Presented by the WZWA Network - the Insiders Edge Podcast is covering our Unsung Heroes in professional wrestling to the household names leaving no stone unturned.
In a first for the Insiders Edge Podcast, Host Karlifornia brings back 3 former guests! The one and only Billy Fives, the incomparable JR Ryder, and the 'Black Nature Boy' Scoot Andrews! Host Karlifornia has some fun with the boys as they are guests on the first ever edition of 'Killing The Quizness: Insiders Edge Edition'! Aside from that, they all have a yarn about their favorite memories of one another, tales on the road, among much more!
On this edition of the Insiders Edge Podcast, Host Karlifornia speaks to the one and only Chuck Coates! They talk all about Chucks journey from wrestling Andre the Giant and Haku all the way to working with Kurt Angle in 1999, being a Stormtrooper and a Russian Assassin, wrestling in Puerto Rico, working for WCW, and so much more!
Host Karlifornia had the chance to speak with Former World Championship Wrestling, XWF and TNA Ring Announcer, Dave Penzer! They talk about Dave's NEW BOOK he wrote with 'NITRO: The Incredible Rise and Inevitable Collapse of Ted Turner's WCW' author Guy Evans - Sitting Ringside! They also touched on the popularity of Pro Wrestling today compared to the Monday Night Wars, How Dave felt about not being involved in the Invasion Angle, his thoughts on many other ring announcers from the wrestling business, and more! Find Dave's Book 'Sitting Ringside, Volume 1' here!: DavidPenzerBook.com Amazon
In Episode 183 of the Insiders Edge Podcast, Host Karlifornia has the opportunity to talk to somebody he has been dying to interview for years. Ashley Hudson is now a former Professional Wrestler, who grew up in the same city as Karlifornia - Perth, Western Australia. In this interview they talk about Ashley's massive leap in life to head to the other side of the world in the 90's to have a crack at a dream, his experiences in Canada, Los Angeles and Tennessee learning the craft, times spent wrestling in Memphis, teaming with Kory Williams in the Tag Team 'The New South', how everything lead to Ashley working for WCW in the year 2000, his experiences wrestling in England as Ozzie Rulz, and in Peurto Rico becoming an honorary Bushwhacker, wrestling for NWA TNA, what steroids did to his body and the warning he wants to share with the world, and SO MUCH MORE!
Host Karlifornia had the tremendous opportunity to speak to the big kahuna of Oceania Pro Wrestling, Cam Vale! Karl and Cam had a fun chat about Cam's early days of his Pro Wrestling fandom, how Cam got interested in getting involved in the business, transitioning from a Sports Executive to a Pro Wrestling Promotor, the creation of Oceania Pro Wrestling, how the Impact Down Under Tour was put together, Starrcast Australia and working with Conrad Thompson & Mickie James to put it together and so much more!
Host Karlifornia had the joyous opportunity to speak to the one and only Katie Gannon! Karl and Katie had a fun chinwag about her current early days of her life in Pro Wrestling, and this was the first of it's kind where Karlifornia was talking to somebody super early into their Pro Wrestling journey. They talk about how Katie got interested in the business, training with Dr. Tom Prichard, getting involved in Ohio Valley Wrestling, her goals and dreams in the wrestling business, what she has learned about herself since getting in the ring and getting immersed in the pro wrestling, and so much more!
Host Karlifornia sits down with the legendary Johnny Kashmere as they talk about Johnny's career in Pro Wrestling, teaming with Trent Acid in the Backseat Boyz, working for CZW and making a name for himself in Independent Wrestling, why the Backseat Boyz controversially weren't brought back to NWA:TNA after their one match with them, how his career progressed before stepping away from the ring to focus on Promoting with Pro Wrestling Unplugged and working with Tod Gordon, he discusses the passing of his dear friend Trent, as well as his recent resurgeance and return to the ring!
