Tag: Left My Wallet

Left My Wallet: Antwan Odom, former NFL player and wrestling fan

Posted on by Antonio Garza

“Left My Wallet” is back with former Tennessee Titan and Cincinnati Bengals defense end Antwan Odom.

Antwan is my first former NFL player appearing on the show and is on for a good reason: he is a huge wrestling fan, constantly tweeting about wrestling, video games, and football. Antwan and I talk about all three in a fun conversation from a former NFL player’s perspective.

The former Alabama defensive lineman and member of Alabama’s All-Decade team, talks about what got him into wrestling, his favorites today, his frustration with 50/50 booking, what he’s looking forward to at WrestleMania and more.

The talk then shifts into his thoughts on former teammate Frank Wycheck’s foray into professional wrestling with TNA and why he and his teammates were taking bets on it. He is also a huge gamer and we delve into his all-time favorite games, what he’s playing now, and how you can play against him.

Finally, he drops some knowledge on the current state of the NFL. Hear his thoughts on the Super Bowl, if the Giants should trade Odell Beckham Jr., why his favorite team is the Eagles, his lack of love for the Patriots, and more in an amazing talk that delves deep into some NFL chatter from a man who played in the league for 8 years.

That’s not all, though. I am joined for a quick intro by Northeast Wrestling champion Brad Hollister. I trained Brad, a lifelong Titans fan, to talk about Kyrie Irving, Northeast Wrestling, his upcoming match vs. Bandido, some of the veterans who have helped him improve at NEW, winning the title from Jack Swagger, and his brother Pat who’s a pro fighter in the lightweight division in Bellator.

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Left My Wallet: NJPW announcer Mavs Gillis

Posted on by Antonio Garza

‘Left My Wallet’ is back as I speak to New Japan Pro Wrestling’s newest and fastest rising young English announcer Mavs Gillis in his first ever podcast appearance.

Hear how Mavs got his start in sports broadcasting in Halifax, what teams he covers, his interview that almost went viral, and some of the up and coming NHL stars he’s covered and so much more in his 19 year broadcasting career.

Mavs also talks about how he saw an extremely rare Randy Savage vs. Undertaker house show match at his first ever live event, his love of professional wrestling growing up, being compared to Joey Styles, and his perspective on his broadcasting style.

Finally, he tells of the amazing journey and series of events that led him to become the newest member of the NJPW english announcing team. Hear about his chance meeting at a meet and greet with NJPW president Harold May, what G1 match he called for his demo tape, his experiences with Lanny Poffo, his favorite match he’s called and more.

This is a must listen for any New Japan fan to get some insight into one of the brightest young announcing talents in the business today. 

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Left My Wallet: Planet Promise with Sidney Bakabella & Mikey Adams

Posted on by Antonio Garza

‘Left My Wallet’ returns with a multi-guest episode as I’m joined by manager extraordinaire and Wrestling Observer Live favorite Sidney Bakabella and then Boston sports radio personality and former WEEI host Mike Adams.

We kick off with Mike Sempervive’s favorite manager to talk his Chicago Bears, the Super Bowl, the halftime show, his car phone, booking fees, and more crazy stories from this colorful throwback manager.

Then, we talk to Adams who is one of my all-time favorite sports broadcasters and a mainstay in New England sports talk for over 30 years. Mikey was a host on WEEI, the most popular sports talk station in the country, and was a front runner as one of the first comedic, charismatic sports anchors long before it became cliched with cookie cutter ESPN personalities. 

He had his own sports and variety show in New England through the 90s and had many of the Attitude Era’s biggest stars on that show during the Monday Night Wars. Mikey tells of the time he had a young Rocky Maivia in studio and the presence he had before he broke out as The Rock. Listen to stories about the Undertaker and Paul Bearer in studio and in-character interviews with George “The Animal” Steele, Tony Atlas, Scott Hall and X-Pac, the cast of the Love Boat and more. We also talk crazy stories about Dwight Evans, “Spaceman” Bill Lee,  and so many extremely entertaining stories.

Enjoy this eclectic mix of sports, wrestling, and comedy!

