Cauliflower Alley Club

History

The Cauliflower Alley Club was founded in 1965 by Mike Mazurki as a fraternal organization of professional wrestlers, boxers, and actors. The first annual reunion dinner was held at the Baron's Castle Buffet Restaurant in Los Angeles, California. The Club also presents numerous awards annually at the reunion dinner.

Several prominent former professional wrestlers have been president of the club, including Red Bastien, Nick Bockwinkel, and the current president, Brian Blair. The Club has a "benevolent fund which helps people from the wrestling business in a time of need." Proceeds are raised for the fund during the annual reunion weekend.

Awards

2020s

2010s

2000s

1990s

1999

• Iron Mike Mazurki Award: Jesse "The Body" Ventura
• Art Abrams Lifetime Achievement Award: Dan Gable

Other honorees included Ken Patera, Jack Donovan and Bob Geigel.

1998

• Iron Mike Mazurki Award: Lou Thesz
• Art Abrams Lifetime Achievement Award: William Papas
• Scholarship Award Winners: Billy Pappas

Other honorees included Danny Hodge, Fred Blassie, Dory Funk, Jr. and Dan Severn

1997

• Iron Mike Mazurki Award: Tom Drake
• Art Abrams Lifetime Achievement Award: Penny Banner
• Reel Member Inductees: Elliott Gould, Tommy Sands and Terry Moore
• Boxing Honorees: Don Fraser, Lou Filippo and Robert Salazar

Other honorees included:

• Elizabeth, New Jersey (October 11): Sika Anoa'i, Ted Lewin, Donn Lewin, The Fabulous Moolah, Jimmy Valiant, Jim Cornette, Diamond Lil, The Destroyer, The Dudley Boyz, Devon Storm and Georgiann Makropoulos.
• Studio City, California (March 15): Tony Borne, Don Curtis, Tom Drake, Don Manoukian, Steve Rickard and Jim White.

1996

• Iron Mike Mazurki Award: Dick Beyer
• Scholarship Award Winners: Gordy Morgan and Marty Morgan
• Reel Member Inductees: Lawrence Tierney, Fred Williamson, Denver Pyle, Beverly Garland, Norm Crosby and John T. Smith
• Boxing Honorees: Chuck Wepner

Other honorees included:

• Tampa, Florida (October 26): Angelo Poffo, Bonnie Watson, Judy Glover, Jack & Jerry Brisco, Carl Engstrom, Wahoo McDaniel, Gordon Solie and Molly McShane.
• Elizabeth, New Jersey (October 5): Vince McMahon, Vince McMahon, Sr., Jimmy Snuka and Tammy Lynn Sytch.
• Studio City, California (March 16): Stan Hansen, Nelson Royal, Art Michalik, Stan Stasiak, Larry Zbyszko, Angelo Mosca, Seiji Sakaguchi, Masami Yoshida, Chigusa Nagayo, Bobby Heenan, Baron von Raschke and Antonio Inoki.

1995

• Iron Mike Mazurki Award: Gene LeBell
• Reel Member Inductees: Binnie Barnes, Marie Windsor, Jan Merlin and John Saxton
• Martial Arts Honorees: Benny Urquidez and Mimi Lessos
• Boxing Honorees: Gabriel Ruelas and Rafael Ruelas

Other honorees included:

• Elizabeth, New Jersey (September 30): Angelo Savoldi, Capt. Lou Albano, Abe Coleman, Gloria Barratini, Millie Stafford, Pat Patterson, Johnny Rodz and The Public Enemy.
• Studio City, California (March 8): Tiger Conway, Sr., Leo Garibaldi, Susan Sexton, Dave Levin, Ray Stevens, The Sheik and Buddy Lee.

1994

• Iron Mike Mazurki Award: Vic Christy
• Reel Member Inductees: Harry Carey, Jr.
• Boxing Honorees: Lou Bogash, Joe Graziano, Lou Couture, Jocko V. Ananian, Micky Finn, Tom McNeely, Harol Gomes, Willie Pep, Carmen Basilio and Vincent Pazienza

Other honorees included:

• Springfield, Massachusetts (October 1): Gorilla Monsoon, Pedro Morales, Brittany Brown, Candi Devine, Arnold Skaaland, Jackie Nichols, Karl Von Hess, Ilio DiPaolo and Kitty Adams.
• Studio City, California (March 19): Dick Hutton, Billy Robinson, Stuart McCullum, Al Costello, Peggy Allen, Sherri Martel, Ed Francis and Sue Green.

1993

• Iron Mike Mazurki Award: Hard Boiled Haggerty
• Scholarship Award Winners: Nick Cline and Mike Bresnan
• Reel Member Inductees: John Agar, Guy Madison, John Phillip Law and Will Hutchins.
• Boxing Honorees: Genaro (Chicanito) Hernandez, Zacky Padilla, Oscar De La Hoya, Mike Witowich, Chuck Bodak, Jerry Moore, Petey Servin and Jerry Quarry

Other honorees included Verne Gagne, “Cowboy” Bob Ellis, Kinji Shibuya, Wendi Richter, Barbi Dahl and Peggy Patterson.

