Tommy might be the nicest guy in the business. Not a cross word to say about anybody and so incredibly modest. John and Jerry, thanks for bringing back Wildfire!🤘
@@billwebber400 No argument there! I didn’t know Bobby personally but you’d be hard pressed to find anybody that had something negative to say about him. By all accounts a great guy and major talent!
I loved every minute of this and could have happily listened for hours. You guys always have the best stories and guests and I cannot wait for the next show.
I'm 50 yr old wrestling fan from Augusta GA. Wildfire is the reason I ever became a fan in the first place! Everyone who was anyone came through our town in the early 80s
I want to thank you guys for this interview I'm a humongous fan of mr. Wildfire I didn't get to see him much when I was a child because I grew up in New York but since TH-cam I've watched a lot of his stuff he was fantastic
I bet I'm the only one who remembers a certain vignette. It was when Tommy "Wildfire" Rich was on his way to Georgia Championship Wrestling. This must've been 1982ish. He was driving a badass (I think silver) Trans Am, reminded me of Smokey And The Bandit , maybe 1977-78 model. And Tommy Rich was talking on the CB radio! "You got Wildfire Tommy Rich here..." It was one of the COOLEST wrestling vignettes I've ever seen! Made such a huge impression on me and I couldn’t wait to see what this bleach blonde, Trans Am driving, CB radio talking dude was all about! Was an instant fan the minute he arrived on the scene! But, nobody I've told about this vignette can recall it!
@@michaelfrazia4569 th-cam.com/video/ql4Wt3WKnAQ/w-d-xo.html - The Beginning of the Feud - Buzz Sawyer vs Tommy Rich (10 mins. 6 sec.) - by: Pro Wrestling Inside and out on Jun 12, 2019
@@denniscook512 th-cam.com/video/zS1waZXncSM/w-d-xo.html - Tommy Rich vs Buzz Sawyer (28 mins. 53 sec.) - by: Old School Wrasslin on Oct 13, 2016; a Steel Cage match; no Commentary; it feels like a "House Show." "The Last Battle of Atlanta" (featuring "Precious" Paul Ellering)...
Just discovered this ! Subscribed ! I been a fan since 85 . Woulda been a fan longer but hey ! i was only 7 !!! Watched Memphis wrestling EVERY Saturday with my grandparents and my little Happy Meal. They taught me more about wrestling than most indy talent today knows ! You know why ??? They made believe . Everything clicked for me . I read between the lines and it was glorious ! I never broke kayfabe at school even when i had no idea that word exsisted !!! I bought every mag , watched every territory my tv could pick up, i was hooked ! Not sure why im saying this , just felt compelled lol
Tommy Wildfire Rich! I'm not sure if you read these comments or not but let me tell you something brother, you were one hell of a wrassler back in the day.
Tommy is my favorite wrestler of all time met him a few times took time to talk to me an sign a wrestling mag once with him an Harley on the front cover!
What a cool guy! As a kid, I remember reading the "Apter mags" at my local pharmacy about Tommy Rich, particularly when he briefly won the NWA World Title.
Rich and Idol vs Lawler is another epic feud. Rich & JYD vs The Freebirds PS Michael Hayes bounty on Rich angle Ole and Ivan Koloff vs Rich So many great matches
My sister and I use to enjoy watching GCW, Tommy Rich and Michael Hayes were her 2 favorite wrestlers, it was great when Tommy won the NWA belt from Harley Race for a short while.
Tommy mentioned Phil Hickerson, Phil is somewhat like Norvell Austin, when they left rasslin they LEFT. Phil was in the local limelight for a bit in Jackson Tn as a radio personality. Would love for someone to do a shoot interview with Phil.
Phil Hickerson did not have a great matinee look by a long shot but man could he work ! For a three hundred pound big boy he was incredibly light on his feet and quick . I saw him late in his career when he had that awful PY Chu-Hi karate man gimmick in Texas . At first I just rolled my eyes . But soon I found I was enjoying his matches . I heard later that he was something to see when he was tagging with Dennis Condrey . I wish there was more video of them available
his loser leave town angle with dibiase is the angle got me into wrestling as a 10 year old. tommy lost but came back as the masked mr r. john pull some strings get tommy in hall of fame he deserves it
He should be. Considering some others that are. Tommy was big at one time. He could have been much , much bigger. I guess Tommy has no regrets. He enjoyed being a big fish in a small pond. He liked to party so he stayed in familiar areas , I guess. Tommy is lucky in many ways despite himself.
Man I hate I'm late to this. Have to ask Tommy about a bar fight he had (and won) with Buzz Sawyer. If I remember correctly it was Bob Backlund who talked about it. It occurred in Ohio (maybe Toledo or Cleveland). Edit: After hearing Jerry mention Columbus that's where I believe the fight occurred.
