Windy City Slam

One of Chicagoland’s freshest faces to the independent wrestling scene, CJ Martin joins Windy City Slam Podcast for the first time. Martin, a former football linebacker at North Park University, discusses which former WWE Superstar caught his eye when he first was exposed to pro wrestling, his Punk Rock Jocks team with Jordan Kross at 2econd Wrestling, being a part of Darin Corbin’s Conduits of Corbin’s Knowledge at Freelance Wrestling, training at Freelance Wrestling Academy, his upcoming six-man scramble at SSW HORSEPOWER IV, the rest of card at HORSEPOWER, his hatred for Tornado Kid and more. Plus, Tony Gabagool joined the show to talk about the big weekend of wrestling in Joliet with Ego Pro Chicago and Rocket Pro Wrestling. Mike also talks POWW Entertainment, Warrior Wrestling, Wrestle League, ARW Pro, AEW Revolution and NXT Vengeance Day. Mike Pankow is a 25-year-plus professional journalist and wrestling superfan who covers local Chicagoland wrestling and national promotions like AEW and WWE. If there is something going on in Chicago, Mike knows about it. Enjoy “Wrestling, Chicago-Style” on The Broadcast Basement On-Demand Radio Network! Music by Jason Shaw on Audionautix.com. Get your local wrestling fix every Tuesday everywhere podcasts can be found and always at WindyCitySlam.com!

Longtime Chicago independent wrestling personality Steve Ahrendt returns to Windy City Slam to discuss his final year in the business, working as a commentator and authority figure for places such as Rocket Pro Wrestling and Chicago Style Wrestling, his time as host of The Power Hour and the camaraderie he built with his co-hosts, the card for this weekend’s RPW “Shamrock Showdown, CSW’s big show coming to Elmwood Park, Frontline Pro, NWA Chicago and more. Plus, Mike recapped WWE Elimination Chamber weekend, Freelance Wrestling, 2econd Wrestling, Southland Championship Wrestling and Iron Spirit Pro while previewing Ego Pro Chicago and POWW Entertainment. Mike Pankow is a 25-year-plus professional journalist and wrestling superfan who covers local Chicagoland wrestling and national promotions like AEW and WWE. If there is something going on in Chicago, Mike knows about it. Enjoy “Wrestling, Chicago-Style” on The Broadcast Basement On-Demand Radio Network! Music by Jason Shaw on Audionautix.com. Get your local wrestling fix every Tuesday everywhere podcasts can be found and always at WindyCitySlam.com!

In his mid-20s, THE Ryan Matthews just decided it was time to step away from pro wrestling just eight years into the business. The former Chicago Style Wrestling Tag Team Champion, Rocket Pro Outer Limits Champion and White Castle Crave Champion joined Windy City Slam to reflect upon his career, favorite moments, memories and opponents, The Brass, The Undeniable, why he decided to step away, his upcoming final match against Trip Jordy at Ego Pro Chicago on March 6 and what could be next in his life. Plus, Mike recapped CSW and AAW Pro events and previewed WWE Elimination Chamber weekend in Chicago and local lineups from Freelance, 2econd Wrestling, Southland Championship Wrestling, Ultimate Combat Gauntlet and Iron Spirit Pro. Mike Pankow is a 25-year-plus professional journalist and wrestling superfan who covers local Chicagoland wrestling and national promotions like AEW and WWE. If there is something going on in Chicago, Mike knows about it. Enjoy “Wrestling, Chicago-Style” on The Broadcast Basement On-Demand Radio Network! Music by Jason Shaw on Audionautix.com. Get your local wrestling fix every Tuesday everywhere podcasts can be found and always at WindyCitySlam.com!

