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http://www.kayfabememories.com/Stories/mickkarch/mk9.htm

One of the real characters in the wrestling business is Sheik Adnan Al
Kaissy. After his long stint as Billy White Wolf, he of course
ventured to the AWA about 20 years ago.

I got to know him very well in the mid-80's, and had the opportunity
to have him as a guest several times on my televised wrestling block
in the Twin Cities. This was towards the end of his AWA run, when he
was starting to work independent shows in the state of Minnesota.

Sheik was involved in one of the funniest moments I had during the
show's tenure. He was going to be cutting a promo wherein he would be
making a blanket threat to any and all of the indy workers. As part of
his promo, the plan was for him to pull out his sword and with one
swift move, he was going to slice a watermelon in half. The melon, of
course, represented what was going to happen to all of his opponents.

Before the cameras turned on, we got the watermelon (I believe Adnan
actually paid for it, which in itself was a rare event!) We rounded up
a table, and for the next several minutes, we tried to get the melon
to balance on the table. Apparently one of the table legs was a little
off-kilter, and the damn melon kept rolling towards the edge of the
table.

We finally got the thing to precariously sit still for the promo. With
the cameras rolling, Adnan let loose with those incredibly loud rants
of his, insisting that what was about to take place signified the
demise of his various opponents. He then grabbed the sword out of its
sheath and reared back. As I am known to do, I did my "mock horror"
take for the camera as Adnan brought the sword down with great
velocity and hit a bullseye in the middle of the hapless watermelon.

I should point out that the sword was very expensive, and may or may
not have been a family heirloom. At any rate, I know that at the very
least it set the notoriously cheap Sheik back a few bucks.

Well, not only did the sword cut the melon perfectly in half, but upon
impact, the sword broke off from its handle. Nuts, bolts, jewels,
screws, everything....went flying. I was barely able to stifle a
laugh.

Adnan sort of froze for a moment, surveying his broken gimmick stick.
He added a few additional rants as we got the wrap-up signal.  What
folks at home didn't see was hysterical. As soon as the camera shut
off, Adnan went into a verbal tirade. I thought he was going to have a
stroke right there on the set. "Goddamn
sword...watermelon.....table!!"

He was beside himself and I was laughing so hard tears were pouring
from my eyes. As we gathered up the pieces of sword, Adnan headed for
the dressing room area, taking his robe off and mumbling to himself.

Absolutely one of my favorite moments in the four years I did that
show!!


--- Internet Rex 2.29