He’s been in the ring with John Cena and Brock Lesnar. Zach Gowen was WWE’s first one-legged wrestler and he joined Windy City Slam Podcast for a candid conversation about his wrestling career, overcoming adversity, traveling down some dark paths, history with Chicago indies such as AAW Pro and Freelance Wrestling and his upcoming appearance at 2econd Wrestling. Plus, Mike recaps POWW Entertainment, Freelance Underground and GLCW and previews AEW Revolution and several shows across the region. M...
Mar 01, 2022•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 108
He’s an animal aficionado, a cigar lover and motorcycle enthusiast. He’s the bodyguard for POWW Entertainment's Noize Booze and Tattoos (Scott Spade and Ruff Crossing), the 6-foot-12 monster, TINY! He joins us to talk about POWW’s next two shows in Bridgeview and Twin Lakes, Wis., club stories with former WWE and WCW talent and battle royal strategy. Plus, Mike recaps Chicago Style Wrestling, Freelance Wrestling, Black Label Pro and previews a huge weekend around the region. Mike Pankow is a wre...
Feb 22, 2022•45 min•Ep. 107
He’s been piling up some big wins in Zelo Pro and Big Jon Crowley joins Windy City Slam Podcast to talk all about it. He discusses his match last weekend against WARHORSE and upcoming bout against Beer City Bruiser, his brief infatuation with the Tennessee Titans during his youth, moving closer to Chicago, his future in the business and more. Plus, Mike recaps Warrior Wrestling 19 and Zelo Pro’s “Violent Valentines,” plus touches on news from Fusion Pro Wrestling, Chicago Style Wrestling, Freela...
Feb 15, 2022•41 min•Ep. 106
Two-thirds of the Next Level Soldiers, Kota Holliday and Jax Johnson, join Windy City Slam Podcast to talk about the March 5 card “NLS is for Everyone,” a diverse, all-inclusive wrestling show at Berwyn Eagles Club, how the event came together, and an exclusive talent announcement not yet released to the public. Plus, Mike recaps AAW Pro and POWW Entertainment and previews Warrior 19, Fusion, Zelo Pro, Squared Circle Megastars and more. Mike Pankow is a wrestling super-fan who covers local Chica...
Feb 08, 2022•48 min•Ep. 105
Windy City Slam Podcast welcomes All Heel Wrestling’s “Voice of Violence” Phil Myers Sr. (aka No Chill with Phil) and former WWE.com writer Jordan Garretson and we break down the ups and downs of the Royal Rumble, what worked and what didn’t, how the internet affects wrestling, dig into the women’s division across the world of wrestling and much more! Plus, Mike discusses local indies such as AAW Pro, POWW Entertainment, Rocket Pro, Southland Championship Wrestling and more. Mike Pankow is a wre...
Feb 01, 2022•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 104
In a special card-subject-to-change edition of Windy City Slam Podcast, we welcome one of the Midwest's hottest tag teams Country Air (Zach Hendrix & Doc Simmons) where they discuss upcoming events at 4th Wall Wrestling and Frozen Tundra Wrestling up in Wisconsin and Rocket Pro in Joliet, training at The Thumper’s Den with Frankie DeFalco and Beer City Bruiser, forming their team and much more. Plus, Mike previews the Royal Rumble and recaps Warrior Wrestling, Chicago Style Wrestling, POWW E...
Jan 25, 2022•43 min•Ep. 103
Windy City Slam Podcast welcomes one-half of the Chicago Style Tag Team Champions Cody James of C&C Destruction as he previews their title defense at CSW’s Season Premiere, talks about his evolution in the business, introducing a young local wrestler to his now-famous gimmick and his past in extreme sports. Plus, Mike talks Mustafa Ali’s request for his release from WWE, recaps Berwyn Championship Wrestling and True Privilege Wrestling and previews CSW, Warrior Wrestling, POWW Entertainment ...
Jan 18, 2022•47 min•Ep. 102
Windy City Slam Podcast welcomes local wrestling photographer and creator Nick Consalvo (@cameraguygimmick) as he talks about shooting photos for some of Chicagoland’s best independent promotions, the dangers of working ringside, getting back into wrestling as fan after drifting away for a bit, seeing his work published in Pro Wrestling Illustrated and more. Plus, Mike recaps Rocket Pro Wrestling, POWW Entertainment, All Heel Wrestling and previews Berwyn Championship Wrestling, True Privilege, ...
