Tag Archives: 1985

Podcast

Episode 375: The Drama Cufflinks Bring

This week on STICK TO WRESTLING features Part Two of our deep look into the world of Mid-South Wrestling in 1985, when it exploded into one of the hottest territories in the country. This was Bill Watts’ vision at its peak: hard-hitting action, larger-than-life characters, and storylines that felt raw and real. From the rise of stars like Ted DiBiase, Hacksaw Jim Duggan, Jim Cornette, Junkyard Dog, Magnum T.A., and the Rock ’n’ Roll Express, to some of the most intense rivalries ever seen inside a wrestling ring, Mid-South in ’85 was unlike anything else on television. This wasn’t cartoon wrestling: this was a fight, and the fans believed every minute of it. Grab your seat, because we’re about to relive the drama, the chaos, and the magic that made Mid-South Wrestling in 1985 unforgettable.

Produced by Lou Kipilman

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

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Episode 374: He Who Envies Others…

This week on STICK TO WRESTLING we’re joined by Clinton Guillory, who grew up in Louisiana watching Mid-South Wrestling. What better way to mark the occasion than by reviewing the first few weeks of 1985 in this exciting territory?

— Hacksaw Jim Duggan takes home Mid-South’s Athlete of the Year award, sparking a fire that burned brightly.
— The Rock & Roll Express are still tearing it up, proving they’re one of the hottest acts in the business.
— Hercules Hernandez rose to stardom in the WWF, but did he ever truly reach his potential?
— Terry Taylor looked like a million bucks during this stretch.
— Handicap matches: what purpose did they really serve?
— Chavo and Hector Guerrero—why weren’t they one of the dominant tag teams of the 1980s?

Plus, Johnny Mac shares a potentially controversial opinion on Brad Armstrong aand there are plenty of great audio clips, 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 rawboned weekly classic pro wrestling 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 373: Act Like You’ve Seen One Before

This week on Stick to Wrestling we’re turning the clock back to August 1985, and business is booming.

—Andre the Giant in Trouble! The “Eighth Wonder of the World” is heavier than ever, and the strain is showing. Once untouchable, Andre is now fighting a battle not just in the ring, but with his own body as he’s clearly encountering difficulty just getting around. Has the Giant’s time finally caught up with him?
—Hulk Hogan vs. King Kong Bundy – Collision Course! Two of the biggest forces in the WWF are on a direct path toward each other. Given what the WWF was selling at the time this really was a dream match to many fans.
—The Rise of “Macho Man” Randy Savage! He’s brash, he’s unpredictable, and in one unforgettable moment, he shocks the wrestling world by choosing a complete unknown to guide his career…a woman who will soon become one of the most famous names in the sport.
—Piper’s Pit: The Decline of a Legend? Once the most must-see segment in wrestling, we look at why Hot Rod’s talk segment is losing steam.
—The Bundy–Heenan–Studd Alliance! Bundy makes it official, joining forces with Bobby “The Brain” Heenan and Big John Studd, then making a statement with a savage attack on Andre the Giant.
—Corporal Kirchner: Not Sgt. Slaughter’s Second Coming! The comparisons are there, but we set the record straight on why Kirchner is a different soldier altogether.

Plus, we’ve got rare and classic audio including the unforgettable segment where Randy Savage introduces his new manager to the world, 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 rawboned weekly classic pro wrestling 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 372: Jarred By Gene

This week on STICK TO WRESTLING we review the WWF during the month of 1985! We talk Randy Savage, Hulk Hogan, Roddy Piper, Paul Orndorff, Bobby Heenan, Corporal Kirchner, Big John Studd, Ricky Steamboat, Terry Funk, Andre the Giant, Barry Windham, Jimmy Hart, Magnificent Muraco, Captain Lou Albano, Greg Valentine, The Hart Foundation, Nikolai Volkoff, Junkyard Dog, Tito Santana, Mr. Fuji, Brutus Beefcake, Mike Rotundo, Uncle Elmer, British Bulldogs, Bob Orton Jr, Missing Link, George Wells, Gene Okerlund, Iron Sheik, George Steele, Killer Bees, Adrian Adonis, Hillbilly Jim, and more!

Plus there’s lots of great, rare audio and we solve the mystery of the “other” Doug Gilbert, 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 rawboned weekly classic pro wrestling 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 370: We Expected Him To Kick Out

Hulk Hogan passed away on July 24, 2025. On that day, the Stick To Wrestling podcast was fortunate to quickly assemble a special tribute episode honoring The Hulkster.

