SportsWrestling

Portland Wrestling

Frank

Step inside the Portland Sports Arena and relive the golden age of Pacific Northwest wrestling. From legendary feuds to hidden gems, our podcasts bring you the stories, matches, and larger-than-life personalities that defined one of wrestling’s most unique territories.

Each episode dives into the history, characters, and unforgettable moments of Portland Wrestling—from household names who passed through on their way to national stardom, to the one-match wonders and obscurities that only true fans remember.

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S6 · E62
Today · 1 hr 4 min
Ringside in Rose City: Ring Around the Northwest Hall of Fame 2026 — 10 New Inductees!
Ringside in Rose City: Ring Around the Northwest Hall of Fame 2026 — 10 New Inductees! TEN NEW INDUCTEES. TEN REMARKABLE STORIES. ONE INCREDIBLE HISTORY! It's time for one of our favorite annual traditions on Ringside in Rose City — the Ring Around the Northwest Hall of Fame! Join host Frank Culbertson and award-winning wrestling historian Mike Rodgers as we celebrate 10 individuals whose careers helped shape professional wrestling in the Pacific Northwest. Some became internationally recognized stars. Others spent decades entertaining fans in arenas large and small. And a few have nearly disappeared from wrestling's collective memory. Until now! For 30 years, Mike published Ring Around the Northwest, a monthly wrestling bulletin featuring interviews, match results, and behind-the-scenes stories. His dedication earned him the 2019 Jim Melby Pro Wrestling Historian of the Year Award from the Cauliflower Alley Club. Now celebrating his 23rd year of Hall of Fame selections, Mike explains how the tradition began and why preserving the stories of lesser-known wrestlers matters just as much as remembering the champions. BUD RETTELL — A nearly 20-year Northwest wrestling career, primarily in Vancouver, followed by an unexpected tour of Japan late in his career. HERB PARKS — A forgotten star of the 1930s and 1940s whose accomplishments included the Pacific Coast Junior Heavyweight Championship. THE BOLLYWOOD BOYZ — From the Pacific Northwest to WWE! Mike recalls their remarkable dedication to learning the business and their spectacular performances as the Singh Brothers. RON STARR — A major attraction during Portland's legendary late-1970s era, teaming with Adrian Adonis and battling Roddy Piper and Buddy Rose. DON COSS — The unforgettable voice of Portland Wrestling! Frank shares personal memories of working alongside Don, while Mike revisits his humor, famous catchphrases, and the unpredictable chaos of the Crow's Nest. GREG "THE HAMMER" VALENTINE — Before becoming an international star, Valentine wrestled in Portland. Mike also shares a hilarious—and painful—personal encounter with Valentine's famous elbow drop! DON KINDRED — A pioneering African American wrestler whose partnership with Frank James, the Brown Bombers, helped break barriers and brought championship success to the Pacific Northwest. IGOR VOLKOV — A longtime Northwest competitor, also known as Danny Babich, whose career included multiple Canadian Tag Team Championships and plenty of fascinating stories. TOM ZENK — One of Don Owen's rising stars of the 1980s. Discover his Portland championship success and why he later questioned his decision to leave the territory. DON JARDINE — THE SPOILER — A major star and championship partner of Dutch Savage. Mike shares memories from his personal interview with Jardine, whose remarkably candid opinions about fellow wrestlers and promoters are unforgettable! Mike's Hall of Fame isn't simply about who became the biggest star. It's about impact, longevity, contribution, and preserving the history of an entire wrestling territory. From the 1930s to the modern era, these inductees represent generations of performers who helped make Northwest wrestling special. Along the way, Frank and Mike share personal memories, surprising discoveries, plenty of laughter, and stories that deserve to be remembered. Some names you'll recognize immediately. Others you'll be hearing for the first time. Every one has earned a place in wrestling history. Follow Ringside in Rose City on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. New episodes every Friday! Share this episode with a wrestling fan and tell us which inductee brings back your favorite memories. Mike Rodgers' books, including Excitement in the Air, Katie Bar the Door, and The Encyclopedia of Portland Wrestlers, are available on Amazon. ONE RING. ONE CITY. A THOUSAND STORIES. Wrestling… wrestling the way it should be!
S7 · E13
Friday · 22 min
Cream of the Crop #13: Jesse Ventura & Rick Martel — Before the World Knew Their Names
BEFORE THE WORLD KNEW THEIR NAMES… PORTLAND ALREADY DID!One would become one of professional wrestling's most recognizable voices, a Hollywood actor, and eventually the Governor of Minnesota.The other would become an AWA World Heavyweight Champion and one of wrestling's most accomplished international stars.But before Jesse "The Body" Ventura and Rick Martel reached wrestling's biggest stages, both made their mark inside the Portland Sports Arena.And their journeys couldn't have been more different!In Episode 13 of The Cream of the Crop, host Frank Culbertson explores the fascinating Portland careers of two men who would become household names.JESSE "THE BODY" VENTURA — THE MAN THEY WOULDN'T LET TALK!Imagine Jesse Ventura, one of wrestling's greatest talkers, arriving in Portland and being told to stand there, flex, and let somebody else handle the interviews!That's exactly what happened.With only six months of wrestling experience, Ventura was paired with the veteran Bull Ramos. But Jesse learned quickly, defeating Jimmy Snuka for the Northwest Heavyweight Championship and capturing tag team gold with Ramos.Then came Buddy Rose, the formation of The Younger Generation, and an explosive rivalry that helped transform Ventura into a major attraction.From Portland to the AWA, the WWF, Hollywood, and eventually the Minnesota governor's mansion, Ventura's remarkable journey had an important stop in the Pacific Northwest.RICK MARTEL — THE YOUNG WRESTLER WHO ALREADY UNDERSTOOD THE BUSINESS!Rick Martel arrived in Portland with a very different education.Beginning his wrestling career at 17, Martel traveled through Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Hawaii, learning different wrestling styles and the business behind the matches.By just 23 years old, he was already helping book professional wrestling in Hawaii!A recommendation from the Sheepherders, encouragement from Roddy Piper, and an opportunity with Don Owen brought Martel to Portland.And what a time to arrive! Rose, Piper, the Sheepherders, and Martel helped create one of the most exciting periods in Portland Wrestling history.Martel would defeat Rose for the Heavyweight Championship and team with Piper to capture thet Tag Team Championship.But perhaps his most revealing Portland moments came against NWA World Heavyweight Champion Harley Race.In January 1980, Martel defeated Race by disqualification and battled him to a draw just four days later. Those matches sent a powerful message: Rick Martel belonged among wrestling's elite.Martel would become the AWA World Heavyweight Champion, holding the title for an extraordinary 19 months, before reinventing himself once again in the WWF.TWO MEN. TWO DIFFERENT JOURNEYS. ONE LEGENDARY TERRITORY.Jesse Ventura arrived in Portland still learning how to become a professional wrestler.Rick Martel arrived already understanding how to make professional wrestling work.Both left a lasting impression, proving that greatness isn't always measured by how long someone stays in a territory, but by what they accomplish while they're there.COMING NEXT FRIDAY: THE REFEREES!They weren't supposed to be the stars, but in Portland Wrestling, referees could become legends themselves!We'll revisit the remarkable careers of Dandy Sandy Barr and Shag Thomas, along with Wild Bill Savage and Luke Brown.And yes, we'll remember what happened when a villain made the mistake of pushing Shag Thomas just a little too far!FOLLOW THE CREAM OF THE CROP!New episodes every Friday on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and wherever you enjoy wrestling history.Share this episode with someone who remembers those unforgettable nights at the Portland Sports Arena!The Cream of the Crop draws on Mike Rodgers' books The Encyclopedia of Portland Wrestlers, Katie Bar the Door: The History of Portland Wrestling, Excitement in the Air, Volume Two, and The History of Hawaiian Wrestling, available on Amazon.
