Portland Wrestling

The Attraction Archive – Episode 4: Olympic Giants, Future Stars, and Wrestling PioneersSome 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 Frank Culbertson explores five remarkable attractions whose careers took verydifferent paths but all left their mark on Portland Wrestling history.Discover the story of Chris Taylor, the Olympic wrestling standout whose incredible size and athletic credentials made him one of the most unique attractions of the 1970s. Follow the early career of Taylor Made Medina, better known to WWF fans as Tori, whose wrestling journey began in Portland before reaching a national audience. Learn about SandyParker, a true pioneer whose accomplishments helped break barriers in professional wrestling and whose appearance in Portland helped reintroduce women's wrestling to the territory after a twenty-year absence. Then step back into the colorful world of little-person wrestling with Cowboy Cottrelland longtime fan favorite Billy the Kid, two performers who became familiar attractions to Northwest wrestling audiences.From Olympic competition and future WWF stardom togroundbreaking achievements and unforgettable characters, these are the stories of the attractions who made Portland Wrestling a place where fans never knew what they might see next.Hosted by Frank Culbertson and based on the historicalresearch of Portland Wrestling historian Mike Rodgers, author of The Encyclopedia of Portland Wrestlers.New episodes of The Attraction Archive drop every Friday on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube 

Ringside in Rose City #39 The Northwest Almost Champions: The Men Who challenged for the NWA World TitleOne 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 reigns are celebrated. But what about the men who stood across the ring from them and came within one match of changing history?This week, Frank Culbertson and historian Mike Rogers take adeep dive into nearly four decades of NWA World Championship matches contested throughout Don Owen's territory—from Salem in 1952 to Portland in the late 1980s.Along the way, they uncover the stories of the challengerswho made fans believe that maybe, just maybe, this would be the night the title changed hands.Featured in this episode:• The remarkable Northwest championship history of LouThesz, Pat O'Connor, Gene Kiniski, Dory Funk Jr., HarleyRace, Jack Brisco, Terry Funk, and Ric Flair• Why Luther Lindsay remains one of the most respected and important challengers in wrestling history• The incredible championship résumé of Tony Borne, Portland's ultimate gatekeeper• Don Leo Jonathan's unforgettable battles with Gene Kiniski• The sustained title pursuits of Lonnie Mayne, Dutch Savage, and Buddy Rose• The protected status of Jimmy Snuka and why he never lost to an NWA champion in the Northwest• The one and only NWA title appearance by Buddy Rogers in Don Owen's territory• The surprising story behind Roddy Piper's victory over Ric Flair• How cable television changed wrestling and transformed what it meant to be world championFrank and Mike also explore the unique role of the territorychallenger—the local stars who never held the NWA World Championship but became legends by making fans believe they could.Plus, another edition of Card Shark sends Mike acrosswrestling history, from Seaside to Phoenix to Omaha, testing his memory of territories, arenas, wrestlers, and championship eras.The champions may have carried the belt, but the challengerscarried the dreams of the fans. This is their story.Join us at ringside.Ringside in Rose City — Wrestling, the way it should be.New episodes drop every Friday on Spotify, Apple Podcasts,and YouTube.Based on the research of historian Mike Rogers and the Encyclopedia of Portland Wrestlers and Katie Bar the Door: The History of Portland Wrestling, available on Amazon. 

The Attraction Archive – Episode 3: Legends, Valets, andWrestling's Greatest MysteriesThe 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 meant a performer whose story became stranger than any wrestling storyline.In Episode 3 of The Attraction Archive, host Frank Culbertson explores another fascinating collection of special attractions who helped make Portland Wrestling unlike any other territory.Learn about Giant Baba, the future founder of All Japan Pro Wrestling, whose appearance in Portland may have helped shape wrestling history. Discover the incredible career of Masa Saito, one of Japan's toughest and most respected competitors. Revisit the memorable 1990 feud between Veronica Lane and Ginger, a storyline filled with shark cages, brass knuckles, and classic Portland Wrestling drama. Then journey into the unique world of the little wrestlers with The Haiti Kid and Coconut Willie, two attractions whose careers included WrestleMania appearances, remarkable accomplishments, and mysteries that continue to intrigue wrestling historians today.From international legends and future Hall of Famers tounforgettable personalities and larger-than-life stories, these are the attractions that kept fans talking long after the final bell rang.Hosted by Frank Culbertson and based on the historicalresearch of Portland Wrestling historian Mike Rodgers, author of The Encyclopedia of Portland Wrestlers.New episodes of The Attraction Archive drop every Friday on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. 

Ringside in Rose City #38April 1969: Jersey Joe, Bloodbaths, and the End of an EraOne 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 changes, Memorial Coliseum super cards, boxing legends, battle royals, and more blood than Salem doctors probably wanted to deal with.Former heavyweight boxing champion Jersey Joe Walcottarrives in the Northwest as a special referee, guest attraction, and even steps into the ring himself. The Von Steigers continue their reign of terror, while Luther Lindsay, Shag Thomas, Lonnie Mayne, and Tony Borne battle through some of the most violent matches of the year.Along the way, Frank and Mike discuss:• Jersey Joe Walcott's surprising wrestling connections• The Von Steigers vs. Thomas & Lindsay rivalry• Lonnie Mayne's climb back to championship gold• Earl Maynard's arrival in the Northwest• Women's wrestling stars Jeane Antone and Betty Nicolai• Why Salem newspaper ads warned fans with heart problems to stay home• The mysterious Al Hobman, "King of Australian Wrestling"• The strange and tragic story of Firpo Zabysco• Fundraisers, spot shows, battle royals, and the realities of territory wrestlingPlus, another visit to Hawaii brings an absolutely stackedcollection of dream matches featuring Gene Kiniski, King Curtis Iaukea, Pedro Morales, Nick Bockwinkel, Don Leo Jonathan, Mr. Fuji, Peter Maivia, and many more.As April comes to a close, one thing becomes clear: thePortland roster is beginning to change. Familiar faces are leaving, rivalries are winding down, and Don Owen is about to need fresh talent to keep the territory moving forward.It's a fascinating snapshot of a territory at a crossroads—and another deep dive into the history that made Portland Wrestling special.And yes, Mike somehow finds a way to work Holcomb,Washington, onto his wrestling travel bucket list.Join us at ringside.Ringside in Rose City —WrestlingWrestling, the way it should be.

The Attraction Archive – Episode 2: Giants, Pioneers, andUnforgettable AttractionsNot 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 a lasting impression.In Episode 2 of The Attraction Archive, host Frank Culbertson explores four very different attractions who helped makeprofessional wrestling memorable for generations of fans.Discover the fascinating career of Great Goliath, theinternational star whose brief 1978 Portland stop concealed a remarkable wrestling legacy. Learn about Joyce Grable, one of the women who helped keep women's wrestling thriving during the territorial era. Meet Sabrina, wrestling's "Wonder Woman," whose career lasted less than a year but left an impression far beyond its length. And revisit the incredible story of Little Tokyo, one of the most recognizable attraction wrestlers in history and a performer whose popularity spanned decades.From championship gold to unforgettable characters, theseare the stories of the performers who brought something special to every card they appeared on.Hosted by Frank Culbertson and based on the historicalresearch of Portland Wrestling historian Mike Rodgers, author of The Encyclopedia of Portland Wrestlers.New episodes of The Attraction Archive drop every Friday on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.

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 one of the most fascinating questions in wrestling history:How many future legends, world champions, icons, andwrestling immortals passed through Portland Wrestling before they became famous?The answer?Way more than you think.Before They Became LegendsThis episode explores the surprising Portland appearancesof:• Antonio Inoki – wrestling prelim matches in Portland before becoming one of the most important figures in wrestling history• Jumbo Tsuruta – making a single Portland appearance years before becoming a Japanese legend• Tully Blanchard – here for barely a month before exploding into stardom• Gino Hernandez – loaded with charisma, but trapped in a roster too stacked to fully break through• Larry Zbyszko – years before Shea Stadium and his legendary Bruno Sammartino feud• Magnum T.A. – learning the business in Portland before headlining against Ric Flair• Carlos Colón – long before becoming Puerto Rico’s biggest wrestling icon• Chief Jay Strongbow – back when he was still Flyin’ Joe Scarpa• The Barbarian – appearing as the almost mythical “Tonga John”• Austin Idol – the one Mike Rogers still believes got away too soon• Pampero Firpo – wild, dangerous, intelligent, and unforgettable• Skandor Akbar – before becoming one of wrestling’s great managers• Reggie Parks – future creator of some of wrestling’s most iconic championship belts• Paul Boesch – before becoming one of wrestling’s most respected promoters• And even The Mighty Igor, Billy Red Cloud, Cyclone Negro,Duke Keomuka, and many morePortland Wrestling Was the CrossroadsOne of the biggest themes in this episode:You never knew who you were watching.Some wrestlers were:• Future world champions• Future promoters• Future legends• Or future main eventers still trying to figure things out in prelim matchesAnd Portland?It was often one stop on the journey before everythingchanged.Mike, Jim Valley, and Tonga JohnThe episode also features one of the all-time great MikeRogers stories involving:• Mike• Wrestling Observer’s Jim Valley• Haku• The Barbarian• And the mystery of Tonga JohnLet’s just say:When Mike and Jim Valley worked up the courage to ask Haku a serious wrestling history question…Haku answered with one thumb point.Honestly, Jim Valley surviving that interaction may be oneof the greatest accomplishments in wrestling journalism.Card Shark ReturnsAnd yes…Lisa once again deals out another round of Card Shark,featuring:• World Class• Memphis• WWF house shows• Steve Doll superfan Jody Day’s wrestling scrapbook collection• And Mike Rogers continuing to somehow identify wrestling cards like a human version of Pro Wrestling Illustrated from 1987It’s getting a little unsettling at this point.Special ThanksA special thank you to Jody Day for sharing pieces from her incredible wrestling memorabilia and scrapbook collection for this episode. Her passion for Portland Wrestling history—and especially anything involving Steve Doll—helped make this episode possible.This episode isn’t just nostalgia.It’s a reminder that wrestling history doesn’t happen all atonce.Sometimes legends begin in prelim matches.Sometimes future icons are barely noticed.And sometimes the answer to “Wait… THEY worked here?” is absolutely yes.Step into the arena.This is Ringside in Rose City — WrestlingWrestling the way it should be.

 Introducing: The Attraction ArchiveBigger 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 spotlight the wrestlers, attractions, spectacles, and unforgettable personalities that didn’t just fill out a wrestling card…They sold the tickets.And unlike the fast-paced 5–7 minute Chronicle episodes, TheAttraction Archive expands the format into a richer, more cinematic experience— with longer episodes, deeper storytelling, more historical context, and the kind of behind-the-scenes wrestling history fans have been asking for.These aren’t quick snapshots anymore.These are feature presentations.Episode #1 – Giants, Legends, and Attractions That Drewthe CrowdThe debut episode of The Attraction Archive openswith four unforgettable names from Portland Wrestling history:Man Mountain MikeA 600-pound spectacle whose very presence changed the energy inside the building. Battle royals, giant reactions, and the night his destruction helped launch the terrifying Baron Von Krupp.Pepper GomezA true wrestling star with roots stretching back to the 1950s Northwest scene, connecting Portland to Seattle, Texas, San Francisco, Pedro Morales, Peter Maivia, and the golden age of territory wrestling.Wendi RichterBefore MTV. Before Rock ’n Wrestling. Before becoming one of the biggest women’s wrestling stars of the 1980s… she stopped in Portland as an NWA Women’s Tag Team Champion alongside Joyce Grable.Cowboy LangOne of the most beloved and recognizable special attractionsin wrestling history — and the source of one of Mike Rogers’ funniest and most unforgettable personal wrestling stories.More Than MatchesThis series explores:• The attractions that made fans buy tickets• The legends who could instantly change the atmosphere in a building• The women who broke barriers• The giants, novelty acts, traveling stars, and unforgettable personalities who made Portland Wrestling feel different from every other territoryBecause sometimes…The attraction was the main event.A New Era of StorytellingWith expanded runtimes, richer narration, deeper research,and a stronger documentary-style format, The Attraction Archive is designed to be the most immersive Portland Wrestling audio series yet.If Mid-Card Chronicles was about the glue that held wrestling together…The Attraction Archive is about the names fans never forgot.Based on the research and historical records from TheEncyclopedia of Portland Wrestlers by historian Mike Rogers, available now on Amazon.New episodes of The Attraction Archive drop every Friday on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.Open the archive.The attractions are waiting. 

