Windy City Slam

Jack Valor & Eddie Grayson growing up quickly

Less than three years into the business, Jack Valor and Eddie Grayson have blossomed into one of Chicagoland’s best tag teams, recently becoming the Chicago Style Wrestling Tag Team Champions. Valor and Grayson make their second appearance on Windy City Slam, sharing their feelings on becoming champs, working with WWE legends such as Hornswoggle and Chavo Guerrero Jr., relationship with Rafael Quintero, young talent coming up at the CSW Academy, finding occasional singles opportunities, working at places such as GALLI Lucha Libre and Ego Pro Chicago, getting to wrestle in the NWA Crockett Cup, upcoming trips to Texas and Las Vegas, dream tag team matches and more. Plus, Mike takes a look at the rise of new Freelance World Champion Trevor Outlaw and recaps “Lucky Charm,” in addition to highlights from ARWPro, POWW Entertainment and TNA Sacrifice and previews lineups from POWW, Iron Spirit Pro and NXT Stand & Deliver.

Mike Pankow is a 25-year-plus professional journalist and wrestling superfan who covers local Chicagoland wrestling and national promotions like AEW and WWE. If there is something going on in Chicago, Mike knows about it. Enjoy “Wrestling, Chicago-Style” on The Broadcast Basement On-Demand Radio Network! Music by Jason Shaw on Audionautix.com. Get your local wrestling fix every Tuesday everywhere podcasts can be found and always at WindyCitySlam.com!

Eric Schultz still getting “resultz”

Eric Schultz has proven to be versatile in the ring and the courtroom as the six-year veteran has racked up the accomplishments over the span of his career. Schultz, the current Southland Championship Wrestling Genesis Champion, returns to Windy City Slam to discuss his upcoming match vs. Warren C. Freiberg at SCW “Shamrocks & Shenanigans,” The Undeniable showing cracks in Rocket Pro Wrestling, his storied time with Chicago Style Wrestling, working with Ryan Matthews, Damien Walker and Sean Mulligan among others, #TheProgram in ARWPro, what’s he improved upon over the course of his career and more. Plus, Mike recaps highlights from CSW’s “Luck Runs Out” and AAW Pro’s “EPIC” and previews lineups from Freelance Wrestling, POWW Entertainment and TNA Sacrifice.

Mike Pankow is a 25-year-plus professional journalist and wrestling superfan who covers local Chicagoland wrestling and national promotions like AEW and WWE. If there is something going on in Chicago, Mike knows about it. Enjoy “Wrestling, Chicago-Style” on The Broadcast Basement On-Demand Radio Network! Music by Jason Shaw on Audionautix.com. Get your local wrestling fix every Tuesday everywhere podcasts can be found and always at WindyCitySlam.com!

New SSW Champ Jordan Kross, HORSEPOWER IV

“The Punk Rock Prince” Jordan Kross reached the mountaintop by becoming SSW Unified Champion in front over 1,400 fans in the main event at HORSEPOWER IV in Kenosha last week. Kross returned to Windy City Slam Podcast to help recap the fun fundraiser show, his emotions of winning the title from his father Ryan Kross, the atmosphere of the show, proving his trainers “right,” some of the young talent breaking out such as CJ Martin, Brian Gorta and Jay Leon, the variety of SSW and more. Plus, Mike recaps highlights from Wrestle League’s anniversary show, ARW Pro and AEW Revolution and previews lineups from Chicago Style Wrestling, AAW Pro and Jewel-Osco’s “Big Deal Energy Battle.”

Mike Pankow is a 25-year-plus professional journalist and wrestling superfan who covers local Chicagoland wrestling and national promotions like AEW and WWE. If there is something going on in Chicago, Mike knows about it. Enjoy “Wrestling, Chicago-Style” on The Broadcast Basement On-Demand Radio Network! Music by Jason Shaw on Audionautix.com. Get your local wrestling fix every Tuesday everywhere podcasts can be found and always at WindyCitySlam.com!

