Photo 12

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"One of the nicest men I have ever met in this business was Ernie Roth, a.k.a. The Grand Wizard.   The Wizard managed me during my first run with the WWF, when I was challenging Bob Backlund for the WWF World Heavyweight title, and Pedro Morales for his Intercontinental belt.  He never stole your heat, and complimented everything you did in the ring." "We are posing back stage at Madison Square Garden.  The tee shirt I am wearing translates to 'Number One.'" "Rest in peace, Ernie.  Thank you for the wonderful memories." (As a historical note, the boots I am wearing in this photo were the same ones I wore during my match with Tito Santana, during the very first match of the very first Wrestlemania.  They read ROSE on the side, so I had to cover up my name with wrist tape. We will soon be auctioning those actual boots off of the web site, as Wrestlemania 20 approaches.)