A little bit of a late bloomer in the wrestling business, “Rockstar” Jonny Nigh’s career didn’t start till he was 28 years old. Now, a bit of a grizzled veteran, the new Rocket Pro Wrestling Outer Limits Champion joins Windy City Slam to talk about his career, recent run in RPW, ride with The Idols and how much of a family that faction was, his first title defense coming up next month, how a chance meeting at a birthday party got him in the door, how important Rion Skillz was to him and others in the business, the rise of Maximus Orion and more. Plus, Mike recaps AEW Grand Slam Australia and TNA No Surrender and hits the highlights of Wrestle League’s “Berwyn Blitz,” while also previewing cards from Chicago Style Wrestling, AAW Pro and POWW Entertainment. Mike Pankow is a 25-year-plus professional journalist and wrestling superfan who covers local Chicagoland wrestling and national promotions like AEW and WWE. If there is something going on in Chicago, Mike knows about it. Enjoy “Wrestling, Chicago-Style” on The Broadcast Basement On-Demand Radio Network! Music by Jason Shaw on Audionautix.com. Get your local wrestling fix every Tuesday everywhere podcasts can be found and always at WindyCitySlam.com!

Despite a minor setback of dropping the Rocket Pro Wrestling Championship, Shaq Jordan’s star has risen exponentially over the last two years. Jordan, the current Frontline Pro Champion, returns to Windy City Slam Podcast to talk about his all-star faction and RPW, breaking through at Frontline, his desire to regain the Wrestle League Champion and what WL means to him, working with and being trained by Mustafa Ali and much more. Special correspondent Tony Gabagool also joins the show to recap Rocket Pro’s “Cupid’s Carnage while Mike recaps highlights from DREAMWAVE and POWW Entertainment and previews events from Wrestle League and AllStar Lucha Libre as well as TNA and AEW premium live events. Mike Pankow is a 25-year-plus professional journalist and wrestling superfan who covers local Chicagoland wrestling and national promotions like AEW and WWE. If there is something going on in Chicago, Mike knows about it. Enjoy “Wrestling, Chicago-Style” on The Broadcast Basement On-Demand Radio Network! Music by Jason Shaw on Audionautix.com. Get your local wrestling fix every Tuesday everywhere podcasts can be found and always at WindyCitySlam.com!

Former WWE Digital staffer Jordan Garretson returns to Windy City Slam Podcast to break down all the happenings from last weekend’s Royal Rumble, what was good, what fell flat and the future holds during the Road to WrestleMania while Mike harps on Chelsea Green being pigeonholed in her WWE role and some contrived moments in the Rumble matches. Jordan and Mike also look ahead at some potential WrestleMania matchups. Plus, we recap 2econd Wrestling and FabWrestling results and preview lineups for DREAMWAVE, Rocket Pro Wrestling, POWW Entertainment and Bloodstone Wrestling. Mike Pankow is a 25-year-plus professional journalist and wrestling superfan who covers local Chicagoland wrestling and national promotions like AEW and WWE. If there is something going on in Chicago, Mike knows about it. Enjoy “Wrestling, Chicago-Style” on The Broadcast Basement On-Demand Radio Network! Music by Jason Shaw on Audionautix.com. Get your local wrestling fix every Tuesday everywhere podcasts can be found and always at WindyCitySlam.com!

Being part of a pro wrestling family, it only made sense that Brian Allen got into the business. But the vocation he chose may not be as glamorous as being a wrestler, but a referee is still very important to a show. Allen, whose father and brother are wrestlers, joined Windy City Slam Podcast to discuss how he became a ref, if he ever had an inclination to become a wrestler, a story about his dad picking up King Kong Bundy from the airport, a bizarre incident at Juggalo Championship Wrestling, working for places such as POWW Entertainment, AAW Pro and Ego Pro Chicago, his connection with Robert “Ego” Anthony and more. Plus, Mike previews WWE Royal Rumble, 2econd Wrestling and FabWrestling and recaps Southland Championship Wrestling. Mike Pankow is a 25-year-plus professional journalist and wrestling superfan who covers local Chicagoland wrestling and national promotions like AEW and WWE. If there is something going on in Chicago, Mike knows about it. Enjoy “Wrestling, Chicago-Style” on The Broadcast Basement On-Demand Radio Network! Music by Jason Shaw on Audionautix.com. Get your local wrestling fix every Tuesday everywhere podcasts can be found and always at WindyCitySlam.com!

