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AWA Unleashed
Chris Tubbs
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”The Voice of Minnesota Wrestling” Mick Karch, wrestling historian George Schire and Chris Tubbs recap the glory days of the historic and influential American Wrestling Association.
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AWA Unleashed!- Episode 20- Best Tag Teams in AWA history
5d ago
58 mins
AWA Unleashed!- Episode 20- Best Tag Teams in AWA history
This episode features one of the things that made the AWA so awesome and that's tag teams! What did Verne think about tag teams, and did wrestlers like being in teams or would they rather go solo? What teams would have been good together but never happened, and who really hated each other but you couldn't tell? Teams include Larry Hennig & Harley Race, Jimmy & Johnny Valiant, The High Flyers, Jerry Blackwell & Ken Patera, Mad Dog Vachon & Baron Von Raschke, Buddy Rose & Doug Somers, and more. Brought to you by our friends at SotaStick. It's the place to go for your Minnesota sports themed novelty shirts, hats, and whatever you want. Check out their website https://sotastickco.com/ and use the promo code UNLEASHED for 15% off! Lift Bridge Brewery has the official beer of AWA Unleashed! The best brewery with the best beer for the best fans! Check out their inventory for the booze and swag! http://liftbridgebrewery.com/ Catch us at our first live show Sat. June 11 at Lift Bridge Brewery before the Midwest All-Star Wrestling card! Doors at noon, live podcast at 2:00pm, wrestling at 3:30pm! Get tix -> bit.ly/3OdPVg6
5d ago
58 mins
AWA Unleashed!- Episode 19- How AWA booked black wrestlers
This week it's a sensitive topic, and that's how black wrestlers were booked in the AWA compared to other territories. Why are we talking about black wrestlers and not minorities as a whole, and did Verne make it a point to treat them fairly? Did wrestlers talk about how they were treated, why did/didn’t Verne play into the stereotypes? Names include "Big Daddy" Gene Lipscomb, Sailor Art Thomas, Rufus R. Jones, Tony Atlas, "Hacksaw" Butch Reed, Larry Cameron and more. Brought to you by our friends at SotaStick. Sotastick is the place to go for your Minnesota sports themed novelty shirts, hats, and whatever you want. Check out their website https://sotastickco.com/ and use the promo code UNLEASHED for 15% off! Lift Bridge Brewery has the official beer of AWA Unleashed! The best brewery with the best beer for the best fans! Check out their inventory for the booze and swag! http://liftbridgebrewery.com/ Catch us at our first live show Sat. June 11 at Lift Bridge Brewery before the Midwest All-Star Wrestling card! Doors at noon, live podcast at 2:00pm, wrestling at 3:30pm! Get tix here: bit.ly/3OdPVg6
May 10 2022
1 hr 33 mins
AWA Unleashed!- Episode 18- Barbara Goodish
This week we have the chance to catch up with the widow of the legendary Bruiser/King Kong Brody, Barbara Goodish. What were the early years and travels and life like on the road? What made the friendship/partnership with Stan Hansen special and why it remains so to this day. Why couldn't he be "Bruiser" Brody in the AWA, and his no-nonsense approach to not being swerved by promoters. Plus Mick hand picking his interview, did he leave wrestling at the arena, what should his legacy be and more. Brought to you by our friends at SotaStick. Sotastick is the place to go for your Minnesota sports themed novelty shirts, hats, and whatever you want. Check out their website https://sotastickco.com/ and use the promo code UNLEASHED for 15% off! Lift Bridge Brewery has the official beer of AWA Unleashed! The best brewery with the best beer for the best fans! Check out their inventory for the booze and swag! http://liftbridgebrewery.com/ Catch us at our first live show Sat. June 11 at Lift Bridge Brewery before the Midwest All-Star Wrestling card! Doors at noon, live podcast at 2:00pm, wrestling at 3:30pm! Get tix -> bit.ly/3OdPVg6
May 3 2022
59 mins
AWA Unleashed!- Episode 17- Curt Hennig- Part 2
In the second of two parts, we get into the life and career of we talk about the life and career of one the most well known and beloved stars in the AWA and beyond, Curt Hennig. How he never forgot his roots; and attending Twin Cities indie shows regularly, his “Perfect” persona in the WWE and the video build-up and vignettes. Plus Mick and George talk about the Memorial Service, and his dad Larry delivering the eulogy. Brought to you by our friends at SotaStick. It's the place to go for your Minnesota sports themed novelty shirts, hats, and whatever you want. Check out their website https://sotastickco.com/ and use the promo code UNLEASHED for 15% off! Lift Bridge Brewery has the official beer of AWA Unleashed! The best brewery with the best beer for the best fans! Check out their inventory for the booze and swag! http://liftbridgebrewery.com/ Catch us at our first live show Sat. June 11 at Lift Bridge Brewery before the Midwest All-Star Wrestling card! Doors at noon, live podcast at 2:00pm, wrestling at 3:30pm! Get tix -> bit.ly/3OdPVg6
