Doug Gilbert and Tommy Rich are back for another episode of Dangerous Conversations and this week they discuss the topic of breaking into the wrestling business. It's a lot different now than it was "fifty and a half" years ago when Tommy broke into pro wrestling and the guys breakdown and discuss those differences with some fun "sidebars" along the way. 

If you want the truth, the real truth from two men who lived it, this episode pulls no punches.

Plus: Gene Jackson says there's a "huge announcement" coming soon about a big "Dangerous Conversations" related project coming up that you DO NOT want to miss!

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For all things related to Dangerous Conversations w/Doug Gilbert & Tommy Rich, go to www.douggilbertpodcast.com
For all things related to Gene Jackson and the Retro Wrestling Archive Podcasts, go to www.retrowrestlingarchive.club

On Episode #58 of Dangerous Conversations, “Dangerous” Doug Gilbert and Tommy “Wildfire” Rich settle in for another wild ride through wrestling history with road stories and the reality of life inside the territory era with plenty of the unpredictable tangents that make this show what it is.

This episode blends classic road story storytelling with deeper discussion about the wrestling business itself, including promoter reputation, territory economics, and how relationships in wrestling were often built on trust, handshake deals, and personal reputation.

The conversation moves between hilarious travel stories, territory promotion memories, and serious reflection on how the business has changed, especially when it comes to media, storytelling, and how wrestling history is presented today.

The episode also dives into a bigger philosophical theme:How wrestling history gets told…Who gets to tell it…And why personal experience often differs from the “documentary version” fans see years later.

As always, the episode wraps with upcoming appearance talk, fan interaction appreciation, and reflections on how surreal it is to still be talking wrestling 40–50 years after first breaking into the business.

On this episode of Dangerous Conversations with “Dangerous” Doug Gilbert & Tommy “Wildfire” Rich, the conversation turns into a cautionary tale straight out of wrestling’s wildest independent era.

Prompted by a listener question, Doug and Tommy peel back the curtain on John Collins and the infamous Main Event Championship Wrestling promotion, a short lived, money fueled disaster that brought together major names, wild promises, bad checks, and one of the most unbelievable promoter stories you’ll ever hear that ends with a prison sentence.

Topics covered include:

* How Doug and Tommy first met John Collins

* The early warning signs that things weren’t what they seemed

* Fake checks, fake banks, and nonexistent accounts

* Collins’ obsession with rubbing shoulders with wrestlers

* Why having “money” doesn’t make you a promoter (or businessman)

* Why this promotion was doomed from the start

The episode also spins off into classic territory talk, including:

* Promoter scams of the past (including the legendary Ronnie P. Gossett story)

* Nick Gulas, territory politics, and survival economics

* How wrestlers really navigated shady promoters

* Why common sense mattered more than contracts

This is one of those episodes that feels unbelievable, until you realize every word comes from guys who were actually there and experienced it firsthand.

On this episode of Dangerous Conversations with “Dangerous” Doug Gilbert & Tommy “Wildfire” Rich, the questions drive the show and the answers go deep.

Episode #56 is a wide ranging, old school wrestling discussion covering Continental Wrestling, Memphis, WCW, and the realities of booking, heat, and territory psychology all told through firsthand stories you won’t hear anywhere else.

Doug and Tommy discuss upcoming appearances, including autograph signings and potential convention stops, before diving headfirst into listener questions that spark some of the most candid conversation yet.

On this episode:

* Continental Wrestling vs. Memphis — similarities, differences, and why both worked

* The Florida/Alabama loop and how Continental’s geography shaped the product

* Eddie Gilbert’s brilliance as a booker and performer

* Why Eddie was more comfortable (and more dangerous) as a heel

* False sincerity, psychology, and why Eddie’s angles always landed

* Eric Embry’s controversial booking run and why it stayed afloat longer than expected

* Business realities, bad draws, and when the numbers don’t lie

* The WCW Battle Bowl / Lethal Lottery concept and what Tommy thought about it

* Kamala, Botswana Beast, and who is Ben Peacock?

* Kamala look-alikes, Japan runs, and why James Harris never cared

* Randy Hales’ short lived Continental managerial run and unforgettable promos (included)

* Pistol Pez Whatley, Willie B. Hurt, and Eddie’s eye for character reinvention

* Why heels called matches back in the day and why that mattered

* Traveling stories, fan encounters, and life on the road before cell phones

As always, Doug and Tommy don’t sugarcoat anything if something worked, they explain why; if it failed, they tell you exactly where it went wrong.

It’s time once again for another Ask Doug & Tommy episode, as “Dangerous” Doug Gilbert and Tommy “Wildfire” Rich tackle fan submitted questions in Part One of their tenth Q&A installment.

Hosted by Gene Jackson, this episode covers everything from announcing styles and old school psychology to wild road stories, territory training, WCW opponents, and the real differences between how wrestlers learned the business then versus now.

Nothing is rehearsed, nothing is sugar coated just honest answers and decades of first-hand wrestling experience.

