My Blog Name http://example.com/blog.php My blog description en-us A Sincere Fan http://example.com/blog.php?d=8 I am age 60 and discovered professional wrestling in the mid to late '50's. From the beginning, I was attracted to the business-end" of wrestling; the nuts and bolts of what it was and how it worked. In the mid '60's, I was stationed in Orlando Florida (absolutely wonderful wrestling then) for a couple of years in the Air Force. God bless him, Eddie Gosset (Graham) recognized my interest in the actual "business" of wrestling ##more## and took time with me on several occasions to give me his "take" on what he did for a living. Fascinating, and very much appreciated! My point though, is that I "discovered" brother Beyer in the early '60's and was completely taken with how he did what he did. I was a small kid (160 pounds at 15 and 16) and though my sports were Judo and baseball, I knew I could never compete with the "big boys" of professional wrestling, though I would have "killed" to do so. I was fascinated at the way "The Destroyer" sold his ring persona so totally, at his skill, stamina and his obvious incredible knowledge of the true sport of wrestling.  I was always just a student of the business. During The Destroyer's reign though, I was, for that time only, a complete "one star", rabid fan, as well. My most sincere thanks to you for everything you have gone through in your career to  not only bring such a charismatic ring character to life, but to develop him to such gigantic proportions! There has never been, at least in my mind, before or since, anyone plying your trade in the ring who has created such a terrific "sell" as you have with The Destroyer. One of my greatest regrets is that I have never had, and will probably never have, an opportunity to meet and speak with you. What I know of your comportment outside of the ring, simply reinforces what I have believed all along...you certainly must be a terrific individual! I did admire your involvement with the Cauliflower Alley Club, also. I'd like to subscribe to their newsletter, and will do so soon. Thanks and God's best blessings to you and your family!

Bill Sellier
Public Information Coordinator
Dallas County System
Selma, Alabama

]]> Tue, 27 Dec 2011 20:39:35 -0800 http://example.com/blog.php?d=8 Doctor X - Fan Mail http://example.com/blog.php?d=7 Jeff Mamola from Ft. Worth, Texas recently wrote and I quote, “ I grew up when professional wrestling was professional wrestling, not the glitz and glamour that it is now. I remember sitting around the television watching UHF (remember when they called it that) and the Verne Gagne Wrestling out of Minneapolis – the mighty AWA Dr. X - your alter ego – was definitely one of my favorites. ##more## Even when you were a heel – Dr. X was my favorite. I remember just waiting for you to slap the figure 4 leg lock on your opponent. Probably the two best matches that stick out in my mind were the time Cowboy Bill Watts challenged you to put the figure 4 on him – then all heck broke loose and he took off your mask. You covered up and we couldn’t see your face. Let me tell you that everyone in my house was screaming at the TV to see your face. Great television! The other one I

remember is when The Crusher was doing that judge Character – wearing a robe and holding a sledgehammer – and he took a swing at your face with the sledge – you ducked (knew you would) and again all heck broke loose and everyone in my house was again screaming like crazy.

Thanks for all the excitement you provided! I yearn for the good old days – when wrestling was moves and holds. Again, thanks for the memories that will never be forgotten.” 

Jeff Mamola
Ft. Worth, Texas

]]> Tue, 27 Dec 2011 20:39:01 -0800 http://example.com/blog.php?d=7 Interesting things written about Dick Beyer, Doctor X & The Destroyer http://example.com/blog.php?d=6 Oct. 20, 1999 William Burnett of North Little Rock Arkansas wrote a letter to Dick Beyer. Burnett now 52 has been a wrestling fan since growing up in 1959 and 1960. He writes, “Since I was a youngster, I have been a fan of Pro-Wrestling. While the current version does not hold my interest to watch or attend matches, I do very much enjoy the publication of my friend Scott Teal “Whatever Happened to?” ##more## He continues, “I enjoyed the interviews he did with you a few years back!” He says, “I subscribe to most of the major newsletters about Pro Wrestling and like - the way wrestling used to be the best. He said he was born in Rochester, New York and first ‘got hooked’ on wrestling while watching one of the Buffalo TV stations on an old black and white TV set. There a match that stands out is Duke Keomuka, where it was announced your wife had just given birth to your son.” “You got the snot kicked out of you and those white trunks and shoes got covered in blood.” 


