Windy City Slam

“The Friendly Neighborhood Maniac” Matt Hatter

It was better late than never for Matt Hatter to enter the wrestling business as “The Friendly Neighborhood Maniac” became an in-ring competitor in his mid-30s. Hatter joined Windy City Slam Podcast to discuss his goal of performing in ICW Milwaukee’s Insane 8 deathmatch tournament, his feud with Brandon Sykes (which is ramping up in Third Coast Wrestling), training in ZOWA Live, how much his family is involved with his career and character, growing up a fan of Jackass with Johnny Knoxville and more. Plus, Mike recaps Chicago Style Wrestling and Squared Circle Megastars, previews AAW Pro, Southland Championship Wrestling, POWW Entertainment and Ultimate Combat shows and welcomes in High5Tom to recap this year’s Insane 8.

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 Steel” J Fowler levels up

“All Steel” J Fowler proves that dynamite can come in a chiseled, cruiserweight-sized package as the longest reigning ZOWA Live Champion joins Windy City Slam Podcast for the first time to discuss his lengthy title reigns in ZOWA, Rugged Pro Wrestling and Magnum Wrestling, training under Austin Bayliss and Jaysin Strife, working for DREAMWAVE, a story from his ladder match in Rocket Pro Wrestling in 2022, upcoming match with Joe Hendry, and giving back to the next generation of wrestlers. Plus, Mike recaps POWW Entertainment, Midwest Championship Wrestling and ARW and previews Chicago Style Wrestling, Wrestle League and Squared Circle Megastars.

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!

“Main Man” Matty Ice; SummerSlam recap

Raised in Chicagoland, “Main Man” Matty Ice holds experience in places such as the NWA, OVW and Reality of Wrestling with training and coaching from the likes of Booker T and Doug Basham. The man once known as Matt Vine joins Windy City Slam Podcast to talk about being a 2-time ROW Champion, training with Rockin’ Randy in Premier Pro Wrestling, stories about Booker T, joining the emerging Midwest Championship Wrestling promotion based out of Ottawa and much more. Plus, Mike discusses the events of WWE Summerslam, DREAMWAVE weekend, We Love Wrestling 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!

“Old School Cool” Damien Grey; Busy weekend

A proud member of the World Famous Fabulous Idols, the current Illiana Pro Wrestling League Champion and the longest reigning Rocket Pro Tag Team Champion “Old School Cool” Damien Grey joined Windy City Slam Podcast for the first time. Grey talks about what he learned from Black & Brave Academy, trying find a foothold in the business during the height of the pandemic, fluctuating weight, the latest with The Idols, intention to take down Marshe Rockett and “Shogun” Chris L.O.G.A.N., his title reign at IPW and his issues with The Lovely Intoxicated Men. Plus, PWE Report’s Sean Lennon comes on to recap Black Label Pro and Third Coast Wrestling while Mike recaps Freelance Wrestling’s Kirby Alexander benefit show and newsworthy 2econd Wrestling event and previews SummerSlam and POWW Entertainment 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!

“One Man Dynasty” Darius Latrell returns

With a big weekend ahead, “One Man Dynasty” Darius Latrell returns to Windy City Slam Podcast to discuss his Maxwell Street Heritage Championship match against TNA star AJ Francis at 2econd Wrestling and his triple-threat match with Gunner Brave and Chico Suave at Freelance Wrestling’s Kirby Alexander benefit show, his body transformation from his days as UIC basketball player to independent pro wrestler, the rise of his tag team partner Koda Hernandez, potential dream matches against the likes of Dijak, and we run down the lineups at Freelance’s “The Voice” and 2econd’s “Blackout.” Plus, Mike welcomes new Freelance Underground Independent Champion Alfonso Gonzalez to react to his busy weekend at the Hot Sauce Festival in Joliet and there’s results from TNA Slammiversary, Chicago Style Wrestling, Midwest Championship Wrestling, ICW Milwaukee and We Love Wrestling and a preview of Black Label 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!