Topics include:

* How wrestlers actually learned psychology in the territories

* Why “shine, heat, and comeback” weren’t taught the way fans think

* Thoughts on Michael St. John, Corey Maclin, and classic Memphis commentators

* Tommy Rich’s WCW run in 1991 and working with names like Stan Hansen, Scott Hall, Larry Zbyszko, and more

* The reality of tar and feather angles and old school humiliation

* Training stories that explain why wrestling wasn’t “fake” to the people learning it

* Why protecting the business mattered and how it was enforced

* The Armstrong family’s impact on wrestling and personal memories with Bullet Bob and the entire Armstrong clan

* Why experience in front of real crowds mattered more than drills

* The kind of lessons you only learn by getting thrown into the deep end

This is pure locker room storytelling, answering real questions from real fans and there’s still more to come in Part Two. (You can still submit a question for Part Two right now at [email protected]

👉 Like, subscribe, and leave your questions for future Ask Doug & Tommy episodes.

On this episode of Dangerous Conversations, “Dangerous” Doug Gilbert and Tommy “Wildfire” Rich sit down with Gene Jackson for a deep, no nonsense discussion about one of the most misunderstood concepts in professional wrestling: heat.

What does “getting heat” actually mean?Why is it different from “taking the heat”?And why do many modern wrestlers completely miss the point?

Doug and Tommy break it all down the only way they know how with decades of real world experience from the territories, blunt honesty, and stories that don’t come from message boards or podcasts, but from working six nights a week in front of crowds who believed in what they were doing.

Topics include:

* The real meaning of heat, comebacks, and hot tags

* Why referees shouldn’t be the ones getting heat

* The difference between old school psychology and modern spot heavy wrestling

* Why selling matters more than moves

* The Rock ‘n’ Roll Express blueprint and why it still works

* Why today’s “back-and-forth” style kills crowd investment

* Territory wrestling vs. modern independent wrestling

* Why fans still want heroes and villains, not “in-betweeners”

* How belief, mystique, and kayfabe created emotional investment

This episode isn’t about nostalgia, it’s about why wrestling worked, and why those lessons still matter today.

If you’re a fan who’s ever wondered what’s missing, or a wrestler who actually wants to understand psychology instead of choreography, this is essential listening.

👉 New episodes weekly👉 Send in your questions — Doug & Tommy will answer them ([email protected])👉 Like, subscribe, and join the conversation

Season Three of Dangerous Conversations with “Dangerous” Doug Gilbert & Tommy “Wildfire” Rich officially begins, and the guys waste no time picking up right where they left off.

Doug Gilbert and Tommy Rich reunite with host Gene Jackson for an unfiltered, free-flowing conversation covering classic territory wrestling, road stories, booking philosophies, and the realities of life after decades in the business. From Memphis to Alabama to West Virginia, this Season 3 premiere is packed with memories, laughs, and insights only wrestlers of this era who were there for it can provide.

Topics include:

* The fans have been asking when Dangerous Conversations would return

* Hilarious road stories involving West Virginia, Someone allegedly putting out a “hit” on Jack & Jerry Brisco (legit), and surviving the territory days

* Old school booking logic vs. bad bookers who ran territories into the ground

* How ring gear got traded, borrowed, lost, and reused across multiple promotions

* Memphis Wrestling, Continental, Alabama towns, and what actually drew money

* Why some territories could rebound fasters than others

* Fan questions, locker room memories, and classic Doug & Tommy banter

This episode sets the tone for Season 3: honest, funny, occasionally chaotic, and rooted in real wrestling history.

👉 New episodes weekly👉 Send your questions — Doug & Tommy will answer them ([email protected]👉 Like, subscribe, and join us for Season 3 of Dangerous Conversations

In this season finale of Dangerous Conversations, Doug Gilbert, Tommy “Wildfire” Rich, and Gene Jackson close out Season Two with stories, laughs, and plenty of road tales!

Doug and Tommy break down their whirlwind schedule—comic cons, wrestling shows, and horror conventions—plus wild behind-the-scenes stories from the road, like their infamous “spider in the dressing room” scare and how Doug almost left his wallet in the back of a truck.

The guys also reflect on AEW’s recent tribute to Eddie Gilbert, sharing heartfelt moments with Jeff Jarrett, Sting, and Tony Khan. Hear how much Eddie’s legacy still means today, and why Tony Khan earned their respect as one of wrestling’s true good guys.

Other highlights include:

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  Meeting sports legends like Lawrence Taylor and Reggie Jackson at upcoming events.

  
  


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  Old school Memphis Mafia vibes as Doug & Tommy double-shot across towns just like the territory days.

  
  


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  Comic Con craziness, from costumes to fan interactions with Honky Tonk Man and Lou Ferrigno.

  
  

This episode is the perfect send-off before Season Three kicks off soon. Don’t miss the stories, the laughs, and the chaos that only Doug & Tommy can bring.

Follow Doug on Facebook at Dangerous Doug Gilbert, Instagram at @RealDougGilbert, and X at @RealDougGilbert. Stay tuned for Season Three updates right here!

