Tag: Left My Wallet

Left My Wallet: Marc Copani/Muhammad Hassan on sports, school & Shad

Posted on by Antonio Garza

On this week’s Left My Wallet, I talk with current junior high school principal Marc Copani, also the former Muhammad Hassan in WWE.

I know Marc from our time together in OVW and WWE so it was fun to catch up on a number of topics in this fun 40 minute episode. The Syracuse, NY, native talks about his love of Orangemen basketball, the New York Yankees, what to possibly expect in a 60 game MLB season, and what changes he thinks baseball needs to make to gain back both ratings and fans.

We then talk about what led him into a teaching career, the path he took to becoming a principal, and his most rewarding moments as an educator and administrator.

Finally, he discusses his friendship with the late Shad Gaspard and the story of what brought the two together to work on Assassin and Son, the comic book series that’s being released with proceeds going to his family. He talks about the persona and talent Shad wasm and the parallels between the book and real life. 

Enjoy this fun and very informative episode with fellow WWE and OVW alum Marc Copani!

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Left My Wallet: ‘Filthy’ Tom 1991 MTV Rock N’ Jock B-Ball Jam watchalong

Posted on by Antonio Garza

This week’s Left My Wallet is back with another watchalong as “Filthy” Tom Lawlor and I check out the first ever MTV Rock N’Jock B-Ball Jam from 1991.

Join us as we hop into the wayback machine for this this star-studded game featuring coaches Magic Johnson and “Coach” Craig T. Nelson’s Bricklayers and Violators.

The game featured Will Smith when he was in the first season of Fresh Prince of Bel Air; 90210’s Luke Perry aka the father of Jungle Boy; Mark Wahlberg when he was simply known as Marky Mark, Flea before the Red Hot Chili Peppers became household names, Jaleel White aka Steve Urkel exhibiting his killer crossover, and Morris Chestnut duking it out with NBA Hall-of-Famer Reggie Miller for MVP honors.

There’s also a dunk contest with Wahlberg, Flea, and Perry, a game of HORSE on actual horses, and Wahlberg using every chance he could to show off his Calvin Klein boxer briefs.

It’s our third watchalong and an extremely fun 30 minute rewind to the summer of ’91. 

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Left My Wallet: The ’96 WWF softball game watchalong

Posted on by Antonio Garza

Left My Wallet returns with our second watchalong as WOR fill-in co-host Garrett Gonzales and I check out a WWF softball game from WrestleMania 12 weekend in 1996, filmed with home camcorder footage.

It’s the Hollywood All-Stars taking on team WWF and you won’t believe the results.

See Isaac Yankem hitting from the no. 2 hole, Jerry Lawler and his pitching prowess, Ahmed Johnson and Doc Hendrix swinging for the fences, Bob Holly flashing some leather in the outfield, and Shawn Michaels doing…steady state cardio? If you enjoyed our first watchalong of the NWA basketball game, you are sure to love this one as well.

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Left My Wallet: Missy Hyatt

Posted on by Antonio Garza

‘Left My Wallet’ is back with one of the most iconic females in wrestling history and someone I have wanted to get on the show for years, Missy Hyatt

Although not a sports fan, she finally decided now was the time to talk as she wanted to discuss dating, particularly her love of reality television and 90 Day Fiance: Before the Days. The show just recently wrapped up its latest season and explores couples meeting through online dating sites. However, the couples are in other countries.

We talk about each couples’ first time meeting each other, what happens when they propose and meet each others families for the first time, and when things go completely haywire. We discuss and critique the actions of some of the ultimate “workers” in action with couples vying for green cards, “love” and affection via long distance relationships.

We then discuss who some of the cast members’ wrestling equivalent is while finally wrapping up with some of her other favorite shows and what she’s currently watching for wrestling.

This show was so much fun to do and Missy was an absolute sweetheart. Join us for this fun and different episode where we talk relationships and crazy couples.

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Left My Wallet: George South on his 35 years in wrestling

Posted on by Antonio Garza

Left My Wallet returns with one of the most noticeable names from the NWA Crockett era of the 80s: George South!

George has been seen on your tv for the last 35 years and can be seen on numerous shows on both the WWE Network and YouTube. Not only did he grow up a huge wrestling fan, but he grew up a devoted Dallas Cowboys fan. On this show, he talks about his love for America’s Team, admiration for Roger Staubach, the great Dallas teams of the 90s, and the time he got to walk on the Dallas Stadium turf and the historical star at midfield.

The talk then turns to wrestling as I ask George, worker to worker, who was the best wrestler he’s ever been in the ring with. Who were some of his favorites from the Crockett era and who was considered a “night off” to be in the ring with?

George is like that character actor you see in movies and on TV who is both responsible for making others look great and adept at his craft. You may not remember their name or they may not be on the marquee, but without them, the show couldn’t go on.

