Portland Wrestling

🎙️ Ringside in Rose City #33 – Princess Victoria: Fighting the SystemOne ring.One city.A thousand stories.And this week… one of the toughest stories ever told at ringside.When Lisa Hughes punches the connect button, FrankCulbertson and Portland Wrestling historian Mike Rogers welcome a true pioneer into the Rose City ring:Princess Victoria.Before the bright lights…Before Madison Square Garden…Before the championships…There was a fight just to get in the ring.🚫 When Women Weren’t AllowedFrom 1954 to 1975, women’s wrestling was banned in Oregon.Not because they couldn’t wrestle— but because they weren’t allowed to.Princess Victoria was part of the generation that steppedthrough that door when it finally opened… and proved they belonged.🥊 From Fan to FighterHer story starts in the stands—watching Portland Wrestlingas a kid… and turns into one of the most unlikely journeys in the business:• Training under Sandy Barr in the toughest possibleenvironment• Learning the craft the old-school way—six days a week, no shortcuts• Becoming “little sister” in a locker room filled with names like Roddy Piper, Buddy Rose, and Dutch Savage• Earning respect the only way that mattered—in the ring🌎 The Road… and the RealityVictoria shares what life in the territory system was reallylike:• Endless miles—sometimes 800+ miles overnight just tomake the next town• Japan tours, fast-paced styles, and learning on the fly• The difference between working for promoters like Don Owen and Bill Watts… and the realities of working under others• And the truth about what wrestlers—especially women—were really paidThis is wrestling without the gloss.⚖️ The Moolah RealityPrincess Victoria doesn’t hold back when discussing FabulousMoolah—but her perspective is layered.She separates the two sides:• Moolah the wrestler – a trailblazer who endured thehardest era and helped open doors for women in the business• Lillian Ellison the booker – a completely different story, involving control, pay disputes, and a system that many wrestlers felt exploited themVictoria speaks candidly about both—respecting the legacy…while refusing to ignore the reality.It’s one of the most honest and complex takes on Moolahyou’ll hear—and a reminder that wrestling history is rarely as simple as it seems.🏆 The Highest StageFrom Portland…to Madison Square Garden…Princess Victoria reached the top of the business as one-half of the WWWF Women’s Tag Team Champions.And yet…She found out she was winning the titles just five minutes before the match.That’s the business.💥 The Moment Everything ChangedOn September 1, 1984…a wrinkle in the mat.A move goes wrong.And just like that—A career ends.Victoria shares the raw reality of that night… and how quickly everything can be taken away in professional wrestling.❤️ More Than WrestlingThis episode goes deeper than the ring.Victoria opens up about:• Her childhood and the challenges she overcame• The support—and protection—of the Portland locker room• Why fans mattered more than anything• And how her story continues today through her new book:Fighting the Wrong Side of the SunThis isn’t just a wrestling story.It’s about survival.Respect.And earning your place when the system says you don’t belong.Step into the arena.This is Ringside in Rose City —Wrestling wrestling the way it should be.

One ring.One city.A thousand stories.And this week… we look at what came next.When Lisa Hughes spins the wheel, the envelope doesn’t send us back to a card or a date—it sends us into the future ofwrestling in the Pacific Northwest.In Episode #32 of Ringside in Rose City, Frank Culbertson and Portland Wrestling historian Mike Rogers revisit Excitementin the Air: Voices of Northwest Wrestling—but this time, the focus is on the next generation. The wrestlers who came after the territory era… and kept the business alive.The Next Generation – Voices That Carried It ForwardThis episode dives into the stories behind:• Dr. Luther – The Butler rocks! From the Hart Dungeon to Japan’s hardcore scene, evolving into an old-school performer with world-class timing, now shining in a completely different role on national TV• Kyle O’Reilly – A Northwest original whose technical precision and mindset carried him from local gyms to global stages, including major wins at the highest level• Bryan Alvarez – From in-ring performer to one of wrestling’s most recognizable media voices, proving there’s more than one path to impact the business. For some reason Mike has to keep reminding Frank to say “Auto” when he mentions Miss Rent To Own…• Michelle Starr – Wrestler turned promoter, navigating the realities of running shows, locker rooms, and rival promotions in