Windy City Slam

Holder of multiple championships and a local wrestling trainer, Axel Rico made time to come back to Windy City Slam Podcast to talk about his exploits. Rico discussed his Metra Division title defense against FxB at Chicago Style Wrestling’s “Second City Showdown V,” his run as GALLI Lucha Libre World Championship (including a recent defense against Bandido and Gravity), being part of FOBIA at 2econd Wrestling, making his in-ring debut at GLCW’s “Blizzard Brawl” in Wisconsin, Rafael Quintero’s rise, other CSW students that have impressed him, what’s ahead in 2026 and more. Plus, Mike recaps TNA Turning Point, NXT Live in Chicago and Laynie Luck winning the WWE ID Women’s Championship and previews Freelance Wrestling, CSW, AAW Pro, POWW Entertainment, Southland Championship Wrestling, House of Glory and AEW Full Gear this weekend.

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!

Less than three years into the wrestling business, Rafael Quintero already has worked in AEW and TNA rings and is one of the hottest prospects on the Chicagoland scene. “The Diamond In The Rough” returns to Windy City Slam Podcast to talk about the latest in his career, including his upcoming AAW Pro Championship match against Trevor Lee at “Smokeshow,” his rivalry with Victor Iniestra at Chicago Style Wrestling and GALLI Lucha Libre, being trained by Axel Rico at the CSW Academy, match vs. Jack Valor and Chico Suave at Ego Pro Chicago, working with 2econd Wrestling, meeting Kazuchika Okada and then wrestling him on AEW Dynamite, getting advance from Bandido, tattoos and more. Plus, Mike talks local highlights from ARW Pro, AllStar Lucha Libre and Healthy Brain Entertainment and welcomes Tony Gabagool to recap Rocket Pro Wrestling’s eventful “Harvest Havoc.”

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!

Windy City Slam Podcast celebrates its 300th episode with one of our biggest guests to date. Chicagoland/Joliet pro wrestling legend Robert “Ego” Anthony joins the program to discuss the rise of his promotion, Ego Pro Chicago, how working hand-in-hand with the special needs community helped grow the brand, some of the fantastic talent in Ego Pro, a new working relationship with Mustafa Ali’s Chicago Wrestling Center, returning to AAW Pro a couple of years ago after a tremendous run in Freelance Wrestling, being a part of the WWE developmental system over 15 years ago with a who’s who of name-brand talent, the origins of Egostistico Fantastico, toy and memorabilia collecting, a story of getting Bret Hart’s signature on a vintage Hasbro figure and more. Plus, Mike recaps POWW Entertainment’s “WrestleRage 23” and shows from Wrestle League and Iron Spirit Pro and previews Rocket Pro Wrestling’s “Harvest Havoc.”

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!

With a four-year commitment to the United States Army beginning in a couple of months, local independent wrestler Gunner Brave (aka Gunner Cain) returned to Windy City Slam Podcast to tell his story. Brave explains his decision to join the army, defending his Iron Spirit Pro Championship against Solomon Tupu, his time in Rocket Pro Wrestling and helping put over Shaq Jordan on his way out, living in an apartment with Tupu and Conan Lycan years ago, his close friend “Sabotage” Sean Logan, his favorite matches and more. Plus, Mike recaps an eventful Ego Pro Chicago’s “Battle at The Dome II” and catches up with “Uncle T” Solomon Tupu following his match against Jake Something. There’s also coverage of Southland Championship Wrestling, 2econd Wrestling and NXT Halloween Havoc and a preview of POWW Entertainment’s “Wrestle Rage 23.”

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!

Three and a half years into her wrestling career, Lili La Pescadita continues her ascent as she won the Chicago Style Wrestling Women’s Championship and appeared on a TNA Premium Live Event within the last month. La Pescadita returned to Windy City Slam to talk about her rivalry with Aminah Belmont, the ultra-competitive CSW women’s division, working with TNA, Harley Hudson and Deonna Purrazzo, doing the right things in her quest to get signed, training with Mustafa Ali, learning from seminars and more. Plus, Mike ran down results from AEW WrestleDream, Freelance Wrestling and AAW Pro and some highlights from GALLIMania and previewed cards for Ego Pro Chicago, Ultimate Combat Gauntlet, 2econd Wrestling and NXT Halloween Havoc.

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!

“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!

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!

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!

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!

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!