He’s one of the fastest rising stars on the Chicagoland independent circuit, a trainee at Chicago Style Wrestling and the current GALLI Lucha Libre Gladiadores Champion. “The Diamond in the Rough” Rafael Quintero joins Windy City Slam Podcast for the first time to discuss his inspiration to get into wrestling, training at the CSW Academy with Steve Boz, the emotions of winning a championship in GALLI, working the TNA TV taping last weekend in Cicero, working with NWA Chicago, memories of the lat...
Jun 18, 2024•49 min•Ep. 228
With TNA returning to Chicagoland this weekend, six-time World Tag Team Champion and two-time TNA World Champion Eddie Edwards of The System joins Windy City Slam Podcast to discuss “Against All Odds” and IMPACT TV tapings coming to Cicero Stadium, how long it took to adjust to teaming with Brian Myers after years with Davey Richards, feelings when he won the World Championship, reasons for re-signing with TNA, training under Killer Kowalski, the accomplishments of his wife, Alisha, The System’s...
Jun 11, 2024•42 min•Ep. 227
Inspired by the return of CM Punk and prodded by his friend Roy “Flash” Gordon, “The WarGod” Ares Creed broke into pro wrestling in his late 20s and is beginning to emerge on the Chicago scene and the Midwest after a little over two years of training. Creed joins Windy City Slam Podcast to talk about a little about his acting and film background, training at the Freelance Wrestling Academy, influence of Missa Kate, working outside Chicago before getting a local break at 2econd Wrestling, wrestli...
Jun 04, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 226
Friend of the show, “The Punk Rock Prince” Jordan Kross returns to Windy City Slam Podcast to preview “WrestlePunkz,” a new style of show from the creators of SSW geared toward an older audience with some different talent. Kross also provides a disclaimer about Trevor Outlaw and discusses his experience with former WWE Superstar nZo and recent run in places such as DREAMWAVE, 2econd Wrestling and more. Plus, Mike talks about King and Queen of the Ring, how Logan Paul has somehow won him over and...
May 28, 2024•39 min•Ep. 225
Fifteen-year Chicagoland wrestling veteran “Shogun” Chris L.O.G.A.N. returns to Windy City Slam Podcast to discuss training at Wrestle League and beams with pride about his many students and associates including Shaq Jordan, Quinn Whittock, Alfredo Méliès, Lulu La Reina, Kid Lat, “Thundercat” Adonis Allen, Jesus Desafio, Joseph von Jager, Mya Caras, Britany Kay and more. Shogun also previews this weekend’s “Wrestle League” Homecoming show, recounts his time in Windy City with Mike Anthony, talks...
May 21, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 224
Armed with the knowledge of his many trainers, including Seth Rollins, Brian Kendrick, Lance Storm and Tommy Dreamer, “Nasty” Nic Nolan is one to watch on the Midwest independent scene. Nolan, the new champion at Midwest Championship Wrestling, joins Windy City Slam to talk about his diverse background, give tribute to recently deceased MCW owner Jimmy Smooth, provide insight on some of his biggest matches in MCW and preview his upcoming fight against Rhyno, and what things Rollins and Kendrick ...
May 14, 2024•1 hr 22 min•Ep. 223
One of the creators of Warrior Wrestling, Steve Tortorello of Pro Wrestling Ventures, returns to Windy City Slam Podcast to talk about the upcoming “Battle for the Heart of Chicago event” on the North side of Chicago featuring Kylie Rae vs. Stephanie Vaquer, plus the 6th anniversary of the beginning of Warrior and what the future of the Warrior brand might be. Mike recaps Rocket Pro Wrestling’s action-packed season-ending “Kicks on 66” event, which had plenty of twists and turns, while running d...
May 07, 2024•51 min•Ep. 222
With a career spanning over two decades, the dark and devilish Grin has been a superstar across numerous Chicago-area promotions, including the Lunatic Wrestling Federation, Pro Wrestling Blitz and SSW. Grin frees our minds as he joins Windy City Slam Podcast to offer a retrospective on his time in the ring and his recent late-career run in Rocket Pro Wrestling. He also discusses his character and the inspiration for his face paint, rivalry with Marshe Rockett, working with The 3 Rings, and some...