Jan 11, 2022•41 min•Ep. 101
A supersized Episode 100 of Windy City Slam Podcast is an all-star extravaganza with some of our best guests as we reflect on some great moments on the show as we catch up with our former tag team partner Chris Lanuti, international superstar Sam Adonis, Warrior Wrestling promoter Steve Tortorello and local rising star “Yours Rudely” Trevor Outlaw. Plus, Mike recaps WWE Day 1 and AAW Unstoppable and previews some of this weekend’s action from around the area. Mike Pankow is a wrestling super-fan...
Jan 04, 2022•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 100
Freelance Wrestling Academy prospect Angel Escalera joined Windy City Slam Podcast to talk about his fledgling career, salsa dancing being more than just a gimmick, his influences, matches against Kylie Rae and Bryce Benjamin, how his match against Kylie was overshadowed by the return of Project M.O.N.I.X. and more. Meanwhile, Mike previews AAW Pro and WWE Day 1. Mike Pankow is a wrestling super-fan who covers local Chicagoland wrestling and national promotions like AEW and WWE. If there is some...
Dec 28, 2021•33 min•Ep. 99
They’ve been taking the Chicago-area independent tag team scene by storm. Davey Bang and August Matthews joined Windy City Slam Podcast to talk about the ascent of The Bang Bros and their budding rivalry with Pick n’ Pop, their match against the Besties In The World at 2econd Wrestling, working singles in Berwyn Championship Wrestling, the origins of Davey’s use of energy drinks during matches and more. Mike also recaps action from last weekend’s Freelance Wrestling and BCW shows. Mike Pankow is...
Dec 21, 2021•39 min•Ep. 98
Longtime media personality and Johngy’s Beat creator John Wroblewski joined Windy City Slam Podcast to talk about his recent escapades at C2E2 and Blizzard Brawl and his history in covering the Chicago independent wrestling scene, including Resistance Pro. Plus, Mike recaps Will Ospreay’s victory in the main event of an exciting Warrior Wrestling 17 show and 2econd Wrestling’s debut event, plus news from Fusion Wrestling, Freelance Wrestling, Berwyn Championship Wrestling, the POWW/SCW rivalry a...
Dec 14, 2021•46 min•Ep. 97
Personal trainer and longtime indie wrestler Doug Simmons joins Windy City Slam Podcast to talk about the return of Fusion Wrestling on Dec. 10, and his personal connections with Mustafa Ali, Skye Blue, Missa Kate, Jordan Kross, Bryce Benjamin and Steve Boz. Plus, Mike talks about the performance of Chicago’s NXT connections, Cora Jade and Tony D’Angelo, at WarGames, recaps Freelance Underground, POWW Entertainment and Blizzard Brawl and looks ahead at Warrior Wrestling and 2econd Wrestling. Mik...
Dec 07, 2021•40 min•Ep. 96
While his goal to become a college basketball coach didn’t come to fruition, Jeremy Fine turned to another calling – becoming a Rabbi and then a wrestling promoter. Fine joins Windy City Slam Podcast to talk about 2econd Wrestling’s debut show, Creation, as well as his Jewish Sports website, his experience with a young Tony Khan and much more. Plus, Mike offers his opinion on the promo showdown between CM Punk and MJF, a recap of AAW Pro and previews of Freelance Underground, POWW Entertainment ...
Nov 30, 2021•44 min•Ep. 95
Legendary Milwaukee wrestling promoter and personality David Herro joins Windy City Slam Podcast to promote Blizzard Brawl, coming to Waukesha, Wis., on Dec. 4, getting into the business, how he is so well connected to many big-time wrestlers, his son Kal’s burgeoning career and much more. Plus, Mike offers his opinion on WWE Survivor Series and reports on the Chicagoland independent scene, including Freelance Wrestling, Chicago Style Wrestling, AAW Pro and more. Mike Pankow is a wrestling super...
