JR is one of those guys you just never get tired of listening to talk about anything. Its a dying art thanks to today’s technology. The guy just has the gift of gab. Love you JR
My favorite quote from JR " This is a one legged man in a ass kicking contest" . JR is a legend in wrestling business, there is NO else business like him.
Now, that was a dumb ass question that Conrad Thompson asked and thats coming from one Thompson to another 😢"why would wrestling allow a culture like this to exist". That's not a serious question because the answer is too obvious. Evil exist, THE DEVIL 😈 IS REAL AND MONEY 🤑💰 💸💵 💷 MAKES THE WORLD 🌍 GO ROUND. There is your answer to the supposed mystery
Growing up in New Orleans, I discovered professional wrestling at the age of 8 years old in 1981. I watched Mid South Wrestling religiously every Saturday evening at 5 pm on WGNO TV 26 from 1981 until Bill Watts sold the company to Jim Crockett. I attended many weekly Monday night cards at the Municipal Auditorium. I also was in attendance at many of the quarterly Superdome Extravaganza cards. Hearing Jim tell these stories gave me great insight as to what things were like behind the scenes. Thanks to J.R. and Conrad for putting together this great content and taking us fans back in time. Looking forward to more Mid South stories for sure!
Not only did I have Mid South, but also Memphis Wrestling then Georgia Championship Wrestling then WCW, in southern middle Tennessee just south of Nashville.
@@rickeywilliams5784 in New Orleans we got Mid South/Universal Wrestling Federation, Georgia Championship Wrestling/World Championship Wrestling/WCW, World Class Championship Wrestling out of Dallas Texas, AWA Championship Wrestling on ESPN and WWF Wrestling. In the early 80's before USA Network started broadcasting WWF regularly, they broadcasted Southwest Championship Wrestling out of San Antonio Texas. During the Summer when I would spend a few weeks at my aunt and uncle's house in Pensacola, Florida, I also got to watch Southeastern Championship Wrestling/Continental Championship Wrestling. I'm glad I got to experience the good ol territory days of wrestling.
I was born in the early 70s, so I started watching wrestling in the late 70s. Knew of some these guys, heard some of the stories. Was still lovin being a kid during the late 70s to early 90s. Didn't really start learning about the business, no not from the dirt sheets, until the mid to late 90s. I'm really glad JR felt better to talk about some of his experience. It's good to get things off your chest. And it's good for all of us to hear about how things used to be. The past is not to be feared. It's to enjoy and learn from. Thanks fellas
As soon as Conrad mentioned “Bruiser” Bob Sweetan, I said to myself “Okay, here we go.” because I knew that that’s where this podcast would get very dark.
Just about to start this, in my view the greatest wrestling promotion ever. Nothing can top the realistic feuds, the rough and tough wrestling, the stories, the interviews and the passion that i guarantee would even have a wrestling fan of today watching it.
This is one of the greatest podcast episodes ever! “I kept that story..secret..until after dicky passed away..kept my word” “What a cast of characters here.” “HAHAHAHAHA” I’m cleaning my tool basement at 3:30am after 11 hours working on the railroad and this pod episode is making it enjoyable. Thx CT&JR
Being in south central Louisiana as a kid it was Mid-South, WCCW, and NWA. Eventually AWA popped up on ESPN and then cable hit and we could watch WWF. Jim Ross has been a staple in my wrasslin fandom since day one and will always be THE voice of wrasslin. I'd listen to that man read Ikea instructions all day and be a damn happy fan.
@@Not-a-Bot-U-C Yes. My first live show in Shreveport, Louisiana was an arena event with Andre The Giant, Ernie Ladd, Skandar Ackbar and Dick Murdoch. I was amazed at how large Andre was...not tall, but WIDE, THICK, hands that seemed to be bigger than anything I had ever seen in my life. I remember there was an older lady who clearly took the effort to circle the ring with her walking cane who was working her way to Ackbar and security let her get 3/4 of the way around the ring before she was escorted back to her seat. Great times!
@@lbradcpa1 I wish I could have gotten to a Mid-South TV taping. I’m still laughing at Jim’s comment about rolling a joint while driving. Bill Watts smoked weed? I can’t see it.
FOR THE RECORD: JR & everyone's favorite wrestlers of that time were afraid of Bob Sweetan (a supposed real tough guy) and/or did not have an issue with sexually abusing children but *LARRY "THE AXE" HENNIG* would not have it and was afraid of no man. *LARRY HENNIG* came into the locker room as Sweetan was bragging to everyone about an underage girl, to which *LARRY* told him _"I have a daughter, so you better shut that shit up right now."_ Sweetan stopped talking but not for long. As soon as he said something else inappropriate, *HENNIG* walked straight over and viscously double poked Sweetan in the eyes; causing him to fall on the floor, screaming and crying. *"THE AXE"* then dragged him outside the building, returned for his bag/luggage and tossed it outside. Then, without saying a word, *LARRY HENNIG* came back inside the locker room and got ready for his match. That was the end of Bob Sweetan's run in that territory. (Roddy Piper told that story, when asked about the origin of the 'double eye poke' that he always did in the ring.)
