Best Inoki Podcasts (2024)

1
Inoki vs Tanahashi, Southeastern 1984, and more! 54:08

1d ago54:08

54:08

It is a PACKED edition of the DragonKingKarl Classic Wrestling podcast today as I talk about the latest match in the GKT: Greatest Kayfabe Tournament where you, the listener, have voted on who would win in their primes between Antonio Inoki and Hiroshi Tanahashi. I then travel back to 1931 for more history from Madison Square Garden and Jim Londos,…

1
The Man Who Derailed McLaughlin - 1000 Hours 57:24

4d ago57:24

57:24

I return with the 1000 Hours podcast series which focuses exclusively on the pioneer era of pro wrestling or the era before Frank Gotch. I am looking back today at 1875 and 1876 which was dominated by the American heavyweight champion Col. James H. McLaughlin, pro wrestling's first major star. McLaughlin won pro wrestling's first big championship t…

1
Long Form History of Wrestling Podcast - June 1984 - WWF Takes Over, Boot Camp Match, More 50:55

9d ago50:55

50:55

On this episode of the DragonKingKarl Classic Wrestling Podcast I continue my Long Form History of Wrestling series with a look at June 1984. WWF has bought out the Georgia territory and it's first venture into national cable television didn't quite go as planned. There is both a new NWA and AWA World champion and now a new IWGP champion as well. P…

1
Episode #07: (1956) World Tag Title Change! Two New Tours! Riki Travels Abroad! 1:50:10

15d ago1:50:10

1:50:10

This week on The Puro Wrestling Academy, Dan Ginnetty schools us on the entire year of 1956 in the world of Puroresu. Rikidozan & Kokichi Endo capture the NWA World Tag Team Titles from The Sharpe Brothers (Mike & Ben). Plans are made to bring in the soon to be (once again) NWA Champion Lou Thesz. Rikidozan travels to Southeast Asia to rekindle his…

1
Omega vs Funk, MSG, July 1984 Observer 1:03:57

16d ago1:03:57

1:03:57

On this week's show we have a ton of classic pro wrestling discussion on a variety of topics. The latest match in the GKT: Greatest Kayfabe Tournament and the voters are split on a match between Kenny Omega and Terry Funk- but we have a winner! More from 1931 New York wrestling and Madison Square Garden. Then the second half of the show takes a loo…

1
John McMahon Shot, Davy Crockett, and More - 1000 Hours 53:02

18d ago53:02

53:02

Hour 49 of the 1000 Hours podcast series is a packed one. The 1000 Hours series is my detailed, heavily researched look at the pioneer era of pro wrestling, or pro wrestling before the time of Frank Gotch. On today's episode I am asked about Davy Crockett, whose obituary following his death at the Alamo claimed he was a wrestler. What is the realit…

1
Misawa, Lesnar, the Classic Fan Problem 57:44

23d ago57:44

57:44

On this episode of my DragonKingKarl Classic Wrestling Podcast I take a look at the results of the latest match in the final eight of the GKT: Greatest Kayfabe Tournament pitting Brock Lesnar against Mitsuharu Misawa. These two would have had an incredible match in their primes and I discuss it along with your voting results. The bulk of the show i…

1
1931 Londos at Yankee Stadium, 1980s Southern Wrestling, more 46:10

29d ago46:10

46:10

On this episode I continue the history of pro wrestling at Madison Square Garden podcast series with a detour to Yankee Stadium in 1931 where Jim Londos teams up with the William Randolph Hearst empire to hopefully draw one of the largest crowds in history up to that date. Well, they tried anyway. Then I transition to more talk about the glory era …

1
Episode #06: (1955) Champions Crowned, Primo Carnera vs. Rikidozan, & King Kong Arrives! 1:51:27

29d ago1:51:27

1:51:27

The Puro Wrestling Academy w/Dan Ginnetty Returns! This week we finish covering the year of 1955 as Rikidozan & Azumafuji return from the States as the JWA presents two more tours in Japan. Includes Primo Carnera, Jess Ortega, King Kong Czaya, Bob Orton Sr., Bud Curtis, Dara Singh, Tiger Joginder, the first Japanese Wrestling Champions are crowned,…

1
Return of the Terrible Turk - 1000 Hours 45:51

1M ago45:51

45:51

Wrestling historian Karl Stern first covered the pioneer era wrestling special attraction Yousof Ismael- The Terrible Turk, on hour five of the 1000 Hours podcast series, but the Terrible Turk deserves a follow up as requested by one of our listeners. Now Karl tells you the latest information he has uncovered about the original Terrible Turk who ca…

