Regional Rasslin' - Territory Talk

This week, Regional Rasslin returns to once again discuss the greatest outlaw promotion of all time, the Poffo Family's ICW based ouf of Lexington, Kentucky. Steve Crawford returns to join Ray Russell in discussing the year of 1980 in the ICW. We talk Macho Man's flying elbow on midget Wee Willie (and why it was really booked), Randy Savage threatening Lance Russell & Dave Brown, the discovery of George "Crusher Broomfield" Gray (future One Man Gang), Ernie Couch's barn of fun, a rookie Buddy Landel breaking in, the creation of the Devil's Duo (Doug Vines & Jeff Sword) with Izzy Slapawitz, Bob Roop's fake cast, the Jarrett crew working Rupp Arena, bartering for a steel cage, the Poffo Brothers exposed by Ron Garvin,odd wrestling from "Omaha" video, Rip Rogers' "BRAT" shirt, Angelo recreates his sit-up challenge, Garvin's training school,ICW invades Memphis but can't sell out the front row, the legend of Al "King Kong" Patterson, who headlined the most events, some of the random towns the Poffo's ran, some talent working for Henry Rogers in Malden, MO, & much more! There's never a dull moment in the world of the ICW!!!

If you're enjoying WrestleCopia and interested in helping us continue to grow, please consider Subscribing to our Patreon to help us pay the bills! https://www.patreon.com/wrestlecopia
YOU CAN ALSO GIFT SOMEONE A PATREON MEMBERSHIP (OR ASK THEM TO GIFT YOU ONE) AT https://www.patreon.com/WrestleCopia/gift
Includes the $5 “All Access” Tier $9 "VIP Superfan" Tier, and "The ULLLTIMATE Tier", featuring our various VIDEO-CAST Series, Early Show Releases, our insanely detailed show notes (for the Grenade, Monday Warfare, Regional Rasslin, Puro Academy, & Retro Re-View), monthly DIGITAL DOWNLOADS for your viewing and reading pleasure, & more!

HELP SUPPORT THE SELF-FUNDED WRESTLECOPIA BRAND, CONSIDER DONATING TO OUR PAYPAL
WRESTLECOPIA MERCHANDISE - https://www.teepublic.com/user/wrestlecopia
Visit the WrestleCopia Podcast Network https://wrestlecopia.com
Follow WrestleCopia on “X” (Formerly Twitter) @RasslinGrenade
Follow & LIKE our FACEBOOK PAGE – https://www.facebook.com/RasslinGrenade
Subscribe to the WrestleCopia Youtube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/RasslinGrenade

This week on Regional Rasslin', Ray Russell & Guest Gene Jackson return as we look at June 15, 1985 in the Memphis territory. Southern Champ Jerry Lawler vs. Koko Ware headlines this week's TV. The Referee Tom Branch heel turn continues. Matchmaker Tom Renesto announces the PYT are stripped of the Southern Tag Titles, forcing a Title tournament at the Coliseum Monday night where NEW Champions are crowned! Jerry Lawler turns to Nick Bockwinkel as an unsuspecting partner, Botchmania runs wild during a Jerry Oski & Jay Youngblood tag match, Gino Della Serra and Les Freeman arrive, the Buddy Wayne (Bearer) led team of Travis & Sexton battle The Battens, The Fabulous ones are done making promises. Plus, the Sheepherders, a Memphis Showboats update, the Hijacking of TWA Flight 847, & more!

If you're enjoying WrestleCopia and interested in helping us continue to grow, please consider Subscribing to our Patreon to help us pay the bills! https://www.patreon.com/wrestlecopia
YOU CAN ALSO GIFT SOMEONE A PATREON MEMBERSHIP (OR ASK THEM TO GIFT YOU ONE) AT https://www.patreon.com/WrestleCopia/gift
Includes the $5 “All Access” Tier $9 "VIP Superfan" Tier, and "The ULLLTIMATE Tier", featuring our various VIDEO-CAST Series, Early Show Releases, our insanely detailed show notes (for the Grenade, Monday Warfare, Regional Rasslin, Puro Academy, & Retro Re-View), monthly DIGITAL DOWNLOADS for your viewing and reading pleasure, & more!

