Once Upon A Turnbuckle
by Chris Tetreault-Blay
Author Chris Tetreault-Blay chronicles his earlier years growing up as a wrestling fan in the early 90s, reliving his memories of the ‘golden era’ and welcoming very special guests from the past, present and future of the 'one true sport'.
Episodes
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Ep. 70 - 'The Bastard Son Returns!' with British wrestler, promoter and owner of No Mercy Wrestling, Bevan
British pro wrestling star Bevan, The Bastard Son, becomes the first bona-fide "three-peat" guest as he returns to the show for the first time in 3 years!Last time we spoke, the in-ring star and owner of No Mercy Wrestling discussed what was the start of his new venture as the fledgling Welsh...
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Ep. 69 - 'The Irresistable Force Meets The Immovable Object' with wrestling writer, author & podcaster Brian R. Solomon
Chris welcomes back to the show wrestling writer, podcaster and ex-WWE Magazine editor Brian R. Solomon to discuss his newest release 'Irresistable Force', the long-awaited biography of wrestling icon Gorilla Monsoon.Monsoon was a larger-than-life character on- and off-screen and the voice of an...
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Ep. 68 - 'The Brain, The Brilliance & The Boss' with British indie wrestling manager & wrestler, Big Manager Blanch
Aaron Blanchard has been a recognisable face on the British indie scene for many years now, and after 3 years he makes his return to Once Upon A Turnbuckle to discuss his new ringside venture as Big Manager Blanch, not only manager, cheerleader and cohort of 'The Brilliance' James Ellis, but also...
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'This Wrestling Life' with author and podcaster, Ben Veal
In this week's episode of Once Upon A Turnbuckle, Chris is joined by renowned podcaster and author Ben Veal, host of the famous 'Wrestling Life with Ben Veal' podcast and more recently co-author of the incredible autobiography of WWE and WCW legend Marc Mero, 'Badd to Good'.Ben discusses his...
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"A True UK Rampage" with wrestling author Lee Herbert
Wrestling fans of a certain age will take any opporunity to travel back in time to the golden days of the early-90s WWF. For us in the UK, it was a time where WWF was everywhere - on our TVs (if you were lucky enough to have Sky), on our newsstands, toy shops and even amongst our favourite snacks...
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Ep. 65 - 'Masters of the Slam-iverse' with Slammers Wrestling co-founder, Jon Walker
A lot has happened in the world of Jon Walker and @SlammastersWrestling since Chris last chatted to him on the show nearly 4 years ago! Back in 2021, Jon and his Slammasters co-founder Big D had a few shows under their belts after Covid derailed plans temporarily, and fast-forward a few years and...
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Ep. 64 - 'Buddy's Pockets of Hate' with independent wrestling manager, Buddy Sotello Esq.
In this episode, Chris sits down with Buddy Sotello Esq., who is something of a rarity in today's wrestling world - a heel manager with old school values and a talent for knowing how to create real believable heat with the crowd."The Master of the Contract" discusses his earliest memories of...
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Ep. 63 - 'The Maestro and Me' with WCW star 'The Maestro' Rob Kellum
Wrestling fans of the '90s and 00s will best remember @StroMaestro as WCW's classical eccentric, The Maestro, but as we find out soon enough he had already had quite the storied career before even reaching Atlanta.From his early days in collegiate wrestling, to being for the professional ranks by...
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Ep. 62 - 'Six Years and Ninety Hours' - with wrestling historian, Film Producer and author Evan Ginzburg
If you're looking for someone with some wrestling stories to tell - look no further!Evan Ginzburg is the Senior Editor for Pro Wrestling Stories and a contributing writer since 2017. He’s a published author, with his latest book, "Wrestling Rings, Blackboards, and Movie Sets," released on January...