The Memphis Mafia is back on the road, and this week’s episode of Dangerous Conversations is loaded with classic wrestling talk, wild stories, and old-school memories!

Doug Gilbert and “Wildfire” Tommy Rich break down vintage wrestling posters sent in by fans, sparking tales about legends like Terry Funk, Jerry Lawler, Dusty Rhodes, Dory Funk Jr., Sputnik Monroe, the Moondogs, and more. From wild nights with Jerry Brisco to stories about Butch Reed, Hillbilly Jim, and even Plowboy Frazier’s many gimmicks—this one is packed with history and hilarity.

The guys also update fans on the busy Memphis Mafia Tour schedule, including appearances in Tennessee, Arkansas, and beyond. Gene Jackson joins in to guide the conversation, filling in results, asking the tough questions, and stirring up memories you won’t hear anywhere else.

Whether you lived through the USWA era or you’re just discovering the magic of Memphis wrestling, this is another can’t-miss episode of Dangerous Conversations!

Chapters

• (00:00:00) - Dangerous Conversations
• (00:06:47) - Meet and Greet Bo James
• (00:11:26) - "It's a museum,"
• (00:11:45) - Mike Graham on Jerry Briscoe Match
• (00:15:10) - Dory Funk vs Tommy Gilbert
• (00:17:20) - Bobby Jaggers vs Coco Samoa
• (00:18:33) - Dusty Rhodes vs Jerry Lawler
• (00:22:44) - Jerry Lawler on World's Greatest Professional Wrestling Match
• (00:26:15) - Ron and Don Wright on Sputnik Monroe
• (00:28:36) - Ron and Don On The Way
• (00:32:15) - Tommy Sierra on Working With Fidel Sierra
• (00:33:46) - Tommy Lee on David Sammartino
• (00:34:17) - Kevin Von Erich on His Match in Georgia
• (00:35:11) - Tommy Goolas Three-Time NWA Tag Team Champion
• (00:39:54) - Butch Reed on His Georgia Championship Match
• (00:41:55) - Tommy Wildfire vs Jimmy Snuka
• (00:47:12) - Mike Miller on His Podcast
• (00:48:36) - Eddie Gilbert on Rick Morton vs Jerry Lawler
• (00:51:05) - Jimmy Garvin vs Radimias
• (00:53:51) - Paul Orndorff vs Leroy Brown
• (00:58:08) - USWA Legends
• (01:03:36) - Memphis Legends

The Memphis Mafia are back! After a week off, Dangerous Doug Gilbert and Wildfire Tommy Rich return with a jam-packed episode of Dangerous Conversations.

This week, the guys talk about their recent matches and signings, upcoming events across Tennessee, Arkansas, and beyond, and some hilarious road stories you won’t hear anywhere else.

Then, they dive into a wide-ranging Q&A session from fans, covering:

• Memories of the Snowman vs. Jerry Lawler controversy in 1990.


• Early encounters with a young “Stunning” Steve Austin in USWA.


• Wild times in Japan, including teaming with Terry Funk and Kabuki’s retirement match.


• Thoughts on Terry Golden’s KAW promotion and their involvement with it.


• Behind-the-scenes stories about Eddie Gilbert & Jerry Lawler’s real relationship.


• Opinions on celebrities in wrestling, from Andy Kaufman to today’s stars.


• Candid takes on managers like Jimmy Hart and "bookers" like Eric Embry.


• Memories of crossing paths with names like Gary Young, Maxx Payne, Kevin Nash, Bobby Eaton, and Dennis Condrey.


• Whether Jeff Jar...

Chapters

• (00:00:00) - Dangerous Conversations With Doug Gilbert & Tommy Wildfire Rich
• (00:06:48) - Doug Gilbert At WWE Legends' Ball
• (00:08:07) - Randy Hill on Tommy Rich's Sex Magnet Comment
• (00:11:20) - Jerry Lawler on Randy's Fill-in
• (00:14:01) - Memphis Mafia T-Shirt For Tommy Rich
• (00:15:35) - Jerry Lawler vs The Snowman
• (00:17:42) - Steve Austin on Being Paid His Dues By Jerry Jarrett
• (00:22:30) - Gary Young and Max Payne On The Alamo
• (00:26:27) - Steve Austin On Jeff Jarrett
• (00:27:55) - Dougie and Terry Golden On KAW Kick ASS Wrestling (Before
• (00:31:57) - Eddie and Jerry Lawler
• (00:37:05) - Jerry Lawler on Doug Gilbert's Threatening To Kill Him
• (00:40:23) - Jerry Lawler on Celebrities in Wrestling
• (00:44:15) - Taking my Accounting Books off my Drawer
• (00:44:40) - Steve Austin on His Money in the Bank
• (00:45:08) - Favorite Match of My Career in Japan
• (00:49:26) - Jimmy Hart on His Managers
• (00:52:15) - Eddie on Eric Embry
• (00:54:59) - Joe and Evan Edwards Talk Tough Guys
• (01:00:31) - Memphis Mafia Wrestling: Tommy Rich
• (01:02:36) - Retro Wrestling Review USWA Podcast