Episode #7 of the Retro Wrestling Re-View Power Pro Wrestling Podcast takes Gene Jackson, Robb Helt, and Brian Tramel back to May 30, 1998, as Power Pro Wrestling starts moving out of the “new TV show” phase and begins building toward its first major Mid-South Coliseum event: Blast Off at the Dome.

This week’s episode has a little bit of everything: a Young Guns Title match, Randy Hales making a major announcement, Jerry Lawler stirring the pot, Spellbinder seeks revenge on BJ Awesome, and a wild 10 person mixed tag main event that somehow turns into one of the most entertaining segments of the show.

The guys break down:

• Corey Maclin flying solo on commentary
• Kid Wikked defending the Young Guns Title against Bobby Bronz
• Lance Jade getting pulled deeper into the Bobby Bronz/Kid Wikked drama
• Randy Hales announcing Blast Off at the Dome for June 23rd at the Mid-South Coliseum
• Jerry Lawler calling out Randy’s “big announcement” tease
• A Young Guns (and Reggie) six-man with Lance Jade, Ashley Hudson, Blade, Swol, Yellow Jacket, and Master B!
• The guys weren’t ready for Derrick King showing up as the DK Master in full Kevin Sullivan tribute mode 
• Samantha going full on Nacho Libre!
• And a chaotic 10-person tag with Lawler, Dundee, Stacy, Samantha, and Miss Jackie against Billy Joe Travis, Paul Diamond, Tony Falk, Derrick King, and Brandon Baxter

Gene, Robb, and BT dig into the messy finishes, the constant run-ins, why every match seems to break down into chaos, and how much of that is just Power Pro trying to survive in the middle of the late-90s wrestling boom.

But by the end of the episode, one thing is clear:

Corey Maclin may have been the MVP, Samantha may have stolen the show, and Derrick King may already be one of the best things going in Power Pro.

If you love late-90s Memphis wrestling, Power Pro Wrestling, Jerry Lawler, Randy Hales, Brandon Baxter, Derrick King, Kid Wikked, Spellbinder, BJ Awesome, and the strange transition from USWA to a new era of Memphis TV wrestling, this episode is for you!

The Retro Wrestling Archive Podcast Network welcomes another new affiliate show as Huge Pop Entertainment Presents: Behind the Ropes w/Ahmed Johnson, featuring an in-depth conversation with Tony Norris, better known to wrestling fans as Ahmed Johnson.

In this episode, Huge Pop and The M-A-T-T sit down with the former WWF Intercontinental Champion for a wide-ranging, honest discussion about his life in football, wrestling, and beyond. Ahmed talks about growing up watching territory wrestling, his time with the Dallas Cowboys, training under Ivan Putski and Skandor Akbar, and making the transition from football into professional wrestling.

The conversation covers Ahmed’s rise in the WWF, including his memorable debut moment slamming Yokozuna, becoming the first African-American Intercontinental Champion, working with Razor Ramon, Shawn Michaels, Goldust, Jake Roberts, Yokozuna, Faarooq, The Nation of Domination, The Rock, Vader, Triple H, Ron Simmons, and more.

Ahmed also opens up about:

• The difference between pro football and pro wrestling locker rooms
• His WWF debut and slamming Yokozuna
• Winning the Intercontinental Championship
• Injuries that changed the course of his career
• His real-life tension with Ron Simmons
• Working stiff with Vader and JBL
• The Nation of Domination being “too powerful”
• Why Razor Ramon was the one veteran who truly helped him
• His WCW run with Stevie Ray
• The infamous “letter T” angle with Booker T
• Working with Hulk Hogan, Vince Russo, and the NWO-era WCW locker room
• Fan reactions, conventions, and meet-and-greets
• His community work with battered women’s shelters and youth homes
• His thoughts on modern wrestling, diversity, young talent, and today’s fans

This is a candid conversation with one of the most intense stars of the early Attitude Era, covering the highs, frustrations, injuries, politics, and unforgettable moments from a career that still stands out to fans today.

If you remember Ahmed Johnson’s explosive WWF run, his battles with the Nation, his Intercontinental Title win, or his later WCW appearances, this episode gives you a closer look at the man behind the power, intensity, and Pearl River Plunge.

#AhmedJohnson #TonyNorris #HugePopEntertainment #BehindTheRopes #HugePopWrestlingPodcast #WWF #WWE #WCW #IntercontinentalChampion #NationOfDomination #AttitudeEra #RetroWrestlingArchive #WrestlingPodcast

Episode 2 of The Hang is exactly what the title promises: Flashbacks & Callbacks from the debut episode, with Uncle Frank, “El Jefe” Alex Jaffe, and J.R. Butcher looking back at the chaos, stories, music, wrestling, and ridiculous moments that helped set the tone for the show.

This episode revisits how the crew first met, including the infamous medicated cake story, Alex accidentally going on a very unexpected journey, and J.R. getting taken out by a flying camp shelter while trying to protect his sausages. From there, the guys bounce through callbacks to Episode 1, including the dramatic reading of The Ying Yang Twins’ “Wait (The Whisper Song),” music from Sophie Hunter, stolen Gathering chairs, weed strain talk, JCW memories, and Kendo’s JCW match pick featuring DX vs. the NWO/JWO from the 2011 Gathering of the Juggalos.

