There’s a brand-new company beginning to make waves in the area as Chicago Elite Pro Wrestling is set to debut in March. The brainchild behind CEPW, Brandon Kendrix, joins Windy City Slam Podcast to discuss his connection to wrestling, using his music and event background to promote the company, working with 4th Rope Wrestling, lining up talent for CEPW, long-range goals and potential dream matches. Plus, Mike and Tony Gabagool recap the happenings from Rocket Pro Wrestling’s “Resolution.” We al...
Jan 14, 2025•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 258
Chicago Style Wrestling Academy prospect Sam Eli is doing all the right things in making his rise on the Chicagoland and Midwestern independent wrestling scene. Eli joins Windy City Slam Podcast for the first time to talk about training, working as an extra for places such as TNA and MLW, getting advice from Joe Hendry and Matt Riddle, his upcoming Rocket Pro Wrestling debut match against THE Ryan Matthews, dream matches and more. Plus, Mike reports results from WrestlePunkz and previews Rocket ...
Jan 07, 2025•39 min•Ep. 257
Responding to a beacon in the night, All Heel Wrestling World Champion “The Punk Rock Prince” Jordan Kross returns to Windy City Slam Podcast to give us an update on his career, preview this weekend’s WrestlePunkz event, talk a little about SSW Entertainment’s HORSEPOWER III with its ticket on-sale date approaching quickly, climbing the ladder at The SuperWrestlers, recap his 2024, look ahead to 2025 and take us inside his new hobby of sewing. Plus, Mike recaps a newsworthy AAW Pro “Windy City C...
Dec 31, 2024•35 min•Ep. 256
One of Chicago’s most recognizable voices in Kirby Alexander returns to Windy City Slam Podcast to give us an update on his life, which included receiving a brand-new heart last spring. Alexander discusses the trials and tribulations of getting the transplant, what health restrictions he must follow, returning to ring announcing for Freelance Wrestling and Game Changer Wrestling, the state of Freelance Wrestling and more. Plus, Mike recaps Freelance’s “Prelude” and highlights a new Freelance Wor...
Dec 24, 2024•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 255
Former college volleyball player Maggie Lee has quickly made strides in the pro wrestling world as she continues to rise in the ranks in places such as AAW, Chicago Style Wrestling and DREAMWAVE Wrestling. Lee joined Windy City Slam Podcast for the first time to discuss her rivalry with Sierra, upcoming match for the AAW Women’s Championship at “Windy City Classic XIX,” growing in AAW, getting opportunities in TNA, working with Heather By Elegance (Heather Reckless) and adjusting to their height...
Dec 17, 2024•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 254
He’s been wrestling for over three decades and hasn’t lost a step while balancing running Chicago Style Wrestling and training future wrestling superstars. Superstar Steve Boz returns to Windy City Slam Podcast to preview CSW’s stacked “Love, Death + Wrestling” event in Elmwood Park, talk about the state of CSW and its mix of young and veteran talent, the CSW Academy, working for NWA and NWA Chicago and more. Plus, special correspondent Tony Gabagool joins the show to break down the Joe Hendry-M...
Dec 10, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 253
Rabbi Jeremy Fine’s mission is to bring a diverse and entertaining wrestling product to Chicagoland’s Northern suburbs. Fine returned to Windy City Slam to discuss three years of 2econd Wrestling, rewarding talent who works hard, WWE ID performers, preview a stacked Guardians of 2econd event and break down some of his favorite Chicago sports teams. Plus, Mike recaps WWE Survivor Series, TNA Turning Point, ARW, DEFY + PROGRESS and Game Changer Wrestling events from Thanksgiving week and previews ...
Dec 03, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 252
With a match against Joe Hendry on tap, “All Day” Marshe Rockett returns to Windy City Slam Podcast. Rockett discusses the current state of Chicago Style Wrestling, his upcoming bout against Joe Hendry at Rocket Pro Wrestling, rivalry with Grin, working with Shogun Chris L.O.G.A.N., Acid Jaz, Da Soul Touchaz, his fabled chops, passing along knowledge to younger wrestlers and Texas Roadhouse rolls. Plus, Mike recaps the happenings from Freelance Wrestling, AAW Pro and AEW Full Gear while previewi...