1
Who Was Homer Lane? 54:42

1M ago54:42

54:42

The early pioneer era has given us some very interesting people to learn about so far. Uzile Prickett, Col. McLaughlin, G.W. Flagg, and now let's meet Homer Lane. Homer Lane was one of the early American champions. A multi-time American champion as a matter of fact. He was also a straight up carny. Yes, even before 1870 pro wrestling had its worker…

1
Long Form History of Wrestling Podcast - May 1984: Kerry Von Erich Wins NWA Title, Vince Sr Dies, Georgia Falls 32:35

1M ago32:35

32:35

Wrestling historian Karl Stern returns with a detailed look at the month of May 1984 in pro wrestling history. It was one of the most significant months ever: Kerry Von Erich wins the NWA World title from Ric Flair in the largest show in Texas history, Ric Flair regains the title in Japan, Rick Martel becomes AWA World champion, Vince McMahon Sr di…

1
Episode #05: (1954/55) Rikidozan SHOOTS on Kimura, Mildred Burke Tour, Wrestling in a Pool! 1:50:58

1M ago1:50:58

1:50:58

Welcome back to The Puro Wrestling Academy w/Dan Ginnetty! This is a huge week in the history of Puroresu as we continue discussing 1954 and into 1955... This week we talk the infamous worked match turned SHOOT between Rikidozan vs. Masahiko Kimura, Mildred Burke and her ladies troupe, Wrestling in a Swimming Pool, Rikidozan slays the "3-Headed Sna…

1
The Real Story of the 1870 Detroit Tournament - 1000 Hours 49:39

1M ago49:39

49:39

I have recently spent many hours digging through hundreds of pages of 1870 newspapers from Detroit, Chicago, Ontario, and beyond chronicling the real story of the biggest tournament in history of American pro wrestling in the pioneer era. The 1870 Detroit International tournament awarded an ornate championship belt to its winner Col. James H. McLau…

1
GKT Continues and Return to the 1980s 52:00

2M ago52:00

52:00

Karl Stern returns to his roots on this edition of the DragonKingKarl Classic Wrestling Show by discussing 1980s Southeastern and Continental wrestling. What made it so great? What are some of the myths about it? What did Ron Fuller get wrong recently on his podcast? Plus, the Greatest Kayfabe Tournament continues with discussion of Kurt Angle and …

1
Episode #04: (1954) JWA Tours, All Japan Launches, Kimura Jobs, Sharpes Dominate 1:45:24

2M ago1:45:24

1:45:24

This week, class is back in session with Dan Ginnetty as we look into 1954... We dive into TWO separate JWA Tours, Toshio Yamaguchi launches All Japan (Version 1), Kimura gets jobbed, The Sharpe Brothers reign supreme, Rikidozan thrives, Hans Schnabel & Lou Newman arrive as "Champions", more early TV wrestling results from Japan, matches taking pla…

1
Pioneer Era in Australia and Death of a Star - 1000 Hours 47:21

2M ago47:21

47:21

The latest in the 1000 Hours Podcast series looking back at the pioneer (pre-1900) era of pro wrestling takes a look at the pioneer era of wrestling in Australia. Believe it or not, there was pro wrestling in the 1800s in Australia and one of America's top stars died there. The incredible story of the death of Clarence Whistler has been often told …

1
Episode #03: (1953 - 1954) First Tour, First TV, The JWA Is Born! 1:39:18

2M ago1:39:18

1:39:18

The Puro Wrestling Academy & Dan Ginnetty are back to continue to tell the story of PURORESU! This week we finish up Rikidozan's first tour of the United States in early 1953, and talk the "3-headed snake" of Rikidozan, Masahiko Kimura, & Toshio Yamaguchi who all attempt to run their own promotions in 1953 Japan! From there, we discuss Rikidozan vs…

1
Bray Wyatt Documentary, Bruno Sammartino, more 48:45

2M ago48:45

48:45

Karl is back with a look at the new WWE Network Bray Wyatt documentary which dives into his career, characters, and family which include classic era wrestlers Mike Rotundo, Blackjack Mulligan, and Barry and Kendal Windham. This was a very good documentary that fills in a lot of gaps about the death of Wyatt. Also, in the show we conclude the Bruno …

