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Portland Wrestling: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Frank
Step inside the Portland Sports Arena and relive the golden age of Pacific Northwest wrestling. From legendary feuds to hidden gems, our podcasts bring you the stories, matches, and larger-than-life personalities that defined one of wrestling’s most unique territories. Each episode dives into the history, characters, and unforgettable moments of Portland Wrestling—from household names who passed through on their way to national stardom, to the one-match wonders and obscurities that only true fans remember. If you love wrestling history, colorful characters, and the untold stories behind the
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- Today1h 4m
Ringside in Rose City: Ring Around the Northwest Hall of Fame 2026 — 10 New Inductees!
Ringside in Rose City: Ring Around the Northwest Hall of Fame 2026 — 10 New Inductees!TEN NEW INDUCTEES. TEN REMARKABLE STORIES. ONE INCREDIBLE HISTORY!It's time for one of our favorite annual traditions on Ringside in Rose City — the Ring Around the Northwest Hall of Fame!Join host Frank Culbertson and award-winning wrestling historian Mike Rodgers as we celebrate 10 individuals whose careers helped shape professional wrestling in the Pacific Northwest.Some became internationally recognized stars. Others spent decades entertaining fans in arenas large and small. And a few have nearly disappeared from wrestling's collective memory.Until now!For 30 years, Mike published Ring Around the Northwest, a monthly wrestling bulletin featuring interviews, match results, and behind-the-scenes stories. His dedication earned him the 2019 Jim Melby Pro Wrestling Historian of the Year Award from the Cauliflower Alley Club.Now celebrating his 23rd year of Hall of Fame selections, Mike explains how the tradition began and why preserving the stories of lesser-known wrestlers matters just as much as remembering the champions.BUD RETTELL — A nearly 20-year Northwest wrestling career, primarily in Vancouver, followed by an unexpected tour of Japan late in his career.HERB PARKS — A forgotten star of the 1930s and 1940s whose accomplishments included the Pacific Coast Junior Heavyweight Championship.THE BOLLYWOOD BOYZ — From the Pacific Northwest to WWE! Mike recalls their remarkable dedication to learning the business and their spectacular performances as the Singh Brothers.RON STARR — A major attraction during Portland's legendary late-1970s era, teaming with Adrian Adonis and battling Roddy Piper and Buddy Rose.DON COSS — The unforgettable voice of Portland Wrestling! Frank shares personal memories of working alongside Don, while Mike revisits his humor, famous catchphrases, and the unpredictable chaos of the Crow's Nest.GREG "THE HAMMER" VALENTINE — Before becoming an international star, Valentine wrestled in Portland. Mike also shares a hilarious—and painful—personal encounter with Valentine's famous elbow drop!DON KINDRED — A pioneering African American wrestler whose partnership with Frank James, the Brown Bombers, helped break barriers and brought championship success to the Pacific Northwest.IGOR VOLKOV — A longtime Northwest competitor, also known as Danny Babich, whose career included multiple Canadian Tag Team Championships and plenty of fascinating stories.TOM ZENK — One of Don Owen's rising stars of the 1980s. Discover his Portland championship success and why he later questioned his decision to leave the territory.DON JARDINE — THE SPOILER — A major star and championship partner of Dutch Savage. Mike shares memories from his personal interview with Jardine, whose remarkably candid opinions about fellow wrestlers and promoters are unforgettable!Mike's Hall of Fame isn't simply about who became the biggest star.It's about impact, longevity, contribution, and preserving the history of an entire wrestling territory.From the 1930s to the modern era, these inductees represent generations of performers who helped make Northwest wrestling special.Along the way, Frank and Mike share personal memories, surprising discoveries, plenty of laughter, and stories that deserve to be remembered.Some names you'll recognize immediately. Others you'll be hearing for the first time. Every one has earned a place in wrestling history.Follow Ringside in Rose City on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. New episodes every Friday!Share this episode with a wrestling fan and tell us which inductee brings back your favorite memories.Mike Rodgers' books, including Excitement in the Air, Katie Bar the Door, and The Encyclopedia of Portland Wrestlers, are available on Amazon.ONE RING. ONE CITY. A THOUSAND STORIES.Wrestling… wrestling the way it should be!
