Dangerous Conversations w/Doug Gilbert and Tommy Rich – Details, episodes & analysis

Doug Gilbert and Tommy Rich are back for another episode of Dangerous Conversations and this week they discuss the topic of breaking into the wrestling business. It's a lot different now than it was "fifty and a half" years ago when Tommy broke into pro wrestling and the guys breakdown and discuss those differences with some fun "sidebars" along the way. 

If you want the truth, the real truth from two men who lived it, this episode pulls no punches.

Plus: Gene Jackson says there's a "huge announcement" coming soon about a big "Dangerous Conversations" related project coming up that you DO NOT want to miss!

Subscribe for new episodes every week!

For all things related to Dangerous Conversations w/Doug Gilbert & Tommy Rich, go to www.douggilbertpodcast.com
For all things related to Gene Jackson and the Retro Wrestling Archive Podcasts, go to www.retrowrestlingarchive.club

On Episode #58 of Dangerous Conversations, “Dangerous” Doug Gilbert and Tommy “Wildfire” Rich settle in for another wild ride through wrestling history with road stories and the reality of life inside the territory era with plenty of the unpredictable tangents that make this show what it is.

This episode blends classic road story storytelling with deeper discussion about the wrestling business itself, including promoter reputation, territory economics, and how relationships in wrestling were often built on trust, handshake deals, and personal reputation.

The conversation moves between hilarious travel stories, territory promotion memories, and serious reflection on how the business has changed, especially when it comes to media, storytelling, and how wrestling history is presented today.

The episode also dives into a bigger philosophical theme:How wrestling history gets told…Who gets to tell it…And why personal experience often differs from the “documentary version” fans see years later.

As always, the episode wraps with upcoming appearance talk, fan interaction appreciation, and reflections on how surreal it is to still be talking wrestling 40–50 years after first breaking into the business.

This week on Dangerous Conversations, Doug Gilbert is joined by Gene Jackson (with a late run-in from “Wildfire” Tommy Rich!) as they pull back the curtain on one of the most talked-about rivalries in Memphis Wrestling history: the feud with PG-13 (Wolfie D & JC Ice).

Doug and Tommy revisit how the program started, why they weren’t sure it would work at first, and how it grew into one of the hottest storylines in USWA’s final years. From shaved heads to hubcaps, sympathy heat, and booking secrets, you’ll hear how two seasoned heels helped make PG-13 legit top stars in the territory.

Along the way, you’ll also get road stories, behind-the-scenes tales about Randy Hales, and the hilarious chaos of trying to keep Wolfie and Jamie from fighting each other outside the ring.

 Topics covered:

• 
  How the feud was booked to make fans believe in the underdogs

• 
  Stories from the road with PG-13 

• 
  The booking style of Randy Hales and how he trusted all four guys along the way

• 
  Wildfire Tommy Rich’s role as “assistant booker and hatchet man”

If you love Memphis Wrestling history and fun road stories, this is one you don’t want to miss!

 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more Dangerous Conversations every week!

Chapters

• (00:00:00) - Wildfire Tommy Rich on Dangerous Conversations
• (00:02:54) - NWA Champion Gene Oakley on September
• (00:09:17) - Memphis Mafia Tour 2018
• (00:12:51) - Memphis Mafia T-Shirt
• (00:13:19) - The Memphis Mafia vs. The Us
• (00:13:48) - Tommy Had Just Quit Power Pro
• (00:14:38) - Tommy and The Memphis Mafia On The US
• (00:18:52) - Jamie D on The PG13
• (00:20:54) - Tony vs Randy in USWA and Power Pro
• (00:27:05) - Tommy Hawkins on Randy Hales' Leaving The Box
• (00:31:44) - Tommy Malone on Working With Randy
• (00:38:07) - Jamie and Wolfie
• (00:40:26) - Doug and Gene on Randy vs Tommy Rich
• (00:45:26) - Tommy vs Randy
• (00:51:40) - Jerry Lawler on Working With Tommy and Randy
• (00:57:29) - Randy Hills on Me and Tommy on WWE 13
• (01:03:28) - Tommy and Jamie on Rock and Roll
• (01:06:59) - Wildfire Championship Wrestling Owner Tommy Rich on The Retro Wrestling Review US
• (01:10:22) - Memphis Legends

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit retrowrestlingarchive.substack.com

Get ready for a wild ride back to 1999 as "Dangerous" Doug Gilbert and “Wildfire” Tommy Rich tell the story of the Memphis Mafia’s arrival in Randy Hales’ Power Pro Wrestling! In this first part of the story, the guys cover the behind-the-scenes moments leading up to their Power Pro debut—plus a few fun road stories from their prior territory days. They also circle back and clarify a couple of points from last week's "End of the USWA" episode.

