80s Wrestling The Podcast: Recent Episodes
80s Wrestling The Podcast
A podcast dedicated the Golden Era of Professional Wrestling the 1980's. We talk about all things 'Old School' Wrestling related.
In this episode, we’ll explore the eerie, the mysterious, and the downright terrifying moments from pro wrestling history. From creepy characters like The Undertaker, Kane, and Bray Wyatt to the bone-chilling matches that left fans on the edge of their seats, we’ve got it all. Plus, we’ll be talking about Halloween Havoc, the legendary WCW event that combined high-stakes wrestling with all the spine-tingling excitement of the season.So, grab your favorite Halloween treat, turn the lights down low, and get ready for a night of wrestling frights and fun. Let’s step into the ring… if you dare!
With Halloween right around the corner we're discussing the scariest wrestlers of all time! Who are the grapplers that filled you with fright? Let us know!
In this episode, we dive deep into the world of professional wrestling to debate the greatest factions of all time. We explore legendary groups like the Four Horsemen, nWo (New World Order), D-Generation X, and The Shield, analyzing their impact on the industry, their most memorable moments, and the influence they had on wrestling's evolution. We also consider the criteria that make a faction truly great: longevity, influence on pop culture, in-ring dominance, and character chemistry. With passionate discussions and some surprises, this episode is a must-listen for wrestling fans who love faction warfare!
VICE TV's documentary," Who Killed WCW" has been interesting to say the least. The behind the scenes story's have given viewers a more in depth perspective on what lead to the closing of WCW. On today's episode we discuss what we as fans believe killed WCW.
On this episode we ask: Wrestlemania Could've, Would've, Should've? We take a look at the matches that never happened at a WrestleMania but could've, would've and maybe even should've
Sometimes in Wrestling, like in life, you have no choice but to stick-it to "the man." But who exactly is "the man"? Well, it's changed over time and some portrayed the authority figure in wrestling better than others. Today we break down who the best and worst authority figures in wrestling are.
On todays episode, Tommy Fierro and Guest Host 'BabyFace' Brian talk about the Greatest Masked Wrestlers of All Time!
The 5th Annual 80's Wrestling Con EXPLODES into the Mennen Sports Arena this coming Saturday, May 4th in Morristown New Jersey! Appearing Live: The Four Horsemen (Tully Blanchard, Arn Anderson, Barry Windham, JJ Dillon, and Baby Doll), Jake "The Snake" Roberts, Sgt. Slaughter, Kurt Fuller (No Holds Barred/Ghostbusters), Stan "The Lariat" Hansen, Demolition, Powers of Pain, Boris Zhukov, Dr. Tom Prichard, Bushwhacker Luke, Slick, Dan Spivey, The Young Stallions, Dean Malenko, Tony Atlas, Scott McGhee, Mario Mancini, Rita Chatterton, Itsuki Yamazaki from The Jumping Bomb Angels, Sunny Beach, and Tony Garea.
With Jumpin' Jay out of town for the week, Babyface Brian climbs into the ringside seat and takes control of the Podcast alongside the ConFather Tommy Fierro!
Today we share our reactions of WrestleMania 40 with the Leader of the Big Vito Brand & the toughest man to ever wear a dress - Big Vito LoGrasso!Big Vito's career has lasted decades and has wrestled all over the world including having runs in WWE, WCW, ECW & TNA.
We will be joined author of "The Six Pack: On the Open Road in Search of WrestleMania" Brad Balukjian this morning on 80s Wrestling: The Podcast talking all about his new book THE SIX PACK! Broadcasting live starting at 10AM! Call in at (516) 595-8295.Later in the show, we will have a recap of ISPW Wrestling Golden Ticket Rumble and will be joined by Rick Recon!
Today we rank the 3 Most ICONIC Finishing Moves Ever! (plus one that is over/under rated)
McMahon's legacy is a nuanced tapestry of triumphs and controversies, successes and setbacks. His impact on professional wrestling is undeniable, but so too are the stains left by allegations of misconduct and ethical breaches. As history continues to unfold, the true extent of McMahon's legacy will be shaped by ongoing dialogue and critical examination.
Here Ye, Here Ye! All hail the King of Professional Wrestling! When you hear the term "King of Wrestling" - who comes to mind? Who reigns supreme? Today, we take a look at the wrestlers that wore the crown and ask the questions, "Who was the best" and "Who was the worst".
It's a story as old as time....boy meets girl....they fall in love...hopefully get a push from the front office ...and win championship gold. Today we talk about the best and the worst on-screen couples ever! As they say - all is fair in love and wrestling.
It's time we all acknowledge the greatest heel champion of all time! Who was he? What belt did/does he hold? What makes a great heel champion? Let's talk about it!
First it was newspapers, then radio - soon came TV and pay-per-view...not long after the internet and streaming. All along the way, Pro Wrestling has been able to adapt and thrive with the advances in technology and media presentation.
It's Royal Rumble week! This Saturday the WWE will hold it's 37th Royal Rumble event - on this episode we take look at the first Royal Rumble Pay-Per-View that took place back in 1989. There are no partners...it's everyman for himself! Today we share our favorite memories and moments from the 1989 Royal Rumble!
It was the match that gave birth to “Hulkamania.” In Madison Square Garden, Hogan challenged the villainous Iron Sheik for the WWF title. Hogan, riding a rave of popularity thanks to his appearance in Rocky III, powered out of the Sheik’s vaunted camel clutch, and then beat the champion with his now-iconic leg drop. Just like that, Hogan became the new face of the WWF and of professional wrestling. WWE is planning to hold a 40th anniversary celebration of Hulkamania. The special month-long celebration will include new merchandise items and collectibles based around Hulk Hogan and his Hulkamania reign over WWE. Today, we celebrate the Hulkster by sharing our favorite memories and moments from when Hulkamania was running wild!
Today, we are joined by Scott Innes who played the ring announcer in the box office hit, "The Iron Claw" - which is the story of one of wrestlings most famous families - The Von Erichs. We'll discuss Scott's experience filming the movie as well as our memories and moments from the story of the Von Erich Family.
