WRAL’s Chris Lea on NC Sports History, Pro Wrestling (He was a Wrestler) & Covering the BIG FOUR

When Babe Ruth Collapsed: The Asheville Train Station Incident

SEASON TWO PREMIERE | THIS WAS THEN, from the North Carolina Baseball Museum in Wilson, Todd McGee and Tim Peeler explore Babe Ruth's deep ties to North Carolina beyond his first pro home run in Fayetteville in 1914. They recount the 1925 "stomach ache heard 'round the world," when Ruth collapsed on an Asheville train platform during a Yankees barnstorming trip, was mistakenly reported dead, later underwent surgery in New York, and returned to play that season with reduced numbers before rebounding in 1926–27. Todd and Tim also describe Ruth's repeated hunting vacations at the exclusive Camp Bryan near New Bern and Havelock, his friendships and interactions with local families and kids, and his final North Carolina appearance in 1935—an exhibition in Fayetteville where NC State's Lefty Freeman struck him out as Ruth soon retired. They also connect Ruth to Ernie Shore's 1917 near-perfect game after Ruth's ejection.00:00 Welcome to the Museum00:32 First Homer in Fayetteville01:44 Bellyache Heard Round World02:31 Collapse in Asheville04:53 Surgery and 1925 Season06:12 Back on Top in 192706:41 Nude Press Conference07:28 Camp Bryan Hunting Escape10:44 Food Friends and Legends13:38 Called Shot for Sutton15:12 Sponsor Break Amedeos15:58 Final NC Game in 193518:02 Lefty Freeman Strikes Him Out20:11 Retirement and No Return21:18 Ernie Shore Perfect Game Tale23:19 Full Circle Wrap Up24:37 Thanks and Sign OffWelcome to the North Carolina Sports Network!Your home for all things sports in the Bold North State — from the NFL, NBA, NHL, MLS, PGA TOUR, and NASCAR to the heart of ACC and college athletics.🎥 Stories. 🎙️ Podcasts. 📊 Analysis.Covering the legends, the rising stars, and everything in between.👇 Subscribe & follow:🌐 ncsportsnetwork.com🎧 Podcasts: Spotify, Apple & more📲 @TheNCSportsNet on all platforms#NCsports #BoldNorthState

Stanley Cup Final Game 4 Preview: Can the Hurricanes Slow Down Vegas? #NFL #Canes

David Glenn on Canes-VGK 2026 Stanley Cup Final: Game 4 Keys, Rod Brind'Amour, and Carolina's Hockey Rise #NCPork #NHL #Canes On the David Glenn Show, Mike Waddell and David Glenn discuss the 2026 Stanley Cup Final as the Vegas Golden Knights lead the Carolina Hurricanes 2–1 heading into Game 4 in Las Vegas, reflecting on Carolina’s dramatic near-comeback in Game 3. Glenn frames the Canes' rise from nine straight playoff misses before Tom Dundon bought the team in 2018 to eight straight playoff appearances under coach Rod Brind'Amour, including four Eastern Conference Finals and this Finals run, alongside the growth of North Carolina's hockey culture. He explains Brind'Amour's system and mindset during the 4–0 deficit in Game 3, and outlines Game 4 keys: fewer mistakes against Vegas' high-end talent, improved goaltending from Frederik Andersen or Brandon Bussey, and more production from Sebastian Aho while relying on scoring depth. Glenn picks Carolina despite the series odds.00:00 Show Open and Setup00:39 Canes Finals Context01:46 The 2018 Turning Point03:19 Dundon Hires Rod07:37 North Carolina Sports Boom10:54 Rod Arrival Story14:59 Culture Shift and Belief18:16 Sponsor Break Jimmy's19:15 Game Three Comeback Talk19:47 Rod Coaching Philosophy26:47 Sponsor Break Sammy's27:36 Keys to Win Game Four34:28 DG Pick and 2006 Memories40:29 Network Close and OutroWelcome to the North Carolina Sports Network!Your home for all things sports in the Bold North State — from the NFL, NBA, NHL, MLS, PGA TOUR, and NASCAR to the heart of ACC and college athletics.🎥 Stories. 🎙️ Podcasts. 📊 Analysis.Covering the legends, the rising stars, and everything in between.👇 Subscribe & follow:🌐 ncsportsnetwork.com🎧 Podcasts: Spotify, Apple & more📲 @TheNCSportsNet on all platforms#NCsports #BoldNorthState

WRAL’s Chris Lea on NC Sports History, Pro Wrestling (He was a Wrestler) & Covering the BIG FOUR

