Excitement in the Air

wrestling in the NW historian Mike Rodgers and Frank C put together this book if influences on the NW scene.

[Excitement in the Air @ExcitementAir]

Ringside in Rose City #39
The Northwest Almost Champions: The Men Who Challenged for the NWA World Title
One ring.
One city.
A thousand stories.
Truly one of my favorite episodes we have done.
The NWA World Heavyweight Championship was the most prestigious prize in professional wrestling for decades. The champions are remembered. The title reigns are celebrated. But what about the men who stood across the ring from them and came within one match of changing history?
This week, Frank Culbertson and historian Mike Rogers take a deep dive into nearly four decades of NWA World Championship matches contested throughout Don Owen's territory—from Salem in 1952 to Portland in the late 1980s.
Along the way, they uncover the stories of the challengers who made fans believe that maybe, just maybe, this would be the night the title changed hands.
Featured in this episode:
• The remarkable Northwest championship history of Lou Thesz, Pat O'Connor, Gene Kiniski, Dory Funk Jr., Harley Race, Jack Brisco, Terry Funk, and Ric Flair
• Why Luther Lindsay remains one of the most respected and important challengers in wrestling history
• The incredible championship résumé of Tony Borne, Portland's ultimate gatekeeper
• Don Leo Jonathan's unforgettable battles with Gene Kiniski
• The sustained title pursuits of Lonnie Mayne, Dutch Savage, and Buddy Rose
• The protected status of Jimmy Snuka and why he never lost to an NWA champion in the Northwest
• The one and only NWA title appearance by Buddy Rogers in Don Owen's territory
• The surprising story behind Roddy Piper's victory over Ric Flair
• How cable television changed wrestling and transformed what it meant to be world champion
Frank and Mike also explore the unique role of the territory challenger—the local stars who never held the NWA World Championship but became legends by making fans believe they could.
Plus, another edition of Card Shark sends Mike across wrestling history, from Seaside to Phoenix to Omaha, testing his memory of territories, arenas, wrestlers, and championship eras.
The champions may have carried the belt, but the challengers carried the dreams of the fans. This is their story.
Join us at ringside.
Ringside in Rose City — Wrestling, the way it should be.
New episodes drop every Friday on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.
Based on the research of historian Mike Rogers and the Encyclopedia of Portland Wrestlers and Katie Bar the Door: The History of Portland Wrestling, available on Amazon.
https://t.co/9Q68DuQ0U6

[Excitement in the Air @ExcitementAir]

@AndreasHale @SMuehlhausenJr NHL delivers big time for me.

[Excitement in the Air @ExcitementAir]

@dwightjaynes I died laughing. Have you ever been part of a negotiation? People...learn.

[Excitement in the Air @ExcitementAir]

@JustinWhang I'm sorry william...you had a question? JK...but you know, I have found out in my 68 years that people gravitate towards people that are kind, loving, compassionate. You are those things...and she knows it.

[Excitement in the Air @ExcitementAir]

@tonyrichards4 I really don't like that. I don't like when the singer of the National Anthem doesn't say a word so the audience can shout it. I'm old....

[Excitement in the Air @ExcitementAir]

@Producer_Rob @KenCarman Made me spit out my coffee!

[Excitement in the Air @ExcitementAir]

Phrase not to be uttered in this Stanley Cup: “(insert goalie name) is standing on his head “

#stanleycup #abcsports #espn

[Excitement in the Air @ExcitementAir]

Blazers made the list when Love blazes!

[Slime🐍 @ItsKingSlime]

Richard Jefferson was caught OFF-GUARD when Kevin Love told him his favorite hobby is getting “REALLY HIGH” and watching old basketball highlights 😭🏀 👀

“Sometimes I get really high and watch Larry Bird highlights… And then if I get REALLYY HIGH, I’ll watch early 90s Blazers…. But if I get REALLLLYYYY F*CKEN HIGH, it’s Kenyon Martin, it’s Richard Jefferson, and then lobs from Jason Kidd.” 💀🤣

[Excitement in the Air @ExcitementAir]

@jerseyjoegotch

[Excitement in the Air @ExcitementAir]

The Attraction Archive – Episode 3: Legends, Valets, and Wrestling's Greatest Mysteries
The word attraction meant many things in professional wrestling. Sometimes it meant a legendary international star. Sometimes it meant a memorable personality at the center of a heated feud. And sometimes it meant a performer whose story became stranger than any wrestling storyline.
In Episode 3 of The Attraction Archive, host Frank Culbertson explores another fascinating collection of special attractions who helped make Portland Wrestling unlike any other territory.
Learn about Giant Baba, the future founder of All Japan Pro Wrestling, whose appearance in Portland may have helped shape wrestling history. Discover the incredible career of Masa Saito, one of Japan's toughest and most respected competitors. Revisit the memorable 1990 feud between Veronica Lane and Ginger, a storyline filled with shark cages, brass knuckles, and classic Portland Wrestling drama. Then journey into the unique world of the little wrestlers with The Haiti Kid and Coconut Willie, two attractions whose careers included WrestleMania appearances, remarkable accomplishments, and mysteries that continue to intrigue wrestling historians today.
From international legends and future Hall of Famers to unforgettable personalities and larger-than-life stories, these are the attractions that kept fans talking long after the final bell rang.
Hosted by Frank Culbertson and based on the historical research of Portland Wrestling historian Mike Rodgers, author of The Encyclopedia of Portland Wrestlers.
New episodes of The Attraction Archive drop every Friday on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.

