The Cauliflower Alley Club

Cauliflower Alley Club Website

Bill was introduced to this fine organization in 1985 by his dear friend and current CAC President, Red Bastien! The men and women that make up this brotherhood, are from wrestling, boxing, martial arts, Hollywood actors and stunt people. In 1966, a few key people formed what is now the CAC. Mike Mazurki (whose ear became the signature trademark), Maria Barnardi, the late Art Abrams and others had a dream, a dream that lives onto this day. Since his first yearly banquet, he has been blessed with many friendships and opportunities to get to know the true legends. Bill served on the Board of Directors for 3 years. At the February 12, 2000 reunion banquet at the Riviera Hotel in Las Vegas, Bill was honored for his many great achievements in wrestling and given a plaque by Jim Cornette.

Below are just a few of his friends and people he admires!

44th Annual Cauliflower Alley Club Banquet & Reunion Las Vegas, Nevada – April 13-15th, 2009

I just got back from attending this great reunion in Las Vegas. To say I had a great time would be an understatement! Some attending for the very first time were: Sgt. Slaughter, Superstar Billy Graham, Hacksaw Jim Duggan, the Iron Sheik, Ted DiBiase, Ken Patera and TNA’s Awesome Kong and ODB!

I stayed busy talking, laughing and hanging out with my old friends, like: Red Bastien, Nick Bockwinkle, J.J. Dillon, Moondog Ed Moretti, Harley Race, Terry Funk, Bill White, Al Friend, Dr. Ken Raimy, Rock Riddle, Charlie Smith, Akio Sato, Magic Schwarz, Alex Knight, Big Scott Schwartz, Wildman Jack Armstrong, Reggie Parks, Butcher, Mad Dog & Luna Vachon, Tom Andrew, Judo Gene LeBell, Bob Roop, The Destroyer (Dick Beyer), Ross Hart, Ricky Thompson, Omar Atlas, Bob Geigle, Cowboy Bob Kelly, Tom Drake, Father Jason Sanderson, Sandy Parker, Don Wilson, Dr. Mike Lano, Karl K. Lauer, Scott Teal, Vince Fahey, Greg Oliver, Jeff Sharkey, Dan Mirade, Paul Mauer, Wes Daniel, Royal Duncan, Beau Douglas, Chris Hero, Bob Leonard, Don Lastra, Richard Berger, Morgan Dollar, Kurt Nielsen, Jason Dedrich, Dean Silversone, Dale Gagne, G.Q. Gallo, Mick Karch, Art “Boom Boom” Michalik, Trevor Murdoch & Art Crews.

Five of my wrestling students came to Vegas also. Two of my first students, Riki Ataki and Gorgeous Michelle Starr that I trained back in the mid 80’s were there, along with Sonny Ayon and Jason Sanders (Under Pressure) from the late 90’s, from the L.A. area. Rounding out the five was Melissa Anderson Dedrich (Cheerleader Melissa). I actually trained her Dad, Doug Anderson in the early 80’s. It was so great to see them all. I have a lot of respect for all my students!

Can’t wait for the 2010 CAC Reunion in Las Vegas! For more information, go here.

Below are a some photos of the reunion!

Cauliflower Alley Club 40th Anniversary Banquet & Reunion – April 16, 2005

I just returned from four days at the Riviera Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas! This hotel has great memories for me because in 2000 I was honored in that very banquet room and given my award by legendary manager Jim Cornette for my dedicated service to the CAC and my many years as a professional wrestler! This year, there were 550 men and women in attendance. Some were former world champions, some were just great wrestlers, and some were spouses and family members that shared the crazy life we have led as world travelers. Others were rookies and wrestlers with a few years of experience in wrestling. The one thing we all shared was a common bond of a love and respect of the sport! Being honored this year were Jack Brisco, Ernie “The Cat” Ladd, Terry Funk, husband and wife team of Paul Christy and Bunny Love, Sir Oliver Humperdink, Les Thatcher, and Sodbuster Kenny Jay!

Before listing many of those in attendance, I want to share a few personal thoughts and thank yous!

I want to say thank you to C.C. Starr for allowing me to drive up with him from my new home in Phoenix, Arizona. C.C. arranged our room and was great company for four days! Thanks also go out to CAC President Red Bastien, a man that has been a mentor, an older brother and a bit like a Father to me for over 20 years. Red took me to my first CAC Reunion in 1985, the year we trained Sting and the Ultimate Warrior! Thank you to Ron Mooney, my friend in Phoenix that came up with his family and became my official photographer for this affair! Ron is the top wrestling photographer in Arizona! A giant thank you goes to writer Royal Duncan. After the banquet, Royal took the time and cared enough to sit me down, one on one and rebuild my self confidence and self esteem! He reminded me of all that I had accomplished in the past and where I am heading in the future. Royal is a priceless friend!

