Larry Sweeney: Wrestling’s Sweet and Sour Tragedy
“Sweet and Sour” Larry Sweeney had it all. But, his tragic fall left wrestling with one of its greatest lost legends and “What ifs?”
Evan Ginzburg
https://www.facebook.com/EvanGinzburgsOldSchoolWrestlingMemories
Ivan Koloff’s WWE Hall of Fame Shame: Too Little, Too Late?
Ivan Koloff finally joins WWE Hall of Fame after years of snubs. Did the man who ended Bruno’s reign deserve better than the Legacy Wing?
Pedro Morales: WWE’s Forgotten Champion and Hero
Pedro Morales: WWE’s first Triple Crown Champion and forgotten legend who transcended wrestling’s barriers. Explore his enduring legacy.
Statham’s A Working Man: How Wrestling Tactics Beat Snow White
Jason Statham’s A Working Man topped Disney’s Snow White at #1. Discover how wrestling-inspired storytelling fueled its box office success.
Sweet Daddy Siki Documentary: An Honest Review
Sweet Daddy Siki: an honest look at a gripping yet flawed documentary on a charismatic trailblazer who broke barriers in wrestling and song.
11 Legends Who Deserve to Be in the WWE Hall of Fame
These 11 legends dominated the ring but are snubbed by the WWE Hall of Fame. Discover who they are and why they deserve recognition!
Paul Vachon: Secret Tale of Wrestling’s Beloved ‘Butcher’
The saga of Butcher Paul Vachon was nothing short of legendary. Dive into the riveting secret tale of the beloved, barrel-chested baddie.
21 Best Old-School WWE Wrestlers of All Time, Ranked
The ultimate pre-1990 WWE wrestling legends list! See if your favorite old-school wrestlers from Capitol Sports, WWWF, and WWF made the cut!
Wrestling’s Battle Against Homophobia Tackled in “Out In The Ring”
Explore the hidden struggles of gay wrestlers and the layers of homophobia in wrestling’s territory era and beyond in ‘Out In The Ring.’
Cassandro The Exótico: From Brutal Beginnings to Lucha Icon
The transformation of Luchador Saúl Armendáriz to cross-trandressing “Exótico” Cassandro was fraught with pain and fame. Learn his hidden story!
Is Wrestling Fixed? Bill Apter’s Surprising Wrestling Journey
Journalist & photographer Bill Apter is famed for his “Apter Mags” & popularizing wrestling over the years. But how does his book stack up?
Witnessing History: Andre the Giant’s 12 Best Matches
At WrestleMania 3, a near immobile Andre the Giant broke box office records vs Hulk Hogan. But how did he stack up in the ring…
My Wild Weekend At The Iron Sheik’s House
The good, bad, and ugly of a shocking and surreal weekend at the Iron Sheik’s house that I’ll never forget!
Witnessing History: Superstar Billy Graham’s Best Matches
His promos talked you into a building, and his charisma shook said venue. But how did Superstar Billy Graham stack up in his matches?
Iron Sheik A&E Biography: An Honest Review
Learn if the Iron Sheik A&E Biography captured his story well in this documentary review by an award-winning wrestling documentarian.
Killer Kowalski: Secret Tales of a Wrestling Legend
Killer Kowalski headlined around the world, but to me, he was more than a great wrestling villain- he was my friend.
Dusty Rhodes A&E Biography: An Honest Review
Learn if the Dusty Rhodes A&E Biography captured “The American Dream” in this documentary review by an award-winning wrestling documentarian.
![Lanny Poffo over the years. The last image on the right was taken just one day before he sadly passed away. We honor and remember our friend, a man known to wrestling fans as "Leaping Lanny" and "The Genius." [Photo composite by JP Zarka/Pro Wrestling Stories]](https://prowrestlingstories.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Lanny-Poffo-tribute.jpg)
Lanny Poffo: Remembering a Genius Friend
With a heavy heart, we say goodbye to our beloved friend, Lanny Poffo, known to wrestling fans as “The Genius” and “Leaping Lanny.”
Larry Hennig: Much More Than Mr. Perfect’s Dad
As revered as “Mr. Perfect” Curt Hennig deserves to be, his father Larry Hennig was a legendary champ with an exceptional story of his own!
