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Griffin Kaye

34 Posts
Griffin Kaye is a life-long pro wrestling fan and historian with a love for '80s and '90s WWF, the NWA, WCW, ECW, and AEW. His favorite wrestlers include Ricky Steamboat, Bret Hart, Ric Flair, William Regal, Tito Santana, Stan Hansen, and Mr Perfect. He also writes for websites like Ring The Damn Bell!, BritWrestling.co.uk, and Lace 'Em Up among others. He can be reached on Instagram at @TheGriffinKaye.
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Discover 21 facts about British wrestling icon Kendo Nagasaki, from his secret life outside the ring to a Guinness World Record bid at age 83!

Kendo Nagasaki: 21 Secrets of a British Wrestling Icon

by Griffin Kaye  May 2, 2025

Discover 21 facts about British wrestling icon Kendo Nagasaki, from his secret life outside the ring to a Guinness World Record bid at age 83!

Discover 5 horrific ECW injuries that changed careers: broken necks, severed ears, and the fire that nearly killed Terry Funk.

5 Lesser-Known ECW Injuries That Nearly Killed Wrestlers

by Griffin Kaye  Feb 27, 2025

Discover 5 horrific ECW injuries that changed careers: broken necks, severed ears, and the fire that nearly killed Terry Funk.

As this list shows, big WWE events don't always mean big money at the gate!

11 Lowest-Attended WWE Pay-Per-Views (PLEs) of All Time

by Griffin Kaye  Apr 22, 2025

As these 11 WWE pay-per-views (PPVs) / premium live events (PLEs) showed, big WWE events don’t always mean big money at the gate!

Ivan Koloff, Boris Zhukov, and Nikolai Volkoff: Among 10 Non-Russian legends who brought the iconic Russian heel persona to life!

10 Non-Russian Wrestlers Who Played Russian Villains

by Griffin Kaye  Apr 17, 2025

These ten wrestlers (all non-Russians) have portrayed the role of a Russian heel to varying success levels over the years.

The WWE Hall of Fame has produced infamous backstage stories and a share of bizarre moments -- things WWE doesn't want their fans to know!

7 Hall of Fame Stories WWE Prefers Not Told

by Griffin Kaye  May 29, 2025

The WWE Hall of Fame tends to bring unexpected drama, controversy, and secrets. Explore seven stories WWE doesn’t want fans to know!

โ€œThe Nature Boyโ€ nickname has been shared by several wrestlers, including Buddy Rogers, Roger Kirby, Ric Flair, Buddy Landel, and Scoot Andrews. But what happens when wrestlers share the same name? Discover 11 shared wrestling nicknamesโ€”proving that in the ring, no name is truly safe!

11 Shared Wrestling Nicknames: Who Wore It Better?

by Griffin Kaye  Oct 22, 2024

What happens when wrestlers share the same name? Discover 11 shared wrestling nicknamesโ€”proving that in the ring, no name is truly safe!

In pro wrestling, the right catchphrase can elevate a superstar to legendary status. But not all attempts stick. Some flop spectacularly, leaving even the biggest names in the business sounding awkward or forced!

10 Wrestling Catchphrases That Failed Spectacularly

by Griffin Kaye  Oct 16, 2024

Not every wrestling catchphrase is a hit. Some flop spectacularly, leaving even the biggest legends sounding awkward or forced!

In 1989, Koko B. Ware and WWF executive Jim Troy had a heated confrontation that escalated into a violent hotel brawl during a European tour, leading to ramifications for both men.

Koko B. Ware’s Violent Brawl with a WWE Executive

by Griffin Kaye  Oct 9, 2024

Koko B. Wareโ€™s violent hotel brawl with this WWE executive in 1989 led to surprising consequences, exposing a darker side of the โ€œBirdman.โ€

โ€œDirtyโ€ Dick Slater and Sting - The two wrestlers had an infamous backstage encounter that left Sting humiliated. Photo Credit: WWE.

Sting and Dick Slater: Their Dirty, One-Sided Backstage Fight

by Griffin Kaye  Sep 11, 2024

A brutal backstage brawl left Sting battered and humiliated by โ€˜Dirtyโ€™ Dick Slater in one of wrestlingโ€™s most infamous one-sided fights.

The infamous tale of Shawn Michaels forfeiting his third WWF Intercontinental Championship after an infamous marines incident in Syracuse in '95.

Shawn Michaels and the Infamous Syracuse Incident

by Griffin Kaye  Oct 7, 2024

Shawn Michaels and the infamous 1995 Syracuse incident with Marines left lasting scars. Uncover the truth behind that nearly fatal night.

