Cauliflower Alley Club

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Cauliflower Alley Club

CAC logo
Formation	1967
Type	Professional wrestling 501(c)(3)
Headquarters	13900 CR 455 Suite 107-379 Clermont, Florida, U.S.
President	Brian Blair
Key people	Executive & Advisory Board: Brian Blair President & CEO Rich Ingling EVP & Treasurer Royal Duncan Secretary & "The Ear" Publisher Ron Hutchison Canadian Director, Reunion Seminar & Website Administrator Darla Staggs Benevolent Coordinator Bruce Tharpe Attorney and Legal Counsel Dan Murphy Vendor Room/Reunion Program Ad Sales & Advisory Board Chair Vance Nevada "The Ear" Editor Bob Cook Social Media Administrator Herb Simmons Benevolent Outreach Ambassador
Publication	The Ear
Website	http://www.caulifloweralleyclub.org/

The Cauliflower Alley Club is a non-profit fraternal organization, which includes a newsletter and website, comprising both retired and active professional wrestlers and boxers in North America.

Established in 1965 by Mike Mazurki and Art Abrams, the organization hosts an annual reunion dinner which has traditionally been attended by celebrities and other professional athletes. Several historical Hollywood locations have been home to the reunion banquets such as the Masquer's Club, the Roosevelt Hotel and the Old Spaghetti Factory as well as The Riviera and the RMS Queen Mary.

History[edit]

The Cauliflower Alley Club was founded in 1965 by Mike Mazurki as a fraternal organization of professional wrestlers, boxers, and actors.^[1][2] The first annual reunion dinner was held at the Baron's Castle Buffet Restaurant in Los Angeles, California.^[2] The Club also presents numerous awards annually at the reunion dinner.

Several prominent former professional wrestlers have been president of the club, including Red Bastien, Nick Bockwinkel, and the current president, Brian Blair.^[2][3] The Club has a "benevolent fund which helps people from the wrestling business in a time of need."^[2] Proceeds are raised for the fund during the annual reunion weekend.^[2]

Awards[edit]

2020s[edit]

Award	Year	Recipient(s)	Nationality	Ref.
Independent Wrestling Award	2023	Riea Von Slasher		[4]
Iron Mike Mazurki Award	2021	Alundra Blayze		[5]
	2022	John Bradshaw Layfield
	2023	CM Punk		[4][6]
	2024	Sting		[7]
Lou Thesz/Art Abrams Lifetime Achievement Award	2021	Rob Van Dam		[8]
	2023	Ron Simmons		[4]
Men's Wrestling Award	2021	Ricky Santana		[5]
		Thunderbolt Patterson		[5]
	2022	Kevin Sullivan
		Tommy Rich
	2023	Joe Malenko		[4]
		Koko B. Ware		[4]
Women's Wrestling Award	2021	Jazz		[5]
	2022	Jacqueline Moore		[9]
	2023	Mickie James		[4][10]
	2024	Allison Danger		[11]
Lucha Libre Award	2021	Rey Mysterio	/	[5]
	2022	Konnan	/
	2023	Damian 666		[4]
	2024	Negro Casas		[12]
Tag Team Award	2021	The Road Warriors (Hawk and Animal) with Paul Ellering		[5]
	2022	Rock 'n' Roll Express (Ricky Morton and Robert Gibson)
	2023	The Nasty Boys (Brian Knobbs and Jerry Sags)		[4]
Rising Star Award	2021	Brian Pillman Jr		[5]
		Maddison Miles		[5]
	2022
James C. Melby Historian Award	2021	Greg Oliver		[5]
	2023	Koji Miyamoto		[4]
Posthumous Award	2021	Jim Londos	/	[5]
	2022	Christine "Teeny" Jarrett
	2023	Killer Karl Kox		[4]
Charlie Smith Referee Award	2021	Art Williams		[5]
	2022	Billy Silverman
	2023	Kevin Jefferies		[4]
President’s Award	2022	Jerry Lawler
Courage Award	2022	Joyce Grable
REEL Award	2023	Al Burke		[4]
	2024	Todd Bridges		[13]

