PODCAST · sports
Portland Wrestling
by Frank
Step inside the Portland Sports Arena and relive the golden age of Pacific Northwest wrestling. From legendary feuds to hidden gems, our podcasts bring you the stories, matches, and larger-than-life personalities that defined one of wrestling’s most unique territories.Each episode dives into the history, characters, and unforgettable moments of Portland Wrestling—from household names who passed through on their way to national stardom, to the one-match wonders and obscurities that only true fans remember.If you love wrestling history, colorful characters, and the untold stories behind the
Episodes
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The Cream of the Crop #5 — Two Ways to Draw a Crowd: Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka & Ripper Collins
The Cream of the Crop #5 — Two Ways to Draw a Crowd: Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka & Ripper Collins Before Madison Square Garden. Before the steel cage. Before millions of wrestling fans knew the name Superfly, there was Portland. And standing across the ring from the young Jimmy Snuka was one of...
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Ringside in Rose City #51 — Guest Shots: Portland Wrestling Memories
Ringside in Rose City #51 — Guest Shots: Portland Wrestling Memories This week, we put away the results sheets and step inside the memories of the Portland Sports Arena. Frank Culbertson and Mike Rodgers welcome three special guests, each with a different connection to Portland Wrestling and a...
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The Cream of the Crop – Episode 4: Billy Jack Haynes & Rip Oliver
The Cream of the Crop – Episode 4: Billy Jack Haynes & Rip Oliver Sometimes you don't have to wait very long to discover your greatest rival. For Billy Jack Haynes, it took exactly one night. On October 29, 1982, the Portland native trained by Stu Hart walked into Portland Wrestling for the first...
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Ringside in Rose City – Episode 50: September 1969 – Mayne, Kirby & a Territory Searching for Its Next Rivalry
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...
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The Cream of the Crop – Episode 3: Dutch Savage & Bull Ramos
The Cream of the Crop – Episode 3: Dutch Savage & Bull Ramos Professional wrestling has always been built around a simple idea: create a villain so dangerous and so despised that fans will pay money just to see somebody stop him. In 1972, Portland Wrestling found that man. His name was Bull…
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Ringside in Rose City #49– The Greatest Northwest Champions
Ringside in Rose City – The Greatest Northwest Champions Who was the greatest Northwest Heavyweight Champion of the Portland Sports Arena era? This week, Frank Culbertson and Portland wrestling historian Mike Rodgers tackle a debate they've been having for years—and discover pretty quickly that...
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The Cream of the Crop – Episode 2: Buddy Rose & Roddy Piper
The Cream of the Crop – Episode 2: Buddy Rose & Roddy Piper Some rivalries sell tickets. Some create champions. And every once in a while, two wrestlers find each other at exactly the right moment—and create something that comes to define an era. In Episode 2 of The Cream of the Crop: The Main...
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Ringside in Rose City – Episode 48: August 1969 – Blood, Wire & a New Northwest Champion
Ringside in Rose City – Episode 48: August 1969 – Blood, Wire & a New Northwest Champion August 1969 was a month when Portland Wrestling caught fire—and at the center of it all were Lonnie Mayne and “Ruffian” Rip Kirby. This week, Frank Culbertson and Portland wrestling historian Mike Rodgers...
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The Cream of the Crop – Episode 1: Tony Borne & Lonnie Mayne
The Cream of the Crop – Episode 1: Tony Borne & Lonnie Mayne Welcome to The Cream of the Crop: The Main Eventers, Money Draws, and Territory Legends, a brand-new journey through the biggest stars in Portland Wrestling history. These aren't simply the wrestlers who appeared on the cards. These are...
