I moved from Los Angeles in 1961 to a small town Marysville, Calif, 35 miles north of Sacramento, I was 9 yrs old. My dad came home from work one night and said we're going to the wrestling match at the Civic Auditorium. Pepper was on the card. After the matches were over and everyone was leaving my dad took me through the curtains where the wrestlers came in and out and asked to see Pepper. Pepper came out and gave my dad a big hand shake and hug he was all smiles. They went to high school together in L.A. My dad and Pepper were on the track team together. We went across the street to Hy's Coffee Shop and chatted for a short time cause I think Pepper was off to the next town. He was a sweet man and he talked to me as much as he did to my dad. I was a skinny little kid but Pepper let me punch him in the stomach, ha ha ha.
Saw Pepper in the Midwest (Chicago) He had a blood bath feud with Bobby Heenan, and they ran a Volkswagen across his stomach. Never forget him! RIP Pepper
To the producers: You guys have a real gift for showing the dignity of your subjects. I have watched all of these wrestling docs and they are all terrific.
My goodness people!!! Pepper Gomez!! WOW!! I love Pepper Gomez!! I watched him on All Star Wrestling back in the very early 70s and marveled at his agility and stamina.. He was so cool in the ring and the announcer always brought up the story of Pepper cracking coconuts with his right arm and sure enough he would get whoever he was against in a headlock and the ref would have to stop him from cracking the guys head open... Thank you so much!! This is the greatest video...
I used to watch him on "All Star Wrestling" in Minneapolis. He would battle the Vachons with various partners including Red Bastein. (Red Pepper). They would always whip the Vachons but fail to take the belt. He was one of maybe a half dozen wrestlers in the 60's who used the "Cast Iron Gut" gimmick. I wonder why no one uses that gimmick anymore? I guess it is old and passe.
From 1973-1975...OMG, all those matches with Pepper vs. Valiant Bros., Bobby Hehan, at the Hammond Indiana Civic Center,and at the Chicago Area on Halsead! Will NEVER forget them!
I was like 12 when I met him he would come to Denver to Wrestle..and me and my brother Michael would wait till he came out so we could walk a little with him.. he was so nice and tell us stay in school and pay attention.. 😊..a good decent man
I remember once he wrestled Mr. Fuji and Fuji did his usual trick, tossing a salt packet in Gomez' eyes. Afterward the interviewer asked Fuji Why did you throw that salt in his face?", and Fuji laughed and told him "Because if he was Salt Gomez I would've thrown Pepper!"
Loved watching him as a kid in the early 70s. Pepper Gomez, Rocky Johnson, Peter Maivia, Pat Patterson, Paul DeMarco, Billy Graham, Kenji Shibuya, and of course, Ray Stevens. Those were the days.
I remember seeing Pepper Gomez during his trips to Hawaii. Promoter Ed Francis I guess had a working relationship with the promoters in San Francisco, Portland and Los Angeles and would bring the top names in the area to Hawaii.
When I was quite young (4-5 y/o) I first saw TV wrestling and there was Pepper Gomez, my new hero. I watched him faithfully week after week, rooting for him over the (identified and casted) bad guys. "You get ‘em Pepper, you show ‘em” I’d yell into the black-and-white TV screen. And he did too . . . at least that’s how I've remembered it over the decades. Looking back into my small and young world, Pepper (and the other men who played their roles and wrestled) showed me what fair-play and courage looked like as they faced off against each other in the ring. Very sweet memories. And after looking him up on the internet just this evening, I am also glad to learn that my childhood wrestling hero was a good man who lived a family-rich and well-rewarded long life. Thanks Pepper.
Met him in the late 90’s when I was working for a Pest Control compan. Talked to me about his career, talked about how wonderful his wife was and couldn’t have been nicer.
Around 1969 I met Pepper with my friend Walter Lampert at a gym in the bay area. Pepper was all dressed up, in a sport jacket, I think. I had never encountered anyone before who glowed such radiant physical health before. Didn't hurt having that great skin tone, either. He was overwhelming.
