The Retro Wrestling Archive Podcast Network

Retro Wrestling Archive Podcasts

The Retro Wrestling Archive Podcast Network is a home for nostalgia pro wrestling podcasts featuring interviews, reviews, recaps, and deep dives into the people, promotions, and moments that shaped wrestling history. Our network includes original in-house shows like The Retro Wrestling Re-View Podcasts, Beyond Wrestling, Dangerous Conversations w/Doug Gilbert & Tommy Rich, and LIVE from the Archive!, along with affiliate podcasts such as STSPod, The Hang, Talkin' off the Top Rope, and Get Your Bell Rung, among others. Presented in association with Jackson Media Creations, the Retro Wrestling Archive Podcast Network is dedicated to one mission: preserving pro wrestling history.

  1. Retro Wrestling Re-View Power Pro Wrestling Podcast Ep. 9: DK Proposes to Miss Jackie

    12h ago

    Retro Wrestling Re-View Power Pro Wrestling Podcast Ep. 9: DK Proposes to Miss Jackie

    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 Hales, as the build continues toward Lawler’s punishment match against Kane at the Mid-South Coliseum. Gene, Robb, and BT dig into how Power Pro is using Lawler’s WWF connection to bring in names like The Godwinns, Road Dogg Jesse James, “Double J” Jeff Jarrett, Tennessee Lee (Robert Fuller), Kane, Paul Bearer, and others while still trying to keep the Memphis flavor intact. The show also features ECW’s Tracy Smothers, who arrives with attitude to spare and makes it clear he hates Power Pro, Randy Hales, Memphis, Elvis, Mud Island, and pretty much everything else in sight. Tracy takes on Young Gun Lance Jade, giving the guys a chance to talk about Tracy’s Memphis roots, his ECW run, and how much fun he is when he’s turned loose on a microphone. Backstage, referee Bill Rush has been attacked and someone has painted a STREAK down his back.  A big highlight this week is the continuing rise of Derrick King. His match with Tony Falk, with Brandon Baxter and Miss Jackie involved, gives the crew a chance to discuss how naturally Derrick is starting to come across as a babyface. What began as the strange Jackie obsession angle now looks like it may be turning into something that could actually get Derrick as a babyface over in a bigger way. This is one of the strongest “direction” episodes so far. Power Pro is no longer just throwing chaos at the wall every week. Now there’s a real Coliseum show to sell, a major Lawler angle, outside star power, young guys being positioned, and a sense that the promotion may be moving toward something bigger. If you’re following the Power Pro journey, Episode #9 is a key stop. It has Memphis weirdness, WWF star power, ECW attitude, Derrick King momentum, Billy Joe Travis getting more interesting by the week, and enough moving parts to make Gene, Robb, and BT question where this whole thing is headed next. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

    1h 29m
  2. Huge Pop Entertainment presents...A Conversation with "Living Legend" Larry Zbyszko

    2d ago

    Huge Pop Entertainment presents...A Conversation with "Living Legend" Larry Zbyszko

    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 as a teenage fan, and eventually becoming close enough to train with his hero, a journey that came full circle when Bruno inducted him into the WWE Hall of Fame. The conversation digs deep into Larry’s famous feud with Bruno, including the betrayal that changed his career forever and helped make him one of the most hated heels in wrestling. Larry explains how he went from being known as “Bruno’s protégé” to becoming Larry Zbyszko, selling out Madison Square Garden and Shea Stadium in the process. Larry also breaks down his heel psychology and pushes back on the idea that he was simply “stalling.” To him, it was about reading the room, letting the crowd’s hatred build, and keeping them emotionally invested before ever needing to lock up. Whether fans were chanting “Larry Sucks!,” throwing heat his way, or waiting to see him finally get what was coming to him, Larry knew how to make the people believe. What makes this interview so much fun is that Larry is still Larry. He is opinionated, funny, reflective, blunt, and completely comfortable talking about what worked, what didn’t, and why old school wrestling got over when it was done right. He talks about heat, psychology, drawing money, protecting your character, and why the bad guys were often the real engine of the show. From Bruno to the New World Order, from “Larry Sucks!” chants to “Boo on Me!,” this episode is a must listen for fans of classic wrestling, WCW, AWA, WWF, old school heel work, and one of wrestling’s most unforgettable personalities. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

    1h 11m
  3. Retro Wrestling Re-View ECW Podcast - BONUS EPISODE: Bay Ragni Interview

