Portland Wrestling

🎙️ Episode 12: “Geronimo,Cordoza, Ivanhoff, and Red Fox”They weren’t headliners. They weren’t champions. Some barely lasted a single night in Don Owen’s House of Action. But they all laced up their boots and stepped into the ring in Portland.In this episode, we shine a light on four names you’veprobably never heard of:Geronimo — a short run in 1971, never winning a match but part of the long tradition of Native gimmicks.Pablo Cordoza — three matches in 1972, all losses, then gone without a trace.Serge Ivanhoff — maybe really Ivan Crnkovic, a Canadian part-timer who got one match in Portland under a new alias.Billy Red Fox — one match, one draw, and a mystery that lingers.These are the fleeting names, the wrestlers who slippedthrough the cracks but still belong to the story of Portland Wrestling.📚 Inspired by The Encyclopedia of Portland Wrestlers by Mike Rodgers — available now on Amazon.📅 New episodes every Tuesday and Friday!🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your wrestling history fix.🔔 Don’t miss the next deep cut from the archives of Portland Wrestling.Because even in obscurity… there’s always a story.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Episode 4 dives into three wildly different personalitieswho helped define Portland Wrestling from the mid-card to the semi-main event level — the wrestlers fans loved, hated, and never forgot.Host Frank Culbertson spotlights:🎤 Scotty the Body (Raven) — the sharp-tongued, quick-witted heel who talked his way into Portland Wrestling and became one of the territory’s most entertaining personalities. A three-time NW champion and future ECW icon.🔥 Al Madril — the veteran fans watched grow from rookie to master manipulator. Charismatic, crafty, and a natural heel, Madril was a Northwest staple for more than a decade.🤠 Tex McKenzie — awkward, unorthodox, and impossible not to cheer for. Despite his clumsy style, Tex drew crowds everywhere he went and became one of the Northwest’s most beloved big men.These weren’t the megastars — they were the performers who kept the territory alive with personality, unpredictability, and heart.Based on The Encyclopedia of Portland Wrestlers byhistorian Mike Rodgers, available now on Amazon.Follow on Spotify and Apple Podcasts — new episodes every Friday.

NW Favorites: The Heart of Portland WrestlingEpisode 3 dives into three of the most memorable villains inPortland Wrestling history — the intimidating, wild, and fiercely believable heels who helped define the territory just beneath its superstar tier.Host Frank Culbertson covers:💀 Killer Brooks —a rugged, chaotic brawler who debuted the same night as Roddy Piper, teamed with him, feuded with him, and became one of the only territories to ever cheer him as a babyface.🪓 Rasputin (Black Angus) — a monstrous presence with long hair, a choking strap, and a reputation for terrifying toughness. He battled Dutch Savage, Jimmy Snuka, and even captured the Northwest title.☠️ The Skull — one of Portland’s most unforgettable villains, teaming with Tony Borne, feuding with Lonnie Mayne, and cutting promos so bizarre and compelling that Vancouver promoter Sandor Kovacs called him “the biggest drawVancouver ever had.”These weren’t the megastars of Portland Wrestling — theywere the semi-main event staples, the heat magnets, the characters fans never forgot.Based on The Encyclopedia of Portland Wrestlers byhistorian Mike Rodgers, available now on Amazon.Follow on Spotify and Apple Podcasts — new episodes every Friday.

Spotify Description — Episode 2Episode 2 of Northwest Favorites: The Heart of PortlandWrestling spotlights three influential stars who helped define the territory from the mid-card to the semi-main event level — the wrestlers who weren’t national megastars, but who were absolutely essential to Portland’s identity.Host Frank Culbertson explores:🔹 Billy White Wolf— a respected athlete and multi-time NW champion who blended power, skill, and charisma long before becoming Sheik Adnan Al-Kaissey.🔹Rocky Johnson — a polished veteran who brought instant star power and delivered memorable clashes with Buddy Rose, Stasiak, and the top names of 1981–82.🔹Ed Francis — a former World Junior Heavyweight champion whose return to Portland in the ’70s led to unforgettable tag battles with the Royal Kangaroos.These men weren’t the territory’s absolute superstars — theywere the heartbeat just beneath that level, the performers fans connected with and came to see week after week.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.

Episode 1: Ed Wiskowski, Bobby Jaggers & John NordNorthwest Favorites: The Heart of Portland Wrestlingkicks off with three of the most important “second-tier” stars in territory history — the wrestlers who weren’t national superstars, but who carried Portland Wrestling on their backs week after week.Host Frank Culbertson spotlights:💥 Ed Wiskowski — master of reinvention, unforgettable heel, and one half of one of the greatest teams in Northwest history.💥Bobby Jaggers — gritty, emotional, and authentic… a four-time NW champion who connected with Portland fans like few others.💥John Nord — the explosive brawler whose late-80s intensity gave the territory some of its last great moments.These were the co-headliners, the fan favorites, and the fierce rivals who defined the Portland Sports Arena 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 #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.

🎙️ 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.

🎙️ 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. 

