54 episodes

The only interview show that features the biggest names in professional wrestling that's not actually about professional wrestling.

Hosted by Chris Illuminati. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/not-about-wrestling/support

Not About Wrestling Not About Wrestling

    • Sports
    • 4.6 • 9 Ratings

The only interview show that features the biggest names in professional wrestling that's not actually about professional wrestling.

Hosted by Chris Illuminati. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/not-about-wrestling/support

    Episode 46: "The Badstreet Beauty" Miranda Gordy

    Episode 46: "The Badstreet Beauty" Miranda Gordy

    Our guest this week is a second-generation wrestler and current SWE Women’s TV Champion - “The Badstreet Beauty,” Miranda Gordy.

    Miranda is the daughter of wrestling legend, Terry “Bam Bam” Gordy. 

    In this episode, Miranda talks about growing up with her dad, living on “Badstreet” as a kid - she actually grew up on a farm - getting into the business later in life, her father’s legacy, and its effect on her career and the best state fair foods. 

    Plus, we play fantasy booker and assemble a modern-day Freebirds stable and talk about which women’s wrestlers would be worthy enough to walk down Badstreet.  


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    Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/not-about-wrestling/support

    • 39 min
    Episode 45: Danny Limelight

    Episode 45: Danny Limelight

    Our guest on the show this week is Danny Limelight. 

    Danny truly is a jack-of-all-trades and not just in the wrestling business. 

    A Marine Veteran and former drill instructor, Danny served our country for 10 years and made over three hundred and fifty Marines.

    After his military service concluded, Danny turned his attention to wrestling, writing, and acting. 

    He's worked for WWE, All Elite Wrestling, Impact Wrestling, Championship Wrestling From Hollywood, and AAA, Danny now wrestles for New Japan Pro Wrestling and Major League Wrestling.

    Danny made his acting debut in 2019 and wrote and starred in the film, Joe Riv. 

    In this episode, Danny talks about his time in the military, breaking into wrestling, and writing and directing a movie IN ONE DAY. We're also joined about his friends who helped with the film and the film's director, Mico Saad.  

    Ladies and gentlemen, now entering the podcast, originally hailing from Brooklyn, NY...this is Danny Limelight. 


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    Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/not-about-wrestling/support

    • 1 hr 21 min
    Episode 44: Sami Callihan

    Episode 44: Sami Callihan

    AND WE'RE BACK! 

    This week, a mini-episode with "The Draw" of IMPACT WRESTLING, Sami Callihan. 

    Calling himself "the real reason fans tune in" to IMPACT, the former World Champion will square off against Kenny Omega at Slammiversary 2021 on July 17th with the IMPACT belt once again on the line.  

    In this interview, Callihan discusses how much fun he had putting Omega through a table during their contract signing, the inspiration behind his many different looks over the years, other wrestlers "borrowing" his moves, and the one place he's recognized the most frequently. 

    Plus, Steph returns from a weeklong vacation and immediately has internet issues and the hosts have so much wrestling to talk about they don't know where to begin. So, Chris complains about soccer.

    It's good to be back.

    Ladies and gentlemen, entering the podcast, hailing from Dayton, Ohio...this is Sami Callihan. 


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    Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/not-about-wrestling/support

    • 32 min
    Episode 43: Hal Haney

    Episode 43: Hal Haney

    On this week’s show, we’re talking to artist, cartoonist, and father, Hal Haney.

    If you’re a fan of wrestling and pop culture, you’ve probably seen Hal’s drawings online. There are so many things to love about Hal’s artwork but we’re sure you’ll love his pieces even more when you hear Hal’s story.

    He’s a self-taught artist who just started drawing for fun and to make a little extra money while raising his young daughter. Hal’s work got passed around social media and the next thing Hal knew, he went from part-time doodler to full-time artist, drawing commission pieces for famous clients.

    In this interview, Hal discusses falling ass-backward into a full-time gig, the inspiration behind some of his most iconic work, his advice to young artists or anyone looking to start their own business, befriending “Stone Cold” Steve Austin and Austin helping him use a sleep apnea machine, and customers getting a little too particular about their drawings.

    Ladies and gentlemen, entering the podcast from Asheville, North Carolina, this is Hal Haney.


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    Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/not-about-wrestling/support

    • 1 hr 10 min
    Episode 42: Tony Schiavone & Dirk Manning

    Episode 42: Tony Schiavone & Dirk Manning

    This week, we're talking to a legendary voice in the world of professional wrestling, Tony Schiavone, and writer and comic creator, Dirk Manning. 

    The dynamic duo joined us to talk about "Butts In Seats: The Tony Schiavone Story", Tony's forthcoming graphic novel about his life and career in professional wrestling. 

    Launched in March 2021 on Kickstarter, the original goal for "Butts In Seats" was to raise $20K to bring the graphic novel to life. That initial goal was crushed in a matter of days. The project has raised over $135K so far. 

    In this interview, Tony and Dirk discuss the origin story of their partnership, working together via Zoom because of Covid restrictions, the original sketches and ideas for the comic, and working with different artists on each chapter. 

    Plus, Tony tells us what it's like being back in front of live crowds, working with the gift that keeps on giving, Taz, and which AEW star was slightly miffed by the original cover art for the comic. 

    Ladies and gentlemen, now entering the podcast, this is Tony Schiavone and Dirk Manning. 




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    Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/not-about-wrestling/support

    • 1 hr 12 min
    Episode 41: James Ellsworth

    Episode 41: James Ellsworth

    James Ellsworth’s rise to WWE stardom was 14 long years in the making. 

    Born in Baltimore, Maryland, Ellsworth trained under Axl Rotten and made a living on the independent wrestling scene under the ring name "Pretty" Jimmy Dream. 

    He worked for various promotions over the years - usually in a tag team with Adam Ugly - and made stops in  American Combat Wrestling, Big Time Wrestling, First State Championship Wrestling and CZW. 

    Ellsworth made random appearances in the WWE over the years, typically whenever the company ran shows in Maryland or Pennsylvania, usually just filling in as an extra or working as one of Adam Rose’s “Rosebuds.” 

    One night in 2016, fate stepped in and turned Ellsworth into a household name thanks to a brief promo before getting squashed by Braun Strowman on Raw. Ellsworth’s story about how he found himself on national television involves Arn Anderson and his ability to throw a punch. 

    Ellsworth putting over Strowman lead to meeting Vince McMahon, getting signed with the company, and being thrust into a program with AJ Styles and Dean Ambrose. 

    In this interview, Ellsworth talks about his days on the indie circuit, training with an ECW original, getting his shot with the WWE, his run with Carmella, “winning” the women’s Money in the Bank match, and the possibility of being called back to work for the company at any moment.  

    Ladies and gentlemen, entering the podcast, hailing from Glen Burnie, Maryland…this is James Ellsworth. 




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    Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/not-about-wrestling/support

    • 1 hr 28 min

Customer Reviews

4.6 out of 5
9 Ratings

9 Ratings

SZJ527 ,

Great New Spin on a Wrestling Podcast

Chris and Steph clearly have so much fun recording and it’s always a good time listening. The guests are great and conversations with wrestlers that are not actually about wrestling makes this such a unique and great show.

LB4756 ,

Best wrestling podcast

Easily my favorite podcast about wrestling. Guests are always interesting and Chris and Steph are hilarious.

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