We talk about the 2nd Generation wrestlers who became stars and those that didn't quite live up to the family name
Pro Wrestling is full of twists and turns - that's part of what draws us in. Just when we think we know what is going to happen - BAM - something unexpected happens! Today we talk about our favorite memories and moments that we NEVER saw coming! We are joined in studio with a special guest host - long time listener Totow Tom!
Last week listener Matt from Boston picked todays show topic...its all about the Sensational Sherri Martel. An accomplished women's wrestler turned into one of the most dynamic managers of the 80's and early 90's. She helped guide the on screen careers of Hall of Fame wrestlers such as Macho Man Randy Savage and Shawn Michaels. Today we share our favorite memories and moments as we talk about the Sensational Sherri Martel.
One of the Greatest of All Time - The Undertaker! Today we share our favorite memories and moments from the career of "The Deadman." We also share our opinion on who else Vince McMahon could have tasked with playing this character had Mark Calaway not been available in 1990.
It's the 80's Wrestling the Podcast Thanksgiving Party special! We're going LIVE on Wednesday instead of Thursday to talk about all the things we have to be thankful for!
In 1987 the WWF introduced a brand new pay-per-view event known as Survivor Series. It, along with, WrestleMania, Summerslam, and the Royal Rumble would become one of "The Big 4" events of the year for the World Wrestling Federation. It had a unique format of pitting teams of 5 Superstars against eachother in an elimination style match. Who would be the Survivors? Today we look back at Survivor Series 1987!
In the second iinstallment of the "Biggest Show of the Year" Vince McMahon took a huge risk - promoting a multi-venue spectacular! WrestleMania 2 took place in 3 venues spread out across the country. The idea sounded like a winner on paper...but did it translate to the fans in attendance and the viewers at home? We are joined by special guest host ( and WrestleMania 2 attendee) 'FireFighter' Brian as we take a look back at WrestleMania 2!
Ahhh the finishing move, the one move that rendered you opponent helpless and gauranteed you the victory. Wrestlers would spend all match setting up their finishing move and once they executed it...it was all over. Back in the 80's it was extremely rare that a wrestler kicked out after a finishing move was performed - they were treated as "special." During the golden era of wrestling we had power-moves, submission holds, and high-flying finishers - we want to know which were your favorite!
LJN "Wrestling Superstars" were the first action figure line produced for the Word Wrestling Federation. The line consisted of 64 figures with unique molds, plus an additional 6 major repaints that change the figures look significantly. The figure line was a hit when it debuted in 1984 but has become even more popular in the the collecting world as the figures are seen as pure nostalga. For part 2 of the discussion we welcome back host of the LeJeNdary Wrestling Figures Podcast: 'Babyface' Brian!
One of the reasons we love professional wrestling is that it's FULL of things we didn't see coming! The Twists and Turns! Today we share our favorite memories of when some of the biggest bad guys turned into fan favorites and when our most beloved heroes turned into our most hated foes.
LJN "Wrestling Superstars" were the first action figure line produced for the Word Wrestling Federation. The line consisted of 64 figures with unique molds, plus an additional 6 major repaints that change the figures look significantly. The figure line was a hit when it debuted in 1984 but has become even more popular in the the collecting world as the figures are seen as pure nostalga. Because the San Fransisco 49ers covered the spread against the NY Giants we are treated to a special guest host! Long time listener and host of the LeJeNdary Wrestling Figures Podcast: 'Babyface' Brian!Plus updates on ISPW 25 and 90's Wrestling Con!
Today we talk about the voices of 80s Wrestling - the voices that brought the action to life for us - the voices we hear when we close our eyes and picture our favorite moments from the Golden Era of Wrestling. Who was your favorite announce duo? Who was your favorite ring announcer? What voice cemented the biggest moments into your memory?
The Heenan Family was a stable of wrestlers managed by Bobby "The Brain" Heenan. Heenan managed wrestlers under the Heenan Family name in the AWA, NWA, and the WWF. Heenan notoriously disliked the term, stating "A stable is a place where you keep a bunch of fly-infested horses," and instead referred to his collective wrestlers as his "family." The name moved with him, and changed members frequently. At one time, the members of the "Heenan Family" posed the greatest threat to Hulkamania during Hogans big push in the 80's.
The Wrestling business has ups and down in terms of popularity. There have been periods where it seems only diehard wrestling fans are tuning into the programming. On the other hand, there have been spikes in its popularity - when wrestling breaks through to "mainstream" and it seems like everyone is a wrestling fan. While no singlular wrestler can be credited for the sudden burst of pop-culture awareness, it does seem there is always one performer leading the charge. During the "Rock N' Wrestling" blowup in the Golden Era of wrestling that performer was The Immortal Hulk Hogan. For the later explosion in popularity of the Attitude Era that peformer was Stone Cold Steve Austin. Both men left a lasting mark on the business....but just who was the more influential of the two?
No matter the sport, fans often debate who the greatest of all time is? Lebron or Jordan? Montana or Brady? What if the question isn't "Who's the Greatest of All time?" but rather a question of head-to-head "Who's Better" between 2 of the All Time Greats? Today we debate just that....Who's Better..Bret Hart or Shawn Michaels?
Alongside special guest host - ECW Alumni- the Superstar Danny Morrison we share our favorite memories and moments from the life and career of Terry Funk.
Remember the excitement of seeing the newest edition of your favorite Pro Wrestling magazine? The covers. The posters. The articles. The feeling of turning each page to discover what was next - reading it cover to cover. Wrestling magazines gave us an "inside look" into the world of professional wrestling beyond what we saw on Saturday mornings. For wrestling fans, as much as we LOVED watching the weekly shows, there was something incredibly special about getting our hands on the magazines.
As the WWE Universe prepares for SummerSlam this Saturday - today we take a look back at the very first SummerSlam!
What was your favorite talk show segment of all time? Piper's Pit? The Flower Shop? The Brother Love Show? There are so many options and so many things to TALK about!