S6 · E61
November 5 · 1 hr 28 min
Roddy Piper vs. Buddy Rose: How Portland Wrestling’s Legendary Feud Began! | Ringside in Rose City
Roddy Piper vs. Buddy Rose: How Portland Wrestling's Legendary Feud Began! BEFORE THEY BECAME BITTER ENEMIES… THEY WERE ON THE SAME SIDE! Following the tremendous response to our first video podcast, Before Raven: The Scotty the Body Story, Ringside in Rose City is back with another special video presentation! And this time, we're traveling back to 1979 to explore one of the greatest rivalries in Pacific Northwest wrestling history. "ROWDY" RODDY PIPER vs. "PLAYBOY" BUDDY ROSE! Two extraordinary wrestlers. Two legendary talkers. Two completely different personalities. But how did they go from allies to bitter enemies? And what happened during one unforgettable eight-man elimination match that changed everything? Join host Frank Culbertson and award-winning wrestling historian Mike Rodgers as they revisit the original Portland Wrestling footage and uncover the fascinating story behind this legendary feud. RODDY PIPER'S ARRIVAL: When Piper arrived in Portland in 1978, Don Owen didn't immediately recognize the superstar he would become. Mike examines Piper's early matches, his partnership with Killer Brooks, and how his incredible interview skills helped propel him toward the main event. THE RISE OF PLAYBOY BUDDY ROSE: Unlike Portland's traditional rough-and-tough villains, Rose was clever, arrogant, and a master at making fans hate him. He could lose a match and somehow become an even bigger attraction! THE LEGENDARY WHEELBARROW INTERVIEW: March 31, 1979. Four villains. A wheelbarrow overflowing with championship belts. Watch Piper, Rose, Ed Wiskowski, and Killer Brooks deliver one of the most entertaining interviews in Portland Wrestling history. THE EIGHT-MAN ELIMINATION MATCH: Piper, Rose, Wiskowski, and Brooks battle Adrian Adonis, Ron Starr, Hector Guerrero, and George Wells. Frank and Mike examine the psychology, the teamwork, and the remarkable mistake that shattered the alliance. THE BETRAYAL: One accidental collision. One furious argument. And suddenly, four men who believed they could control Portland Wrestling were fighting among themselves! PIPER'S UNFORGETTABLE INTERVIEWS: Watch Roddy Piper at his unpredictable best as he lashes out at Rose and Wiskowski, defends his injured partner, and confronts women's wrestler Vicki Williams. THE FEUD THAT WOULDN'T DIE: Anything Goes matches, Lumberjack matches, Coal Miner's Glove matches, and Hair matches. Piper and Rose met 40 times in singles competition, with Piper winning 25, Rose winning 7, and 8 ending in disqualifications or no contests. Yet fans never tired of seeing Buddy Rose get beaten! Mike explains why Rose was one of wrestling's greatest masters at losing a match without losing his ability to draw money. And wait until you see how Buddy turned losing his famous blond hair into another opportunity to infuriate Portland fans! Great interviews. Unforgettable characters. Remarkable storytelling. And rivalries that kept fans buying tickets week after week. Piper and Rose didn't just wrestle matches. They created memories that Portland fans still talk about nearly 50 years later. This video special features classic Portland Wrestling footage preserved by Rich Patterson, whose remarkable collection includes more than 600 hours of matches, interviews, and vintage commercials. Information about obtaining Rich's collection is included in the video. Watch this special video episode of Ringside in Rose City, and don't miss our first video presentation, Before Raven: The Scotty the Body Story! Follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube for more wrestling history, interviews, and special presentations. Hosted by Frank Culbertson and Mike Rodgers, author of The Encyclopedia of Portland Wrestlers, Katie Bar the Door, and Excitement in the Air, available on Amazon. ONE RING. ONE CITY. A THOUSAND STORIES. Wrestling… wrestling the way it should be!
S6 · E12
October 30 · 19 min
The Cream of the Crop #12 — The Sheepherders: From Brutal to Beloved!
The Cream of the Crop #12 — The Sheepherders: From Brutal to Beloved! BEFORE THE BUSHWHACKERS… THERE WERE THE SHEEPHERDERS! They swung their arms. They made crazy faces. They yelled "WHOA!" They marched to the ring and licked people's heads. Millions of WWF fans loved them. Kids loved them. Families loved them. They were the Bushwhackers! But years before Butch Miller and Luke Williams became two of wrestling's most recognizable comedy characters, Portland Wrestling knew them by another name. THE SHEEPHERDERS! And there was absolutely NOTHING lovable about them! They were vicious. They were brutal. They were unpredictable. And they became one of the most dangerous tag teams in Pacific Northwest wrestling history. Welcome to Episode 12 of The Cream of the Crop: The Main Eventers, Money Draws, and Territory Legends, hosted by Frank Culbertson. This week, we travel back to 1979 and 1980 to discover how two wild New Zealanders went from terrifying Portland audiences to becoming beloved wrestling superstars. Before Portland, the Sheepherders had been wrestling in Hawaii alongside familiar names like Rick Martel, Buddy Rose, Siva Afi, and Roddy Piper. It was Piper and Rose who helped bring Butch and Luke to Don Owen's territory. And Dutch Savage helped give them the names that Portland fans would remember! On July 14, 1979, the Sheepherders arrived at the Portland Sports Arena and defeated Northwest Tag Team Champions Ron Starr and Adrian Adonis. SEVEN DAYS LATER, THEY WON THE CHAMPIONSHIP! They had arrived. And Portland Wrestling would never be quite the same! The Sheepherders battled some of the Northwest's biggest stars, including Dutch Savage, Stan Stasiak, Adrian Adonis, and Roddy Piper. But their most unforgettable rivalry came against Roddy Piper and Rick Martel. These weren't ordinary wrestling matches. They were bloody. They were wild. And they were personal! Frank recalls seeing Piper and Martel battle the Sheepherders live—matches that remain vivid more than 45 years later. And Piper wanted more than victories. HE WANTED THEIR HAIR! In March 1980, Piper defeated Luke Williams in a hair match. Then he defeated Butch Miller in another. BOTH SHEEPHERDERS WERE BALD! But losing their hair didn't make them any less dangerous. The championship battles continued, including cage matches and more unforgettable confrontations. Then came one of the most remarkable transformations in Portland Wrestling. In June 1980, Buddy Rose turned against the Sheepherders, with Ed Wiskowski joining his side. Suddenly, Butch and Luke were fan favorites! The same wild expressions. The same crazy noises. The same unpredictable behavior. THE SHEEPHERDERS HADN'T REALLY CHANGED. THE FANS HAD! And in one of wrestling's great twists, they began teaming with Roddy Piper—the very man who had shaved both their heads! Years later, the WWF would take those same personalities and amplify them into the lovable Bushwhackers. But the foundation of that transformation had already been established in Portland. Two men. Two very different personalities. Two extraordinary careers. Rick Martel would become AWA World Heavyweight Champion and a major WWF star. Jesse Ventura would become an AWA World Tag Team Champion, WWF personality, broadcaster, actor, and Governor of Minnesota. Before the fame, before the championships, before the national spotlight… there was Portland Wrestling! That's next Friday on The Cream of the Crop! Follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. New episodes every Friday! Based on Mike Rodgers' The Encyclopedia of Portland Wrestlers and Katie Bar the Door, with additional material from Ohh Yeahh: The History of Hawaiian Wrestling, available on Amazon. The legends. The money draws. The main eventers. THE CREAM OF THE CROP!
S7 · E58
October 29 · 1 hr 24 min
DR. TOM PRICHARD JOINS RINGSIDE IN ROSE CITY!
