Stick To Wrestling with John McAdam

This week the STICK TO WRESTLING Universe welcomes Lou Kipilman as it’s guest, and we take questions from our listeners!

— Did Bobby Heenan spoil the surprise when Hogan came out and he asked “Whose side is he on”?
— What might the old Mid-Atlantic territory looked like had it not been for the 1975 plane crash?
— If the WWF wanted to keep the tag titles on the British Bulldogs while Dynamite Kid recovered from his injuries, who would have been the third member?
— What if, in 1987 when he was basically a free agent, Ted Dibiase moved to the N...

This week on STICK TO WRESTLING, we’re hopping in the time machine and looking back at the WWF in September 1986!

— A New Era Begins: Championship Wrestling and All-Star Wrestling are out, replaced by Superstars of Wrestling and Wrestling Challenge—game-changing flagship shows that made the WWF look like the pro wrestling equivalent of the NBA.
— Returns & Reveals: “Superstar” Billy Graham returns (and we have some thoughts on his… unique ring gear), plus Hillbilly Jim makes his comeback with a great story behind it.
— Major Angle: The heels finally lay a beatdown on Roddy Piper, cementing his hi...

This week on STICK TO WRESTLING we talk the UWF, formerly known as Mid-South Wrestling, during the months of July and August 1986.

We talk Bill Watts, Michael Hayes, Missy Hyatt, Ted Dibiase, Hacksaw Jim Duggan, Terry Gordy, Jim Ross, Eddie Gilbert, “Dr. Death” Steve Williams, Dark Journey, Sting, One Man Gang, Terry Taylor, Buddy Roberts, Kamala, The Fantastics, John Tatum, Chavo Guerrero, Scandor Akbar, Jack Victory, Missing Link, and more!

Plus there’s rare and great audio, so are you waiting for? Download it, fire it up, and join us for another wicked good episode of STI...

This week on STICK TO WRESTLING we present Part Two of our revisited 1976 Year-End Awards!

Part One is here, where we discuss 1976 Wrestler of the Year: https://mcadampod.com/index.php/2026/05/22/episode-414-the-top-ten-wrestlers-of-1976/

This week John McAdam, Bob Smith, and Steve Generelli talk Bruno Sammartino, Terry Funk, Nick Bockwinkel, The Andersons, Stan Hansen, Superstar Billy Graham, Dusty Rhodes, The Sheik, Bobby Heenan, and more!

— 1976 Tag Team of the Year
— 1976 Manager of the Year
— 1976 Best Babyface
— 1976 Best Heel
— 1976 Most Washed Up Wrestler
— 1976 Match of the Year
— 1976 Feud of the Year
...

This week on STICK TO WRESTLING we review the NWA, also known as Jim Crockett Promotions, covering the entire month of August 1986!

We talk Ric Flair, Dusty Rhodes, Baby Doll, Magnum T.A., Jim Cornette, Dick Murdoch, Tully Blanchard, Buddy Landell, Nikita Koloff, Rock & Roll Express, Arn Anderson, Ron Garvin, Road Warriors, Dutch Mantell, Midnight Express, Jimmy Valiant, Bill Dundee, Ole Anderson, Ivan Koloff, Jimmy Garvin, Manny Fernandez, J.J. Dillon, Bobby Jaggers, Paul Jones, Wahoo McDaniel, Baron Von Raschke, Krusher Kruschev, Sam Houston, Steve Regal, and more! Also discussed:

— The Best-of-Seven series between Magnum T...

This week on STICK TO WRESTLING, we’re stepping back into July 1986, one of the most eventful months of the Rock ‘n’ Wrestling era. Alliances crumble, new stars emerge, old rivalries get even hotter, and the WWF continues its rapid transformation into the hottest promotion in North America.

We cover Hulk Hogan, Roddy Piper, Bobby Heenan, Randy Savage, Paul Orndorff, Adrian Adonis, the British Bulldogs, The Machines, the Hart Foundation, Fred Blassie, Jake Roberts, King Kong Bundy, Harley Race, Magnificent Muraco, Honky Tonk Man, Ricky Steamboat, Jimmy Hart, Iron Sheik, Greg Valentine, Mike Rotundo, Tony Atlas, Dick Slater...

This week on STICK TO WRESTLING we take questions from our listeners! Including but not limited to:

–Why didn’t the WWF and other territories have more Babyface vs Babyface matches?
— Could an old school type promotion work in 2026?
— What were our best and worst live pro wrestling experiences?
— Who should NOT have had a run with a world title, but did?
— What would a WWF version of the Four Horsemen have looked like when Ric Flair joined the company in 1991?
— How would the careers of Mike Graham and Greg Gagne panned out had they n...

This week on STICK TO WRESTLING we review the UWF, formerly known as Mid-South Wrestling, through May and June of 1986!

