The Indy Wrestling Experience

Episode 72 - Sampson, Produce Wrestling, & Underground Lucha

We are back this week with the big announcement that, starting Monday June 15, the Underground Lucha Experience becomes a stand-alone podcast. Join us as Bob discovers Lucha Underground for the first time, Jon relives the memories of watching every episode the first time, and we react in real time. The old Lucha Underground episodes are being uploaded to the Lucha Underground YouTube channel as we speak, so watching along with us just became easier than ever! Join us at www.undergroundlucha.com 
 
In our News and Notes, Bob and Jon discuss the unique structure of the new PRODUCE Wrestling, its recent addition to the MyAEW streaming app (even before its debut show), and the stacked card that Jonathan Gresham has curated for their debut event. Also, we discuss:
Zoey Serrano (fka Zoey Stark) announced for match at HAW vs Leyla Hirsch
Tiphani Grady nears one full year with two separate championships
Bobbi Thunder to get a shot at the WWE ID Championship
Vito Fratelli wins the IWRG Championship
WWE ID performers now required to use their WWE name when wrestling independent shows
Next, UPW Heavyweight Champion, Sampson, returns to update us on his nationwide tour defending the UPW Championship (and looking to pick up even more titles), Roxy Astor's show in LA being a huge success, his ever growing presence with the NWA, and what's next for The Collective after MarquetteMania IV.
In our Control Center, we preview shows from three companies coming up this weekend. As always, we thank these promotions for permission to use their audio to enhance The Control Center:
River City Championship Wrestling
All-Star Wrestling WV
Pure Vanguard Wrestling
Next week, the Danger Ginger returns to update us on the happenings at the Pro Wrestling Star Academy and much more. STAY TUNED!!

Episode #71 - Watching Sports Entertainment w/Tully

We are back this week and we're switching things up a bit. Bob has been trying to introduce Jon to Discover Pro Wrestling, so we decided to do a watch along of DPW 8: Warpath on Youtube. Bob thinks this promotion is the best possible example of sports entertainment in independent wrestling. The shows feature interconnected stories, in-ring promos to set up events later in the show, and a video production that is out of this world.
At the same time, we've been wanting to catch up with our pal Tully Bertorelli so we invited him to join us!  Tully, Bob and Jon watch the first two hours of DPW 8 featuring:
Jack Ledger vs Aaron Arsenal vs Brock Hall vs Sierra (DPW Title #1 Contenders Fatal Four Way)
Paul Virk (c) vs Jack Ledger (DPW Title)
Ethen Matthews vs Wyatt Tordsen
Devlin Kain vs X
Royal Flavuh vs Alvin Gray & ARLEN vs Bobby Brennan and Koda Jacobs
Tully has worked with many of the folks on this show and gives everyone some great insight on the performers and tells plenty of fun stories. Along the way, on top of the reactions to the show, Tully tells stories from UPW MarquetteMania IV, being Santa Claus like Mick Foley,  performing in the Air Guitar Championships, Meeting Luke Perry and Joey Lawrence, wrestling Mike Anthony, the first female member of The Collective, and much more. 
Next week we return with UPW Champion, Sampson and we will watch the final hour of DPW Warpath featuring two Slammy Davis Jr. matches and a title vs streak match as Paul Virk defends the DPW title a second time in one night against Joey Avalon. STAY TUNED!

