Ringside in Rose City #43: The Voices That Sold the Matches: Interviews, Promos & Rare Audio

🎙️ The Attraction Archive #9 – The Greatest of All Time, Future Champions, and Wrestling Originals

🎙️ The Attraction Archive #9 – The Greatest of All Time, Future Champions, and Wrestling Originals Some wrestlers earned championships. Some earned fame. And a select few earned something even greater—the respect of generations of wrestlers who simply called them the greatest. In Episode #9 of The Attraction Archive, Frank Culbertson explores another remarkable collection of Portland Wrestling attractions, featuring perhaps the greatest professional wrestler who ever lived, one of the Northwest's most successful women champions, an unforgettable wrestling original who proudly called herself a "Gidget," and two pioneers of little person wrestling whose careers helped define an entire era. When wrestling legends were asked one simple question—"Who was the greatest professional wrestler of all time?"—the answer was often the same: Lou Thesz. From an unforgettable 1969 classic against Luther Lindsay to an impromptu match with Gene Kiniski after arriving in Portland as a special referee, Thesz proved why he remains one of the most respected figures in wrestling history. You'll also hear his heartfelt admiration for Don Owen, offering a rare glimpse into the mutual respect shared by two true legends. Standing just 4'11", Jeanne Antone refused to let anyone define her. Instead, she created her own category. Calling herself a "Gidget"—too small to be considered average-sized and too tall to compete as a little person wrestler—Antone carved out a unique identity while entertaining fans throughout the Northwest. It's one of the most charming and original stories in wrestling history. Long before capturing the WWF Women's Tag Team Championship, Princess Victoria was learning her craft under Sandy Barr in Portland. Her early Northwest appearances became the launching pad for a championship career, proving once again that Portland Wrestling was where many future stars first learned to shine. Sometimes history leaves behind only fragments. Farmer Jones remains one of wrestling's great mysteries—a performer whose documented Portland career lasted only one appearance but whose name continues to surface in wrestling records across North America. It's another reminder of why preserving wrestling history matters. Few names in little person wrestling carry more prestige than Sky Low Low. Over a remarkable 41-year career, he wrestled more than 900 matches, became a three-time World Midget Champion, performed before royalty, and earned a place alongside Little Beaver as one of the two greatest little wrestlers of all time. His story is nothing short of extraordinary. The Attraction Archive continues to celebrate the stars you know... ...the legends you may have forgotten... ...and the remarkable personalities who helped make Portland Wrestling unlike anywhere else in the world. Because every attraction... has a story worth telling. 🎙️ New episodes of The Attraction Archive drop every Friday on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. Based on the historical research of Mike Rogers and The Encyclopedia of Portland Wrestlers, available now on Amazon.

Ringside in Rose City #43: The Voices That Sold the Matches: Interviews, Promos & Rare Audio

A great wrestling match could bring fans back next week. A great interview could sell out the building. In this special episode of Ringside in Rose City, Frank Culbertson and historian Mike Rogers return to the legendary Crow's Nest, where some of Portland Wrestling's greatest interviews—and a few unforgettable train wrecks—helped shape the territory. This time, the microphones belong to an incredible lineup of wrestling personalities, including: • Andre the Giant, Rocky Johnson, and Bret Sawyer setting the stage for a blockbuster Tuesday night card. • Roddy Piper delivering one of the most unforgettable—and controversial—promos of his Portland career. • Buddy Rose turning the intensity up to eleven as only the Playboy could. • Rick Martel, Matt Borne, Lonnie Mayne, Mike Miller, Steve Doll, Scotty the Body, Ricky Vaughn, Bret Sawyer, Rocky Johnson, and many more. Frank and Mike don't just play the interviews—they break them down, explaining what was happening behind the scenes, why certain promos worked so well, and why others... well... probably should have ended about thirty seconds sooner. The episode also includes one of the true highlights in Ringside in Rose City history, as Rich Patterson joins the show after answering Lisa's unexpected phone call. Rich shares the remarkable story of recording rare Portland Wrestling interviews as a ten-year-old in 1972, preserving audio that very few fans have ever heard. His memories—and his passion for preserving wrestling history—make this a must-listen for every Northwest wrestling fan. And speaking of fan favorites... Yes, Steve Doll gets another well-deserved spotlight. We know superfan Jody Day is probably already standing and applauding—and if anyone dares suggest Steve Doll doesn't belong in the conversation, Jody has likely prepared a ten-minute rebuttal complete with exhibits, witness testimony, and a closing argument. Around here, defending Steve Doll isn't just a hobby... it's practically a full-contact sport! If you've ever wondered why Portland Wrestling interviews are still talked about decades later, this episode provides the answer. Some sold matches. Some created unforgettable feuds. And some became legendary simply because they were so entertaining. One ring. One city. A thousand stories. New episodes of Ringside in Rose City drop every Friday on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.

