A Life-Long Portland Wrestling Fan!

by Candy McMurdo
(Pocatello, Idaho)

My Mom first took me to The Portland Sports Arena to watch Portland Wrestling when I was about four years old.

We lived in North Portland. It was pretty close, so sometimes we would walk. Some of my earliest memories as a child were of all the people and excitement that filled the arena. I was hooked!

I grew up going to the matches, watching Portland Wrestling on TV, and shopping for bargains with Mom at Sandy Barr's Flea Market.

There were the good guys and the bad guys, inside the ring and out. I remember The Hawaiians, Jimmy Snuka, Dutch Savage, Stan Stasiak, Rowdy Roddy Piper, Andrea the Giant, Shagg Thomas...just too many to list! I really miss that!

Now every time I get to Portland (which has been way too long! I think I'm having withdrawals!), I instinctively want to go to see Portland Wrestling. It's sad. I have been away for a number of years, but the memories will stay in my heart and mind forever.

Mom and I were there one night when the Kangaroos stated that they would spit on the next child that asked for their autograph. I was about five, I guess. My Mom being oblivious to what they had said, took me to get their autograph, of course I had to have it! They were in the Crow's Nest, talking to Frank Bonnema and the TV audience when I walked up the stairs and asked for their autograph. They turned to spit and Dutch Savage moved me aside, delivering me to my Mom's already open arms. He flew up the stairs and the fight was on!

I am always talking about Portland Wrestling and all the now famous wrestlers that I met and was around. Of course we can't forget those teenage crushes either!

I will always and forever remember Portland Wrestling. And now that I have found it on this site, I will be a frequent visitor!