Ringside in Rose City – Episode 50: September 1969 – Mayne, Kirby & a Territory Searching for Its Next Rivalry September 1969 finds Portland Wrestling in an unusual place. Lonnie Mayne and Rip “The Ruffian” Kirby have become the rivalry carrying the territory—but behind them, Don Owen's promotion is searching for its next major babyface, its next major heel, and the storyline that can take Portland Wrestling into the fall. This week, Frank Culbertson and Portland wrestling historian Mike Rodgers continue their month-by-month journey through the Portland Sports Arena era, as the Mayne-Kirby war gets bloodier, stranger and increasingly difficult to contain. The biggest moment comes in a Fight to the Finish for the Northwest Heavyweight Championship. Sandy Barr and Shag Thomas refuse to referee after what they've already endured in previous Mayne-Kirby battles, so Stan Stasiak steps in. Mayne eventually smashes Kirby's head into the ring post so violently that Stasiak stops the match—and Lonnie Mayne becomes Northwest Heavyweight Champion without ever pinning Rip Kirby. But that only creates more questions. Why is Stan Stasiak suddenly spending so much time refereeing instead of wrestling? Why is he openly complaining in the newspapers about not receiving top billing? Is Lonnie Mayne finally becoming a babyface—or is he still a heel who just happens to be fighting somebody the fans hate even more? And with Tony Borne, Haru Sasaki, Johnny Kostas, Buddy Marino, Billy White Wolf and Earl Maynard moving through the picture, who is actually ready to become Portland's next major attraction? As Mike puts it, Mayne versus Kirby essentially carries the entire month. And by September's end, the territory clearly needs a fresh infusion of talent and new rivalries. Card Shark also returns, and Lisa has some particularly good cards waiting for Mike—including the very first Portland Sports Arena show Mike ever attended and a loaded 1983 Portland lineup. Then comes a 1993 AAA card from the Los Angeles Sports Arena featuring Rey Misterio Jr., El Hijo del Santo, Octagón, La Parka, Jake Roberts, Eddie Guerrero, Art Barr, Konnan, Luis Spicolli—and one name especially familiar to longtime listeners of the show: Vandal Drummond, . Mike immediately recognizes Vandal as a clue that the mystery card may be from Los Angeles and reflects on how impressive it was for him to receive an opportunity on a card loaded with that level of international talent. And yes, Vandal, we know you listen—we made sure you got into the show. Mike also shares a great Luis Spicolli and Owen Hart story involving Stu Hart's 80th birthday show, Michael Lano, a cramped Chevy Vega and a little bit of wrestling carny language. Then Lisa breaks out the grass skirt, lei and coconuts for another Island Interlude, and September 1969 in Hawaii is absolutely loaded. King Curtis Iaukea, Pedro Morales, Giant Baba, Gene Kiniski, The Sheik, Pampero Firpo, Ripper Collins, Nick Bockwinkel, Jerry Brisco, Peter Maivia, Billy White Wolf and the Von Steigers are among the stars filling some remarkable cards. One night features Gene Kiniski against Giant Baba, King Curtis winning the North American Championship from Pedro Morales, and the Hawaiian debut of The Sheik—whose match against Pampero Firpo lasts exactly zero minutes after The Sheik attacks him with a stool before the bell and gets himself fined and suspended. It's championship changes, bloody feuds, confusing booking, Card Shark chaos, a shout-out to Vandal Drummond, Lisa's Hawaiian wardrobe—and another month in which Portland Wrestling proves that sometimes the most fascinating history comes when a territory is trying to figure out what comes next. Hosted by Frank Culbertson and Portland wrestling historian Mike Rodgers. One ring. One city. A thousand stories. New episodes of Ringside in Rose City drop every Friday on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.
