Tag Archives: 1980’s

Podcast

Episode 82: Culture Club

John McAdam and Sean Goodwin are once again joined by popular guest Jeff Bowdren as we continue to review the Wrestling Observer Awards from 1989. Who was the most obnoxous person in wrestling? Who did the best interviews? Who was the most charismatic? Who was the best brawler? Best flying wrestler? Most overrated (overpushed)? Most underrated (underpushed)? Best promotion? Best Television Show?

Also discussed:

–Who did the Observer culture hate more, Dusty Rhodes or the WWF?

–The NWA, and it’s political games.

–Did Gary Hart sabotage The Great Muta?

–Scotty The Body becomes The Raven.

–The WWF sabotaging a NWA PPV.

–Was 1989 a year where Jerry Lawler did something dumb?

What are you waiting for? Download and listen to this WICKED GOOD BAD BOY!

Stick To Wrestling- give us sixty minutes and we’ll give you, perhaps indeed, a RAWBONE PODCAST!

Produced by Lou Kipilman

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

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Podcast

Episode 81: 1989 Was Thirty Years Ago

This week John McAdam and Sean Goodwin are joined by popular guest Jeff Bowdren as we a look back at the 1989 Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards. We talk Wrestler of the Year, Best Feud, Best Heel, and more!
Jeff Bowdren and John McAdam provided much commentary and analysis in the 1989 Observer Yearbook, so who better to provide a review of the awards?
But wait- this is only Part One of this conversation!
Part Two will be released next week. Happy 2020, everyone!

Produced by Lou Kipilman

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

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Episode 79: Inspirational Wrestler Of The Year

This week John McAdam and Sean Goodwin are joined by popular guest Thomas Bane as we present Part Two of our look back at the 1979 “Apter Mags” awards as published in the Spring 1980 Sports Review Wrestling magazine. This was the last year before the awards were permanently moved to Pro Wrestling Illustrated.

–Did they get it right by naming Greg Valentine as Most Hated Wrestler?
–Comeback Wrestler of the Year did not yet exist, but who would have gotten it?
–Who was the Most Improved Wrestler by Apter Mag standards?
–How did a guy who finished third in the Rookie of the Year balloting in 1977 actually win it in 1979?
–Arnold Skaaland as Manager of the Year? If you say so.
–Of course, we take Inspirational Wrestler of the Year as seriously as one can.

There’s more as we reflect on the career of Junkyard Dog, and we take a look at Starrcade ’89. What are you waiting for? DOWNLOAD AND LISTEN TO THIS BAD BOY!

STICK TO WRESTLING- give us sixty minutes and perhaps indeed we’ll give you a WICKED GOOD podcast every week!

Produced by Lou Kipilman

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

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Podcast

Episode 75: Paul Ellering Was The Original Miss Elizabeth

Very recently the WWE Network released footage from the November 6, 1983 show held at The Omni arena in Atlanta. What’s old is truly new again as this was formerly unseen material! We analyze:

–The Brad Armstrong vs Joe Lightfoot opener.
–Ron Garvin defending the TV title against Jake Roberts.
–The Jimmy Valiant vs The Great Kabuki feud moving deeper into the south.
–Abdullah the Butcher vs the newly turned Buzz Sawyer in a bounty match.
–The Road Warriors defending the National Tag Titles against the odd team of Dusty Rhodes and Brett Sawyer.
–The main event of Ted Dibiase vs Tommy Rich, and how Ted Dibiase was a godsend to this promotion. The 11/6/83 version of Tommy Rich, not so much.

Plus we take shots at Paul Ellering and Ole Anderson, and we talk about the buildup and planned push of the Sawyer brothers. What are you waiting for?

DOWNLOAD AND LISTEN TO THIS BAD BOY!

Produced by Lou Kipilman

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

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Episode 74: Nat Loubet says you can leave The Ring magazines laying around

This week John McAdam and Sean Goodwin review the February 1982 issue of Pro Wrestling Illustrated!