1992

• Iron Mike Mazurki Award: Woody Strode
• Reel Member Inductees: Woody Strode
• Boxing Honorees: Clarence Henry, Fabela Chavez,Jimmy Roybal, Jimmy Casino and Dave Maier

Other honorees included Maurice Vachon, Hard Boiled Haggerty, Rey Urbano, Johnny James, Gene Kiniski, Pepper Gomez, Penny Banner, Debbie Combs, Belle Starr, Donna Christantello and Diamond Lil.

Presidents

References

References

1. Manson, Bill. (29 September 1991). "Cauliflower Alley Club Lends an Ear to Boxers, Wrestlers".
2. "The EAR Newsletter".
3. Oliver, Greg. (April 20, 2010). "Unpredictability rules at Cauliflower Alley Club". [[Canadian Online Explorer]].
4. Smith, Caleb. (April 4, 2015). "Cauliflower Alley Club set for a big 50th bash". [[Canadian Online Explorer]].
5. Johnson, Steven. (April 22, 2007). "That's entertainment! CAC banquet ranges from songs to stories to spoofs". [[Canadian Online Explorer]].
6. Martinez, Tommy. (September 16, 2021). "Madusa and Mysterio among trailblazing honorees at this year’s returning CAC". Slam Wrestling.
7. Oliver, Greg. (October 5, 2022). "Joyce Grable’s beautiful CAC moment". Slam Wrestling.
8. De Castro, Arin. (March 22, 2024). "Sunnier days ahead for GLOW’s California Girl". Slam Wrestling.
9. Olsen, Josh. (August 22, 2025). "Natalya, Butcher, Foley and more honored by Cauliflower Alley Club". Slam Wrestling.
10. "2023 Winners". Cauliflower Alley Club.
11. Starr, Thomas. (August 13, 2024). "‘Night Train’ Gary Jackson keeps on rollin’ down the track". Slam Wrestling.
12. (May 26, 2025). "The 2025 Independent Wrestler Award Honoree: "The All American" Steve Rivers". Cauliflower Alley Club.
13. (May 12, 2025). "Abdullah the Butcher to Receive the International Award at the 59th CAC Reunion". Cauliflower Alley Club.
14. (2023-05-28). "CM Punk Honored with Coveted 2023 Iron Mike Mazurki Award by Cauliflower Alley Club".
15. "STING TO RECEIVE CAULIFLOWER ALLEY CLUB'S HIGHEST HONOR THIS AUGUST {{!}} PWInsider.com".
16. Harris, Jeffrey. (March 16, 2025). "Mick Foley to Receive Cauliflower Alley Club’s 2025 Iron Mike Mazurki Award". 411Mania.
17. (May 26, 2025). "Wrestling Historians Honored: Pat Laprade & Bertrand Hebert to Receive the James C. Melby Award". Cauliflower Alley Club.
18. (May 12, 2025). "Herb Simmons to Receive the Karl Lauer Independent Promoter Award at the 59th CAC Reunion". Cauliflower Alley Club.
19. (February 7, 2020). "We are proud to announce the Lou Thesz Lifetime Achievement Award winner, and he is Rob Van Dam! RVD is a former WWE, TNA, and ECW Heavyweight champion, not to mention his training in multiple martial arts disciplines. We look forward to RVD joining us in April and hope you will be too! Congrats RVD!". Cauliflower Alley Club on [[Facebook]].
20. Baiamonte, Joe. (June 8, 2025). "Natalya Set to Make History by Receiving Major Honor". [[Sports Illustrated]].
21. Oliver, Greg. (July 16, 2020). "Cauliflower Alley Club cancels 2020 reunion". Slam Wrestling.
22. (17 March 2024). "Negro Casas to Receive 2024 Lucha Libre Award".
23. (May 28, 2025). "Legendary Luchador “El Fantasma” to Receive the 2025 Lucha Libre Award". Cauliflower Alley Club.
24. (May 12, 2025). "Cowboy Bob Orton Jr. to Receive the Men’s Wrestling Award at the 59th CAC Reunion". Cauliflower Alley Club.
25. The David Difference. (October 21, 2025). "CAC Announces the Mick Foley Philanthropy Award". Cauliflower Alley Club.
26. (May 12, 2025). "Harley Race to Be Honored with the Posthumous Award at the 59th CAC Reunion". Cauliflower Alley Club.
27. (July 22, 2025). "Wayne Palmer to Receive the Red Bastien Friendship Award". Cauliflower Alley Club.
28. (May 12, 2025). "Dr. Tom Prichard to Receive the Ron Hutchison Trainers Award at the 59th CAC Reunion". Cauliflower Alley Club.
