“Dick Lane was the TV announcer in Los Angeles who would interview Freddy after his wrestling “matches”
Dick and his side kick Hoppy also did the TV announcing of Roller Derby. What a riot that was. Not a match went by that the match wasn’t determined on the final Jam.
80% of the time the L.A. Thunderbirds won with little Ralphie Valladares scooting around the track with only seconds left, passing by bodies laid out on the track to pick up the point necessary to win. All the while with the little midget Thunderbird mascot cheering them on from the infield. Those were the days, as phoney as wrestling.
Ralphie and Red Smart.
I was young and innocent, but even I figured out it was all baloney—when I finally noticed that the brawls always happened right in front of the camera.