrestling Award: Greg Valentine[16]
- Women's Wrestling Award: Santana Garrett[17]
- Women's Wrestling Award: Princess Victoria[18]
- Tag Team Award: Harlem Heat (Booker T and Stevie Ray)[19]
- James Melby Historian Award: Don Luce[20]
- Charlie Smith Referee's Award: Mickie Henson[21]
- Rising Star Award: Kevin Kross[22]
- Lucha Libre Wrestling Award: Blue Demon Jr.[23]
2017
- Iron Mike Mazurki Award: Tully Blanchard[24]
- Men's Wrestling Award: Kahagas[24]
- Men's Wrestling Award: Cuban Assassin[24]
- Women's Wrestling Award: Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling[24]
- James Melby Historian Award: Dave Meltzer[24]
- Charlie Smith Referee's Award: Bobby Simmons[24]
- Lou Thesz/Art Abrams Lifetime Achievement Award: Kevin Von Erich[24]
2016
- Iron Mike Mazurki Award: Trish Stratus[25]
- Lou Thesz/Art Abrams Lifetime Achievement Award: Arn Anderson[25]
- Men's Wrestling Award: Paul Orndorff[25]
- Men's Wrestling Award: Ken Patera[25]
- Tag Team Award: High Flyers (Greg Gagne and Jim Brunzell)[25]
- REEL Award: Pepper Martin[25]
- Announcer's Award: Lance Russell[25]
- Charlie Smith Referee's Award: James Beard[25]
- Jason Sanderson Humanitarian Award: Sue Aitchison[25]
2015
- Iron Mike Mazurki Award: Larry "The Axe" Hennig[26]
- Lou Thesz Lifetime Achievement Award: Jerry Brisco[26]
- Men's Wrestling Award: Diamond Dallas Page, Christopher Daniels, Sinn Bodhi, The Almighty Sheik, Len Denton[26]
- Jason Sanderson Humanitarian Award: Diamond Dallas Page[26]
- Tag Team Award: Demolition (Bill Eadie and Barry Darsow)[26]
- Women's Wrestling Award: Beth Phoenix, Gail Kim, Malia Hosaka, Lisa Marie Varon
- Future Legend Award: Wes Brisco[26]
- Family Wrestling Award: The Romero Family: Ricky and his sons Hay, Chris, Mark and Ricky Jr.[26]
- Manager's Award: Jimmy Hart[26]
- Posthumous Award: Bruiser Brody
- REEL Award: Terry Funk[26]
- James C. Melby Historian Award: Dennis Brent[26]
2014
 |
- Iron Mike Mazurki Award: Terry Taylor
- Lou Thesz Lifetime Achievement Award: Michael P.S. Hayes
- Husband & Wife Award: Beau & Misty James
- Trainers Award (1st ever): Ron Hutchison
- Men's Wrestling Award: Dan "Short Sleeve" Sampson, Adam Pearce
- Men's Wrestling (Retired) Award: Buddha Khan, John Cozman
- Women's Wrestling Award: Melissa Anderson
- Women's Wrestling (Retired) Award: Debbie Pelletier
- Future Legend Award: Santana Garrett
- Jason Sanderson Humanitarian Award: Sean Dunster
- Red Bastien Friendship Award: John Arthur Lowe
- Golden Ear Award: Jesse Hernandez
2013
|
- Iron Mike Mazurki Award: "Russian Bear" Ivan Koloff
- Lou Thesz Lifetime Achievement Award: Bill Moody
- James C. Melby Historian Award: George Schire
- Men's Wrestling award: Jake Roberts, Matt Riviera, Adam Copeland (unable to attend in 2011 due to an injury)
- Women's Wrestling Award: Molly Holly, Sandy Partlow
- Future Legend Award: Bobby Sharp
- Jason Sanderson Humanitarian Award: Ken Jugan
- Golden Ear Award: David Cantu
2012
|
- Iron Mike Mazurki Award: "Stone Cold" Steve Austin
- Art Abrams Lifetime Achievement Award: Wendi Richter
- Lou Thesz Award: Ricky Steamboat
- Men's Wrestling Award: Michelle Starr, Mike Webster, Bill DeMott
- Women's Wrestling Award: Judy Martin, "Ivory" Lisa Moretti
- Future Legend Award: Kyle Matthews
- Jason Sanderson Humanitarian Award: Al Burke
- Red Bastien Friendship Award: Brian Westcott
