Scott Flash Norton

Scott "Flash" Norton in his Christmas Red Tank and Muscle Pants

Did you know Scott Norton was in the movie "Over The Top" with Sylvester Stallone? Scott Norton is still wrestling occasionally, in the independent circuit.

More Portland Wrestling History on Ebay

1930's Programs from Portland Wrestling

Portland Wrestling Uncut on Fox 12

The show started last night, but I missed the beginning.  My DVR didn't know when to record, so it didn't get it all.  If you missed it, visit the website for more info.  The show was fun, and I liked the backstage shots and flashbacks.  It was great to see old Sports Arena footage. Wrestlers included were Wade Hess, Big Ugly, Thunder, Gentleman George Michael, Colt Tombs (Roddy Piper's son), The Grappler, and a few more.  Shawn Divari showed up near the end to throw his name into the mix, and Mean Mike Miller was on the commentating table with Don Coss for one match. 

They announced a show at the Milwaukie Elks Lodge on December 4.  Sounds like fun!  Tickets are $10 general and $15 ringside.

"Mean" Mike Miller

 

NEW Portland Wrestling UNCUT on Fox 12 Saturday after the World Series

Portland Wrestling Returns to Fox 12 on Saturday Night!

I just saw a commercial for it.  There is a video on the site with Roddy Piper doing an interview and showing highlights of the show including Don Coss.

Check out the Video!

 

 

 

KPTV - FOX 12

Check out the Crazy Early 90's Style!

Oh the good old late 80's and early 90's.  Some people want to think that wrestlers had their own special style, but if I had a photo of the audience, it would look just the same! 

Scotty the Body (Raven) in an embelished jean jacket and wrap around sunglasses!

Bart Sawyer in cut and fringed t-shirt.

Scott Norton in Red Zebra pants and matching tank top!

Bright Green Neon from head to toe on Curtis Thompson in US Male.

Steve Doll wearing a jogging suit with leaopard shoulders.  The pants had matching stripes down the side.  Brian Adams had a matching suit!

Crush Action Figure

  Everyone was so excited for Brian Adams when he got his shot in WWF.  I have most of his action figures from WWF but I don't have this one.

Autograph Sessions

Usually, on Kids Free Night there would be an autograph session.  I loved those and they were genius for selling all of those 8"x10" photos that all of the wrestlers had behind the autograph table.  Pre-1988 or so, they only had autograph sessions once in a while and they only had a few photos to purchase
at the table.  Once the Southern Rockers got hot, the number of photos seemed to increase from maybe 10 choices to 30-50.  My walls were plastered with them, and they were all autographed.  I can't even tell you how many Steve Doll and Scott Peterson autographs I have.  In books, on pictures, on t-shirts, etc. 

 

Bart Sawyer looking through my scrapbook.  He wrote comments on several of the pages!

Steve Doll and Betelgeuse (Art Barr)

Scott Peterson Autograph

Steve Doll with about a hundred Scotty The Body photos behind him!
 

Need a Break too? It's Labor Day Weekend.

"Playboy" Buddy Rose

Brian Adams April 14, 1964– August 13, 2007

Nearly 5 years after Brian Adams died, and I still can't believe it.  The amount of great wrestlers lost so early is just heartbreaking.  I had a few friends who worked at the Sports Arena, and I got to stay in after everyone else was pushed out the doors.  I often sat on the counter by the snack bar, directly between Don Owen's office and the locker room.  If I had a friend with me we would stop a few guys and get pictures taken. Some of the guys would say, sorry not tonight.  They were never rude, just not in the mood after the matches.  Not Brian though.  He would always stop and give me a warm hug, ask about my mom, or joke around with me.  Even if he was clearly sore and tired. We lived in the same neighborhood, it seems most wrestlers ended up living in Milwaukie, and when I would see him at the gym or the store he would always smile, wink or wave hello.  I was a teenager then.  My friends were into New Kids on the Block, but I had Portland Wrestlers.  Can you imagine seeing Elvis at the grocery store or the bank on a regular basis?  That's what it was like for me. 




Brian and I after the matches at the Sports Arena.

Brian Adams in his Wrecking Crew Gear



Brian Adams in Kona Crush outfit.

Brian Adams in Demolition outfit.
With Singapore Title.

Great Brian Adams moments....

• Coming to wrestle in Portland Wrestling as the American Ninja
• The Kendo Stick
• Wrestling as the "Midnight Soldier" with mask.
• The Breakfast Club with the Grappler and Nord the Barbarian
• Power Lifting just about everyone over his head.
• Wearing his Midnight Soldier mask at home to pass out Halloween candy! Yep, I trick or treated at his house.
• His awesome bulldog.
• The ginormous blue Lincoln that he drove.
• Joining Demolition as Crush.

To read more of his story, see his Wikipedia page. 