- 6 days ago22 min
Cream of the Crop #13: Jesse Ventura & Rick Martel — Before the World Knew Their Names
BEFORE THE WORLD KNEW THEIR NAMES… PORTLAND ALREADY DID!One would become one of professional wrestling's most recognizable voices, a Hollywood actor, and eventually the Governor of Minnesota.The other would become an AWA World Heavyweight Champion and one of wrestling's most accomplished international stars.But before Jesse "The Body" Ventura and Rick Martel reached wrestling's biggest stages, both made their mark inside the Portland Sports Arena.And their journeys couldn't have been more different!In Episode 13 of The Cream of the Crop, host Frank Culbertson explores the fascinating Portland careers of two men who would become household names.JESSE "THE BODY" VENTURA — THE MAN THEY WOULDN'T LET TALK!Imagine Jesse Ventura, one of wrestling's greatest talkers, arriving in Portland and being told to stand there, flex, and let somebody else handle the interviews!That's exactly what happened.With only six months of wrestling experience, Ventura was paired with the veteran Bull Ramos. But Jesse learned quickly, defeating Jimmy Snuka for the Northwest Heavyweight Championship and capturing tag team gold with Ramos.Then came Buddy Rose, the formation of The Younger Generation, and an explosive rivalry that helped transform Ventura into a major attraction.From Portland to the AWA, the WWF, Hollywood, and eventually the Minnesota governor's mansion, Ventura's remarkable journey had an important stop in the Pacific Northwest.RICK MARTEL — THE YOUNG WRESTLER WHO ALREADY UNDERSTOOD THE BUSINESS!Rick Martel arrived in Portland with a very different education.Beginning his wrestling career at 17, Martel traveled through Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Hawaii, learning different wrestling styles and the business behind the matches.By just 23 years old, he was already helping book professional wrestling in Hawaii!A recommendation from the Sheepherders, encouragement from Roddy Piper, and an opportunity with Don Owen brought Martel to Portland.And what a time to arrive! Rose, Piper, the Sheepherders, and Martel helped create one of the most exciting periods in Portland Wrestling history.Martel would defeat Rose for the Heavyweight Championship and team with Piper to capture thet Tag Team Championship.But perhaps his most revealing Portland moments came against NWA World Heavyweight Champion Harley Race.In January 1980, Martel defeated Race by disqualification and battled him to a draw just four days later. Those matches sent a powerful message: Rick Martel belonged among wrestling's elite.Martel would become the AWA World Heavyweight Champion, holding the title for an extraordinary 19 months, before reinventing himself once again in the WWF.TWO MEN. TWO DIFFERENT JOURNEYS. ONE LEGENDARY TERRITORY.Jesse Ventura arrived in Portland still learning how to become a professional wrestler.Rick Martel arrived already understanding how to make professional wrestling work.Both left a lasting impression, proving that greatness isn't always measured by how long someone stays in a territory, but by what they accomplish while they're there.COMING NEXT FRIDAY: THE REFEREES!They weren't supposed to be the stars, but in Portland Wrestling, referees could become legends themselves!We'll revisit the remarkable careers of Dandy Sandy Barr and Shag Thomas, along with Wild Bill Savage and Luke Brown.And yes, we'll remember what happened when a villain made the mistake of pushing Shag Thomas just a little too far!FOLLOW THE CREAM OF THE CROP!New episodes every Friday on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and wherever you enjoy wrestling history.Share this episode with someone who remembers those unforgettable nights at the Portland Sports Arena!The Cream of the Crop draws on Mike Rodgers' books The Encyclopedia of Portland Wrestlers, Katie Bar the Door: The History of Portland Wrestling, Excitement in the Air, Volume Two, and The History of Hawaiian Wrestling, available on Amazon.
