Goodbye, Marchesa! Hello, Red Oak Ballroom! It's been a long, long while (forever?) since we've gotten an Inspire Pro show but they haven't skipped a beat. Join us for the recap for Inspire Pro Forever, the event from Sunday, August 14, that sets the stage for Inspire Pro's future.
Slam Masters Episode 17: The Recap for 'Splendor in the Smash'
Splendor in the Smash happened and the fallout was incredible! The New Movement finds an unlikely ally in a returning Angelus Layne! Drunken master Barrett Brown! The Inspire Pro debut of Blondetourage - Laynie Luck and Allie Cat! "Centerfold" Matthew Palmer accepting an open challenge from Masada! Steve'O Reno disrespects a departing Andy Dalton! Hugs and positivity from Greg Symonds! And Inspire Pro Champion Ricky Starks, Pure Prestige Champion Keith Lee, and Twin Dragon Connection Champions Davey Vega and Tim Storm all claiming that they're the true face of Inspire Pro Wrestling! It's bananas!
You can hear all about it in our recap of Splendor in the Smash, as Julian and myself, the dusty old prospector, find gold in them thar matches.
You can listen above or subscribe via iTunes.
Slam Masters Episode 16: The Rundown for 'Splendor in the Smash'
If you don't already have a ticket to this, I assume you hate awesome. Because this thing is gonna be that - awesome. In the latest episode, John (me!) and Julian run down the card with full predictions for Splendor in the Smash (tickets here).
You can listen above or subscribe via iTunes.
Slam Masters Episode 15: The Recap for 'Faces of Vengeance'
What do you say when you see one of the best cards from top to bottom that you've ever seen in your life? You say all the stuff we said on the latest episode of Slam Masters! On a night that opened with Gregory James and "Centerfold" Matthew Palmer beating the holy hell out of each other and ended with Keith Lee fighting the craftiest opponent who's ever challenged his Pure Prestige Championship title ("King of the Underground" Scot Summers), how could you leave the Marchesa anything but completely satisfied?
In this episode, hosts John (me) and Julian (him) recap the events of February 28, 2016 at Inspire Pro Wrestling's Faces of Vengeance. Johnny Mundo!? Barrett Brown joins Submission Squad?!? Lance Hoyt drinks sugar-free Capri Sun?!?!?!?! Masada?!?!? Yeah, it was a helluva night.
You can listen above or subscribe via iTunes.
Slam Masters Episode 14: The Recap for 'Ecstasy of Gold III'
The night all the Inspire Pro titles were on the line? We were there, man; we lived through it. We'll tell our grandchildren about it, assuming we weren't rendered completely sterile by the radiating glow of one intense night of pro wrestling. In this episode, we recap the hot events of one cold January night at Ecstasy of Gold III, as Inspire Pro Wrestling sets the stage for 2016.
You can listen above or subscribe via iTunes.
Slam Masters Episode 13: The Rundown for 'Ecstasy of Gold III'
It's been months since Inspire Pro took over the Marchesa Hall & Theater, but they're back! And what a card! Hosts John Gholson and Julian Titus give the full rundown on Ecstasy of Gold III (#EoG3), but you'll also get to hear directly from the Inspire Pro Wrestling talent! The secret origin of Eamon Patton, Jojo Bravo's failed attempt at XX Division Gold, and Evan Gellistico's Lego aspirations - all this and more on the latest episode of Slam Masters!
You can listen above or subscribe via iTunes.
Slam Masters Episode 12: What's Next for Angelus Layne?
Hard to believe that Angelus Layne's Inspire Pro debut was just last February at Undeniable. Since then, she's established herself as one of the promotion's premier heels, taking on all comers and fast becoming an indispensable villain we love to hate. It's difficult to even imagine Inspire Pro without her. Do we have to?
Host Julian Titus interviews Angelus Layne to find out that and more. Have we seen the last of "Pro Wrestling's Bride of Frankenstein?"
