Dangerous Conversations w/Doug Gilbert and Tommy Rich

Episode #74 is part Q&A, part Watch-along, part road story session, and part season 3 wrap up. It’s relaxed, funny, personal, and full of the kind of stories that make Dangerous Conversations what it is: two legends talking wrestling, life, ribs, road trips, bad decisions, good memories, and everything in between. The show ends on a “cliffhanger” as Tommy disappears off screen in the last two minutes! Was he shot like J.R. Ewing back in the day?? Or did Tommy just push a wrong button on his phone?? Tune in next season to find out!!

Season Three has been a blast, but the Memphis Mafia promises that the best is yet to come in Season 4!!

On Episode #73 of Dangerous Conversations, Gene Jackson is back with “Dangerous” Doug Gilbert and Tommy “Wildfire” Rich for the show’s second video edition, and after the strong response to last week’s debut on camera, the guys are keeping the video format rolling. This week starts with Tommy reporting in from Myrtle Beach, Doug giving a positive review of Gene’s comedy show in Jackson last Saturday, and Gene checking in on the fallout from Tommy’s recent cage match with Atilla Khan.

From there, the show dives into listener questions, and this one touches on a little bit of everything: territories they wish they had worked, why Memphis wrestling struggled to create new stars after a certain period, how spot show promoters worked with the main office, memories of Kennett, Missouri, the idea of a Memphis Mafia memorial show, and much, much more!

This episode is a good mix of wrestling history, road stories, modern reflection, and the kind of casual back-and-forth that makes Dangerous Conversations work. Doug and Tommy talk about how the business used to operate, how towns were run, how stars were made, and why some things worked back then that are missing from wrestling today.

The show also teases some exciting plans for future video/live editions, including match watchalongs, untold stories, and special live shows where the stories may get a little too dangerous for the regular podcast feed.

If you love Memphis wrestling, Continental, the Memphis Mafia, old territory business, and hearing Doug Gilbert and Tommy Rich tell it like it was and it, Episode #73 is another fun and informative ride.

Episode #72 of Dangerous Conversations with Doug Gilbert & Tommy Rich marks a big first for the show, after 71 audio episodes, Doug, Tommy, and Gene Jackson finally bring Dangerous Conversations to video. (See link Below) Whether that’s a great idea or proof that some shows should stay audio-only… we’ll let the viewers decide.

The fan Q&A covers a lot of ground and this episode is a perfect example of what makes Dangerous Conversations different: one minute you’re getting serious insight into the grind of territory wrestling, the next minute Doug is flipping over Buddy Wayne’s popcorn table, Tommy is talking cage matches, and Terry Funk is somehow screaming at the promoter without realizing he’s screaming at the promoter.

Funny, honest, unpredictable, and now you can watch it on video! Episode #72 is another trip through wrestling history with two guys who lived it, survived it, and still remember the stories nobody else can tell quite like they can. 

Episode #71 of Dangerous Conversations with “Dangerous” Doug Gilbert and Tommy “Wildfire” Rich is another fan-driven Q&A episode. This week, Doug and Tommy preview several upcoming events, including Tommy stepping into a cage match in Shawneetown, Illinois on June 6th, Doug’s upcoming appearances, the Memphis Mafia hitting the road, and even some talk about future live/video versions of the podcast.

The guys also dig into listener questions covering:

• Tommy being featured on so many wrestling magazine covers in the 1980s
• What wrestling angles Eddie Gilbert would have appreciated today
• Eddie’s influence on the famous “This Is Your Life” style angle
• Doug’s favorite memories of Brian Christopher
• Who was tough — or impossible — to travel with
• Why telling a story still matters in wrestling
• The drawing power of Handsome Jimmy / Boogie Woogie Man
• Why Memphis and Georgia TV made certain wrestlers unforgettable

There’s also plenty of classic Doug and Tommy banter, including talk about live watchalong shows, future video episodes, possible live fan Q&As, old Memphis footage, Japan matches, cage matches, comedy shows, horror conventions, and a lot of other great things on the horizon for the Memphis Mafia and Dangerous Conversations!

