Getting Colour

In the second half of our conversation with wrestling journalist, historian and author Greg Oliver, we move away from the squared circle and onto the ice.Greg talks about his other great sporting obsession, hockey, and how it has shaped a huge part of his writing career. We get into his books on goaltenders, enforcers and some of the more unusual characters in hockey history, as well as his latest book, Game Day.Much like his wrestling work, Greg's hockey writing is really about the people behind the reputations. He discusses interviewing players such as Terry Sawchuk and Wade Belak, looking beyond fighting and statistics, and trying to understand the lives and personalities that can disappear behind sporting mythology.Along the way, we talk about hockey fighting, masculinity, colourful characters, strange stories and why the most interesting part of sporting history is often the bit that never made the box score.We're back each and every month for another deep dive into the world of shorts and spandex. Check us out on Twitter/X @GettingColour or email us at [email protected] in Wrestling,Conor & JeffWe're back each and every month for another deep dive into the world of shorts and spandex.  Check us out on Twitter/X @GettingColour or email us at [email protected] in Wrestling,Conor & Jeff

In the first of a two-part conversation, Jeff and Conor are joined by wrestling journalist, historian and author Greg Oliver.Greg takes us from the Canadian Wrestling Report he created while still in high school through the rise and eventual closure of SLAM! Wrestling. He talks about learning the business, mentoring other writers and earning the trust of wrestlers and their families.The conversation also explores the less visible side of wrestling journalism. Greg discusses writing obituaries, helping families after a wrestler’s death, dealing with disputed memories and recording the lives of people the industry might otherwise forget.Along the way, there are plenty of stories about Canadian wrestling, colourful characters, strange assignments and the unexpected places a life spent writing about wrestling can take you.We're back each and every month for another deep dive into the world of shorts and spandex.  Check us out on Twitter/X @GettingColour or email us at [email protected] in Wrestling,Conor & Jeff

This week Conor and Jeff continue their discussions on the many faces and phases of legendary wrestler Hulk Hogan from his WWF and WCW/NWO days to his last intiative in promoting all American wrestlingWe're back each and every month for another deep dive into the world of shorts and spandex.  Check us out on Twitter/X @GettingColour or email us at [email protected] in Wrestling,Conor & Jeff

In this episode of Getting Color, Conor Heffernan and Jeff Russo step away from storylines and championships to confront one of the most pressing issues in professional wrestling today: the business model behind WWE’s soaring ticket prices.As WWE shifts toward premium pricing, dynamic ticketing, and scarcity-based strategies under TKO ownership, fans are increasingly being priced out of live events. What does this mean for wrestling as a communal, working-class form of entertainment? Who actually owns wrestling in the modern era: the fans, the performers, or corporate executives optimizing short-term profit?Drawing on personal experiences from WrestleMania, indie shows, and decades of wrestling history, Conor and Jeff explore how rising prices are reshaping crowd energy, alienating families, and hollowing out the shared human experience that has always defined wrestling. They compare WWE’s approach to trends in global sport, music, and live entertainment, while asking uncomfortable questions about long-term sustainability, performer welfare, and fan power.This isn’t nostalgia for nostalgia’s sake. It’s a hard look at whether wrestling can survive as a cultural form when access becomes a luxury product—and what fans can do if they decide the price is simply too high.As always, this is not your average wrestling podcast. We're back each and every month for another deep dive into the world of shorts and spandex.  Check us out on Twitter/X @GettingColour or email us at [email protected] in Wrestling,Conor & Jeff

This week on Getting Colour, Conor and Jeff lace up the yellow boots and dive headfirst into the rise — and slow unravelling — of Hulk Hogan’s first WWF run. From his 1984 title win over the Iron Sheik to the end of his red-and-yellow reign in 1993, we chart the highs of WrestleMania III, the drama of the Mega Powers exploding, and the uneasy transition from hero to has-been as fan tastes shifted.We break down the matches, the merch, the myth-making that built — and eventually strained — Hulkamania. Grab your vitamins, say your prayers, and press play — this one’s all about the man who bodyslammed his way into American pop culture… and then got bodyslammed by the 90s.We're back each and every month for another deep dive into the world of shorts and spandex.  Check us out on Twitter/X @GettingColour or email us at [email protected] in Wrestling,Conor & Jeff

