(90s All Japan Women’s Wrestling Watchalong w/ Guest Bob Anderson)

This week on Retro Wrestling with Gene Jackson, we step WAY outside the comfort zone and into something that might completely change how you look at wrestling.

Joining Gene is returning guest (and Retro WCW podcast co-host) “Broadcast” Bob Anderson, and together they dive into a 1993 All Japan Women’s Wrestling classic that is widely considered one of the greatest matches of all time.

And let’s just say… if you think you’ve seen everything wrestling has to offer, this match is here to prove you wrong.

Featuring names like Manami Toyota, Toshiyo Yamada, Dynamite Kansai, and Mayumi Ozaki, this isn’t just a match, it’s a full-blown, high speed, no regard for human life war that somehow combines insane athleticism with real storytelling and selling.

On this episode, we break down:

• Why these women were doing things in the early ‘90s that the U.S. wouldn’t catch up to for YEARS
• The insane pace, creativity, and physicality that still feels ahead of its time
• The difference between “modern spot wrestling” and what THESE women were doing and why this actually works
• The level of punishment these wrestlers take… and how they kept doing it for decades

And yes… we react in real time to:

• Brutal kicks that look like they belong in a shoot fight
• Mind blowing high speed sequences and transitions
• Moves that you’ll swear didn’t exist until the 2000s (or later)
• And a finish that somehow tops everything that came before it

What starts as a curiosity turns into pure disbelief as Gene sees firsthand why this style has such a legendary reputation and why names like Manami Toyota are still brought up in “greatest of all time” conversations.

Whether you’re a longtime fan of joshi wrestling or someone who’s never seen a second of it… this is one of those episodes where you’re going to walk away saying:

“How the hell were they doing this in 1993?”

The Posse joined Brian Tramel for a new episode of “Shootin’ The Shiznit” for Episode 447! Simon & Lil’Chris talked about growing up being a fan, how they met,being on Memphis TV, Hits, Misses, MVP and much more !

“The Gun Show” Brett Michaels joins Brian Tramel for a new episode of “Shootin’ The Shiznit” for Episode 406 ! Brett & BT talk about growing up as a fan, wanting to be a pro wrestler, wrestling in Mississippi, EPW, wrestling for me in CCW, Memphis Wrestling is back, Memphis Legends and much more !

The boots are off. The crowds are gone. And for the first time… the conversation ISN'T about wrestling.

Welcome to the debut episode of Beyond Wrestling w/Robb, where host Robb Helt pulls back the curtain and steps into the Neutral Corner Lounge, a place where the gimmicks fade, the stories get real, and you finally meet the person behind the persona.

And for the very first episode, Robb sits down with a man who’s lived it all…
“Wildfire” Tommy Rich.

But this isn’t the Tommy Rich you’ve heard in shoot interviews or wrestling podcasts.

This is something different.

Instead of championships and territories, Robb takes Tommy somewhere deeper:

• Growing up in Hendersonville, Tennessee and what life was like before wrestling ever entered the picture
• The values instilled by family, and the influence of a strong mother who helped shape the man behind the persona
• Wild childhood stories (including one that ends with a burned haystack… and multiple ass-whippings)
• Life on the road vs. life at home and what it really meant to balance wrestling with being a husband and father
• Personal struggles, health scares, and the discipline it took to completely change his life later on

And along the way, you get moments you’ve NEVER heard from Tommy Rich before:

• Honest reflections on faith, family, and legacy
• Stories about meeting legends outside the wrestling business, from music icons to everyday influences
• His thoughts on aging, slowing down, and what truly matters now

This isn’t about what happened in the ring.

It’s about everything that happened outside of it.

By the end of this episode, you won’t just know Tommy Rich the wrestler…
you’ll understand Tommy Rich the person.

And that’s exactly what Beyond Wrestling w/Robb is all about.

Rylee Rockett joins Brian Tramel for a new episode of “Shootin’ The Shiznit” for Episode 382! This is an episode in ROCKTOBER the “Month of Morton” series that features episodes about Ricky Morton ! Rylee & BT talk about becoming a fan, favorite wrestlers, when did you find out it was a work?, heel or babyface?, training at “School of Morton,” Crazy Steve, working with the guys, Flawless, TessaBlancard, Kylie Rae and much more !