Junkyard Dog was one of the most popular - if not THE most popular wrestler in the Mid-South. He had a unique combination of power and charisma that allowed him to connect with the crowd on a whole other level. He transitioned to the WWF where he viewed with Hall of Fame opponents such as Greg "The Hammer" Valentine and "King" Harley Race. Today we share our favorite memories and moments from career of JYD!
Tag Team wrestling has always been entertaining and has always added a little extra excitement to a match. Tag Team wrestling is also an art form - some teams do it very well and others never seem to find the chemistry. Who did it the best? Mount Rushmore has only 4 spots available.....who's on yours?
Every big, bad dude thought they could stop Hulkamania - that they would be the ones to end the Immortal Hulk Hogan's run - the ones to knock the 24" Pythons off the Mountain Top, brother. Well let me tell you something dude - many tried and many failed, brother. So whatcha gonna do, when we relive the greatest feuds in the history of Hulkamania?!?!
The role of the wrestling manager reached it's peak in the 1980's. Their job included speaking on the mic, working up the crowd, distracting the ref, and even interferring in matches on behalf of their wrestlers. Being an effective manager took talent - and the 1980's saw some of the best to ever do it.
The Iron Sheiks contributions to the world of professional wrestling go far beyond his win and loss record. Today we mourn the loss of a wrestling legend by sharing our memories and favorite moments from the career of The Iron Sheik.
Championship Belts have had a number of designs over the years. Some were good, some were bad...and some were ugly. Which title designs were your favorite and who do you picture holding that specific title?
Graham was perhaps the single-most influential performer in WWE history whose interviews, fashion and physique inspired Hulk Hogan, Jesse "The Body" Ventura and countless others. Today we remember the Superstar!
This past weekend was 80's WrestlingCon 4 and ISPW Rock N' Wrestling - Let's Talk About It!
Today we welcome a "Real American Hero" to the show - former WWE World Heavyweight Champion, Sgt. Slaughter!!
"Selling" in pro wrestling refers to the art of making an opponents moves look like they matter. Some did it better than others. Today we talk about who we believe were the best "sellers" of the Golden Era.
We are coming off one of the biggest WrestleMania weekends of all time! On today's show we give our thoughts and reactions to WrestleMania 39!
The East Coast Wrestling Association's Super 8 Tournament has become an iconic event within the independent wrestling community. It offers young wrestlers the opportunity to display their talents on a highly visible platform against other up-and-coming superstars. Past competitors have included Billy Kidman, Crowbar, Scotty "Too Hotty", The Hardy Boyz, Christopher Daniels, Ace Darling and AJ Styles - just to name a few. This years Super 8 Tournament takes place March 25th at The Jersey Dugout in Marlboro, NJ. On today's episode we visit with 1st ever Super 8 Tournament Winner - Ace Darling, 2023 Super 8 Entrant - Rick Recon and ECWA Owner - Ryan Kavanagh!
We are on the road to 80's Wrestling Con 4! Today we discuss the career of the shows headliner, Bret "The Hitman" Hart!
Everybody's Got A Price for the Million Dollar Man!! On today's episode we welcome very special guest, Ted Dibiase!
Champion VS Champion. Babyface VS Babyface. Hulk Hogan VS The Ultimate Warrior. It's the Ultimate Challenge, it's WrestleMania 6! Today, we take a look back at the sixth annual WrestleMania, break it down match by match and choose sides in the Ultimate Challenge!
On today's episode we are joined by Downtown Bruno! Bruno has been a wrestling manager, referee, in-ring performer and has been involved in the industry since the 70's. His most famous characters are Downtown Bruno and Harvey Wippleman. Downtown Bruno is becoming a name in pop-culture as his invlovement in helping launch the career of The Rock has been documented in the hit series " Young Rock."
We are celebrating our 100th Episode of 80's Wrestling the Podcast! We have a HUGE show including special guests Dory Funk jr, Jerry Brisco & The Big Bossman's Daughter Lacy!
Bets will be settled, updates will be given, the conversation will go wherever it wants - today we call it in the Ring!
On August 28, 1986 the World Wrestling Federation put on a show in Toronto, Canada that drew over 74,000 fans! This mega-event was not a pay-per-view - it was a live event that was taped and later released on Coliseum Home Video. Why did this event draw so many fans? What does it say about the pro wrestling climate in 1986? How well does this event hold up all these years later? We talk about all that and more on this mornings episode of 80's Wresting the Podcast!
It is often regarded as the "Greatest WrestleMania Match of All Time" - Savage vs Steamboat, WrestleMania 3. Today we discuss this iconic match, what led up to it and the participants involved. Does this match deserve to be on a pedestal? Does the match hold up all these years later? What effect did this match have on the industry? We talk about it all.
Join us for a very special episode of 80's Wrestling the Podcast with special guests "Wildfire" Tommy Rich and Danny Morrison!
Prime Time Wrestling was a clip show where WWE Hall of Famers Gorilla Monsoon and Bobby "The Brain" Heenan highlighted the best of late-1980s pro wrestling in the WWF. As one of the most entertaining duos in history, Gorilla and Heenan made this show a must see! Today we talk about our favorite memories and moments from Prime Time Wrestling!
The Golden Era of Wrestling was the pinnacle of the tag team division. Every fan remembers teams like: The British Bulldogs, The Hart Foundation, Demolition, The Road Warriors, The Midnight Express but what about the under-rated teams? The teams that seldom get mentioned in the "Greatest Tag Teams" conversation? Today, we talk about underrated / forgotten / not often-mentioned Tag Teams.
With Tommy's preparations for 80's Wrestling Con 4 in full swing, it's a great time to talk about the World of Wrestling Conventions!
There are a LOT of wrestlers that should be in the Hall of Fame that, for some reason or another, have been denied the honor. Today, we discuss 80s Wrestlers that Should Be in the Hall of Fame
Today we welcome special guest, Jason Huza! Jason is responsible forpenning the book & lyrics to The Last Match - A Pro Wrestling Rock Musical!
