Sitting Ringside with David Penzer

This week on Sitting Ringside, David Penzer is joined by the guy who said, “Any man with two hands has a fighting chance,” Mr. James Ellsworth. Starting in the WWE as someone who was supposed to be used for just one night, Ellsworth has made quite the name for himself and turned that one time appearance into a couple of really good runs with the company. Now that he is back on in the indy scene, he’s trying to make the WWE take notice with his Twitter hashtag #RehireEllsworth to make another improbable run. This week on Sitting Ringside, David Penzer talks to Ellsworth about his start in the business, what his initial plans were in the WWE and who wrote his infamous promo before his debut match against Braun Strowman (the answer might surprise you), living out his bucket list by working WWE’s biggest events, working with AJ Styles and Dean Ambrose, having Bray Wyatt and Chris Jericho take him under their wings, being paired with Carmella and working with the women, his relationship with Vince McMahon, the possibility of maybe working with Ring Of Honor or Impact Wrestling, and much more. You’ll come away from this interview with a whole new perspective of one of the most humble guys to appear on Sitting Ringside and the future is bright for one, James Ellsworth. Thanks to VIVID SEATS for coming along this crazy Sitting Ringside ride with us and do they have a great deal for you. Just visit VividSeats.com or download the app to your mobile device, search for tickets to Raw, Smackdown, an indy show, a concert, or any other event, and then use to promo code RINGSIDE to receive 10% off your first order. Thanks for listening and don’t forget the and review the show on Apple Podcasts and Stitcher! Make sure to follow David Penzer and “Sitting Ringside” on Twitter! You can find the show on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, and Google Play!

This week, David Penzer sits down with his old cohort from TNA/Impact Wrestling, So Cal Val, who now currently lives in London and works for World Of Sport. She talks about how she got started in the wrestling business, who the “So Cal Val” character is based on, working with Randy Savage and Miss Elizabeth, her start in TNA Wrestling, her infamous wedding angle with Jay Lethal that featured American Idol’s Ace Young, Dixie Carter, the stigma around TNA/Impact Wrestling guys in the WWE, her departure from TNA, being approached by Playboy but why it never happened, learning from Jeremy Borash before he jumped to the WWE, her position now with World Of Sport, and so much more. It’s a really fun conversation that really sheds some light on one of the nicest and honest people in the wrestling business. There’s no way you can’t come away from this talk not loving Val. Thanks to our new sponsor, VIVID SEATS, for coming along and they have a great deal for you. Just visit VividSeats.com or download the app to your mobile device, search for tickets to Raw, Smackdown, an indy show, a concert, or any other event, and then use to promo code RINGSIDE to receive 10% off your first order. Also, thanks to TING MOBILE for sponsoring this week’s episode of Sitting Ringside! Visit Ting Mobile Online to get $25 off your bill or $25 off a new phone in the Ting Shop! Thanks for listening and don’t forget the and review the show on Apple Podcasts and Stitcher! Make sure to follow David Penzer and “Sitting Ringside” on Twitter! You can find the show on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, and Google Play!

Ricky Morton, one half of the legendary Rock & Roll Express with Robert Gibson, has had one of the most storybook careers in the pro wrestling business and it isn’t over yet. Having won over 70 titles in his career and entering the WWE Hall Of Fame in 2017, he is still going strong at the age of 61 and wrestles on the indy scene weekly. This week, David Penzer sits down with Morton to talk about his start in the business, his father Paul who was a longtime referee, paying dues as a young guy, when he knew he wanted to be in wrestling and when he was “smartened” up to it, talks how he and Robert Gibson were put together to form the Rock & Roll Express, his wrestling school called the School Of Morton and his podcast by the same name, training the next generation of wrestlers, and so much more. Before David talks to Ricky though, he is joined by his longtime friend and COO of Ring Warriors, Howard Brody, who just announced a new TV deal with WGN America beginning Saturday, September 15th. The guys talk about how it came together and who will be involved. Thanks to Ting Mobile for sponsoring this week’s episode of Sitting Ringside! Visit Ting Mobile Online to get $25 off your bill or $25 off a new phone in the Ting Shop! Thanks for listening and don’t forget the and review the show on Apple Podcasts and Stitcher! Make sure to follow David Penzer and “Sitting Ringside” on Twitter! You can find the show on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, and Google Play!

