Mike Safo with Wrestling Legend Jumpin' Jim Brunzell

Mike Safo

Joined today by wrestling legend, Jumping Jim Brunzell. Jim and I talk about growing up in Minnesota, walking on and playing football for MU, the Vikings and some must try foods in the "Twin Cities". Jim talks about his fandom for Bruce Springsteen, his new music and how hearing a song from “The Boss” on the radio turned into a friendship (one sided) that has lasted over 40 years. We chat about trying out for the Redskins and how that led to his former QB and friend Greg Gagne talking him into trying out to be a professional wrestler. We hear about his first wrestling camp with Verne Gagne and working out with the likes of Ric Flair, the Iron Shiek and Ken Patera. Jim recounts the grueling wrestling schedule he had, tag-teaming in the NWA/ AWA, fighting all over the world and leaving the territories to join Vince McMahon and the WWF. We learn about how cool it was when Jim first saw his action figure, how he met Brian Blair, how the "Killer Bees" started and where they got their first costumes. Jim shares how Hulk Hogan was his hype man before joining the WWF, the highs of wrestling at WrestleMania 3 and the lows of never being crowned tag team champions despite being promised the belts. We go over the mental adversity he faced when he wasn't a star anymore, why he wished he retired early and life on the independent scene. Jim tells us a hilarious Andre the Giant story, touches on the biggest pranksters in the locker room and sadly the untimely deaths of many wrestling legends. From his cool memorabilia collection to Hillbilly Jim, and much more. Buy Jim's book here: https://www.blurb.com/b/6298514-matlands Follow Jim on twitter here: https://twitter.com/jumpinjbrunzell Killer Bee's website: https://www.thekillerbees.net/