western?

[joshrocker]

i keep hearing how dangerous it is to walk to the western. does anyone have any advice? i'm a bigger guy-not really afraid, but i've read on a few other posts that the walk isn't safe. . .i was looking for some cheap gambling and that was one of the places on my list. thanks!

[The Hangman]

My answer is I am an ex pro-wrestler. Weigh about 300 lbs. I have body slammed Andre The Giant. I used to dead lift one half a ton, just over 1,000 lbs. I would turn cars over, on stage, by my bare hands. And I used to live in Las Vegas for about ten years.

My advice: Visit the Western during the day but be careful. When the sun starts to set, you better be gone. You are only a few blocks away from the Fremont Street experience but taxis normally do not stop at the Western. I have seen many undercover prostitution stings happening, both during the day and very active after dark, right across the street from the wide open front doors of the Western. I still see those stings happening while I watch COPS on TV while out her on the East Coast.

In 1995 we filmed some scenes in the movie "Casino" near that area. We had cops all around us and still we made sure we shot during the day only. That was by advice from Metro Police. I think they know more than us so we trusted their advice.

Just over four weeks before we get back to Vegas.

graemlins/wiggle.gif

[Billy from TX.]

Hey Hangman,
Just one question....How did it feal to body slam The Giant? I have been a huge fan of wrestling all my life, esp. my younger years when my mom used to take me down to the Dallas Sportatorium (SP). I read in the Dallas Morning News just yesterday how they are preparing the place for destruction. It should be a vacant lot by the end of the week. I'm sure you have been there as well. I used to live just a couple miles from Scandar Akbar. It was always fun to see him at the same grocery store that I bagged groceries at as a teenager. We used to spurt some lines on how the Von Erichs were the best and he would play along.

I'm glad to see you on the board.

[Sonya]

I am a 30-something year old woman, 6 feet tall and I decline to state my weight, but it's slightly less than The Hangman. I have not body slammed Andre the Giant, but I was ringside when someone else did and I felt it in my knees... Is that close enough? I do 12 oz curls on the weekends but I haven't lived in Vegas, it just feels like I do sometimes.

However, I wouldn't be walking back from the Western after dark. I walk all over Vegas by myself after dark. I've walked at 2am on a Tuesday back to Main Street Station from Fremont Street, but I try not to get too far off the beaten path if I can avoid it. It gets scary really fast once you get a block or two off of Fremont Street.

[The Hangman]

Working with Andre was great. He was just starting out and did not know how to do a body slam too well. I had to pick up his dead weight without his help. Two days later we met in the ring again. He sat on my face and chest. As they wheeled me away on a stretcher to a short stay at the hospital, I was gasping for air and heard him off in the distance in broken english and a French accent saying something like payback is a b**ch. And they say wrestling is fake...LOL...yea right.

I heard about the old home coming down. I recently heard a couple years ago, the Chicago Ampihtheater, (stock yards) came down too. I got my start in Chi Town with Dick the Bruiser and did some good shows for Big D and others near Dallas.

We are holding a huge wrestling convention downtown Las Vegas at the Plaza from April 3 - 5. After that convention I'll be working the NAB convention with Bill Cosby and many other fellow movie and TV actors like myself. Even though there will be about 770 prowrestlers, which by the way we are putting on free shows and free meetings for the fans for photos ans autographs; even we will not walk to the Western after dark. Over the years, I lost a couple friends in that area. May they continue to rest in peace.

[prezriv]

I am 5' 6" weighing 160 lb. I have body slammed my son when he was watching WWf when he wasn't allowed. I have been to Las Vegas 20 times in last 15 years. Never been to Western !!! Am I missing something . I will be visiting Vegas next month (Mar 8-13) You guys think I should visit the place during the day time to Complete my Vegas experience . Do they have valet parking ?
graemlins/beerchug.gif ;) graemlins/beerchug.gif

[The Hangman]

I would say visit it if you want. You can consider the Venetian, Paris, MGM, Mandaly Bay and the like on the upper scale of Las Vegas. The Western, well lets just say it is an experience.

I remember 10 cent Keno, 25 cent craps and similar odds. Each of us has our own tastes. I heard the western is up for sale or has been sold. Other properties owned by Jackie Gaughn were also up for sale including Gold Spike, Plaza and a few others.

The western used to have hotel suites (?) at anywhere from 10 to 15 dollars a night. Someone I heard called it the roach motel. Compare that to hotels on the strip that charge 90 to 120 a night and you decide where you want to stay.

As to your question about Valet parking....Last I remember is no....but on the same hand....many people I see hanging around there do not have a car or they can be found around back sleeping in their cars....

Maybe that is one reason there is talk that the new owners might tear it down???

[joshrocker]

thanks guys for your response! i guess i'll try and make it over there before dark. that was one casino i hadn't seen yet. do they have good table odds? i know they have no limits.

hangman, its an honor to be exchanging posts with you. smile.gif

[joshrocker]

thanks guys for your response! i guess i'll try and make it over there before dark. that was one casino i hadn't seen yet. do they have good table odds? i know they have no limits.

hangman, its an honor to be exchanging posts with you. smile.gif

[The Hangman]

Thank you joshrocker...you two

graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

[Nevada Kid]

I would walk to the El Cortez, the walk to there isn't bad, and I think the gaming is better.

[CISCOKID]

what ever happened to oh nelly and the pencil necked geek. :D

[Booger]

I go to Vegas 6-8 times a year for the last 15+
years.I play Blackjack at the Western,day or
night and have never been bothered before,ever.
If you want to see a run-down casino,that's the
place.Ive stayed there 1 time just to say I have
and I'm SURE you don't want to do that.But,if you
want to try some $1 Blackjack or 10 cent
roullete,go during the day and no one will bother
you.Some of the street urchines will probably
try to bum some change or smokes,MAYBE sell you
some drugs,that's about all.Just like walking in
downtown L.A.. If it were me,I'd go ,even if it's
for only 5 min.,then you will REALLY enjoy the
place you are staying that much more!!

Booger

[joshrocker]

do they really still have 10 cent roulette? i didn't know you could still find those limits in a casino. i haven't played roulette for a few years but i may have to give that "a spin".

[pezarino]

I've played .25 roulette at Binions a while ago. I don't think they have it there anymore. What a blast! You feel like such big roller covering half the board with chips. We played for hours smile.gif and it took a lot longer to lose all our $$$.

[joshrocker]

roulette is how i got started gambling. i always like playing the inside numbers but never could afford to for very long. i mostly stuck to the outside. when i started reading books and learning proper play i stopped playing roulette and started playing just blackjack. but even .25 roulette would be really fun. let it ride is another game that i really like to play but usually don't because of the high house edge, does anyone know where i can find let it ride for under the usual 5.00 dollars a hand?

[New_Guy]

I've walked to the western at all times of day/night. Is it a nice place? Heck no, but it's a lot of fun. The walk/area really isn't that bad at all. Then again, I guess it's all relative. If you don't live in a city, it might scare you a bit. I've lived in Chicago and currently live in DC, and I've seen neighborhoods 20x scarier.