AWA Unleashed

This week it's another "Slick Mick's Pix" where we look at some never before seen and rare photos including Verne Gagne's Minnetonka home, the Vachon's, Hennigs, a few with Mick and more!   We have a new one stop shop for AWA Unleashed merch, it’s  https://www.teepublic.com/user/unleashed-plus

This week it's another popular "No DQ and A" where we discuss potential guests and why some haven't been on yet, the Alaskans, candid Road Warriors shots, Sheik bumps", crazy fans and more!   We have a new one stop shop for AWA Unleashed merch, it’s  https://www.teepublic.com/user/unleashed-plus

This week the three of us give our favorites in several categories, including feuds, referees, promos, main events and a whole lot more. Give us yours in the comments, cause we love to see them!   We have a new one stop shop for AWA Unleashed merch, it’s  https://www.teepublic.com/user/unleashed-plus

This week we discuss the wrestlers that may have had technical limitations, but cut some fantastic promos and really got over. As usual, this is about their time in the AWA, not necessarily what they did in other promotions, territories, or other times in their career.   We have a new one stop shop for AWA Unleashed merch, it’s https://www.teepublic.com/user/unleashed-plus

This week we discuss the wrestlers that could "go" in the ring, but didn't cut the best promos. As usual, this is about their time in the AWA, not necessarily what they did in other promotions, territories, or other times in their career.   We have a new one stop shop for AWA Unleashed merch, it’s  https://www.teepublic.com/user/unleashed-plus

This week it's another of our popular "No DQ and A", where we answer your questions, including Roddy Piper's AWA run, why Ox Baker didn't get used as much, midget wrestling, wrestling "brothers", Rocky Hamilton, riots and a ton more!   We have a new one stop shop for AWA Unleashed merch, it’s  https://www.teepublic.com/user/unleashed-plus

This week we discuss some of the biggest bad asses in AWA history. We discuss what defines a "bad ass", why it can apply to different wrestlers and more!   We have a new one stop shop for AWA Unleashed merch, it’s  https://www.teepublic.com/user/unleashed-plus .

This week we're joined by the longest tenured referee in the Twin Cities professional wrestling scene, Jay Soltis, who is FINALLY retiring after 30 years!   He discusses his connection to Mick and "Saturday Night at Ringside", his great history working with former AWA talent, what he does differently than other referees, favorite memories, and a ton more!   We have a new one stop shop for AWA Unle...

This week we go back in time and recap the year 1965! We discuss why it was important, we look at some of the champions, fans still believing, the infamous Harley Race incident and a ton more!   We have a new one stop shop for AWA Unleashed merch with our newly released "It's Raining In Miami" design, it’s  https://www.teepublic.com/user/unleashed-plus .

This week we wrap up our conversation with Justin Race, who is the son of the legendary "King of wrestling" Harley Race. We discuss the team with Larry Hennig and the Hennig family, wrestling "Victor", his relationship with Bobby Heenan, keeping the Race name alive and more, plus we're joined by a special guest!    We have a new one stop shop for AWA Unleashed merch with our newly released "It's R...

This week it's part one with Justin Race, who is the son of the legendary "King of wrestling" Harley Race. He tells us when he knew his dad was a celebrity, the stability he had as a kid, how he reacted to being a "heel’s’ child" at school, dad vs. wrestler and more!   We have a new one stop shop for AWA Unleashed merch with our newly released "It's Raining In Miami" design, it’s  https://www.teep...

This week we look at more of "Slick Mick's Pix", including some candid never seen before pictures of Nick Bockwinkel, and a fantastic shot of Bobby Heenan, Curt Hennig, Wade Boggs and a ton more!   We have a new one stop shop for AWA Unleashed merch with our newly released "It's Raining In Miami" line!, it’s https://www.teepublic.com/user/unleashed-plus

This week the discussion revolves around the "babyface to heel" turns, why it didn't happen often in the AWA, how they would do it instead and more.   We have a new one stop shop for AWA Unleashed merch, it’s  https://www.teepublic.com/user/unleashed-plus .