Huge wrestling fan since around 1983. And fell into a social culture of older wrestling fans seems like all at once. The subjects, places, people and promotions that yall comment on is spot on!! And we as fans of yall can tell YALL ARE OFF THE TOP WITH THE CONVOS. ITS BITTERLY HONEST . TILL NEXT TIME FELLAS.
This is the best piece of wrestling history i have ever seen....its better than anything i could've imagined. JR is a national treasure and i wish i could shake his hand and tell him, his daughters, and Jan that the level of respect I have for JR is unrivaled.... and i say that as someone who has never watched a wrestling match. I have however bought the first two audiobooks and spent more hours than i can count listening to all the wisdom that comes out of this man and attempting, probably poorly, top retain everything I can.
7:10 JR is a national treasure. Few posses the knowledge and experience he has about the business. Positive stories have value - so do the bad, even terrible ones. Enjoy the stories, take what you will from them, hopefully growing in the process. Cheers!
Love how you segue the interview into the sponsor commercials, and JR chimes in on the commercials. This is my first time listening, love it, awesome show.
I remember Mid South when it would come through the town I grew up in Bastrop Louisiana. They put the ring up at the 50 yard line at the high school football field. If you bought tickets for ringside instead of bleacher seats they would hand you a metal folding chair when you handed in your ticket. After the show was over you had to bring the metal chair back to the gate on your way out. That was the early mid 80s.
I grew up 30 miles east of Shreveport Louisiana so Mid-South / UWF Wrestling was a big part of my childhood. What JR said about the wrestlers being tough was true. I had a co-worker tell me he blind sided Paul Orndorff in a bar on the Bossier strip one night. He said" Don I hit him so hard that he went down but the funny thing was all the way down he never took his eyes off of me". I asked him what he did next and he said "I got the hell out of there that man was going to kill me"Lol!
When I first started watching wrestling it was first GCW on Saturday afternoon..then discovered the Tri State Championship wrestling on Saturday mornings. Jim Ross was commentating . My first wrestling event I attended was Tri State at the National Gard armory in Oklahoma City it was one their last shows before Oklahoma was part of Mid south...Snuka was their in a six man tag team and the main event was Ric Flair vs. Paul Jones..Good times..
I feel like this is definitely one of the most important shows. I love the territory stories, those days are gone. JR, Corny, Dutch, Arn and Flair these men are the only ones that can actually tell us of these days.
I don't know anyone that is familiar with him that doesn't like JR. Think I can honestly say that I've heard him in one form or fashion every year of my life since I was around 10 years old, starting with his commentary and interviews on Mid-South & Houston wrestling in 1982. Watching him periodically on TBS and then WWE. Now these podcasts are fantastic.
This has been a very interesting podcast! JR has been around and worked all the legends of pro wrestling, some he even hired and gave them their first opportunity! Jim Ross, has seen and done it all for the BIZZ and deserves everyone's respect!! When opportunity knocks, be ready and open the door!
Best episode of the podcast. Can't imagine any piece of content ever exceeding it. I honestly can not see a more important piece of wrestling content ever being peoduced... but I'm sure you'll find a way. Thank you Jim.
Im at 2 hrs and kind of sad its ending. I have adhd so two hours on one video of someone talking is extremely rare. Much love JR 🤘🏼 thank god for youtube man
I watched mid-South religiously Saturday night and again Sunday morning(rerun of Saturday night). Jim duggan, Ted dibiase, Steve Williams, Jake Roberts, JYD, Eddie Gilbert, Skandor Akbar and DEVeSTATION INC. ONE MAN GANG❗
This is the FIRST Full Episode I’ve ever watched. What a show. I’ve been watching Mid-South episodes since January when I got Covid. A friend of Mine told Me they had Full Episodes of Mid-South on UA-cam.
On the subject of fundamentals: I dance Salsa. I wasn't really taught good fundamentals and only saw fancy moves and thought that was important. Now that I know moves I wish I was taught fundamentals. I have basically restarted my journey because the basic stuff needs work, and takes 3 x longer. Fundamentals are the most important. I now get more compliments doing half the shit I used to. Just like wrestling, when you know how to spice up the basic movements, you will get maximum crowd enjoyment (your lady dance partner) doing the least amount of work possible.
@@stewartmcrae8007 yup. It is a bloody joke. Though again, it could be a covert advertisement. Anyone who listens to this intro will definitely have his curiosity intrigued.
@@fayezfawzi3255 could be although it is nothing we haven't heard before and the title of the video is very suggestive and obviously done for clickbait purposes
Oh yeah…it’s great that we live in a time where anything that comes out of your mouth needs a “trigger warning” or a disclaimer. Do you polish boots with your tongue for fun?
Man this podcast is one of the best i have ever heard. Thank you everyone invilinget to learn about history and my favorite wrestlers from good ole Jr.