- REEL Award: Dan Haggerty Grizzly Adams
- Special Presentations: Announcers Award Bill Kersten
2011
|
- Iron Mike Mazurki Award: Sgt. Slaughter
- Art Abrams Lifetime Achievement Award: Mick Foley
- Lou Thesz Award: Rick Martel
- James C. Melby Historian Award: Tom Burke
- Men's Wrestling (Active) Award: The Honky Tonk Man
- Men's Wrestling (Retired) Award: Dan Kroffat, Alex Knight
- Women's Wrestling (Active) Award: Awesome Kong
- Women's Wrestling (Retired) Award: Darling Dagmar, Rockin' Robin
- Future Legend Award: Kyle Sebastian
- Red Bastien Friendship Award: Darla Taylor Staggs
- Posthumous Award: Michel Martel
- Manager's Award: Bruno Lauer
- International Award: Pat Barrett
- Family Award: Tommy, Doug, and Eddie Gilbert
2010
|
- Iron Mike Mazurki Award: Ted DiBiase
- Art Abrams Lifetime Achievement Award: Jim Ross
- Lou Thesz Award: Dan Severn
- James C. Melby Historian Award: Vance Nevada
- Men's Wrestling Award: Dean Higuchi, Rip Hawk, Roger Kirby
- Women's Wrestling Award: Joyce Grable
- Future Legend Award: Oliver John
- Jason Sanderson Humanitarian Award: Yvonne Melcher
- Red Bastien Friendship Award: Vince Fahey
- Posthumous Award: Lee Fields, George Scrap Iron Gadaski
- Golden Ear Award: Tom Andrew
- REEL Award: Magic Schwarz
- International Award: Pat Barrett
2009
|
- Iron Mike Mazurki Award: Nick Bockwinkel
- Art Abrams Lifetime Achievement Award: Reggie Parks
- Lou Thesz Award: Bob Roop
- James C. Melby Historian Award: Stephen Yohe
- Men's Wrestling Award: The Cormier Family, Art Crews, Akio Sato, Bill Sky
- Women's Wrestling Award: Princess Jasmine, Luna Vachon
- Future Legend Award: Trevor Murdoch
- REEL Award: Scott Schwartz
- Red Bastien Friendship Award: Shuhei Aoki
- Posthumous Award: George Gordienko, Eddie Sullivan
2008
|
- Iron Mike Mazurki Award: Bret Hart
- Art Abrams Lifetime Achievement Award: Pat Patterson
- Lou Thesz Award: Steve Williams
- James C. Melby Historian Award: Scott Teal
- Men's Wrestling Award: Haruka Eigen, Ronnie Garvin, The Wrestling Guerreros, Paul "Butcher" Vachon
- Women's Wrestling Award: Betty Niccoli
- Future Legend Award: Ricky Landell
- Red Bastien Friendship Award: Joyce Paustian
- Posthumous Award: Orville Brown
2007
|
- Iron Mike Mazurki Award: Don Leo Jonathan
- Art Abrams Lifetime Achievement Award: Bob Geigel
- Lou Thesz Award: Danny Hodge
- Future Legend Award: Takeshi Morishima
- Posthumous Award: Yukon Eric, Betty Joe Hawkins
- REEL Award: Rock Riddle
- Scholarship Award: Frankie Buenafuente
- Other honorees included James J. Dillon, Tito Carreon, Duke Myers, Bob Leonard, Cowboy Bob Kelly, and Laura Martinez.
2006
|
- Iron Mike Mazurki Award: Harley Race
- Art Abrams Lifetime Achievement Award: Eddie Sharkey
- Lou Thesz Award: Verne Gagne
- Future Legend Award: Mariko Yoshida
- Posthumous Award: Bobby Shane, Vivian Vachon
- Gulf Coast/CAC Honorees: Karl Roach, Skandar Akbar
- Martial Arts Honorees: Mike Martelle
- Other honorees included Killer Tim Brooks, Scott Casey, Mil Máscaras, Pepper Martin, and Bill White.
2005
|
- Iron Mike Mazurki Award: Terry Funk
- Lou Thesz Award: Jack Brisco
- Art Abrams Lifetime Achievement Award: Les Thatcher
- Future Legend Award: Frankie Kazarian
- Gulf Coast/CAC Honorees: Exotic Adrian Street
Other honorees included Ernie Ladd, Kenny Jay, Danielle Colley, Paul Christy & Miss Bunny Love and Sir Oliver Humperdink.
