Tag Archives: NWA

Episode 69: The Wrestling Genie

For the entire month of October, Stick To Wrestling will be taking questions from our listeners! This week John McAdam and Sean Goodwin are joined by Breaking Kayfabe’s Barry Rose and we discuss:

–Who never won the NWA title but would have had a good run with it?
–What if Ricky Steamboat had stayed in the NWA instead of heading to the WWF?
–Which New Japan or All Japan wrestler could have made it big the United States?
–What makes a good referee and who were the best refs?
–Who should have made the jump to the WWF when they expanded nationally but didn’t?
–Should Sting have won the NWA title at the first Clash of the Champions?
–Who would have been a better booker for Georgia in 1983?
–What 90’s wrestlers would have made the best NWA champions?

And more! Plus we get asked what we would choose if a genie granted us each three wrestling wishes. Sean plays it straight, while naturally John and Barry take a fast ride down Pervert Lane.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Episode 64: We’re So Sorry, Uncle Delbert

This week on Stick To Wrestling, our Summer Series continues as John McAdam and Sean Goodwin talk about the NWA’s 1986 Great American Bash Tour!  We discuss:

–The wisdom of booking the tour in football stadiums.
–Country music, and the fans’ reaction to it.
–Did the NWA have too many championships?
–How incredibly OVER the Rock & Roll Express were…for now.
–Road Warrior Hawk as a singles wrester challenging Ric Flair.
–The Magnum T.A. vs Nikita feud, and the “Best Of Seven Series” for the U.S. title.
–How we would have booked the tour and subsequently, Starrcade ’86.
And more, plus there’s a story about Johnny Mac getting attacked by cockroaches at the old Riverfront Stadium. What are you waiting for? DOWNLOAD THIS BAD BOY!

STICK TO WRESTLING! Give us 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.

Episode 63: Even With A Broken Arm…

Stick To Wrestling’s Summer Series continues as John McAdam and Sean Good win are joined by Brad Breitzman, and we discuss the territories in the Summer of 1979!

GEORGIA: Bobby Heenan arrives in Georgia and dominates, managing Masked Superstar, Blackjack Lanza, and Killer Karl Kox. Ole Anderson and Ivan Koloff are the lead heels, while Tommy Rich is emerging as a superstar and a contender for the NWA title.

MID-ATLANTIC: Jimmy Snuka turns heel, is managed by the returning Buddy Rogers, and wins the U.S. Title. Ric Flair shockingly turns babyface and is going around the horn teaming with former arch-rival Ricky Steamboat.

FLORIDA: Dusty Rhodes finally wins the NWA title from Harley Race but loses it five days later when Terry Funk appears out of nowhere to “break” Dusty’s arm right before the second title switch. Don’t worry, Booker Dusty makes sure Wrestler Dusty loses via DQ. Manny Fernandez arrives and gets his first big push in a major promotion, whileJim Garvin is also getting a big push as Killer Karl Kox’s protege.

AWA: The highly unusual tag team of Verne Gagne and Mad Dog Vachon are the tag team champions, while Jesse Ventura feuds with Paul Ellering. With Jim Brunzell temporarily off to the Carolinas, Greg Gagne is getting a major singles push as a challenger to Nick Bockwinkel.

MEMPHIS: Jerry Lawler and Bill Dundee went around the horn with two brash youngsters named Michael Hayes and Terry Gordy before Lawler turns heel. Also teaming: the sibling duo of Terry and Eddie Boulder, brother!

MID-SOUTH WRESTLING: This promotion was gaining momentum, drawing over 15,000 to the Superdome twice. Bill Watts and Mr. Wrestling II were the lead babyfaces, and superstars such as Andre The Giant and Dusty Rhodes were making special appearances.

There’s more, including a special birthday shoutout. What are you waiting for? DOWNLOAD THIS BAD BOY!

STICK TO WRESTLING! Give us 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.

Episode 61: No One Was More Respected

The term “legend” often gets tossed around casually, but Harley Race was truly a legend. This week Stick To Wrestling is joined by Brandon Hefner as we pay a 60 minute tribute to one of the greatest wrestlers of all time.

–In early 1986 Harley appeared on WTBS and shot an angle with Magnum T.A. It was his final appearance on WTBS until 1991, and we tell you why. It’s pretty crazy.

–A few months later, in a shocking event, Harley started with the WWF. It seemed like an odd fit, but of course Harley made the most of it.

–There were three towns wrestlers just didn’t miss: New York, St. Louis, and Houston. Harley missed two consecutive Houston shows, fracturing Houston promoter Paul Boesch’s relationship with the NWA. We give the details and a possible explanation.

–We touch upon the Harley Race / Larry Hennig team.

–The first real “world title unification” match was the 1978 Harley Race vs Superstar Billy Graham match from the Orange Bowl in Miami. We share our thoughts on that match and on unification matches in general.