Dr. Tom Prichard: From Portland Wrestling to Training the Legends! DR. TOM PRICHARD JOINS RINGSIDE IN ROSE CITY! What happens when a young wrestling fan gets his first lesson in the ring from the Iron Sheik—and refuses to quit? He becomes Dr. Tom Prichard: champion, world traveler, mentor, and one of professional wrestling's most respected teachers. This week, Frank Culbertson and wrestling historian Mike Rodgers welcome Dr. Tom for an unforgettable conversation spanning more than four decades of wrestling history. From the Houston wrestling office to Don Owen's Portland territory, from Japan to WWE, Tom shares the people, places, and lessons that shaped his remarkable career. PAUL BOESCH AND THE IRON SHEIK: How a $75-a-week job in Houston opened the door to wrestling—and the punishing first workout that convinced Tom he would do whatever it took. THE ROAD TO PORTLAND: Why his planned 1980 arrival was delayed, and what he learned wrestling in Los Angeles before reaching the Northwest in 1984. DON OWEN'S TERRITORY: Why Portland was such a valuable place to learn, and what veterans like Rip Oliver, Buddy Rose, and the Cuban Assassin taught him about telling stories in the ring. JIM CORNETTE—ONE OF THE GREATEST EVER? Where does Dr. Tom rank Jim Cornette among wrestling's legendary managers? Tom places Cornette, Bobby Heenan, and Paul Heyman in his all-time top three—and believes any of them could claim the number-one spot! He also discusses Cornette's remarkable mind for the business and their years together in Smoky Mountain Wrestling. LIFE AT THE BOMBER: The legendary wrestler hangout, wild nights, and road-trip adventures with Matt Borne and Brett Sawyer—including a terrifying drive on an icy mountain road. RIC FLAIR: Tom recalls two NWA World Championship opportunities and the reassuring words of the Nature Boy before their matches. JAPAN: A tour featuring the Wild Samoans, Bad News Allen, and a police-car incident you have to hear to believe. PERSONAL ISSUES AND REAL HEAT: Why Tom believes emotional storytelling still matters—and how wrestling has changed for modern audiences. TRAINING THE McMAHONS: What it was like working one-on-one with Vince McMahon, and why Shane was a completely different student. THE NEXT GENERATION: Tom discusses Darby Allin, authenticity, high-risk wrestling, and his concerns about the physical toll on today's performers. Beyond the laughs and incredible road stories, Tom offers something special: a thoughtful look at what makes a wrestler believable, why experienced performers should help younger talent succeed, and how the fundamentals survive even as the business changes. From getting stretched by the Iron Sheik to teaching some of wrestling's biggest names, Dr. Tom Prichard has seen the business from almost every angle. And he's sharing those experiences with us! Another Portland favorite joins us to discuss his career in the Northwest and beyond, including Puerto Rico and the USWA. Follow Ringside in Rose City on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. New episodes every Thursday! Mike Rodgers' Excitement in the Air series, including his earlier interview with Dr. Tom Prichard in Volume One, is available on Amazon. One ring. One city. A thousand stories. Wrestling… wrestling the way it should be.
S7 · E11
October 23 · 18 min
The Cream of the Crop #11 — The Royal Kangaroos: Portland Wrestling's Most Wanted!
THEY BROKE TELEVISIONS. THEY CARRIED BOOMERANGS. AND THEY HAD A BOUNTY ON THEIR HEADS! They were so hated that two Portland businessmen decided enough was enough. Tom Peterson and Friendly Joe Cahan weren't wrestlers. They weren't promoters. They were sponsors who wanted the Royal Kangaroos stopped! So they put up a bounty and invited some of professional wrestling's biggest names to Portland to collect it. Lonnie Mayne. Dory Funk Jr. Mad Dog Vachon. Don Leo Jonathan. Team after team came looking for the money. And the Royal Kangaroos kept surviving! Welcome to Episode 11 of The Cream of the Crop: The Main Eventers, Money Draws, and Territory Legends, hosted by Frank Culbertson. This week, we revisit one of the wildest, most colorful, and most successful tag teams in Portland Wrestling history. LORD JONATHAN BOYD AND NORMAN FREDERICK CHARLES III — THE ROYAL KANGAROOS! Johnny Boyd arrived in Portland in April 1971 and soon found himself battling Kurt and Karl Von Steiger. On July 3, Boyd defeated Kurt for the Northwest Heavyweight Championship. Afterward, the Von Steigers attacked him. Boyd promised to return with his cousin. One week later, Norman Frederick Charles III arrived, and the Royal Kangaroos were born! But their partnership had begun years earlier, when two cocky wrestlers touring New Zealand discovered they were related through marriage. They weren't particularly fond of each other. But together, they were wrestling gold! The Kangaroos came to the ring carrying boomerangs—and they weren't afraid to use them! They became six-time Northwest Tag Team Champions, battling the Von Steigers, Tony Borne, Lonnie Mayne, Dutch Savage, Jimmy Snuka, and many more. Their success extended beyond Portland, including a World Tag Team Championship victory over Pat Patterson and Tony Garea in San Francisco. But their most famous Portland storyline began with something completely unexpected. A TELEVISION SET! During live Portland Wrestling broadcasts, the Kangaroos began destroying televisions belonging to sponsor Tom Peterson. Peterson and Friendly Joe Cahan responded by offering bounty money to anyone who could defeat the Kangaroos. Suddenly, Portland Wrestling had an extraordinary attraction. THE BOUNTY HUNTER MATCHES! Famous wrestlers arrived from across the country. The matches became increasingly violent. And every unsuccessful challenger made the Kangaroos look even more dangerous. According to Norman Charles, the storyline accomplished something remarkable. It sold wrestling tickets. And it helped sell more televisions! In June 1976, the Kangaroos battled Bull Ramos and Jesse "The Body" Ventura for the Northwest Tag Team Championship. Mike Rodgers later remembered it as one of the wildest matches he'd ever witnessed—something that could have belonged in ECW! But behind the outrageous characters were two talented wrestlers who understood how to make audiences believe. Norman Charles once described himself as Rambo, Shakespeare, and Nero—toughness, artistry, and elegance. And he called the Royal Kangaroos the cream of the wrestling world! We also explore the team's eventual breakup, Norman's remarkable life after wrestling, and the reconciliation that reunited the two men years later. In 1979, two men from New Zealand arrived in Portland. BUTCH MILLER AND LUKE WILLIAMS! They were brutal, vicious, and dangerous. One week after their arrival, they were Northwest Tag Team Champions. Years later, WWF fans would know them as the lovable, arm-swinging Bushwhackers. But Portland knew them as THE SHEEPHERDERS, and there was absolutely nothing lovable about them! That's next Friday on The Cream of the Crop! Follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. New episodes every Friday! This series draws on Mike Rodgers' The Encyclopedia of Portland Wrestlers, Katie Bar the Door, and Excitement in the Air: Volume Two, available on Amazon. The legends. The money draws. The main eventers. THE CREAM OF THE CROP!
S6 · E57
October 22 · 1 hr 49 min
Ringside in Rose City — BEFORE RAVEN: The Scotty the Body Story | Our First VIDEO Special!