We talk Bill Watts, The Freebirds, Ted Dibiase, Dusty Rhodes, Eddie Gilbert, Steve Williams, Sting, Hacksaw Jim Duggan, Nikita Koloff, One Man Gang, Rick Steiner, The Fantastics, Dark Journey, Road Warriors, Terry Taylor, Buzz Sawyer, Kamala, Scandor Akbar, Jack Victory, Missing Link, Korstia Korchenko, The Sheepherders, Chavo Guerrero, Ivan Koloff, Lady Maxine, Ultimate Warrior, and more!

Plus there’s lots of great, rare audio, so what are you waiting for? Download and listen to this wi...

This week on STICK TO WRESTLING we review the NWA / Jim Crockett Promotions during the month of July 1986!

We talk Ric Flair, Dusty Rhodes, The Road Warriors, Magnum TA, Tully Blanchard, Jim Cornette, Ole Anderson, Baby Doll, Rock & Roll Express, Big Bubba Rogers, Nikita Koloff, J.J. Dillon., Midnight Express, Jimmy Valiant, Ron Garvin, Wahoo McDaniel, Jimmy Garvin, Arn Anderson, Paul Ellering, Baron Von Raschke, Hector Guerrero, Buddy Landell, Manny Fernandez, Pez Whatley, The Barbarian, Black Bart, The Warlord, Sam Houston, Krusher Kruschev, Steve Regal, Don Kernodle, and more!

Plus there’s lots of great, ra...

This week on STICK TO WRESTLING, we rank and discuss the greatest years in WWWF/WWF history, from 1976 through 1995! Johnny Mac and Steve lived through every one of those trips around the Sun, and they have plenty of information, and even more opinions, to share. On the discussion table:

— The year the WWF broke from its traditional Madison Square Garden booking patterns.
— The year Bruno Sammartino faced five future Hall of Famers as his primary challengers.
— The year Bob Backlund suddenly found himself with a whole new slate of exciting rivals.
— The year Superstar Billy Gr...

This week on STICK TO WRESTLING, we review the WWF during the month of July 1986! — Paul Orndorff finally turns on Hulk Hogan, who somehow never saw it coming. Then again, neither did TV commentator Bruno Sammartino. — The Machines make their television debut through a series of vignettes, and Bobby Heenan takes a … Continue reading Episode 420: Machine Delivery →

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Johnny Mac is joined by frequent co-cost Steve Generelli, and we have a casual discussion about old school wrestling! We talk bad main events at small shows in upstate New York, people we hope are alive and not in prison, ditching Junior High Spring dances to see attend pro wrestling events, how many live events … Continue reading Episode 419: Catcalls, Rumors, Sad Memories, and more. →

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This week on STICK TO WRESTLING we review the NWA during the month of June 1986 with popular returning host Jammie Ward! We talk Ric Flair, Dusty Rhodes, Jim Cornette, Magnum T.A., Road Warriors, Ole Anderson, Jimmy Garvin, Nikita Koloff, Big Bubba Rogers, Rock & Roll Express, Tully Blanchard, Krusher Kruschev, Baby Doll, Jimmy Valiant, … Continue reading Episode 418: Saturday Morning Comedies →

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This week on STICK TO WRESTLING Johnny Mac and Steve Generelli take questions from the STICK TO WRESTLING Universe on the WWF during the year of 1986! On the discussion table: — What would have happened if the wrestlers went on strike the night before Wrestlemania 2? — Did Jimmy Hart surprisingly win the trade … Continue reading Episode 417: I Would Have Been Brutus →

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This week STICK TO WRESTLING is joined by Richard Land from thehistoryofwwe.com! We review the WWF during the month of 1986 and we discuss: — Billy Jack Haynes is back in the WWF after a legendary bridge burning with Don Owen and the Portland territory. We tell you what happened and why it wasn’t always … Continue reading Episode 416: Hulk Junior →

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This week on STICK TO WRESTLING we take a deep dive into the NWA during the month of May 1986! — Ole Anderson makes a shocking return, leading directly to the formation of the Four Horsemen. — Two masked men seek vigilante justice against Jim Cornette following his assault on Baby Doll. — Tully Blanchard … Continue reading Episode 415: The Four Horsemen Are Born →

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This week on STICK TO WRESTLING we are joined by not only Steve Generelli, but former PWI Managing Editor Bob Smith and we have an awesome discussion about the Top Ten Wrestlers of 1976! — Not everyone agrees on Number One. — Bruno Sammartino’s injury had a huge impact on the wrestling industry. — Bruno … Continue reading Episode 414: The Top Ten Wrestlers of 1976! →