2004
|
- Iron Mike Mazurki Award: Bobby "The Brain" Heenan
- Lou Thesz Award: Antonio Inoki
- Art Abrams Lifetime Achievement Award: Danny Hodge
- Posthumous Award: Wild Bull Curry
- Future Legend Award: "Cheerleader" Melissa Anderson
- Gulf Coast/CAC Honorees: Don Fargo
Other honorees included Bill Melby, Billy Darnell, Sandy Parker, "Playboy" Buddy Rose, Ed Wiskoski, Margaret Garcia, George Steele, Baron von Raschke, Ann Casey, Percival Friend, Moondog Ed Moretti, Paul Jones, Lester Welch, Charlie Smith and Omar Atlas.
2003
|
- Iron Mike Mazurki Award: Maurice "Mad Dog" Vachon
- Art Abrams Lifetime Achievement Award: Angelo Savoldi
- Posthumous Award: Rhonda Singh
- Future Legend Award: Steve Fender
- Gulf Coast/CAC Honorees: Bob Roop
Other honorees included Verne Bottoms, Bill Moody (as Percival Pringle III), Tom Andrews, Buddy Colt, Buddy Roberts, Tito Montez, Bruce Swayze, Moose Morowski and Don Leo Jonathan.
2002
|
- Iron Mike Mazurki Award: Walter "Killer" Kowalski
- Art Abrams Lifetime Achievement Award: Mike Chapman
- Posthumous Award: Nell Stewart and Hercules Cortez
- Future Legend Award: Chris Benoit
- Scholarship Award Winners: Nick Ackerman
- Gulf Coast/CAC Honorees: The Fields Brothers
- Reel Member Inductees: Alan Koss
- Martial Arts Honorees: Juan Hernandez
Other honorees included Ox Baker, B. Brian Blair, Judy Grable, Maria DeLeon, Mr. Wrestling, Jimmy Valiant and Fray Tormenta.
2001
|
- Iron Mike Mazurki Award: Stu Hart
- Art Abrams Lifetime Achievement Award: Ted Lewin
- Future Legend Award: Donovan Morgan
- Gulf Coast/CAC Honorees: Corsica Joe and Sarah Lee
- Reel Member Inductees: Roddy Piper, Mimi Lesseos and Don Stroud
- Martial Arts Honorees: Gokor Chivichyan
- Boxing Honorees: Richard Sandoval, Cornelius Boza-Edwards, Jose Flores and Paul Banke
Other honorees included Rita Cortez, George Scott, Reggie Parks, Norman Frederick Charles III, Kay Noble, Marie & Ann LaVerne, Pampero Firpo, Bill Watts and Jack Laskin.
2000
|
- Iron Mike Mazurki Award: Ray "Thunder" Stern
- Art Abrams Lifetime Achievement Award: Fr. Bill Olivas
- Future Legend Award: Kurt Angle
- Gulf Coast/CAC Honorees: Sputnik Monroe
- Reel Member Inductees: Stan Shaw, Tommy "Butch" Bond, Joe Don Baker, Joe Roselius, Marion Ross and Robert Forster.
- Boxing Honorees: Gene Fullmer, Eddie Futch, Willie Bean, Maurice "Dub" Harris, Andy Price and Russell G. Rodriguez
Other honorees included Gene Stanlee, The Crusher, Titi Paris, Ethel Brown, Billy Andersen, Natasha the Hatchet Lady, Beverly Shade, Stan Kowalski, Stan Pulaski and Fritz Von Goering.
1999
|
- Iron Mike Mazurki Award: Jesse "The Body" Ventura
- Art Abrams Lifetime Achievement Award: Dan Gable
Other honorees included Ken Patera, Jack Donovan and Bob Geigel.
1998
|
- Iron Mike Mazurki Award: Lou Thesz
- Art Abrams Lifetime Achievement Award: William Papas
- Scholarship Award Winners: Billy Pappas
Other honorees included Danny Hodge, Fred Blassie, Dory Funk, Jr. and Dan Severn
1997
|
- Iron Mike Mazurki Award: Tom Drake
- Art Abrams Lifetime Achievement Award: Penny Banner
- Reel Member Inductees: Elliott Gould, Tommy Sands and Terry Moore
- Boxing Honorees: Don Fraser, Lou Filippo and Robert Salazar
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.
