WE HAVE LOST RIP HAWK

RIP "The Profile" HAWK has passed away.

The words "classic" and "legend" are much over-used these days, but certainly not when used as adjectives for this gentleman.

I shall always consider the times I spent with him at several of Greg Price's Fanfests as true treasures in my life.

MORE OF THOSE GREAT COLOR PHOTOS

All of the wrestling magazines of the past, going back as far as fifty years, were great. But one thing missing (I suppose for cost purposes) was an abundance of our favorite mat stars in full, natural color. And I mean true color. Not the air-brushed photos in which the artists who colored them must have been on some strange chemicals when they worked.

So, on the rare occasion, when a reader came across a nice full-color photo of his favorite wrestler, it was a special moment.

Here are a few that caught my eye...

THE SPOILER / THE SUPER DESTROYER

(DON JARDINE)

DUSTY RHODES

BARON VON RASCHKE

THE ASSASSIN

(JODY HAMILTON)

KLONDIKE BILL and GEORGE SCOTT

THE MISSOURI MAULER

(LARRY HAMILTON)

JOHNNY WEAVER

COLOR PHOTOGRAPHS - A RARE COMMODITY

All of the wrestling magazines of the past, going back as far as fifty years, were great. I guess we all had our favorites (I always liked WRESTLING REVUE). But one thing missing (I suppose for cost purposes) were photos of our favorite grapplin' stars in full color. And I mean true color. Not the 'air-brushed' photos in which the artists who colored them must have been on some strange chemicals when they worked.

How in the world did THE INFERNOS end up on a magazine cover, and their outfits were orange?

I actually have such a magazine.

So, on the rare occassion, when a reader ran across a nice full-color picture of his favorite wrestler, it was special.

Here are a few that caught my eye...

CHIEF WAHOO MCDANIEL

HARLEY RACE and NELSON ROYAL

I particularly like this photo because of the grouping of then NWA WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION RACE, who for the most part was working 'heel' at the time, and NELSON ROYAL, a big-time 'babyface'.

RIC FLAIR, J.J. DILLON, TULLY BLANCHARD and an obvious young FOUR HORSEMAN fan

JOHNNY WEAVER

NWA WORLD CHAMP JACK BRISCO

Another WORLD CHAMPION - DORY FUNK JR.

and finally, MRS. BUTCHER's favorite son, ABDULAH