29. (April 29, 2025). "The Bushwhackers to Receive Tag Team Award at the 59th Annual Cauliflower Alley Club Reunion". Cauliflower Alley Club.
30. (2022-06-06). "Cauliflower Alley Club To Honor Jacqueline Moore". PWInsider.com.
31. (May 28, 2023). "The CAC Congratulates Mickie James: 2023 Women's Wrestling Honoree".
32. "411Mania".
33. Thomas, Jeremy. (April 30, 2025). "Jazz to Receive Cauliflower Alley Club’s Women’s Wrestling Award". 411Mania.
34. "JIM ROSS TO BE HONORED BY CAULIFLOWER ALLEY CLUB WITH INAUGURAL...JIM ROSS AWARD! {{!}} PWInsider.com".
35. (20 March 2024). "Lights, Camera, Action! Todd Bridges Takes Center Stage as the CAC's 2024 Reel Award Honoree!".
36. Johnson, Steve. (April 22, 2010). "Ross, DiBiase lead parade of honorees at CAC banquet". Slam Wrestling.
37. Oliver, Greg. (April 20, 2011). "Lifetime honoree Foley captivates at CAC Baloney Blowout". Slam Wrestling.
38. Johnson, Steve. (April 18, 2012). "Austin, Steamboat delight at Cauliflower Alley Club reunion". Slam Wrestling.
39. Oliver, Greg. (April 18, 2013). "Jake The Snake turns CAC banquet into a sobering experience". Slam Wrestling.
40. Johnson, Steve. (June 5, 2014). "'Odd noise' highlights Cauliflower Alley Club awards". Slam Wrestling.
41. Johnson, Steve. (April 5, 2015). "Many years of hard work pay off for Dennis Brent with CAC's historian award". Slam Wrestling.
42. Oliver, Greg. (April 14, 2016). "Trish brings Stratusfaction, Orndorffs bring tears to CAC banquet". Slam Wrestling.
43. Oliver, Greg. (May 4, 2017). "Tully Blanchard main events 52nd Cauliflower Alley Club reunion". Slam Wrestling.
44. "Baron von Raschke to be Honored This Year {{!}} Cauliflower Alley Club".
45. Lee, Joseph. (February 10, 2018). "Shawn Michaels To Be Honored By Cauliflower Alley Club This April". 411Mania.
46. "Greg Valentine To Receive a 2018 Men's Wrestling Award {{!}} Cauliflower Alley Club".
47. "Tony Storm To Be Honored in 2018 {{!}} Cauliflower Alley Club".
48. (October 6, 2011). "Ivory to be Honored at Cauliflower Alley Club Next Year". Diva Dirt.
49. Tomas, Ben. (April 29, 2013). "Cauliflower Alley Club Reunion 2013 Part 3". SoCalUNCENSORED.com.
50. "Santana Garrett Honored for the Second Time {{!}} Cauliflower Alley Club".
51. "Princess Victoria is a 2018 Honoree {{!}} Cauliflower Alley Club".
52. "1st Lucha Libre Award to be Presented {{!}} Cauliflower Alley Club".
53. "Harlem Heat Will Be Honored in Las Vegas {{!}} Cauliflower Alley Club".
54. Murphy, Dan. (June 4, 2014). "Santana Garrett — TNA's Brittany — named CAC Future Legend". Slam Wrestling.
55. "Kevin Kross to Receive the 2018 Rising Star Award {{!}} Cauliflower Alley Club".
56. "Historian Don Luce to be Recognized at the CAC Reunion {{!}} Cauliflower Alley Club".
57. "Long-time Referee to be Honored in Las Vegas {{!}} Cauliflower Alley Club".
58. Oliver, Greg. (May 2, 2019). "Mark Henry provides laughs and challenges at CAC banquet". Slam Wrestling.
59. Oliver, Greg. (February 11, 2001). "Stu Hart honoured by his peers". Slam Wrestling.
60. Oliver, Greg. (February 10, 2002). "Kowalski gets top CAC award". Slam Wrestling.
61. Oliver, Greg. (April 6, 2003). "Mad Dog gets top CAC honour". Slam Wrestling.
62. Oliver, Greg. (April 18, 2004). "Heenan given CAC's top honor". Slam Wrestling.
63. Hemmings, Jamie. (April 19, 2005). "Terry Funk honored by his peers at CAC". Slam Wrestling.
64. Oliver, Greg. (June 11, 2006). "Race & Hennig go over at Cauliflower Alley Club Banquet". Slam Wrestling.
65. Nation, Ryan. (April 18, 2007). "Don Leo Jonathan earned CAC's top honour". Slam Wrestling.
66. Johns, Fred. (June 10, 2008). "In awe at my first Cauliflower Alley Club reunion". Slam Wrestling.
67. Oliver, Greg. (April 16, 2009). "Top CAC award goes to top CAC man Nick Bockwinkel". Slam Wrestling.
68. "Honorees". Cauliflower Alley Club.