CAC

CAC Memories

The Cauliflower Alley Club

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!

My Award Night Red Bastien & Johnny Rodz

Gene LeBell Killer Kowalski

Lou Thesz The Destroyer

Kenji Shibuya & H.B. Haggerty Jim Cornette

Danny Hodge Dan Severn

Tito Montez Pampero Firpo

Reggie Parks The Crusher

Mad Dog Vachon Pepper Gomez

Victor Rivera Fabulous Moolah

John Tolos Tough Tony Borne

Curt Hennig, Nick Bockwinkle, & Pat Patterson

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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

Red Bastien Bobby "The Brain" Heenan

Paul Bearer George Steele

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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 manged 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!

John Tolos Buddha Kahn & Pistol Pete Jack Armstrong & Kurt Brown

Riki Ataki & Stephan DeLeon John Tolos & Scott Schwartz

Peter Miavia Jr, "Big" Bill, Tim Patterson, Peter Miavia Jr., Jeff Walton, Bill, & Art Williams
Ataki, & Stephan DeLeon

Patterson, Miavia, Rocco, Bill, Tolos, Schwartz, & Armstrong

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

Lou Thesz Red Bastien Handsome Jimmy Valiant