Folks, it's a bummer when you hear that a wrestler you loved in your formative years (or your rebellious, blood 'n' guts-lovin' years) has passed away, and that was the feeling when we heard that Sabu--the suicidal, homicidal, genocidal, death-defying sultan of hardcore--died on May 11, 2025, at the too-young age of 60. Nate and Eric are here to celebrate the scars, the blood, the flips, the violence, and the passion of Sabu. Not one to be messed with, Sabu did things on his own terms, both in and out of the ring, all the way to the end. Here are the matches that brought the boys plenty of joy--masochists, maybe, but it's what Sabu came to do: kick ass, decimate his own body, and entertain us with his love for the business. #RIPSabu

SHOW NOTES AND LINKS

Sabu & The Sheik vs. Atsushi Onita & Tarzan Goto (FMW): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vi5V6pANJw

Post-match promos - Sabu vs. Cactus Jack (ECW Hostile City Showdown 1994): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ZpcgnbUR1I

Rob Van Dam & Sabu vs. Hayabusa vs. Jinsei Shinzaki (ECW Heat Wave 1998): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAhspD5QG5k&pp=ygUYc2FidSBydmQgamluc2VpIGhheWFidXNh

Sabu vs. 2 Cold Scorpio (ECW Cyberslam 1996): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xo390-n6JQ&pp=ygUVc2FidSB0b28gY29sZCBzY29ycGlv

Sabu vs. Terry Funk (ECW Born to Be Wired): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qu5sixZ0ApQ

Raven on Sabu: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTDVilFVeEI

For fun... Sabu vs. Scott Taylor, WWF dark match: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5RQLNzf3Q2U

More fun... Sabu vs. Mr. JL (Jerry Lynn) (WCW Halloween Havoc 1995): https://www.dailymotion.com/video/xvknux

(Pardon the couple of "warts and all" moments in the audio--they aren't too bad!) Inspired by the recent "Dark Side of the Ring" episode on Billy Jack Haynes, Nate and Eric dug into the history of Pacific Northwest Wrestling to determine the Mount Rushmore of Portland Wrestling. This might be the most underrated territory in pro wrestling history, with a litany--a SLEW, if you will--of stars past and present making their way through the area, all showing off their incredible wrestling, promo, and ticket-selling talent. That's not possible without the vision of highly respected promoter Don Owen, so who leveraged that spotlight the best? Who had the longevity, the impact, the best matches, the hottest feuds, and drew the most money in the Portland territory? Listen in and find out!

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SHOW NOTES AND SPOILERS BELOW

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George Schire talks about Portland promoter Don Owen

Savage: PBS documentary Re: '70s Portland Wrestling (Part 1)

Dutch Savage: 16 Time Portland Wrestling Champ

Playboy Buddy Rose Heel Turn Portland Wrestling 7/14/84

Roddy Piper breaks a beer bottle on his head!!

Roddy Piper wants Buddy Rose's hair!!

Hey folks, Nate is on assignment, and Eric can't stay up until 1 a.m. editing audio for you tractor-based 5-in-the-morning listeners (who we greatly appreciate), so here's a brief rationale on why discussing the Mount Rushmore of Portland Wrestling is worth your time later this week. Inspired by the recent "Dark Side of the Ring" episode on Billy Jack Haynes ("It's Billy Jerk Haynes." "For the record, it is Billy Jack Haynes."), Nate and Eric plan their deep dive into the Portland territory and have some deep cuts to share with you... as soon as Eric gets a good night (fans)'s sleep and Nate returns from his trip to Botswana to find the Apocalypse.

From the blood-soaked Mondays at the Mid-South Coliseum to the slap heard ’round the world on Letterman, Memphis wrestling isn’t just a territory—it’s a mythos. This week, Eric and Nate dive deep into the smoky arenas and wild promos of one of the most influential regions in wrestling history as they ask: Who belongs on the Mount Rushmore of Memphis Wrestling? Who were the kings? The wild cards? The greatest faces, heels, and foils?

Along the way, we explore why Memphis became the heartbeat of Southern wrestling, the real-life impact of Southern segregation, the chaos of a Hollywood invasion, and how Memphis shaped—and sometimes scarred—future legends like Hulk Hogan, Randy Savage, The Rock, and Kurt Angle.

To earn a place on this mountain, we’re judging each candidate by their:

1. Cultural impact on the city of Memphis
2. Longevity and consistency in the territory
3. Main event status and box office draw
4. Contribution to the territory’s style and identity
5. Historical significance in wrestling
6. The wild card factor – a lasting legacy that outweighs a shorter run

We also dig into:

• How Memphis wrestling became woven into the city's fabric
• Why one man's story belongs in American history books
• The rise of several pro wrestlers as local institutions
• The chaos, creativity, and career-launching power of the territory and its brilliant promoters.

Whether you're a lifelong fan or new to the magic of Memphis, this episode is a love letter to one of wrestling's most storied chapters.

Rate, review, and tell us your picks for the Mount Rushmore of Memphis Wrestling. Just be warned: if you leave out the wrong King, we’re sending Jimmy Hart after you with a megaphone.

