Episode 51: Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair….Black Bart

On this week’s WICKED GOOD Stick To Wrestling podcast Johnny and Seanny have wrestling historian Seth Hanson as our guest. Seth knows his stuff, is a great guest, and an even better Twitter follow!

This week we discuss the 1986 demise of World Class Championship Wrestling. Included in this conversation:

–Did the Freebirds return to World Class too soon?

–Should WCCW have pulled out of the NWA and anointed Rick Ruse as their world champion? |

–Should Chris Adams have remained as a heel, with Gino Hernandez turning babyface?

–World Class lost a lot of talent to Bill Watts’ UWF right after the 1986 Texas Stadium show, and replaced them with with some older veterans. Was this the way to go?

–Al Madril and Brian Adidas became the lead heel faction. We’re there better options? Really, were there worse options? –Black Bart was made WCCW world champion. Was there a better option? Really, was there a worse option?

Plus, we share more general knowledge and thoughts on WCCW in general, and what led up to the 1986 collapse. What are you waiting for? DOWNLOAD THIS BAD BOY!

Stick To Wrestling with John McAdam & Sean Goodwin is a production of the Arcadian Vanguard Podcast Network

Episode 50: Welcome To Viceland!

On this week’s WICKED GOOD Stick To Wrestling podcast Johnny and Seanny have Randy Smith as the guest. Randy has been a hardcore fan for 30 years and started reading the newsletters in the mid-80’s. He knows his wrestling, plus back in the day all of the crazy stuff happened in HIS hotel room.

This week we review the six part “Dark Side Of The Ring” series.

–Did the WWF unknowingly book Randy and Elizabeth’s divorce? Plus, don’t get Randy Savage mad at a Waffle House.

–Tony Atlas finally has a forum to talk about Bruiser Brody’s murder! We talk about how awful it must have been for Barbara Goodish, hearing the news in San Juan from Abdullah The Butcher, and having to get her husband’s remains home from a foreign land. Oh, and guess what match was on the first live card Johnny Mac ever saw?

–Was Bret Hart in on the Montreal screw job? Couldn’t the WWF have planned this any better? Who was the bad guy here, Bret or the WWF?

–Was it really a mistake bringing Lance Von Erich into World Class? Should Fritz Von Erich have overreacted so badly at the thought of The Magnificent Lance main eventing at Billy Bob’s?

–We talk about how Gino Hernandez’ Mom came across as a hero in his doc, and how everyone in the wrestling business did not. Plus, John shares some details that was left out of the documentary, and talks about a shocking story that the documentary confirmed.

–What picture was Viceland trying to paint with the Moolah doc? We’re not quite sure.

Plus, we acknowledge the 20th Anniversary of the death of Owen Hart, and share where we were when we learned it happened and our general thoughts on the tragedy, including how a bunch of petty nonsense got a husband and a father killed. What are you waiting for? DOWNLOAD THIS BAD BOY!

Stick To Wrestling with John McAdam & Sean Goodwin is a production of the Arcadian Vanguard Podcast Network.

Episode 49: Inspirational Wrestler Of The Year

This week’s WICKED GOOD Stick To Wrestling podcast starts with John and Sean discussing the Bret Hart vs Tom Magee match and documentary. Was this really a Holy Grail?

Then we take a deep dive into the 1984 Wrestling Observer Newsletter Awards year end awards and the Pro Wrestling Illustrated year end awards. We took a look at who did win the following awards, and who we think should have:

-Match of the Year.
-Manager of the Year.
-Rookie of the Year.
-Inspirational Wrestler of the Year.
-Most Hated Wrestler of the Year.
-Most Popular Wrestler.
-Most Improved Wrestler.
-Tag Team of the Year.
-Wrestler of the Year.

Plus we talk about why the mutants from “I Am Legend” should move to metro-Boston. What are you waiting for? DOWNLOAD THIS BAD BOY!

Stick To Wrestling with John McAdam & Sean Goodwin is a production of the Arcadian Vanguard Podcast Network.

Episode 48: It’s All The Accountant’s Fault!

On this week’s Stick To Wrestling John and Sean are joined by Jon Boucher, a smart, longtime fan and a friend of the show!

This is Part Two of our mailbag show, where we take listener questions from the Stick To Wrestling Facebook group and we discussed the following at length:

–Was there an “accountant” who should have, but maybe didn’t, keep Jim Crockett up to date on how much debt they were in, or is he a non-existent scapegoat?

