Author: Evan Ginzburg

It’s June 24, 1974. I’m a skinny, 14-year-old and it’s my first wrestling match EVER. My heart is beating out of my chest because these superheroes and supervillains have suddenly come to life. And finally, there he is. “The Italian strongman,” Bruno Sammartino. The building literally shakes as he enters without a hint of pyro or entrance music. This powerhouse who hid from the Nazis as a child in WW II and built himself up into a superman. His partner, Chief Jay Strongbow and he stood across the ring from the Russian monster Nikolai Volkoff who could shatter fruit in…

Independent cards are one of the last bargains in pro wrestling, such as the one with Colossal Championship Wrestling. For a fraction of an obscenely priced WWE show, you can sit close to the action, meet the wrestlers, and take photos with them. In short, there’s a communal feeling to it all. You inevitably know some of the fans in attendance, as well as the competitors and staff. And you feel like a valued guest. The wildly successful 3/8/25 debut of Colossal Championship Wrestling at the packed Elks Lodge in Queens, NY, was a stellar example of an indie done…

Ken Patera is an all-time great heel who has written one of the best wrestling books I have EVER read in his Ken Patera Weight of the World. And just why is it great? Because it’s not just about wrestling. Unlike some WWE sanctioned bios, which go on and on endlessly about some inane Wrestlemania angle or whatnot, this one is about a champion athlete who conquered many worlds. Patera was a natural competitor who played football, loved track and field, switched to shot put and discus, and later turned to Olympic weightlifting. He goes into great detail on all…

In 1992, revered long-time St. Louis-based wrestling promoter Sam Muchnick was honored at a convention organized by noted wrestling journalist/historian/photographer Dr. Mike Lano. Although the then-elderly and ailing Muchnick did not attend, St. Louis saw a plethora of legends salute him. They included Killer Kowalski, Ted Dibiase, Lanny Poffo, Lou Thesz, Rip Hawk, Red Bastien, Bob Backlund, Ox Baker, and many others. Woody Strode was a topic of discussion. On one particularly memorable panel at the event, they had a tribute to Black Wrestling Legends. Ernie Ladd moderated along with Kowalski who started off by, of course, honoring Mr. Muchnick.…

“These things come in threes,” my father used to say. And, yes, celebrity deaths often at least seem to do just that. But what happens when three pillars of our wrestling community pass away and don’t quite receive the recognition they deserve? These Things Come in Threes – Celebrating the Lives of “Shooter” Tony Jones, Hector Bosa & Dr. Thom Parks  Well, we tragically lost a trio of great men within a month. I am very grateful to honor them here: “Shooter” Tony Jones, Staten Island Public Access talk show host Hector Bosa, and Arizona-based wrestler/manager Dr. Thom Parks. APW’s (All Pro Wrestling) Tony Jones, who passed away…

The Iron Claw is a heart-wrenching, ever-so-painful Shakespearian-level tragedy with much going for it. And some significant flaws to boot. (Warning- This review has spoilers.) The Von Erich clan is led by patriarch and taskmaster- wrestling headliner turned promoter Fritz (Adkisson) Von Erich. Portrayed by Holt McCallany, he physically resembles Fritz far more than Zac Efron (Kevin), Jeremy Allen White (Kerry), Harris Dickinson (David), or Stanley Simons (Mike) do the Von Erich boys.  The film has an almost Will Smith as Muhammed Ali-type effect where, throughout, you’re thinking, “Zac Efron doesn’t look like Kevin.” Ironically, the actor got into such…

With the glut of wrestling on TV, you just can’t watch everything. And unfortunately, and maybe even unfairly, IMPACT sometimes gets lost in the shuffle. But having seen many excellent Bound For Glory pay-per-views over their historic 19 years and with this one loaded with world-class talent, it was an intriguing, can’t miss package. This is a jaded fan and journalist’s take on Bound For Glory 2023. Bound for Glory 2023 X Division Championship Chris Sabin vs. Kenta Two great veteran pros put on a clinic in the opener as they went move for move in a highly physical contest.…

The AEW Live Experience – Arthur Ashe Stadium, Queens, NY 9/21/22 “Yes! Yes! Yes!” Bryan Danielson and Jon Moxley were about to battle for the AEW World Championship and Claudio Castagnoli vs. Chris Jericho for my beloved ROH World Championship. Yours truly was going to see some old-school wrestling in person. The kind with holds and moves and submissions and belts that mean something to its audience. Although a jaded fan of 50 years, I was nonetheless psyched to see these all-time greats. As I walked toward the massive Arthur Ashe Stadium in anticipation of Grand Slam, I noted not…

I listen when the late, great Roger Ebert gives a wrestling doc 3 1/2 stars and raves about it. In his review of 2011’s Fake It So Real, Ebert writes, “Robert Greene, the documentarian, is a cousin of (wrestler) Chris Solar. He likes these guys and doesn’t take cheap shots. The Rourke film (The Wrestler) contained a lot of painkiller use and illegal steroids. There are no drugs seen or referred to in this film, and my guess is they can’t afford them. There is a rough nobility in the way they strive for fame and success. The film is…

Everybody Loves Mickey – The Life and Times of “Irish” Mickey Doyle by Tim Keenan. As a kid, I discovered wrestling literally a half-century ago- on that mysterious UHF dial. For there on Spanish language, Channel 41 was the magnificent Los Angeles TV tapings from the Olympic Auditorium. Every Wednesday night I would savor the exploits of “The Maniac” John Tolos, Black Gordman, and Great Goliath, Victor Rivera, a young Roddy Piper, Chavo Guerrero, Greg Valentine, Crusher Verdue, Louis Tillet, “Butcher” Paul Vachon, The Hollywood Blondes led by Sir Oliver Humperdink, The Twin Devils, Raul Mata, Mil Mascaras, Fishman, Perro…