The Retro Wrestling Archive Podcast Network

On this episode of Rick Del Santo’s Classic Wrestling Talk, Rick welcomes “The Illustrious” Jonnie Stewart for a funny, honest, and wide-open conversation about breaking into wrestling, surviving the road, and looking back on a career that crossed paths with Memphis, the AWA, WWF, Windy City Wrestling, WCW, Japan, and more.

Jonnie starts by talking about growing up as a wrestling fan in Chicago, watching Dick the Bruiser on WGN, going to the International Amphitheater as a kid, and immediately knowing he wanted to be part of the business. From there, he explains how he too...

***WATCHALONG AT THE LINK***
https://rumble.com/v7bk3di-rwr-ecw-podcast-ep.-2-ecw-tv-41393-getting-better.html

Episode #2 of the RWR ECW Podcast takes Gene Jackson and Brandon Wheeler back to April 13, 1993, as Eastern Championship Wrestling continues its earliest run on SportsChannel Philadelphia from the same “snakebit” Cabrini College Fieldhouse taping. The first episode was rough around the edges, but this week, things already start to feel a little more focused, with Terry Funk, Jay Sulli, and Stevie Wonderful back on commentary and Eddie Gilbert’s fingerprints as booker becoming more obvious.

Gene and Brandon open b...

On this episode of Retro Wrestling with Gene Jackson, Gene welcomes “Pretty Boy” Doug Masters, (one half of the USWA Tag Team Champions alongside Bart Sawyer in 1991 over on the USWA Podcast), for a deep dive into his career through Oklahoma, Dallas, Portland, Memphis, Puerto Rico, and beyond.

Doug talks about growing up as a wrestling fan in Oklahoma, breaking into the business after high school, and learning just how rough training really was once he started running the ropes and taking bumps. He discusses being smartened up by Mike George and Tommy Gilbert, then maki...

It’s time for a special edition “Shootin’ The Shiznit” with “Rollin’ Into Mempho.” Brian Tramel is joined by RynoJB to review Championship Wrestling from Memphis for Episode 9 in their quick RT format !

They answer the following questions about the show:

-Hits?

-Misses?

-MVP??

-What do they want to see on next week’s show?

-THUMBS UP or THUMBS DOWN?

Part Two of Get Your Bell Rung Pro Wrestling Podcast, KG welcomes back Ed Helinski for the continuation of his inside look at the WWF during the national expansion and early WrestleMania era.

In Part One, Ed talked about coming into the company through the magazine side during the beginning of Vince McMahon’s national takeover. This time, the conversation picks up as Ed transitions from the magazine department into WWF merchandising, right as the company’s live event business, television exposure, and superstar branding were exploding.

Ed explains what it was...

Episode #10 of the Retro Wrestling Re-View Power Pro Wrestling Podcast takes Gene Jackson, Robb Helt, and Brian Tramel back to the June 20, 1998 episode of Memphis Power Pro Wrestling, the official go-home show for Blast Off at the Dome.

With Dave Brown out this week, Corey Maclin is left steering the ship, and Power Pro loads the show up with every last piece of hype they can squeeze in before Tuesday night at the Mid-South Coliseum. The crew breaks down a busy hour featuring big-name debuts, returning Memphis chaos, fireballs, guitar shots, proposal drama, and enough...

**You can watch the episode here if you prefer**
https://rumble.com/v7b6rhi-arc-of-an-angle-week-4.html

Check out Week #4 of Arc of an Angle as Robb Helt continues down the path of the Eric Embry vs. Skandor Akbar feud in World Class Championship Wrestling. This is a shorter than normal version. Next week will be back to the normal episode.

It’s time for a special edition “Shootin’ The Shiznit” with “Rollin’ Into Mempho.” 

Brian Tramel is joined by RynoJB to review Championship Wrestling from Memphis for Episode 8 in their quick RT format ! 

They answer the following questions about the show:
-Hits?
-Misses?
-MVP??
-What do they want to see on next week’s show?
-THUMBS UP or THUMBS DOWN?