We were lucky to be joined by a great group of guests who shared their stories, memories, and thoughts about what Hulk Hogan meant to them, and to the world of wrestling.

We hope you enjoy this heartfelt tribute to one of professional wrestling’s most iconic figures.

Produced by Lou Kipilman

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

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Episode 368: I Can Be Macho Man?

This week on STICK TO WRESTLING, we dive headfirst into the madness that was WWF in July 1985. Expect high drama, hot crowds, and some fast-paced booking. On the card:

— Randy Savage makes his WWF debut and immediately proves he’s not just some flashy gear and Slim Jim energy: the man radiates future legend.
— The Roddy Piper vs. Paul Orndorff feud heats up faster than a Waffle House griddle, and Bobby Heenan shows up with a gas can and a maniacal grin.
— Tito Santana wins back the Intercontinental Title from Greg Valentine, who responds like any sore loser would: by teasing an unhinged spiral.
— The Ricky Steamboat vs. Magnificent Muraco feud kicks off with Steamboat taking a broken chair to the back, because nothing says “here comes a red-hot feud” like a wood shampoo.
— Barry Windham & Mike Rotundo reclaim the WWF tag titles, but let’s be honest: were they already sliding down the card faster than you can say “U.S. Express”?
— Adrian Adonis returns wearing black leather and using a finisher so confusing it might qualify as performance art.

PLUS, Johnny Mac breaks down the worst night in pro wrestling history (it’s not the Heroes of Wrestling pay per view, but it could have been its spiritual ancestor), 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 rawboned weekly classic pro wrestling 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 367: Rubber Chicken

This week on STICK TO WRESTLING, we party like it’s 1985 — because it is the 40th anniversary of the original Great American Bash! We break it down like Dusty Rhodes booking a scaffold match:

— Nikita Koloff was barely out of wrestling school. But thanks to Ric Flair he looked like a monster who’d been wrecking babyfaces since the Nixon administration.
— Buddy Landel had the talent, the timing, and a baby-girl pink robe that screamed “I’m better than Flair and I know it”.
— Around this time Arn Anderson ditched the beige and became must-see TV.
— Jim Crockett Promotions had a loaded card…and no national distribution. This show screamed closed-circuit, but Crockett missed the bus.
— Paul Jones: legend in the ring, meh as a manager. We revisit his heel turn in 1979 and ask the tough question: who would want his “army” on an actual battlefield?
— Magnum T.A. had one job: apply the belly-to-belly suplex to Kamala. But could he actually execute the move to this giant of a man? The suspense was real, and JCP actually nailed the buildup.

Plus Johnny Mac shares his tragic tale of not attending this legendary show- all that was missing was bad directions from a random North Carolina gas station attendant- 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 rawboned weekly classic pro wrestling 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 366: 1985 Wrestler Of The Year

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Episode 364: Ushering In The Great Tag Team Era

This week on STICK TO WRESTLING it’s Part Two of our deep dive into the WWF of forty years ago, June 1985! We talk Hulk Hogan, Bobby Heenan, Jesse Ventura, Roddy Piper, Randy Savage, Bruno Sammartino, The Hart Foundation, Ken Patera, Fred Blassie, Jimmy Snuka, Paul Orndorff, Greg Valentine, Wendi Richter, Bob Orton Jr, Tito Santana, Brutus Beefcake, Magnificent Muraco, Nikolai Volkoff, King Kong Bundy, Barry Windham, Junkyard Dog, Captain Lou Albano, Jim Brunzell, Iron Sheik, The British Bulldogs, Ricky Steamboat, Big John Studd, Mike Rotondo, George Steele, Brian Blair, Lanny Poffo, Johnny V, Tony Atlas, Barry O, Johnny Rodz, and more!

Plus there’s lots of great rare audio of local promos from the top WWF stars, 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 rawboned weekly classic pro 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

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Podcast

Episode 363: Normal People In Boston

This week on STICK TO WRESTLING, we turn the clock back forty years to June 1985 and dive deep into the WWF of that era. On the table for discussion:

–After nearly two decades in the WWWF, Johnny Rodz says farewell.
–Ken Patera is sentenced to thirty months in prison and seems genuinely blindsided.
–What really caused Roddy Piper’s sudden, weeks-long disappearance?
–He’s not on TV just yet, but Randy Savage has officially arrived in the WWF.
–Jimmy Snuka and the WWF part ways after three chaotic years.
–Jesse “The Body” Ventura debuts his “Body Shop” talk segment.

PLUS: Rare audio from this era that you won’t hear anywhere else, 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 rawboned, weekly classic pro 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