The Retro Wrestling Archive Podcast Network

On this special BONUS EPISODE of Retro Wrestling, Robb Helt sits in for Gene Jackson and welcomes Shawn Ng of the KWK Kayfabe Heroes Action Figure brand to the show to discuss this week's Jamie Dundee/PG-13 action figure controversy as well as the Pat Tanaka/AIW situation. FOR TONS OF EXCLUSIVE RETRO WRESTLING CONTENT: Check out our Patreon at www.patreon.com/retrowrestlingarchive Check out www.retrowrestlingarchive.club for all of our social media, merch store, and everything related to our content and podcasts ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

On Episode #119 of the RWR USWA Podcast, The Gang is back inside the Retro Wrestling Archive to review the January 25, 1992 episode of USWA Championship Wrestling and this one is another wild chapter in early ’92 Memphis, where the Moondogs vs. Jerry Lawler & Jeff Jarrett war is getting nastier by the week, Richard Lee may have just delivered the promo of the year, and the undercard suddenly comes alive with women’s chaos, strap match fallout, and a big Saturday night card at the Mid South Coliseum. The centerpiece of this episode is absolutely Richard Lee. After having his entire head set on fire during last week’s Coliseum chaos, Richard comes out bandaged, shaken, and speaking like a man who has been through something horrible. He says he was permanently disfigured, claims he cannot even control the Moondogs anymore, and then proves it as the Moondogs destroy Freezer Thompson and poor Dazzler Hayes (for the third week in a row). Look, this is exactly the kind of selling Gene, Josh, and Brian want from Memphis Wrestling. They point out that, too often, somebody takes a piledriver on the floor or gets fire thrown at them and shows up the next week with a towel around their neck acting mostly normal. Richard Lee goes the other way. He commits to the bit, sells the injury, changes his voice, brings the bandages, and turns a fireball spot into a full character moment. The other big surprise is how much life the undercard women’s angle brings to the episode. What starts with Tony Falk and Miss Jennifer turns into C.J., Miss Texas, Dirty White Girl, Dirty White Boy, Bull Pain, and Samantha all getting pulled into the mix. Dirty White Girl’s return gives Tony Anthony an equalizer against C.J., and suddenly the upcoming all-girl battle royal feels like something the guys actually want to see. By the end, the show sets up a loaded Saturday night card at the Mid-South Coliseum: a tournament for a shot at Kamala, the women’s battle royal, Embry vs. Dirty White Boy for the Southern Title, and another no DQ war between Lawler/Jarrett and the Moondogs. That’s a lot of moving parts for one week of Memphis television and somehow Richard Lee walking out wrapped up like he survived a horror movie still steals the whole thing. The Moondogs are out of control. Dazzler Hayes is catching another beating. And Richard Lee just might be the best thing in Memphis Wrestling right now. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

On Episode #63 of Retro Wrestling w/Gene Jackson, Gene sits down with a guest that a lot of Memphis wrestling fans have wondered about for decades: Brother Ernest Angel. Known for his short but unforgettable run in Memphis and Continental in 1988, Brother Ernest steps back into the spotlight for a rare conversation about how the character came together, why it generated so much heat, working with Jerry Lawler, Jerry Jarrett, Jeff Jarrett, Lance Russell, Dave Brown, Bill Dundee, Jamie Dundee, Eddie Gilbert, Missy Hyatt, Doug Gilbert, the Samoans, Maxx Payne, and more. Gene opens the show by explaining why this interview matters. Retro Wrestling w/Gene Jackson has always been about finding the people fans haven’t heard from in years, the names who weren’t on every shoot interview, podcast, or convention stage and Brother Ernest fits that mission perfectly. After Gene’s article and promo compilation reminded fans just how entertaining Brother Ernest was, the response made it clear: people still remember him, and they still want to hear his story. The heart of the episode is Brother Ernest explaining what the character actually was. He makes it clear that they were not mocking God, scripture, or sincere religion. The target was the shady televangelist type that had been all over the news, and Brother Ernest says they were careful not to cross certain lines. By the end, this episode is exactly what Retro Wrestling w/Gene Jackson does best: it brings back a name fans remember, fills in the story behind the character, and gives a performer who hasn’t been heard from enough the chance to explain how it all happened in his own words. For fans of Memphis Wrestling, CWA, Continental Wrestling, Jerry Lawler, Jerry Jarrett, Jeff Jarrett, Lance Russell, Dave Brown, Bill Dundee, Jamie Dundee, Eddie Gilbert, Missy Hyatt, Maxx Payne, the Samoans, and unforgettable old school managers who could make fans mad enough to jam a TV station switchboard, this episode is required listening. Brother Ernest Angel may have only been around for a short time. But brother, he made every minute count. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

