Muracofan

The wrestling I grew up on WWWF mid 70's. One quick addition is that Championship Wrestling ("A" Show) was originally filmed at the Philly Arena before moving to Allentown. Philly Arena burned to the ground and was moved to Allentown Fairgrounds.

Tried to post a picture...didn't work!

Ran across this today and wanted to post….I believe Adrian Adonis is a guest.

Can't get enough of Tor Kamata!! Just found this fun match on YouTube: Tor Kamata vs Terry Funk. You won't find this on WWE Network! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVX07K0ABXo

Finally had a chance to listen today on a long drive to Rochester....again great stuff! Wanted to mention that regarding Roddy Piper and his announcing stint in wwf, it was never mentioned about his time in Georgia with Gordon Solie...Gordon on Scotch and Piper on, well you know! The other was the Frank Talent mention...I remember reading about his death a few years ago, so for anyone who wants to know see below from PWI Insider Mike Johnson... Frank Talent, a well known member of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Commission going back decades who was a regular fixture at professional wrestling events, passed away today at the age of 74. We haven't heard a cause of death but Talent had been ill off and on in recent years. Talent was quite a character and I mean that in the nicest sense of the word. The best way to describe him is that he was like that goofy but caring grandfatherly figure that everyone meets at some point in their life. Since at least the 1980s, but likely longer, Talent attended the majority of professional wrestling events promoted in Philadelphia acting as a Commission Representative. He would be seen sitting ringside and would often get into the act, giving static to heels as Talent "got" what the business was supposed to be. A few times during the 80s, Talent even ended up ring announcing WWF matches at the Spectrum. He was pretty awful at it and one had to wonder if he did it just because he knew he could get away with it, but that was Talent. I can distinctly remember him once introducing Roddy Piper and hugging him in the Spectrum while Piper had this look on his face wondering who the hell this was. During the post-ECW independent explosion in the early part of this decade, Talent became a more well known personality in front of the fans, often making announcements pointing out celebrities who were attending the shows and issuing "official edicts" when shows were delayed, etc. Talent was one of those eccentric characters you took for granted as always being around. He was seemingly everywhere at every show and if he wasn't, you took a mental note that it seemed strange he wasn't lurking at ringside. I noted earlier that Talent "got" what the business was supposed to be and that was an important asset for shows he was covering. Often, Talent would give pre-show instructions to the different locker rooms at events, reminding them of what was expected by the State, but for the most part, as long as the performers weren't being too reckless, he would let things go. The lone exception would be that he wouldn't allow any spitting out of the ring towards the audience. But beyond that, within reason, he would allow things to go and allow the promotions to do their thing. One thing that always amused me was that Talent seemingly had an endless list of friends that he would visit whenever there were shows. Whenever I was set up doing coverage for live shows on one of the stages or balconies of the ECW Arena, which have been converted into "VIP" areas in recent years, Talent would show up visiting different families he personally knew that were in those areas, bringing talent for visits and autographs. If Talent asked for a favor, the wrestlers were quick to do it, since he commanded respect in his position (although some would laugh about his goofier characteristics) and was pretty much well liked by the workers. With Talent's passing, a question mark has to be raised as to how the Commission will oversee pro wrestling in PA going forward. Talent "got" what the business was supposed to be and enjoyed being around the wrestlers, so it allowed for a very cordial, loose atmosphere for promoters and those working those shows. Should someone who isn't as keen on the business end up overseeing things - or should someone looking to enforce the letter of the law (which technically states the matches are true competitions and self-mutilation to cause bleeding is illegal), there may be some interesting times ahead for the groups that still run the greater Pennsylvania area. Those questions will have to be answered another day.

Forgot to mentioned when the availability of Northwest results was mentioned I believe Mike Rodgers who publishes Ring Around the Northwest use to sell results from the area, and I believe his collection goes back to the 40's. Can anyone confirm this?

Another fun episode!! Portland was such a neat old time promotion. Having read numerous Observer articles on the Northwest territory after the deaths of Rose, Bull Ramos, and Dutch Savage really gives the flavor of the hometown promotion. The old ladies in the crowd who bake cookies & cakes for Rick Martel, Piper and Lonnie Mayne, Sandy Barr's Flea Market, sponsor Tom Peterson, Don Owen the poor old promoter who does his own ring announcing, Dutch Savage the "Sheriff" of the territory, the breaks between falls so they can sell stale popcorn, flat beer and warm soda, the ringsiders who have "owned their seats" for generations and put them in their last will to keep it in the family, and most of all Buddy Rose! Keep up the great work...Titans can have so many different concept shows and I'm so looking forward to others down the road! I find myself discussing the happenings along with you guys while I listen in the car!!! Would love to hear a discussion on Florida during the Kevin Sullivan era, or Georgia with the Freebirds, Piper and The Armstrongs. Thanks!

More Tor Kamata - Tor Kamata was born on March 9, 1937 in Hawaii. He was an actor, known for Stampede Wrestling (1957), The Joe Piscopo New Jersey Special (1986) and Magnum, P.I. (1980). He died on July 23, 2007 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. Wonder if he had a SAG Card... Matlock (TV Series) Oriental Wrestler at Gym - The Annihilator (1987) ... Oriental Wrestler at Gym (uncredited) 1984 Magnum, P.I. (TV Series) Bodyguard #1 - Mac's Back (1984) ... Bodyguard #1 (as Tor Kamaka)

Listened to the entire episode yesterday on the long ride from Buffalo home to Albany yesterday.....great stuff!!! Noooo Chance getting Kamata's McDaughter on for an interview!!!!

I believe the Hogan vs Santana match is out there...does anyone recall if the entire card was broadcasted? WWF @ New York City, NY - Madison Square Garden - February 18, 1980 Austin Idol defeated Jose Estrada at 7:26 Tommy Rich defeated Johnny Rodz at 7:41 Hulk Hogan defeated WWF Tag Team Champion Tito Santana via count-out at 10:48 Sika defeated WWF Tag Team Champion Ivan Putski via count-out at 5:28 Bobby Duncum defeated Dominic DeNucci at 11:21 WWF World Champion Bob Backlund defeated Ken Patera via count-out at 15:37; Pat Patterson was the special referee for the bout Afa defeated Rene Goulet at 9:18 Cowboy Lang & Lone Eagle defeated Little Tokyo & Dirty Morgan at 6:55 Tony Atlas defeated Hussein Arab at 12:18

Fun match on YouTube...AJPW...Abdullah The Butcher & Tor Kamata vs The Sheik & The Great Mephisto.

Tor Kamata = Tor's House of Teriyaki Abdullah The Butcher = Abdullah's House of Ribs and Chinese Food Both "Masters of the Martial Arts" both proficient with a fork!

Great audio clips....this link was posted at Kayfabe Memories https://soundcloud.com/user927185080

Don Muraco was an excellent promo. I was first exposed to his work in 1981 WWF with The Grand Wizard as his manager, and I believe his first promo in the WWF is on YouTube, it's a "live" ringside interview with Vince and The Wizard after his debut match. On his first RF shoot Muraco talks about being influenced by southern preachers like Ernest Angely and his biggest wrestling interview influence Curtis Iaukea. There's an excellent King Curtis interview on YouTube from Australia with Lord Athol Layton which you can almost hear Muraco in Curtis' voice. "Lord it must really be hard for you!" Search for Muraco's interviews from San Francisco with Hank Renner which are also on YouTube....great stuff talking about Dean Ho and Roy Schire.