Episode #70 of Dangerous Conversations w/Doug Gilbert & Tommy Rich is a special tribute episode remembering the life and career of Phil Hickerson, who passed away this week at the age of 79 in Jackson, Tennessee.

Phil wasn’t just another guy on the card. He was tough, believable, versatile, and the kind of wrestler who could make anybody look better just by being in the ring with them. Tommy shares memories of wrestling Phil in his very first match in Tupelo, while Doug talks about Phil being part of his first angle in Tennessee and the lessons he learned from working with him.

This episode is part career retrospective, part locker room tribute, and part celebration of a man who left a much bigger mark on wrestling than he often gets credit for.

If you only remember Phil Hickerson from one run, one gimmick, or one era, this episode gives you a much deeper look at just how respected he was by the people who worked with him, rode with him, learned from him, and loved him.

Rest in peace, Phil Hickerson.

This week, Doug Gilbert & Tommy Rich answer fan questions that go EVERYWHERE:

• Roddy Piper nearly driving Tommy off a mountain
• Eddie being in the old WCW Nintendo game in 1990
• Wrestling psychology, Japan stories & fighting back
• Buzz Sawyer suplexing somebody in a parking lot!
• Why championship belts meant more back “in the day”
• Plus: Harley Race, Stand Up Comedy, Buddy Landel, Jackie Fargo & so much more!

Funny, chaotic, honest, and completely unpredictable with stories you’ll only hear on Dangerous Conversations!

This week on Episode #68 of Dangerous Conversations, Gene Jackson sits down with Doug Gilbert and Tommy Rich for a special Mother’s Day episode packed with classic Memphis wrestling stories, rare TV moments, and unforgettable memories.

Doug & Gene open the show discussing Doug’s time in Puerto Rico and then Tommy joins the show to take a deep dive into the legendary Memphis TV appearances of Peggy Rich and Peggy Gilbert including Tommy Rich’s emotional 1980 studio segment and the infamous Power Pro Wrestling “box” angle involving Tommy Rich, Peggy Gilbert, and Randy Hales.

Classic Memphis storytelling, laughs, chaos, and family memories exactly the kind of Dangerous Conversations you’ve come to expect. 

Play this one for your Mother on Mother's Day, she'll love it!

On Episode #67 of Dangerous Conversations, Doug Gilbert and Tommy “Wildfire” Rich answer fan questions and break down the real side of the wrestling business. 

•  What it’s REALLY like being a booker (and why it’s a 24/7 job) 
•  How wrestlers actually get over (hint: it’s not always winning) 
•  The art of connecting with the audience 
•  Babyface vs. heel - which did each enjoy more?
•  Big arenas vs. Small town venues

Real stories and real insight on how the business actually worked.

The episode kicks off with Tommy getting ready for WrestleCon in Las Vegas, breaking down what fans can expect, who’s going to be there, and why it’s become one of the biggest wrestling gatherings in the world.

From there, the conversation turns into exactly what this show does best:
Doug brings in some fan researched stats and questions, leading to a fun (and sometimes hilarious) look at:

•  The championships Tommy held and which ones meant the most 
•  How titles were treated differently in the territory days vs. today 
•  The importance of regional titles like the Georgia Heavyweight Championship 
•  And why having too many belts today can take away from their meaning

They also dive into some of the more random (but fun) topics fans bring up:

•  Ring music choices and how sometimes it wasn't well thought out
•  Old tag team runs, forgotten promotions, and obscure titles 
•  And how certain small details stick with fans for decades

 This is one of those episodes that feels like you're just riding in the car to the next town with the Memphis Mafia:
 stories, laughs, memories, and a whole lot of “you can’t make this stuff up!”

This week on Dangerous Conversations, Doug Gilbert and Tommy “Wildfire” Rich open the floor to the fans and you know that means NOTHING is off limits!