- 1 weeks ago1h 28m
Roddy Piper vs. Buddy Rose: How Portland Wrestling’s Legendary Feud Began! | Ringside in Rose City
Roddy Piper vs. Buddy Rose: How Portland Wrestling's Legendary Feud Began!BEFORE THEY BECAME BITTER ENEMIES… THEY WERE ON THE SAME SIDE!Following the tremendous response to our first video podcast, Before Raven: The Scotty the Body Story, Ringside in Rose City is back with another special video presentation!And this time, we're traveling back to 1979 to explore one of the greatest rivalries in Pacific Northwest wrestling history."ROWDY" RODDY PIPER vs. "PLAYBOY" BUDDY ROSE!Two extraordinary wrestlers. Two legendary talkers. Two completely different personalities.But how did they go from allies to bitter enemies? And what happened during one unforgettable eight-man elimination match that changed everything?Join host Frank Culbertson and award-winning wrestling historian Mike Rodgers as they revisit the original Portland Wrestling footage and uncover the fascinating story behind this legendary feud.RODDY PIPER'S ARRIVAL: When Piper arrived in Portland in 1978, Don Owen didn't immediately recognize the superstar he would become. Mike examines Piper's early matches, his partnership with Killer Brooks, and how his incredible interview skills helped propel him toward the main event.THE RISE OF PLAYBOY BUDDY ROSE: Unlike Portland's traditional rough-and-tough villains, Rose was clever, arrogant, and a master at making fans hate him. He could lose a match and somehow become an even bigger attraction!THE LEGENDARY WHEELBARROW INTERVIEW: March 31, 1979. Four villains. A wheelbarrow overflowing with championship belts. Watch Piper, Rose, Ed Wiskowski, and Killer Brooks deliver one of the most entertaining interviews in Portland Wrestling history.THE EIGHT-MAN ELIMINATION MATCH: Piper, Rose, Wiskowski, and Brooks battle Adrian Adonis, Ron Starr, Hector Guerrero, and George Wells. Frank and Mike examine the psychology, the teamwork, and the remarkable mistake that shattered the alliance.THE BETRAYAL: One accidental collision. One furious argument. And suddenly, four men who believed they could control Portland Wrestling were fighting among themselves!PIPER'S UNFORGETTABLE INTERVIEWS: Watch Roddy Piper at his unpredictable best as he lashes out at Rose and Wiskowski, defends his injured partner, and confronts women's wrestler Vicki Williams.THE FEUD THAT WOULDN'T DIE: Anything Goes matches, Lumberjack matches, Coal Miner's Glove matches, and Hair matches. Piper and Rose met 40 times in singles competition, with Piper winning 25, Rose winning 7, and 8 ending in disqualifications or no contests.Yet fans never tired of seeing Buddy Rose get beaten!Mike explains why Rose was one of wrestling's greatest masters at losing a match without losing his ability to draw money.And wait until you see how Buddy turned losing his famous blond hair into another opportunity to infuriate Portland fans!Great interviews. Unforgettable characters. Remarkable storytelling. And rivalries that kept fans buying tickets week after week.Piper and Rose didn't just wrestle matches. They created memories that Portland fans still talk about nearly 50 years later.This video special features classic Portland Wrestling footage preserved by Rich Patterson, whose remarkable collection includes more than 600 hours of matches, interviews, and vintage commercials.Information about obtaining Rich's collection is included in the video.Watch this special video episode of Ringside in Rose City, and don't miss our first video presentation, Before Raven: The Scotty the Body Story!Follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube for more wrestling history, interviews, and special presentations.Hosted by Frank Culbertson and Mike Rodgers, author of The Encyclopedia of Portland Wrestlers, Katie Bar the Door, and Excitement in the Air, available on Amazon.ONE RING. ONE CITY. A THOUSAND STORIES.Wrestling… wrestling the way it should be!
- 1 weeks ago19 min
The Cream of the Crop #12 — The Sheepherders: From Brutal to Beloved!
