Podcast · Sport

Portland Wrestling

Step inside the Portland Sports Arena and relive the golden age of Pacific Northwest wrestling. From legendary feuds to hidden gems, our podcasts bring you the stories, matches, and larger-than-life personalities that defined one of wrestling’s most unique territories. Each episode dives into the h

New episodes: Daily
Typical length: 56 min
Latest: 9 Oct 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

9 Oct 2026 · 15 min

The Cream of the Crop #9 — The Southern Rockers: The Boys Who Brought the Girls

The Cream of the Crop #9 — The Southern Rockers: The Boys Who Brought the Girls For decades, there was a pretty reliable formula for becoming a fan favorite in Portland Wrestling. Be tough. Really tough. Dutch Savage tough. Lonnie Mayne tough. The kind of guy you'd want standing beside you when a bar fight broke out. Then the 1980s happened. The music changed. The clothes changed. The hair definitely changed. And Portland Wrestling discovered another way to create heroes. Steve Doll. Scott Peterson. Rex King. The Southern Rockers. In Episode 9 of The Cream of the Crop , host Frank Culbertson…

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Earlier episodes 29 most recent

S6 · E52 · 8 Oct 2026 · 1 hr 20 min
Ringside in Rose City #55 — November 1969: Death Matches, Dusty Finishes & Thanksgiving Fireballs
Ringside in Rose City #55 — November 1969: Death Matches, Dusty Finishes & Thanksgiving Fireballs November 1969 may not have been Portland Wrestling’s biggest month—but it certainly wasn’t boring. Frank Culbertson and Portland wrestling historian Mike Rodgers return to the Portland Sports Arena, where Rip Kirby and Beauregard are right in the middle of everything, Lonnie Mayne’s painfully slow transformation into a fan favorite continues, and Billy White Wolf apparently needs not one...not two...but three Indian Death Matches with Kirby to settle their feud. And somehow, even a Death Match…
S7 · E8 · 2 Oct 2026 · 24 min
The Cream of the Crop #8 — Rip Kirby & Beauregard: The Men Who Lit the Fuse
In 1969, Portland Wrestling had a problem. The promotion had moved from the old Portland Armory into the Portland Sports Arena, but the crowds weren't what they had been. The money wasn't what it had been. Don Owen needed a spark. He found two. Roger “Rip” Kirby and Beauregard. Kirby arrived in Portland that spring alongside Pat Patterson. Patterson soon left. Kirby stayed—and within months became one of the most hated men in Northwest wrestling. Athletic, arrogant and dangerous, Kirby terrorized opponents with the wooden post holding one of Portland Wrestling's television lights. Then one…
S7 · E54 · 1 Oct 2026 · 56 min
Ringside in Rose City #54 — Gorgeous Joey Jackson: Inside the Final Years of Portland Wrestling
This week, the Ringside Wheel gets the night off. No mystery envelopes. No Card Shark. No Kayfabe Curveballs. Because tonight, we don't have to talk about Portland Wrestling history. We get to talk to someone who lived it. Frank Culbertson and Portland wrestling historian Mike Rodgers welcome “Gorgeous” Joey Jackson to Ringside in Rose City for a trip inside the final years of Don Owen's legendary territory. Joey takes us from growing up as a wrestling fan in Louisiana to training in Houston under Len Denton—the Grappler . Then came the phone call that changed everything: Portland needed a…
S6 · E7 · 25 Sep 2026 · 17 min
The Cream of the Crop #7 — Stan Stasiak & The Iron Sheik: Two Roads to the World Championship
The Cream of the Crop #7 — Stan Stasiak & The Iron Sheik: Two Roads to the World Championship Two wrestlers. Two generations. Two very different journeys through Portland. And both eventually reached the same summit. In Episode 7 of The Cream of the Crop , host Frank Culbertson tells the stories of Stan “The Crusher” Stasiak and The Iron Sheik —two men whose paths through the Pacific Northwest could hardly have been more different, yet both would eventually become World Heavyweight Champion. For Stasiak, Portland became a second home. Arriving in 1965, he developed from the imposing heel…
S7 · E53 · 24 Sep 2026 · 1 hr 35 min
Ringside in Rose City #53 — The Best, the Cringiest…and the Ugliest?