Nov 23, 2021•46 min•Ep. 94
Chicagoland and Midwestern independent wrestling referee Dan Perch joins Windy City Slam Podcast to talk about the enthusiasm he has for the business, being trained at Thumper’s Den up in the Milwaukee area, learning Spanish to work Lucha Libre matches and much more. Plus, Mike recaps the top matches at AEW Full Gear, runs down the local scene, including a stellar Dynamic Wrestling Alliance show last week, and previews a huge weekend around Chicago. Mike Pankow is a wrestling super-fan who cover...
Nov 16, 2021•51 min•Ep. 93
Veteran Chicago independent wrestler Brawn the Lumberjack joins Windy City Slam Podcast to promote this weekend’s Dynamic Wrestling Alliance show in Willowbrook, talks about coming up in the business in the famous Lunatic Wrestling Federation and who he wrestled in his first match, his love for gimmicks and much more. Plus, Mike talks about POWW’s WrestleRage with SCW’s invasion, Zelo Pro’s “Any Given Sunday” and previews AEW Full Gear. Mike Pankow is a wrestling super-fan who covers local Chica...
Nov 09, 2021•39 min•Ep. 92
Longtime Chicago independent wrestler and POWW Entertainment promoter Jimmy Blaze joins Windy City Slam Podcast to preview this weekend’s WrestleRage in Twin Lakes, Wis., breaks down the card match by match and also addresses his potential career-ending match against Mason Percs on Nov. 12. Plus, Mike discusses local indies such as AAW Pro, Zelo Pro, Rocket Pro and GALLI Lucha Libre and offers another theory on Project M.O.N.I.X.’s swerve. Mike Pankow is a wrestling super-fan who covers local Ch...
Nov 02, 2021•38 min•Ep. 91
Friend of the show and GLCW Champion Backwoods Brown returns to Windy City Slam Podcast to preview One Fall Entertainment’s “Pink Heals” show in Sheboygan Falls, Wis., including his match against Rhino, his return from injury and his Chicago Bears fandom. Plus, Mike recaps Freelance Underground’s “The Final Phase” and the ultimate swerve by Project M.O.N.I.X., who says he isn’t going anywhere and much more. Mike Pankow is a wrestling super-fan who covers local Chicagoland wrestling and national ...
Oct 26, 2021•45 min•Ep. 90
To preview and promote the final wrestling match of his career against “the ghost he could never catch” Kylie Rae this weekend at Freelance Undergound, Project M.O.N.I.X. joins Windy City Slam Podcast to discuss what was behind his decision to leave wrestling, his rivalries against the likes of Simon Grimm/Gotch, Isaias Velazquez and DJZ (aka NXT’s Joaquin Wilde) and the thoughts behind his “Final Phase” farewell tour. Plus, Mike recaps Warrior Wrestling: Sweet 16 and Chicago Style Wrestling, pr...
Oct 19, 2021•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 89
Veteran Chicago indie wrestler and current Chicagoland Championship Wrestling Champion “Shogun” Chris L.O.G.A.N. joins Windy City Slam Podcast to discuss the pride of being a police officer, previews his match against Chico Suave at this weekend’s Berwyn Championship Wrestling show, talks about his “Last Ride” match against Marshe Rockett at Rocket Pro Wrestling and how his martial arts background helped him break into the business. Plus, Mike recaps SSW’s “Face Your Fears, previews Warrior Wres...
Oct 12, 2021•48 min•Ep. 88
Longtime Kenosha-area wrestler, promoter and bodybuilder Ryan Kross joins Windy City Slam Podcast to talk SSW’s “Face Your Fears,” coming to The Brat Stop on Oct. 9. Ryan reveals most of the card for the show, plus we talk about his match against Haku and Barbarian, some of the wrestling legends he gets to work in SSW, the family atmosphere in the company, his son Jordan's growth in the business and much more. Plus, Mike recaps AAW Pro, Rocket Pro Wrestling and POWW Entertainment, and the award ...
