In February 2004, 20,000 mourners lined the streets to pay their respects at the funeral of superstar cyclist, Marco Pantani. In November 2021, a new inquiry into Pantani’s death was announced - this time investigating the theory that the Italian mafia might have been involved in his murder. But in episode one, it’s 1990, and promising amateur Marco Pantani is just beginning to make his mark… With the help of Marco’s biographer, Matt Rendell, we meet the man behind the legend. New episodes released Thursday. If you’re in the UK, listen to the full series of Sport’s Strangest Crimes - first on BBC Sounds - bbc.in/3PbXQxv Narrated by Hugh Dennis, with the voices of Iain Ferrier and Helen Roper Sound design: Rich Evans
Additional production: Lorenzo Bodrero, Matt Kenyon and Ed Morrish Writer and producer: Katie Sayer
Executive producer: Jon Holmes

1. The Cursed Champion

Sports

Steve Bunce and Lennox Lewis on one of the most recognisable and enduring figures in sport, Boxing promoter Don King, with contributions from rivals, law enforcers and fighters

Introducing... Powerplay: The House of Don King

Warning: This episode contains strong language. In the eighth episode, Bruiser’s friends and family reckon with the aftermath of his death - and the wrestling world rallies round to remember one of the greats. Bruiser Brody was a wrestling star in the 1970s and 1980s; a classic villain of the ring, and a foil for wrestling heroes like Bruno Sammartino and Ric Flair. When he was killed in the dressing room before a fight in Puerto Rico, it shocked the world of wrestling, and pulled back the curtain on a world full of rumour, fakeouts and mystery. Comedian and wrestling fan Adam Hills tells the story of the larger than life character behind the truly unbelievable tale.
 
 
Producer: Ilona Toller
Assistant Producer: John Rogers
Executive Producers: Robert Nicholson and Will Yates
Sound Design: Artemis Irvine
Mix: Nigel Appleton
 
A Whistledown Production for BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds.

8. Heel

In the seventh episode, Puerto Rico reels from news of the killing; but as Jose pleads self-defence, the police and courts struggle to get to the bottom of what really happened to Bruiser Brody. Bruiser Brody was a wrestling star in the 1970s and 1980s; a classic villain of the ring, and a foil for wrestling heroes like Bruno Sammartino and Ric Flair. When he was killed in the dressing room before a fight in Puerto Rico, it shocked the world of wrestling, and pulled back the curtain on a world full of rumour, fakeouts and mystery. Comedian and wrestling fan Adam Hills tells the story of the larger than life character behind the truly unbelievable tale.
 
Producer: Ilona Toller
Assistant Producer: John Rogers
Executive Producers: Robert Nicholson and Will Yates
Sound Design: Artemis Irvine
Mix: Nigel Appleton
 
A Whistledown Production for BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds

7. The People vs Invader One

In the sixth episode, Adam explores the extraordinary story of Invader One - Jose Huertas Gonzalez - as he prepares for a showdown with Bruiser Brody. Bruiser Brody was a wrestling star in the 1970s and 1980s; a classic villain of the ring, and a foil for wrestling heroes like Bruno Sammartino and Ric Flair. When he was killed in the dressing room before a fight in Puerto Rico, it shocked the world of wrestling, and pulled back the curtain on a world full of rumour, fakeouts and mystery. Comedian and wrestling fan Adam Hills tells the story of the larger than life character behind the truly unbelievable tale.
 
 
Producer: Ilona Toller
Assistant Producer: John Rogers
Executive Producers: Robert Nicholson and Will Yates
Sound Design: Artemis Irvine
Mix: Nigel Appleton
 
A Whistledown Production for BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds.

6. Invader

In the fifth episode, as the WWE takes over the American market, Bruiser turns to the even more high octane and raw world of wrestling in Puerto Rico - where he once again encounters Invader One, a local hero who he’s feuded with before. Bruiser Brody was a wrestling star in the 1970s and 1980s; a classic villain of the ring, and a foil for wrestling heroes like Bruno Sammartino and Ric Flair. When he was killed in the dressing room before a fight in Puerto Rico, it shocked the world of wrestling, and pulled back the curtain on a world full of rumour, fakeouts and mystery. Comedian and wrestling fan Adam Hills tells the story of the larger than life character behind the truly unbelievable tale.  
Producer: Ilona Toller
Assistant Producer: John Rogers
Executive Producers: Robert Nicholson and Will Yates
Sound Design: Artemis Irvine
Mix: Nigel Appleton
 
A Whistledown Production for BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds

1. The Cursed Champion

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