ON THE "HUSTLER" NICKNAME:

Rip Rogers: Buddy gave me the “Hustler” name. We were at Sandy Barr’s Flea Market at the Portland Sports Arena, just looking at things. Buddy pointed out a pile of dirty magazines then said, “See, there’s Playboy, Penthouse, Hustler. So if I’m the Playboy, then you’re the Hustler.” The name stuck.

Buddy Rose: Rip needed a gimmick name and we came up with one in less then 5 minutes. It was absolutely perfect for him. You just never know when inspiration will hit.

ON FOOT RACING:

Rip Rogers: Around 1979 or 1980 we were involved in a celebrity baseball game. We played with greats like Norm Cash, Larry Steele. Buddy bought me a glove, spiked shoes – all the gimmicks. For some reason, during the event, Buddy challenged me to a race. He was in really good shape and I barely beat him. Buddy was so steamed that he had lost, he ran over and tacked me. (Laughs.) Just friendly competition.

Buddy Rose: Well, I don’t remember tackling him, but Rip has a better memory than I do for some facts. We used to say to each other that we were going to race because he knew I was undefeated against the boys. When we finally faced off, he beat me by an inch or so. Rip was an all-around athlete, just like I was, and we would play softball together. He was a natural at so many things.

THE ADRIAN ADONIS RIB:

Rip Rogers: Buddy pulled a rib on Adrian Adonis (can’t recall what it was), and Adrian wanted to get back at Buddy in the worst way. They were going to do a loser leaves town match in Medford, Oregon, which Adrian was going to lose, since he was leaving the territory anyhow. Buddy was so afraid of what Adrian was going to do to him in response to his rib, he spent the whole day locked up in his hotel room. Well, Adrian shit all over the door handle of Buddy’s hotel room, and eventually he had to leave to go to the match, so Adrian ended up getting him back.

Buddy Rose: You know, I can’t even remember what I did to Adrian, but it must have been pretty bad. I knew he was going to try to get me back in the worst way. I vanished into my room thinking I was safe from any retaliation, and then he hit without me knowing it. I was about to leave my room, shut my door and felt something wet and slippery on my door handle. It was shit that Adonis applied from his very own bowels from Hell. I was gagging and hurried back into the room to clean my hand off ASAP. He did get me back, after all!