🎬 BIG ANNOUNCEMENT: RINGSIDE IN ROSE CITY IS GOING VIDEO! For the first time, you can WATCH Ringside in Rose City on YouTube! We're testing a new video format, featuring original Portland Wrestling footage alongside Frank Culbertson and Mike Rodgers' commentary—and we need YOUR feedback. ▶ WATCH our special, BEFORE RAVEN: THE SCOTTY THE BODY STORY, on YouTube. 👍 SUBSCRIBE and give the video a like if you enjoy it. 💬 COMMENT: What works? What should we improve? Would you watch more episodes like this? YOUR RESPONSE WILL HELP US DECIDE WHETHER TO MAKE MORE VIDEO SPECIALS! Our Spotify and Apple Podcasts audio editions aren't going anywhere. Before Scott Levy became the brooding, unforgettable Raven, he was a cocky, dancing, wisecracking troublemaker at the Portland Sports Arena. In this special look at 1989–1990, Frank and Mike follow his transformation through rare archival interviews, matches, and unforgettable television moments. THIS WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS: Scotty's first Portland interview: Watch him get under announcer Don Coss's skin almost immediately. Snotty the Body: See how one embarrassing moment became a memorable wrestling gimmick. The Southern Rockers: Scotty manipulates Steve Doll and Scott Peterson and nearly breaks up one of Portland's most beloved teams. Buddy Rose and the Rose Garden: Scotty joins forces with Rose and Johnny Boyd for outrageous television angles. Championship gold: Follow Scotty's rise to three Northwest Heavyweight titles, three Northwest Tag Team titles, and the Northwest Television Championship. Scotty's mom: Witness the extraordinary championship tournament, complete with money changing hands and Johnny Boyd's suspicious injury. Ginger, Veronica, and the wedding: Romance, betrayal, and a haircut that only wrestling could deliver. The Grappler sing-off: Yes, it happened—and we have the footage! You'll also hear archival comments from The Grappler, memories from Jody Day, and Mike's insights into the character that Portland helped shape. Beneath the jokes, dancing, and insults, Scotty was learning to command an audience. By April 1990, fans were beginning to cheer the man they were supposed to hate. What happened next? That's for another episode! Find BEFORE RAVEN: THE SCOTTY THE BODY STORY on the Ringside in Rose City YouTube channel. WATCH, SUBSCRIBE, AND—MOST IMPORTANTLY—LEAVE US A COMMENT! Tell us whether this video experiment should continue! Rich Patterson: Thank you for preserving the remarkable Portland Wrestling videotape collection that makes this video special possible. Information about the collection is in the episode. Jody Day: Thank you for sharing your memories of the Southern Rockers and the fans who made this era so special. Hosted by Frank Culbertson and historian Mike Rodgers, author of The Encyclopedia of Portland Wrestlers and the Excitement in the Air series. One ring. One city. A thousand stories. BEFORE RAVEN… THERE WAS SCOTTY THE BODY!🎬 DON'T JUST HEAR ABOUT THE HISTORY—SEE IT!SPECIAL THANKS
S7 · E10
October 16 · 16 min
The Cream of the Crop #10 — The Von Steigers: The Brothers Everyone Loved to Hate!
They were arrogant. They were vicious. They were German. Except they weren't German. And they weren't even brothers! Kurt Von Steiger was Arnold Pastrick. Karl Von Steiger was Loren Corlett. Two wrestlers from Winnipeg who became one of the most hated tag teams in Pacific Northwest wrestling history. But in professional wrestling, the question was never whether the story was true. The question was whether the fans believed it. And Portland wrestling fans believed every word! Welcome to Episode 10 of The Cream of the Crop: The Main Eventers, Money Draws, and Territory Legends, hosted by Frank Culbertson. This week, we travel back to 1968, when two men who weren't German and weren't related helped establish the identity of a brand-new wrestling arena—and gave Portland fans somebody they absolutely loved to hate! October 12, 1968. Don Owen's promotion finally had a permanent home. The Portland Sports Arena opened its doors for the first time, and Lonnie Mayne and Beauregard defended the Northwest Tag Team Championship against the Von Steigers. By the end of the night, Kurt and Karl were champions. And then they threw Lonnie Mayne from the Crow's Nest interview area! New building. New champions. A major star injured. Portland Wrestling had found its villains. Over the next several years, the Von Steigers would capture the Northwest Tag Team Championship an astonishing seven times. They battled some of the biggest names in the territory, including Lonnie Mayne, Tony Borne, Luther Lindsay, Shag Thomas, Billy White Wolf, Johnny War Eagle, Frankie Laine, and Bobby Nichols. And the fans couldn't wait to see somebody finally beat them! In March 1969, Billy White Wolf gave those fans something special: two chain matches in one night, defeating Kurt and Karl individually. But the Von Steigers were far more than a successful tag team. Kurt Von Steiger became a two-time Northwest Heavyweight Champion and later helped train wrestlers, including Afa of the Wild Samoans, contributing to a wrestling family whose influence continues today. Karl Von Steiger built his own championship career, winning titles in Amarillo and Hawaii. In 1979, he captured the Hawaiian State Championship after defeating Chris Markoff, Buck Zumhofe, and Kevin Von Erich in a one-night tournament. And together, the Von Steigers achieved something even bigger. They defeated Mad Dog and Butcher Vachon to become AWA World Tag Team Champions! Their reign lasted only about a week, but the championship represented something important: the trust and respect they had earned throughout professional wrestling. The German gimmick made fans dislike them before the bell rang. But their wrestling ability, psychology, and credibility kept those fans buying tickets. The Von Steigers understood something essential about the business: great heroes need great villains. Someone has to make the audience angry enough to come back next Saturday night. For years, Kurt and Karl Von Steiger were those men. They weren't German. They weren't brothers. But when the bell rang, none of that mattered. Portland believed. And Portland hated them! The Von Steigers had made plenty of enemies. One of them was Johnny Boyd. In July 1971, Boyd promised to bring his cousin, Norman Frederick Charles III, to Portland. One week later, a new tag team had arrived. Lord Jonathan Boyd and Norman Frederick Charles III — THE ROYAL KANGAROOS! The boomerangs. The bounty hunter matches. And a team so hated that even the sponsors wanted them stopped! That's next Friday on The Cream of the Crop! Follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. New episodes every Friday! This series is based on Mike Rodgers' The Encyclopedia of Portland Wrestlers and Katie Bar the Door, with additional historical material from Ohh Yeahh: The History of Hawaii Wrestling, all available on Amazon. One ring. One city. A thousand stories. The main eventers. The money draws. The territory legends. THE CREAM OF THE CROP!
S6 · E56
October 15 · 1 hr 20 min
Ringside in Rose City #56 — Who Booked This Shit? The Best and Worst of Wrestling Booking
Ringside in Rose City #56 — Who Booked This Shit? The Best and Worst of Wrestling Booking What makes a wrestling fan buy a ticket? And more importantly, what makes them come back next Saturday night? This week on Ringside in Rose City, Frank Culbertson and Portland wrestling historian Mike Rodgers go behind the curtain to explore one of professional wrestling's most important—and sometimes most baffling—arts: booking. The episode's unusual title comes from a legendary moment when Dutch Savage watched Sandy Barr's promotion put Little Nasty Boy against a 400-pound wrestler and wondered aloud who could possibly have booked such a match. As Mike explains, the answer involves one of the strangest booking systems you'll ever hear! From there, Frank and Mike examine the angles, betrayals, surprises, and downright terrible ideas that made wrestling history. When booking worked, it was magic. Remember John Tolos throwing Monsel's powder into Fred Blassie's eyes? Ray Stevens attacking Pepper Gomez's supposedly indestructible stomach—by landing on his throat instead? Or Rip Oliver disguising himself as Santa Claus before delivering a tire iron to Billy Jack Haynes? And what about the unforgettable double-cross that turned Buddy Rose into one of Portland's most beloved fan favorites? Frank and Mike revisit these legendary moments and explain why they worked, how promoters built anticipation, and why the payoff mattered just as much as the original angle. But not every idea was a winner. Bull Ramos communicating with Jesse Ventura using a flashlight? The questionable breakup of the Southern Rockers? Endless hair matches, mysterious gimmicks, and wrestling storylines that seemed to go nowhere? Sometimes even the best wrestling minds came up with something that left fans scratching their heads. The conversation also explores some of Portland Wrestling's greatest character transformations, including Dutch Savage, Lonnie Mayne, Buddy Rose, and Billy Jack Haynes. Why did some turns create unforgettable excitement while others fell flat? Along the way, Mike shares his insights into Don Owen's booking philosophy, how wrestlers like Buddy Rose helped shape the territory, why heel-versus-heel matches worked in Portland, and how the right storyline could turn an ordinary wrestler into a major attraction. From the Portland Sports Arena to Los Angeles, from Dusty Rhodes and the Four Horsemen to Steve Austin and Vince McMahon, this episode examines the art of making wrestling fans care. Because great booking isn't always complicated. Sometimes it's a handful of powder, a well-timed betrayal, a shocking upset—or a wrestler who simply refuses to stay down. The real secret? Make the fans need to know what happens next. And before we leave, Frank announces an exciting change coming to Ringside in Rose City: a trial run of video episodes on YouTube! The audio podcast isn't going anywhere, but you'll soon have a new way to experience the show. Join Frank and Mike for a lively, funny, and occasionally outrageous examination of wrestling's greatest successes—and some of its most spectacular failures. Ringside in Rose City is hosted by Frank Culbertson and Mike Rodgers, award-winning Portland wrestling historian and author of The Encyclopedia of Portland Wrestlers and the Excitement in the Air series. Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you enjoy wrestling history. One ring. One city. A thousand stories. Wrestling... wrestling the way it should be.