The episode also features:

• The story of how Uncle Frank, Alex, and J.R. first connected
• The return of the medicated cake saga
• Sophie Hunter’s “Break Shit”
• JCW Lunacy love and promotion
• Phams & Hooligans music
• Kendo’s JCW match pick
• Gathering chair show-and-tell
• Shout-outs to Retro Wrestling Archive, Buster Johnson, Precious Juggalo Shovel, and more
• A tribute-style callback to Cliffy with Ninja Vanish
• Plenty of off-the-rails conversation, jokes, and “you had to be there” energy

The Hang isn’t your typical wrestling podcast. It’s friends, creators, wrestling fans, music fans, and absolute lunatics hanging out, telling stories, playing clips, remembering wild moments, and letting the conversation go wherever it wants to go.

Pull up a chair, light one if you got one, and come hang.

Dustin Starr joins Brian Tramel for a new episode of “Shootin’ The Shiznit” for “Biiiiiiiiiiggggggggggg Neeeeeeeeeewwwwwwwwwwssssss” for Episode 357 ! Dustin Star & BT talk about an announcement for an upcoming event, Bill Dundee, wrestling events with the corona, a new Starr is on the way, and much more !! 

On this episode of Rick Del Santo’s Classic Pro Wrestling Talk, Rick welcomes Tommy Lane, one half of the Rock & Roll RPMs, for a deep dive into his career across the wrestling territories of the 1980s.

Rick and Tommy cover his early days working with Larry Cheatham, teaming with Larry Saxton, heading to San Antonio, and forming an important connection with The Mongolian Stomper, Archie Gouldie, who later helped bring him to Canada as his kayfabe son.

The conversation also touches on Tommy’s time as Tommy Rogers in Central States, teaming with Marty Jannetty, working with Dusty Wolf, and learning from veterans like Roger Kirby, Harley Race, and the crew around Bob Geigel’s Kansas City territory.

From there, Tommy discusses the formation of the Rock & Roll RPMs with Mike Davis, including:

• Their time in Mid-Atlantic Wrestling
• Dusty Rhodes giving him the Tommy Lane name
• Working with The Rock ’n’ Roll Express
• Wrestling in Puerto Rico against teams like The Sheepherders and Eric Embry & Rip Morgan
• Coming into Memphis as babyfaces before turning heel
• Feuding with Tracy Smothers, Steve Keirn, Jeff Jarrett, and Billy Joe Travis
• Working SuperClash III against the Guerrero brothers
• The Knoxville run against Johnny and Davey Rich
• Memories of Buddy Landel, Doug Furnas, Terry Gordy, Wendell Cooley, and Bill Dundee
• Their time in World Class against The Fantastics, Steve Simpson, Eric Embry, and Frankie Lancaster
• The famous “Doctors Rock” angle in Memphis
• Working with The Midnight Rockers, Bad Company, and more

Tommy also talks about stepping away from wrestling, his long post-wrestling career in the transportation industry, the passing of his RPMs partner Mike Davis, and his thoughts on modern wrestling, including why he believes today’s women’s wrestling often stands out as some of the best work on TV.

If you’re a fan of territory wrestling, 1980s tag teams, Memphis, Mid-Atlantic, World Class, Puerto Rico, Knoxville, or the Rock & Roll RPMs, this is a great conversation with a name who worked with just about everybody and has stories from everywhere.

Check out more great stuff from Rick Del Santo on his YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TheRickDelSanto

Follow him on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theprofrickdelsanto

It’s time for the “special edition” of “Shootin’ The Shiznit.” Brian Tramel is joined by Maria Starr for the “Memphis In May” series. They bring you the Cool Kids Countdown Ep 80 : “Maria Starr’s Top Ten Slaps of All Time” for Episode 333. 

Episode #105 of the Retro Wrestling Re-View USWA Podcast takes Gene, Josh, Brian, and their old pal Richard who makes a surprise “one off” return this week back to October 26, 1991 as they break down a show built around some major storyline shifts, questionable new arrivals, and a whole lot of “what the hell are we doing here?”

The big story is the official split between Eric Embry and Dr. Tom Prichard, as the Texas Bunch finally falls apart after Prichard repeatedly nails Embry during the six-man tag from the Mid-South Coliseum. From there, Dr. Tom cuts one of the most fascinating promos of this 1991 run, openly addressing accusations that he sounds like a “cheap Roddy Piper imitation,” while also explaining why he’s done being Embry’s stooge.

Meanwhile, Jerry Lawler and Billy Joe Travis continue their feud after Lawler throws fire at Billy Joe in the Coliseum. Unfortunately for Billy Joe, the aftermath includes one of the least convincing “burned face” sell jobs you’ll ever see, followed by the arrival of a mysterious masked man who may or may not be The Snowman (he’s not)

Also this week:

• Doug Masters debuts his new partner, Bart Sawyer and the gang is underwhelmed
• Freezer Thompson continues his strange babyface mini/sorta push
• Dog of War is still looking for Flea and Jimmy Valiant
• Plus! We hear from “Memaw” for the first time in MONTHS!

