Episode 90: A Decided Highlander

In Episode 90 of Greg Klein's Old School Rasslin Talk, A Decided Highlander, Greg:

Welcomes author Ian Douglass to the show for the first time. 

Greg and Ian discuss his newest book, about Scottish influence in professional wrestling. 

Delve into his stories about writing autobiographies for Steve Keirn, Mike Rotundo, Bugsy McGraw and more. 

Discuss the history of Black wrestling and how to record subject matter that uses terms that are offensive or no longer used today. 

Greg retells his Bugsy McGraw story from the year he worked for Jerry Grey. 

Ian talks about his writing process and how different it is to write history vs. autobiographies. 

Greg invites everyone to attend The Made by New York Women Film Festival in Oneonta, NY, on Friday, March 6, and Saturday, March 7.

Check out Greg's column about Morris Sigel on Slam Wrestling. https://slamwrestling.net/index.php/2024/10/11/guest-column-elect-morris-sigel-to-the-observer-hall-of-fame/ 

Greg Klein's Old School Rasslin Talk is sponsored by Greg and his written work. His newest release, "Sunset Painting & The Sun, Two Plays by Greg Klein," is on Amazon.com and Barnesandnoble.com, as are his previous books: The Junkyard Dog biography, "The King of New Orleans" and the historic fiction, sports novel, "The Paper Tigers, How Eight Guys from the Streets of Philadelphia Became Professional Baseball Players for One Day." 

Episode 89: Two Refs Enter, One Ref Leaves

In Episode 89 of Greg Klein's Old School Rasslin Talk, Two Refs Enter, One Ref Leaves, Greg:

Looks at an angle in Dallas in 1954 as referees Otto Kuss and Jim Blood take issue with one another. 

Talks about the dating of team matches in wrestling. 

Reviews the lack of success of the first team match in Houston. 

Looks forward to the Mid South Wrestling Association reviews in 1985 and talks about the spring and summer of tag team main events in Houston.

Gives an update on his book, The Texas Rasslin' War(s) of the 1950s.  

Invites everyone to attend The Made by New York Women Film Festival in Oneonta, NY, on Friday, March 6, and Saturday, March 7.

Check out Greg's column about Morris Sigel on Slam Wrestling. https://slamwrestling.net/index.php/2024/10/11/guest-column-elect-morris-sigel-to-the-observer-hall-of-fame/ 

Greg Klein's Old School Rasslin Talk is sponsored by Greg and his written work. His newest release, "Sunset Painting & The Sun, Two Plays by Greg Klein," is on Amazon.com and Barnesandnoble.com, as are his previous books: The Junkyard Dog biography, "The King of New Orleans" and the historic fiction, sports novel, "The Paper Tigers, How Eight Guys from the Streets of Philadelphia Became Professional Baseball Players for One Day." 

Episode 88: Two IIs on One

In Episode 88 of Greg Klein's Old School Rasslin Talk, Two IIs on One, Greg:

Reviews the Mid South Wrestling Association's TV shows for April 1984. 

Notices how hard the promotion is working to keep the crowds up following the Last Stampede. 

Declares the Magnum T.A. project complete and T.A. a full-fledged headliner.

Enjoys the babyface AF performance by Terry Taylor. 

Wonders why Butch Reed and Buddy Landel would rather embarrass Stagger Lee instead of unmask him. 

Laughs at the Superdate at the Superdome contest and its rules. 

Check out Greg's column about Morris Sigel on Slam Wrestling. https://slamwrestling.net/index.php/2024/10/11/guest-column-elect-morris-sigel-to-the-observer-hall-of-fame/ 

Greg Klein's Old School Rasslin Talk is sponsored by Greg and his written work. His newest release, "Sunset Painting & The Sun, Two Plays by Greg Klein," is on Amazon.com and Barnesandnoble.com, as are his previous books: The Junkyard Dog biography, "The King of New Orleans" and the historic fiction, sports novel, "The Paper Tigers, How Eight Guys from the Streets of Philadelphia Became Professional Baseball Players for One Day." 

Episode 87: The Two Ring Battle Royal

In Episode 87 of Greg Klein's Old School Rasslin Talk, The Two Ring Battle Royal, Greg:

Welcomes a panel to the show to discuss to top 10 wrestling cities in North America in the 20th century. 

Joining Greg on the show are: 

Steven Gennarelli, a WWWF fan and expert, who is a popular co-host on John McAdam's Stick to Wrestling Podcast. 