S7 · E9
October 9 · 14 min
The Cream of the Crop #9 — The Southern Rockers: The Boys Who Brought the Girls
The Cream of the Crop #9 — The Southern Rockers: The Boys Who Brought the Girls For decades, there was a pretty reliable formula for becoming a fan favorite in Portland Wrestling. Be tough. Really tough. Dutch Savage tough. Lonnie Mayne tough. The kind of guy you'd want standing beside you when a bar fight broke out. Then the 1980s happened. The music changed. The clothes changed. The hair definitely changed. And Portland Wrestling discovered another way to create heroes. Steve Doll. Scott Peterson. Rex King. The Southern Rockers. In Episode 9 of The Cream of the Crop, host Frank Culbertson looks back at the young, athletic, rock-and-roll babyfaces who brought bandanas, tassels, music—and a whole lot of screaming girls—to the Portland Sports Arena. At the center was Steve Doll, a wrestler Mike Rodgers compares to a Northwest version of Ricky Morton. Doll could sell a beating, create sympathy and make an audience desperately want him to reach the corner for the tag. He could also do much more, eventually becoming Northwest Heavyweight Champion and even briefly serving as Portland's booker. His first Southern Rockers partner was Scott Peterson. Doll and Peterson captured the Northwest Tag Team Championship six times, battling teams that included Joey Jackson & Super Ninja, The Grappler & Rip Oliver and different versions of The Clan and Grappler's crew. Then Portland tried to break them up. The fans wanted no part of it. They didn't turn against Doll. They didn't turn against Peterson. They hated the idea of the Southern Rockers fighting each other. The promotion got the message—and reunited the team. When Peterson eventually left wrestling, Rex King stepped in. The look remained. The energy remained. And most importantly, the team kept winning. Doll and King became three-time Northwest Tag Team Champions, and both versions of the Southern Rockers now had championship credibility. Doll and King eventually took their partnership beyond Portland. Steve Doll became Steven Dunn, Rex King became Timothy Well, and together they reached the WWF as Well Dunn. But the real Southern Rockers story isn't simply about championships. It's about an audience. Portland Wrestling had spent decades creating heroes for wrestling fans. The Southern Rockers helped create new wrestling fans. Young women and teenage girls who might not have bought a ticket to see the toughest man in the building suddenly had their guys. They came. They screamed. They bought tickets. And they came back. The episode also remembers the sad reality that all three Southern Rockers are now gone—Scott Peterson, Steve Doll and Rex King—but recalls a time when the music hit inside that little building on North Chautauqua Boulevard and an entire section of the Portland Sports Arena lost its mind. Bandanas. Tassels. Rock and roll. And a whole lot of screaming girls. Steve Doll. Scott Peterson. Rex King. The Southern Rockers — Portland Wrestling's rock-and-roll babyfaces. And next Friday, the screaming girls give way to something much more sinister: Kurt and Karl Von Steiger — the dreaded German tag team. The Cream of the Crop is based on Mike Rodgers' Encyclopedia of Portland Wrestlers, available now on Amazon. New episodes drop every Friday on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or wherever you get your wrestling fix. The legends. The money draws. The main eventers. The Cream of the Crop.
S6 · E52
October 8 · 1 hr 19 min
Ringside in Rose City #55 — November 1969: Death Matches, Dusty Finishes & Thanksgiving Fireballs
Ringside in Rose City #55 — November 1969: Death Matches, Dusty Finishes & Thanksgiving Fireballs November 1969 may not have been Portland Wrestling’s biggest month—but it certainly wasn’t boring. Frank Culbertson and Portland wrestling historian Mike Rodgers return to the Portland Sports Arena, where Rip Kirby and Beauregard are right in the middle of everything, Lonnie Mayne’s painfully slow transformation into a fan favorite continues, and Billy White Wolf apparently needs not one...not two...but three Indian Death Matches with Kirby to settle their feud. And somehow, even a Death Match can end in a draw. November also brings the return of Pepper Gomez, who immediately finds himself chasing Kirby and the Northwest Heavyweight Championship. Special referees seem to be everywhere, decisions are reversed, titles are held up, and Frank and Mike discover so many finishes that would later become associated with Dusty Rhodes that maybe somebody owes Don Owen some royalties. Meanwhile, something strange is happening with Tony Borne. He's still wrestling like a heel, sometimes teaming with Lonnie Mayne, sometimes serving as a referee—and occasionally refusing to accept his own partner's version of what happened right in front of him. By Thanksgiving week, the territory begins changing quickly. Billy White Wolf wrestles his final Portland match. Buddy Marino is on his way out. Pepper Gomez's brief return comes to an end. But just as familiar names begin disappearing, Kurt and Karl Von Steiger return, fresh from a successful tour of Hawaii and the Orient, and suddenly Portland's tag-team division looks dangerous again. Before all of that, the show pauses to remember George Wells, whose family recently confirmed that he passed away in 2020. Mike looks back at Wells' 1979 Portland run, including his part in one of the territory's memorable eight-man matches, while Frank remembers his later WWF appearance against Jake Roberts at WrestleMania 2. Then it's time for a special edition of Kayfabe Curveballs. This time every question eventually leads back to a story from Mike's book, Books, Balls, and Squirrel Paws—his funny, personal and occasionally unbelievable account of 30 years as an educator. What could possibly connect a Slip 'N Slide, Mister Rogers and a Frisbee? Mike Rodgers. Among the stories: three concussions at field day, a student mistakenly believing Mike had died, and Mike somehow tearing his bicep throwing a Frisbee. If you enjoy Mike's stories on Ringside in Rose City, you'll find plenty more in Books, Balls, and Squirrel Paws, available now on Amazon. And when the ukuleles start playing, it's time for another Island Interlude—Thanksgiving in Hawaii. Lisa has the grass skirt ready, the turkey is wearing a lei, and the wrestling gives us Pedro Morales against The Sheik—with a fireball thrown in for good measure—Don Leo Jonathan against Fred Blassie, and the return of Johnny Barend. Back in Portland, the month ends with plenty of questions still unanswered. Kirby and Mayne aren't finished. Beauregard has discovered the power of a taped thumb. The Von Steigers are back. And Portland Wrestling is heading toward December with the pieces moving once again. November 1969 — three Indian Death Matches, questionable refereeing, Thanksgiving wrestling, Hawaiian fireballs and enough strange finishes to keep Frank and Mike arguing for another month. Ringside in Rose City is hosted by Frank Culbertson and Portland wrestling historian Mike Rodgers, author of The Encyclopedia of Portland Wrestlers, the Excitement in the Air series, and Books, Balls, and Squirrel Paws, available on Amazon. New episodes drop every Thursday. One ring. One city. A thousand stories. Wrestling... wrestling the way it should be.