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Left My Wallet: Group chat with Sempervive and Fontaine

Posted on by Antonio Garza

As we head into Super Bowl weekend, join us for a second ‘Left My Wallet’ of the week as I group chat about a whole plethora of sports topics with Wrestling Observer Live co-host MIke Sempervive and website MMA writer Paul Fontaine.

We go over Sunday’s Super Bowl and the insane prop bets, we preview this Saturday’s UFC on ESPN+ card, our gambling picks for the weekend, the Anthony Davis saga and the Kristaps Porzingas trade, the state of the NBA, why I think my Celtics should trade Kyrie Irving now, is there collusion among baseball owners, NHL trade deadline talk, Luca Doncic’s mom, and much much more!

There’s a little something for every sports fan in this episode as we run the gamut on sports topics headed into the weekend. It’s an hour of fun sports talk with two of the Observer’s biggest sports fans in Sempervive and Fontaine.

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Left My Wallet: Super Bowl preview with Kenn Doane

Posted on by Antonio Garza

It’s a special Super Bowl preview edition of “Left My Wallet” as I talk this Sunday’s big game with fellow Killer Kowalski trainee and my former WWE and OVW colleague, Kenn Doane!

Kenn and I are both native New Englanders, grew up only 30 minutes away from each other, and came up through the Northeast indies before our time in WWE. Our career timeline has paralleled, but so has our love for all sports, especially New England sports. On the podcast, Kenn and I discuss the quiet media week so far, Nickell Roby-Coleman thinking Tom Brady has slowed down, Kenn’s big keys of the game for the Patriots, more Tony Romo talk, stories of Kenn calling into Philly radio stations to bash the Eagles, our thoughts on the Madden ’19 Super Bowl simulation, over/under predictions on prop bets, and more!

Kenn is a lifelong Patriots fan and gives an in-depth preview and prediction of what he thinks will take place Sunday. The Super Bowl is only a few days away so come get your wrestling and football fix as I chat with the former Spirit Squad member.

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Left My Wallet: The positively unstoppable Diamond Dallas Page

Posted on by Antonio Garza

“Left My Wallet” is back with WWE Hall of Famer and creator of DDP Yoga, Diamond Dallas Page.

Dallas is a huge sports fan, so we discussed the NFL championship games from Sunday, his thoughts on the officiating, Tony Romo playing Nostradamus on commentary, how he got the name “Dallas”, his love of the Dallas Cowboys, and who he was a fan of as a kid. We also talk about his friendship with Rams running back and All-Pro Todd Gurley, how they met, and their friendship.

We then get into Dallas’s new book, “Positively Unstoppable: The Art of Owning It” and what led to him writing it. Of course, we talked about DDP Yoga and the changes it has made in my life in the short time I have used it, and the life changing event that happened to him when he was 12 years old.

Finally, Dallas talks about his “first” career in wrestling that not many know about where he had four matches in 1979. We talk about how that came about, what led to him stopping, and what brought him back to the squared circle.

Take a listen and feel…the…BANG!

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Left My Wallet: Nova/Simon Dean

Posted on by Antonio Garza

Heading into NFL championship weekend, ‘Left My Wallet’ talks some football with former WWE/ECW star and Blue World Order member, Nova/Simon Dean!

Also known as Mike Bucci, he is a lifelong Dallas Cowboys fan and he has no issue letting you know that or how great they are. We talk about their outlook heading into next season, the playoff loss to the Rams, Jason Garrett’s future, who he thinks the ‘Boys will sign in free agency, and his pilgrimage to “Jerry World” with “The World’s Strongest Man” Mark Henry.

Mike also talks about his disdain for the Philadelphia Eagles and has a message for all the Eagles fans such as Stevie Richards and the Blue Meanie that must be heard. We also talk his predictions for the Super Bowl, the Patriots legacy, fast food at the White House, the MASKED SINGER, and more.

I have always known him as Nova going back to our days on the independent scene before WWE, but whether you know him as Nova, Simon Dean, or Mike, he is outspoken and a true sports fan. Check out a fun and very interesting chat with one of the true in-ring offensive innovators of the 90s.