I was so happy to sit next to my “brother” in wrestling and former tag team partner Doug Anderson. When he and I are together, laughter is always nearby. Doug always brings a smile to my face! His daughter Melissa Anderson is already a Future Legend’s Award winner by the CAC. It was also great spending time with Miss Linda and Adrian Street. They are real credits to the world of wrestling. I wrestled Adrian in 1990 in Madison, Wisconsin and will never forget all the innovative holds that Adrian put me in that night! What a pleasure it was to witness their wedding before the banquet! A bizarre moment was Paul Bearer surprising my by leaping onto my lap. He is now a mere 250 lbs. He is literally half the man he used to be! He is a dear friend and one of the nicest guys this business ever turned out! Spending time with my childhood hero Mil Mascaras was very special for me! I wrestled Mil a half dozen times in Mexico and the U.S. Very few people that began their career in 1965 are still going strong in 2005! He is a class act, and still my hero after first getting his autograph in 1971! Always seeing Terry Funk and Gene LeBell is a sincere honor! These two are why the term LIVING LEGEND was created! I am proud to call them friend! Another highlight was talking with several men that I trained over the years and came to pay their respect to the Cauliflower Alley Club! Some of my guys included Rico Costantino, just released from WWE, 1/2 of the Havana Pitbulls Rocky Romero (now Black Tiger), Cincinnati Red, Michele Starr, Pinoy Boy (Puma), Dick Danger, Riki Ataki, Sonny Ayon, and the 2005 CAC Future Legend’s Award Winner “The Future” Frankie Kazarian, just signed by WWE! I am very proud of the respect and loyalty they showed!

In addition to the gentlemen previously mentioned, others that were in attendance were: Walter “Killer” Kowalski, Dick “The Destroyer” Beyer, Don Fargo, The Boogie Woggie Man Jimmy Valiant and wife Angel, Harley Race, Steve Dalton, Alex Knight, Roland Alexander, Tiger Conway Jr. & Sr., Bob Orton Sr., Barry O, Louie Tillet, Omar Atlas, Don Wilson, Nick Bockwinkle, Penny Banner, Peggy Patterson, Malia Hosaka, Sean & Lonnie Mayne Jr., Verne Siebert, Rock Riddle, Butcher Vachon, Jeff & Scott Walton, Father Jason Sanderson, Tom Burke, Larry “The Axe” Hennig, Manny Fernandez, Magic Schwartz, Ross Hart, Mando Guerrero, Pepper Martin, Scott Casey, Jay Tan, Don Leo Jonathan, Ox Baker, Al Friend, Killer Tim Brooks, Col. DeBeers, Eddie Sharky, Gary Hart, Bill White, Cowboy Bob Kelly, Bob Leonard, Robbie Ellis, Karl Lauer, Tom Drake, Al Mandell, Kurt Nielsen, Mark Nulty, Greg Oliver, Bruce Swayze, Dr. Mike Lano, Rose Diamond, Ray “Thunder” Stern, Juan Hernandez, Larry Kerychuk, Buddy Wolfe, Jason Deadrich, and others too numerous to mention!

GOD BLESS THE CAC AND ALL THAT ATTENDED

Cauliflower Alley Club Banquet & Reunion - Las Vegas, Nevada – April 4-6th, 2003

Once again I was proud to attend the annual CAC

get together at the Plaza Hotel in Las Vegas. Legends in attendance were: CAC President Red Bastien, Nick Bockwinkle, The Destroyer, Butcher & Mad Dog Vachon, Moose Morowski, Tito Montez, Don Leo Jonathan, “Freebird” Buddy Roberts, Eddie Sharkey, George “The Animal” Steele, Killer Tim Brooks, Mando Guerrero, Gene LeBell, Jack Briscoe, B. Brian Blair, Buddy Colt, Ed Wiskowski, Sandy Parker, Playboy Buddy Rose, Bruce, Ross, and Stu Hart, Ricky Romero, Bruce Swayze, Lord Alfred Hayes, Buddy Wolfe, Roger Kirby, Cowboy Bob Yuma, Killer Kowalski, Mike Tenay, Bobby “The Brain” Heenan, Harley Race, Doug Anderson, Dominic Denucci, Baron Scicluna, Angelo Savoldi, Greg Valentine, Cousin Luke, Duke Myers, Penny Banner, Maria Bernardi, Tom Drake, Tom Andrews, Jim Starr, Reggie Parks, Paul Bearer, “The Golden Greek” John Tolos, Scott Casey, Moondog Ed Moretti, Wolfman Jason Sanderson, and literally dozens more!