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Ep. 61 - 'Tennessee, TNA & Titles: The Wrestling Dream Come True' with British wrestling sensation, Rhiannon Jade
When British wrestling sensation Rhiannon Jade was last on the show (as Echo Reed) her wrestling story was still in it's infancy and many a chapter was yet to be written. Fast forward 4 years and boy does she have some tales to tell!From moving from Devon to Wales to further her career, two…
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Ep. 60 - 'At the FourFront of It All' with 'The Stallion' Chris Bronson
In this episode, Chris welcomes British wrestling star 'The Stallion' Chris Bronson to the show's 60th episode. Chris B shares his early memories of wrestling and beyond, including:- the first superstars that captivated him on screen;- the moment when he decided to go beyond fandom and pursue a...
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Ep. 59 - 'Figured Out' with fellow wrestling fan and figure collector, Andrew Lacelle
In a very special episode, Chris welcomes back wrestling fan and collector Andrew Lacelle to the show for a discussion which is well overdue - the magic of wrestling figures! Chris and Andrew both come armed with their Top 5 favourite wrestling figures of all time. Built purely on their own...
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Ep. 58 - "Not Just The Coolest, Not Just The Baddest" with ex-WWE and ECW legend PJ Polaco, aka Justin Credible & Aldo Montoya
In this brand-new episode, Chris brings you a guest that is not just the coolest, not just the best but simply...JUSTIN CREDIBLE! Wrestling legend PJ Polaco has a storied career in and around the squared circle and he is here to tell you all about it. From his early days training with the Harts,...
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Ep. 57 - 'Bring On The Blockbusters: Part Two' with multi-reigning tag-team champion Toby St. John
In the second half of our BLOCKBUSTER double feature, British tag team sensation Toby St. John drops in to chat about his pathway into wrestling, from his childhood days idolisation Shawn Michaels, through to having the opportunity to work with and learn from wrestling legends in the…
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Ep. 56 - 'Bring On The Blockbusters: Part One' with multi-reigning tag-team champion Jordan Sparkes
In this brand-new episode of Once Upon A Turnbuckle, Chris welcomes British wrestling sensation Jordan Sparkes back to the show! Since we last spoke in late-2021, Jordan's career has gone from strength-to-strength quite literally, and has seen him start 2025 off with a bang as he currently…
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Ep. 55 - 'When All The Glitters Is (Good As) Gold' with British indie hotshot 'The Brilliance' James Ellis
It's the long-awaited return of Once Upon A Turnbuckle and what a perfect way to kick off the new era! 'The Brilliance' James Ellis, one of the hottest properties on the British indie scene today and newly-crowned New Wave Wrestling champion, returns to the show to catch us up on his career over...
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Ep. 54 - 'Bret & The Bulldog: 30 Years On' with Steven Bell, author of 'Dynamite & Davey: The Explosive Lives of The British Bulldogs'
August 29th 1992. Wembley Stadium, England. The date that will live on in the hearts of all wrestling fans as being that which gave us one of the greatest PPV's (SummerSlam '92) and arguably one of the greatest wrestling matches in history, as 'The British Bulldog' Davey Boy Smith realised his...
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Ep. 53 - 'We Are No Mercy', with No Mercy Wrestling's owner/promoter & wrestler, 'The Bastard Son' Chris Bevan
Chris welcomes back another returning guest this week, as he catches up with wrestler and owner/promoter of No Mercy Wrestling, Chris Bevan! We chat about the growth of No Mercy since our last interview (in summer 2021), which has seen their debut show, the inception of it's own 'Iron Cobra'...
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Ep. 52 - 'Fire, Blood & All Things Good' with ex-WWE writer and author, Brian R. Solomon
In this gem of a show, Chris welcomes Brian R. Solomon, writer, author and host of the 'Shut Up & Wrestle Podcast'. Brian has made his name as not only a writer and editor for WWE Magazine in the early 2000s but also as an author of renowned wrestling books including 'WWE Legends', 'Pro Wrestling...
