In Episode 57 of Greg Klein's Old School Rasslin Talk, The Professor Talks JYD, Greg:

Welcomes his first guest to the show, New Orleans native and JYD original fan, the Professor Ricardo Coleman.

Greg and Ricardo talk about the historic nature of Sylvester Ritter's wrestling career.

They explain how wrestling differed in New Orleans before and after JYD, especially where in town the matches were held and who was in the audience.

They look at the unusual personalities of Bill Watts and Ernie Ladd and how that mixed to create the iconic character and his alter ego, Stagger Lee.

They discuss a Mount Rushmore of JYD villains and how the story of who opposed JYD is like a lesson in Black history.

They discuss JYD's first couple of years in the WWF and how big a star he was there in 1985 and 1986.

They question is the workrate issue is holding back Black wrestlers, who had to work a certain style, from getting into the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame.

Greg's note: I said Ernie Ladd and Ray Candy were on the 1978 Dome show with Bill Watts and Terry Funk. The Funk-Watts Dome show was 1976. Dick Murdock and Karl Kox co-main evented in 1978.

Greg Klein's Old School Rasslin Talk is sponsored by Ricardo's French Quarter Tour business Hottest Hell Tours. Go to https://www.hottesthell.com/ to book an incredible tour of New Orleans.

In Episode 56 of Greg Klein's Old School Rasslin Talk, Morris Sigel for the WON HOF, 2024 Edition, Greg:

Takes a second look at the Hall of Fame candidacy of Houston promoter and Texas Booking Agency head Morris Sigel.

Traces his journey from hardware accountant to head of Houston Wrestling and his formation of the Texas wrestling circuit.

Notes the names of the top wrestlers he either discovered, started or helped find their stride: Verne Gagne, Buddy Rogers, Argentino Rocca and Gorgeous George, among others.

Discovers the connection between Sigel and the end of the territory war between Lou Thesz and Sam Muchnick, and the bonding of Thesz to the new NWA cartel.

Revisits the 1950s Texas wrestling war.

Talks about Sigel's influence on Paul Boesch's Hall of Fame promoting career and notes how all the distinguishing characteristics of the Boesch era come from the Sigel era, which is twice as long.

If you want to see my Morris Sigel for the WON HOF talking points, message me on social media or email me at JYDBook@gmail.com.

Greg Klein's Old School Rasslin Talk is sponsored by Greg and his written work. His newest release, "Sunset Painting & The Sun, Two Plays by Greg Klein," is on Amazon.com and Barnesandnoble.com, as are his previous books: The Junkyard Dog biography, "The King of New Orleans" and the historic fiction, sports novel, "The Paper Tigers, How Eight Guys from the Streets of Philadelphia Became Professional Baseball Players for One Day."

In Episode 55 of Greg Klein's Old School Rasslin Talk, Greg:

Talks more about the Hall of Fame candidacy of Sylvester Ritter aka the Junkyard Dog.

Picks up at the beginning of Year One and talks about the timing of when Ritter must have trained.

Wonders if there are still earlier matches than Ritter's first known match of Nov. 11, 1976 vs Mike Boyette.

Talks about how Ritter's trainer Sonny King left him behind in Carolina, but Ritter still found a way into the business.

Follows Ritter around the south as he goes from Carolina to Louisiana/Oklahoma to Memphis to Knoxville to Gulf Coast to Gulas.

Notes how quickly Ritter goes from indies to a tag title in a major territory (one year) to a solo title in a major territory (two years) to being the historic star of a territory (three years).

Greg Klein's Old School Rasslin Talk is sponsored by Greg and his written work. His newest release, "Sunset Painting & The Sun, Two Plays by Greg Klein," is on Amazon.com and Barnesandnoble.com, as are his previous books: The Junkyard Dog biography, "The King of New Orleans" and the historic fiction, sports novel, "The Paper Tigers, How Eight Guys from the Streets of Philadelphia Became Professional Baseball Players for One Day."