Starting her pro wrestling journey at age 12, “The Miraculous” Leslie Michelle already is a young veteran on the Chicago scene with training from Atomico, Bryce Benjamin, Missa Kate and Vic Capri and several championships under her belt. Michelle joins Windy City Slam Podcast to discuss recovery from her recent surgery, timetable to return to the ring, holding titles in places such as All Heel Wrestling, ZOWA, Honor Among Wrestling, Ragin’ Pro Wrestling and 4th Wall Wrestling, what led her into ...
Aug 12, 2025•38 min•Ep. 288
WWE just completed its first-ever two-night SummerSlam event and former WWE Digital staffer Jordan Garretson returned to Windy City Slam Podcast to break down all the ups and downs. We discussed the twists and turns of CM Punk winning the title and Seth Rollins’ Money In The Bank cash-in, John Cena’s loss to Cody Rhodes and his ill-fated heel run, the return of Brock Lesnar and the disappointment of Karrion Kross’ booking. We also get takes on WWE Unreal and Hulk Hogan. Mike recaps the full week...
Aug 05, 2025•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 287
“The King of Clubs” Jason Midas returns to Windy City Slam Podcast to discuss his new venture, Pro Wrestling Sometimes’ “The Jason Midas Experiment,” wrestling and rave show coming to Logan Square Auditorium, he breaks down the wrestling card and musical talent, he also discusses some of the latest in Freelance Wrestling and filling in for Kirby “The Voice” Alexander. Plus, Mike reflects on the life of Hulk Hogan, recaps “A Day For Priest,” a special show in honor of “The Underwear Model” Eric P...
Jul 29, 2025•57 min•Ep. 286
Longtime Chicagoland wrestler and trainer Doug Simmons returns to Windy City Slam Podcast to talk about his comeback to the ring in 2025, including winning the Northland Pro Championship, being a part of this weekend’s “A Day For Priest” event and being a mentor for talent such as Skye Blue, Jordan Kross and Damien Walker. We discuss what gave him the itch to return to the ring, watching Skye Blue grow in AEW and getting to know Kyle Fletcher, and break down the card for “A Day For Priest.” Plus...
Jul 22, 2025•58 min•Ep. 285
With TNA Slammiversary this weekend, Chicago guy and TNA color commentator Matthew Rehwoldt returned to the show for the first time in nearly five years to discuss the big event, including the three-way main event between Trick Williams, Joe Hendry and Mike Santana for the TNA World Championship. We discuss the Slammiversary card, the current state of TNA, TNA’s working agreement with NXT, Mustafa Ali’s storytelling, Leon Slater’s rise, Mike Santana’s breakout as a singles star, Matt’s hilarious...
Jul 15, 2025•55 min•Ep. 284
The New World Order – better known simply as the NWO – was a pop culture phenomenon in the late 1990s and catapulted professional wrestling into the mainstream consciousness. ESPN journalist Marc Raimondi joined Windy City Slam to chat about the revolution and his new book, “Say Hello to The Bad Guys: “How Professional Wrestling’s New World Order” Changed America.” We go back to how the NWO was formed and ask Marc about his research, share opinions on the group’s impact on pop culture, recount s...
Jul 08, 2025•48 min•Ep. 283
Longtime wrestling contributor and local historian Nick Headford joins Windy City Slam Podcast to discuss a special event to honor the life of Eric Priest, who passed away suddenly earlier this year. Headford talks about the diverse group of talent who are scheduled to work at “A Day For Priest” at the end of July in West Chicago, memories of Priest and what to expect from the show, as well as the latest in POWW Entertainment. Plus, Mike recaps loaded Freelance Wrestling and AAW Pro shows from o...
Jul 01, 2025•45 min•Ep. 282
Growing up in the same area as WWE Superstar CM Punk, maybe it was destiny for “Big Hoss Hippie” Regan Lydale to become a professional wrestler. Lydale, who just won the Defiant Pro Wrestling Championship this past weekend, joins Windy City Slam Podcast for the first time to discuss how a family friend pushed her toward Tommy Else, who in turn prepared her for the rigors of the Freelance Wrestling Academy, her upcoming Freelance World Championship match against Devon Monroe, winning the Freelanc...