–What promotion should have had television in Boston that didn’t? –If you couldn’t get Terry Funk to come to WCW in 1989, who would be your choice to be the legend rival for Ric Flair after The Steamboat trilogy?

–Which wrestlers in the mid-to-late eighties who never wrestled for Jim Crockett promotions would have made the best Horseman along with Flair, Arn, and Tully?

–What were your earliest exposures to “dirtsheets” and other insider publications?

–What is the most tasteless angle or promotional tactic ever employed by a wrestling company?

–I’m dating a wrestling fan and want to show her some classics, what should I show her?

–Could Greg Gagne have made it outside the AWA?

–If you could watch any piece of wrestling footage whether an angle or specific time period of a territory that doesn’t exist on tape, what would it be?

–Could Gary Hart have been a good managerial fit for the WWF in the mid-80’s and if so what would you see him doing there?

Plus, of course, we spin off more questions from these questions, which is one of the things that makes the Stick To Wrestling podcast WICKED GOOD. Give us sixty minutes and and we’ll make it your favorite podcast.

Plus Sean describes being a live witness at the Mass Transit incident. What are you waiting for? DOWNLOAD THIS BAD BOY!

Stick To Wrestling with John McAdam & Sean Goodwin is a production of the Arcadian Vanguard Podcast Network.

Episode 47: Sorry Vince, But We’re Kind Of Tired

On this week’s Stick To Wrestling John and Sean are joined by David Bixenspan, Deadspin’s Wrestling journalist and a guy who knows his wrestling.

This episode is a crowd favorite – a mailbag show! We took listener questions from the Stick To Wrestling Facebook group and we discussed the following:

–What does JCP and the NWA’s future look like if Ric Flair never comes back from the plan crash?

–What if David Von Erich had never passed away? Plus Bix somewhat refutes that decades old story that David’s death was from an overdose.

–If Bob Backlund had not accepted a run as WWWF champion in 1978, who were the other candidates? We’ve asked this question before but we have some new answers.

–What if a Southern wrestling promotion gotten on national cable? Could it have worked?

–Tommy Rich in the WWF. Would him having a run there would have worked with Tommy as a babyface? As a heel? Did Johnny Mac really say he could have had a Hogan-type run there in the early 80’s?

–What if The Freebirds had never left the WWF in 1984?

–What if the WWF had a weekly show on MTV? And much, much, more. It’s a very cool discussion. No…it’s wicked cool! Every week give us sixty minutes and we’ll give you what Wally Cleaver would call a “swell” podcast – STICK TO WRESTLING!

Plus John’ openly mocks Dollar Shave Club! What are you waiting for? DOWNLOAD THIS BAD BOY!

Stick To Wrestling with John McAdam & Sean Goodwin is a production of the Arcadian Vanguard Podcast Network.

Episode 46: A Hippie, But Also A Shooter And A Former Marine

On this week’s Stick To Wrestling John and Sean are joined by Mike Norris, who has an encyclopedic knowledge of the old Gulf Coast Wrestling territory. He tells the story of how the territory worked, why it declined, and how it could have been saved.

Mike walks us through the cities and venues, plus he shares stories and his thoughts on Cowboy Bob Kelly, Lee and Bobby Fields, The Interns, Dick Dunn, Mario Galento, The Wrestling Pro, Ken Lucas, and more.

Plus you’ll never guess who was a hippie, but also a black belt in judo and a former U.S. Marine. Tune in and find out!

And more. It’s a very cool discussion. Actually, it’s wicked cool! Every week give us sixty minutes and we’ll take you to the zenith of podcasts – STICK TO WRESTLING!

Plus John’s show intro was well…memorable. What are you waiting for? DOWNLOAD THIS BAD BOY!

Stick To Wrestling with John McAdam & Sean Goodwin is a production of the Arcadian Vanguard Podcast Network.

Episode 45: This Mask Is The Only Thing Holding My Skull Together

–We Book STARRCADE ’82!
–We Book WRESTLEMANIA Zero, April 1984!
–Johnny and Seanny disagree on what the definition is of a Texas Death Match is.
–What was the greatest Texas Death Match of all time?
–Sean Goodwin claims he is banned in France.
–The Bret Hart vs Tom McGee match- who cares and why?
–Which wrestlers were so ahead of their time that it hurt them?
–We gave contest winner Don Carroll his choice of topics, which includes Johnny Mac’s recollection of a CRAZY Bob Backlund vs Masked Superstar match from the Boston Garden in 1983.

