Episode Details

The Attraction Archive – Episode 11: World Champions, Trailblazers, and Wrestling's Lasting Mysteries

Some wrestling attractions became legends because of championship victories. Others broke barriers that reached far beyond the ring. And a few left behind mysteries that historians are still trying to solve.

This week on The Attraction Archive, Frank Culbertson and Portland wrestling historian Mike Rodgers explore four fascinating figures whose stories demonstrate just how diverse the world of Portland wrestling truly was.

The episode begins with Ivan Koloff, the man who shocked the wrestling world by ending Bruno Sammartino's historic WWWF Championship reign. Mike traces Koloff's early Northwest appearances under the name Red McNulty, his later returns as an international superstar, and the personal conversations that revealed the thoughtful, faith-driven man behind one of wrestling's greatest villains.

Next, the spotlight turns to Sue Green, whose extraordinary career began while she was still in high school. After receiving permission from the Governor of Texas to wrestle professionally as a teenager, Green went on to enjoy a remarkable career that extended well beyond the ring, eventually becoming the focus of the acclaimed documentary Out in the Ring.

The journey continues with Joey Russell, whose career alongside the legendary Sky Low Low highlights the close-knit world of little person wrestling during its touring heyday. Then Frank and Mike dive into one of wrestling history's enduring puzzles: Pepe Morales. Was he actually Sonny Boy Hayes competing under another name? The historical evidence is compelling, but the mystery remains unsolved, making for one of the most intriguing stories in the Attraction Archive.

Hosted by Frank Culbertson and based on the historical research of Portland wrestling historian Mike Rodgers, author of The Encyclopedia of Portland Wrestlers.

New episodes of The Attraction Archive drop every Friday on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.