Hear how Doug’s mom, Peggy Gilbert, became part of one of Memphis TV’s most shocking angles, the surprising way Tommy Rich came out of “the box” to swerve the fans, and how WWF developmental talents like JR Smooth (Rikishi), Rosey, and Glenn Kulka factored into the mix. The boys share how they kept the “shock factor” alive, the real-life ribbing that spilled into TV storylines, and the art of making good Southern wrestling television that kept heat on the heels and kept the babyfaces strong.

It’s classic Memphis chaos with laughs, history, and first-hand stories you won’t hear anywhere else. This is the build-up to the Memphis Mafia invading Power Pro Wrestling—Part 1 sets the stage for what’s to come!

Chapters

• (00:00:00) - Doug Gilbert and Tommy Wildfire Rich
• (00:02:50) - Wildfire Championship Wrestling
• (00:06:30) - Wrestle 14
• (00:10:00) - Jerry Lawler on Doug Baldwin's
• (00:13:29) - Tommy Lawler on His 50th Anniversary at the Coliseum
• (00:17:38) - Tommy Kingston on His Friendship With Gene Simmons
• (00:22:21) - Jerry Lawler on His Refinch
• (00:26:09) - Good Times in Jonesboro
• (00:30:37) - Lou Thes vs Wayne Ferris
• (00:33:48) - Doug and Tommy on Randy Hales Bringing TV5 Wrestling Back
• (00:40:43) - Gene Hill on Randy's First TV Show
• (00:45:06) - Tommy Thomas on Randy's Leaving
• (00:45:36) - WWE developmental guys
• (00:49:33) - Doug Gilbert Was Part of the Memphis Mafia
• (00:52:39) - Tommy Rich Back in Power Pro 100
• (00:58:17) - Wolfie on Tommy Campbell
• (00:58:59) - Tommy vs Gene Jones
• (01:04:56) - Tommy vs Doug Gilbert on Power Pro 11
• (01:09:55) - Memphis Legends

On Episode #47 of Dangerous Conversations, "Dangerous" Doug Gilbert, Tommy "Wildfire" Rich, and Host Gene Jackson take a deep dive into the end of the USWA, sharing stories and behind-the-scenes insights about the final days of USWA Championship Wrestling.

Doug and Tommy reflect on the glory days of 1994–95, when the USWA was still drawing money and packing the Mid-South Coliseum—right before the Monday Night Wars changed everything. They talk about Larry Burton, Mark Selker, shady business dealings, and how it all eventually collapsed.

Plus:

Doug gets paid to eat at Ruth’s Chris!?

Tommy's last cage match... and Jerry Lawler ends up in the slammer

Who is Dutch MANTRELL?

Brian Christopher commits vehicular assault with a Golf Cart!?!?

Why Memphis on Monday night couldn’t survive against Raw and Nitro War

Could Memphis have had continued success had they went to Friday nights at the MSC?

No filters. No BS. Just wild stories, hard truths, and plenty of laughs with the Memphis Mafia.

Subscribe now and don't miss an episode!

Chapters

• (00:00:00) - Doug Gilbert and Tommy Wildfire
• (00:03:40) - Tommy Rich's Tennessee Dates
• (00:09:09) - Jerry Lawler on Getting In A Cage
• (00:13:53) - Tommy Kingston Meet in Dalton, Georgia
• (00:17:43) - USWA End of the USWA
• (00:24:51) - Jerry Lawler on His Money Letter
• (00:29:32) - Jerry Lawler on Larry Brooks' Meeting
• (00:33:55) - ECW star on Larry Brown's comment
• (00:39:15) - Memphis Wrestling: Should We Have Extended to Friday?
• (00:44:42) - Tommy vs Doug on WWF TV
• (00:49:20) - Tommy vs Randy Hales
• (00:53:20) - Tommy On Wolfie Kicking Him Out The House
• (00:57:58) - Wolfie and Tommy on The Larry Burton Story
• (01:00:56) - Jerry Lawler on His Million-Dollar Deal
• (01:06:11) - Bruno on His New Album
• (01:09:24) - Retro Wrestling Review USWA

The Memphis Mafia is back! In Episode #46 of Dangerous Conversations with "Dangerous" Doug Gilbert & "Wildfire" Tommy Rich, Gene Jackson sits down with Doug and Tommy for their 7th “Ask Doug & Tommy” fan Q&A episode, and it’s a wild one from start to finish!

