Tag Archives: 1980’s

Episode 246: The Impersonations Are Accurate

This week STICK TO WRESTLING is joined by Todd Goss, who is practically a combination of an encyclopedia and a search engine when it comes to classic Mid-Atlantic Wrestling dating back to the 1940’s! Listen to this podcast and you will learn:

–How Ric Flair ended up becoming a babyface.
–What started the feud between Ivan Koloff and the Iron Sheik.
–Why Jimmy Snuka started wearing wrestling boots again.
–The IWA’s attempt to promote in the Carolinas.
–All of the wrestlers who got their start at the bottom of the card in the Mid-Atlantic territory.
–Paul Jones was so much more than a bad manager with an odd appearance.
–How Iron Sheik was the Rick Steiner of his day.

And more, plus Todd tells us about his friendship with Jim Barnett and him growing up in North Carolina as a wrestling fan, , so what are you waiting for? Download and listen to this wicked good podcast today!

STICK TO WRESTLING…give us sixty minutes and perhaps indeed, we’ll give you a rawbone wrestling podcast!

Produced by Lou Kipilman

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

Episode 245: Call Security

This week on STICK TO WRESTLING John and Steve are once again joined by Jon Boucher for Part Two of our review of the WWF during the Winter of 1983! We discuss:

–The WWF debuts in San Diego and Los Angeles. There’s no overstating what a big deal this was.
–The organic and obvious Andre The Giant vs Big John Studd feud is finally underway.
–Ivan Koloff returns to the WWF after a lengthy absence.
–The Samoans win the WWF tag titles from the Strongbows, and Jules Strongbow would soon be gone from the territory.
–Iron Mike Sharpe makes his WWF debut with Captain Lou Albano as his manager. Things seemed promising at first!
–The WWF and Georgia Championship Wrestling were stepping on each other’s toes in Ohio. It was just the beginning.

Plus we have lots of audio from this era and Johnny Mac talks about meeting Johnny Rodz and Pete Sanchez, so what are you waiting for? Download and listen to this wicked good podcast today!

STICK TO WRESTLING…give us sixty minutes and perhaps indeed, we’ll give you a rawbone wrestling podcast!

Produced by Lou Kipilman

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

Episode 244: Big, Green, and Ugly

This week on STICK TO WRESTLING John and Steve are joined by  returning guest Jon Boucher, and we discuss the goings on in the WWF during the Winter of 1983. All three member on the panel grew up in the Northeast during this era, so they have a lot to share.

–Bob Backlund gets a replacement championship belt after Superstar Billy Graham destroyed the old one. .
–Big John Studd’s bodyslam challenge continues, but with more worthy challengers.
–Magnificent Muraco regains the IC title and is positioned for another big run in the territory.
–Related, Pedro Morales will soon be gone. He had a memorable run as the WWF’s Number Two babyface, but he’s nearing the end.
–The Strongbows vs Fuji and Saito series keeps dragging along.
–Ivan Koloff returns to the place where he was once world champion after a long absence.

Plus there’s classic audio and we tackle the question of how world champions rebound after losing the title, so what are you waiting for? Download and listen to this wicked good podcast today!

STICK TO WRESTLING…give us sixty minutes and perhaps indeed, we’ll give you a rawbone wrestling podcast!

Produced by Lou Kipilman

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

Episode 243: They Aged Like Sushi

This week STICK TO WRESTLING takes a look at the Issue of Inside Wrestling dated February 1983! Listen to this conversation and you will hear our comments on:

–The pros and cons of the old wrestling magazines. There were plenty of cons.
–Barbed Wire Matches: Those sure looked like fun in the magazines!
–Jimmy Snuka writes a letter to the fans!
–Babyface columnists and heel columnists.
–The absurdity of the “Hot Seat” interviews.
–The fun but absurd “Matt Brock” character.

Plus Johnny Mac talks about procuring fake IDs in the 80’s and being very smart about it, so what are you waiting for? Download and listen to this wicked good podcast today!

STICK TO WRESTLING…give us sixty minutes and perhaps indeed, we’ll give you a rawbone wrestling podcast!

Produced by Lou Kipilman

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

Episode 242: Revisiting Larryland

There was so much more to discuss regarding the Bruno Sammartino vs Larry Zybysko feud after last week’s well recieved episode, so Steve and John discuss it! This week on STICK TO WRESTLING:

–Larry Zybysko never returned to the WWF after his 1980 run. Larry claims he was blackballed due to demanding more money at the Shea Stadium show, yet he remained booked in the WWF until the beginning of 1981. We break down what we think may have happened.
–Was Vince Sr. actually powerful enough to get Larry completely blackballed from the wrestling business?
–What was Larry Zybysko doing between the end of his 1980 WWF run and the beginning of his 1983 Georgia run?
–There was money to be made if Larry Zybysko returned to the WWF in 1982 or 1983. Couldn’t something have been worked out?
–The WWF seemed to be having more angles starting around this time. Was there a reason for that?
–Was what happened at the end of the Bruno vs Zybysko Shea Stadium match a hint of a new wrinkle in this storyline?

We don’t just discuss Larry Zybysko on this episode, but we do discuss a proposed WWF championship scenario that a WWF wrestler from this era discussed with Johnny Mac so what are you waiting for? Download and listen to this wicked good podcast today!

STICK TO WRESTLING…give us sixty minutes and perhaps indeed, we’ll give you a rawbone wrestling podcast!