🎙️ Ringside in Rose City #36 – The OWF: The Promotion That Almost Changed Portland WrestlingOne 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 Portland Wrestling historian Mike Rogers back to 1988 and the rise—and collapse—of the Oregon Wrestling Federation.Billy Jack Haynes had the name.The publicity.The TV deal.The building.And for one brief moment…It looked like Portland Wrestling might finally have realcompetition.The Birth of the OWFThe OWF launched with:• A sold-out debut crowd in Oregon City• TV on Fox 49• Big newspaper coverage• A 30,000 square foot arena• And Billy Jack Haynes promising something bigger and more modern than Portland WrestlingFrank and Mike break down:• Billy’s ambitious plans• Why he called himself the “Pete Rose of Professional Wrestling”• And what Don Owen was likely thinking as a competitor suddenly appeared in his territory for the first time in yearsThe Roster – Familiar Faces and New NamesThe OWF brought together:• Billy Jack Haynes• Rip Oliver• Black Stud Williams (Ray Candy)• Hercules Haggerty (Tugboat)• Corporal Kirschner• Brian Adams• Mike Miller• Coco Samoa• JT Southern• Johnny Ace (John Laurinaitis)• And even future names like The Terminator and Tiger Chung LeeSome were rising stars.Some were veterans.And some were just trying to survive another territory.Real Stories From the Locker RoomThis episode goes beyond match results.Mike shares firsthand stories and interviews from:• Mike Miller• Joey Jackson• And The GrapplerIncluding:• Wrestlers jumping promotions for promised money• The frustrations of working only one night a week• Stiff matches with Hercules Haggerty• Why some wrestlers quickly left the OWF• And how Don Owen quietly waited for the competition to collapseAs the Grappler explains:“You don’t mention the other promotion on TV. All that does is put them over.”Old-school wrestling psychology—inside and outside the ring.From Sellouts to Empty BuildingsThe story of the OWF changes fast.What begins with excitement slowly turns into:• Smaller crowds• Repetitive booking• Missing wrestlers• Financial problems• Unpaid talent• Canceled shows• And confusion over championships, tournaments, and even who was still employedBy the final cards…The dream is barely holding together.Don Owen Fights BackWhile Billy struggled, Don Owen and The Grappler countered with loaded Portland Wrestling cards featuring:• Buddy Rose• Matt Borne• The Assassin• Steve Doll & Scott Peterson• Avalanche• Colonel DeBeers• Curt Hennig• Jimmy Jack Funk• And moreThis episode compares the two promotions week-by-week—showing exactly why one survived… and the other didn’t.Hogan, Magazines, and What Could Have BeenMike also shares the unforgettable story of attending BillyJack’s gym appearance with Hulk Hogan—a massive event that drew thousands and even led to Mike’s photographs appearing on the cover of a national wrestling magazine.For a moment…The OWF really felt like it might work.Special ThanksA special thank you to Rich Patterson for digitizing the original OWF opening audio used in this episode… and to superfan Jody Day for helping preserve and share this piece of Northwest wrestling history. Your work helped bring this story back to life.The OWF lasted only months.But for wrestling fans in Oregon…It remains one of the biggest “what ifs” in Portland Wrestling history.Step into the arena.This is Ringside in Rose City Wrestlingwrestling the way it should be. 

Mid-Card Chronicles #11 – The Ones Left BehindMain 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 closes out the series by focusing on four wrestlers whose careers reveal how quickly momentum could shift in professional wrestling—and how even accomplished performers could suddenly find themselves pushed aside.Because in Portland Wrestling…sometimes being good wasn’tenough.John Anson – The Wrestler ReplacedNo story in this episode captures frustration quite like JohnAnson.Again and again:• Winning tag titles• Building momentum• Finding successOnly to suddenly be replaced when bigger names or hotterprograms emerged.First it was Ron Bass moving on to a bigger feud.Then Bull Ramos stepping in to take his partner.And yet outside Portland?Anson had championship credentials everywhere:• Detroit• Los Angeles• Japan• VancouverA proven champion in one territory…an afterthought in another.That’s wrestling.Frankie Lane – The ConnectorSome wrestlers leave a bigger impact than fans realize.Frankie Lane wasn’t just a solid tag wrestler and dependable heel.He’s the man who brought a young Jimmy Snuka into Portland Wrestling.That one decision helped launch one of wrestling’s biggeststars.But Lane’s own story was layered:• Tag title runs• Cowboy heel turns• In-ring weddings• Bullrope feuds with Steven Little BearAnd eventually… A violent injury in Alabama that changed everything.Rip Rogers – Three Weeks That Felt RealWhen Rip Rogers returned to Portland in 1980 and defeated Roddy Piper—not once, but twice—it shocked fans.Because in the territory days…you didn’t expect a wrestler to come in for only three weeks.But that was the plan.Rogers was there to:• Build credibility quickly• Help transition Piper out• Complete the storyAnd because fans didn’t know the ending ahead of time…it worked.That unpredictability?That was the magic of the territory system.Kurt Von Hess – Big Somewhere ElseFew wrestlers better represent the difference betweenterritories than Kurt Von Hess.In Vancouver:• A major tag team force• Multiple title reigns• Established credibilityIn Portland?Just another wrestler passing through. It’s a reminder that wrestling success was often geographic. One territory could make you a star. Another might barely notice you arrived.This episode isn’t about failure.It’s about the realities of wrestling:• Timing• Positioning• Opportunity• And how fragile momentum could beBecause the middle of the card wasn’t just filled withwrestlers…It was filled with careers balancing on a knife’s edge.And while this wraps up Mid-Card Chronicles…the story of Portland Wrestling is far from over.Starting next week: The Attraction Archive.From André the Giant…to women wrestlers who broke barriers…to the unforgettable attractions that sold tickets and packed buildings…The next chapter begins.Step back into the territory one last time.This is Mid-Card Chronicles — because without the middle,there is no main event 

Ringside in Rose City #35 – March 1969: Chaos, Chains, and the Road to Memorial ColiseumOne 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 Rogers into March 1969—a month where the feuds stop simmering and start exploding.The crowds are back.The Portland Sports Arena is packed.And every major rivalry in the territory is spiraling into violence.Billy White Wolf vs. EverybodyNo wrestler dominates March 1969 quite like Billy WhiteWolf.Fresh off returning from injury after the Von Steigersshattered his nose, White Wolf spends the month tearing through opponents in brutal Indian Death Chain Matches:• Kurt Von Steiger• Karl Von Steiger• Lonnie MaineAnd somehow… he survives all of them.The chain matches become so violent the newspapers describe them as:• “Blood splattered”• “One-sided beatings”• And even claim White Wolf “almost scalped” Karl Von Steiger(As always, some language from 1969 reflects a verydifferent era and newspaper style than today.)At one point, six wrestlers literally drag Kurt Von Steigerback into the ring against his will so White Wolf can continue the match.That’s not modern wrestling.That’s territory chaos.The Unholy Alliance Grows StrongerWhile White Wolf is fighting the Von Steigers…Lonnie Maine and Tony Borne are becoming one of the hottest heel teams Portland has ever seen.• Banned from buildings• Constant interference• Referees knocked unconscious• Police officers stationed around ringside in Eugene• Chairs, chains, and flying knee drops everywhereAnd through it all…Lonnie Maine evolves into something even darker.The papers call him:• Belligerent• Bloodthirsty• DangerousAnd honestly?For once, the newspapers may have undersold it.The Territory Starts ExpandingMarch also feels like Portland Wrestling becoming somethingbigger.• Packed crowds in Salem and Longview• Spot shows in Baker City, Pendleton, and Coos Bay• TV expanding into the Rocky Mountain region• Big names arriving like Dutch Savage, John Tolos, Buddy Marino, and Edward CarpentierThe territory suddenly feels alive.And unstable.Flashy Eric FrolicYes… Mike Rogers finally gets to discuss one of his favorites:Flashy Eric Frolic.The “flippity-flip” specialist of 1969.Back handsprings.Flying dropkicks.Scientific matches.And apparently enough athleticism for Mike to compare him to Will Ospreay.Which may or may not have broken Frank emotionally.Island Interlude – Hawaii Gets WeirdThe trip to Hawaii this month includes:• Nick Bockwinkel• Bobby Shane• King Curtis• Wahoo McDaniel• Pedro Morales• Ripper Collins• Lord Blears• And Rocky Montero winning… an Abdominal Stretch MatchYes.An actual stipulation match that could only end with anabdominal stretch.Even Mike doesn’t know what to do with that.And somewhere in the middle of it all, Frank and Lisapresent Mike with a one-million-dollar bill featuring Lisa in a grass skirt and coconut bra, and Frank on the back of the bill in the same outfit!As one does.The Road to April 1stBy the end of March, everything is building toward oneenormous showdown at the Memorial Coliseum:Luther Lindsay & Shag Thomas vs. The Von SteigersThe tag titles are held up.The hatred is real.And nobody trusts anybody anymore.Exactly how Portland Wrestling liked it.March 1969 wasn’t clean.It wasn’t polished.And it definitely wasn’t under control.But it was unforgettable.Step into the arena.This is Ringside in Rose City —Wrestling wrestling the way it should be. 

🎙️ Mid-Card Chronicles #10 – The Ones Who AdaptedMain 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 Culbertson continues the journey through Portland Wrestling’s dependable talents with four wrestlers who each carved out their place in the territory in very different ways. Because sometimes success in wrestling isn’t about becoming the biggest star…It’s about learning how to evolve.Depending on where you saw him, he might have been:• Ali Hassan• Sheik Abdullah• The Sheik• Or even Sheik Abdullah HusseinSame wrestler.Different presentations.Hassan arrived in Portland in 1982 and quickly became far more than just another heel. Within months he defeated Brett Sawyer to capture the Northwest Heavyweight Title—holding it for over five months.That’s not a placeholder champion.That’s trust.Along the way he introduced fans to the bizarre and chaotic Iranian Death Match, aligned himself with Rip Oliver, and later battled his former allies in a Loser Leave Town feud.Some wrestlers never completely leave.Moose Morowski drifted in and out of Portland Wrestling for years:• 1969• 1970• 1977• 1978• 1979• 1981• 1983Sometimes a heel.Sometimes masked as the Black Avenger.Always reliable.Moose represents the classic territory journeyman: the wrestler who could step into any role, at any time, and make the card work.When Curtis Thompson arrived in Portland in 1990…He arrived hot.• Defeating Northwest Champion Scotty the Body immediately• Building momentum quickly• Turning heel alongside Ricky Santana• Capturing the Northwest Tag Team TitlesBut like many late-era Portland runs…It happened fast.And ended fast.Before long, Thompson moved on to national television where fans would know him better as: Firebreaker Chip.When Mike Masters came into Portland in 1981, he entered directly into the orbit of Buddy Rose.That mattered.• Wins over Chris Colt, Brett Sawyer, and King Parsons• Tag matches alongside Buddy Rose and Stan Stasiak• The classic Don Owen-era Full Nelson finishMasters looked like a wrestler on the rise. But wrestling careers evolve.After Portland, he shifted into promoting and training, eventually helping shape future generations of wrestlers.This episode isn’t just about wins and losses.It’s about reinvention.Adaptation.And finding ways to stay valuable in a business constantly changing around you.Because in wrestling…sometimes the most important skill isn’t winning.It’s lasting.And while Mid-Card Chronicles rolls on…something new is coming soon.📦 In two weeks, Ringside in Rose City begins an all-new series:The Attraction Archive.From André the Giant…to women wrestlers…to unforgettable special attractions who stormed through Portland for a short time and left lasting memories…A brand-new chapter is almost here.Step back into the territory.This is Mid-Card Chronicles — because without the middle, there is no main event.