HELP SUPPORT THE SELF-FUNDED WRESTLECOPIA BRAND, CONSIDER DONATING TO OUR PAYPAL
WRESTLECOPIA MERCHANDISE - https://www.teepublic.com/user/wrestlecopia
Visit the WrestleCopia Podcast Network https://wrestlecopia.com
Follow WrestleCopia on “X” (Formerly Twitter) @RasslinGrenade
Follow & LIKE our FACEBOOK PAGE – https://www.facebook.com/RasslinGrenade
Subscribe to the WrestleCopia Youtube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/RasslinGrenade

Special Guest Brian R. Solomon joins Host Ray Russell and the Regional Rasslin' program this week to discuss his latest book "Irresistible Force", talking the storied career of Gorilla Monsoon. This episode covers a variety of topics including Gorilla's time as commentator, working with Jesse Ventura, the Bobby Heenan chemistry, getting physical with the Brooklyn Brawler & Vader, health issues, if there were plans for any other post-retirement Gorilla angles, being replaced by Jim Ross on PPV in 1993, how Monsoon felt about the 1990s product, Bret Hart writing the foreword, working Japan and early heel work in the WWWF, shunning Bobby Davis, Wild Red Berry, the babyface turn in 1969 and how he was used in the 1970s, the title shot vs. Superstar Graham in 1977, working with Muhammad Ali, his famous sweet tooth and the legendary Peanut Butter Pie, BINGO BREAK, & much more!

You can purchase "Irresistible Force; The Life & Times of Gorilla Monsoon" inside the U.S. or internationally anywhere books are sold, including https://www.amazon.com/Irresistible-Force-Times-Gorilla-Monsoon/dp/1770417680

Canadian purchases can also be done directly through the distributor https://ecwpress.com/products/irresistible-forcepos=1&sid=7588b0d0b&

If you're enjoying WrestleCopia and interested in helping us continue to grow, please consider Subscribing to our Patreon to help us pay the bills! https://www.patreon.com/wrestlecopia
YOU CAN ALSO GIFT SOMEONE A PATREON MEMBERSHIP (OR ASK THEM TO GIFT YOU ONE) AT https://www.patreon.com/WrestleCopia/gift
Includes the $5 “All Access” Tier $9 "VIP Superfan" Tier, and "The ULLLTIMATE Tier", featuring our various VIDEO-CAST Series, Early Show Releases, our insanely detailed show notes (for the Grenade, Monday Warfare, Regional Rasslin, Puro Academy, & Retro Re-View), monthly DIGITAL DOWNLOADS for your viewing and reading pleasure, & more!

HELP SUPPORT THE SELF-FUNDED WRESTLECOPIA BRAND, CONSIDER DONATING TO OUR PAYPAL
WRESTLECOPIA MERCHANDISE - https://www.teepublic.com/user/wrestlecopia
Visit the WrestleCopia Podcast Network https://wrestlecopia.com
Follow WrestleCopia on “X” (Formerly Twitter) @RasslinGrenade
Follow & LIKE our FACEBOOK PAGE – https://www.facebook.com/RasslinGrenade
Subscribe to the WrestleCopia Youtube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/RasslinGrenade

This week on the program Host - Ray Russell is joined by two very Special Guests as Richard Vicek returns along with fellow Wrestling Historian, Steve Verrier, to discuss the book they co-authored, "Wilbur Snyder, The World's Most Scientific Wrestler"! The two writers and researchers took time out of their schedule to sit down and discuss Wilbur Snyder the family man, how they approached writing their parts of the book, new discoveries through their research, and much more!

Purchase "Wilbur Snyder, The World's Most Scientific Wrestler" Today! Let them know you heard about it here through Ray Russell & WrestleCopia!

If you're enjoying WrestleCopia and interested in helping us continue to grow, please consider Subscribing to our Patreon to help us pay the bills! https://www.patreon.com/wrestlecopia
YOU CAN ALSO GIFT SOMEONE A PATREON MEMBERSHIP (OR ASK THEM TO GIFT YOU ONE) AT https://www.patreon.com/WrestleCopia/gift
Includes the $5 “All Access” Tier $9 "VIP Superfan" Tier, and "The ULLLTIMATE Tier", featuring our various VIDEO-CAST Series, Early Show Releases, our insanely detailed show notes (for the Grenade, Monday Warfare, Regional Rasslin, Puro Academy, & Retro Re-View), monthly DIGITAL DOWNLOADS for your viewing and reading pleasure, & more!