I'm just getting into this episode, and I think it's going to be one of the best, I love you, Jr., and Conrad's. Keep this up. You have something special with this podcast, and I'd love to see more like this. Hearing the stories straight from the mouths that experienced the stories, priceless, keep up the good work, and love you too❤
I'm from Loranger! Someone asked Hacksaw Butch Reed what's the most dangerous town he'd ever been to. He replied there is a little town called Loranger LA. Them people take it seriously!! Met Sting there and saw Freebirds jump Iceman King Parsons!
I don’t think this is a particularly dark episode. Yes, there’s some darkness…yes, there are monsters. But there are also good guys, consummate professionals and life-changing mentors. It’s LIFE…this is what every person encounters along the way. I’ve encountered every personality mentioned here…from the horrible dungeon people who make the newspapers to the perennial righteous. It’s life…
Best damn podcast JR has done. So real and honest. No BS not politically correct in today's age, but shit most of that stuff was 40-45 years ago. Way different time in our culture. Love the candid picture JR painted. Would love a part 2
When i was a child i used to get to help out with the Central States shows at the Municipal Auditorium in Topeka bc my Dad's friend was the GM of the building. From 1979-1987 i used to help set up and tear down the shows and i got to meet all the wrestlers and carry their bags and so on. I would have been in elementary school at the time. I have great memories and stories and autographs of all the wrestlers who passed through the territory during the 80's minus one; Bob Br9wn told me NEVER to talk to Bob Sweetan....not even to make eye contact. There was truly something menacing and dangerous about Bob Sweetan.
I’m 41 years old and haven’t watched wrestling since right before Sting went all The Crow. I was a massive wrestling before then. I love JR’s podcast. The more he talks about the 70’s through the mid 90’s the more captivating it gets. All these old school wrestling legends telling their unfiltered stories makes me feel like a kid again.
You had me at JR getting into wrestling by watching roller derby and then wrestling was on right after...that was my childhood. I introduced my son to wrestling when he was 4 yo (24 years ago). My dad and I bonded over RD and wrestling & wrestling has always been a bond for my son and I. I truly enjoyed the show. I'm from the NE so these are not wrestlers I'm familiar with but what interesting stories and eye openers.
That's definitely an Old Time work that's gone by the wayside but something that could absolutely come back and improve the business today and that is the referee being in there and helping call spots, especially for younger greener talents. Very interesting.
Given Conrad's warning i thought this was going to be worse. These thinga are all horrific but its nothing we havent heard before. As bad as this stuff is, imagine what we didnt hear and what isn't being told. Scary thought.
Great interview! I've seen someone's card before. Killer Karl Kox was a member too and introduce Dick from what I've heard. Think of Karl's initials. Anyhow, love these stories!
Great podcast. Territory episodes are always fascinating. Mid South was one of the best in the late 70's and 80's. There are several episodes worth of stories JR can tell. I hope Conrad considers diving further into the territory.
I went to the AEW house rules show in Troy, OH and it was AMAZING! Great card, great action and great crowd. I still check out WWE programming but for my money, AEW is consistently putting out the better product.
I'm more convinced than ever that For What It's Worth by Buffalo Springfield is JR's favorite song. can't convince me otherwise. he references the song at 1in3 shows for people who may not know, Mike McGuirk was a ring announcer for a long time in WWF. I remember her in the late 80s and early 90s at the Wrestling Challenge episodes. i always remember sparkly outfits that looked like very tame Playboy Boy club waitress outfits I didn't realize she was the daughter of a promoter on bill watts: "he didn't care who was on top as long as you drew money" ... for those who question how a person can be a racist and put the titles on black wrestlers It's amazing that the greatest voice in professional wrestling may not have been if not for a no-show. wonder if schiavone ever sent hate mail to Boyd Pierce
Interesting that for an "unplanned" *OOOOOOOHHHH DAAAAAAAHHHHHHHRRRRRRK* episode CONNIE is with JR and not Casio Kid. But, props to JR for being a Sweet Guy and voicing his desire to build something long lasting for his children.
I'm not sure what was so dark and scary about this content. This was honest and revealing commentary. I wasn't shocked or appalled. The truth shall set you free!
@@realnumber_9 true I haven’t fully watched it yet but it’s still good to say hey if these things bother you don’t watch this episode or watch it later
Oh nice, unexpected Larry Hennig talk. Larry was one of the deacon/usher guys at the church my parents dragged us to when I was a kid in the 90s. My dad and I would also see him ( I never talked to him but my dad would make chit chat since my dad had watched him while growing up ) at the doctors office once in awhile as well.
Great episode, I grew up with Mid-South wrestling, I always enjoy any inside information on my favorite promotion. I really don't believe a disclaimer was needed, the way you were carrying on, I was expecting some really earth-shattering news. Just watching the Nightly News it's far more darker than anything that was discussed here, pro wrestling is the same as any other business, there are pedophiles in all walks of life. As far as the racism, the Bill Watts interviews I've seen were far more detailed than this, but as an "okie" I can listen to Jim Ross all day long
Imagine this - Monday Night Raw is on with a PPV like card for free, Monday Night Nitro is on at the same time, a Monday night Football game with playoff implications is also on. You're in school, no job, no responsibilities. Life was so good. You wake up and before you know it you're in a living hell in 2023 and ask yourself......What happened?