Ringside in Rose City #34 – February 1969: When the SnowMelted… Everything ExplodedOne 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 1969—andsuddenly, Portland Wrestling isn’t fighting the weather anymore…It’s fighting itself.When Lisa Hughes spins the wheel, the envelope reads:“PSA February ’69.”And what follows is a month where every rivalry thatsimmered in January finally boils over.Three Teams. One Territory.At the center of it all:• The Von Steigers – still clinging to the tag titles through every trick in the book• Shag Thomas & Luther Lindsay – the powerhouse challengers who just won’t go away• Lonnie Mayne & Tony Borne – reunited as the Unholy Alliance, more dangerous than everTitles change.Matches end in chaos.And every finish somehow makes things worse.This isn’t clean wrestling…This is territory warfare.Feuds That Won’t EndFebruary delivers some of the most creative—andbrutal—booking you’ll see:• Bloody disqualifications that help the babyfaces• Referees getting taken out in the middle of matches• Headbutts, chairs, and bodies going through walls• A Texas Death Match that doesn’t just settle things… it extends themAnd through it all…Lonnie Mayne evolves into something darker— a heel so intense the newspapers start calling him bloodthirsty.”A Night to Remember – February 26, 1969The biggest crowd in Portland Sports Arena history—2,200fans—packs the building for a card that feels like something bigger:• Lou Thesz vs. Luther Lindsay – pure wrestling, noshortcuts• Stan Stasiak & Buddy Marino vs. Mayne & Borne – new blood meets chaos• John Tolos and Bulldog Bob Brown add star power from outside the territoryThis isn’t just another Saturday night.This is Portland Wrestling proving…it’s back.Island Interlude – Hawaii Heats UpWhile Portland builds momentum, Hawaii is stacked withtalent:• Gene Kiniski wins the North American Title• King Curtis returns and reclaims gold• Nick Bockwinkel, Wahoo McDaniel, Ray Stevens, and Ripper Collins headline loaded cardsDifferent island.Same intensity.The Details That Made It RealThis episode captures everything that made territorywrestling special:• Heels walking out with the belts to avoid losing• Referees reversing decisions based on crowd reaction• Wrestlers handcuffed at ringside… unable to save their partners• And finishes that leave fans furious—but coming back next weekBecause in Portland…You didn’t always get the ending you wanted.You got the one that made you care more.February 1969 wasn’t about survival anymore.It was about momentum.The crowds were back.The feuds were hotter.And Portland Wrestling was starting to feel like… something special.

🎙️ Mid-Card Chronicles #9 – The Rise, The Moment, The ChoiceMain 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 quickly things can rise… shift… or end.Because in wrestling…timing is everything.🥊 Steve Regal – The Rise That StoppedWhen Steve Regal arrived in 1981, there was no slowclimb. • Immediate wins over top names like Buddy Rose, Rip Oliver,and Stan Stasiak• Two-time Northwest Heavyweight Champion• Tag Team success with Matt BorneHe wasn’t mid-card.He was the guy.Then… injury.Momentum stalled.Partnerships broke.And after a heated feud with Borne...He was gone.A fast rise.A sudden stop.🔥 George Wells – The Man in the MomentSome wrestlers are remembered for what they did.Others… for where they were.George Wells was right in the middle of one of themost important moments in Portland Wrestling history:• The legendary 8-man tag that ignited the Piper vs. Rosefeud• Wins over key names across the territory• A short but meaningful run during a peak eraHe wasn’t the headline.But he was there…when everything changed.💥 Frank Dusek – Talent Meets TensionFrank Dusek walked into one of the most stacked rosters Portland had ever seen.At first:• Balanced wins and losses• A steady climbThen:• A heel turn• Main event opportunities• Feuds with Buddy Rose and the SheepherdersAnd behind the scenes?Conflict.A confrontation in the locker room…and just like that—It was over.But not the career.Dusek moved on…and found success elsewhere.🎓 Mike Webster – The ChoiceSome stories don’t end in the ring.They end with a decision.Mike Webster found success in Vancouver—titles, wins,momentum.In Portland?A very different role.But Webster saw something bigger:• The wear and tear of the business• The reality of long-term pain• A future beyond wrestlingSo he made a choice.He walked away.This episode isn’t about one path.It’s about four.The rise that stopped.The moment that mattered.The conflict that changed everything.And the choice to leave.Because in wrestling…every career tells a different story.Step back into the territory.This is Mid-Card Chronicles — because without the middle,there is no main event. 

🎙️ Ringside in Rose City #33 – Princess Victoria: Fighting the SystemOne 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 pioneer into the Rose City ring:Princess Victoria.Before the bright lights…Before Madison Square Garden…Before the championships…There was a fight just to get in the ring.🚫 When Women Weren’t AllowedFrom 1954 to 1975, women’s wrestling was banned in Oregon.Not because they couldn’t wrestle— but because they weren’t allowed to.Princess Victoria was part of the generation that steppedthrough that door when it finally opened… and proved they belonged.🥊 From Fan to FighterHer story starts in the stands—watching Portland Wrestlingas a kid… and turns into one of the most unlikely journeys in the business:• Training under Sandy Barr in the toughest possibleenvironment• Learning the craft the old-school way—six days a week, no shortcuts• Becoming “little sister” in a locker room filled with names like Roddy Piper, Buddy Rose, and Dutch Savage• Earning respect the only way that mattered—in the ring🌎 The Road… and the RealityVictoria shares what life in the territory system was reallylike:• Endless miles—sometimes 800+ miles overnight just tomake the next town• Japan tours, fast-paced styles, and learning on the fly• The difference between working for promoters like Don Owen and Bill Watts… and the realities of working under others• And the truth about what wrestlers—especially women—were really paidThis is wrestling without the gloss.⚖️ The Moolah RealityPrincess Victoria doesn’t hold back when discussing FabulousMoolah—but her perspective is layered.She separates the two sides:• Moolah the wrestler – a trailblazer who endured thehardest era and helped open doors for women in the business• Lillian Ellison the booker – a completely different story, involving control, pay disputes, and a system that many wrestlers felt exploited themVictoria speaks candidly about both—respecting the legacy…while refusing to ignore the reality.It’s one of the most honest and complex takes on Moolahyou’ll hear—and a reminder that wrestling history is rarely as simple as it seems.🏆 The Highest StageFrom Portland…to Madison Square Garden…Princess Victoria reached the top of the business as one-half of the WWWF Women’s Tag Team Champions.And yet…She found out she was winning the titles just five minutes before the match.That’s the business.💥 The Moment Everything ChangedOn September 1, 1984…a wrinkle in the mat.A move goes wrong.And just like that—A career ends.Victoria shares the raw reality of that night… and how quickly everything can be taken away in professional wrestling.❤️ More Than WrestlingThis episode goes deeper than the ring.Victoria opens up about:• Her childhood and the challenges she overcame• The support—and protection—of the Portland locker room• Why fans mattered more than anything• And how her story continues today through her new book:Fighting the Wrong Side of the SunThis isn’t just a wrestling story.It’s about survival.Respect.And earning your place when the system says you don’t belong.Step into the arena.This is Ringside in Rose City —Wrestling wrestling the way it should be. 

Mid-Card Chronicles #8 – The Ones Who Chose, Carried, andChangedMain 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 chose a different path, those who carried the territory at the end, and those who quietly signaled where wrestling was headed next.Don Wyatt – The ChoiceSome wrestling stories aren’t about what happened…they’re about what didn’t.Don Wyatt had credibility—titles in Vancouver, strongshowings, even a draw with Jimmy Snuka. But when a bigger opportunity came calling…He said no.Not because he couldn’t do it—but because he understood the cost. Travel.Time.Life outside the ring.Wyatt represents something rare in wrestling:a man who chose differently.Gorgeous George Jr. – The ReactionSome wrestlers don’t need wins.Gorgeous George Jr. arrived in Portland with a name that already meant something—and he knew exactly how to use it.• Instant heat• Flash, presence, and personality• Feuds built on emotion, not outcomesWins didn’t matter.Reactions did.And for six weeks…he got all of them.The Harris Brothers – The Final ForceBy 1991, Portland Wrestling was nearing the end.Then came Ron and Don Harris—the Bruise Brothers.• Six-time Tag Team Champions• Dominant, physical, impossible to ignore• Anchors of a fading territoryAnd then…Christmas Night 1991.They put hands on Don Owen.The crowd didn’t roar.It went quiet.That kind of silence?That’s not indifference.That’s something real.S&S Express – The Future Arrives EarlyIn 1985, Portland tried something different.Speed.Energy.Youth.Enter the S&S Express—Steve Simpson and Joe Savoldi.• Second-generation talent• Fast-paced, modern style• A glimpse of what tag wrestling was becomingThey didn’t last long.But they mattered.Because sometimes the mid-card isn’t just holding thingstogether…It’s where the future shows up first.This episode isn’t about one kind of wrestler.It’s about choices, roles, and timing.The ones who walked away.The ones who held things together.And the ones who hinted at what was coming next.Step back into the territory.This is Mid-Card Chronicles — because without the middle,there is no main event.And hey listeners… before we go…Don’t forget what’s coming next.The giants.The special features.The unforgettable moments that brought fans through the doors.Our next series…Special Attractions.And trust us…You’re not going to want to miss it.  

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 Portland Wrestling historian Mike Rogers revisit Excitementin the Air: Voices of Northwest Wrestling—but this time, the focus is on the next generation. The wrestlers who came after the territory era… and kept the business alive.The Next Generation – Voices That Carried It ForwardThis episode dives into the stories behind:• Dr. Luther – The Butler rocks! From the Hart Dungeon to Japan’s hardcore scene, evolving into an old-school performer with world-class timing, now shining in a completely different role on national TV• Kyle O’Reilly – A Northwest original whose technical precision and mindset carried him from local gyms to global stages, including major wins at the highest level• Bryan Alvarez – From in-ring performer to one of wrestling’s most recognizable media voices, proving there’s more than one path to impact the business. For some reason Mike has to keep reminding Frank to say “Auto” when he mentions Miss Rent To Own…• Michelle Starr – Wrestler turned promoter, navigating the realities of running shows, locker rooms, and rival promotions in the independent era• Steve Rizzono – A powerful and sobering story of work ethic taken to the extreme, and the physical toll the business can take• Adam “Firestorm” Dykes – A talented, respected worker whose story highlights the very real impact of concussions and mental health• Pat Brady – Intelligent, articulate, and honest—offering one of the rare perspectives of a wrestler who reflects deeply on the cost of the business• Nick Wayne – A true next-generation star, growing up in wrestling, training from childhood, and reaching national television before even finishing high school• Christopher Daniels – A bridge between eras, explaining how wrestling evolved from slow builds to fast-paced, action-driven storytelling. And the sworn nemesis of Jim Valley.• Davey Richards – Intense, disciplined, and unapologetically old-school in mindset, emphasizing that wrestling is built on emotion—not just movement• ELP (El Phantasmo) – A late bloomer in global terms, turning a Northwest career into major success in Japan and beyond• The Bollywood Boys – Students of the game who earned their opportunities through respect, preparation, and relentless effort• Skag Rollins (Todd Royce) – A standout personality who transitioned from strong in-ring work to national success as a comedianMore Than Just MatchesThis episode isn’t just about where these wrestlers went…It’s about:• How wrestling changed after the territories• What it takes to survive in the independent era• And how different paths—wrestler, promoter, historian, performer—can all shape the businessThe territory ended in 1991.But wrestling didn’t.It evolved.It adapted.And this generation made sure it kept going.Step into the next chapter.This is Ringside in Rose City — WrestlingWrestling the way it should be. 