Episode #70 - Envision, Homecoming & These Final Hours

We are back this week and hitting the ground running as Ragin Pro Wrestling CEO, Rich Buchholtz, joins us to preview this weekend's big double header in Waupaca, Wisconson. Envision (with the Women's Midwest Cup Tournament) takes place on Friday and Homecoming takes place on Saturday.  Rich previews the women's tournament, gives us a status update the raffle for the custom RPW championship belt, and discusses LFG's impact on these shows. 
After that, Bob and Jon review Freelance Wrestling "These Final Hours, which featured a tag team match of the year candidate, an intergender showdown, and the best person winning the Freelance Rumble. Also, we take a look at the new MyAEW streaming service and its addition of 1FW to the service. We discuss the TV companies' continued attempts to gain footholds in the indies, the reason for 1FW's inclusion, and whether Tony Khan really sees an opportunity to replace Triller. Finally, we react to news that dropped right as we were recording. Big Damo and Nikki Cross purchased PROGRESS Wrestling, and a co-ownership stake in DEFY Wrestling. We discuss the pros and cons of the purchase and whether it says anything specific about the state of independent wrestling.
In our Control Center, we preview two shows taking place this Friday. We thank these promotions for allowing us to use their audio in our promotion of their event:
Federated Wrestling Alliance
Retinal Pro Wrestling
Next week is a watch along episode and we will be joined by Tully Bertorelli, who has tons of news to share, projects to discuss and wrestling to analyze. STAY TUNED!!
 

Episode #69 - Erwin von Scharf

We are back this week with special guest Erwin von Scharf who was nice enough to agree to this interview while on the road. Erwin talks about his wrestling training at the Worldwide Dojo, with trainer Cheeseburger, his time in EWA & CATCHPOINT in Baltimore, and his current stint in Radical Wrestling Experience. Erwin talks about his early double gimmick (one as a ref, one as a wrestler) and his plans for the future (after the World Cup). 
 
Before that, in our News & Notes segment, Bob gives every one more information about the newly enhanced IWX rankings, including linked matches and social content for all listed promotions and performers. If you haven't checked out the update May rankings to see what you're linked to, what are you waiting for??
 
Also, Bob and Jon talk about Beyond Wrestling's five day wrestling event in Massachusetts called Wrestivus.  It was like ten different events over five day as five or six different companies came together to put on a massive wrestling weekend. Jon watch the Wrestling Open event on Thursday and has some detailed notes about  what he said is one of the best events he's watched this year. Bob watched CZW, WWR+ and Masterclass and offers his opinions on those events. In addition, the guys talk about the idea of a multi-day wrestling festival that's not attached to a big show like Wrestlemania, the viability, the fan reception, and more. 
 
In our Control Center, we preview shows coming up this weekend from three promotions. We thank each of these promotions for allowing us to use their audio to enhance each of the previews:
Benchmark Pro Wrestling
FLEX Wrestling
Community Championship Wrestling
Next week, we return with Rich Buchholtz to catch up on all things Ragin Pro Wrestling, most notably, the double header coming up next weekend. STAY TUNED!!
 
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00:00:00 - News & Notes
00:36:58 - Erwin von Scharf
01:27:16 - Control Center

Episode #68 - Danger Ginger & Beware Streamers

We are back this week and very excited to be joined by the Danger Ginger from the BJ & DG Talk Wrestling show on YouTube and Twitch. DG joins us to help explain all of the goings on at the Pro Wrestling Star Academy in Mount Holly, NJ, including Super Powers of Wrestling, Pro Wrestling Unplugged, & APPW (Represented by IWX #1 Tiphani Grady). Danger Ginger tells us about his show with BJ and others, his production work at the Pro Wrestling Star Academy, helps us understand more about those promotions.
It's a really fun interview. It's also brief because we would love for DG to become a regular contributor to the show to keep us updated on SPO/PWU. We encourage you to check out their shows on Tuesdays, where they focus on independent wrestling, and Sundays, where they focus on the mainstream product, review PLEs and more. Give them a listen and a follow!
Before we get to DG, Bob and Jon discuss several topics including:
Mason Rook getting hate online; John Cena Classic designed for just him?
MLW signs Zamaya, Brick Savage
NWA signs Hayden Backlund
WWE cuts replenish the independents
WWE ending streamer reactions
We only have one show to preview in our Control Center this week. We thank Premier Wrestling League Mid-Atlantic for allowing us the use of their audio to enhance our preview of Tiki Tussle 2 this Friday. Before we end the show, Bob updates Jon on the happenings at Delta Blues Wrestling last week, including Nick Brown's client reveal, a nasty tag team war, and and new IWX favorite, Dread the Klown.
Next week we return with Erwin von Scharff from Radical Wrestling Experience and EWA Wrestling. STAY TUNED!!