2010s[edit]

Award	Year	Recipient(s)	Nationality	Ref.
Iron Mike Mazurki Award	2010	Ted DiBiase		[14]
	2011	Sgt. Slaughter		[15]
	2012	"Stone Cold" Steve Austin		[16]
	2013	"Russian Bear" Ivan Koloff		[17]
	2014	Terry Taylor		[18]
	2015	Larry "The Axe" Hennig		[19]
	2016	Trish Stratus		[20]
	2017	Tully Blanchard		[21]
	2018	Baron von Raschke		[22]
	2019	Mark Henry		[23]
Lou Thesz/Art Abrams Lifetime Achievement Award	2010	Dan Severn		[14]
		Jim Ross		[14]
	2011	Rick Martel		[15]
		Mick Foley		[15]
	2012	Ricky Steamboat		[16]
		Wendi Richter		[16]
	2013	Bill Moody		[17]
	2014	Michael P.S. Hayes		[18]
	2015	Jerry Brisco		[19]
	2016	Arn Anderson		[20]
	2017	Kevin Von Erich		[21]
	2018	Shawn Michaels		[24]
	2019	Dory Funk Jr.		[23]
		Tony Vellano		[25]
Men's Wrestling Award	2010	Dean Higuchi		[14]
		Rip Hawk		[14]
		Roger Kirby		[14]
	2011	The Honky Tonk Man		[15]
		Dan Kroffat		[15]
		Alex Knight		[15]
	2012	Michelle Starr		[16]
		Mike Webster		[16]
		Bill DeMott		[16]
	2013	Jake Roberts		[17]
		Matt Riviera		[17]
		Adam Copeland (unable to attend in 2011 due to an injury)		[17]
	2014	Dan "Short Sleeve" Sampson		[18]
		Adam Pearce		[18]
		Buddha Khan		[18]
		John Cozman		[18]
	2015	Diamond Dallas Page		[19]
		Christopher Daniels		[19]
		Sinn Bodhi		[19]
		The Almighty Sheik		[19]
		Len Denton		[19]
	2016	Paul Orndorff		[20]
		Ken Patera		[20]
	2017	Kahagas		[21]
		Cuban Assassin		[21]
	2018	Alexis Smirnoff
		Greg Valentine		[26]
		Tony Storm		[27]
	2019	"Dr. D" David Schultz		[23]
Women's Wrestling Award	2010	Joyce Grable		[14]
	2011	Awesome Kong		[15]
		Darling Dagmar
		Rockin' Robin		[15]
	2012	Judy Martin
		"Ivory" Lisa Moretti		[28]
	2013	Molly Holly
		Sandy Partlow		[29]
	2014	Melissa Anderson		[18]
		Debi Pelletier		[18]
	2015	Beth Phoenix		[19]
		Gail Kim		[19]
		Lisa Marie Varon		[19]
		Malia Hosaka		[19]
	2017	Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling		[21]
	2018	Santana Garrett		[30]
		Princess Victoria		[31]
	2019	Bambi
Jason Sanderson Humanitarian Award	2010	Yvonne Melcher		[25]
	2012	Al Burke		[16]
	2013	Ken Jugan		[25]
	2014	Sean Dunster		[25]
	2015	Diamond Dallas Page		[19]
	2016	Sue Aitchison		[20]
Red Bastien Friendship Award	2010	Vince Fahey		[25]
	2011	Darla Taylor Staggs		[25]
	2012	Brian Westcott		[25]
	2014	John Arthur Lowe		[25]
Lucha Libre Award	2018	Blue Demon Jr.		[32]
Tag Team Award	2015	Demolition (Bill Eadie and Barry Darsow)		[19]
	2016	High Flyers (Greg Gagne and Jim Brunzell)		[20]
	2018	Harlem Heat (Booker T and Stevie Ray)		[33]
	2019	Faces of Fear (Haku & The Barbarian)		[23]
Rising Star Award/Future Legend Award	2010	Oliver John		[14]
	2011	Kyle Sebastian		[25]
	2012	Kyle Matthews		[16]
	2013	Bobby Sharp		[25]
	2014	Santana Garrett		[34]
	2015	Wes Brisco		[19]
	2018	Kevin Kross		[35]
James C. Melby Historian Award	2010	Vance Nevada		[25]
	2011	Tom Burke		[15]
	2013	George Schire		[25]
	2015	Dennis Brent		[19]
	2017	Dave Meltzer		[21]
	2018	Don Luce		[36]
	2019	Mike Rodgers		[23]
Charlie Smith Referee’s Award	2016	James Beard		[20]
	2017	Bobby Simmons		[21]
	2018	Mickie Henson		[37]
	2019	Scrappy McGowan		[23]
Posthumous Award	2010	Lee Fields		[14]
		George "Scrap Iron" Gadaski		[14]
	2011	Michel Martel		[15]
	2015	Bruiser Brody		[19]
	2018	Roy McClarty		[25]
	2019	Larry Matysik		[23]
REEL Award	2010	Magic Schwarz		[25]
	2012	Dan Haggerty		[25]
	2015	Terry Funk		[19]
	2016	Pepper Martin	/	[20]
Golden Ear Award	2010	Tom Andrew		[25]
	2013	David Cantu		[25]
	2014	Jesse Hernandez		[25]
Manager's Award	2011	Bruno Lauer		[15]
	2015	Jimmy Hart		[19]
Announcer’s Award	2012	Bill Kersten		[25]
	2016	Lance Russell		[20]
Family Award	2011	Gilbert Family (Tommy and sons Doug & Eddie)		[15]
	2015	Romero Family (Ricky and sons Jay, Chris & Mark)		[19]
Trainer’s Award	2014	Ron Hutchison		[25]
International Award	2010	Pat Barrett		[25]
	2011
Husband and Wife Award	2014	Beau James and Misty James		[25]

