Author: Dr. Mike Lano

Johnny Walker was best known first in Florida as “The Grappler.” Later, in Tennessee and other territories like Los Angeles, “Rubberman” showed off his double-joint uniqueness in matches where the TV announcers focused on his ability to get out of ordinary holds allegedly because of it. In the late sixties in L.A., Johnny was sent in along with other stars like Roy Welch, Curtis Iaukea, Ray Stevens, Nelson Royal, Don Leo Jonathon, and more from other NWA territories to help the Eaton/Lebell promotion. Here we are celebrating Johnny “Mr. Wrestling II” Walker. The purpose was to fend off Verne Gagne’s…

Much like part one of the history of wrestling radio, we continue with its evolution by focusing on its programming, shows, and heightened presence. We continue with the origins of wrestling radio here with part 2, The Later Years. Wrestling Radio – AWA, George Schire  Our jaunt with wrestling radio the later years begins with George Schire. At about the same time as Legends, I was also co-hosting a second weekly show with fellow wrestling historian George “Mr. AWA” Schire (The Wrestling Professors) 2003-2009. 100% wrestling conversation, however. George had co-hosted a Minneapolis-based terrestrial radio show with Wrestling Torch editor…

Pro Wrestling Radio or at least terrestrial radio shows dedicated primarily to wrestling, appears to have begun in the very early ’70s. They all seemed to emanate from the great New York City area with that massive WWWF Bruno and Pedro fanbase. It was either Potshot Bill Kunkel and Arnie Katz’ show or that of Bill Apter. We’re talking 1971, mid-1972, with both of these unrelated shows that tried to give an intelligent fan’s view of the wrestling scene. Both shows touched at times on wrestling in other areas like the AWA, WWA, LA, San Francisco circuits, Detroit, Florida, etc.  Sometimes, they…

Billy Red Cloud began his career in the early 1960s after some success in the field of bodybuilding. First, he did so under his given name, Bill Wright. Billy later took on the Billy Red Cloud wrestling persona. He was most notable for wrestling in 1964. Early on during his transformation, he was also ring-announced as Bobby Red Cloud and Chief Red Cloud. His legit hometown was the White Earth Indian Reservation in the U.S. State of Minnesota. Billy Red Cloud – A Menacing Look Bill also worked for a time early on (with his then unique shaved head look)…

One of wrestling’s legit toughest was Edward “Chief Wahoo” McDaniel. With little evidence he was ever recognized as a Chief, Wahoo McDaniel was unquestionably heralded. But that addition was only used for him in the wrestling industry. He was usually in main-event top positions wherever he went.  Ed was one of the earliest to bring what was initially called a “Tomahawk Chop” spot to US and Canadian rings as well as making “Indian Strap Matches,” well known as feud-ending gimmick bouts that drew well. The result often led to both participants bleeding. And Wahoo had no problem “turning red into…

Tim Corvin spent years researching through library results, microfiche, and more for his definitive book Pioneers of Professional Wrestling: 1860-1899. There’s never been a book like this, particularly on these years because most experts thought predetermined finishes wrestling matches. Ones that were thought to have first started in 1880’s France before they became a mainstay of AT and Carnival/Carny shows in the U.S, Canada, and the rest of the world. Tim said some of the earliest pro wrestlers and MMA stars compensated for their work. These included Civil War soldiers, Canadian Mounties, lumberjacks, miners, train and railroad camp workers, and…

Wrestling Book Marks/CovidCon has been a longtime collaborative of wrestling authors, publishers, and historians. It chaired by wrestling book author/publisher Kenny Casanova. Kenny’s helped put out great books on and with stars. They included the likes of the late Kamala, Vadar, Sabu, Brutus Beefcake, Bugsy McGraw, Danny Davis, and many others. When the COVID-19 Pandemic hit, Kenny and his team, including author John Cosper went to work to help everyone in wrestling affected monetarily. There were no indie shows, no signings or convention/fanfests, and nothing to make money on the weekends. In early May, they had their first pro wrestling…

Turner Classic Movie (TCM) cable channel ran, with opening and closing narrative, the classic Let the Good Times Roll music documentary on rock’s architects like Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Fats Domino, and more. During the 1959 #1 hit song “Charlie Brown” as sung by The Coasters, used lot of Gorgeous George match footage. It included; pre-bout shenanigans with his male valet and him in a women’s hair salon for those famous publicity photos. There was also newsreel footage images of him having his hair professionally curled coifed. If you know the lyrics to the song, “Charlie Brown…he’s a clown…I smell heat…

RAW “Underground” isn’t that different from IMPACT’s WrestleHouse in that it’s first space (or time) filler. At least it’s short timewise in comparison, although it can drag on two, maybe three tv segments depending on the show. On the 8/24 RAW, “Underground” felt least like any worked MMA type “competition” and just “more of the same.” Count me in amongst the many, already bored with the always sweaty for no reason Shane. Last Monday’s redeeming point was at least reminding viewers not heading for the bathroom or popcorn that “Dolph Zigler” had amateur cred in facing another amateur great in…

Our latest CAC Life Member, Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, continues to make near-daily news worldwide (I’ve been the club’s board photographer since the late ’80s). Perhaps because he’s still the biggest movie and tv star in the world for two+ years running, while his Jungle Cruise ride adventure film arrives soon from Disney Films, he’ll be seen next in perhaps his biggest and most expensive blockbuster. “The hierarchy of Power in the D.C. comic book and the graphic novel universe is about to change. I’ll be joining an epic and first of it’s kind D.C. Fandom fil(set to start filming…