Dolan’s Dugout

The Desert Sun – August 12, 1977
By Steve Dolan

ANYBODY WHO watched Lucha Libre (professional wrestling) Wednesday night on television probably still has a sore stomach from laughing.  A wrestler named Roddy Piper put on a show that was hard to forget.

Piper was named the year’s Most Hated Wrestler at the beginning of the show, then he helped Wrestler of the Year, Chavo Guerrero, “celebrate.”  When Guerrero was presented a watch said to be valued at $5,000, Piper promptly broke it with a hammer.

Saturday Wrestling Slated At Mebane

Burlington Times-News – July 15, 1977

MEBANE – The world’s largest twins, Benny and Billy McGuire, will be featured when the East Central Wrestling Association returns to the Eastern Alamance High School gym Saturday night.

The matches, sponsored by the Zeus Temple Shriners, will begin at 8:15 p.m.

The McGuire Twins weigh 1,500 pounds (combined weight) and they will be going against the Masked Maulers in the featured event on a program that also will feature a Battle Royal and Brass Knucks bout.

McGuire Twins To Wrestle

Burlington Times-News – June 15, 1977

GRAHAM – Who eats $125 worth of food a day?  Who wears a size 87 pants?  Who do you know that weighs over 750 pounds and has a smaller brother who weighs 745 pounds?  The answers to these questions can only be the McGuire Twins, Billy and Benny McGuire, the world’s largest humans.  They are twins who weigh over 1500 pounds.

They have yet to be pinned down to the mat for a three count and not many wrestlers can say that.  Billy and Benny McGuire will be in Mebane at the Eastern Alamance Stadium on Saturday.  This will be the biggest night of pro wrestling to be held and they will be taking on the rugged Masked Maulers and a record turnout is expected for this headliner.

The Giant’s Team Beats Up Taylor’s

Eugene Register-Guard – April 30, 1977

Andre the Giant was here… leaving in his wake an astounded Kris Taylor outside the ropes, a pained Sam Bass on the ropes and a flattened Jesse Ventura on the mat
Staff photos by Brian Lanker

Part of a record crowd at the matches crowds up to the ring for a closer look, or a chance to add their two cents to the proceedings

A record crowd of some 1,500 turned out at the Lane County Fairgrounds to watch big Killer Kris Taylor take on Andre the Giant in the feature match of the weekly pro wrestling card Friday night.

…Bad Guy

The Miami News – March 18, 1977
By Bill Brubaker

Ox Baker

TAMPA – On television, he seems to be serious when he tells an opponent: “I’m gonna break your back!” or something equally terrible.  In wrestling magazines, he swears, “I like to hurt people.”  But, does he really?

He is perhaps the most hated wrestler on the Florida tour – hated, that is, by the thousands of fans who gladly pay $3 or $4 to watch him dirty-punch “good guy” Dusty Rhodes and call him, as he did in one recent match, “you son of a bitch, you.”

Good Guy…

The Miami News – March 18, 1977
By Bill Brubaker

Virtue’s Triumph
His arms uplifted in victory, Dusty Rhodes has vanquished another baddie.

TAMPA – Tuesday evening, two hours before all the fun begins at Fort Homer Hesterly Armory.

Dusty Rhodes is laying back on his four-acre spread in Lutz, a small farming community north of town.

Soon, Dusty will be winning the hearts of 4,000 professional wrestling fans at the big-city Armory.  But that’s a world away.

Dusty Rhodes Retains Wrestling Title

The Miami News – July 7, 1977

Dusty Rhodes retained his Florida heavyweight title last night by defeating Ernie Ladd in the main event of last night’s professional wrestling card before a crowd of 3,872 at the Miami Beach Convention Center.

Dusty Rhodes Wins Feature

The Miami News – March 10, 1977

In the featured Texas death match last night on the wrestling card at the Miami Beach Convention Center, Dusty Rhodes defeated Superstar Graham.

Dutch Savage Wins Coal Miner Match

Eugene Register-Guard – December 31, 1977

Dutch Savage defeated Kangaroo Johnny Boyd in a special Coal Miner’s Glove match, while Jimmy Snuka won on a disqualification over Ed Wiskowki in a semifinal bout, to highlight a rugged wrestling card Friday night at the Lane County Fairgrounds.

Savage, Dr. X Paired For Miner’s Glove

Eugene Register-Guard – July 28, 1977

Dutch Savage will face Dr. X in a coal miner’s glove match in the featured event on the professional wrestling card starting at 8:30 p.m.  Friday at the Lane County Fairgrounds.