–Was Bob Backlund’s WWF title actually saved by the referees?
–Ken Patera, Man on the Run…FROM HIMSELF.
–We talk about “The Hotseat”, a regular interview feature in the Apter Mags.
–How the magazines had to cover their tracks after Mr. Wrestling II’s scheduled but aborted turn.
–We discuss how the Apter Magazines and the promotions worked to a mutual benefit.
–Steve Farhood analyzes Dusty Rhodes’ emotional state by the food he orders in a restaurant.
–Did Vince McMahon ever making overtures toward hiring Bill Apter?
–We talk about Dan Shocket’s heel turn.
–In the 70’s Bruno Sammartino and Mil Mascaras were frequently on the cover of the magazines, and we discuss why.
–The NWA discusses the “lax violation of it’s rules”.
–Masked Superstar, SUSPENDED!
–Which of the Apter Mag writers were real, and which were fictional?
–And then there’s the advertisements in these magazines. Hoo boy. Plus Johnny Mac discusses his sordid history as a youngster with fake Ids.

What are you waiting for? DOWNLOAD AND LISTEN TO THIS BAD BOY!

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

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Episode 72: Really Big Guys Who Pretend To Fight

This week John McAdam and Sean Goodwin are joined by Tony Caro, coming to you all the way from Thailand! We do one more week of mailbox questions, featuring:

– Starrcade ’87- if it did well on PPV, how does that change history?

– Pat Patterson was the only wrestler to get four championship matches in one run against Bob Backlund. Who else could have pulled this off?

– It’s 1988. Arn Anderson and Tully Blanchard remain in the NWA. What happens next with them?

– 90’s indy promotions; which was our favorite?

– Kevin, David, and Kerry Von Erich- how would they have fared if their Dad had not been a promoter?

– The Andersons- who was the best?

– NWA POWERR- what do we think?

– What if Randy Savage went to the AWA instead of Memphis in 1983?

– Junior Heavyweights- why did they not get over in the United States?

Plus we show our contempt for the way WCW booked Bret Hart on the 20th anniversary of him winning the United States title, also known as booking him to fail. What are you waiting for? DOWNLOAD AND LISTEN TO THIS BAD BOY!

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

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Podcast

Episode 70: The Lance Von Erich Casting Call

This week STICK TO WRESTLING continues it’s October of Inquiries where we answer questions from our listeners! We’re joined by Keith Valentine and we discuss:

–If Ricky Vaughn wasn’t available, who might World Class Championship Wrestling have cast in the Lance Von Erich role?
–The NWA’s disastrous flirtation with Randy Savage in 1989, and the biggest reason why the promotion needed him.
–How did the old WWWF decide which manager to pair with the heels, and what was up with Fred Blassie managing Hulk Hogan, Jesse Ventura, and Adrian Adonis instead of The Grand Wizard?
–What if Sgt. Slaughter didn’t leave the WWF in 1984?
–Who was better: The Assassin or Masked Superstar?
–The upcoming (presumably) Tyson Fury vs Braun Strowman match, and previous boxer vs wrestler showcases.
–What was the deal with Owen Hart’s brief appearance in WCW in 1991?
–How would we have booked the Road Warriors at Starrcade ’85.
–Who would have made a better NWA champion; David Von Erich or Magnum T.A.? Plus we discuss the controversial “Hell in a Cell” finish, the debut of AEW Dynamite, and Johnny Mac’s reaction to the first hint of Captain Lou Albano’s 1984 babyface turn.

And more! What are you waiting for? Get off your duffs, then DOWNLOAD AND LISTEN TO THIS BAD BOY!