1
Wrestling Presidents - 1000 Hours 55:29

2M ago55:29

55:29

Pro wrestling historian and author Karl Stern (DragonKingKarl) returns with the 1000 Hours podcast series which looks at pre-1900 pro wrestling. On this episode, a listener has requested a look at the facts verses mythology about United States Presidents who have legitimately wrestled. We have already previously cover Abraham Lincoln in episode one…

1
Episode #02: (1951 - 1952) Kimura Lock, Helio Gracie, More! 2:06:34

2M ago2:06:34

2:06:34

This week we pick up where we left off in 1951 and travel through the entire year of 1952. We introduce two new names to the fold in Toshio Yamaguchi & the legendary Masahiko Kimura. We discuss the first year in the wrestling business for Rikidozan and take a thorough look into his 1952 Record book. We do a deep dive into Rikidozan's opponents that…

1
Episode #01: The Beginnings Of Puroresu! (1880s - 1951) 1:44:41

3M ago1:44:41

1:44:41

The time has arrived, as we begin our journey through the history of Japanese Professional Wrestling (Puroresu)! Host Dan Ginnetty and I (Ray Russell) go all the way back to the beginnings in the early 1880s with Sumo's Sorakichi Matsuda and work our way forward to the very first full-fledged tour of Pro Wrestling in Japan, circa 1951. We discuss s…

1
MSG History, Bruno Sammartino, and more! 45:26

3M ago45:26

45:26

On this episode of the DragonKingKarl Classic Wrestling Show, host Karl Stern continues his look at wrestling history at Madison Square Garden in New York in the year 1931, he also continues his look back at Dave Meltzer's epic biography on the life and times of Bruno Sammartino from the pages of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, plus tons of news…

1
Strangler Lewis, Bruno Sammartino, and More 48:26

3M ago48:26

48:26

On this edition of the DragonKingKarl Classic Wrestling Show, historian Karl Stern takes a look at a great retro article from a 1972 wrestling magazine asking the question if Ed "Strangler" Lewis was the greatest wrestler of all time. Then we continue taking a look at Dave Meltzer's biography of Bruno Sammartino from the pages of the Wrestling Obse…

1
Episode ZERO!!! Setting the Stage w/Dan Ginnetty! 45:35

3M ago45:35

45:35

Welcome to the launching pad of The Puro Wrestling Academy Podcast with the Professor of Puroresu himself, Dan Ginnetty! In this episode we set the stage for the things to come. We look into Dan's background in studying Japanese Wrestling history, and also his former TV show where Dan produced American commentary over legendary Japanese matches for…

1
Great Lakes Wrestling in the Pioneer Era - 1000 Hours 54:54

3M ago54:54

54:54

The pioneer era (pre-1900) of pro wrestling flourished in the Great Lakes area. While initially the northeast, especially New York and Vermont were the early hotspots, by 1970 Detroit, Chicago, Cleveland, and the entire Great Lakes region became very important in pro wrestling. The 1870 Detroit International tournament was a real ignition point for…

1
Long Form History of Wrestling Podcast - April 1984 (Patera and Saito Arrest) 50:04

3M ago50:04

50:04

Wrestling historian Karl Stern returns with another in-depth look at a month in pro wrestling history. Today he looks back at April 1984 and a lot was going on. The WWF was accelerating their national expansion by stealing the AWA's TV spot on the west coast, Jumbo Tsuruta is still the AWA World champion, and a new monster named Lord Humongous is c…

1
Wrestling in the Biblical Era - 1000 Hours 53:47

3M ago53:47

53:47

It's Easter Sunday and by serendipity, Eric, the sponsor of this episode of 1000 Hours, asks for the research topic to be wrestling in the Bible. Well, one of the most famous stories in the Bible both for Christians and Jews is the story of Jacob wrestling with the angel, or a man, or God himself (the story is complicated). Of course, by the time w…

1
Sting, The Rock, Strangler Lewis, Bruno Sammartino 54:04

3M ago54:04

54:04

On this episode of the DragonKingKarl Classic Wrestling Show with Karl Stern we take a look at the next match in the GKT: Sting verses The Rock, we begin a massive biography on the life and times of Bruno Sammartino, and we start an article from an early 1970's wrestling magazine on Ed "Strangler" Lewis. A fun and history packed edition of the Drag…

