This was my first WWF show. I was chatting with DOA wrestler
Sid Sylum about our first WWF shows, and I couldn't remember the card. In those years, the shows were never televised and sometimes lacked the pizazz that WWF had on TV. I honestly enjoyed a good ol' night at the Portland Sports Arena much more! I was probably more thrilled to see Matilda
than anyone else on the card! I took a picture with the Can Am Connection,
but it didn't turn out! 😥
We hung around the parking lot after the show. I didn't
get any British Bulldog autographs because I was too busy
petting Matilda. She was the real star!
I loved Miss Elizabeth and had a large poster of her on my wall.
I also liked Macho Man, but I remember thinking she could do better! 😂
Steve Doll started his career in Mid-South wrestling in October of 1985. In September of '86, he started wrestling in World Class, and then came to Portland on June 13, 1987. He didn't have much time on the microphone before Portland, so the interview is a little awkward, but it didn't take him long to find his style and build a HUGE fanbase here in the Northwest!
June 13, 1987. Steve Doll debuts in Portland Wrestling. I was already a big fan. I'd seen Steve on World Class some months before. We'd just gotten cable on a day when I was home sick from school. I was flipping around the amazing number of 36 channels, and came across World Class on ESPN. My previous favorite wrestler was Steve Simpson, and I heard his name, so I stayed to watch. I saw Steve wrestle for the first time, and suddenly I had a new favorite! I was conveniently sick every Wednesday so I could watch at 1pm, until we got a VCR and I could record it. We went to the Sports Arena on the kids' free night that was closest to my birthday. When we got there, I got my program and looked inside and saw the little graphic that said, "We welcome newcomer Steve Doll!" I was so excited! My favorite wrestler, here!! I'd missed the announcement the week before. I got the chance to talk to him and get his autograph. He told me that it was the first autograph he signed in Portland! I excitedly told him that he was my favorite wrestler and I had been watching him on World Class. He was all smiles and seemed really excited to be there. He won his match against the Mighty Sputnik as well as the Battle Royal that evening.
June 13, 1987. Steve Doll debuts in Portland Wrestling. This was the only photo available at the merch table. I was already a big fan. I'd seen Steve on World Class some months before. We'd just gotten cable on a day when I was home sick from school. I was flipping around the amazing number of 36 channels, and came across World Class on ESPN. My previous favorite wrestler was Steve Simpson, and I heard his name, so I stayed to watch. I saw Steve wrestle for the first time, and suddenly I had a new favorite! I was conveniently sick every Wednesday so I could watch at 1pm, until we got a VCR and I could record it. We went to the Sports Arena on the kids' free night that was closest to my birthday. When we got there, I got my program and looked inside and saw the little graphic that said, "We welcome newcomer Steve Doll!". I was so excited! My favorite wrestler, here!! I got the chance to talk to him and get his autograph. He told me that it was the first autograph he signed in Portland! I excitedly told him that he was my favorite wrestler and I had been watching him on World Class. He was all smiles and seemed really excited to be there.
RIP Scott Peterson June 10, 1963-July 25, 1994 Scott passed away in a tragic car accident. I know I shared some images on Scott's birthday, but I have so many more I wanted to share. The first photo was taken ringside, which wasn't something that happened often at the Sports Arena. There was no time to stop for photos or autographs between matches. When I came across this photo, I was confused. I turned it over and it was marked 6-4-88. That's my birthday, the really special one where I got photos and ringside tickets from Steve Doll. I had completely forgotten that Scott came over to wish me a happy birthday! I asked if my friend Michelle, who absolutely loved Scott, could get a picture. He was happy to. I'm so glad I have all of these photos and ephemera, or I would never remember anything!! The final photo is a shot of Scott's gravesite.