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Ep. 51 - 'The Beast, The Bee & Me' with wrestling biographer and journalist, Ian Douglass
In a perfect companion to our recent episode with wrestling legend B. Brian Blair, Chris welcomes the other half of the writing team that brought us the fantastic 'Truth Bee Told' - journalist and wrestling biographer, Ian Douglass! Ian drops in to discuss his writing work, which includes not…
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Ep. 50 - 'The Art of Wrestling - Part Two' with artist and ex-WWF designer, Tom Fleming
For the milestone 50th episode of Once Upon A Turnbuckle, Chris welcomes artist Tom Fleming back to the show for a return visit! In our last meeting, Tom shared many memories from his days as an artist and designer for the WWF/E in the early-90's, where he was responsible for designing the iconic...
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Ep. 49 - 'Truth Bee Told' with wrestling legend, 'Killer Bee' Brian Blair
It's time to welcome another member of wrestling royalty to the show, as Chris has the honour of talking to wrestling legend B. Brian Blair! Blair is best known as one-half of the hugely-popular tag team The Killer Bee's, along with 'Jumping' Jim Brunzell, who many still argue should have had a…
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Ep. 48 - 'Inside The Ropes' with legendary wrestling writer Keith Elliot Greenberg
Once Upon a Turnbuckle is truly back with a bang! Keith Elliot Greenberg is not only a New York Times best-selling author and TV producer but is known by millions of wrestling fans worldwide due to his 22 years spent writing for the WWF/E Magazine, starting in 1985. He has also co-authored the...
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Ep. 47 - 'Beers, Beatdowns & Bragging Rights' with Pro Wrestling Karnage stars Beers X Beatdowns
In what will be the final-ever episode for Once Upon A Turnbuckle, it seemed only fitting that Chris welcomes to the show two of the driving forces behind Pro Wrestling Karnage - returning guest 'Dangerous' Danny Owens and the reigning Outbreak Champion, Brewski Blanch. We get to learn more about...
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Ep. 46 - 'Welcome To Slammasters!' with wrestler, promoter & co-founder of Slammasters Wrestling, Jon Walker (aka Necrofago)
It's safe to say that the Welsh independent wrestling scene is as hot now as it's ever been, and it's in no small part due to the actions of people like my latest guest, wrestler and promoter Jon Walker. Like many others, Jon grew up as a childhood wrestling fan and has found himself playing an...
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Ep. 45 - 'The Roar Of The Lion' with British wrestling star, Eddie Ryan
In this episode, Chris has the pleasure of sitting down with another top star of not only REACH Wrestling but British wrestling as a whole - 'The English Lion' Eddie Ryan! Eddie has been a force in British wrestling for a number of years, holding titles pretty much everywhere he has been and...
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Ep. 44 - 'The Diamond In The Rough' with REACH Academy Champion, Jordan Sparkes
After speaking with REACH Wrestling's Jason King in our last episode, it seemed only fitting to welcome Jason's tag team partner and current REACH Academy champion Jordan Sparkes to the show! Jordan shares his earliest memories and inspirations as a kid growing up discovering wrestling for…
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Ep. 43 - 'In The (REACH) Army Now' with REACH Wrestling's Jason King
Chris turns the spotlight to another gem in the British wrestling circuit, with the first episode delving into Devon-based promotion, REACH Wrestling. It seems only fitting that the first guest is Jason King, one of the two founders of REACH. Jason discusses his earliest wrestling memories and...
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Ep. 42 - 'Not Just Another Bearded Ramble' with British wrestler and podcaster Cueball
For this episode, Chris is joined by none other than the "beer-drinking, heavy metal-listening, bald-headed brawler" himself, British indie wrestling star and fellow podcaster, Cueball! Cueball has made a name for himself across many British indie promotions, including Ring Wrestling Stars, Pro...
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Ep. 41 - 'Behind The Karnage #5' with 'The Brilliance' James Ellis
As we move ever-closer to 'Karnage From The Krypt' - Pro Wrestling Karnage's much-anticipated follow-up to their debut show - Chris welcomes one of the promotion's hottest properties today, 'The Brilliance' James Ellis! James shares his own story of when/how/why he started in the wrestling…
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Ep. 40 - 'A Rose By No Other Name' with British wrestling veteran Jonny Rose
In this episode, Chris welcomes another heavy-hitter from the British wrestling scene with veteran '#1' Jonny Rose! Jonny recalls his earliest memories of discovering wrestling as a kid in the crowd watching the like of Danny Boy Collins and Big Daddy, to finding himself as a ten-year-old helping...
