Tag Archives: 1980’s

Podcast

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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Podcast

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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Podcast

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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Podcast

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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Podcast

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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Podcast

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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Podcast

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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Uncategorized

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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Podcast

Episode 230: Stylish 80’s Footwear

This week STICK TO WRESTLING is joined by popular returning guest Jeff Bowdren from the Breaking Kayfabe with Bowdren and Barry podcast, and we take YOUR wrestling questions, such as:

–Of the world champions on January 1, 1970: AWA champ Verne Gagne, NWA champ Dory Funk, Jr., WWWF champion Bruno Sammartino: which one would fit best as champion of one of the other companies?
–Was Wrestlemania 3 a “coming out party” for the WWF on a national level?
–At the peak of our fandoms, what was your tv wrestling schedule like on a typical week?
–Was Memphis the only territory the Andy Kaufman angle could work in?
–Was Ric Flair’s 1991 / 1992 WWF run booked properly?
–What was the last angle or match you saw before you got “‘smart”?

Plus Johnny Mac discusses his poor fashion decisions from the 80’s AND we talk about videogames, 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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Podcast

Episode 229: They Fired The First Shot

STICK TO WRESTLING is once again joined by popular returning guest Jammie Ward as we take a look at all things happening in the WWF during the Fall of 1982!

–The Samoans return to the WWF after leaving Georgia Championship Wrestling without dropping the tag team titles and without giving notice. This may have been the first real shot fired in the 80’s wrestling war.
–Magnificent Muraco returns after being away for a very brief time. This led some to believe he would win the WWF title from Bob Backlund.
–Big John Studd arrives in the WWF with Fred Blassie as his manager, offering prize money to anyone who can bodyslam him. We could all sense the upcoming feud with Andre The Giant.
–Eddie Gilbert becomes Bob Backlund’s new protege. Those who watch wrestling know this will not end well for either Eddie, Bob, or both.
–Pedro Morales’ reign as Intercontinental Champion rolls on.
–Tiger Mask comes to visit and delivers some unforgettable matches.

Plus there’s audio clips and Johnny Mac talks about seeing the WWF on consecutive nights, 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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS