Ringside in Rose City – Episode 50: September 1969 – Mayne, Kirby & a Territory Searching for Its Next Rivalry

<p><strong>Ringside in Rose City – Episode 50: September 1969 – Mayne, Kirby &amp; a Territory Searching for Its Next Rivalry</strong></p><p>September 1969 finds Portland Wrestling in an unusual place.</p><p><strong>Lonnie Mayne and Rip “The Ruffian” Kirby</strong> have become the rivalry carrying the territory—but behind them, Don Owen&#39;s promotion is searching for its next major babyface, its next major heel, and the storyline that can take Portland Wrestling into the fall.</p><p>This week, Frank Culbertson and Portland wrestling historian Mike Rodgers continue their month-by-month journey through the Portland Sports Arena era, as the Mayne-Kirby war gets bloodier, stranger and increasingly difficult to contain.</p><p>The biggest moment comes in a <strong>Fight to the Finish for the Northwest Heavyweight Championship</strong>. Sandy Barr and Shag Thomas refuse to referee after what they&#39;ve already endured in previous Mayne-Kirby battles, so Stan Stasiak steps in. Mayne eventually smashes Kirby&#39;s head into the ring post so violently that Stasiak stops the match—and <strong>Lonnie Mayne becomes Northwest Heavyweight Champion without ever pinning Rip Kirby.</strong></p><p>But that only creates more questions.</p><p>Why is <strong>Stan Stasiak</strong> suddenly spending so much time refereeing instead of wrestling? Why is he openly complaining in the newspapers about not receiving top billing? Is Lonnie Mayne finally becoming a babyface—or is he still a heel who just happens to be fighting somebody the fans hate even more? And with <strong>Tony Borne, Haru Sasaki, Johnny Kostas, Buddy Marino, Billy White Wolf and Earl Maynard</strong> moving through the picture, who is actually ready to become Portland&#39;s next major attraction?</p><p>As Mike puts it, Mayne versus Kirby essentially <strong>carries the entire month</strong>. And by September&#39;s end, the territory clearly needs a fresh infusion of talent and new rivalries.</p><p><strong>Card Shark</strong> also returns, and Lisa has some particularly good cards waiting for Mike—including the very first Portland Sports Arena show Mike ever attended and a loaded 1983 Portland lineup.</p><p>Then comes a 1993 AAA card from the Los Angeles Sports Arena featuring <strong>Rey Misterio Jr., El Hijo del Santo, Octagón, La Parka, Jake Roberts, Eddie Guerrero, Art Barr, Konnan, Luis Spicolli</strong>—and one name especially familiar to longtime listeners of the show: <strong>Vandal Drummond, </strong>. Mike immediately recognizes Vandal as a clue that the mystery card may be from Los Angeles and reflects on how impressive it was for him to receive an opportunity on a card loaded with that level of international talent. And yes, <strong>Vandal, we know you listen—we made sure you got into the show.</strong></p><p>Mike also shares a great <strong>Luis Spicolli and Owen Hart</strong> story involving Stu Hart&#39;s 80th birthday show, Michael Lano, a cramped Chevy Vega and a little bit of wrestling carny language.</p><p>Then Lisa breaks out the grass skirt, lei and coconuts for another <strong>Island Interlude</strong>, and September 1969 in Hawaii is absolutely loaded. <strong>King Curtis Iaukea, Pedro Morales, Giant Baba, Gene Kiniski, The Sheik, Pampero Firpo, Ripper Collins, Nick Bockwinkel, Jerry Brisco, Peter Maivia, Billy White Wolf and the Von Steigers</strong> are among the stars filling some remarkable cards.</p><p>One night features <strong>Gene Kiniski against Giant Baba</strong>, King Curtis winning the North American Championship from Pedro Morales, and the Hawaiian debut of The Sheik—whose match against Pampero Firpo lasts exactly <strong>zero minutes</strong> after The Sheik attacks him with a stool before the bell and gets himself fined and suspended.</p><p>It&#39;s championship changes, bloody feuds, confusing booking, Card Shark chaos, a shout-out to Vandal Drummond, Lisa&#39;s Hawaiian wardrobe—and another month in which Portland Wrestling proves that sometime