Mott’s Marvelous Mat Memories

With a summer thunder storm outside, I was sitting front row ringside at one of the weekly wrestling shows in 1949 put on by promoter “Big” Bill Lewis. He did live up to his nickname at a weight of 300+lbs. He booked shows in both Norfolk and Richmond, Va. He was well known for his promotion abilities. But back to this skinny 11-year old watching his first ever pro-wrestling card. Yep, I was skinny once long ago. (Aw, the days of my youth),

I had been begging for what seemed to be a 1,000 days to go to a wrestling card at the Norfolk City Auditorium. My times and having Shore Patrol guys there would be a help.

dad, a Navy officer in a Navy town and NOT a wrestling fan at all, finally gave in. He bought 2 ringside seats for me and my buddy. Most of the cards were packed with about 70% sailors and the rest made up of civilians. The main event that night was “The Sailors Knot” match. Prior to the start of the main event Lewis chose 5 sailors to come up to the ring and see who could tie the most knots in the ing with Jesse Hernandez San Bernardino

shortest time. The winner got two passes for two months. Of course, as I sat there in awe, I had no idea what a great promotion idea that was. Sailors would go wild to see if one of their buddies from one of the many ships in port would win.

Now it was time for the main event. The mutton chopped John (Wolfman) Smith was taking on Gene “Mr. America” Stanlee. As the evil Wolfman walked by me, he grabbed vocal disapproval to the action against me would be to say a hurricane was a gentle breeze. But I love it. I was part of the action. One day my dad came down after getting “off duty” in his uniform to pick me up. As Bill knew officers were somewhat rare at his shows, he came over and talked to dad. He found out dad had some influence with the Shore Patrol (Navy Police). The fans did get somewhat rowdy at He would give me 2 free passes and let me work on the clean up crew in exchange for dad’s help.

Memories include Ernie Dusek walking over to insult a bunch of Sailors and a mini riot taking place. Then the “Mormon Mauler” Brother Frank Jares running like a mad man toward me and....but that is a story for another time.

FRANK MOTT

San Bernardino, California

Frank, who saw his first pro-wrestling match in 1949 says there must be a mistake, he can’t be THAT OLD!! Frank has been workmy soda and threw it on the floor. To say the fans gave

based Empire Wrestling Federation for over 20 years.

photo: Johnny Bradford

BOOK YOUR VENDOR TABLE NOW

James Beard is coordinating vendor tables for the 2021 reunion and can be reached at jbreferee1751@yahoo.com Vendor table applications are available online via the CAC website at www.caulifloweralleyclub.org Vendor table prices are $100 for one full table, or two vendor’s can split a table for $70 each. All vendors must be a CAC member in good standing at the time of the event and have purchased a ticket for the reunion. Payments can be made with a credit card by calling 425 644 2658 (open 7 days a week, noon to 5 pm Pacific time) or by mailing a personal check to: Cauliflower Alley Club, 19823 Indian Hills Court, Unit 29; Seminole, FL, 33777

The Hospitality Room will open at 8 am Monday for set-up. Monday April 26, 9 am to 3 pm Tuesday April 27, 9 am to 3 pm Wednesday April 28, 9 am to 3 pm