Host Karlifornia has the opportunity to bring back IWA Deep South promoter, the one and only Kevin Brannen! In this interview they talk about this years IWA Deep South Carnage Cup 13, the triumphs and struggles of airing the Pay Per View and issues with setting the ring up, working with XPW to stream the show, Kris Kloss and Larry Legend's involvement in the show, John Rare's performance perhaps not being his last, Bryant Woods being the choice to win the 13th installment of the tournament, who Kevin tried to get booked for the show and why it didn't work out, what his future plans are for IWA Deep South in 2024, and much more!
On this Episode of the Insiders Edge Podcast, Host Karlifornia speaks to a former 30 year veteran of the sport of Professional Wrestling, the one and only Dusty Wolfe! In this interview they talk about how Dusty got involved with the business, working in Continental with Ken Timbs as the Hollywood Blondes, what he thought of Steve Austin and Brian Pillman using the same name years later, working with the Guerreros and the Rock N' Roll Express, his time spent in the WWF working on shows like WWF Superstars and WWF Wrestling Challenge, and a plethora of guys he worked with like Rick Martel, Tom Zenk, Ricky Steamboat, The Bulldogs, The Ultimate Warrior, The Hart Foundation, Jake Roberts and more, working with Dusty Rhodes and having to change his ring name to Dale Wolfe, some stories of his time in Capitol Sports in Puerto Rico, and a whole lot more!
On this edition of the Insiders Edge Podcast Karlifornia sits down with the inaugural & longest reigning ECW Tag Team Champions in history, A. J. Petrucci and Doug Stahl, the Super Destroyers!
In the terquasquicentennial Episode of the Insiders Edge Podcast, Karlifornia has the opportunity to talk to the ever so wonderful Sam Leterna! In this interview Sam talks about her experience in MLW, her short stint covering for May Valentine in the NWA, her past and future with Impact/TNA Wrestling, Training with Johnny Rodz and Lance Storm, as her time as a Pro Wrestler and why that was cut short, her aspirations for the future, commentating for Sukeban, and so much more!
On this edition of the Insiders Edge Podcast, Host Karlifornia sits down with Xtreme Pro Wrestlings own beloved, Veronica Caine! They talk about how she got involved in the business, her fond memories of XPW, what she thinks of the likes of Major Gunns, Lizzy Borden, Kristi Myst, Jessica Darlin and Jasmin St. Claire, working with The Enterprise with GQ Money, Kaos and Steve Rizzono, her infamous Buck Naked Match with Lizzy, the Raw Sewage Match with GQ Money, Angel and Lizzy, being involved in a War Games Match, how she felt when Xtreme Pro Wrestling was gone, what she did after she left the business, her return to XPW at the inaugural Killafornia, and so much more!
On this edition of the Insiders Edge Podcast, Host Karlifornia speaks to IWA Mid-South Head Honcho, the one and only Ian Rotten! In this Interview they talk about Ian's fandom of Pro Wrestling as a young fan, his encounters with Hardcore Wrestling and how it inspired him, working with "Sick" Nick Mondo at Tournament of Death 2 in the Finals after Mondo took a bump off the roof of a building, his thoughts on John Zandig, his thoughts on how taboo Deathmatch Wrestling was when IWA-MS began to now where it's celebrated, his Taipei Deathmatch with Axl Rotten in ECW and at Hardcore Homecoming, he responds to Jake Crist burning the IWA Mid-South Championship Belts because of not getting paid from their disaster 'Sweet Home Chicago' event on May 20th, 2022, why he has been having financial difficulties and how he's paying back the money he owes, he talks about the Bad Breed and Axl Rotten and Axl's last days before passing and how it's effected him, IWA Mid South chatter takes place and we find out about the future of the company having not run a show in 2.5 years, and SO MUCH MORE!
On this edition of the Insiders Edge Podcast, Host Karlifornia sits down with the incredible Shannon Hunter! We love shining a light on the unsung heroes of professional wrestling, and Shannon is a perfect example. We dive deep into Shannon's experiences within the world of professional wrestling, and with nearly 25 years behind the scenes in Talent Relations, Coordination and PR roles for promotions such as XPW and CZW, you can bet there's a story or two worth listening to!
