FOR RELEASE: Tuesday, September 7, 2010
TITANS IN TORONTO IV FUNDRAISING DINNER READY TO ROLL
Titans in Toronto IV, a fundraising dinner for the Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame (http://www.pwhf.org), is set to roll in just two weeks. Some great names from years gone past are committed to attending the September 18th dinner.
“For me, it’s always fun to have some new names come out to the dinner,” said SLAM! Wrestling Producer Greg Oliver, one of the event’s organizers. “There is magic in the air when old friends see each other after so many years.”
New attendees to the dinner include former AWA World champion Rick Martel, international superstar Tiger Jeet Singh, former WWE star Tiger Ali Singh, Phil Watson, son of the Canadian icon Whipper Billy Watson, former WWE referee Jim Korderas, Dominic Denucci, former World Midget champion Frenchy Lamont, and Jim Freedman, author of the acclaimed book Drawing Heat.
The dinner, to be held at The Factory, 34 Futurity Gate (Dufferin and Steeles in Vaughan), on Saturday, September 18th, with a 6 p.m. cocktail hour, is the fourth fundraising dinner to happen in Toronto. Previous dinners, in 2004, 2006, and 2008, were tremendously well received and raised well-needed funds for the Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame in Amsterdam, NY. Each ticket costs $65, with roughly half of the money going to the Hall.
“I am glad to hear that we will be seeing some new faces this year; I want to thank all involved for making this the best fundraiser for the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame outside of the Induction Weekend,” said Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame founder Tony Vellano.
The twin brothers, Jian and Page Magen, are key figures behind the scene at the dinner, using their experience running events as well as their love for professional wrestling.
“It’s a chance for us to give back to a business that has entertained us through the years,” said Jian Magen.
Confirmed names for the Titans in Toronto dinner include:
– Rick Martel was an international star who was AWA World champion in the mid-’80s, before moving to the WWF, later becoming the bad guy, “The Model.”
– Tiger Jeet Singh is still an icon in Japan, and was one of that country’s most feared wrestlers in the 1970s and 1980s. A new school in his hometown of Milton, Ontario, was recently named in his honor for his work in the community.
– Dominic Denucci came to Montreal from Italy as a young man, learned the wrestling business, and traveled the world plying his trade, hero to millions.
– Phil Watson is the son of the Canadian icon Whipper Billy Watson. He wrestled for decades, trained many wrestlers, and runs the Canadian Half-Pints basketball team.
– Tiger Ali Singh followed in his father’s footsteps and was a star in the WWF in the late 1990s, and, like his father, after his career, he became a pillar of the community in Milton.
– The man in the striped shirt, former WWE referee Jim Korderas, was a regular at Maple Leaf Gardens shows until convincing the right people to give him a try. He worked for the WWF for over 20 years.
– Frenchy Lamont was recognized as the World Midget champion in the 1970s, and still dons the tights on occasion to compete.
– In Drawing Heat, published first in 1988, and recently re-released, author Jim Freedman explores the way professional wrestling is a part of the culture in Ontario, focusing primarily on “Bearman” Dave McKigney and The Sheik.
– The Sensational, Intelligent Destroyer (Dick Beyer) is a member of the Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame (Class of 2005). A star wrestler and football player at Syracuse, Beyer became one of the most famous masked men in wrestling history.
– “No Class” Bobby Bass was a hated man, from the Maritimes to British Columbia.
– The Scotsman Duncan McTavish was a major star in Montreal and British Columbia, and achieved much success raising racehorses as well.
– “Wolfman” Willie Farkus is one of the names making his fourth straight appearance. The native of Hungary headlined Madison Square Garden against Bruno Sammartino.
– Big Mac is a fixture in Ontario wrestling, driving a ring around, but he also had a successful career in the ring as well.
– Jet Star was a veteran of the Bearman circuit around Ontario.
– Tim Gerrard was a solid underneath talent during the glory days of Maple Leaf Wrestling in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
– Known today as “The People’s Uncle” for his more famous nephew, The Rock, Ricky “Soulman” Johnson wrestled for decades as well, including alongside his brother, Rocky Johnson.
– Gino Brito’s contributions to the history of pro wrestling are often overlooked. His father and uncle were wrestlers, and Brito helped his dad start midget wrestling. He later became a star wrestler himself, and a promoter in Montreal.
– Peppi Dipasquale was a regular talent around Buffalo and Pittsburgh in the 1970s and into the 1980s, and was a well-respected hockey trainer.
– “Dangerous” Dan Gervais still dons the tights on occasion when called upon near his Ottawa home, almost 20 years removed from his time in International Wrestling.
– Farmer Pete is a veteran of the midget wrestling scene and a regular with Phil Watson’s Canadian Half-Pints basketball team.
– Andy Stephanidies, the son of the late wrestler, Ali Bey, is another key figure in the Titans in Toronto dinners. Having grown up around wrestlers and wrestling, it’s a chance to see a few old friends and keep his father’s memory alive.
Tickets still remain for the dinner, but are going fast, so book your ticket soon. Orders can be placed through the phone, at 905-513-6464, with a Visa, or via Paypal at http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/titans-in-toronto.html.