The Cream of the Crop #12 — The Sheepherders: From Brutal to Beloved!BEFORE THE BUSHWHACKERS… THERE WERE THE SHEEPHERDERS!They swung their arms. They made crazy faces. They yelled "WHOA!" They marched to the ring and licked people's heads.Millions of WWF fans loved them. Kids loved them. Families loved them.They were the Bushwhackers!But years before Butch Miller and Luke Williams became two of wrestling's most recognizable comedy characters, Portland Wrestling knew them by another name.THE SHEEPHERDERS!And there was absolutely NOTHING lovable about them!They were vicious. They were brutal. They were unpredictable. And they became one of the most dangerous tag teams in Pacific Northwest wrestling history.Welcome to Episode 12 of The Cream of the Crop: The Main Eventers, Money Draws, and Territory Legends, hosted by Frank Culbertson.This week, we travel back to 1979 and 1980 to discover how two wild New Zealanders went from terrifying Portland audiences to becoming beloved wrestling superstars.Before Portland, the Sheepherders had been wrestling in Hawaii alongside familiar names like Rick Martel, Buddy Rose, Siva Afi, and Roddy Piper.It was Piper and Rose who helped bring Butch and Luke to Don Owen's territory.And Dutch Savage helped give them the names that Portland fans would remember!On July 14, 1979, the Sheepherders arrived at the Portland Sports Arena and defeated Northwest Tag Team Champions Ron Starr and Adrian Adonis.SEVEN DAYS LATER, THEY WON THE CHAMPIONSHIP!They had arrived. And Portland Wrestling would never be quite the same!The Sheepherders battled some of the Northwest's biggest stars, including Dutch Savage, Stan Stasiak, Adrian Adonis, and Roddy Piper.But their most unforgettable rivalry came against Roddy Piper and Rick Martel.These weren't ordinary wrestling matches.They were bloody. They were wild. And they were personal!Frank recalls seeing Piper and Martel battle the Sheepherders live—matches that remain vivid more than 45 years later.And Piper wanted more than victories.HE WANTED THEIR HAIR!In March 1980, Piper defeated Luke Williams in a hair match. Then he defeated Butch Miller in another.BOTH SHEEPHERDERS WERE BALD!But losing their hair didn't make them any less dangerous.The championship battles continued, including cage matches and more unforgettable confrontations.Then came one of the most remarkable transformations in Portland Wrestling.In June 1980, Buddy Rose turned against the Sheepherders, with Ed Wiskowski joining his side.Suddenly, Butch and Luke were fan favorites!The same wild expressions. The same crazy noises. The same unpredictable behavior.THE SHEEPHERDERS HADN'T REALLY CHANGED. THE FANS HAD!And in one of wrestling's great twists, they began teaming with Roddy Piper—the very man who had shaved both their heads!Years later, the WWF would take those same personalities and amplify them into the lovable Bushwhackers.But the foundation of that transformation had already been established in Portland.Two men. Two very different personalities. Two extraordinary careers.Rick Martel would become AWA World Heavyweight Champion and a major WWF star.Jesse Ventura would become an AWA World Tag Team Champion, WWF personality, broadcaster, actor, and Governor of Minnesota.Before the fame, before the championships, before the national spotlight… there was Portland Wrestling!That's next Friday on The Cream of the Crop!Follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. New episodes every Friday!Based on Mike Rodgers' The Encyclopedia of Portland Wrestlers and Katie Bar the Door, with additional material from Ohh Yeahh: The History of Hawaiian Wrestling, available on Amazon.The legends. The money draws. The main eventers.THE CREAM OF THE CROP!
- 2 weeks ago1h 24m
DR. TOM PRICHARD JOINS RINGSIDE IN ROSE CITY!
Dr. Tom Prichard: From Portland Wrestling to Training the Legends!DR. TOM PRICHARD JOINS RINGSIDE IN ROSE CITY!What happens when a young wrestling fan gets his first lesson in the ring from the Iron Sheik—and refuses to quit?He becomes Dr. Tom Prichard: champion, world traveler, mentor, and one of professional wrestling's most respected teachers.This week, Frank Culbertson and wrestling historian Mike Rodgers welcome Dr. Tom for an unforgettable conversation spanning more than four decades of wrestling history.From the Houston wrestling office to Don Owen's Portland territory, from Japan to WWE, Tom shares the people, places, and lessons that shaped his remarkable career.PAUL BOESCH AND THE IRON SHEIK: How a $75-a-week job in Houston opened the door to wrestling—and the punishing first workout that convinced Tom he would do whatever it took.THE ROAD TO PORTLAND: Why his planned 1980 arrival was delayed, and what he learned wrestling in Los Angeles before reaching the Northwest in 1984.DON OWEN'S TERRITORY: Why Portland was such a valuable place to learn, and what veterans like Rip Oliver, Buddy Rose, and the Cuban Assassin taught him about telling stories in the ring.JIM CORNETTE—ONE OF THE GREATEST EVER? Where does Dr. Tom rank Jim Cornette among wrestling's legendary managers? Tom places Cornette, Bobby Heenan, and Paul Heyman in his all-time top three—and believes any of them could claim the number-one spot! He also discusses Cornette's remarkable mind for the business and their years together in Smoky Mountain Wrestling.LIFE AT THE BOMBER: The legendary wrestler hangout, wild nights, and road-trip adventures with Matt Borne and Brett Sawyer—including a terrifying drive on an icy mountain road.RIC FLAIR: Tom recalls two