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SHOW NOTES INCLUDING SPOILERS

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Classic Memphis Lawler Turns Heel Interview Wrestling 1979

Jerry Lawler vs Ric Flair (NWA Heavyweight Title Match) Part 2 - The Hustle

Jerry Lawler Slaps Andy Kaufman | Letterman - YouTube

Jim Cornette, Jerry Lawler discuss Lance Russell's legacy

Funny! Jimmy Hart Shoots Straight with Jimmy Kent, Gets Nailed (1981) Memphis Wrestling

Tales From The Territories Memphis Where Wrestling Was Real

Can you believe it? This week marks the show's one-year anniversary! Nate and Eric are too stubborn to quit, so to celebrate, the guys debate and decide the Mount Rushmore of Best First Years. Which future pro wrestling superstars were rocketed off the launch pad but truly earned their stripes over their first 12 months? Through their in-ring skills, character development, promo ability (or, in some cases, ability to work around their lack of promo ability), charisma, and animal magnetism, who made the biggest impacts on the sport in their first years? Put on your party hats, listen in, and find out!

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SPOILERS AND SHOW NOTES BELOW...

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Something to check out for funsies: https://prowrestling.fandom.com/wiki/PWI_Rookie_of_the_Year

Something else to check out for funsies: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Wrestling_Observer_Newsletter_awards#Rookie_of_the_Year

The Next Big Thing debuts: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPdETJuYYBE

FULL MATCH - Kurt Angle makes his WWE debut: Survivor Series 1999 - YouTube

Kurt Angle | Best Moments - YouTube

Kurt Angle talks about memorial day - YouTube

Goldberg makes his WCW debut: WCW Monday Nitro, Sept. 22, 1997

Goldberg vs. Hollywood Hogan - WCW Championship Match: Nitro, July 6, 1998 - YouTube

Sheamus' WWE Debut - YouTube

FULL SEGMENT - The Rock and Ronda Rousey confront The Authority: WrestleMania 31 (WWE Network)

Ronda Rousey makes her big WWE entrance at the Royal Rumble | ESPN - YouTube

If fast-forwarding through every WrestleMania on Peacock to get to the main event isn't your cup of tea, Nate and Eric have a less daunting task this week: We debate the Mount Rushmore of WrestleMania Opening Matches! Which ones set the tone for the rest of the night? Which ones (almost) stole the show? Which ones set their winners up for future superstar success? And at what point did the opening match go from a beacon of mediocrity to a critical kickoff for a major event? Listen in and see if you agree!

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Bret Hart vs. Owen Hart (WrestleMania X): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsY_MaBuzeY

Rey Mysterio vs. Eddie Guerrero (WrestleMania 21): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7TPGbW8v1s

Daniel Bryan vs. Triple H (WrestleMania XXX): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dq3EJB4Nc1g

Randy Orton RKOs everyone: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JW4e8fOqm0M

Edge spears everyone: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INejT3Z8eTw

Jeff Hardy takes crazy to new heights with a leg drop off the top of a ladder: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFQSafpWDGE

Bret Hart vs Owen Hart Was Incredible

Ross Hart on brothers Bret vs Owen at WrestleMania X

AJ Styles sounds off on Shane McMahon: SmackDown LIVE, March 14, 2017

AJ Styles On Shane McMahon

With Nate on assignment, Eric takes over as only he can: By reviewing the greatest moments of WWE Hall of Famer and star of WrestleMania III and IV, Mr. Baseball himself, Bob Uecker! The bumbling ball player turned beloved actor and funnyman had some absolute classic moments at two canonical WrestleManias, and Eric shares his faves in this quick episode. Stay tuned for a full episode with Eric and Nate later this week!

Heads up: This one's a beast that you might want to spend the weekend with :) Sorta like Eric and Nate in high school!

We're deep in the heart of WrestleMania season! And while this year's WWE WrestleMania 41 is sure to create some moments and memories, the show has a 40-year history, where some of the biggest names in pro wrestling and entertainment have led the charge, headlined the card, and main-evented the show. So now, Nate and Eric debate: Throughout all those years, which matches make it onto the Mount Rushmore of WrestleMania Main Events? The most star power, best angles, the highest quality matches, the biggest impact, the highest significance--including in pro wrestling and pop culture... the guys discuss it all. Tune in and listen!

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Hulk Hogan vs. Andre the Giant (WrestleMania III): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rz8q5ZjboXY

Stone Cold Steve Austin vs. Shawn Michaels (WrestleMania XIV): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTArBJAVZog

Stone Cold Steve Austin vs. The Rock (WrestleMania X-Seven - Highlights): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kr164KGbBGA

Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels - Streak vs. Career (WrestleMania XXVI): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNBCF7AKJGA

Roman Reigns vs. Cody Rhodes (WrestleMania XL Night Two - Highlights): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7NcPAnnxDk

Jack Tunney presents Hogan with trophy... (WWF 1987) - YouTube

Special Piper's Pit w/Andre the Giant, Hulk Hogan Interrupts - Superstars 1/24/87 - YouTube

Hulk Hogan vs. Andre The Giant WrestleMania III WWE' Official Clip | Andre The Giant | HBO - YouTube

Kevin Nash describes the moment he knew WWE would defeat WCW: Broken Skull Sessions sneak peek

Tyson and Austin brawl on Raw: WWE Raw - YouTube

Promo Shawn Michaels career Vs Undertaker streak at Wrestlemania 26

The Undertaker agrees to face HBK at WrestleMania

Daniel Bryan vs. Sheamus - World Heavyweight Championship Match: WrestleMania XXVIII

FULL SEGMENT: Daniel Bryan leads Occupy Raw: Raw, March 10, 2014

Daniel Bryan wins the WWE World Heavyweight Championship: WrestleMania 30

Eric's ridiculous spreadsheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1O6qOQGOThju_45eVwKyjEBBuX2z0aC3TE5aswuSxB1c/edit?usp=sharing

Monday Night Wars TV Ratings: https://prowrestling.fandom.com/wiki/Monday_Night_Wars_Ratings