They reviewed this episode !
https://youtu.be/LIoEurUIHL4?si=XnTFrCkdT4I_o5Ku

We’re back again with another episode of The Hang, and this week J.R. Butcher is in the host chair bringing the energy for “Brodies and Backtracks.” Me and Uncle Frank somehow unknowingly brought Brodie Lee matches into the mix, which feels weirdly perfect for this episode and the kind of chaos The Hang is built on.

This one features Commissioner Elijah, and as always we keep things loose, funny, and just messy enough to feel right at home. This week also features a Live Alligator, because apparently the episode needed one more thing that makes people...

On this episode of Huge Pop Entertainment Presents… Drop the Mic, Huge Pop and Rudy Gonzalez welcome “Rugged” Rod Price for a hard-hitting, old-school conversation about football, training, Texas wrestling, ECW, the Sportatorium, and what it really means to be a wrestler instead of just a “sports entertainer.”

Rod starts by looking back at his childhood summers in Indiana, watching AWA wrestling with his grandparents and getting hooked on names like Nick Bockwinkel, The Crusher, Dick the Bruiser, and The Kangaroos. From there, the conversation moves into his athletic background, including college football, NFL camps, time with the Rams...

***You can watch the video version at this link***
https://rumble.com/v7bccn0-r.w.r.-wccw-podcast-ep.-3-52282-bundy-collects-the-bounty.html

Episode #3 of the Retro Wrestling Re-View WCCW Podcast takes Robb Helt and Scottie Wince back to the May 22, 1982 episode of World Class Championship Wrestling, and this one starts to show exactly why the Sportatorium was such a special place.

The show is still early in the 1982 run, but the pieces are beginning to come together. The crowd is hot, the building feels alive, the camera work is way ahead of...

Join the “Grizzled Vet” Michael McCurdy as he interviews author Ian Douglass.  They discuss Ian's background in writing and journalism.  Learn about Ian's introduction to the world of professional wrestling as well as his family background.  They also talk about the history of Black Professional Wrestling as well as wrestling in the Bahamas and Scottish wrestling history.  All in this edition of Talkin' Off The Top Rope.  

It’s time for a special edition “Shootin’ The Shiznit” with “Rollin’ Into Mempho.” 

Brian Tramel is joined by RynoJB to review Championship Wrestling from Memphis for Episode 7 in their quick RT format ! They answer the
following questions about the show:
-Hits?
-Misses?
-MVP??
-What do they want to see on next week’s show?
-THUMBS UP or THUMBS DOWN?

They reviewed this episode !
https://youtu.be/iQKG6GSwhwc?si=wponfcmPc3XU8JJL

Episode #108 takes the Retro USWA Gang back to the November 16, 1991 episode of USWA Championship Wrestling, and if 1991 has been a roller coaster, this one may be the part where the wheels start sparking on the track. Corey Maclin is now back in the co-host chair with Dave Brown, but unfortunately for him, he arrives just in time for one of the strangest episodes of the year.

This week’s show introduces not one, but two new gimmicks: The Spirit of America, a red, white, and blue babyface who wants kids to help clean up parks an...

On this episode of Rick Del Santo’s Classic Wrestling Talk, Rick welcomes “The Motor City Madman” Mike Moore for a wide-ranging conversation about his unusual road into professional wrestling, his time in multiple territories, and the wild characters he crossed paths with along the way.

Mike talks about growing up with a background in amateur wrestling, judo, boxing, and football, including walking on at Temple University and later being signed by the New Jersey Generals before an ankle injury changed that path. From there, he found his way into pro wrestling through Buddy Rogers, Pretty Boy Larry...

***Watch the video version at the link below***
https://rumble.com/v7bcv74-beyond-wrestling-wrobb-ep.-7-marc-lowrance.html

On Episode #7 of Beyond Wrestling with Robb, Robb Helt sits down with Marc Lowrance, the longtime voice of World Class Championship Wrestling, for a conversation that goes far beyond the Sportatorium.

Marc was the voice many WCCW fans grew up hearing from 1981 to 1990, calling the action during one of the most unforgettable eras in Texas wrestling history. But this episode is not just about the Von Erichs, the Freebirds, Gino Hernandez, Chris Adams, or the...

On this episode of Get Your Bell Rung Pro Wrestling Podcast, KG sits down with Ed Helinski, who worked for the WWF from 1983 to 1987 during one of the most important and explosive periods in professional wrestling history.

