Tag Archives: WWF

Podcast

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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Podcast

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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Podcast

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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Podcast

Episode 369: Bumblebee

This week on a special edition of STICK TO WRESTLING we revist the WWWF from 1978 with rare audio featuring Bob Backlund, Dusty Rhodes, Superstar Billy Graham, Mil Mascaras, Ivan Koloff, Captain Lou Albano, Ken Patera, Peter Maivia, Gorilla Monsoon, Tony Garea, Fred Blassie, Dino Bravo, Grand Wizard, and more!

This vintage footage can’t be heard 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

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Podcast

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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

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Podcast

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

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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

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Podcast

Episode 361: Memorial Day Mayhem

This week on STICK TO WRESTLING we review the results of multiple shows that took place on Memorial Day weekend, 1985!

–Ric Flair has a surprising challenger in a surprising place on this weekend. He also has an odd tag team partner.
–The Mid-Atlantic territory is keeping it’s crew busy, while World Class Championship Wrestling and Mid-South Wrestling exchange some talent.
–You’ll never guess who is in the main event at the Memphis Mid-South Coliseum.
–The AWA runs a big card that is hampered by some no-shows.
–Randy Savage is finishing up his run in Memphis, and you might be amazed about who he does the honors for on his way out.
–Canada may not recognize Memorial Day, but there’s a big show in Montreal regardless.

Plus we spend far too much time discussing Buzz “The Avalanche” Tyler, so what 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 359: Pull Someone Else Over

This week on STICK TO WRESTLING we take a deep dive into the WWF of forty years ago, May 1985! We talk Hulk Hogan, Bobby Heenan, Magnificent Muraco, Roddy Piper, The Hart Foundation, Wendi Richter, Randy Savage, Andre The Giant, Fred Blassie, Jesse Ventura, Barry Windham & Mike Rotondo, Ricky Steamboat, Big John Studd, Greg Valentine, Mad Maxine, Paul Orndorff, Rocky Johnson, Iron Sheik, Jimmy Snuka, Gene Okerlund, Jimmy Hart, Fabulous Moolah, Junkyard Dog, The British Bulldogs, Brutus Beefcake, Bob Orton Jr, Captain Lou Albano, Tito Santana, Mr. Fuji, Pedro Morales, Ken Patera, Nikolai Volkoff, Tony Atlas, The Missing Link, Dr. Jerry Graham, and more!

Plus there’s rare audio, discussion of “sold” wrestling shows, and Oprah Winfrey talk, so what are you waiting for? Download and listen to this wicked good podcast today!

STICK TO WRESTLING…give us sixty minutes (well, more than that this week) 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 358: Bald For Life

This week on STICK TO WRESTLING, we take a bodyslam back in time to the May 5, 1985 edition of World Class Championship Wrestling’s Parade of Champions! Strap in, folks — it’s hotter than Fritz Von Erich’s temper on July day in Texas. We dive into:

–Ric Flair vs. Kevin Von Erich for the NWA World Title! Would another Flair vs Kerry Von Erich rematch have been a better idea? Did we get the wrong Von Erich? Did Kerry’s dog die again? (Just kidding. You know better.)
–The match and payoff that caused Jim Cornette and the Midnight Express to peace out faster than you can say “tennis racquet”.
–“Son, you’re gonna kill him.” The NWA champ gets buried again in a World Class ring, and not in a subtle “he’ll bounce back” kind of way.
–An end of an era. We didn’t know it then, but this was one of the final times the NWA title would be defended in World Class.
–“Muh cur!” Kevin Von Erich’s new $25,000 vehicle gets “destroyed”.
–World Class is still bringing the thunder, drawing over 26,000 fans for this event. You’ll never guess how many fans the WWF drew in Dallas just four days earlier.

PLUS: Johnny Mac reveals his totally healthy, not-at-all-concerning video game habits, so what are you waiting for? Smash that play button with a steel chair shot and get ready for another classic pro wrestling deep-dive!

STICK TO WRESTLING: Give us sixty minutes, and perhaps indeed we’ll give you a wicked good, suplex-to-the-soul podcast that pulls zero punches (unless, of course, it’s a worked shoot).

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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