Bobby Blaze may not be a household name when it comes to the wrestling business but he’s a guy who accomplished a ton over his 16 year career. Trained by Boris Malenko in Tampa, Blaze won the Smoky Mountain Wrestling Heavyweight Championship in 1995 by defeating WWE Hall Of Famer Jerry “The King” Lawler, spent time in WCW, traveled to Japan to work several times, and has authored two books, “Pin Me, Pay Me: Have Boots Will Travel” and “I Kicked Out On Two: The Education Of A Wrestler.” This week, David Penzer sits down with Blaze to share some road stories, talk about being trained by Boris Malenko and his relationship with Dean, working in Smoky Mountain Wrestling for Jim Cornette, working with the likes of The Rock & Roll Express, Jerry Lawler, Brad Armstrong, Tracy Smothers, Kevin Sullivan, getting his contract to work for WCW, his two books, and so much more. Thanks to Ting Mobile for sponsoring this week’s episode of Sitting Ringside! Visit Ting Mobile Online to get $25 off your bill or $25 off a new phone in the Ting Shop! Thanks for listening and don’t forget the and review the show on Apple Podcasts and Stitcher! Make sure to follow David Penzer and “Sitting Ringside” on Twitter! You can find the show on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, and Google Play!

What can be said about Eric Bischoff that hasn’t already been said a million times? The innovator of the NWO and the creator of the Monday Night Wars, it’s safe to say Bischoff’s creativity, both on screen and as a producer, changed the landscape of the pro wrestling business forever. This week, David Penzer sits down with Bischoff to talk about his podcast “83 Weeks” with co-host Conrad Thompson, his role as Executive Producer in WCW and how he got it, Bill Watts, his plans had WCW run WWE out of business during the Monday Night Wars, David Arquette, Vince Russo, the role and impact of Zane Bresloff, walking into Monday Night Raw for the first time and how it came about, his time in TNA Wrestling and why he took the job, and so much more. All of this and so much more in a fun conversation with future Hall Of Famer Eric Bischoff on this week’s Sitting Ringside! Thanks for listening and don’t forget the and review the show on Apple Podcasts and Stitcher! Make sure to follow David Penzer and “Sitting Ringside” on Twitter! You can find the show on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, and Google Play!

Every wrestling fan should know Conrad Thompson. As host of “Something To Wrestle With Bruce Prichard,” “What Happened When With Tony Schiavone,” “83 Weeks With Eric Bischoff,” or as the driving force behind the huge Starrcast event happening around All In Labor Day weekend in Chicago, Thompson has been able to turn his lifelong fandom of the pro wrestling business into a podcasting empire. You all know about the guys he works with but what about Thompson? This week, David Penzer sits down with Thompson to discuss how he got involved in the wrestling business, his friendship with Ric Flair and how it evolved into his current engagement with to Ric’s oldest daughter Megan, how all three of his podcasts came to be, how he brought Tony Schiavone back to the wrestling business after a long absence, working with Eric Bischoff, getting involved in the WWE Network, the development of Starrcast, balancing his insane schedule, and how his success in wrestling all stems from winning a single Ebay auction. All of this and so much more in a fun conversation with the “Podcast Host Of The Stars” on this week’s Sitting Ringside! Thanks to Ting Mobile for sponsoring this week’s episode of Sitting Ringside! Visit Ting Mobile Online to get $25 off your bill or $25 off a new phone in the Ting Shop! Thanks for listening and don’t forget to subscribe and review the show on Apple Podcasts and Stitcher! Make sure to follow David Penzer and “Sitting Ringside” on Twitter! You can find the show on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, and Google Play!

When we say that “The Masked Assassin” Jody Hamilton has seen it all in the wrestling business, we mean it literally. Whether it was main eventing Madison Square Garden at the age of 19 to forming The Assassins with Tom Renesto to his legendary El Santo angle in Florida to creating the WCW Power Plant that produced a ton of household names, Hamilton’s list of accomplishments in the wrestling business could go on for days. This week on Sitting Ringside, David Penzer sits down with his mentor to talk about his beginnings in wrestling, feuding with Dusty Rhodes, Mr. Wrestling II, and posing as El Santo, the art of booking a territory, how WTBS in Atlanta changed the industry forever, working behind the scenes at WCW and creating the Power Plant, the development of Bill Goldberg, feeling helpless at the end of the WCW days, his proudest accomplishment in his 50+ year career, why he took a liking to a young David Penzer and took him under his wing, and so much more. It’s an amazing conversation with one of the greatest minds to ever grace the pro wrestling industry. If you enjoyed this show, check out Jody Hamilton’s book, “Assassin: The Man Behind The Mask,” available through Crowbar Press. Thanks for listening and don’t forget to subscribe and review the show on Apple Podcasts and Stitcher! Make sure to follow David Penzer and “Sitting Ringside” on Twitter! You can find the show on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, and Google Play!

