‘Raging Bull’ Fernandez to assist with Acorns’ program; Special
fundraiser on Nov. 22
MORGAN HILL – Are you ready to rumble?
Live Oak High will play host to the Universal Xtreme Wrestling Federation on Saturday, Nov. 22 for an event to raise money for the Acorns wrestling team.
The event is being organized by former professional wrestling tag-team champion Manny “The Raging Bull” Fernandez, who is also the newest member to Live Oak’s wrestling staff.
Fernandez, who will help coach the Live Oak varsity as an assistant, decided to put on the event after learning that the team is lacking in some crucial supplies.
“It’s going to be a benefit fund,” said Fernandez. “They don’t have equipment. They don’t have any water bottles, and their uniforms are in short supply. Some are lacking or have the wrong color.”
The goal is to raise enough money to keep the team on its feet and to keep the program alive.
“We’re hoping to raise money to build the program,” Fernandez said. “We hope (the program) can be self-sustaining.”
The event will feature five to six matches, including Fernandez.
Fernandez has had a colorful career, one that almost seems larger than life. He started out as a Navy S.E.A.L. and served in Vietnam. After the war, he attended West Texas State, where he played football.
It was there he was first exposed to wrestling, and after playing three years of pro football with the Kansas City Chiefs, he became a pro-wrestler.
For 25 years, Fernandez wrestled both in the United States and Japan. He held nearly every title, most notably as the tag-team champion with his partner Ravishing Rick Rude.
Fernandez went into coaching after serving as a tour agent for the WWE when his wrestling career was finished. He was the varsity coach at Lincoln High in San Jose. There he worked to build character in his wrestlers.
“We went on the road a lot,” Fernandez said. “It helped them grow as a team.”
For Fernandez, team-building is one of his main goals at Live Oak. He says that wrestling will help kids build confidence and stay out of trouble.
“Wrestling will give the kids an opportunity to stay off the streets,” Fernandez said. “I coach for love; to watch these kids grow.”
The event will be held at the Live Oak main gym, with the first match scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. Tickets can be purchased for $10 at BookSmart in downtown Morgan Hill or online at www.getquickticks.com.
