Wrestling, Chicago-Style
Episodes
Tuesday Oct 14, 2025
Tuesday Oct 14, 2025
“Psychotic” Jimmy Blaze has been an integral part of pro wrestling for over three decades, and the longtime veteran of the ring wars returned to Windy City Slam Podcast to talk all about POWW Entertainment’s biggest show of the year, Wrestle Rage 23. Blaze discusses the action-packed card coming to Melrose Park on Nov. 1, his part in a 4-on-4 elimination steel cage match against The Reckoning, his students over the years including Mason Percs, Kyle Allen (Kyzyle), Will Emory and Tony D’Angelo, this year’s POWW Entertainment Hall of Fame Class, Adam Pearce, Magnus King, Meathooks O’Bannon, Tommy Macabre and grieving over the loss of some notable names such as Eric Priest, “Mad Dog” Ivan Manson and more. Plus, Mike recapped a busy weekend of action, including WWE Crown Jewel, TNA Bound For Glory, Bloodstone Wrestling, Chicago Style Wrestling, DREAMWAVE and ARW Pro/DWA and previewed shows from Freelance Wrestling and AAW 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!
Tuesday Oct 07, 2025
Tuesday Oct 07, 2025
Nearly two decades into his career, Chico Suave recently overcame his underdog status to become Freelance Wrestling Legacy Champion and he’s got a busy month ahead. Suave returns to Windy City Slam Podcast to discuss dethroning Koda Hernandez, first defense against Sabin Gauge, upcoming hardcore match against Dr. Redacted at Bloodstone Wrestling, being involved in Pat Monix’s “Final Phase” program, relationship with Robert “Ego” Anthony, the camaraderie of Ego Pro Chicago and his appearance at “A Day For Priest.” Plus, Mike previewed NXT Showdown, WWE Crown Jewel, TNA Bound For Glory and local cards from Bloodstone, Chicago Style Wrestling, DREAMWAVE, GALLI Lucha Libre and ARW Pro/DWA. Also, Tony Gabagool joins the show to recap Rocket Pro’s “Darkness Falls” and with a mysterious appearance by a mortician in the main event.
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!
Tuesday Sep 30, 2025
Tuesday Sep 30, 2025
One of Chicago’s premier wrestling photographers has taken a step into promoting as CameraGuyGimmick Nick Consalvo has founded Bloodstone Wrestling. Consalvo returns to Windy City Slam Podcast to discuss his debut show “Uncut Gems” coming up at the Berwyn Eagles Club. We break down the card with a couple of exclusive announcements, who is helping him run the show, who he has called upon for advice, as well as some of his favorite moments as a ringside photographer. Plus, Mike recapped SSW’s “Suplex The Stigma, ARW Pro, TNA Victory Road and NXT No Mercy and reflects on Vic Capri’s career, while previewing cards for Rocket Pro, Black Label 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!
Tuesday Sep 23, 2025
Tuesday Sep 23, 2025
With a special event ahead from SSW Entertainment and You Are More, “The Punk Rock Prince” Jordan Kross returns to Windy City Slam Podcast to discuss “Suplex The Stigma,” a wrestling benefit show in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Kross breaks down the card for the show and talks about his 4-way match with Vic Capri, Jeff Luxon and Chris Masters, his relationship with the members of You Are More, the latest developments in his career, helping train at Capri’s “IcePick” Academy, tributing Eric Priest and more. Plus, Mike recapped WWE WrestlePalooza, AEW All Out, Freelance Wrestling and Southland Championship Wrestling’s “WrestleTopia VI” and previewed NXT No Mercy, TNA Victory Road and the local schedule ahead.
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!
Tuesday Sep 16, 2025
Tuesday Sep 16, 2025
With his in-ring career winding down, “Ice Pick” Vic Capri joins Windy City Slam to talk about the final matches of his career, his transition to being a trainer and mentor for younger talent, his upcoming 4-way match with Jordan Kross, Jeff Luxon and Chris Masters at SSW/You Are More’s “Suplex The Stigma,” why it was time to move away from in-ring competition, how Shelly Benson asking him to train her became the impetus to open a wrestling school, some of the up-and-coming talent at The IcePick Academy, working with Aleah James in a recent tag match and Mason Beck at “A Day For Priest” and loyalty to DREAMWAVE and SSW. Plus, Mike previewed WWE WrestlePalooza, AEW All Out, a pair of Freelance Wrestling shows, Southland Championship Wrestling’s “WrestleTopia VI,” POWW Entertainment and Ultimate Combat Gauntlet and recapped Chicago Style Wrestling, AAW Pro, ARW Pro and WCPW and paid tribute to Nacho Barrera.