1
Pre-Hackenschmidt Russian Wrestling - 1000 Hours 59:36

3M ago59:36

59:36

The sponsor of today's 1000 Hours podcast, the podcast all about the pioneer era of pro wrestling, has asked for research on wrestling in Russia before George Hackenschmidt. Interestingly, wrestling in Russia came relatively late in the pioneer era and George Hackenschmidt became its biggest star but there were others. Today we look at the early st…

1
GKT Bracket, Road Warriors, MSG History 57:07

4M ago57:07

57:07

This week pro wrestling historian Karl Stern takes a look at more wrestling history from Madison Square Garden in New York with more on Jim Londos as the world champion, the remaining bracket for the Greatest Kayfabe Tournament (GKT) is discussed, a 1980's wrestling magazine article on The Road Warriors in Japan, and the life and death of Rex King …

1
The Strongmen of the Pioneer Era - 1000 Hours 1:07:59

4M ago1:07:59

1:07:59

Strongmen and pro wrestling go hand in hand. Who can forget the muscled up 1980s? Yet, the more things change, the more they stay the same. In the pioneer era of wrestling, your proto-strongmen and bodybuilders were also featured alongside and inside professional wrestling. On this episode of 1000 Hours, the podcast all about the pioneer era of wre…

1
New and Improved DragonKingKarl 53:43

4M ago53:43

53:43

Welcome to season 2, reboot, 2.0, whatever you want to call it. Pro wrestling historian Karl Stern has revamped his long running classic wrestling podcast. On this episode the next match in the Greatest Kayfabe Tournament (GKT) takes place: Antonio Inoki verses Steve Austin. The votes are in and we have a winner. Karl then takes a look back to the …

1
The Evils of Wrestling - 1000 Hours 1:04:43

4M ago1:04:43

1:04:43

The 1000 Hours podcast series is hosted by wrestling historian Karl Stern and looks back at the pioneer era of pro wrestling. The more things change, the more they stay the same and on this episode we look back at just before the American Civil War see how wrestling, for a few year period, went from being a noble sport that men were look up to as p…

1
Barney Smith is Dead - 1000 Hours 57:16

4M ago57:16

57:16

I mean, Barney Smith was probably dead under the best of circumstances. He went to the finals of American pro wrestling's first ever major championship tournament in 1870 but, as we have been researching for a long time now, there seemed to be no clear evidence he died at the hands of Col. James H. McLaughlin in that 1870 tournament. Now, however, …

1
From the Pages of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter - Blackjack Mulligan 41:26

5M ago41:26

41:26

On this edition of the DragonKingKarl Classic Wrestling Podcast we travel back to 2016 for Dave Meltzer's Wrestling Observer Newsletter biography of Blackjack Mulligan. Mulligan was a big, tough, cowboy heel and babyface who also booked around the country. He was a top star in the AWA, Jim Crockett Promotions, WWF, Florida, and more. He was also qu…

1
Pioneer Era Wrestling in France - 1000 Hours 50:50

5M ago50:50

50:50

This episode of 1000 Hours is brought to you by Andrew who recently read an article about showmanship in wrestling in the 1800's in France. The French and the English seemed to have the biggest impact on pioneer era pro wrestling in America and, no question, they had a penchant for the dramatic as we have already discovered with Prof. Theobaud Baue…

1
Long Form History of Wrestling Podcast - March 1984 (Race, Tsuruta, Flair) 53:00

5M ago53:00

53:00

This is the 100th installment in the Long Form History of Pro Wrestling podcast series from author and wrestling historian Karl Stern. On this episode we look back at March 1984 following the death of David Von Erich the wrestling world is still in shock. Ric Flair and Harley Race pull off a secret NWA World title change on the other side of the wo…

1
Bounty on Barney - 1000 Hours 1:03:02

5M ago1:03:02

1:03:02

It's hour 36 of 1000 Hours, the podcast all about the pioneers of pro wrestling. On this episode we do a lot of research on pioneer era wrestling including some new tidbits about Col. James H. McLaughlin which leads us back to our most enduring mystery- did Col. McLaughlin kill Barney Smith? If yes, then why is there not a shred of evidence to supp…

1
Inside Wrestling Magazine Review Podcast - August 1984 47:30

5M ago47:30

47:30

On this edition of When It Was Cool Wrestling with host Karl Stern, we take a look back at a classic Apter magazine from 1984 - Inside Wrestling! This magazine would have been on newsstands in early summer 1984 with stories on Jimmy Valiant and Junkyard Dog, Larry Zbyszko, Magnum TA, Mr. Wrestling II, and lots of talk on The Road Warriors who were …