I haven't heard that AEW is coming to the Salem Civic Center. Central Virginia used to be prime Mid Atlantic territory for house shows. Especially in Lynchburg, Salem and Roanoke. Now we only get one WWE house show a year.
Wasnt the first dude in a position of prominence/power to abuse it, and wouldnt be the last. Thats life. Not like he was bending over and mounting 12yrolds in the middle of the locker room and everyone just turned their heads and walked away. These were people who were great at working people, after all.
Would love to see a video of Jim discussing the career of Leroy McGuirk in a similar vein of how he covered Warrior and some of these other guys. Or at least a video of Jim discussing his time with Leroy. I feel like there could be some interesting content there.
I live in South Arkansas close to El Dorado. My dad used to take me to see wrestling in Monroe,LA and Shreveport, little rock Arkansas and pine bluff AR. I remember Mr. Jim Ross and Mr Boyd (can't remember last name) in the 70s and early 80s. Loved his work and glad for his success in the business. Great memories.
Ive been watching Jim Ross since i was 5 in 1984 when he was at MidSouth for the best year in wrestling history thankyou Sir for your contribution to the business you are by far the greatest Commentator in wrestling history.its close with you and Jesse Ventura lol jk not even remotely close
@@brainhakker7133 Yeah and actually this episode was a lot less shocking than that intro insinuated - but I guess Conrad has a wide viewership and he's erring on the side of caution.
JR is one of those guys you just never get tired of listening to talk about anything. Its a dying art thanks to today’s technology. The guy just has the gift of gab. Love you JR
Lol actually people are talking more now than ever. It's actually a new art.
My favorite quote from JR " This is a one legged man in a ass kicking contest" . JR is a legend in wrestling business, there is NO else business like him.
Now, that was a dumb ass question that Conrad Thompson asked and thats coming from one Thompson to another 😢"why would wrestling allow a culture like this to exist". That's not a serious question because the answer is too obvious. Evil exist, THE DEVIL 😈 IS REAL AND MONEY 🤑💰 💸💵 💷 MAKES THE WORLD 🌍 GO ROUND. There is your answer to the supposed mystery
I could sit and listen to JR tell stories about wrestling 24/7 365! So much knowledge and history.
Growing up in New Orleans, I discovered professional wrestling at the age of 8 years old in 1981. I watched Mid South Wrestling religiously every Saturday evening at 5 pm on WGNO TV 26 from 1981 until Bill Watts sold the company to Jim Crockett. I attended many weekly Monday night cards at the Municipal Auditorium. I also was in attendance at many of the quarterly Superdome Extravaganza cards. Hearing Jim tell these stories gave me great insight as to what things were like behind the scenes. Thanks to J.R. and Conrad for putting together this great content and taking us fans back in time. Looking forward to more Mid South stories for sure!
Yes Sir. Grew up on Mid South too
Awesome podcast. I’m a big wrestling fan since the early 1970s in Baton Rouge! I’m glad JR mentioned my city a few times, we had fantastic cards here!
Not only did I have Mid South, but also Memphis Wrestling then Georgia Championship Wrestling then WCW, in southern middle Tennessee just south of Nashville.
@@rickeywilliams5784 in New Orleans we got Mid South/Universal Wrestling Federation, Georgia Championship Wrestling/World Championship Wrestling/WCW, World Class Championship Wrestling out of Dallas Texas, AWA Championship Wrestling on ESPN and WWF Wrestling. In the early 80's before USA Network started broadcasting WWF regularly, they broadcasted Southwest Championship Wrestling out of San Antonio Texas. During the Summer when I would spend a few weeks at my aunt and uncle's house in Pensacola, Florida, I also got to watch Southeastern Championship Wrestling/Continental Championship Wrestling. I'm glad I got to experience the good ol territory days of wrestling.
I forgot about World Class
12:09 when topic starts
I was born in the early 70s, so I started watching wrestling in the late 70s. Knew of some these guys, heard some of the stories. Was still lovin being a kid during the late 70s to early 90s. Didn't really start learning about the business, no not from the dirt sheets, until the mid to late 90s. I'm really glad JR felt better to talk about some of his experience. It's good to get things off your chest. And it's good for all of us to hear about how things used to be. The past is not to be feared. It's to enjoy and learn from. Thanks fellas
As soon as Conrad mentioned “Bruiser” Bob Sweetan, I said to myself “Okay, here we go.” because I knew that that’s where this podcast would get very dark.
Conrad, Jim, and the production team, thank you. You're amazing
Just about to start this, in my view the greatest wrestling promotion ever.
Nothing can top the realistic feuds, the rough and tough wrestling, the stories, the interviews and the passion that i guarantee would even have a wrestling fan of today watching it.