Tony Richards, business coach and wrestling historian, who chairs the Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel on YouTube and sends out a daily Pro Wrestling Daily Chronicle on Substack. 

Brian Solomon, former WWF/E magazine editor, who has written several incredible biographies, including Blood and Fire: The Unbelievable Real-Life Story of Wrestling's Original Sheik, and the new hit Irresistible Force: The Life and Times of Gorilla Monsoon. 

Check out Greg's column about Morris Sigel on Slam Wrestling. https://slamwrestling.net/index.php/2024/10/11/guest-column-elect-morris-sigel-to-the-observer-hall-of-fame/ 

Greg Klein's Old School Rasslin Talk is sponsored by Greg and his written work. His newest release, "Sunset Painting & The Sun, Two Plays by Greg Klein," is on Amazon.com and Barnesandnoble.com, as are his previous books: The Junkyard Dog biography, "The King of New Orleans" and the historic fiction, sports novel, "The Paper Tigers, How Eight Guys from the Streets of Philadelphia Became Professional Baseball Players for One Day." 

Episode 86: The Christmas Wrestling Stocking

In Episode 86 of Greg Klein's Old School Rasslin Talk, The Christmas Wrestling Stocking, Greg:

Opens up this year's Christmas presents.

Celebrates the draft of The Texas Rasslin' War(s) of the 1950s. 

Looks at the newest, oldest Houston Wrestling program he owns. 

Finds a Texas Rasslin' program from the middle of the war. 

Discusses the rise of the women mid-war and how Moolah and Mae were on opposite sides. 

Reads the Christmas gifts from Paul Boesch and the gang for Christmas 1974. 

If you are interested in voting for Top 10 Wrestling Cities in North America in the 20th century, email your picks to Greg at [email protected]. 

Check out Greg's column about Morris Sigel on Slam Wrestling. https://slamwrestling.net/index.php/2024/10/11/guest-column-elect-morris-sigel-to-the-observer-hall-of-fame/ 

Greg Klein's Old School Rasslin Talk is sponsored by Greg and his written work. His newest release, "Sunset Painting & The Sun, Two Plays by Greg Klein," is on Amazon.com and Barnesandnoble.com, as are his previous books: The Junkyard Dog biography, "The King of New Orleans" and the historic fiction, sports novel, "The Paper Tigers, How Eight Guys from the Streets of Philadelphia Became Professional Baseball Players for One Day." 

Episode 85: The HOF Reaction episode  

In Episode 85 of Greg Klein's Old School Rasslin Talk, The HOF Reaction, Greg:

Reacts to another year of disappointing results from the voters in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame elections.

Mentions one inductee he thinks is not like the others. 

Wonders if we are all being trolled by induction by fiat choices.

Laments four lost votes leading to JYD being four votes short. 

Resolves to fight another day. 

Talks about San Antonio as a wrestling city, including looking at an article about promoter Dorathy Livengood.

If you are interested in voting for Top 10 Wrestling Cities in North America in the 20th century, email your picks to Greg at [email protected]. 

Check out Greg's column about Morris Sigel on Slam Wrestling. https://slamwrestling.net/index.php/2024/10/11/guest-column-elect-morris-sigel-to-the-observer-hall-of-fame/ 

Greg Klein's Old School Rasslin Talk is sponsored by Greg and his written work. His newest release, "Sunset Painting & The Sun, Two Plays by Greg Klein," is on Amazon.com and Barnesandnoble.com, as are his previous books: The Junkyard Dog biography, "The King of New Orleans" and the historic fiction, sports novel, "The Paper Tigers, How Eight Guys from the Streets of Philadelphia Became Professional Baseball Players for One Day." 

Episode 84: Everybody Loves Paul Boesch?  

In Episode 84 of Greg Klein's Old School Rasslin Talk, Everybody Loves Paul Boesch?, Greg:

Takes on the wrestling truism that everyone loves Houston Wrestling promoter Paul Boesch. 

Goes through the list of people we know said negative things about Paul. 

Talks about the Jack Pfefer collection and the many letters Paul sent in his early years. 

Finds a 1964 letter from Pfefer where he decides Paul is a punk. 

Traces the fallout, as other people in the office react to Pfefer's offense. 

Talks about Shirley "Lee Sigel" Carringer and her desire to take over Houston Wrestling. 