Episode #67 - Roxy Astor "Wrestling is 4 the Dogs & Cats"

We're back this week with an incredibly special guest. We are joined by former Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling performer, and currently the promoter of a charity event in Los Angeles on May 31 called "Wrestling is 4 the Dogs & Cats" to support rescues such as Melita's Dream Animal rescue. Roxy tells us about her first such event, "Wrestling is 4 the Dogs,"  and talks about all of the fun surprises she had at that show and how many more she has in store for May 31. Roxy tells us some stories about her time in GLOW, how she snuck pets into the GLOW apartment without anyone finding out, her stage play, "Raw Meat" honoring Matilda the Hun, and so much more. One of our new favorite guests and we know she'll be one of yours. 
 
We will post a link to Melita's Dream Animal Rescue to our Linktree so you can check out all of the adorable, adoptable puppies there if you can't make the show. If you can make the show, friend of the show (and #1 ranked wrestler again this month in the IWX Power Rankings), Sampson will be wrestling that day among many others. 
 
Before we get to Roxy, Bob and Jon break down two fantastic shows we saw over the weekend. First was Insane Wrestling Revolution's, "Insane Wrestlefest II," featuring a ton of legends and special guests, an unbelievable DLC match for the tag team titles, Fulton vs Carlito and much more. Bob's daughter attended the event and said it was "legit fire." 
 
The other show we can't stop talking about is Focus Pro's "All the Small Things" featuring Mani Ariez vs Frankie Kazarian in the main event, an ambush with an exploding bat, and a new women's champion. Focus Pro just keeps topping themselves. Listen as we break down the entire show.
 
In our Control Center, we preview three shows coming up this weekend. As always, we thank each of these promotions for allowing us to use their audio for this segment. If you're near any of these three promotions, you should definitely check out their show this weekend:
Riot Maker Pro Wrestling
Delta Blues Wrestling
Route 33 Wrestling
We will be back next week with some new guests that will be announced soon. STAY TUNED!!

Episode #66 - Krule Out, Kroos In & Marquette Memories

We are back, not just on the pod, but from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan where we spent last weekend taking in all that was UPW MarquetteMania IV. Bob and Jon discuss the fun they had getting to Marquette, the pasties they tried in Marquette, and one hell of a wrestling show. Thank you to UPW Champion Sampson, Tully Bertorelli, and the ownership and UPW for the invitation to come out and for a really cool experience.
In our News and Notes we discuss the latest in the Krule/Berwyn Eagles Club saga. This week Krule released a statement outlining his side of the "fake stabbing" story, taking full responsibility. At the same time, many in the industry are pointing out how odd the circumstances have been surrounding the Berwyn Eagles Club, whether their license was ever revoked, and why they allegedly cut the internet at the venue before AAW's final show. 
As we were recording, we got word that Jon's guy, Will Kroos, debuted in NXT and immediately confronted NXT Champion Tony D'Angelo. Bob lets Jon go off a little bit about that during the Control Center, but you can guarantee he will have more to say next week. 
Speaking of which, our Control Center previews three shows this weekend. We thank each of these promotions for allowing us to use their audio to enhance our previews of shows by:
814 Wrestling
Insane Wrestling Revolution
Championship Entertainment Productions
I still can't believe I am making this announcement, but next week we will have former GLOW performer, Roxy Astor, on the show to discuss her upcoming charity wrestling event, her many projects in and out of the wrestling space, and hopefully tell a few cool stories from back in the day. STAY TUNED!!
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00:00:00 - MarquetteMania IV review
01:04:46 - News & Notes
01:23:40 - Control Center