This is one of those episodes where the review may be more entertaining than the wrestling show itself with plenty of Memphis confusion, bad booking decisions, questionable promos, and the return of Richard Mullikin at exactly the right time for listeners and wrong time for his sanity!

On this episode of Get Your Bell Rung Pro Wrestling Podcast, host K.G. Landry welcomes back Bay Ragni, better known to wrestling fans as Chubby Dudley, for a conversation that goes far beyond ECW nostalgia.

Bay reflects on his life since his last appearance, including the emotional aftermath of the Tri-State Wrestling Alliance “One and Done” reunion show, his friendships from the wrestling business, and the complicated bond that still connects him to ECW, Todd Gordon, Joel Goodhart, and the original Dudley family.

This episode digs deep into the man behind the character. Bay talks openly about surviving multiple heart attacks, learning to appreciate every day, dealing with depression, therapy, alcohol, trauma, self-love, father figures, and what it means to still carry the name Chubby Dudley years after stepping away from the spotlight.

K.G. and Bay also discuss:

• The emotional legacy of ECW and the Dudley family
• The Tri-State Wrestling Alliance reunion show
• Bay’s relationship with Joel Goodhart and Todd Gordon
• Surviving six heart attacks and changing perspective on life
• His current work with sports cards, social media, and talent representation
• Why he once tried to separate himself from wrestling
• Accepting and embracing the Chubby Dudley character again
• Mental health, depression, trauma, therapy, and gratitude
• What performers go through emotionally behind the scenes
• The upcoming TWA documentary premiere

This is not just a wrestling interview. It’s a real conversation about survival, identity, friendship, regret, gratitude, and learning to live with the past while still finding reasons to celebrate the present.

If you remember Chubby Dudley from the early days of ECW, or if you enjoy honest conversations with the people behind the characters, this episode is well worth your time.

 Also, for all your current wrestling news and reviews with K.G., Bob Cook, Robbie Idol, and the "Grizzled Vet" Michael McCurdy…subscribe to the Get Your Bell Rung YouTube Channel over at https://www.youtube.com/@getyourbellrungprowrestling and like their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61583941710996

Subscribe, follow, and get ready to have your bell rung.

#GetYourBellRung #RetroWrestlingArchive #PodcastNetwork #KGLandry #WrestlingPodcast #ProWrestling #WrestlingHistory #RetroWrestling

This week on Retro Wrestling w/Gene Jackson, Gene sits down with one of the most fascinating figures in wrestling history, “The World’s Strongest Man” Ted Arcidi for a long form conversation covering bodybuilding, powerlifting, WWF, movies, television, and the wild ride that took him from setting world records to stepping inside the wrestling ring.

Best known to wrestling fans as “Mr. 705” after becoming the first man to officially bench press over 700 pounds, Ted discusses:

• Breaking world records in powerlifting
• Training and competing during the golden era of strength sports
• Transitioning from bodybuilding and lifting into professional wrestling
• His time in the WWF during the mid-1980s boom period
• Working alongside Hulk Hogan, Vince McMahon, and many of wrestling’s biggest stars
• The reality of being pushed as a powerhouse attraction during wrestling’s national expansion
• Traveling the territory system before the wrestling business completely changed
• Stories from behind the scenes during one of wrestling’s hottest eras
• And the physical and mental discipline it took to compete at such an elite level

This is a fascinating deep dive into the life of a man who has lived in multiple worlds: strength sports, bodybuilding, professional wrestling, and entertainment and succeeded in all of them.

Follow Ted Arcidi on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ted.arcidi.2025

Subscribe to Ted Arcidi’s YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/@TedArcidiYouTube

🎧 Subscribe to the Retro Wrestling Archive Network for more classic wrestling interviews, retro reviews, deep dives, and wrestling history content.

#TedArcidi #WWF #Bodybuilding #Powerlifting #HulkHogan #VinceMcMahon #RetroWrestling #WrestlingPodcast #80sWrestling

On this special episode, Brian Tramel and Steve Crawford look back at the life and career of Phil Hickerson, one of the toughest, most believable, and most underrated performers to ever come through Memphis wrestling.

From his early run as a rugged Southern brawler teaming with Al Green, to his legendary partnership with Dennis Condrey as part of the Wrecking Crew, Hickerson built a reputation as a guy who could fight, bleed, talk, and make everything he did feel real. Brian and Steve discuss Phil’s place in the Memphis territory, his wild arena brawls, his run-ins with names like Jerry Lawler, Tommy Rich, Eddie Gilbert, Harley Race, and the future Sting and Ultimate Warrior, plus his later transformation into P.Y. Chu-Hi.

The show also covers what made Hickerson so respected by fans and wrestlers alike: his timing, his toughness, his believable promos, and his ability to make everyone he worked with look better. It’s part career retrospective, part Memphis wrestling history lesson, and part tribute to one of the last great old-school Southern wrestling originals.

A salute to “Big” Phil Hickerson — a Jackson, Tennessee tough guy who left a lasting mark on Memphis wrestling.