Some of you may know him as “The Hustler,” “The Foul-Mouthed Ripper (which you’ll understand why),” or “Roaring” Rip Rogers but he is a guy who wasn’t a household name on a national level during his career, but certainly made his mark in the territories and more importantly, as a trainer to some of the biggest names in the wrestling business over the last 15-20 years. As a wrestler, his career began in 1977 where he teamed with Pez Whatley and Gary Royal in International Championship Wrestling, which was run by the legendary Angelo Poffo. Rogers went on to wrestle in the NWA for Jim Crockett, Tennessee, Continental Championship Wrestling, the Central States promotion for Bob Geigel, Calgary, the WWC in Puerto Rico for Carlos Colon, and the GWF. He eventually found his way back to the NWA at the same time they were purchased by Ted Turner and turned into WCW. In 2000, he was hit by a car and sustained career ending injuries but this quite possibly led to what Rogers may be most remembered for. Since his in ring career was over, Rogers became the head trainer in OVW in Louisville. OVW was used for years as a feeder program to the WWE and Rogers has had a hand in training many of the biggest superstars in the world over the last 15-20 years including the likes of Brock Lesnar, John Cena, Dave Bautista, Randy Orton, and Mark Henry just to name a few. This week on Sitting Ringside, Rogers sits down with David Penzer for a very colorful conversation about his beginnings in the wrestling business, how he was never really formally trained or went to a wrestling school to learn, working with the likes of Nick Gulas, Randy Savage, Angelo Poffo, Austin Idol, Ole Anderson, Wahoo McDaniel, Bugsy McGraw, the Junk Yard Dog, and others, how he met his wife in the business, what he’s most proud of over his career (his answer might surprise you), and the business of pro wrestling. Rogers doesn’t pull any punches and for the first time in the history of Sitting Ringside, we’re warning you that the language used in the show may not be suitable for younger ears but his stories and insight on the wrestling business are second to none. Thanks for listening and don’t forget to subscribe and review the show on Apple Podcasts and Stitcher! Make sure to follow David Penzer and “Sitting Ringside” on Twitter! You can find the show on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, and Google Play!

Ken Anderson, a self-proclaimed a**hole, didn’t really grow up a huge pro wrestling fan. In fact, it wasn’t really until a roommate of his made him sit down and watch “Stone Cold” Steve Austin for the first that he got that itch. It wasn’t until walking into wrestling school for the first time that he actually watched the “Nature Boy” Ric Flair for the first time. From that point on, it didn’t take long for Anderson to make a name for himself in the business. His career may not have always gone as planned, some by his doing and some by fate, but there’s no doubt that Ken Anderson continues to leave his mark on the industry. This week on Sitting Ringside, Anderson sits down with David Penzer to talk about his start in the business, his time in OVW with Jim Cornette and Paul Heyman, how his infamous ring entrance began, how Ken Kennedy was born in the WWE, working with The Undertaker and Shawn Michaels, how he was set to become the WWE World Champion and why it didn’t happen, Randy Orton and John Cena, his time in TNA Wrestling, Dixie Carter, his new wrestling school called The Academy School Of Pro Wrestling and so much more. Thanks for listening and don’t forget to subscribe and review the show on Apple Podcasts and Stitcher! Make sure to follow David Penzer and “Sitting Ringside” on Twitter! Also, follow Mike Freland on Twitter as well! You can find the show on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, and Google Play!