Ed was brought in alongside photographer Steve Taylor to help launch and run the official WWF magazine and arena programs, right as Vince McMahon was beginning his national expansion and building the machine that would change wrestling forever. In Part One, Ed talks about going from newspaper sportswriter to working inside WWF, how he got the job, and what it...

It’s time for a special edition “Shootin’ The Shiznit” with “Rollin’ Into Mempho.” Brian Tramel is joined by RynoJB to review Championship Wrestling from Memphis for Episode 6 in their quick RT format ! 

They answer the following questions about the show:

-Hits?

-Misses?

-MVP??

-What do they want to see on next week’s show?

-THUMBS UP or THUMBS DOWN?

***Watch the Video Watchalong Version at this Link!**
https://rumble.com/v7bb5my-retro-wrestling-re-view-ecw-podcast-ep.-1-snakebit-ecw-tv-4693.html

Gene Jackson and Brandon Wheeler officially kick off the Retro Wrestling Re-View ECW Podcast by diving into the very first episode of ECW Hardcore TV, originally airing April 6, 1993.

Before ECW became “Extreme,” it was still Eastern Championship Wrestling, trying to figure out what it was going to be while already airing on SportsChannel Philadelphia. This debut episode is historically important, but it’s also rough, weird, and absolutely snakebit from the start: a blizzard, a tiny c...

Episode #9 of the Retro Wrestling Re-View Power Pro Wrestling Podcast takes Gene Jackson, Robb Helt, and Brian Tramel back to the June 13, 1998 episode of Memphis Power Pro Wrestling, and this one feels like Power Pro is starting to level up in a major way. The road to Blast Off at the Dome is getting hotter, WWF names are starting to drift into the picture, ECW gets represented, and the show suddenly feels a whole lot bigger than it did just a few weeks earlier.

The episode opens with the fallout from Jerry Lawler slapping Randy...

It’s time for a special edition “Shootin’ The Shiznit” with “Rollin’ Into Mempho.” Brian Tramel is joined by RynoJB to review Championship Wrestling from Memphis for Episode 5 in their quick RT format!!

They answer the following questions about the show:

-Hits?

-Misses?

-MVP??

-What do they want to see on next week’s show?

-THUMBS UP or THUMBS DOWN?

They reviewed this episode !
https://youtu.be/20Qmy78mHZg?si=xeO0zbonZR3FGK27

It’s time for a new episode of “Shootin’ The Shiznit.” Brian Tramel brings you “THE WTF News Desk.”

BT brings you an insider's perspective to the bizarre happenings in the squared circle and the octagon. From outlandish storylines to mind-bending maneuvers, THE WTF News Desk is your go-to source for all things unconventional in the fight world.

They’re back again with another episode of The Hang, and this week Uncle Frank is in the host chair bringing the energy for “One More Hit with Dr. Bud Ganja.” This episode features his longtime partner and friend Dr. Bud, and even though we ran into a few technical difficulties along the way, we still managed to keep the hang rolling.

There are some audio issues throughout this one, and Dr. Bud wasn’t able to make it through the whole episode, but this definitely won’t be the last time you hear from him. Sometimes the best h...

On this episode of Huge Pop Entertainment Presents… the Huge Pop crew welcomes “The Living Legend” Larry Zbyszko for a wide ranging conversation covering his legendary career, his old school wrestling philosophy, his time with Bruno Sammartino, the AWA, the birth of the nWo, WCW commentary, TNA, Golf, and the unexpected return of his hit single, “Boo on Me.”

Larry talks about growing up in Chicago before moving to Pittsburgh, where he first discovered professional wrestling and became fascinated by Bruno Sammartino. He shares the incredible story of finding out where Bruno lived, sneaking through the bushes...

**WATCH THE SHOW AT THE LINK BELOW**
https://rumble.com/v7az03g-retro-wrestling-re-view-ecw-podcast-bonus-episode-bay-ragni-interview.html

Before the Retro Wrestling Re-View ECW Podcast fully dives into the early episodes of ECW Hardcore TV, Gene Jackson sits down with someone who was there when the whole thing was still being built: Bay Ragni, better known to ECW fans as Chubby Dudley, and to early Eastern Championship Wrestling fans as EZ Rider.

