Episode Details

One ring.
One city.
A thousand stories.
And this week… we look at what came next.

When Lisa Hughes spins the wheel, the envelope doesn’t send us back to a card or a date—it sends us into the future ofwrestling in the Pacific Northwest.

In Episode #32 of Ringside in Rose City, Frank Culbertson and Portland Wrestling historian Mike Rogers revisit Excitementin the Air: Voices of Northwest Wrestling—but this time, the focus is on the next generation. The wrestlers who came after the territory era… and kept the business alive.

The Next Generation – Voices That Carried It Forward

This episode dives into the stories behind:

• Dr. Luther – The Butler rocks! From the Hart Dungeon to Japan’s hardcore scene, evolving into an old-school performer with world-class timing, now shining in a completely different role on national TV
• Kyle O’Reilly – A Northwest original whose technical precision and mindset carried him from local gyms to global stages, including major wins at the highest level
• Bryan Alvarez – From in-ring performer to one of wrestling’s most recognizable media voices, proving there’s more than one path to impact the business. For some reason Mike has to keep reminding Frank to say “Auto” when he mentions Miss Rent To Own…
• Michelle Starr – Wrestler turned promoter, navigating the realities of running shows, locker rooms, and rival promotions in the independent era
• Steve Rizzono – A powerful and sobering story of work ethic taken to the extreme, and the physical toll the business can take
• Adam “Firestorm” Dykes – A talented, respected worker whose story highlights the very real impact of concussions and mental health
• Pat Brady – Intelligent, articulate, and honest—offering one of the rare perspectives of a wrestler who reflects deeply on the cost of the business
• Nick Wayne – A true next-generation star, growing up in wrestling, training from childhood, and reaching national television before even finishing high school
• Christopher Daniels – A bridge between eras, explaining how wrestling evolved from slow builds to fast-paced, action-driven storytelling. And the sworn nemesis of Jim Valley.
• Davey Richards – Intense, disciplined, and unapologetically old-school in mindset, emphasizing that wrestling is built on emotion—not just movement
• ELP (El Phantasmo) – A late bloomer in global terms, turning a Northwest career into major success in Japan and beyond
• The Bollywood Boys – Students of the game who earned their opportunities through respect, preparation, and relentless effort
• Skag Rollins (Todd Royce) – A standout personality who transitioned from strong in-ring work to national success as a comedian

More Than Just Matches

This episode isn’t just about where these wrestlers went…

It’s about:
• How wrestling changed after the territories
• What it takes to survive in the independent era
• And how different paths—wrestler, promoter, historian, performer—can all shape the business

The territory ended in 1991.
But wrestling didn’t.

It evolved.
It adapted.
And this generation made sure it kept going.

Step into the next chapter.

This is Ringside in Rose City —

Wrestling

Wrestling the way it should be.