🎙️ Mid-Card Chronicles #7 – The Ones You Remember DifferentlyMain 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 whose reputations changed over time, depending on when fans saw them.Because in wrestling…timing doesn’t just shape careers.It shapes memory.🥊 Bulldog Bob Brown – The Force vs. The CaricatureAsk two fans about Bulldog Bob Brown, and you might get two completely different answers.• In the early ’70s, he was a top-level force in Vancouver—beating names like Don Leo Jonathan, Dutch Savage, and Man Mountain Mike• A multi-time champion with real credibility• A wrestler who could anchor any cardBut later?A louder, exaggerated version took over—and for many fans… that’s all they remember.In Portland, Brown was used differently—protected, credible,and respected.Same wrestler.Different memories.🔥 Kendall Nagasaki – The Instant Impact HeelWhen Kendall Nagasaki arrived in 1984, there was noslow build.• Immediate wins over key names• A believable, dangerous heel presence• Tag gold with Ed Wiskowski during the Mega Maharishi era• Feuds with Billy Jack Haynes and Bobby JaggersHe wasn’t there long…but he filled a role Portland desperately needed.⚡ Terry Gibbs – The Sudden TurnSometimes a run is defined by one moment.For Terry Gibbs, it was:• A quiet start in 1980• A stronger return in 1982 as a needed babyface• A promising team with Brett SawyerAnd then…A shocking reveal as the Georgia Jaw Jacker—turning on Sawyer in one of those classic Portland moments that changed everything instantly.Short run.Lasting impact.🎭 Yasu Fuji / Dr. Hiro Ota – Right Place, Wrong TimeYasu Fuji is a story of evolution—and timing.• Early success in Vancouver tag teams• A steady presence in the mid-card• Reinvention as Dr. Hiro Ota, with size and credibilityBy 1978, he was rising…Then everything changed.Roddy Piper.Killer Brooks.A new main event scene.Ota didn’t fall off—the landscape shifted around him.This episode isn’t about wins and losses. It’s about how careers are remembered…and how quickly perception can change.Because in wrestling…who you are depends on when we saw you.Step back into the territory.📚 Based on The Encyclopedia of Portland Wrestlers by historian Mike Rodgers.🎙 New episodes of The Mid-Card Chronicle drop every Friday on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.This is Mid-Card Chronicles — because without the middle,there is no main event. 

🎙️ Ringside in Rose City #31 – January 1969: When Wrestling FrozeOne 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 have built momentum… but instead was buried under snow, ice, and chaos.As always, Lisa Hughes spins the wheel, and the envelope reads:“PSA January ’69.”What follows is one of the most unusual months in PortlandWrestling history.❄️ The Month the Territory FrozeThis wasn’t just bad weather.This was:• The coldest temperatures since 1919• Snow totals reaching 15+ inches across the region• Highways shut down• Entire towns cut off• And wrestling cards… canceledA massive New Year’s Day Battle Royal?Canceled.Multiple Portland, Salem, Eugene, and Corvallis shows?Canceled.And when shows did happen… crowds were sparse, travelwas dangerous, and nothing felt stable.For Don Owen—who had just invested heavily in the PortlandSports Arena—this wasn’t just inconvenient.It was financially dangerous.🥊 Chaos in the RingDespite the weather, when the bell rang… things didn’t slowdown.• The Von Steigers continue to dominate the tag scene—then lose, then regain the titles in rapid-fire fashion• Luther Lindsay & Shag Thomas emerge as a powerful team—and Battle Royal winners• Lonnie Mayne returns angry, targeting Luther, the Von Steigers… and just about everyone• Tony Borne begins his full heel turn, promising to win “any way possible”• Gene Kiniski appears in a rare non-title match• And the roster begins to feel… stale, just as major changes loom ahead🔗 The German Death MatchOne of the most bizarre stipulations in Portland history appears this month:All four wrestlers tied to ring posts by one wrist…forced to fight their way free before the match can even begin.It’s chaotic.It’s dangerous.And it’s classic territory creativity.🌺 Island Interlude – Hawaii Stays HotWhile Portland froze, Hawaii wrestling was on fire. Frank and Mike head to the islands where:• Ed Francis returns to the ring• Ripper Collins headlines major feuds• Nick Bockwinkel, Mr. Fuji, and Ray Stevens fill stacked cards• And a tragic real-life moment strikes with the passing of beloved star Jim HadySame business.Different world.🧊 Survival Over MomentumJanuary 1969 wasn’t about building momentum.It was about survival.• Wrestlers missing bookings• Promoters losing money• Fans unable to attend• And a territory trying to stay alive through forces no one could controlBut underneath it all…The seeds were being planted.Lonnie Mayne.Tony Borne.The Von Steigers.Luther Lindsay.February was coming.And with it… opportunity.This episode isn’t just about wrestling.It’s about what happens when real life collides with thebusiness—and the show somehow keeps going.Step into the storm.This is Ringside in Rose City — wrestling wrestling the way it should be.

🎙️ Mid-Card Chronicles #6 – The Ones Who Passed ThroughMain 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 history—the wrestlers whose time in the Northwest was brief, transitional, or quietly important, even if it didn’t last.Because not every run is about staying.Sometimes it’s about passing through at the right moment.🥊 Stan “Crusher” Kowalski – The Name That Carried WeightWhen Stan Kowalski arrived in 1973, expectationsfollowed him. Not because of what he did in Portland…but because of the name.• Rebranded as Crusher Kowalski to avoid confusionwith Killer Kowalski• A former AWA Tag Team Champion with real credentials• A veteran presence in a territory that was speeding upBut Portland in 1973 demanded pace—and Kowalski’s run lasted just two months.Sometimes experience isn’t enough.Sometimes the fit just isn’t there.🔥 Skandor Akbar – Before the LegendBefore he became one of wrestling’s most powerful managers…Skandor Akbar was just another mid-card wrestler finding his way.• Solid wins and steady positioning• Time split between Portland and British Columbia• The presence, confidence, and voice already formingThe legend was coming—but Portland saw him before the rise.🌏 Tor Kamata – The Short-Term SolutionWhen Portland needed a top heel in 1975…Tor Kamata looked like the answer.• Main events with Dutch Savage and Jimmy Snuka• A global career spanning Hawaii, Japan, and the WWWF• A resume filled with championships and “firsts”But in Portland?Six weeks.Then gone.A reminder that sometimes a wrestler’s biggest impact happens somewhere else.💥 Avalanche (PN News) – The Late-Era ForceBy 1987, Portland Wrestling was changing—and Avalanchearrived right in the middle of it.• A 400+ pound athlete who could actually move• Battle Royal winner in his Portland debut• Tag Team Champion with Mike Golden and Buddy Rose• A heel turn that clicked instantlyHe wasn’t just a mid-carder— he was a bridge to the next era.From Portland…to WCW as PN News…to international success as Cannonball Grizzly.This episode isn’t about long runs or lasting fame.It’s about timing.Opportunity.And the wrestlers who passed through Portland—leaving just enough behind to matter.Because in wrestling…even a short run can tell a big story.Step back into the territory.This is Mid-Card Chronicles — because without the middle,there is no main event.Based on The Encyclopedia of Portland Wrestlers byhistorian Mike Rodgers 

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 whose work made those posters matter:Rocky Della Serra.This is a conversation about the carpenters of professional wrestling—the dependable, skilled workers who opened the show, anchored the middle, and made the stars look like stars.And Rocky was exactly that.From Montreal to Germany…From Newfoundland to Calgary…From Vancouver to Portland during one of its hottest years ever…Rocky lived the territory system from the inside.🥊 The Carpenter RoleBefore the interview begins, Frank and Mike break down whata “carpenter” really is:• The wrestlers who set the tone early in the night• The ones who could work with anyone• The pros who didn’t outshine the main event—but made sure it deliveredBecause without them…there is no show.🎤 A Life in the TerritoriesRocky shares stories from across the wrestling world:• Breaking into the business with almost no formal training• His unforgettable first match in Montreal• Touring Germany and learning the hard way with Japanese training sessions• Newfoundland’s summer territory and the grind of the road• Calgary bookings that started with “we don’t need you”… and turned into steady work• And finally, arriving in Portland in 1980, surrounded by Piper,Martel, Buddy Rose, and the Sheepherders📖 Wrestling With a Rocky LifeThe episode also spotlights Rocky’s new book:Wrestling With a Rocky LifeA firsthand account of the territory era—told by someone wholived it night after night, town after town.🏟️ Portland 1980 – Learning From the BestRocky reflects on working in one of the greatest locker rooms in Portland history:• Watching Roddy Piper control a crowd• Working with Rick Martel—“like a night off”• Learning timing, psychology, and pacing from the best in the business• And understanding what separated good wrestlers… from great onesThis episode isn’t about championships.It’s about craftsmanship.The workers who didn’t always win…but made everything else work.Step into the arena.This is Ringside in Rose City —Wrestling wrestling the way it should be.

🎙️ Mid-Card Chronicles #5– The Ones Who Filled the GapMain 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 Wrestling’s dependable talents—the wrestlers who didn’t always headline, but who kept the machine running when things got uncertain.🥊 Carl Steiner – The Unexpected ChampionA debut you almost never see.On February 23, 1985, Carl Steiner walked into Portland and walked out Northwest Heavyweight Champion—defeating Buddy Rose on his very first night.No long build.No slow rise.Just opportunity… and a territory in transition.Frank breaks down:• Why Steiner was given the ball so quickly• His partnership—and eventual feud—with Mike Miller• And how fast momentum can disappear in a changing territoryFor one night, he was the guy.And in wrestling… sometimes that’s everything.🎯 Luigi Macera – The CraftsmanNot flashy.Not loud.But respected by everyone who stepped in the ring with him.Luigi Macera represents the foundation of wrestling:• A career stretching back to the 1940s• Junior Heavyweight Champion• Tag team success with Gory Guerrero• A worker so smooth that, as Red Donovan said, “you hardly knew he was there”Macera didn’t need the spotlight— he made the spotlight work.🔄 Clay Spencer / Ken Mantell – The Quiet TurnSometimes the biggest changes aren’t loud.In 1973, Clay Spencer arrived as a babyface…and quietly turned heel when Portland needed one.• Tag team gold with Bull Ramos• The “sugar hold” challenge that drew heat the old-school way• And a future far bigger than Portland fans could have imaginedBecause under another name—Ken Mantell—he would go onto help shape one of the hottest eras in wrestling history.But here?He was just another wrestler… finding his place.This episode isn’t about legends.It’s about timing, opportunity, and the wrestlers who filled the gaps when the territory needed them most.Because in Portland Wrestling…the middle of the card wasn’t filler.It was everything holding it together.Step back into the territory.This is Mid-Card Chronicles — because without the middle,there is no main event. 

 Ringside in Rose City #29 – Matt Farmer: The Historian’s HistorianOne 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 City ring: Matt Farmer.Historian. Researcher. Wrestler. Promoter.And one of the most respected voices in wrestling history today.📚 The Puzzle of Wrestling HistoryMatt takes us deep into the process of uncoveringwrestling’s past:• Digging through microfilm, newspapers, and archives• Piecing together forgotten spot shows and lost results• Reconstructing territories town-by-town—Tacoma, Longview, Salem, Eugene• The thrill of discovering matches featuring names like André the Giant in places you’d never expectAs Matt explains, wrestling history isn’t just research…It’s a puzzle—and every piece matters.🌎 Beyond PortlandWhile Portland Wrestling is the foundation, this episodeexpands far beyond:• The surprising reach of wrestling across small towns,islands, and international territories• Stories from places like Hawaii during WWII-era wrestling booms• How territories across North America—and beyond—were deeply connectedIt’s a reminder that wrestling’s footprint was once everywhere.🧠 Historians Talking HistoryFor the first time…Mike isn’t the only historian in the room.And as he puts it: “Tonight Matt and I can finally have a real historian conversation…”What follows is a deep, passionate exchange between twopeople who have spent decades preserving wrestling’s past—while Frank (and all of us) try to keep up.🥊 From Fan to the BusinessMatt isn’t just a historian—he’s lived the business:• Early days breaking in and learning from veterans• Behind-the-scenes roles across the industry• Becoming a driving force behind DEFY Wrestling, one of the most successful independent promotions todayThis is the rare perspective of someone who has seen wrestling from every angle.🎤 Stories You Won’t Hear Anywhere ElseThis episode delivers:·   Behind-the-scenes insights on Roddy Piper’s creative genius·   The truth about Buddy Rose—his brilliance, his mindset, and his legacy·    The reality of how wrestlers were trained, protected, and developed·    And the small, often forgotten details that made territories like Portland so special·     How close Hulk Hogan was to appearing in Portland Wrestling This isn’t just an episode about wrestling history.It’s about how that history is found, preserved, andunderstood.Because without people like Matt Farmer… a lot of these stories would be gone forever.Step into the arena.This is Ringside in Rose City — Wrestling Wrestling the way it should be.