The Attraction Archive #8 – Legends, Champions, and Stories Worth Remembering

The Attraction Archive #8 – Legends, Champions, and Stories Worth Remembering Some attractions appeared only once. Some became world champions. And some left a legacy so great that one appearance in Portland was all it took to become part of wrestling history. In Episode #8 of The Attraction Archive, Frank Culbertson explores another remarkable collection of wrestlers whose influence stretched far beyond the Northwest. This week's journey features two of the most respected performers to ever lace up a pair of boots, one of the greatest women wrestlers of her generation, and two memorable stars from the world of little person wrestling. Ask veteran wrestlers, promoters, or historians to name the greatest performers of all time, and one name is guaranteed to come up: Ray Stevens. Although his Portland Sports Arena career consisted of just a single appearance, Stevens' reputation is legendary. Discover why his partnerships with Pat Patterson and Nick Bockwinkel are still considered among the greatest tag teams in professional wrestling history—and why so many insiders simply call him one of the best to ever step into a ring. Calm. Confident. Brilliant. Nick Bockwinkel never needed to shout to command an audience. Long before becoming AWA World Heavyweight Champion, he had already established himself as one of Portland Wrestling's finest competitors. This episode revisits his Northwest success and his memorable championship defense against a young Curt Hennig, a true meeting of two wrestling generations. Born into one of wrestling's pioneering families, Debbie Combs transformed early promise into an extraordinary career. From her Portland appearances against Liz Chase to championship battles with Sherri Martel, Debbie went on to become a three-time NWA World Women's Champion, proving she belonged among the elite women of her era. Standing just 4-foot-4 but carrying the heart of a champion, Chief Lone Eagle brought athleticism, determination, and an unforgettable personality to little person wrestling. His journey—from amateur wrestling in Newfoundland to Portland Wrestling and beyond—is one of the hidden gems of wrestling history. Sometimes a wrestling career lasts decades. Sometimes it lasts only a handful of matches. Tiny Tom wrestled just five times in the Northwest, yet his story remains one worth remembering. His brief career and tragic passing at only 27 years old serve as a reminder that every wrestler, no matter how short their time in the spotlight, helped shape wrestling's rich history. The Attraction Archive isn't just about the biggest stars. It's about preserving the stories, celebrating the careers, and remembering the people who made professional wrestling the unique world it has always been. Because every attraction... has a story worth telling. 🎙️ New episodes of The Attraction Archive drop every Friday on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. Based on the historical research of Mike Rogers and The Encyclopedia of Portland Wrestlers, available now on Amazon.

Episode 42 – Portland Sports Arena: June 1969 – New Faces, New Champions, and a Territory in Transition