Jun 24, 2025•40 min•Ep. 281
Formerly of Alpha Zeta Zeta, Hans Carden has made his name from mastering the single-leg Boston Crab and securing multiple championships. Carden joins Windy City Slam Podcast for the first time to discuss his runs as Chicago Style Wrestling Metra Division Champion and GALLI Lucha Libre Discovery Champion, a memorable rib played on him and Charlie Kleiman during their time as AZZ, training at CSW Academy, his first memory of flipping wrestling on TV, which legendary wrestler inspired to use the h...
Jun 17, 2025•37 min•Ep. 280
Rocket Pro Wrestling Heavyweight Champion “Simply Undeniable” Steve Michaels may be a beast in the ring, but he owns a heart of gold outside of it. Michaels returns to Windy City Slam Podcast to discuss his yearlong reign as RPW Champion, being the rock of The Undeniable, his upcoming match with former NXT and AEW wrestler Parker Boudreaux, participating at the Cauliflower Alley Reunion Showcase, working a show with Steve “Mongo” McMichael, media appearances, doing charitable work with the Windy...
Jun 10, 2025•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 279
Thanks to The IcePick Academy, “Icebox” Josie Valentine has transformed herself into a potential star over the last year. Valentine joins Windy City Slam Podcast for the first time to discuss her stint at Black and Brave, her father’s influence, the ups and downs of her wrestling journey, who pointed her toward The IcePick Academy and Vic Capri, her character makeover, filling out her literal wrestling bingo card and more. Plus, we preview WWE and TNA events, POWW Entertainment’s Summer Xplosion...
Jun 03, 2025•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 278
Returning to Windy City Slam Podcast is the inaugural NWA Chicago Champion “Polish Power” Mario Pardua. Pardua joins us to discuss working his way through Chicago Style Wrestling and the CSW Academy, defeating his mentor “Superstar” Steve Boz to win the NWA Chicago title, teaming with Boz at NWA 76 last summer, Team Babushka with Shelly Benson and Eric Schultz, getting a pic with Billy Corgan, branching out to more companies, aspirations, pierogi, and more. Plus, we recap a busy weekend from WWE...
May 28, 2025•49 min•Ep. 277
She’s one of the fastest rising wrestlers on the independent scene, a former Ohio Valley Wrestling Women’s Champion who has seen action in Illinois at DREAMWAVE, Uprising Women’s Athletes and Chicago Style Wrestling. “The Ultimate Athlete” J-Rod joins Windy City Slam Podcast to discuss the great names who have held the OVW Women’s title, working for DREAMWAVE, career aspirations in and out of the ring, what she learned from her WWE tryout in 2019, getting schooled by Rikishi and Reno J Anoa’i at...
May 20, 2025•42 min•Ep. 276
He’s done a little bit of everything on the Chicagoland independent scene, including broadcasting, managing, podcasting, working as an authority figure, and even wrestling. Steve Ahrendt returns to Windy City Slam Podcast to discuss a loaded card for Chicago Style Wrestling’s “Nowhere Generation,” the latest happenings in CSW, his match at Rocket Pro against Shaq Jordan and run-in with Aaron Stone, Mario Pardua becoming NWA Chicago Champion, Frontline Pro’s “Honor Bound,” and which former WWE Mo...
May 13, 2025•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 275
Friend of the show, “The Godfather of the Lovely Intoxicated Men,” Tony Gabagool joins Windy City Slam Podcast for his first full-fledged interview as he recaps Rocket Pro Wrestling’s “Kicks on 66” season finale. Gabagool discusses the chaotic Three Stages of Hell main event between The Freebirds and Youth Gone Wild as well as some of the other craziness that went down in Joliet last weekend. Gabagool also offers his views on the independent wrestling scene and WWE. Plus, Mike talks WWE Backlash...
