Tag Archives: Bob Backlund

Episode 136: Victor Rivera’s Alternate Universe

January 15, 2021 pIi6ZvIHot

Two very historic 50th Anniversaries are coming very soon: Ivan Koloff winning the WWWF title from Bruno Sammartino, and Pedro Morales winning the title three week’s later from Koloff.

This week’s guest on STICK TO WRESTLING was present at Madison Square Garden for both these historic occasions, and many more. Making his first appearance on the show is the legendary John Jance!

We also discuss:

–What is was like for John Jance being at Madison Square Garden the night Bob Backlund won the title from Superstar Billy Graham.

— John Jance’s recollections of seeing the Bruno Sammartino vs Pedro Morales match at Shea Stadium in 1972.

–The story of how John Jance discovered that Hulk Hogan was coming to the WWF.

–Who John Jance would have preferred seeing as champion instead of Pedro Morales.

–Where John Jance was during the 1976 Shea Stadium show. He wasn’t there, but he has a cool story anyway.

–Where John Jance was getting his wrestling news in the 1970’s and early 1980’s. He had a far better source than the Apter Mags.

Plus Johnny Mac very briefly reacts to the happenings on January 6th (this was recorded a few days later) so what are you waiting for? DOWNLOAD AND LISTEN TO this wicked good bad boy!

Stick To Wrestling- give us sixty minutes and perhaps indeed, we’ll give you a rawbone podcast.

Produced by Lou Kipilman

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

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Episode 135: The WWF MVPs, Part Two

January 8, 2021 pIi6ZvIHot

This week STICK TO WRESTLING is joined by Steve Generalli, a knowledgeable longtime WWF fan. In the second segment of a two part series, we talk about the Most Valuable Players of the Bob Backlund era, year by year. We cover:

–Captain Lou Albano, and how if managers qualified for the MVP he might have won it in 1982.

–Magnificent Muraco’s arrival in 1981, and how he looked like the next Superstar Billy Graham.

–Pedro Morales becoming the rock-solid number two babyace in the WWF.

–1983 feeling like reruns with tried and true stars like Sgt. Slaughter, Magnificent Muraco, The Samoans, and more coming back.

–Mr. Fuji and Mr. Saito being absolute heat machines in the territory.

–How Greg Valentine’s return in 1981 looked like the end for Bob Backlund.

And more, plus Steve and I give you the top five on our WWF MVP ballot for 1981, 1982, and 1983, so what are you waiting for? DOWNLOAD AND LISTEN TO this wicked good bad boy!

Stick To Wrestling- give us sixty minutes and perhaps indeed, we’ll give you a rawbone podcast.

Produced by Lou Kipilman

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

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Episode 134: The WWF MVPs, Part One

January 1, 2021 pIi6ZvIHot

This week STICK TO WRESTLING is joined by Steve Generalli, a knowledgeable longtime WWF fan. In the first segment of a two part series, we talk about the Most Valuable Players of the Bob Backlund era, year by year. We cover:

–Bob Backlund, and how he was a huge success as Bruno Sammartino’s successor.

–Bruno Sammartino, as he disappears when Backlund wins the title and re-appears when the time is right.

–Ivan Koloff, and why he was so valuable as a challenger.

–Peter Maivia, and the turn that made him a main eventer.

–Greg Valentine, and how his first WWWF run made both he and Bob Backlund bigger stars.

–Pat Patterson, and how his four match series vs Bob Backlund at Madison Square Garden was so brilliantly booked.

Steve and I give you the top five on our WWF MVP ballot for 1978, 1979, and 1980, so what are you waiting for? DOWNLOAD AND LISTEN TO this wicked good bad boy!

Stick To Wrestling- give us sixty minutes and perhaps indeed, we’ll give you a rawbone podcast.

Produced by Lou Kipilman

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

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Episode 116: Catching The Towel

August 28, 2020 pIi6ZvIHot

This week STICK TO WRESTLING is once again joined by Shawn Heimberger as we take questions from our listeners! We answer:

What if Hogan goes to the WWF with Verne’s belt, craps on the AWA and effectively kills off the AWA in 84?

Could Steve Keirn have succeeded or exceeded Backlund’s reign if given the opportunity as WWWF champion?

What if Vince McMahon never got the USA network spot. Who could or should have gotten the spot and what would Vince’s next plan of attack be?

What happens if David Von Erich doesn’t die?

Would longer, multi year title reigns would work in today’s wrestling environment?

What if Vince McMahon kept the TBS show as it’s own show and ran Georgia as a satellite promotion?

And much, much more! Plus Johnny Mac tells the story of one of his friends catching Bob Backlund’s towel at the old Boston Garden so what are you waiting for? DOWNLOAD AND LISTEN TO this wicked good bad boy!

Stick To Wrestling- give us sixty minutes and perhaps, indeed, we will give you a rawbone podcast!

Produced by Lou Kipilman

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

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Episode 112: I Want That Job

July 31, 2020 pIi6ZvIHot

This week STICK TO WRESTLING presents Part Two of our conversation with Jon Boucher as we look at the 1982 Wrestling Observer Year End Awards! We discuss who won Most Obnoxious, Most Scientific Wrestler, Most Agile Wrestler, Best on Interviews, Most Charismatic. Most Overrated, Most Underrated, Match of the Year, Hardest Working Wrestler, Biggest Shock of the Year, and Most Disgusting Occurrence. We also share our thoughts on who we voted for.