On this episode of Rick Del Santo’s Classic Wrestling Talk Podcast, Rick welcomes former GLOW Girl Roxy Astor for a fun, honest, and surprisingly heartfelt conversation about her time in the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling, how she found her way into the business, what made GLOW so different, and how that wild, campy, colorful wrestling world continues to live on decades later. Roxy talks about growing up in Auburn, Washington, having no real background as a wrestling fan, actress, or athlete, and then discovering GLOW after moving to Los Angeles. She explains that her performance instincts came more from beauty school than acting class, joking that learning how to talk to clients and make them feel great was its own kind of acting training. The heart of the episode is Roxy explaining that she did not come into GLOW as a polished actress or trained wrestler. She simply saw something that looked fun, bold, and different, and decided she wanted to be part of it. Once she got there, the pressure was real: training, bumping, running ropes, building a character, learning raps, and getting ready for television with very little room for error. The conversation also gets into preserving the memory of GLOW. Roxy discusses the documentary, the reunion around Mount Fiji, the AfterGLOW fan party, and her work with Robert Wynn on a play honoring Matilda the Hun, which won Broadway World Awards and served as a promise kept to Matilda during a difficult time. Look, the final stretch of the episode shows who Roxy Astor is beyond wrestling. Her work with animal rescue takes center stage as she talks about fostering dogs, working with Melita’s Dream Rescue, creating Wrestling is for the Dogs, bringing wrestlers and rescue animals together, raising money, and helping dogs find homes. It is a feel-good ending to a conversation that starts in the bright, strange world of GLOW and lands somewhere very real. By the end, this episode is more than a GLOW nostalgia interview. It is a conversation about taking chances, finding your character, keeping memories alive, honoring the women who made GLOW special, and using whatever platform you have now to do something good. Roxy Astor was part of GLOW. But this episode shows there is a whole lot more glow still coming from her today. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

***WATCHALONG W/BRANDON & GENE AT THE LINK BELOW*** https://rumble.com/v7fhcrw-rwr-ecw-podcast-ep.-12-62293-long-live-the-king-of-philly.html On Episode #12 of the RWR ECW Podcast, Gene Jackson and Brandon Wheeler return after a week away to continue their week by week journey through Eastern Championship Wrestling, reviewing the June 22, 1993 episode of ECW TV. Gene is still fighting off bronchitis, Brandon jokes that the Super Summer Sizzler Spectacular was so exciting Gene lost his voice, and the boys waste no time getting back into the chaos now that ECW has officially crowned “Hot Stuff” Eddie Gilbert as the “King of Philadelphia”. Coming off the Super Summer Sizzler Spectacular, Gene and Brandon talk about the show being available on Patreon, the fun they had covering it, and how Eddie Gilbert vs. Terry Funk stood out as Brandon’s favorite match from the event. More importantly, they point out how much ECW is already starting to change: the ECW Arena is filling up, the crowd is getting rowdier, and you can see the early pieces of what would become “Extreme” beginning to form right there in South Philadelphia. The biggest moment of the episode is clearly The Dark Patriot and J.T. Smith . Gene and Brandon spend time talking through the infamous crow’s nest spot, where The Dark Patriot throws J.T. Smith from a high perch and then jumps down on him afterward. They note how far the drop looked, how dangerous it was, and how unusual it was for 1993, well before balcony dives became one of the things fans eventually expected from ECW. Here’s the thing: this is one of those moments where early ECW starts to feel like something different. It is not fully the ECW fans remember from later in the decade yet, but the ingredients are showing up fast: the hotter crowd, the more chaotic finishes, Paul E. Dangerously’s presence, Eddie Gilbert stirring the pot, the Philadelphia attitude, and now wrestlers being launched from places wrestlers probably should not be launched from. The episode also continues to establish Eddie Gilbert’s role as the new “King of Philadelphia”. Paul E. Dangerously is now leaning fully into Eddie’s coronation, bragging about the city bowing down to its new king and treating Eddie like the man who finally gave Philadelphia a champion worth celebrating. Naturally, Todd Gordon isn’t buying any of it. Meanwhile, the undercard remains very early ECW in all its strange glory. You’ve got Don Muraco and Tommy Cairo having an awkward title match, Ivan and Vladimir Koloff showing up as a new Russian threat, Larry Winters and Sandman trying to settle business with Tony Stetson and Rockin’ Rebel, and the Suicide Blondes getting thrown around by the Super Destroyers and Wildman Sal Bellomo before the whole thing turns into another metal trash can filled mess. Basically, Episode #12 feels like a turning point show. Not because every match is great, and not because ECW has fully arrived yet, but because the identity is getting clearer. The crowd is louder. The violence is escalating. Eddie Gilbert has a crown. Paul E. is everywhere. And The Dark Patriot just threw J.T. Smith out of the crow’s nest, raising the stakes on what fans would come to expect then they made their way to the ECW Arena. ECW is getting better. And maybe just a little more dangerous . ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