Apr 30, 2024•45 min•Ep. 221
Austin Michael Baldridge was destined to become a wrestler from the womb as he was named after two of the biggest stars of wrestling’s Attitude Era. AMB, the current Midwest Championship Wrestling (Ill.) Champion, joins Windy City Slam Podcast for the first time discuss about his MCW Championship victory from February, MCW’s next show at Skydive Chicago in Ottawa on this weekend where he defends his title against Koa Laxamana and “Nasty” Nic Nolan, ironman match against Gunner Brave at Honor Amo...
Apr 23, 2024•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 220
Little did we know that “Irish Car Bomb” Sean Mulligan and Windy City Slam’s Mike Pankow have a lot in common – they grew up in the same Chicago neighborhood, graduated from the same grammar school and high school and both gravitated toward wrestling. Now the two converge for a conversation on Windy City Slam as Mulligan discusses how a hobby became a 20-year wrestling career, how he got connected to Windy City for his training, working in places such as Resistance Pro, Chicago Style Wrestling a...
Apr 16, 2024•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 219
A health scare in late 2022-early 2023 nearly sidelined Dr. Jeff Luxon for good, but the longtime independent wrestler just keeps on ticking. Luxon returns to Windy City Slam Podcast to discuss his medical issues, his comeback to the ring for SSW, working against NXT’s Tony D’Angelo (fka Joey Ariola) in some of D’Angelo’s early matches in POWW Entertainment, Luxon’s run with Florida Championship Wrestling when it was WWE’s Developmental territory, stories about Windham Rotunda/Bray Wyatt and mor...
Apr 09, 2024•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 218
Steve Ahrendt, a man who wears many hats on the Chicagoland independent wrestling scene, returns to Windy City Slam Podcast to discuss upcoming events for Rocket Pro Wrestling (where he returns to in-ring competition), Chicago Style Wrestling and Frontline Pro, his experiences with NWA Chicago and Chicago Knockouts Roller Derby as well as names such as Joey Roth, Skye Blue, Missa Kate, Steve Michaels, Koa Laxamana, Shaq Jordan, Hades XIX, Steve Boz and Conan Lycan. Plus, Mike previews WrestleMan...
Apr 02, 2024•58 min•Ep. 217
Talking to Lulu La Reina can make anyone’s day better. The up-and-coming wrestler discusses her power of positivity and diverse training background when she joins Windy City Slam Podcast for the first time. La Reina ranks the difficulty of her trainers, talks about her experience with Reality of Wrestling in Texas, winning the Wrestle League Women’s Championship, watching Total Divas before really getting into wrestling, her relationship with You Are More, wanting to make people better and more....
Mar 26, 2024•44 min•Ep. 216
Chicagoland wrestling legend “Tenacious” Terry Allen joins Windy City Slam Podcast to talk about his training and upbringing in the business and previews the huge benefit show – the Mr. Bill Classic – this weekend in Kankakee, including his match against Steve Boz and the many names past and present in the Chicagoland area who will be a part of this extravaganza. Also, Mike recaps the fun Ego Pro Chicago event, run by Robert “Ego” Anthony last weekend in Downtown Joliet and PWE Report’s Sean Len...
Mar 19, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 215
“Uncle T” Solomon Tupu joins Windy City Slam Podcast for the first time to discuss his experience at world-renowned Black & Brave Wrestling Academy, owned in part by WWE Superstar Seth Freakin’ Rollins, The Hatekeepers in Chicago Style Wrestling, Smooth Operations in AAW Pro, his transition into the “Uncle T” character, his bond with fellow BxB guy Conan Lycan, upcoming matches, including his bout vs. Trevor Outlaw at Ego Pro Chicago, The Bloodline’s run in WWE and more. Mike dives deep into...