In 1989, World Championship Wrestling (WCW) of the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) put on a Halloween-themed pay-per-view event that would become a tradition within the landscape of wrestling. The very first Halloween Havoc took place in 1989 and featured a number of future Hall of Famers. Today we look back at the very first Halloween Havoc and share our favorite memories. moments and take a look match by match!
Today with talk with Special Guest Travis Orndorff about our favorite memories and moments from the career of his father, "Mr. Wonderful" Paul Orndorff.
There were so many things that made 80's Wrestling unique, special & memorable. The colorful characters, the big blue steel cage, old school logos, kayfabe & more! What do you miss most about this era of pro wrestling? Call in and let's talk about it!
It was a BIG week for 80's Wrestling the Podcast cohost, Tommy Fierro! His wrestling promotion ISPW held it's first KING of ISPW Tournament and crowned an inagural King to rule over its promotion. Tommy also had Producer duties on the debut weekend of The Last Match musical - which saw SOLD OUT shows! Today we chat with Tommy Fierro and hear all about the BIG week that was!
The Face of WCW throughout the late eighties and ninities was none other than the man called Sting! With an in-ring career of nearly 40 yrs, Sting has become an absolute icon in the world of Professional Wrestling. Today we share our favorite memories and moments from the career of Sting!
King Kong Bundy was a larger-than-life wrestler who had a larger-than-life personality to match! Perhaps most remembered as the massive heel that looked to destroy Hulkamania inside a steel cage at WrestleMania 2, Bundy was an athletic big-man who was, above all else, believable. Bundy would have success inside the then World Wrestling Federation during a few different runs while making a splash in movies and television. Today we share our favorite memories and moments from the career of King Kong Bundy!
SummerSlam 1991 is remembered for the wedding of Macho Man & Mis Elizabeth - "The Match Made in Heaven" and the Main Event of Hogan & Warrior taking on Slaughter and company in "The Match Made in Hell".
The Payper view had other notable matches and behind the scenes stories. Today we talk about our favorite memories and moments from SummerSlam 1991!
From one of the biggest heels to becoming one of the most beloved faces of the 80's - we're servin' hard times with The Big Bossman. Today we share our favorite memories and moments from the career of The Big Boss Man!
The Slammy Awards was initially conceived to commemorate the release of The Wrestling Album - a sort of Grammy Award for the album released by the WWF. The award show than changed to give awards to wrestlers for wrestling-related achievements. The awards were a way to further storylines or push certain wrestlers. Today we talk about our favorite memories and moments from the Slammy Awards!
Whatcha Gonna Do?!?! Celebrate Hulk Hogan's Birthday, that's what! Today the man that set the wrestling scene on fire turns 69! Today we share our favorite memories & moments from the career of Hulk Hogan!
A former bodybuilder turned professional wrestler - Tony Atlas would make history capturing the World Tag Team Championship and is regarded as one of the most influential and significant African-American Superstars in the history of sports-entertainment. Tony debuted in 1974 in the NWA and was nnown for his imposing physique and signature Gorilla Press Slam. He would win the NWA Georgia Heavyweight, Television and Tag Team Championships, as well as, several other regional championships during his time in the NWA. He would make history winning the WWF Tag Team Titles alongside Rocky Johnson. Today we are joined by WWE Hall of Fame Legend, Tony Atlas!
As all wrestling fans know, "The Biggest Party in the Summer" is the annual WWF pay-per-view Summerslam! In the year 1990, pro wrestling was still riding the wave of the 80's popularity but the wrestling scene was starting to transition. Summerslam was the Ultimate Warrior's first world title defense on a major pay-per-view since dethroning Hulk Hogan earlier that year at WrestleMania. Mr. Perfect would defend his Intercontinental Title against a relative newcomer to the WWF - The Texas Tornado, The Hart Foundation batttled Demolition and Hulk Hogan took a main event backseat when he challenged the Earthquake. Today we share our favorite memories and moments from Summerslam 1990!
There may not be a performer who better embodied the 1980's wrestling scene than Ric Flair. He was the living representation of the 1980's - fame and excess. He was the best in-ring performer, the best on the microphone and he LIVED his gimmick 24/7. From his famous matches with the likes of Dusty Rhodes, Ricky Steamboat & Barry Windham to his iconic promos - Ric Flair transcended the world of professional wrestling. Today we share our favorite memories and moments from the career of "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair.
What could be considered THE most dominant tag team of the Golden Era, The Road Warriors captured titles and left a wake of destruction wherever they went. Today we talk about our favorite memories and moments from the Road Warriors!
The vibrant barber who clipped the locks of WWE rivals in the ’80s and early ’90s with his trademark shears, Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake was all about two things — cuttin’ and struttin’. Today we take a look back at the career of "The Barber" and share our favorite moments and memories!
Sgt. Slaughter debut in WWF in 1980 as a brutal bullying drill instructor, who referred to his outmatched opponents as scum, slime and maggots. Slaughter went to battle with legends like Bruno Sammartino, Pedro Morales, Pat Patterson and even Andre The Giant. He would even be immortalized as part of the toy line G.I. Joe. Slaughter took part in one of the most memorable turns in wrestling history when he turned his back on the USA and main evented WrestleMania 7 against Hulk Hogan.
He could make your back crack & your liver quiver - the son of a plumber he was the American Dream. Dusty Rhodes was a once-in-a-lifetime superstar that came along at exactly the right time. He was gifted on the microphone, knew how to tell a story and could draw emotion from the crowd like few others. He is among the most iconic professional wrestlers of all time.
It's time for the rumble...the ROYAL RUMBLE! The 1990 Royal Rumble was the third annual Royal Rumble pay-per-view event produced by the World Wrestling Federation. It took place on January 21, 1990, at the Orlando Arena in Orlando, Florida. It is remembered for a number of incredible moments but none top the one-on-one interaction between the then Intercontinental Champion The Ultimate Warrior and World Heavyweight Champion Hulk Hogan! Royal Rumble 1990 was used to plant seeds, further storylines and entertain the fans!
The colors were often bold, the designs intimidating & the cool-factor was undeniable! Today's episode is all about the Face Paint of the 80's! We talk about who wore it, what it added to their character & what we remember about the colors that didn't run! It's The Face Paint of the 80's!
