Benny J. Scala

28 Postshttps://danandbenny.podbean.com/

Benny J. Scala is a senior writer at Pro Wrestling Stories and co-host of the Dan and Benny In the Ring podcast. He is also a writer/promoter for Jimmy Valiant's Boogie’s Wrestling Camp and Hall of Fame Museum (BWC). Benny is a licensed Florida Realtor and recently joined the writing staff of the Through The Fence Baseball website. He has been a fan of professional wrestling since the late '60s. He can be reached by email at bennyjscala@yahoo.com.

The Legend of Katie Vick, featuring Kane and Triple H.

Katie Vick – Behind WWE’s Most Shameful TV Segment

by Benny J. Scala

In 2002, Katie Vick was introduced to the WWE audience. Many consider what followed to be one of the most tasteless segments in television history.

Over the years, Juan Kachmanian established himself as a prominent figure in the professional wrestling industry by adopting different personas, including Ervan the Armenian, Ivan the Terrible, The Missing Link, The Great Pampero, the Wild Bull of the Pampas, and most notably, Pampero Firpo.

“Oooh Yeah!” The Untold Story of Pampero Firpo

by Benny J. Scala

Delve into the life and exploits of the Wild Bull of the Pampas, Pampero Firpo, whose tale goes much beyond inspiring a future WWE Champion!

From Parts Unknown? Take a trip back to the pro wrestling world of the '80s and prior as we reveal wrestlers' real (and kayfabe) hometowns!

Secret Billed Hometowns of 8 Old-School Wrestlers

by Benny J. Scala

From Parts Unknown? Take a trip back to the pro wrestling world of the ’80s and prior as we reveal wrestlers’ real (and kayfabe) hometowns!

Strongman Ken Patera over the years.

Ken Patera: Olympic Strongman to Pro Wrestling Glory

by Benny J. Scala

The ‘strongman’ has always held an important place in professional wrestling. But was Ken Patera the strongest of them all?

From Iron Mike Discord during his debut in 1972 to becoming one of the top stars in the business during the ’70s and ’80s as the "Universal Heartthrob" Austin Idol.

Austin Idol: From McCord To Discord

by Benny J. Scala

Austin Idol underwent many changes and was in demand, often calling his own shots. But what if he had taken Vince McMahon Sr.’s advice?

Hulk Hogan winning the AWA World Heavyweight Championship remains one of the greatest "What if's" in our beloved sport's rich history.

Hulk Hogan and the AWA Championship: What If He Won?

by Benny J. Scala

What if Hulk Hogan become AWA Champion? A ‘What If?’ scenario that would have had an astronomical effect on the entire wrestling timeline.

These trios of wrestling managers cornered the heel market and made life miserable for babyfaces in their respective eras!

Wrestling Manager Trios That Changed the Game in 3 Eras

by Benny J. Scala

These trios of wrestling managers cornered the heel market and made life miserable for babyfaces in their respective eras!

Allen Coage (Bad News Brown / Bad News Allen) was a Judo champion and fierce wrestler in the squared circle. But to his family, he was much more.

The Secret History of “Bad News Brown” Allen Coage

by Benny J. Scala

Allen Coage was also known as Bad News Brown and Bad News Allen. Learn his secret history through his beloved daughters, Frances and April.

Many young men have been introduced to professional wrestling by their fathers. What follows are examples of young men who shouldn't have!

Wrestlers Who Shouldn’t Have Followed Father’s Footsteps

by Benny J. Scala

Many young men have been introduced to professional wrestling by their fathers. What follows are examples of young men who shouldn’t have!

The eyes are the windows to the soul!" What follows are several examples of incidents where wrestlers were blinded in or out of the ring!

6 Times Professional Wrestlers Were Blinded

by Benny J. Scala

“The eyes are the windows to the soul!” What follows are several examples of incidents where wrestlers were blinded in or out of the ring!

Baron Mikel Scicluna over the years.

Baron Mikel Scicluna – The Velvet-Caped Villain From Malta

by Benny J. Scala

Many wrestlers during the WWWF era disappeared after an appearance or two. But then there was the great Baron Mikel Scicluna!

Kurt Von Hess - one of the last ethnic heels from the territory days of wrestling. For him and his family, life was anything but ordinary.

Kurt Von Hess – Lifestyle of an Old-School Ethnic Heel

by Benny J. Scala

Kurt Von Hess was one of the last ethnic heels of the territory days. For him and his family, life was anything but ordinary!

Terry Taylor, a magnificent territory wrestler, with a truckload of gold to prove it, was de-feathered in the prime of his career, saddled with a gimmick no one could have overcome: the Red Rooster.

Terry Taylor and the Failed Red Rooster Gimmick

by Benny J. Scala

Terry Taylor, a magnificent territory wrestler, was de-feathered in the prime of his career, saddled as the Red Rooster.