Pepper Gomez had a hot run in Texas facing wrestlers like Johnny Valentine & Toru Tanaka ànd the feats od of strength breaking a cement ɓlock with a sledgehammer while the block rested on his stomach and seeing Houston promoter Paul Boesch jumping off the top rope òn to Mr Gomez stomach Houston wrestling fans loved Pepper Gomez may you rest in Peace God bless your family
Hello-my father went to Hollenbeck junior high- a new kid with a stutter and asthma. He was beaten up pretty bad his first day and came home. His mother was having coffee with their next door neighbor, who saw what they did to my father. She said next time those kids come by, give them this card-it was a business card with Pepper's name-he was a member of the Saxons, an athletic team (not gang) of clean cut athletes in the high-school you did not want to mess around with. Next day, those kids approached my dad, he gave the card, they looked up at him, and walked away without a word and never bothered him again. Many years later they saw Pepper, who was working at La Scoma in SF, and bought him a drink and thanked him for saving his life. Pepper has been a legend in our own family and had no idea what a star he was in real terms until I just looked him up.
Thank YOU! My father just died and I had interviewed him in 2003 for posterity-re-watched it and he recounted that story. Had no idea what a star he was-this is an amazing documentary. Warm wishes-Scott
back in the 70's at our local high school they had a show i always had nose bleeds when i was younger and i got 1 during the show so my mom took me out of the stands and when we got to the restrooms pepper was going in he took me in and cleaned my nose up will always be 1 of my favorites
My dad and my uncle took me to the Montreal Forum for my 11th or 12th birthday. We had great seats, 8 or 10 rows back, floor level; my uncle knew the Sports Editor for The Gazette. Pepper Gomez vs Killer Kowalski, Yvon Robert, another wrestling great, was refereeing. As I remember it, Kowalski was on one knee bending over Gomez. It must have been illegal because Robert, from the rear, tapped KK on the right shoulder but KK shrugged Robert off in defiance. Robert approached again and and tapped, this time KK turned to look over his shoulder at Robert. Robert caught him with a right hook breaking his jaw. I remember KK lying on his side, mouth foaming.I'm sure there was no faking there.
We fondly recall his Northern California years. He was classy, but held a grudge against Ray Stevens for botching the Candlestick Park outdoor mega match by breaking his leg on a motorcycle.
Tom Sartwell us old timers that watched Pepper and Ray on channel 2 KTVU,are a privileged few.Ive only been able to find one match with Ray,at his prime.Those who only saw Ray when he was a fat has been,in the AWA Verge Gange days,with Nick Bockwinkle,don't know what they're missing.I wish someone,if anyone has access to those tapes,would post some on RUclips.That little studio,in Oakland,seating 50 people at most,was amateur at best,but it had the best professional wrestler ever to lace his boots;Ray Stevens.Ric Flair said he stole everything Ray did.
To librivox audiobooks will you have any of the sleazey pulp short stories including the catfight short letters stories of the thirties and the fourties by the great authors
Especially would love to see one about Killer Karl Kox. Was terrified of him when I was a kid...in his later years, he and I became best of friends. I was asked to speak at his memorial.
I moved from Los Angeles in 1961 to a small town Marysville, Calif, 35 miles north of Sacramento, I was 9 yrs old. My dad came home from work one night and said we're going to the wrestling match at the Civic Auditorium. Pepper was on the card. After the matches were over and everyone was leaving my dad took me through the curtains where the wrestlers came in and out and asked to see Pepper. Pepper came out and gave my dad a big hand shake and hug he was all smiles. They went to high school together in L.A. My dad and Pepper were on the track team together. We went across the street to Hy's Coffee Shop and chatted for a short time cause I think Pepper was off to the next town. He was a sweet man and he talked to me as much as he did to my dad. I was a skinny little kid but Pepper let me punch him in the stomach, ha ha ha.
Saw Pepper in the Midwest (Chicago) He had a blood bath feud with Bobby Heenan, and they ran a Volkswagen across his stomach. Never forget him! RIP Pepper
To the producers: You guys have a real gift for showing the dignity of your subjects. I have watched all of these wrestling docs and they are all terrific.
Zachary Jendro
Thank you so much Zachary...we really appreciate this message and thank you for watching.
Pepper Gomez' feud with Ray Stevens remains one of the most intense in Bay Area wrestling history.
