Tag: Left My Wallet

Left My Wallet: Inside Anthony Greene’s wrestling figure collection

Posted on by Antonio Garza

Image: Limitless Wrestling

Left My Wallet is back again with some with EVOLVE title contender, Limitless Wrestling champion and Zero1 USA Northeast owner/promoter Anthony Greene!

Anthony is one of the fastest rising young up and coming talents on the independent scene and someone that I have known since he was 12. He is a wrestling sevante with his knowledge of the business and is also a huge wrestling figure collector. We talk about his collection, his most valuable figure, his favorites, and then we do a deep dive into some rare WCW figures.

Anthony then talks about what ways he is being creative to provide content for wrestling fans during this time, our New England roots, rare indie show DVDs, and more!

Click below to listen.

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Left My Wallet free episode: Catching up with Nikita Koloff

Posted on by Antonio Garza

Editor’s Note: This is a free podcast. Just click the red button below to listen.

Left My Wallet continues its run of near daily content with NWA legend and formerly half of the Super Powers with Dusty Rhodes, Nikita Koloff.

We talked about how he grew up without a father and finding the positive male figures in his life that were influential in his athletic career. He went into his love for bodybuilding, the Minnesota Vikings, playing high school and college football, and the NFL Hall of Famer whose nephew he played with.

He then talks about his “Robbinsdale Crew” that consisted of Curt Hennig, Rick Rude, Road Warrior Animal, Brady Boone, John Nord, and Barry Darsow. What was it like to play with and against these guys? Finally, we discuss being a phys ed teacher, why he never went back to wrestling at the height of the Monday Night Wars, and the positive work he does with his ministry.

I was very proud of this conversation and wanted to share it with both subscribers and non-subscribers. In a time where we need all the positivity we can get, enjoy this uplifting and positive show with NIkita Koloff.

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Left My Wallet: A talk with NJPW Young Lion Alex Coughlin

Posted on by Antonio Garza

Left My Wallet is back for a third show in just a few days, featuring a fun chat with NJPW Young Lion and rising star, Alex Coughlin!

Alex and I discussed coming up in the Los Angelan dojo, the differences between dojo training and traditional U.S. training, what he’s doing during the shutdown in L.A., and ways to stay in shape during this time. Alex also talks about his love for Mike Piazza as a kid on Long Island, training under Mikey Whipwreck, and his road to New Japan Pro Wrestling.

We share many of the same opinions on in ring style, training, and wrestling philosophy and this this conversation was one of my favorites in recent memory. Get to know one of the fastest rising stars in wrestling in this 30 minute episode.

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Left My Wallet: EVOLVE’s Curt Stallion

Posted on by Antonio Garza

Left My Wallet is back again with EVOLVE competitor Curt Stallion!

Although not a sports fan, Curt talked about his time playing high school football in Texas and what that sport means in the Lone Star State. Then, he talks about his ideas for creative content to put out during this hectic time.

We also talk about what video games he’s playing, his love for Pokemon and Dragonball Z, “machismo” in pro wrestling, and his thoughts on social media. 

I am trying to bring some new content during this time, so enjoy my effort to send out some good vibes and get to know some new (and not so new) faces in the wrestling industry. 

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Left My Wallet: Stevie Richards on Gronk’s WWE chances

Posted on by Antonio Garza

Left My Wallet is back talking football, wrestling, and fitness with former ECW original and former WWE star Stevie Richards!

This is Stevie’s third time on the show (see the links at the bottom of the post for his other two) and this episode is here to take your mind off of all the chaos and negativity going on in the world today.

We discuss Tom Brady signing with Tampa Bay and the repercussions for both the Bucs and Patriots. He also gives his reasoning for the signing, his thoughts on Antonio Brown, and if the troubled receiver will join Brady in Tampa. We also delve into our thoughts on Rob Gronkowski hosting WrestleMania, his signing with WWE, and if we feel it will be a good fit.

Finally, Stevie and I share what we are doing during this time of isolation to help out others and provide some fitness, nutrition, and business advice to help out those in need. 

It’s an eclectic mix of football, wrestling, health and well being as well as a few wrestling analogies to some of the more interesting scenarios that have played out. Enjoy my talk with a friend of mine from our time in both WWE and the indies, Stevie Richards.

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Left My Wallet free show: Wrestling historian Tom Burke

Posted on by Antonio Garza

Editor’s Note: This is a free show. Just click the red button below to listen.

“Left My Wallet” is back with wrestling historian and my friend Tom Burke on some of the most notable athletes to have transitioned into pro wrestling, recorded in his office/memorabilia museum in Springfield, MA.

For years, Tom has been one of the people responsible for the Cauliflower Alley Club, an important contributor to the George Tragos/Lou Thesz Hall of Fame, a magazine writer and photographer, and one of the closest friends of both Lou Thesz and Walter “Killer” Kowalski.

