🎙️ Ringside in Rose City #12 – The Top 10 Matches in Portland Sports Arena History

🎙️ Ringside in Rose City #12 – The Top 10 Matches in Portland Sports Arena HistoryOne ring. One city. A thousand stories.And this week… the ten stories that shaped an entire era.In Episode #12 of Ringside in Rose City, Frank Culbertson and Mike Rogers crack open a long-awaited envelope—one they wrote themselves months ago—and finally tackle a monumental topic:The Top 10 Most Historically Important Matches of the Portland Sports Arena Era.Not the biggest money-draws.Not the wildest crowds.But the matches that shaped the territory.And this list delivers.🔟 Dobermans, Double Cages & Pure ChaosRip Oliver vs. Matt Bourne (1981)The infamous Doberman Cage Match—two cages, two dogs, and one terrified arena. Buddy Rose saves the entire spectacle by coaxing the dogs into “chasing” him. A match so strange even Don Owen would’ve never booked it… because he didn’t.9️⃣ Violence, Blood & the KangaroosJesse Ventura & Bull Ramos vs. The Royal Kangaroos(1976)One of the wildest matches ever held in Portland—three men juiced, action inside and outside the ring, and so legendary it was still being talked about in Kansas City nine years later.8️⃣ When Bull Ramos Became a StarBull Ramos vs. Terry Funk (1973)Dory Funk Jr. is injured, Terry steps in, and Bull beats him clean. A shocking result that instantly elevates Ramos into world-title contention. Portland fans believed he could win it all.7️⃣ The Ultimate Specialty Match ClashBull Ramos vs. Dutch Savage (1972) – Strap Match + Coal Miner’s Glove ComboBull’s specialty. Dutch’s specialty. Combined.Dutch wins in a dramatic finish, leaving Ramos literally hanging in midair—one of the most unforgettable visuals in Portland history.6️⃣ AWA Gold in Portland? Believe It.The Von Steigers vs. The Vons (1971)AWA World Tag Team Title change… in Portland? It happened. It’s rarely acknowledged, never cleanly explained, and still one of the territory’s most fascinating title mysteries.🎵 K-Fabe Curveballs ReturnFrank torments Mike with trivia about librarians, The Breakfast Club, Swedish Christmas TV, Jiminy Cricket, and a surprise cameo from Mama Wayne—complete with the real story of Mike discovering her in the back of Ed Moretti’s pickup truck.Yes, really.5️⃣ The Blueprint for Modern WrestlingDynamite Kid vs. Curt Hennig (1983)A world-class series that put Portland on the global map. Meltzer raved. Tape traders hunted the footage. Pure wrestling magic.4️⃣ Champ vs. Challenger at the ExtravaganzaRic Flair vs. Billy Jack Haynes (1985)A 45-minute draw on Don Owen’s 60th Anniversary show. Piper, Rose, Slaughter, Hennig, The Southern Rockers—this entire card was stacked, and Flair vs. Billy Jack was the crown jewel.3️⃣ The Match That MADE Bull RamosBull Ramos vs. Lonnie Mayne (1972)Bull breaks Lonnie’s arm in front of a stunned arena, nearly triggers a riot, and instantly becomes one of the most feared men in the territory.2️⃣ A Coliseum ClassicGene Kiniski vs. Don Leo Jonathan (1968)Not technically in the Sports Arena—but historically essential. A 4,600-fan sellout. A believable world title threat. And a match that proved Portland was ready for a new era.1️⃣ The Biggest Match in Portland HistoryBuddy Rose vs. Roddy Piper (1980) – Loser Leaves TownThe top feud of the territory. The top talents of 1980.Piper loses… and his career explodes onto the national stage.The match that changed everything—both for Portland Wrestling and for Roddy PiperFrank and Mike close out with book talk, gift suggestions,holiday cheer, and a nod to the books every Portland fan should own:Encyclopedia of Portland Wrestlers, Katy Bar the Door, OhYeah: History of Hawaii Wrestling, and more.This episode is history, chaos, memories, and mayhem—served the Portland way.Step into the arena. Hit play. Relive the matches that built a legacy.