S7 · E8
October 2 · 24 min
The Cream of the Crop #8 — Rip Kirby & Beauregard: The Men Who Lit the Fuse
In 1969, Portland Wrestling had a problem. The promotion had moved from the old Portland Armory into the Portland Sports Arena, but the crowds weren't what they had been. The money wasn't what it had been. Don Owen needed a spark. He found two. Roger “Rip” Kirby and Beauregard. Kirby arrived in Portland that spring alongside Pat Patterson. Patterson soon left. Kirby stayed—and within months became one of the most hated men in Northwest wrestling. Athletic, arrogant and dangerous, Kirby terrorized opponents with the wooden post holding one of Portland Wrestling's television lights. Then one night, Lonnie Mayne had seen enough. He came to the ring with a saw. Host Frank Culbertson was there that night as a young fan and remembers watching Mayne literally saw down the post as the Portland Sports Arena erupted. The rivalry became a bloody war. Kirby took Mayne's Northwest Heavyweight Championship, and something remarkable happened along the way: Portland fans started cheering for Lonnie Mayne. Then came the final ingredient. “The Sensation of the Nation” Beauregard. Flashy, outrageous and one of the finest talkers of his era, Beauregard understood that television wasn't simply there to show wrestling—it was there to sell personalities and sell tickets. He dressed as historical characters, bragged about imaginary famous relatives and even used Portland Wrestling television to promote his own record, Testify. When Beauregard returned to Portland and joined Rip Kirby, the pieces finally came together. On one side stood Kirby and Beauregard. Across from them stood Tony Borne and Lonnie Mayne—two men who had spent years as two of Portland Wrestling's greatest villains. And the fans made their choice. They chose Borne and Mayne. This episode of The Cream of the Crop explores how two tremendous heels helped transform two other heels into heroes—and, in the process, helped change the fortunes of Portland Wrestling. It's also a personal episode for Frank, with memories of seeing the Kirby-Mayne angle unfold firsthand and of the day Beauregard's leather jacket somehow ended up in his grandfather's Portland leather shop. For a 10-year-old wrestling fan, that was pretty close to meeting royalty. Rip Kirby was in Portland for only seven months. Beauregard stayed longer. Neither achieved the national fame of some of the wrestlers still to come in this series. But The Cream of the Crop isn't about who became the most famous. It's about who mattered in Portland. Who sold tickets. Who created emotion. Who made people cheer—and who gave them somebody to hate. In 1969, Rip Kirby and Beauregard lit the fuse. And stay to the end for a preview of next week's episode, when Portland Wrestling enters the rock-and-roll era with Steve Doll, Scott Peterson, Rex King and the Southern Rockers. And Jody Day, if you're listening... that one is for you. The Cream of the Crop is based on Mike Rodgers' Encyclopedia of Portland Wrestlers, along with additional historical interviews and research. New episodes drop every Friday. The legends. The money draws. The main eventers. The Cream of the Crop.
S7 · E54
October 1 · 56 min
Ringside in Rose City #54 — Gorgeous Joey Jackson: Inside the Final Years of Portland Wrestling
This week, the Ringside Wheel gets the night off. No mystery envelopes. No Card Shark. No Kayfabe Curveballs. Because tonight, we don't have to talk about Portland Wrestling history. We get to talk to someone who lived it. Frank Culbertson and Portland wrestling historian Mike Rodgers welcome “Gorgeous” Joey Jackson to Ringside in Rose City for a trip inside the final years of Don Owen's legendary territory. Joey takes us from growing up as a wrestling fan in Louisiana to training in Houston under Len Denton—the Grappler. Then came the phone call that changed everything: Portland needed a heel, and Denton recommended a kid who had never wrestled a professional match. Joey arrived on a two-week trial. He stayed for nearly five years. We hear how Don Owen reacted to Joey's very first match, how Don unexpectedly turned him into “Gorgeous Joey Jackson,” and why the comb, mirror and long curly hair proved far more effective at making Portland fans angry than simply trying to be another tough guy. Joey shares stories about Don Owen, Rip Oliver, the Grappler, Art Barr, Ricky Santana, Chris Colt, Ed Moretti, Brian Adams, Roddy Piper, Billy Jack Haynes, Scotty the Body, the Southern Rockers and many more. He remembers wrestling Art Barr in Art's first professional match, teaming with the Super Ninja, becoming part of Chris Colt's Mafia, working the competing OWF promotion, traveling to Japan for WING, and eventually appearing for WCW. And yes, we finally get Joey to tell us a Chris Colt story that Mike couldn't get into Excitement in the Air, Volume Three. It involves Ed Moretti. It involves Chris Colt. And it involves spit. We'll leave it there. There's even a special moment for longtime listener and Portland Wrestling scrapbook keeper Jody Day, a devoted Steve Doll fan, when Joey explains what it was really like trying to keep Steve down in the ring: Apparently, Steve Doll was a bit of a “bandy rooster.” But this isn't only a trip into the past. Joey is still in professional wrestling today—promoting shows, running a wrestling school, developing young talent and applying lessons learned from Mid-South and Portland Wrestling to a new generation. Because match results can tell us who wrestled. They can tell us who won. They can tell us where the show took place. But they can't tell us what happened in the car on the way to the next town, what Don Owen was really like, what was said in the dressing room, or how wrestlers learned their craft from the people around them. For that, you need someone who was there. This week, Gorgeous Joey Jackson takes us there. Ringside in Rose City is hosted by Frank Culbertson and Portland wrestling historian Mike Rodgers, author of The Encyclopedia of Portland Wrestlers and the Excitement in the Air series, available on Amazon. New episodes drop every Thursday. One ring. One city. A thousand stories. Wrestling... wrestling the way it should be.
S6 · E7
September 25 · 17 min
The Cream of the Crop #7 — Stan Stasiak & The Iron Sheik: Two Roads to the World Championship
The Cream of the Crop #7 — Stan Stasiak & The Iron Sheik: Two Roads to the World Championship Two wrestlers. Two generations. Two very different journeys through Portland. And both eventually reached the same summit. In Episode 7 of The Cream of the Crop, host Frank Culbertson tells the stories of Stan “The Crusher” Stasiak and The Iron Sheik—two men whose paths through the Pacific Northwest could hardly have been more different, yet both would eventually become World Heavyweight Champion. For Stasiak, Portland became a second home. Arriving in 1965, he developed from the imposing heel known as “The Crusher” into one of the territory’s most enduring stars. Seven Northwest Heavyweight Championships. Eight Northwest Tag Team Championships. Battles with Tony Borne, Lonnie Mayne, Bull Ramos and Rip Oliver. Partnerships with everyone from Dutch Savage and Buddy Rose to a young Billy Jack Haynes. And, of course, there was the Heart Punch. But in 1973, Stasiak accomplished something very few wrestlers ever do: he defeated Pedro Morales to become WWWF World Heavyweight Champion, holding the championship for ten days before losing it to Bruno Sammartino. Ten years later, another wrestler who had passed through Portland found himself in a remarkably similar position. Before the flag, the famous interviews and the larger-than-life personality, Portland fans saw The Iron Sheik while the future legend was still taking shape. His Northwest stay lasted only about nine months, but it included victories over Jimmy Snuka, Jerry Oates and Skip Young, a partnership with Bull Ramos, and a Northwest Tag Team Championship. Portland also saw something that could later be overshadowed by the character: The Iron Sheik could really wrestle. Then, in 1983, Sheik defeated Bob Backlund for the WWF Championship before dropping it to Hulk Hogan. Pedro Morales → Stan Stasiak → Bruno Sammartino. Bob Backlund → The Iron Sheik → Hulk Hogan. Two short championship reigns separating four enormous chapters in wrestling history. Were Stasiak and Sheik transitional champions? Absolutely. But maybe it’s time to stop treating “transitional champion” like an insult. Someone has to be trusted to beat the champion. Someone has to be credible enough to hold the championship. And someone has to be trusted to hand it to the man who will lead the next era. Stan Stasiak and The Iron Sheik were trusted to be those men. And for Frank, the Stasiak story is also personal—going all the way back to being seven years old at the Portland Armory and saying two words to the man who instantly became his favorite wrestler: “Hi, Stan.” Next Friday, The Cream of the Crop returns to 1968 and the early days of the Portland Sports Arena, when two villains helped provide the heat a new building desperately needed: Rip Kirby and Beauregard. The Cream of the Crop is hosted by Frank Culbertson and based on Mike Rodgers’ Encyclopedia of Portland Wrestlers, available on Amazon. New episodes drop every Friday on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and wherever you get your wrestling fix. The main eventers. The money draws. The territory legends. The Cream of the Crop.
