AWA Unleashed

This week we look at the enhancement talent of the 1980's, including former podcast guests Tom "Rocky" Stone, Earthquake Ferris, Frankie DeFalco, the late Nacho Berrera and more.

We have a new one stop shop for AWA Unleashed merch, it’s https://www.teepublic.com/user/unleashed-plus.

This week we look at wrestlers who moved onto another territory, and when they did, they changed their look and personality as well. Names include Ric Flair, Bob Remus, Baron Von Raschke, Adrian Adonis and much more!   We have a new one stop shop for AWA Unleashed merch, it’s https://www.teepublic.com/user/unleashed-plus.

This week it's another attempt to answer your questions with another "No DQ and A." We discuss Dusty's AWA run, Mrs. Dog, Bob Backlund, Evan Johnson, Missy Hyatt and more!
We have a new one stop shop for AWA Unleashed merch, it’s https://www.teepublic.com/user/unleashed-plus.

This week we're joined by former USWA Announcer Craig Johnson. He recaps his journey into wrestling, how he got the name, the Sportatorium, constant rebranding, word association and more!

We have a new one stop shop for AWA Unleashed merch, it’s https://www.teepublic.com/user/unleashed-plus.

This week we look at more "Slick Mick's Pix" where we look at Andre/Dusty, Andre/Pat Patterson, Verne putting his hair on the line and more!

We have a new one stop shop for AWA Unleashed merch, it’s https://www.teepublic.com/user/unleashed-plus.  

This week we discuss enhancement talent of the mid 1960's, including some of the names you may have never heard!   We have a new one stop shop for AWA Unleashed merch, it’s https://www.teepublic.com/user/unleashed-plus.

This week we go back and look at the year 1966, including champions, Chicago, Omaha, Mick tells us why it's one of his favorite years of all time and more!   We have a new one stop shop for AWA Unleashed merch, it’s https://www.teepublic.com/user/unleashed-plus.

This week we discuss the best teams in AWA history to never be awarded the AWA Tag Team Titles. Teams include the Long Riders, some Texans, a couple with The Crusher and more!   We have a new one stop shop for AWA Unleashed merch, it’s https://www.teepublic.com/user/unleashed-plus.

This week Mick recaps his trip to Cauliflower Alley Club in Las Vegas. He discusses what CAC is all about, the difference between that and Waterloo, the events, and he gives us a behind the scenes look and more!   We have a new one stop shop for AWA Unleashed merch, it’s https://www.teepublic.com/user/unleashed-plus.

This week we get your opinion on the best wrestlers to never be awarded the AWA World Championship. It's a top 10 of what you all deemed the best to either come up short, or in some cases never get the opportunity.   We have a new one stop shop for AWA Unleashed merch, it’s https://www.teepublic.com/user/unleashed-plus.

This week we're joined by one of the most successful trainers in the history of the professional wrestling business, the one and only Ron Hutchison! He discusses when the "wrestling bug" bit him, his history revolves around ‘Sully’s Gym’, his most famous students, a sneak behind the "Five Second Pose", his thoughts on the business today and more!   We have a new one stop shop for AWA Unleashed merch, it’s https://www.teepublic.com/user/unleashed-plus.

This week we go back into the Inbox with another " No DQ and A." Mick talks about the first person interviewed on SNR, Vachon Bros., friends and enemies, Bockwinkel/Martel, the "real" Mean Gene , the Hennigs and more!

We have a new one stop shop for AWA Unleashed merch, it’s https://www.teepublic.com/user/unleashed-plus

In this two hour program, we pay tribute to who many consider to be the biggest name in the history of the professional wrestling business, Hulk Hogan. We discuss being able to separate the man Terry Bollea from the character Hulk Hogan, why we feel his legacy is complicated, being a catalyst for the biggest changes in the business, not turning on Vince when he could have, why his heel turn can't be touched, why perception is generational and a ton more!

We have a new one stop shop for AWA Unleashed merch, it’s https://w...