May 06, 2025•49 min•Ep. 274
One of the Chicago area’s rising stars, Ezio Orlandi, and his cohorts in FOBIA are strong-arming their way toward the top of 2econd Wrestling. Orlandi returns to Windy City Slam Podcast to discuss his journey, quest to regain the Maxwell Street Heritage Championship, thoughts on Sean Login, what to expect at “Anchorfists,” starting to train at the Chicago Style Wrestling school, expanding his reach in the Midwest, upcoming match against former AEW and NXT wrestler Parker Boudreaux and more. Plus...
Apr 29, 2025•58 min•Ep. 273
In a stacked episode, AMB and Oscar Rodriguez of Midwest Championship Wrestling join Windy City Slam Podcast to talk about MCW “Street Fight” this weekend in Ottawa. AMB and Rodriguez discuss the card, the evolution of MCW and trying to grow the brand every day. Plus, former WWE.com writer Jordan Garretson returns to dive deep into WrestleMania 41 weekend, including a megastar who was conspicuous by his absence, the ups and downs of the show, Paul Heyman and Seth Rollins’ new union, John Cena’s ...
Apr 22, 2025•1 hr 38 min•Ep. 272
The now-former Freelance Wrestling World Champion Alfonso Gonzalez returns to Windy City Slam Podcast to talk about the emotions of winning the title, dreams of wrestling Damien Sandow, defending the Freelance Underground Independent Championship at Defiant Pro, previewing matches at the upcoming Ego Pro Chicago show in Shorewood, relationship with Robert “Ego” Anthony, having a hot sauce named after him and more. Plus, we recap an insane weekend of action around Chicagoland, including Freelance...
Apr 15, 2025•1 hr 17 min•Ep. 271
Chicago wrestling legend TINY returns to Windy City Slam Podcast to talk about retiring from in-ring competition and helping backstage at POWW Entertainment. He also talks about the future of the company in talents such as Mason Percs and Will Emory, a burgeoning women’s division and a busy month of shows in May. TINY also reflects on the recent passings of “Awesome” Ondy Austin and Mr. Bill. Also, Mike recaps the Chicago debut of Wrestling Revolver and AEW Dynasty and previews a colossial weeke...
Apr 08, 2025•52 min•Ep. 270
Longtime ring announcer and broadcaster for promotions such as AAW Pro, Freelance Underground, Freelance Wrestling and Zelo Pro, Jimmy D is one of Chicago indie wrestling’s most recognizable voices. Windy City Slam Podcast welcomes Jimmy D for the first time to preview AAW’s “Ring of Fire,” discuss what drew him to wrestling, times working for various local promotions, interactions with Drew McIntyre, Eddie Kingston, Mustafa Ali, opinions on local stars such as Project MONIX and Alfonso Gonzalez...
Apr 01, 2025•1 hr 18 min•Ep. 269
The Chicagoland independent wrestling scene is robust with great talent spread out through many promotions. PWE Report’s Sean Lennon joins Windy City Slam Podcast to recap Chicago Style Wrestling’s “Figure Four Leaf Clover” (which featured some surprises), Freelance Wrestling (including their top champions and the Red Star Medallion), the state of Chicagoland indie wrestling, top local independent women and more. Plus, Mike recaps Freelance and previews POWW Entertainment, Wrestle League, Ultima...
Mar 25, 2025•54 min•Ep. 268
“From the Far Side of the World Tree,” “The Ragna-Rocker” KRUX makes his debut appearance on Windy City Slam Podcast to explain his mission in pro wrestling, preview Illinois Valley Wrestling Federation’s inaugural show “The Donnybrook Brawl,” his connection with Angus McDuff, his inspirations to get into wrestling, working with PRW and ARW Pro and how he could fit in as a Juggalo. Plus, Mike recaps TNA Sacrifice and WWE/NXT Roadblock, hits the highlights of Iron Spirit and Defiant Pro and previ...
Mar 18, 2025•48 min•Ep. 267
A gruesome leg injury and excruciating rehab didn’t stop Sean Galway from returning to what he loved. A year after breaking his leg in a match, “The Irish Stallion” joins Windy City Slam to walk us through his origins in the wrestling business, training at Freelance Wrestling Academy, what he remembers from his debut match, his “gambler” gimmick, the match vs. Dante Leon at Iron Spirit Pro where he suffered the injury, the long rehab and his return to the ring at Freelance Wrestling. Plus, Mike ...
