Tag: Portland WrestleCast

Portland Wrestlecast: What Happened Then?

Posted on by Jim Valley

What Happened When? Jim Valley will try to tell you on this episode of the Portland Wrestlecast.

If you heard Tony Schiavone and Conrad Thompson watch Portland Wrestling from April 1982, you may want to watch along with this show, too. Portland Wrestling is kind of its own world. Watch along again and hear explanations of the announcer, the building, the commercials, the schedule. Don’t forget the wrestlers: Ric Flair, Rocky Johnson, Brett Sawyer, Curt Hennig, King Parsons, Brutus Beefcake, and more. Tons of stories and context. It will (hopefully) make sense when it’s done.

Check it out and other shows in the archives. (the show starts at the beginning. provide your own countdown)

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Portland Wrestlecast: ‘Excitement in the Air’ author Mike Rodgers returns

Posted on by Jim Valley

The Portland Wrestlecast returns with part two of our conversation with author and historian Mike Rodgers. 

We talk about some of the famous wrestlers that worked in Portland like Greg Valentine and Bobby Shane, and the incredible rib Dutch Savage and Lonnie Mayne pulled on Mr. Fuji.

Mike and I discuss how The Grappler pulled the territory out of its mid-80s slump, the origins of Ed Wiskowski’s gimmick before he was Col. DeBeers, the infamous apartments where generations of wrestlers stayed, The Bomber, and was Portland a party territory?

Consider picking up one, or all, of his books for the holiday season.

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Portland Wrestlecast: ‘Excitement in the Air: The Voices of NW Wrestling’ author Mike Rodgers

Posted on by Jim Valley

Happy American Thanksgiving from The Portland Wrestlecast!

Author and historian Mike Rodgers joins me for a conversation about all things Portland Wrestling like his thoughts on the Portland episode of Vice’s Tales from the Territories, a very funny story about Dutch Savage and salmon, Matt Bourne, just how cool Roddy Piper was, Lonnie Mayne, Tony Bourne, Buddy Rose, Bull Ramos, Jesse Ventura, and many, many more. 

Check out his three book series Excitement in the Air: The Voices of NW Wrestling right now on Amazon, just in time for the holidays.

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Portland Wrestlecast: Charting the territory in 1979

Posted on by Jim Valley

The Portland Wrestlecast is back again as I welcome Al Getz from Charting The Territories for a fascinating conversation about the Pacific Northwest in 1979.

We talk Roddy Piper, Buddy Rose, Ed Wiskowski, “Killer” Tim Brooks, Adrian Adonis and other stars who you may not even realize came through the territory like Tully Blanchard, Iceman Parsons, Sal Bellomo, and more. 

Plus, we also give our thoughts on the Portland-focused episode of Vice’s Tales from the Territories series.

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Portland Wrestlecast: Tales from the Territories with The Grappler

Posted on by Jim Valley

The Portland Wrestlecast returns with some Tales from the Territories.

“The Grappler” Len Denton, just off recording the Portland-focused episode of the Vice TV show, talks about his experience on the set and some of the stories you can expect when the episode airs. 

Plus, Denton talks about how he and Roddy Piper changed what had been a very traditional territory. There’s also a wild and classic story about the time Curt Hennig got his AWA title held up in Portland and why a second match never happened which you will want to hear.

(Listener note: It takes a minute or so for Denton’s signal to improve on his phone. It’s not terrible, but it gets better.)

There are lots of great tales from the Portland territory on this episode so check it out!

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Portland Wrestlecast: The biggest feud in Portland history

Posted on by Jim Valley

The Portland Wrestlecast is back with the history of the biggest feud in Portland Wrestling history. It was bigger than Piper vs. Rose or Rip Oliver vs. Billy Jack. 

In 1968, “Tough” Tony Borne vs. Lonnie Mayne drew thousands of fans to the then brand-new Portland Memorial Coliseum. They went from dominant World Tag Team champions to a series of battles that fans in Portland remember to this day.

I talk with longtime fan, promoter and historian Frank Culbertson about his memories of the feud and the new book from Mike Rodgers: “Katie Bar The Door! History of Portland Wrestling.“

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Portland Wrestlecast: Portland Wrestling TV signs off

Posted on by Jim Valley

This is a free show. Just click below to listen.

