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

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.

Ringside In Rose City #41 Ring Around the Northwest Hall of Fame: The First 11 Years

Episode 41 – Ring Around the Northwest Hall of Fame: The First 11 Years Some wrestlers became world champions. Others became household names. And some quietly built the foundation of Pacific Northwest wrestling one match at a time. In this special episode, Frank Culbertson and historian Mike Rodgers open the Ring Around the Northwest Hall of Fame vault and revisit the first eleven Hall of Fame classes, exploring the wrestlers, promoters, announcers, and personalities whose impact shaped Portland and Vancouver wrestling for generations. Along the way, you'll hear stories about: • Why Gorgeous George changed professional wrestling forever • The incredible careers of Ripper Collins, Sandy Barr, The Skull, Steve Doll, Rick Martel, Bearcat Wright, and many more • How Hall of Fame selections were made—and why championships weren't the only measure of greatness • Forgotten stars whose contributions deserve to be remembered • Behind-the-scenes stories from Mike's 30 years publishing Ring Around the Northwest Plus, Lisa Hughes presents another Hall of Fame edition of Kayfabe Curveballs, where Mike somehow finds himself answering questions about Bat Masterson, Annie Oakley, Cowboy Lang, and Hall of Fames that have absolutely nothing to do with wrestling. And yes... before anyone asks... we made sure to spend time talking about Steve Doll. We know one of our favorite listeners, Jody Day, is always standing by to defend Steve's honor, and we're pretty sure she'd have driven to the studio if we'd skipped him. Consider this episode officially Jody-approved! 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 – Special Edition: Andre the Giant's Northwest Legacy

The Attraction Archive – Special Edition: Andre the Giant's Northwest Legacy Some wrestlers become champions. Some become legends. And then there was Andre the Giant—a once-in-a-lifetime attraction whose arrival alone was enough to fill an arena. In this special edition of The Attraction Archive, host Frank Culbertson dedicates the entire episode to the eleven-year Northwest career of one of the most recognizable figures in sports and entertainment history. From his first appearance in Portland in 1974 to his final tour in 1984, Andre wasn't simply another wrestler on the card—he was the event. Follow Andre's remarkable journey through Portland Wrestling as he dominated battle royals, headlined unforgettable cards, and shared the ring with some of the biggest names of the territorial era, including Dutch Savage, Jimmy Snuka, Buddy Rose, Roddy Piper, Jesse Ventura, Chris Taylor, Don Leo Jonathan, and the Sheepherders. Along the way, hear the fascinating stories behind the booking that made Andre a legendary attraction, the infamous Buddy Rose dressing room prank, and the unforgettable moments that left generations of Northwest fans in awe. More than a wrestling biography, this special episode explores why Andre the Giant became one of the greatest box-office attractions professional wrestling has ever known—and why, decades later, fans who saw him walk through the curtain at the Portland Sports Arena have never forgotten the experience. Hosted by Frank Culbertson and based on the historical research 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.