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On this episode of Contrary to Popular Wrestling, Carmine and James are joined by legendary Northeast referee Dave Dwinell. Dave and the guys talk about how Dave managed to break into being a WWF referee when all of them were appointed by the State of New York, some of the legendary competitors he shared a ring with, and so much more! Be sure and pick up the paperback or Kindle version of Dave's book, "Ringman: My Thirty-Two Years in the Surreal World of Pro Wrestling", on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, BookBaby, or wherever you get your books.   Be sure and subscribe to our channel and like this video. Subscribe to the podcast on all your favorite podcast platforms Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, Amazon Music, and more!   Be sure and like us on Facebook to stay up to date with the show at facebook.com/ContraryPod   Write an email to us to ask a question, suggest a topic or guest, offer up a correction, or just to say hello at ContraryPod@gmail.com

Here's the audio from our Halloween Special we put out on our YouTube channel. We pay tribute to and share our memories of The Great Ox Baker! Stay tuned to our Facebook page and YouTube channel as more full episodes of Contrary to Popular Wrestling are coming soon!   Subscribe to the podcast on all your favorite podcast platforms Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, Amazon Music, and more!   Check out our podcast on YouTube as well to see the videos full of newspaper clippings, match footage, and photos to complement each show.   Be sure and like us on Facebook to stay up to date with the show at facebook.com/ContraryPod   Write an email to us to ask a question, suggest a topic or guest, offer up a correction, or just to say hello at ContraryPod@gmail.com

This week on Contrary to Popular Wrestling, former NWA President, former CAC Executive Board member, and Vice President and Co-Founder of WrestleConnex, Howard Brody joins us. We cover his time as an independent wrestling promoter, executive, and more. We also dive in-depth into his new project WrestleConnex. Find out exactly why Carmine and James call WrestleConnex "One of the best things to happen for people in the Pro Wrestling industry in a long time!"   Subscribe to the podcast on all your favorite podcast platforms Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, Amazon Music, and more!   Check out our podcast on YouTube as well to see the videos full of newspaper clippings, match footage, and photos to complement each show.   Be sure and like us on Facebook to stay up to date with the show at facebook.com/ContraryPod   Write an email to us to ask a question, suggest a topic or guest, offer up a correction, or just to say hello at ContraryPod@gmail.com

This week, Carmine and James make their return and explain their two-month-long absence. They are joined by a trainee of Eddie Sharkey, Charley Norris. Charley is most known for his time in World Championship Wrestling in 1993. After being released that same year he filed a racial discrimination lawsuit against WCW and Turner Broadcasting. After Eric Bischoff violated a non-disclosure agreement, Charley reached out to us and wanted to share his story.   At the end of the episode, the guys give a preview of the episodes to come. Find out what we're covering to kick off 2021 here on Contrary to Popular Wrestling.   Subscribe to the podcast on all your favorite podcast platforms Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, Amazon Music, and more!   Check out our podcast on YouTube as well to see the videos full of newspaper clippings, match footage, and photos to complement each show.   Be sure and like us on Facebook to stay up to date with the show at facebook.com/ContraryPod   Write an email to us to ask a question, suggest a topic or guest, offer up a correction, or just to say hello at ContraryPod@gmail.com