The Mid-Card Chronicle – Episode 4Featuring the Dependable Talents Who Made Every Card CompleteThe 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 The Mid-Card Chronicle, host FrankCulbertson takes a closer look at three more dependable talents who helped shape the Northwest territory:• Brian Adidas – A solid performer in a stacked 1983 roster, highlighted by a brief but memorable tag title run with Buddy Rose.• Geoff Portz – A veteran with personality, known for his signature wig reveal and contributions to the tag division alongside Johnny Eagles.• Johnny War Eagle – A dynamic early-career talent who quickly made an impact, including a Northwest Tag Team Title win with Billy White Wolf.They weren’t always the headliners—but they were essentialto the show.Because without the middle… there is no main event.📚 Based on The Encyclopedia of Portland Wrestlers by historian Mike Rodgers.🎙 New episodes of The Mid-Card Chronicle drop every Friday on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.

🎙️ Ringside in Rose City #28 – December 1968: The Territory Takes ShapeOne 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 ControlIf 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 LongviewThey aren’t just heels…they’re the engine of the territory.🥊 A Territory in TransitionFrank 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 bookingAnd 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 PortlandOne 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 1969It’s not just a holiday card—it’s a turning point.📰 When Newspapers Sold the ShowThis 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 1968The 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. FujiSame business.Different flavor.🤯 The World of Man Mountain CannonAnd 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 — WrestlingWrestling the way it should be 

The Mid-Card Chronicle – Episode 3Featuring the Dependable Talents Who Made Every Card CompleteMain 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 FrankCulbertson highlights three more essential contributors to the Northwest territory:• Ricky Hunter – A trusted veteran whose longevity, toughness, and reputation made him a cornerstone of Portland Wrestling for nearly a decade.• Carlos Belafonte (Carlos Colón) – A future international star whose brief Northwest run showed flashes of greatness before becoming a global draw.• Baron Scicluna – A former WWWF Tag Team Champion whose short but notable Portland appearance brought big-league credibility to the territory.These are the wrestlers who didn’t always headline—butwithout them, there is no main event.📚 Based on The Encyclopedia of Portland Wrestlers by historian Mike Rodgers.🎙 New episodes of The Mid-Card Chronicle drop every Friday on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.

🎙️ Ringside in Rose City #27 – The Grappler: The Man Behind the MaskOne ring.One city.A thousand stories.And this week… we focus on one of the most important figures in Portland Wrestling history.When Lisa Hughes pushes the button, a name that carried an entire era enters the studio:The Grappler.In Episode #27 of Ringside in Rose City, Frank Culbertson and Portland Wrestling historian Mike Rogers take a deep dive into the career of Lynn Denton—better known to Northwest fans as The Grappler—the masked man who didn’t just work in Portland… he helped save it.This isn’t just about a gimmick.This is about a career built on adaptability, intelligence, and trust.🥊 From Journeyman to CornerstoneFrank and Mike trace Denton’s path from early territory workto becoming one of the most dependable performers in the business:• Working under multiple identities before Portland• Developing the Grappler persona into a believable, credible heel• Understanding how to work with anyone—from rookies to main-event stars• Becoming the kind of wrestler promoters could always count on🎭 The Mask That Meant SomethingIn Portland, the Grappler wasn’t just another masked wrestler.He was:• A top heel• A tag team specialist• A credible singles threat• And eventually… something much moreThe guys break down why the Grappler gimmick worked inPortland when so many masked acts didn’t—and how Denton made fans believe in it.📖 Booker, Builder, and StabilizerAs Portland Wrestling entered its later years, Lynn Dentonstepped into a role that may have been even more important than anything he did in the ring:He became the booker.Frank and Mike explore:• How Denton helped keep the territory alive during difficult years• His booking philosophy and approach to storytelling• The challenges of working with shrinking crowds and changing times• Why being a good hand wasn’t enough—you had to be a smart mind🏆 The Legacy of The GrapplerWas he the biggest star?No.Was he the flashiest performer?No.But without The Grappler…Portland Wrestling may not have made it to the finish line.🌺 Island Interlude – The Maivia StoryThis episode’s detour takes us to the islands—where a story surfaces involving the Maivia family and a pay dispute that left Denton… less than impressed, and Brody pulling him to safety.It’s one of those classic territory-era moments:part business,part politics,and all too real.This episode is about respect.For the workers.For the bookers.For the ones who kept the territory running when it would have been easier to walk away.Pull the mask tight.Step into the arena.This is Ringside in Rose City — Wrestling Wrestling the way it should be.

In Episode 2 of The Mid-Card Chronicle, host Frank Culbertson explores three more wrestlers whose contributions helped shape the Northwest territory:• Alexis Smirnoff – A seasoned veteran whose brief 1985 Portland run hinted at a big feud before his sudden departure to the WWF.• Dean Higuchi (Dean Ho) – A respected veteran, bodybuilder, and trainer whose career stretched from Portland to Vancouver and the WWWF.• Professor Dale Lewis – An Olympic wrestler whose amateur credentials and cerebral interview style made him one of the most unique personalities in the territory.These wrestlers may not always headline the history books, but they were essential to the success of the Portland Sports Arena and the Northwest wrestling scene.Because without the middle… there is no main event.📚 Based on The Encyclopedia of Portland Wrestlers by historian Mike Rodgers.🎙 New episodes of The Mid-Card Chronicle drop every Friday on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.

🎙️ Ringside in Rose City #26 – PSA November 1968 (Plus the Legend of Dirk Sheets)One ring.One city.A thousand stories.And this week… we return to November 1968, when Don Owen’s gamble on the brand-new Portland Sports Arena was only in its second month and the future of Portland Wrestling was still very much in doubt. When Lisa Hughes spins the wheel, the envelope reads “PSANovember ’68.” That means Frank Culbertson and Portland Wrestling historian Mike Rogers dive deep into the matches, angles, and booking decisions that shaped the early weeks of the arena that began life as a converted bowling alley.This episode explores a fascinating transitional month in the territory:🏆 The Von Steigers dominate the tag scene while feuding with Tony Borne and Luther Lindsay and Lonnie Mayne leaves for a Japanese tour, shaking up the main-event picture🔥 Billy Whitewolf and Johnny War Eagle arrive, instantly changing the tag team landscape🥊 Gene Kiniski vs. Don Leo Jonathan headlines a Memorial Coliseum showdown with one of the strangest finishes imaginable🎟️ Don Owen tries to balance new stars and reliable veterans while hoping his million-dollar gamble on the Sports Arena will actually pay offFrank and Mike break down every major Portland card from the month, including the Thanksgiving special where Whitewolf and War Eagle capture the Northwest Tag Team Titles from the Von Steigers.🌺 Island Interlude – Hawaii WrestlingFor the first time on the show, the guys take a trip acrossthe Pacific to look at what was happening in Hawaii wrestling during the same month, featuring appearances by:• Giant Baba• Nick Bockwinkel• Johnny Barend• Mr. Fuji• Pepper Gomez• Man Mountain Mike• NWA Champion Gene KiniskiSame era. Same business. Just a different land.🎲 Kayfabe CurveballsLisa returns with another round of trivia chaos including:• When Pringles first hit store shelves• The mysterious breath-freshening chemical known as "Retsyn”• And a commercial that accidentally leads to one of the best wrestling stories ever told on this show. Mike shares the infamous story of Dirk Sheets, The rogue “journalist” gimmick that involved jumping into the ring with a microphone, printing fake dirt sheets… and confronting a young Bryan Alvarez, now of the Wrestling Observer, after a match. Let’s just say Alvarez was not thrilled with the interview.Yes… there was a slap.Yes… Mike thought it was brilliant booking.And yes… the promoter absolutely did not.How many stars did Dave Meltzer give the match, one has towonder!November 1968 was only month two of Don Owen’s massive gamble on the Portland Sports Arena.The building was new.The crowds were uncertain.The angles were heating up.And as Lonnie Mayne would say…“You can smell excitement in the air.”Step into the arena.This is Ringside in Rose City — Wrestlingwrestling the way it should be. 

The Mid-Card Chronicle – Episode 1Featuring the Dependable Talents Who Made Every Card CompleteMain events get remembered. Champions get photographed. But every wrestling territory—especially Portland—was built on something just as important: the wrestlers who anchored the middle of the card and made the stars shine. Mid Card Chronicle #1In the debut episode of The Mid-Card Chronicle, host FrankCulbertson shines a spotlight on three dependable talents who helped define Portland Wrestling:• Rocky Montero – A former boxer whose tough, believable style turned him from heel to fan favorite during his Northwest run.• Art Crews – A wrestler who reinvented himself from classic babyface to wild-eyed heel during two very different Portland eras.• Abudda Dein – The mysterious character portrayed by Rocky Iaukea, whose theatrical interviews and championship success made him a memorable late-era presence.These weren’t always the headline names—but they were thewrestlers who showed up, worked hard, and helped every card succeed.Because without the middle… there is no main event.📚 Based on research from The Encyclopedia of Portland Wrestlers by historian Mike Rodgers.🎙 New episodes of The Mid-Card Chronicle drop every Friday on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.

🎙️ Ringside in Rose City #25 – Voices of Portland WrestlingOne ring.One city.A thousand stories.And this week… you’ll hear them for yourself.In Episode #25 of Ringside in Rose City, Frank Culbertson and Portland Wrestling historian Mike Rogers do something a littledifferent. Instead of just talking about the wrestlers of the Pacific Northwest, they let the voices of the territory speak directly to you.When Lisa Hughes spins the wheel and reveals the envelope, it lands on a topic tied directly to Mike’s acclaimed book series Excitement in the Air: Voices of Northwest Wrestling. This time, the show digs into the interviews behind those books — the real recordings with wrestlers who lived the history of Portland Wrestling.Lisa takes on a special role this episode, cueing up a series of archival audio clips as Frank and Mike react, analyze, andsometimes laugh at what they hear.Some of the interviews are fantastic.Some are… a little rough.And one is simply heartbreaking.But together they capture something that statistics and match results never can — the personalities behind the business.Along the way, Frank and Mike break down an often-overlookedpart of Portland Wrestling television history:🎤 The Importance of the InterviewOn Portland TV, matches were only part of the show. The interview segments in the Crow’s Nest were where feuds were built, angles exploded, and fans learned why the next Saturday night mattered.The guys discuss:• Why interviews were essential to selling house shows across Oregon and Washington• How wrestlers used interviews to promote upcoming towns like Eugene, Salem, or Lebanon• Why surprise confrontations in the Crow’s Nest kept fans glued to the screen• The difference between a great wrestling interview… and a terrible one• And why some wrestlers were unforgettable talkers while others struggled in front of the microphoneYou’ll hear the good, the awkward, the funny, and thepainfully real — the kinds of moments that only happen when wrestlers speak without a script.This episode is part wrestling history, part time capsule,and part behind-the-scenes look at how the territory era truly worked.Because sometimes the best way to understand PortlandWrestling… is to listen to the people who lived it.Step into the arena.This is Ringside in Rose City —Wrestling wrestling the way it should be. 

