Episode Details

On Episode #65 of Retro Wrestling w/Gene Jackson, Gene sits down with veteran wrestler Robbie Idol for a deep dive into a career that stretches from the Florida territory days through Jim Crockett Promotions, WCW, independent wrestling, and beyond. Along the way, Robbie talks about breaking into the business in the mid-1980s, learning one on one instead of through a traditional wrestling school that would become the norm later, working as a regular enhancement talent on national television, and sharing the ring with an unbelievable list of wrestling legends.

Robbie’s wrestling story begins as a fan growing up in Florida. After moving from Buffalo, he was introduced to the business through live Championship Wrestling from Florida cards featuring names like Jack and Jerry Brisco, Terry Funk, Dusty Rhodes, Eddie Graham, Mike Graham, Don Muraco, Rocky Johnson, Buddy Colt, Bugsy McGraw, King Curtis, and Hiro Matsuda. Seeing those larger than life personalities in person left an impression that never went away.

For years, however, Robbie’s first athletic goal was baseball. He also became heavily involved in bodybuilding and powerlifting, eventually training for Mr. Florida. That path unexpectedly opened the wrestling door when he crossed paths with Rick Ryder and Bob Cook. Rick offered a simple trade: Robbie would teach him how to lift weights, and Rick would teach Robbie how to wrestle.

This is one of those conversations that reminds you how many important people in wrestling history weren’t necessarily the ones holding championships.

Robbie Idol was one of the guys who showed up, knew his role, could work, made the stars look good, and kept getting called back allowing him to work with some of the greatest wrestlers in the history of the sport.

Robbie has so many great stories, you’ll want to hear this episode more than once. 

Check it out!