Ken Patera

We are proud to announce yet another first timer for the CAC reunion. In 2009, Ken Patera will make his way to Las Vegas to attend the CAC reunion.

Ken Patera was one of the first "strongmen" in professional wrestling following his weightlifting career. He wrestled mainly as a heel for the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), National Wrestling Alliance (NWA), and American Wrestling Association (AWA) during the 1970s and 1980s. In 1976, he challenged Bruno Sammartino for the WWWF Heavyweight Championship. This was a huge draw around the northeastern part of United States and at Madison Square Garden and was one of Sammartino's last challenges before he lost the title to Superstar Billy Graham. When Bob Backlund won the title, Patera unsuccessfully challenged him. At the height of his career (in the early 1980s) he simultaneously held the WWF's Intercontinental Championship, and the NWA Missouri Heavyweight Championship, two of the most important non-world championship titles of that era. He also was one of the most hated heels in wrestling during this time. Patera often used his Swinging Full Nelson to "injure" opponents during matches (most notably Billy White Wolf in August 1977). The Swinging Neckbreaker was a simple full nelson applied with the opponent then swung in a circle so his feet would leave the ground.

Seminars are announced!

After a very successful time with the seminars, The CAC has planned yet another outstanding lineup of personal in the pro-wrestling business to conduct seminars at this years reunion. If you are in the wrestling business and want to further your career, this is a must attend seminar. Below you will find the schedule(s) listed. These seminars will be conduct by world famous names such as, Harley Race, Superstar Billy Graham, Dick Byer, Percival A. Friend, Rip Hawk. just to name a few. And we have others that are asking to volunteer to help the young guns of this business out. Due to popularity of certain wrestlers, we will have "surprise" speakers. Just to add to the excitement of the seminars. If you are truly dedicated to the business, I ask you this, were can you go and get all this knowledge and information, FREE?

This is just one more way the CAC proves there motto, "The Ring of Friendship".


----------WRESTLING SHOW MONDAY NIGHT! ----------


Seminars are as follows:

Tuesday

You're a professional wrestler....look it and act it! (Day 1, Seminar #1 - 10:00 am) Guest speaker(s), Harley Race, Leo Burke

Promote Yourself! (Day 1, Seminar #2 - 11:30 am) Guest speaker(s) Superstar Billy Graham, Dick "Destroyer" Beyer

Can you promo.....effectively? (Day 1, Seminar #3 - 1:30pm) Guest speaker(s), Terry Funk, Ted Dibiase, and a SURPRISE guest

Booking 101 (Day 1, Seminar #4 -:3:00 pm) Guest speaker(s), Nick Bockwinkel, Bob Geigel, Karl Lauer, and a SURPRISE guest





Wednesday

Managing and Being Managed (Day 1, Seminar #1 - 1o:00 am) Guest Speaker(s),Ken Ramey, Percival A. Friend, J J Dillon

Working Hard or Working Smart (Day 1, Seminar #2 - 11:30 am) Guest speaker(s), Bob Roop, Tom Drake

It's not what you make, it's what you keep (Day 2, Seminar #3 - 1:30 pm) Guest Speaker, Magic Schwarz, Bruce Swayze and Nick Bockwinkel


Life after wrestling -- career planning and choices (Day 2, Seminar #4 - 3:00 pm) Guest speaker, Rip Hawk Rock Riddle





Detailed overview of seminar content:



You're a professional wrestler….look it and act it!



YOU:

your body

your ring attire

your work

your attitude

your image: why would anyone pay to see someone who looks "just ordinary"?



Your Professional Conduct:

in business dealings
in the dressing room
in the ring
in public


Promote Yourself!

What have you got to market? Take careful, honest stock of your skills and abilities
Your package: written materials, publicity photos, VHS/DVD video, business card
Your website
Networking
Contacting and following up with promoters
Nobody works for nothing – why should you?
Negotiating fees, transportation, accommodation
Gimmick sales at events
Return bookings
Non-wrestling appearances – fanfests, conventions, Hall of Fames, reunions, etc.


Booking 101

It isn't about who goes over, or who gets to shine -- it's about putting butts in seats!
You're the booker – now what do you do?
The promoter-booker relationship
The good booker always keeps the big picture in focus, short-range and long-range
You're the wrestler -- know the role of the booker, and how to deal with him
Know your role as a wrestler, manager, or referee
Got suggestions? How to present them to the booker


Can you promo….effectively?