This special bonus episode is a deep dive into the roots of ECW, the shadow of Joel Goodhart’s Tri-State Wrestling Alliance, and what it was li...

***Watch the Video version of this episode at the link below***
https://rumble.com/v7b4cme-retro-wrestling-re-view-wccw-podcast-ep.-2-august-15-1982-the-birth-of-fubu.html

Episode #2 of the Retro Wrestling Re-View WCCW Podcast takes Robb Helt and Scottie Wince back to May 15, 1982, for another look at early World Class Championship Wrestling from the Dallas Sportatorium and this week proves real quick that not every trip through the territory glory days is going to be wall to wall Von Erich magic.

The episode features Frank Dusek vs. Mike Bond, as Dusek works over dependable enhancement talent...

It’s time for a special edition “Shootin’ The Shiznit” with “Rollin’ Into Mempho.” Brian Tramel is joined by RynoJB to review Championship Wrestling from Memphis Episode 4 in their quick RT format ! 

They answer the following questions about the show:
-Hits?
-Misses?
-MVP??
-What do they want to see on next week’s show?
-THUMBS UP or THUMBS DOWN?

They reviewed this episode !
https://youtu.be/UcGYGlsUSyE?si=r3Au-xLrrQe3HYId

Episode #107 of the Retro Wrestling Re-View USWA Podcast takes Gene Jackson, Josh Briley, and Brian Tramel back to the November 9, 1991 episode of USWA Championship Wrestling, featuring a Dr. Tom Prichard vs. Eric Embry title match live in the studio, along with Billy Joe Travis committing his worst atrocity yet unleashing the “SUPER TEAM” on everyone.

At the center of the episode is Dr. Tom Prichard vs. Eric Embry, a match that looks great on paper because both guys can absolutely work, but also comes with all the baggage of where Embry is in the promotion at this poin...

On this episode of Rick Del Santo’s Classic Pro Wrestling Talk, Rick sits down with Joe Malenko, born Jody Simon, for a wide-ranging conversation about growing up inside the wrestling business, learning under some of the greatest technical minds in the world, and building a career that took him from the territories to Mexico, Japan, ECW, and beyond.

Joe talks openly about life as the son of the legendary Boris Malenko, explaining that before he fully understood his father’s reputation, Boris was simply “Pop.” He shares what it was like being around the territor...

On this episode of Retro Wrestling with Gene Jackson, Gene is joined by guest host Robb Helt for a wide ranging conversation with Paul Neighbors Jr, the son of longtime Memphis/USWA referee and behind the scenes utility man Paul Neighbors.

This one goes all over the map in the best possible way. Paul talks about growing up around the wrestling business, his family connection to Jerry Jarrett, working around the Nashville and Memphis territory, traveling with his father to spot shows, helping with the ring, selling merchandise, and seeing firsthand how the old territory...

It’s time for a special edition “Shootin’ The Shiznit” with “Rollin’ Into
Mempho.” Brian Tramel is joined by RynoJB to review Championship Wrestling
from Memphis for Episode 3 in their quick RT format ! They answer the
following questions about the show:

-Hits?
-Misses?
-MVP??
-What do they want to see on next week’s show?
-THUMBS UP or THUMBS DOWN?
They reviewed this episode !
https://youtu.be/JNX3wxdoi-Q?si=0DFVwKPL97S8ALOA

On this episode of Get Your Bell Rung, KG welcomes veteran pro wrestler Pat Tanaka for a deep, honest, and surprisingly self-reflective conversation about a life spent in and around the wrestling business. Best known for his time in Bad Company, The Orient Express, the AWA, WWF/WWE, WCW, and ECW, Tanaka looks back on his career with a level of honesty you do not always hear from someone with his résumé.

Pat talks about growing up as the son of Duke Keomuka, being around the business from a very young age, setting up ri...