On this edition of the Insiders Edge Podcast, Host Karlifornia sits down with the one and only Big F'N Joe! In this interview they talk about Joe's initial fandom of Pro Wrestling, how he got into the business, his relationship with the UK Pitbulls, the UK wrestling scene in his early days, his first trip to the United States performing on the same show as New Jack, making a name for himself in Deathmatch Wrestling, fulfilling a lifelong dream of performing at CZW Tournament of Death, finally getting the opportunity to work with Deathmatch legends like Necro Butcher, SHLAK, MASADA, Matt Tremont, John Wayne Murdoch and more, the importance of his matches with Casanova Valentine, working for XPW, what else he hopes to achieve, and more!
On this edition of the Insiders Edge Podcast, Host Karlifornia speaks with Ring Announcer extraordinaire, the one and only Larry Legend! They talk about Larry's beginning in wrestling, doing backyard wrestling, becoming a ring announcer and working for CZW, talking about fandom in pro wrestling and so much more!
Host Karlifornia brings on the legendary Rico Casanova to talk about his career in Professional Wrestling. In this interview they talk about Rico's beginnings in the business, his time in the World Wrestling Council and IWA Peurto Rico, IWA Hardcore, Wrestling Psycho Sid for the WWE Championship, his time in the Army and his health battles with his kidneys, Dominican Wrestling Entertainment, and SO much more!
On this very special edition of the Insiders Edge Podcast, Host Karlifornia speaks with THE VOICE OF WCW! That's right, it's Voice Over Actor for TV, Radio, Narration, Commercials, and an Inductee into the 2023 Country Radio Hall of Fame - it's John Willyard! They talk about John's skill with voice work, how he began in the field, what it takes to become successful at his job, and of course, importantly, his opportunities to do voice work for World Championship Wrestling, from segments promoting WCW Magazine, to the Hotline number, WCW Motorsports, the Pay Per View Hype videos, as well as narration on episodes of WCW Monday Nitro and Thunder. They talk about the process of getting voice work done on the day of a WCW TV Taping, and how different it was in the 1990's. All this and so much more!
On this edition of the Insiders Edge Podcast Host Karlifornia has the opportunity to sit down with Podcaster and Podcasting producer, from Keeping It 100 with Konnan and Disco Inferno, as well as The Raven Effect, the head honcho of the Creative Control Network - Joe Feeney!
Host Karlifornia had the joy, honor and priviledge to speak to the current NWA World Television Champion, the one and only, Thom Latimer! They talk all things National Wrestling Alliance, where it's strengths are, where it could improve, his time with Strictly Business, Thom's ambitions in his career, his humble beginnings in England, making that massive jump at a young age to chase his dream in the United States, his time with NXT and a bit of Impact Wrestling talk, and so much more! It's rare for Thom to do Podcasts, so the WZWA Network would like to thank Thom for giving Karlifornia his time!
On this edition of the Insiders Edge Podcast, Host Karlifornia has the opportunity to talk to Caryn Mower, also known as the psychotic fitness instructor, Muffy! They talk about Caryn's life as she unexpectedly found her way into UPW, training to become a wrestler, before getting called up as Stephanie McMahons personal trainer and fitness instructor! They talk about why the run was so short, what lead to her disenchantment with the pro wrestling business, becoming a career stuntwoman and actress, performing on the infamous show BattleDome, and so much more!
For the first time ever on the Insiders Edge Podcast, Host Karlifornia gets the opportunity to speak to a Ladies Tag Team! What better Tag Team to have than the current NWA Women's World Tag Team Champions Missa Kate and Madi Wrenkowski - M95! They talk about their quick rise in the wrestling business, their future goals, feelings on Women's Tag Team wrestling in 2023, and the exciting time they're currently experiencing in the National Wrestling Alliance.