Mar 12, 2024•49 min•Ep. 214
To preview SSW’s “HORSEPOWER II,” “The Punk Rock Prince” Jordan Kross returns to Windy City Slam Podcast. Kross helps run down the card of March 8’s show in Kenosha and talks about his experience with The Superwrestlers. Also, special correspondent Tony Gabagool recaps Rocket Pro Wrestling’s “Shamrock Showdown” and new RPW Champion “Simply Undeniable” Steve Michaels joins us to talk about his victory over Aaron Stone. Mike also recaps AEW Revolution, Trouble Is Brewing, POWW Entertainment and We...
Mar 05, 2024•57 min•Ep. 213
Former NWA Women’s World Tag Team Champion and current 2econd Wrestling Champion “Chicago’s Sweetheart” Missa Kate returns to Windy City Slam Podcast to discuss her upcoming WrestleMania Week tour in Philadelphia, finally getting a 1-on-1 match with Kylie Rae in Chicago at Trouble Is Brewing, her recent run in Chicago Style Wrestling (where she started her career), the diversity of her training, giving back to younger talent, her time teaming with Madi Wrenkowski (Wren Sinclair) as M-95, her mat...
Feb 27, 2024•53 min•Ep. 212
Born in Chicago and raised in Kenosha, “The 80’s Bay-bee” TW3 joins Windy City Slam Podcast to talk about his first 1-on-1 meeting with the legendary Vic Capri for the SSW Unified Championship at “HORSEPOWER II,” a benefit show for Mahone Middle School in his hometown. He also discusses his influences, including his uncle – Baseball Hall of Famer Kirby Puckett, High Energy (Koko B. Ware and Owen Hart), WCW luchadores, Kofi Kingston, buying his own wrestling company (Hybrid Wrestling Entertainmen...
Feb 20, 2024•58 min•Ep. 211
Champion wrestler. Blackbelt. School teacher. SSW/SnS Unified Women’s Champion “The Mile Smile” Brooke Tanner joins Windy City Slam Podcast for the first time to discuss being an inspiration, training at ACW with Hornswoggle, Nick Colucci and Salem Crane, how watching Steve Blackman pushed her toward wrestling, defeating Stacy Shadows to win a championship, her rivalry with Rayvin Raddix, favorite opponents, dream matches and her upcoming match at SSW’s “HORSEPOWER II” against Sophia Rose, Alice...
Feb 13, 2024•47 min•Ep. 210
Since her last appearance on Windy City Slam Podcast in Dec. 2020, Izzy Moreno transitioned from wrestling superfan into pro wrestler and gained a last name. Moreno joins Windy City Slam to talk about becoming a role model for young fans like WWE Superstar Bayley was for her, overcoming Scoliosis, how MMA training translated into wrestling, working out with Tessa Blanchard, training with Chris Marval and Sho Funaki at Hybrid School of Wrestling, debuting in Mission Pro Wrestling in San Antonio, ...
Feb 06, 2024•1 hr•Ep. 209
Victor Iniestra is bringing the heat as Chicago Style Wrestling Metra Division Champion and “El Sueño” joins Windy City Slam Podcast for the first time to discuss his powerlifting career, working out with his girlfriend and fellow wrestler Lili La Pescadita, his experiences with Carlito and Samuray Del Sol (aka Kalisto), defeating Steve Boz for the Metra Division title, how TJ Steel got him into CSW and into “The Brass,” working for Janesville Wrestling Alliance, AAW, DREAMWAVE and more. Plus, f...
Jan 30, 2024•1 hr 18 min•Ep. 208
A second-generation star, Kyzyle decided to deviate from his father’s path with a quirky, dark persona and it helped lead him to the POWW Entertainment Heavyweight Championship. Kyzyle joins Windy City Slam Podcast for the first time to discuss his rise in POWW, car trips with his father, Trevor Blanchard, and brother, referee Brian Allen, developing the Kyzyle character, rivalry with Mason Percs, work in UWE and Southland Championship Wrestling, winning the POWW Championship from “Uncle” Jimmy ...
