Episode 34: Morris P. Sigel for the WON HOF In Episode 34 of Greg Klein's Old School Rasslin Talk, Greg: Does some investigating into two questions that have been floating around the podcast lately:  1) Did Sylvester Ritter work at Wal-Mart at the end of his life? 2) Did Tracy Smothers get the better of Adrian Street during a fight  in Alabama in 1987 or 1988?   Rants a little more about the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame and its exclusion of the Junkyard Dog.  Promotes the...

Episode 33: The Ballad of Stagger Lee In Episode 33 of Greg Klein's Old School Rasslin Talk, Greg: Looks at MSWA TV for November 1982, including the "newcomer" Stagger Lee.  Explores the cultural and musical background of the character and how it relates to the babyface under a mask gimmick.  Talks about Tony Atlas in his prime and Hacksaw Duggan's move to headlining singles. Considers Kamala's new taste for masks and Mr. Wrestling II's suddenly flawed masks.  Finds the passage from...

Episode 32: The Farm Accident Heard Round the World, Part 2 In Episode 32 of Greg Klein's Old School Rasslin Talk, Greg: Revisits the most popular episode of the podcast so far, looking at two new perspectives on the missed Dory Funk Jr. vs Jack Brisco NWA title match in Houston on March 2, 1973. Looks at Brisco, the autobiography by Jack Brisco from Crowbar Press and explores Brisco's complex feelings about the Funk family.  Talks about how Brisco had to be rebuilt as a championship...

Episode 31: The Unbelievable Finish In Episode 31 of Greg Klein's Old School Rasslin Talk, Greg: Looks at October 1982 in the Mid South Wrestling Association, as one of the biggest angles in territory history takes place. Talks about the success of Hacksaw Duggan's spear as it becomes his finishing move and is figured into two big title changes. Welcomes Tony Atlas to MSWA. Wonders why U.S. crowds never got "the Great Marcus."   Shares some information he came across about James...

Episode 30: The Adrian Street Tribute In Episode 30 of Greg Klein's Old School Rasslin Talk, Greg: Pays tribute to his trainer, Exotic Adrian Street, after learning of Adrian's death. Looks at Adrian's early career and the influence he had on Glam Rockers and UK history. Talks about Adrian's days in the territories, from 1981 in L.A. to Alabama in the late 1980s. Reiterates how many skills and talents Adrian Street had in and out of the ring, including as a famous shooter. Remembers...

Episode 29: The Summer of '69 In Episode 29 of Greg Klein's Old School Rasslin Talk, Greg: Takes a trip way down south to Harlingen, Texas, to look at matches at the Wrestlethon Auditorium in June and August of 1969. Headliners include "Dirty" Dusty Rhodes, Wahoo McDaniel, Johnny Valentine, Thunderbolt Patterson and Jose Lothario.  Talks about other things happening in the summer of 1969, such as the decline in attendance in New York.  Looks at wrestling in Milwaukee in 1969, courtesy of...

Episode 28: Mr. II In Episode 28 of Greg Klein's Old School Rasslin Talk, Greg: Gives a post-script to the Johnny Rich's Ring story by talking about WrestleMania XI. Talks about the Dark Side of the Ring episode reaction, including rebutting a couple of things said by famous commentators. Talks about the minor controversy involving George Culkin and his true feelings for Junkyard Dog.  Looks at September 1982 in the Mid South Wrestling Association, including the temper of Mr. Wrestling...

Episode 27: The Dark Side of the Junkyard Dog In Episode 27 of Greg Klein's Old School Rasslin Talk, Greg: Reviews the Dark Side of the Ring episode about the Junkyard Dog, aka Sylvester Ritter.  Talks about producers for various shows and movies contacting him for JYD information and how it helped DSOTR get some of its key interviews.  Reflects on the rumor that Bill Watts called Ritter the n-word before JYD jumped to the WWF in 1984.  Says a heartfelt f-you to Jake Roberts for talking...