On December 28, 1991, a Pacific Northwest institution came to an end as Portland Wrestling signed off the air.

Originally started in 1953, Portland Wrestling is still one of the longest-running shows in TV history, even longer than WWE Raw.

On this 30th anniversary edition of the Portland Wrestlecast, we talk about all of the factors that led to the demise: WWE, the commission, a sponsor’s bankruptcy and more. 

I talk to booker Len “The Grappler” Denton about the weeks leading up to the end, the crowds, the announcement and the aftermath. I also talk to longtime fan Edward Thomas about the atmosphere at The Portland Sports arena before and after Portland Wrestling went off the air.

FYI: contact The Grappler about Ebay sales, books, special personal messages, etc.

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Portland Wrestlecast: The WON Hall of Fame case for Don Owen

Posted on by Jim Valley

The following is a free show. Just click the red button below to listen.

It’s Wrestling Observer Hall of Fame season and if Portland Wrestling promoter Don Owen doesn’t make it in this year, he’ll fall off the ballot.

On this special episode of The Portland Wrestlecast, historian Matt Farmer and I talk about the merits of Owen as a candidate.

First, he has the longevity. Starting as a kid working for his father, Don was involved in promoting for about 65 years, more longevity than anyone else on the ballot. You may be surprised to learn that his consistently biggest crowds were in the 1950s and 60s. In addition, Don was influential in many legendary careers including the original Gorgeous George. 

While you may have seen Portland Wrestling in the 70s or 80s, there is a lot more to Owen’s history as a promoter. Even if you’re not a voter, you’ll still learn a lot about his longevity, drawing history and influence by listening to this show.

Please listen and cast your vote as you see fit. 

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Portland Wrestlecast: Larry Oliver on 1990 in the Pacific Northwest

Posted on by Jim Valley

The following is a free show.

It has taken a little over a year, but the Portland Wrestlecast has returned with part two of our interview with Larry Oliver, son of the late Rip “The Crippler” Oliver who passed away in 2020.

In this episode, we go back to 1990 when a young Oliver broke into pro wrestling and became the target of his father’s longtime rival, the maniacal Billy Jack Haynes who had just turned heel. That year also featured the debut of Taylor Made Medina, who would go on to be Terri Power and Tori in WWE.

Larry talks about his time as a rookie wrestler in Portland, his dad’s transition to life after wrestling, what it was like growing up as Rip’s son in the kayfabe era of professional wrestling, and things his family had to do to both protect themselves and the pro wrestling business. 

Enjoy the return of the Portland Wrestlecast!

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Portland Wrestlecast: Growing up as Rip Oliver’s son

Posted on by Jim Valley

On this special edition of the Portland Wrestlecast, Jim Valley talks with Larry Oliver, son of the late northwest legend Rip “The Crippler” Oliver.

Larry talks about what it was like growing up and going to school in a time when wrestlers and their families had to protect the business. For Larry it wasn’t unusual for Andre the Giant to sleep on the living room couch. He also talks about his dad’s relationship with Billy Jack Haynes and how they went to Florida, Dallas, and WWE to try to recreate the feud that is legendary to northwest fans of the 1980s.

In addition, Larry talks about the unusual way he smarted up to wrestling as a kid. While you may not know names like “Mean” Mike Miller or Cocoa Samoa, you will learn how they were like family to Rip and Larry Oliver. 

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Portland Wrestlecast: Johnny Mantell on Roddy Piper, funny ribs and more

Posted on by Jim Valley

The Portland Wrestlecast is back with even more stories from the Pacific Northwest wrestling scene that you have never heard before.

This week’s guest is Johnny Mantell, the former wrestler probably best known for working in World Class, Mid South, and Los Angeles while hIs brother, Ken, booked in Dallas.

Johnny wrestled in Portland in 1979 along with Roddy Piper, Buddy Rose, Tim Brooks and many others. Mantell talks about wrestling former NWA Champion Gene Kiniski, the brilliance of Piper, and the incredible amount of talent in the area at the time. He has some fun ribbing stories including the time a wrestler faked a heart attack and leaving a live skunk in PIper’s apartment. 