Nov 26, 2024•1 hr•Ep. 251
Two-decade veteran Pauly Thomaselli returns to Windy City Slam Podcast for our special 250th episode to recount even more tales from his storied career. Thomaselli discusses regaining “his smile” as he wrestled Mike Morris at POWW Entertainment’s WrestleRage 22, teaming with his brothers, working with Hardcore Craig, Ryan Kross and Jeff Luxon over the years, his time in Juggalo Championship Wrestling, the evolution of The Haters, young wrestlers he thinks can be stars and more. Plus, Mike recaps...
Nov 19, 2024•57 min•Ep. 250
Mike Bare has shot over 100 wrestling shows around Chicagoland over the last few years. Windy City Slam goes behind the lens of the man in charge of Michael Bare Photography as we welcome him to the show for the first time. Bare discusses working for companies such as POWW Entertainment, Chicago Style Wrestling, Midwest Championship Wrestling and All Heel Wrestling, how he started doing ringside photography, his photography background, when he started watching wrestling, memorable moments shooti...
Nov 12, 2024•56 min•Ep. 249
Freelance Wrestling Academy prospect “Bricked Up” Robbie Reeves is already making waves on the local scene, including reigning as co-holder of the Defiant Pro Wrestling Tag Team Championship. The 19-year-old Reeves joins Windy City Slam Podcast for the first time to discuss his training at FWA, moving up the Freelance Wrestling card, teaming with Stone Ambrose as White Meat, how Robert “Ego” Anthony ribbed him during and after a match at Navarro Farm, how a chance meeting with a grammar school c...
Nov 05, 2024•1 hr•Ep. 248
He’s a punk rocker, comedian, donut aficionado and local wrestling personality. Germ T. Ripper joins Windy City Slam Podcast to discuss hosting Ripper’s Room in POWW Entertainment, punk rock, favorite comedians, deathmatch wrestling and quick donut critiques and helps break down POWW’s Wrestle Rage 22. Plus, Mike recaps TNA Bound For Glory, NXT Halloween Havoc and Freelance Wrestling, including a new champion with a familiar face, highlights another title change in the area and previews WWE Crow...
Oct 29, 2024•1 hr 18 min•Ep. 247
All Heel Wrestling is set for its first show in about nine months when they return to Woodstock on Nov. 2. Windy City Slam Podcast welcomes “The Lost Boy” Damien Walker and AHW promoter King Torch to the program for the first time to discuss “Rise In Fall,” partnership with Northland Pro and an exclusive announcement about Damien’s debut match with Jordan Kross. Damien talks about wrestling training with help from Missa Kate, Pat Monix, Doug Simmons, Vic Capri and Kross, recovering from a devast...
Oct 22, 2024•54 min•Ep. 246
He’s the American Champion for Insane Clown Posse’s Juggalo Championship Wrestling and has wrestled for almost 20 years for dozens of independent promotions and two stints for TNA. “The Obsession” Caleb Konley joins Windy City Slam Podcast to discuss JCW’s Train of Terror tour coming up at the end of the month, which includes stops in Joliet, Milwaukee and Detroit. Konley also talks about connected with ICP and JCW, the atmosphere of a JCW show, time in TNA teaming with Trevor Lee and working wi...
Oct 15, 2024•44 min•Ep. 245
They’re still in their teens, but Eddie Grayson and Jack Valor are starting to show wrestling wisdom beyond their years. The teenage tag team sensation joins Windy City Slam to discuss their rise in Chicago Style Wrestling from the academy to performing on main cards, how they became a team, Eddie’s dad’s involvement in the shows, balancing school with pro wrestling, Jack’s title victory in Honor Among Wrestling, Eddie’s Will Ospreay story and more. Plus, after a huge weekend of wrestling in Jol...
