The Pro Wrestling Exuberant
@prowrestlingexub.bsky.social
'80s/'90s centric free pro wrestling email newsletter & website, and independent wrestling showcase podcast.
Free pro wrestling newsletter: https://russellfranklin.substack.com/
Free pro wrestling newsletter: https://russellfranklin.substack.com/
In the new installment of A Pro Wrestling Conversation About…., a written conversation series between #writers who are #prowrestling fans, Starrcade '85 is discussed. Thoughts on Abdullah The Butcher, a bullrope match and more.
russellfranklin.substack.com/p/a-pro-wres...
russellfranklin.substack.com/p/a-pro-wres...
A Pro Wrestling Conversation About...Starrcade '85, Part 1 of 3
Abdullah The Butcher, Ron Bass, bloody bouts & more
russellfranklin.substack.com
August 27, 2025 at 9:37 PM
In the new installment of A Pro Wrestling Conversation About…., a written conversation series between #writers who are #prowrestling fans, Starrcade '85 is discussed. Thoughts on Abdullah The Butcher, a bullrope match and more.
russellfranklin.substack.com/p/a-pro-wres...
russellfranklin.substack.com/p/a-pro-wres...
This is the 2nd part of my #AEW Dynamite themed installment of Pro Wrestling Conversation About…., a written conversation series between #writers who are #prowrestling fans. Thoughts on MJF, the concept of lapsed fans returning to Dynamite and more.
russellfranklin.substack.com/p/a-pro-wres...
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russellfranklin.substack.com/p/a-pro-wres...
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A Pro Wrestling Conversation About...AEW Dynamite, Part 2
MJF & more
russellfranklin.substack.com
August 4, 2025 at 10:00 PM
This is the 2nd part of my #AEW Dynamite themed installment of Pro Wrestling Conversation About…., a written conversation series between #writers who are #prowrestling fans. Thoughts on MJF, the concept of lapsed fans returning to Dynamite and more.
russellfranklin.substack.com/p/a-pro-wres...
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russellfranklin.substack.com/p/a-pro-wres...
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To me as a new #prowrestling viewer in the ‘80s, NWA’s Nikita Koloff had a commanding presence on TV with intense stares and an ultra-physical wrestling style. The image here of him is from my Crockett Cup 1988 match program. On this card, Nikita challenged Ric Flair for the NWA title.
July 30, 2025 at 9:09 PM
To me as a new #prowrestling viewer in the ‘80s, NWA’s Nikita Koloff had a commanding presence on TV with intense stares and an ultra-physical wrestling style. The image here of him is from my Crockett Cup 1988 match program. On this card, Nikita challenged Ric Flair for the NWA title.
The LJN series has always been one of my favorite wrestling figure lines. These figures have held up very well over the years. This is the first time I've seen a Ted Arcidi figure in circulation.
Talk about some cool shyt.
In our toy acquisition, we found an original LJN Ted Arcidi. Recently, someone bought it from our eBay page. When processing the order, we noticed it was bought by none other than TED FKN ARCIDI. He just sent us this!
In our toy acquisition, we found an original LJN Ted Arcidi. Recently, someone bought it from our eBay page. When processing the order, we noticed it was bought by none other than TED FKN ARCIDI. He just sent us this!
July 30, 2025 at 9:00 PM
The LJN series has always been one of my favorite wrestling figure lines. These figures have held up very well over the years. This is the first time I've seen a Ted Arcidi figure in circulation.
In the new installment of A Pro Wrestling Conversation About…., a written conversation series between #writers who are #prowrestling fans, #AEW Dynamite is discussed. Thoughts on the initial launch of AEW, current champion Adam Page and more.
russellfranklin.substack.com/p/a-pro-wres...
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russellfranklin.substack.com/p/a-pro-wres...
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A Pro Wrestling Conversation About...AEW Dynamite, Part 1 of 2
Thoughts on the initial launch of AEW, current champion Adam Page & more
russellfranklin.substack.com
July 30, 2025 at 8:51 PM
In the new installment of A Pro Wrestling Conversation About…., a written conversation series between #writers who are #prowrestling fans, #AEW Dynamite is discussed. Thoughts on the initial launch of AEW, current champion Adam Page and more.
russellfranklin.substack.com/p/a-pro-wres...