After a month long hiatus, the Insiders Edge is back! It did not disappoint this time. Joining Host Karlifornia is ECW Original, Pro Wrestling Legend - former 2 Time 3PW Heavyweight Champion, ECW World Tag Team Champion and ECW World Television Champion - 'Pitbull' Gary Wolfe! In this conversation they talk all things Pitbulls, from their enhancement days in the WWF in 1988 and 1989, a hilarious story from when he wrestled Ted Dibiase, wrestling in Australia and New Zealand, plenty of Pitbull rib stories, his run as ECW Television Champion, why the Pitbulls and the Bubba/D'Von combination of the Dudley Boyz only wrestled one televised match, why the Pitbulls left ECW, being in line to sign with WCW and join Raven's Flock, conflicts with Paul Heyman, his time in 3PW, what he's upto these days and so much more!
Host Karlifornia has the opportunity to a fun chin-wag with the one and only IWE Women's Champion, Deathmatch wrestling QUEEN - the incomparable Lindsay Snow! In this conversation they talk about Lindsay becoming a pro wreslting fan, getting into the business, utilizing her Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, her performance at Josh Barnett's Bloodsport 2020, experiences working on AEW Dark and a dark match for the NWA, her time crushing it in XPW, her future goals in the business and so much more!
On this edition of the Insiders Edge Podcast, Host Karlifornia has the opportunity to sit down with current NJPW English Language Announcer, and former WWF/WWE/ROH Announcer, the one and only, underrated and hilarious - Kevin Kelly! They spend a whole heap of time in this conversation talking about Kevin's early beginning in the wrestling business, being thrown into the deep end on WWF Monday Night Raw in 1996, all the hats he wore working at Titan Towers, the work that he put into voice overs behind the scenes, working on shows like WWF Metal, writing for the WWF Magazine, how he refused to be fired in 2001 and stuck around till 2003, how he feels about his current spot in he wrestling business and a whole heap more!
On this edition of the Insiders Edge Podcast, Host Karlifornia has the opportunity to sit down and talk with NWA Wildside and NWA Anarchy Legend - Iceberg! In this conversation they talk about Iceberg's humble beginnings in Pro Wrestling, being influenced early on by guys like Homicide and the legendary Abdullah The Butcher, working with The Butcher, and working with Mr. Pogo in W*ING, his time spent in NWA Wildside, becoming Heavyweight Champion, working with guys like David Young and Deathmatch legend Tank, Working the initial IWA Deep South King of the Deathmatch tournament that was infamously shut down, being IWA Deep South Tag Team Champions with Tank, his run in TNA and the REAL REASON why it was cut short, retirement from the ring, and a whole lot more!
On this edition of the Insiders Edge Podcast Host Karlifornia chats with none other than the legendary Bull Buchanan! In this conversation they talk about his beginnings in pro wrestling, building himself up in Memphis and Smoky Mountain, trying out for the WWF, his time with the Truth Commission and having to start from scratch after that, Teaming with the Big Bossman, his time with Right to Censor, becoming Tag Champion, getting back on WWE TV after the angle, becoming B Squared with John Cena, returning for his This Is Your Life Segment, going to Japan, his son in NXT and SO much more!
On this edition of the Insiders Edge Podcast, Host Karlifornia once again dips into the Australian Pro Wrestling scene as he speaks to local legend from his city, Perth, Western Australia - the one and only Devlin Reeves! They talk about all of Devlin's time in pro wrestling for Explosive Pro Wrestling, his early days as "Playboy" Devlin Reeves, his run with the Brat Pack, being a vicious heel, his run with the Blackest Hour, injuries, behind the scenes related talk, his final run with The Headhunters, his booking philosophies and so much more!