Mantell also talks about a story where Piper once organized a charter plane to travel on a specific trip despite the territory’s reputation as an easy one when it came to the number of miles driven each week.

Hear all that and more by clicking below:

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Portland Wrestlecast: Jimmy Snuka’s early career in the Pacific Northwest

Posted on by Jim Valley

On this week’s Portland Wrestlecast, we dive into “Superfly” Jimmy Snuka’s Pacific Northwest career.

You probably know about his national career and the very serious allegations revisted against him recently on the Dark Side of the Ring documentary. While he didn’t start wrestling in Portland, Oregon, the Northwest territory played an important role in Snuka’s career.

Historian Matt Farmer joins me to talk about Snuka’s arrival in the early 70’s, what made him stand out, his feuds, tag team partners, drawing history, childhood memories, other wrestlers’ opinion on Jimmy and how he jumped off the top of a steel cage in Seattle years before he did it in Madison Square Garden.

We also give some memories of the late Scott Bowden who inspired the Portland Wrestlecast. 

Please tote that the allegations and controversies recently covered on Dark Side documentary are tragic and very serious, and this episode is not meant to glamorize Snuka but rather to offer perspective on his in-ring career.

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Portland Wrestlecast free podcast: Remembering Dean Silverstone

Posted on by Jim Valley

While Dean Silverstone technically ran his “Superstar Championship Wrestling” promotion in the northwest against Don Owen, his legacy is such that we have to dedicate an entire episode to Dean and his accomplishments.

Jim Valley talks with one of Dean’s good friends — historian and Defy Wrestling promoter Matt Farmer. Matt talks about what it was like for Dean running an “outlaw” promotion, what Dean taught him about promoting, and how much respect Dean earned in the wrestling business. There’s also a rather “explosive” story about a real-life “pipebomb promo.”

Dean held wrestler reunions at his home that were attended by the biggest legends. Until just a few years ago, he owned and operated “Golden Oldies,” an iconic Seattle area record store. He was also the treasurer and one of the key leaders of the Cauliflower Alley Club.

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Portland Wrestlecast free podcast: The Iron Sheik’s real shoot match

Posted on by Jim Valley

On this new and free edition of the Portland Wrestlecast, it’s part two of our interview with former Pacific Northwest Heavyweight Champion Jerry Oates.

Part one is available for subscribers.

Oates talks about his tag team title run with partner Jesse Ventura in 1978, dealing with booking issues and politics with promoter Elton Owen and Dutch Savage while working Salem, Oregon, and the time Jonny Eagle cheated Andre the Giant at cribbage.

As you’ve heard on the Wrestlecast, Owen would pay wrestlers to shoot in the first few minutes of a worked pro wrestling match. Oates has a story of when one of those matches got very heated as The Iron Sheik and Ricky Hunter were supposed to work a shoot-style match. Situations unfolded that made the match a real shoot between two very skilled wrestlers.

Find out what happened and who won in this edition of the Portland Wrestlecast. 

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Portland Wrestlecast: Former PNW Champion Jerry Oates

Posted on by Jim Valley

This week’s Portland Wrestlecast features one of the best interviews I have ever had on the show: former PNW Champion Jerry Oates.

Oates wrestled in the Pacific Northwest in 1978, the same time as Jimmy Snuka, Jesse Ventura, Buddy Rose, and others. He held the tag team titles with Ventura and feuded with Ed Wiskowski over the heavyweight title. A Georgia native, he has wrestled in All Japan, Georgia, Mid-Atlantic, Florida, Louisiana and more.

On this episode, he tells some incredible old school stories including a real life dressing room confrontation between Jimmy Snuka and Dutch Savage. Savage wasn’t only a veteran wrestler as he also promoted wrestling for Don Owen in Washington State and, on TV, was portrayed as a mentor to Snuka.

Hear about the unique way he got into Portland and his thoughts on the territory given his vast experience. Don’t sleep on this episode as Jerry Oates stood out among a region filled with talent in 1978. 

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