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http://www.kayfabememories.com/Stories/mickkarch/mk7.htm

Al DeRusha may not be one of the more immediately recognizable faces
among AWA fans, but in the scheme of things, in the promotion's
heyday, he played an integral role in their success. He wore many
hats, primarily as the head of production for the "All Star Wrestling"
syndicated TV show. He also promoted "spot" shows throughout the state
of Minnesota along with long time AWA announcer Rodger Kent. He also
refereed and occasionally played the on-air role of a rules committee
representative for "Stanley Blackburn," the AWA "president."

Above all else, Al is a "carny," in the truest sense of the word. He
is of the old-fashioned "carnival barker" school, a salesman with the
gift of gab through and through. It was when I worked the ESPN tapings
for the AWA and Verne Gagne that I got to know Al better and realized
what a funny, funny guy he is.

One of the more memorable moments I have experienced in my years in
the business came in 1989. It was the AWA's final show at the old
Minneapolis Auditorium. It was a gala event with the stars of the
AWA's past on hand to bid farewell to the building, which had housed
pro wrestling for 40 years and was going to be renovated. Leo
Nomellini was there, as were Dick the Bruiser, Butch Levy, Hard Boiled
Haggerty, Wilbur Snyder, and a host of others.

I was seated next to DeRusha, who was at ringside doing the public
address announcing. The opening match, the curtain-raiser, was on. I
forget who it was, but I vaguely remember Minneapolis's own Ricky Rice
was one of the participants. This match was dreadful. There were blown
spots and miscues all over the place right from the beginning.
Clearly, this was not a way to kick off this extravaganza.

The custom at AWA shows was to have the house announcer call the time
every five minutes. Obviously, this gave the referee and the boys cues
as to what point they were in the match,  to prepare for high spots,
comebacks, finishes, etc. Early on in the match, Al was already
shaking his head. He didn't like what he was seeing and there were a
lot of matches and festivities to get to.

It was (and still is) customary to "shave time" from the announce
table (especially when you have wrestlers who get "blown up" easily.) 
For instance, after 4 actual minutes, you announce "5 minutes elapsed
time...5 minutes." Well, after about 2 and a half minutes, Al had
already seen enough and called "5 minutes gone."

I was taken aback. There was a slight mumbling among the ringsiders
who wondered how we were now operating the ringside stopwatch at the
speed of light. But that didn't stop Al! He was determined that the
in-ring debacle was going to be short lived. I swear, I turned around
to say something to an usher, and within seconds, he had already
announced "10 minutes elapsed time....10 minutes!!"

By this time I'm busting a gut. I have my hand covering my mouth to
try and hide the laugh, but it's no use. The fans know what's going
on. I'm laughing so hard I'm shaking. Another minute or so goes by and
Al announces "15 minutes elapsed time...15 minutes!" The wrestlers
look at him incredulously, the referee is chuckling. This match is
done. Toast.

Close the grill. Al will not subject anyone to another minute, not
while he has a microphone in one hand and the ring bell hammer in the
other!!

I don't remember if the match ended in a time limit "Broadway" or if
one of the boys had the "glory" of being put over. I will always
remember that it was an absolutely hysterical moment!


--- Internet Rex 2.29