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russellfranklin.substack.com/p/a-pro-wres...
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This photo I took from my ringside seat at The Great American Bash 89 is out of focus but there’s something special about it to me because I think it captures the spirit of the often chaotic ending of NWA #prowrestling matches in the ‘80s. Sting brawls with Great Muta after Flair vs Funk.
July 26, 2025 at 3:17 AM
This photo I took from my ringside seat at The Great American Bash 89 is out of focus but there’s something special about it to me because I think it captures the spirit of the often chaotic ending of NWA #prowrestling matches in the ‘80s. Sting brawls with Great Muta after Flair vs Funk.
Here's a written conversation, between two #writers and long-time #prowrestling fans from different eras, one a wrestling writer and the other a non-wrestling writer, about key moments on #WWE Raw in the build to the upcoming #Summerslam.
russellfranklin.substack.com/p/a-pro-wres...
russellfranklin.substack.com/p/a-pro-wres...
A Pro Wrestling Conversation About...WWE Raw #2
Thoughts on Bron Breakker, Roman Reigns, Naomi & more
russellfranklin.substack.com
July 25, 2025 at 3:12 AM
Here's a written conversation, between two #writers and long-time #prowrestling fans from different eras, one a wrestling writer and the other a non-wrestling writer, about key moments on #WWE Raw in the build to the upcoming #Summerslam.
russellfranklin.substack.com/p/a-pro-wres...
russellfranklin.substack.com/p/a-pro-wres...
I took this photo from my ringside seat at The Great American Bash 1989. Terry Funk's wild eyes darted around after he battered Flair a few feet away from me, selling the moment to the fans, his body appearing to lightly convulse in some sort of mix of rage and elation. #Prowrestling at its best.
July 25, 2025 at 3:06 AM
I took this photo from my ringside seat at The Great American Bash 1989. Terry Funk's wild eyes darted around after he battered Flair a few feet away from me, selling the moment to the fans, his body appearing to lightly convulse in some sort of mix of rage and elation. #Prowrestling at its best.
There is one match that sticks out the most in my memory when I think about watching The Great American Bash shows in the ‘80s and also defines for me the spirt of the NWA style of #prowrestling from that glorious era: Ric Flair vs Terry Funk in 1989.
russellfranklin.substack.com/p/reflection...
russellfranklin.substack.com/p/reflection...
July 25, 2025 at 3:01 AM
There is one match that sticks out the most in my memory when I think about watching The Great American Bash shows in the ‘80s and also defines for me the spirt of the NWA style of #prowrestling from that glorious era: Ric Flair vs Terry Funk in 1989.
russellfranklin.substack.com/p/reflection...
russellfranklin.substack.com/p/reflection...
These images here are from the program for a joint NWA/AWA #prowrestling show called Rage in the Cage from early 1986. The Pro Wrestling USA logo, that was on an NWA/AWA joint show program from a few months prior, is missing on the front cover.
July 8, 2025 at 4:07 AM
These images here are from the program for a joint NWA/AWA #prowrestling show called Rage in the Cage from early 1986. The Pro Wrestling USA logo, that was on an NWA/AWA joint show program from a few months prior, is missing on the front cover.
Check out this image of the "Official Rankings” for #wwe from a March 1983 house show program in my collection.
Most of the listed pro wrestlers will be gone two years later when WrestleMania 1 is about to occur.
There's also an ad for Johnny Valentine's school of #prowrestling correspondence.
Most of the listed pro wrestlers will be gone two years later when WrestleMania 1 is about to occur.
There's also an ad for Johnny Valentine's school of #prowrestling correspondence.
July 3, 2025 at 7:06 PM
Check out this image of the "Official Rankings” for #wwe from a March 1983 house show program in my collection.
Most of the listed pro wrestlers will be gone two years later when WrestleMania 1 is about to occur.
There's also an ad for Johnny Valentine's school of #prowrestling correspondence.
Most of the listed pro wrestlers will be gone two years later when WrestleMania 1 is about to occur.
There's also an ad for Johnny Valentine's school of #prowrestling correspondence.