“While you were doing the commentating of a Rochester TV station in 1960 I won concession from my father that I could go to the Rochester War Memorial and attend my first live Wrestling event. It was Dick Beyer vs Fritz Von Erich.”

“Well as you have read, I have a lot of wonderful memories of 1960’s wrestling from Buffalo and Rochester and also from Memphis, Tennessee where I lived from 1967 – 1995.”

“There are two matches that always stand out in my memory for emotion, crowd noise and response it pulled out of me and others attending (1969) Dory Funk Jr. vs Bearcat Brown for the NWA title 2 out of 3 falls. The noise the emotion that flowed down from the upper reaches of the auditorium was something – even as I type this – It still gives me a chill remembering that match.”

“My other most-memorable” match was the first Rochester main event – Dick Beyer vs Fritz “The Claw” Von Erich. It was the first time in my life to learn I could produce sweat stains under my arms” “(I think my parents were a bit concerned as to what had gone on at those matches—to cause their son to get so worked up.)” “How you jumped over all the ropes, the blood, the noise, the crowd – It is still so
clear!”

 

]]> Tue, 27 Dec 2011 20:36:55 -0800 http://example.com/blog.php?d=6 The Destroyer - Fan Mail http://example.com/blog.php?d=5

In February of ’99 I received the following letter from Steve Yohe from Montebello, California and I quote. “Last Sunday, in a WWF match that was more an example of stunt work than wrestling, Nick Foley won what’s left of the anlinear world title by pinning Rocky Maivia with the use of a forklift. In February 1963 I attended my first major wrestling card. I was drawn to the card at the Olympic Auditorium in Los Angeles by a main event consisting of the WWA World Champion, a masked villain called The Sensational Destroyer ##more## undefeated up till 2 weeks earlier and the challenger, Shohie Baba, a seven foot giant from Japan who had easily won the previous match via DQj and was promising to use his almost super strength to rip the mask off the champion. For 40 minutes, in the only match I’d ever give ‘5 Stars’ - Baba chased The Destroyer around the ring with the champ somehow escaped every trap. Then just as the title appeared to have slipped away The Destroyer tackled Baba coming off the ropes and pinned the Japanese giant. The heated arena became silent; as if a vacuum had sucked every noise from the building. Slowly a moans were heard followed by a few muffled laughs, then as The Destroyer began to strut around the ring pointing to his brain the boos returned. It didn’t matter, from that day forward the champ would be called The Intelligent Sensational Destroyer. That night at the Olympic never left my mind, and every time I went to the matches I hoped to experience the same excitement, but even though it had moments, it never reached that level again. From that moment forward no criticism, reticule or group pressure could change the fact that I love the sport.”

 

]]> Tue, 27 Dec 2011 20:35:03 -0800 http://example.com/blog.php?d=5 The Star - Fan Mail http://example.com/blog.php?d=4

I've lived, I've loved, I've been a star

I come to L.A. they told me I'd go far.
To wear a mask and be a star.
I got a mask from a friend I knew.
He made it big, he made it strong.
He said wear it proud, and wear it long.
You've traveled long, you've traveled far.
##more##
I know you're young, I know your strong,
be the best that God allows.
As a friend we've traveled far and wide,
I've always enjoyed being by your side.
You've tried your best in and out of the ring,
to be an example on most everything.
A friend for life I hope we'll be.
God bless you Dick, and keep you strong,
so we can be together in memories forever long.
Yes Dick you've been a star.

Your Friend,
Ox Anderson

An Answer To My Friend Ox

I came to L.A. without a mask,
wrestling eight years had been a tough task.
But time had come to change my style,
wrestling as a "Baby Face would have to wait awhile".
My first mask-full of holes-came from Vic Christy,
he had a good laugh, as I worked kind of risky.
To the dressing room I came and tore off the mask,
and told the promoter that's the first and the last.
Ox Anderson stepped up and threw me a mask,
it's made from a girdle, it will really last.
I tried it on and it fit real tight,
I could see and breath, this mask was all right.
That's the beginning of The Destroyer's Glory,
keep tuned to my web site for the rest of the story!

 

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