“Being the dumbest one in the room” has certainly helped young Drillbit Damien Walker grow up pretty quickly in the wrestling business. Surrounding himself with people with “Ice Pick” Vic Capri, Doug Simmons, Jordan Kross, Missa Kate and Pat Monix, Walker has shown signs of a bright future, and he discusses his journey on this week’s Windy City Slam. Walker talks about training at The IcePick Academy, evaluates what he’s improved upon over the last year, working with Dave Rydell and Jeff Luxon with The Wreckers, time with SSW, All Heel Wrestling and 2econd Wrestling, getting in the door with ARW Pro and Chicago Style Wrestling and more. Plus, Mike recaps TNA Genesis and CSW’s “Season Premiere” and previews lineups for Ultimate Combat Gauntlet, Southland Championship Wrestling, 2econd Wrestling and POWW Entertainment. Mike Pankow is a 25-year-plus professional journalist and wrestling superfan who covers local Chicagoland wrestling and national promotions like AEW and WWE. If there is something going on in Chicago, Mike knows about it. Enjoy “Wrestling, Chicago-Style” on The Broadcast Basement On-Demand Radio Network! Music by Jason Shaw on Audionautix.com. Get your local wrestling fix every Tuesday everywhere podcasts can be found and always at WindyCitySlam.com!

In a card-subject-to-change episode of Windy City Slam, “The Punk Rock Prince” Jordan Kross joins us again to talk SSW’s “HORSEPOWER IV” event coming in March and the talent that has been announced, his SSW Championship against his father, how The Punk Rock Jocks team with CJ Martin came together in 2econd Wrestling, expanding his reach to the Northeast, working for DREAMWAVE and more. Plus, Mike recaps Freelance Wrestling, Rocket Pro Wrestling and ARW Pro, previews lineups from 2econd, Chicago Style Wrestling, Warrior Wrestling, GALLI Lucha Libre and TNA Genesis and offers his take on the WWE Undisputed Championship changing hands. Mike Pankow is a 25-year-plus professional journalist and wrestling superfan who covers local Chicagoland wrestling and national promotions like AEW and WWE. If there is something going on in Chicago, Mike knows about it. Enjoy “Wrestling, Chicago-Style” on The Broadcast Basement On-Demand Radio Network! Music by Jason Shaw on Audionautix.com. Get your local wrestling fix every Tuesday everywhere podcasts can be found and always at WindyCitySlam.com!

2econd Wrestling promoter Rabbi Jeremy Fine returns to Windy City Slam Podcast to discuss four years in the wrestling business, relationship with Colt Cabana, previews of two shows this month (including “Clouded Judgement” and “Thriller In The Miller 3), Sean Login, David Ali, Missa Kate, what’s ahead in 2026 for 2econd, Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears and more. Plus, Mike recaps happenings from AAW Pro “Windy City Classic XX” and previews lineups from Freelance Wrestling, Rocket Pro Wrestling, ARW Pro and Healthy Brain Entertainment. Mike Pankow is a 25-year-plus professional journalist and wrestling superfan who covers local Chicagoland wrestling and national promotions like AEW and WWE. If there is something going on in Chicago, Mike knows about it. Enjoy “Wrestling, Chicago-Style” on The Broadcast Basement On-Demand Radio Network! Music by Jason Shaw on Audionautix.com. Get your local wrestling fix every Tuesday everywhere podcasts can be found and always at WindyCitySlam.com!

He’s a jacked specimen and a double champ in the ring and culinary artist outside of it. Will Emory, who has re-emerged over the last couple of years as a dominant force in POWW Entertainment, joins Windy City Slam Podcast for the first time to talk about the two stages of his in-ring career – as “The High Priest” William Jacobs and becoming “Champ Champ” after coming back from his hiatus, what caused him to take two years off from wrestling and what pushed him to come back, his upcoming match with Acid Jaz at “New Year’s Retribution, aligning with TINY and Chandler McClure, Mason Percs, what got him into cooking, his training and athletic background and more. Plus, Mike brings news from AEW Worlds End, Southland Championship Wrestling and AAW Pro. Mike Pankow is a 25-year-plus professional journalist and wrestling superfan who covers local Chicagoland wrestling and national promotions like AEW and WWE. If there is something going on in Chicago, Mike knows about it. Enjoy “Wrestling, Chicago-Style” on The Broadcast Basement On-Demand Radio Network! Music by Jason Shaw on Audionautix.com. Get your local wrestling fix every Tuesday everywhere podcasts can be found and always at WindyCitySlam.com!

