Best Ricflair Podcasts (2024)

1
Wrestling 1984 Magazine, MSG History, GKT Finals Set 54:56

6h ago54:56

54:56

This week on my podcast I mention the passing of one of my favorites, Sid Vicious, plus we look at more history from Madison Square Garden as Ed Strangler Lewis returns, the finals of the Greatest Kayfabe Tournament are set as Sting takes on Antonio Inoki, plus we dive into a 1984 pro wrestling magazine for a look at the Von Erichs, Ted DiBiase, an…

1
August 1984 - The Road Warriors and More 39:26

35m ago39:26

39:26

I am back with my continuing series The Long Form History of Pro Wrestling and on this episode, I cover August 1984. Hulk Hogan and the WWF continue to steam roll over everybody and essentially steal California from the AWA by buying their TV spot out from under them. But the other promotions aren't dead just yet. Georgia rises from the ashes to at…

1
Will the Real Christol Please Stand Up? 59:58

4h ago59:58

59:58

My 1000 Hours series is all about the pioneer era of wrestling which is pre-1900 or the era before Frank Gotch and on this episode, I have a wild, entertaining, and hilarious set of stories about Luicen Marc, the French Greco Roman champion. We have talked about him previously; a bear bit his finger off and he masqueraded around as fellow French ch…

1
MSG History, GKT Talk, Barry Windham's Mustache, More 1:04:37

6h ago1:04:37

1:04:37

I am back with a new DragonKingKarl Classic Wrestling podcast today and I talk about the upcoming finals to the Greatest Kayfabe Tournament- The GKT including why it is so Japanese heavy, the quality difference between Japan and the U.S. in wrestling and is there really a coverage bias in the newsletters historically or is Japan just that good. Plu…

1
The McMahon and Owens Family, More Lucien Marc - 1000 Hours 53:28

7d ago53:28

53:28

I am back with what is essentially a part two of last week's 1000 Hour's podcast as I look more at the original first family of wrestling- John McMahon, James Owens, Peter Owens, and Ed Cox. Plus, the trilogy of Col. James H. McLaughlin verses John McMahon concludes. What was real and what wasn't between the two biggest stars of the 1870's? Lucian …

1
94 Long Form History of Wrestling Podcast - July 1984 - Black Saturday and More 40:26

14d ago40:26

40:26

My long form history of pro wrestling series is a month-by-month break down of the history of pro wrestling. Currently, we are up to July 1984 (which I cover in my DragonKingKarl Stern's 1984-1985 Pro Wrestling Omnibus book) and one of the major events in the rise of WWF/WWE takes place - Black Saturday, when Championship Wrestling from Georgia wen…

1
Why Does Lucien Marc Only Have Three Fingers? - 1000 Hours 59:52

16d ago59:52

59:52

I return with my podcast series on the pioneer era of pro wrestling (pre-1900) with a packed show today. Most of it is spent discussing the first, first family of wrestling. Wrestling families are part of its culture: The Von Erichs, The Armstrongs, The Welches, The Funks, The Briscos, The Windhams, etc. But the original first family of wrestling w…

1
Who Killed WCW? - A Wrestling With the Dawg Special with Intro by DragonKingKarl 2:07:41

21d ago2:07:41

2:07:41

On the 386th edition of Wrestling With the Dawg Podcast at FlairFlop.com, Eric Allen and Joe Drilling of OnTheStick.com joins the Dirty Dawg Darsie to review the four-part Vice series entitled "Who Killed WCW?" The three cats discussed why WCW was popular back in the day, the Jerry Springer show, Hulk Hogan and his creative control, bad management …

1
Misawa vs Funk, Six Pack Book, and More 49:06

28d ago49:06

49:06

I have a packed show for you today discussing the final shows of Southeastern wrestling before it became Continental with Bob Armstrong, Lord Humongous, Ron Fuller, Boomer Lynch, and more. Some more from 1932 Madison Square Garden, a review of the great new book Six Pack and my thoughts on Tito Santana, and the last member of the final four of the …

1
Germany, France, and Europe Influence Wrestling 57:39

30d ago57:39

57:39

I am back with my 1000 Hours series which focuses on the history, origin, and evolution of pro wrestling in America. A listener has asked about Germany, France, and Europe in the pioneer era of wrestling. France, in particular, was hugely important in pro wrestling's popularity in the United States with Prof. Thiebaud Bauer bringing his French styl…

1
Sting vs Kurt Angle, MSG, End of 1984 SECW 48:11

1M ago48:11

48:11

I have a great show for you this week starting off with a fun entry into the Greatest Kayfabe Tournament - The GKT, where you the listener voted between Sting and Kurt Angle. Next up we go back to 1931 Madison Square Garden where Dick Shikat upset the order of things by shooting on people. The show rounds out with a look at December 1984 in Southea…

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

2M 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

1M 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

2M 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
Omega vs Funk, MSG, July 1984 Observer 1:03:57

2M 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

2M 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

2M 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

3M 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
Return of the Terrible Turk - 1000 Hours 45:51

2M 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

3M 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

3M 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
The Real Story of the 1870 Detroit Tournament - 1000 Hours 49:39

3M 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

4M 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
Pioneer Era in Australia and Death of a Star - 1000 Hours 47:21

4M 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
Bray Wyatt Documentary, Bruno Sammartino, more 48:45

4M 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

4M 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
MSG History, Bruno Sammartino, and more! 45:26

5M 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

5M 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
Great Lakes Wrestling in the Pioneer Era - 1000 Hours 54:54

5M 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

5M 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

5M 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

5M 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

5M 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

5M 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

6M 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
The Evils of Wrestling - 1000 Hours 1:04:43

6M 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

6M 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
Pioneer Era Wrestling in France - 1000 Hours 50:50

6M 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

7M 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

7M 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

7M 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

7M 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

7M 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

7M 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

7M 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
Greek George and the Champion of the South - 1000 Hours 57:47

8M 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

8M 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

8M 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

8M 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

8M 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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