Kansas City 2007 Part Three

Returning to the Midwest was a dream I had for several months since being contacted by Chris from Metro. I began to step back in time and recall the early 70's, when my career in professional wrestling was nearing its apex.

Many names that were synonymous with greatness were headlining cards throughout the area under the banners of Heart of America Sports and Gust Karras promotions. Harley Race, Bob Geigel, Pat O'Connor (former World Champ), Sonny Myers, Chati Yokouchi and Yasu Fuji, The Viking, Ronnie Etchison, Omar Atlas, Danny Littlebear, Bobby Whitlock, Steve Bolus and Rufus R. Jones were all main eventers in both promotions.

Coming into Kansas City in the start of the 70's, I was managing Black Angus and Black Jack Black. It was my position to uphold justice and integrity when dealing with the promoters. In the few weeks before my arrival, promoters had taken unfair advantage of both men. They would take money from their paychecks under suspicious methods, like stating it was for "administrative services."

My arrival stopped all the shenanigans and began a new realm in the area in the way that championships were held. It stopped the comedic matches using girl wrestlers and midgets for tag team partners for Angus. It also paved the way for the goody two shoes performers that had their opponents hand picked most of the time to begin facing higher quality opponents.

Buildings like Memorial Hall in Kansas City, Kansas were being sold out every time wrestling was on the marquis. Other venues like St. Joe's City Auditorium, Des Moines Veteran's Coliseum and Wichita Century Two filled up with excited fans just as fast.

Re-living the memories of those times was very exciting for me during the time I sat in the arena doing the documentary. Going to visit Littlebrook, Bobo Johnson and Tokyo topped off an exciting day. Going to Eldon, Missouri and meeting with Harley and his wife B.J. and their “kids” at the academy made the trip very much worthwhile. Getting to spend time with Joe Hennig, Curt's son, was one of the best highlights of the evening.

Following a super time with music, drinks and great food, I returned to my suite and fell into a deep sleep. Sunday morning, after a large breakfast, I headed out onto a snow covered highway back toward Kansas City, where I would meet with Roger Kirby and Billy Howard.

Highway 50 West seemed to crawl along as I passed many small towns. Finally arriving back into the Kansas City area, I decided to go and look up the home I had some 35 years ago. Not a lot of the city of Overland Park looked the same, except for a few of the major landmarks.

I called Billy and got directions from where I was at to his home in the neighboring city. It took me less than 20 minutes to get there. As I turned the corner, Billy's home came into view. It was a beautiful Mediterranean style with marble statues on either side of the drive.

Billy met me at the door and led me into the large den area decorated in an Egyptian motif. There, seated in the white leather wraparound sectional sofa, was the World's Junior Heavyweight champ, Roger Kirby. Rising to his feet, Roger greeted me with a handshake and a hug. I had not seen Roger for a couple of years since Las Vegas at a Cauliflower Alley Club convention.

The moments seemed to fly by as we all told stories of road times and matches we had. Roger brought up a few times that he saved my caboose by fighting off angry fans and kept me from going to the hospital.

Around 6 p.m., Roger had to return to his home in Missouri and bid both of us farewell. Billy and I went to the Kansas City Steakhouse where we had Angus steaks with all the trimmings.

Returning to his home, I was led to a lower bedroom area right off the office area that Billy uses for his many ventures in the quad state region. He is involved in the restoration business and has been since retiring from the mat wars in the 90's.

At 12 a.m., after watching a few first run movies on his new 60-inch wide screen television, I went to my room and fell fast asleep. At 8 a.m., I rose, and, after a few cups of coffee, I bid both Billy and his wife bye. Returning my rental car at the airport, I took the shuttle to the airport to get ready for the return flight.

The five days I spent in Kansas and Missouri gave me a super feeling in my body. It gave me a chance to once again be in the spotlight, even if for just a short time. It gave me an opportunity to once again be with friends, both old and new, and really enjoy myself. It gave me a chance to travel the roads I took as a younger person. It opened up many memories that had been locked up in my mind for the past 35+ years.

Thank you to Chris Gough and the crew of Metro in Kansas City for remembering a good time. Thanks to all the friends I came in contact with as you made this a wondermus and rewarding trip for me.

Percival A. Friend, Retired
The Epitome of Wrestling Managers

2003 BWC Hall of Fame Inductee
2004 CAC Hall of Fame Inductee
2006 LWA Hall of Fame Inductee
2007 TCCW Hall of Fame Honoree