    2d ago ·  Bonus

    Retro Wrestling Re-View ECW Podcast - BONUS EPISODE: Bay Ragni Interview

    **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 like to be around Philadelphia wrestling as it shifted from TWA into the early days of Eastern Championship Wrestling. Bay talks about last year’s ‘One and Done’ Tri-State Wrestling Alliance Reunion Show, what it meant to bring so many people from that era back together, and the emotional weight of honoring a promotion that helped lay the groundwork for what ECW would eventually become. He opens up about working with Joel Goodhart on the event, the stress behind the scenes, the importance of giving Tri-State its due, and why that promotion deserves a much bigger place in the history of independent wrestling. From there, the conversation goes back to the beginning of ECW, including the meeting after TWA shut down, Todd Gordon taking over, the creation of Eastern Championship Wrestling, and the early struggle to turn the promotion into something that could survive. Bay discusses the first TV tapings, the infamous snowstorm around the Cabrini College show, helping promote the early events, and what changed when “Hot Stuff” Eddie Gilbert came in as booker. This episode also covers: The legacy of Tri-State Wrestling AllianceJoel Goodhart’s influence on independent wrestlingThe One and Done reunion show and the upcoming TWA documentaryBay’s memories of the ECW Arena and Philadelphia wrestling fansThe early ECW meeting after TWA closedTodd Gordon’s first steps running Eastern Championship WrestlingThe difference between TWA and early ECWBay and HD Rider working the first match in ECW TV historyTerry Funk calling that first ECW television matchEddie Gilbert arriving and changing the direction of the companyWhy early ECW TV exposed how green some of the crew still wasJay Sulli, Stevie Wonderful, Hunter Q. Robbins, and the early ECW announce crewThe Cosmic Commander and the wild personalities around early ECWJimmy Snuka, Don Muraco, Ivan Koloff, Sal Bellomo, and the veteran names used in the beginningThe importance of television in making ECW feel bigger than a local indieAnd why the road from TWA to ECW is more complicated than most quick histories make it soundThis is not just a bonus interview. It is a bridge between the end of Tri-State and the birth of ECW, told by someone who was actually in the room, in the locker room, and in the ring when the first pieces were coming together. If you’re following the Retro Wrestling Re-View ECW Podcast, this episode is essential listening. Before ECW became extreme, before the revolution, before the legends were made, there was a small group of people in Philadelphia trying to figure out what came next. Bay Ragni was one of them, and this conversation helps set the table for everything that follows. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

    1h 32m
  4. Retro Wrestling Re-View WCCW Podcast Ep. 2 - August 15, 1982 | The Birth of Fubuki!

    2d ago

    Retro Wrestling Re-View WCCW Podcast Ep. 2 - August 15, 1982 | The Birth of Fubuki!

    ***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 August 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 Mike Bond before things fall apart a little at the finish. From there, The Magic Dragon takes on Ken Mantell, leading to the birth of a new show nickname: Fubuki. The guys also dig into Magic Dragon’s background, his connection to Kabuki, and the tragic end of his life years later. This is not the strongest World Class episode on paper, but it gives Robb and Scottie plenty to work with as they continue building the foundation for the series. It’s a snapshot of early WCCW before the promotion fully explodes, it’s rough around the edges, weird in places, occasionally boring, but still loaded with little details, history, and that unmistakable Sportatorium flavor.  If you’re following the Retro Wrestling Re-View WCCW Podcast from the beginning, Episode #2 is the kind of show that reminds you: sometimes the journey through wrestling history means sitting through Frank Dusek DDTs, Magic Dragon nerve holds, Arman Hussein whistles, and King Kong Bundy with a full head of hair before the Von Erich fireworks really kick in. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

    1h 7m

Ratings & Reviews

4.5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

The Retro Wrestling Archive Podcast Network is a home for nostalgia pro wrestling podcasts featuring interviews, reviews, recaps, and deep dives into the people, promotions, and moments that shaped wrestling history. Our network includes original in-house shows like The Retro Wrestling Re-View Podcasts, Beyond Wrestling, Dangerous Conversations w/Doug Gilbert & Tommy Rich, and LIVE from the Archive!, along with affiliate podcasts such as STSPod, The Hang, Talkin' off the Top Rope, and Get Your Bell Rung, among others. Presented in association with Jackson Media Creations, the Retro Wrestling Archive Podcast Network is dedicated to one mission: preserving pro wrestling history.

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