Ringside in Rose City #53 — The Best, the Cringiest…and the Ugliest? Year Two of Ringside in Rose City is officially underway—and apparently one year of credibility was enough. Frank Culbertson and Portland wrestling historian Mike Rodgers begin Episode 53 seriously enough, as Lisa Hughes spins the Ringside Wheel and sends them into the greatest moments in Portland Wrestling history . There’s Buddy Rose’s unforgettable babyface turn , with fans flooding the ring and lifting him onto their shoulders. The legendary wheelbarrow overflowing with championship belts. The eight-man tag that helped…
S7 · E6 · 18 Sep 2026 · 25 min
The Cream of the Crop #6 — The Grappler: The Man Behind the Mask
The Cream of the Crop #6 — The Grappler: The Man Behind the Mask Seven-time Northwest Heavyweight Champion. Eleven-time Northwest Tag Team Champion. Main-event wrestler. Masked villain. Booker. Teacher. Troublemaker. The Grappler. For the first time on The Cream of the Crop , one man gets the entire spotlight as host Frank Culbertson tells the story of Len Denton—the wrestler who was repeatedly told he was too small to make it, only to become one of the most important figures in the final era of Portland Wrestling. And this time, The Grappler helps tell the story himself , through archival…
S6 · E52 · 17 Sep 2026 · 1 hr 38 min
Ringside in Rose City #52 — ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY SHOW! | October 1969
Ringside in Rose City #52 — ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY SHOW! | October 1969 52 episodes. 52 trips through Portland wrestling history. One full year of Ringside in Rose City. This week, Frank Culbertson and Portland wrestling historian Mike Rodgers celebrate the ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY of Ringside in Rose City —and there may be no better month to mark the occasion than October 1969 . The mystery envelopes are back. Lisa is back in control of the Ringside Wheel. And Portland Wrestling is about to enter a month that helps shape the territory for years to come. Rip Kirby and Lonnie Mayne take their…
S7 · E5 · 11 Sep 2026 · 18 min
The Cream of the Crop #5 — Two Ways to Draw a Crowd: Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka & Ripper Collins
The Cream of the Crop #5 — Two Ways to Draw a Crowd: Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka & Ripper Collins Before Madison Square Garden. Before the steel cage. Before millions of wrestling fans knew the name Superfly , there was Portland. And standing across the ring from the young Jimmy Snuka was one of professional wrestling’s great old-school heels: Ripper Collins . In Episode 5 of The Cream of the Crop , Frank Culbertson looks back at two wrestlers who represented completely different ways to become a wrestling attraction. Snuka looked like the future—explosive, athletic and charismatic. Portland…
S6 · E51 · 10 Sep 2026 · 1 hr 48 min
Ringside in Rose City #51 — Guest Shots: Portland Wrestling Memories
Ringside in Rose City #51 — Guest Shots: Portland Wrestling Memories This week, we put away the results sheets and step inside the memories of the Portland Sports Arena. Frank Culbertson and Mike Rodgers welcome three special guests, each with a different connection to Portland Wrestling and a different generation of stories to tell. Rich Patterson takes us back to his first night inside the Sports Arena in 1971, unforgettable moments involving Roddy Piper, Buddy Rose, Rip Oliver and Billy Jack Haynes, and the remarkable story of how he helped save the Buddy Rose tape collection —hundreds of…
S6 · E4 · 4 Sep 2026 · 14 min
The Cream of the Crop – Episode 4: Billy Jack Haynes & Rip Oliver
The Cream of the Crop – Episode 4: Billy Jack Haynes & Rip Oliver Sometimes you don't have to wait very long to discover your greatest rival. For Billy Jack Haynes , it took exactly one night. On October 29, 1982, the Portland native trained by Stu Hart walked into Portland Wrestling for the first time. Before the night was over, he had already battled Rip “The Crippler” Oliver to a draw—and begun a rivalry that would weave through nearly a decade of Portland Wrestling history. In Episode 4 of The Cream of the Crop: The Main Eventers, Money Draws, and Territory Legends , we move into the…
S6 · E50 · 3 Sep 2026 · 1 hr 7 min
Ringside in Rose City – Episode 50: September 1969 – Mayne, Kirby & a Territory Searching for Its Next Rivalry
Ringside in Rose City – Episode 50: September 1969 – Mayne, Kirby & a Territory Searching for Its Next Rivalry September 1969 finds Portland Wrestling in an unusual place. Lonnie Mayne and Rip “The Ruffian” Kirby have become the rivalry carrying the territory—but behind them, Don Owen's promotion is searching for its next major babyface, its next major heel, and the storyline that can take Portland Wrestling into the fall. This week, Frank Culbertson and Portland wrestling historian Mike Rodgers continue their month-by-month journey through the Portland Sports Arena era, as the Mayne-Kirby…