This week Mick and Joe discuss their visit to the George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and their weekend in Waterloo, Iowa. We get Joe's first impressions, why this meant more to Mick than other years, Mick's silent auction horror, ANOTHER trivia screwjob and more!   We have a new one stop shop for AWA Unleashed merch, it’s https://www.teepublic.com/user/unleashed-plus  

This week we welcome "The Authority" back to the show, the one and only George Schire! He explains the misconception around the NWA and why it wasn't a promotion, why wrestling is so important to him, setting the record straight once and for all about the AWA’s inception, why ‘fans’ won’t believe the O’Connor/Gagne situation, and a ton more!   We have a new one stop shop for AWA Unleashed merch, it’s https://www.teepublic.com/user/unleashed-plus

This week we look back at the year 1964. We discuss the champions, title changes, attendance, feeder systems and more!   We have a new one stop shop for AWA Unleashed merch, it’s https://www.teepublic.com/user/unleashed-plus

This week it's another "Slick Mick's Pix" where we look at some never before seen and rare photos including Verne Gagne's Minnetonka home, the Vachon's, Hennigs, a few with Mick and more!   We have a new one stop shop for AWA Unleashed merch, it’s https://www.teepublic.com/user/unleashed-plus

This week it's another popular "No DQ and A" where we discuss potential guests and why some haven't been on yet, the Alaskans, candid Road Warriors shots, Sheik bumps", crazy fans and more!

We have a new one stop shop for AWA Unleashed merch, it’s https://www.teepublic.com/user/unleashed-plus

This week the three of us give our favorites in several categories, including feuds, referees, promos, main events and a whole lot more. Give us yours in the comments, cause we love to see them!   We have a new one stop shop for AWA Unleashed merch, it’s https://www.teepublic.com/user/unleashed-plus

This week we discuss the wrestlers that may have had technical limitations, but cut some fantastic promos and really got over. As usual, this is about their time in the AWA, not necessarily what they did in other promotions, territories, or other times in their career.   We have a new one stop shop for AWA Unleashed merch, it’s https://www.teepublic.com/user/unleashed-plus

This week we discuss the wrestlers that could "go" in the ring, but didn't cut the best promos. As usual, this is about their time in the AWA, not necessarily what they did in other promotions, territories, or other times in their career.

We have a new one stop shop for AWA Unleashed merch, it’s https://www.teepublic.com/user/unleashed-plus

This week it's another of our popular "No DQ and A", where we answer your questions, including Roddy Piper's AWA run, why Ox Baker didn't get used as much, midget wrestling, wrestling "brothers", Rocky Hamilton, riots and a ton more!   We have a new one stop shop for AWA Unleashed merch, it’s https://www.teepublic.com/user/unleashed-plus

This week we discuss some of the biggest bad asses in AWA history. We discuss what defines a "bad ass", why it can apply to different wrestlers and more!

We have a new one stop shop for AWA Unleashed merch, it’s https://www.teepublic.com/user/unleashed-plus.

This week we're joined by the longest tenured referee in the Twin Cities professional wrestling scene, Jay Soltis, who is FINALLY retiring after 30 years!   He discusses his connection to Mick and "Saturday Night at Ringside", his great history working with former AWA talent, what he does differently than other referees, favorite memories, and a ton more!   We have a new one stop shop for AWA Unleashed merch with our newly released "It's Raining In Miami" design, it’s https://www.teepublic.com/user/unleashed-plus.

This week we go back in time and recap the year 1965! We discuss why it was important, we look at some of the champions, fans still believing, the infamous Harley Race incident and a ton more!   We have a new one stop shop for AWA Unleashed merch with our newly released "It's Raining In Miami" design, it’s https://www.teepublic.com/user/unleashed-plus.

This week we wrap up our conversation with Justin Race, who is the son of the legendary "King of wrestling" Harley Race. We discuss the team with Larry Hennig and the Hennig family, wrestling "Victor", his relationship with Bobby Heenan, keeping the Race name alive and more, plus we're joined by a special guest!    We have a new one stop shop for AWA Unleashed merch with our newly released "It's Raining In Miami" design, it’s https://www.teepublic.com/user/unleashed-plus.

This week it's part one with Justin Race, who is the son of the legendary "King of wrestling" Harley Race. He tells us when he knew his dad was a celebrity, the stability he had as a kid, how he reacted to being a "heel’s’ child" at school, dad vs. wrestler and more!   We have a new one stop shop for AWA Unleashed merch with our newly released "It's Raining In Miami" design, it’s https://www.teepublic.com/user/unleashed-plus.

This week we look at more of "Slick Mick's Pix", including some candid never seen before pictures of Nick Bockwinkel, and a fantastic shot of Bobby Heenan, Curt Hennig, Wade Boggs and a ton more!   We have a new one stop shop for AWA Unleashed merch with our newly released "It's Raining In Miami" line!, it’s https://www.teepublic.com/user/unleashed-plus

This week the discussion revolves around the "babyface to heel" turns, why it didn't happen often in the AWA, how they would do it instead and more.   We have a new one stop shop for AWA Unleashed merch, it’s https://www.teepublic.com/user/unleashed-plus.