This past Saturday over 1,100 people attended 80's Wrestling Con LIVE in Morristown New Jersey! It was packed with over 3 dozen superstars, vending tables, meet & greets and over a thousand fans! We talk about what happened, how it went and what's next for con promoter Tommy Fierro!
The clock is ticking, we are just HOURS away from 80’s Wrestling Con Live & ISPW'S Rock N’ Wrestling! On todays episode we visit with Sal Sincere as look ahead to what is sure to be an EPIC weekend!
80s Wrestling Con RETURNS - LIVE AND IN PERSON! Saturday, May 7th -at the Mennen Sports Arena in Morristown New Jersey over 30 Legends of the RIng will gather together for an epic celebration of the Golden Era of Professional Wrestling! Legends like Jesse "The Body" Ventura, Demolition Ax & Smash, "Million Dollar Man" Ted Dibiase, Tito Santana & Greg "The Hammer" Valentine will be in attendance LIVE! Today we check in with Con promoter Tommy Fierro and talk all things 80's Wrestling Con LIVE!
One of the reasons we love professional wrestling is that it's FULL of things we didn't see coming! The Twists and Turns! Whether it be a twist in a storyline that came out of nowhere - or a superstar turning face/heel at a key moment in their career - the twists and turns keep us on the edge of our seats. Today we share our favorite moments that we didn't expect!
It's time to continue the conversation that we started over a year ago! You know them, you love them & you still sing them in the shower! The theme songs in the 80's were catchy and unforgettable! A Wrestler's Theme Music was an extention of their character. A good theme song would get a reaction from the crowd before a wrestler even came through the curtain.
Today, we continue the discussion about the theme songs that left an impression on us and the ones that can still get us pumped!
Being a great talker, having the gift of gab, being able to cut an effective promo has always been a part of what makes pro wrestlers stand out among their peers. We all remember the wrestlers who could get us pumped up for an upcoming match just by what they spewed into the microphone. Some did it soflty, some did it loudly - the technique may have changed, the message may have been different - but the result was always the same. Today we share some memories and moments from the best talkers in the business - the ones who could be counted on to cut the best promos!
It's WrestleMania week! For pro wrestling fans; this week just feels different then the other 51 weeks of the year. We could debate that WrestleMania meant more when we were kids - but what we can't debate is that WrestleMania is still the biggest show in the world when it comes to professional wrestling! Today we share our what we feel are the greatest moments in the history of WrestleMania!
The Headbangers were Mosh and Thrasher, whose most notable matches were in the World Wrestling Federation. As the name of the team implied, their gimmick was that they were a pair of metalheads, complete with heavy metal related T-shirts, piercings, shaved heads, and black face paint.
Today we get to talk with Mosh and share our favorite matches and moments from the career of the Headbangers!
We are joined by Former WWF Tag Team Champion - one half of the Natural Disasters - Typhoon! In the world of professional wrestling, wrestlers are lucky if they can portray one character that sticks in the minds of fans - today we talk to a man who has portrayed multiple characters that made a lasting impression on fans. We visit with Typhoon and share some of our favorite memories and moments from his career!
Connor’s Cure, established at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh Foundation in 2014, was created to honor the irrepressible spirit of a special little boy Connor Michalek. Battling medulloblastoma, a rare tumor that affects the brain and spinal cord, 8-year-old Connor left quite the impression on those he encountered. 80's Wrestling Con LIVE is proud to partner with Connor's Cure for our upcoming event in May. Today we have a conversation with Connor's Cure about who they are, what they do, and how we can help make an impact.
From the memorable Gobbledy Gooker, to the debut of the Deadman - Survivor Series 1990 was a BIG pay-per-view that left a lasting impression on fans and on the wrestling scene. The decade was new and the wrestling landscape was set to usher in a new era. Today, we break down the teams and the matches as we discuss our favorite moments and matches from Survivor Series 1990.
Remembered for wearing a hand-print on his back and giving himself a "pat on the back," Barry Horowitz was a successful enhancement talent for the World Wrestling Federation, and was able to make a lasting impression on wrestling fans. Horowitz had a lengthy in-ring career that spanded more than 30 years. He wrestled for numerous companies across the world and won multiple championships along the way. He was named PWI's 'Most Inspirational Wrestler' in 1995 and was on their list for top 500 wrestlers in 1992. Horowitz joins us LIVE as we share our favorite memories and moments from his career.
Jacques Rougeau had an incredible pro wrestling career as 1 half of the Fabulous Rougeaus, the Mountie and as a member of The Quebeccers. He was a 3-time WWF Tag Team Champion and captured the Intercontinental Championship by defeating Bret "The Hitman" Hart. Today we visit with Jacques Rougeau LIVE and share our favorite memories and moments from his career.
On today's episode, we were planning to talk with a member of the legendary Anoa'i family - the Tonga Kid is our very special guest! Billed as the cousin of Superfly Jimmy Snuka, The Tonga Kid stormed onto the scene with by entering a major feud with Snuka's rival Rowdy Roddy Piper. He would later team up with Haku and form the team The Islanders.
Due to circumstances beyond our control, we call it "In the Ring."
Bobby “The Brain” Heenan introduced The Brooklyn Brawler to wrestling fans back in 1989. He was a rough & tough wrestler from the streets of Brooklyn - his ring gear was nothing more than dirty jeans and a stained New York Yankees shirt. He looked different, he talked different, and he wrestled different. He was the kind on unique character the fans of the Golden Era loved! Today we talk to the man himself - The Brooklyn Brawler - as we share our favorite moments & memories of his career.
Demolition were THE dominate tag team inside the World Wrestling Federation during the Golden Era of Professional Wrestling. They captured the World Tag Team Championships on 3 different occasions and were the longest reigning champions of that era. Ax & Smash are celebrating the 35th Anniversary of Demolition and they join us to talk about their favorite memories and moments from their amazing career.
