Episodi

  • A LAMB TO THE SLAUGHTER

    A LAMB TO THE SLAUGHTER
    May 1 2025

    Wrestling With Heels On is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Sports Yesteryear.

    EPISODE SUMMARY

    Sergeant Slaughter doesn't have a first name either. He's just Sergeant Slaughter, a Vietnam vet with a sharp campaign hat and mirrored sunglasses. He's billed as being from Parris Island, South Carolina, but that's a Marine base, not a hometown. And it's probably not a fine point anyone should take up with a 6 foot 6, 305-pound wrestler.

    The wrestler who performs Sergeant Slaughter does have a name and backstory, however. His name is Robert Rudolph Remus. He made his debut in 1974, wrestling for the AMERICAN WRESTLING ASSOCIATION (AWA). Even though he gained a modicum of notoriety wrestling in the AWA and Japan, it wasn't until 1980 that he truly hit his stride. That was the year he became Sergeant Slaughter. Professional wrestling would never be the same again; and neither would I.

    A massive jawline beneath a pencil-thin moustache; a tree-trunk neck with a gleaming silver whistle swinging from it. In my ten-year old mind, this was how the ideal drill instructor should look, and soon enough, I wanted to wear a smart soldier uniform too. It was my way of looking strong and authoritative....

    ABOUT WRESTLING WITH HEELS ON

    Wrestling With Heels On Web Page

    Hi EVERYONE. MY NAME IS ARIEL GONZALEZ, ORIGINALLY FROM BROOKLYN, NOW LIVING IN THE GARDEN STATE AND I HAVE A NEW PODCAST SHOW CALLED WRESTLING WITH HEELS ON. BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE SPORTS HISTORY NETWORK, OF COURSE.

    ON THE PODCAST, I GET TO REMINISCENCE ABOUT MY FAVORITE WRESTLING BAD GUYS FROM YESTERYEAR. LIGHT ON STATS AND HEAVY ON NOSTALGIA, THIS LITTLE TRIP DOWN VILLAINY LANE GIVES ME A CHANCE TO VISIT THE DARK CORRIDORS OF MY WRESTLING SOUL. AND IT’S ALSO FUN TO HAVE A PODCAST.

    SO JOIN ME AS I WAX NOSTALGIC ABOUT MY FAVORITE WRESTLING WEIRDOS AND NE’ER DO WELLS, THE NO-GOODNIKS OF A NO-LONGER TIME THAT STILL HAUNT ME TODAY. JUST KEEP IN MIND, LIKE SOME PEOPLE MY AGE, MY RECALL OF PEOPLE AND EVENTS CAN GET A LITTLE WOBBLY SOMETIMES. SO DON’T WORRY IF I GET IT WRONG. OH! WHAT DO YOU EXPECT?

    I’M WRESTLING WITH HEELS ON.
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    25 min
  • WRESTLING WITH ANDRE: A PARODY OF MY DINNER WITH ANDRE

    WRESTLING WITH ANDRE: A PARODY OF MY DINNER WITH ANDRE
    Mar 31 2025

    Wrestling With Heels On is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Sports Yesteryear.

    EPISODE SUMMARY

    I am a big fan of the 1981 film My Dinner with Andre. The film stars Wallace Shawn and Andre Gregory as fictionalized versions of themselves. They play old friends who haven't seen each other in five years and agree to meet for dinner. Andre is a theater director and Wallace is a playwright. The entire movie, the entire dinner, is just a conversation between two men who haven't seen each other in quite some time and have completely different worldviews.

    What follows is a parody of My Dinner with Andre mixed with the philosophy of Roland Barthes, a French philosopher who wrote a piece on wrestling. I hope this parody doesn't go over anybody's head or bore anybody to death. With that in mind, I simply had to do this. I simply had to break the rules. Hey, this show is about bad guys. What good is a bad guy who doesn't break the rules? I hope you enjoy it.

