1. I always liked going to the smaller arenas than the big ones like the Cow Palace, it seemed the matches were more enjoyable to watch, was it because of the promoters? Louie Miller was always friendly to us as fans. As a wrestler was there a difference?
-- Gary

Gary, great question. The smaller arenas probably seemed more intimate, and the wrestlers were more accessible than they were at the larger venues around the country (Cow Palace, Madison Square Garden, etc.). As it is with any sport, the smaller the venue, the easier is to meet or see your favorites in person up close and personal.

Wresting in any venue, be it big or small, was all the same to me. It goes back to when I was trained in the barn back in 72-73 in Minnesota. Verne & Billy taught us to give it our all, be it for 100 fans or a million fans, you give 100% each and every night.

A little side note here, I personally, would get more excited to hit a homerun in a softball or baseball game, or score a goal in hockey, then I did wrestling in a big match in a top venue. The reason is because I scored that goal and hit that homerun without anyone telling me that it was going to happen, where on the other hand you knew who was going to win or lose in a wrestling match. That is why to me everything and every award in pro wrestling is a work, because wrestling is a work.

2. Do you know the whereabouts of Paul DeMarco. He was managed at one time by Ken Ramey, just as you were.

I see Paul DeMarco at some of the CAC gatherings. He still looks great and is a class act.

3. I have always wondered this, was there any real heat between you and Rip Oliver? It seems there might have been, especially when you had your turn to a babyface – some of the interviews seemed a little too real to just be a storyline.
-- Wilson Yu

Wilson, the turn from heel to baby was my idea. I got Dynamite Kid to come into Portland, so we played it out like he was going to be my investment and my partner. All the while Rip was trying to outbid me for his services and strengthen his Clan. When Dynamite and the Clan turned their backs on me we were definitely working – there was no heat at all.

Rip and I never had a difference in anything we did. I guess we did our job well if you thought it was a shoot. Thanks for the kind words. Rip has had a few heart attacks, and he still hanging tough, because he is a man who loves life and is a fighter.

4.As you might be well aware, you have one of the most valuable wrestling action figures out there. I’ve seen them go for around $400 on EBay! Do you have any in your possession, and do you plan on selling them (if you do).

Yes, I know they are selling for nice chunk of change. Some of those were mine, as I got afree case of them from the manufacturer and gave a few out to friends and relatives. Naturally I kept a few for myself. I have sold quite a few over the years, and I have one more in the box ready to go. Keep your eyes open because I might be putting it up for auction in the near future. I recently sold one for over $500!

Because of the interest, I'll be putting a new article on the site about the action figure very soon.

5. I was wondering if you can share anything about your stint in Vancouver's All-Star Wrestling. Any favorite performers to work with from this area?
-- Gordy Locke

Gordy, I loved and hated it. I loved the money guarantee and all the wrestlers I worked with were very solid – pretty much the same guys who came through the Portland/Pacific Northwest region. The part I hated were the overnight stays and going through customs

6. Hi, Buddy. Enjoying your website and all the info and pics. but a little disappointed to not see any pics or any mention of your matches with Dutch Savage, which I saw and enjoyed very much. I will never forget the classic "glove" matches. Just wondered if you would elaborate, perhaps Dutch is not one of your favorite subjects, since I know you're not going to pull any punches on your website, I won't either...thanks for the opportunity to ask you, and very good luck to you in the future. I was always and still am amazed at your stamina and wind when you seemed to be, but obviously were not, out of shape...thanks again for all of the great entertainment over the years...Hoping perhaps, but very aware that it would probably be impossible to do, but I would be delighted if you could answer this e-mail personally...thanks again..

Dutch was great to work with. The Coal Miner’s Glove matches were easier then a regular wrestling match (in fact a cage match or any kind of gimmick match was easier then a wresting match).

Dutch is Dutch, and Buddy is Buddy. We made a lot of money facing one another in the ring. Outside the ring he went his way, I went mine. We had a difference of opinion in many of the angles that were taking place, but it happens in all territories. Nobody is perfect, and that goes for both Dutch and me. He is happy with his life and I am very happy with my life.