In the final chapter of Northwest Favorites: The Heart ofPortland Wrestling, host Frank Culbertson closes the series with three unforgettable figures whose careers span different eras, styles, and legacies — yet each helped define what Portland Wrestling truly was.💥 Mark Lewin — A world-traveled star whose Portland chapter came late in a remarkable 30-year career. From early success in Vancouver to battles with the Von Steigers andBeauregard, Lewin brought experience, toughness, and a long legacy everywhere he went.🐋 Don Leo Jonathan — One of the greatest big men in wrestling history and a true Northwest icon. His Portland run included Coliseum main events, NWA World Title matches against Gene Kiniski, and legendary bouts celebrated for their power and intensity. A giant with grace, intelligence, and global respect.🐾 Moondog Ed Moretti — A charismatic, beloved Northwest fixture whose story is as personal as it is historic. From early Bay Area roots to homesteading in Portland, winning tag titles, and helping shape the region’s wrestling scene for decades, Moretti embodied the soul of the territory.As this series comes to an end, we honor the wrestlers whoweren’t always the superstars — but were the fan favorites and fierce rivals who defined an era.Based on The Encyclopedia of Portland Wrestlers by historian Mike Rodgers, available now on Amazon.⭐ Next Week: A brand-new series begins —The Mid-Card Chronicle: Featuring the dependable talents who made every card complete.Follow on Spotify and Apple Podcasts so you don’t miss the next chapter in Portland Wrestling history.

This week, we don’t spin the wheel — Lisa punches thebutton.Episode #24 brings a very special guest into the squared circle as legendary Ed “Moondog” Moretti joins Frank Culbertson and Portland Wrestling historian Mike Rogers for a deep, revealing, and often hilarious conversation about a life in professional wrestling.From building a backyard ring in Daly City…To learning from the Guerreros at the San Jose YMCA…To refereeing in the Cow Palace…To wrestling André the Giant in Oregon…To touring Japan and working with Stan Hansen, Bruiser Brody, Dory Funk Jr., Harley Race and more…Ed walks us through it all — territory by territory, bump bybump.You’ll hear stories about:His first match with Road Warrior HawkWorking brutal cage and chain matches in VancouverTag title runs in PortlandWrestling Rocky Johnson (and seeing a young Dwayne Johnson backstage)Teaming with Mike Miller and battling Ricky VaughnTouring Japan and learning the hard way about stiffnessThe chaos of territory politics in Tennessee and Kansas CityChris Colt: bizarre, brilliant, unforgettableThe Portland dressing room during the Grappler transitionAnd yes… the legendary CAC award speech that went just alittle longPlus, a wild round of Kayfabe Curveballs where science, space travel, Hogan’s Heroes, and Mike Rogers’ memory all collide —and Ed proves he may know more than any of us expected.This is territory wrestling history told by someone who lived it.Honest. Funny. Raw.If you love Portland Wrestling, All Star Wrestling, the Japanese tours of the ‘80s, or the real stories behind the business — thisepisode is as real as it gets.🎙️ Ringside in Rose CityOne Ring. One City. A Thousand Stories.Wrestling…Wrestling the way it should be.

Episode 13 explores four wrestlers who each broughtsomething unique to the Northwest — from youthful fire, to rugged toughness, to historic greatness, to heartfelt family legacy. Together, they represent four decades of the Portland Wrestling story.Host Frank Culbertson spotlights:🔥 Ricky Santana — the high-energy spark who helped revive the territory in the late ’80s, capturing multiple tag titles and the Northwest Heavyweight Championship before becoming a major star in Puerto Rico and working behind the scenes for WCW and WWE.💼 Ron Starr — the tough-as-nails journeyman who debuted in Portland by beating Buddy Rose and quickly became one of the territory’s top heels. A former NWA World JuniorHeavyweight Champion whose intensity made every match feel real.🏆 Luther Lindsay — one of the greatest wrestlers ever to appear in the Northwest. A multi-time NW champion, respected by Stu Hart, admired by Lou Thesz, and ultimately honored in WWE’s Hall of Fame (Legacy Wing). A true pioneer whose influence still echoes today.👢 Kenny Mayne — the father of Lonnie Mayne, whose emotional 1970 return at age 55 — stepping into the ring beside his son — remains one of the most heartfelt chapters inPortland Wrestling history.These men weren’t always the megastars — but they were the fan favorites and fierce rivals who defined an era.Based on The Encyclopedia of Portland Wrestlers by historian Mike Rodgers, available now on Amazon.Follow on Spotify and Apple Podcasts — new episodes every Friday.

🎙️ Ringside in Rose City #23 – Fantasy LandOne ring.One city.A thousand stories.But this week… we step into Fantasy Land. Frank thinks he’s in control. Lisa spins the wheel.The envelope says “Fantasy Land.”Actually… every envelope says Fantasy Land.Because this time, Mike Rogers is taking over.What if Portland Wrestling history had just tilted slightly in a different direction? What if certain wrestlers had made the trip? What if Don Owen picked up the phone at just the right moment? What if a feud that should have happened… actually did?This episode is pure armchair booking — but grounded in reality. No Bruno. No Steamboat. No impossible territory-hopping. Just realistic, era-appropriate “what could have been” scenarios that might have changed Portland Wrestling history.• Tommy Siegler in 1975 to freshen up a stagnant undercard• Rick McGraw bringing sparkplug intensity• Bobby Fulton teaming before The Fantastics were complete• El Grand Apollo with main-event potential• Buddy Wolf and Steve Strong strengthening the mid-card heel ranks• Kim Duk (Tiger Chung Lee) adding size and danger• Crazy Luke Graham stabilizing a shaky 1985• Chick Donovan — how did he never wrestle here?• The Interns• Gordman & Goliath• The Von Brauners vs. The Von Steigers in a German-vs-German war• A blind draw tag team tournament featuring Rose, Snuka, Ramos, Gino, Sheik — and yes… Eric Froelich• Ted Oates rushing in to save brother Jerry• Gino Hernandez turning vicious against Jay Youngblood• Tony Garea shocking the Kangaroos• Wahoo McDaniel in a brutal strap match with Bull Ramos• Bobby Duncan’s heel cowboy run• Joe LeDuc — as BOTH a terrifying heel and a lumberjack babyface• The Mongolian Stomper unleashed with Haru Sasaki• The Midnight Express invading in 1989 to face the Southern RockersThis episode is full of layered booking ideas, creative twists, surprise turns, and the kind of “why didn’t that happen?” moments that only longtime fans can truly appreciate.And of course…🎲 Kayfabe Curveballs returns, featuring:• Andre the Giant and Honeycomb cereal• Gunsmoke vs. Bonanza• The Boston Pops “Typewriter Song”• And Mike’s legendary typewriter days producing Ring Around the NorthwestLisa keeps the show moving (and the beer flowing), Frank reacts in disbelief, and Mike proves he might just have missed his calling as a territory booker.It’s history.It’s imagination.It’s Portland Wrestling the way it could have been.Step inside the arena.This is Ringside in Rose City.📝 Fantasy Arrivals & What-If Feuds🏆 Tag Team What-Ifs🔥 Main Event Scenarios

Northwest Favorites: The Heart of Portland Wrestling – #12Episode 12 takes a deep dive into three very different careers — a brilliant but troubled natural, a fiery heel who became a legend just north of the border, and a smooth technician who would go on to train some of wrestling’s biggest stars.Host Frank Culbertson covers:🎭 Matt Borne — the intense, gifted second-generation star whose Portland roots shaped a career that took him from Mid-South to WWF to Japan, and ultimately into theunforgettable Doink the Clown persona. A raw, emotional talent whose life was as dramatic outside the ring as inside it.💎 Tim Flowers — “Diamond Timothy Flowers,” the unpredictable, sharp-edged heel who wasn’t booked strongly in Portland but became a major star and successful promoter in Vancouver. Wild, charismatic, and fiercely respected by those who knew him.🔧 Tom Prichard — the polished technician who captured multiple Portland tag titles, wrestled Ric Flair for the NWA World Title, starred in the WWF, and later became one ofwrestling’s most influential trainers, helping groom future megastars.These weren’t the megastars — they were the fan favoritesand fierce rivals who defined an era and gave Portland Wrestling its identity.Based on The Encyclopedia of Portland Wrestlers by historian Mike Rodgers, available now on Amazon.Follow on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube — new episodes every Friday.

🎙️ Ringside in Rose City #22 – Voices, Ribs, and the Missing TapeOne ring.One city.A thousand stories.And this week… we keep digging.After last week’s deep dive into Excitement in the Air:Voices of Northwest Wrestling – Volume Three, Frank Culbertson and Mike Rogers return to finish what they started — spotlighting even more overlooked names, locker room legends, and unforgettable stories from Portland andVancouver wrestling history.For this episode, Lisa Hughes doesn’t even need to spin the wheel. The topic was too good to leave unfinished, but Lisa was sure to crack her whip…🔎 Featured Voices This Week:• Eric “Red” Donovan – From masked teams to Albanycourtroom chaos… including a hairpin incident that led to lawsuits and a wild Vic Christie rib involving ladies’ undergarments.• C.W. Bergstrom – The final Northwest Champion of the Don Owen era and the unlikely man holding the title when Portland Wrestling closed its doors.• Butts Gerard – CFL lineman, Wide World of Sportsbelly-flop champion, and survivor of one of the most brutal locker room altercations ever described on this show.• Bobby Kincaid (Bobby Bass) – From Ma Bass’ southernterritory to Portland’s undercard… and a brass knuckles mishap involving Chris Colt that sent teeth flying.• Johnny Eagle – The “Houdini of Wrestling,” trained in England to make opponents quit, not just pin them — and later a key figure in Pacific Coast Championship Wrestling.• Joey Jackson – “Gorgeous” Joey, trained by The Grappler, who told Don Owen his debut match was his very first match ever… and somehow survived the conversation.• Mike Miller – From greasy-heel beginnings to Northwest Champion and Christmas Night main eventer. Achilles tears, Harley Race “medical treatment,” Stu Hart dinner table stories, and one of the territory’s most complete career arcs.• Frank Dusek – Mid-card arrival during Portland’s hottest era who fought his way into main events… and later became part of the wrestling office in Dallas and Mid-South.• Mike Shaw (Klondike Mike / Norman the Lunatic / BastionBooger) – From Calgary success to infamous WWF gimmicks, plus a limo story you won’t believe.• Mike Webster – A main-eventer who chose grad schoolover wrestling glory after seeing what the business did to aging bodies.• Jeff Costa (The Lobster Man) – Yes, lobster claws. Yes, political campaigns. Yes, Eric Frolich praise that stuns even Frank.• Art Crews – From bland babyface to intense heel…and later a controversial voice on the Oregon Boxing & Wrestling Commission fighting for balance between wrestlers and promoters.🎲 KayFabe CurveballsThis week’s trivia segment delivers:• 1830 “medicine” that turns out to be ketchup• The Spanish meaning of “Alamo”• And a real-life Oregon Wrestling Commission meeting involving a mysteriously altered tape — Portland’s own “18½ minute gap” moment.Yes… that story actually happened.This episode isn’t just nostalgia.It’s locker room truth.Commission politics.Career turning points.And the strange, hilarious, and sometimes dangerous world behind the curtain.Lisa closes it out in style, as always — because in Rose City, the stories never stop.Step into the arena.This is Ringside in Rose City —wrestlingwrestling the way it should be.

Episode 11 dives into three unforgettable names who eachhelped shape the Northwest in their own way — from technical wizardry, to wild brawling chaos, to the cunning presence of a future worldwide star.Host Frank Culbertson explores:🦅 Johnny Eagles — “The Houdini of Wrestling,” a technical master whose British grappling style, smooth counters, and surprising main-event run made him one of the most unique performers ever to appear in the Portland Sports Arena.🐺 Mad Dog & Butcher Vachon — the ferocious brothers whose short Northwest stays delivered violence, intensity, and legendary chaos. From wild brawls to an unforgettable feud with The Kangaroos, their Portland memories are still talked about decades later.🎴 Mr. Fuji — the wily tactician who captured titles in Portland long before he became a national star. From feuds with Lonnie Mayne to tag title reigns with Haru Sasaki, Fuji’s presence helped shape two eras — as wrestler and later as one of wrestling’s most notorious managers.These weren’t the megastars — they were the fan favoritesand fierce rivals who defined an era and made Portland Wrestling feel alive.Based on The Encyclopedia of Portland Wrestlers by historian Mike Rodgers, available now on Amazon.Follow on Spotify and Apple Podcasts — new episodes drop every Friday.