HELP SUPPORT THE SELF-FUNDED WRESTLECOPIA BRAND, CONSIDER DONATING TO OUR PAYPAL
WRESTLECOPIA MERCHANDISE - https://www.teepublic.com/user/wrestlecopia
Visit the WrestleCopia Podcast Network https://wrestlecopia.com
Follow WrestleCopia on “X” (Formerly Twitter) @RasslinGrenade
Follow & LIKE our FACEBOOK PAGE – https://www.facebook.com/RasslinGrenade
Subscribe to the WrestleCopia Youtube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/RasslinGrenade

This week on Regional Rasslin', Host Ray Russell & Guest Jammie Ward return as they continue to discuss Georgia Championship Wrestling 1982 with the first half of March. In an awesome angle, after being turned on by Ole Anderson and Stan Hansen, Terry Funk offers Dusty Rhodes a prized possession as collateral in order to get Dusty to be his partner at the Omni! Plus, a wild angle involving Roddy Piper, Kabuki, and the Armstrongs! Harley Race challenges NWA World Champion Ric Flair, Roddy Piper in perhaps his only match vs. Tommy Rich, Gino Hernandez is back again, Tom Prichard looking good, new National Tag Champs "crowned", Jim Garvin feuds with Buzz Sawyer. Also in the territory, Great Kabuki with Gary Hart, Big John Studd, Ron Bass, Super Destroyer, NWA World Jr. Champ Les Thornton, Rick Harris, Tommy Rogers, & more!

If you're enjoying WrestleCopia and interested in helping us continue to grow, please consider Subscribing to our Patreon to help us pay the bills! https://www.patreon.com/wrestlecopia
YOU CAN ALSO GIFT SOMEONE A PATREON MEMBERSHIP (OR ASK THEM TO GIFT YOU ONE) AT https://www.patreon.com/WrestleCopia/gift
Includes the $5 “All Access” Tier $9 "VIP Superfan" Tier, and "The ULLLTIMATE Tier", featuring our various VIDEO-CAST Series, Early Show Releases, our insanely detailed show notes (for the Grenade, Monday Warfare, Regional Rasslin, Puro Academy, & Retro Re-View), monthly DIGITAL DOWNLOADS for your viewing and reading pleasure, & more!

HELP SUPPORT THE SELF-FUNDED WRESTLECOPIA BRAND, CONSIDER DONATING TO OUR PAYPAL
WRESTLECOPIA MERCHANDISE - https://www.teepublic.com/user/wrestlecopia
Visit the WrestleCopia Podcast Network https://wrestlecopia.com
Follow WrestleCopia on “X” (Formerly Twitter) @RasslinGrenade
Follow & LIKE our FACEBOOK PAGE – https://www.facebook.com/RasslinGrenade
Subscribe to the WrestleCopia Youtube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/RasslinGrenade

It’s another fun ride back in time as Vandal Drummond returns to Regional Rasslin’ to join Ray Russell, as this week we continue to talk the early 1980s in the old LeBell Los Angeles territory. Just some of the topics we discuss this week include Independent Rivals (Gory Guerrero, Karl Lauer, Ripper Leone, more!), a drunken Andre the Giant story, “Exotic” Adrian Street & Miss Linda arrive in the States, The Kiss, Luis Mariscal as Sweet Brown Sugar, Diamond Timothy Flowers, The Monster’s babyface turn, events switching from the Olympic Auditorium to the Sports Arena, the changing of TV stations and giving away of main events on TV, the identity of BIGFOOT, Sandy Parker’s return, the impact of Lucha Libre in the area, Tom Renesto’s booking with what he had to work with, the proper way to utilize a Battle Royal match, Dr. Jerry Graham and… “KIRK” Brown, and Mike LeBell making money from his Spanish TV deal, but talent not doing so well from the lack of attendance. Plus, we go back in time and talk the old “Beat the Champ” Title, Chris Colt coming in as “Mike Stallings”, & more! It’s a fun 90 minutes of classic west coast wrestling talk, join us for the trip back in time!

If you're enjoying WrestleCopia and interested in helping us continue to grow, please consider Subscribing to our Patreon to help us pay the bills! https://www.patreon.com/wrestlecopia
YOU CAN ALSO GIFT SOMEONE A PATREON MEMBERSHIP (OR ASK THEM TO GIFT YOU ONE) AT https://www.patreon.com/WrestleCopia/gift
Includes the $5 “All Access” Tier $9 "VIP Superfan" Tier, and "The ULLLTIMATE Tier", featuring our various VIDEO-CAST Series, Early Show Releases, our insanely detailed show notes (for the Grenade, Monday Warfare, Regional Rasslin, Puro Academy, & Retro Re-View), monthly DIGITAL DOWNLOADS for your viewing and reading pleasure, & more!