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This week on STICK TO WRESTLING it’s Part Two of our review the WWF during the month of April 1986! We talk Hulk Hogan, Bobby Heenan, Bruno Sammartino, Terry Funk, Randy Savage, Jimmy Hart, Ricky Steamboat, the Hart Foundation, Jesse Ventura, Jake Roberts, Harley Race, Andre The Giant, Adrian Adonis, King Bong Bundy, British Bulldogs, … Continue reading Episode 413: What’s Old Is New Again →

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This week on STICK TO WRESTLING we review the WWF during the month of April 1986! We talk Hulk Hogan, Bobby Heenan, Bruno Sammartino, Terry Funk, Randy Savage, Jimmy Hart, Ricky Steamboat, the Hart Foundation, Jesse Ventura, Jake Roberts, Harley Race, Andre The Giant, Adrian Adonis, King Bong Bundy, British Bulldogs, Fred Blassie, Greg Valentine, … Continue reading Episode 412: Back By Noon Tomorrow →

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This week on STICK TO WRESTLING we discuss the 1986 World Class Championship Wrestling’s Texas Stadium show, what led up to it, and what came after it! — March 26, 2001 was the end of WCW. For practical purposes, May 4, 1986 was the end of WCCW. It just took us a while to figure … Continue reading Episode 411: That Means You Work For Me →

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This week on STICK TO WRESTLING we review the NWA during the month of April 1986! —Jim Cornette and the Midnight Express deliver a brutal assault on Baby Doll in an angle that’s both great and genuinely uncomfortable. The real-life heat between Cornette and Baby Doll was obvious, and we jump into all of it. … Continue reading Episode 410: Vicious Horse Analogies →

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This week, Stick to Wrestling is joined by Matt O’Donnell as we dive into a wide range of great topics: — In 1993, Tony Schiavone was widely expected to become WCW’s Executive Producer, but Eric Bischoff got the job instead. How different would WCW have looked with Tony in charge? — What classic pro wrestling … Continue reading Episode 409: You Shouldn’t Feel Ashamed! Maybe. →

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This week STICK TO WRESTLING is joined by Rich Richardson, and we discuss an assortment of topics: –Who would have been the next best guy for Mr. Wrestling II to mentor in Mid-South, rather than Magnum TA? — How can the “Celebrity” Wing of the Hall of Fame be worth anything if Cyndi Lauper isn’t … Continue reading Episode 408: Getting Dangerous On Twitter →

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This week on STICK TO WRESTLING we review the WWF during the month of April 1986, including a close look at Wrestlemania 2! We talk Hulk Hogan, Andre The Giant, King Kong Bundy, Randy Savage, Bobby Heenan, Terry Funk, Jake Roberts, Jesse Ventura, Roddy Piper, Ricky Steamboat, Big John Studd, George Steele, British Bulldogs, Miss … Continue reading Episode 407: Just Say “Uh-Oh” →

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This week on STICK TO WRESTLING we take questions from the podcast’s listeners! On the discussion table: — What were the least memorable world championship runs? —Could the WWF have had better booking plans for Bob Backlund on the 1980 Shea Stadium spectacular? — What were the best long-term storylines in wrestling history? —What if … Continue reading Episode 406: Lou Does A Run In →

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This week on STICK TO WRESTLING we are joined by popular returning guest Todd Godd, and we review the NWA during the month of March 1986! On the discussion table: — Ric Flair and Ricky Morton spend the month sniping at one another, and at the end there’s an explosion. — Pez Whatley completes the … Continue reading Episode 405: Training Undergarments →

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This week on STICK TO WRESTLING we continue our review of the WWF from the month of March 1986! We talk Hulk Hogan, Randy Savage, Jake Roberts, Bobby Heenan, Mr. T, Jesse Ventura, Terry Funk, Paul Orndorff, Greg Valentine, Roddy Piper, Jimmy Hart, Ricky Steamboat, Adrian Adonis, Captain Lou Albano, Tito Santana, Hillbilly Jim, Iron … Continue reading Episode 404: They Did Stinky Stuff To Me →

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This week on STICK TO WRESTLING we review the WWF from the month of March 1986! We talk Hulk Hogan, Randy Savage, Jake Roberts, Bobby Heenan, Mr. T, Jesse Ventura, Terry Funk, Paul Orndorff, Greg Valentine, Roddy Piper, Jimmy Hart, Ricky Steamboat, Adrian Adonis, Captain Lou Albano, Tito Santana, Hillbilly Jim, Iron Sheik, The Hart … Continue reading Episode 403: That’s Too Many Nicknames →

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This week on STICK TO WRESTLING we discuss the what happened in the NWA / Jim Crockett promotions during the month of February 1986! On the discussion table: — Dusty Rhodes is great, but he’s becoming a bit overexposed. Perhaps he should speak with the booker about that. — We have new NWA tag team … Continue reading Episode 402: A Morbid Fear Of Heights →