***watch the video version here***
https://rumble.com/v7av924-retro-wrestling-re-view-ecw-podcast-ep.-0-setting-the-table-before-extreme-.html

Before the Retro Wrestling Re-View ECW Podcast officially begins its watch-along journey through 1993 ECW television and beyond, Gene Jackson and Brandon Wheeler kick things off with Episode 0: Setting the Table, a primer on how Eastern Championship Wrestling came to exist before it became the ECW fans remember.

This episode is not about tables on fire, balcony dives, New Jack, Raven, Dreamer, Sandman’s Metallica entrance, or Joey Styles yelling “Oh my God!” Not yet. This is the story before...

**WATCH THE VIDEO VERSION OF THIS EPISODE HERE**
https://rumble.com/v7asvta-retro-re-view-continental-wrestling-podcast-ep.-9-ladies-and-gentlemen-dirt.html

Episode #9 of the Retro Wrestling Re-View Continental Wrestling Podcast takes Gene Jackson and Robb Helt back to the September 7, 1985 episode of Continental Championship Wrestling, coming from the Boutwell Auditorium in Birmingham, Alabama. This week’s episode has title action, a new tournament getting hyped, Dick Slater showing up to stir the pot, and Robb once again finding at least one person on the show he absolutely refuses to get behind.

The show opens with Bill Ash de...

Episode #8 of the Retro Wrestling Re-View Power Pro Wrestling Podcast takes Gene Jackson, Robb Helt, and Brian Tramel back to another wild Saturday morning of Power Pro Wrestling, and this week the show wastes absolutely no time spinning into absolute chaos!

The episode opens with B.J. Awesome taking on Ashley Hudson, but Spellbinder storms the ring, attacks everybody in sight, chokeslams referees, wipes out officials, and declares that he’s done talking. After weeks of getting cheated, Spellbinder has apparently decided that if nobody in Power Pro is going to help him, he’ll just...

**watch the show at the link below**
https://rumble.com/v7avzkk-live-from-the-archive-arc-of-an-angle-embry-vs.-akbar-wccw-ep.-3-he-aint-ba.html

Episode #3 of Live from the Archive: Arc of an Angle continues the week-by-week breakdown of the Eric Embry vs. Skandor Akbar / Devastation Inc. angle in late-era World Class Championship Wrestling but this week, with Robb Helt away celebrating his birthday, Gene Jackson, Scottie Wince, and Brandon Wheeler take over the show and immediately begin doing exactly what Robb probably feared they would do.

This episode picks up with more WCCW chaos as Kendall Windham battles The...

From hardcore wars in ECW to legendary moments across NWA and WCW, Jack’s been through it all and has stories you won’t believe! Get ready for unfiltered tales, behind-the-scenes memories, and pure wrestling history from one of the game’s toughest veterans!

On Episode #4 of The Hang, titled “Now With More Fiber!”, the crew welcomes Brandon Overholser for another loose, unpredictable ride through wrestling, music, weed talk, old stories, and pure chaos. Hosted by Alex Jaffe, with J.R. Butcher, Uncle Frank, and the rest of the crew hanging out, this episode delivers exactly what the show promises: friends kicking back, watching wild wrestling clips, telling stories, and letting the conversation go wherever it wants to go.

The episode opens with the usual smoke session and strain-of-the-week talk before diving into a notorious WWC Puerto Rico match betw...

It’s time for a special edition “Shootin’ The Shiznit” with “Rollin’ Into
Mempho.” Brian Tramel is joined by RynoJB to review Championship Wrestling
from Memphis for Episode 2 in their quick RT format ! They answer the
following questions about the show:
-Hits?
-Misses?
-MVP??
-What do they want to see on next week’s show?
-THUMBS UP or THUMBS DOWN?
They reviewed this episode !
https://youtu.be/tu60MgDjLK8?si=PE81xuIq5wszNPuL

Episode #72 of Dangerous Conversations with Doug Gilbert & Tommy Rich marks a big first for the show, after 71 audio episodes, Doug, Tommy, and Gene Jackson finally bring Dangerous Conversations to video. (See link Below) Whether that’s a great idea or proof that some shows should stay audio-only… we’ll let the viewers decide.

The fan Q&A covers a lot of ground and this episode is a perfect example of what makes Dangerous Conversations different: one minute you’re getting serious insight into the grind of territory wrestling, the next minute Doug is flipping over Buddy Wa...