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 43 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/ad5kTzYj1Ic?si=a8XOGJi9sXIj31z8 ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

On this episode of Get Your Bell Rung Pro Wrestling Podcast, host K.G. Landry sits down with Vladimir Koloff, or perhaps more notably the man behind the monster, Carl Richard Brantley for a wide ranging interview about wrestling, legacy, travel, toughness, and the life behind one of professional wrestling’s most believable Russian heel personas. This is not just a conversation about a wrestling gimmick. It is a conversation about the weight of carrying the Koloff name. Carl talks about being the second man entrusted with that legacy by Ivan Koloff, following in the shadow of Ivan and Nikita while still building his own chapter in wrestling history. K.G. opens the show by putting that honor into perspective, describing Vladimir as a man who has spent more than 35 years in the wrestling business, traveled through 153 countries, and crossed paths with some of the biggest names the industry has ever produced. The heart of the interview is the contrast between Carl and Vladimir. Carl describes himself today as a man who lives a simple life, takes care of his 88 year old mother, enjoys calm over chaos, and loves taking care of his livestock, dogs, chickens, and property. But once he steps into the world as Vladimir Koloff, the presence, the history, and the weight of the name are still there. One of the best parts of the interview is hearing how committed they were to protecting that illusion. Carl talks about people coming up to him and Nikita at conventions saying they thought they were really Russian, and even fans who met them back in the day remembered them staying in character at gas stations, airports, hotels, and restaurants. The interview closes with Carl reflecting on legends he knew and respected, including the Road Warriors, Kerry Von Erich, Jake Roberts, Ric Flair, Ivan Koloff, Nikita Koloff, Stan Lane, and Andre the Giant. He speaks with the kind of perspective that only comes from someone who lived inside the business, saw the roads, the locker rooms, the conventions, the politics, the friendships, and the sacrifices firsthand. This is the story of Vladimir Koloff. But more than that, it is the story of Carl Richard Brantley, the man who carried a monster’s name, protected a wrestling legacy, and lived a life that sounds almost impossible until you hear him tell it himself. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

On Episode #22 of the RWR Power Pro Wrestling Podcast, Gene Jackson, Robb Helt, and Brian Tramel are back live on Saturday morning for another edition of TV5 Power Pro Wrestling, and this one has a lot going on before the first bell even rings. Gene is still under the weather, the crew takes a few minutes to remember “Superstar” Bill Dundee, and then they jump into a Power Pro episode built around one of the most interesting matchups Randy Hales has presented yet: Jerry “The King” Lawler vs. Brian Christopher. The episode opens with a thoughtful discussion about watching 1998 Power Pro through modern eyes. Robb brings up the idea that some of what looks hokey now may have played differently at the time, because fans didn’t have the same constant internet, social media, and endless media overload that exists today. That leads into the bigger point of the week: sometimes the Power Pro chaos feels ridiculous, but when it works, it works. Once the Power Pro episode begins, Randy Hales makes the big announcement: Brian Christopher vs. Jerry Lawler in the main event. Lawler immediately tries to shut it down, making it clear he is not going to wrestle Brian just because Randy wants him to. That’s the hook of the show. Randy is no longer just trying to embarrass Lawler; now he is trying to use Brian Christopher, Stacy, Brandon Baxter, and anybody else he can drag into the mess. The best talking segment of the show comes when Randy calls out Brian Christopher and tries to “smarten him up” about Jerry Lawler and Stacy. This is the kind of Power Pro angle that feels like old school Memphis when it clicks. It has jealousy, family tension, outside manipulation, Stacy drama, Randy Hales clearly trying to manipulate the Lawler family, and a match nobody really needed to see for a title, they needed to see it because of the relationship. There is still plenty of Power Pro weirdness, too. Billy Joe Travis smashes Lance Jade with what looks like a tiny guitar, the “ new Rock and Roll Express” arrives with Jason Gibson joining his Uncle Robert, Kid Wikkid mouths off to Bill Dundee before ducking him, Derrick King steps in, and Randy Hales spends so much television time talking that even when the angle is good, the crew still agrees: it’s too much Randy. All and all, this show feels like Power Pro is getting back up onto the tracks compared to the previous few weeks with some intriguing storylines starting to developed. The King doesn’t want the match. Brian Christopher wants respect. Randy Hales wants chaos. And on TV5 Power Pro Wrestling, that usually means everybody gets punched before the credits roll. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