Slam Masters Episode 11: Fun Fun Fun Fun Fest Fun
In a first for the show, we do a rundown and a recap all in one! Julian gives his predictions for the card, while John reveals the outcomes of the matches for three action-packed days at Auditorium Shores during Fun Fun Fun Fest. Inspire Pro Wrestling literally blew the roof of the place, performing under nothing but sky. That's right - it was a display of roofless aggression.
Day One
- The Park Avenue Boys (Zac & D.G. Taylor) vs. Thomas Munos & V.G. Allin
- XX Division Championship: Jojo Bravo vs. Jessica James
- Jojo Bravo vs. Veda Scott
- Terrell Tempo vs. Steve'O Reno
Day Two
- The Hollywood Strangler vs. Steve'O Reno
- Teddy Hart vs. Jojo Bravo
- Davey Vega, Sammy Guevara, & Everett Connors vs. Delilah Doom, Austin Blackburn, & Jessica James
- Inspire Pro Championship: Cherry Ramons vs. Evan Gelistico vs. Aaron Solo vs. Ricky Starks
Day Three
- Pure Prestige Championship: Davey Vega vs. Keith Lee
- XX Division Championship: Veda Scott vs. Jessica James
- Fungressional Medal of Honor Battle Royal: V.G. Allin, Austin Blackburn, Jojo Bravo, Alley Cat, Everett Connors, Delilah Doom, Evan Gelistico, The Great Depression, The Hollywood Strangler, Thomas Munos, Wade Olsen, Steve'O Reno, Scotty Santiago, Veda Scott, Davey Vega
- Sammy Guevara vs. Low Rider vs. Teddy Hart
Slam Masters Episode 10: The Recap for 'Taggcade: Rise of the Twin Dragon Connection'
Taggcade ended up quite literally the most unpredictable night in Inspire Pro history. Between killer tournament matches on the way to crown the company's first Tag Team champs, we were treated to an XX title change and the evolution of Andy Dalton (still dirty, though). As for those tag champions? I don't think anyone predicted that.
You can listen above or subscribe via iTunes.
Slam Masters Episode 9: The Recap for Inspire Pro/CHIKARA's 'Battle Wars 2'
On the night of September 13, the stars of CHIKARA Pro, including their Grand Champion Hallowicked, came to Austin to mix it up with Inspire Pro Wrestling for a "sequel" to last year's Battle Wars event. A good time was had by all....BUT HOW GOOD??? Like, really, really good. (Unless you're Davey Vega, Tim Storm, or Sammy Guevara.)
In this recap show, Julian Titus and I (John!) give our thoughts on the action-packed matches and unforgettable events that are currently changing the landscape of Texas wrestling (see ya in WWE, Athena!). It's a king-sized episode, as not only do we examine the card, but we also nerd out with old school Dungeons & Dragons RPG alignments for every player on the show. If you like the show, spread the word!
You can listen above or subscribe via iTunes.
Slam Masters Episode 8: The Rundown for 'Battle Wars 2'
On this all-new episode of Slam Masters, we break down the upcoming annual Inspire Pro/CHIKARA co-branded event. Minds are still reeling from the events of Fade to Black, and if this year's Battle Wars is anything like last year's, you DO NOT want to miss it. Inspire Pro is red hot and CHIKARA is on fire. Between the two of them, you'll need an asbestos suit.
You can listen above or subscribe via iTunes.
Slam Masters Episode 7: The Recap for 'Fade to Black'
Here's the full recap for what may be the most controversial Inspire Pro event since we've started this podcast, Fade to Black. We share our thoughts on each and every match on what turned out to be an unforgettable card.