A former Freelance Wrestling World Champion and a regular in Ego Pro Chicago, Alfonso Gonzalez is a talented wrestler and just a hilarious guy. Gonzalez returns for a special holiday edition of Windy City Slam to discuss his new Christmas album (he’s a recording artist now, too), being the first wrestler to cash in a Red Star Medallion at Freelance, an altercation with Jeff Jarrett at an Iron Spirit Pro event, being a trainer at Mustafa Ali’s Chicago Wrestling Center, emerging CWC students Brian Gorta, Andre Flo and Jonny Black, Ego Pro’s upcoming show at Hollywood Casino, his favorite all-time Christmas gifts, his take on New Year’s Resolutions and more. Plus, Mike brings news from Wrestle League, Southland Championship Wrestling and 2econd Wrestling and previews lineups for AAW Pro’s Windy City Classic XX and AEW Worlds End. Mike Pankow is a 25-year-plus professional journalist and wrestling superfan who covers local Chicagoland wrestling and national promotions like AEW and WWE. If there is something going on in Chicago, Mike knows about it. Enjoy “Wrestling, Chicago-Style” on The Broadcast Basement On-Demand Radio Network! Music by Jason Shaw on Audionautix.com. Get your local wrestling fix every Tuesday everywhere podcasts can be found and always at WindyCitySlam.com!

He’s brash, he’s cool, he’s the new ARW Pro Champion. “Marvelous” Donovan Marcelous joins Windy City Slam Podcast for the first time to talk about beating Greg Glover for the ARW title, his run in AAW Pro with Joe Alonzo where he helped Chuck Smooth’s 6-year-old son turn on him, the influence of his wrestling father, working the Hammond Civic Center, getting advanced training from Ace Steel and more. Plus, Mike tributes John Cena and “Chicago’s Sweetheart” Missa Kate, who both wrestled their final matches last weekend, and runs down Saturday Night’s Main Event, Chicago Style Wrestling and Freelance Wrestling shows and previews lineups for Wrestle League and Southland Championship Wrestling. Mike Pankow is a 25-year-plus professional journalist and wrestling superfan who covers local Chicagoland wrestling and national promotions like AEW and WWE. If there is something going on in Chicago, Mike knows about it. Enjoy “Wrestling, Chicago-Style” on The Broadcast Basement On-Demand Radio Network! Music by Jason Shaw on Audionautix.com. Get your local wrestling fix every Tuesday everywhere podcasts can be found and always at WindyCitySlam.com!

He’s in the middle of many things at Rocket Pro Wrestling. He’s Tony Gabagool. Windy City Slam’s RPW special correspondent gets the featured guest treatment this week as he recaps “Christmas Chaos,” which featured the crowning of a new RPW Champion, and discusses winning a championship for 38 seconds, the state of the Chicago wrestling scene, John Cena’s retirement tour, the return of Tony D’Angelo and more. Plus, Mike recaps a weekend chock full of action from TNA, ROH, NXT, 2econd Wrestling, Warrior Wrestling, DREAMWAVE and POWW Entertainment and previews cards from Chicago Style Wrestling and Freelance Wrestling. Mike Pankow is a 25-year-plus professional journalist and wrestling superfan who covers local Chicagoland wrestling and national promotions like AEW and WWE. If there is something going on in Chicago, Mike knows about it. Enjoy “Wrestling, Chicago-Style” on The Broadcast Basement On-Demand Radio Network! Music by Jason Shaw on Audionautix.com. Get your local wrestling fix every Tuesday everywhere podcasts can be found and always at WindyCitySlam.com!

