In Episode 57 of Greg Klein's Old School Rasslin Talk, The Professor Talks JYD, Greg:

Welcomes his first guest to the show, New Orleans native and JYD original fan, the Professor Ricardo Coleman. 

Greg and Ricardo talk about the historic nature of Sylvester Ritter's wrestling career.

They explain how wrestling differed in New Orleans before and after JYD, especially where in town the matches were held and who was in the audience.

They look at the unusual personalities of Bill Watts and Ernie Ladd and how that mixed to create the iconic character and his alter ego, Stagger Lee.

They discuss a Mount Rushmore of JYD villains and how the story of who opposed JYD is like a lesson in Black history.

They discuss JYD's first couple of years in the WWF and how big a star he was there in 1985 and 1986.

They question is the workrate issue is holding back Black wrestlers, who had to work a certain style, from getting into the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame.

Greg's note: I said Ernie Ladd and Ray Candy were on the 1978 Dome show with Bill Watts and Terry Funk. The Funk-Watts Dome show was 1976. Paul Orndorff vs Bruiser Brody and Dusty Rhodes vs Superstar Graham were underneath Candy vs Ladd. 

Greg Klein's Old School Rasslin Talk is sponsored by Ricardo's French Quarter Tour business Hottest Hell Tours. Go to https://www.hottesthell.com/ to book an incredible tour of New Orleans. 

In Episode 56 of Greg Klein's Old School Rasslin Talk, Morris Sigel for the WON HOF, 2024 Edition, Greg:

Takes a second look at the Hall of Fame candidacy of Houston promoter and Texas Booking Agency head Morris Sigel. 

Traces his journey from hardware accountant to head of Houston Wrestling and his formation of the Texas wrestling circuit. 

Notes the names of the top wrestlers he either discovered, started or helped find their stride: Verne Gagne, Buddy Rogers, Argentino Rocca and Gorgeous George, among others. 

Discovers the connection between Sigel and the end of the territory war between Lou Thesz and Sam Muchnick, and the bonding of Thesz to the new NWA cartel. 

Revisits the 1950s Texas wrestling war. 

Talks about Sigel's influence on Paul Boesch's Hall of Fame promoting career and notes how all the distinguishing characteristics of the Boesch era come from the Sigel era, which is twice as long.

If you want to see my Morris Sigel for the WON HOF talking points, message me on social media or email me at [email protected]. 

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." 

In Episode 55 of Greg Klein's Old School Rasslin Talk, Greg:

Talks more about the Hall of Fame candidacy of Sylvester Ritter aka the Junkyard Dog. 

Picks up at the beginning of Year One and talks about the timing of when Ritter must have trained. 

Wonders if there are still earlier matches than Ritter's first known match of Nov. 11, 1976 vs Mike Boyette. 

Talks about how Ritter's trainer Sonny King left him behind in Carolina, but Ritter still found a way into the business. 

Follows Ritter around the south as he goes from Carolina to Louisiana/Oklahoma to Memphis to Knoxville to Gulf Coast to Gulas. 

Notes how quickly Ritter goes from indies to a tag title in a major territory (one year) to a solo title in a major territory (two years) to being the historic star of a territory (three years). 

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 54: The College Edition

In Episode 54 of Greg Klein's Old School Rasslin Talk, Greg:

Talks about the Junkyard Dog and his candidacy for the Wrestling Observer Newletter's Hall of Fame. 

Looks at Sylvester Ritter's life before wrestling, including his two year trying to break into professional football. 

Finds an ad for the earliest known match for Sylvester Ritter, only to learn someone else had tagged the ad first. 

Learns about and laughs about the wrestling history term, "You got Getz'd." 

Discusses the idea of workrate and stereotypical wrestling styles of yesteryear and how the two are not always compatible. 

Compares the careers of Paul Orndorff and JYD. 

Lobbys for JYD's HOF inclusion and announces a very special guest to explore the matter further next month. 

Greg Klein's Old School Rasslin Talk is sponsored by Power Play Sports Collectables. Thank you for the Houston Wrestling lot! Check them out on eBay or at https://powerplaysportscards.com/.

Episode 53: The Cheese Stands Alone

In Episode 53 of Greg Klein's Old School Rasslin Talk, Greg:

Looks at the August 1983 in the Mid South Wrestling Association. 

Talks about Ted DiBiase's two-year MSWA run, which comes to a close in August.

Wonders if the top heel leaving has anything to do with the slowdown in fall of 1983. 

Discusses the use of more arena footage rather than longer TV tapings. 

