Jun 30, 2013

RIP "Maniac" Matt Bourne

Matt passed away on Friday, the cause is currently unknown.  Matt is best known to the world as Doink the Clown, the original.  We know him best as the Maniac.  Matt graduated from Milwaukie High School and decided to follow in the footsteps of his father, "Tough"  Tony Bourne, and become a pro-wrestler.  He held just about every title that Portland Wrestling had to offer, and then went on to conquer the wrestling universe.  Other than his stint as Doink, he wrestled in just about every stop on the American wrestling circuit, with promotions big and small.  Wrestling fans across the country will have personal memories of this hard working guy.  Maniac, you will be missed.
This image can be found at http://wrestlingclassics.com/

Jun 24, 2013

Portland Sports Arena Locker Rooms

Brian Adams, Mike Golden, Steve Doll, Scott Peterson, Buddy Rose
When you went to the Sports Arena, there were lots of opportunities to get up close and personal with the wrestlers.  It was all part of the amazing experience that was the Portland Sports Arena.  The locker room was in the back Northwest corner of the building.  Only a light metal railing and about 5 feet seperated the fans from the locker room door of the "Good Guys".  There was often, but not always, a security guard near the area.  I witnessed lots of people duck the railing and get to that door.  Fans would often stop them or a security guard, but there were a couple of incidents were someone got to the door.  A few chickened out and didn't go inside. I did see one guy go in and not come out for like an hour.  He had a beer when he came out!

Behind that railing, the fans waited to be the first to see their favorites when their enterance music hit and they came running out that door, or BOO their most hated on their way to the ring. 

There were two doors about 10 feet apart, but I later heard that there was really only one big room back there!

On a rare occassion the wrestlers would stand outside to watch a match. Typically the main event. 

Jun 13, 2013

Portland Wrestling Uncut

Finally they have started updating the Portland Wrestling Uncut website at KPTV.

Includes links to past episodes, upcoming dates (June 15 anyway) and links to some of their awesome flashbacks!

 

Vintage Photos on Ebay

Today some awesome vintage photos popped up on ebay.  Opening bids are $45.  Kind of steep, but if they don't sell they may go lower.  Check it out by clicking on the images.