Interview and promo techniques, face and heel
TV versus in-ring promos
Tailor your promo to the situation
Keep focused, keep on topic
Less is more: design your words and delivery for maximum impact
Anybody can scream, yell and threaten: does anybody listen?
The most riveting promo is often intense and quiet
Body language


Working Hard or Working Smart

Lessen your wear and tear, lengthen your career, leave it with a working body.
Face or heel? What you want, what the promoter wants
Working snug vs working stiff - North American vs Japanese style
You're hurt, your opponent's hurt: how to handle it in a match
Potatoes and receipts
The ropes or the ring break: take advantage of it


Managing and being managed:

What does a good manager do? What does he not do?
Developing your manager character
Know your role: you're there to add to your boy's performance, not distract from it
Make your moves count: continual interference distracts, and a major interfere loses impact
Being managed: what's different for the worker


It's not what you make, it's what you keep

You are a business, set yourself up as a business
Control your expenses: training costs, ongoing gym costs, self-promotion costs, communications, working gear, car and air travel, accommodations
Document every expense, maintain careful records, and maximize your tax deductions
Keep your interim tax payments up to date, and avoid year-end surprises


Life after wrestling - career planning and choices:

Take honest stock of your life skills and capabilities – early in your wrestling career
Education: before or after your wrestling career?
What's your savings target while you're wrestling
What are you going to do after your wrestling career is over?

From wrestlers, to promoters, to referees, to bookers, no where, ever, have you had this opportunity to learn so much! And might I add, FREE!

Due to airport delays, health issues, filming projects, contractual obligations,
*card subject to change

Keller Entertainment Presents "The Karaoke Show with Bob Keller"

We have been ask by several members if the Karaoke show will take place this year. The Answer? YES!

Keller Entertainment (from Columbia, South Carolina)will once again will be performing, "THE KARAOKE SHOW with Bob Keller" on Tuesday night immediately after the blowout. I talked with Mr. Keller tonight. He said, Morgan, we can be there aslong as people want to party and have a good time. I sent President Bockwinkel a email to confirm this, and he replied that he was practicing on a song. And that he should be ready by April.

Bob Keller has been a CAC member for several years. A Professional Wrestler known as the FABULOUS PLAYBOY, traveled with pro-wrestler,the Barbarian for several years and has turned a part time Karaoke job into a full time job. Mr. Keller has made arrangements to have his bookings on the east coast taken care of so he can head west and bring his talent to the CAC.

So for all you KARAOKE stars get ready! Its a go! The KARAOKE show is set!

See you all in Vegas!

Billy Graham, Iron Sheik Among Scheduled Attendees

Folks, this year's CAC is shaping up to be an exciting, not-to-be-forgotten event. Between the bowling tournament, cribbage games, wrestling show and new, improved venue, it's going to be a year of excitement and fun. We have several attendees confirmed - both first time and returning attendees.

We are particularly excited about all of our first-time attendees, some of whom include:
Superstar Billy Graham
Trevor Murdoch
Rip Hawk
Iron Sheik
Ted DiBiase
Jean Antone

Among the returning attendees we have confirmed are:
JJ Dillon who will be hosting our awards banquet for the second consecutive year
Betty Niccoli
Omar Atlas
Bob Giegel
Terry Funk

Of course, this is only a partial listing of those who are scheduled to attend and there are always some last minute surprises.

If you haven't ordered your banquet ticket yet, there's still time to do so! Ordering is easier than ever now that CAC is able to accept PayPal for banquet ticket orders and membership. For more information on sending your order via PayPal, e-mail wes@caulifloweralleyclub.org. To order your ticket directly, contact cac@fidnet.com.

We'll see YOU there!



This year is one that is truly not to be missed.

2009 CAC Raffle Belt Design Revealed

Rico Mann who designed our 2006 and 2008 raffle belts has, once again, generously donated more than 80 hours of his time to design a one-of-a-kind collectibe that is sure to go over huge. As most everybody knows, Rico, Dave Millican and Reggie Parks regularly donate their time, labor and materials to provide these belts and each one is more special than the last. This belt will, undoubtedly, be our most successful yet!

Don't forget, you can win this belt with as small as a $1 investment! The most important thing to remember, though, is this: You have to be there to win!!

Only Two Advertising Spaces Left in Banquet Program!

Want to get word of your business, product, service, promotion or other event out to CAC members? There's no better way than through advertising in our annual Banquet Program.

As of today, there are only two main advertising spaces left in the publication - one full-page ad ($200) and one half-page ad ($125).

If you're interested in purchasing this advertising space, please contact Wes Daniel at wes@caulifloweralleyclub.org as soon as possible.

What Happened to the Board Briefs?

If there's anybody out there who regularly reads the site (is there?), I'm sure that you may have wondered over the past several weeks what happened to the weekly Board Briefs.

