AWA Unleashed
”The Voice of Minnesota Wrestling” and former AWA Ring Announcer/Broadcaster Mick Karch, former AWA Director/Producer ”Polish” Joe Ciupik and Chris Tubbs recap the glory days of the historic and influential American Wrestling Association.
Listen on:
Episodes
Tuesday May 03, 2022
Tuesday May 03, 2022
This week we have the chance to catch up with the widow of the legendary Bruiser/King Kong Brody, Barbara Goodish.
What were the early years and travels and life like on the road? What made the friendship/partnership with Stan Hansen special and why it remains so to this day. Why couldn't he be "Bruiser" Brody in the AWA, and his no-nonsense approach to not being swerved by promoters.
Plus Mick hand picking his interview, did he leave wrestling at the arena, what should his legacy be and more.
Brought to you by our friends at SotaStick. Sotastick is the place to go for your Minnesota sports themed novelty shirts, hats, and whatever you want. Check out their website https://sotastickco.com/ and use the promo code UNLEASHED for 15% off!
Lift Bridge Brewery has the official beer of AWA Unleashed! The best brewery with the best beer for the best fans! Check out their inventory for the booze and swag!
http://liftbridgebrewery.com/
Catch us at our first live show Sat. June 11 at Lift Bridge Brewery before the Midwest All-Star Wrestling card! Doors at noon, live podcast at 2:00pm, wrestling at 3:30pm! Get tix -> bit.ly/3OdPVg6
Tuesday Apr 26, 2022
Tuesday Apr 26, 2022
In the second of two parts, we get into the life and career of we talk about the life and career of one the most well known and beloved stars in the AWA and beyond, Curt Hennig.
How he never forgot his roots; and attending Twin Cities indie shows regularly, his “Perfect” persona in the WWE and the video build-up and vignettes. Plus Mick and George talk about the Memorial Service, and his dad Larry delivering the eulogy.Brought to you by our friends at SotaStick. It's the place to go for your Minnesota sports themed novelty shirts, hats, and whatever you want. Check out their website https://sotastickco.com/ and use the promo code UNLEASHED for 15% off!
Lift Bridge Brewery has the official beer of AWA Unleashed! The best brewery with the best beer for the best fans! Check out their inventory for the booze and swag!
http://liftbridgebrewery.com/
Catch us at our first live show Sat. June 11 at Lift Bridge Brewery before the Midwest All-Star Wrestling card! Doors at noon, live podcast at 2:00pm, wrestling at 3:30pm! Get tix -> bit.ly/3OdPVg6
Tuesday Apr 19, 2022
Tuesday Apr 19, 2022
In the first of two parts, we get into the life and career of we talk about the life and career of one the most well known and beloved stars in the AWA and beyond, Curt Hennig. When did Mick and George start to hear that Larry’s son might be interested in the business? What were their first impressions?
We get into the Hennig/Gagne feud, his legendary one hour draw with Nick Bockwinkel. Curt’s talks with his dad Larry, Curt's conversations with Mick at the Showboat regarding his future and more.
Brought to you by our friends at SotaStick. It's is the place to go for your Minnesota sports themed novelty shirts, hats, and whatever you want. Check out their website https://sotastickco.com/ and use the promo code UNLEASHED for 15% off!
Lift Bridge Brewery has the official beer of AWA Unleashed! The best brewery with the best beer for the best fans! Check out their inventory for the booze and swag!http://liftbridgebrewery.com/
Tuesday Apr 12, 2022
Tuesday Apr 12, 2022
This week we finish our two part series and get more behind the scenes stories with former AWA Cameraman/Producer "Polish" Joe Cuipik. This week he talks with Mick Karch, George Schire and Chris Tubbs about the "Wrestlerock Rumble", the Team Challenge Series, being kayfabed by Verne Gagne, when King King/Bruiser Brody sided with him, Word Association and more.
Brought to you by our friends at SotaStick. Sotastick is the place to go for your Minnesota sports themed novelty shirts, hats, and whatever you want. Check out their website https://sotastickco.com/ and use the promo code UNLEASHED for 15% off!
Tuesday Apr 05, 2022
Tuesday Apr 05, 2022
This week we get some real good behind the scenes stories with former AWA Cameraman/Producer "Polish" Joe Cuipik. In this first of a two part interview he talks with Mick Karch, George Schire and Chris Tubbs about getting into the business with no experience, having a problem being in the correct spot for a shot, memorable conversations with Jimmy Snuka, the worst night of production he ever experienced and more.
Brought to you by our friends at SotaStick. Sotastick is the place to go for your Minnesota sports themed novelty shirts, hats, and whatever you want. Check out their website https://sotastickco.com/ and use the promo code UNLEASHED for 15% off!
Tuesday Mar 29, 2022
Tuesday Mar 29, 2022
You've got questions, and we've got answers (sort of.) So it's time for another no DQ and A, where your questions are the show. Mick and George each answer several listener submitted questions for the second edition of our mailbag. Did anybody see The Crusher driving down University Ave. in St. Paul? Who were bookers for the AWA over the years? Curt Hennig's injury vs. Wahoo, forgettable matches, Dennis Bockwinkel and more.
If you have any questions for our next No DQ and A, email mickkarch@gmail.com or gschire@comcast.net.
Brought to you by our friends at Sotastick. Check out their website https://sotastickco.com/, and use the promo code "UNLEASHED" for 15% off!
Tuesday Mar 22, 2022
Tuesday Mar 22, 2022
Who are the most beloved heroes in the history of the AWA? Those that fans really got behind and cheered for to overcome adversity?
This week Mick Karch and George Schire make a list of those that fit the definition of a "babyface." What makes a good one, and why did some of the most hated villains become some of the most loved babyfaces? Some of the names include Wilbur Snyder, Masked Dr. X, Red Bastien, Tito Santana, Mad Dog Vachon and Rick Martel.
Thursday Mar 17, 2022
Thursday Mar 17, 2022
Even though he wasn't in the AWA for a long period of time, many fans still remember him and his partnership with Curt Hennig. What was he like, and who was he compared to? Plus did he realize the impact and influence he had on fans? We get into that and more in our tribute to the late Scott Hall.
Tuesday Mar 15, 2022
Tuesday Mar 15, 2022
Who are the best villains in AWA history? There is no shortage of rulebreakers over the territory's history.
This week Mick Karch and George Schire make a list of those that fit the definition of a "heel." What makes a good one? What were they like outside of the ring? And did fans ever try and test their toughness against them? It's a fun list that includes The Crusher, Bobby “The Brain” Heenan, Jerry Blackwell, Baron Von Raschke, Sheik Adnan Al Kaissie and a ton more!
Tuesday Mar 08, 2022
Tuesday Mar 08, 2022
This week it's all about the wrestlers we didn't want, but we got, and others that deserved better. What wrestlers were overhyped and under delivered? How about those that should have gotten more of an opportunity?
Mick Karch and George Schire make a list of wrestlers that fit both categories and others that could have been included. Some are stars from other territories that didn't get over for various reasons, and just didn't have "it." Names include Mil Mascaras, Pedro Morales, Jerry Lawler, Rufus R. Jones, Otto Wanz, and so many more.