Mid-South and World Class Championship Wrestling where the best. Matter what anyone says. WWF wasn't the best in the 80's
This is one of the greatest podcast episodes ever!
“I kept that story..secret..until after dicky passed away..kept my word”
“What a cast of characters here.”
“HAHAHAHAHA”
I’m cleaning my tool basement at 3:30am after 11 hours working on the railroad and this pod episode is making it enjoyable.
Thx CT&JR
Being in south central Louisiana as a kid it was Mid-South, WCCW, and NWA. Eventually AWA popped up on ESPN and then cable hit and we could watch WWF. Jim Ross has been a staple in my wrasslin fandom since day one and will always be THE voice of wrasslin. I'd listen to that man read Ikea instructions all day and be a damn happy fan.
JR’s stock went up 100 fold!!! Ty Mr. Ross for an insider history lesson and insights. Your Honesty is refreshing
This was so good! Growing up in the Mid South territory, this was a GREAT behind the scenes look at the business and the humans that were there.
It was incredible, wasn't it?
I grew up in New England, so it was mostly WWWF or independents for live shows, were you able to travel to some matches ?
@@Not-a-Bot-U-C Yes. My first live show in Shreveport, Louisiana was an arena event with Andre The Giant, Ernie Ladd, Skandar Ackbar and Dick Murdoch. I was amazed at how large Andre was...not tall, but WIDE, THICK, hands that seemed to be bigger than anything I had ever seen in my life. I remember there was an older lady who clearly took the effort to circle the ring with her walking cane who was working her way to Ackbar and security let her get 3/4 of the way around the ring before she was escorted back to her seat. Great times!
@@lbradcpa1 I wish I could have gotten to a Mid-South TV taping. I’m still laughing at Jim’s comment about rolling a joint while driving. Bill Watts smoked weed? I can’t see it.
FOR THE RECORD:
JR & everyone's favorite wrestlers of that time were afraid of Bob Sweetan (a supposed real tough guy) and/or did not have an issue with sexually abusing children but *LARRY "THE AXE" HENNIG* would not have it and was afraid of no man.
*LARRY HENNIG* came into the locker room as Sweetan was bragging to everyone about an underage girl, to which *LARRY* told him _"I have a daughter, so you better shut that shit up right now."_ Sweetan stopped talking but not for long. As soon as he said something else inappropriate, *HENNIG* walked straight over and viscously double poked Sweetan in the eyes; causing him to fall on the floor, screaming and crying. *"THE AXE"* then dragged him outside the building, returned for his bag/luggage and tossed it outside. Then, without saying a word, *LARRY HENNIG* came back inside the locker room and got ready for his match.
That was the end of Bob Sweetan's run in that territory.
(Roddy Piper told that story, when asked about the origin of the 'double eye poke' that he always did in the ring.)
What a cool ass story! Thank you for that
Cool but you spelled "viciously" wrong. Viscous mean thickness of liquid lol
@@leostenson4476 Auto-Correct
Huge wrestling fan since around 1983. And fell into a social culture of older wrestling fans seems like all at once. The subjects, places, people and promotions that yall comment on is spot on!! And we as fans of yall can tell YALL ARE OFF THE TOP WITH THE CONVOS. ITS BITTERLY HONEST . TILL NEXT TIME FELLAS.
This is the best piece of wrestling history i have ever seen....its better than anything i could've imagined. JR is a national treasure and i wish i could shake his hand and tell him, his daughters, and Jan that the level of respect I have for JR is unrivaled.... and i say that as someone who has never watched a wrestling match. I have however bought the first two audiobooks and spent more hours than i can count listening to all the wisdom that comes out of this man and attempting, probably poorly, top retain everything I can.
7:10 JR is a national treasure. Few posses the knowledge and experience he has about the business. Positive stories have value - so do the bad, even terrible ones. Enjoy the stories, take what you will from them, hopefully growing in the process. Cheers!
Damn that got dark but I'm so glad you talked so candidly about it. I love hearing your stories and experience
Pro wrestlers and comedians especially the older ones have almost a parallel type of childhood experience when you hear their stories.
There is a podcast where Stone Cold and comic Bill Burr discuss the similarities.
I can listen to these stories all day. I learned a lot.
He has changed so much. Life has a way of doing that...
I love it. Thanks Jr this could have been a book. I could listen all day.
Love how you segue the interview into the sponsor commercials, and JR chimes in on the commercials. This is my first time listening, love it, awesome show.
I remember Mid South when it would come through the town I grew up in Bastrop Louisiana. They put the ring up at the 50 yard line at the high school football field. If you bought tickets for ringside instead of bleacher seats they would hand you a metal folding chair when you handed in your ticket. After the show was over you had to bring the metal chair back to the gate on your way out. That was the early mid 80s.
UWF came to the Rice arena in Crowley and I remember Ray Candy running to the ring it was like a snail running.
Wow! That’s cool. Shout out to bastrop!