Welcomes Barry Darsow and his Daisy Dukes to MSWA. 

Discusses Magnum TA's push and how he comes in above the normal white meat young babyface level. 

Traces the final days of Ted DiBiase in MSWA in 1983. 

Closes out the Silver Era of MSWA. 

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 52: 1949, Part Two

In Episode 52 of Greg Klein's Old School Rasslin Talk, Greg:

Looks at two programs from November 1949 Houston Wrestling, which feature Billy Varga challenging for NWA titles.

Lucks into a piece of history as the second program features a preview of the Argentina Rocca vs Lou Thesz grudge match with huge out of the ring implications.

Traces the bad blood between Rocca and Morris Sigel and his Houston office.

Celebrates the second anniversary of the show with an old school story about Larry Santana aka Larry Santo, who passed away recently.  

This episode of Greg Klein's Old School Rasslin Talk is sponsored by The Lake House Restaurant & Lodge on Canadarago Lake in Richfield, New York.
https://www.lakehouse1843.com/

Episode 51: 1949

In Episode 51 of Greg Klein's Old School Rasslin Talk, Greg:

Revisits the subject of his earlier Houston Wrestling programs with a look at two issues form 1949.

Talks about the start of TV in Houston and note how close we are to the Texas Wrestling War.

Looks at the debut of Verne Gagne and marvels on the hair young Verne has.

Thanks Young Billy Varga aka the Count for keeping such a great collection.

Praise the book, The Six Pack."

This episode of Greg Klein's Old School Rasslin Talk is sponsored by the Christmas in July fundraiser for A Cooperstown Christmas Movie Inc. Go to https://christmasinjulymoviefundraiser.ticketleap.com/christmas-in-july-concert-at-the-lake-house/ to buy tickets for the July 7, 2024, event in Richfield NY. Qualified investors should contact Greg at [email protected] for more information. 

Episode 50: Brick by Brick

In Episode 50 of Greg Klein's Old School Rasslin Talk, Greg:

Looks at July 1983 TV for the Mid South Wrestling Association.

Talks about the building of Magnum T.A. as a babyface and Butch Reed as a main event heel.

Notes the girls in the crowd screaming for TA and Johnny Rich.

Welcomes Doctor Death back to MSWA.

Says a fond farewell to Mr. Olympia.

This episode of Greg Klein's Old School Rasslin Talk is sponsored by the Christmas in July fundraiser for A Cooperstown Christmas Movie Inc. Go to https://christmasinjulymoviefundraiser.ticketleap.com/christmas-in-july-concert-at-the-lake-house/ to buy tickets for the July 7, 2024, event in Richfield NY. Qualified investors should contact Greg at [email protected] for more information. 

Episode 49: The fall of Fall

In Episode 49 of Greg Klein's Old School Rasslin Talk, Greg:

Gives his no longer hot take on The Iron Claw.

Compares November attendances figures for the Championship Wrestling Extravaganzas vs the LSU-Tulane football games.

Unearths two 1986 shows that made him pop.

Looks at an article from the national World War II Museum in New Orleans about wrestlers who served. 

This episode of Greg Klein's Old School Rasslin Talk is sponsored by the Christmas in July fundraiser for A Cooperstown Christmas Movie Inc. Go to https://christmasinjulymoviefundraiser.ticketleap.com/christmas-in-july-concert-at-the-lake-house/ to buy tickets for the July 7, 2024, event in Richfield NY. Qualified investors should contact Greg at [email protected] for more information. 

Episode 48: The Atomic Drop 

In Episode 48 of Greg Klein's Old School Rasslin Talk, Greg:

Looks at June 1983 in the Mid South Wrestling Association.

Talks about the final turn of early 1983 as Butch Reed has decided he  has had enough of friendship.

Considers what word JYD called Reed before the big split.

Discusses the National Title situation in Georgia as Mr. Wrestling II shows up with a belt he has not won yet.

Finds a new favorite Boyd-ism in, "how big is big, how tough is tough."

Explores the "dive vs jump rule" that MSWA apparently has always had, aka the Harley Race Rule, and uses to welcome Mil Mascaras. 

This episode of Greg Klein's Old School Rasslin Talk is sponsored by the Christmas in July fundraiser for A Cooperstown Christmas Movie Inc. Go to https://christmasinjulymoviefundraiser.ticketleap.com/christmas-in-july-concert-at-the-lake-house/ to buy tickets for the July 7, 2024, event in Richfield NY. Qualified investors should contact Greg at [email protected] for more information.