In the world of professional wrestling, Al Perez had it all. He was the favorite of many greats in the business and was always on the cusp of greatness, though he never quite got there. A lot of that was his undoing.

Al Perez – A Wrestling Career That Could Have Been More

by Benny J. Scala

Al Perez had it all. He was many wrestlers’ favorite and on the cusp of greatness, but never quite got there. A lot of that…

Kizarny at a carnival during one of his vignettes prior to his WWE debut.

Kizarny – The Bizarre Story of His Short-Lived Time in WWE

by Benny J. Scala

Kizarny debuted on WWE SmackDown on October 10th, 2008. Five months later, he would be gone from the company. Here’s how it all went wrong.

The Legend of Katie Vick, featuring Kane and Triple H.

Katie Vick – Behind WWE’s Most Shameful Storyline

by Benny J. Scala

In 2002, Katie Vick was introduced to the WWE audience. Many consider what followed to be one of the most tasteless segments in television history.

Remembering Dominic DeNucci - a wrestling legend and, more importantly, a good man.

Dominic DeNucci – Wrestling’s Shining Light

by Benny J. Scala

He wrestled across seven decades throughout his illustrious career. But his accolades take a distant second to Dominic DeNucci, the man.

"Handsome" Jimmy Valiant over the years.

Jimmy Valiant – The Story of the Handsome Boogie Woogie Man

by Benny J. Scala

Jimmy Valiant traveled the world as a wrestler for nearly 60 years. We look back on his career and the exciting new chapter in his…

A nostalgic look back at the legendary Showdown at Shea featuring icons like Muhammad Ali, Pedro Morales, Bruno Sammartino, Hulk Hogan, and Andre the Giant!

Showdown at Shea: Epic Tale of WWE’s First Supercards

by Benny J. Scala

In the days before WrestleMania, these three epic Showdown at Shea events marked the first unmissable grand-scale events from WWE!

Bob Roop vs. William Harding - The Ill-Fated $1000 Sugar Hold Challenge

Fan vs. Shooter: The Ill-Fated $1000 Sugar Hold Challenge

by Benny J. Scala

The $1000 Sugar Hold Challenge. What follows is arguably one of the greatest stories in the history of professional wrestling.

Buff Bagwell - His Tumultuous Life in and Out of the Ring

Buff Bagwell – A Tumultuous Life in and Out of the Ring

by Benny J. Scala

He called himself “The Stuff,” and he found himself caught up in a lot of it. Here’s a look at the tumultuous life of Marcus…

Missy Hyatt and Bill Alfonso appeared in the televised courtroom of Judge Mathis in October 2002. This is the story of everything that went down.

Missy Hyatt and Bill Alfonso – A Battle in Judge Mathis Court

by Benny J. Scala

In 2002, Missy Hyatt and Bill Alfonso did battle, not in the ring, but the TV courtroom of Judge Mathis. It made for one entertaining…

Mario Louis Fornini was an Italian professional wrestler and wrestling promoter, better known professionally as Angelo Savoldi. At the time of his death, he was known as the world's oldest retired wrestler at the age of 99.

Angelo Savoldi – The World’s Oldest Retired Wrestler

by Benny J. Scala

A notable wrestler’s father once stabbed him. For the “World’s Oldest Retired Wrestler” Angelo Savoldi, authenticity was always involved.

Noise, color, and body contact! If you're wondering what a story about roller derby is doing on a pro wrestling website, allow us the opportunity to illustrate why.

Roller Derby – The Contact Sport Like Wrestling on Wheels!

by Benny J. Scala

Noise, color, and body contact! If you’re wondering why a story about roller derby is on a wrestling site, allow us the chance to explain!

All-Star Wrestling - 5 Unsung Heroes of Saturday Mornings Past

All-Star Wrestling: Unsung Heroes of Saturday Morning TV

by Benny J. Scala

Let us take you back in time when WWE (then the WWWF and WWF) presented a weekly Saturday morning show entitled All-Star Wrestling.

Paul Orndorff and B. Brian Blair early in their professional wrestling careers.

Brian Blair on Paul Orndorff, Shoot Fights, Ribs, and More!

by Benny J. Scala

Brian Blair opens up about Paul Orndorff, The Cauliflower Alley Club, rib stories, and five times he got into brutal shoot fights.

Time Machine: The Story of a Wrestling Fan in 1968

by Benny J. Scala

Jump aboard the wrestling time machine. Next stop, 1968. Be advised, you may experience slight turbulence and high levels of nostalgia ahead!

With my hero, Bruno Sammartino. Little did I know this would be his last Christmas.

With Bruno Sammartino on His Final-Ever Christmas

by Benny J. Scala

Bruno Sammartino was my hero since I was 13, and I spent his final-ever Christmas with him. Here is how I found myself in that…