Ravishing Rick Rude

Who belongs on the Golden Era Mount Rushmore of professional wrestling? In this week’s episode of 80’s Wrestling The Podcast, we break down the icons who defined the WWF during its biggest boom of the 1980s. From the mega-powers of Hulk Hogan and Randy “Macho Man” Savage, to the larger-than-life presence of Andre the Giant, to unforgettable personalities like Rowdy Roddy Piper, Bobby “The Brain” Heenan, and more—we debate who truly deserves a spot carved into history.

Today we’re spotlighting one of the most brilliant managers, sharpest wits, and unforgettable voices in wrestling history—the one and only Bobby ‘The Brain’ Heenan! From managing the Heenan Family in the WWF to his legendary commentary alongside Gorilla Monsoon, Bobby entertained us like few others could. Today, we’ll relive his greatest moments, funniest lines, and impact on the golden era of wrestling.

When you think back to the 80s, Hulk Hogan was the face of the WWF—literally. The red and yellow ran wild, and Hogan carried that championship banner for years. But imagine, just for a second, if Vince McMahon had gone in a different direction. Imagine if one of the era’s top villains—guys like ‘Rowdy’ Roddy Piper, the ‘Million Dollar Man’ Ted DiBiase, ‘Ravishing’ Rick Rude, Jake ‘The Snake’ Roberts, or even a heel version of the Macho Man Randy Savage—had gotten the chance to carry the gold. Would the WWF have looked the same? Would business have been stronger with Hogan chasing the belt instead of defending it? And who truly had what it takes to be the ultimate heel champion of the Golden Era?

Today, we’re going to break down the career, the physique, the charisma, and the in-ring talent of one of the most unforgettable stars of the 1980s—Ravishing Rick Rude. From his legendary feuds with Jake ‘The Snake’ Roberts and the Ultimate Warrior, to his iconic WCW run, to being one of the best villains the WWF ever had—we’ll cover it all. And of course, we want to hear from YOU, our listeners, about your favorite Rick Rude memories.

Today, we’re shining the spotlight on one of the most physically gifted and visually striking athletes to ever step foot in the squared circle — The Total Package himself, Lex Luger. From his early days in the NWA as a breakout star, to his run in WCW capturing the United States and World Heavyweight Championships, to slamming the 500-pound Yokozuna on the USS Intrepid and becoming the red, white, and blue face of WWF’s “Lex Express” tour — Luger’s career was filled with headline moments, championship gold, and undeniable star power.

From shocking returns to unforgettable matchups, SummerSlam delivered in a big way—and we're breaking it all down from the perspective of old-school fans who know what real wrestling magic feels like. Did this modern-day SummerSlam stack up to the classics of yesteryear? What moments will go down in history… and which ones made us wish we could hit the reset button?

Today, we pay tribute to the man who defined an era. It’s been one week since the passing of Hulk Hogan, and the wrestling world is still reeling from the loss. For so many of us, Hogan wasn’t just a wrestler—he was wrestling. With the red and yellow, the ripped shirt, the ear cupped to the crowd, and the immortal words “Whatcha gonna do?!”—he was larger than life. For a generation, Hulk Hogan was our childhood. He was our hero, our champion, and the face of a movement that brought pro wrestling into living rooms and pop culture history. Today, we remember the man, the myth, and the magic of Hulkamania. Because even though the Hulkster has left this world, his memory, his influence, and the power of Hulkamania will truly live forever. Let’s honor the legacy of the Immortal One.  

If you had a time machine, which one wrestler, match, moment, or event from the ’80s would you witness live? This week we fire up the flux capacitor and let the fans drive—calling in with their dream trips back to the golden era. From Hogan vs. Andre to the birth of the Mega Powers (or that one territory house show you still swear was magic), we’re reliving it all through your picks. Buckle up and tell us: where are you going first?  

"Ooooooh yeah! Welcome back to 80’s Wrestling The Podcast, the show where the madness never ends! And speaking of madness… today, we’re diving into the career of the one, the only, 'Macho Man' Randy Savage — the cream of the crop, DIG IT! From classic WrestleMania showdowns to hidden gems that only true fans remember, today we’re talking Macho Man’s greatest matches. We’re going beyond just the big wins and losses — we’re talking storytelling, intensity, and those signature moments that made him a legend.

Today, we’re diving into one of WWE’s most iconic and underrated traditions—the King of the Ring tournament! From Harley Race to Brock Lesnar and beyond, this unique pay-per-view event gave us unforgettable matches, breakout stars, and of course… some truly regal gimmicks. But we’re not just talking history today—we’re making some of our own! With a little help from our AI tag team partner, we’ve created our very own fantasy King of the Ring bracket, featuring the first 16 winners of this prestigious honor. And the best part? YOU, our loyal listeners, will help us decide who advances through each round! Each caller today will cast their vote on a couple of matchups, and at the end of the show, “The ConFather” himself will declare the winner of the final match and officially crown the first-ever 80’s Wrestling the Podcast King of the Ring! So lace up those boots, grab your crown, and get ready—because the tournament begins now! 👑