S7 · E53
September 24 · 1 hr 34 min
Ringside in Rose City #53 — The Best, the Cringiest…and the Ugliest?
Ringside in Rose City #53 — The Best, the Cringiest…and the Ugliest? Year Two of Ringside in Rose City is officially underway—and apparently one year of credibility was enough. Frank Culbertson and Portland wrestling historian Mike Rodgers begin Episode 53 seriously enough, as Lisa Hughes spins the Ringside Wheel and sends them into the greatest moments in Portland Wrestling history. There’s Buddy Rose’s unforgettable babyface turn, with fans flooding the ring and lifting him onto their shoulders. The legendary wheelbarrow overflowing with championship belts. The eight-man tag that helped launch Roddy Piper versus Buddy Rose. Bull Ramos breaking Lonnie Mayne’s arm. Mad Dog Vachon bringing a coffin to the Crow’s Nest. Mayne taking a saw to the television light post. Ripper Collins destroying Dutch Savage with repeated Opu Drops. Dutch coming to Beauregard’s rescue. Roddy Piper transforming Art Barr into Beetlejuice—and the emotional final days of Don Owen’s Portland Wrestling. Then things begin to deteriorate. Frank and Mike turn to some of the cringiest moments in Portland Wrestling history—from interviews that went horribly wrong and Rip Oliver’s unfortunate dental incident to Ginger versus Veronica and the unforgettable Grappler–Scotty the Body sing-off. And then Lisa takes complete control. Who were the most handsome wrestlers in Portland Wrestling history? And, because apparently we're actually doing this... Who were the ugliest? Somewhere between Rick Martel and Mad Dog Vachon, whatever remained of the show's credibility disappears. CARD SHARK also returns with three programs designed to test just how deep Mike’s wrestling knowledge really goes. We visit San Antonio in 1959 during a Texas wrestling war, encounter one of the strangest promotions we’ve ever discussed in 1974 Arizona, and finally come home for the last night of wrestling at the Portland Armory in September 1968, when more than 3,000 fans packed the building for the end of an 18-year era. And this week's Card Shark gives us the perfect opportunity to recommend a terrific new wrestling history book: The Texas Rasslin’ Wars of the 1950s by Greg Klein, edited by Greg Oliver. If you think wrestling politics are complicated today, wait until you read about Texas in the 1950s—promoters changing alliances, fighting over cities and wrestlers, jumping from one side to another, and then sometimes jumping right back again. It's a fascinating look at one of professional wrestling's wildest territorial battles, and a book we highly recommend. Need one more reason to pick it up? Two words: Jack Pfeffer. Episode 53 starts with some of the greatest moments Portland Wrestling ever produced. By the end, we're discussing 10-cent beer, Mike singing Popeye the Sailor Man, and whether Mad Dog Vachon belongs on Lisa's list. Welcome to Year Two. Ringside in Rose City is hosted by Frank Culbertson and Portland wrestling historian Mike Rodgers, author of The Encyclopedia of Portland Wrestlers and the Excitement in the Air series, available on Amazon. New episodes drop every Thursday. One ring. One city. A thousand stories. Wrestling... wrestling the way it should be.
S7 · E6
September 18 · 24 min
The Cream of the Crop #6 — The Grappler: The Man Behind the Mask
The Cream of the Crop #6 — The Grappler: The Man Behind the Mask Seven-time Northwest Heavyweight Champion. Eleven-time Northwest Tag Team Champion. Main-event wrestler. Masked villain. Booker. Teacher. Troublemaker. The Grappler. For the first time on The Cream of the Crop, one man gets the entire spotlight as host Frank Culbertson tells the story of Len Denton—the wrestler who was repeatedly told he was too small to make it, only to become one of the most important figures in the final era of Portland Wrestling. And this time, The Grappler helps tell the story himself, through archival interview audio recorded with Len Denton. We go back to the beginning: spending nearly everything he had to learn the wrestling business, being given his notice on his very first day in Amarillo, getting advice from Abdullah the Butcher, and eventually finding the identity that changed his career forever—a mask, an orthopedic boot, and the name The Grappler. From there, Denton learned from some of wrestling’s greatest minds, including Bill Watts, Harley Race, Ric Flair and Buck Robley, eventually becoming a booker himself before arriving in Portland in 1987. And Portland Wrestling needed him. The territory was struggling. The old formula was growing stale. The Grappler brought new talent, new ideas and a willingness to push Don Owen in directions Portland Wrestling hadn't traditionally gone. Along the way, he helped develop wrestlers including Art Barr, Brian Adams, Joey Jackson, The Bruise Brothers and Scotty the Body. He helped modernize Portland television alongside Roddy Piper. He helped create angles designed around one fundamental question: What makes people care enough to buy a ticket? Then there are the stories that could only happen in Portland Wrestling. The Grappler bets Don Owen that he can sell out the Portland Sports Arena—and does it, with 600 more fans turned away at the door. Don responds by complaining about the people who couldn't get in. Grappler wants more money. Don refuses. So while Don is paying his telephone bill, Grappler goes to Japan and runs up $1,200 in international collect calls. Don fires him. And replaces him with Roddy Piper. Who promptly asks The Grappler to help him book the territory. And then there’s The Breakfast Club—John Nord, milk, Cheerios, a wrestling ring and an idea Don Owen absolutely did not want happening on his canvas. This is the story of a wrestler who understood the old-school wrestling business while recognizing that Portland had to change. A man who could wrestle, book, teach, create stars, develop angles, sell tickets—and occasionally drive Don Owen completely insane. Because Len Denton's Portland legacy isn't simply about the championships he won. He learned how to become a main-event wrestler. Then he learned something even harder: How to make other people main-event wrestlers. Len Denton — The Grappler. Beat me if you can. The Cream of the Crop is hosted by Frank Culbertson and based on The Encyclopedia of Portland Wrestlers and Excitement in the Air, Volume Three by Portland wrestling historian Mike Rodgers, available on Amazon. New episodes drop every Friday on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube. Next week: Two Portland Wrestling stars who eventually climbed all the way to the WWF World Heavyweight Championship—Stan “The Crusher” Stasiak and The Iron Sheik.
S6 · E52
September 17 · 1 hr 38 min
Ringside in Rose City #52 — ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY SHOW! | October 1969
Ringside in Rose City #52 — ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY SHOW! | October 1969 52 episodes. 52 trips through Portland wrestling history. One full year of Ringside in Rose City. This week, Frank Culbertson and Portland wrestling historian Mike Rodgers celebrate the ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY of Ringside in Rose City—and there may be no better month to mark the occasion than October 1969. The mystery envelopes are back. Lisa is back in control of the Ringside Wheel. And Portland Wrestling is about to enter a month that helps shape the territory for years to come. Rip Kirby and Lonnie Mayne take their already-brutal rivalry to another level, with Kirby finally dethroning Mayne for the Northwest Heavyweight Championship after a bloody battle that leaves Mayne carried from ringside. Then “The Sensation of the Nation” Beauregard returns to Portland after nearly a year away—and immediately becomes the missing piece on the heel side of the territory. His return reignites unfinished business with Mayne and helps launch Kirby & Beauregard against Mayne & Tony Borne, a rivalry that will carry Portland Wrestling forward. And at Memorial Coliseum, NWA World Heavyweight Champion Dory Funk Jr. comes to Portland to defend the championship against Rip Kirby. Frank and Mike also remember Funk following his passing and discuss his legacy as one of professional wrestling’s great scientific wrestlers. Along the way, there’s plenty more from October ’69: Billy White Wolf, Buddy Marino, Johnny Kostas, Stan Stasiak, Earl Maynard, Fred Baron—and somehow Lonnie Mayne racing motorcycles, because apparently professional wrestling wasn’t dangerous enough. Kayfabe Curveballs returns for the anniversary celebration, where Mike faces questions involving Hidden Valley Ranch, rhubarb and a 200-foot buffet—and we even get another Buddy Rose and Ed Moretti story. And when those ukuleles start playing, it’s time for another Island Interlude and a trip back to Hawaii. But Episode 52 is about more than one month in 1969. For an entire year, Ringside in Rose City has explored the champions, main eventers, forgotten names, interviews, feuds, buildings, newspaper advertisements, strange finishes and unforgettable stories that made Portland Wrestling such an important part of the Pacific Northwest. One year down—and we’re nowhere near a thousand stories yet. One ring. One city. A thousand stories. Hosted by Frank Culbertson with Portland wrestling historian Mike Rodgers, author of The Encyclopedia of Portland Wrestlers, available on Amazon. New episodes of Ringside in Rose City drop every Friday on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube.