Episode 105: End of an Era

June 12, 2020 pIi6ZvIHot

This week John and Sean take questions from the Stick To Wrestling Facebook page! We discuss:

–Can we comfortably watch matches featuring the Benoits, Snukas, and Sweetans of the world?

–What are the worst matches we’ve ever seen?

–What are our favorite belt designs?

–Should Bob Backlund have had a longer run with the WWF title after winning it from Bret Hart?

–Who are our favorite and least favorite bookers of all time?

Plus there’s Louis C.K. talk, so you know what to do next- download and listen to this WICKED GOOD bad boy.

STICK TO WRESTLING…give us sixty minutes, and perhaps indeed we’ll give you 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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Episode 100: Plastic

May 8, 2020 pIi6ZvIHot

This week Stick To Wrestling is joined by Sean Grande, who is not only a lifelong wrestling fan who grew up walking distance from Madison Square Garden, but is also the VOICE OF THE BOSTON CELTICS! Everyone in the Boston area knows who Sean is. We talk:

–The 1981 angle where the WWF title was held up in New York following the Bob Backlund vs Greg Valentine match.

–How the Madison Square Garden and Boston Garden shows were both very different and very similar.

–Why we were surprised that Harley Race challenging Bob Backlund in 1980 was a great draw and a poor match.

–Why the Junior Heavyweight Title never got over in the Northeast.

–The wrestlers we felt had a legitimate chance of taking the title from Bob Backlund

Plus Sean Grande and John McAdam share memories of both being at Game 6 of the 1986 World Series. We didn’t Stick To Wrestling the entire time this week, but the podcast somehow WICKED GOOD regardless. What are you waiting for? Download and listen to this bad boy!

STICK TO WRESTLING: Give us sixty minutes and perhaps indeed, we’ll deliver a rawbone podcast.

Produced by Lou Kipilman

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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Episode 85: Bruno Sammartino; Human Lawn Dart

January 23, 2020 pIi6ZvIHot

This week’s Stick To Wrestling centers around the August 7, 1976 WWWF show from Madison Square Garden. We discuss:

–The reaction toward Stan Hansen after he broke Bruno’s neck.

–Vince McMahon’s as a straightforward 1970’s announcer.

–Why Bob Backlund was selected as the heir to Bruno Sammartino’s throne.

–A young Bruiser Brody’s obvious and immense potential

–Why state athletic commissions STINK.

–The great finish to the Bruno Sammartino vs Stan Hansen cage match.

–Was the year of 1976 the apex of WWWF wrestling in the 1970’s?

–The roles of guys like Johnny Rodz, S.D. Jones, Kevin Sullivan, Johnny Rivera, etc.

–How obvious it was that The Executioners were Killer Kowalski and Chuck O’Connor.

Plus Johnny Mac shares a silly and forgotten Stan Hansen angle. What are you waiting for? Download and listen to the WICKED GOOD BAD BOY.

Stick To Wrestling- give us sixty minutes, and perhaps indeed we will give you 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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Episode 77: Seventy Years Of The King

November 29, 2019 pIi6ZvIHot

Stick To Wrestling welcomes Shawn Heimberger as this week’ guest, since one guy on the show with that name apparently isn’t enough.

It’s Jerry Lawler’s 70th birthday and we celebrate The King’s legendary career! Jerry had two no questions asked Hall of Fame careers, first as a Memphis wrestler and then again as a WWF commentator and personality. We talk about some of the highlights of Lawler’s career, and also:

–Jim Cornette resigns from NWA Powerrr, his top ten one liners of all time, and his heat with Baby Doll.

–WWE Survivor Series, and the decline of The Fiend.

–Did Bob Backlund draw houses in the WWF, or did they draw in spite of him?

–Jerry Lawler and Bill Dundee: real life rivals.

–What is our favorite Jerry Lawler match of all time?

–What is our favorite Jerry Lawler angle of all time?

–Did the 1982 Pedro Morales vs Greg Valentine feud get the right push?

Plus Shawn talks about Bob Backlund evolving into a nerdy gym teacher.

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

Stick To Wrestling- Give us sixty minutes and we will give you a WICKED GOOD PODCAST!

Produced by Lou Kipilman

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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Episode 65: Schmoolah

September 5, 2019 pIi6ZvIHot

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) where we discuss The Summer of 1984 in wrestling. This week’s topics:

–The Brawl To End It All, and Wendi Richter getting a megapush.
–Roddy Piper feuds with Jimmy Snuka after the infamous “Piper’s Pit” beatdown.
–Bob Backlund leaves the WWF with barely a whimper. –Vince McMahon is signing anyone with a pulse, which didn’t work for everyone.
–Dusty leaves Florida and comes to Mid-Atlantic as booker. Really, in hindsight this was a giant story.
–Tully Blanchard goes from being a big fish in a small pond to one of the top stars in the Carolinas.
–Dusty shows his brilliance when he creates a character named Nikita Koloff.
–Gino Hernandez takes a year off from wrestling and returns to enjoy the greatest run in his career.
–Freebirds are tweeners feuding with Akbar’s guys, but are on their way out. For now.
–Chris Adams is now managed by Gary Hart.
–Mike Von Erich wins the American title. Yakkedy Sax should have been playing in the background.

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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