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Ringside in Rose City – Episode 47: We Haven't Mentioned These Guys Yet – Part 2
Ringside in Rose City – Episode 47: We Haven't Mentioned These Guys Yet – Part 2 There are the legends everybody remembers—and then there are the wrestlers whose names can suddenly unlock a memory you haven't thought about in fifty years. This week, Frank Culbertson and Portland wrestling…
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The Attraction Archive – Episode 12: The Final Chapter... and the Beginning of a New Journey
The Attraction Archive – Episode 12: The Final Chapter... and the Beginning of a New Journey Every great series reaches its final chapter. After twelve episodes exploring the unforgettable attractions who made Portland Wrestling unlike any other territory, The Attraction Archive comes to a close....
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Ringside in Rose City – Episode 46: Who We Haven't Talked About – Part 1
Ringside in Rose City – Episode 46: Who We Haven't Talked About – Part 1 Not every wrestler was a main event star. Some were future champions finding their footing. Some arrived at just the wrong time. Others left behind memorable careers that deserve another look.This week, Frank Culbertson and...
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The Attraction Archive – Episode 11: World Champions, Trailblazers, and Wrestling's Lasting Mysteries
The Attraction Archive – Episode 11: World Champions, Trailblazers, and Wrestling's Lasting Mysteries Some wrestling attractions became legends because of championship victories. Others broke barriers that reached far beyond the ring. And a few left behind mysteries that historians are still…
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Ringside in Rose City – Episode 45: July 1969 – New Champions, New Rivalries, and a Legendary Hawaiian Card
Ringside in Rose City – Episode 45: July 1969 – New Champions, New Rivalries, and a Legendary Hawaiian Card The summer of 1969 is heating up, and so is Portland wrestling. This week, Frank Culbertson and Portland wrestling historian Mike Rodgers continue their month-by-month journey through July...
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The Attraction Archive – Episode 10: International Legends, Future Champions, and Wrestling's Smallest Giants
The Attraction Archive – Episode 10: International Legends, Future Champions, and Wrestling's Smallest Giants The Attraction Archive travels around the wrestling world this week, from legendary Japanese stars and future world champions to one of the most accomplished women ever trained by Sandy...
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Ringside in Rose City – Episode 44: Ring Around the Northwest Hall of Fame – Part 2
Ringside in Rose City – Episode 44: Ring Around the Northwest Hall of Fame – Part 2 & Remembering Siva Afi The Hall of Fame vault is open once again. Frank Culbertson and Portland Wrestling historian Mike Rodgers continue their journey through years 12 through 22 of the Ring Around the Northwest...
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🎙️ The Attraction Archive #9 – The Greatest of All Time, Future Champions, and Wrestling Originals
🎙️ The Attraction Archive #9 – The Greatest of All Time, Future Champions, and Wrestling Originals Some wrestlers earned championships. Some earned fame. And a select few earned something even greater—the respect of generations of wrestlers who simply called them the greatest. In Episode #9 of…
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Ringside in Rose City #43: The Voices That Sold the Matches: Interviews, Promos & Rare Audio
A great wrestling match could bring fans back next week. A great interview could sell out the building. In this special episode of Ringside in Rose City, Frank Culbertson and historian Mike Rogers return to the legendary Crow's Nest, where some of Portland Wrestling's greatest interviews—and a…
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The Attraction Archive #8 – Legends, Champions, and Stories Worth Remembering
The Attraction Archive #8 – Legends, Champions, and Stories Worth Remembering Some attractions appeared only once. Some became world champions. And some left a legacy so great that one appearance in Portland was all it took to become part of wrestling history. In Episode #8 of The Attraction...
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Episode 42 – Portland Sports Arena: June 1969 – New Faces, New Champions, and a Territory in Transition
The summer of 1969 has arrived, and Portland Wrestling is changing before the fans' eyes. The Von Steigers are gone. New stars are stepping into the spotlight. Championships are changing hands, rivalries are intensifying, and Don Owen is clearly reshaping the territory for the months ahead. June...