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Left My Wallet: Duke ‘The Dumpster’ Droese

Posted on by Antonio Garza

It’s a blast from the past as “Left My Wallet” returns for some football and teaching talk with former WWF wrestler Duke “the Dumpster” Droese!

Duke is a lifelong L.A./Oakland Raiders fan and we go in depth about his fandom and the current state of the silver and black. We talk his favorite players as a kid, his love of Bo Jackson, playing Tecmo Bowl with Bo, failed draft picks, and why the team is in its current and long standing losing situation.

We also delve into Duke’s time as a student at the University of Miami during the heyday of Hurricanes football. We discuss the powerhouse teams they had in the 80s and 90s, what it was like on campus, some of the all-time greats that came from the “U”, and much more.

Finally, we delve into a topic that is very personal to each of us: teaching. Duke and I are both special needs teachers and we go into what led us to pursue teaching, the trials and tribulations of being an educator and what makes it all worth it.

It’s a very fun and unique episode with a little bit of sports talk and what it’s like to work with kids as a classroom teacher from the perspective of two pro wrestlers. 

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Left My Wallet: Priscilla Kelly on that controversial spot

Posted on by Antonio Garza

“Left My Wallet” is back with one of the most talked about names in professional wrestling over the last 48 hours: Priscilla Kelly.

She is one of the top female performers on the independent scene and has a remarkable body of in-ring work that includes an appearance in the Mae Young Classic, tours of Japan, appearances for EVOLVE, and so much more.

However, on Saturday night, she became a trending topic on social media for another reason as a video from one of her matches last week went viral for a spot that she did that has caused much divide within the wrestling community. Many have come to the young performer’s defense and I wanted to hear her take on the situation and give her a chance to address what happened, as well as the people who have criticized her and praised her.

Priscilla is an extremely talented worker who gives her side of the story on one of the hottest topics in wrestling at the moment. Click below to listen.

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Left My Wallet: NFL playoff preview with Vinny and Producer Rob

Posted on by Antonio Garza

‘Left My Wallet’ is back in time for NFL Wild Card Weekend and who better to have on to talk all things football than our very own “Big Vinny V” Vince Verhei and Cleveland Browns diehard Producer Rob of the B&V Show for a three-way chat.

We talk about Rob’s Cleveland Browns, head coaching vacancies, who Vinny and Rob think should be the offensive and defensive rookies of the year, previews and picks for every one of this weekends games, our Super Bowl picks, and more!

Kick off your football weekend with an awesome chat from Pro Football Outsiders Vinny V and the man who thinks Nick Chubb should be rookie of the year, Producer Rob. Enjoy!

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Left My Wallet: Beer City Bruiser and Simon Diamond

Posted on by Antonio Garza

It’s the final episode of 2018 for ‘Left My Wallet’ and what better way to close out the year with Ring of Honor superstar the Beer City Bruiser and former ECW star Simond Diamond!

We start out with returning guest and friend of the show, ECW original Simon Diamond. Also known as “Irish” Pat Kenney, Pat is here to talk his beloved Fighting Irish and the Notre Dame/Clemson BCS matchup.

Then, we move to the Bruiser, newly signed to ROH, who is here to talk Packers, Brewers, and beers! We talk about his hometown Packers and why he loves the coaching change, what was wrong with Mike McCarthy, Aaron Rodgers having fun again, the Packers future, and who he wants to see as head coach. The talk then turns to baseball as we discuss the amazing season his Milwaukee Brewers had. Bruiser talks about just missing the World Series, Christian Yelich, what moves he’d like to see the team make going forward, and more.

Finally, we finish up with, what else, some beer talk! What is BCB’s beverage of choice and what are some of his favorite local brews? Find out here!

It’s pigskins, baseball, and brews to welcome in 2019, so join us for a jam-packed and very entertaining 2018 finale!

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Left My Wallet: The return of Disco Inferno

Posted on by Antonio Garza

‘Left My Wallet’ is back with a holiday edition featuring the return of Glenn Gilbertti, better known as Disco Inferno.