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 42 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/Ms-HlA_E-zo?si=nyDYimEIm0ZTdkGW ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

***CLICK THE LINK TO WATCHALONG WITH ROBB & SCOTTIE*** https://rumble.com/v7fczao-rwr-wccw-podcast-ep.-11-who-is-the-boss-world-class-12983-review.html On Episode #11 of the Retro Wrestling Re-View WCCW Podcast, Robb Helt and Scottie Wince, the Texas Bunch are back with another trip into World Class Championship Wrestling, this time covering the January 29, 1983 episode from the Sportatorium in Dallas. After last week’s Christmas Star Wars fallout show helped reset the table, this episode keeps the slow burn going toward the inevitable Von Erichs vs. Fabulous Freebirds explosion. This week’s World Class TV features the arrival of Yoshiaki Yatsu, David Von Erich making it clear he wants those six man titles back from the Freebirds, Michael Hayes battling Jose Lothario, and King Kong Bundy continuing to build the new version of Devastation Incorporated with The Great Kabuki all while everybody keeps asking one question: who is “The Boss?” By the end, Robb and Scottie are ready for two things: for the Von Erichs and Freebirds to finally start getting physical, and for World Class to reveal who “The Boss” actually is (Bruce Springsteen? Tony Danza??). The pieces are moving, the Freebirds have real heat, Devastation Incorporated is being rebuilt, and World Class is doing that territory thing where they make you wait just long enough to want the next episode. The war is coming. But first, apparently, we need clearance from The Boss. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

On this special edition of LIVE from the Archive, Gene Jackson is joined by Robb Helt, Scottie Wince, Jimmy Street of Give Me Back My Pro Wrestling, Brian Tramel, and Brandon Wheeler for a heartfelt tribute to the late, great “Superstar” Bill Dundee, one of the defining names in Memphis wrestling history and one of the most believable, versatile, entertaining performers to ever step into a wrestling ring. The panel watches and discusses classic Dundee clips that highlight who he was: a world class talker, a snug and believable worker, a master heel, a natural babyface, and a man who could make fans believe every word and every punch. The heart of the show is the panel explaining why Dundee mattered so much in Memphis. Scottie puts it plainly: if you do a Mount Rushmore of Memphis Wrestling, Jerry Lawler and Bill Dundee are number one and number two for a whole generation of fans. BT adds that Dundee, Lawler, and Handsome Jimmy Valiant were the guys fans pretended to be on playgrounds because those were the stars they grew up watching every week. The Lawler/Dundee discussion is one of the strongest parts of the tribute. Gene points out that both men were just as good on the microphone as they were in the ring, and that their feud drew money across multiple decades. Even when Memphis was struggling, putting Lawler and Dundee back together could heat the territory right back up. There’s also a lot of appreciation for Dundee’s realism. Whether he was cutting a fired-up promo, throwing punches with Lawler, screaming about being wronged in Mid-South, or standing beside Beverly Dundee with everything on the line, Bill made fans believe him. The panel keeps coming back to that word: believability. That was the gift. The famous Bill and Buddy Show segment gets the big spotlight late in the episode. Dundee and Buddy Landel take over Memphis TV, put on suits, bring out their own desk, call the match themselves, insult everybody in sight, and somehow create a segment that fans still talk about like it was a six month angle even though the actual “show” was one unforgettable TV segment. For fans of Bill Dundee, Memphis Wrestling, Jerry Lawler, Lance Russell, Dave Brown, Buddy Landell, Dutch Mantell, Joe LeDuc, Mid-South Wrestling, and the kind of old school wrestling that felt real because the people doing it made it real, this tribute is required viewing. Thank you, Bill Dundee, for all the years of entertainment. There will never be another “Superstar.” ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