7. I've always loved when you hosted the "Rose Garden" because not only where you great on the stick, it was always entertaining. I was wondering if you had a favorite moment, interview, or story you would like to share?
-- LeRoy

The Rose Garden was a quick stick that was just for show, as we wanted to change things up a little. I enjoyed them all, and I appreciate the kind words.

8. In a road show, I remember seeing Tom Pritchard standing in a corner of the gymnasium appearing as if he was in a long prayer. Was he a religious man or into meditation before matches? And does he hold a Doctorate or is Dr. just a moniker?
-- Bent

Tommy was not a religious guy as far as I knew, so maybe you saw him working you to make it look like he was into prayer. Moniker sounds more accurate. He never was a top hand here in the Northwest, but he did really well in other territories, and worked for WWF/WWE for many years.

9. Did anyone ever get a bad infection from blading? I know blading was banned in Portland for a while due to the AIDS scare.

No, nobody that I remember was a danger to work with. The Commission was the one that stopped the juice days of Northwest Wrestling. Now the wresters can juice, and no reports of AIDS as of yet. There are a few wrestlers I would work with if they were getting juice, but some of them I have my doubts.

10. I was watching an episode of Portland Wrestling and there is a Jonathan Boyd interview where he claims he was attacked in the parking lot by the Army (Rip Oliver, Buddy Rose, and The Assassin). He looked really beat up, his eyes looked swollen and black and his forehead was heavily bandage. Was he really beat up by the Army or was he beat up by people other then wrestlers and the incident was used to be written into the script?
-- Ralph

There was no script when you watched us work. We always did it off the fly. Boyd was in a bar fight with some fans who beat him with some cue sticks and a few other objects, so John just wanted to say it happened in the parking lot to cover up the real story.

11. What ever happened to the Von Steigers?

Not sure, I think one works in construction in Hawaii, and the other one I believe is living in Salem, Oregon.

12. Do you still stay in touch with your former partner Jesse Ventura?

Yes, I’ve spoken to Jesse a few times by telephone. We were in Japan together (post-Portland Wrestling) the night he wrestled Antonio Inoki in the mid-80s.

13. What serious advice do you have for someone like me who NEEDS to be a part of this industry?
-- Anson Rotola

Proper training, and the desire, look, and respect that it takes to be accepted. If you are serious about getting into the business, contact Colonel & Playboy’s Wrestling School and we can teach you all of these things.

14. Do you have many memories of The Rock and Randy Orton back when they were children running around the locker rooms? Did you have any idea they would break into wrestling like their fathers?
--MD

I have known Duane since he was 2 years old, living in Dallas, Texas. I saw him again when he out here in the Northwest with his dad – he was maybe 9 at the time. I have seen him many times at shows in the Seattle and Portland areas. Duane’s a great kid with a lot of respect for all the wrestlers and the business -- that helped advance to the world of television & movies. I wish him all the best.

Randy Orton is the same, he respects the veterans and he is a chip off the old block: Bob Orton Jr., who was one of the best ever. I talk to both of them when ever we cross paths. Randy is going to continue to showcase the WWE as long as he is healthy for a long time.

15. Did Ed Wiskoski ever get any legal trouble from the Maharishi group for his use of their likeness when he was Mega Maharishi?

No he did not. He played it to the hilt.

16. With the Portland promotion so highly respected in its time, why didn't the NWA title ever change hands in the region? It did change hands on a few occasions, but not in the way that you would expect. I was the NWA World Heavyweight Champion for about 3 minutes until the decision was reversed because on a technicality. All the NWA Champions were able to do finishes like that in every territory, but it never got a lot of publicity because there was no internet.

17. Does Col. DeBeers ever talk to you about his stint in Herb Abrams's UWF?
-- Brett

Yes he does. He made some very good money, but he could see that in the big picture, things were going to change for the worse, so he rode it as long as the checks were coming in.

18. What’s the biggest rib you ever played?

The biggest rib is the in shape deal. I could run faster then most of the guys I worked with in any territory, because we would race 40 yard dashes and I won 99% of the time. It all goes to back to being a natural athlete and the training I got when I started my career. You didn't make it in wrestling unless you were in great shape back in the early 70's. I was 205 pounds when I had my first match against Bob Remus. It didn't matter if I weighed 205 pounds or 325 pounds; I never lost a step during my full time run throughout my career.