‘The Flying Greek’ Mike Pappas: The Rey Mysterio of his Day!
Each time The Flying Greek Mike Pappas stepped into the ring, he was David trying to conquer a towering Goliath. And we adored him for…
Woooooo! Becoming Ric Flair Documentary: An Honest Review
How does the Woooooo! Becoming Ric Flair documentary on Peacock fare in the telling of Flair’s prolific and controversial story?
Barry Windham: An All-Time Great (and What Might Have Been)
Barry Windham was a natural. But with a career of starts, stops, and frequent jumps to and from the NWA and WWF, should he have…
Wrestling Tag Teams Inspired by The Road Warriors
The Road Warriors were as over as any tag team ever, and there were many clones of the mighty duo along the way (for better…
John Tolos: Secret History on the Golden Greek
‘How do you spell wrestling? T-O-L-O-S!’ The story of The Golden Greek, John Tolos, in his own words and from the people who knew him…
Under the Radar Wrestling Documentaries Worth Seeking Out
Here are some quality wrestling documentaries that may have fallen under the radar but are well worth discovering.
Bob Backlund Book: An Honest Take
Bob Backlund covers it all in his book. Though is it worth the time investment? We cover the good, bad, and ugly, sharing our honest…
Old School Wrestling: 10 Things Sorely Missed!
A lot has changed since the days of old school wrestling, though not always for the better. Here are ten things that are very much…
The Grand Wizard of Wrestling – Ernie Roth Remembered
The Grand Wizard of Wrestling was a gaudily attired, smooth-talking manager who fans loathed (though appreciated) with every ounce.
Bruno Sammartino – “Our Forever Champ” Remembered
If you saw Bruno Sammartino live – where the love for this impossibly charismatic man was palpable – you’ll never forget the deafening roars.
WWWF at MSG (1974-84): A Love Letter to the Past
I attended 90% of the WWWF Madison Square Garden shows between 1974 and ’84. This is my love letter to the past.
Witnessing History: Bob Backlund’s Best Live Bouts
Here are ten of the best Bob Backlund matches we saw live before, during, and after his 5-plus-year run as WWWF World Heavyweight Champion.
Rowdy: The Roddy Piper Story | Book Review
We share our honest thoughts on Rowdy: The Roddy Piper Story, the unfinished autobiography Roddy started the very year that he passed away.
Melissa Coates – A Champion’s Fight Outside The Ring
Melissa Coates made a name for herself in multiple fields. But before her untimely passing, she went through her biggest fight yet.
Nikolai Volkoff: Secret Tales of a Wrestling Legend
Nikolai Volkoff was a caring man and one of the few in this business that nobody, not a single soul, could ever say a bad…
Freddie Blassie, Lou Albano, and The Fossil Jostle Atrocity in ’85
In 1985, Freddie Blassie attacked Lou Albano amid a Manager of the Year competition. This led to The Fossil Jostle. What an eyesore it was…
Recapturing the Magic of WWE’s WWWF Years
The World Wide Wrestling Federation was the golden age of professional wrestling. Experience the excitement and nostalgia of WWE’s WWWF era!
Wrestling Autograph Encounters in the Late ’60s and ’70s
Renaissance man Wayne St. Wayne had many wrestling autograph encounters, even procuring scribbles from the hottest heels during a protected bygone era.
When It Was Real by Nikita Breznikov, with Scott Teal | Book Review
Pro Wrestling Stories senior writer Evan Ginzburg reviews the book When It Was Real by Nikita Breznikov, with Scott Teal.
Legends Live on in “Wrestling Then & Now” Documentary
Many legends of the squared circle have left us but they live on, not only in our hearts but in a film from the heart,…
Accepted: How the First Gay Superstar Changed WWE
He was a young man with empty pockets and a dream who took every chance to do what he loved. Here’s our honest review of…
Wrestling’s Unsung: Those History Hasn’t Been Kind To
It’s time to show love and appreciation for those usually underserved in the wrestling world – the unsung heroes who rarely get credit.