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This week on STICK TO WRESTLING we review Mid-South Wrestling from February, 1986 with popular returning guest host Mike Mills! –Mid-South is in a tough spot. Jake Roberts and Dick Slater are feuding over the North American title, but Jake is leaving for the WWF. Then a Houston columnist publicly blows off the idea of … Continue reading Episode 401: Stan Lane Has Grown Weary →

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This week on STICK TO WRESTLING we continue our review the WWF from the month of February 1986! We talk Bobby Heenan, Hulk Hogan, Bruno Sammartino, Randy Savage, Mr. T, Fred Blassie, Jesse Ventura, Terry Funk, Ricky Steamboat, Junkyard Dog, Paul Orndorff, Greg Valentine, Roddy Piper, Jimmy Hart, Adrian Adonis, Captain Lou Albano, Tito Santana, … Continue reading Episode 400: Fun in Fresno! →

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This week on STICK TO WRESTLING we review the WWF from the month of February 1986! We talk Hulk Hogan, Randy Savage, Bruno Sammartino, Bobby Heenan, Mr. T, Jesse Ventura, Terry Funk, Paul Orndorff, Greg Valentine, Roddy Piper, Jimmy Hart, Ricky Steamboat, Adrian Adonis, Captain Lou Albano, Tito Santana, Hillbilly Jim, Iron Sheik, The Hart … Continue reading Episode 399: Respect Me And Love Me →

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This week on STICK TO WRESTLING, we review World Class Championship Wrestling from January and February 1986! –Bill Mercer visits The Freebirds at a pool hall in an entertaining sketch. –Gino Hernandez and Chris Adams are now feuding, and the booking is a bit too fast-paced. –There’s a main event that looks good on paper, … Continue reading Episode 398: They Turned The Wrong Guy →

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This week on STICK TO WRESTLING, we dive deep into Mid-South Wrestling from January 1986, a month where the booking fires on all cylinders. On the table this week: –The booking is fantastic. For example, Dick Slater is positioned perfectly as the wily veteran, using every trick in the book to outsmart a younger, less … Continue reading Episode 397: My Habits and My Lifestyle →

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This week on STICK TO WRESTLING we are joined by Beau James and we provide Part 2 of our review of the NWA from the month of January 1986! We talk Ric Flair, Dusty Rhodes, Tully Blanchard, Jim Cornette, Arn Anderson, Magnum TA, Billy Jack Haynes, The Midnight Express, Baby Doll, Harley Race, Ole Anderson, … Continue reading Episode 396: Tickets To See Pilgrims Arriving →

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This week on STICK TO WRESTLING we are joined by Beau James and we review the NWA from the month of January 1986! We talk Ric Flair, Dusty Rhodes, Tully Blanchard, Jim Cornette, Arn Anderson, Magnum TA, Billy Jack Haynes, The Midnight Express, Baby Doll, Harley Race, Ole Anderson, Nikita Koloff, The Road Warriors, Ron … Continue reading Episode 395: He Was Up For Days →

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This week on STICK TO WRESTLING we review the World Wrestling Federation from the month of January 1986! We talk Hulk Hogan, Roddy Piper, Andre The Giant, Bruno Sammartino, Terry Funk, Bobby Heenan, Randy Savage, Paul Orndorff, King Kong Bundy, Jesse Ventura, Fred Blassie, Bret Hart, Ricky Steamboat, British Bulldogs, Captain Lou Albano, Iron Sheik, … Continue reading Episode 393: Get This Off My TV →

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Bob Backlund’s championship reign defined late 70s and early 80s WWF wrestling. Yet a great champion is only as good as the challengers across the ring, and Backlund faced some of the very best. The lineup of challengers who tried to take his title reads like a who’s who of the era. On this episode … Continue reading Episode 392: 6 Years, 29 Foes: Ranking Backlund’s MSG Challengers →

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This week on STICK TO WRESTLING we discuss wrestling events from Christmas Night and Christmas Week from 1985! –Stan Hansen becomes the new AWA champion on a show held in New Jersey. –The breakup of Gino Hernandez and Chris Adams begins. –The NWA is on fire with the Ric Flair vs Dusty Rhodes feud at … Continue reading Episode 391: Follow Your Own Advice →

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This week on STICK TO WRESTLING we get down to brass tacks and analyze the WWF during the month of December 1985! We talk Bruno Sammartino, Bobby Heenan, Hulk Hogan, Terry Funk, Roddy Piper, Randy Savage, Jimmy Hart, Andre the Giant, British Bulldogs, Jesse Ventura, Don Muraco, Tito Santana, Ricky Steamboat, Fred Blassie, Hillbilly Jim, … Continue reading Episode 390: So You’re Telling Me…Six Months →

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