This week on the podcast we put together all three episodes of our "Untold Stories of the AWA" series for you to enjoy while Carmine is out on vacation. We'll be back next week with a brand new episode next week on Contrary to Popular Wrestling!   We're joined by our old friend Eddie Sharkey to discuss the time he brought a gun to the AWA offices and shot up Verne's office.   AWA Commentator "The Voice of Minnesota Wrestling" Mick Karch joins us to share some stories about Nick Bockwinkel, Sherri Martel, and more.   We find out what really led to CWA Champion Otto Wanz winning the AWA World Championship in 1982 with Austrian wrestling historian Robert "Steam Hammer" Edlhauser!   We talked to Frankie "The Thumper" DeFalco. When you have "The Thumper" on things can go off the rails, and they did.   We want to incorporate our fans as much as possible. That's why when Mike Wilson from Racine, Wisconsin reached out to share a story he witnessed at an AWA spot show in his hometown, we knew we had to have him on the pod to share it with the world.   Only 3 wrestlers in the world can say they wrestled Muhammad Ali, Kenny Jay is one of them. "The Sodbuster" proved he was "Very Capable" against many opponents in his life. Spending the majority of his career in the AWA he survived as the introduction for many wrestlers to the AWA. He also served to introduce The Greatest Boxer to ever live to pro wrestling.   Finally, we are joined by one of the AWA's biggest stars, Baron von Raschke! The Baron discusses how he came to start in the AWA. He also fills us in on how the All-American amateur wrestler, James Raschke, became the evil German nazi, Baron von Raschke. Find out which former World Champion suggested he begin using his dreaded finishing hold "The Claw!"   Check out our podcast on YouTube as well to see the videos full of newspaper clippings, match footage, and photos to complement each show.   Subscribe to the podcast on all your favorite podcast platforms Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Amazon Music, and more!   Be sure and like us on Facebook to stay up to date with the show at facebook.com/ContraryPod   Write an email to us to ask a question, suggest a topic or guest, offer up a correction, or just to say hello at ContraryPod@gmail.com

This weeks episode of Contrary To Popular Wrestling covers "The Greatest Hell of All Time, Bubba!" The one and only Iron Sheik! Carmined spent quite a bit of time partying with and managing Sheiky Baby while touring Europe, so he wanted to pay tribute to one of his favorite people in pro wrestling.   Who better to talk about The Iron Sheik than his agent for 26 years, "Mr. ESS" Eric Simms! You've seen him on The Howard Stern Show and in various Iron Sheik shoot interviews but hear from the man himself what it was like trying to keep up with Sheik on a busy weekend in the tri-states area.   Subscribe to the podcast on all your favorite podcast platforms Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Amazon Music, and more!   Check out our YouTube channel, where we post videos to go along with each of our episodes as well clips from each episode.   Be sure and like us on Facebook to stay up to date with the show at facebook.com/ContraryPod   Write an email to us to ask a question, suggest a topic or guest, offer up a correction, or just to say hello at ContraryPod@gmail.com  

This week on Contrary to Popular Wrestling, we wrap up our 3 part series on Verne Gagne's American Wrestling Association. In our first two editions, we spoke to Eddie Sharkey, Mick Karch, Robert Edlhauser, and Frankie DeFalco.   We want to incorporate our fans as much as possible. That's why when Mike Wilson from Racine, Wisconsin reached out to share a story he witnessed at an AWA spot show in his hometown, we knew we had to have him on the pod to share it with the world.   Only 3 wrestlers in the world can say they wrestled Muhammad Ali, Kenny Jay is one of them. "The Sodbuster" proved he was "Very Capable" against many opponents in his life. Spending the majority of his career in the AWA he survived as the introduction for many wrestlers to the AWA. He also served to introduce The Greatest Boxer to ever live to pro wrestling.   Finally we are joined by one of the AWA's biggest stars, Baron von Raschke! The Baron discusses how he came to start in the AWA. He also fills us in on how the All-American amateur wrestler, James Raschke, became the evil German nazi, Baron von Raschke. Find out which former World Champion suggested he begin using his dreaded finishing hold "The Claw!"   Subscribe to the podcast on all your favorite podcast platforms Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Amazon Music, and more!   Check out our YouTube channel, where we post videos to go along with each of our episodes as well clips from each episode.   Be sure and like us on Facebook to stay up to date with the show at facebook.com/ContraryPod   Write an email to us to ask a question, suggest a topic or guest, offer up a correction, or just to say hello at ContraryPod@gmail.com