I grew up 30 miles east of Shreveport Louisiana so Mid-South / UWF Wrestling was a big part of my childhood. What JR said about the wrestlers being tough was true. I had a co-worker tell me he blind sided Paul Orndorff in a bar on the Bossier strip one night. He said" Don I hit him so hard that he went down but the funny thing was all the way down he never took his eyes off of me". I asked him what he did next and he said "I got the hell out of there that man was going to kill me"Lol!
When I first started watching wrestling it was first GCW on Saturday afternoon..then discovered the Tri State Championship wrestling on Saturday mornings. Jim Ross was commentating . My first wrestling event I attended was Tri State at the National Gard armory in Oklahoma City it was one their last shows before Oklahoma was part of Mid south...Snuka was their in a six man tag team and the main event was Ric Flair vs. Paul Jones..Good times..
Old stories of wrestling is awesome
I feel like this is definitely one of the most important shows. I love the territory stories, those days are gone. JR, Corny, Dutch, Arn and Flair these men are the only ones that can actually tell us of these days.
This should be a slobber knocker no doubt about it
Massive massive shoutout to Houma, Louisiana.
I don't know anyone that is familiar with him that doesn't like JR. Think I can honestly say that I've heard him in one form or fashion every year of my life since I was around 10 years old, starting with his commentary and interviews on Mid-South & Houston wrestling in 1982. Watching him periodically on TBS and then WWE. Now these podcasts are fantastic.
This has been a very interesting podcast! JR has been around and worked all the legends of pro wrestling, some he even hired and gave them their first opportunity! Jim Ross, has seen and done it all for the BIZZ and deserves everyone's respect!! When opportunity knocks, be ready and open the door!
Great episode! JR is living history!
Best episode of the podcast. Can't imagine any piece of content ever exceeding it. I honestly can not see a more important piece of wrestling content ever being peoduced... but I'm sure you'll find a way. Thank you Jim.
Im at 2 hrs and kind of sad its ending. I have adhd so two hours on one video of someone talking is extremely rare. Much love JR 🤘🏼 thank god for youtube man
The School of Pro Wrestling from territories to wwf….JR lived it!
I used to go to Lake Charles back in the day when you wouldn't dare say wrestling was fake or you could get stabbed or minimum a fight
Also referee Jerry usher beating grizzly smith. Luke brown and grizzly smith beating bob sweetan and bull ramos
Jim was a high school ref at my Tahlequah Oklahoma football games. Always thought he was from Jay, Oklahoma, not Westville, so I learned something.
Now THIS is a perfect Grilling JR topic. Can’t wait!
From all of us here at Splashgo, you guys are awesome. Love your show! Never miss an episode
This is episode 211 and jr has told the story of austin beating him up at smackdown 311 times
I know it's Fricken Awesome ain't it !!
Great job on the podcast! Really enjoy learning about the history and business aspects of wrestling.
I watched mid-South religiously Saturday night and again Sunday morning(rerun of Saturday night).
Jim duggan, Ted dibiase, Steve Williams, Jake Roberts, JYD, Eddie Gilbert, Skandor Akbar and DEVeSTATION INC.
ONE MAN GANG❗
This is the FIRST Full Episode I’ve ever watched. What a show. I’ve been watching Mid-South episodes since January when I got Covid. A friend of Mine told Me they had Full Episodes of Mid-South on UA-cam.
On the subject of fundamentals:
I dance Salsa. I wasn't really taught good fundamentals and only saw fancy moves and thought that was important. Now that I know moves I wish I was taught fundamentals. I have basically restarted my journey because the basic stuff needs work, and takes 3 x longer. Fundamentals are the most important. I now get more compliments doing half the shit I used to. Just like wrestling, when you know how to spice up the basic movements, you will get maximum crowd enjoyment (your lady dance partner) doing the least amount of work possible.
The disclaimer at the start was really professional. Well done
Not really it was pathetic people are way too sensitive and easily offended compared to the era being discussed
@@stewartmcrae8007 yup. It is a bloody joke.
Though again, it could be a covert advertisement. Anyone who listens to this intro will definitely have his curiosity intrigued.
@@fayezfawzi3255 could be although it is nothing we haven't heard before and the title of the video is very suggestive and obviously done for clickbait purposes
Oh yeah…it’s great that we live in a time where anything that comes out of your mouth needs a “trigger warning” or a disclaimer. Do you polish boots with your tongue for fun?
@@at0micwerew0lf depends on if I used the brown boot polish or the black. The black gives me gas
This episode definitely ranks up there with Prichard's Houston episode and Arn's My Spot episode as probably my 3 favorites...
JR just puffin on a joint telling stories is amazing
The North American title is BY FAR my favorite belt....its a beauty and very classy...all my titles i made as a kid looked exactly that model...
God bless JR and his family.
Man this podcast is one of the best i have ever heard. Thank you everyone invilinget to learn about history and my favorite wrestlers from good ole Jr.
this is historic thanks for the stories keep them coming please as much as you can
I'm just getting into this episode, and I think it's going to be one of the best, I love you, Jr., and Conrad's. Keep this up. You have something special with this podcast, and I'd love to see more like this. Hearing the stories straight from the mouths that experienced the stories, priceless, keep up the good work, and love you too❤
I'm from Loranger!