    ABOUT WRESTLING WITH HEELS ON

    Wrestling With Heels On Web Page

    Hi EVERYONE. MY NAME IS ARIEL GONZALEZ, ORIGINALLY FROM BROOKLYN, NOW LIVING IN THE GARDEN STATE AND I HAVE A NEW PODCAST SHOW CALLED WRESTLING WITH HEELS ON. BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE SPORTS HISTORY NETWORK, OF COURSE.

    ON THE PODCAST, I GET TO REMINISCENCE ABOUT MY FAVORITE WRESTLING BAD GUYS FROM YESTERYEAR. LIGHT ON STATS AND HEAVY ON NOSTALGIA, THIS LITTLE TRIP DOWN VILLAINY LANE GIVES ME A CHANCE TO VISIT THE DARK CORRIDORS OF MY WRESTLING SOUL. AND IT’S ALSO FUN TO HAVE A PODCAST.

    SO JOIN ME AS I WAX NOSTALGIC ABOUT MY FAVORITE WRESTLING WEIRDOS AND NE’ER DO WELLS, THE NO-GOODNIKS OF A NO-LONGER TIME THAT STILL HAUNT ME TODAY. JUST KEEP IN MIND, LIKE SOME PEOPLE MY AGE, MY RECALL OF PEOPLE AND EVENTS CAN GET A LITTLE WOBBLY SOMETIMES. SO DON’T WORRY IF I GET IT WRONG. OH! WHAT DO YOU EXPECT?

    I’M WRESTLING WITH HEELS ON.
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    26 min
  • Ric Flair: One False Move

    Ric Flair: One False Move
    Mar 17 2025

    Wrestling With Heels On is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Sports Yesteryear.

    EPISODE SUMMARY

    In this episode, we dive into one of the most shocking moments in pro wrestling history—Ric Flair’s apparent heart attack on a live WCW broadcast. Was it real, or was it just another wrestling storyline? Host Ariel Gonzalez breaks down the dramatic scene, the slow response from WCW officials, and the lasting impact of this controversial angle.

    We also explore real-life medical emergencies in sports, including Fabrice Muamba’s on-field cardiac arrest, and discuss how the reaction time of first responders can make all the difference.

    Plus, Ariel reflects on Flair’s legendary career, his actual health battles, and why "The Nature Boy" remains one of wrestling’s most unforgettable icons.

    For more, check out the full article on the Sports History Network here.

    ABOUT WRESTLING WITH HEELS ON

    Wrestling With Heels On Web Page

    Hi EVERYONE. MY NAME IS ARIEL GONZALEZ, ORIGINALLY FROM BROOKLYN, NOW LIVING IN THE GARDEN STATE AND I HAVE A NEW PODCAST SHOW CALLED WRESTLING WITH HEELS ON. BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE SPORTS HISTORY NETWORK, OF COURSE.

    ON THE PODCAST, I GET TO REMINISCENCE ABOUT MY FAVORITE WRESTLING BAD GUYS FROM YESTERYEAR. LIGHT ON STATS AND HEAVY ON NOSTALGIA, THIS LITTLE TRIP DOWN VILLAINY LANE GIVES ME A CHANCE TO VISIT THE DARK CORRIDORS OF MY WRESTLING SOUL. AND IT’S ALSO FUN TO HAVE A PODCAST.

    SO JOIN ME AS I WAX NOSTALGIC ABOUT MY FAVORITE WRESTLING WEIRDOS AND NE’ER DO WELLS, THE NO-GOODNIKS OF A NO-LONGER TIME THAT STILL HAUNT ME TODAY. JUST KEEP IN MIND, LIKE SOME PEOPLE MY AGE, MY RECALL OF PEOPLE AND EVENTS CAN GET A LITTLE WOBBLY SOMETIMES. SO DON’T WORRY IF I GET IT WRONG. OH! WHAT DO YOU EXPECT?