JJ Dillon, the leader of The 4 Horsemen, was so much more than just an on air manager of the greatest faction in pro wrestling history. He has also been a part of some of the greatest story lines and historic moments in the business in an agent/management role as well. In Episode 40 of Sitting Ringside, JJ discussed the early part of his career which included his in ring work with the likes of Bruno Sammartino and Killer Kowalski. This week, he returns to discuss the later part of his career where he worked in the front office in both WCW and the WWE as one of Vince McMahon’s right hand men. He shares his insight on subjects like meeting Vince McMahon for the first time, the Ultimate Warrior, why Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair didn’t main event Wrestlemania 8, the push of Lex Luger in the WWE, the importance of theme music in the wrestling business, The Undertaker’s debut and some of the doubt that surrounded the character, his jumps from WCW to WWE and then back to WCW and his thought process behind it, Steve Austin, an incredible story about how The Rock wanted to get out of the business because he was struggling, and so much more! Thanks for listening and don’t forget to subscribe and review the show on Apple Podcasts and Stitcher! Make sure to follow David Penzer and “Sitting Ringside” on Twitter! Also, follow Mike Freland on Twitter as well! You can find the show on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, and Google Play!

When you’re talking one of the most influential pro wrestlers of all time, Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat should certainly be on that list. Whether it’s the match at Wrestlemania 3 against “The Macho Man” Randy Savage that is celebrated as one of the greatest matches of all time or the legendary trilogy of matches against Ric Flair for the NWA World Championship in 1989, Steamboat has been a part of some of the greatest moments in wrestling history and probably should bet more credit than he does. This week on Sitting Ringside, Ricky Steamboat sits down with David Penzer to discuss his Hall Of Fame career, how he learned early on from Jay Youngblood how to be a babyface in the ring, working in Mid-Atlantic for years and how Dusty Rhodes played a role in his jump to the WWF in 1985, his relationship with Ric Flair that began in 1977, the angles between he and Randy Savage, Jake Roberts, and Ric Flair, getting ribbed by Mr. Fuji, his thoughts on the Wrestlemania 3 match, feeling disrespected at the end of trilogy of matches with Ric Flair in 1989, his surprise emergence in 2009 and his angle with Chris Jericho, what a heel Ricky Steamboat would’ve looked like, and so much more. Steamboat is one of the classiest people ever to lace up a pair of boots and he proves that again on this week’s episode of Sitting Ringside. Thanks for listening and don’t forget to rate and review the show on all the major podcast platforms! Make sure to follow David Penzer and “Sitting Ringside” on Twitter! You can find the show on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, and Google Play!

When you’re a part of the Brisco family, following in the footsteps of father Jerry and Uncle Jack can be overwhelming if you’re entering the wrestling business. That’s exactly what Wes Brisco has done and thus far, he’s done it successfully. Having spent time in both TNA and WWE Developmental, Brisco has been on the cusp of the big time several times only to be derailed by fluky knee injuries that have put him on the sidelines but it hasn’t hindered his love of the business that his family is known for. This week, Brisco sits down with David Penzer to talk about growing up Brisco, the wrestlers that would always be around thee Brisco household when he was a kid, why his father never let him watch wrestling as a child, going into professional wake boarding before entering the wrestling business, his time in WWE Developmental and his time TNA as a member of the “Aces & Eights” faction, Dixie Carter, and much more. He also shares a great story about the first time his father Jerry stepped into the ring with him and broke his nose. Everyone has heard about how tough Jerry and Jack Brisco are and this story solidifies that stance. Before getting to Wes, Penzer kicks off the show chatting with Wade Keller of PWTorch.com about the new game changing television deal between the WWE and Fox that will see Smackdown move from USA to Fox’s main network. The two also discuss the All In show in Chicago Labor Day weekend. This week’s episode of Sitting Ringside is brought to you by the Good Cigar Company. For Father’s Day this year do something different (go beyond ties and golf shirts!). Give Dad his own personal tobacconist with a Good Cigar Co subscription for a great price of $30 bucks and Sitting Ringside listeners can get 10% of their subscription by going to the Good Cigar Company website and using the promo code “RINGSIDE.” Thanks for listening and don’t forget to rate and review the show on all the major podcast platforms! Make sure to follow David Penzer and “Sitting Ringside” on Twitter! You can find the show on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, and Google Play!

