Portland Wrestling

Step inside the Portland Sports Arena and relive the golden age of Pacific Northwest wrestling. From legendary feuds to hidden gems, our podcasts bring you the stories, matches, and larger-than-life personalities that defined one of wrestling’s most unique territories.Each episode dives into the history, characters, and unforgettable moments of Portland Wrestling—from household names who passed through on their way to national stardom, to the one-match wonders and obscurities that only true fans remember.If you love wrestling history, colorful characters, and the untold stories behind the

Portland Wrestling is a sports podcast hosted by Frank, with 116 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Frank hosts Portland Wrestling, a sports show with 116 episodes published.

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  Episode #1

  The Cream of the Crop – Episode 1: Tony Borne & Lonnie Mayne

  Aug 14, 202610 minS8

  The Cream of the Crop – Episode 1: Tony Borne & Lonnie Mayne Welcome to The Cream of the Crop: The Main Eventers, Money Draws, and Territory Legends , a brand-new journey through the biggest stars in Portland Wrestling history. These aren't simply the wrestlers who appeared on the cards. These are the names that went at the top of the poster . The champions, personalities, heroes, and villains who packed the Portland Sports Arena, filled Memorial Coliseum, sold tickets, and became the faces of an entire territory. And there may be no better place to begin than with Tony Borne and Lonnie Mayne . Long before Buddy Rose and Roddy Piper became synonymous with Portland Wrestling, Tony Borne was setting the standard. A nine-time Northwest Heavyweight Champion and 19-time Northwest Tag Team Champion, Borne combined wrestling ability, psychology, personality, and an uncanny understanding of how to make a crowd react. Then he saw something special in a young wrestler named Lonnie Mayne. When Don Owen was reportedly ready to move on from Mayne, Borne stepped forward with a simple idea: “Put the kid with me.” That decision helped change Portland Wrestling history. Together, Borne and Mayne captured the Northwest Tag Team Championship an incredible 11 times , battled some of wrestling's biggest names, and became one of the defining teams of the territory. Then came the breakup. Teacher versus student. Partner versus partner. Their rivalry became so hot that Portland Sports Arena wasn't big enough, sending their matches to Memorial Coliseum before crowds of 7,000 and 8,000 fans. They would eventually reunite, but their story became about far more than championships. It was about friendship, mentorship, rivalry, charisma—and two men whose careers became forever intertwined. Tony Borne and Lonnie Mayne were partners and rivals. Teachers and students. Heroes and villains. Most importantly, they were money draws and main eventers . They were The Cream of the Crop . And next Friday, the series continues with two men whose rivalry helped change Portland Wrestling forever: “Playboy” Buddy Rose and “Rowdy” Roddy Piper. 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 Cream of the Crop drop every Friday on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.

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  Episode #47

  Ringside in Rose City – Episode 47: We Haven't Mentioned These Guys Yet – Part 2

  Aug 13, 20261 hourS6

  Ringside in Rose City – Episode 47: We Haven't Mentioned These Guys Yet – Part 2 There are the legends everybody remembers—and then there are the wrestlers whose names can suddenly unlock a memory you haven't thought about in fifty years. This week, Frank Culbertson and Portland wrestling historian Mike Rodgers pick up the conversation that became too big for one episode. We Haven't Mentioned These Guys Yet – Part 2 digs even deeper into the wrestlers who passed through Portland—some for only a handful of matches, others for longer runs, and more than a few who went on to fascinating careers elsewhere. Among the stories are Bill Watts , who wrestled exactly one Portland match before becoming one of wrestling's legendary promoters; Prince Kumali , whose Northwest appearances were his only North American wrestling run; Randy Morse , the big man who toured Japan and survived a frightening accident at the Portland Sports Arena; and Sailor White , who eventually found championship success in the WWF as one of the Moondogs. Mike also makes the case for one of Portland Wrestling's great missed opportunities—masked babyface Super Hawk , a talented luchador with an impressive career in Mexico who Mike believes could have become something special if Don Owen had given him a bigger push. The conversation also revisits Super Ninja , The White Avenger , Clay Spencer , and the wonderfully ridiculous story of Terry Gibbs losing a Loser Leaves Town match... only to return later that very night under a mask as The Georgia Jaw Jacker . Then it's back to wrestling's earlier years with Luis Martinez , Larry Chaney , and Tarzan Tyler , as Frank and Mike uncover stories of championships, friendships, tragedy, unusual gimmicks, and even a possible historical connection to the loaded boot that would eventually become synonymous with The Grappler. And of course, Card Shark returns. Lisa deals Mike three mystery wrestling cards, including a loaded 1962 Los Angeles card and a 1977 Detroit lineup. But the real surprise comes with the final card: a 1989 Pacific Coast Championship Wrestling show in Oregon City that just happened to feature a young announcer named Frank Culbertson behind the microphone. Somehow, Mike fails to recognize the most important wrestling card in human history. Lisa, meanwhile, just keeps dancing. It's an episode built around one of the things that makes wrestling history so much fun: not every wrestler becomes a legend, but every wrestler adds another page to the story. And on Ringside in Rose City , Frank and Mike believe every page is worth reading. Hosted by Frank Culbertson and Portland wrestling historian Mike Rodgers. One ring. One city. A thousand stories. New episodes of Ringside in Rose City drop every Friday on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.