Getting juicy with Koa Laxamana

“Hawaiian Hitman” Koa Laxamana joins Windy City Slam Podcast for the third time to go behind the scenes of what’s happening with him in 2024, including his runs in AAW Pro and Rocket Pro Wrestling, his role as Chief Financial Officer for Midwest Championship Wrestling, his tumultuous exit from the NWA, a possible search for a new manager in 2025, Defiant Pro Wrestling, arm wrestling and more. Plus, Mike recaps results from ARW and previews TNA Slammiversary, Chicago Style Wrestling, Wrestle League and POWW Entertainment on a busy wrestling 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!

“Aztec Ammunition” Jesus Desafio; MITB recap

It took him awhile, but Jesus Desafio is spreading his wings on the Chicagoland independent scene. “Aztec Ammunition” joins Windy City Slam Podcast for the first time to discuss his growth in Wrestle League, including his journey to win the Wrestle League Championship, his series of matches with Quinn Whittock, Wrestle League’s roster, training and working with Joseph von Jager and their rivalry over the Rocket Pro Wrestling Inter-County Championship, overcoming some early adversity with injuries and confidence, the difficulties of a Keto diet and more. Plus, Mike recaps WWE Money In The Bank and NXT Heatwave, lauds AEW for bringing back “the real” MJF and previews shows from ARW, Healthy Brain Entertainment and the brand-new Ultimate Combat Gauntlet promotion.

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!

DREAMWAVE Champ Connor Hopkins; #FreelanceX recap

No longer “The Wild Child,” Connor Hopkins recently won the DREAMWAVE Championship from one of his trainers Christian Rose and has cemented himself as one of Illinois’ fastest rising stars. “The Crown Jewel” joins Windy City Slam to discuss the emotions of his victory at the highly-respected DREAMWAVE promotion, the plot to win that title, his run as Rocket Pro Wrestling Outer Limits Champion, Those Damn Coyotes, his upbringing in ZOWA, being influenced by The Kingdom from ROH, matches against Mike Bennett and Mike Hartenbower and more. Plus, Mike provides extensive reviews of Freelance Vs. The World and Midwest Championship Wrestling, news from AEW Forbidden Door and NWA Chicago, and forecasts WWE Money In The Bank.

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!

Koda Hernandez from the streets to greatness

With Freelance vs. The World X coming up this weekend, one of Freelance Wrestling’s hottest stars of the last year, “Prince 100” Koda Hernandez joins Windy City Slam Podcast. Hernandez discusses his upcoming Freelance Legacy Championship match vs. Darin Corbin, teaming with his cousin Sabin Gauge as Latino’s Most Wanted to win the Black Label Pro Tag Team Championship, Pick N’ Pop with Darius Latrell, having a dream match with Homicide at Ego Pro Chicago, working with Davey Bang, August Matthews, Alfonso Gonzalez and Trevor Outlaw, other dream matches and more. Plus, Mike talks a little WWE and AEW, recaps 2econd Wrestling and Janesville Wrestling Alliance and previews NWA Chicago, Midwest Championship Wrestling, ZOWA 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!

Rafael Quintero on the rocket ship

He’s one of the fastest rising stars on the Chicagoland independent circuit, a trainee at Chicago Style Wrestling and the current GALLI Lucha Libre Gladiadores Champion. “The Diamond in the Rough” Rafael Quintero joins Windy City Slam Podcast for the first time to discuss his inspiration to get into wrestling, training at the CSW Academy with Steve Boz, the emotions of winning a championship in GALLI, working the TNA TV taping last weekend in Cicero, working with NWA Chicago, memories of the late Midwest Championship owner Jimmy Smooth, dream opponents and more. Plus, Mike breaks down WWE “Clash at the Castle” (and plots Cody Rhodes’ next few months) and TNA “Against All Odds.” We also recap DREAMWAVE’s action-packed “No Escape” and a pair of ICW Milwaukee shows and preview the debut of Third Coast Wrestling and the return of 2econd 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!