In 2000, actor David Arquette starred in a wrestling based movie called “Ready To Rumble.” The movie featured several wrestlers from WCW including Chris Kanyon, Shane Helms, Diamond Dallas Page, and several others. As part of the promotion for the movie, Arquette and WCW agreed to have Arquette appear on WCW television to help cross promote the movie. The culmination of that appearance and angle has turned into one of the most controversial and talked about angle in pro wrestling history. This week, Arquette joins David Penzer on Sitting Ringside to discuss his lifelong infatuation with and respect for the pro wrestling industry, how the movie “Ready To Rumble” came to be, the impact Chris Kanyon had on both the movie and Arquette personally, how WCW became involved and how he was approached to become the World Champion, why he wanted to do more physically in the ring but was handcuffed, why the whole angle still haunts him, and so much more. It’s Arquette’s first podcast appearance in well over four years and after this conversation, there’s no doubt that his title run may be viewed at slightly differently than it has. This week’s episode of Sitting Ringside is brought to you by the Good Cigar Company. For Father’s Day this year do something different (go beyond ties and golf shirts!). Give Dad his own personal tobacconist with a Good Cigar Co subscription for a great price of $30 bucks and Sitting Ringside listeners can get 10% of their subscription by going to the Good Cigar Company website and using the promo code “RINGSIDE.” It’s also brought to you by HIMS. 66% of men experience baldness by the time they hit age 35. Baldness can be an option now. HIMS connects you with real doctors and medical grade solutions to treat hair loss. No waiting room and no awkward doctor visits. You’ll save hours by using HIMS. Visit ForHims.com/penzer to get a trial month for just $5 while supplies last! Thanks for listening and don’t forget to rate and review the show on all the major podcast platforms! Make sure to follow David Penzer and “Sitting Ringside” on Twitter! You can find the show on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, and Google Play!

In Koko B. Ware’s 40+ year career, he has just about seen it all. He spent time in the Mid-South, Georgia, and other NWA territories wrestling the likes of Dutch Mantell, Tommy Rich, and Jerry Lawler to name a few while forming a tag team with the legendary Bobby Eaton known as the “Pretty Young Things” and wrestled as Sweet Brown Sugar and Stagger Lee. In 1986, Koko joined the WWF where he became “The Birdman.” On this episode of Sitting Ringside, Ware tells his story and shares his stories with David Penzer about his time in the business. The guys talk about the origin of his name “Koko B. Ware,” how Jerry Lawler helped him in the Memphis territory, Joe LeDuc, being in Jimmy Hart’s “First Family,” getting the call from Howard Finkel and heading to the WWE, the problems that some black wrestlers have in the WWE, traveling on the road with a parrot, singing on WWF’s “Piledriver: The Album,” Owen Hart, and so much more. He even shares a story about his bird Frankie and wrestling great Pedro Morales that you will not want to miss. Before David gets to Koko, he chats with his old buddy Alex Marvez of The Sporting News and Sirius XM. Marvez, a longtime wrestling journalist, worked in the wrestling business with David in the early days of their careers and he doesn’t pull any punches about the current WWE product and Vince McMahon. He also talks about Dave Meltzer, the Wrestling Observer, why guys always go back to the WWE, and more. This week’s episode of Sitting Ringside is brought to you by the Good Cigar Company. For Father’s Day this year do something different (go beyond ties and golf shirts!). Give Dad his own personal tobacconist with a Good Cigar Co subscription for a great price of $30 bucks and Sitting Ringside listeners can get 10% of their subscription by going to the Good Cigar Company website and using the promo code “RINGSIDE.” Thanks for listening and don’t forget to rate and review the show on all the major podcast platforms! Make sure to follow David Penzer and “Sitting Ringside” on Twitter! You can find the show on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, and Google Play!

“Disco Inferno” Glenn Gilbertti appeared on the podcast early on to tell some stories from his career but this appearance is a little different. This week, he and David Penzer talk about the current state of wrestling. DI and Penzer discuss the WWE since Wrestlemania, the futures of Kenny Omega and The Young Bucks, why DI isn’t a fan of New Japan Pro Wrestling, and the improvements to the Impact Wrestling business model and whether the guys feel it has a future. Then, the boys play a little word association with the likes of Dave Meltzer, Diamond Dallas Page, Ric Flair, Dixie Carter, Chris Jericho, and others. Not even President Donald Trump was safe from having his name pulled from the hat! Thanks for listening and don’t forget to rate and review the show on all the major podcast platforms! Make sure to follow David Penzer and “Sitting Ringside” on Twitter! You can find the show on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, and Google Play!