Enjoy this uplifting and positive talk with great professional wrestler and sports fan George South!

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Left My Wallet: 1988 NWA basketball game watch along with Filthy Tom

Posted on by Antonio Garza

Left My Wallet returns with a unique watch along episode as “Filthy” Tom Lawlor and I watch the NWA take on the Charlotte Police Department in a charity basketball game from 1988!

Many of you might have seen clips of Dusty Rhodes draining three pointers, but we have the whole game, fresh with our very own commentary. Join us as we react to Barry Windham, Lex Luger, Road Warrior Hawk, Sting, Brad Armstrong and his amazing sunglasses, David Crockett, and many of the top stars of Crockett Promotions battle the Charlotte PAL. We also do a mini review of “The Last Dance’ and give our thoughts on Michael Jordan and the 1990s era Chicago Bulls.

It’s a fun and unique show that will show some of your favorite stars from the ’80’s as you’ve never seen them. Head to YouTube, sync up our show, and enjoy the game!

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Left My Wallet: MLW’s Richard Holliday

Posted on by Antonio Garza

“Left My Wallet” is back with one of the brightest up and coming stars in the wrestling business today, MLW’s Richard Holliday! Fresh off signing a new deal with MLW, he joins myself and the voice of Beyond Wrestling, Paul Crockett, to talk a myriad of sports topics.

With a fandom rooted deep in New York sports, find out who his favorite basketball team is (hint: it’s not the Knicks) and favorite player of all time. Hear about his love and affinity for the New York Yankees and growing up in a time when the Yankees have only won one World Series in the 21st century.

We also discuss his thoughts on the Houston Astros’ cheating scandal and how it affected his Bronx Bombers. We also delve into his thoughts on the Last Dance, ESPN’s rankings of the top 74 basketball players of all time, his affinity for coffee, and his new MLW deal.

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Left My Wallet: Curt Hawkins/Brian Myers on YouTube, NY sports

Posted on by Antonio Garza

Image: Newsday

‘Left My Wallet’ is back again with former WWE tag team champion Brian Myers, aka the former Curt Hawkins.

Brian, along with our mutual friend “Smart” Mark Sterling, joins the show to discuss the former WWE star’s fandom for the orange and blue, his thoughts on Noah Syndergaard going down, thoughts on the current team, and where wrestling at Citi Field ranks on his all-time list of wrestling achievments. We then discuss the New York Jets and the bond between Mets and Jets fans.

The man responsible for training talents like MJF and Kris Statlander talks about why he started his Create-A-Pro wrestling school, his passion for training and helping others, and what makes his school different than many others.

Finally, we talk his podcast and Youtube show (the Major Wrestling Figure Podcast), how it started, what it’s become and his love for not only action figures, but all wrestling memorabilia. We also talk about his first singles match, going to college with mutual friend and Bellator fighter NIck Newell, training together early on when Brian was signed to WWE, and so much more!

This is a fun chat with the former WWE star who is chomping at the bit to get back out on the indie circuit and get back to what he loves doing most: wrestling.

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Left My Wallet: NFL Draft recap with Bakabella, Milonas, and more

Posted on by Antonio Garza

Left My Wallet is back again with our annual post-NFL Draft special featuring a smorgasbord of guests like Producer Rob of the B&V show, WOR guest co-host Garrett Gonzales, wrestling manager Sidney Bakabella, and Ring of Honor star Brian Milonas.

As each pick happened live, we go over the team needs and thoughts on each pick. Rob handles the Cleveland Browns while we have fellow 49ers fan Garrett, Chicago Bears diehard Sidney, and Pittsburgh Steelers fanatic Brian.

It’s a fun mishmash of various personalities and opinions on this past weekend’s draft. If you’re still craving NFL Draft talk, join us for this fun and enjoyable listen!

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Left My Wallet: Paul Roma on nutrition, sports, wrestling memories

Posted on by Antonio Garza

“Left My Wallet” is back with former WWF and WCW star Paul Roma, part of Power & Glory, Pretty Wonderful, and the Young Stallions to name a few.

I have met Paul on a handful of occasions and he’s always been kind and pleasant and this conversation is no different.

We start out talking about sports and what brought him to love the NFL’s Minnesota Vikings as a kid, his thoughts on Kirk Cousins and the recently traded Stefon Diggs, and how he has stuck with them his whole life. He also talks about other players he admires and fans who switch their team allegiance due to their favorite players switching teams.

The talk then flips to baseball and the New York Yankees,. Paul talks about his favorite player, Thurman Munson, what made him a fan, thoughts on Mariano Rivera, and more. He also gives insight on being a sports fan in general and who are the teams and players he roots for when his teams are out of contention.

We also discuss nutrition, what his daily diet looks like, the aches and pains he has from wrestling and what he does to fight Father time. He talks about the lessons he learned from his father and how he passes those lessons on to his daughter who is an elite national gymnast.