In this episode of Getting Colour, hosts Jeff and Conor sit down with Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Jeff Leen to discuss his acclaimed biography The Queen of the Ring: Sex, Muscles, Diamonds, and the Making of an American Legend. The book tells the riveting story of Mildred Burke, a trailblazing figure in professional wrestling who rose from Depression-era obscurity to become the longest-reigning women’s champion in history.Leen shares the years of investigative work that went into uncovering Burke’s remarkable life—her rise through the carnival circuit, her clashes with male promoters, and her lasting impact on women’s sports and wrestling’s golden era. The conversation also explores Burke’s legacy in light of contemporary wrestling and the forthcoming film adaptation of her story.Tune in for a deep dive into grit, glamour, and the forgotten queen who fought for her place in the ring.We're back each and every month for another deep dive into the world of shorts and spandex.  Check us out on Twitter/X @GettingColour or email us at [email protected] in Wrestling,Conor & Jeff

This week on Getting Colour, Conor and Jeff dive deep into the squared circle’s untold history with wrestling historian John Cosper, author of “The Great and Inimitable June Byers.” (Available to purchase here.)Was June Byers the rightful heir to the women's wrestling throne—or the product of backstage politicking and promotional betrayal? Cosper walks us through the rise of Byers from a Texas upstart to the woman who dared to challenge Mildred Burke, topple the Wolfe-Burke empire, and claim her place in wrestling lore. We break down the infamous 1954 title match, the murky alliances behind the curtain, and why Byers’ legacy has too often been pinned to the mat of history.This one’s got drama, dirt, and dropkicks—so lace up, because we’re giving color to one of wrestling’s fiercest (and most misunderstood) champions.We're back each and every month for another deep dive into the world of shorts and spandex.  Check us out on Twitter/X @GettingColour or email us at [email protected] in Wrestling,Conor & Jeff

Jeff and Conor dive into the electric world of wrestling commentary. They break down what makes a legendary voice behind the desk, from Jim Ross's iconic "BAH GAWD" calls to Bobby "The Brain" Heenan's quick-witted heel work. The hosts debate their Mount Rushmore of wrestling commentators, share their favorite calls of all time, and discuss how the right voice can elevate even the most ordinary match into an unforgettable moment. Whether you're a longtime wrestling fan or new to the squared circle, this passionate conversation captures why these voices become as beloved as the superstars themselvesWe're back each and every month for another deep dive into the world of shorts and spandex.  Check us out on Twitter/X @GettingColour or email us at [email protected] in Wrestling,Conor & Jeff

Join Conor and Jeff as we step into the flamboyant world of Gorgeous George, the original wrestling showman whose charisma and theatrics laid the groundwork for the modern spectacle of professional wrestling. Discover how he transformed into Gorgeous George, captivating audiences with his luxurious robes, golden curls, and imperious attitude. We'll dive deep into his career highlights, his influence on pop culture and the wrestling industry, and how he changed the game with his theatricality and flair. Join us as we unravel the story of a man who was not only ahead of his time but also shaped the persona of the sports entertainment we know and love today. Don't miss this riveting look back at the man who dared to be different and in doing so, became an icon.We're back each and every month for another deep dive into the world of shorts and spandex.  Check us out on Twitter/X @GettingColour or email us at [email protected] in Wrestling,Conor & Jeff

Join Conor and Jeff this week as they delve into the World of Sport, the World of British Professional Wrestling. Many people are unaware of the world of 1970s and 1980s wrestling in Britain. This was a time of innovation, of big men and even bigger egos, completely divorced from the WWF and American wrestling. Learn all about this forgotten world! We're back each and every month for another deep dive into the world of shorts and spandex.  Check us out on Twitter/X @GettingColour or email us at [email protected] in Wrestling,Conor & Jeff