🎙️ 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.

🎙️ 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. 🎄🎁

🎙️ Ringside in RoseCity #14 – Oh Yeah: The Hawaii–Portland Pipeline Ringside In Rose City #14One ring. One city. A thousand stories.And this week… we trade the rain for palm trees and trace the wild, tangled history between Hawaii wrestling and Portland wrestling.In Episode #14 of Ringside in Rose City, FrankCulbertson and Mike Rogers crack open an envelope marked “Hawaii” and dive into the wrestlers, angles, and behind-the-scenes chaos that forever linked the islands to the Sports Arena.Frank, Mike, and producer Lisa Hughes (keeping thestudio festive, spinning the wheel, and springing K-Fabe Curveballs) walk you through:🌺 Buddy Rose on the Beach – The infamous “Playboy in Hawaii” video, the Fremont Bridge belt toss, suspensions, and why half of Portland swears they were there to “catch” the title.🌴 Piper, Martel, the Sheepherders & Siva Afi – How booking in Honolulu became a dry run for one of Portland’s hottest eras, and why Hawaii was paradise and financial quicksand.🏟️ Parade of Champions, 1967 – Stack the card with Lord James Blears, Ripper Collins, Johnny Barend, Pat Patterson & Ray Stevens, Lonnie Mayne, Tony Borne… and still slip in Don Leo Jonathan vs. Stan Stasiak in a “super dreadnought” clash.⚓ Lord Blears’ Real-Life War Story – Torpedoes, a submarine, an escape from mass execution, and clinging to a makeshift life raft in the Pacific.🤯 Eric Pederson: Torpedoes, Geiger Counters & the Orchestra Pit – World-title shots blown off to go uranium hunting, jailhouse bodybuilding photos, and the night adropkick sent him into the orchestra pit with his head stuck under the stairs.👑 The Francis Family & Who Really Owned Hawaii – Ed Francis borrowing money from Don Owen to buy the territory, going off TV, restarting, selling to Steve Rickard, the murky rise of Peter Maivia as promoter, and letters that only make the story stranger.😴 Blindfold Battle Royals & Sleeper Holds – The Portland blindfold battle royal with one unmasked surprise entrant… and Ed Francis’ terrifyingly “serious” sleeper that needed a neck massage and back-slap revival every time.🔥 Pampero Firpo / The Missing Link – Short, weird run in Portland, legendary status in Hawaii, riots, scars, “Ohhh yeah!” long before another guy said it, and why he should have been a much bigger star here.🐻 Bears in Hawaii & Dutch as Dutch Schultz – Dutch Savage vs. a bear, King Curtis, Ripper Collins, and the wild Rat Pack years.🌊 Dean Ho / Dean Higuchi – Portland babyface favorite, Hawaiian gym owner, WWWF tag champ, and a man so nice the boys still ribbed him by calling him “Mr. Fuji.”Plus, Lisa drops in with a holiday-flavored K-Fabe Curveballs segment—wrestling questions, Christmas music, Santa judging the naughty list, and Mike trying to go 3-for-3 without getting figuratively bodyslammed.Hawaii. Portland. Full nelsons, bears, submarines, orchestrapits, and belts in the Willamette.Step into the arena. Hit play.This is wrestling—wrestling the way it should be. 