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 42 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/NI3GlxDEa1Y?si=Si1QrHgbWR9NuYF- ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

On Episode #8 of Talkin’ Off The Top Rope, “The Grizzled Vet” Michael McCurdy welcomes longtime friend, promoter, booker, wrestling historian, commentator, and all around wrestling lifer Joe Sousa for a very personal conversation about growing up through the West Coast territory era, discovering wrestling through his father, preserving memories, finding his voice behind the microphone, and eventually helping build Rumble in the Redwoods into something special. This one is different because Joe isn’t just another guest. Mike explains right up front that Joe is part of his own story, one of the people who helped him along the path that eventually led to this show and the Retro Wrestling Archive Podcast Network. Their friendship goes back more than 30 years, and that history gives the episode a warm, familiar, “road story” feel from the very beginning. By the end, this episode is really about connection: fathers and sons, friends who become family, fans who become historians, commentators who become voices of a scene, and small town wrestling shows that become memories people carry with them. Joe Sousa’s story runs through San Francisco, Portland, Humboldt County, APW, WCWC, Cauliflower Alley, and Rumble in the Redwoods, but the throughline is simple: he loves wrestling, he respects the fans, and he wants the stories to be told right. For fans of Portland Wrestling, San Francisco wrestling, Pat Patterson, Ray Stevens, Roddy Piper, Don Owen, Roy Shire, Rumble in the Redwoods, West Coast independent wrestling, old school commentary, and the people who keep regional wrestling history alive, this episode is a must listen. Joe Sousa’s story is the real deal. And that’s why on Talkin’ Off The Top Rope, the stories never die. Follow the Grizzled Vet Michael McCurdy on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61581684591623 Follow him on "X" at @vetgrizzled You contact him at grizzledvet1972@gmail.com ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

On Episode #118 of the Retro Wrestling Re-View USWA Podcast, Gene Jackson, Josh Briley, and BT Brian Tramel return to review the January 18, 1992 edition of USWA Championship Wrestling but before the boys get into the episode, the show opens on a somber note with the news of “Superstar” Bill Dundee’s passing. Gene, Josh, and BT take a few minutes to talk about what Dundee meant to Memphis wrestling, to their childhood fandom, and to this podcast in particular, where Dundee has been such a major recurring part of the journey. Once the review begins, this episode turns into one of the most important early 1992 USWA shows so far. The Moondogs, Richard Lee, Jeff Jarrett, Robert Fuller, and Jerry Lawler collide in a wild brawl from Kennett, Missouri, and by the time it’s over, Lawler has stepped directly into the tag team war against the Moondogs. What started as Jarrett and Fuller versus Richard Lee’s chaos suddenly becomes Jerry Lawler and Jeff Jarrett versus the Moondogs, and the boys immediately recognize that this was the start of something huge for the USWA in 1992. This is one of those episodes where the USWA starts to feel like it has found its next big story. The Moondogs are destroying people. Richard Lee is losing his mind. And Jerry Lawler just smelled money! ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Episode #25 of Cassette Wrestling News captures the wrestling world in spring 1992 as the industry continues navigating scandal fallout, promotion instability, and rapid cultural change while CWN itself leans even harder into its mix of news reporting, editorial commentary, parody, and underground fan culture. With Jeff Osborne joined by Sean for much of the episode, the show opens with extended reactions to WrestleMania VIII, widely viewed by the hosts as a mixed show carried almost entirely by the standout performances of Ric Flair vs. Randy Savage and Bret Hart vs. Roddy Piper, while the remainder of the card is criticized as average or below expectations. The discussion reflects broader fan sentiment of the era appreciation for individual match quality but growing dissatisfaction with overall WWF presentation and direction. A major recurring theme throughout Episode #25 is the widening disconnect between hardcore fans and the mainstream wrestling product. Editorial commentary including guest segments from newsletter figure Evan Ginsberg who questions whether fans continue supporting major promotions out of habit rather than enjoyment, while also highlighting the growing nostalgia for territory-era wrestling and more sport-driven presentation. Key news and discussion topics include: ● Ongoing speculation surrounding Eddie Gilbert’s potential involvement with Titan Sports, and debate over whether Memphis style storytelling could translate into WWF’s nationalized production style ● Continued instability surrounding Global Wrestling Federation leadership and staffing, reinforcing fears of another promotion collapse ● Rumors of major roster movement, including Jake Roberts’ movement toward WCW and shifting alignments across multiple promotions ● Independent wrestling growth, particularly smaller promotions and regional circuits attempting to fill the creative void left by the territory system ● Reports of injuries and roster shifts in Memphis and USWA markets, alongside strong local fan engagement and continued emphasis on heat-driven brawling style matches Episode #25 also strongly reflects the transitional media environment of the era. CWN devotes time to discussing early online rumor sources particularly early computer network message systems which the hosts criticize as unreliable and prone to misinformation, foreshadowing the future information battles that would define wrestling coverage in the internet age. The episode also contains several major CWN “universe” developments, including: ● Increasing absence of longtime co-host John Seaton, culminating in an on-air retirement announcement framed through CWN’s trademark blend of satire and shoot-style storytelling ● Continued parody call-ins and character segments, including appearances from recurring CWN personalities and storyline-style internal conflicts ● Expanded listener interaction, tape trading promotion, and underground wrestling media networking Episode #25 stands as a strong representation of Cassette Wrestling News at its most layered functioning simultaneously as news source, fan editorial, underground media hub, and proto podcast entertainment product. More importantly, the episode captures a fanbase in transition: still passionate, increasingly skeptical, and searching for authenticity in an industry moving rapidly toward corporate consolidation and nationalized presentation. This transcript is preserved for historical and archival purposes as part of an ongoing effort to document Cassette Wrestling News as one of the earliest and most influential precursors to modern pro wrestling podcasts. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

