J.R.'s Family Bar-B-Q

I have met some colorful characters in my 30 plus years in the business of wrestling and sports/entertainment. Here are three of them. This is another shot from the 80s with me interviewing from left to right the late Ray Traylor aka The Big Bossman aka Big Bubba Rogers, as shown here, the infamous General Skandor Akbar, and the underrated Black Bart. Akbar’s Army had many members over the years. The General was one of my first mentors in the business in the mid 70s and he taught me respect for the business, how to save money, ring psychology and professionalism. Akbar was at one time a great fan favorite until he “turned” on the legendary Danny Hodge, Ak’s former tag team partner. Akbar, originally from Vernon, Texas where he was a squatty fullback for the Vernon Lions high school football team was also one of the strongest men in the business. Akbar, who was given his wrestling name by Fritz Von Erich, was to be one of the great Bruno Sammartino’s most powerful opponents until Stan Hansen broke Bruno’s neck which postponed the Bruno-Akbar series of matches that would never take place. Jim Webha aka Skandor Akbar is a wonderful gentleman but he, unfortunately, is a Longhorn fan. That has been the source of many long conversations during some hellacious car trips in the old territory days.