NWA World Championship opportunities and the reassuring words of the Nature Boy before their matches.JAPAN: A tour featuring the Wild Samoans, Bad News Allen, and a police-car incident you have to hear to believe.PERSONAL ISSUES AND REAL HEAT: Why Tom believes emotional storytelling still matters—and how wrestling has changed for modern audiences.TRAINING THE McMAHONS: What it was like working one-on-one with Vince McMahon, and why Shane was a completely different student.THE NEXT GENERATION: Tom discusses Darby Allin, authenticity, high-risk wrestling, and his concerns about the physical toll on today's performers.Beyond the laughs and incredible road stories, Tom offers something special: a thoughtful look at what makes a wrestler believable, why experienced performers should help younger talent succeed, and how the fundamentals survive even as the business changes.From getting stretched by the Iron Sheik to teaching some of wrestling's biggest names, Dr. Tom Prichard has seen the business from almost every angle.And he's sharing those experiences with us!Another Portland favorite joins us to discuss his career in the Northwest and beyond, including Puerto Rico and the USWA.Follow Ringside in Rose City on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. New episodes every Thursday!Mike Rodgers' Excitement in the Air series, including his earlier interview with Dr. Tom Prichard in Volume One, is available on Amazon.One ring. One city. A thousand stories.Wrestling… wrestling the way it should be.
- 2 weeks ago18 min
The Cream of the Crop #11 — The Royal Kangaroos: Portland Wrestling's Most Wanted!
THEY BROKE TELEVISIONS. THEY CARRIED BOOMERANGS. AND THEY HAD A BOUNTY ON THEIR HEADS!They were so hated that two Portland businessmen decided enough was enough.Tom Peterson and Friendly Joe Cahan weren't wrestlers. They weren't promoters. They were sponsors who wanted the Royal Kangaroos stopped!So they put up a bounty and invited some of professional wrestling's biggest names to Portland to collect it.Lonnie Mayne. Dory Funk Jr. Mad Dog Vachon. Don Leo Jonathan.Team after team came looking for the money.And the Royal Kangaroos kept surviving!Welcome to Episode 11 of The Cream of the Crop: The Main Eventers, Money Draws, and Territory Legends, hosted by Frank Culbertson.This week, we revisit one of the wildest, most colorful, and most successful tag teams in Portland Wrestling history.LORD JONATHAN BOYD AND NORMAN FREDERICK CHARLES III — THE ROYAL KANGAROOS!Johnny Boyd arrived in Portland in April 1971 and soon found himself battling Kurt and Karl Von Steiger.On July 3, Boyd defeated Kurt for the Northwest Heavyweight Championship. Afterward, the Von Steigers attacked him.Boyd promised to return with his cousin.One week later, Norman Frederick Charles III arrived, and the Royal Kangaroos were born!But their partnership had begun years earlier, when two cocky wrestlers touring New Zealand discovered they were related through marriage.They weren't particularly fond of each other. But together, they were wrestling gold!The Kangaroos came to the ring carrying boomerangs—and they weren't afraid to use them!They became six-time Northwest Tag Team Champions, battling the Von Steigers, Tony Borne, Lonnie Mayne, Dutch Savage, Jimmy Snuka, and many more.Their success extended beyond Portland, including a World Tag Team Championship victory over Pat Patterson and Tony Garea in San Francisco.But their most famous Portland storyline began with something completely unexpected.A TELEVISION SET!During live Portland Wrestling broadcasts, the Kangaroos began destroying televisions belonging to sponsor Tom Peterson.Peterson and Friendly Joe Cahan responded by offering bounty money to anyone who could defeat the Kangaroos.Suddenly, Portland Wrestling had an extraordinary attraction.THE BOUNTY HUNTER MATCHES!Famous wrestlers arrived from across the country. The matches became increasingly violent. And every unsuccessful challenger made the Kangaroos look even more dangerous.According to Norman Charles, the storyline accomplished something remarkable.It sold wrestling tickets.And it helped sell more televisions!In June 1976, the Kangaroos battled Bull Ramos and Jesse "The Body" Ventura for the Northwest Tag Team Championship.Mike Rodgers later remembered it as one of the wildest matches he'd ever witnessed—something that could have belonged in ECW!But behind the outrageous characters were two talented wrestlers who understood how to make audiences believe.Norman Charles once described himself as Rambo, Shakespeare, and Nero—toughness, artistry, and elegance.And he called the Royal Kangaroos the cream of the wrestling world!We also explore the team's eventual breakup, Norman's remarkable life after wrestling, and the reconciliation that reunited the two men years later.In 1979, two men from New Zealand arrived in Portland.BUTCH MILLER AND LUKE WILLIAMS!They were brutal, vicious, and dangerous. One week after their arrival, they were Northwest Tag Team Champions.Years later, WWF fans would know them as the lovable, arm-swinging Bushwhackers.But Portland knew them as THE SHEEPHERDERS, and there was absolutely nothing lovable about them!That's next Friday on The Cream of the Crop!Follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. New episodes every Friday!This series draws on Mike Rodgers' The Encyclopedia of Portland Wrestlers, Katie Bar the Door, and Excitement in the Air: Volume Two, available on Amazon.The legends. The money draws. The main eventers.THE CREAM OF THE CROP!
