Tag: DragonKingKarl

DragonKingKarl Classic Wrestling Show: Bill Dundee biography

Posted on by Karl Stern

On today’s show, Karl Stern is here to discuss the career of Memphis pro wrestling legend “Superstar” Bill Dundee.

Was Dundee really from Scotland? Did he really join the circus and movie to Australia and become a pro wrestler? All of these questions and more are answered in this look at a man who did it all in pro wrestling — a champion wrestler, a creative and acclaimed booker, a manager, and one of the best talkers in the business.

Let’s take a look at Jerry Lawler’s career rival — “Superstar” Bill Dundee!

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DragonKingKarl Classic Wrestling Show: Inside Wrestling December 1987 magazine review

Posted on by Karl Stern

I am back with another classic pro wrestling magazine review. 

On this episode, I take a look at a 1987 Weston family (Apter mag) magazine Inside Wrestling, which is among my favorites because of the extensive ratings and the Roll Call of Champions. 

Plus, there are stories on Lex Luger, Dusty Rhodes, Ted DiBiase, Randy Savage, and more in addition to some great classic magazine ads.

Grab your PWI T-shirt and join me for a look back at classic pro wrestling history straight off the newsstand.

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DragonKing Dark: The death of INXS’ Michael Hutchence

Posted on by Karl Stern

My ongoing look at the 100 darkest moments in pop culture continues.

Michael Hutchence of INXS was found dead in his hotel room in 1997 and you may think you know the reason why. But did you know that most of what you think you know about his death is probably wrong and taken out of context? 

On this week’s show, we’ll discuss how one interview, taken out of context, provided the narrative of Hutchence’s death — one that the coroner’s inquest revealed had no basis in fact or evidence.

Let’s explore on this week’s DragonKing Dark:

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DragonKingKarl Classic Wrestling Show: A long-form look at March 1983

Posted on by Karl Stern

I am back with another long-form look at a specific month in pro wrestling, highlighted by Ric Flair circling the globe in a single day.

In this look at March 1983, I use notes from the early Wrestling Observer Newsletter plus tons of research by many wrestling historians via When It Was Cool’s Ultimate History of Pro Wrestling zone. 

Bob Armstrong is a heel in Alabama, Mr. Olympia is a star in two territories,  plus Nick Bockwinkel, Bob Backlund, Dusty Rhodes, the aforementioned Flair story, and much more!

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DragonKing Dark: The death of George Michael

Posted on by Karl Stern

We continue our series of 100 of the darkest moments in pop culture history by taking a look at the death of one of the greatest vocalist of the 1980s-2000s, George Michael. 

Starting his career with the duo Wham!, Michael rose to even greater success as a solo pop star during the late 1980s into the 1990s with a string of mega-popular albums and MTV video hits. Sadly, he passed away at the age of 53. 

On this week’s Dragon King Dark, I tell his story.

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DragonKing Dark: The death of Prince

Posted on by Karl Stern

I continue the DragonKingDark look at 100 of the darkest moments in pop culture history with the death of pop music legend, Prince. 

He died just over six years ago of a fentanyl overdose. Since then, fentanyl has been a scourge in American society, responsible for numerous overdose deaths. He was one of the most talented musicians of all-time and his death at the age of 57 was one of pop cultures darkest moments.

Join me as I look at this moment in pop culture history.

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DragonKingKarl Classic Wrestling Show: History of pro wrestling at MSG continues

Posted on by Karl Stern

My series on the history of pro wrestling in Madison Square Garden picks up in the new building in New York City: Madison Square Garden II. 

William Muldoon is promoting suspicious boxing, suspicious wrestling, and mostly himself. Then, we get the arrival of possibly the most instantly over pro wrestler in history. You think Goldberg got over quick? You’ve heard tales of Danno O’Mahoney? Let me introduce you to the original Terrible Turk. And then, just like that, he died.

Click below to hear about that and more.

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DragonKing Dark: The death of Chris Cornell

Posted on by Karl Stern

The series continues: 100 of the darkest moments in pop culture history, as we follow up on the story about Chester Bennington with the death of Soundgarden, Audioslave, and Temple of the Dog frontman Chris Cornell.