S7 · E3 · 28 Aug 2026 · 11 min
The Cream of the Crop – Episode 3: Dutch Savage & Bull Ramos
The Cream of the Crop – Episode 3: Dutch Savage & Bull Ramos Professional wrestling has always been built around a simple idea: create a villain so dangerous and so despised that fans will pay money just to see somebody stop him. In 1972, Portland Wrestling found that man. His name was Bull Ramos . But Portland already had somebody waiting for him: Dutch Savage . And for much of the decade, these two men would fight for championships, supremacy—and the paying customers who couldn't wait to see them do it again. In Episode 3 of The Cream of the Crop: The Main Eventers, Money Draws, and…
S6 · E49 · 27 Aug 2026 · 1 hr 32 min
Ringside in Rose City #49– The Greatest Northwest Champions
Ringside in Rose City – The Greatest Northwest Champions Who was the greatest Northwest Heavyweight Champion of the Portland Sports Arena era? This week, Frank Culbertson and Portland wrestling historian Mike Rodgers tackle a debate they've been having for years—and discover pretty quickly that they don't agree nearly as much as they thought they did. More than 110 wrestlers challenged for the Northwest Championship , and Mike has documented more than 540 championship matches . But championships alone don't tell the story. Frank and Mike build their rankings around title reigns, successful…
S7 · E2 · 21 Aug 2026 · 10 min
The Cream of the Crop – Episode 2: Buddy Rose & Roddy Piper
The Cream of the Crop – Episode 2: Buddy Rose & Roddy Piper Some rivalries sell tickets. Some create champions. And every once in a while, two wrestlers find each other at exactly the right moment—and create something that comes to define an era. In Episode 2 of The Cream of the Crop: The Main Eventers, Money Draws, and Territory Legends , we turn to perhaps the greatest rivalry Portland Wrestling ever produced: “Playboy” Buddy Rose and “Rowdy” Roddy Piper. Buddy Rose arrived first. From his Portland debut in 1976, Rose proved he understood professional wrestling at a different level. He…
S5 · E48 · 20 Aug 2026 · 1 hr 24 min
Ringside in Rose City – Episode 48: August 1969 – Blood, Wire & a New Northwest Champion
Ringside in Rose City – Episode 48: August 1969 – Blood, Wire & a New Northwest Champion August 1969 was a month when Portland Wrestling caught fire—and at the center of it all were Lonnie Mayne and “Ruffian” Rip Kirby . This week, Frank Culbertson and Portland wrestling historian Mike Rodgers continue their month-by-month journey through the territory as a heel-versus-heel rivalry unexpectedly becomes the hottest attraction in the Northwest. Don Owen lets the feud simmer rather than running it every week, and when Mayne and Kirby finally collide, the results are brutal: bloody battles,…
S8 · E1 · 14 Aug 2026 · 10 min
The Cream of the Crop – Episode 1: Tony Borne & Lonnie Mayne
The Cream of the Crop – Episode 1: Tony Borne & Lonnie Mayne Welcome to The Cream of the Crop: The Main Eventers, Money Draws, and Territory Legends , a brand-new journey through the biggest stars in Portland Wrestling history. These aren't simply the wrestlers who appeared on the cards. These are the names that went at the top of the poster . The champions, personalities, heroes, and villains who packed the Portland Sports Arena, filled Memorial Coliseum, sold tickets, and became the faces of an entire territory. And there may be no better place to begin than with Tony Borne and Lonnie…
S6 · E47 · 13 Aug 2026 · 1 hr
Ringside in Rose City – Episode 47: We Haven't Mentioned These Guys Yet – Part 2
Ringside in Rose City – Episode 47: We Haven't Mentioned These Guys Yet – Part 2 There are the legends everybody remembers—and then there are the wrestlers whose names can suddenly unlock a memory you haven't thought about in fifty years. This week, Frank Culbertson and Portland wrestling historian Mike Rodgers pick up the conversation that became too big for one episode. We Haven't Mentioned These Guys Yet – Part 2 digs even deeper into the wrestlers who passed through Portland—some for only a handful of matches, others for longer runs, and more than a few who went on to fascinating careers…
S7 · E12 · 7 Aug 2026 · 9 min