- 3 weeks ago1h 49m
Ringside in Rose City — BEFORE RAVEN: The Scotty the Body Story | Our First VIDEO Special!
🎬 BIG ANNOUNCEMENT: RINGSIDE IN ROSE CITY IS GOING VIDEO!For the first time, you can WATCH Ringside in Rose City on YouTube! We're testing a new video format, featuring original Portland Wrestling footage alongside Frank Culbertson and Mike Rodgers' commentary—and we need YOUR feedback.▶ WATCH our special, BEFORE RAVEN: THE SCOTTY THE BODY STORY, on YouTube.👍 SUBSCRIBE and give the video a like if you enjoy it.💬 COMMENT: What works? What should we improve? Would you watch more episodes like this?YOUR RESPONSE WILL HELP US DECIDE WHETHER TO MAKE MORE VIDEO SPECIALS! Our Spotify and Apple Podcasts audio editions aren't going anywhere.Before Scott Levy became the brooding, unforgettable Raven, he was a cocky, dancing, wisecracking troublemaker at the Portland Sports Arena.In this special look at 1989–1990, Frank and Mike follow his transformation through rare archival interviews, matches, and unforgettable television moments.THIS WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS:Scotty's first Portland interview: Watch him get under announcer Don Coss's skin almost immediately.Snotty the Body: See how one embarrassing moment became a memorable wrestling gimmick.The Southern Rockers: Scotty manipulates Steve Doll and Scott Peterson and nearly breaks up one of Portland's most beloved teams.Buddy Rose and the Rose Garden: Scotty joins forces with Rose and Johnny Boyd for outrageous television angles.Championship gold: Follow Scotty's rise to three Northwest Heavyweight titles, three Northwest Tag Team titles, and the Northwest Television Championship.Scotty's mom: Witness the extraordinary championship tournament, complete with money changing hands and Johnny Boyd's suspicious injury.Ginger, Veronica, and the wedding: Romance, betrayal, and a haircut that only wrestling could deliver.The Grappler sing-off: Yes, it happened—and we have the footage!You'll also hear archival comments from The Grappler, memories from Jody Day, and Mike's insights into the character that Portland helped shape.Beneath the jokes, dancing, and insults, Scotty was learning to command an audience. By April 1990, fans were beginning to cheer the man they were supposed to hate.What happened next? That's for another episode!Find BEFORE RAVEN: THE SCOTTY THE BODY STORY on the Ringside in Rose City YouTube channel.WATCH, SUBSCRIBE, AND—MOST IMPORTANTLY—LEAVE US A COMMENT!Tell us whether this video experiment should continue!Rich Patterson: Thank you for preserving the remarkable Portland Wrestling videotape collection that makes this video special possible. Information about the collection is in the episode.Jody Day: Thank you for sharing your memories of the Southern Rockers and the fans who made this era so special.Hosted by Frank Culbertson and historian Mike Rodgers, author of The Encyclopedia of Portland Wrestlers and the Excitement in the Air series.One ring. One city. A thousand stories.BEFORE RAVEN… THERE WAS SCOTTY THE BODY!🎬 DON'T JUST HEAR ABOUT THE HISTORY—SEE IT!SPECIAL THANKS
- 3 weeks ago16 min
The Cream of the Crop #10 — The Von Steigers: The Brothers Everyone Loved to Hate!