And more. It’s a very cool discussion. Actually, it’s wicked cool! Every week give us sixty minutes and we’ll take you to the zenith of podcasts – STICK TO WRESTLING!

Plus John makes fun at the woman standing behind him in line at the supermarket. What are you waiting for? DOWNLOAD THIS BAD BOY!

Stick To Wrestling with John McAdam & Sean Goodwin is a production of the Arcadian Vanguard Podcast Network.

Episode 44: Wahoo, Where Are You?

The final segment of John McAdam and Sean Goodwin discussing 1981 WWF and other things with our guest Brandon Hefner! Covered in this convo:

–How the WWF could have booked a 1981 Wrestlemania / Shea Stadium type supershow.
–Why Bob Backlund was SO over at Madison Square Garden.
–Why no Bob Backlund vs Larry Zybysko feud?
–Wrestlers and promoters fibbing to each other.
–Who was the best non-champion in the WWF?
–What if Superstar Billy Graham returns a year earlier, with the tye-dye look instead of Kung Fu Billy?
–And the big question…why was Wahoo McDaniel not a big star in the WWF in the late 60’s?

And more. It’s a very cool discussion. Actually, it’s wicked cool!  Every week give us sixty minutes and we’ll give you a monumental podcast – STICK TO WRESTLING!

Plus there’s a story about Brandon having a guy offer to sell his drugs during a wrestling show at the Keil Auditorium…when he was ten years old! What are you waiting for? DOWNLOAD THIS BAD BOY!

Stick To Wrestling with John McAdam & Sean Goodwin is a production of the Arcadian Vanguard Podcast Network.

Episode 43: 1981 WWF Meets The Man In The High Castle

This show was a bit of a departure for us, where John and Sean welcome Jammie Ward back as our guest, and we discuss two entirely different subjects: Wrestlemania, and 1981 WWF. On the table:

-How last year’s Wrestlemania gave poor John PTSD.
-What the first Wrestlemania in 1985 was like for all of us.
-The letdown that was Wrestlemania 2.
-There were two big problems with Johnny Mac’s girlfriend watching Wrestlemania 3 with he and his friends. –Jammie’s memories of attending Wrestlemanias Iv and V live.
-Toronto fans are a different breed, Chicago fans are a pain in the ass.
-An alternative universe where Magnificent Muraco wins the WWF title in 1983.
-Seanny expresses joy over the greatness of 1981 Don Muraco.
-Buddy Rose: All-time great worker.
-Jammie’s reaction to the 1981 Bob Backlund vs Greg Valentine match where the WWF title was held up.

And more. It’s a very cool discussion. Actually, it’s wicked cool! Every week give us sixty minutes and we’ll give you a monumental podcast – STICK TO WRESTLING!

Plus there are TWO separate “This Is Spinal Tap” references! What are you waiting for? DOWNLOAD THIS BAD BOY!

Stick To Wrestling with John McAdam & Sean Goodwin is a production of the Arcadian Vanguard Podcast Network.

Episode 42: 1981 WWF, And That Goofy “Title Change”

Part Four of John McAdam and Sean Goodwin discussing 1981 WWF with our guest Steve Generalli! Covered in this discussion:

–Battle Royal Night in the WWF and why it stunk.
–Texas Death Matches also stunk in the old WWF.
–The impact of the Mr. Fuji and Mr. Saito team in the WWF, and the overall tag team scene.
–How a match on a 1981 Madison Square Garden show had an Eddie Einhorn I.W.A. Connection.
–The Pedro Morales vs Magnificent Muraco feud and the history between the two.
–Yeah, Tony Atlas was really, really strong.
–Dusty Rhodes loved the nightlife, he got to boogie, on the disco ’round, oh yea.

And more. It’s a very cool discussion. Actually, it’s wicked cool! Every week give us sixty minutes and we’ll give you a formidable podcast – STICK TO WRESTLING!

Stick To Wrestling with John McAdam & Sean Goodwin is a production of the Arcadian Vanguard Podcast Network.