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Ep. 39 - 'Behind The Karnage #4' with 'Superstar' Jimmy Taylor
Chris welcomes another of Pro Wrestling Karnage's emerging talents, 'Superstar' Jimmy Taylor! Jimmy discusses his love of wrestling, from his early days idolising greats such as Eddie Guerrero and Rob Van Dam, to finding his own way into the ring. He also looks ahead at his long-awaiting Pro...
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Ep. 38 - 'Behind The Karnage #3' with Pro Wrestling Karnage Tag Team Champion, Chris Bevan
Continuing the delve 'Behind The Karnage', Chris welcomes another hard-hitter from Pro Wrestling Karnage as he chats to one-half of their inaugural tag team champions, 'The Bastard Son' Chris Bevan! Chris B takes us through his journey as a wrestling fan to deciding to follow his dream of being…
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Ep. 37 - 'Behind The Karnage #2' with Pro Wrestling Karnage writer & promoter, Kai Sandbrook
Chris continues the spotlight series on upstart wrestling promotion Pro Wrestling Karnage by welcoming another very special guest in writer and promoter Kai Sandbrook. Kai not only discusses his own personal wrestling journey from a fan to the ring, but also talks about his influences from the...
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Ep. 36 - 'Behind The Karnage' with 'Dangerous' Danny Owens
On this episode, Chris delves once more behind the curtain of the latest super-power on the UK indy wrestling scene by welcoming co-founder, promoter and one of the top stars of Pro Wrestling Karnage, 'Dangerous' Danny Owens! Danny discusses how he discovered wrestling as a childhood fan, the…
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Ep. 35 - 'Lost In The Echo' with REACH Wrestling star Echo Reed
Chris is joined this week by another star of the British independent wrestling scene, as he welcome's fellow Devonian and member of the REACH Wrestling army, Echo Reed. Echo recalls her earliest memories of wrestling, being introduced to the Attitude era by her wrestling-mad brothers, through to...
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Ep. 34 - 'The Caiman Cometh' with pro wrestler & podcaster Caiman Griffiths
Once Upon A Turnbuckle returns with another very special guest - pro wrestler and podcaster extraordinaire, Caiman Griffiths! Caiman discusses his run as a pro wrestler - including training at the NWA-UK Hammerlock camp, receiving his first chop from Fergal Devitt (better known as Finn Balor!),...
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Ep. 33 - 'The Beauty of The Beast (From The East)' with Shane Bigelow, son of wrestling legend Bam Bam Bigelow
In this very special episode, Chris pays tribute to the life and career of wrestling legend 'the Beast From The East' Bam Bam Bigelow, with none other than Bam Bam's son, Shane! Shane discusses pivotal moments of his dad's career including working in Japan with Big Van Vader, his matches with…
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Ep. 32 - 'Can We Talk?' - My Top 5 Greatest Talkers in Wrestling
Looking back on his childhood (and beyond) of wrestling fandom, Chris recently realised the one aspect of wrestling that will forever make him come back time and time again - the SOUND of it! To be more precise, the superstars that were as talented on the mic as they were between the ropes. In…
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Ep. 31 - 'Dressed To The Nine9' with ICW superstar and Tag Team Champion Jack Morris
Chris welcomes Jack Morris, current ICW wrestling star and one-half of the ICW Tag Team Champions 'The Nine9' to the show to chat about growing up in the Attitude era, making his own way in the wrestling world, facing off against British wrestling legend Doug Williams, what it's like to be…
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Ep. 30 - 'The King of The Ring' with Andrew Lacelle
For a few years of his childhood, at least, June meant one thing for Chris - the promise of seeing another WWF 'King of The Ring' crowned! What was it that drew him to this event in particular? What made WWF at the time turn a house show concept into it's own PPV in 1993? And why did the…
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Ep. 29 - 'The Art of Wrestling' with artist and former WWF costume designer Tom Fleming
In this episode, Chris finally gets to tick off one of his 'bucket list' guests as he has the privilege of sitting down to talk with Tom Fleming, one of the unsung heroes of 90s wrestling. Aside from working for DC and Marvel comics, Tom was also an artist and costume designer for the WWF/E in…
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Ep. 28 - 'Drawing A Line In The Dirt' with wrestling legend Sam Houston
And now for something a little different... Sam Houston may be the son of the great Grizzly Smith, and the brother of fellow legends Rockin' Robin and Jake 'The Snake' Roberts, but he has his own story to tell. And boy, do you need to hear it! Chris has the honour of talking to Sam in one of the...