HELP SUPPORT THE SELF-FUNDED WRESTLECOPIA BRAND, CONSIDER DONATING TO OUR PAYPAL
WRESTLECOPIA MERCHANDISE - https://www.teepublic.com/user/wrestlecopia
Visit the WrestleCopia Podcast Network https://wrestlecopia.com
Follow WrestleCopia on “X” (Formerly Twitter) @RasslinGrenade
Follow & LIKE our FACEBOOK PAGE – https://www.facebook.com/RasslinGrenade
Subscribe to the WrestleCopia Youtube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/RasslinGrenade

Back with a new project on Regional Rasslin! Guest Steve Crawford returns as he and host Ray Russell begin to discuss the history of Angelo Poffo's famed outlaw promotion, ICW. Topics discussed include the early life of the Poffo family in the wrestling business, father Angelo, and his sons Lanny Poffo & Randy "Macho Man" Savage. Plus, the early ideas of creating ICW in 1979, working with Dale Mann, merging with the talent from Knoxville's All-Star promotion, the legendary frugality of the Poffos, lawsuits, and much more!

If you’re enjoying WrestleCopia and interested in helping us continue to grow, please Subscribe to our Patreon to help us pay the bills! https://www.patreon.com/wrestlecopia
OR GIFT SOMEONE A PATREON MEMBERSHIP, OR ASK THEM TO GIFT YOU ONE AT https://www.patreon.com/WrestleCopia/gift
Includes the $5 “All Access” Tier $9 “VIP Superfan” Tier, and “The ULLLTIMATE Tier”, featuring our various VIDEO-CAST Series, Early Show Releases, our insanely detailed show notes (for the Grenade, Monday Warfare, Regional Rasslin, Puro Academy, & Retro Re-View), monthly DIGITAL DOWNLOADS for your viewing and reading pleasure, & more!

HELP SUPPORT THE SELF-FUNDED WRESTLECOPIA BRAND, CONSIDER DONATING TO OUR PAYPAL
WRESTLECOPIA MERCHANDISE – https://www.teepublic.com/user/wrestlecopia
Visit the WrestleCopia Podcast Network https://wrestlecopia.com
Follow WrestleCopia on “X” (Formerly Twitter) @RasslinGrenade
Follow & LIKE our FACEBOOK PAGE – https://www.facebook.com/RasslinGrenade
Subscribe to the WrestleCopia Youtube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/RasslinGrenade

This week on Regional Rasslin', Gene Jackson returns to co-host with Ray Russell to look at more Memphis Wrestling for June 1985! Jerry Lawler is riding high after defeating Randy Savage for the Southern Title and sending the Macho Man packing to the WWF... BUT, the King finds out there's no rest for the weary as Bruiser Brody looms ahead Monday Night! Tux Newman is laid up in bed, but that doesn't stop him from creating a "HIT" LIST! Kareem Muhammad continues to stick it to Jay Youngblood. The Sheepherders return in a new incarnation. The Fabs seek revenge on the Buddy Wayne led team of Billy Travis & Ron Sexton. The Mexican Angel is still here (for now). The PYT continue to dominate the tag team scene, and much more!

If you’re enjoying WrestleCopia and interested in helping us continue to grow, please Subscribe to our Patreon to help us pay the bills! https://www.patreon.com/wrestlecopia
OR GIFT SOMEONE A PATREON MEMBERSHIP, OR ASK THEM TO GIFT YOU ONE AT https://www.patreon.com/WrestleCopia/gift
Includes the $5 “All Access” Tier $9 “VIP Superfan” Tier, and “The ULLLTIMATE Tier”, featuring our various VIDEO-CAST Series, Early Show Releases, our insanely detailed show notes (for the Grenade, Monday Warfare, Regional Rasslin, Puro Academy, & Retro Re-View), monthly DIGITAL DOWNLOADS for your viewing and reading pleasure, & more!

