Ringside In Rose City #28 - Portland Sports Arena December 1968

🎙️ Ringside in Rose City #28 – December 1968: The Territory Takes Shape One ring. One city. A thousand stories. And this week… the foundation gets stronger. In Episode #28 of Ringside in Rose City, Frank Culbertson and Portland Wrestling historian Mike Rogers head back to the Portland Sports Arena in December 1968—just three months into Don Owen’s bold gamble, and a moment where the territory is still finding its footing. As always, Lisa Hughes spins the wheel and reveals the envelope: “PSA December ’68.” And with that, the guys dive into a month where everythingis still in motion—rosters shifting, rivalries forming, and the identity of Portland Wrestling beginning to take shape. 🔥 The Von Steigers Take Control If one thing defines December 1968, it’s this: The Von Steigers are everywhere. • Dominating the tag division • Winning battle royals (even splitting one together) • Regaining the Northwest Tag Titles on Christmas night • Headlining cards across Portland, Salem, Eugene, and Longview They aren’t just heels… they’re the engine of the territory. 🥊 A Territory in Transition Frank and Mike break down a constantly shifting roster: • Billy White Wolf arrives, gets pushed hard… then exits for a Japan tour • Johnny War Eagle emerges as a future player • Luther Lindsay anchors the territory as Northwest Champion • Tony Borne starts to re-enter the spotlight • Shag Thomas begins moving into a more prominent role • Stan “Crusher” Stasiak returns to the territory in a strange stretch of booking And all of it is happening while Don Owen tries to stabilize a brand-new venue and keep fans coming back every Saturday night. 🎄 Christmas Night in Portland One of the most important nights of the month: • A capacity crowd at the Portland Sports Arena • The Von Steigers reclaim the tag titles • Title matches, returns, and transitions that set the stage for 1969 It’s not just a holiday card— it’s a turning point. 📰 When Newspapers Sold the Show This episode highlights something Portland Wrestling mastered: Promotion through storytelling. From headlines like: • “Double Dose of Violence” • “Indian Declares War” • “Fight to the Finish” The matches were presented like real sporting events—building anticipation, drama, and urgency in every town. 🌺 Island Interlude – Hawaii, December 1968 The guys hop across the Pacific once again to compare what’shappening in Hawaii during the same time period: • Professor Tanaka wins the North American Title • Nick Bockwinkel is awarded the Hawaii Championship • A rare women’s battle royal • The continued presence of stars like Ripper Collins, Ray Stevens, and Mr. Fuji Same business. Different flavor. 🤯 The World of Man Mountain Cannon And then… things get weird. From managing the Kangaroos… to hosting a TV variety show… To: • Reading Shakespeare while getting punched in the stomach • Getting smashed in a “Big Splash” contest • Wearing a jacket that simply said “I Am Right” Sometimes wrestling history is stranger than fiction. This episode isn’t just about results. It’s about a territory finding itself— week by week, town by town, match by match. The crowds are growing. The rivalries are heating up. And Portland Wrestling is starting to feel like… Portland Wrestling. Step into the arena. This is Ringside in Rose City — Wrestling Wrestling the way it should be