On this edition of the Insiders Edge Podcast, Host Karlifornia speaks with none other than the legendary Randy Hogan! In this great conversation, they speak of the origins of the Randy Hogan name, and clear up several misconceptions about it, as well as clearing up once and for all that Randy was not Scott Colton. We talk about his upbringing in the business with Jerry and Ted Oates, working with guys like the Road Warriors, Powers of Pain, Dr. Death Steve Williams, Vader, Sting, The Commandos, Abdullah the Butcher, The Nasty Boys, and more - as well as some fantastic stories of Randy's career and life. This is an interview not to miss!
An absolute joy for the WZWA Network to have the one and only former WCW star Dave Burkhead on the show! This is the kind of guest this Podcast was created for, to hear the story of somebody who has seldom had the chance to share it. Host Karlifornia and Dave talk about his beginnings in the business as Knuckles Zandwich working locally with a young Balls Mahoney, Axl Rotten and more in Mid Eastern Wrestling Federation in Maryland, feuding with Kevin Sullivan on the independent circuit, being brought in to WCW in the late 90s working with the likes of Bobby Blaze, Chavo Guerrero, Juventus Guerrera, Scott Norton, Van Hammer, Jerry Flynn, The Cat, Brian Knobbs and more, his friendship with Adrian Byrd, delving into the WCW Hardcore Title Division, making others look good and getting a good reputation, how he felt when WCW Saturday Night ended and being in the final WCW Saturday Night match, the end of WCW, working for the XWF, finishing off his career and what he's been upto since leaving the business!
On this edition of the Insiders Edge Podcast, Host Karlifornia talks to former Tri State Wrestling, Eastern Championship Wrestling and Extreme Championship Wrestling alumni, the one and only Don. E Allen! They talk all things Tri State, Eastern Championship Wrestling, his Tag team Twisted Steel and Sex Appeal, working with legends like Don Muraco, Ivan Koloff, Stan Hansen, being the first guy Public Enemy put through a double table, the KISS parody with the bWo and SO much more!
On this edition of the Insiders Edge Podcast, Host Karlifornia talks to his current day favorite Professional Wrestler and clear CRUSH, as he has a chinwag with the NWA World Womens Champion, The "Brick House" - Kamille! They talk about all different topic in regards to Kamille's life in and out of pro wrestling, as Host Karlifornia attempts to make Kamille laugh at every turn, and tries to make the interview completely different from the usual for her. They talk about Strictly Business, her NWA World Title Reign, potentially going to the WWE one day, her showdown with Leyla Hirsch in AEW, how she feels about the idea of getting Madusa out of retirement to challenge her, her future goals in 2023 and beyond and SO much more!
On this edition of the Insiders Edge Podcast, Host Karlifornia sits down with local legend from the Perth, Western Australia Pro Wrestling scene, the one and only "Australian Gothic" Heritor! They talk all about his beginnings in Pro Wrestling, the formation of the Southern Hemisphere Wrestling Alliance, what lead to the formation of New Horizons Pro Wrestling, working for the Polynesian Warrior Mana, the difficulties of running a wrestling promotion, more fond stories and memories over the last 15 years and so much more!
On this edition of the Insiders Edge Podcast, Host Karlifornia has the joy and honor of interviewing one of his favorites, the one and only "American Male" Scotty Riggs! In this interview they talk about Scotty's start in the business, working for WCW in his early career and making connections there, working with Steve Austin, going to Smoky Mountain and the USWA, having an opportunity with WWF and being a protege to Lex Luger, how that not working out ended up for the better for him, forming the American Males with Marcus Bagwell, joining Raven's Flock, his narcissist gimmick, leaving WCW, Going to ECW, ECW Heatwave 2000, his time in Turnbuckle Championship Wrestling, why an injury lead to his retirement from the business, and more!
