PODCAST

Windy City Slam

Mike Pankow

Wrestling, Chicago-Style

sports wrestling

All Episodes

62:46

“Ice Pick” Vic Capri vs. Father Time

Windy City Slam ·

2025/09/16

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

63:24

“Sempiternal” James Creed

Windy City Slam ·

2025/09/09

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,

56:29

Maurice takes the next step

Windy City Slam ·

2025/09/02

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

54:25

Better late than never: POWW’s Magnus King

Windy City Slam ·

2025/08/26

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

01:03:11

Mac Hartman & Sean Lennon talk They Live Wrestling

Windy City Slam ·

2025/08/19

“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

37:52

“Miraculous” Leslie Michelle

Windy City Slam ·

2025/08/12

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

01:12:57

Jordan Garretson recaps SummerSlam; indie updates

Windy City Slam ·

2025/08/05

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

56:42

Jason Midas’ new venture; “A Day For Priest” recap

Windy City Slam ·

2025/07/29

“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

57:36

“Uncle” Doug Simmons opens up

Windy City Slam ·

2025/07/22

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,

54:33

TNA's Matthew Rehwoldt/Slammiversary

Windy City Slam ·

2025/07/15

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

47:53

ESPN’s Marc Raimondi & his NWO book

Windy City Slam ·

2025/07/08

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

44:47

Nick Headford talks “A Day For Priest”

Windy City Slam ·

2025/07/01

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

39:51

“Big Hoss Hippie” Regan Lydale

Windy City Slam ·

2025/06/24

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

37:03

Hans Carden: Frat boy to champ

Windy City Slam ·

2025/06/17

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

01:04:40

Steve Michaels is “Simply Undeniable”

Windy City Slam ·

2025/06/10

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

01:06:42

“Icebox” Josie Valentine

Windy City Slam ·

2025/06/03

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

49:24

NWA Chicago Champ Mario Pardua

Windy City Slam ·

2025/05/28

Returning to Windy City Slam Podcast is the inaugural NWA Chicago Champion “Polish Power” Mario Pardua. Pardua joins us to discuss working his way through Chicago Style Wrestling and the CSW Academy, defeating his mentor “Superstar” Steve Boz to win the NWA Chicago title, teaming with Boz at NWA 76 last summer, Team Babushka with Shelly Benson and Eric Schultz, getting a pic with Billy Corgan, branching out to more companies, aspirations, pierogi, and more. Plus, we recap a busy weekend from WWE,

41:32

“The Ultimate Athlete” J-Rod

Windy City Slam ·

2025/05/20

She’s one of the fastest rising wrestlers on the independent scene, a former Ohio Valley Wrestling Women’s Champion who has seen action in Illinois at DREAMWAVE, Uprising Women’s Athletes and Chicago Style Wrestling. “The Ultimate Athlete” J-Rod joins Windy City Slam Podcast to discuss the great names who have held the OVW Women’s title, working for DREAMWAVE, career aspirations in and out of the ring, what she learned from her WWE tryout in 2019, getting schooled by Rikishi and Reno J Anoa’i at

01:09:18

Steve Ahrendt talks CSW, Rocket Pro, Frontline

Windy City Slam ·

2025/05/13

He’s done a little bit of everything on the Chicagoland independent scene, including broadcasting, managing, podcasting, working as an authority figure, and even wrestling. Steve Ahrendt returns to Windy City Slam Podcast to discuss a loaded card for Chicago Style Wrestling’s “Nowhere Generation,” the latest happenings in CSW, his match at Rocket Pro against Shaq Jordan and run-in with Aaron Stone, Mario Pardua becoming NWA Chicago Champion, Frontline Pro’s “Honor Bound,” and which former WWE Money

49:04

Tony Gabagool recaps Rocket Pro season finale

Windy City Slam ·

2025/05/06

Friend of the show, “The Godfather of the Lovely Intoxicated Men,” Tony Gabagool joins Windy City Slam Podcast for his first full-fledged interview as he recaps Rocket Pro Wrestling’s “Kicks on 66” season finale. Gabagool discusses the chaotic Three Stages of Hell main event between The Freebirds and Youth Gone Wild as well as some of the other craziness that went down in Joliet last weekend. Gabagool also offers his views on the independent wrestling scene and WWE. Plus, Mike talks WWE Backlash and

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