WRAL’s Chris Lea on North Carolina + Greensboro Sports History, Pro Wrestling, and Covering the Triangle Three On Bold North State, presented by NC Pork, host Mike Waddell talks with WRAL Raleigh weekday sports anchor Chris Lea, a UNCG graduate and former Five Star Pro Wrestling Heavyweight Champion, about how his career shifted from entertainment hosting (including MTVu/MTV work) into sports media. Lea reflects on growing up in Greensboro and the legacy of the Greensboro Coliseum as a venue for ACC tournaments, concerts, and wrestling, as well as the venue's broader sports history. He shares TV influences like Mike Hogewood and Rich Brenner, early journalism experience at the Greensboro News & Record, and mentors in radio and TV. Lea explains how pro wrestling shaped his professionalism and helped him land TV roles, then discusses WRAL's challenge of covering Duke, UNC, NC State, and major pro teams with limited staff, fanbase dynamics, and his expectations for upcoming football and basketball seasons.00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro01:59 Chris Lee Origin Story03:58 Greensboro Sports Roots05:33 Greensboro Coliseum Memories09:30 Why Greensboro Matters12:13 Sponsor Break Amedeos12:57 TV Influences and Heroes16:46 Newsroom Mentors and First Jobs21:32 Athlete to Pro Wrestling Path23:49 Wrestling Over Basketball24:23 Career Drift After College25:56 Wrestling Opens TV Doors27:13 Indie Title And Fire Star28:59 Unpredictable Match Finishes31:09 Indie Scene And Big Names32:11 Wrestling Lessons For TV35:44 Covering Triangle Sports Daily39:22 Fanbases And Market Realities40:59 Sponsor Break High Street42:11 Crystal Ball Season Predictions48:42 Thanks And Network SignoffWelcome to the North Carolina Sports NetworkYour home for all things sports in the Bold North State — from the NFL, NBA, NHL, MLS, PGA TOUR, and NASCAR to the heart of ACC and college athletics.🎥 Stories. 🎙️ Podcasts. 📊 Analysis.Covering the legends, the rising stars, and everything in between.👇 Subscribe & follow:🌐 ncsportsnetwork.com🎧 Podcasts: Spotify, Apple & more📲 @TheNCSportsNet on all platforms#NCsports #BoldNorthState

WRAL's Chris Lea on Dorton Arena: The Untold History of Mid-Atlantic Wrestling

WRAL's Chris Lee on Emmy-Winning Dorton Arena Documentary "When Giants Walked Here"WATCH THE FULL DOC HERE: https://www.pbs.org/show/when-giants-walked-here/ On Bold North State Overtime on the North Carolina Sports Network, host Mike Waddell talks with WRAL weekday sports anchor and former pro wrestler Chris Lea about his North Carolina PBS documentary, "When Giants Walked Here," exploring the history and impact of Raleigh's Dorton Arena. Lea recounts how a cold email from former WRAL employee Cliff Baumgartner led to a project that grew from a planned 10-minute YouTube video into a PBS release that premiered in August 2024 and won an Emmy in February. They discuss Dorton's role in Mid-Atlantic wrestling history, including the Ric Flair vs. Buddy Landel match, Prince's concert, and how Dorton's 1984 renovations may have contributed to Roddy Piper being stabbed at the Civic Center. Lee shares his family ties to the venue and notes the film is currently available on the PBS app, with more distribution possibly coming.00:00 Dorton Arena Magic00:40 Meet Mike and Chris01:16 Making the Documentary02:25 From YouTube to Emmy03:36 Dorton Wrestling Legacy05:23 Iconic Moments and Stories06:52 Family Ties to Dorton07:51 Where to Watch Now09:13 Network Sign OffWelcome to the North Carolina Sports Network!Your home for all things sports in the Bold North State — from the NFL, NBA, NHL, MLS, PGA TOUR, and NASCAR to the heart of ACC and college athletics.🎥 Stories. 🎙️ Podcasts. 📊 Analysis.Covering the legends, the rising stars, and everything in between.👇 Subscribe & follow:🌐 ncsportsnetwork.com🎧 Podcasts: Spotify, Apple & more📲 @TheNCSportsNet on all platforms#NCsports #BoldNorthState

The Most Dangerous Sleepers in the NCAA Baseball Tournament!

David Glenn welcomes ESPN play-by-play voice and ACC Baseball Etc. co-host Daron Vaught to preview the 2026 NCAA Baseball Championship and break down the national title race, top seeds, MLB Draft prospects, and the postseason path for several North Carolina programs.Vaught discusses why UCLA and Georgia Tech stand out as serious College World Series contenders, how the SEC continues to shape the national college baseball conversation, and which MLB prospects fans should know before regional play begins.The conversation also includes a deep dive on the UNC Tar Heels, the No. 5 national seed, with a focus on Jason DeCaro, Walker McDuffie, Caden Glauber, and Carolina’s pitching depth. Glenn and Vaught also analyze East Carolina’s confidence after winning the AAC title, Wake Forest’s dangerous strikeout-heavy staff, and NC State’s postseason berth in Elliott Avent’s final season.Topics include:2026 NCAA Baseball Championship preview, NCAA Baseball Tournament bracket, UCLA baseball, Georgia Tech baseball, UNC baseball, East Carolina baseball, Wake Forest baseball, NC State baseball, College World Series contenders, MLB Draft prospects, ACC baseball, SEC baseball dominance, Elliott Avent, Jason DeCaro, Roch Cholowsky, Walker McDuffie, Caden Glauber.Chapters / Timestamps00:00 — Show Intro and Guest Daron Vaught01:08 — 2026 NCAA Baseball Tournament Bracket Overview03:02 — Top National Seeds and Championship Contenders04:58 — MLB Draft Prospects to Watch10:01 — SEC Dominance in College Baseball12:51 — NC Pork 13:22 — UNC Regional Breakdown21:58 — East Carolina’s Upset Potential vs. UNC25:59 — Wake Forest Regional Outlook31:00 — Amedeo’s Italian Restaurant and NC State Baseball36:05 — Elliott Avent Legacy Stories43:00 — The Reality for One-Bid Leagues47:24 — Wrap-Up and The PineysWelcome to the North Carolina Sports Network!Your home for all things sports in the Bold North State — from the NFL, NBA, NHL, MLS, PGA TOUR, and NASCAR to the heart of ACC and college athletics.🎥 Stories. 🎙️ Podcasts. 📊 Analysis.Covering the legends, the rising stars, and everything in between.👇 Subscribe & follow:🌐 ncsportsnetwork.com🎧 Podcasts: Spotify, Apple & more📲 @TheNCSportsNet on all platforms#NCsports #BoldNorthState