On this edition of the Insiders Edge Podcast, Host Karlifornia has the absolute straight up honor to have a conversation with "Mr Insanity" Toby Klein on his pro wrestling career! They talk about Toby's early years, making a name for himself when he was younger in the Deathmatch scene in IWA Mid South, working the first CZW Tournament of Death, wild stories of working with Necro Butcher, winning the IWA Mid South King of the Deathmatch Tournament, his trips to Big Japan with Mad Man Pondo, MASADA and 2 Tuff Tony, his No Ropes Barbed Wire Pit Of Lobsters match with Jun Kasai for IWA East Coast, what lead to his addiction problems and falling off the scene, making his comeback to end his career on a good note, and much more!
It's episode 150 for the Insiders Edge Podcast and what better way to celebrate the sesquicentennial episode than to have the Podcasts first ever return guests, for their first ever duo interview, it's the incomparable Mean Mike and Tough Tom from Disorderly Conduct! In this interview Host Karlifornia and the boys talk about how they met, how Tom became the replacement for Bull Pain in the Texas Hangmen, their journey together in Windy City Wrestling, Japan and Puerto Rico, getting signed to WCW, their tales of their times working on Monday Nitro, Thunder and WCW Saturday Night, some inside stories on their times working for World Championship Wrestling, their WWE Tryout, how their career wound down, what they learned from one another, and more!
On this edition of the Insiders Edge Podcast, Karlifornia speaks to former IWA Deep South Carnage Cup Winner, former IWA Deep South Heavyweight Champion, and IWA Deep South Hall of Famer, Deathmatch Legend The "Angel Of Death" John Rare! They talk about Johns humble beginnings as a wrestling fan and backyard wrestler, how he got in the business, getting involved with IWA Deep South, starting his own promotion Birmingham Hardcore Wrestling, his infamous SAW matches with Spider Boodrow, his Carnage Cup performances over the years, winning Carnage Cup 10, and his final rodeo taking place in 2023 for Carnage Cup 13, and so much more!
On this edition of the Insiders Edge Podcast, Host Karlifornia speaks with Deathmatch wrestling legend, the one and only "Mental Messiah" Insane Lane! In this conversation they talk about Lane's beginnings in pro wrestling fandom and getting into the business, working and promoting Full Throttle Wrestling, making a name for himself for IWA Deep South's Carnage Cup and IWA Mid South's King of the Deathmatch Tournament, he talks about working with Necro Butcher, Mad Man Pondo, Mickie Knuckles, Abdullah the Butcher, his team with Tony V The Great Southern Trendkill, competing in Tournament of Death 6 and Tournament of Death 19, why 2023 is his Swan Song, and more!
In what would be known as a 'Lost Episode' of the Insiders Edge Podcast, on July 27th, 2020, Host Karlifornia sat down with the one and only former WWE, WCW and ECW Wrestling star, the one and only Big Vito! This interview unfortunately was cut short due to reasons beyond Vito and Karlifornia's control, but it nears an hour and they talk all about Vito's early career, times in the WWF, his run with Da Baldies in ECW, going to WCW, his run with Johnny 'The Bull' Stamboli, and more. As this is a Lost Episode from the early days of the Insiders Edge Podcast, the quality on Karlifornia's webcam and mic aren't the best, just as a word of warning!
On this edition of the Insiders Edge Podcast, Host Karlifornia sits down for a chat with the ever so beautiful, wonderful, funny, interesting, the one and only, Cherry! They talk about her humble beginnings in the business, her time in OVW, working with Katie Lee, meeting Deuce and Domino, learning from Al Snow, going to the main roster for the trios Smackdown debut and run, Managing the tag team champions, working with Victoria and Natalya, the split with Deuce and Domino, her release from the company and a whole lot more!
On this edition of the Insiders Edge Podcast, Host Karlifornia has the opportunity to talk to CZW Hall of Famer and Deathmatch legend - the one and only Drake Younger! They tall all things about wrestling fandom, getting into the business, why Deathmatch Wrestling was his forte, his time with CZW and IWA Mid-South, making a name for himself in TOD and KOTDM tournaments, working in Germany with Thumbtack Jack, his time in Big Japan Pro Wrestling, heading to the WWE and becoming a referee and so much more!