• Brian Adams (wrestler) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
• Please add anything to it you know.  I noticed it has some inaccurate info.

John Rambo 1991

John Rambo profile and National Wrestling League website.

History Article

I miss the Sports Arena.

Sentinel Portland Wrestling Article

Steve Doll and Rex King at the 21st Anniversary of the Sports Arena. 

Wikipedia

Yes, I realize that Wikipedia is not always the best source for information, but it can be a good place to start. 

Pacific Northwest Wrestling - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A very good page on Portland Wrestling with links to many Alumni.

"Rowdy" Roddy Piper

Bart Sawyer and Bruiser Brian 1992

Real Portland Wrestling History on Ebay today!

Wrestling program 1938 Portland Ore Chief Thunderbird T McGinnis | eBay

The images and info look pretty interesting on this old program.  I have some older programs, but nothing like this.

See the images here.

Hey kid, get outta my way!

Steve Doll's License Plate Frame 1990

     In case you were wondering, Steve Doll was proud to be a Southern Rocker!

Billy Jack Haynes

From a Memorial Colliseum WWF event 1987.

Bart Sawyer

He did kind of look like a grown up Bart Simpson, didn't he!

Tom Peterson Coloring Book Part 3

Lelani Kai?

Sgt. Slaughter

Road Warrior Animal

"Mean" Mike Miller

The Grappler

I never understood the face painting after the mask went away.

As Promised, More Tom Peterson Coloring Book!

Tom Peterson

Big John Studd

Adrian Adonis

Billy Jack Haynes

 Good Times!  What shade will you color Adrian Adonis' face paint?

A while back I talked to someone who was trying to sell the giant Tom Peterson face sign from the old store on 82nd and Foster.  I would totally have that on my house, but they wanted $20,000!  That is not a "Very Good Price."

RIP Steve Doll December 9, 1960-March 22, 2009

Steve Doll and I in 1991?

     I first saw Steve Doll wrestle on WCCW(World Class Championship Wrestling) when I was 10, 1986.  I was home sick from school and we had just gotten cable that morning.  It was a magical day.  There were cartoons on after Rambilin' Rod!  This cable was an amazing new universe.  Having been a wrestling fan for a few years already, but not really having any idea about anything besides Portland Wrestling, and maybe some WWF, I was intrigued by the NWA and WCCW. 
     I was super excited to see my old favorite Steve Simpson.  He had left Portland in 1985 and I figured he would be on WWF the next week, but no luck.  He was tagging with this blond guy with zebra striped tights and a huge grin.  He just looked happy to be there.  He was high energy, and high flying.  I liked him instantly.  I set my VCR to record WCCW each week so that I could see him lose to one guy after another.  I could tell he was improving and he even won a few matches in early 1987. 
    Unfortunately, he disappeared from WCCW tv.  I was so disappointed when I hadn't seen him in a few weeks.
    For my 11th birthday we had planned a trip to the Sports Arena, June 17, 1987,  was the closest Kids Free Night to my birthday. 
     After my mom paid Mark Owen her $6, and got tickets for 11 kids, I went right to the photo stand and bought a Lucky Number program for $1.  On the inside it said, "We Welcome Newcomer Steve Doll!"  WOW!!!!!  I was so excited.  My favorite wrestler, here for real!
   I waited outside the arena to get a picture I had purchased signed.  In the photo he was wearing the first zebra tights I had ever seen him in.  He gave me a wink and a hug, and fell deep into 11 year old puppy love! 
     After this night I was at the Sports Arena EVERY week.  I babysat during the week so that I could afford both my mom's and my ticket plus gas to go.  I rarely missed a night at the Sports Arena until it closed in 1992.

Steve Doll autographed photo from 1988 autograph session.

     In the following years, my friends had New Kids on the Block or Kirk Cameron on their walls at home.  I had Steve Doll!  Every photo he sold, I bought. And I worked some LONG babysitting hours to afford  it!
     Steve was always sweet to me, even though I probably bugged the SH*T out of him.  I waited after the arena, walked by his house, he lived in my neighborhood, hounded him for autographs and photos every week.
    Thank you Steve for making my very hard childhood better, for giving me something to look forward to every week, for always being willing to give me a warm hug, for tolerating me for all of those years.  I miss you.