the independent era• Steve Rizzono – A powerful and sobering story of work ethic taken to the extreme, and the physical toll the business can take• Adam “Firestorm” Dykes – A talented, respected worker whose story highlights the very real impact of concussions and mental health• Pat Brady – Intelligent, articulate, and honest—offering one of the rare perspectives of a wrestler who reflects deeply on the cost of the business• Nick Wayne – A true next-generation star, growing up in wrestling, training from childhood, and reaching national television before even finishing high school• Christopher Daniels – A bridge between eras, explaining how wrestling evolved from slow builds to fast-paced, action-driven storytelling. And the sworn nemesis of Jim Valley.• Davey Richards – Intense, disciplined, and unapologetically old-school in mindset, emphasizing that wrestling is built on emotion—not just movement• ELP (El Phantasmo) – A late bloomer in global terms, turning a Northwest career into major success in Japan and beyond• The Bollywood Boys – Students of the game who earned their opportunities through respect, preparation, and relentless effort• Skag Rollins (Todd Royce) – A standout personality who transitioned from strong in-ring work to national success as a comedianMore Than Just MatchesThis episode isn’t just about where these wrestlers went…It’s about:• How wrestling changed after the territories• What it takes to survive in the independent era• And how different paths—wrestler, promoter, historian, performer—can all shape the businessThe territory ended in 1991.But wrestling didn’t.It evolved.It adapted.And this generation made sure it kept going.Step into the next chapter.This is Ringside in Rose City — WrestlingWrestling the way it should be.

🎙️ Ringside in Rose City #31 – January 1969: When Wrestling FrozeOne ring.One city.A thousand stories.And this week… everything comes to a halt.In Episode #31 of Ringside in Rose City, Frank Culbertson and Portland Wrestling historian Mike Rodgers move into January1969—a month that should have built momentum… but instead was buried under snow, ice, and chaos.As always, Lisa Hughes spins the wheel, and the envelope reads:“PSA January ’69.”What follows is one of the most unusual months in PortlandWrestling history.❄️ The Month the Territory FrozeThis wasn’t just bad weather.This was:• The coldest temperatures since 1919• Snow totals reaching 15+ inches across the region• Highways shut down• Entire towns cut off• And wrestling cards… canceledA massive New Year’s Day Battle Royal?Canceled.Multiple Portland, Salem, Eugene, and Corvallis shows?Canceled.And when shows did happen… crowds were sparse, travelwas dangerous, and nothing felt stable.For Don Owen—who had just invested heavily in the PortlandSports Arena—this wasn’t just inconvenient.It was financially dangerous.🥊 Chaos in the RingDespite the weather, when the bell rang… things didn’t slowdown.• The Von Steigers continue to dominate the tag scene—then lose, then regain the titles in rapid-fire fashion• Luther Lindsay & Shag Thomas emerge as a powerful team—and Battle Royal winners• Lonnie Mayne returns angry, targeting Luther, the Von Steigers… and just about everyone• Tony Borne begins his full heel turn, promising to win “any way possible”• Gene Kiniski appears in a rare non-title match• And the roster begins to feel… stale, just as major changes loom ahead🔗 The German Death MatchOne of the most bizarre stipulations in Portland history appears this month:All four wrestlers tied to ring posts by one wrist…forced to fight their way free before the match can even begin.It’s chaotic.It’s dangerous.And it’s classic territory creativity.🌺 Island Interlude – Hawaii Stays HotWhile Portland froze, Hawaii wrestling was on fire. Frank and Mike head to the islands where:• Ed Francis returns to the ring• Ripper Collins headlines major feuds• Nick Bockwinkel, Mr. Fuji, and Ray Stevens fill stacked cards• And a tragic real-life moment strikes with the passing of beloved star Jim HadySame business.Different world.🧊 Survival Over MomentumJanuary 1969 wasn’t about building momentum.It was about survival.• Wrestlers missing bookings• Promoters losing money• Fans unable to attend• And a territory trying to stay alive through forces no one could controlBut underneath it all…The seeds were being planted.Lonnie Mayne.Tony Borne.The Von Steigers.Luther Lindsay.February was coming.And with it… opportunity.This episode isn’t just about wrestling.It’s about what happens when real life collides with thebusiness—and the show somehow keeps going.Step into the storm.This is Ringside in Rose City — wrestling wrestling the way it should be.