Mar 11, 2025•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 266
Emmy-Winning, Pro-Wrestling news anchor “Iron” Mike Curkov, originally from Schaumburg, returns to Windy City Slam Podcast to talk SSW Entertainment/Sports N Signings’ “HORSEPOWER III.” The CBS58 Milwaukee morning anchor discusses his role in the fundraising event for Mahone Middle School in Kenosha, other matches on the card, favorite moments since he started dabbling in wrestling, the origins of his Stone Cold Stunner, Logan Paul, memories of Bob Uecker and more. Plus, Mike discusses WWE Elimi...
Mar 04, 2025•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 265
With SSW Entertainment’s “HORSEPOWER III” around the corner, “The Punk Rock Prince” Jordan Kross returns to Windy City Slam Podcast to talk about next week’s fundraising wrestling event for Mahone Middle School in Kenosha. Kross discusses his main event match against TNA star Mustafa Ali, his past big-ticket foes at the event, the impact the show has on the community, his first title defense as All Heel Wrestling Champion, The Ice Pick Academy and memories of local legend Eric Priest, who passed...
Feb 25, 2025•1 hr 21 min•Ep. 264
Will County’s top wrestling lawyer Eric Schultz has been getting “resultz” pretty much everywhere he has worked as he currently holds the Midwest Championship Wrestling and Northland Pro Championships. Schultz returned to Windy City Slam Podcast to brief us about MCW’s upcoming show on Feb. 28 in Ottawa, the trials and tribulations of obtaining the MCW title, his 800-plus-day reign at Northland Pro, facing Doug Simmons at All Heel Wrestling, working with The Undeniable at Rocket Pro, trying to h...
Feb 18, 2025•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 263
With a background in powerlifting and jiu-jitsu, you think it would’ve been a natural fit for Mya Caras to become a professional wrestler at some point. But took a little prodding, attending some Rocket Pro shows and a meeting with “Shogun” Chris L.O.G.A.N. to convince Caras to give it a shot. “Muscle Mommy” joins Windy City Slam Podcast to talk about her journey, training at Wrestle League and Ice Pick Academy, making her in-ring debut at Rocket Pro against Devin August last spring, working and...
Feb 11, 2025•57 min•Ep. 262
It was a newsworthy Royal Rumble and former WWE.com writer Jordan Garretson joins Windy City Slam Podcast to recap the start of the Road to WrestleMania with some twists and surprises. We also discuss Garretson’s in-person observations from Indianapolis, the shocking victory by Jey Uso, Roxanne Perez’s coming out party and the many scenarios for WrestleMania for stars such as John Cena, CM Punk, Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins. Plus, Mike recaps AAW Pro’s “Chi-Town Rumble” and previews lineups for...
Feb 04, 2025•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 261
He’s a DePaul student during the week and wrestling superhero on the weekend. 19-year-old Kid Lat joins Windy City Slam Podcast for the first time to discuss his journey through the Wrestle League school, the camaraderie of the Wrestle League locker room, getting a big break in Frontline Pro in Wisconsin, comparing his tag team partners “Thundercat” Adonis Allen and “The Big Guy” Josh Price, emerging at Rocket Pro Wrestling, working his way back from a forearm injury, his wrestling and comic boo...
Jan 28, 2025•43 min•Ep. 260
Bestowed the nickname “The Villain” by the family of the legendary Roddy Piper, Joey Roth has been wreaking havoc for over two decades. The longtime wrestler/manager returns to Windy City Slam Podcast to discuss the crumbling of the Fabulous Idols in Rocket Pro Wrestling, being on the opposite side of his wife, Roxi Heart, and one-time associates Damien Grey and Jon Bowman, making a startling admission, his upcoming tag match with Jonny Nigh vs. Grey and Bowman, being the General Manager at Squa...
Jan 21, 2025•57 min•Ep. 259
