Wrestling, Chicago-Style
Episodes
Tuesday Aug 05, 2025
Tuesday Aug 05, 2025
WWE just completed its first-ever two-night SummerSlam event and former WWE Digital staffer Jordan Garretson returned to Windy City Slam Podcast to break down all the ups and downs. We discussed the twists and turns of CM Punk winning the title and Seth Rollins’ Money In The Bank cash-in, John Cena’s loss to Cody Rhodes and his ill-fated heel run, the return of Brock Lesnar and the disappointment of Karrion Kross’ booking. We also get takes on WWE Unreal and Hulk Hogan. Mike recaps the full weekend of DREAMWAVE action and previews lineups for POWW Entertainment, ARW Pro, Pro Wrestling Sometimes, Black Label Pro 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 Jul 29, 2025
Tuesday Jul 29, 2025
“The King of Clubs” Jason Midas returns to Windy City Slam Podcast to discuss his new venture, Pro Wrestling Sometimes’ “The Jason Midas Experiment,” wrestling and rave show coming to Logan Square Auditorium, he breaks down the wrestling card and musical talent, he also discusses some of the latest in Freelance Wrestling and filling in for Kirby “The Voice” Alexander. Plus, Mike reflects on the life of Hulk Hogan, recaps “A Day For Priest,” a special show in honor of “The Underwear Model” Eric Priest and all of the emotion of that event and previews WWE SummerSlam, DREAMWAVE weekend, 2econd Wrestling and Wrestle League.
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 Jul 22, 2025
Tuesday Jul 22, 2025
Longtime Chicagoland wrestler and trainer Doug Simmons returns to Windy City Slam Podcast to talk about his comeback to the ring in 2025, including winning the Northland Pro Championship, being a part of this weekend’s “A Day For Priest” event and being a mentor for talent such as Skye Blue, Jordan Kross and Damien Walker. We discuss what gave him the itch to return to the ring, watching Skye Blue grow in AEW and getting to know Kyle Fletcher, and break down the card for “A Day For Priest.” Plus, Mike recaps a history-making TNA Slammiversary and the latest from Chicago Style Wrestling while previewing a loaded week, including Freelance Wrestling, Wrestle League, Souhtland 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!
Tuesday Jul 15, 2025
Tuesday Jul 15, 2025
With TNA Slammiversary this weekend, Chicago guy and TNA color commentator Matthew Rehwoldt returned to the show for the first time in nearly five years to discuss the big event, including the three-way main event between Trick Williams, Joe Hendry and Mike Santana for the TNA World Championship. We discuss the Slammiversary card, the current state of TNA, TNA’s working agreement with NXT, Mustafa Ali’s storytelling, Leon Slater’s rise, Mike Santana’s breakout as a singles star, Matt’s hilarious Wikipedia story, occasional independent appearances, working with Tom Hannifan and more. Plus, Mike reviews a huge weekend of WWE, AEW, NXT and ROH shows and takes a trip around the local scene with news from DREAMWAVE Wrestling, ARW Pro, POWW Entertainment, Chicago Style Wrestling, Freelance Wrestling 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
Tuesday Jul 08, 2025
Tuesday Jul 08, 2025
The New World Order – better known simply as the NWO – was a pop culture phenomenon in the late 1990s and catapulted professional wrestling into the mainstream consciousness. ESPN journalist Marc Raimondi joined Windy City Slam to chat about the revolution and his new book, “Say Hello to The Bad Guys: “How Professional Wrestling’s New World Order” Changed America.” We go back to how the NWO was formed and ask Marc about his research, share opinions on the group’s impact on pop culture, recount some of his opinions of the events of 29 years ago this month and his take on the today’s pro wrestling landscape. Plus, Mike previews a big weekend on the national scene with events from WWE, AEW, NXT and ROH and local shows such as DREAMWAVE Wrestling, POWW Entertainment 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 Jul 01, 2025
Tuesday Jul 01, 2025
Longtime wrestling contributor and local historian Nick Headford joins Windy City Slam Podcast to discuss a special event to honor the life of Eric Priest, who passed away suddenly earlier this year. Headford talks about the diverse group of talent who are scheduled to work at “A Day For Priest” at the end of July in West Chicago, memories of Priest and what to expect from the show, as well as the latest in POWW Entertainment. Plus, Mike recaps loaded Freelance Wrestling and AAW Pro shows from over the weekend as well as the newsworthy events of WWE Night of Champions.
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 Jun 24, 2025
Tuesday Jun 24, 2025
Growing up in the same area as WWE Superstar CM Punk, maybe it was destiny for “Big Hoss Hippie” Regan Lydale to become a professional wrestler. Lydale, who just won the Defiant Pro Wrestling Championship this past weekend, joins Windy City Slam Podcast for the first time to discuss how a family friend pushed her toward Tommy Else, who in turn prepared her for the rigors of the Freelance Wrestling Academy, her upcoming Freelance World Championship match against Devon Monroe, winning the Freelance Rumble, her previous title match against Storm Grayson, what era of wrestling drew her into the business, working for Defiant Pro, Ego Pro Wrestling and POWW Entertainment among other local companies and more. Plus, we recap Chicago Style Wrestling and preview John Cena vs. CM Punk at WWE Night of Champions, Freelance vs. The World XI, AAW Pro, NWA Chicago, ZOWA Live and GALLI Lucha Libre.
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 Jun 17, 2025
Tuesday Jun 17, 2025
Formerly of Alpha Zeta Zeta, Hans Carden has made his name from mastering the single-leg Boston Crab and securing multiple championships. Carden joins Windy City Slam Podcast for the first time to discuss his runs as Chicago Style Wrestling Metra Division Champion and GALLI Lucha Libre Discovery Champion, a memorable rib played on him and Charlie Kleiman during their time as AZZ, training at CSW Academy, his first memory of flipping wrestling on TV, which legendary wrestler inspired to use the half crab and more. Plus, we recap shows from ARW Pro and DREAMWAVE Wrestling, preview Defiant Pro Wrestling among other local shows.
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 Jun 10, 2025
Tuesday Jun 10, 2025
Rocket Pro Wrestling Heavyweight Champion “Simply Undeniable” Steve Michaels may be a beast in the ring, but he owns a heart of gold outside of it. Michaels returns to Windy City Slam Podcast to discuss his yearlong reign as RPW Champion, being the rock of The Undeniable, his upcoming match with former NXT and AEW wrestler Parker Boudreaux, participating at the Cauliflower Alley Reunion Showcase, working a show with Steve “Mongo” McMichael, media appearances, doing charitable work with the Windy City Ghostbusters, his beloved Cubs and more. Plus, we pay tribute to the life of “Mad Dog” Ivan Manson, recap POWW Entertainment’s “Summer Xplosion,” WWE Worlds Collide and Money In The Bank and TNA Against All Odds and preview shows from preview shows from 2econd Wrestling, ARW Pro, Wrestle League, Black Label Pro and DREAMWAVE.
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 Jun 03, 2025
Tuesday Jun 03, 2025
Thanks to The IcePick Academy, “Icebox” Josie Valentine has transformed herself into a potential star over the last year. Valentine joins Windy City Slam Podcast for the first time to discuss her stint at Black and Brave, her father’s influence, the ups and downs of her wrestling journey, who pointed her toward The IcePick Academy and Vic Capri, her character makeover, filling out her literal wrestling bingo card and more. Plus, we preview WWE and TNA events, POWW Entertainment’s Summer Xplosion and 4th Wall Wrestling and recap Northland Pro and hit the highlights of OnlyWrestlers and Healthy Brain 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!