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Post by Ed Becker on Aug 11, 2012 20:52:30 GMT -6
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Post by Auntie Cheesus on Aug 11, 2012 22:12:05 GMT -6
Jesus, it's like my youth is dying a piece at a time. Roy Shire retired from promoting in 78 and Rollie tried to rebuild the territory after most of the guys headed on to other promotions. He operated out of Modesto because office space was less expensive (the office was actually the back 2 rooms of the engine rebuilding shop my brother worked for - I answered phones for the shop in exchange for the space) and because I could hitch a ride to work, I offered to work for a six pack of soda a day. Because the area was farm country, Rollie had the bright idea of bringing the luchadores up from the San Diego/Tijuana area and recruiting the guys that didn't make it past the tryouts for NWA - LA.
Because money was tight, we worked school gyms, bars, festivals, flea markets - anywhere they'd let us set up and sell tickets. Rollie trained the new kids at the Gold's Gym down the block from the office, paying the bill by holding Wednesday night shows at the gym and they got Rollie's piece of the gate.
To say we ran that one on a shoestring budget implies we could afford shoestrings. However, when Vince offered to bankroll the place in exchange for full control, it was a pleasure to hear Rollie tell him to take his checkbook and shove it up his ass sideways.
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