Steve Doll's Obituary in The Tennessean

Good Article about Steve Doll's Career

Old School Reunion

     I must admit that I stopped keeping up with local wrestling some time ago.  As long as 7 or 8 years maybe.  Once in a while I catch some matches on cable access.  Mostly, completely new faces.  I don't know the back stories.  To be honest, it really is the story and the drama that has always been my favorite part of wrestling.  When a couple of guys can suck you in with great interviews before the match even starts.  Of course, they need to bring that drama into the ring with them, and great wrestling doesn't hurt either.   But the drama has to be there and I find it hard to get into when I don't know the stories.  Who is the good guy? Who spit on a defenseless old lady in the front row?  Who always cheats and deserves his comeuppance? 
     But, the other day, when I tuned into DOA Wrestling, www.DOAprowrestling.com I was sucked in immediately.  It was an older episode, I heard a few mentions of October.  The first thing I saw was The Grappler.  I would know that mask and gravely voice anywhere.  And he wasn't just talking about facing Mr. Sorry I Don't Know Your Name Because I Don't Watch Wrestling Anymore, he was talking about RAVEN, better known in these parts as SCOTTY THE BODY!  Not only was the Grappler going to wrestle Scotty, but it was going to happen in Portland, with Matt Borne as the Referee. 
     I was excited to see that the match was on this episode and not only were those three there.  Also in attendance was Mean Mike Miller on the color commentary team, and CW Bergstrom was in the audience.
     Even though it wasn't quite the same as the old days, it was fun to see.  I would have been cool to see Steve Doll and Scott Peterson come rushing out when The Grappler started to load his boot.  And Brian Adams followed  with some milk and cereal for a good old Breakfast Club recreation.  At the end of match Betelgeuse could dance around the ring with his little Guesers, who all happen to be in their 30's now. 
     Maybe this is why I don't watch wrestling anymore.  It just makes me sad for all of the guys that we have lost along the way.  I hope there is a Portland Sports Arena in Heaven!

www.DOAprowrestling.com has an event coming up on April 11 in Keizer, OR.

From their website:

You can see DOA Main Event Wrestling each week on these fine stations, or on our YouTube page at http://YouTube.DOAProWrestling.com!

Portland, OR	Channels 11 and 22	Mondays at 11 PM and Wednesdays at 9:30 PM
Eugene, OR	Channel 29	Tuesdays at 9 PM and Saturdays at 9 AM
Salem, OR	Channel 22	Fridays at 10 PM and Saturdays at 8 AM
Newberg, OR	Channel 11	Tuesdays at 9 PM and Thursdays at 8 PM
Vancouver, WA	Channel 11	Mondays at 4 PM Thursdays at 8 AM Fridays at 4 PM
West Linn, OR	Channel 23	Thursdays at 12:30 AM and Fridays at 11:30 PM
(Also includes Oregon City, Milwaukie and Boring, OR)
Corvallis, OR	Channel 29	Tuesdays at 9 PM
Humboldt, CA	Channel 12	Thursdays at 11 PM and Saturdays at 11:30 AM

Random Photo!

"Playboy" Buddy Rose

Buddy Rose - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

"PlayBoy"  Buddy Rose.

November 27, 1952 – April 28, 2009
Sorry for all of the fat jokes Buddy!  We miss you!

Favorite Buddy Rose moments:

• A friend and I dressed as "The Beach Boys (Buddy Rose and Avalanche) for Halloween one year. (1989?) We had Neon T-shirts and giant Hawaiian shorts and pillows stuffed everywhere.  We took first place in the Sports Arena kids costume contest and won Front Row Tickets for the next week.
• In the 90's there were matches held one Saturday a month at the Mount Scott Community Center.  My sister and I sat front row every month.  She had Blue and Pink hair at the time and dressed in bright colors.  One night Buddy Rose called her into the ring and asked her for a kiss.  She kissed him on the cheek.  He acted like he was going to faint and said he just got kissed by Madonna!
• His t-shirt that said, "I worked hard for this body." 

I had to come back and add more!  03/02/2012

• The "Blow Away Diet, order now by calling 1-800-L-A-R-D-A-S-S.
• "I'm a slim, trim 317lbs!" I think it was 217lbs for a while!
• Chanting, "Whale on the Beach!" during his matches.

Feel free to add your Buddy Rose memories!

It's COLD outside, but it was HOT in there!

Southern Rockers Fan sold at the Sports Arena on hot August nights.

Oh boy is it cold outside.  33 degrees right now, but I came across this fan today, and I remember how dang hot that it would be in the Sports Arena on hot August nights.

The Portland Sports Arena was once a bowling alley, and converted into an arena in the 70's.  It's a church now, but has been drastically remodeled.

Waving around your $1 Lucky Number program, to get cool, just wasn't enough.
There were some large doors, but those rarely were opened.  I guess they feared people would get in for free.  But on these hot nights, they would be thrown wide.  It didn't help much either though.

In 1989 these fans were sold for 4 or 5 weeks in the summer.  I think they were $2.50.  They sold hundreds.  Whomever came up with this idea was a genius! 

Every super hot Saturday night, during the announcements of the first match, Don Owen would get on the microphone and tell everyone, "If you are hot, you are all free to take your shirts off.  Well, only the gentlemen of course."  Something like that anyway.  Everyone would laugh.  People thought Don Owen got confused when he would do the announcing, but I don't think so.

Happy New Year!

Steve Doll autographed photo 1988 Eastport Plaza Autograph Party with Band.