Episode #65 - Marquette Mania Go Home Show

We are back this week, joined by The Collective's Tully Bertorelli, as we count down the days to UPW Marquette Mania IV on April 25 at Lakeview Arena on the campus of Northern Michigan University. We break down all of the matches, including:
Sampson vs Matt Riddle (UPW Championship)
TW3 vs Mustafa Ali (TNA International Championship)
Surge & Fulton vs Ghetto Gear Solid (UPW Tag Championship)
J-Sin vs Joey Avalon (Match Without Honor)
Leva Bates vs Dani Mo (UPW Women's Championship)
The Society & Brock Hall vs Supreme Powers of Pain
Big Kon vs Melvin Hayes (UPW American Championship)
Rocky Radley vs Melanie Cruise 
Mike Shaw Memorial Battle Royal
Along the way we promos from
Sampson
Mustafa Ali
Ghetto Gear Solid
Leva Bates' Mother
Powers of Pain
Melvin Hayes
Tully Bertorelli
In addition to previewing this Saturday, Tully and Jon dive into the reason why Jon had no interest in watching Wrestlemania this year. Also, after Bob and Jon discussed the incident that happened at the Berwyn Eagles Club, Tully tells us some of his fondest memories of one of the true landmark venues in the history of independent wrestling.
Next week, Bob and Jon return from Michigan with tales from Marquette Mania. STAY TUNED!!
 

Episode #64 - Sampson's Back, Airica's Arrived, & Koloff's Fight

We’re back as we count the final days before our trip to Michigan for UPW Marquette Mania 4. UPW Champion, and ranked #1 for two months in a row in the IWX Power Rankings, Sampson joins us to preview the unbelievably stacked card, discuss his recent travels performing across the country (and in Canada) and explains why all of his success is due to the hard work others refuse to do. 
 
First, we go over some news and notes, as we discuss:
 
Bob got worked on the Krule “stabbing”
Berwyn Eagles Club to stop running wrestling shows 
TNA pulls talent from indy matches vs AEW talent
Airica Demia’s viral promo
Vladimir Koloff in a fight over the rights to his name
Mani Ariez vs Frankie Kazarian announced for Focus Pro title clash
 
In our Vegas-Free Control Center, we preview four shows coming up this weekend that are not part of the mass Wrestlemania exodus out west. Thank you to these promotions for allowing us to use their audio to preview their shows::
 
Viral Pro Wrestling
Strong Style Lucha
Prime Time Wrestling
Pro Wrestling Epic
 
Next week, Bob and Jon make final preparations for Michigan. STAY TUNED!!
 
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00:00:00 - News and Notes
00:50:35 - Sampson Interview
01:32:00 - Control Center

Episode #63 - Catching Up

We are back and, after two consecutive watch-along episodes, we decided to catch up on the news from the world of independent wrestling over the last three weeks, including:
The Incident involved Krule and a fan that ended in violence
Mercedes Moné vacates her title and causes a controversy in Malaysia
“Slowburn Shoot: An Indie Wrestling Story”
Safety Protocols at OVW
Neil Diamond Cutter's final match
Mortar taking a break from wrestling
AJ Cazana offers to teach DJ Khaled to wrestle
Bob called the CCW Women's title change
MJF, Nic Nemeth and Kris Statlander appearing at Create a Pro on May 1
Wrestling returns to the nation's capital
Atomic Legacy Wrestling announces it's "Final Chapter"
Up and coming talent win big at New Texas Pro
Taka Michinoku's amazing match and terrible car accident
Danny Demanto vs Brian Bayside at Focus Pro Wrestling
As we transition into our Control Center segment, Bob and Jon take a look at six talents who have suddenly appeared on our radar and seem poised for great things:
Bobbi Thunder
Grayson Pierce
Nikki Wilde
LVJ
Timur the Great
Naomi King
If you don't know all six of these names, you will soon. Trust us.
In our Control Center, we preview three shows happening on Saturday at:
Constant Pro Wrestling
Radical Wrestling Experience
TWE Chattanooga
As always, we thank all three promotions for allowing us use of their promos for this segment. 
Next week, we return to preview our trip to Marquette Michigan for UPW Marquette Mania 4. We will be joined by UPW Champion Sampson. STAY TUNED!!!