The summer of 1969 has arrived, and Portland Wrestling is changing before the fans' eyes. The Von Steigers are gone. New stars are stepping into the spotlight. Championships are changing hands, rivalries are intensifying, and Don Owen is clearly reshaping the territory for the months ahead. June proves to be one of the most pivotal months of 1969, as familiar names begin to fade and the next generation starts making its mark. Join Frank Culbertson and historian Mike Rogers as they return to the Portland Sports Arena to relive another unforgettable month in Northwest wrestling history. This episode features: • A tribute to former Portland wrestler and promoter Jerry Gray, whose career stretched from the territories to promoting his own successful wrestling cards in the Northwest • Lonnie Mayne & Tony Borne capturing and defending the Northwest Tag Team Championship while Mayne continues his reign as Northwest Heavyweight Champion • Buddy Marino's incredible month, earning title shot after title shot and proving he belonged among Portland's elite • The continued rise of Dean Ho, as he steps into the role of one of Portland's top fan favorites • The arrival of Roger "Rip" Kirby, whose athletic style quickly makes him one of the territory's brightest new stars • The final Portland appearances of Pat Patterson before his return years later • Why Salem's famous stage wall may have been one of the busiest "weapons" in professional wrestling Plus... 🌺 Island Interlude returns with another incredible trip to Hawaii, featuring dream matches involving Pedro Morales, Gorilla Monsoon, Nick Bockwinkel, Billy Robinson, Gene Kiniski, Karl Gotch, King Curtis Iaukea, Ray Stevens, Pat Patterson, Dory Dixon, Rocky Montero, and many more. If there was a hotter wrestling territory anywhere in June 1969, we'd like to see it. And of course, there are plenty of laughs along the way, including: • Mike's unforgettable referee story involving Jerry Gray • Why Tony Borne may have found the greatest loophole in wrestling history... by simply buying a ticket. • Frank's tale of accidentally making Little Nasty Boy even "smaller" during a ring introduction. • Another spirited debate over Stan Stasiak, the Full Nelson, and whether Mike would have awarded Lonnie Mayne a cage match victory. June 1969 wasn't just another month in Portland Wrestling. It was the beginning of a new chapter. One ring. One city. A thousand stories. New episodes of Ringside in Rose City drop every Friday on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. Based on the research of historian Mike Rogers and The Encyclopedia of Portland Wrestlers, available now on Amazon.

🎙️ The Attraction Archive #7 – Wrestling's Hidden Architects

🎙️ The Attraction Archive #7 – Wrestling's Hidden Architects Some wrestlers became legends because of what they did inside the ring. Others changed wrestling history because of the people they influenced. In Episode #7 of The Attraction Archive, Frank Culbertson explores another remarkable collection of Portland Wrestling personalities whose impact reached far beyond their win-loss records. From the patriarch of one of wrestling's most famous families to the scout who helped shape the future of Portland Wrestling, these are the stories behind some of the sport's most influential figures. Long before Randy Savage became "Macho Man" and Lanny Poffo became "The Genius," there was Angelo Poffo. Discover the remarkable story of a wrestling veteran whose Portland appearances were separated by an astonishing 26 years—a gap that may be the longest ever between appearances in the same territory. It's a fascinating look at a family whose wrestling legacy spans generations. Some of wrestling's biggest stars may never have arrived in Portland without Red Bastien. Mike Rogers shares why Red's recommendations helped bring names like Buddy Rose and possibly Roddy Piper to the Northwest, forever changing the direction of Portland Wrestling. Add in Red's unforgettable stories, legendary laugh, and a memorable series of 5:00 a.m. phone calls to Mike, and you'll understand why Red was one of wrestling's most beloved ambassadors. Two accomplished women whose careers connected Portland to the national wrestling scene. From Liz Chase's early days alongside Princess Victoria and Wendi Richter to Judy Martin's championship success as one-half of the Glamour Girls, this episode explores how even brief Portland appearances became part of much larger wrestling careers. No... not that Butch Cassidy. Meet the little person wrestler whose reputation for being incredibly tough led to unforgettable matches with Jim Cornette years later. Sometimes the best wrestling stories are the ones that sound almost too unbelievable to be true. A 31-year wrestling career... A one-week World Championship reign... And another reminder that wrestling history is filled with performers whose stories deserve to be remembered just as much as the biggest stars. The Attraction Archive isn't just about famous names. It's about discovering the forgotten connections, remarkable careers, and fascinating personalities that helped make Portland Wrestling unlike any other territory. Because sometimes... The most interesting stories belong to the people you thought you'd never heard of. 🎙️ New episodes of The Attraction Archive drop every Friday on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. 📚 Based on the research of historian Mike Rogers and The Encyclopedia of Portland Wrestlers, available now on Amazon.