HELP SUPPORT THE SELF-FUNDED WRESTLECOPIA BRAND, CONSIDER DONATING TO OUR PAYPAL
WRESTLECOPIA MERCHANDISE – https://www.teepublic.com/user/wrestlecopia
Visit the WrestleCopia Podcast Network https://wrestlecopia.com
Follow WrestleCopia on “X” (Formerly Twitter) @RasslinGrenade
Follow & LIKE our FACEBOOK PAGE – https://www.facebook.com/RasslinGrenade
Subscribe to the WrestleCopia Youtube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/RasslinGrenade

This week on Regional Rasslin, Jammie Ward returns to join host Ray Russell to discuss more Georgia Championship Wrestling from February 1982! The big World Tag Team Title tournament makes its way to the Omni featuring teams from all over the world including the Briscos, the Funks, Jumbo Tsuruta & Tenryu, Ole Anderson & Stan Hansen, Masked Superstar & Super Destroyer, & many more! Plus, NWA World Champion Ric Flair defends against former 6 times champ Harley Race, the Giant Baba brings his PWF Title to the states to defend against Terry Gordy, the Jimmy Garvin & Buzz Sawyer feud continues, Dusty Rhodes vs. Great Kabuki in a Dragon Shai (or whatever it's called) match, Buddy Rose & Rip Oliver pop in from Portland, Roddy Piper still has his issues with Bob Armstrong, Tom Prichard arrives, Steve O is somehow still around, and GINO HERNANDEZ returns for his second week on TBS. All of that, plus so much more!

If you're enjoying WrestleCopia and interested in helping us continue to grow, please consider Subscribing to our Patreon to help us pay the bills! https://www.patreon.com/wrestlecopia
YOU CAN ALSO GIFT SOMEONE A PATREON MEMBERSHIP (OR ASK THEM TO GIFT YOU ONE) AT https://www.patreon.com/WrestleCopia/gift
Includes the $5 “All Access” Tier $9 "VIP Superfan" Tier, and "The ULLLTIMATE Tier", featuring our various VIDEO-CAST Series, Early Show Releases, our insanely detailed show notes (for the Grenade, Monday Warfare, Regional Rasslin, Puro Academy, & Retro Re-View), monthly DIGITAL DOWNLOADS for your viewing and reading pleasure, & more!

HELP SUPPORT THE SELF-FUNDED WRESTLECOPIA BRAND, CONSIDER DONATING TO OUR PAYPAL
WRESTLECOPIA MERCHANDISE - https://www.teepublic.com/user/wrestlecopia
Visit the WrestleCopia Podcast Network https://wrestlecopia.com
Follow WrestleCopia on “X” (Formerly Twitter) @RasslinGrenade
Follow & LIKE our FACEBOOK PAGE – https://www.facebook.com/RasslinGrenade
Subscribe to the WrestleCopia Youtube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/RasslinGrenade

This week on Regional Rasslin, we finish up the Tennessee 1977 Project with Guest Steve Crawford joining Ray Russell on the program. We do a quick overview of the split between Jerry Jarrett and Nick Gulas and then dive into the following years that led up to the demise of Gulas' run as a promoter in 1980. We talk "Macho Man" Randy Savage, Dutch Mantel, Bobby Eaton, early Freebirds Michael Hayes & Terry Gordy, George Gulas, & more! We also look at the final card promoted by Gulas in Nashville, and the first card promoted by Jerry Jarrett when he took over the town. Lots of fun conversation had in this hour-long conversation!

If you’re enjoying WrestleCopia and interested in helping us continue to grow, please Subscribe to our Patreon to help us pay the bills! https://www.patreon.com/wrestlecopia
OR GIFT SOMEONE A PATREON MEMBERSHIP, OR ASK THEM TO GIFT YOU ONE AT https://www.patreon.com/WrestleCopia/gift
Includes the $5 “All Access” Tier $9 “VIP Superfan” Tier, and “The ULLLTIMATE Tier”, featuring our various VIDEO-CAST Series, Early Show Releases, our insanely detailed show notes (for the Grenade, Monday Warfare, Regional Rasslin, Puro Academy, & Retro Re-View), monthly DIGITAL DOWNLOADS for your viewing and reading pleasure, & more!

HELP SUPPORT THE SELF-FUNDED WRESTLECOPIA BRAND, CONSIDER DONATING TO OUR PAYPAL
WRESTLECOPIA MERCHANDISE – https://www.teepublic.com/user/wrestlecopia
Visit the WrestleCopia Podcast Network https://wrestlecopia.com
Follow WrestleCopia on “X” (Formerly Twitter) @RasslinGrenade
Follow & LIKE our FACEBOOK PAGE – https://www.facebook.com/RasslinGrenade
Subscribe to the WrestleCopia Youtube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/RasslinGrenade