–Starrcade ’83: Why Harley Race was the most logical pick to hold the title for five months to build up one of the biggest shows of all time, and how the show could have fallen apart if not for Harley Race. Also, we discuss how the cracks in the NWA’s foundation were apparent as early as 1983.

–George Gulas gets carried to an excellent 45 minute draw with Harley Race, so Nick Gulas had a nice backstage surprise waiting for Harley…followed by one that wasn’t as nice.

And more! Give STICK TO WRESTLING sixty minutes and we’ll give you a wicked good podcast every week! It’s the best classic wrestling podcast on God’s green Earth!

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

Episode 60: When Your Spirit Exits Your Physical Body At The Royal Rumble

Stick To Wrestling’s Summer Series continues as John McAdam and Sean Goodwin are joined by Max Levy, aka Tamalie! We discuss pro wrestling’s Summer of 1994, with the main talking points being:

–The Gangstas arrive in Smoky Mountain Wrestling and get a “peace offering” from a certain Stick To Wrestling host.

–The Heavenly Bodies v Thrillseekers match at Night of Legends, one of the bloodiest bouts ever and how what happened that morning completely de-railed The Thrillseekers push.

–The next night in Johnson City where Ricky Morton’s hair was on the line against Tammy Fytch’s. We talk about how the crowd reacted to the screwjob.

–Speaking of screwjobs, how about that NWA title tournament that was held at the ECW arena? We talk about how the NWA title had already outlived it’s usefulness 25 years ago but don’t worry, it’s still around today.

–The unthinkable happens as Hulk Hogan becomes the face of WCW and it’s world champion.

–We have wrestling’s first national brother vs brother feud as Bret Hart and Owen Hart go at it.

–The pure insanity of the storyline that surrounded The Undertaker proves that no, THAT guy didn’t kill pro wrestling. 

Plus John talks about eleven grueling days on the road as part of Smoky Mountain Fan Week in the Summer of 1994. What are you waiting for? DOWNLOAD THIS BAD BOY!

STICK TO WRESTLING, the only wicked good wrestling podcast around! Give us sixty minutes and we’ll give you a slice of pro wrestling heaven!

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

Episode 59: Make A Million Dollars, Just Use The Z-Man Correctly

Stick To Wrestling’s Summer Series continues as John McAdam and Sean Goodwin are joined by Randy Smith. We discuss the NWA’s Summer of 1989, with the main talking points being:

–Why Terry Funk couldn’t win anything but TV squashes before his big PPV bout vs Ric Flair.
–TV did not do the Great American Bash post match brawl with Flair and Sting vs Funk and Muta justice.
–Ricky Steamboat won’t sign that extension? No problem, just have Lex Luger feud with Tommy Rich. Puh-leeze.
–The Varsity Club- it ended too soon.
–The match between Ricky Steamboat and Lex Luger from July 22, 1989 is one of the most talked about non-televised, house show only matches ever. We tell you why.
–They pulled the plug on the talented Eddie Gilbert’s turn and left him without a role.
–The greatness that was the feud between James E. Cornette and Paul E. Dangerously.
–The Great Muta was aptly named.
–Mike Rotondo’s odd transition from a charmless bully to a happy sailor.
–McAdam thinks that if he were booking WCW, he would have made a million dollars with Tom Zenk. He really said that.

Plus, John talks about the special line somewhere between Philadelphia and Baltimore. What are you waiting for- DOWNLOAD THIS BAD BOY!

STICK TO WRESTLING, the only wicked good wrestling podcast around! Give us sixty minutes and we’ll give you a slice of pro wrestling heaven!

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

Episode 58: The Whole Reason I Came Here Was To Get Away From That F…

On this week’s STICK TO WRESTLING John McAdam and Sean Goodwin are joined by Thomas Bane, and we discuss the WWF thirty years ago, in the Summer of 1989. We talk about:

— Zeus, who got three extremely high profile main events despite not even being a wrestler. The locker room was not happy about this.
— Dusty Rhodes, who debuted with the WWF and got over despite being given a terrible gimmick. The locker room was not happy with Dusty’s emergence.
— Terry Taylor, who did not get over with a terrible gimmick.
— Dino Bravo, who supposedly had Jacques and Raymond Rougeau looking over their shoulders. We’ll tell you why.
— Barry Windham, Arn Anderson, and Tully Blanchard, who were all major stars as members of The Four Horsemen in the NWA a year earlier. None were major stars in the WWF.
— Roddy Piper, who returns to the WWF after being courted by the NWA.
— Andre The Giant, who could barely walk but was still wrestling full time.
— Tony Schiavone, who was not good in the WWF.
— Bad News Brown, who could have had a major run as a babyface.
— Jimmy Snuka, who returned to the WWF after a four year hiatus. This was a major shock and a potential liability, braddah.
Plus a pro wrestler scares poor ol’ Johnny Mac half to death in a bathroom. What are you waiting for?

DOWNLOAD THIS BAD BOY! STICK TO WRESTLING! Give us sixty minutes and we’ll give you a WICKED GOOD podcast!

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