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🎙️ The Attraction Archive #7 – Wrestling's Hidden Architects
🎙️ The Attraction Archive #7 – Wrestling's Hidden Architects Some wrestlers became legends because of what they did inside the ring. Others changed wrestling history because of the people they influenced. In Episode #7 of The Attraction Archive, Frank Culbertson explores another remarkable...
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Ringside In Rose City #41 Ring Around the Northwest Hall of Fame: The First 11 Years
Episode 41 – Ring Around the Northwest Hall of Fame: The First 11 Years Some wrestlers became world champions. Others became household names. And some quietly built the foundation of Pacific Northwest wrestling one match at a time. In this special episode, Frank Culbertson and historian Mike...
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The Attraction Archive – Special Edition: Andre the Giant's Northwest Legacy
The Attraction Archive – Special Edition: Andre the Giant's Northwest Legacy Some wrestlers become champions. Some become legends. And then there was Andre the Giant—a once-in-a-lifetime attraction whose arrival alone was enough to fill an arena. In this special edition of The Attraction Archive,...
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The Attraction Archive – Episode 5: Wrestling Families, Forgotten Pioneers, and Andre's Traveling Companion
Some attractions filled arenas because of championships. Others because of famous family names. And some became part of wrestling history through the unique roles they played behind the scenes. In Episode 5 of The Attraction Archive, host Frank Culbertson explores another fascinating collection…
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Ringside In Rose City #40 Portland Sports Arena: May 1969
Episode 40 – Portland Sports Arena: May 1969 The Portland wrestling landscape begins to shift in May of1969. The dominant Von Steigers are nearing the end of their Northwest run, new stars are arriving, and Don Owen is searching for the spark that will carry the territory into the future....
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The Attraction Archive – Episode 4: Olympic Giants, Future Stars, and Wrestling Pioneers
The Attraction Archive – Episode 4: Olympic Giants, Future Stars, and Wrestling Pioneers Some attractions drew fans because of their size. Othersbecause of their personality. And some because they were making history right before the audience's eyes. In Episode 4 of The Attraction Archive, host...
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Ringside in Rose City #39 The Northwest Almost Champions: The Men Who Challenged for the NWA World Title
Ringside in Rose City #39 The Northwest Almost Champions: The Men Who challenged for the NWA World Title One ring. One city. A thousand stories. The NWA World Heavyweight Championship was the mostprestigious prize in professional wrestling for decades. The champions areremembered. The title…
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The Attraction Archive – Episode 3: Legends, Valets, and Wrestling's Greatest Mysteries
The Attraction Archive – Episode 3: Legends, Valets, andWrestling's Greatest Mysteries The word attraction meant many things in professionalwrestling. Sometimes it meant a legendary international star. Sometimes it meant a memorable personality at the center of a heated feud. And sometimes it…
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Ringside in Rose City #38 April 1969: Jersey Joe, Bloodbaths, and the End of an Era
Ringside in Rose City #38 April 1969: Jersey Joe, Bloodbaths, and the End of an Era One ring. One city. A thousand stories. This week, Frank Culbertson and historian Mike Rogerscontinue their journey through Portland Wrestling history as they arrive in April 1969—a month filled with championship...
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The Attraction Archive – Episode 2: Giants, Pioneers, and Unforgettable Attractions
The Attraction Archive – Episode 2: Giants, Pioneers, andUnforgettable Attractions Not every attraction came with a championship belt, and notevery wrestling legend spent years in Portland. Sometimes all it took was a brief appearance, a unique personality, or a larger-than-life presence to leave…
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Ringside in Rose City #37 – “They Worked Here?
Ringside in Rose City #37 – “They Worked Here?” One ring. One city. A thousand stories. And this week… the stories get unbelievable. When Lisa Hughes spins the wheel, the envelope reads: “They Worked Here?” And suddenly Frank Culbertson and Portland Wrestlinghistorian Mike Rogers are diving into...