Someone asked Hacksaw Butch Reed what's the most dangerous town he'd ever been to. He replied there is a little town called Loranger LA. Them people take it seriously!!
Met Sting there and saw Freebirds jump Iceman King Parsons!
No complaining this week. Excellent episode this week, great approach by Connie
I don’t think this is a particularly dark episode. Yes, there’s some darkness…yes, there are monsters. But there are also good guys, consummate professionals and life-changing mentors. It’s LIFE…this is what every person encounters along the way. I’ve encountered every personality mentioned here…from the horrible dungeon people who make the newspapers to the perennial righteous. It’s life…
Best damn podcast JR has done. So real and honest. No BS not politically correct in today's age, but shit most of that stuff was 40-45 years ago. Way different time in our culture. Love the candid picture JR painted. Would love a part 2
When i was a child i used to get to help out with the Central States shows at the Municipal Auditorium in Topeka bc my Dad's friend was the GM of the building. From 1979-1987 i used to help set up and tear down the shows and i got to meet all the wrestlers and carry their bags and so on. I would have been in elementary school at the time. I have great memories and stories and autographs of all the wrestlers who passed through the territory during the 80's minus one; Bob Br9wn told me NEVER to talk to Bob Sweetan....not even to make eye contact. There was truly something menacing and dangerous about Bob Sweetan.
....but everybody else treated me great.
I seen Sweetan down in one of the South Louisiana arenas Mid South went to and you can sense it 😳😳😳
I'm loving this we have to extract as much information out of Jr as we possibly can let's keep going back in time guys
I’m 41 years old and haven’t watched wrestling since right before Sting went all The Crow. I was a massive wrestling before then. I love JR’s podcast. The more he talks about the 70’s through the mid 90’s the more captivating it gets. All these old school wrestling legends telling their unfiltered stories makes me feel like a kid again.
Hell, Jim; I respect you for being able to roll a doob while driving, and I'm a Deadhead, lol
You had me at JR getting into wrestling by watching roller derby and then wrestling was on right after...that was my childhood. I introduced my son to wrestling when he was 4 yo (24 years ago). My dad and I bonded over RD and wrestling & wrestling has always been a bond for my son and I. I truly enjoyed the show. I'm from the NE so these are not wrestlers I'm familiar with but what interesting stories and eye openers.
50:20 J.R forgot to mention that Stilwell is the prank call capital of the world!
That's definitely an Old Time work that's gone by the wayside but something that could absolutely come back and improve the business today and that is the referee being in there and helping call spots, especially for younger greener talents. Very interesting.
Given Conrad's warning i thought this was going to be worse. These thinga are all horrific but its nothing we havent heard before. As bad as this stuff is, imagine what we didnt hear and what isn't being told. Scary thought.
Darkside of midsouth is the reason i clicked on this one. Very professional intro Conrad
Great interview! I've seen someone's card before. Killer Karl Kox was a member too and introduce Dick from what I've heard. Think of Karl's initials. Anyhow, love these stories!
Great podcast. Territory episodes are always fascinating. Mid South was one of the best in the late 70's and 80's. There are several episodes worth of stories JR can tell. I hope Conrad considers diving further into the territory.
Best grilling JR episode of all time. Awesome work guys.
I went to the AEW house rules show in Troy, OH and it was AMAZING! Great card, great action and great crowd. I still check out WWE programming but for my money, AEW is consistently putting out the better product.
This is the best episode I've heard of this show
I'm more convinced than ever that For What It's Worth by Buffalo Springfield is JR's favorite song. can't convince me otherwise. he references the song at 1in3 shows
for people who may not know, Mike McGuirk was a ring announcer for a long time in WWF. I remember her in the late 80s and early 90s at the Wrestling Challenge episodes. i always remember sparkly outfits that looked like very tame Playboy Boy club waitress outfits I didn't realize she was the daughter of a promoter
on bill watts: "he didn't care who was on top as long as you drew money" ... for those who question how a person can be a racist and put the titles on black wrestlers
It's amazing that the greatest voice in professional wrestling may not have been if not for a no-show. wonder if schiavone ever sent hate mail to Boyd Pierce
Interesting that for an "unplanned" *OOOOOOOHHHH DAAAAAAAHHHHHHHRRRRRRK* episode CONNIE is with JR and not Casio Kid.
But, props to JR for being a Sweet Guy and voicing his desire to build something long lasting for his children.
Magnum TA, started out in the Pacific Northwest in the early 80's as Terry Allen😊
I grew up in the middle of mid south territory and actually knew a few of the wrestlers. Thanks for the memories JR!!!