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

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Episode 68: Sittin’ By The Campfire With Ric

This week the STICK TO WRESTLING podcast has Tyler Judd as the guest. Tyler grew up in rural Virginia and he speaks with first hand expertise of what was going on in the Mid-Atlantic promotion during the Fall of 1984! The times they were a changing for this promotion in 1984, and we get into the details of:

–Dusty Rhodes becoming the new face of the promotion.
–Wahoo’s turn and subsequent run as a babyface. Boy oh boy, Tully Blanchard was a bad influence on that guy.
–We tell you who walked out despite having a major babyface push planned for him.
–What was the plan for Barry Windham in JCP during this time? We tell you.
–What was it like seeing such a huge transition, with Mid-Atlantic losing guys like Greg Valentine, Roddy Piper, Ricky Steamboat, The Briscos, Bob Orton Jr, etc?
–We talk about an absolutely bizarre and hilarious skit featuring Ric Flair and Blackjack Mulligan.
–Mike Rotondo was born ten to fifteen years too late.
–What should the main event of Starrcade ’84 have been?
–Now that Dusty’s here, everyone’s gotta be a cowboy.
–Don Kernodle and his strange 1982 – 1984 odyssey.

Plus, Sean Goodwin shares a brilliant observation about Starrcade ’84 that’s never been discussed before (We know ALL of the discussions. Trust us).

What are you waiting for? Get off your duffs, then DOWNLOAD AND LISTEN TO THIS BAD BOY!

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

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Podcast

Episode 67: 19009099900 – These Digits Were Burned Into Our Brains

Sean Goodwin makes his triumphant return to Stick To Wrestling, and he and John McAdam are joined by Brandon Rice! Our discussion this week centers around the NWA’s September 12, 1989 Clash Of The Champions event that aired live on WTBS!

-Everything Terry Funk said was true- he almost lost his arm due to an infection..
-What was the long term plan for The Great Muta?
-Muta taking THREE losses at Starrcade ’89? Why?
-Why the plastic bag angle should never have happened.
-We give Tommy Rich tons of credit for his performance in match vs Lex Luger- he deserves it. We also question why he was given this spot.
-Lex Luger is peaking. Ah, what could have been with competent booking.
-Cornette was firehosing Rotondo’s credentials.
-What Johnny Mac would have done with Dr. Death, Steve Williams. – The sky was limit for Brian Pillman, and Ric Flair sees it.
-The Freebirds have their final great match.
-How can there be a bad and boring segment with a 24 year old Missy Hyatt and a 25 year old Nancy Sullivan be boring and awful? Let the NWA show you.
-Scott Stiener…he’s the #1 pick in the draft at this point. Unpolished but the high ceiling is clearly there.
-And of course, the NWA Hotline. PLUS Sean sees a weird in-ring thing have never seen before!

What are you waiting for, DOWNLOAD THIS BAD BOY! Give Stick To Wrestling sixty minutes and we’ll give you a WICKED GOOD podcast every week.

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

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Podcast

Episode 66: The Day I Had To Bury My Dog

This week Stick To Wrestling is co-hosted by John McAdam and David Bixenspan as we continue STW’s Summer Series (Summer doesn’t end until September 20th, kids), and this is Part Two of our discussion of The Summer of 1984 in wrestling where we cover the following promotions and what was going on in them:

MID-SOUTH: Junkyard Dog jumps to the WWF and gets a brutal burial on television by Bill Watts.

FLORIDA: Dusty Rhodes exits and takes some friends with him but not before one last grandstand, pinning Ric Flair at the Lords Of The Ring in the Orange Bowl.

AWA: Rick Martel wins AWA title in May, mostly defending vs Nick Bockwinkel. Crusher & Baron Von Rashke win tag titles in May, Road Warriors come in and win them in August. The final days of the Bobby Heenan era.

GEORGIA: Nuked by Black Saturday, but still in the game with the Ted Dibiase vs Ron Garvin feud on top. They were using guys like Ole Anderson, Brad Armstrong, and Bob Roop in main events.

MEMPHIS: The New Fabulous Ones are here, but the Original Fabs are back as well. That’s OK, Eddie Gilbert would soon turn.

And more! Give Stick To Wrestling sixty minutes and we’ll give you a WICKED GOOD podcast every week.

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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

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