Episode 26: Shepard's Episode In Episode 26 of Greg Klein's Old School Rasslin Talk, Greg: In memorial of his younger (step) brother, Greg talks about their shared memories watching wrestling and the days of trying rasslin' moves on your little brother. Looks at Mid South Wrestling from August of 1982.  Wonders why Dick Murdock wasn't turned heel in 1982, instead of Ted DiBiase.  Laughs at Bill Watts explaining the term, "no pain, no gain."  Discusses Iron Mike Sharp's summer push in...

Episode 25: Road to Huertgen, Forest in Hell In Episode 25 of Greg Klein's Old School Rasslin Talk, Greg: Takes an in-depth look at Paul Boesch's World War II book, "Road to Huertgen, Forest in Hell."  Talks about the role Boesch played in the war, where, and how he was decorated.  Looks at the two battles from 1944, Boesch describes in the book, including the massive battle in Huertgen Forest.  Thinks about the comparison between 32-year-old Paul Boesch leading men at war and older...

Episode 24: Johnny Rich's Ring In Episode 24 of Greg Klein's Old School Rasslin Talk, Greg: Talks about 1995 and the summer he had Johnny Rich's ring in his front yard of his house, which was on state Highway 14W, just outside of Prattville, Ala.  Reflects about the luckiest break he ever had in the business, which turned out to be an ankle, and how that led to acquiring the wrestling ring. Talks about working for Donny Martin, aka the Rocking Rebel (Southern version), and the TV squash...

Episode 23: Two Programs from Houston In Episode 23 of Greg Klein's Old School Rasslin Talk, Greg: Looks at two of his oldest programs from Houston Wrestling, one each from its two legendary promoters: Friday, Aug. 1, 1958, from the City Auditorium, promoter Morris P. Sigel promoted a main event of Dickie Steinborn defending the Texas Championship against Pepper Gomez. Friday, Feb. 17, 1967, the new Gulf Athletic Club and promoter Paul Boesch presented a main event at the Downtown...

Episode 22: 1976: A Funker of a Year In Episode 22 of Greg Klein's Old School Rasslin Talk, Greg: Talks about the career of  Terry Funk, the West Texas legend. Looks at Funk's NWA title reign from his Dec. 1975 win over Jack Brisco to his Feb. 1977 loss to Harley Race.  Focuses on Funk's title defenses in Houston, including against Peter Maivia, Rocky Johnson and Jose Lothario. Considers how much longer Funk would be a force in wrestling and what a cultural icon he became. Greg...

Episode 21: The Wrath of Khan In Episode 21 of Greg Klein's Old School Rasslin Talk, Greg: Talks about the career of Masashi Ozawa, a Japanese wrestler better known as the Mongolia Killer Khan. Looks at Khan's career-making feud with Andre the Giant and how it was an accident. Talks about the PWI match of the year in 1981. Looks at Mid South Wrestling Association's TV shows from July 1982. Mocks Buck Robley's dirty arm pad and wonders how loading it could be such a good finisher if...

Episode 20: The Bill and Buddy Show In Episode 20 of Greg Klein's Old School Rasslin Talk, Greg: Dips his toes into Memphis Wrestling for the first time, talking about the Bill and Buddy Show from winter 1986. Looks at four Memphis cards in 1985-86 and plays guess the attendance. Talks about the six weeks Bill Dundee and Buddy Landel headlined the Mid-South Coliseum against Jerry Lawler and Dutch Mantell. Talks about the 1992 Fire on the Mountain I Quit match between Landel and Tim...

Episode 19: A very expensive book, brudda In Episode 19 of Greg Klein's Old School Rasslin Talk, Greg: Discovers a copy of the autobiography of "Playboy" Gary Hart and is fascinated with the manager/booker's life story. Answers his question from a previous episode about why Dusty Rhodes did not get to defend the NWA title in his home state of Texas in 1981. Listens to a 1976 interview from Houston Wrestling with Paul Boesch, Gary Hart, The Sheik and a giant boa constrictor.  Talks...

Episode 18: The Best Man No More In Episode 18 of Greg Klein's Old School Rasslin Talk, Greg: Catches up on Mid South 1982 during a pivotal summer, as Ted DiBiase decides he does not care what he needs to do to protect himself and get his North American title back. Looks at May and June television as Skandar Akbar's Army continues to gang up on the good guys, Dick Murdock runs through a gauntlet of bounty hunters and Bob Roop clings to the North American title. Takes a detour into...