Finally, we talk wrestling and who the greatest tag team and workers he’s ever been in the ring with are. We then wrap talking about his wrestling school and promotion, Paradise Alley Professional Wrestling.

This was a conversation I enjoyed immensely and shows a different side of Paul than wrestling fans may know. 

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Left My Wallet free show: Antonio Thomas on life after a WWE release

Posted on by Antonio Garza

This is a free edition of the show. Just click to listen.

‘Left My Wallet’ is back with a different and unique episode from the normal format as JIm Valley takes the reigns, talking to me about life after WWE and the transition to the real world given my release from the company back in 2006.

After the WWE releases and layoffs this week, he contacted me to do this show to give perspective to the readers and listeners about what the events and thought processes that can occur when being let go from your dream wrestling career. I give insight into my call up, navigating the backstage waters, pitching ideas to creative, and the events that led to my release after two years with WWE.

I then describe what recently released talent might confront in terms of navigating the independents, having to constantly prove yourself to different crowds and promoters, re-inventing yourself, the highs and lows of the independent scene, and transitioning into other careers and endeavors while balancing your wrestling career, especially when wrestling isn’t the sole means of income anymore.

I hope you enjoy my perspective and insight of the process of being released in this free episode. Please let me know what you think or shoot me other questions by contacting me on Twitter: @promisethomas or @retrograppler.

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Left My Wallet: Jim Valley on Batman, TV shows & all-time wrestling greats

Posted on by Antonio Garza

‘Left My Wallet’ is back for a special Easter edition with our very own JIm Valley, host of the Portland Wrestlecast, co-host of the Pacific Rim Pro Wrestling Podcast, and fill-in co-host on Wrestling Observer Radio.

However, we start with his love of Batman and growing up with reruns of the 1966 TV series, the movies, our thoughts on Michael Keaton playing the role, and what was his favorite version of the caped crusader.

We then flip to talking about classic TV shows, Mego toys, an underappreciated museum in L.A., and under the radar shows from the past.

Then, the talk turns to wrestling as we make our cases for who could be considered the all-time greatest professional wrestler. It’s a fascinating conversation that brings up a few surprising names that we make our cases for. Then, we talk about a few potential Observer hall of fame candidates from the modern era who should be looked at a little more closely in coming years. 

This was easily one of my favorite and most fun shows I have done and talking with Jim about all these different topics put a smile on my face during these trying times. Take a listen to a great show that hopefully makes you laugh and smile, too.

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Left My Wallet: NBA roundtable with Matt Taven & Paul Crockett

Posted on by Antonio Garza

Left My Wallet is back with an NBA roundtable edition featuring former ROH World Champion Matt Taven and the voice both Beyond Wrestling and Northeast Wrestling, Paul Crockett.

We start off discussing if we think the NBA season will resume, and our beloved Boston Celtics. We give our outlook for which teams from each conference are contenders and pretenders, what jerseys we own, our favorite players, Paul’s love for Sean Kemp, and we attempt to play the NBA/wrestling name with less than optimal results.

It’s a glorious and chaotic mashup of NBA banter in this roundtable edition of Left My Wallet. Enjoy!

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Left My Wallet: Matt Striker does the MLB/wrestling name game

Posted on by Antonio Garza

Left My Wallet is back again talking baseball with former WWE superstar, baseball fanatic and fantasy sports radio host, Matt Striker.

We start with fantasy baseball. Matt discusses the value of starting pitching in a short season, how you can make a top level starter out of streaming the waiver wire, some of his favorite players to target in a shortened season, and more analysis for what looks to be a shortened season if at all.

Matt and I then play the wrestler/baseball player name game, the same exercise Vince Verhei and I did last week with NFL players. Who does Matt liken to the Undertaker? What wrestler would Mike Trout be? What player does Matt compare a resurgent Thomas Santell to?

Find out about that and more on this baseball-laden edition of Left My Wallet!

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Left My Wallet: Big Vinny V & the wrestling/NFL name game

Posted on by Antonio Garza

Left My Wallet continues its run of new content with everyone’s favorite football expert and wrestling fan, Vince Verhei of the Bryan & Vinny Show and Football Outsiders.

Vinny talks about his favorite and not so favorite NFL offseason moves, how the DeForest Buckner trade will impact the 49ers, where Jadeveon Clowney might end up, his candid thoughts on Bill O’Brien, if Cam Newton can regain his 2015 MVP form,, and how things will go for Tom Brady in Tampa.

Finally, we play the name game for the first time on the podcast. Who does Vinny think is the Tanahashi of the NFL? Who would be Will Ospreay? Who does Vinny call the Baron Corbin of the league?

Find out on this very fun and very informative episode with our very own Big Vinny V. Enjoy!

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