Thanks for watching
Brings back memories of when I was a kid watching his matches
My goodness people!!! Pepper Gomez!! WOW!! I love Pepper Gomez!! I watched him on All Star Wrestling back in the very early 70s and marveled at his agility and stamina.. He was so cool in the ring and the announcer always brought up the story of Pepper cracking coconuts with his right arm and sure enough he would get whoever he was against in a headlock and the ref would have to stop him from cracking the guys head open... Thank you so much!! This is the greatest video...
thanks for watching Jim, and thanks for your comment too
Keep it in the family productions channel is Ray Stevens covered in this series?Thanks for posting these.
I used to watch him on "All Star Wrestling" in Minneapolis. He would battle the Vachons with various partners including Red Bastein. (Red Pepper). They would always whip the Vachons but fail to take the belt. He was one of maybe a half dozen wrestlers in the 60's who used the "Cast Iron Gut" gimmick. I wonder why no one uses that gimmick anymore? I guess it is old and passe.
It was awesome to meet him.
From 1973-1975...OMG, all those matches with Pepper vs. Valiant Bros., Bobby Hehan, at the Hammond Indiana Civic Center,and at the Chicago Area on Halsead! Will NEVER forget them!
Thanks for watching Roger
You got it! To many good memories!
Wow! There is no greater compliment for a man than being ‘A good man’ , that’s Pepper.
He sure was a nice man. It was an honour to meet him. Thanks for watching.
@@keepitinthefamily thnx
Oh ya I use to watch him long time ago in the 70ds. I grew up watching wrestling
He was a great man. Very nice.
I was like 12 when I met him he would come to Denver to Wrestle..and me and my brother Michael would wait till he came out so we could walk a little with him.. he was so nice and tell us stay in school and pay attention.. 😊..a good decent man
He was awesom. It was great to meet him.Thanks for watching Donna.
I remember once he wrestled Mr. Fuji and Fuji did his usual trick, tossing a salt packet in Gomez' eyes. Afterward the interviewer asked Fuji Why did you throw that salt in his face?", and Fuji laughed and told him "Because if he was Salt Gomez I would've thrown Pepper!"
Loved watching him as a kid in the early 70s. Pepper Gomez, Rocky Johnson, Peter Maivia, Pat Patterson, Paul DeMarco, Billy Graham, Kenji Shibuya, and of course, Ray Stevens. Those were the days.
What a class act man. Thanks for posting.
+plt3us thanks for watching and thanks for the comment.
Teamed with Jose Lothario and they were awesome!
Thanks for watching. We appreciate it.
I remember seeing Pepper Gomez during his trips to Hawaii. Promoter Ed Francis I guess had a working relationship with the promoters in San Francisco, Portland and Los Angeles and would bring the top names in the area to Hawaii.
Saw him many times at the Cow Palace. Have a program with Pepper on the front cover. Great wrestler and athlete
When I was quite young (4-5 y/o) I first saw TV wrestling and there was Pepper Gomez, my new hero. I watched him faithfully week after week, rooting for him over the (identified and casted) bad guys. "You get ‘em Pepper, you show ‘em” I’d yell into the black-and-white TV screen. And he did too . . . at least that’s how I've remembered it over the decades. Looking back into my small and young world, Pepper (and the other men who played their roles and wrestled) showed me what fair-play and courage looked like as they faced off against each other in the ring. Very sweet memories. And after looking him up on the internet just this evening, I am also glad to learn that my childhood wrestling hero was a good man who lived a family-rich and well-rewarded long life. Thanks Pepper.
I remember this guy from the old wrestling magazines.
Thanks for watching
I remember pepper as Tha man wire the cast iron stomach and they would do wrestling vinyetts and place a Volkswagen on his stomach
Met him in the late 90’s when I was working for a Pest Control compan. Talked to me about his career, talked about how wonderful his wife was and couldn’t have been nicer.
Thank you
thanks for watching Ken
He was my hero! He was the best!❤️👍🏻
Thanks for watching
@@keepitinthefamily my pleasure! Thanks for posting pepper!
Around 1969 I met Pepper with my friend Walter Lampert at a gym in the bay area. Pepper was all dressed up, in a sport jacket, I think. I had never encountered anyone before who glowed such radiant physical health before. Didn't hurt having that great skin tone, either. He was overwhelming.
thanks for watching
Pepper Gomez had a hot run in Texas facing wrestlers like Johnny Valentine & Toru Tanaka ànd the feats od of strength breaking a cement ɓlock with a sledgehammer while the block rested on his stomach and seeing Houston promoter Paul Boesch jumping off the top rope òn to Mr Gomez stomach Houston wrestling fans loved Pepper Gomez may you rest in Peace
God bless your family
He was a great man to meet!