On Episode #62 of Retro Wrestling w/Gene Jackson, Gene Jackson is joined once again by Brian Tramel for Part Three of the deep dive into Ozark Mountain Wrestling, the Jonesboro, Arkansas based promotion that somehow managed to be local, outlaw adjacent, surprisingly ambitious, deeply personal, and connected to the dying days of the territory system all at the same time. This final chapter picks up with BT admitting that even he thought Ozark Mountain Wrestling was pretty much done after 1995 only to find out through the research that Bert Prentice and company kept running well into 1996, changed directions, crossed paths with USWA, and eventually morphed toward North American All-Star Wrestling and later Music City Wrestling. The centerpiece of this episode is the realization that Ozark Mountain Wrestling didn’t just vanish after its biggest Jonesboro show. BT explains that the promotion kept running through 1996, drew real money in certain towns, worked with USWA talent, and eventually became tangled up with the same late territory Memphis ecosystem that Gene and Robb have been covering in the USWA lawsuit series. The episode also has plenty of classic BT side roads: Dirty Little Dave, outlaw shows in Arkansas, a dirt-floor dressing room, Reggie Montgomery, flea market wrestling, small town pizza economics, local promoters fighting over the same tiny audience, and BT’s own idea for a Jonesboro wrestling venue that would have mixed weekly wrestling with YouTube style distribution and event rentals. By the end, Part Three becomes less about wrapping up a failed little promotion and more about understanding one of the last strange branches of the territory era. Ozark Mountain Wrestling started as this quirky Jonesboro project built around Bert Prentice, Colorado Kid, local Arkansas talent, and borrowed names but it lasted longer than expected, drew better than expected in spots, crossed paths with USWA, and helped bridge the gap between dying territory wrestling and the independent scene that followed. For fans of Ozark Mountain Wrestling, Bert Prentice, Colorado Kid, Jonesboro wrestling, USWA, Bill Dundee, Jerry Lawler, Brian Christopher, Bull Pain, Dirty Little Dave, Future Shock, Cactus Jack, Missy Hyatt, Music City Wrestling, and weird little pieces of wrestling history that almost slipped through the cracks, this is the one that ties it all together. Ozark Mountain Wrestling wasn’t dead after 1995. It was just getting weirder. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