S7 · E5
September 11 · 18 min
The Cream of the Crop #5 — Two Ways to Draw a Crowd: Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka & Ripper Collins
The Cream of the Crop #5 — Two Ways to Draw a Crowd: Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka & Ripper Collins Before Madison Square Garden. Before the steel cage. Before millions of wrestling fans knew the name Superfly, there was Portland. And standing across the ring from the young Jimmy Snuka was one of professional wrestling’s great old-school heels: Ripper Collins. In Episode 5 of The Cream of the Crop, Frank Culbertson looks back at two wrestlers who represented completely different ways to become a wrestling attraction. Snuka looked like the future—explosive, athletic and charismatic. Portland recognized his potential early and gave him a place to develop into the star the rest of the wrestling world would eventually know. Collins had already mastered a very different art: making people hate him. From filing his teeth during interviews to the brutal Opu Drop, Collins knew exactly how to make an audience desperate to see somebody shut him up. Their paths first crossed in Hawaii in 1973. Months later, both arrived in Portland, where those early encounters developed into a heated rivalry involving the Northwest Heavyweight Championship, disqualifications, title changes, a hair-versus-hair match—and Ripper Collins putting on a mask after losing his hair. One man made people buy a ticket because they wanted to see him win. The other made people buy a ticket because they wanted to see him lose. Different methods. Same result. People in the building. Two ways to draw a crowd. One made you cheer. One made you angry. Both made you care. That’s what legends do. The Cream of the Crop: The Main Eventers, the Money Draws, and the Territory Legends. New episodes drop every Friday. Based on The Encyclopedia of Portland Wrestlers by Mike Rodgers, with additional material from Oh Yeah! The History of Hawaiian Wrestling, also by Mike Rodgers. Both are available on Amazon. Next week: The Grappler gets the spotlight all to himself.
S6 · E51
September 10 · 1 hr 47 min
Ringside in Rose City #51 — Guest Shots: Portland Wrestling Memories
Ringside in Rose City #51 — Guest Shots: Portland Wrestling Memories This week, we put away the results sheets and step inside the memories of the Portland Sports Arena. Frank Culbertson and Mike Rodgers welcome three special guests, each with a different connection to Portland Wrestling and a different generation of stories to tell. Rich Patterson takes us back to his first night inside the Sports Arena in 1971, unforgettable moments involving Roddy Piper, Buddy Rose, Rip Oliver and Billy Jack Haynes, and the remarkable story of how he helped save the Buddy Rose tape collection—hundreds of tapes that might otherwise have disappeared forever. Jody Day remembers discovering Portland Wrestling as a young fan in the 1980s, walking into the Sports Arena for the first time, the Andre the Giant mural, Steve Doll and the Southern Rockers, The Breakfast Club, and what it was like getting to know some of the wrestlers while still trying to understand the mysteries of kayfabe. Then longtime wrestling broadcaster and historian Jim Valley joins us for another perspective on Portland Wrestling, including memories from both sides of the microphone. Along the way, there are stories about bloody matches, the Crow's Nest, Santa Rip, moldy videotapes, milk and Cheerios, favorite wrestlers, saved programs and scrapbooks—and the little moments that made the Portland Sports Arena unlike any other wrestling building. We also take time to remember Jerry Oates, who passed away September 4 at the age of 78. Mike shares memories from his interview with Oates and looks back at Jerry's important Portland run, including his Northwest Heavyweight Championship and tag-team partnership with Jesse Ventura. We remember a wrestler who described his career simply: he always gave 100 percent—and a man Ole Anderson once told was probably “too nice” for the wrestling business. Because you can look up who won a match. You can find the attendance. You can read the results. But that doesn't tell you what it felt like to be there. History tells us what happened. Memories tell us why it mattered. Three guests. Three perspectives. A tribute to Jerry Oates. And a whole lot of Portland Wrestling memories. Ringside in Rose City One ring. One city. A thousand stories. New episodes every Thursday. Wrestling... wrestling the way it should be.
S6 · E4
September 4 · 14 min
The Cream of the Crop – Episode 4: Billy Jack Haynes & Rip Oliver
The Cream of the Crop – Episode 4: Billy Jack Haynes & Rip Oliver Sometimes you don't have to wait very long to discover your greatest rival. For Billy Jack Haynes, it took exactly one night. On October 29, 1982, the Portland native trained by Stu Hart walked into Portland Wrestling for the first time. Before the night was over, he had already battled Rip “The Crippler” Oliver to a draw—and begun a rivalry that would weave through nearly a decade of Portland Wrestling history. In Episode 4 of The Cream of the Crop: The Main Eventers, Money Draws, and Territory Legends, we move into the 1980s and two men who took very different paths to the top. Billy Jack was the hometown hero. He had the physique, intensity, sincerity and devastating full nelson that immediately connected with Portland fans. Rip Oliver was already becoming the territory's dominant villain—the leader of The Clan who would eventually capture an incredible 12 Northwest Heavyweight Championships and 16 Northwest Tag Team Championships. And then Rip Oliver dressed up as Santa Claus. Near Christmas 1982, Santa entered the Portland Sports Arena carrying candy for the fans. When Billy Jack approached, Santa reached into his bag, pulled out a tire iron and clobbered him with it. Underneath the Santa suit was Rip Oliver. Merry Christmas, Portland Wrestling style. It was ridiculous. It was personal. And it worked. The hometown hero against the leader of The Clan became one of the rivalries that would help carry Portland Wrestling into a new era. Billy Jack's career soon carried him far beyond Portland, but perhaps the greatest evidence of his drawing power came at Portland Wrestling's 60th Anniversary Extravaganza in 1985. With Roddy Piper, Buddy Rose, the Road Warriors, Sgt. Slaughter, Rick Martel and the Hennigs all on the card, Billy Jack Haynes versus Ric Flair for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship went on top. More than 12,000 fans packed Memorial Coliseum for the sellout. While Billy Jack pursued opportunities around the wrestling world and eventually reached WrestleMania III, Rip Oliver stayed in Portland. He became a champion, leader, booker and one of the pillars of the territory throughout the decade. Then professional wrestling did what professional wrestling does. On Christmas night 1989, after years of fighting each other, Billy Jack Haynes and Rip Oliver became partners, teaming inside a cage. Months later, a garbage can and a misunderstanding changed everything again. Billy Jack turned against Rip and the Portland fans—and suddenly the longtime hometown hero was the villain while Rip Oliver, after spending most of his Portland career as a heel, became the hero. Enemies. Champions. Partners. And enemies all over again. Billy Jack Haynes and Rip Oliver spent nearly a decade seemingly unable to escape each other—and that's exactly why they belong among Portland Wrestling's main eventers, money draws and territory legends. They were The Cream of the Crop. And next Friday, we bring another great Portland rivalry back into the spotlight: Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka and Ripper Collins. One became one of the most recognizable stars professional wrestling ever produced. The other became one of the Pacific Northwest's most memorable villains. Hosted by Frank Culbertson and based on The Encyclopedia of Portland Wrestlers by Portland Wrestling historian Mike Rodgers, available now on Amazon. New episodes of The Cream of the Crop drop every Friday on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or wherever you get your wrestling fix.

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