🎙️ Ringside in Rose City #21 – Excitement in the Air: Voices of Northwest Wrestling, Volume ThreeOne ring.One city.A thousand stories.And this week… the voices that carried the Northwest.In Episode #21 of Ringside in Rose City, Frank Culbertson and Mike Rogers crack open Excitement in the Air: Voices of Northwest Wrestling – Volume Three, the latest installment in Mike’s acclaimed interview series capturing the real stories of the wrestlers who lived, worked, and bled in the Pacific Northwest.As always, Lisa Hughes opens the show, spins the wheel, reveals the envelope, and keeps the episode moving—before dropping another unpredictable round of K-Fabe Curveballs, where trivia, pop culture, and wrestling history collide.Rather than racing through a checklist, Frank and Mike focus on what makes Volume Three special: not just big names, but important voices—the wrestlers who filled cards, shaped locker rooms, survived the road, and carried the business through changing eras.This episode highlights interviews including:• Tony Borne – One of the rarest interviews in wrestling history, covering his legendary toughness, massive Mexico draws, battles with Lou Thesz and Eric Pederson, and a career that spanned decades without ever chasing the spotlight• Haru Sasaki – A Portland mainstay whose quiet professionalism contrasted sharply with the stereotypes of the era, from tag gold with Mr. Fuji to unforgettable stories like being handcuffed to a ring post after the lights went out• Carl Styles – Glass eye angles, booking creativity, ribs, blind gimmicks, and a Portland run that became the best stretch of his career• John Buff – Carnival wrestling, AT shows, masked teenagers, betting crowds, and a side of wrestling history most fans have never heard• Brad Anderson – Growing up as Gene Anderson’s son, being smartened up late, protecting the Anderson name, and working Portland as the territories were closing• Jerry Oates – Southern style meets Northwest trust, becoming the first new babyface champion in years, and earning Don Owen’s confidence• Buddy Marino / Omar Atlas – Venezuela to the Northwest, Calgary stories, Stu Hart’s kitchen, injuries, and surviving the road• Vinny Valentino – A humble voice with a meaningful story, missed opportunities, and life after wrestling• Rick Drazen – “Headlock” finishes, bodybuilding fame, Hollywood work, and designing the Gold’s Gym logo• Bulldog Bob Brown – Why he thrived elsewhere, his honest opinions, and what territory turnover really meant• Mike Masters – Full nelsons, Buddy Rose’s army, near-misses, and what might have been• Earl Maynard – Mr. Universe, global success, Portland and Vancouver runs, and still looking incredible decades laterAlong the way, Frank and Mike discuss:• Why interviews matter more than match results• How memory, ego, and time shape wrestling stories• The difference between “top guy” and “important guy”• And why Northwest wrestling history is richer than most fans realizePlus, Lisa Hughes brings the chaos with Curveballs that veer from comic books to politics to music—ending with one of the most personal Portland Wrestling stories ever shared on the show.This isn’t just about a book.It’s about preserving voices before they’re lost.Step into the arena.This is Ringside in Rose City— wrestlingwrestling the way it should be.

Episode 10 dives into three wildly different careers that helped power Portland Wrestling’s identity during the territory’s most memorable eras.Host Frank Culbertson breaks down:💥 Dynamite Kid — one of the most explosive wrestlers ever to work in Portland. From shocking turns with Buddy Rose to legendary matches with Curt Hennig, Dynamite’s 1983 run delivered some of the hottest action anywhere in the country.🐖 Carl Styles — the Southern gentleman with the glass-eye storyline, the pigs, the rooster, and the surprising rise. In just a few months, he became a fan-favorite babyface who captured both the TV and Northwest titles.🎭 Jesse Barr — the versatile worker who built his career across the U.S., wrestled as Jimmy Jack Funk in WWF, and returned home to become a key heel in Portland during theterritory’s final years.Three different journeys. Three unique impacts. Oneunforgettable territory.Based on The Encyclopedia of Portland Wrestlers by historian Mike Rodgers, available now on Amazon.Follow on Spotify and Apple Podcasts — new episodes every Friday.

🎙️ Ringside in Rose City #20 – GIANT Episode: Andre the Giant in the NorthwestOne ring.One city.A thousand stories.And this week… we go bigger than we’ve ever gone before.Episode #20 of Ringside in Rose City is a GIANT episode in every sense of the word, as Frank Culbertson and Mike Rogers finally tackle one of the most mythologized figures in wrestling history:As always, Lisa Hughes opens the show, spins the wheel, reveals the envelope, and sets the stage for what quickly becomes one of the most ambitious deep dives in series history.🏟️ Andre’s Real Portland Legacy (1974–1984)Andre’s story in the Northwest is filled with legends…but Episode #20 is about separating fact from folklore.Frank comes in armed with “facts” from old newspapers andfan memories:Was Andre really 7’7”?Did he eat five roasts a day?Did he wrestle 10 midgets at the Sports Arena?Mike Rogers does what Portland’s historian always does—hebrings it back to reality, explaining who Andre really was, how he was booked, and why his Portland tours mattered so much. Together, Frank and Mike trace Andre’s Northwest runs yearby year, including:• His first arrival in 1974 and the incredible buzz createdby film footage before he even debuted• Why Portland used Andre differently than most territories• The genius of two-out-of-three fall tag booking that always saved Andre’s “big moment” for the finish• Battle Royals, special attractions, and sold-out spot shows across Oregon and Washington• Strange match results, bizarre newspaper exaggerations, and unforgettable gimmick moments• Andre’s appearances in Salem, Eugene, Medford, Seattle, Longview, Hermiston, Roseburg, and beyond• The rise of key opponents like Killer Krupp, Buddy Rose, Jesse Ventura, Chris Taylor, and Bad News Brooks• Andre’s national explosion—Shea Stadium, The Tonight Show, The Six Million Dollar Man, and more 👋 Special Shout-OutThe episode also includes a special nod to longtime friendof the show:Joe Sousa — eat your vegetables! 🎲 K-Fabe Curveballs: Animal Groups EditionLisa returns mid-show with one of the most entertainingCurveballs yet, where Mike must answer questions about:• Kangaroos• Flamingos• And the legendary “San Francisco Treat”… the San Francisco Battle RoyalComplete with one of Mike’s greatest personal stories fromwrestling fandom’s pre-internet days. This is not just an Andre episode.It’s a Portland Wrestling road-trip history.A myth-busting marathon.And a celebration of how one giant helped define an era.Step into the squared circle.This is Ringside in Rose City —Wrestling… wrestling the way it should be.

Episode 9 explores three powerful personalities who shapedthe territory in very different eras — the fiery babyface, the world champion, and the mud-covered villain fans never forgot.Host Frank Culbertson spotlights:🔥 Jay Youngblood — the dynamic young star who helped stabilize the roster during a major talent exodus, captured the Northwest title five times, and delivered some of the territory’s hottest feuds before rising to national fame.🌎 Gene Kiniski — “Canada’s Greatest Athlete,” an NWA World Champion whose rare Portland matches — including a late-career showdown with Lou Thesz — added prestige andunpredictability every time he appeared.☠️ Baron Von Krupp — the vicious heel who debuted by flattening Man Mountain Mike, terrorized the territory alongside Kurt Von Steiger, and became part of one of Portland’s wildest moments when Dutch Savage dragged him into a mud puddle and sent him back to the ring dripping head to toe.These weren’t megastars — they were the fan favorites andfierce rivals who defined an era in Portland Wrestling.Based on The Encyclopedia of Portland Wrestlers byhistorian Mike Rodgers, available now on Amazon.Follow on Spotify and Apple Podcasts — new episodes every Friday.

🎙️ Ringside in Rose City #19 – From Armory to Arena: October 1968 and the Birth of the Portland Sports ArenaOne ring.One city.A thousand stories.And this week… the moment everything changed.In Episode #19 of Ringside in Rose City, Frank Culbertson and Mike Rogers turn back the clock to October 1968, the mostuncertain—and most important—month in Portland wrestling history. This is the story of how Don Owen was forced out of the Portland Armory, scrambled for survival, and somehow transformed a North Portland bowling alley into the legendary Portland Sports Arena.As always, Lisa Hughes opens the show, spins the wheel, reveals the envelope (“Brunswick A-2 Pin Setters”), and later unleashes one of the most memorable editions of K-Fabe Curveballs yet—this time with a very personal, very Lisa-centric twist.🏟️ The End of the ArmoryFrank and Mike explore the final days of wrestling at thePortland Armory:• Crowds topping 4,000• The famous Crow’s Nest• Lonnie Mayne swinging—and falling—from above the ring• Lou Thesz vs. Eric Pederson drawing so well Don Owen watched paying fans walk away• And the brutal reality of losing a venue with almost no notice🏗️ A Desperate MoveWith no permanent home, Don Owen ran Memorial Coliseum at a loss while racing against time. Five weeks later, he gambled everything on an abandoned bowling alley in North Portland—spending $10,000, hauling in bleachers, lights, and a ring, and hoping fans would follow.They didn’t… at first.Until chaos, controversy, and a wrestling commission incident turned headlines into sellouts.🥊 The First Cards at the ArenaFrank and Mike break down the October 12 and October 19,1968 cards, including:• The debut of The Von Steigers• Lonnie Mayne & Beauregard as tag champions• Luther Lindsay’s quiet importance to the territory• The rise of Tony Borne as the people’s champion• Don Leo Jonathan’s return• Early appearances by Cowboy Kirk, Shag Thomas, Sandy Barr, Luigi Macera, Frank Shields, and others• How Don Owen used disqualifications, draws, and chaos to build long-term storiesThis episode shows how Portland wrestling established its pecking order, rewarded believability, and trained fans to expect the unexpected.🩸 The Commission, the Crackdowns, and CreativityThe show also revisits:• Wrestling commission overreach• Suspensions that shut the promotion down• The ban on blood• And how those restrictions directly led to the creation of the infamous Breakfast Club angle🎲 K-Fabe Curveballs: Lisa Hughes EditionWeather clips, Portland TV memories, pop culture, and alegendary dance-floor story involving Ric Flair all collide as Lisa takes full control of Curveballs—and steals the show.This is not just a recap of matches.It’s the origin story of the Portland Sports Arena—and the proof that wrestling survives through adaptation, chaos, and stubborn belief.Step into the arena.This is Ringside in Rose City—Wrestlingwrestling the way it should be.

Episode 8 spotlights three unforgettable performers whohelped shape Portland Wrestling from the middle and upper-middle of the card — the wrestlers who brought emotion, excitement, and personality to every show.Host Frank Culbertson breaks down:🔥 Brett Sawyer — the fiery young babyface who shocked the territory by winning a battle royal for the vacant Northwest title, becoming a 3-time champion and one of the mostpopular stars of the early ’80s.🎤 John Tolos — the charismatic, sharp-tongued veteran whose booming voice and magnetic interviews made him a standout everywhere he went. A world-traveled star who always made Portland TV feel bigger.💪 Tom Zenk — the ultra-charismatic babyface Curt Hennig insisted Portland needed. Pushed hard by Don Owen, Zenk tore through the roster, captured gold, and left a strong markbefore moving on to national success.These weren’t the megastars — they were the fan favoritesand fierce rivals who defined an era.Based on The Encyclopedia of Portland Wrestlers by historian Mike Rodgers, available now on Amazon.Follow on Spotify and Apple Podcasts — new episodes every Friday.