The Attraction Archive – Episode 12: The Final Chapter... and the Beginning of a New Journey
The Attraction Archive – Episode 12: The Final Chapter... and the Beginning of a New Journey Every great series reaches its final chapter. After twelve episodes exploring the unforgettable attractions who made Portland Wrestling unlike any other territory, The Attraction Archive comes to a close. But before saying goodbye, Frank Culbertson and Portland wrestling historian Mike Rodgers celebrate one final collection of unique personalities whose paths to Portland came through football, boxing, women's wrestling, little person wrestling, and even television. This farewell episode features…
S6 · E46 · 6 Aug 2026 · 1 hr 2 min
Ringside in Rose City – Episode 46: Who We Haven't Talked About – Part 1
Ringside in Rose City – Episode 46: Who We Haven't Talked About – Part 1 Not every wrestler was a main event star. Some were future champions finding their footing. Some arrived at just the wrong time. Others left behind memorable careers that deserve another look.This week, Frank Culbertson and Portland wrestling historian Mike Rodgers shine the spotlight on the wrestlers who helped shape Portland Wrestling but rarely receive the attention they deserve. It's the first installment of a new series celebrating the forgotten names, fascinating careers, and unexpected stories that filled out the…
S7 · E11 · 31 Jul 2026 · 8 min
The Attraction Archive – Episode 11: World Champions, Trailblazers, and Wrestling's Lasting Mysteries
The Attraction Archive – Episode 11: World Champions, Trailblazers, and Wrestling's Lasting Mysteries Some wrestling attractions became legends because of championship victories. Others broke barriers that reached far beyond the ring. And a few left behind mysteries that historians are still trying to solve. This week on The Attraction Archive , Frank Culbertson and Portland wrestling historian Mike Rodgers explore four fascinating figures whose stories demonstrate just how diverse the world of Portland wrestling truly was. The episode begins with Ivan Koloff , the man who shocked the…
S6 · E45 · 30 Jul 2026 · 1 hr 20 min
Ringside in Rose City – Episode 45: July 1969 – New Champions, New Rivalries, and a Legendary Hawaiian Card
Ringside in Rose City – Episode 45: July 1969 – New Champions, New Rivalries, and a Legendary Hawaiian Card The summer of 1969 is heating up, and so is Portland wrestling. This week, Frank Culbertson and Portland wrestling historian Mike Rodgers continue their month-by-month journey through July 1969, a pivotal month that saw changing championships, growing rivalries, and clear signs that Don Owen was preparing to reshape the territory. Attendance concerns, shifting storylines, and a changing roster all point toward a promotion on the verge of a major turning point. The episode follows the…
S7 · E8 · 24 Jul 2026 · 10 min
The Attraction Archive – Episode 10: International Legends, Future Champions, and Wrestling's Smallest Giants
The Attraction Archive – Episode 10: International Legends, Future Champions, and Wrestling's Smallest Giants The Attraction Archive travels around the wrestling world this week, from legendary Japanese stars and future world champions to one of the most accomplished women ever trained by Sandy Barr and a fascinating collection of little person wrestling attractions whose careers spanned decades. This episode begins with Kinji Shibuya , one of the territorial era's greatest villains. Although billed as Japanese throughout his career, fans may be surprised to learn he was actually born in…
S6 · E44 · 23 Jul 2026 · 1 hr 46 min
Ringside in Rose City – Episode 44: Ring Around the Northwest Hall of Fame – Part 2
Ringside in Rose City – Episode 44: Ring Around the Northwest Hall of Fame – Part 2 & Remembering Siva Afi The Hall of Fame vault is open once again. Frank Culbertson and Portland Wrestling historian Mike Rodgers continue their journey through years 12 through 22 of the Ring Around the Northwest Hall of Fame . Rather than simply reciting the complete classes, they stop to explore the careers, contributions, and personal stories of selected inductees who helped shape wrestling throughout the Pacific Northwest. Among those receiving the spotlight are Tiger Daula , Al Madril , Frankie Lane ,…
S6 · E9 · 17 Jul 2026 · 9 min
🎙️ The Attraction Archive #9 – The Greatest of All Time, Future Champions, and Wrestling Originals