This week we're joined by the legendary Chief Frank Hill (aka Jules Strongbow.) He discusses the surprising amount of training he received before having his first match, who first took an interest in him, his first impression of Jay Strongbow, his talks with Vince McMahon Sr., and a ton more!   We have a new one stop shop for AWA Unleashed merch, it’s  https://www.teepublic.com/user/unleashed-plus

This week we discuss six of the biggest villain to hero transformations in AWA history, including the build up, execution and fallout. Mick Karch and Joe Ciupik explain the difference between the actual transformation as opposed to a "mystery partner'", and more! Who are they? Listen and find out!   We have a new one stop shop for AWA Unleashed merch, it’s  https://www.teepublic.com/user/unleashed...

This week it's another "No DQ and A", where we answer your questions! We discuss the Verne Gagne/Bobby Heenan relationship, Jerry Sags as a referee, directing at The Showboat, old wrestling action figures, Gorgeous George and more!   There's a new one stop shop for AWA Unleashed merch, it’s  https://www.teepublic.com/user/unleashed-plus . You can get t-shirts, hoodies, hats, mugs, phone cases, and...

This week we discuss how Eddie Sharkey's Pro Wrestling America (PWA) helped extend the AWA's run, and how it eventually replaced them as the primary Twin Cities promotion. We get into the fallout between Eddie Sharkey and Verne Gagne and what brought them back together, the AWA stars that worked the promotion, The West-4 Connection in Winnipeg and more. We have a new one stop shop for AWA Unleashe...

This week we're joined by former PWA and SDW Announcer Dale Spear. He discusses his friendship with Mick and later working with him, his trips to Cauliflower Alley Club, sharing a cab with Verne Gagne, Scott Hall, Jim Cornette, how he became friends with Larry Zbyszko and more!   We have a new one stop shop for AWA Unleashed merch, it’s  https://www.teepublic.com/user/unleashed-plus .

This week we take a look at the end 1987 and the "Showboat Era", and was it the beginning of the end? Mick and Joe were both working for the AWA at the time, they discussed the history of the move to the Showboat & the ESPN deal, what a typical day was like, who was and wasn't involved in production meetings, the mood in the locker room, we looked at the roster and more!   We have a new one st...

This week we take a look at the year 1970. We discuss the schedule, attendance, Bob Luce in Chicago, Nick Bockwinkel's impact, those that became stars down the road, evolution of Dr X unmasking, and more!   We have a new one stop shop for AWA Unleashed merch, it’s https://www.teepublic.com/user/unleashed-plus .

This week we're looking at some more "Slick Mick Pix!". which include Mad Dog Race, a new Verne move, a touching Nick Bockwinkel Christmas card, Wally and Stan, plus a ton more, including one that keeps popping up for some reason.    There's a new one stop shop for AWA Unleashed merch, it’s  https://www.teepublic.com/user/unleashed-plus . You can get t-shirts, hoodies, mugs, phone cases, and tons ...

This week we're back and answering your questions with another "No DQ and A." We discuss misconceptions, trusting Tom Zenk, Larry Nelson's demeanor, would Tracy Smothers have been a good heel, reaction to Hulk Hogan getting booed, a Rocky Mountain Thunder fan sign and more.   There's a new one stop shop for AWA Unleashed merch, it’s  https://www.teepublic.com/user/unleashed-plus . You can get t-sh...

We start the new year by discussing and telling some Wally Karbo stories we like to call "Karbo’s Kapers." Of course we touch on being a translator for Ivan Putski, "fines and suspensions", his prowess with the ladies, lunch with Mick and the missing rental car, his run-in with the law and more.   There's a new one stop shop for AWA Unleashed merch, it’s  https://www.teepublic.com/user/unleashed-p...

We wrap up 2024 by cleaning out our inbox with our last "No DQ and A." This week we discuss the relationship between Bob Luce and the AWA, wrestler product endorsements, Mick's heat with Nick Bockwinkel, the Long Riders title runs and a ton more.   We have a new one stop shop for AWA Unleashed merch, it’s  https://www.teepublic.com/user/unleashed-plus . You can get t-shirts, hoodies, mugs, phone c...

This week we look back at a pivotal year in the AWA (for both positive and negative reasons), and that's 1984. We discuss some of the big time departures, the biggest story of the year, plus the champions, other talent on the roster and more.   We have a new one stop shop for AWA Unleashed merch, it’s  https://www.teepublic.com/user/unleashed-plus . You can get t-shirts, hoodies, mugs, phone cases...