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Introducing: The Attraction Archive: Episode #1 – Giants, Legends, and Attractions That Drew the Crowd
Introducing: The Attraction Archive Bigger Stories. Bigger Personalities. Bigger Than EverBefore. The archive is open… and Portland Wrestling is about to get larger than life. After the success of Mid-Card Chronicles, host FrankCulbertson launches an all-new deep-dive podcast series designed to...
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🎙️ Ringside in Rose City #36 – The OWF: The Promotion That Almost Changed Portland Wrestling
🎙️ Ringside in Rose City #36 – The OWF: The Promotion That Almost Changed Portland Wrestling One ring. One city. A thousand stories. And this week… the story of the wrestling war that almost changed everything in Oregon. When Lisa Hughes spins the wheel, the envelope sendsFrank Culbertson and...
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Mid-Card Chronicles #11 – The Ones Left Behind
Mid-Card Chronicles #11 – The Ones Left Behind Main events get remembered. Champions get photographed. But this week… we look at the wrestlers who proved one hard truth about the territory system: Talent alone didn’t guarantee your spot. In Episode #11 of Mid-Card Chronicles, Frank Culbertson...
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Ringside in Rose City #35 – March 1969: Chaos, Chains, and the Road to Memorial Coliseum
Ringside in Rose City #35 – March 1969: Chaos, Chains, and the Road to Memorial Coliseum One ring. One city. A thousand stories. And this week… Portland Wrestling completely loses control. When Lisa Hughes spins the wheel, the envelope sendsFrank Culbertson and Portland Wrestling historian Mike...
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Mid-Card Chronicles #10 – The Ones Who Adapted
🎙️ Mid-Card Chronicles #10 – The Ones Who Adapted Main events get remembered. Champions get photographed. But this week… we focus on the wrestlers who adapted, reinvented themselves, and found ways to survive in a business that never stopped changing. In Episode #10 of Mid-Card Chronicles, Frank...
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Ringside in Rose City #34 – February 1969: When the Snow Melted… Everything Exploded
Ringside in Rose City #34 – February 1969: When the SnowMelted… Everything Exploded One ring. One city. A thousand stories. And this week… the storm clears—and the chaos begins. After surviving one of the harshest winters in Oregonhistory, Ringside in Rose City returns to February…
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🎙️ Mid-Card Chronicles #9 – The Rise, The Moment, The Choice
🎙️ Mid-Card Chronicles #9 – The Rise, The Moment, The Choice Main events get remembered. Champions get photographed. But this week… it’s about what happens in between. In Episode #9 of Mid-Card Chronicles, Frank Culbertson explores four very different Portland Wrestling stories—each showing how...
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🎙️ Ringside in Rose City #33 – Princess Victoria: Fighting the System
🎙️ Ringside in Rose City #33 – Princess Victoria: Fighting the System One ring. One city. A thousand stories. And this week… one of the toughest stories ever told at ringside. When Lisa Hughes punches the connect button, FrankCulbertson and Portland Wrestling historian Mike Rogers welcome a true...
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Mid-Card Chronicles #8 – The Ones Who Chose, Carried, and Changed
Mid-Card Chronicles #8 – The Ones Who Chose, Carried, andChanged Main events get remembered. Champions get photographed. But this week… the story is deeper than wins and losses. In Episode #8 of Mid-Card Chronicles, Frank Culbertson explores a powerful mix of Portland Wrestling talent—those who...
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Ringside in Rose City #32 – The Next Generation
One ring. One city. A thousand stories. And this week… we look at what came next. When Lisa Hughes spins the wheel, the envelope doesn’t send us back to a card or a date—it sends us into the future ofwrestling in the Pacific Northwest. In Episode #32 of Ringside in Rose City, Frank Culbertson and...
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🎙️ Mid-Card Chronicles #7 – The Ones You Remember Differently
🎙️ Mid-Card Chronicles #7 – The Ones You Remember Differently Main events get remembered. Champions get photographed. But this week… it depends on when you were watching. In Episode #7 of Mid-Card Chronicles, Frank Culbertson explores a unique layer of Portland Wrestling history—the wrestlers...