Oct 08, 2024•1 hr 20 min•Ep. 244
Joliet becomes the pro wrestling capital of Illinois this weekend with Rocket Pro and Ego Pro shows taking over the town. RPW Head of Creative and Talent Relations Kevin “Nuke” Palmer joins Windy City Slam to talk RPW’s stacked “Darkness Falls,” his career and passion for wrestling, the creative process, long-term storytelling and more. Mike also previews Ego Pro Wrestling, which features appearances by WWE’s Kofi Kingston, TNA’s JDC and AEW’s Top Flight and a lineup of great independent talent....
Oct 01, 2024•51 min•Ep. 243
He’s a member of the Rogue Horsemen in MLW and has wrestled for over two decades all over the world, including in New Japan Pro Wrestling, ROH, AEW and NXT. “The Professor” Bobby Fish joins Windy City Slam Podcast to discuss his career, what’s next for him in MLW, the influence of DDP Yoga, upcoming match against Joey “Jet” Avalon at One Fall Entertainment’s “Pink Heals,” how wrestling in Japan molded his style and influenced his career, working with Kyle O’Reilly as ReDragon, Undisputed Era in ...
Sep 24, 2024•52 min•Ep. 242
Currently in recovery from spinal fusion surgery, one of the Midwest’s most dominant wrestlers, Backwoods Brown, returns to Windy City Slam. Backwoods promotes One Fall Entertainment’s benefit show coming soon to Sheboygan, Wis. The former GLCW Champion talks about the stacked card for “Pink Heals” (which includes Alberto El Patron, Bobby Fish, Leva Bates, TW3 and Joey “Jet” Avalon), losing the GLCW title to Shawn Spears, when fans might expect him to return to action, and his optimism for his b...
Sep 17, 2024•39 min•Ep. 241
Moving from Boston to Joliet, “Beantown Bully” Benny Bargas has put his stamp on the local scene by winning the Southland Championship Wrestling Genesis Championship. The veteran over a decade joined Windy City Slam Podcast to talk about his upcoming title match at SCW’s “WrestleTopia V” against “Frontman” J Skutt, preview some of the big matches at SCW’s megaevent, his thoughts on people such as James Creed, President Flattop and Eric Schultz, working in Pro Wrestling Blitz, Freelance Undergrou...
Sep 10, 2024•59 min•Ep. 240
Former NXT star Bobby Steveson (fka Damon Kemp) has a new lease on life as a pro wrestling free agent. Steveson joined Windy City Slam Podcast to talk about parting with WWE, the recruiting class from 2021 when he joined NXT including Solo Sikoa and Tiffany Stratton, growing up in Northwest Indiana, his amateur wrestling career, his reaction to his brother Gable winning Olympic Gold, his time in NXT with Diamond Mine and No Quarter Catch Crew, whether he would go back to WWE/NXT, the rigors of t...
Sep 03, 2024•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 239
Lili La Pescadita was a late bloomer to pro wrestling, but her athletic background in powerlifting and soccer, plus competition with her boyfriend Victor Iniestra, pushed her to a new passion. La Pescadita, the Northland Pro Women’s Champion, joins Windy City Slam Podcast to talk about her burgeoning career, learning the ropes and translating her athletic drive into the world of pro wrestling, training at Chicago Style Wrestling, working with Chris Miller and Missa Kate, getting a huge opportuni...
Aug 27, 2024•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 238
It was better late than never for Matt Hatter to enter the wrestling business as “The Friendly Neighborhood Maniac” became an in-ring competitor in his mid-30s. Hatter joined Windy City Slam Podcast to discuss his goal of performing in ICW Milwaukee’s Insane 8 deathmatch tournament, his feud with Brandon Sykes (which is ramping up in Third Coast Wrestling), training in ZOWA Live, how much his family is involved with his career and character, growing up a fan of Jackass with Johnny Knoxville and ...
Aug 20, 2024•58 min•Ep. 237
“All Steel” J Fowler proves that dynamite can come in a chiseled, cruiserweight-sized package as the longest reigning ZOWA Live Champion joins Windy City Slam Podcast for the first time to discuss his lengthy title reigns in ZOWA, Rugged Pro Wrestling and Magnum Wrestling, training under Austin Bayliss and Jaysin Strife, working for DREAMWAVE, a story from his ladder match in Rocket Pro Wrestling in 2022, upcoming match with Joe Hendry, and giving back to the next generation of wrestlers. Plus, ...