I'm not sure what was so dark and scary about this content. This was honest and revealing commentary. I wasn't shocked or appalled. The truth shall set you free!
it wasn't in the slightest he probably just felt the need to protect himself from people on social media having a emotional meltdown
@@stewartmcrae8007 You're right, I forgot we live in a hypersensitive, woke, society
@@realnumber_9 some of the content the sexual abuse part might trigger someone who was sexually abused but ya no a lot of people are soft
@@andrewramsdale The content wasn't explicit or graphic in any nature. There's alot worse on the internet
@@realnumber_9 true I haven’t fully watched it yet but it’s still good to say hey if these things bother you don’t watch this episode or watch it later
Oh nice, unexpected Larry Hennig talk. Larry was one of the deacon/usher guys at the church my parents dragged us to when I was a kid in the 90s. My dad and I would also see him ( I never talked to him but my dad would make chit chat since my dad had watched him while growing up ) at the doctors office once in awhile as well.
Great episode, I grew up with Mid-South wrestling, I always enjoy any inside information on my favorite promotion. I really don't believe a disclaimer was needed, the way you were carrying on, I was expecting some really earth-shattering news. Just watching the Nightly News it's far more darker than anything that was discussed here, pro wrestling is the same as any other business, there are pedophiles in all walks of life. As far as the racism, the Bill Watts interviews I've seen were far more detailed than this, but as an "okie" I can listen to Jim Ross all day long
Everything he discussed is in his first book.
As Conrad would say...REPEATEDLY..."Right."
GREAT PODCAST, Genuine honest discussion of Pro wrestling! Dark or not ill take genuality over any of todays culture wokeness nonsense!
I remember JR on Jim Crockett NWA in the 80s before gling to WWF.
Imagine this - Monday Night Raw is on with a PPV like card for free, Monday Night Nitro is on at the same time, a Monday night Football game with playoff implications is also on. You're in school, no job, no responsibilities. Life was so good. You wake up and before you know it you're in a living hell in 2023 and ask yourself......What happened?
Man stories like this are the best because there real . Love Jr , Long live the best wrestling announcer of most of ours lifetime .
I haven't heard that AEW is coming to the Salem Civic Center. Central Virginia used to be prime Mid Atlantic territory for house shows. Especially in Lynchburg, Salem and Roanoke. Now we only get one WWE house show a year.
Good way to preface this sort of thing, Conrad.
Grizzly Smith is a prime example of how someone was *_ALLOWED_* to embrace his inner demons.
Wasnt the first dude in a position of prominence/power to abuse it, and wouldnt be the last. Thats life. Not like he was bending over and mounting 12yrolds in the middle of the locker room and everyone just turned their heads and walked away. These were people who were great at working people, after all.
Stop apologizing for having a podcast with more meat on the bone.
Real history of wrestling from Jim Ross
Would love to see a video of Jim discussing the career of Leroy McGuirk in a similar vein of how he covered Warrior and some of these other guys. Or at least a video of Jim discussing his time with Leroy. I feel like there could be some interesting content there.
Stream Slobber Knocker and his other book Black Hat. I listened to them a long while back. You will get what you are looking for and way more.
This is a masterclass❤ what a gem
JR stories left me with my mouth open and me shaking my head wow
I live in South Arkansas close to El Dorado. My dad used to take me to see wrestling in Monroe,LA and Shreveport, little rock Arkansas and pine bluff AR. I remember Mr. Jim Ross and Mr Boyd (can't remember last name) in the 70s and early 80s. Loved his work and glad for his success in the business. Great memories.
Read JR’s first book. Majority of these stories plus more are in it.
I downloaded the audiobook. It was so much better listening to him.
Wow. Great episode...honesty about the wrestling industry good and bad 👏
Lolol, thought I was slick using the positions on the clock to let my mom know where specific food is. Shoulda realized it's probably done globally
Jr mentioned as a kid watching wrestling and roller derby on Saturday afternoons. I did the same in New York. Ray Morgan was announcer. Memories !!!
True legend love hearing his stories 🌸💜
This felt like there should've been a part 2 and maybe 3...
BEST.EPISODE.EVER. This was the perfect topic
You like him talking about what was going on in mid south and him turning a blind eye. He knew about all the underage crap and laughs it off
@@isjones2112he didn't laugh anything off.
@@isjones2112you're a moron.
Ive been watching Jim Ross since i was 5 in 1984 when he was at MidSouth for the best year in wrestling history thankyou Sir for your contribution to the business you are by far the greatest Commentator in wrestling history.its close with you and Jesse Ventura lol jk not even remotely close
Thanks for the little tidbits of life advice , much appreciated
That North American title is the best looking title hands down
Adrian street!!! Love ur work!
😂😂😂 I strongly disagree. It, and the AEW title, are incredibly ugly
@@TJSpyke I dont get how you can even compare it with the AEW title but ok.
@@Adrianstreet997 because they both look ugly
@@Adrianstreet997 i hear you like it up your ass.... I heard you always carried lawyers bags
Kudos on that introduction, Conrad, you did an excellent job.
I miss the world where it was unnecessary for the Piazza intro !
@@brainhakker7133 Yeah and actually this episode was a lot less shocking than that intro insinuated - but I guess Conrad has a wide viewership and he's erring on the side of caution.
@@brainhakker7133you'll get over it snowflake.