1996
|
- Iron Mike Mazurki Award: Dick Beyer
- Scholarship Award Winners: Gordy Morgan and Marty Morgan
- Reel Member Inductees: Lawrence Tierney, Fred Williamson, Denver Pyle, Beverly Garland, Norm Crosby and John T. Smith.
- Boxing Honorees: Chuck Wepner
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.
- 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.
1995
|
- Iron Mike Mazurki Award: Gene LeBell
- Reel Member Inductees: Binnie Barnes, Marie Windsor, Jan Merlin and John Saxton
- Martial Arts Honorees: Benny Urquidez and Mimi Lessos
- Boxing Honorees: Gabriel Ruelas and Rafael Ruelas
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.
- Studio City, California (March 8): Tiger Conway, Sr., Leo Garibaldi, Susan Sexton, Dave Levin, Ray Stevens, The Sheik and Buddy Lee.
1994
|
- Iron Mike Mazurki Award: Vic Christy
- Reel Member Inductees: Harry Carey, Jr.
- Boxing Honorees: Lou Bogash, Joe Graziano, Lou Couture, Jocko V. Ananian, Micky Finn, Tom McNeely, Harol Gomes, Willie Pep, Carmen Basilio and Vincent Pazienza
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.
- Studio City, California (March 19): Dick Hutton, Billy Robinson, Stuart McCullum, Al Costello, Peggy Allen, Sherri Martel, Ed Francis and Sue Green.
1993
|
- Iron Mike Mazurki Award: Hard Boiled Haggerty
- Scholarship Award Winners: Nick Cline and Mike Bresnan
- 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
Other honorees included Verne Gagne, “Cowboy” Bob Ellis, Kinji Shibuya, Wendi Richter, Barbi Dahl and Peggy Patterson.
1992
|
- Iron Mike Mazurki Award: Woody Strode
- Reel Member Inductees: Woody Strode
- Boxing Honorees: Clarence Henry, Fabela Chavez, Jimmy Roybal, Jimmy Casino and Dave Maier
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.
See also
References
- ^ 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 May 4, 2018.
- ^ 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.
- ^ https://twitter.com/CACReunion/status/1186630881466707969
- ^ https://twitter.com/CACReunion/status/1189280315807817729
- ^ https://twitter.com/CACReunion/status/1196853392531869696
- ^ https://twitter.com/CACReunion/status/1194269023669641216
- ^ https://twitter.com/CACReunion/status/1191738773274419200
- ^ https://twitter.com/CACReunion/status/1199726800110141440
- ^ https://twitter.com/CACReunion/status/1063439165101146113
- ^ https://twitter.com/CACReunion/status/1094764643531280384
- ^ http://www.caulifloweralleyclub.org/news/2018-12-20-larry-matysik.html
- ^ https://twitter.com/CACReunion/status/1096951361172897798
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Tony Storm To Be Honored in 2018 | Cauliflower Alley Club". www.caulifloweralleyclub.org. Retrieved 2018-01-18.
- ^ "Greg Valentine To Receive a 2018 Men's Wrestling Award | Cauliflower Alley Club". www.caulifloweralleyclub.org. Retrieved 2018-01-18.
- ^ "Santana Garrett Honored for the Second Time | Cauliflower Alley Club". www.caulifloweralleyclub.org. 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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Historian Don Luce to be Recognized at the CAC Reunion | Cauliflower Alley Club". www.caulifloweralleyclub.org. Retrieved 2018-01-18.
- ^ "Long-time Referee to be Honored in Las Vegas | Cauliflower Alley Club". www.caulifloweralleyclub.org. Retrieved 2018-01-18.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ a b c d e f g Oliver, Greg (May 4, 2017). "Tully Blanchard main events 52nd Cauliflower Alley Club reunion". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved May 4, 2018.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Oliver, Greg (April 4, 2016). "Trish brings Stratusfaction, Orndorffs bring tears to CAC banquet". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved May 4, 2018.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Oliver, Greg (April 16, 2015). "Larry Hennig proves he's a worthy headliner at CAC banquet". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved May 4, 2018.
Further reading
- "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
- 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