Ringside in Rose City #39 The Northwest Almost Champions: The Men Who Challenged for the NWA World Title

Ringside in Rose City #39 The Northwest Almost Champions: The Men Who Challenged for the NWA World Title

Ringside in Rose City #39 The Northwest Almost Champions: The Men Who challenged for the NWA World Title One ring. One city. A thousand stories. The NWA World Heavyweight Championship was the mostprestigious prize in professional wrestling for decades. The champions areremembered. The title reigns are celebrated. But what about the men who stood across the ring from them and came within one match of changing history? This week, Frank Culbertson and historian Mike Rogers take adeep dive into nearly four decades of NWA World Championship matches contested throughout Don Owen's territory—from Salem in 1952 to Portland in the late 1980s. Along the way, they uncover the stories of the challengerswho made fans believe that maybe, just maybe, this would be the night the title changed hands. Featured in this episode: • The remarkable Northwest championship history of LouThesz, Pat O'Connor, Gene Kiniski, Dory Funk Jr., HarleyRace, Jack Brisco, Terry Funk, and Ric Flair • Why Luther Lindsay remains one of the most respected and important challengers in wrestling history • The incredible championship résumé of Tony Borne, Portland's ultimate gatekeeper • Don Leo Jonathan's unforgettable battles with Gene Kiniski • The sustained title pursuits of Lonnie Mayne, Dutch Savage, and Buddy Rose • The protected status of Jimmy Snuka and why he never lost to an NWA champion in the Northwest • The one and only NWA title appearance by Buddy Rogers in Don Owen's territory • The surprising story behind Roddy Piper's victory over Ric Flair • How cable television changed wrestling and transformed what it meant to be world champion Frank and Mike also explore the unique role of the territorychallenger—the local stars who never held the NWA World Championship but became legends by making fans believe they could. Plus, another edition of Card Shark sends Mike acrosswrestling history, from Seaside to Phoenix to Omaha, testing his memory of territories, arenas, wrestlers, and championship eras. The champions may have carried the belt, but the challengerscarried the dreams of the fans. This is their story. Join us at ringside. Ringside in Rose City — Wrestling, the way it should be. New episodes drop every Friday on Spotify, Apple Podcasts,and YouTube. Based on the research of historian Mike Rogers and the Encyclopedia of Portland Wrestlers and Katie Bar the Door: The History of Portland Wrestling, available on Amazon.

The Attraction Archive – Episode 3: Legends, Valets, and Wrestling's Greatest Mysteries

The Attraction Archive – Episode 3: Legends, Valets, andWrestling's Greatest Mysteries The word attraction meant many things in professionalwrestling. Sometimes it meant a legendary international star. Sometimes it meant a memorable personality at the center of a heated feud. And sometimes it meant a performer whose story became stranger than any wrestling storyline. In Episode 3 of The Attraction Archive, host Frank Culbertson explores another fascinating collection of special attractions who helped make Portland Wrestling unlike any other territory. Learn about Giant Baba, the future founder of All Japan Pro Wrestling, whose appearance in Portland may have helped shape wrestling history. Discover the incredible career of Masa Saito, one of Japan's toughest and most respected competitors. Revisit the memorable 1990 feud between Veronica Lane and Ginger, a storyline filled with shark cages, brass knuckles, and classic Portland Wrestling drama. Then journey into the unique world of the little wrestlers with The Haiti Kid and Coconut Willie, two attractions whose careers included WrestleMania appearances, remarkable accomplishments, and mysteries that continue to intrigue wrestling historians today. From international legends and future Hall of Famers tounforgettable personalities and larger-than-life stories, these are the attractions that kept fans talking long after the final bell rang. Hosted by Frank Culbertson and based on the historicalresearch of Portland Wrestling historian Mike Rodgers, author of The Encyclopedia of Portland Wrestlers. New episodes of The Attraction Archive drop every Friday on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.

Ringside in Rose City #38 April 1969: Jersey Joe, Bloodbaths, and the End of an Era

Ringside in Rose City #38 April 1969: Jersey Joe, Bloodbaths, and the End of an Era One ring. One city. A thousand stories. This week, Frank Culbertson and historian Mike Rogerscontinue their journey through Portland Wrestling history as they arrive in April 1969—a month filled with championship changes, Memorial Coliseum super cards, boxing legends, battle royals, and more blood than Salem doctors probably wanted to deal with. Former heavyweight boxing champion Jersey Joe Walcottarrives in the Northwest as a special referee, guest attraction, and even steps into the ring himself. The Von Steigers continue their reign of terror, while Luther Lindsay, Shag Thomas, Lonnie Mayne, and Tony Borne battle through some of the most violent matches of the year. Along the way, Frank and Mike discuss: • Jersey Joe Walcott's surprising wrestling connections • The Von Steigers vs. Thomas & Lindsay rivalry • Lonnie Mayne's climb back to championship gold • Earl Maynard's arrival in the Northwest • Women's wrestling stars Jeane Antone and Betty Nicolai • Why Salem newspaper ads warned fans with heart problems to stay home • The mysterious Al Hobman, "King of Australian Wrestling" • The strange and tragic story of Firpo Zabysco • Fundraisers, spot shows, battle royals, and the realities of territory wrestling Plus, another visit to Hawaii brings an absolutely stackedcollection of dream matches featuring Gene Kiniski, King Curtis Iaukea, Pedro Morales, Nick Bockwinkel, Don Leo Jonathan, Mr. Fuji, Peter Maivia, and many more. As April comes to a close, one thing becomes clear: thePortland roster is beginning to change. Familiar faces are leaving, rivalries are winding down, and Don Owen is about to need fresh talent to keep the territory moving forward. It's a fascinating snapshot of a territory at a crossroads—and another deep dive into the history that made Portland Wrestling special. And yes, Mike somehow finds a way to work Holcomb,Washington, onto his wrestling travel bucket list. Join us at ringside. Ringside in Rose City — Wrestling Wrestling, the way it should be.