Apr 26 2022
58 mins
AWA Unleashed!- Episode-16- Curt Hennig- Part 1
In the first of two parts, we get into the life and career of we talk about the life and career of one the most well known and beloved stars in the AWA and beyond, Curt Hennig. When did Mick and George start to hear that Larry’s son might be interested in the business? What were their first impressions? We get into the Hennig/Gagne feud, his legendary one hour draw with Nick Bockwinkel. Curt’s talks with his dad Larry, Curt's conversations with Mick at the Showboat regarding his future and more. Brought to you by our friends at SotaStick. It's is the place to go for your Minnesota sports themed novelty shirts, hats, and whatever you want. Check out their website https://sotastickco.com/ and use the promo code UNLEASHED for 15% off! Lift Bridge Brewery has the official beer of AWA Unleashed! The best brewery with the best beer for the best fans! Check out their inventory for the booze and swag!http://liftbridgebrewery.com/
Apr 19 2022
50 mins
AWA Unleashed!- Episode 15- ”Polish” Joe Cuipik- Part 2
This week we finish our two part series and get more behind the scenes stories with former AWA Cameraman/Producer "Polish" Joe Cuipik. This week he talks with Mick Karch, George Schire and Chris Tubbs about the "Wrestlerock Rumble", the Team Challenge Series, being kayfabed by Verne Gagne, when King King/Bruiser Brody sided with him, Word Association and more. Brought to you by our friends at SotaStick. Sotastick is the place to go for your Minnesota sports themed novelty shirts, hats, and whatever you want. Check out their website https://sotastickco.com/ and use the promo code UNLEASHED for 15% off!
Apr 12 2022
44 mins
AWA Unleashed!- Episode 14- ”Polish” Joe Cuipik- Part 1
This week we get some real good behind the scenes stories with former AWA Cameraman/Producer "Polish" Joe Cuipik. In this first of a two part interview he talks with Mick Karch, George Schire and Chris Tubbs about getting into the business with no experience, having a problem being in the correct spot for a shot, memorable conversations with Jimmy Snuka, the worst night of production he ever experienced and more. Brought to you by our friends at SotaStick. Sotastick is the place to go for your Minnesota sports themed novelty shirts, hats, and whatever you want. Check out their website https://sotastickco.com/ and use the promo code UNLEASHED for 15% off!
Apr 5 2022
41 mins
AWA Unleashed!- Ep. 13- No DQ and A
You've got questions, and we've got answers (sort of.) So it's time for another no DQ and A, where your questions are the show. Mick and George each answer several listener submitted questions for the second edition of our mailbag. Did anybody see The Crusher driving down University Ave. in St. Paul? Who were bookers for the AWA over the years? Curt Hennig's injury vs. Wahoo, forgettable matches, Dennis Bockwinkel and more. If you have any questions for our next No DQ and A, email mickkarch@gmail.com or gschire@comcast.net. Brought to you by our friends at Sotastick. Check out their website https://sotastickco.com/, and use the promo code "UNLEASHED" for 15% off!
Mar 29 2022
57 mins
AWA Unleashed!- Ep . 12- AWA’s All time great babyfaces
Who are the most beloved heroes in the history of the AWA? Those that fans really got behind and cheered for to overcome adversity? This week Mick Karch and George Schire make a list of those that fit the definition of a "babyface." What makes a good one, and why did some of the most hated villains become some of the most loved babyfaces? Some of the names include Wilbur Snyder, Masked Dr. X, Red Bastien, Tito Santana, Mad Dog Vachon and Rick Martel.
Mar 22 2022
59 mins
AWA Unleashed! Ep. 11.5- BONUS- ”Big” Scott Hall
Even though he wasn't in the AWA for a long period of time, many fans still remember him and his partnership with Curt Hennig. What was he like, and who was he compared to? Plus did he realize the impact and influence he had on fans? We get into that and more in our tribute to the late Scott Hall.
Mar 17 2022
11 mins
AWA Unleashed! Ep. 11- AWA’s All time great heels
Who are the best villains in AWA history? There is no shortage of rulebreakers over the territory's history. This week Mick Karch and George Schire make a list of those that fit the definition of a "heel." What makes a good one? What were they like outside of the ring? And did fans ever try and test their toughness against them? It's a fun list that includes The Crusher, Bobby “The Brain” Heenan, Jerry Blackwell, Baron Von Raschke, Sheik Adnan Al Kaissie and a ton more!