This week, the boys tackle YOUR questions and open up about:

• 
  

  Doug’s very first match in Malden, Missouri and the incredible wrestling history that came out of that small town

  
  


• 
  

  Tommy’s memories of his Memphis run in 1980–81, winning and losing the NWA World Title, and why he turned heel on Lawler

  
  


• 
  

  Hulk Hogan vs. Stone Cold Steve Austin – who meant more to the wrestling business?

  
  


• 
  

  Eddie Gilbert’s psychology in the ring and why he could make ANY opponent look good

  
  


• 
  

  The ugliest injuries they’ve ever seen in person – from compound leg breaks to tragedy in the ring

  
  


• 
  

  The most athletic “big men” they ever wrestled – Bam Bam Bigelow, Jerry Blackwell, and more!

  
  


• 
  

  The wild backstory of Big Business Brown and how he broke his arm taking a bump on live TV

  
  

Plus: Memphis Mafia road stories, rare insight into wrestlers who never got their Japan run (but should have), a tribute to Brian Christopher, booking announcements, merch talk, and plenty of unfiltered laughs along the way.

If you love old-school wrestling stories straight from the guys who lived it, you do NOT want to miss this episode.

For bookings, autographs, or to order signed copy of the Eddie Gilbert book:
Email: DougGilbertPodcast@Outlook.com

Pick up your Memphis Mafia & Gilbert Family shirts at:
ProWrestlingTees.com (search “Gilbert Family”)

Like, comment, and subscribe so you don’t miss a single episode!

This week on Dangerous Conversations, Gene sits down with Doug for a deep dive into Doug’s unforgettable journey through the world of Japanese pro wrestling!

From his very first tour in 1990 to becoming part of the office for IWA Japan, Doug pulls back the curtain on what it was like to wrestle (and survive!) in the land of strong style. Hear wild stories about brutal matches, riding overnight ferries, navigating language barriers, and chasing fans while dressed as Freddy Krueger.  Learn the real deal behind the Ribera Steakhouse legend, monster gimmick wrestling sponsored by the Japanese movie studios, and how Doug booked top American stars like Terry Funk, Dick Slater, Dick Murdoch and Dan Severn over in Japan.

Doug addresses the Yakuza rumors, insane travel days, Japanese locker room culture, and how Memphis TV helped Japanese talent breakthrough in America and what it meant for them when they got back Japan.

Hard-hitting action.

Great travel stories.

And how Doug got over huge with a pair of Nikes and a golf club.

You don’t want to miss this incredible trip down memory lane from one of wrestling’s most well-traveled and toughest veterans

Catch the radio version of Dangerous Conversations Wednesday nights at 8:00 PM

Subscribe now and relive wrestling history each and every week!

#ProWrestling #DougGilbert #JapanWrestling #MemphisWrestling #DangerousConversations #WrestlingPodcast #RiberaSteakhouse #StrongStyle #IWAJapan #WrestlingHistory

 On this week's episode, the discuss a list of the TOP 25 Masked Wrestlers in United States from the 40s - 90s.  You'll hear Doug and Tommy share memories and stories on some of the top masked wrestlers in history such as: the Assassins, the Interns, Mr. Olympia, the Bullet, and many, many more.  Also, the guys share insight on what it's like wrestling in mask, the reasons why someone might want to wrestle in a mask, and how having your face covered effects selling and other aspects of working.  It's fun conversation that covers a lot of names that haven't been discussed on the show before.

Send in your questions to douggilbertpodcast@outlook.com

On this week's episode, Tommy had to step away to tend to some other business so Doug sits down with Gene to have his first in-depth discussion about Vice's Dark Side of the Ring episode on his brother Eddie that aired back in May, and they also tell the backstory on how the book on Eddie came together from the initial conception they worked on separately twenty years ago to getting together lastsummer and starting this podcast that led to them working together on completing the book about Eddie that was published in April of this year. These are two topics that have been frequently requested by listeners and we hopeeveryone enjoys this episode of Dangerous Conversations and it answers all your questions.  If not, feel free to sendthose in to be answered on a future episode.

 Send in your questions to douggilbertpodcast@outlook.com

Happy Independence Day! The title of this week's show sounds like something you wouldn't let your children attend but we promise it's safe as the guys celebrate the fourth ofJuly by discussing some great wrestling cards of the past that happen to take place on the 4th of July.  Some fun stories and memories always come out of studying these old shows and this week is no exception. You'll hear stories from Doug & Tommy about: Jimmy Kent, Kim Duk, Jimmy Garvin, Scott Irwin, the Great Kabuki, Junkyard Dog, The Grappler,Kerry Von Erich, and many many more!  So grab a cold drink, take a burger off the grill, and hang out with Doug & Tommy for some "Dangerous Conversations" about old school wrestling on Independence Day!