After a year and a half of regular weekly board briefs and nearly three years of the feaure on a less-regular basis, believe it or not, our Directors just ran out of stories to tell! I know it seems hard to believe taht wrestlers would EVER run out of stories, but I guess it's true!

In all seriousness, we have decided to shelve the "Board Briefs" section of the website (the archives will remain in place for anybody to read) in favor of some other features. We have worked with several members to come up with monthly articles that will be posted in their place. The first monthly article, "Morgan's Corner," will be coming up within the next couple of weeks followed by some other writers and pieces.

In the meantime, we're making regular announcements of upcoming honorees and adding other tidbits of interest.

Have you made your 2009 banquet reservations yet? Time is ticking away!

Happy, Healthy New Year from Rolla, MO!

Wishing everyone a very healthy and happy new year! Needless to say, we are in a very bad economy at this time, but America has been there before and will once again come through. Those of you over 50 can remember and us over 70 can reallly remember coming through bad economies before. I hope this will not keep you from the big trip for the 44th CAC reunion in Vegas this coming April13th, 14th and 15th. We are in a new location that promises to be a good move, plus very affordable rates of $57.00 and a delux upgrade for $71.00. The Gold Coast Casino and Hotel have a lot to offer, check out their web site, http://www.goldcoastcasino.com/ I think you will be impressed.

Look and see if Allegiant Airlines flys from a smaller airport near you, if so you may find a great air fare, I flew from Springfield, MO to Las Vegas last November in peak time for $99.00 round trip, with tax and fees a total of $137.00. They do not fly from everywhere, but are nice big planes and clean and newer and all leather seats. If they go near you at least check it out, also Southwest has some really good fares to Vegas via Phoenix.

Last year a lot of members complained that they did not come but would have if they knew that Steve Austin, Jim Ross, Bret Hart and Terry Funk were all there, all I can say this year there will be a bunch of first timers there, and some major names, the CAC has always tried to be sure that we never advertise someone who MAY NOT show, due to their schedule, but every year have alot of surprises and guys show up that were able to make it last minute.

There is so much going on this year, a new bowling tournament with Dr Ken Ramey, the cribbage games, the nostalgia fair, the Japanese Tribute with some really big names coming in from Japan, the banquet and the surprise IRON MIKE award. Plus the kareoke after the Baloney blowout and if like last year the bar going with everyone till around 4:00AM when Jim Ross and Steve Austin finally got tired.

Make your reservations early, the deadline at the hotel for the rates in March 13th, for the banquet is April 5th to mail them in. It makes life a lot easier for me if you do it NOW.

FLAIR...The legacy continues at the Harley Race Wrestling Academy

In life we all want to be respected and admired for our achievements. The ultimate form of respect is when your fellow peers put their children and grandchildren in your hands to teach them the very business they themselves excelled in. Reid Flair, son of the legendary Ric Flair, has moved to Eldon, Missouri to begin his training at the Harley Race Wrestling Academy.

Reid joins the list of second and third generation superstars that have trained or are currently training under Harley Race including:
• Ted DiBiase and Mike Dibiase, son of the “Millon Dollar Man”, Ted DiBiase.

• Joe Hennig and Amy Hennig, grandson and granddaughter of Larry “The Axe” Hennig, who held the AWA World Team Championship with Harley Race, and son and daughter of the late “Mr.Perfect” Curt Hennig. Joe Henning who was recently signed by the WWE is currently one-half of the FCW’s Tag Team Champions. Amy Hennig is currently training at the academy and is on her way to future stardom.

• Ricky Steamboat Jr., son of wrestling great Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat is also currently training at the school and will make his mark like his father before him. He will also be leaving after the first of the year, to train in Pro Wrestling Noah’s Dojo.

Since it’s inception in 1999, Harley Race has been providing its students with the necessary tools to propel forward in the wrestling industry. Within the last five years seven students from the academy have signed with WWE. Several others have toured and trained with Japans premiere promotion ProWrestling NOAH. The Harley Race Wrestling Academy has a strong working relationship with WWE and ProWrestling NOAH. Both organizations attend the Harley Race Wrestling Camp every year to scout talent. The camp held every September in Eldon, Missouri, is the only place in the world that you will ever find both WWE and ProWrestling NOAH under one roof scouting talent.

Harley Race lived a dream every time he stepped into the ring. He continues to pass that dream along by training the superstars of tomorrow. You can achieve your dreams too and be the next superstar to graduate from the academy.

The Harley Race Wrestling Academy has moved to a larger facility at 1406 South Business Highway 54 in Eldon, Missouri. Due to the increase in size and the addition of a second ring, the school is now able to accommodate new students.
For more information you can contact the school at 573-392-4100. Or go to harleyrace.com, See pictures of the school and training session.