Unforgettable. You can't deny that. And as the dust settles, you can guarantee that the powers-that-be behind Inspire Pro Wrestling have already gotten an earful already about what fans felt worked and didn't work in that night's show, and it is never, ever our goal to pile on. We'll be honest, but our goal has always been and will always be to celebrate Inspire Pro. In a year of attending shows, it was the first time there were noticeable AC problems. It was the first time there were (what amounted to minor) sound problems. It was the first time talent got injured enough to be walked to the back. It was the first time a main event went less than a minute. Otherwise? Every other show I've attended has gone off seamlessly, at least to us mooks in the crowd. That's a pretty damned good report card if you ask me.
We paid $15-$20 for a night of unforgettable entertainment and that's what we got. That's kind of the point of my final words on this week's episode. We're fans. We're hooked. And not every match-up is going to be for me and not every match-up is going to be for you, but we're all invested. We're in love. And not just us, but the athletes putting their craft on display for us. The people working the merch table. The ring crew. The announce team. And especially the folks who created Inspire Pro in the first place and the bookers who run the show with a dedicated mission to entertain us. And, guys, holy shit, mission accomplished.
Main event controversy and all, Fade to Black is one for the books.
Slam Masters Episode 6: The Rundown for 'Fade to Black'
Doing this one by myself, folks, so forgive the brevity of this week's show. It's been a while since an episode, but it's been a while since an Inspire Pro show! I run down the full card for Fade to Black, and we'll be back next week with the wrap-up show.
(After recording, I noticed I did not rundown Kimber Lee vs Barbie Hayden on the card. Apologies. One-Take Johnny needed a second take.)
You can listen above or subscribe via iTunes.
Slam Masters Episode 5: The Recap for "Clash at the Bash II"
All in all, Clash at the Bash II was a night for the heels, but a lot of Inspire Pro's roster stepped up their game and looked like a million bucks that night. Julian and I (John) give our thoughts on the event, and what the future of Inspire Pro looks like heading into Fade to Black on August 9 (tickets here).
Correction for this episode: My unfamiliarity with Sammy Guevara had me getting his name wrong, and calling him Sammy "Guerra" instead. Guerra means "war" so you can understand my confusion, as it looks like Guevara is here to start a...guerra.
You can listen above or subscribe via iTunes.
Slam Masters Episode 4: The Rundown for "Clash at the Bash II"
It's only our second rundown, but it's the best one yet! Find out who we think think the big winners will be after Clash at the Bash II is in the Inspire Pro record books. Tickets for the event are available at inspireprowrestling.com.
Listen above or subscribe via iTunes.
Slam Masters Episode 3: In Studio with J-Crown Champion Steve'O Reno
We've wanted to interview Mr. Inspire Pro "Just" Steve'O Reno since before this show was a show and here he is, answering our questions about the J-Crown, his challenge for the title from current champion "Dirty" Andy Dalton, and his journey from a young post-Attitude Era fan into the amazing in-ring performer you see today.
You can listen above or subscribe via iTunes.
Bonus: Watch Steve'O Reno in action against Bradley Axel Dawson at Fun Fun Fun Fest 2014, a match he references in our interview:
Slam Masters Episode 2: The Recap for "In Their Blood 2"
Join us as we give full results and analysis for Inspire Pro Wrestling's In Their Blood 2 event (from May 31, 2015 at Austin's Marchesa Hall & Theatre). It was a night full of surprises, some more subtle than others, and Julian Titus and I (John Gholson) roll up our sleeves and get into all of it. Also in this episode, we talk to beloved Inspire Pro ring announcer Brandon Stroud about his long-running conflict with "The American Psycho" Lance Hoyt. We hope you enjoy it and, if so, spread the good word.
Tickets for the next event, Clash at the Bash II, are now available at the Inspire Pro website.
You can listen above or subscribe to the show via iTunes.
Slam Masters Episode 1: The Rundown for "In Their Blood 2"
On our first episode, Julian and I explain where we're coming from as fans with this new podcast series, as well as run down the card for the upcoming In Their Blood 2.
Audio from Angelus Layne and ACH courtesy of the Inspire Pro Wrestling Youtube page.