He should have had a longer NWA run . I hated that they used the NWA title as a way to elevate him as a draw in Georgia . He could have drawn everywhere he went . I thought it was short sighted . But I get that Georgia didn’t want to lose their top guy to the world circuit
If NWA had any sense they would’ve had the belt on him ‘83 through ‘84, possibly ‘85. Pushing him on top would’ve kept his red hot run going, maybe even add to it’s intensity. Let’s be honest Flair was good but was never that big of a draw.
Hogan was in Georgia Championship Wrestling the same time Tommy was there in 1979, but Hogan was known as Sterling Golden then. Hogan was a heel, but I don't think he was there long enough to get a match with Tommy.
I didn’t typically like the babyfaces that the women swooned over but I did like Tommy . Mostly because he never did cutesy shit in the ring playing up to the teenage girls in the audience . He was a scrapper so I didn’t care that he was popular with the female fans .
![Understanding Marxism: Q&A with Richard D. Wolff [June 2019]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/eU-AkeOyiOQ/mqdefault.jpg)
Tommy might be the nicest guy in the business. Not a cross word to say about anybody and so incredibly modest. John and Jerry, thanks for bringing back Wildfire!🤘
At least since beautiful Bobby Eaton has passed but I agree Class Act guy
@@billwebber400 No argument there! I didn’t know Bobby personally but you’d be hard pressed to find anybody that had something negative to say about him. By all accounts a great guy and major talent!
the GOAT baby face...40 yr fan of wrestling because of watching Tommy's fued with buzz sawyer at the dawn of the 80s..Tommy was a rock star
Congratulations on going into the hall of fame JBL 👏👏👏👏 it's about time 👍
I loved every minute of this and could have happily listened for hours. You guys always have the best stories and guests and I cannot wait for the next show.
I'm 50 yr old wrestling fan from Augusta GA. Wildfire is the reason I ever became a fan in the first place! Everyone who was anyone came through our town in the early 80s
I want to thank you guys for this interview I'm a humongous fan of mr. Wildfire I didn't get to see him much when I was a child because I grew up in New York but since TH-cam I've watched a lot of his stuff he was fantastic
The Wrestling God himself! One of the best professional wrestlers! And one of my personal favorites!
ditto
Yes JBL is a WRESTLING GOD 😀
I bet I'm the only one who remembers a certain vignette. It was when Tommy "Wildfire" Rich was on his way to Georgia Championship Wrestling. This must've been 1982ish. He was driving a badass (I think silver) Trans Am, reminded me of Smokey And The Bandit , maybe 1977-78 model. And Tommy Rich was talking on the CB radio! "You got Wildfire Tommy Rich here..." It was one of the COOLEST wrestling vignettes I've ever seen! Made such a huge impression on me and I couldn’t wait to see what this bleach blonde, Trans Am driving, CB radio talking dude was all about! Was an instant fan the minute he arrived on the scene! But, nobody I've told about this vignette can recall it!
I became a huge fan when he had his fued with sawyer...Tommy was a rock star back then
Remember it well
@@michaelfrazia4569 th-cam.com/video/ql4Wt3WKnAQ/w-d-xo.html - The Beginning of the Feud - Buzz Sawyer vs Tommy Rich (10 mins. 6 sec.) - by: Pro Wrestling Inside and out on Jun 12, 2019
@@denniscook512 th-cam.com/video/zS1waZXncSM/w-d-xo.html - Tommy Rich vs Buzz Sawyer (28 mins. 53 sec.) - by: Old School Wrasslin on
Oct 13, 2016; a Steel Cage match; no Commentary; it feels like a "House Show." "The Last Battle of Atlanta" (featuring "Precious" Paul Ellering)...
@@kshinokevin ...I saw it a few yrs back, remember that fued well. I was always glued in front of the TV when rasslin came on
Just discovered this ! Subscribed ! I been a fan since 85 . Woulda been a fan longer but hey ! i was only 7 !!! Watched Memphis wrestling EVERY Saturday with my grandparents and my little Happy Meal. They taught me more about wrestling than most indy talent today knows ! You know why ??? They made believe . Everything clicked for me . I read between the lines and it was glorious ! I never broke kayfabe at school even when i had no idea that word exsisted !!! I bought every mag , watched every territory my tv could pick up, i was hooked ! Not sure why im saying this , just felt compelled lol
Tommy Wildfire Rich! I'm not sure if you read these comments or not but let me tell you something brother, you were one hell of a wrassler back in the day.
I absolutely love listening to you guys tell these old school stories! Thank you so much guys
Tommy is the true “natural” of the biz. He excelled in every aspect without even trying
Tommy is my favorite wrestler of all time met him a few times took time to talk to me an sign a wrestling mag once with him an Harley on the front cover!
Great job as always Mr Brisco and Mr Layfield great storys and entertaining as always 👍
What a cool guy! As a kid, I remember reading the "Apter mags" at my local pharmacy about Tommy Rich, particularly when he briefly won the NWA World Title.
Tommy Rich , Buzz Sawyer . The Best Feud of all Time..
The first ever hell in a cell match. Though it wasn’t called that.