Check out Greg's column about Morris Sigel on Slam Wrestling. https://slamwrestling.net/index.php/2024/10/11/guest-column-elect-morris-sigel-to-the-observer-hall-of-fame/ 

Greg Klein's Old School Rasslin Talk is sponsored by Greg and his written work. His newest release, "Sunset Painting & The Sun, Two Plays by Greg Klein," is on Amazon.com and Barnesandnoble.com, as are his previous books: The Junkyard Dog biography, "The King of New Orleans" and the historic fiction, sports novel, "The Paper Tigers, How Eight Guys from the Streets of Philadelphia Became Professional Baseball Players for One Day." 

Episode 83: The Museum of Television Episodes  

In Episode 83 of Greg Klein's Old School Rasslin Talk, The Museum of Television Episodes, Greg:

Reviews possibly the best month of Mid South Wrestling Association television in its entire history, March 1984, including the countdown  and go home for the Last Stampede. 

Looks at all the action, interviews and angles that set up the biggest box office month and second biggest Superdome show in MSWA history. 

Marvels at how annoying Jim Cornette has become and just how satisfying it is — even for a fan of the Midnight Express — to see Cornette finally get humiliated.

Discusses the knee lift that killed the Dog's Yard and the bicycle mistake that may have kept the Superdome crowd from being the biggest MSWA Dome show ever. 

Notes all the body language, symbolism and interviews that make this angle so good. 

 Enjoys all the tag team action. 

Notices a new JYD discovery posted on social media. 

Check out Greg's column about Morris Sigel on Slam Wrestling. https://slamwrestling.net/index.php/2024/10/11/guest-column-elect-morris-sigel-to-the-observer-hall-of-fame/ 

Greg Klein's Old School Rasslin Talk is sponsored by Greg and his written work. His newest release, "Sunset Painting & The Sun, Two Plays by Greg Klein," is on Amazon.com and Barnesandnoble.com, as are his previous books: The Junkyard Dog biography, "The King of New Orleans" and the historic fiction, sports novel, "The Paper Tigers, How Eight Guys from the Streets of Philadelphia Became Professional Baseball Players for One Day." 

Episode 82: Two Cool Cats, Part Two, Morris 

In Episode 82 of Greg Klein's Old School Rasslin Talk, Two Cool Cats, Part Two, Morris, Greg: 

Starts the 2025 campaign for Morris Sigel and the Junkyard Dog Sylvester Ritter to go into the Pro Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame. 

Talks about the start of the Texas wrestling circuit and how Morris Sigel becomes involved in Houston Wrestling. 

Compares Sigel's run in Houston to his protege Paul Boesch. 

Talks about the innovations Sigel and his matchmakers brought to the state.

Lists some of the biggest names in wrestling who got their start, gimmick or big break in the Houston office. 

Talks about the wrestling wars in Texas and the final stats as to who ran the state booking office and for how long. 

Compares Sigel's run with the Texas Wrestling Agency to the Dallas booking office's tenure booking the state. 

Check out Greg's column about Morris Sigel on Slam Wrestling. https://slamwrestling.net/index.php/2024/10/11/guest-column-elect-morris-sigel-to-the-observer-hall-of-fame/ 

Greg Klein's Old School Rasslin Talk is sponsored by Greg! Go to https://tinyurl.com/SuperBuds25 to donate to his SuperBuds TV pilot fundraiser. 

Go to https://www.tixtree.com/e/glory-days-grapplecon-3-3c855016bd6a to buy tickets to GrappleCon 3 Glory Days. 

Episode 81: Two Cool Cats, Part One, Sylvester 

In Episode 81 of Greg Klein's Old School Rasslin Talk, Two Cool Cats, Part One, Sylvester, Greg: 

Starts the 2025 campaign for Morris Sigel and the Junkyard Dog Sylvester Ritter to go into the Pro Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame. 

Talks about the historic nature of JYD's push in Mid South, his importance in Houston and New Orleans, the downtown neighborhood of Treme and for the WWF expansion plans. 

Looks at JYD's year one in detail again and traces how quickly Ritter goes from not being smart to the business to being a main event wrestler. 

Details some of Ritter's best matches in Nashville and Calgary. 

Talks about the WWF expansion and VKM's other choices for the top Black star. 

Check out Greg's column about Morris Sigel on Slam Wrestling. https://slamwrestling.net/index.php/2024/10/11/guest-column-elect-morris-sigel-to-the-observer-hall-of-fame/ 

Greg Klein's Old School Rasslin Talk is sponsored by Greg! Go to https://tinyurl.com/SuperBuds25 to donate to his SuperBuds TV pilot fundraiser. 

Go to https://www.tixtree.com/e/glory-days-grapplecon-3-3c855016bd6a to buy tickets to GrappleCon 3 Glory Days.