2000s[edit]

Award	Year	Recipient(s)	Nationality	Ref.
Iron Mike Mazurki Award	2000	Ray "Thunder" Stern		[25]
	2001	Stu Hart		[38]
	2002	Walter "Killer" Kowalski		[39]
	2003	Maurice "Mad Dog" Vachon		[40]
	2004	Bobby "The Brain" Heenan		[41]
	2005	Terry Funk		[42]
	2006	Harley Race		[43]
	2007	Don Leo Jonathan	/	[44]
	2008	Bret Hart		[45]
	2009	Nick Bockwinkel		[46]
Lou Thesz/Art Abrams Lifetime Achievement Award	2000	Fr. Bill Olivas		[25]
	2001	Ted Lewin		[25]
	2002	Mike Chapman		[39]
	2003	Angelo Savoldi	/	[40]
	2004	Antonio Inoki		[41]
		Danny Hodge		[41]
	2005	Jack Brisco		[42]
		Les Thatcher		[42]
	2006	Verne Gagne		[43]
		Eddie Sharkey		[43]
	2007	Danny Hodge		[44]
		Bob Geigel		[44]
	2008	Steve Williams		[45]
		Pat Patterson	/	[45]
	2009	Bob Roop		[46]
		Reggie Parks		[46]
Men's Wrestling Award	2008	Haruka Eigen		[45]
		Ronnie Garvin		[45]
		The Wrestling Guerreros	/	[25]
		Paul "Butcher" Vachon		[45]
	2009	The Cormier Family		[5]
		Art Crews		[46]
		Akio Sato		[46]
		Bill Sky		[25]
Women's Wrestling Award	2008	Betty Niccoli		[45]
	2009	Princess Jasmine		[46]
		Luna Vachon	/	[46]
Red Bastien Friendship Award	2008	Joyce Paustian		[25]
	2009	Shuhei Aoki		[25]
Future Legend Award	2000	Kurt Angle		[25]
	2001	Donovan Morgan		[38]
	2002	Chris Benoit	/	[39]
	2003	Steve Fender		[40]
	2004	"Cheerleader" Melissa Anderson		[41]
	2005	Frankie Kazarian		[42]
	2006	Mariko Yoshida		[43]
	2007	Takeshi Morishima		[25]
	2008	Ricky Landell		[45]
	2009	Trevor Murdoch		[46]
James C. Melby Historian Award	2008	Scott Teal		[45]
	2009	Stephen Yohe		[46]
Posthumous Award	2002	Nell Stewart		[39]
		Hercules Cortez		[39]
	2003	Rhonda Singh		[40]
	2004	Wild Bull Curry		[41]
	2006	Bobby Shane		[43]
		Vivian Vachon		[43]
	2007	Yukon Eric		[44]
		Betty Jo Hawkins		[44]
	2008	Orville Brown		[45]
	2009	George Gordienko		[46]
		Eddie Sullivan		[46]
REEL Award	2000	Stan Shaw		[25]
		Tommy "Butch" Bond		[25]
		Joe Don Baker		[25]
		Joe Roselius		[25]
		Marion Ross		[25]
		Robert Forster		[25]
	2001	Roddy Piper		[25]
		Mimi Lesseos		[25]
		Don Stroud		[25]
	2002	Alan Koss		[25]