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!
Tuesday Sep 09, 2025
Tuesday Sep 09, 2025
He’s at the top of Southland Championship Wrestling and ARW Pro, holding championships in both promotions and doing it with more of an edge than in the past. “Sempiternal” James Creed returns to Windy City Slam Podcast after a two-year absence to preview his 4-on-4 elimination match at ARW Pro’s “Survival of the Fittest” and SCW Championship match against Benny Bargas as SCW’s WrestleTopia VI. We also discuss working with The Torture Killers at SCW, the fallout from the disintegration of Sabotage, working at “A Day For Priest,” and what “Mad Dog” Ivan Manson meant to him. Also, special correspondent Tony Gabagool reviewed Rocket Pro Wrestling’s “Fall Brawl,” which featured a new RPW Champion. Plus, Mike talked about a banger SmackDown with John Cena’s final Chicago appearance and AJ Lee’s return, recapped POWW Entertainment and SCW and previewed Chicago Style Wrestling, AAW Pro and ARW 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!
Tuesday Sep 02, 2025
Tuesday Sep 02, 2025
It was time to shake things up for Maurice, who initially made his name as Moondog Murray on the Chicago independents. Maurice joined Windy City Slam Podcast to talk about his character shift, working on his craft at The Ice Pick Academy, his rivalry with POWW Entertainment Champion Mason Percs, his upcoming California excursion to enrich his training and much more. Plus, Mike discusses the evolving CM Punk-Seth Rollins story, which may lead to AJ Lee’s comeback to WWE, recaps WWE Clash In Paris and Ego Pro Chicago and previews POWW Entertainment, 2econd Wrestling, Zero1 USA’s all women’s show in Berwyn and the return of Rocket Pro 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!
Tuesday Aug 26, 2025
Tuesday Aug 26, 2025
He may have gotten a late start in pro wrestling, but Magnus King is making his mark at POWW Entertainment as one of the owners of a Key to the Kingdom. Magnus joins Windy City Slam Podcast for the first time to discuss what led him to finally start wrestling training after years of competing as powerlifter, aligning with Jimmy Blaze against The Reckoning, what his possible plans are for cashing in his key for a title opportunity, being a fan of the monsters in wrestling such as Undertaker, Kane and Bray Wyatt, competing in the Arnold Classic and more. Plus, Mike recaps action from AEW Forbidden Door, NXT Heatwave, Freelance Wrestling, Southland Championship Wrestling, Squared Circle Megastars and a joint show from Northland Pro and All Heel Wrestling, while previewing WWE Clash in Paris, Ego Pro Wrestling, Wrestle League, They Live Wrestling, C3 Ultimate Wrestling, Ultimate Combat Gauntlet and Illiana Pro 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!
Tuesday Aug 19, 2025
Tuesday Aug 19, 2025
“Big” Mac Hartman is living his dream in promoting his first-ever show and local wrestling podcaster Sean Lennon has joined him for the ride. Hartman and Lennon join Windy City Slam Podcast to discuss They Live Wrestling’s “All Out of Bubblegum,” which takes place in Berwyn on Aug. 30. We break down all the matches on the show and what to expect. We also discussed Hartman’s dream match with Colt Cabana and who helped in his early days as a wrestler. Mike also recaps ICW Milwaukee’s Deathmatch extravaganza “The Insane 8,” Chicago Style Wrestling, TNA Emergence and TripleMania and previews a loaded weekend of action including AEW Forbidden Door, NXT Heatwave, Freelance Wrestling, Southland Championship Wrestling, Squared Circle Megastars, Defiant Pro Wrestling and Ultimate Combat Gauntlet.
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!
Tuesday Aug 12, 2025
Tuesday Aug 12, 2025
Starting her pro wrestling journey at age 12, “The Miraculous” Leslie Michelle already is a young veteran on the Chicago scene with training from Atomico, Bryce Benjamin, Missa Kate and Vic Capri and several championships under her belt. Michelle joins Windy City Slam Podcast to discuss recovery from her recent surgery, timetable to return to the ring, holding titles in places such as All Heel Wrestling, ZOWA, Honor Among Wrestling, Ragin’ Pro Wrestling and 4th Wall Wrestling, what led her into getting into wrestling training, working in a midget company, favorite people to train with, career goals and more. Plus, Mike recaps action from AAW Pro, POWW Entertainment, ARW Pro and Black Label Pro while previewing Chicago Style Wrestling, FabMania, TNA Emergence and TripleMania.
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!