1
More on the King of the Wrestlers Charles - 1000 Hours 1:03:32

5M ago1:03:32

1:03:32

On this episode of 1000 Hours, the podcast about the pioneer era of pro wrestling, historian and author Karl Stern returns to the pre-pioneer era just before the United States Civil War to uncover more about the first known self-promoted pro wrestling star Charles the King of Wrestling. The pre-pioneer era was a fascinating time period in American …

1
History of Wrestling at MSG Series - You Know That's Fake Right? 47:36

5M ago47:36

47:36

Pro Wrestling historian Karl Stern continues his look at the history of professional wrestling in a rotating series of classic pro wrestling podcasts. Today's theme returns to the history of wrestling at Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY, one of the most famous arenas in the world. We are up to 1928 in the series (which can be found here) …

1
Pre-Pioneer Era in America - 1000 Hours 57:59

5M ago57:59

57:59

On this edition of the 1000 Hours Podcast, the podcast all about the pioneer (pre-1900) era of pro wrestling, historian Karl Stern digs even deeper to look at the era before the Civil War. Was there organized professional wrestling in the years leading up to the Civil War. The answer is yes! Some. The seed is certainly there. Now, the million-dolla…

1
G.W. Flagg and John McMahon - 1000 Hours 56:43

6M ago56:43

56:43

Pro wrestling historian Karl 'DragonKingKarl' Stern returns to further discuss the pioneer era of pro wrestling in the 1000 Hours series which focuses on pro wrestling pre-1900 or before the era of Frank Gotch. On this episode, he looks back at two pioneers: G.W. Flagg and John McMahon who only met once, and it was during the Civil War, and their c…

1
From the Pages of the Wrestling Observer - Nick Bockwinkel 54:30

6M ago54:30

54:30

On this edition of the DragonKingKarl Classic Wrestling Show we return to the pages of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter to look at Dave Meltzer's biography on the legendary AWA World heavyweight champion Nick Bockwinkel. Bockwinkel was the glue that held the AWA together and was also part of two of the greatest tag teams in history with Ray Steven…

1
Greek George and the Champion of the South - 1000 Hours 57:47

6M ago57:47

57:47

The pioneers of wrestling era discussion continues with hour 32 of the 1000 Hours podcast with host, pro wrestling historian Karl Stern. On this episode the eventual manager of Evan "Strangler" Lewis, Greek George, is promoting wrestling in Pensacola, FL where we meet the Champion of the South. Who was he and was this a work or a shoot? Tons of not…

1
Double Action Wrestling Magazine Review - October 1986 57:24

6M ago57:24

57:24

Here's a fun review of an off-brand pro wrestling magazine from back in October 1986. Neither Apter nor Napolitano magazine, this is issue one of Double Action Wrestling which featured terrible blurry and outdated photos, stories on Hulk Hogan and The Funks, and a slew of highly questionable advertisements. Join pro wrestling historian Karl 'Dragon…

1
Of Bauer and Bears - 1000 Hours 54:16

6M ago54:16

54:16

The 1000 Hours podcast series explores the pioneer era of professional wrestling, that is to say, pro wrestling before 1900 or the era of Frank Gotch. Gotch didn't appear out of a vacuum, a history of over fifty years of pro wrestling had already been sown in the United States and further back than that in Europe. Names like William Muldoon, Col. J…

1
February 1984 (Death of David Von Erich) - Long Form History of Wrestling 54:38

6M ago54:38

54:38

This is the 99th installment of the long form history of pro wrestling series by pro wrestling historian Karl Stern. In this chronological look at the history of pro wrestling, Karl is up to February 1984 which is infamous due to the shocking and unforeseen death of David Von Erich just before he was scheduled to begin a tour for All Japan Pro Wres…

1
The Iron Claw (2023) Movie Review Podcast 1:01:03

6M ago1:01:03

1:01:03

Karl and Tonya review the 2023 pro wrestling biopic The Iron Claw. This is a dramatized retelling of the tragic story of the Von Erich family which endured tragedy after tragedy including the young deaths of multiple brothers, a domineering father, and more. Karl and Tonya look at how the film did in communicating the horrific events of the Von Eri…

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