	2007	Rock Riddle		[25]
	2009	Scott Schwartz		[25]
Gulf Coast/CAC Honorees	2000	Sputnik Monroe		[25]
	2001	Corsica Joe	/	[25]
		Sarah Lee		[25]
	2002	The Fields Brothers		[25]
	2003	Bob Roop		[25]
	2004	Don Fargo	/	[25]
	2005	"Exotic" Adrian Sweet		[25]
	2006	Karl Roach		[25]
		Skandar Akbar		[25]
Martial Arts Honorees	2001	Gokor Chivichyan	/	[25]
	2002	Juan Hernandez		[25]
	2006	Mike Martelle		[43]
Family Award	2000	The Dusek Brothers Riot Squad (Emil Dusek, Ernie Dusek, Joe Dusek and Rudy Dusek)		[25]
	2005	The Ortons (Barry Orton, Bob Orton and Bob Orton Jr.)		[25]
Scholarship Award	2002	Nick Ackerman		[25]
	2007	Frankie Buenafuente		[25]
Boxing Honorees	2000	Gene Fullmer		[25]
		Eddie Futch		[25]
		Willie Bean		[25]
		Maurice "Dub" Harris		[25]
		Andy Price		[25]
		Russell G. Rodriguez		[25]
	2001	Richard Sandoval		[25]
		Cornelius Boza-Edwards		[25]
		Jose Flores		[25]
		Paul Banke		[25]
Other Honorees: (2000) Gene Stanlee, The Crusher, Titi Paris, Ethel Brown, Billy Andersen, Natasha the Hatchet Lady, Beverly Shade, Stan Kowalski, Stan Pulaski and Fritz Von Goering.[25] (2001) Rita Cortez, George Scott, Reggie Parks, Norman Frederick Charles III, Kay Noble, Marie LaVerne, Ann LaVerne, Pampero Firpo, Bill Watts and Jack Laskin.[25] (2002) Ox Baker, B. Brian Blair, Judy Grable, Maria DeLeon, Mr. Wrestling, Jimmy Valiant and Fray Tormenta.[25] (2003) Verne Bottoms, Bill Moody (as Percival Pringle III), Tom Andrews, Buddy Colt, Buddy Roberts, Tito Montez, Bruce Swayze, Moose Morowski and Don Leo Jonathan.[25] (2004) Bill Melby, Billy Darnell, Sandy Parker, "Playboy" Buddy Rose, Ed Wiskoski, Margaret Garcia, George Steele, Baron von Raschke, Ann Casey, Percival Friend, Moondog Ed Moretti, Paul Jones, Lester Welch, Charlie Smith and Omar Atlas.[25] (2005) Ernie Ladd, Kenny Jay, Danielle Colley, Paul Christy, Miss Bunny Love and Sir Oliver Humperdink. (2006) Killer Tim Brooks, Scott Casey, Mil Máscaras, Pepper Martin, and Bill White.[20] (2007) J. J. Dillon, Tito Carreon, Duke Myers, Bob Leonard, Cowboy Bob Kelly, and Laura Martinez.[25]