The holiday season is heating up and so is the playoff picture in the NFL as we head into the playoffs. Disco and I talk which teams are the most well rounded, who he thinks is currently the best team in the NFL, which teams are the most dangerous to higher seeds, and which games he is looking forward to the most this weekend. We also touch on why fantasy football is excruciatingly frustrating, DFS strategy, and his solution to have the best fantasy team win every year.

The talk then turns to the NBA as we discuss the Western Conference playoff picture, why the Lakers have been a surprise, NBA betting, and an amazing fact about this year’s Toronto Raptors team.

Disco is not only a former tag team partner of our Bryan Alvarez, but he is one of the most knowledgable sports fans out there. It’s some festive sports talk as we head into the weekend with one of the most entertaining, and controversial, personalities in wrestling today.

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Left My Wallet: Lanny Poffo on baseball, Randy Savage, and WWE

Posted on by Antonio Garza

Left My Wallet returns as I talk sports with the poet laureate of professional wrestling and a true “Genius”, Lanny Poffo!

Lanny talks about his athletic background growing up and why he chose wrestling over a traditional sports career, and then delves into his brother, Randy Savage, and his minor league playing days. Lanny tells of their relationship with major leaguer Jimmy Piersall, how Randy and Keith Hernandez are linked, the time he introduced Hall of Famer Ted Williams and the poem he wrote for him, and some amazing stories from Randy’s minor league days.

Lanny also talks about the Hall of Fame voting, what baseball team his allegiance lies with, his brother’s WWE Hall of Fame induction, whom he isn’t a fan of in the company, his father Angelo, his diet/workout regimen, and more.

First, I’m joined by guest co-host and recurring guest Flex Rumblecrunch to talk football and last Sunday’s “Miracle in Miami”, if the Browns or Packers are a better choice for a head coach candidate, and his recent toy purchases.

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Left My Wallet: CBS Sports’ Dave Richard, pro wrestling fan

Posted on by Antonio Garza

It’s another weekend edition of ‘Left My Wallet’ as I welcome CBS fantasy football analyst, University of Miami alum, and lifeong pro wrestling fan Dave Richard to the podcast. He is the co-host of CBS Fantasy Football Today, one of the top fantasy sports podcasts anywhere, and also writes for CBSsports.com and CBS Sports HQ.

Through his work, he has let his love of pro wrestling be well known through numerous references to his love of the business. We discuss the moment he became hooked on the sport as a child, growing up in Chicago and going to shows at the Rosemont Horizon, watching Wrestlemania 3 on pay-per view, attending Wrestlemania 28 in Miami, his live Mania experiences, his love for fellow Miami alum the Rock, his fandom for CM Punk and more!

Then, of course, Dave drops some fantasy football knowledge for this coming weekend and the rest of your fantasy playoffs. 

The word “expert” gets thrown around too easily in fantasy sports. However, with a market saturated with every casual fantasy team owner having their own column or show, Dave remains a master at his craft and delivers some of the most accurate analysis backed up by hours of research to stay at the forefront of the top analyst in any sport. I listen to Dave everyday and now its your chance to check out a quick, fun chat with possibly the most entertaining and accurate fantasy analyst in the game today.

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Left My Wallet: Mike Quackenbush on everything G.I. Joe

Posted on by Antonio Garza

‘Left My Wallet’ is back with Mike Quackenbush talking all things G.I. Joe!

The mastermind behind the wonderful world of Chikara and I are both huge Joe fans with Mike leaning toward the comic book while I love action figures. So on this episode, we bring a boatload of G.I Joe talk to the Empire faithful.

We discuss our first introduction to G.I. Joe, our favorite figures and who our first figures were, “booking” matches with Joes and other figures, our memories collecting and reading the Marvel comic, our thoughts on the animated series and 1987 movie and more.

We then talk our love of M.A.S.K., the Chikara theme song based after that show’s theme song, Mike potentially writing some comics for both the brand and G.I. Joe, the Hasbro toy universe, our after school 80’s must see cartoons, Spiral Zone, and more!

If you’re a fan of 80’s cartoons and action figures, then this episode will be a treat for you. Also, be sure to check out Chikara’s season 19 finale show Saturday in Philadelphia if you’re in the area.

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