11 Wrestlers Who Walked Away After Refusing to Lose

by Griffin Kaye  Aug 16, 2024

From Hulk Hogan to Steve Austin, these eleven wrestlers took a stand and walked away after refusing to lose a match.

Although hijinks mainly occur off-camera, here are ten surprising times ribs trickled into the public eye in the form of a wrestler's name!

10 Wrestlers Whose Names Were Ribs in WWE & WCW

by Griffin Kaye  Sep 6, 2024

Were these 10 WWE & WCW wrestlers’ names clever jabs or just backstage jokes? Discover the playfulโ€”and often spitefulโ€”side of wrestling!

From the streets of Blackpool to the ring to VP, William Regal had one wild journey!

William Regal: His Secret, Inspirational Story

by Griffin Kaye  May 3, 2023

William Regal has had a rollercoaster career of suspensions and terminated contracts. However, one event changed the trajectory of his life.

10 Wrestlers You May Not Know Appeared in ECW

Hidden Gems of ECW: 10 Appearances You May Have Missed

by Griffin Kaye  Apr 26, 2023

ECW rose to prominence by offering an array of talent. You might be surprised by some of these names who popped up in the Land…

Joe Scarpa, who gained wrestling fame as Chief Jay Strongbow.

Chief Jay Strongbow and His Notorious Backstage Reputation

by Griffin Kaye  May 20, 2023

Chief Jay Strongbow was one of the most revered workers in the industry. However, there are many shocking tales about him behind the scenes!

Wrestlers are very proud of the personas they embrace. The most devoted will even stay in character in public. These grappling greats could have, and often did, cross the line to protect their gimmicks in and out of the wrestling ring!

Extreme Cases of Wrestlers Protecting Their Gimmicks

by Griffin Kaye  Apr 8, 2025

These grappling greats could have, and often did, cross the line to protect their gimmicks in and out of the wrestling ring!

From the 1980s to 1992, professional wrestling enjoyed a boom because of the kids-friendly product and larger-than-life characters of WWF's Golden Era. However, by the Ruthless Aggression Era (2002-2008), there was a significant shift in the product. And often, returning legends from the golden past didn't always fare well!

10 Golden Era Wrestlers in WWE’s Ruthless Aggression Era

by Griffin Kaye  Nov 23, 2023

Returning legends from the Golden Era didn’t always fare well! Here are ten wrestlers who returned to WWE during the Ruthless Aggression Era!

In 1983, Vince McMahon did his best to sabotage Starrcade '83.

How Vince McMahon Tried To Sabotage Starrcade ’83

by Griffin Kaye  Jan 10, 2023

One attempted act of wrestling vandalism by Vince McMahon could have jeopardized the first major wrestling pay-per-view, Starrcade ’83.

Jimmy Savile was made into a celebrity icon in Britain while hiding decades of abuse in the full glare of the celebrity spotlight.

Jimmy Savile: A Predatorโ€™s Time in Wrestling

by Griffin Kaye  Feb 7, 2024

Here is the story of Jimmy Savile, his brief foray into the realms of professional wrestling, and his subsequent dark life.

From Bret Hart, William Regal, Kurt Angle, and more, these wrestlers earned a frosty reception initially behind the scenes in WWE!

10 Disastrous WWE Backstage First Impressions

by Griffin Kaye  Mar 8, 2023

From Bret Hart, William Regal, Kurt Angle, and more, these wrestlers earned a frosty reception initially behind the scenes in WWE!

What happens when wrestling champions cannot defend their titles? These are the rare occasions titleholders had their belts put on the line and defended by other people!

10 Times Wrestlers Defended Another Competitor’s Title

by Griffin Kaye  Sep 20, 2023

What happens when champions can’t defend their titles? Here are the rare times titleholders had their belts defended by other wrestlers!

Here are seven times wrestlers proved how real things could be in front of a live viewing audience!

7 Times Wrestlers Lost Control on a Talk Show

by Griffin Kaye  Feb 10, 2023

Here are seven times wrestlers legit got physical on talk shows, proving just how real wrestling is in front of a live viewing audience!

Behind the tables, steel chairs, and barbed wire, there was also undeniably strong character work in ECW. Here are ten performers who turned scraps to gold as they developed before our eyes on the chaotic yet exciting stage of ECW.

10 Wrestlers Who Turned Scraps to Gold in ECW

by Griffin Kaye  Apr 22, 2025

The following performers turned scraps to gold as they developed before our eyes on the chaotic yet exciting stage of ECW!

