When It Was Cool Wrestling and Retro Pop Culture by DragonKingKarl

DragonKingKarl A-Z of pro wrestling history series continues by looking at lucha libre legend El Canek. El Canek, El principe Maya, is one of the most highly decorated and influential luchadores in history. While he might not get as much attention as the movie star luchadores like El Santo, Blue Demon, Mil Mascaras, and others, he was a giant star who defeated legends like Lou Thesz, and even Andre the Giant. Join host wrestling historian Karl Stern as he looks at the career of El Canek.

Continuing our DragonKingKarl A-Z of pro wrestling history series with Bam Bam Bigelow. Bam Bam Bigelow was one of my favorites. I always loved the big agile monsters. I saw Bam Bam Bigelow’s career from the very start, watching him in Memphis and following him through World Class (as Crusher Yurkov), and his multiple runs in the WWF / WWE, WCW, and Japan. Join me as I look back at the life and career of one of pro wrestling’s best big men- Bam Bam Bigelow!

We begin our DragonKingKarl A-Z of pro wrestling history series with The Assassin. Jody Hamilton started wrestling as a tag team with his brother The Missouri Mauler and even headlined Madison Square Garden, but it was his time as tag team partner with Tom Renesto as The Assassins that made him nationally famous. We also discuss his time in the Southeast as the masked Flame.

This show was previously heard by our Patreons at WhenItWasCool.com. Periodically, we review some of the WORST rated matches and shows of all time to see if they are really as bad as portrayed. In celebration of TripleMania, DragonKingKarl takes a look back at a minus 5 star match from 2015 AAA TripleMania - Villanos vs Psycho Circus!

In 1993 at the age of 33, pro wrestling star Kerry Von Erich took his own life on his father's ranch near Dallas, Texas. The Von Erich family was legendarily plagued with death. This biography was the peak of Dave Meltzer's legendary in-depth biography pieces. Going into great detail, not only about Kerry Von Erich, but the entire troubled family as well. From the pages of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter this is the death of Kerry Von Erich.

I have watched every available episode of 1979-1980 Memphis Wrestling so let's discuss. Jerry Lawler, Bill Dundee, Jimmy Valiant, The Blonde Bombers (Wayne Farris and Larry Latham), the Tupelo Concession Stand Brawl (the first one), plus the young rookie days of Ricky Morton, Eddie Gilbert, Robert Gibson, Danny Davis, and more. Tons of amazing angles and characters during this era of CWA Wrestling.

Another DragonKingKarl mega-show in our "Saga of" series takes a look back at a tag team many consider the greatest of all time - The Midnight Express. But if you think the Midnight Express is only Dennis Condrey and Bobby Eaton or Bobby Eaton and Stan Lane, or if you think Jim Cornette has always been part of the formula, think again. The Midnight Express was already a highly decorated, veteran unit before Jim Cornette ever came along. With founding members Dennis Condrey, Randy Rose, and Norvell Austin, the Midnight ran rampant as the top heels in 2 different territories long before Mid-South. Plus, learn about ALL the Midnight Express members including (yes) the Mongolian Stomper and Honky Tonk Man (and more!)

Today's review is awesome! Armstrong Alley YouTube channel has newly discovered footage from the spring of 1983 of Alabama's Southeastern Championship Wrestling. He found someone with a previously undiscovered tape out of Montgomery which features, among other things: More legendary heel Bob Armstrong, Buck Robley coming out of a box angle, The Midnight Express, Inc (Dennis Condrey, Randy Rose, Norvell Austin, Mongolian Stomper, etc), Ric Flair, Mr. Olympia, Frank Savage, Ken Lucas, Jimmy Golden, The Flame (Jody Hamilton), Tommy Rogers as U.S. Junior champion, and more! Let's take a look at it!

George Hackenschmidt, the Russian Lion, is a pioneer in two worlds. He is a pioneer legend of the strongman and powerlifting scene and a pioneer in pro wrestling as the first internationally recognized World heavyweight champion. His matches with Tom Jenkins and, later, Frank Gotch, set the stage for pro wrestling's enduring popularity in America. Join wrestling historian Karl Stern as he discusses the life and career of George Hackenschmidt.

Join pro wrestling historian Karl Stern as he looks back at one of the most stereotypical, yet longest running, pro wrestling gimmicks- The Hillbilly! The Scufflin' Hillbillies, Haystack Calhoun, Giant Haystacks, Hillbilly Jim, The Godwinns, and many more. Some famous and some forgotten. An interesting look at the history of this memorable pro wrestling gimmick.