On this episode of Rick Del Santo’s Classic Wrestling Talk Podcast, Rick welcomes Roger Sartain for a deep conversation about Roger’s life in and around professional wrestling, from growing up on the Nick Gulas territory, to breaking into the business in Alabama, working Deep South Wrestling, Southern Championship Wrestling, independent shows across Georgia and Tennessee, and crossing paths with a long list of familiar names from old school wrestling. Roger starts at the beginning, talking about watching wrestling as a child with his grandfather and being hooked by stars like Jackie Fargo, Lynn Rossi, and Tojo Yamamoto. He also remembers the early Gulas territory names who influenced him, including Bobby Eaton and Arvil Hutto, and explains how that childhood fandom eventually turned into a real desire to get into the wrestling business himself. The Deep South Wrestling material is especially interesting because Roger explains that he was originally brought along by Richard, only to be asked to referee on TV when another referee didn’t show up. He had never refereed before, but Bill Harris told him he would be fine, and Roger stepped in wearing black slacks, boots, and a referee shirt he happened to have with him. Roger also gives a lot of credit to the people who helped shape him, especially Jody Hamilton and the Deep South crew. By his own admission, Roger already knew moves and could take bumps before he got there, but Deep South helped teach him how to actually work. That distinction is one of the strongest takeaways from the whole interview. There’s also plenty of good old-school name discussion. Roger talks about Randy Rose, Wildcat Wendell Cooley, Bullet Bob Armstrong, Action Mike Jackson, Tom Zenk, Terry Gordy, Jack Victory, Rip Morgan, Ricky Morton, Robert Gibson, and Jimmy Powell. Some stories are funny, some are blunt, and some are just good examples of what it was like to work independent wrestling in that era. By the end, this episode feels like exactly what Classic Wrestling Talk does best: giving a platform to someone who may not be a household name to every modern fan, but who lived the business, worked with major names, learned from veterans, traveled the roads, and came away with stories worth preserving. For fans of Deep South Wrestling, Nick Gulas territory wrestling, Southern Championship Wrestling, Alabama and Georgia independent wrestling, Roger Sartain, Richard Sartain, Jody Hamilton, Bill Harris, Mickey Henry, Randy Rose, Wildcat Wendell Cooley, Bullet Bob Armstrong, Rock ’n’ Roll Express, Action Mike Jackson, Terry Gordy, Jack Victory, Rip Morgan, and real old school wrestling conversations, this episode is a great listen. Roger Sartain may not have chased the national spotlight. But he lived the life, learned the business, and earned the stories. Check out more great stuff from Rick Del Santo on his YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TheRickDelSanto Follow him on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theprofrickdelsanto ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

On Episode #11 of Beyond Wrestling w/Robb, Robb Helt and Gene Jackson return to the Neutral Corner Lounge for Part Three of the ongoing look at the USWA/XL Sports/Larry Burton/Jerry Lawler/Jerry Jarrett legal mess but this time, they aren’t just working from court documents, timelines, and educated guesses. They’re joined by Tony Myers, who was actually around the USWA during the final stretch, hauled the ring, worked as enhancement talent, saw the backstage atmosphere firsthand, and was even subpoenaed for deposition in the case. Tony makes it clear right away that he wasn’t trying to paint himself as a major player in the office. He describes himself as the lowest man on the totem pole, the guy holding and hauling the ring but that’s exactly what makes his perspective so valuable. He was close enough to see the weirdness, hear the arguments, run the errands, deal with the money cuts, watch the locker room react, and later get dragged into the legal side of the fallout, without having a need to cover his own ass like many of the players would feel the need to. The biggest difference in this episode is that Tony Myers lived inside the chaos. Parts One and Two laid out the legal structure and the confusing sale story, but Tony gives the story real insight and context: the boys refusing to sign merchandise papers, Lawler trying to calm everybody down, Burton treating Memphis TV like a movie set, pay getting cut, ring crew problems, and the constant feeling that nobody really knew who was in charge anymore. But the episode isn’t just legal talk. Actually, some of the best moments are Tony’s Memphis stories: Jamie Dundee impressions, Billy Joe Travis tales, Admiral Benbow misery, Jackie and Luna coming to blows in the dressing room, Viscera calling Larry Burton, and believe it or not, a touching story about Brian Christopher and Jamie Dundee that nearly gets everyone on the screen emotional. By the end, Robb sums up the key takeaway: Tony’s stories may be wild, funny, and all over the place, but they also support the larger point that the USWA’s final days were even messier than the paperwork could ever make them look. For fans of USWA, Memphis Wrestling, Jerry Lawler, Jerry Jarrett, Larry Burton, XL Sports, Mark Selker, Tony Myers, Downtown Bruno, Jamie Dundee, Brian Christopher, Bill Dundee, Dave Brown, Corey Maclin, wrestling lawsuits, tape trading, and the real behind-the-scenes wreckage of the last territory, this one is required listening. Part Three isn’t just about the lawsuit. It’s about what the collapse looked like from someone on the inside. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