Wrestler Rockinโ€™ Rebel likely would have gone down in obscurity had it not been for the horrific real-life acts he would commit in 2018.

Rockin’ Rebel: Wrestling’s Shocking Unspoken Murder

by Griffin Kaye  Jan 10, 2023

Wrestler Rockinโ€™ Rebel likely would have gone down in obscurity had it not been for the horrific real-life acts he would commit in 2018.

Kurt Angle, Ric Flair, and Shinsuke Nakamura are amongst those who have had the rare distinction of holding more than one world heavyweight championship at the same time.

15 Times Wrestlers Held Multiple World Championships at Once

by Griffin Kaye  Jun 21, 2023

On occasion, a wrestler will hold more than one world title at the same time. Here are 15 times this rare distinction has been achieved.

Mike Awesome, Horace Hogan (Michael Bollea), and Hulk Hogan.

30 Wrestlers You May Not Know Were Related!

by Griffin Kaye  Jun 21, 2023

A family name carries weight in wrestling. However, there have been many relations kept off TV for varying reasons. Here are many examples!

8 Wrestlers Who Surprisingly Main-Evented A WWE PPV

8 Wrestlers Who Surprisingly Main-Evented A WWE PPV

by Griffin Kaye  Nov 7, 2022

The main event of WWE pay-per-views often contains some of the biggest names in the business. However, these grapplers may surprise you!ย 

These wrestling matches left wrestlers with permanentย scars!

Permanentย Scars: Tales of Life-Altering Wrestling Matches

by Griffin Kaye  Oct 18, 2023

Wrestlers sacrifice their bodies for their passion and pursuit of in-ring glory. These scars are proof of battles waged and wonโ€“or lost.

10 Masked Wrestlers Whose Identities Were Quite Obvious!

10 Masked Wrestlers Whose Identities Were Quite Obvious!

by Griffin Kaye  Dec 23, 2023

Here are ten of our favorite examples of wrestlers donning a mask to conceal their identity. As you’ll find, they weren’t fooling anybody!

Bill DeMott as Hugh Morris in WCW, and in later years as head trainer at the WWE Performance Trainer.

Bill DeMott – No Laughing Matter: His Controversial Story

by Griffin Kaye  Jul 2, 2024

Bill DeMott garnered a swarm of controversy over multiple reported instances ofย unprofessional activity. What happened, and why?

Winning the NWA World's Heavyweight Championship often cemented legacies in the annals of professional wrestling history. But what happened once former NWA World Champions jumped ship to the WWWF, WWF, or WWE? We examine just how much success these past champions had up north, compared to their successes found in the NWA. As you'll find, many of these legends never saw the same height of success once under the thumb of Vince McMahon.

How WWE Treated 13 Former NWA Champions

by Griffin Kaye  Mar 6, 2023

As you’ll find, many of these former NWA World Champions never saw the same height of success once under the thumb of Vince McMahon.

Virgil faces off against Bret Hart for the WWF Championship on a November 21st, 1992 episode of Superstars.

10 Wrestlers Who Surprisingly Had a WWE Championship Match

by Griffin Kaye  Nov 6, 2022

Only the elite and the greatest should get awarded a chance at the WWE Championship, although such is not always the case…

Jake Roberts makes his way to the ring at WCW Halloween Havoc 1992.

Jake Roberts in WCW: Money, Grudges, and Personal Ruin

by Griffin Kaye  May 25, 2023

Jake Roberts faced struggles after leaving the WWF in 1992. This is the fascinating story of his short, controversial run in WCW.

United States Championship | 10 Longest-Reigning Champs

by Griffin Kaye  May 26, 2022

The United States Championship has been held by many memorable legends. Here are the ten longest-reigning US Champions in combined days.

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  • Dark Tales
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  • Merch
    • HOMAGE.com – Our favorite in retro wrestling attire! (Use code “PWS” for a nice surprise)
    • PWSTees.com – Your favorite Pro Wrestling Stories, on a tee!
  • Meet The Team
  • More
    • Women Wrestling Pioneers
    • Shoot Fights
    • Lists
    • In Memoriam
    • Podcasts
      • Pro Wrestling Stories Presents (2015)
      • The Genius Cast with Lanny Poffo (2018-19)
      • The Pro Wrestling Stories Podcast (2020)
    • Pro Wrestling Documentaries, Books, and Movie Reviews
    • Today in History
    • Huge Crowd Reactions
    • Ask PWS