A Conduit + Punk Rock Jock = CJ Martin

One of Chicagoland’s freshest faces to the independent wrestling scene, CJ Martin joins Windy City Slam Podcast for the first time. Martin, a former football linebacker at North Park University, discusses which former WWE Superstar caught his eye when he first was exposed to pro wrestling, his Punk Rock Jocks team with Jordan Kross at 2econd Wrestling, being a part of Darin Corbin’s Conduits of Corbin’s Knowledge at Freelance Wrestling, training at Freelance Wrestling Academy, his upcoming six-man scramble at SSW HORSEPOWER IV, the rest of card at HORSEPOWER, his hatred for Tornado Kid and more. Plus, Tony Gabagool joined the show to talk about the big weekend of wrestling in Joliet with Ego Pro Chicago and Rocket Pro Wrestling. Mike also talks POWW Entertainment, Warrior Wrestling, Wrestle League, ARW Pro, AEW Revolution and NXT Vengeance Day.

Mike Pankow is a 25-year-plus professional journalist and wrestling superfan who covers local Chicagoland wrestling and national promotions like AEW and WWE. If there is something going on in Chicago, Mike knows about it. Enjoy “Wrestling, Chicago-Style” on The Broadcast Basement On-Demand Radio Network! Music by Jason Shaw on Audionautix.com. Get your local wrestling fix every Tuesday everywhere podcasts can be found and always at WindyCitySlam.com!

Steve Ahrendt opens up

Longtime Chicago independent wrestling personality Steve Ahrendt returns to Windy City Slam to discuss his final year in the business, working as a commentator and authority figure for places such as Rocket Pro Wrestling and Chicago Style Wrestling, his time as host of The Power Hour and the camaraderie he built with his co-hosts, the card for this weekend’s RPW “Shamrock Showdown, CSW’s big show coming to Elmwood Park, Frontline Pro, NWA Chicago and more. Plus, Mike recapped WWE Elimination Chamber weekend, Freelance Wrestling, 2econd Wrestling, Southland Championship Wrestling and Iron Spirit Pro while previewing Ego Pro Chicago and POWW Entertainment.

Mike Pankow is a 25-year-plus professional journalist and wrestling superfan who covers local Chicagoland wrestling and national promotions like AEW and WWE. If there is something going on in Chicago, Mike knows about it. Enjoy “Wrestling, Chicago-Style” on The Broadcast Basement On-Demand Radio Network! Music by Jason Shaw on Audionautix.com. Get your local wrestling fix every Tuesday everywhere podcasts can be found and always at WindyCitySlam.com!

THE Ryan Matthews reflects on his career

In his mid-20s, THE Ryan Matthews just decided it was time to step away from pro wrestling just eight years into the business. The former Chicago Style Wrestling Tag Team Champion, Rocket Pro Outer Limits Champion and White Castle Crave Champion joined Windy City Slam to reflect upon his career, favorite moments, memories and opponents, The Brass, The Undeniable, why he decided to step away, his upcoming final match against Trip Jordy at Ego Pro Chicago on March 6 and what could be next in his life. Plus, Mike recapped CSW and AAW Pro events and previewed WWE Elimination Chamber weekend in Chicago and local lineups from Freelance, 2econd Wrestling, Southland Championship Wrestling, Ultimate Combat Gauntlet and Iron Spirit Pro.

Mike Pankow is a 25-year-plus professional journalist and wrestling superfan who covers local Chicagoland wrestling and national promotions like AEW and WWE. If there is something going on in Chicago, Mike knows about it. Enjoy “Wrestling, Chicago-Style” on The Broadcast Basement On-Demand Radio Network! Music by Jason Shaw on Audionautix.com. Get your local wrestling fix every Tuesday everywhere podcasts can be found and always at WindyCitySlam.com!

“Rockstar” Jonny Nigh plays the hits

A little bit of a late bloomer in the wrestling business, “Rockstar” Jonny Nigh’s career didn’t start till he was 28 years old. Now, a bit of a grizzled veteran, the new Rocket Pro Wrestling Outer Limits Champion joins Windy City Slam to talk about his career, recent run in RPW, ride with The Idols and how much of a family that faction was, his first title defense coming up next month, how a chance meeting at a birthday party got him in the door, how important Rion Skillz was to him and others in the business, the rise of Maximus Orion and more. Plus, Mike recaps AEW Grand Slam Australia and TNA No Surrender and hits the highlights of Wrestle League’s “Berwyn Blitz,” while also previewing cards from Chicago Style Wrestling, AAW Pro and POWW Entertainment.