The images here are from the program for a #wwe card at Madison Square Garden in March of 1983. This was two years before I actually started watching #prowrestling. I bought this from the publisher many years ago when he was liquidating his stock and got AWA and Mid-South programs too.
July 1, 2025 at 9:12 PM
The images here are from the program for a #wwe card at Madison Square Garden in March of 1983. This was two years before I actually started watching #prowrestling. I bought this from the publisher many years ago when he was liquidating his stock and got AWA and Mid-South programs too.
My post on 1-2-3 Kid includes the original manuscript for an article about him written three decades ago, when he was first making an impact in #wwe, with updated commentary added in to provide some additional perspective on #prowrestling.
russellfranklin.substack.com/p/1-2-3-kid-...
russellfranklin.substack.com/p/1-2-3-kid-...
1-2-3 Kid: Dream Dared/Dream Realized
Recollections from a Pro Wrestling Reporter's Notebook, Part III
russellfranklin.substack.com
July 1, 2025 at 8:11 PM
My post on 1-2-3 Kid includes the original manuscript for an article about him written three decades ago, when he was first making an impact in #wwe, with updated commentary added in to provide some additional perspective on #prowrestling.
russellfranklin.substack.com/p/1-2-3-kid-...
russellfranklin.substack.com/p/1-2-3-kid-...
For my first write-up on a TV episode from the Buddy Rose Portland Wresting video collection, I take #prowrestling fans back 42 years to June 1983.
Curt Hennig is the champion, and Buddy Rose has brought The Dynamite Kid to the Portland territory.
russellfranklin.substack.com/p/exploring-...
Curt Hennig is the champion, and Buddy Rose has brought The Dynamite Kid to the Portland territory.
russellfranklin.substack.com/p/exploring-...
Exploring Buddy Rose's Portland Wrestling Video Collection: June 11, 1983 Episode
A look at a territory era pro wrestling TV show
russellfranklin.substack.com
June 16, 2025 at 9:15 PM
For my first write-up on a TV episode from the Buddy Rose Portland Wresting video collection, I take #prowrestling fans back 42 years to June 1983.
Curt Hennig is the champion, and Buddy Rose has brought The Dynamite Kid to the Portland territory.
russellfranklin.substack.com/p/exploring-...
Curt Hennig is the champion, and Buddy Rose has brought The Dynamite Kid to the Portland territory.
russellfranklin.substack.com/p/exploring-...
The late Buddy Rose had a rich #prowrestling history in the Pacific Northwest for Portland Wrestling.
To review how he performed in TV matches and on promos, Rose had the habit of tape recording the weekly Portland Wrestling TV show.
This is the story...
russellfranklin.substack.com/p/the-story-...
To review how he performed in TV matches and on promos, Rose had the habit of tape recording the weekly Portland Wrestling TV show.
This is the story...
russellfranklin.substack.com/p/the-story-...
The Story of Buddy Rose's Portland Wrestling video collection
Pro wrestling territory history preserved
russellfranklin.substack.com
May 22, 2025 at 8:32 PM
The late Buddy Rose had a rich #prowrestling history in the Pacific Northwest for Portland Wrestling.
To review how he performed in TV matches and on promos, Rose had the habit of tape recording the weekly Portland Wrestling TV show.
This is the story...
russellfranklin.substack.com/p/the-story-...
To review how he performed in TV matches and on promos, Rose had the habit of tape recording the weekly Portland Wrestling TV show.
This is the story...
russellfranklin.substack.com/p/the-story-...
This post is about #prowrestling great “Hot Stuff” Eddie Gilbert and the new book about his life and career that just came out.
Post includes comments from the authors Doug Gilbert and Gene Jackson and my memories of Eddie Gilbert as a fan in the '80s.
russellfranklin.substack.com/p/hot-stuff-...
Post includes comments from the authors Doug Gilbert and Gene Jackson and my memories of Eddie Gilbert as a fan in the '80s.
russellfranklin.substack.com/p/hot-stuff-...
"Hot Stuff" Eddie Gilbert: The Uncrowned King of Professional Wrestling
New book and a tribute to a pro wrestling legend
russellfranklin.substack.com
May 5, 2025 at 10:08 PM
This post is about #prowrestling great “Hot Stuff” Eddie Gilbert and the new book about his life and career that just came out.