One ring.One city.A thousand stories.And this week… we go ringside with one of the men who held it all together.On Episode #30 of Ringside in Rose City, Frank Culbertson and Portland Wrestling historian Mike Rogers welcome a special guest whose name may not have headlined the posters—but whose work made those posters matter:Rocky Della Serra.This is a conversation about the carpenters of professional wrestling—the dependable, skilled workers who opened the show, anchored the middle, and made the stars look like stars.And Rocky was exactly that.From Montreal to Germany…From Newfoundland to Calgary…From Vancouver to Portland during one of its hottest years ever…Rocky lived the territory system from the inside.🥊 The Carpenter RoleBefore the interview begins, Frank and Mike break down whata “carpenter” really is:• The wrestlers who set the tone early in the night• The ones who could work with anyone• The pros who didn’t outshine the main event—but made sure it deliveredBecause without them…there is no show.🎤 A Life in the TerritoriesRocky shares stories from across the wrestling world:• Breaking into the business with almost no formal training• His unforgettable first match in Montreal• Touring Germany and learning the hard way with Japanese training sessions• Newfoundland’s summer territory and the grind of the road• Calgary bookings that started with “we don’t need you”… and turned into steady work• And finally, arriving in Portland in 1980, surrounded by Piper,Martel, Buddy Rose, and the Sheepherders📖 Wrestling With a Rocky LifeThe episode also spotlights Rocky’s new book:Wrestling With a Rocky LifeA firsthand account of the territory era—told by someone wholived it night after night, town after town.🏟️ Portland 1980 – Learning From the BestRocky reflects on working in one of the greatest locker rooms in Portland history:• Watching Roddy Piper control a crowd• Working with Rick Martel—“like a night off”• Learning timing, psychology, and pacing from the best in the business• And understanding what separated good wrestlers… from great onesThis episode isn’t about championships.It’s about craftsmanship.The workers who didn’t always win…but made everything else work.Step into the arena.This is Ringside in Rose City —Wrestling wrestling the way it should be.

Ringside in Rose City #29 – Matt Farmer: The Historian’s HistorianOne ring.One city.A thousand stories.And this week… we bring in someone who’s spent a lifetime uncovering them.When Lisa Hughes punches the button, Frank Culbertsonand Mike Rogers welcome a very special guest into the Rose City ring: Matt Farmer.Historian. Researcher. Wrestler. Promoter.And one of the most respected voices in wrestling history today.📚 The Puzzle of Wrestling HistoryMatt takes us deep into the process of uncoveringwrestling’s past:• Digging through microfilm, newspapers, and archives• Piecing together forgotten spot shows and lost results• Reconstructing territories town-by-town—Tacoma, Longview, Salem, Eugene• The thrill of discovering matches featuring names like André the Giant in places you’d never expectAs Matt explains, wrestling history isn’t just research…It’s a puzzle—and every piece matters.🌎 Beyond PortlandWhile Portland Wrestling is the foundation, this episodeexpands far beyond:• The surprising reach of wrestling across small towns,islands, and international territories• Stories from places like Hawaii during WWII-era wrestling booms• How territories across North America—and beyond—were deeply connectedIt’s a reminder that wrestling’s footprint was once everywhere.🧠 Historians Talking HistoryFor the first time…Mike isn’t the only historian in the room.And as he puts it: “Tonight Matt and I can finally have a real historian conversation…”What follows is a deep, passionate exchange between twopeople who have spent decades preserving wrestling’s past—while Frank (and all of us) try to keep up.🥊 From Fan to the BusinessMatt isn’t just a historian—he’s lived the business:• Early days breaking in and learning from veterans• Behind-the-scenes roles across the industry• Becoming a driving force behind DEFY Wrestling, one of the most successful independent promotions todayThis is the rare perspective of someone who has seen wrestling from every angle.🎤 Stories You Won’t Hear Anywhere ElseThis episode delivers:· Behind-the-scenes insights on Roddy Piper’s creative genius· The truth about Buddy Rose—his brilliance, his mindset, and his legacy· The reality of how wrestlers were trained, protected, and developed· And the small, often forgotten details that made territories like Portland so special· How close Hulk Hogan was to appearing in Portland Wrestling This isn’t just an episode about wrestling history.It’s about how that history is found, preserved, andunderstood.Because without people like Matt Farmer… a lot of these stories would be gone forever.Step into the arena.This is Ringside in Rose City — Wrestling Wrestling the way it should be.