And this week… one epic, extra-long, 90-minute dive into the voices that built the Pacific Northwest.Frank Culbertson & a very congested but tough-as-nails MikeRodgers crack open the envelope marked “Excitement in the Air — Volume 1.”What follows is a journey into three decades of Mike’s interviews with the wrestlers who defined the territory.These are the conversations that shaped Ring Around theNorthwest, preserved history long before podcasts existed, and connected Mike directly with the legends themselves — from world champions to outlaws, technicians to territorial gods. 📖 Bull Ramos – The Breakout Heel Who Broke Arms and Box OfficesThe three-day drive from Houston to a territory he “didn’t even know existed.”Fritz Von Erich sending him north because “Portland needs akiller heel.”Breaking Lonnie Mayne’s arm on night one… and instantlybecoming a main-event sensation.The hilarious story of Dutch Savage’s stinky-finger prankinvolving salmon eggs.Bull loved the territory, loved the crowds, and made history— even if he thought coming here “was a mistake.” 😡 Dutch Savage – The Most Salty, Explosive Interview Mike Ever DidDutch comes in hot, and never cools down:The rib that almost ended Mike’s interview before it began.Tales from Dutch’s days in Hawaii, wrestling bears, and working with Ed Francis and Lord Blears.A nuclear-level blow-up with Don Owen involving a napkin, a buyout, and insults that scorched the table.Why Dutch thought Bull Ramos was one of the greatest heelshe ever faced — maybe the greatest.This is Dutch at full volume: blunt, fiery, hilarious, and utterly unforgettable. 🏆 Lou Thesz – The World Champion in Full “Hooker Philosopher” ModeWhy he hated tag team wrestling but respected Dory Funk Sr.His deep admiration for Don Leo Jonathan, and why hebelieved DLJ could’ve been unbeatable with two years of pure hooking training.A spontaneous Portland match in 1981 against Gene Kiniskiafter Don Owen asked, “Do you have your gear?”His old-school approach to finishes: “If there’s a disagreement, we take it to the ring and see what happens.”Classic Lou — direct, sharp, and living history. 💥 Killer (Bad News) Brooks – Wheelbarrows, Snakes & Portland’s Only Babyface RunThe legendary wheelbarrow promo with Piper, Rose, andWiskowski — one of Portland’s most iconic segments.Why turning babyface in Portland was the strangest twist ofhis career.The rib from Race Bannon involving a snake in Piper’s car that nearly sent them both off the highway. 💪 Scott Norton – Green as Grass, Strong as an OxHis disastrous first match The infamous Al Madril clothesline incident that almost ended in a fight.Don Owen wanting to fire him on day one……and then later begging him to stay.The classic Don payoff speeches: “I had to put tiles in thebathroom… the electric bill went up $3…” 🎲 K-Fabe Curveballs – Christmas EditionCharlie Brown mac & cheese mathBird-counting nightmares from “The 12 Days of Christmas”A big Joe Turner jam leading into earthquake triviaAnd yes — Mike finally gets one right.Chaos, confusion, Christmas cheer… classic Curveballs. 💼 Red Bastien, Ricky Hunter, Don Leo Jonathan & MoreRed Bastien, one of wrestling’s kindest souls and a connector of generationsRicky Hunter, who instantly won the respect of the NorthwestKurt Von Steiger, Nick Kozak, and the lost art of enforcing tag ropesDon Leo Jonathan, including the night Andre the Giant accidentally fell on him and changed his lifeAnd a rare, perfectly kayfabed interview with Stan Stasiak, who gave Mike exactly nothing about winning the WWWF titleHistory. Humor. Heart. All in one episode. Grab a warm drink (Mike certainly needed one), settle in, and enjoy this 90-minute tribute to the interviews that kept the Northwest alive.Hit play and feel the excitement in the air. 

🎙️ Ringside in Rose City#11 – Thanksgiving in Salem: Turkeys, Tag Teams, and Total ChaosOne ring. One city. A thousand stories.And this week… a thousand helpings of stuffing, blood, and coal miner’s gloves.For Episode #11 of Ringside in Rose City, Frank Culbertson and Mike Rogers sit down on Thanksgiving Day—plates piled high, Lisa holding a carving knife, and the studio smelling like heaven—to spin the wheel. Every envelope is the same. Every topic gobbles.Welcome to Thanksgiving Wrestling in Salem.Portland never ran on Thanksgiving…But Salem?Salem turned Turkey Day into absolute mayhem.Frank and Mike serve up a full holiday platter of stories,results, and legendary oddities from 1940 to 1990, including:🦃 The Early YearsDude Chick, cowboy champion and Gene Autry stunt-double, tearing it up in 1940.Free turkeys for the ladies. Cornish game hens for the midget wrestlers.How boxing, wrestling, and chaos collided in the Luther Lindsay vs. The Hangman 20-round glove fight.🦃 The Loaded ’70sThe 1971 Three-Man Thanksgiving War: Savage, Morrow & Bo vs. The Kangaroos + Rocky Montero.The 1973 $500 battle royal where Snuka “flopped” onto Ripper Collins for the win.1975’s overloaded menu: Savage, Norman Charles, Snuka, Ramos, Eagles, Ports, Boyd, Vachon—and a coal miner’sglove match nobody saw coming.Youngblood, Goldie Rogers, and Tony Russo (barefoot brawler and 10-second Tony Bourne conqueror).🦃 The Chaotic ’80sSix-man cage matches, Backstreet Survival Matches, and the TV Title defended on a show not on TV.Jerry O pinning Matt Bourne (!)Jimmy “Siva” Afi’s Portland days…and his career detour working for Tom Peterson’s furniture store.The infamous 1987 Thanksgiving where Sandy Barr wrestled Rip Oliver at age 49 (even though it felt like 75).🦃 The Wild Late-Territory EraThe 1988 armory ads featuring…Hulk Hogan punching Andre the Giant (but in Salem? Not so much).Five “Super Main Events” (or was it six?) including:Logger Match – Rip Oliver vs. The GrapplerI Quit Match – Beetlejuice vs. Jonathan HollidayCoal Miner’s Glove – Steve Dahl vs. Scotty the BodyAnd the 1990 20-Man Survivor’s Bash—a 10-man team vs. an 8-man team because… territory wrestling.And of course…No Thanksgiving episode would be complete without K-Fabe Curveballs, where Mike swings and misses at Swanson TV dinner trivia, chipmunks, poem history, and a jazz track tied to Sandy Barr by way of Chris Bilbao. You couldn’t script this with a straight face if you tried.Whether it’s turkeys, tag teams, cage matches, or Cornishgame hens…Thanksgiving in Salem had it all.Dig in, hit play, and loosen your belt. This episode is stuffed.