Post includes comments from the authors Doug Gilbert and Gene Jackson and my memories of Eddie Gilbert as a fan in the '80s.
russellfranklin.substack.com/p/hot-stuff-...
Post includes comments from the authors Doug Gilbert and Gene Jackson and my memories of Eddie Gilbert as a fan in the '80s.
russellfranklin.substack.com/p/hot-stuff-...
I was pleased to find a single copy of the recent
@ecwpress.bsky.social release Bigger! Better! Badder! in a bookstore this week.
I'm a quarter of the way through and it's a great read. Focus is WrestleMania III and the 1987 #prowrestling scene.
Full review to be posted soon in my newsletter.
#wwe
@ecwpress.bsky.social release Bigger! Better! Badder! in a bookstore this week.
I'm a quarter of the way through and it's a great read. Focus is WrestleMania III and the 1987 #prowrestling scene.
Full review to be posted soon in my newsletter.
#wwe
April 29, 2025 at 10:10 PM
I was pleased to find a single copy of the recent
@ecwpress.bsky.social release Bigger! Better! Badder! in a bookstore this week.
I'm a quarter of the way through and it's a great read. Focus is WrestleMania III and the 1987 #prowrestling scene.
Full review to be posted soon in my newsletter.
#wwe
@ecwpress.bsky.social release Bigger! Better! Badder! in a bookstore this week.
I'm a quarter of the way through and it's a great read. Focus is WrestleMania III and the 1987 #prowrestling scene.
Full review to be posted soon in my newsletter.
#wwe
I watch a lot of independent #prowrestling on a monthly basis, and I like discovering new wrestlers as a viewer who haven’t been on #wwe or #aew TV or known to mainstream wrestling.
This post is part wrestling history and part personal essay…
russellfranklin.substack.com/p/why-i-enjo...
This post is part wrestling history and part personal essay…
russellfranklin.substack.com/p/why-i-enjo...
Why I enjoy independent pro wrestling
And why I believe you will too
russellfranklin.substack.com
April 24, 2025 at 8:26 PM
I watch a lot of independent #prowrestling on a monthly basis, and I like discovering new wrestlers as a viewer who haven’t been on #wwe or #aew TV or known to mainstream wrestling.
This post is part wrestling history and part personal essay…
russellfranklin.substack.com/p/why-i-enjo...
This post is part wrestling history and part personal essay…
russellfranklin.substack.com/p/why-i-enjo...
The most memorable #WrestleMania for me has always been the first one I ever saw on TV live. That was WrestleMania III. The images here are from the official match program, which was sold at newsstands shortly after the event.
#wwe #prowrestling
#wwe #prowrestling
April 18, 2025 at 4:29 PM
The most memorable #WrestleMania for me has always been the first one I ever saw on TV live. That was WrestleMania III. The images here are from the official match program, which was sold at newsstands shortly after the event.
#wwe #prowrestling
#wwe #prowrestling
Here's a written conversation, between two #writers and long-time #prowrestling fans from different eras, about a key moment on #WWE Raw in the build to the upcoming #Gunther vs #Jeyuso match at #WrestleMania.
russellfranklin.substack.com/p/a-pro-wres...
russellfranklin.substack.com/p/a-pro-wres...
A Pro Wrestling Conversation About...WWE Raw, Part 3
The title of this post, A Pro Wrestling Conversation About…, signifies a new periodic series for The Pro Wrestling Exuberant and something I’ve long wanted to do in the written format, going back to m...
russellfranklin.substack.com
April 18, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Here's a written conversation, between two #writers and long-time #prowrestling fans from different eras, about a key moment on #WWE Raw in the build to the upcoming #Gunther vs #Jeyuso match at #WrestleMania.
russellfranklin.substack.com/p/a-pro-wres...
russellfranklin.substack.com/p/a-pro-wres...
Here's a written conversation, between two #writers and long-time #prowrestling fans from different eras, about a key moment on #WWE Raw in the build to the upcoming #CodyRhodes vs #JohnCena match at #WrestleMania.
russellfranklin.substack.com/p/a-pro-wres...
russellfranklin.substack.com/p/a-pro-wres...