The Attraction Archive – Episode 2: Giants, Pioneers, and Unforgettable Attractions

The Attraction Archive – Episode 2: Giants, Pioneers, andUnforgettable Attractions Not every attraction came with a championship belt, and notevery wrestling legend spent years in Portland. Sometimes all it took was a brief appearance, a unique personality, or a larger-than-life presence to leave a lasting impression. In Episode 2 of The Attraction Archive, host Frank Culbertson explores four very different attractions who helped makeprofessional wrestling memorable for generations of fans. Discover the fascinating career of Great Goliath, theinternational star whose brief 1978 Portland stop concealed a remarkable wrestling legacy. Learn about Joyce Grable, one of the women who helped keep women's wrestling thriving during the territorial era. Meet Sabrina, wrestling's "Wonder Woman," whose career lasted less than a year but left an impression far beyond its length. And revisit the incredible story of Little Tokyo, one of the most recognizable attraction wrestlers in history and a performer whose popularity spanned decades. From championship gold to unforgettable characters, theseare the stories of the performers who brought something special to every card they appeared on. Hosted by Frank Culbertson and based on the historicalresearch of Portland Wrestling historian Mike Rodgers, author of The Encyclopedia of Portland Wrestlers. New episodes of The Attraction Archive drop every Friday on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.

Ringside in Rose City #37 – “They Worked Here?

Ringside in Rose City #37 – “They Worked Here?” One ring. One city. A thousand stories. And this week… the stories get unbelievable. When Lisa Hughes spins the wheel, the envelope reads: “They Worked Here?” And suddenly Frank Culbertson and Portland Wrestlinghistorian Mike Rogers are diving into one of the most fascinating questions in wrestling history: How many future legends, world champions, icons, andwrestling immortals passed through Portland Wrestling before they became famous? The answer? Way more than you think. Before They Became Legends This episode explores the surprising Portland appearancesof: • Antonio Inoki – wrestling prelim matches in Portland before becoming one of the most important figures in wrestling history • Jumbo Tsuruta – making a single Portland appearance years before becoming a Japanese legend • Tully Blanchard – here for barely a month before exploding into stardom • Gino Hernandez – loaded with charisma, but trapped in a roster too stacked to fully break through • Larry Zbyszko – years before Shea Stadium and his legendary Bruno Sammartino feud • Magnum T.A. – learning the business in Portland before headlining against Ric Flair • Carlos Colón – long before becoming Puerto Rico’s biggest wrestling icon • Chief Jay Strongbow – back when he was still Flyin’ Joe Scarpa • The Barbarian – appearing as the almost mythical “Tonga John” • Austin Idol – the one Mike Rogers still believes got away too soon • Pampero Firpo – wild, dangerous, intelligent, and unforgettable • Skandor Akbar – before becoming one of wrestling’s great managers • Reggie Parks – future creator of some of wrestling’s most iconic championship belts • Paul Boesch – before becoming one of wrestling’s most respected promoters • And even The Mighty Igor, Billy Red Cloud, Cyclone Negro,Duke Keomuka, and many more Portland Wrestling Was the Crossroads One of the biggest themes in this episode: You never knew who you were watching. Some wrestlers were: • Future world champions • Future promoters • Future legends • Or future main eventers still trying to figure things out in prelim matches And Portland? It was often one stop on the journey before everythingchanged. Mike, Jim Valley, and Tonga John The episode also features one of the all-time great MikeRogers stories involving: • Mike • Wrestling Observer’s Jim Valley • Haku • The Barbarian • And the mystery of Tonga John Let’s just say: When Mike and Jim Valley worked up the courage to ask Haku a serious wrestling history question… Haku answered with one thumb point. Honestly, Jim Valley surviving that interaction may be oneof the greatest accomplishments in wrestling journalism. Card Shark Returns And yes… Lisa once again deals out another round of Card Shark,featuring: • World Class • Memphis • WWF house shows • Steve Doll superfan Jody Day’s wrestling scrapbook collection • And Mike Rogers continuing to somehow identify wrestling cards like a human version of Pro Wrestling Illustrated from 1987 It’s getting a little unsettling at this point. Special Thanks A special thank you to Jody Day for sharing pieces from her incredible wrestling memorabilia and scrapbook collection for this episode. Her passion for Portland Wrestling history—and especially anything involving Steve Doll—helped make this episode possible. This episode isn’t just nostalgia. It’s a reminder that wrestling history doesn’t happen all atonce. Sometimes legends begin in prelim matches. Sometimes future icons are barely noticed. And sometimes the answer to “Wait… THEY worked here?” is absolutely yes. Step into the arena. This is Ringside in Rose City — Wrestling Wrestling the way it should be.