The Saturday morning "squash" match was a staple in the world of 'old school' professional wrestling. Sitting in front of your TV screen watching the Superstars that you knew and loved take on guys that you've never heard of before. It was wrestlings way of showcasing their stars to the world - while saving big matches for pay-per-view events. Who were these "no name" wrestlers that just appeared in the ring after commercial breaks? No theme music, no entrance, no real chance at winning....they were the unsung heroes of the Golden Age of Wrestling...they were the enhancement talent.
We look ahead to the first ISPW show taking place in 2022 - New Year's Revenge! On January 14th the Superstars of ISPW Invade Totowa NJ. The event will feature Bull James looking to take his revenge on his former friend, the current ISPW Champion, "Superstar" Danny Morrison! Nikos Rikos battles Matt Sydal, ISPW Women's Champion Vicious Vicki defends her title against Notorious Mimi and a Special appearance by "The Mouth of the South" Jimmy Hart!
Broadway Producer / Performer Jeremiah James teams up with '80's Wrestling The Podcast' host Tommy Fierro to bring us a Pro-Wrestling Rock Musical entitled “The Last Match”. We talk to Tommy & Jeremiah to discuss how this idea came about and find out what we can expect from this 'Rock N' Wrestling' type performance.
As we head into another new year - we take a look back on one of the greatest years during the Golden Era of Professional Wrestling. The year was 1988 - the WWF Heavyweight Title scene was up-in-the-air, the "greatest" intercontinental champion of all time would have his run come to an end, and Demolition would capture their first WWF tag team championships. Let's revisit 1988!
Ho Ho Ho! Merry Christmas! It's the Christmas Episode of 80's Wrestling the Podcast! We relive the excitement of being an 80's Wrestling Fan on Christmas morning! We discuss our favorite memories, moments, gifts & toys from the World of 80s Wrestling!
“What I’d like to have right now, is for all you fat, ugly, inner-city sweathogs to keep the noise down while I take my robe off and show the ladies what a real sexy man looks like…” One of the most entertaining heels to come out of the Golden Era of Wrestling was Ravishing Rick Rude. From his tights, to his promos, to his finishing move - the Hall of Fame career of Ravishing Rick Rude left an impression on wrestling fans. Today, we talk about our favorite memories and moments from the Career of Rick Rude.
Tis' the season as ISPW prepares to deliver the gift of Christmas Chaos! Tomorrow night ISPW invades the St. Anthony of Padua Gym in Butler, New Jersey for it's much anticipated LIVE Christmas Event! We are joined by ISPW Founder Tommy Fierro and his new business partner - Bushwhacker Luke! We'll look ahead to tomorrow night's event and get the inside scoop on the future of ISPW.
The Doctor of Style, Slick was one of the most entertaining managers during the Golden Era of Professional Wresting. He stood alongside some of the biggest heels in the business including: Nikolai Volkoff, The Iron Sheik, Akeem, The Big Boss Man, Power and Glory and The Warlord. Today we talk to the man himself as we relive some of our favorite memories and moments from the career of Slick!
The Independent Superstars of Pro Wrestling rumbled their way thru Totowa, New Jersey and we have the results! Champions were crowned, titles were defended, HUGE suprise appearances, and an ending NOBODY saw coming! Today we break down the latest ISPW show and look ahead to Christmas Chaos taking place December 10th at St. Anthony's Church Gym in Butler, NJ!
On today's episode, we take a look back at the career of the "Excellence of Execution", Bret "The Hitman" Hart. Bret was an amazing technical wrestler who's ability to tell stories inside the squared circle helped him transition from a tagteam wrestler to an accomplished singles superstar. He was unquestionable the leader of the "New Generation" and helped usher the World Wrestling Federation into the 90's. Today, we share our favorite memories and moments from the career of Bret "The Hitman" Hart.
Fee-Fi-Fo-Fum Andre! Known as the Eighth Wonder of the World - Andre the Giant was the living embodiment of a wrestler being "Larger than Life." Throughout the ’70s and well into the ’80s, Andre was the industry's leading attraction, towering over the competition at seven feet, four inches and tipping the scales at a gargantuan 500-plus pounds. Whether he was playing the part of a face "Gentle Giant" or as a heel - his appearances were always something special. Today, we share our memories and favorite moments from the career of Andre the Giant.
Who would you have LOVED to see square off against eachother? Two fan favorites? Two heels? We're dreaming with our eyes wide open as we talk about the matches we would have loved to see! Call it 'Fantasy Booking', call it 'Dream Matches' - whatever you want to name it, we're talking about it LIVE on today's episode of 80's Wrestling - The Podcast!
Not only did we grow up during the Golden Era of Professional Wrestling...we also grew up during the Golden Era of Toys! Throughout the 80's and into the 90's toy makers were looking for anything from ' pop culture' that they could turn into a toy. From AWA, NWA / WCW to the WWF - wrestling figures were THE toy leading the charge! We talk about the hits, the misses and our favortite action figures from various lines.
“Ricky Steamboat had everything — charisma, work rate, intensity and one of the best bodies in our business," WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair once said of his greatest rival. "He was just amazing." Often referred to as "a wrestler's wrestler" Steamboat was a gifted performer who could have an outstanding match with anybody. His in-ring abilities and personality outside of the ring made him a favorite among his peers and a lifelong babyface in the eyes of the fans. He cemented his place in wrestling history with his iconic matches against 'The Nature Boy' over the NWA World Championship and his WrestleMania III classic against “Macho Man” Randy Savage. On today's episode we talk about our memories and favorite moments from the career of Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat
Known as one of the greatest technical wrestlers of the era, Mr. Perfect was a heel character that was, well....perfect. He could have a great match with anybody and often had the best technical match on the card. His antics outside the ring are just as fondly remembered as his action inside the ring. On today's episode we talk about our memories and favorite moments from the career of Mr. Perfect.
Broadcasting LIVE from 'Parts Unkown' - Jumpin' Jay & Tommy Fierro share their favorite memories from the career of the Ultimate Warrior! One of the most colorful and intriguing characters in the history of professional wrestling- The Ultimate Warrior stormed onto the wrestling scene and will forever be remembered by fans of this Golden Era. We talk about what made this character so impactful and take your calls LIVE!