I think that feud helped kill his pretty boy appeal …the girlies didn’t want to see all that blood 🩸
Rich and Idol vs Lawler is another epic feud.
Rich & JYD vs The Freebirds
PS Michael Hayes bounty on Rich angle
Ole and Ivan Koloff vs Rich
So many great matches
Tom Rich was single best worker in the ring that I've ever seen in ANY territory.
My sister and I use to enjoy watching GCW, Tommy Rich and Michael Hayes were her 2 favorite wrestlers, it was great when Tommy won the NWA belt from Harley Race for a short while.
Tommy mentioned Phil Hickerson, Phil is somewhat like Norvell Austin, when they left rasslin they LEFT. Phil was in the local limelight for a bit in Jackson Tn as a radio personality. Would love for someone to do a shoot interview with Phil.
Phil Hickerson did not have a great matinee look by a long shot but man could he work ! For a three hundred pound big boy he was incredibly light on his feet and quick . I saw him late in his career when he had that awful PY Chu-Hi karate man gimmick in Texas . At first I just rolled my eyes . But soon I found I was enjoying his matches . I heard later that he was something to see when he was tagging with Dennis Condrey . I wish there was more video of them available
Can’t help but love ole Wildfire!!
Piss on .... Black Bart !
I remember when you debut in the WWF/WWE in 1996 as Justin Hawk Bradshaw
He was Vince’s Stan Hansen like Nord was his Brody
I remember watching Tommy Rich every Saturday morning in Deep South Wrestling and the occasional match with NWA
My Favorite Wrestler of All Time Wildfire Tommy Rich
I remember watching Tommy and Tojo being partners in Chattanooga wrestling, channel 12, if memory serves.
When Tommy says the word wrestling! Still got that voice lol
his loser leave town angle with dibiase is the angle got me into wrestling as a 10 year old. tommy lost but came back as the masked mr r. john pull some strings get tommy in hall of fame he deserves it
My favorite wrestler all time my childhood favorite wrestler all time Tommy wildfire rich
ditto
Same here. I always was happy to see him. I remember not seeing him for periods of time. Missing in action quite a bit.
Tommy Wildfire Rich should be in the hall of fame
Tommy is the only wrestler whose talking voice is more gravelly than his promo voice .
Tommy Rich had some great angles. PS Michael Hayes put the bounty on him was one of my favorites. If only the NWA had kept the strap on him for that
His rivalry with "Mad Dog" Buzz Sayer was among best in pro wrestling history.
Tomy was more over then anybody in 81
‘81 through ‘83
God bless Wildfire - national treasure!
Tommy wildfire rich for HOF
He should be. Considering some others that are. Tommy was big at one time. He could have been much , much bigger. I guess Tommy has no regrets. He enjoyed being a big fish in a small pond. He liked to party so he stayed in familiar areas , I guess. Tommy is lucky in many ways despite himself.
Somebody say somethin’ ‘bout all Fahrred Up !?!
Somebody say something about fire it up
as a german im now quitting listening to uncle wildfire ... its too hard for me. Automatic subtiitle from yt has a hard time too
Man I hate I'm late to this. Have to ask Tommy about a bar fight he had (and won) with Buzz Sawyer. If I remember correctly it was Bob Backlund who talked about it. It occurred in Ohio (maybe Toledo or Cleveland).
Edit: After hearing Jerry mention Columbus that's where I believe the fight occurred.
Tommy never beat up Buzz. Dear Lord.
Somebody say sumpthin' bout farred up?
This should be called....Full Episode...Jerry Brisco...should let Bradshaw talk alittle more
He should have had a longer NWA run . I hated that they used the NWA title as a way to elevate him as a draw in Georgia . He could have drawn everywhere he went . I thought it was short sighted . But I get that Georgia didn’t want to lose their top guy to the world circuit
If NWA had any sense they would’ve had the belt on him ‘83 through ‘84, possibly ‘85. Pushing him on top would’ve kept his red hot run going, maybe even add to it’s intensity. Let’s be honest Flair was good but was never that big of a draw.
Did Tommy Rich and Hulk Hogan ever meet in early 80s ?
Hogan was in Georgia Championship Wrestling the same time Tommy was there in 1979, but Hogan was known as Sterling Golden then. Hogan was a heel, but I don't think he was there long enough to get a match with Tommy.
Does Tommy like Triple H?
I didn’t typically like the babyfaces that the women swooned over but I did like Tommy . Mostly because he never did cutesy shit in the ring playing up to the teenage girls in the audience . He was a scrapper so I didn’t care that he was popular with the female fans .
Atlanta Georgia channel 17
Its odd seeing Jimmy Garvins full head of skin
Super Bowl family Georgia wrestling channel 17 went all over the world
One of best bleeders I ever saw.
Jerry Brisco does talk too much...but hes good at it...
Wildfire was real
3 dui's and a wreck isnt something to laugh about
Iron Sheik made wrestling what it is today.