Jan 23, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 207
Will County’s favorite wrestling attorney Eric Schultz has held the Northland Pro Championship for nearly 500 days, and he returns to Windy City Slam Podcast to talk all about it. Schultz discusses his upcoming Northland Pro title defense against Rafael Quintero on Feb. 3, The Brass’ objectives in Chicago Style Wrestling, his recent triple-threat match in Rocket Pro against Koa Laxamana and Shaq Jordan, the increase in wrestling attorneys, how the movie “Falling Down” inspired his look, goals fo...
Jan 16, 2024•50 min•Ep. 206
Twenty-year veteran Darin Corbin, seen often in the Chicagoland area for Freelance Wrestling and 2econd Wrestling, joins Windy City Slam Podcast for a special extended interview. Corbin discusses his appearance on FOX’s brand-new game show “The Floor,” being the first Triple Crown Champion in Freelance history, his issues with 2econd promoter Rabbi Jeremy Fine, his social media presence, his history with Arik Cannon from breaking into the business in the Twin Cities to now, Chicago and Minnesota...
Jan 09, 2024•1 hr 24 min•Ep. 205
After being sidelined for over a year after shoulder surgery, Alfonso Gonzalez recently came back to in-ring action in Freelance Wrestling and Freelance Underground. The Master of Team Alfonso Dojo returns to Windy City Slam Podcast to talk about ring rust, his time in wrestling, some of the younger talent on the rise in Freelance such as Koda Hernandez, Robbie Reeves, Stone Ambrose, Regan Lydale, his upcoming match with Dan the Dad at “Freelance Rhapsody,” Storm Grayson’s red-hot run, learning ...
Jan 02, 2024•39 min•Ep. 204
Armed with knowledge from great wrestling minds such as “Shogun” Chris L.O.G.A.N., Isaias Velazquez, Kylie Rae and GPA, “The Generational Treasure” Shaq Jordan joins Windy City Slam Podcast for the first time to discuss training in Wrestle League and Freelance Wrestling Academy, working for Rocket Pro Wrestling and Frontline Pro, how meeting Velazquez and Rae motivated him to join the FWA after he nearly quit wrestling, how being bullied led him to playing sports as a youth, top opponents (inclu...
Dec 26, 2023•45 min•Ep. 203
A second-generation performer, Chris Headford has his sights set on a hostile takeover of POWW Entertainment. Headford joins Windy City Slam Podcast for the first time to discuss working as a referee, the POWW Commissioner and now as the manager to the dominant faction, The Reckoning. He also reveals his inspiration to become a manager, talks about the confrontation with his father, Nick, at “Rage Reaction,” resurrecting The Conflict Crew at UWE in Michigan, and helps preview POWW’s “New Year’s ...
Dec 19, 2023•38 min•Ep. 202
Southwest suburban native Apex has made the transition from mixed martial arts to pro wrestling look relatively easy as he continues to rise through the ranks of Southland Championship Wrestling. Apex joins Windy City Slam Podcast to discuss his MMA career, overcoming some adversity early in his life, how Koa Laxamana convinced him to give pro wrestling a shot, pulling punches in a pro wrestling setting, coming up with his signature maneuver and his inspiration behind it and more. Plus, Mike pra...
Dec 12, 2023•52 min•Ep. 201
Just when you thought Mike Anthony was finished as an active wrestler, he recently returned to the ring. The Windy City Wrestling legend joins Windy City Slam Podcast to talk all about his comeback with All Star Lucha Libre, what it was like training under Sam DeCero, receiving advice from veterans early in his career, his connection with former WWE Champion Bob Backlund, working WWE TV shows, becoming a trainer at Windy City and more. Plus, Tony Gabagool of The Lovely Intoxicated Men returns to...
Dec 05, 2023•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 200
Rabbi Jeremy Fine is a self-professed “hustler” as he celebrates two years as promoter for the colorful and enjoyable 2econd Wrestling promotion. Rabbi Fine returns to Windy City Slam Podcast to discuss exceeding all expectations for 2econd, the upcoming 2nd In Command show on Dec. 10, bringing a balance of great independent talent, indie darlings and old-school stars together for his events, his issues with Darin Corbin, holding “Mitzvah Mania,” the Jewish WrestleMania and more. Plus, Mike disc...
Nov 28, 2023•52 min•Ep. 199