This week on Retro Wrestling with Gene Jackson, we dive deep into one of the most fascinating and under documented territories in wrestling history, the Mississippi promotion run by the Culkin family.

Gene is joined by Gil Culkin, author of The Mississippi Wrestling Territory: The Untold Story, for a revealing conversation about:

• The legendary George “Curtis” Culkin and his wrestling roots dating back to 1939
• Breaking away from Bill Watts’ Mid-South Wrestling and launching an independent Mississippi territory in 1977
• The promotional war between the Culkins and Watts
• The wild Grizzly Smith angle that nearly imploded a major Jackson show
• How a 16-year-old Terry Gordy became Mississippi’s first heavyweight champion
• The earliest days of Michael Hayes, including the first time he ever came out to “Freebird”
• The creation of Percy Pringle III (yes, future Paul Bearer got his start here)
• Frankie Cain’s booking genius and his outside the box storytelling
• Riots in Gulfport, police involvement, and the night Ernie Ladd nearly caused a full scale arena meltdown

Gil shares behind the scenes stories about working with legends like Nick Bockwinkel, Lou Thesz, The Spoiler, Porkchop Cash, King Cobra, The Mongolians, Mr. Fuji, and more while offering insight into what made the Mississippi territory unique.

More than anything, this episode highlights something rare in wrestling history: a territory built on loyalty, fairness, and reputation.

If you care about territorial wrestling, promoter wars, the birth of major stars, or how wrestling really operated in the 1970s and 80s, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.

Pick up The Mississippi Wrestling Territory: The Untold Story by Gil Culkin on Amazon.
It’s required reading for territory era fans.

Gene Jackson and Bob Anderson are back as the Retro Wrestling Re-View WCW journey through 1989 continues and just two weeks after Halloween Havoc, WCW is already back on TBS with Clash of the Champions IX: New York Knockout!

Broadcast live from Troy, New York, this Clash features one of the most emotionally charged main events of the year, an I Quit Match between Ric Flair and Terry Funk but that’s just the beginning of the chaos.

On this episode, Gene and Bob break down:

🔥 Flair vs. Funk in a brutal I Quit showdown
🔥 The Road Warriors vs. The Freebirds kicking things off loud
🔥 Doom continuing their rise under Woman’s influence
🔥 The Steiners colliding with the Skyscrapers in a stiff, wild brawl
🔥 The Dynamic Dudes’ fate at the hands of Jim Cornette
🔥 Lex Luger defending the U.S. Title against Flyin’ Brian Pillman
🔥 Norman the Lunatic, Dr. Death, and the mysterious Super Destroyer!
🔥 WCW’s production quirks, crowd reactions, and late 80s energy

Was this one of the stronger Clashes of 1989?
Did the I Quit match live up to its reputation?
And just how chaotic did things get in that Steiner/Skyscraper confrontation and was Sid nervous??

It’s peak 1989 WCW: gritty, unpredictable, sometimes awkward, but always interesting.

For all things related to Dangerous Conversations w/Doug Gilbert & Tommy Rich, go to www.douggilbertpodcast.com

For all things related to Gene Jackson and the Retro Wrestling Archive Podcasts, go to www.retrowrestlingarchive.club

Gene Jackson and Robb Helt are back for another deep dive into the wild world of Continental Championship Wrestling, and this episode from July 20, 1985 is a perfect snapshot of why CCW was one of the most entertaining and unpredictable territories of the 1980s.

This week delivers peak Continental energy:

• 
  Ron Fuller & the Stud Stable tightening their grip on the territory
  
  
• A fiery Austin Idol promo that steals the show
  
  
• Lord Humongous continuing to look like the scariest man alive
  
  
• The Armstrongs dealing with betrayal, revenge, and an arm injury that refuses to heal
  
  
• Tommy “Wildfire” Rich defends his $20,000 Battle Royal check against Mr. Class
  
  
• A surprisingly strong TV match that turns into total mayhem
  
  
• Another big angle to set up a packed Boutwell Auditorium card
  
  
• Plus: bizarre production choices, hilarious commentary moments, and that signature Continental mix of good wrestling, heated promos, and absolute insanity

  
  

  
  

Gene and Robb break it all down with humor, history, and plenty of territory-era insight. If you love CCW, Mid-South, Memphis, Georgia, or any other southern wrestling from the ’80s… this is your show.

Like, subscribe, and join us weekly as we journey through every episode of Continental television we can find!