Mike DuPree Page

Going to a Monrovia, Indiana WWA show with boyhood pal Joe Cagle in the summer of 1974 was an event that changed my life, for it was there I met a young Spike Huber, and soon after was helping set the ring up in Indianapolis and surrounding towns. This allowed us to meet several people that were instrumental in getting myself and Cagle in "the business". For Joe and myself, we were kids in a candy shop, getting to rub shoulders with many of the boys in various degrees, and seeing how the business was run on a night to night basis. One such meeting was with Gentleman Saul Weingeroff, who not only had trained Joe's sister in Paducah, KY in the early 70's, but had done business with Joe's uncle down in Nashville, TN. When Joe and I were 16, we would go to school, work after school, and go to Nashville, TN. on the weekends to train at the Star Sign and Photo Company, as Saul had retired from the ring and was an accomplished sign painter. Saul knew most everyone, and the place was like Dean Martin's closet, you never knew who would pop up from week to week, from pro wrestling personalities to country music artists and promoters.

Being both on the small side, we for the most part stayed on the indie circuits, Joe actually getting a few shots for promoters such as Jerry Jarrett and Joe Blanchard. I was 5'8" and 175 lbs. when I broke in, and there really wasn't much use for someone of that stature, but I still managed to get around a bit before calling it a day at Al Tomko's in 1986. Below are some blast from the past pics and clips, and on the message board if I remember any stories I'm able to repeat, I'll post them there.

It was 40 years ago on February 29th,1972, that I went to my first pro wrestling card at the Fairgrounds Coliseum in Indianapolis, with my mom late mom, Flora Thompson. No question about it, it was an event that changed my life. The next day, I met Joe Cagle in the lunch room at the Jr. High School. I had this program, he had a Wrestling Monthly magazine with the Blackjacks on the front cover. Probably the ONLY time we were "popular" in school. Thanks mom and Joe for a heck of a ride that started that night.

Below are some mementos from the night:

Newspaper ad from February 29th,1972.Wrestling night used to be on Tuesday, a school night,but what the hey!

The Blackjacks won when Lanza pinned Dick,but he tagged from the wrong corner and the decision was reversed,getting ref Snyder busted open as well.

My original Bob Luce program.I didn't have a clue who half the guys were on it until later.

The lineup sheet with the first Indian Chain bout with Red Cloud and Heenan.Man,was it bloody!

 

 

 

Georgetown Kentucky Horse Park Inn Opry Barn 2009

The Horse Park as it stands today.

Side view from the parking lot.

The heel side.

The babyface side.

Mike Mann bounced me off this garage door more than once.

Larry Steele threw me through this onto ice and snow.I juiced off of a white Caddy parked next to the door!

Had some fun times parked back there.Nuff said!!!

 

Pictures and Memorabilia

Me, Saul and Cage at the Convention Center 1975.We used to help bail Saul out of small riots in Terre Haute. It was insane. I loved it, of course.

I'm on the right with Sammy Menacker and Sir Joesph at the Convention Center, circa 1975.

The boys with a young Spike Huber. Man, did that cat have talent! This was his rookie year, 9/75.

Aftermath of a Fred Curry chair shot. You can see Danny Fargo and Bobby Fulton battling in the background.

Beaned on the head by Flying Fred Curry.I can still feel that chair bouncing off my head. 9/78 Georgetown massacre.

Me and Mike Mann. We did hardcore long before it was popular.Back then, they just said we couldn't work.

Mike accidently hit his head on the edge of a stage.I still feel badly about this. It was way out of hand.

I didn't come out unscathed myself. My eye took a pounding as you can see. With "Crazy" Bobby Fulton of Fantasic fame and Cagle on crutches.

Mike got his in ring revenge, as this picture clearly illustrates, in the legendary Horse Park Inn,Georgetown, KY.Late 79.

The Rocky Mountain TV title. Actually, the Western States Tag belt. This thing was as big as I was.I think this was 2/81, for Bill Ash's promotion .

Owensboro Kentucky after I came back from my reffing gig in Idaho, 5/80.

Tulsa Oklahoma 1983, picture by Lenny Burstein, a very nice fellow. Small promotion ran by Danny Hodge.

Speaking of Danny,here's ol' pliers hands and his unworthy tag partner.

And the program to prove it!

A small promotion in Evansville ran by my buddies the Smith Brothers, cough drop heirs.Or not.Ol' scarhead himself on this show, uncle Eddie,RIP.

I don't know who this guy is. When I look in the mirror, all I see is this bald, wrinkled up fat guy. Peoria 5/14/82.

Probably my favorite pic of me working. I almost look like a wrestler.Ah, to be thick on top and thin around the middle again.

Me and Zoltan at Market Square Arena, 6/82.Notice Sam and Christy doing play by play.

Speaking of Christy, here's Paul putting me under, and this time I got paid.From Springfield,IL.

Me and Sapphire at the WFIA in Indianapolis.Sweet lady.RIP.

I'm starting to get some bulk. It's what happens when you get off drugs and go to the gym.What a concept.vs Max Blue,Hammond.

A handbill for Anderson,IN. vs that dastardly masked maniac, the Patriot. Who was he????

Me getting the nod over the Reverend.Notice the well placed bandaged finger,though.Warsaw,KY.3/82

The giant to my right is the only shot I have of me and Bobo Brazil together,sadly. Hey folks, we won't last forever.Shame I didn't see that then.

Me and Cagle from earlier this year (2009).A little older and none the wiser.

I'm on the undercard of a Macho Man Randy Savage bout. See......

Me on the cover of the Diamond Belt Wrestling program as a ref while my knee rehabbed.

One of my most cherished possessions, my Indiana wrestling license signed by the late Kelse McClure. Great fellow Kelse, quite a gentleman.

Special effects GENIUS and Oscar winner Ray Harryhausen at Wonderfest 97.

With Bob Burns and Mr.Joseph Young of Africa at Wonderfest 97.

Copyright 2013 by Chris Parsons

05/04/2013 11:50 PM