Produced by Lou Kipilman

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

Episode 241: Don’t Lip Off To Me

This week STICK TO WRESTLING is joined again by popular guest Dr. Nick Coliadis, as we discuss one of the episodes of WWF Championship Wrestling from 1980 that were recently released on Peacock! We delve into:

–The legendary Bruno Sammartino / Larry Zybysko match, which aired on this episode. We give you all of the background that led up to this match.
–The brand new and shiny Hulk Hogan.
–Vince McMahon trying so darn hard to be Howard Cosell.
–The illogic of squash matches and job guys.
–Ken Patera’s “personal” relationship with The Grand Wizard.
–The fans quickly embracing the newly turned Pat Patterson.

Plus we have audio of the interviews that took place BEFORE the Sammarrtino vs Zybysko match, so what are you waiting for? Download and listen to this wicked good podcast today!

Produced by Lou Kipilman

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

Episode 238: 1982 Portland Wrestling Review

This week STICK TO WRESTLING is joined by longtime Portland Wrestling fan and popular returning guest Frank Culbertson as we discuss and review Portland Wrestling from 1982! We discuss:

–Rocky Johnson apparently leaving without notice for the WWF.
–Brett Sawyer gets his first major push as PNW champion.
–Buddy Rose has a run in the WWF and Rip Oliver replaces him as the new lead heel.
–Longtime announcer Frank Bonnema passes.
–Billy Jack debuts and has “future superstar” written all over him.
–Ric Flair makes his first run ever in the territory as NWA champion.

This is the final STICK TO WRESTLING of 2022, so what are you waiting for? Download and listen to this wicked good podcast today!

STICK TO WRESTLING…give us sixty minutes and perhaps indeed, we’ll give you a rawbone wrestling podcast!

Produced by Lou Kipilman

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

Episode 237: Kerry’s Number One

This week STICK TO WRESTLING is joined by popular returning guest host Chris Tabar as we celebrate the Fortieth Anniversary of the 1982 WCCW Star Wars Christmas Night show at Renion Arena in Dalas, with Ric Flair defending the NWA title in a Cage Match against Kerry Von Erich in the main event. This truly was an epic and historic night of wrestling, and we review it for you!

–Buddy Roberts is “stuck at the airport in Denver” leaving The Freebirds’ Michael Hayes and Terry Gordy at a disadvantage, but David Von Erich saves the day.
–The show featured a Pole Battle Royal Match, with a surprise winner.
–The Ric Flair vs Kerry Von Erich match had the ultimate “big fight” feel, and we tell you about it.
–Michael Hayes is the special referee for this match,and he brings Terry Gordy to guard the cage door. Kerry is surrounded by allies! What could possibly go wrong?
–Bill Mercer describer Michael Hayes’ refereeing as “amatuerish”. That’s certainly one way of putting it.
–We analyze the Flair vs Kerry match itself, and it’s truly one for the ages in every respect: storytelling, action, and the reaction from the fans at the end. When all was said and done this promotion had a blindingly bright 1983 ahead of it.

Plus we have lots of audio for review and educational purposes AND we go far longer than usual, so what are you waiting for? Download and listen to this wicked good podcast today!

STICK TO WRESTLING…give us sixty minutes and perhaps indeed, we’ll give you a rawbone wrestling podcast!

Produced by Lou Kipilman

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

Episode 236: Disco Robin Hood Suit

This week STICK TO WRESTLING is joined by Super Producer and popular returning guest Lou Kipilman as we take mailbag questions on the year of 1982! On the discussion docket:

–Who was pro wrestling’s MVP in 1982?
–What was our favorite matches of 1982?
–Was the Jerry Lawler / Andy Kaufman feud the most powerful of the year?
–Why was the “circus called the WWF” so accepted in the Northeast?
–What promotion had the best year?
–Who was the best manager of 1982?

Plus we take shots at Bob Backlund’s highly questionable 1984 fashion choices, so what are you waiting for? Download and listen to this wicked good podcast today!

STICK TO WRESTLING…give us sixty minutes and perhaps indeed, we’ll give you a rawbone wrestling podcast!

Produced by Lou Kipilman

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

Episode 231: The NWA’s Chi-Town Defeat

This week STICK TO WRESTLING is joined by popular returning co-host Christian Boddie. It’s the 35th Anniversary of Starrcade ’87 so we watched it, researched it, and shared it all with you. The highlights:

–There was Starrcade ’83, Starrcade ’84, Starrcade ’85, and Starrcade ’86. Dusty Rhodes booked this promotion as if he didn’t know Starrcade ’87 was coming. We’ll tell you all about it.
–When the crowd groans after a ref bump, adjust your booking strategy. We’ll tell you all about it.
–An “alleged” heated meeting between booker Dusty Rhodes and Lex Luger? We’ll tell you all about it.
–Starrcade ’87 really needed a great main event, a five star classic. It go a three, maybe a three and a half star. We’ll tell you all about it.
–Missy Hyatt. She lies, then she disappears. We’ll tell you all about it.
–The impossible chess game of booking the Road Warriors. We’ll tell you all about it.

Plus Johnny Mac shares his INSANE five day 1987 “Loaded with so much pro wrestling content but so much other” weekend (again for long time listeners), so what are you waiting for? Download and listen to this wicked good podcast today!

STICK TO WRESTLING…give us sixty minutes and perhaps indeed, we’ll give you a rawbone and wicked good wrestling podcast!

Produced by Lou Kipilman

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