https://t.co/SkTVKFBKaL

[Excitement in the Air @ExcitementAir]

Ringside in Rose City #38
April 1969: Jersey Joe, Bloodbaths, and the End of an Era
One ring.
One city.
A thousand stories.
This week, Frank Culbertson and historian Mike Rogers continue their journey through Portland Wrestling history as they arrive in April 1969—a month filled with championship changes, Memorial Coliseum super cards, boxing legends, battle royals, and more blood than Salem doctors probably wanted to deal with.
Former heavyweight boxing champion Jersey Joe Walcottarrives in the Northwest as a special referee, guest attraction, and even steps into the ring himself. The Von Steigers continue their reign of terror, while Luther Lindsay, Shag Thomas, Lonnie Mayne, and Tony Bornebattle through some of the most violent matches of the year.
Along the way, Frank and Mike discuss:
• Jersey Joe Walcott's surprising wrestling connections
• The Von Steigers vs. Thomas & Lindsay rivalry
• Lonnie Mayne's climb back to championship gold
• Earl Maynard's arrival in the Northwest
• Women's wrestling stars Jeane Antone and Betty Nicolai
• Why Salem newspaper ads warned fans with heart problems to stay home
• The mysterious Al Hobman, "King of Australian Wrestling"
• The strange and tragic story of Firpo Zabysco
• Fundraisers, spot shows, battle royals, and the realities of territory wrestling
Plus, another visit to Hawaii brings an absolutely stacked collection of dream matches featuring Gene Kiniski, King Curtis Iaukea, Pedro Morales, Nick Bockwinkel, Don Leo Jonathan, Mr. Fuji, Peter Maivia, and many more.
As April comes to a close, one thing becomes clear: the Portland roster is beginning to change. Familiar faces are leaving, rivalries are winding down, and Don Owen is about to need fresh talent to keep the territory moving forward.
It's a fascinating snapshot of a territory at a crossroads—and another deep dive into the history that made Portland Wrestling special.
And yes, Mike somehow finds a way to work Holcomb, Washington, onto his wrestling travel bucket list.
Join us at ringside.
Ringside in Rose City —
Wrestling
Wrestling, the way it should be.
https://t.co/hENl7PgPlW

[Excitement in the Air @ExcitementAir]

@KrisPLettuce He worked a great match against Luther Lindsay in Portland in 69, against DLJ too. I’d have loved to see his early stuff as well.

[Excitement in the Air @ExcitementAir]

@tonyrichards4 @GOrillaP0sition @davemeltzerWON His trying to promote in Oregon is fascinating stuff.

[Excitement in the Air @ExcitementAir]

@KY_PDX I’ve been thinking about that. Could be they wait until Giannis decides. The kind of offense/defense you play would be different than without him, and probably he would want a say as well

It is odd to wait so long.

[Excitement in the Air @ExcitementAir]

Helped train Princess Victoria and Terry Allen, when Allen chased down Buzz Sawyer for scamming him, Sandy stepped in.
He also has the longest streak of matches at the Portland sports Arena since the opening in October 1968 till the close. There was only one year where Sandy didn’t have a match. Yes, most years he only had one in Portland, but that street continued that’s the longest one ever. And he wrestled quite often in Salem where he was promoting after Elton gave up the town.

[Tony Richards @tonyrichards4]

RIP and respect for Sandy Barr, who passed away on this dat in Pro Wrestling history, June 2nd, 2007 at the age of 69

[Excitement in the Air @ExcitementAir]

@ripcitybeav Here is our show on the OWF.
https://t.co/Un7jCAgsZS

[Excitement in the Air @ExcitementAir]

@KrisZellner Here is our show on the OWF. Really goes into some of the why's of the promotion. Mike and I both knew Billy. He would try to kayfabe us sometimes, and we would just laugh. Hope you enjoy it! Frank
https://t.co/Un7jCAgsZS

[Excitement in the Air @ExcitementAir]

With the discussions about Portland and corporations as sponsors or potential sponsors of sports, the Providence financial situation is interesting. Naming rights to Providence Park are going to come up, especially with the cutbacks on services, likely 1,000 plus employees lasted off. Who steps up?

[Excitement in the Air @ExcitementAir]

@dwightjaynes That used to be a club in SE, or so I “heard”.