I urge all true wrestlers and wrestling fans to join this historic organization.

- “Big” Bill Anderson

CAC Southern California Reunion 2002

On Saturday July 13th, a wrestling reunion of Southern California’s greats took place at Joseph’s Restaurant in Hollywood under that shadows of historic Capital Records! In attendance was “Big” Bill Anderson and his long time Tag Team partner “Hollywood Blond” Tim Patterson, Peter Miavia Jr., Kurt Brown, Billy Rogers, Tony Rocco, “Wildman” Jack Armstrong, Paul Mauer, John Lowe, Steve Strong, Pistol Pete, Buddha Kahn, CAC Founder Maria Bernardi, Alex Knight, former Mike LeBell publicist Jeff Walton & son Scott. Jeff managed Bill and Tim in 1987, when they were a team known as The Magicians and he was Tux Newman. Also there was former referee Art Williams, Riki Ataki & Stephan DeLeon (both former student’s of Bill’s), actor/wrestler Scott Schwartz, and the highlight of the evening was 72 year old John “The Golden Greek” Tolos looking better than ever. He can still do better interviews than anyone around today! He is a class act and was a major star for 30 years. Everyone had a great time. Friendships renewed and laughter prevailed! We hope to do it again in December!

36th Annual Cauliflower Alley Club Reunion and Dinner - Las Vegas, Nevada- Feb. 9, 2002

Riviera Hotel & Casino

Coming home from a fantastic weekend with the legends of wrestling, my webmaster asked me to write about some meaningful, special moments from the reunion. So here goes: Having the opportunity to personally thank CAC President Red Bastien and Executive Vice President Karl K. Lauer for their contribution to Superstar Billy Graham on behalf of the CAC. That was very special to me!

Chatting with one of the most articulate and great minds of wrestling, Nick Bockwinkle about the state of wrestling schools in the US…Nick never ages! Meeting one of my childhood heroes, Killer Tim Brooks. I loved watching him wrestle at Cobo Hall in Detroit in 1973! Giving a big bear hug to one of the nicest guys in the business “Moondog” Ed Moretti. Having the great Lou Thesz autograph his book “Hooker.” Posing for a photo with Ox Baker and then watch him start dancing with my girlfriend Linda. Knowing that if he steps on her foot with those size 18′s she’s a goner! Having a conversation with Bruce and Stu Hart about what a great guy Owen was to me and everyone else.

Seeing my old buddy “The Killer Bee” B. Brian Blair and having him autograph his book “Smarten Up! Say It Right” and then looking in the back to find my school and website listed! Brian is a class act! Shaking hands with a true gentlemen, who just happens to be one of the greatest amateurs or professional to ever lace up a pair of boots, Danny Hodge. Talking with the coolest, most soft spoken guy in wrestling, none other than “Boogie Woogie Man” Handsome Jimmy Valiant. Sharing a knee slapping laugh with my old friend and roommate Red Bastien. Spending time with my friend of 31 years, Tom Burke, and catching up on life! Seeing my old buddy Steve Strong, looking fitter than ever, and sharing how much we love “Superstar” Billy Graham. Talking with one of the greatest trainers in wrestling history, Eddy Sharky.

Finally, eating dinner with Tito Montez and his lovely wife and daughter. Tito was what I aspired to be when I started wrestling in Arizona in 1974. Tito was a legendary main eventer and the most popular wrestler in Arizona history! I could go on and on and on. Also in attendance was Harley Race, Lord Alfred Hayes, Pat Patterson, actor/wrestler Scott Schwartz (Ocean’s 11), Butcher Vachon, Manny Fernandez, Mr. Wrestling Tim Woods, Mr. Wrestling II Johnny Walker, Penny Banner, Mae Young, Fabulous Moolah, Mike Tenay, Blue Meanie, “The Future” Frankie Kazarian, Killer Kowalski, The Shades of Fear, Tiger Conway Jr. & Sr., Sandi Parker, Vince Fahey, Keyaki Sakai, Joe Quevedo, Fray Tormenta, Pepper Gomez, Larry “The Ax” Henning, Dr. Ken Raimey, Tom Andrews, Luke Graham Jr., Royal Duncan, Mike Chapman, “Superfly” Jimmy Snuka, Fritz Von Goering, “Cheers” TV show actor Alan Koss, The sensational, intelligent Destroyer, Cheryl Rusa, Gary Michael Capetta, H.B. Haggerty, Doug Anderson, Roland Alexander, and Chris Benoit!

- Bill Anderson