🎙️ The Attraction Archive #9 – The Greatest of All Time, Future Champions, and Wrestling Originals Some wrestlers earned championships. Some earned fame. And a select few earned something even greater—the respect of generations of wrestlers who simply called them the greatest . In Episode #9 of The Attraction Archive , Frank Culbertson explores another remarkable collection of Portland Wrestling attractions, featuring perhaps the greatest professional wrestler who ever lived, one of the Northwest's most successful women champions, an unforgettable wrestling original who proudly called…
S7 · E43 · 16 Jul 2026 · 1 hr 47 min
Ringside in Rose City #43: The Voices That Sold the Matches: Interviews, Promos & Rare Audio
A great wrestling match could bring fans back next week. A great interview could sell out the building. In this special episode of Ringside in Rose City , Frank Culbertson and historian Mike Rogers return to the legendary Crow's Nest , where some of Portland Wrestling's greatest interviews—and a few unforgettable train wrecks—helped shape the territory. This time, the microphones belong to an incredible lineup of wrestling personalities, including: • Andre the Giant , Rocky Johnson, and Bret Sawyer setting the stage for a blockbuster Tuesday night card. • Roddy Piper delivering one of the…
S7 · E8 · 10 Jul 2026 · 8 min
The Attraction Archive #8 – Legends, Champions, and Stories Worth Remembering
The Attraction Archive #8 – Legends, Champions, and Stories Worth Remembering Some attractions appeared only once. Some became world champions. And some left a legacy so great that one appearance in Portland was all it took to become part of wrestling history. In Episode #8 of The Attraction Archive , Frank Culbertson explores another remarkable collection of wrestlers whose influence stretched far beyond the Northwest. This week's journey features two of the most respected performers to ever lace up a pair of boots, one of the greatest women wrestlers of her generation, and two memorable…
S6 · E42 · 9 Jul 2026 · 1 hr 11 min
Episode 42 – Portland Sports Arena: June 1969 – New Faces, New Champions, and a Territory in Transition
The summer of 1969 has arrived, and Portland Wrestling is changing before the fans' eyes. The Von Steigers are gone. New stars are stepping into the spotlight. Championships are changing hands, rivalries are intensifying, and Don Owen is clearly reshaping the territory for the months ahead. June proves to be one of the most pivotal months of 1969, as familiar names begin to fade and the next generation starts making its mark. Join Frank Culbertson and historian Mike Rogers as they return to the Portland Sports Arena to relive another unforgettable month in Northwest wrestling history. This…
S7 · E7 · 3 Jul 2026 · 9 min
🎙️ The Attraction Archive #7 – Wrestling's Hidden Architects
🎙️ The Attraction Archive #7 – Wrestling's Hidden Architects Some wrestlers became legends because of what they did inside the ring. Others changed wrestling history because of the people they influenced. In Episode #7 of The Attraction Archive , Frank Culbertson explores another remarkable collection of Portland Wrestling personalities whose impact reached far beyond their win-loss records. From the patriarch of one of wrestling's most famous families to the scout who helped shape the future of Portland Wrestling, these are the stories behind some of the sport's most influential figures.…
S6 · E41 · 2 Jul 2026 · 1 hr 7 min
Ringside In Rose City #41 Ring Around the Northwest Hall of Fame: The First 11 Years
Episode 41 – Ring Around the Northwest Hall of Fame: The First 11 Years Some wrestlers became world champions. Others became household names. And some quietly built the foundation of Pacific Northwest wrestling one match at a time. In this special episode, Frank Culbertson and historian Mike Rodgers open the Ring Around the Northwest Hall of Fame vault and revisit the first eleven Hall of Fame classes, exploring the wrestlers, promoters, announcers, and personalities whose impact shaped Portland and Vancouver wrestling for generations. Along the way, you'll hear stories about: • Why Gorgeous…

About Portland Wrestling

Portland Wrestling is a English sport podcast from Frank. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: Frank
Language: English
Category: Sport
New episodes: Daily
Typical length: 56 min
Latest episode: 9 Oct 2026
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Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1825425657
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