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🎙️ Ringside in Rose City #31 – January 1969: When Wrestling Froze
🎙️ Ringside in Rose City #31 – January 1969: When Wrestling Froze One ring. One city. A thousand stories. And this week… everything comes to a halt. In Episode #31 of Ringside in Rose City, Frank Culbertson and Portland Wrestling historian Mike Rodgers move into January1969—a month that should...
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Mid-Card Chronicles #6 – The Ones Who Passed Through
🎙️ Mid-Card Chronicles #6 – The Ones Who Passed Through Main events get remembered. Champions get photographed. But this week… we look at the ones who came through, did the work, and kept moving. In Episode #6 of Mid-Card Chronicles, Frank Culbertson explores another layer of Portland Wrestling...
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Ringside In Rose City #30 – Rocky: The Carpenter Who Made It Work
One ring. One city. A thousand stories. And this week… we go ringside with one of the men who held it all together. On Episode #30 of Ringside in Rose City, Frank Culbertson and Portland Wrestling historian Mike Rogers welcome a special guest whose name may not have headlined the posters—but…
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Mid-Card Chronicles #5 – The Ones Who Filled the Gap
🎙️ Mid-Card Chronicles #5– The Ones Who Filled the Gap Main events get remembered. Champions get photographed. But this week… we focus on the ones who stepped in when the territory needed them most. In Episode #5 of Mid-Card Chronicles, Frank Culbertson continues the journey through Portland...
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🎙️ Ringside in Rose City #29 – Matt Farmer: The Historian’s Historian
Ringside in Rose City #29 – Matt Farmer: The Historian’s Historian One ring. One city. A thousand stories. And this week… we bring in someone who’s spent a lifetime uncovering them. When Lisa Hughes punches the button, Frank Culbertsonand Mike Rogers welcome a very special guest into the Rose…
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The Mid-Card Chronicle – Episode 4 Featuring the Dependable Talents Who Made Every Card Complete
The Mid-Card Chronicle – Episode 4 Featuring the Dependable Talents Who Made Every Card Complete The spotlight doesn’t always land on the middle of the card—but that’s where the foundation of Portland Wrestling was built. The wrestlers who filled those roles made every show work. In Episode 4 of...
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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…
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The Mid-Card Chronicle – Episode 3 Featuring the Dependable Talents Who Made Every Card Complete
The Mid-Card Chronicle – Episode 3 Featuring the Dependable Talents Who Made Every Card Complete Main events tell part of the story—but the heart of PortlandWrestling lived in the wrestlers who showed up night after night and made the entire card work. In Episode 3 of The Mid-Card Chronicle, host...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Step inside the Portland Sports Arena and relive the golden age of Pacific Northwest wrestling. From legendary feuds to hidden gems, our podcasts bring you the stories, matches, and larger-than-life personalities that defined one of wrestling’s most unique territories.Each episode dives into the history, characters, and unforgettable moments of Portland Wrestling—from household names who passed through on their way to national stardom, to the one-match wonders and obscurities that only true fans remember.If you love wrestling history, colorful characters, and the untold stories behind the
HOSTED BY
Frank
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Portland Wrestling have?
Portland Wrestling currently has 132 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Portland Wrestling about?
Step inside the Portland Sports Arena and relive the golden age of Pacific Northwest wrestling. From legendary feuds to hidden gems, our podcasts bring you the stories, matches, and larger-than-life personalities that defined one of wrestling’s most unique territories.Each episode dives into the...
How often does Portland Wrestling release new episodes?
Portland Wrestling publishes regularly with 132 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Portland Wrestling?
You can listen to Portland Wrestling on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Portland Wrestling?
Portland Wrestling is created and hosted by Frank.
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