WWE Hall of Famer - Former Women's Champion, Former Cruiserweight Champion, Former 24/7 Champion - the trailblazer herself, Madusa is our special guest!
She was ahead of her time, she sparked the Monday Night Wars and she's here! - Talking about her career and taking fans calls LIVE!
It's our 'cup of coffe in the big time' as we reminisce about the Macho Man Randy Savage. From his heel run, to his face turn, and back and forth again - what were our favorite moments, matches and opponents of one of the greatest of all time! Tommy & Jumpin' Jay talk all things 'Macho Madness' and take calls LIVE from our listeners.
The independent wrestling scene just got biggier and better! ISPW made it's return to the wrestling scene after nearly 20 years! We talk to the man behind the promotion and break down ISPW's return show!
Our special guest today is former WWF Tag Team Champion - one half of the iconic Headshrinkers tag team - Samu! We discuss his career and all things pro wrestling - plus we take your calls LIVE!
He started as one of the most hated villains to ever climb into the squared circle. He finished as one of the most beloved entertainers of all time. Whether it was in the ring or on the mic - nobody did it like the "HotRod." Rowdy Roddy Piper was instrumental in launching the nationwide wrestling craze in the 80's. Tommy and 'Jumpin' Jay' talk bout the career of Rowdy Roddy Piper and what he meant to the world of wrestling they fell in love with.
Wrestling fans can argue for hours about who the greatest pro wrestler of all time is. When it comes to wrestling managers, however, few will argue that anyone did it better than Bobby Heenan. Whether he was ring side for a match involving one of his "family members" - or sitting alongside Gorilla Monsoon, Bobby Heenan was always entertaining. Today we talk about the career of Bobby "The Brain" Heenan and what he meant to the Golden Era of Professional Wrestling.
Ahhh the finishing move, the one move that rendered you opponent helpless and gauranteed you the victory. Wrestlers would spend all match setting up their finishing move and once they executed it...it was all over. Back in the 80's it was extremely rare that a wrestler kicked out after a finishing move was performed - they were treated as "special." During the golden era of wrestling we had power-moves, submission holds, and high-flying finishers - Tommy & Jay talk about them all!
Being a referee in any competitive sport is not an easy job - but it's a job that needs to be respected. In the wild world of "sports entertainment" the task of the referee is a combination of rule enforcer, time manager, storyline assistant & information distributor. However, at least to the viewing audience, the primary function of a "referee" is to enforce the rules - so what happens when the "rules" are constantly blurred and ignored? Tommy & Jay take a look at the role of the wrestling referee and how it's changed over the years. They discuss some of the most memorable referee moments from the Golden Era of Pro Wrestling.
There's a few match types that always catch a wrestling fans attention - iron man, cage, and of course - the battle royal! It's an every-man-for-himself, over-the-top-rope battle to be the last man standing. Full of non-stop action, the battle royal is a great "special attraction" match that keeps fans glued to the screen. Tommy & Jay talk about the importance of this match type and some of their memories of past battle royals.
Two men enter - one man leaves! Cage matches were the ULTIMATE blowoff to a storyline or feud in the 1980's. They were special, unique and they meant something. Tommy & Jay discuss some of their favorite cage matches from the Golden Era of Wrestling.
The World Heavyweight Championship tended to be held by the wrestler who had the biggest "draw" - but the Intercontintental Championship was often reserved for the best in-ring performer at the time. Throughout the 1980's & early 90's the IC Title carried a great deal of prestige and the wrestlers who wore that belt were known for having some of the greatest matches of the era. Today, we talk about our memories of the Intercontinental Championship and the wrestlers who carried the title.
We're heading into the 4th of July weekend by discussing the wrestlers that loved their country! The golden era of wrestling was full of wrestlers that defended the honor of their nation against all-comers. Whether they were standing up for the red, white and blue or representing a foreign nation - these performers were patriotic to the core. Tommy and Jay break down some of their favorite "Patriotic Wrestlers" from the 1980's.
Remember the excitement of seeing the newest edition of your favorite Pro Wrestling magazine? The covers. The posters. The articles. The feeling of turning each page to discover what was next - reading it cover to cover. Wrestling magazines gave us an "inside look" into the world of professional wrestling beyond what we saw on Saturday mornings. For wrestling fans, as much as we LOVED watching the weekly shows, there was something incredibly special about getting our hands on the magazines.
Tommy and Jay talk a walk down memory lane and talk about old school wrestling magazines!
Tommy is the driving force behind 80s Wrestling Con and Monday Night Virtual, He is the owner & operator of the Wrestling Collector - a pro wrestling superstore, He manages multiple social media accounts with over half a million followers, He hosts this podcast and he is set to relaunch an independent wrestling promotion - all while being a down-to-eath family man.
In today's episode Tommy lets us pull the curtain back and take a look behind the scenes. Why did he fall in love with professional wrestling? How did he turn that love into his livlihood? What goes on behind the scenes of a wrestling convention? What is it like working with professional wrestlers? Where does he get his ideas, energy & drive? What other BIG ideas does he have for future endeavors? All that and more!
The Golden Era of Pro Wrestling saw some of the industries most iconic "heel" wrestlers - from talkers like "Ric Flair" to monsters like "Vader" - we talk about some of our favorites. We discuss what makes a great heel character and why heels may not be as effective in today's wrestling scene.
Tommy Sheik stops by for what may be his last visit to the show.
When it came to merchandise, ss fans of 80's Wrestling, we were spoiled! We saw action figures, posters, lunch boxes, foam figures, alarm clocks and everything in between! Fans of the Golden Era of grown to be some of the biggest collectors of vintage wrestling items! Jumpin' Jay and Tommy stroll down memory lane and talk about their favorite wrestling related items.
We conclude the show by asking "Tommy Sheik" about his favorite piece of wrestling merchandise!
We head into Memorial Day Weekend by taking a look at the most patriotic-themed WrestleMania of all time. We break down the card match by match and discuss some moments that would go on to be historically significant.