🎙️ Ringside in Rose City #18 – Mount Rushmore of Portland Wrestling (Sports Arena Era)One ring.One city.A thousand stories.And this week… the debate every Portland Wrestling fan has had at least once.In Episode #18 of Ringside in Rose City, Frank Culbertson and Mike Rogers finally tackle one of the most passionate, personal, and controversial topics in territory history: The Mount Rushmore of Portland Wrestling—specifically the Portland Sports Arena era (1968–1991).As always, Lisa Hughes opens the show, spins the wheel, reveals the envelope, and keeps things moving—before gleefully adding chaos with a Mount Rushmore-themed edition of K-Fabe Curveballs.Before naming a single face on the mountain, Frank and Mikedo what most debates skip:they define the criteria.This is not about national fame.It’s not about title counts alone.And it’s definitely not about who would win a real fight.Instead, the discussion centers on:• Drawing power in the Portland Sports Arena• Longevity and loyalty to the territory• Believability and storytelling• Promo credibility• Trust from Don Owen• Elevating others• Connection to Portland’s identity• Historical impact and lasting legacyFrom there, Frank and Mike examine 13 serious Mount Rushmore candidates—each with a legitimate case, each with real flaws, and no easy answers:• Dutch Savage• Playboy Buddy Rose• Bull Ramos• Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka• Roddy Piper• Lonnie Mayne• Stan Stasiak• Tony Borne• Rip Oliver• Billy Jack Haynes• Rick Martel• The Grappler (Lynn Denton)• Steve DollSome defined entire eras.Some burned hot and brief.Some were trusted workhorses.Some changed how Portland wrestling felt.Frank and Mike break down each candidate through stats,memory, booking philosophy, and lived experience—challenging assumptions fans have carried for decades and separating emotional attachment from territorial reality.Along the way:🎲Frank challenges Mike with Mount Rushmore trivia🎲A legendary hotel-room robbery story resurfaces🎲Promo styles, finishes, and feuds are dissected🎲And the difference between who fans loved and who carried the business becomes crystal clearBy the end of the episode, the list is narrowed…arguments collide…positions shift……but the final four faces on Portland Wrestling’s MountRushmore?You’ll have to listen to find out.This isn’t just a list. It’s a love letter, a debate, anda challenge to every Portland Wrestling fan.Step into the arena.Join the argument.This is Ringside in Rose City —  wrestling….wrestling the way it should be. 

Episode 7 dives into three powerful figures who shaped thePacific Northwest’s wrestling identity across multiple eras — the veterans, the world-travelers, and the raw-boned brawlers who helped define Portland Wrestling’s heart and soul.Host Frank Culbertson spotlights:🥋 Haru Sasaki — one of the longest-tenured wrestlers in Portland history. Sneaky, expressive, and beloved as a heel, Haru wrestled an estimated 5,000 matches for Don Owenand held multiple tag titles alongside legends like King Curtis and Mr. Fuji.🌎 John Quinn — a rugged powerhouse who battled Bruno Sammartino, dominated Vancouver, toured Europe as a top villain, and always made an impression when he passed through Portland to wrestle names like Lonnie Mayne, Dean Higuchi, and Ed Francis.🤠 Sam Oliver Bass — the big, raw-boned brawler whose name was changed so fans could chant “S.O.B!” Bass rose fast, beating Jimmy Snuka for the Northwest Heavyweight Title and delivering intense main events before moving on to national success.These men weren’t megastars — but they were the fanfavorites and fierce rivals who defined an era in the Northwest.Based on The Encyclopedia of Portland Wrestlers by historian Mike Rodgers, available now on Amazon.Follow on Spotify and Apple Podcasts — new episodes every Friday.

🎙️ Ringside in Rose City #17 – Foggy MemoriesOne ring. One city.A thousand stories.And this week… the names that make fans say, “Yeah… I kind of remember that guy.”On this episode of Ringside in Rose City, Frank Culbertson and Mike Rogers dig into the forgotten, overlooked, andunder-appreciated wrestlers who helped build Portland Wrestling from the opening bell to the final fall—without ever making the Top 10 lists.As always, Lisa Hughes opens the show, spins the wheel, reveals the envelope, and keeps the conversation moving as the topic lands on “Foggy Memories”—a deep dive into the wrestlers who filled out the cards, tested newcomers, protected the main events, and quietly kept the territory running night after night.This episode explores the concept of the “carpenter”—thedependable pros who:• Set the tone in opening matches• Tested young talent on the way up• Gave veterans a safe, solid opponent• Took losses when it was time to move on• And made the stars look like starsFrank and Mike break down careers, booking patterns, andforgotten stories involving names like:• Crazy Chuck Carbo – the alligator-wrestling gimmick,disqualifications, and a perfectly booked rise-and-fall• Tito Montez – the ultimate carpenter and Arizona legend• Ivan Kamaroff – a former champion quietly closing out a long career• Pierre LaGrande – size, potential, and the puzzle promoters couldn’t quite solve• Steve Bolos, Bill Howard, Fred Baron, Gene Kelly /Gene Lewis, Vinny Valentino, Steve Lawler, Jerry London,Barry Orton, Eddie Mansfield, Kim Song, Chung Lee, and moreAlong the way, the episode uncovers:🎯 Why draws mattered🎯 How booking protected talent 🎯 The difference between a “jobber” and a professional 🎯 Why not everyone was meant to be Buddy Rose or Roddy Piper🎯And how wrestling history gets confusing when names, gimmicks, and aliases collidePlus, Lisa brings the chaos once again with Kayfabe Curveballs, where wrestling trivia, pop culture, and real life blur—leading to wild detours, unexpected stories, and one more reminder that this show is as much about memory as it is about matches. And a special shout out to Joe Sousa!These aren’t the headliners.These aren’t the legends.But without them… there is no Portland Wrestling.Step back into the fog.This is Ringside in Rose City.

Episode 6 spotlights three wrestlers who helped define theupper-middle tier of Portland Wrestling — the dependable stars, hometown favorites, and fierce villains who carried the territory from night to night.Host Frank Culbertson breaks down:🔹 Jerry Oates — the smooth, athletic babyface who broke a long-standing pattern by capturing the NW title in 1978 and teaming with a young Jesse Ventura.🔹 Art Barr — Portland’s own, transformed into the wildly popular “Beetlejuice” before becoming a major star in Mexico as The American Love Machine.🔹 Mike Miller — the rugged brawler who rose through the ranks, became a key member of Rip Oliver’s Clan, held multiple singles and tag titles, and later reinvented himself as a fan-favorite babyface swinging his 2x4 “Lucille.”These weren’t megastars — they were the men fans came to see every week, the backbone of the territory.Based on The Encyclopedia of Portland Wrestlers byhistorian Mike Rodgers, available now on Amazon.Follow on Spotify and Apple Podcasts — new episodes every Friday.

🎙️ Ringside in Rose City #16 – Excitement in the Air, Volume Two (New Year’s Show)One ring.One city.A thousand stories.And a brand-new year.Ringside in Rose City kicks off the New Year with a deep dive into Excitement in the Air – Volume Two, Mike Rogers’ secondcollection of long-form wrestler interviews, featuring voices that helped shape Portland wrestling, the Pacific Northwest, and the business worldwide.As always, Lisa Hughes opens the show, spins the wheel, and keeps the episode moving—introductions, transitions, trivia, and all—while Frank Culbertson and Mike Rogers break down the stories behind the stories.This episode explores:• Ivan Koloff – From Red McNulty to Cold War villain, the power of mystique, health struggles, and the reality behind his brief WWWF title reign• Bad News Allen – Intimidation vs. kindness, race in wrestling, promoters, Dynamite Kid, and refusing to play a degrading role• Billy White Wolf / Sheik Adnan Al-Kaissie – A career spanning decades, cultures, continents, and controversy• Don Jardine – One of the saltiest interviews ever conducted, with brutally honest opinions on promoters, partners, and the business• Don Wyatt – Faith, family, wrestling’s changing style, and walking away at the right time• Bobby Jaggers – Blood, bar fights, Florida stories, Puerto Rico, ribs, and life as one of wrestling’s great heels• Mad Dog Vachon – Riots, caskets, chains, Lonnie Mayne, and one of the greatest publicity photos ever taken• Lanny Poffo – Poetry, Boston heat, ribs, and the birth of “The Genius”• Rip Rogers – Portland booking brilliance, Buddy Rose, Roddy Piper, Puerto Rico, and life as a legendary trainer• Steve Rosano – One of the most powerful and difficult interviews in the series, examining the real cost of hardcore wrestling• Dory Funk Jr. – Vancouver, Gene Kiniski, NWA politics, championships, and carrying the title with quiet authorityPlus:🎲 K-Abe Curveballs – New Year’s trivia where wrestling knowledge takes a back seat to chaos📚 Book talk, Portland memories, road stories, and the philosophy behind what makes wrestling believableThis is not just a recap—it’s a reflection on careers,consequences, creativity, and change, told by the people who lived it.Welcome to the New Year.Welcome back to the territory.This is Ringside in Rose City— wrestling…wrestling the way it should be.

NW Favorites: The Heart of Portland Wrestling Episode #5Episode 5 highlights three standout stars who defined theNorthwest’s middle-to-upper card — wrestlers who brought credibility, excitement, and emotional investment to Portland Wrestling without being the territory’s absolute megastars.Host Frank Culbertson covers:🔹 Les Thornton — the technical master and “man of 1000 holds” who brought British style, legitimate toughness, and multiple title reigns to Portland.🔹 Johnny Kostas — a world-traveling enigma with a dozen identities and a reputation for toughness, athleticism, and mystery everywhere he went.🔹 Steven Little Bear — the fiery babyface who stepped into Lonnie Mayne’s spot, beat Bull Ramos for the NW title, and became one of the most beloved stars of the early 1970s.These weren’t the megastars — they were the wrestlers whocarried Portland’s cards, anchored the semi-main events, and earned the crowd’s respect night after night.Based on The Encyclopedia of Portland Wrestlers by historian Mike Rodgers, available now on Amazon.Follow on Spotify and Apple Podcasts — new episodes every Friday.

🎄🎙️ Ringside in Rose City #15 – Christmas at the Portland Sports ArenaOne ring. One city. A thousand stories.And this week… Christmas in the Rose City.On this special holiday edition of Ringside in Rose City,Frank Culbertson and Mike Rogers unwrap decades of Christmas night wrestling at the Portland Sports Arena, tracing how Don Owen turned December 25th into one of the most unpredictable—and unforgettable—nights on the wrestling calendar.From Wednesday night capacity crowds to Tuesday specials,Sunday matinees, and the final Christmas cards before the territory closed, this episode dives deep into how Portland Wrestling celebrated the holidays the only way it knew how: with grudges, chaos, and unforgettable moments.Frank and Mike break down Christmas cards spanning 1968through 1991, including:🎁 Title changes on Christmas night, including the Von Steigers shocking fans and “ruining Christmas” by taking the Northwest Tag Titles🎁 Coal Miner’s Glove wars, Battle Royals, cage matches, and scientific classics🎁 The rise of future stars like Billy Jack Haynes, Tom Zenk, Bret Sawyer, Chris Adams, and Mike Miller🎁 Rare Sunday afternoon Christmas shows, canceled TV tapings, and oddball start times🎁 The unforgettable Rip Oliver–Billy Jack Haynes Santa Claus angle, one of the most legendary swerves in Portland history🎁 The final Christmas cards as Portland Wrestling winds down—still packed with talent, but without the TV lifeline that once fueled the territoryAlong the way, the episode spotlights how Christmas crowdswere different, why Don Owen booked riskier finishes on holidays, and how certain matches served as “placeholders” while others quietly shaped long-term feuds.🎄 Lisa Hughes sets the festive tone throughout—opening the show, keeping the wheel spinning (or not), guiding the Christmas envelope reveal, and adding holiday flair as onlyshe can. From Santa cameos to eggnog-fuelled studio moments, Lisa remains an essential part of the Ringside experience.And of course, it wouldn’t be a Christmas episode without Kayfabe Curveballs, holiday trivia, unexpected celebrity “judges,” and stories that blur the line between wrestling history and holiday myth.It’s nostalgic.It’s chaotic.It’s Portland Wrestling… wrapped in tinsel.Merry Christmas from Ringside in Rose City. Step into thearena, hit play, and celebrate the holidays the Portland way. 🎄🎁