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  Episode #12

  The Attraction Archive – Episode 12: The Final Chapter... and the Beginning of a New Journey

  Aug 7, 20269 minS7

  The Attraction Archive – Episode 12: The Final Chapter... and the Beginning of a New Journey Every great series reaches its final chapter. After twelve episodes exploring the unforgettable attractions who made Portland Wrestling unlike any other territory, The Attraction Archive comes to a close. But before saying goodbye, Frank Culbertson and Portland wrestling historian Mike Rodgers celebrate one final collection of unique personalities whose paths to Portland came through football, boxing, women's wrestling, little person wrestling, and even television. This farewell episode features Angelo Mosca , one of the greatest players in Canadian Football League history who successfully transitioned to professional wrestling; former World Heavyweight Boxing Champion Jersey Joe Walcott , whose brief Portland wrestling appearance became one of the territory's most unusual stories; Betty Nicoli , an AWA Women's World Champion whose accomplishments reached far beyond her Northwest appearances; and little person wrestling attractions Dirty Morgan , Tiny Atlas , and Pepe Gomez , performers whose fascinating careers perfectly capture the spirit of The Attraction Archive . As Frank and Mike close the book on dozens of attractions and hundreds of stories, they reflect on the giants, pioneers, curiosities, future world champions, and unforgettable personalities who helped make Portland Wrestling special—even if they weren't always the names at the top of the card. But the journey is far from over. Next week marks the premiere of an exciting new series: The Cream of the Crop . The spotlight shifts from the special attractions to the men who defined Portland Wrestling—the main eventers, the money draws, and the territory legends. From Buddy Rose , Roddy Piper , Dutch Savage , Jimmy Snuka , Tony Borne , Lonnie Mayne , The Grappler , and Bull Ramos , to many more of the biggest stars ever to step inside the Portland Sports Arena, this new series will explore the wrestlers whose names topped the posters, sold the tickets, and built one of professional wrestling's greatest territories. If The Attraction Archive celebrated the unforgettable side stories, The Cream of the Crop is all about the main event. Hosted by Frank Culbertson and Portland wrestling historian Mike Rodgers. One ring. One city. A thousand stories. New episodes of Ringside in Rose City and The Cream of the Crop drop every Friday on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.

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  Episode #46

  Ringside in Rose City – Episode 46: Who We Haven't Talked About – Part 1

  Aug 6, 20261h 2mS6

  Ringside in Rose City – Episode 46: Who We Haven't Talked About – Part 1 Not every wrestler was a main event star. Some were future champions finding their footing. Some arrived at just the wrong time. Others left behind memorable careers that deserve another look.This week, Frank Culbertson and Portland wrestling historian Mike Rodgers shine the spotlight on the wrestlers who helped shape Portland Wrestling but rarely receive the attention they deserve. It's the first installment of a new series celebrating the forgotten names, fascinating careers, and unexpected stories that filled out the cards at the Portland Sports Arena. Among the wrestlers featured are Abbud Dein, the son of King Curtis Iaukea whose mysterious interview style made him one of the most unique personalities of the late 1980s; Alexis Smirnoff, the Russian villain whose Northwest stay ended almost as quickly as it began; Art Crews, who returned to Portland transformed from a bland babyface into one of the territory's most entertaining heels; Barry Orton, uncle of Randy Orton and member of wrestling's legendary Orton family; and Avalanche, later known as PN News, whose enormous size made him an unforgettable part of Portland's final years. Frank and Mike also revisit the careers of Billy White Cloud, Brian Adias, Dennis Stamp, Gene Kelly (Gene Lewis), Jeff Portz, Hiro Ota (Yasu Fujii), Ivan Zarnoff, Mike York, Mr. Seki (Mr. Pogo), and Pierre LeGrand, sharing stories that range from bizarre gimmicks and famous wrestling families to championship runs, memorable feuds, and career paths that took these wrestlers around the world.Along the way, Mike uncovers little-known facts, recalls unforgettable matches, and explains why even the wrestlers who spent little time in Portland played an important role in building one of wrestling's greatest territories. Before the conversation is over, Frank and Mike realize they've barely scratched the surface—setting up the first-ever "to be continued" episode in Ringside in Rose City history.Hosted by Frank Culbertson and Portland wrestling historian Mike Rodgers.One ring. One city. A thousand stories.New episodes of Ringside in Rose City drop every Friday on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.

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  Episode #11

  The Attraction Archive – Episode 11: World Champions, Trailblazers, and Wrestling's Lasting Mysteries

  Jul 31, 20268 minS7

  The Attraction Archive – Episode 11: World Champions, Trailblazers, and Wrestling's Lasting Mysteries Some wrestling attractions became legends because of championship victories. Others broke barriers that reached far beyond the ring. And a few left behind mysteries that historians are still trying to solve. This week on The Attraction Archive , Frank Culbertson and Portland wrestling historian Mike Rodgers explore four fascinating figures whose stories demonstrate just how diverse the world of Portland wrestling truly was. The episode begins with Ivan Koloff , the man who shocked the wrestling world by ending Bruno Sammartino's historic WWWF Championship reign. Mike traces Koloff's early Northwest appearances under the name Red McNulty, his later returns as an international superstar, and the personal conversations that revealed the thoughtful, faith-driven man behind one of wrestling's greatest villains. Next, the spotlight turns to Sue Green , whose extraordinary career began while she was still in high school. After receiving permission from the Governor of Texas to wrestle professionally as a teenager, Green went on to enjoy a remarkable career that extended well beyond the ring, eventually becoming the focus of the acclaimed documentary Out in the Ring . The journey continues with Joey Russell , whose career alongside the legendary Sky Low Low highlights the close-knit world of little person wrestling during its touring heyday. Then Frank and Mike dive into one of wrestling history's enduring puzzles: Pepe Morales . Was he actually Sonny Boy Hayes competing under another name? The historical evidence is compelling, but the mystery remains unsolved, making for one of the most intriguing stories in the Attraction Archive . 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.

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