Backstage at the Indies – “It Hurts, It Hurts!”, WWE Stomping Grounds Wrap-Up
Backstage at an indie show at the Elks Lodge in Queens, New York, WWE Stomping Grounds PPV wrap-up, how you can help former wrestling manager…
AEW, Dismissing the Nonsensical, and WWE – A Penance For Past Sins
Dispelling the nonsensical around AEW, how WWE is penance for past sins, and why 2019 is the golden age for independent wrestling.
A Note For the Wide-eyed Kids with a Dream and WWE Apologists
Between discussion on independent contractors and fan complaints falling on deaf ears, WWE follows a broken system that is long overdue for a fix.
FRED GEOBOLD: NYC Wrestling Radio Pioneer, Unsung Hero
Fred Geobold wore many hats in life- receptionist/switchboard operator at WBAI-FM, 99.5 in NYC, on-air radio host, folk singer, songwriter, and concert MC.
350 Days Wrestling Documentary – Available NOW!
350 Days, the documentary that was the talk of the wrestling world last summer, is finally available to order! We have all the details.
Wrestling’s Generation Gap- Ric Flair vs. Ricochet: Then vs. Now
Will old school fans ever respect a Ricochet, and would today’s fans truly appreciate a ring general like Ric Flair or Jack Brisco?
Wrestling’s Global Village: From Korea to the UK and Everywhere Between
The wrestling world and the world itself is ‘one big town’ and global village. That was never clearer to me than last week.
Dale Pierce Remembered – Wrestling Manager Extraordinaire
Dale Pierce simultaneously loved and loathed pro wrestling with a passion that only someone who has devoted their life to it could fully grasp.
Jimmy Snuka and Don Muraco – The Legendary Moment Remembered
Fans witnessing the Jimmy Snuka and Don Muraco match never experienced anything like it. And in the many years since, fans haven’t forgotten.
Gorilla Monsoon – Remembering “The Manchurian Giant”
When Gorilla Monsoon appeared on WWF TV for the very last time at WrestleMania 15 in March of 1999, I didn’t react well.
Nikolai Volkoff and Tito Santana – A Side Not Often Seen
Wrestling legend Walter Kowalski shares a side not often known about Nikolai Volkoff, including a comical tale involving Tito Santana.
WWE at MSG: Ronda Rousey MSG Debut, Undertaker Returns First Time in 8 Years
WWE at MSG: How much did The Undertaker work? Bobby Roode injured. Ronda Rousey impresses in MSG wrestling debut, and more!
Bruce Hart: The Secret Tale of a Hart Brother
Learn the story behind the wrestling career of Bruce Hart and how, by his own admission, he changed the face of sports entertainment!
350 Days: The Story of Wrestling, Sex, Drugs, and Rock-n-Roll
Associate Producer Evan Ginzburg gives a behind-the-scenes look at 350 Days, starring Bret Hart and Superstar Billy Graham.
Bruno Sammartino and Lou Thesz – The Dream Feud That Never Was
The late-great Killer Kowalski shares his musings on the dream feud that never was: Bruno Sammartino and Lou Thesz.
Luscious Johnny Valiant Remembers the Legends
Memories from Johnny Valiant, in his own words, of the incomparable legends Dick the Bruiser, Bobo Brazil and ‘The Original Sheik’ Ed Farhat.
Nicole Bass – The Life and Tragic Passing of My Friend
When my beloved friend Nicole Bass walked into a room, everything just stopped. This is my tribute to her and her life.
Captain Lou Albano Opens Up About His Wild Career
Captain Lou Albano is forever etched in our memory. Here are his stories on wrestling, acting, drugs, and rock and roll.
Sherri Martel: Secret History of a True Sensation
“Sensational” Sherri Martel was just that- utterly sensational. But what was her life truly like outside the ring?
Unforgettable Wrestling Moments at Madison Square Garden
Relive some of the most magnificent matches and magical wrestling moments in New York’s Madison Square Garden (MSG)!
Remembering Calgary Stampede Star, TIGER KHAN
Tiger Khan was on the rise. But like many wrestlers before him and likely after, he treated his body like a chemistry set. In the…
Reigns Pins Cena Clean at Madison Square Garden in Passing of the Torch
MSG shows *usually* offer a bit of something special to the paying audience, a little something different than what you see on TV.