1990s[edit]

1999[edit]

• Iron Mike Mazurki Award: Jesse "The Body" Ventura^[25]
• Art Abrams Lifetime Achievement Award: Dan Gable^[25]

Other honorees included Ken Patera, Jack Donovan and Bob Geigel.^[25]

1998[edit]

• Iron Mike Mazurki Award: Lou Thesz^[25]
• Art Abrams Lifetime Achievement Award: William Papas^[25]
• Scholarship Award Winners: Billy Pappas^[25]

Other honorees included Danny Hodge, Fred Blassie, Dory Funk, Jr. and Dan Severn^[25]

1997[edit]

• Iron Mike Mazurki Award: Tom Drake^[25]
• Art Abrams Lifetime Achievement Award: Penny Banner^[25]
• Reel Member Inductees: Elliott Gould, Tommy Sands and Terry Moore^[25]
• Boxing Honorees: Don Fraser, Lou Filippo and Robert Salazar^[25]

Other honorees included:

• Elizabeth, New Jersey (October 11): Sika Anoa'i, Ted Lewin, Donn Lewin, The Fabulous Moolah, Jimmy Valiant, Jim Cornette, Diamond Lil, The Destroyer, The Dudley Boyz, Devon Storm and Georgiann Makropoulos.
• Studio City, California (March 15): Tony Borne, Don Curtis, Tom Drake, Don Manoukian, Steve Rickard and Jim White.^[25]

1996[edit]

• Iron Mike Mazurki Award: Dick Beyer^[25]
• Scholarship Award Winners: Gordy Morgan and Marty Morgan^[25]
• Reel Member Inductees: Lawrence Tierney, Fred Williamson, Denver Pyle, Beverly Garland, Norm Crosby and John T. Smith^[25]
• Boxing Honorees: Chuck Wepner^[25]

Other honorees included:

• Tampa, Florida (October 26): Angelo Poffo, Bonnie Watson, Judy Glover, Jack & Jerry Brisco, Carl Engstrom, Wahoo McDaniel, Gordon Solie and Molly McShane.
• Elizabeth, New Jersey (October 5): Vince McMahon, Vince McMahon, Sr., Jimmy Snuka and Tammy Lynn Sytch.^[25]
• Studio City, California (March 16): Stan Hansen, Nelson Royal, Art Michalik, Stan Stasiak, Larry Zbyszko, Angelo Mosca, Seiji Sakaguchi, Masami Yoshida, Chigusa Nagayo, Bobby Heenan, Baron von Raschke and Antonio Inoki.^[25]

1995[edit]

• Iron Mike Mazurki Award: Gene LeBell^[25]
• Reel Member Inductees: Binnie Barnes, Marie Windsor, Jan Merlin and John Saxton^[25]
• Martial Arts Honorees: Benny Urquidez and Mimi Lessos^[25]
• Boxing Honorees: Gabriel Ruelas and Rafael Ruelas^[25]

Other honorees included:

• Elizabeth, New Jersey (September 30): Angelo Savoldi, Capt. Lou Albano, Abe Coleman, Gloria Barratini, Millie Stafford, Pat Patterson, Johnny Rodz and The Public Enemy.^[25]
• Studio City, California (March 8): Tiger Conway, Sr., Leo Garibaldi, Susan Sexton, Dave Levin, Ray Stevens, The Sheik and Buddy Lee.^[25]

1994[edit]

• Iron Mike Mazurki Award: Vic Christy^[25]
• Reel Member Inductees: Harry Carey, Jr.^[25]
• Boxing Honorees: Lou Bogash, Joe Graziano, Lou Couture, Jocko V. Ananian, Micky Finn, Tom McNeely, Harol Gomes, Willie Pep, Carmen Basilio and Vincent Pazienza^[25]