Tom talks about the inception of college and pro football players in professional wrestling, the careers of Wayne Munn, Gus Sonnenberg, Bronko Nagurski (seen above), and more gridiron greats. He also explains the close relationship and impact that many boxing greats such as Joe Louis had with wrestling.

We then talk about the Wrestling Observer Hall of Fame, his all-time underrated crossover athlete, his friendships with Thesz and Kowalski, and a fantastic story from his high school reunion. 

This is a very different and unique departure from the standard sports talk on my podcast. Tom is a wealth of knowledge who should be known by more people in the wrestling industry and I hope you enjoy it.

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Left My Wallet: Sports talk with Garrett Gonzales

Posted on by Antonio Garza

On this week’s Left My Wallet, Wrestling Observer Radio’s favorite alternate co-host and Fight Game Media‘s Garrett Gonzales returns.

We begin by talking about the Super Bowl hangover left behind from our beloved 49ers. We discuss why this isn’t as bad a loss as some think, some other sports losses that were worse for Bay Area fans, and where the team goes from here.

We talk impending free agency in the NFL, if Jimmy Garoppolo is the guy, and some of the intrigue as to where Tom Brady might or might not, go.

We then touch on some NBA and recent moves by Garrett’s Golden State Warriors. We talk about Andrew Wiggins, what he envisions when the team is healthy next year, the catastrophe that has been the Philadelphia 76ers season, our thoughts on Embiid and Simmons, the Celtics, and outlook for the playoffs. 

It’s a fun and enjoyable hour-long sports mashup with the co-host of The Fight Game Podcast and a lifelong Bay Area sports enthusiast.

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Left My Wallet: Wrestlenomics’ Brandon Thurston

Posted on by Antonio Garza

“Left My Wallet” returns with different take on the WWE fourth quarter financials plus Buffalo Bills talk with Wrestlenomics‘ Brandon Thurston!

Brandon is one of the best technical wrestlers inside of the ring, but is also a master of wrestling business and analytics outside of the ring. We talk about his thoughts on the recent WWE financial earnings call, what he thinks WWE pay-per-views would have drawn had they not been on the Network, his thoughts on the future of WWE stock and whether investors buy low or jump ship.

We also discuss his hometown Buffalo Bills and the triumph and tragedy they brought a young Brandon growing up there in the 1990s. We discuss the Scott Norwood miss, the only game ever without a punt, their Super Bowl losses, the Music City Miracle, Doug Flutie, the taste of Flutie Flakes, and his own firsthand account of what it was like to be at the game. for the greatest comeback in NFL playoff history.

There has been a lot written and talked about in terms of WWE financials the past week. But, you must hear Brandon’s unique take and thoughts on the current state of the business and where he thinks it’s headed.

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Left My Wallet: Alex Zayne on Kobe, New Japan U.S. tour, and tacos

Posted on by Antonio Garza

Image: The 7th Scribe

Left My Wallet is back to kick off a busy Super Bowl weekend with maybe the fastest rising independent wrestler today, Alex Zayne.

Alex isn’t a sports fan, but we talk about the sudden death of Kobe Bryant, the lessons of motivation and work ethic Alex took from #24, and how Bryant transcended sports to become a pop culture icon.

We then talk about Alex’s love of tacos, his favorite Mexican food, and of course, his love of Taco Bell. We also delve into his favorite regional fast food, if he’s an In and Out or Whataburger guy, and his favorite fast food in his native Kentucky.

Finally, we talk about his rapid rise through the independents and working the current New Japan U.S. tour, learning from the Rock ‘n’ Roll Express, debuting for Ring of honor, and some big things coming up for the purple haired one.

Get to know the athletic and acrobatic Alex Zayne as he continues his rise to being one of the most entertaining performers in wrestling today. Grab a taco and enjoy!

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Left My Wallet free podcast: Rocky Romero on NJPW U.S. tour

Posted on by Antonio Garza

‘Left My Wallet’ returns with a free episode featuring New Japan Pro Wrestling superstar Rocky Romero.

Rocky and I talk about his love of the Los Angeles Clippers, going to games, and their outlook for this year from the native Southern Californian. The talk then turns to UFC as we discuss last week’s McGregor/Cerrone fight, what’s next for McGregor, and what upcoming matchups he is anticipating most. We also discuss his love of early UFC, Tito Ortiz, and watching Pride/UFC cards with Samoa Joe.

We then talk about music and the impetus for him becoming involved in writing and recording, his Sneaky Style album, his musical inspirations, late 80s and early 90s hip-hop, and the one song that had him sold on becoming a lifelong hip-hop fan.