Episode 17: A Flair for the Road In Episode 17 of Greg Klein's Old School Rasslin Talk, Greg: Looks at Ric Flair's 1985 NWA World title defenses, including (of course) at the Sam Houston Coliseum. Talks about how the dying territory system would make 1985 or 1986 the last year of the touring world champion. Looks at Flair's Texas and Mid South schedule in 1984 and 1986 and wonders why he did not make defenses in Houston those years. Talks about Ole Anderson's comment that there were...

Episode 16: Hands of Stone, Title Reign of Clay In Episode 16 of Greg Klein's Old School Rasslin Talk, Greg: Looks into Jim Crockett Promotions downfall and traces it back to all of the booking, and buying from 1987. Talks about the good and the bad of Dusty Rhodes' booking and how bad it was at times in 1987. Wonders if buying the UWF had any due diligence attached to it. Looks at Ronnie Garvin's 1987 NWA World title reign and laments how many lost opportunities there were with that...

Episode 15: The Greatest Feud That Never Was In Episode 15 of Greg Klein's Old School Rasslin Talk, Greg: Pretends he is Nick Bockwinkel and has a "Southwest week." Greg dips down into San Antonio to talk about the action at the Junction and HemiFair in 1983. Look at the wrestling prodigy Gino Hernandez and his famous tags teams known as The Dynamic Duo, with Tully Blanchard in Southwest and with Chris Adams in World Class. Talks about the two feuds from those tag teams that never...

Episode 14: Dusty, Dusty, Dusty In Episode 14 of Greg Klein's Old School Rasslin Talk, Greg: Goes on a rant about the Wrestling Observer Newsletter's Hall of Fame ballot and tries, again, to explain Junkyard Dog's historical significance to wrestling. Looks for NWA world title defenses in Houston by Dusty Rhodes and comes up empty, but finds some incredible matches instead, including title defenses against Jimmy Snuka, Bruiser Brody and Terry Gordy. Looks at the NWA title in 1981,...

Episode 13: The Farm Accident Heard Round the World In Episode 13 of Greg Klein's Old School Rasslin Talk, Greg: Talks about the famous 1973 NWA title controversy when champion Dory Funk Jr.'s shoulder injury causes him to miss a scheduled title change in Houston, and how it leads to a new build-up for Jack Brisco in Houston. Looks at a program from  July 6, 1973, the match before the match, as Jack Brisco wins a No. 1 contender's match with Funk Jr. in order to earn a title shot against...

Episode 12: Some of us are Clowns In Episode 12 of Greg Klein's Old School Rasslin Talk, Greg: Talks about meeting Golden Boy Jerry Grey in the Houston County Farm Center in Dothan, where he also reunites briefly with Adrian Street and Miss Linda. Talks about working for Jerry in World Pro Wrestling in 1996 and 1997. Provides some context to the infamous Jake Roberts owes Jerry money story. Talks about his match with Greg the Hammer Valentine. Talks about life as a clown...

Episode 11: 1983: Bockwinkel says Goodbye to Houston In Episode 11 of Greg Klein's Old School Rasslin Talk, Greg: Continues to re-examine the career of AWA world champion Nick Bockwinkel, this time looking at his 1983 travels and matches. Discusses the attempted territory war in Houston in spring 1983 as Southwest tries to reclaim the market, running opposition to Paul Boesch and Bill Watts. Looks at one of his favorite matches, from Feb. 25, 1983, when Chavo Guerrero wins a non-title...

Episode 10: The Butch Reed tribute In Episode 10 of Greg Klein's Old School Rasslin Talk, Greg: Talks about one of his territory favorites, Hacksaw Butch Reed. Traces his love to Reed to a magazine article about his success in Florida. Looks at the first half of Reed's career, including his Central States pedigree, start in Vancouver, first trip to Georgia, big star push in Florida, return to Georgia as a star, and, of course,  his three great years in Mid South. Focuses on Reed's NWA...