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Ep. 27 - 'Shades of Grey & Red(man)' with British wrestling and former WWE/NXT star Joel Redman
From the green fields of Devon to the hallowed halls of NXT/WWE, All Japan and back again, British superstar Joel Redman has every right to call himself a wrestling journeyman. In this episode, Joel discusses his career so far in the wrestling business, sharing memories of starting out in the UK...
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Ep. 26 - 'Rollerball, Regal & The Roar of The Lancashire Lion' with British wrestling legend Marty Jones
It's time for a hugely special episode, where Chris is joined by a member of British wrestling royalty - 'The Lancashire Lion' Marty Jones! Marty's name is synonymous with the golden era of British wrestling and his matches were viewed by millions on ITV's World of Sport every Saturday afternoon...
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Ep. 25 - 'Podcaster Spotlight #4' with 'Bad Ass' Willy Gunz from Bakstabberz Podcast
It's time to welcome another fellow podcaster to the show, and they don't come more 'bad-ass' than Willy Gunz from Bakstabberz! As a fellow lifelong fan, Will has a lot of memories to share and we decide to make this one extra-special... Wrestling fans, superstars, journalists...everyone has…
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Ep. 24 - 'Podcaster Spotlight #3' with Jonathan O'Dwyer of 'Pro Wrestling Defined'
In the latest 'Podcaster Spotlight' episode, Chris welcomes Jonathan O'Dwyer from 'Pro Wrestling Defined'. As well as a true die-hard wrestling fan, Jonathan is the host of a truly phenomenal show and has already welcomed some bucket list-quality guests, including Del 'The Patriot' Wilkes, Bryan...
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Ep. 23 - 'Yo Baby, Yo Baby, Yo!' with WCW legend P.N. News
Just when you thought the special guests couldn't get any bigger...! Best remembered for his time in World Championship Wrestling in the early-90s as 'The Rapmaster' P.N. News, professional wrestler Paul Neu was certainly a larger-than-life character and a very memorable part of Chris' own...
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Ep. 22 - 'Podcaster Spotlight #2' with Troy Adams of 'Main Event Marks'
For this episode, Chris welcomes a fellow wrestling podcaster as he chats to Troy Adams of 'Main Event Marks'. Hear Troy discuss what angles and superstars first pulled him in and made him fall in love with wrestling and what led to him starting his own podcast. 'Main Event Marks' gives Troy and...
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Ep. 21 - 'One Last Ride' with Texas wrestling legend 'Cowboy' Scott Casey
In a special extra episode this week, Chris has the honour of welcoming wrestling legend 'Cowboy' Scott Casey! From his humble beginnings in 'Funk country' Amarillo, Texas, to his early days in SCW, working with the Von Erich's in WCCW and then on to the bright lights of the WWF in the late-80s,...
About this show
Author Chris Tetreault-Blay chronicles his earlier years growing up as a wrestling fan in the early 90s, reliving his memories of the ‘golden era’ and welcoming very special guests from the past, present and future of the 'one true sport'.
Hosted by
Chris Tetreault-Blay