A Pro Wrestling Conversation About...WWE Raw, Part 2
The title of this post, A Pro Wrestling Conversation About…, signifies a new periodic series for The Pro Wrestling Exuberant and something I’ve long wanted to do in the written format, going back to m...
russellfranklin.substack.com
April 16, 2025 at 8:43 PM
Here's a written conversation, between two #writers and long-time #prowrestling fans from different eras, about a key moment on #WWE Raw in the build to the upcoming #CodyRhodes vs #JohnCena match at #WrestleMania.
russellfranklin.substack.com/p/a-pro-wres...
russellfranklin.substack.com/p/a-pro-wres...
The title of this post, based around #wwe Raw, signifies a new periodic series for The Pro Wrestling Exuberant and something I’ve wanted to do going back to my days in the ‘90s #writing for #prowrestling magazines. A written conversation between fans.
russellfranklin.substack.com/p/a-pro-wres...
russellfranklin.substack.com/p/a-pro-wres...
A Pro Wrestling Conversation about... WWE Raw
Part 1 of 3
russellfranklin.substack.com
April 11, 2025 at 3:36 PM
The title of this post, based around #wwe Raw, signifies a new periodic series for The Pro Wrestling Exuberant and something I’ve wanted to do going back to my days in the ‘90s #writing for #prowrestling magazines. A written conversation between fans.
russellfranklin.substack.com/p/a-pro-wres...
russellfranklin.substack.com/p/a-pro-wres...
Match programs are one of my favorite pieces of #prowrestling memorabilia. Here’s one from an NWA house show (live event) I attended in November 1988.
NWA live shows were always a blast, with an outstanding roster of wrestlers that delivered exciting matches from opener to main event.
NWA live shows were always a blast, with an outstanding roster of wrestlers that delivered exciting matches from opener to main event.
April 7, 2025 at 5:52 PM
Match programs are one of my favorite pieces of #prowrestling memorabilia. Here’s one from an NWA house show (live event) I attended in November 1988.
NWA live shows were always a blast, with an outstanding roster of wrestlers that delivered exciting matches from opener to main event.
NWA live shows were always a blast, with an outstanding roster of wrestlers that delivered exciting matches from opener to main event.
The Pro Wrestling Exuberant Newsletter celebrates the world of #prowrestling with a heavy focus on '80s and '90s centric topics and pro wrestlers. Past post subjects included "Superstar" Billy Graham, Verne Gagne and King Kong Bundy. Subscribe for free at:
russellfranklin.substack.com
russellfranklin.substack.com
The Pro Wrestling Exuberant | Substack
The Pro Wrestling Exuberant covers a wide range of topics from both the current scene of professional wrestling and the past, as well as showcases wrestling merchandise like figures, books and DVDs sp...
russellfranklin.substack.com
April 4, 2025 at 9:37 PM
The Pro Wrestling Exuberant Newsletter celebrates the world of #prowrestling with a heavy focus on '80s and '90s centric topics and pro wrestlers. Past post subjects included "Superstar" Billy Graham, Verne Gagne and King Kong Bundy. Subscribe for free at:
russellfranklin.substack.com
russellfranklin.substack.com
Dusty Rhodes was one of the most popular pro wrestlers on the scene when I first tuned into NWA television programs in 1986. This charismatic #prowrestling hero had the ideal foes too in The Four Horsemen.
This is the story of the “parking lot incident”.
russellfranklin.substack.com/p/dusty-rhod...
This is the story of the “parking lot incident”.
russellfranklin.substack.com/p/dusty-rhod...
Dusty Rhodes, The Four Horsemen, and a broken arm
Revisiting a classic '80s NWA TV segment
russellfranklin.substack.com
April 3, 2025 at 9:35 PM
Dusty Rhodes was one of the most popular pro wrestlers on the scene when I first tuned into NWA television programs in 1986. This charismatic #prowrestling hero had the ideal foes too in The Four Horsemen.
This is the story of the “parking lot incident”.
russellfranklin.substack.com/p/dusty-rhod...
This is the story of the “parking lot incident”.
russellfranklin.substack.com/p/dusty-rhod...