Finally, he talks about the upcoming New Japan US tour, interesting matchups, and the new markets NJPW is visiting. There’s also some Minoru Suzuki talk, the time Romero got to work with the legend, and the time he also almost wrestled Kyoshi Tamura.

If you’ve never checked out my podcast here on the website, it’s a show unlike any other as I talk to workers and personalities within the wrestling business about sports, music, action figures, entertainment, and more. It’s a nice change of pace from the standard wrestling talk and gives the sports and music fan a pleasant departure from the norm.

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Left My Wallet: Impact Wrestling’s Moose

Posted on by Antonio Garza

Left My Wallet returns with Impact Wrestling superstar and former NFL offensive lineman, Moose!

We discuss the Titans upset over the Ravens, preview this week’s NFL championship games, and his prediction for the Super Bowl. Having played for the Patriots, Colts, and Vikings, he talks about playing with Brady, Manning, Michael Vick, and Matt Ryan and what set them apart from other players.

He also tells about the difference, if any, between blocking for a dropback passer as opposed to a running quarterback, playing for Bill Belichick, his early days playing football, and more.

Even though he played eight years in the NFL, his first love is basketball. We talk about favorite player (Russell Westbrook), the greatness of Luka Doncic, comparing working in the ring to playing on the field or the court, and his love of the Lakers and Kobe Bryant.

Championship Sunday is here in the NFL and who better in wrestling to preview and predict this weekend’s action than Moose?

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Left My Wallet: NFL playoff preview with Vinny V

Posted on by Antonio Garza

The NFL playoffs are here and so is a Left My Wallet NFL playoff preview edition with our resident football expert, Big Vinny V!

Vinny and I preview every playoff game and answer some of the more important questions each team faces heading into the postseason. He also gives his opinions on the coaching vacancies and carousel, where Josh McDaniels might end up, who will pull off the upset of the weekend, his Super Bowl pick, and his latest article at Football Outsiders where half of the Bryan and Vinny show produces some of the best analytics and content for pro football today.

Check out this fun 45-0minute show that previews all of this weekend’s action and gets you ready for this NFL Wild Card weekend. 

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Left My Wallet: ‘The Patriot’ Del Wilkes

Posted on by Antonio Garza

We’re in the heart of college football season and “Left My Wallet” returns with “The Patriot” Del Wilkes, one of four consensus All-Americans in the history of South Carolina football.

We talk about the outstanding recruiting class his alma mater has coming in, national college football signing day and how it was for him, the differences in recruiting from when he played to today, and what it’s going to take for South Carolina to return atop the SEC standings.

Del then gives his predictions for the BCS playoffs and which team he begrudgingly thinks will win. He also talks about the difference in skill it takes to go from high school to college and college to the pros, some of the toughest defensive players to guard, and what it was like to line up against Lawrence Taylor.

He also talks about his time as a consensus All-American, what it meant for him to appear on Bob Hope’s Christmas Special, meeting the man himself, and which players weren’t too thrilled to be bothered by being on the show. 

We all know The Patriot from Global, WCW, All Japan, and WWF, but now get to know the side of the man who was a dominating force for South Carolina football in the early 80s.

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Left My Wallet: Tony Deppen

Posted on by Antonio Garza

“Left My Wallet” returns with a chat featuring Pittsburgh sports with independent wrestling standout Tony Deppen!

Tony is a lifelong Pittsburgh sports fan so we delved into his thoughts on the Steelers surprising season, their QB situation, Mike Tomlin, and if he misses Antonio Brown.

We then switched it up to Tony’s favorite sport, baseball. We talk about the disappointment in being a Pirates fan, Andrew McCutchen, who is the next Pirate to leave, as well as some minor league baseball.

Finally, Tony tells about playing some curling with Orange Cassidy. Yes, you read that right.

It’s a fun show and a chance to get to know one of the most innovative independent stars out there today.

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Left My Wallet: X-Division Champion Ace Austin

Posted on by Antonio Garza

“Left My Wallet’ returns talking skateboarding, parkour, and musical theater with Impact Wrestling X-Division Champion Ace Austin!

Ace talks about his love of skateboarding growing up, his skateboard idols, and how it physically and mentally prepared him for his in-ring abilities. He also talks about his workout routine and how parkour has helped give him a unique and different way of creating and implementing his in-ring offense. Finally, Ace discusses his love of musical theater, the classes he took in high school to prepare him for pro wrestling, seeing plays on Broadway, and his favorite ones.

It’s not often you associate Broadway musicals with pro wrestling, however Ace is wise and mature beyond his age and time in the business. He gives a unique insight on the loves he had growing up that morphed him into the performer, and man, that he is today. One of the hottest, young, innovative wrestlers out there, enjoy my chat with Impact Wrestling’s X-Division champ, Ace Austin!

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