Mar 15 2022
59 mins
AWA Unleashed! Ep. 10- Over pushed and under hyped wrestlers
This week it's all about the wrestlers we didn't want, but we got, and others that deserved better. What wrestlers were overhyped and under delivered? How about those that should have gotten more of an opportunity? Mick Karch and George Schire make a list of wrestlers that fit both categories and others that could have been included. Some are stars from other territories that didn't get over for various reasons, and just didn't have "it." Names include Mil Mascaras, Pedro Morales, Jerry Lawler, Rufus R. Jones, Otto Wanz, and so many more.
Mar 8 2022
57 mins
AWA Unleashed! Ep. 9- ”Jumping” Jim Brunzell
Time for an hour plus of fun filled stories as Mick Karch and George Schire catch up with their friend and one half of the famous High Flyers, "Jumping" Jim Brunzell. Did he ever wish he could have turned heel and feud with Greg Gagne? He talks old school vs. new school, breaking kayfabe, his 60-minute Broadways with Nick Bockwinkel, taking the Iron Shiek's boot, we ask him about his infamous ’first promo’ in front of Vince McMahon and so much more. It's a fun trip down memory lane.
Mar 1 2022
1 hr 10 mins
AWA Unleashed! Ep. 8- Rivalries
This week it's all about one of the things that wrestling fans love, and that's rivalries. What makes a good one? Are there situations where it started out as a work and turned into a shoot? Which ones went too far? Mick Karch and George Shire talk about some of their all time favorite feuds, what they remember, why they were so memorable and so much more..
Feb 22 2022
58 mins
AWA Unleashed! Ep. 7- Crusher and Dick The Bruiser
Do the Crusher! This week we talk about two of the most well known names in the AWA, The Crusher and Dick The Bruiser. From being hated heels to beloved babyfaces, they're two of the most recognizable names ever. How did the pairing come together, and what were they like outside the ring? Why was Crusher reluctant to sign his real name on memorabilia? What really happened with Crusher and Mad Dog Vachon on TV. What was Bruiser like as a promoter? Mick Karch and George Shire get into that and so much more.
Feb 15 2022
56 mins
AWA Unleashed! Ep. 6- Enhancement Talent
It's time to put the enhancement talent, aka "jobbers" over! We pay respect to the unsung wrestlers and those that made the stars look like stars, while giving them the recognition they deserve. From Jake "The Milkman" Milliman to "Sodbuster" Kenny Jay, Nacho Barrera and so many more, we pay homage to many of those that made the AWA a special place. Some were serious, some were silly, but all were absolutely essential and we loved talking about them with outstanding stories from Mick Karch and George Shire.
Feb 8 2022
57 mins
AWA Unleashed! Ep . 5 - No DQ and A
This week it was a "No DQ and A!" We've had such a great reaction to the podcast and tons of questions asked, so we figured we would answer some of them, so that's what we did. Great insight from and never before told stories from Mick Karch and George Schire. Topics include title belts, Harley Race being stabbed, Bruiser Brody, legit heat, Eddie Sharkey, wrestlers hitting on fans and more.
Feb 1 2022
56 mins
AWA Unleashed!- Ep. 4- Bobby ”The Brain” Heenan
This week we get into one of the most entertaining professional wrestling personalities of all time, and that's the one and only Bobby "The Brain" Heenan. How did wrestlers feel about working with him? Was there ever concern from wrestlers that he would get more shine/over shadow them? Who came up with the “weasel” and how did he feel about it? Plus what made him different from other wrestlers that Vince McMahon was hiring, plus Bobby as a referee–but NOT where you might think! And how did he say goodbye to fans? That and so much more.
Jan 25 2022
55 mins
AWA Unleashed!- Ep. 3- Nick Bockwinkel
Episode 3 of AWA Unleashed is all about one of the greatest in AWA history Nick Bockwinkel. From his debut in the territory, to his pairing with Bobby Heenan, and so much more, it's a fun look into a true wrestling legend. Plus some crazy never before heard stories about the personal relationships he had with both Mick Karch and George Shire.
Jan 18 2022
55 mins
AWA Unleashed- Ep. 2.- We hear you
In this weeks episode of AWA Unleashed, we touch on some of the topics that listeners have requested. When we say we want listener and fan interaction, we mean it. It's a random fire, quick moving episode that gives a little tease of what's coming up. Some of the ideas include: Larry Hennig, Curt Hennig, Greg Gagne, Eddie Sharkey, "Sodbuster” Kenny Jay, Bobby “The Brain” Heenan, WrestleRock, Team Challenge Series, enhancement talent aka "jobbers", and more. We have so much more we're going to discuss, but this is just a small sample of what's coming up.
Jan 11 2022
56 mins