We conclude the show with asking "Shiek Tommy" what his Memorial Day plans are.
WrestleMania 4 was a unique card designed as a followup to the insanely well-recieved WrestleMania 3. The main event featured, a one-night, 14 Man -Single-Elimination-Tournament for the WWF Heavyweight Championship, in which Randy Savage defeated "The Million Dollar Man" Ted Dibiase to win the vacant title. Some believe it is the event that propelled the career of Macho Man Randy Savage to legendary status. We break the event down match by match.
We end the show with everyone's favorite segment, "Ask Tommy Shiek"
The role of the wrestling manager reached it's peak in the 1980's. Their job included speaking on the mic, working up the crowd, distracting the ref, and even interferring in matches on behalf of their wrestlers. Being an effective manager took talent - and the 1980's saw some of the best to ever do it. Tommy and Jay break down their favorites.
As always, we end the episodes with everyone's favorite segment, "Ask Tommy Sheik."
We are joined by former Olympian, Strongman & WWE Legend Ken Patera! Ken holds nothing back as he shares stories about his days as an Olympic Weightlifter, his in-ring career and even recalls what it was like drinking with Andre the Giant & living in "The Original Animal House" with Ric Flair!
All that plus Jumping Jay attempts to ask Tommy Sheik a question....that doesn't end the way he expected.
JJ Dillion is most remembered as one of the most successful managers in proffessional wrestling. He guided many wrestlers to singles and tag titles in the NWA. Dillon achieved his greatest success as the manager of the Four Horsemen which consisted of Nature Boy Ric Flair, Tully Blanchard, Arn Anderson , Ole Anderson, Lex Luger and Barry Windham.
JJ shares storie about his time as a ref, a wrestler, a manager and as VP of Talen Relations in the World Wrestling Federation.
We conclude this episode with everyone's favorite segment, "Ask Tommy Shiek."
We welcome special guests Evan Husney & Jason Eisener- creators of Viceland's hit series "The Dark Side of the Ring" to the podcast. The Dark Side of the Ring series focuses on controversial subjects and events within the realm of professional wrestling. With two amazing seasons already in the books - fans are anxiously looking ahead to season three. Jumpin' Jay and Tommy Fierro chat with Evan & Jason to hear their story, talk about the filming process, and find out what made them fall in love with world of professional wrestling.
The Franchis Shane Douglas held a dozen championships between ECW, WCW, and the WWF. As ECW Champion, he holds the records for most combined days as champion (874) and the longest single reign (406 days). Jumping Jay and Tommy are joined by The Franchis Shane Douglas to talk about his carrer inside the squared circle. Listen to the end to enjoy our newest segment, "Ask Tommy Shiek!"
Tito Santana and Hulk Hogan are the only two WWE Superstars to appear at WrestleMania's 1-9. As we continue on the road to WrestleMania, Tommy and Jay sit down with WWE Legend Tito Santana to get his take on his WrestleMania history!
We are joined by WWE Hall of Famer and Legend, The Million Dollar Man Ted Dibiase! Ted shares stories about his involvement with WrestleMania's 4 - 9. Ted talks about his iconic matches with Randy Savage, Jake the Snake, Virgil and Hogan. This is a can't miss episode for fans of 80's wrestling!
Jumpin' Jay and Tommy kick off "The Road to Virtual Mania" by talking about one of the most impactful wrestlers from the Golden Era - Jake the Snake Roberts. From his ring psychology, his promos, and his patented DDT - nobody did it like Jake the Snake.
We end the show playing "Name that Feud" with Tommy - play along and see how many feuds you can correctly identify just by hearing 30 seconds of a Jake Roberts Promo
Jay and Tommy talk about one of the most influential wrestling programs ever produced, Saturday Night's Main Event. SNME was used to launch stars, further storylines, create main stream buzz & set the wrestling scene on fire! We talk about the importance of the show, reminiscence about some of our favorite moments, and relive the excitement of SNME!
Make sure to listen to the end of the show as Tommy loses his mind, becomes the Iron ShSheik and cuts a promo you will NEVER forget!
Jumpin' Jay & Tommy are joined by former WWF host and interviewer Craig DeGeorge! Craig was host of classic 80's segments like WWF Special Report and Spotlight. Craig talks about his time in the World Wrestling Federation, gives insights into how things were done and plays the "Name Association" game!!
You know them, you love them & you still sing them in the shower! The theme songs in the 80's were catchy and unforgettable! A Wrestler's Theme Music was an extention of their character. A good theme song would get a reaction from the crowd before a wrestler even came through the curtain.
Jumpin' Jay & Tommy take a look back at ( and maybe sing along with ) the best of the best - the most memorable theme songs from the Golden Era of Professional Wrestling!
The year was 1988 and things in the World Wrestling Federation were heating up! We take a look back at Summerslam 88' a defining pay-per-view that furthered storylines and set things in motion for some BIG things to come!
Tommy & Jay run down the card on what could arguable be called the Greatest WrestleMania of them all - WrestleMania 3!
Jay and Tommy discuss the "Props" that Made 80's Wrestling something special. From Big Boss Man's Nightstick to Jim Duggans 2x4 - these props helped define characters while bringing a little something extra to certain matches. Were these items a necessity? Or just an excuse to bring a foreign object to ringside for "insurance". Let's discuss!
Tommy & Jay sit down with 80s Wrestling Superstar - Bill Eadie. Bills updates us on his health as he continues to recover from Covid-19, his career as the Masked Superstar and as part of the legendary tag team Demolition! This is a can't miss 80s Wrestling conversation!
There were a high number of quality tagteams in the 80's and, as a result, a high number of quality tagteam matches. What was different about tagteam wrestling at that time? Why did it seem so special? Tommy & Jay discuss 80's tagteam wrestling.
Tommy & Jay launch 80's Wrestling: The Podcast by revisiting some of the greatest 80's feuds of the Immortal Hulk Hogan. 80's Wrestling: The Podcast will be focused on the Golden Era of Professional Wrestling. Join us each and every week for a trip down memory lane.