On this episode of Dangerous Conversations with “Dangerous” Doug Gilbert & Tommy “Wildfire” Rich, the questions drive the show and the answers go deep. Episode #56 is a wide ranging, old school wrestling discussion covering Continental Wrestling, Memphis, WCW, and the realities of booking, heat, and territory psychology all told through firsthand stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Doug and Tommy discuss upcoming appearances, including autograph signings and potential convention stops, before diving headfirst into listener questions that spark some of the most candid conversation yet. On this episode: * Continental Wrestling vs. Memphis — similarities, differences, and why both worked * The Florida/Alabama loop and how Continental’s geography shaped the product * Eddie Gilbert’s brilliance as a booker and performer * Why Eddie was more comfortable (and more dangerous) as a heel * False sincerity, psychology, and why Eddie’s angles always landed * Eric Embry’s controversial booking run and why it stayed afloat longer than expected * Business realities, bad draws, and when the numbers don’t lie * The WCW Battle Bowl / Lethal Lottery concept and what Tommy thought about it * Kamala, Botswana Beast, and who is Ben Peacock? * Kamala look-alikes, Japan runs, and why James Harris never cared * Randy Hales’ short lived Continental managerial run and unforgettable promos (included) * Pistol Pez Whatley, Willie B. Hurt, and Eddie’s eye for character reinvention * Why heels called matches back in the day and why that mattered * Traveling stories, fan encounters, and life on the road before cell phones As always, Doug and Tommy don’t sugarcoat anything if something worked, they explain why; if it failed, they tell you exactly where it went wrong. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit retrowrestlingarchive.substack.com