Mike Pankow is a 25-year-plus professional journalist and wrestling superfan who covers local Chicagoland wrestling and national promotions like AEW and WWE. If there is something going on in Chicago, Mike knows about it. Enjoy “Wrestling, Chicago-Style” on The Broadcast Basement On-Demand Radio Network! Music by Jason Shaw on Audionautix.com. Get your local wrestling fix every Tuesday everywhere podcasts can be found and always at WindyCitySlam.com!

Rare air: Shaq Jordan takes flight

Despite a minor setback of dropping the Rocket Pro Wrestling Championship, Shaq Jordan’s star has risen exponentially over the last two years. Jordan, the current Frontline Pro Champion, returns to Windy City Slam Podcast to talk about his all-star faction and RPW, breaking through at Frontline, his desire to regain the Wrestle League Champion and what WL means to him, working with and being trained by Mustafa Ali and much more. Special correspondent Tony Gabagool also joins the show to recap Rocket Pro’s “Cupid’s Carnage while Mike recaps highlights from DREAMWAVE and POWW Entertainment and previews events from Wrestle League and AllStar Lucha Libre as well as TNA and AEW premium live events.

Mike Pankow is a 25-year-plus professional journalist and wrestling superfan who covers local Chicagoland wrestling and national promotions like AEW and WWE. If there is something going on in Chicago, Mike knows about it. Enjoy “Wrestling, Chicago-Style” on The Broadcast Basement On-Demand Radio Network! Music by Jason Shaw on Audionautix.com. Get your local wrestling fix every Tuesday everywhere podcasts can be found and always at WindyCitySlam.com!

Ready to Rumble: Jordan Garretson is back

Former WWE Digital staffer Jordan Garretson returns to Windy City Slam Podcast to break down all the happenings from last weekend’s Royal Rumble, what was good, what fell flat and the future holds during the Road to WrestleMania while Mike harps on Chelsea Green being pigeonholed in her WWE role and some contrived moments in the Rumble matches. Jordan and Mike also look ahead at some potential WrestleMania matchups. Plus, we recap 2econd Wrestling and FabWrestling results and preview lineups for DREAMWAVE, Rocket Pro Wrestling, POWW Entertainment and Bloodstone Wrestling.

Mike Pankow is a 25-year-plus professional journalist and wrestling superfan who covers local Chicagoland wrestling and national promotions like AEW and WWE. If there is something going on in Chicago, Mike knows about it. Enjoy “Wrestling, Chicago-Style” on The Broadcast Basement On-Demand Radio Network! Music by Jason Shaw on Audionautix.com. Get your local wrestling fix every Tuesday everywhere podcasts can be found and always at WindyCitySlam.com!

All in the family: Referee Brian Allen

Being part of a pro wrestling family, it only made sense that Brian Allen got into the business. But the vocation he chose may not be as glamorous as being a wrestler, but a referee is still very important to a show. Allen, whose father and brother are wrestlers, joined Windy City Slam Podcast to discuss how he became a ref, if he ever had an inclination to become a wrestler, a story about his dad picking up King Kong Bundy from the airport, a bizarre incident at Juggalo Championship Wrestling, working for places such as POWW Entertainment, AAW Pro and Ego Pro Chicago, his connection with Robert “Ego” Anthony and more. Plus, Mike previews WWE Royal Rumble, 2econd Wrestling and FabWrestling and recaps Southland Championship Wrestling.

Mike Pankow is a 25-year-plus professional journalist and wrestling superfan who covers local Chicagoland wrestling and national promotions like AEW and WWE. If there is something going on in Chicago, Mike knows about it. Enjoy “Wrestling, Chicago-Style” on The Broadcast Basement On-Demand Radio Network! Music by Jason Shaw on Audionautix.com. Get your local wrestling fix every Tuesday everywhere podcasts can be found and always at WindyCitySlam.com!