In this week's podcast, we pay tribute to the legendary Road Warriors! Considering the recent passing of Road Warrior Animal and the fact that we're approaching the 17th anniversary of the passing Road Warrior Hawk, we thought it was only fitting to honor the biggest box office attraction tag-team in history.   Jax Dane joins us to discuss being managed by Animal along with his tag partner, Crimson. He also shares how Animal gave them the endorsement to use spikes and face paint.   PL Myers got the full Road Warriors experience, from growing up as a fan to being their manager on Chicago independent scene. He discusses what he said when he was asked to speak at Hawk's funeral in 2003.   Andrew Anderson looked at Road Warrior Animal as a big brother. He knew Animal and Hawk for close to 20 years. He talked to Animal in the days before he passed and Animal talked him in to ribbing Kevin Sullivan, here the rib on this weeks episode.   Finally, the man who trained the Road Warriors, Eddie Sharkey, joins us again to discuss training them and what they were like outside of the ring.   Be sure and subscribe to us on YouTube here, to see the videos we put together for each episode. Give us a thumbs-up on the videos you like.   Like us on Facebook to stay up to date with upcoming guests, updates on the show, and more, Facebook.com/ContrayPod   To send in questions, comments, concerns, or corrections to ContraryPod@gmail.com

In this week's episode of Contrary To Popular Wrestling, we have a slightly different show. Setting out to continue our "The Untold Stories of the AWA" we talked to Frankie "The Thumper" DeFalco. When you have "The Thumper" on things can go off the rails, and they did. So this episode is all Frankie DeFalco with overtones of the AWA.   We talk about the chaos the AWA stars got into during tv tapings in Las Vegas at the Showboat Hotel & Casino, interactions with ring rats in Milwaukee, and reveals his secret to happiness "I just don't give a f*ck!" If you couldn't tell, this is gonna be an explicit episode.   Be sure and subscribe to us on YouTube here, to see the videos we put together for each episode. Give us a thumbs-up on the videos you like.   Like us on Facebook to stay up to date with upcoming guests, updates on the show, and more, Facebook.com/ContrayPod   To send in questions, comments, concerns, or corrections to ContraryPod@gmail.com

In this week's episode, we kick off a three-part series on the untold stories of the AWA. We're joined by our old friend Eddie Sharkey to discuss the time he brought a gun to the AWA offices and shot up Verne's office. AWA Commentator "The Voice of Minnesota Wrestling" Mick Karch joins us to share some stories about Nick Bockwinkel, Sherri Martel, and more. Finally, we find out what really led to CWA Champion Otto Wanz winning the AWA World Championship in 1982 with Austrian wrestling historian Robert "Steam Hammer" Edlhauser! Come back next week to see who we talk to next to hear some of The Untold Stories of the AWA! Be sure and subscribe to our YouTube channel, Contrary To Popular Wrestling, to see our video that compliments each episode. Like us on Facebook to stay up to date on our next episode, facebook.com/ContraryPod To send an email into the show, drop us a line at ContraryPod@gmail.com

This week on Contrary To Popular Wrestling, Carmine and James discuss the life and times of Frank "Bruiser Brody" Goodish. To get to know the wildman they talk to some people who were close to Brody. DC Drake, opponent of Bruiser Brody in the NWF, joins us to talk about his matches with Brody as well as what he was like outside the ring. Herb Simmons drops in to talk about booking Brody on cards around the St. Louis area during the 1980s. He also discusses keeping the memory of Bruiser Brody alive with the Bruiser Brody Memorial Battle Royal with his promotion Southern Illinois Championship Wrestling. Scott Romer shares memories of taking photos of King Kong Brody in Dick the Bruiser's WWA promotion and beyond. He also talks about his book, When It Was Real, and shares a few stories from it. Finally, the wife of Bruiser Brody, Barbara Goodish stops by to discuss the family man that Frank Goodish was outside of the ring. She reveals what Brody was like as a husband and father as well as his plans after he retired from the ring. Be sure and subscribe to our YouTube channel, Contrary To Popular Wrestling, to see the videos we produce as a companion to each episode. You can also like us on Facebook at facebook.com/ContraryPod Send in topic ideas, questions for guests, comments or corrections from past episodes at ContraryPod@gmail.com