Cutting her teeth on the West Coast and training with the New Japan Pro Wrestling dojo, “La Traviesa” Johnnie Robbie is expanding her horizons. Robbie, the current West Coast Pro Champion, joins Windy City Slam Podcast to talk about her Chicago debut at Warrior Wrestling when she faces AEW star Willow Nightengale, getting into the business after a friend got her into watching wrestling, the respect of the business at the New Japan dojo, taking her first tour of Japan earlier this year, working against one of her trainers in Shane Haste, her vast experiences around the world, gaining perspective on wrestling by at first working as a referee, working for WOW Superheroes and more. Plus, Mike recaps WWE Survivor Series, ARW Pro and Janesville Wrestling Alliance and previewing a huge weekend of shows from 2econd Wrestling, DREAMWAVE, Rocket Pro Wrestling, POWW Entertainment, Warrior Wrestling, GALLI Lucha Libre, FabWrestling, NWA Chicago and GLCW’s Blizzard Brawl. Mike Pankow is a 25-year-plus professional journalist and wrestling superfan who covers local Chicagoland wrestling and national promotions like AEW and WWE. If there is something going on in Chicago, Mike knows about it. Enjoy “Wrestling, Chicago-Style” on The Broadcast Basement On-Demand Radio Network! Music by Jason Shaw on Audionautix.com. Get your local wrestling fix every Tuesday everywhere podcasts can be found and always at WindyCitySlam.com!

A phenomenon on the Chicagoland independent scene, Warrior Wrestling is returning and bringing back some of its household names. Warrior promoter Steve Tortorello joins Windy City Slam Podcast to discuss the parameters of the return, its upcoming show on Dec. 5 in Chicago, the card for “Resurrection,” which includes AEW star Willow Nightengale, international star Sam Adonis and more, the lucha libre heritage in Warrior, whether the company could return to Marian Catholic and more. Plus, Mike has a smorgasbord of coverage from around wrestling, including results from Chicago Style Wrestling, Freelance Wrestling, Southland Championship Wrestling, House of Glory and AEW Full Gear and previews of WWE Survivor Series, ARW Pro, Ultimate Combat Gauntlet and the return of Janesville Wrestling Alliance. Mike Pankow is a 25-year-plus professional journalist and wrestling superfan who covers local Chicagoland wrestling and national promotions like AEW and WWE. If there is something going on in Chicago, Mike knows about it. Enjoy “Wrestling, Chicago-Style” on The Broadcast Basement On-Demand Radio Network! Music by Jason Shaw on Audionautix.com. Get your local wrestling fix every Tuesday everywhere podcasts can be found and always at WindyCitySlam.com!

Holder of multiple championships and a local wrestling trainer, Axel Rico made time to come back to Windy City Slam Podcast to talk about his exploits. Rico discussed his Metra Division title defense against FxB at Chicago Style Wrestling’s “Second City Showdown V,” his run as GALLI Lucha Libre World Championship (including a recent defense against Bandido and Gravity), being part of FOBIA at 2econd Wrestling, making his in-ring debut at GLCW’s “Blizzard Brawl” in Wisconsin, Rafael Quintero’s rise, other CSW students that have impressed him, what’s ahead in 2026 and more. Plus, Mike recaps TNA Turning Point, NXT Live in Chicago and Laynie Luck winning the WWE ID Women’s Championship and previews Freelance Wrestling, CSW, AAW Pro, POWW Entertainment, Southland Championship Wrestling, House of Glory and AEW Full Gear this weekend. Mike Pankow is a 25-year-plus professional journalist and wrestling superfan who covers local Chicagoland wrestling and national promotions like AEW and WWE. If there is something going on in Chicago, Mike knows about it. Enjoy “Wrestling, Chicago-Style” on The Broadcast Basement On-Demand Radio Network! Music by Jason Shaw on Audionautix.com. Get your local wrestling fix every Tuesday everywhere podcasts can be found and always at WindyCitySlam.com!

