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http://kayfabememories.com/Stories/mickkarch/mk25.htm

The 'original' Doug Gilbert (not to be confused with the Doug Gilbert
that competed in the Memphis area in the 90's) wrestled in the AWA in
the early 1960's. A good-looking, clean-cut, talented wrestler,
Gilbert was the stereotypical babyface of the era. He had legendary
matches with Mr. M (Bill Miller) for the AWA championship, but more
than that, his claim to fame was a run as an AWA tag team champion
with Dick Steinborn as his partner. When Gilbert left the AWA, he
eventually bulked up considerably and become a heel in the WWWF area,
as 'Gashouse' Gilbert. In 1981, he returned to the AWA as the referee
for Verne Gagne's first retirement match, May 10, 1981, at the St.
Paul Civic Center. It was a sell-out crowd of almost 18,000, a
star-studded lineup, as Gagne was to defend the championship against
Nick Bockwinkel.

I was a ringside photographer for Pro Wrestling Illustrated that
night.  I witnessed one of the more memorable moments unfold. Midway
through the match, Gagne has Bockwinkel on the mat, working on the
leg. To get the hold released, Nick grabs Gagne around the neck and
starts pulling backwards. Nick's grip is under the chin, around the
Adam's apple. It's a choke hold.

Referee Gilbert is on all fours, gazing at the proceedings, but he's
not calling for a break of the choke. He's daydreaming. Staring off
into space. Thinking about the after-match buffet. Something. But he's
not paying attention.

Gagne, always the professional but not known for his patience,
grumbles, "ref, it's a choke." Gilbert is unphased. He's still taking
a momentary trip to la-la land. Nick maintains the grip. Gagne is
getting steamed. "Gilbert, it's a choke," he spews. You can't blame
Verne. It's an integral part of the match, and it's not playing out
correctly due to Gilbert's sudden 'brain fart.'

"Goddamn it, Gilbert!" Verne finally screamed. "It's a choke!!! Don't
you know what a choke is??? You'll NEVER referee up here again!"

Well, that woke Gilbert up. He blinked his eyes a couple times and
called for the break. Television commentator Mean Gene Okerlund, well
aware that Verne's message to Gilbert was heard loud and clear over
the airwaves, clears his throat and says, "uh..Gagne's giving the
referee a little heat."

A LITTLE HEAT?? You could hear Verne all the way to Edmonton.

Two things developed after the match. First, Gilbert, not to be denied
one last shot, deliberately stood in the background as Verne posed for
some photographs with some college mates at the after-match party.
Gilbert has his finger stuck up his nose. I've seen the picture. It's
not pretty and hardly a delicious part of the buffet.

The other development?

Gilbert never did referee up here again.


--- Internet Rex 2.29