Hello-my father went to Hollenbeck junior high- a new kid with a stutter and asthma. He was beaten up pretty bad his first day and came home. His mother was having coffee with their next door neighbor, who saw what they did to my father. She said next time those kids come by, give them this card-it was a business card with Pepper's name-he was a member of the Saxons, an athletic team (not gang) of clean cut athletes in the high-school you did not want to mess around with. Next day, those kids approached my dad, he gave the card, they looked up at him, and walked away without a word and never bothered him again. Many years later they saw Pepper, who was working at La Scoma in SF, and bought him a drink and thanked him for saving his life. Pepper has been a legend in our own family and had no idea what a star he was in real terms until I just looked him up.
Scott Brown Thanks for sharing this great story. Pepper was an awesome man.
Thank YOU! My father just died and I had interviewed him in 2003 for posterity-re-watched it and he recounted that story. Had no idea what a star he was-this is an amazing documentary. Warm wishes-Scott
Pampero Firpo, Bull Curry, the Sheik, Boris “The Great Malenko,” and many others need a vid!
We agree! That’s for watching
back in the 70's at our local high school they had a show i always had nose bleeds when i was younger and i got 1 during the show so my mom took me out of the stands and when we got to the restrooms pepper was going in he took me in and cleaned my nose up will always be 1 of my favorites
Willie Mays and Pepper Gomez - my two childhood heros!
Pepper was a heck of a good man.
Thanks for the comment Jim
My dad and my uncle took me to the Montreal Forum for my 11th or 12th birthday. We had great seats, 8 or 10 rows back, floor level; my uncle knew the Sports Editor for The Gazette.
Pepper Gomez vs Killer Kowalski, Yvon Robert, another wrestling great, was refereeing. As I remember it, Kowalski was on one knee bending over Gomez. It must have been illegal because Robert, from the rear, tapped KK on the right shoulder but KK shrugged Robert off in defiance. Robert approached again and and tapped, this time KK turned to look over his shoulder at Robert. Robert caught him with a right hook breaking his jaw. I remember KK lying on his side, mouth foaming.I'm sure there was no faking there.
Pepper Gomez always had me rolling on the floor from laughing with his crazy comical antics! lol ✔️
I'm not lying but he's in my family
So awesome
Pepper was my brother-in-law. He was one of the good guys.
He sure was Tom. It was a pleasure to meet him and his lovely wife.
We fondly recall his Northern California years. He was classy, but held a grudge against Ray Stevens for botching the Candlestick Park outdoor mega match by breaking his leg on a motorcycle.
Tom Sartwell us old timers that watched Pepper and Ray on channel 2 KTVU,are a privileged few.Ive only been able to find one match with Ray,at his prime.Those who only saw Ray when he was a fat has been,in the AWA Verge Gange days,with Nick Bockwinkle,don't know what they're missing.I wish someone,if anyone has access to those tapes,would post some on RUclips.That little studio,in Oakland,seating 50 people at most,was amateur at best,but it had the best professional wrestler ever to lace his boots;Ray Stevens.Ric Flair said he stole everything Ray did.
That's awesome
Awesome story Larry. Thanks for the comment. We love hearing from you.
To librivox audiobooks will you have any of the sleazey pulp short stories including the catfight short letters stories of the thirties and the fourties by the great authors
They should have did one for Ray Stevens Midnight express the sheik Killer Karl kox and the Fargos Jackie Don and Roughhouse
Yes, all those guys were icons for sure. Thanks for watching.
Especially would love to see one about Killer Karl Kox. Was terrified of him when I was a kid...in his later years, he and I became best of friends. I was asked to speak at his memorial.
ever see one of these on October anderson? he was always with the destroyer the masked wrestler
not yet. thanks for watching
I'll bet he still has a cast iron stomach 👍
He died a few years ago. Great guy.
Nice!
Rep dominicana que nacionalidad d América latina
Iron Mike is Ted Dibiase's father .