🎙️ Ringside in Rose City #28 – December 1968: The Territory Takes ShapeOne ring.One city.A thousand stories.And this week… the foundation gets stronger.In Episode #28 of Ringside in Rose City, Frank Culbertson and Portland Wrestling historian Mike Rogers head back to the Portland Sports Arena in December 1968—just three months into Don Owen’s bold gamble, and a moment where the territory is still finding its footing.As always, Lisa Hughes spins the wheel and reveals the envelope: “PSA December ’68.”And with that, the guys dive into a month where everythingis still in motion—rosters shifting, rivalries forming, and the identity of Portland Wrestling beginning to take shape.🔥 The Von Steigers Take ControlIf one thing defines December 1968, it’s this:The Von Steigers are everywhere.• Dominating the tag division• Winning battle royals (even splitting one together)• Regaining the Northwest Tag Titles on Christmas night• Headlining cards across Portland, Salem, Eugene, and LongviewThey aren’t just heels…they’re the engine of the territory.🥊 A Territory in TransitionFrank and Mike break down a constantly shifting roster:• Billy White Wolf arrives, gets pushed hard… then exits for a Japan tour• Johnny War Eagle emerges as a future player• Luther Lindsay anchors the territory as Northwest Champion• Tony Borne starts to re-enter the spotlight• Shag Thomas begins moving into a more prominent role• Stan “Crusher” Stasiak returns to the territory in a strange stretch of bookingAnd all of it is happening while Don Owen tries to stabilize a brand-new venue and keep fans coming back every Saturday night.🎄 Christmas Night in PortlandOne of the most important nights of the month:• A capacity crowd at the Portland Sports Arena• The Von Steigers reclaim the tag titles• Title matches, returns, and transitions that set the stage for 1969It’s not just a holiday card—it’s a turning point.📰 When Newspapers Sold the ShowThis episode highlights something Portland Wrestling mastered:Promotion through storytelling.From headlines like:• “Double Dose of Violence”• “Indian Declares War”• “Fight to the Finish”The matches were presented like real sporting events—building anticipation, drama, and urgency in every town.🌺 Island Interlude – Hawaii, December 1968The guys hop across the Pacific once again to compare what’shappening in Hawaii during the same time period:• Professor Tanaka wins the North American Title• Nick Bockwinkel is awarded the Hawaii Championship• A rare women’s battle royal• The continued presence of stars like Ripper Collins, Ray Stevens, and Mr. FujiSame business.Different flavor.🤯 The World of Man Mountain CannonAnd then… things get weird.From managing the Kangaroos…to hosting a TV variety show…To:• Reading Shakespeare while getting punched in the stomach• Getting smashed in a “Big Splash” contest• Wearing a jacket that simply said “I Am Right”Sometimes wrestling history is stranger than fiction.This episode isn’t just about results.It’s about a territory finding itself—week by week, town by town, match by match.The crowds are growing.The rivalries are heating up.And Portland Wrestling is starting to feel like… Portland Wrestling.Step into the arena.This is Ringside in Rose City — WrestlingWrestling the way it should be

🎙️ Ringside in Rose City #27 – The Grappler: The Man Behind the MaskOne ring.One city.A thousand stories.And this week… we focus on one of the most important figures in Portland Wrestling history.When Lisa Hughes pushes the button, a name that carried an entire era enters the studio:The Grappler.In Episode #27 of Ringside in Rose City, Frank Culbertson and Portland Wrestling historian Mike Rogers take a deep dive into the career of Lynn Denton—better known to Northwest fans as The Grappler—the masked man who didn’t just work in Portland… he helped save it.This isn’t just about a gimmick.This is about a career built on adaptability, intelligence, and trust.🥊 From Journeyman to CornerstoneFrank and Mike trace Denton’s path from early territory workto becoming one of the most dependable performers in the business:• Working under multiple identities before Portland• Developing the Grappler persona into a believable, credible heel• Understanding how to work with anyone—from rookies to main-event stars• Becoming the kind of wrestler promoters could always count on🎭 The Mask That Meant SomethingIn Portland, the Grappler wasn’t just another masked wrestler.He was:• A top heel• A tag team specialist• A credible singles threat• And eventually… something much moreThe guys break down why the Grappler gimmick worked inPortland when so many masked acts didn’t—and how Denton made fans believe in it.📖 Booker, Builder, and StabilizerAs Portland Wrestling entered its later years, Lynn Dentonstepped into a role that may have been even more important than anything he did in the ring:He became the booker.Frank and Mike explore:• How Denton helped keep the territory alive during difficult years• His booking philosophy and approach to storytelling• The challenges of working with shrinking crowds and changing times• Why being a good hand wasn’t enough—you had to be a smart mind🏆 The Legacy of The GrapplerWas he the biggest star?No.Was he the flashiest performer?No.But without The Grappler…Portland Wrestling may not have made it to the finish line.🌺 Island Interlude – The Maivia StoryThis episode’s detour takes us to the islands—where a story surfaces involving the Maivia family and a pay dispute that left Denton… less than impressed, and Brody pulling him to safety.It’s one of those classic territory-era moments:part business,part politics,and all too real.This episode is about respect.For the workers.For the bookers.For the ones who kept the territory running when it would have been easier to walk away.Pull the mask tight.Step into the arena.This is Ringside in Rose City — Wrestling Wrestling the way it should be.