Aug 13, 2024•38 min•Ep. 236
Raised in Chicagoland, “Main Man” Matty Ice holds experience in places such as the NWA, OVW and Reality of Wrestling with training and coaching from the likes of Booker T and Doug Basham. The man once known as Matt Vine joins Windy City Slam Podcast to talk about being a 2-time ROW Champion, training with Rockin’ Randy in Premier Pro Wrestling, stories about Booker T, joining the emerging Midwest Championship Wrestling promotion based out of Ottawa and much more. Plus, Mike discusses the events ...
Aug 06, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 235
A proud member of the World Famous Fabulous Idols, the current Illiana Pro Wrestling League Champion and the longest reigning Rocket Pro Tag Team Champion “Old School Cool” Damien Grey joined Windy City Slam Podcast for the first time. Grey talks about what he learned from Black & Brave Academy, trying find a foothold in the business during the height of the pandemic, fluctuating weight, the latest with The Idols, intention to take down Marshe Rockett and “Shogun” Chris L.O.G.A.N., his title...
Jul 30, 2024•1 hr 25 min•Ep. 234
With a big weekend ahead, “One Man Dynasty” Darius Latrell returns to Windy City Slam Podcast to discuss his Maxwell Street Heritage Championship match against TNA star AJ Francis at 2econd Wrestling and his triple-threat match with Gunner Brave and Chico Suave at Freelance Wrestling’s Kirby Alexander benefit show, his body transformation from his days as UIC basketball player to independent pro wrestler, the rise of his tag team partner Koda Hernandez, potential dream matches against the likes ...
Jul 23, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 233
“Hawaiian Hitman” Koa Laxamana joins Windy City Slam Podcast for the third time to go behind the scenes of what’s happening with him in 2024, including his runs in AAW Pro and Rocket Pro Wrestling, his role as Chief Financial Officer for Midwest Championship Wrestling, his tumultuous exit from the NWA, a possible search for a new manager in 2025, Defiant Pro Wrestling, arm wrestling and more. Plus, Mike recaps results from ARW and previews TNA Slammiversary, Chicago Style Wrestling, Wrestle Leag...
Jul 16, 2024•58 min•Ep. 232
It took him awhile, but Jesus Desafio is spreading his wings on the Chicagoland independent scene. “Aztec Ammunition” joins Windy City Slam Podcast for the first time to discuss his growth in Wrestle League, including his journey to win the Wrestle League Championship, his series of matches with Quinn Whittock, Wrestle League’s roster, training and working with Joseph von Jager and their rivalry over the Rocket Pro Wrestling Inter-County Championship, overcoming some early adversity with injurie...
Jul 09, 2024•59 min•Ep. 231
No longer “The Wild Child,” Connor Hopkins recently won the DREAMWAVE Championship from one of his trainers Christian Rose and has cemented himself as one of Illinois’ fastest rising stars. “The Crown Jewel” joins Windy City Slam to discuss the emotions of his victory at the highly-respected DREAMWAVE promotion, the plot to win that title, his run as Rocket Pro Wrestling Outer Limits Champion, Those Damn Coyotes, his upbringing in ZOWA, being influenced by The Kingdom from ROH, matches against M...
Jul 02, 2024•57 min•Ep. 230
With Freelance vs. The World X coming up this weekend, one of Freelance Wrestling’s hottest stars of the last year, “Prince 100” Koda Hernandez joins Windy City Slam Podcast. Hernandez discusses his upcoming Freelance Legacy Championship match vs. Darin Corbin, teaming with his cousin Sabin Gauge as Latino’s Most Wanted to win the Black Label Pro Tag Team Championship, Pick N’ Pop with Darius Latrell, having a dream match with Homicide at Ego Pro Chicago, working with Davey Bang, August Matthews...
Jun 25, 2024•48 min•Ep. 229
