Windy City Slam

He’s the Father of Freelance Wrestling and has enjoyed over a decade in the wrestling business. “The Purple Papi” Matt Knicks joined Windy City Slam Podcast to discuss the evolution of Freelance, the start of his career while training under Steve Boz, liking music that came before his time, his experience on AEW Dynamite, his rivalry with Project M.O.N.I.X., and the youth of Freelance. Plus, Mike...

Longtime Chicago independent wrestler “The Underwear Model” Eric Priest joined Windy City Slam Podcast to talk about the different stages of his wrestling career, working with AAW Pro, Steel Domain, Lunatic Wrestling Federation, as well as WWE, why he decided to come back for one last run, strange places to change clothes and more. Plus, Mike recaps AEW Revolution and 2econd Wrestling, talks Freel...

He’s been in the ring with John Cena and Brock Lesnar. Zach Gowen was WWE’s first one-legged wrestler and he joined Windy City Slam Podcast for a candid conversation about his wrestling career, overcoming adversity, traveling down some dark paths, history with Chicago indies such as AAW Pro and Freelance Wrestling and his upcoming appearance at 2econd Wrestling. Plus, Mike recaps POWW Entertainmen...

He’s an animal aficionado, a cigar lover and motorcycle enthusiast. He’s the bodyguard for POWW Entertainment's Noize Booze and Tattoos (Scott Spade and Ruff Crossing), the 6-foot-12 monster, TINY! He joins us to talk about POWW’s next two shows in Bridgeview and Twin Lakes, Wis., club stories with former WWE and WCW talent and battle royal strategy. Plus, Mike recaps Chicago Style Wrestling, Free...

He’s been piling up some big wins in Zelo Pro and Big Jon Crowley joins Windy City Slam Podcast to talk all about it. He discusses his match last weekend against WARHORSE and upcoming bout against Beer City Bruiser, his brief infatuation with the Tennessee Titans during his youth, moving closer to Chicago, his future in the business and more. Plus, Mike recaps Warrior Wrestling 19 and Zelo Pro’s “...

Two-thirds of the Next Level Soldiers, Kota Holliday and Jax Johnson, join Windy City Slam Podcast to talk about the March 5 card “NLS is for Everyone,” a diverse, all-inclusive wrestling show at Berwyn Eagles Club, how the event came together, and an exclusive talent announcement not yet released to the public. Plus, Mike recaps AAW Pro and POWW Entertainment and previews Warrior 19, Fusion, Zelo...

Windy City Slam Podcast welcomes All Heel Wrestling’s “Voice of Violence” Phil Myers Sr. (aka No Chill with Phil) and former WWE.com writer Jordan Garretson and we break down the ups and downs of the Royal Rumble, what worked and what didn’t, how the internet affects wrestling, dig into the women’s division across the world of wrestling and much more! Plus, Mike discusses local indies such as AAW...

In a special card-subject-to-change edition of Windy City Slam Podcast, we welcome one of the Midwest's hottest tag teams Country Air (Zach Hendrix & Doc Simmons) where they discuss upcoming events at 4th Wall Wrestling and Frozen Tundra Wrestling up in Wisconsin and Rocket Pro in Joliet, training at The Thumper’s Den with Frankie DeFalco and Beer City Bruiser, forming their team and much more. Pl...

Windy City Slam Podcast welcomes one-half of the Chicago Style Tag Team Champions Cody James of C&C Destruction as he previews their title defense at CSW’s Season Premiere, talks about his evolution in the business, introducing a young local wrestler to his now-famous gimmick and his past in extreme sports. Plus, Mike talks Mustafa Ali’s request for his release from WWE, recaps Berwyn Championship...

Windy City Slam Podcast welcomes local wrestling photographer and creator Nick Consalvo (@cameraguygimmick) as he talks about shooting photos for some of Chicagoland’s best independent promotions, the dangers of working ringside, getting back into wrestling as fan after drifting away for a bit, seeing his work published in Pro Wrestling Illustrated and more. Plus, Mike recaps Rocket Pro Wrestling,...

A supersized Episode 100 of Windy City Slam Podcast is an all-star extravaganza with some of our best guests as we reflect on some great moments on the show as we catch up with our former tag team partner Chris Lanuti, international superstar Sam Adonis, Warrior Wrestling promoter Steve Tortorello and local rising star “Yours Rudely” Trevor Outlaw. Plus, Mike recaps WWE Day 1 and AAW Unstoppable a...

Freelance Wrestling Academy prospect Angel Escalera joined Windy City Slam Podcast to talk about his fledgling career, salsa dancing being more than just a gimmick, his influences, matches against Kylie Rae and Bryce Benjamin, how his match against Kylie was overshadowed by the return of Project M.O.N.I.X. and more. Meanwhile, Mike previews AAW Pro and WWE Day 1. Mike Pankow is a wrestling super-f...