🎙️ Ringside in Rose City #26 – PSA November 1968 (Plus the Legend of Dirk Sheets)One ring.One city.A thousand stories.And this week… we return to November 1968, when Don Owen’s gamble on the brand-new Portland Sports Arena was only in its second month and the future of Portland Wrestling was still very much in doubt. When Lisa Hughes spins the wheel, the envelope reads “PSANovember ’68.” That means Frank Culbertson and Portland Wrestling historian Mike Rogers dive deep into the matches, angles, and booking decisions that shaped the early weeks of the arena that began life as a converted bowling alley.This episode explores a fascinating transitional month in the territory:🏆 The Von Steigers dominate the tag scene while feuding with Tony Borne and Luther Lindsay and Lonnie Mayne leaves for a Japanese tour, shaking up the main-event picture🔥 Billy Whitewolf and Johnny War Eagle arrive, instantly changing the tag team landscape🥊 Gene Kiniski vs. Don Leo Jonathan headlines a Memorial Coliseum showdown with one of the strangest finishes imaginable🎟️ Don Owen tries to balance new stars and reliable veterans while hoping his million-dollar gamble on the Sports Arena will actually pay offFrank and Mike break down every major Portland card from the month, including the Thanksgiving special where Whitewolf and War Eagle capture the Northwest Tag Team Titles from the Von Steigers.🌺 Island Interlude – Hawaii WrestlingFor the first time on the show, the guys take a trip acrossthe Pacific to look at what was happening in Hawaii wrestling during the same month, featuring appearances by:• Giant Baba• Nick Bockwinkel• Johnny Barend• Mr. Fuji• Pepper Gomez• Man Mountain Mike• NWA Champion Gene KiniskiSame era. Same business. Just a different land.🎲 Kayfabe CurveballsLisa returns with another round of trivia chaos including:• When Pringles first hit store shelves• The mysterious breath-freshening chemical known as "Retsyn”• And a commercial that accidentally leads to one of the best wrestling stories ever told on this show. Mike shares the infamous story of Dirk Sheets, The rogue “journalist” gimmick that involved jumping into the ring with a microphone, printing fake dirt sheets… and confronting a young Bryan Alvarez, now of the Wrestling Observer, after a match. Let’s just say Alvarez was not thrilled with the interview.Yes… there was a slap.Yes… Mike thought it was brilliant booking.And yes… the promoter absolutely did not.How many stars did Dave Meltzer give the match, one has towonder!November 1968 was only month two of Don Owen’s massive gamble on the Portland Sports Arena.The building was new.The crowds were uncertain.The angles were heating up.And as Lonnie Mayne would say…“You can smell excitement in the air.”Step into the arena.This is Ringside in Rose City — Wrestlingwrestling the way it should be.