Other honorees included:

• Springfield, Massachusetts (October 1): Gorilla Monsoon, Pedro Morales, Brittany Brown, Candi Devine, Arnold Skaaland, Jackie Nichols, Karl Von Hess, Ilio DiPaolo and Kitty Adams.^[25]
• Studio City, California (March 19): Dick Hutton, Billy Robinson, Stuart McCullum, Al Costello, Peggy Allen, Sherri Martel, Ed Francis and Sue Green.^[25]

1993[edit]

• Iron Mike Mazurki Award: Hard Boiled Haggerty^[25]
• Scholarship Award Winners: Nick Cline and Mike Bresnan^[25]
• Reel Member Inductees: John Agar, Guy Madison, John Phillip Law and Will Hutchins.
• Boxing Honorees: Genaro (Chicanito) Hernandez, Zacky Padilla, Oscar De La Hoya, Mike Witowich, Chuck Bodak, Jerry Moore, Petey Servin and Jerry Quarry^[25]

Other honorees included Verne Gagne, “Cowboy” Bob Ellis, Kinji Shibuya, Wendi Richter, Barbi Dahl and Peggy Patterson.^[25]

1992[edit]

• Iron Mike Mazurki Award: Woody Strode^[25]
• Reel Member Inductees: Woody Strode^[25]
• Boxing Honorees: Clarence Henry, Fabela Chavez,Jimmy Roybal, Jimmy Casino and Dave Maier^[25]

Other honorees included Maurice Vachon, Hard Boiled Haggerty, Rey Urbano, Johnny James, Gene Kiniski, Pepper Gomez, Penny Banner, Debbie Combs, Belle Starr, Donna Christantello and Diamond Lil.^[25]

Presidents[edit]

No.	Portrait	Name (Birth–Death)	Term of office		Country of origin
			Took office	Left office
1		Mike Mazurki (1907–1990)	1965	1990	Austria-Hungary/  United States
2		Archie Moore (1913–1998)	1991	1992	United States
3		Lou Thesz (1916–2002)	1992	2000	United States
4		Red Bastien (1931-2012)	2001	2007	United States
5		Nick Bockwinkel (1934-2015)	2007	2014	United States
6		B. Brian Blair (Born 1957)	2014	Incumbent	United States

See also[edit]

• List of professional wrestling awards
• List of professional wrestling conventions

References[edit]

Further reading[edit]

• "Cauliflower Alley Club Lends an Ear to Boxers, Wrestlers". Los Angeles Times.
• "Cauliflower Alley Club: 'Gentle and Warm People'". The Argus-Press.
• Historical Dictionary of Wrestling. p. 65.
• Blassie, Fred and Keith Elliot Greenberg. "Classy" Freddie Blassie: Listen, You Pencil Neck Geeks. New York: Simon and Schuster, 2003. ISBN 0-7434-6316-1
• Funk, Terry and Scott E. Williams. Terry Funk: The Hardcore Legend. Champaign, Illinois: Sports Publishing LLC, 2005. ISBN 1-58261-991-3
• LeBelle, Gene. Gene Lebell's Grappling World: The Encyclopedia of Finishing Holds. Champaign, Illinois: Sports Publishing LLC, 2005. ISBN 0-9676543-1-9
• Loeffler, Carl E. and Darlene Tong. Performance Anthology: Source Book of California Performance Art. San Francisco: Last Gasp Press, 1989. ISBN 0-86719-366-2
• Meltzer, Dave. Tributes II: Remembering the World's Greatest Wrestlers. Champaign, Illinois: Sports Publishing LLC, 2004. ISBN 1-58261-817-8

External links[edit]

• Cauliflower Alley Club official website
• Cauliflower Alley Club official radio show
• SLAM! Wrestling: Cauliflower Alley Club stories
• House of Deception, Cauliflower Alley Club history and photos