Pro-Wrestling Steamboat, Flair's son to grace same ring at Spindale House Page

Last updated 26 November 2004

Steamboat, Flair's son to grace same ring at Spindale House

It's been a long time since a Flair and a Steamboat have graced the same ring. It's been even longer since a pro wrestling event was held at the Spindale House.

But on Friday night Nov. 12, pro wrestling will make its first appearance in 23 years at the storied North Carolina building when David Flair, oldest son of pro wrestling's legendary performer, squares off with longtime "Nature Boy" rival and partner Greg "The Hammer" Valentine in the main event of a New Generation Wrestling show. Ricky Steamboat, with whom the elder Flair engaged in one of the greatest rivalries in the history of the business, will be special referee.

To top off the evening, Tully Blanchard, one of the original Four Horsemen, will make a special appearance. Veteran Les Thatcher, whose 40-year career has spanned nearly every facet of the wrestling business, will serve as master of ceremonies.

"Raging Bull" Manny Fernandez, a headliner in the Mid-Atlantic area during the mid-'80s, will work with George South in a featured match on the seven-bout card. Fernandez has battled liver cancer in recent years and needs a transplant, according to promoter Matt Holder.

"He's OK right now, but they want him to get a transplant," said Holder. "He's totally against the transplant because he says there's a kid out there who deserves it more. Manny's got his own ideas on it, but he's really become a changed man."

Holder also has been impressed with the 50-year-old, now gray-haired Blanchard, who has worked in prison ministry for the past decade in addition to occasional wrestling stints. "He's going to dye his hair, he's been in a tanning bed and he's been hitting the gym hard every day," said Holder. "He really is in great shape."

The Spindale House, which was built in the early 1900s, was a regular stop for Jim Crockett Promotions during the '60s and '70s. Although a small venue in comparison to other Mid-Atlantic mainstays like Greenville Memorial Auditorium, Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium, Charlotte's Park Center and the Richmond Coliseum, it was nonetheless a staple of the wrestling-rich territory.

"The Spindale House was a hot spot for wrestling. I remember wrestling there in that smoke-filled building when it was standing room only," recalled Thatcher.

The building's last wrestling show was June 5, 1981. A riot during the main event between Paul Jones and Roddy Piper that night permanently closed the venue to wrestling. "By the time the main event rolled around and Piper came out, some of the diehard fans had had enough of the loud-mouthed Piper. In fact, they were ready to lynch him," recalled Holder. "Tempers began to flare and Piper couldn't control his tongue, and the next thing you know, the Spindale House was home to its first full-blown riot."

According to Holder, a couple officers were badly injured during the melee. The son of a former sheriff later took over the building and refused to allow wrestling back in, said Holder.

"It was a history-making moment for wrestling, but also a sad moment for the town of Spindale. For that night was the last night most fans in attendance would ever see real professional wrestling in their town again. It was truly an unfortunate end to a great wrestling era."

Holder hopes to change that and even has plans of running regularly in nearby Shelby.

The Shelby Rec Center, another former stop on the Mid-Atlantic circuit, was built in 1941 and is currently undergoing a facelift. A show there on Dec. 11, pending completion of renovations, will feature The Anderson Brothers Classic that includes such teams as The Masked Superstar (Bill Eadie) and The Super Destroyer, Bob and Brad Armstrong, George South and David Flair, Cruel Connection No. 1 and Thunderfoot No. 2, and Exodus Wrestling Alliance tag-team champs Jason Jones and Mike Lee. Ole Anderson and Mrs. Gene Anderson will present a trophy to the winning team. Brad Armstrong, Gene's son, will represent his father during the dedication ceremonies. Bob Caudle, the legendary voice of Mid-Atlantic Wrestling, will serve as MC.

Blanchard will join Steamboat and Thatcher of Elite Pro Wrestling Training for a three-day training camp Nov. 12-14 in Spindale. The staff will train athletes in two rings all three days. The camp, also sponsored by New Generation Wrestling, is open to beginners through experienced independent wrestlers.

For more information on the Spindale show or the training seminar, call (828) 286-4319 or e-mail ngwmatt@yahoo.com.

Proceeds from the Spindale House event will go to The Exodus Foundation, a charitable organization that provides assistance to drug and alcohol addicts and their families with a focus on spiritual help, practical assistance, love, and care to the participants and families. Officers of the Rutherfordton-based foundation are Joe Blanchard, chairman and chief executive officer; Tully Blanchard, founder and president; Matt and Andrea Holder, co-directors.