🎙️ Ringside in Rose City #25 – Voices of Portland WrestlingOne ring.One city.A thousand stories.And this week… you’ll hear them for yourself.In Episode #25 of Ringside in Rose City, Frank Culbertson and Portland Wrestling historian Mike Rogers do something a littledifferent. Instead of just talking about the wrestlers of the Pacific Northwest, they let the voices of the territory speak directly to you.When Lisa Hughes spins the wheel and reveals the envelope, it lands on a topic tied directly to Mike’s acclaimed book series Excitement in the Air: Voices of Northwest Wrestling. This time, the show digs into the interviews behind those books — the real recordings with wrestlers who lived the history of Portland Wrestling.Lisa takes on a special role this episode, cueing up a series of archival audio clips as Frank and Mike react, analyze, andsometimes laugh at what they hear.Some of the interviews are fantastic.Some are… a little rough.And one is simply heartbreaking.But together they capture something that statistics and match results never can — the personalities behind the business.Along the way, Frank and Mike break down an often-overlookedpart of Portland Wrestling television history:🎤 The Importance of the InterviewOn Portland TV, matches were only part of the show. The interview segments in the Crow’s Nest were where feuds were built, angles exploded, and fans learned why the next Saturday night mattered.The guys discuss:• Why interviews were essential to selling house shows across Oregon and Washington• How wrestlers used interviews to promote upcoming towns like Eugene, Salem, or Lebanon• Why surprise confrontations in the Crow’s Nest kept fans glued to the screen• The difference between a great wrestling interview… and a terrible one• And why some wrestlers were unforgettable talkers while others struggled in front of the microphoneYou’ll hear the good, the awkward, the funny, and thepainfully real — the kinds of moments that only happen when wrestlers speak without a script.This episode is part wrestling history, part time capsule,and part behind-the-scenes look at how the territory era truly worked.Because sometimes the best way to understand PortlandWrestling… is to listen to the people who lived it.Step into the arena.This is Ringside in Rose City —Wrestling wrestling the way it should be.

This week, we don’t spin the wheel — Lisa punches thebutton.Episode #24 brings a very special guest into the squared circle as legendary Ed “Moondog” Moretti joins Frank Culbertson and Portland Wrestling historian Mike Rogers for a deep, revealing, and often hilarious conversation about a life in professional wrestling.From building a backyard ring in Daly City…To learning from the Guerreros at the San Jose YMCA…To refereeing in the Cow Palace…To wrestling André the Giant in Oregon…To touring Japan and working with Stan Hansen, Bruiser Brody, Dory Funk Jr., Harley Race and more…Ed walks us through it all — territory by territory, bump bybump.You’ll hear stories about:His first match with Road Warrior HawkWorking brutal cage and chain matches in VancouverTag title runs in PortlandWrestling Rocky Johnson (and seeing a young Dwayne Johnson backstage)Teaming with Mike Miller and battling Ricky VaughnTouring Japan and learning the hard way about stiffnessThe chaos of territory politics in Tennessee and Kansas CityChris Colt: bizarre, brilliant, unforgettableThe Portland dressing room during the Grappler transitionAnd yes… the legendary CAC award speech that went just alittle longPlus, a wild round of Kayfabe Curveballs where science, space travel, Hogan’s Heroes, and Mike Rogers’ memory all collide —and Ed proves he may know more than any of us expected.This is territory wrestling history told by someone who lived it.Honest. Funny. Raw.If you love Portland Wrestling, All Star Wrestling, the Japanese tours of the ‘80s, or the real stories behind the business — thisepisode is as real as it gets.🎙️ Ringside in Rose CityOne Ring. One City. A Thousand Stories.Wrestling…Wrestling the way it should be.

🎙️ Ringside in Rose City #23 – Fantasy LandOne ring.One city.A thousand stories.But this week… we step into Fantasy Land. Frank thinks he’s in control. Lisa spins the wheel.The envelope says “Fantasy Land.”Actually… every envelope says Fantasy Land.Because this time, Mike Rogers is taking over.What if Portland Wrestling history had just tilted slightly in a different direction? What if certain wrestlers had made the trip? What if Don Owen picked up the phone at just the right moment? What if a feud that should have happened… actually did?This episode is pure armchair booking — but grounded in reality. No Bruno. No Steamboat. No impossible territory-hopping. Just realistic, era-appropriate “what could have been” scenarios that might have changed Portland Wrestling history.