Episode Details

Ringside in Rose City – Episode 44: Ring Around the Northwest Hall of Fame – Part 2 & Remembering Siva Afi

The Hall of Fame vault is open once again.

Frank Culbertson and Portland Wrestling historian Mike Rodgers continue their journey through years 12 through 22 of the Ring Around the Northwest Hall of Fame. Rather than simply reciting the complete classes, they stop to explore the careers, contributions, and personal stories of selected inductees who helped shape wrestling throughout the Pacific Northwest.

Among those receiving the spotlight are Tiger Daula, Al Madril, Frankie Lane, Kyle O’Reilly, Rasputin, Verne Siebert, Gordon Hessel, Richie Magnet, Dr. John Bonica, Adrian Adonis, Art Barr, The Gray Mask, Frank Shields—also known as Bull Bullinski, Tito Carrion, Sgt. Slaughter, Scotty Mac, Sweet Daddy Siki, Red Bastien, Matty Suzuki, and Enrique Torres. Their stories range from world championships and major rivalries to opening-match longevity, medical innovation, personal friendships, and careers that might otherwise be lost to time.

Lisa also deals another round of Card Shark, challenging Mike to identify classic wrestling cards from San Francisco, Dallas, and Florida. With only the match lineups as clues, Mike works to uncover the territory, city, year, and history behind each event.

The episode then takes a heartfelt turn. Just as recording concluded, Frank and Mike learned that Siva Afi had passed away at the age of 77. Mike looks back on Afi’s journey from New Zealand to Hawaii, Portland, and the WWF; his major victories and one-hour draw with Ric Flair before 12,000 fans in Hawaii; and a personal memory of seeing him during the years he worked at Tom Peterson’s. Frank and Mike close the tribute by offering their condolences to the Afi family.
Hosted by Frank Culbertson and Portland Wrestling historian Mike Rodgers.

One ring. One city. A thousand stories.

New episodes of Ringside in Rose City drop every Friday on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.