Less than three years into the wrestling business, Rafael Quintero already has worked in AEW and TNA rings and is one of the hottest prospects on the Chicagoland scene. “The Diamond In The Rough” returns to Windy City Slam Podcast to talk about the latest in his career, including his upcoming AAW Pro Championship match against Trevor Lee at “Smokeshow,” his rivalry with Victor Iniestra at Chicago Style Wrestling and GALLI Lucha Libre, being trained by Axel Rico at the CSW Academy, match vs. Jack Valor and Chico Suave at Ego Pro Chicago, working with 2econd Wrestling, meeting Kazuchika Okada and then wrestling him on AEW Dynamite, getting advance from Bandido, tattoos and more. Plus, Mike talks local highlights from ARW Pro, AllStar Lucha Libre and Healthy Brain Entertainment and welcomes Tony Gabagool to recap Rocket Pro Wrestling’s eventful “Harvest Havoc.” Mike Pankow is a 25-year-plus professional journalist and wrestling superfan who covers local Chicagoland wrestling and national promotions like AEW and WWE. If there is something going on in Chicago, Mike knows about it. Enjoy “Wrestling, Chicago-Style” on The Broadcast Basement On-Demand Radio Network! Music by Jason Shaw on Audionautix.com. Get your local wrestling fix every Tuesday everywhere podcasts can be found and always at WindyCitySlam.com!

Windy City Slam Podcast celebrates its 300th episode with one of our biggest guests to date. Chicagoland/Joliet pro wrestling legend Robert “Ego” Anthony joins the program to discuss the rise of his promotion, Ego Pro Chicago, how working hand-in-hand with the special needs community helped grow the brand, some of the fantastic talent in Ego Pro, a new working relationship with Mustafa Ali’s Chicago Wrestling Center, returning to AAW Pro a couple of years ago after a tremendous run in Freelance Wrestling, being a part of the WWE developmental system over 15 years ago with a who’s who of name-brand talent, the origins of Egostistico Fantastico, toy and memorabilia collecting, a story of getting Bret Hart’s signature on a vintage Hasbro figure and more. Plus, Mike recaps POWW Entertainment’s “WrestleRage 23” and shows from Wrestle League and Iron Spirit Pro and previews Rocket Pro Wrestling’s “Harvest Havoc.” Mike Pankow is a 25-year-plus professional journalist and wrestling superfan who covers local Chicagoland wrestling and national promotions like AEW and WWE. If there is something going on in Chicago, Mike knows about it. Enjoy “Wrestling, Chicago-Style” on The Broadcast Basement On-Demand Radio Network! Music by Jason Shaw on Audionautix.com. Get your local wrestling fix every Tuesday everywhere podcasts can be found and always at WindyCitySlam.com!

With a four-year commitment to the United States Army beginning in a couple of months, local independent wrestler Gunner Brave (aka Gunner Cain) returned to Windy City Slam Podcast to tell his story. Brave explains his decision to join the army, defending his Iron Spirit Pro Championship against Solomon Tupu, his time in Rocket Pro Wrestling and helping put over Shaq Jordan on his way out, living in an apartment with Tupu and Conan Lycan years ago, his close friend “Sabotage” Sean Logan, his favorite matches and more. Plus, Mike recaps an eventful Ego Pro Chicago’s “Battle at The Dome II” and catches up with “Uncle T” Solomon Tupu following his match against Jake Something. There’s also coverage of Southland Championship Wrestling, 2econd Wrestling and NXT Halloween Havoc and a preview of POWW Entertainment’s “Wrestle Rage 23.” Mike Pankow is a 25-year-plus professional journalist and wrestling superfan who covers local Chicagoland wrestling and national promotions like AEW and WWE. If there is something going on in Chicago, Mike knows about it. Enjoy “Wrestling, Chicago-Style” on The Broadcast Basement On-Demand Radio Network! Music by Jason Shaw on Audionautix.com. Get your local wrestling fix every Tuesday everywhere podcasts can be found and always at WindyCitySlam.com!