On this episode of Get Your Bell Rung Pro Wrestling Podcast, host K.G. Landry welcomes Gene Jackson, wrestling author, podcaster, play by play announcer, archivist, and founder of the Retro Wrestling Archive, for a long form conversation about preserving the pieces of wrestling history that too often fall through the cracks. K.G. opens the episode by putting over Gene’s mission: tracking down forgotten names, territory stories, old footage, newspaper clippings, photos, memories, and the people who helped build wrestling outside the biggest spotlight. This isn’t a standard “what was your favorite match?” interview. K.G. and Gene dig into why wrestling history matters, how much has already been lost, and why the stories of journeymen, managers, referees, announcers, promoters, photographers, TV crews, and local territory stars deserve to be preserved right alongside the legends. A quick sidebar, at the beginning of the interview, K.G. referred to Gene as a historian. After the interview, “off air”, Gene said, he didn’t set out to become a “historian”, he admitted he has come to HATE that term and insists that he’s doesn’t like being referred to as a “historian” simply because too many people in the “pro wrestling nostalgia podcast space” in recent years have proclaimed themselves “historians” or have been christened with the title by other people, when they are basically, “just wrestling fans who watched a lot of wrestling and bought a couple of Feinstein’s Shoot Interview tapes. When pressed about details on topics they proclaim to be a “historian” of, most don’t really know s***. They know surface level information from memory, but they aren’t “studying” anything or recording any “history”, they just think it looks cool on their bio. I do a TON of research for my articles and “deep dive” shows and could justify calling myself a “historian” if I wanted to, but at this point, in my mind the title is sorta tainted. But that’s just me, I’m a bit of an a**hole, so it’s probably good we aren’t recording this.” Sorry, it’s a fun take, I had to work that in somewhere, back to the actual interview. The strongest thread of the episode is Gene’s explanation of how the Retro Wrestling Archive grew out of genuine fandom. He was a fan who loved Memphis, Continental, Mid South, tape trading, obscure footage, and the kind of wrestlers who might not show up on every “greatest ever” list but still mattered to the people who watched them every week. The Eddie Gilbert discussion is a major highlight. Gene talks about starting the book years earlier, shelving it out it for a number of reasons, then eventually connecting with Doug at the perfect time. What makes that story so meaningful is that the final book was able to include voices like Lance Russell, Jerry Jarrett, Eddie and Doug’s parents, and a few other whom would not have been available if the project had started from scratch years two years ago. The interview also gets into Gene’s philosophy as an interviewer. He talks about avoiding the same recycled questions, only interviewing people he has a genuine interest in talking to, and listening closely enough to follow up on their answer instead of just moving to the next pre-written question on a list. K.G. connects with that immediately, because Get Your Bell Rung is built around those same deeper, more personal conversations. By the end, the episode becomes as much about purpose as it is about wrestling. Gene explains that if one of his shows makes someone’s week better, introduces a fan to a wrestler they didn’t know, or helps keep a forgotten story alive, then the work matters. That’s the heart of the Retro Wrestling Archive, and it lines up perfectly with K.G.’s own mission of giving wrestlers a place to tell the parts of their story that most interviews skip. For fans of Retro Wrestling Archive, Get Your Bell Rung, Memphis Wrestling, Continental Wrestling, Mid South Wrestling, Eddie Gilbert, Doug Gilbert, Tommy Rich, Wolfie D, Jamie Dundee, forgotten territory names, and real conversations about why wrestling history is worth saving, this episode is a must listen. This is unfiltered wrestling history. And Gene Jackson is still chasing the stories before they disappear. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

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. Check out our LINK OF ALL LINKS to watch the show and listen to our podcasts! linktr.ee/STSPOD ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★