Oct 05, 2021•40 min•Ep. 87
Young up-and-comer Jordan Kross and Chicago-area veteran Dave Rydell join Windy City Slam Podcast to help preview SSW’s “Face Your Fears,” coming to Kenosha on Oct. 9. We talk about Dave’s special delivery last year, as well as, making his own gear and things he’s encountered during his 15-year career and personal life. Kross also relives his first-ever match, which was against Rydell, and discusses his emergence in southeast Wisconsin and around Chicago. Jordan’s dad, Ryan, even pops in for a c...
Sep 28, 2021•47 min•Ep. 86
Chicagoland independent wrestling personality Steve Ahrendt joins Windy City Slam Podcast for the first time to talk about his role as general manager at Chicago Style Wrestling, plus some of the other promotions for which he works, including Crash Tested Wrestling, Northland Pro, Southland Championship Wrestling, Chicagoland Championship Wrestling and Rocket Pro Wrestling. We also talk about his background in media, working with Jonathan Hood, passion for the wrestling business, anecdotes about...
Sep 21, 2021•57 min•Ep. 85
Veteran "Ice Pick" Vic Capri and young upstart Trevor Outlaw join Windy City Slam Podcast to go face to face before their match this weekend at Berwyn Championship Wrestling. Capri accentuates his all-substance, no-style in-ring approach while Outlaw, fresh off his main event victory at Freelance Wrestling last week, has designs of putting another notch in his belt. In addition, Mike recaps #RememberFreelance and previews key local events such as BCW, Chicago Style Wrestling and C3 Ultimate Wres...
Sep 14, 2021•39 min•Ep. 84
One of our earliest guests, “The Chicago Bear Hug” Steve Michaels returns to Windy City Slam Podcast to offer his take on AEW All Out and discuss Legacy of Brutality in Ohio Valley Wrestling, the return of Berwyn Championship Wrestling, his influences during training, anticipation of “Ghostbusters: Afterlife” and more! In addition, Mike recaps All Out and key moments from the last week in Chicago independent wrestling. Mike Pankow is a wrestling super-fan who covers local Chicagoland wrestling a...
Sep 07, 2021•44 min•Ep. 83
SiriusXM Busted Open Radio host Dave LaGreca joins Windy City Slam Podcast to help preview AEW All Out in the Chicago area, plus WWE creative, independent wrestling, "Nation Across The Nation," NFL fandom and more! In addition, Mike discusses the stacked indie shows in the area as well as NWA news from last weekend. Mike Pankow is a wrestling super-fan who covers local Chicagoland wrestling and national promotions like AEW and WWE. If there is something going on in Chicago, Mike knows about it. ...
Aug 31, 2021•47 min•Ep. 82
Frontline Pro Champion Koda Jacobs makes a campaign stop to Windy City Slam Podcast to talk about this weekend's show in Midlothian, the rise of his political-based character and what he plans to do in "paving the way for a brighter future in wrestling." In addition, Mike recaps Warrior Wrestling's Stadium Series show with exclusive soundbites from past podcast guests Sam Adonis and Beastman. There's also talk about the AEW arrival of CM Punk, WWE SummerSlam weekend and Chicago Style Wrestling's...
Aug 24, 2021•44 min•Ep. 81
Steve Tortorello and Eric Hamilton join Windy City Slam Podcast to discuss their contribution for an insane weekend in Chicagoland wrestling and an alternative to WWE SummerSlam – Warrior Wrestling's Stadium Series show, featuring Jay White, Kylie Rae, Sam Adonis, Trey Miguel and AEW stars such as Brian Cage, Thunder Rosa, Evil Uno, Alan "5" Angels and Dante Martin. Steve and Eric also talk about their longtime friendship and some of things that go on behind the scenes and much more! Plus, Mike ...
Aug 17, 2021•44 min•Ep. 80
The son of a Milwaukee-area promoter and longtime wrestler, "The Fanny Pack Kid" Kal Herro, just 19 years old, joins Windy City Slam Podcast for the first time to discuss his homage to the 80's, including wearing a fanny pack and entering to Wham!'s "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go," growing up with his dad, David, and having star wrestlers spend the night at his house, plus his work in Ohio Valley Wrestling and having former ECW and WWE star Al Snow as a trainer. Plus, Mike discusses local wrestlin...
Aug 10, 2021•37 min•Ep. 79