This week we're joined by the legendary Chief Frank Hill (aka Jules Strongbow.) He discusses the surprising amount of training he received before having his first match, who first took an interest in him, his first impression of Jay Strongbow, his talks with Vince McMahon Sr., and a ton more!

We have a new one stop shop for AWA Unleashed merch, it’s https://www.teepublic.com/user/unleashed-plus

This week we discuss six of the biggest villain to hero transformations in AWA history, including the build up, execution and fallout. Mick Karch and Joe Ciupik explain the difference between the actual transformation as opposed to a "mystery partner'", and more! Who are they? Listen and find out!

We have a new one stop shop for AWA Unleashed merch, it’s https://www.teepublic.com/user/unleashed-plus.

This week it's another "No DQ and A", where we answer your questions! We discuss the Verne Gagne/Bobby Heenan relationship, Jerry Sags as a referee, directing at The Showboat, old wrestling action figures, Gorgeous George and more!   There's a new one stop shop for AWA Unleashed merch, it’s https://www.teepublic.com/user/unleashed-plus. You can get t-shirts, hoodies, hats, mugs, phone cases, and tons more.

This week we discuss how Eddie Sharkey's Pro Wrestling America (PWA) helped extend the AWA's run, and how it eventually replaced them as the primary Twin Cities promotion. We get into the fallout between Eddie Sharkey and Verne Gagne and what brought them back together, the AWA stars that worked the promotion, The West-4 Connection in Winnipeg and more.

We have a new one stop shop for AWA Unleashed merch, it’s https://www.teepublic.com/user/unleashed-plus.

This week we're joined by former PWA and SDW Announcer Dale Spear. He discusses his friendship with Mick and later working with him, his trips to Cauliflower Alley Club, sharing a cab with Verne Gagne, Scott Hall, Jim Cornette, how he became friends with Larry Zbyszko and more!   We have a new one stop shop for AWA Unleashed merch, it’s https://www.teepublic.com/user/unleashed-plus.

This week we take a look at the end 1987 and the "Showboat Era", and was it the beginning of the end? Mick and Joe were both working for the AWA at the time, they discussed the history of the move to the Showboat & the ESPN deal, what a typical day was like, who was and wasn't involved in production meetings, the mood in the locker room, we looked at the roster and more!   We have a new one stop shop for AWA Unleashed merch, it’s https://www.teepublic.com/user/unleashed-plus.

This week we take a look at the year 1970. We discuss the schedule, attendance, Bob Luce in Chicago, Nick Bockwinkel's impact, those that became stars down the road, evolution of Dr X unmasking, and more!   We have a new one stop shop for AWA Unleashed merch, it’s https://www.teepublic.com/user/unleashed-plus.

This week we're looking at some more "Slick Mick Pix!". which include Mad Dog Race, a new Verne move, a touching Nick Bockwinkel Christmas card, Wally and Stan, plus a ton more, including one that keeps popping up for some reason.    There's a new one stop shop for AWA Unleashed merch, it’s https://www.teepublic.com/user/unleashed-plus. You can get t-shirts, hoodies, mugs, phone cases, and tons more.

This week we're back and answering your questions with another "No DQ and A." We discuss misconceptions, trusting Tom Zenk, Larry Nelson's demeanor, would Tracy Smothers have been a good heel, reaction to Hulk Hogan getting booed, a Rocky Mountain Thunder fan sign and more.   There's a new one stop shop for AWA Unleashed merch, it’s https://www.teepublic.com/user/unleashed-plus. You can get t-shirts, hoodies, mugs, phone cases, and tons more.

We start the new year by discussing and telling some Wally Karbo stories we like to call "Karbo’s Kapers." Of course we touch on being a translator for Ivan Putski, "fines and suspensions", his prowess with the ladies, lunch with Mick and the missing rental car, his run-in with the law and more.   There's a new one stop shop for AWA Unleashed merch, it’s https://www.teepublic.com/user/unleashed-plus. You can get t-shirts, hoodies, mugs, phone cases, and tons more.

We wrap up 2024 by cleaning out our inbox with our last "No DQ and A." This week we discuss the relationship between Bob Luce and the AWA, wrestler product endorsements, Mick's heat with Nick Bockwinkel, the Long Riders title runs and a ton more.   We have a new one stop shop for AWA Unleashed merch, it’s https://www.teepublic.com/user/unleashed-plus. You can get t-shirts, hoodies, mugs, phone cases, and tons more.