This week on Contrary To Popular Wrestling, Carmine and James are joined by "Fight For Moolah" campaign leader Nigel Sherrod, women's wrestling stars Bambi and Peggy Lee Leather, and midget women's wrestling legend Diamond Lil. All of them will be addressing accusations made against The Fabulous Moolah, Lillian Ellison. Those who knew her personally decry the claims that Moolah drugged and pimped the lady wrestlers she represented. They'll also share some of their favorite and funniest stories about one of the greatest lady wrestlers of all time. We want to thank King Cheese for the great caricature of Fabulous Moolah that we used in our show card this week. We also want to thank Chris Bergstrom for his contribution of the recolored portrait used in the closing moments of the show. Be sure and subscribe to our YouTube channel, Contrary To Popular Wrestling, to see the video we put together for each episode. Also, like us on Facebook to stay up to date with the show and interact with us, facebook.com/ContraryPod You can send an email into the show at ContraryPod@gmail.com

On this week's edition of Contrary To Popular Wrestling, we have an eclectic mix of guests to share their stories. Evan Ginzburg joins us to talk about his time working as the associate producer of The Wrestler and 350 Days. Greg Oliver comes on to talk about his Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame series of books. We also discuss the controversy relating to his ranking of Bret Hart in Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame: The Canadians Finally, Bob Johnson and Ross Hart join us from Calgary to share some hilarious stories involving Bobby Heenan, Triple H, Stu Hart, and many more. Be sure and like us on Facebook: facebook.com/ContraryPod/ Be sure and subscribe to our YouTube channel to see the videos we put together for each podcast episode, just search for Contrary To Popular Wrestling

This week on Contrary To Popular Wrestling, Carmine and James speak with the man who trained Bob Backlund, Jesse Ventura, The Road Warriors, Austin Aries, Rick Rude, Jerry Lynn, Medusa, and many more. Eddie Sharkey joins us to discuss his early career, getting in fights with Harley Race, training some of wrestling's biggest stars, working as a shill in Las Vegas, and so much more. Be sure and subscribe to our YouTube channel, Contrary To Popular Wrestling, to see the videos we put together to go along with our podcasts. Like our Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/ContraryPod Have a question or comment about the show? Feel free to send us an email at ContraryPod@gmail.com

On the second episode of Contrary To Popular Wrestling, Carmine and James are joined by Kevin Sullivan, Kenny Casanova, B. Brian Blair, Ric McCord, and JJ Dillon to discuss the life and times of James "Kamala" Harris. From Sugar Bear Harris & the creation of Kamala to his final years, it's all covered and remembered fondly. Please check out the links below mentioned in this episode. https://www.prowrestlingtees.com/kevinsullivan https://www.doublehell.com/ https://www.kamalaspeaks.com/ https://www.wohw.com/ http://www.caulifloweralleyclub.org/ Be sure and subscribe to our YouTube channel to see the videos we produce to go alongside our podcasts. Search for Contrary To Popular Wrestling on YouTube Be sure and like us on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/ContraryPod/ You can write in to the show and share your memories of Kamala, comment on this show or past episodes, or write in questions for upcoming guests Eddie Sharkey, Kevin Sullivan, and JJ Dillon at our email address ContraryPod@gmail.com

In the debut edition of Contrary to Popular Wrestling, Carmine and James are joined by Evan Ginzburg, Nikita Breznikov, Howard Baum, and Vandal Drummond/Kurt Brown. These guests discuss the culture of being a fan in the kayfabe and territory era, even getting into the culture of the wrestlers and those involved within the business' inner workings. From smoke-filled arenas and early newsletters to Zubaz and fanny packs, this first episode is a great overview of how wrestling as a whole has changed over 40+ years. Be sure and check us out on YouTube to see the videos we put together to go along with each podcast. Search for Contrary To Popular Wrestling on YouTube.   To stay up to date with the show like us on Facebook, facebook.com/ContraryPod   Email the show at ContraryPod@gmail.com

Carmine Despirito and James Southard introduce themselves and discuss their backgrounds in and around professional wrestling. They also preview what the show will be about. They also announce the guests who will be joining them for episode 1 of Contrary to Popular Wrestling.