They’ve been taking the Chicago-area independent tag team scene by storm. Davey Bang and August Matthews joined Windy City Slam Podcast to talk about the ascent of The Bang Bros and their budding rivalry with Pick n’ Pop, their match against the Besties In The World at 2econd Wrestling, working singles in Berwyn Championship Wrestling, the origins of Davey’s use of energy drinks during matches and...

Longtime media personality and Johngy’s Beat creator John Wroblewski joined Windy City Slam Podcast to talk about his recent escapades at C2E2 and Blizzard Brawl and his history in covering the Chicago independent wrestling scene, including Resistance Pro. Plus, Mike recaps Will Ospreay’s victory in the main event of an exciting Warrior Wrestling 17 show and 2econd Wrestling’s debut event, plus ne...

Personal trainer and longtime indie wrestler Doug Simmons joins Windy City Slam Podcast to talk about the return of Fusion Wrestling on Dec. 10, and his personal connections with Mustafa Ali, Skye Blue, Missa Kate, Jordan Kross, Bryce Benjamin and Steve Boz. Plus, Mike talks about the performance of Chicago’s NXT connections, Cora Jade and Tony D’Angelo, at WarGames, recaps Freelance Underground,...

While his goal to become a college basketball coach didn’t come to fruition, Jeremy Fine turned to another calling – becoming a Rabbi and then a wrestling promoter. Fine joins Windy City Slam Podcast to talk about 2econd Wrestling’s debut show, Creation, as well as his Jewish Sports website, his experience with a young Tony Khan and much more. Plus, Mike offers his opinion on the promo showdown be...

Legendary Milwaukee wrestling promoter and personality David Herro joins Windy City Slam Podcast to promote Blizzard Brawl, coming to Waukesha, Wis., on Dec. 4, getting into the business, how he is so well connected to many big-time wrestlers, his son Kal’s burgeoning career and much more. Plus, Mike offers his opinion on WWE Survivor Series and reports on the Chicagoland independent scene, includ...

Chicagoland and Midwestern independent wrestling referee Dan Perch joins Windy City Slam Podcast to talk about the enthusiasm he has for the business, being trained at Thumper’s Den up in the Milwaukee area, learning Spanish to work Lucha Libre matches and much more. Plus, Mike recaps the top matches at AEW Full Gear, runs down the local scene, including a stellar Dynamic Wrestling Alliance show l...

Veteran Chicago independent wrestler Brawn the Lumberjack joins Windy City Slam Podcast to promote this weekend’s Dynamic Wrestling Alliance show in Willowbrook, talks about coming up in the business in the famous Lunatic Wrestling Federation and who he wrestled in his first match, his love for gimmicks and much more. Plus, Mike talks about POWW’s WrestleRage with SCW’s invasion, Zelo Pro’s “Any G...

Longtime Chicago independent wrestler and POWW Entertainment promoter Jimmy Blaze joins Windy City Slam Podcast to preview this weekend’s WrestleRage in Twin Lakes, Wis., breaks down the card match by match and also addresses his potential career-ending match against Mason Percs on Nov. 12. Plus, Mike discusses local indies such as AAW Pro, Zelo Pro, Rocket Pro and GALLI Lucha Libre and offers ano...

Friend of the show and GLCW Champion Backwoods Brown returns to Windy City Slam Podcast to preview One Fall Entertainment’s “Pink Heals” show in Sheboygan Falls, Wis., including his match against Rhino, his return from injury and his Chicago Bears fandom. Plus, Mike recaps Freelance Underground’s “The Final Phase” and the ultimate swerve by Project M.O.N.I.X., who says he isn’t going anywhere and...

To preview and promote the final wrestling match of his career against “the ghost he could never catch” Kylie Rae this weekend at Freelance Undergound, Project M.O.N.I.X. joins Windy City Slam Podcast to discuss what was behind his decision to leave wrestling, his rivalries against the likes of Simon Grimm/Gotch, Isaias Velazquez and DJZ (aka NXT’s Joaquin Wilde) and the thoughts behind his “Final...

Veteran Chicago indie wrestler and current Chicagoland Championship Wrestling Champion “Shogun” Chris L.O.G.A.N. joins Windy City Slam Podcast to discuss the pride of being a police officer, previews his match against Chico Suave at this weekend’s Berwyn Championship Wrestling show, talks about his “Last Ride” match against Marshe Rockett at Rocket Pro Wrestling and how his martial arts background...

Longtime Kenosha-area wrestler, promoter and bodybuilder Ryan Kross joins Windy City Slam Podcast to talk SSW’s “Face Your Fears,” coming to The Brat Stop on Oct. 9. Ryan reveals most of the card for the show, plus we talk about his match against Haku and Barbarian, some of the wrestling legends he gets to work in SSW, the family atmosphere in the company, his son Jordan's growth in the business a...

Young up-and-comer Jordan Kross and Chicago-area veteran Dave Rydell join Windy City Slam Podcast to help preview SSW’s “Face Your Fears,” coming to Kenosha on Oct. 9. We talk about Dave’s special delivery last year, as well as, making his own gear and things he’s encountered during his 15-year career and personal life. Kross also relives his first-ever match, which was against Rydell, and discuss...