They were arrogant. They were vicious. They were German.Except they weren't German. And they weren't even brothers!Kurt Von Steiger was Arnold Pastrick. Karl Von Steiger was Loren Corlett. Two wrestlers from Winnipeg who became one of the most hated tag teams in Pacific Northwest wrestling history.But in professional wrestling, the question was never whether the story was true.The question was whether the fans believed it.And Portland wrestling fans believed every word!Welcome to Episode 10 of The Cream of the Crop: The Main Eventers, Money Draws, and Territory Legends, hosted by Frank Culbertson.This week, we travel back to 1968, when two men who weren't German and weren't related helped establish the identity of a brand-new wrestling arena—and gave Portland fans somebody they absolutely loved to hate!October 12, 1968.Don Owen's promotion finally had a permanent home. The Portland Sports Arena opened its doors for the first time, and Lonnie Mayne and Beauregard defended the Northwest Tag Team Championship against the Von Steigers.By the end of the night, Kurt and Karl were champions.And then they threw Lonnie Mayne from the Crow's Nest interview area!New building. New champions. A major star injured.Portland Wrestling had found its villains.Over the next several years, the Von Steigers would capture the Northwest Tag Team Championship an astonishing seven times.They battled some of the biggest names in the territory, including Lonnie Mayne, Tony Borne, Luther Lindsay, Shag Thomas, Billy White Wolf, Johnny War Eagle, Frankie Laine, and Bobby Nichols.And the fans couldn't wait to see somebody finally beat them!In March 1969, Billy White Wolf gave those fans something special: two chain matches in one night, defeating Kurt and Karl individually.But the Von Steigers were far more than a successful tag team.Kurt Von Steiger became a two-time Northwest Heavyweight Champion and later helped train wrestlers, including Afa of the Wild Samoans, contributing to a wrestling family whose influence continues today.Karl Von Steiger built his own championship career, winning titles in Amarillo and Hawaii. In 1979, he captured the Hawaiian State Championship after defeating Chris Markoff, Buck Zumhofe, and Kevin Von Erich in a one-night tournament.And together, the Von Steigers achieved something even bigger.They defeated Mad Dog and Butcher Vachon to become AWA World Tag Team Champions!Their reign lasted only about a week, but the championship represented something important: the trust and respect they had earned throughout professional wrestling.The German gimmick made fans dislike them before the bell rang.But their wrestling ability, psychology, and credibility kept those fans buying tickets.The Von Steigers understood something essential about the business: great heroes need great villains.Someone has to make the audience angry enough to come back next Saturday night.For years, Kurt and Karl Von Steiger were those men.They weren't German. They weren't brothers.But when the bell rang, none of that mattered. Portland believed. And Portland hated them!The Von Steigers had made plenty of enemies. One of them was Johnny Boyd.In July 1971, Boyd promised to bring his cousin, Norman Frederick Charles III, to Portland.One week later, a new tag team had arrived.Lord Jonathan Boyd and Norman Frederick Charles III — THE ROYAL KANGAROOS!The boomerangs. The bounty hunter matches. And a team so hated that even the sponsors wanted them stopped!That's next Friday on The Cream of the Crop!Follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. New episodes every Friday!This series is based on Mike Rodgers' The Encyclopedia of Portland Wrestlers and Katie Bar the Door, with additional historical material from Ohh Yeahh: The History of Hawaii Wrestling, all available on Amazon.One ring. One city. A thousand stories.The main eventers. The money draws. The territory legends.THE CREAM OF THE CROP!
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About Portland Wrestling
Step inside the Portland Sports Arena and relive the golden age of Pacific Northwest wrestling. From legendary feuds to hidden gems, our podcasts bring you the stories, matches, and larger-than-life personalities that defined one of wrestling’s most unique territories. Each episode dives into the history, characters, and unforgettable moments of Portland Wrestling—from household names who passed through on their way to national stardom, to the one-match wonders and obscurities that only true fans remember. If you love wrestling history, colorful characters, and the untold stories behind the
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