• Tommy Siegler in 1975 to freshen up a stagnant undercard• Rick McGraw bringing sparkplug intensity• Bobby Fulton teaming before The Fantastics were complete• El Grand Apollo with main-event potential• Buddy Wolf and Steve Strong strengthening the mid-card heel ranks• Kim Duk (Tiger Chung Lee) adding size and danger• Crazy Luke Graham stabilizing a shaky 1985• Chick Donovan — how did he never wrestle here?• The Interns• Gordman & Goliath• The Von Brauners vs. The Von Steigers in a German-vs-German war• A blind draw tag team tournament featuring Rose, Snuka, Ramos, Gino, Sheik — and yes… Eric Froelich• Ted Oates rushing in to save brother Jerry• Gino Hernandez turning vicious against Jay Youngblood• Tony Garea shocking the Kangaroos• Wahoo McDaniel in a brutal strap match with Bull Ramos• Bobby Duncan’s heel cowboy run• Joe LeDuc — as BOTH a terrifying heel and a lumberjack babyface• The Mongolian Stomper unleashed with Haru Sasaki• The Midnight Express invading in 1989 to face the Southern RockersThis episode is full of layered booking ideas, creative twists, surprise turns, and the kind of “why didn’t that happen?” moments that only longtime fans can truly appreciate.And of course…🎲 Kayfabe Curveballs returns, featuring:• Andre the Giant and Honeycomb cereal• Gunsmoke vs. Bonanza• The Boston Pops “Typewriter Song”• And Mike’s legendary typewriter days producing Ring Around the NorthwestLisa keeps the show moving (and the beer flowing), Frank reacts in disbelief, and Mike proves he might just have missed his calling as a territory booker.It’s history.It’s imagination.It’s Portland Wrestling the way it could have been.Step inside the arena.This is Ringside in Rose City.📝 Fantasy Arrivals & What-If Feuds🏆 Tag Team What-Ifs🔥 Main Event Scenarios

🎙️ Ringside in Rose City #22 – Voices, Ribs, and the Missing TapeOne ring.One city.A thousand stories.And this week… we keep digging.After last week’s deep dive into Excitement in the Air:Voices of Northwest Wrestling – Volume Three, Frank Culbertson and Mike Rogers return to finish what they started — spotlighting even more overlooked names, locker room legends, and unforgettable stories from Portland andVancouver wrestling history.For this episode, Lisa Hughes doesn’t even need to spin the wheel. The topic was too good to leave unfinished, but Lisa was sure to crack her whip…🔎 Featured Voices This Week:• Eric “Red” Donovan – From masked teams to Albanycourtroom chaos… including a hairpin incident that led to lawsuits and a wild Vic Christie rib involving ladies’ undergarments.• C.W. Bergstrom – The final Northwest Champion of the Don Owen era and the unlikely man holding the title when Portland Wrestling closed its doors.• Butts Gerard – CFL lineman, Wide World of Sportsbelly-flop champion, and survivor of one of the most brutal locker room altercations ever described on this show.• Bobby Kincaid (Bobby Bass) – From Ma Bass’ southernterritory to Portland’s undercard… and a brass knuckles mishap involving Chris Colt that sent teeth flying.• Johnny Eagle – The “Houdini of Wrestling,” trained in England to make opponents quit, not just pin them — and later a key figure in Pacific Coast Championship Wrestling.• Joey Jackson – “Gorgeous” Joey, trained by The Grappler, who told Don Owen his debut match was his very first match ever… and somehow survived the conversation.• Mike Miller – From greasy-heel beginnings to Northwest Champion and Christmas Night main eventer. Achilles tears, Harley Race “medical treatment,” Stu Hart dinner table stories, and one of the territory’s most complete career arcs.• Frank Dusek – Mid-card arrival during Portland’s hottest era who fought his way into main events… and later became part of the wrestling office in Dallas and Mid-South.• Mike Shaw (Klondike Mike / Norman the Lunatic / BastionBooger) – From Calgary success to infamous WWF gimmicks, plus a limo story you won’t believe.• Mike Webster – A main-eventer who chose grad schoolover wrestling glory after seeing what the business did to aging bodies.• Jeff Costa (The Lobster Man) – Yes, lobster claws. Yes, political campaigns. Yes, Eric Frolich praise that stuns even Frank.• Art Crews – From bland babyface to intense heel…and later a controversial voice on the Oregon Boxing & Wrestling Commission fighting for balance between wrestlers and promoters.🎲 KayFabe CurveballsThis week’s trivia segment delivers:• 1830 “medicine” that turns out to be ketchup• The Spanish meaning of “Alamo”• And a real-life Oregon Wrestling Commission meeting involving a mysteriously altered tape — Portland’s own “18½ minute gap” moment.Yes… that story actually happened.This episode isn’t just nostalgia.It’s locker room truth.Commission politics.Career turning points.And the strange, hilarious, and sometimes dangerous world behind the curtain.Lisa closes it out in style, as always — because in Rose City, the stories never stop.Step into the arena.This is Ringside in Rose City —wrestlingwrestling the way it should be.