Steve Crawford returns to Regional Rasslin with Host Ray Russell to discuss the outlaw promotion ran by Henry Rogers in Malden, Missouri! In Part One of the series, they talk the early days of Rogers as a promoter in the 1960s. We discuss the early association with Gulas & Welch, moving from Malden to Hayti, then Hayti back to Malden, the various names that came through the territory in the early days, the first note of TV, a tragedy blended into the weekly storylines, and various other odds and ends from that period in wrestling history.

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Guest Phil Adams is back to join host Ray Russell as they discuss 1952/1953 in the St. Louis Wrestling History Project as part of Regional Rasslin'! St. Louis wrestling enters one of the most important turning points in its history as Sam Muchnick's promotion begins evolving into the modern television era. We'll look back at the legendary NWA World Heavyweight Championship clashes between Lou Thesz and Wild Bill Longson, the rise of Hans Schmidt as the territory's first true monster heel attraction, and the booking philosophy that forever changed the business. Plus, we'll dive into the launch of weekly television on KSD-TV in 1953, a gamble that helped shape St. Louis into one of wrestling's most influential cities. It's a fascinating look at the stories, stars, and business decisions that helped build the foundation of professional wrestling as we know it today.

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This week on Regional Rasslin', we get the ball rolling with the AWA on ESPN project, After a super fun debut edition where we set the stage, this week we dive into the very first episode of AWA Championship Wrestling from August 27, 1985 taped at Atlantic City's Tropicana Hotel & Casino! Guest Roman Gomez joins host Ray Russell to discuss Sgt. Slaughter and his Americas Title vs. the debuting evil foreign Russian menace known as Boris Zhukov. Plus, 6-Man action with the Fabulous Freebirds vs. Curt Hennig, Tom Zenk, & Buck Zumhofe, Tag Champs The Road Warriors vs. Bill & Scott Irwin, Larry Zbyszko debuts his Talk Show segment "In This Corner" with Guest AWA Champ Rick Martel (but why is Larry Nelson there?), RAMBO Greg Gagne steps in the ring vs. Kahlua, "Gorgeous" Jimmy Garvin & Precious return from "suspension", we discuss the dangers of the Sleeper hold, Verne Gagne pats himself on the back, Nick Bockwinkel & Ray Stevens speak, and much more!

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This week on Regional Rasslin', it's a look into more Georgia Wrestling history courtesy of host Ray Russell and Guest Rick Fields. Talking the years of 1955 - 1957. In this era, Georgia wrestling took a major step forward as the promotion began bringing in nationally recognized stars from Chicago and the DuMont television network while introducing fans to increasingly wild gimmick matches like Indian Strap Matches, Texas Death Matches, Boxing bouts, and even "mask vs. loser leave town" encounters. Jerry Graham remained one of the promotion's top heels, while the fierce rivalry between Freddie Blassie and the McIntyre brothers became the backbone of the territory. During this period, Georgia also expanded its touring schedule well beyond Atlanta, establishing a regular loop of towns that helped grow wrestling across the entire state. Plus, Augusta gets its own TV, and a steady parade of legendary names passed through including Lou Thesz, Buddy Rogers, Argentina Rocca, Verne Gagne, Dick the Bruiser, Bull Curry, the Lewin Brothers, and many others. We'll follow the Southern Championship lineage, the top rivalries, the expansion of the territory, and the foundation being laid for what would soon become one of wrestling's premier promotions. We set the stage for a deveopment that will take place in 1957 which leads to promoter Paul Jones and the ABC Booking company leaving the NWA.

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The summer of 1985 continues on as Guest Gene Jackson joins host Ray Russell to discuss another week in the Memphis territory, talking July 20th - 26th. Between the lack of overall talent depth and the outdated booking of Tom Renesto, it can be "hard times" for the CWA fans right now, but there are some bright spots. As Norvell Austin leaves the territory his partner Koko Ware turns babyface and debuts his "Birdman" character, Jerry Lawler apparently learns karate, Terry Taylor wins.. then loses the International Title, Bota the Witchdoctor continues his Southern Title reign vs. David Haskins in a cluster-mess of a match, Big John Harris is making the rounds on the house shows, the duo of Jerry Jarrett & Tojo Yamamoto continue their "The Way We Were" tour, praise to Phil Hickerson, Tom Branch in action (nepotism at its finest), and more!

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Jammie Ward returns to join host Ray Russell as they discuss another THREE WEEKS of Georgia Championship Wrestling from June 1982! Tons of topics this week including Paul Orndorff winning the National Heavyweight Title from Buzz Sawyer, The Freebirds crowned as the NEW National Tag Team Champions, Dr. X unmasked as Don Muraco, Roddy Piper hires bounty hunters to take out Tommy Rich & Dusty Rhodes, Steve O reappears (again), Stan Hansen is back in Georgia, & much more!

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Guest Richard Vicek returns to Regional Rasslin' to discuss more Chicago Wrestling history with host Ray Russell. This week, we dive into two very important years in the growth of the CWC as we look at 1969 and 1970. Topics include the giant Comiskey Park event in the summer of 1970, the Chain Gang arrive and wreak havoc vs. Crusher & Bruiser, the real-life Hells Angels biker gang shooting Frank Dillinger and forcing his leg to be amputated, Chris Colt replacing Frank in the Chain Gang, Bobby Heenan's cleverness in his battles with Dick the Bruiser, Mad Dog & Butcher Vachon taking over the tag team scene, the unmasking of Dr. X (Dick Beyer), the arrival of Jim Valen (Jimmy Valiant) and Bob Windham (Blackjack Mulligan), promoter Fred Kohler passes away, Baron Von Raschke's big push towards AWA Champ Verne Gagne, Da Crusher's random absences, Angelo Poffo's shoot job, and so much more!

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The St. Louis Wrestling Project continues as Phil Adams returns, joining host Ray Russell as they begin to discuss the 1950s. Sam Muchnick now has TWO St. Louis Wrestling promotions, but continues to use them as separate entities. We look at the early NWA Title defenses of Lou Thesz, Wild Bill Longson's last big run, Wladek "Killer" Kowalski makes a big name for himself, Buddy Rogers shines in the main event picture, while Gene Stanlee later TRIES to replace Buddy's "spot" on the card. We talk the "outdoor" experiment for the summer of 1950 that led to Muchnick going seasonal. We also discuss riots, booking tropes, "handicap" matches, gimmick wrestlers, the mighty midgets, big gates, small gates, legends like the Duseks, up-and-comers like Freddie Blassie, and other great talent like Bobby Managoff, Enrique Torres, Whipper Watson, and so much more!

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