The stories have a lot of similarities. Both battled depression, both were of the same era and musical genre. What was going on that so tragically impacted so many stars of this era? Today we look at the life and death of Soundgarden’s Chris Cornell.

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DragonKingKarl Greatest Kayfabe Tournament: Lou Thesz vs. Bruiser Brody

Posted on by Karl Stern

The next match in the ongoing Greatest Kayfabe Tournament has been voted on by you, the listener.

In this episode, we look at one of the greatest wrestlers in history in Lou Thesz and one of the greatest brawlers and wildmen in history in Bruiser Brody.

The two have some history together, but Thesz was from a generation earlier. How did you think Thesz’s mat skill would hold up against the sheer chaos of Brody? Plus, I give you some interesting background bits on both, and the two times they actually shared the ring together.

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DragonKing Dark: Death of Chester Bennington

Posted on by Karl Stern

Continuing our 100 darkest moments in pop culture series we take a look at the tragic death of Linkin Park frontman Chester Bennington. Bennington was one of a series of high profile musicians who died very young after a life of battling mental illness and addiction. 

The tragic story of Chester Bennington touched many in the entertainment industry and severely impacted the music scene. Here is his story.

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DragonKingKarl Classic Wrestling Show: The Gorilla Monsoon WON obituary

Posted on by Karl Stern

My rotation of classic pro wrestling history topics continues on this week’s DragonKingKarl Classic Wrestling Show. 

On a “From the Pages of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter” edition, we look back at Dave Meltzer’s biography on the death of Gorilla Monsoon which subscribers can read here.

Not only was Monsoon a notable commentator during the Hulkamania era of WWF, the man known as Robert Marella was a main event level pro wrestler and owner of percentages of two major pro wrestling companies as well in both WWF and WWC. 

This is the story of Gorilla Monsoon.

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DragonKing Dark: The death of Naomi Judd

Posted on by Karl Stern

We continue our series of 100 of the darkest moments in pop culture history by looking at the recent death of country music star Naomi Judd. 

Judd was 76 years old and all of The Judds’ hit songs were behind them, so in terms of affecting pop culture, one might argue that this one doesn’t effect the future much. 

I argue differently as her death has brought the very relevant topic of mental illness front and center, right where it needs to be.

Let’s continue this series on DragonKing Dark with a look at the death of Naomi Judd.

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DragonKingKarl Classic Wrestling Show: Pro Wrestling Illustrated from January 1983

Posted on by Karl Stern

In my rotation of retro pro wrestling podcasts on the DragonKingKarl Wrestling Show, I am adding old magazine reviews. 

The newsstand pro wrestling magazines were a staple of wrestling from the 1950s through the 1990s and especially peaked in the 1970-80s. Before the Internet and before newsletters were so widely distributed, the wrestling magazines are where you got your news and information about wrestlers outside your regional area. 

To kick things off, let’s take a look at Pro Wrestling Illustrated from January 1983 featuring Ricky Steamboat, Bruiser Brody, Tommy Rich, and more.

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DragonKing Dark: The death of John Denver

Posted on by Karl Stern

In my continuing series on the 100 darkest moments in pop culture history, I look back at the 1997 death of folk and country music star John Denver who was killed in an experimental aircraft crash at the age of 53.

While Denver’s career as a hit maker was probably over, he was still a successful touring musician, actor, and activist. 

His death was also completely avoidable for multiple reasons including his suspended pilot’s license and a terrible aircraft design.

Let’s look back at this story on this week’s DragonKing Dark.

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DragonKingKarl Classic Wrestling Show: The Yeti biography

Posted on by Karl Stern

I bet you didn’t expect this. Yes, Karl Stern vs. The Yeti.

I saw the debut of The Yeti in WCW and am also a fan of giant tall wrestlers. I may be the only one, but this gimmick was something that straight out of Memphis wrestling, only it was on national TV. 

Ron Reis was the man under The Yeti outfit but instead of looking like an abominable snowman, he was a mummy. 

None of this makes sense so listen to the show and I’ll unpack it for you. You won’t regret it.

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