    I’M WRESTLING WITH HEELS ON.
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    13 min
  • Interview with Bill Black of NDN All-Stars

    Interview with Bill Black of NDN All-Stars
    Oct 27 2024
    Wrestling With Heels On is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Sports Yesteryear.EPISODE SUMMARYAriel has a conversation with Bill Black, founder of NDN All-Stars. NDN All-Stars websiteWhat IS NDN All-Stars all about?**From NDN All-Stars website.**I’m Bill Black, and I am the “General Manager” of NDN All-Stars. It is my honor and responsibility to select the members of the All Star team that is NDN All-Stars.I am a descendent of the Okanogan Band of Indians, part of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation. My father made a point of raising my brother and me to be proud of our Native American heritage. We frequently attended pow wows and many ceremonial activities as I was growing up. I am a family man. I am married and have two kids who have been involved in their Native culture and athletics as they have grown up. They proudly carry their Okanogan names, given to them by their grandfather. They have been raised to have respect for their culture and those who have come before them.In addition to encouraging my involvement with my Native culture, my parents also prompted me to explore many other activities growing up. I was involved with Boy Scouts, music, leadership activities and athletics. I played football and helped found the rowing program at my high school. I played trombone in all of the bands at my high school, and recorded and toured with an elite jazz ensemble while in college. Then I played music professionally for a few years in the greater Seattle area. With the encouragement of my parents – and to be honest, a LOT of their financial support, I attended the Art Institute of Seattle, and channeled my innate creativity into a career as a commercial artist, something that I still call my career to this day. All of these activities and experiences my parents encouraged, and allowed, me to take part in opened the world up to me and helped me see just how many possibilities there are for a once little kid from Nespelem Elementary School, a small town on the Colville Reservation.Recently, I have taken on the role of High School Commercial Art Teacher at Omak High School, in Omak, WA. I see and work with about 150 students on a daily basis, and about half of those kids are tribal members or decendents. I interact with these young people every day. I see the clothes they wear. I hear them talking about their world and who the cool new athlete is…Growing up in and around “Indian Country” I noticed something. Of my “heroes” that I looked up to and wanted to emulate, there were none that were Native American. Music idols, pro athletes, etc. Other cultures and ethnic backgrounds were represented… My favorite athletes growing up were Muhammad Ali, Walter Payton, Dennis Johnson, Bruce Bochte and Steve Largent. (I lived in the Seattle area so this list is a little biased…)I thought “Why are there no ‘Indian guys’? Were they not good enough? Or did they hide their cultural background? Black kids had Dr. J and Walter Payton and Dwight Gooden. White kids had TONS of athletes to look up to…”This thought stuck with me as I grew up. Where are the Native athletes for us to look to? There are numerous Indian heroes from history – but many of those are heroes from the struggles of war and invasion. Chief Joseph, Sitting Bull, Crazy Horse… the list is long. Important people who played a major role in our history. But what about recent history? Are there no Native American heroes that were great outside of the context of war?So, a few years ago I started writing down a list of Native American athletes that I could think of. I came up with 7 or 8 athletes I knew were of Native American heritage. Not many. But I KNEW there had to be more.So I decided to actually do some research and not trust my “off the top of your head” memory.I have found – and am still finding – a LOT more than 7 or 8 Native American athletes who accomplished some GREAT THINGS in their sports! From Baseball and basketball and football to other sports like golf, figure skating and judo! Olympic gold medalists, championship winners, MVP candidates… wow! The list continues to grow…So, I decided to do something with this newly discovered (or reclaimed) native pride – and I created NDN All-Stars. (Yep – that is pronounced “In-Dee-An”) I wanted to create a way to promote and bring back some of the great athletes that “Indian Country” has generated so that kids today can remember – or even more to the point – discover them! And hold them up as role models!With all that said, I thank you for your interest in NDN All-Stars, and in keeping these great Native American All-Stars in our memory.ABOUT WRESTLING WITH HEELS ONWrestling With Heels On Web PageHi EVERYONE. MY NAME IS ARIEL GONZALEZ, ORIGINALLY FROM BROOKLYN, NOW LIVING IN THE GARDEN STATE AND I HAVE A NEW PODCAST SHOW CALLED WRESTLING WITH HEELS ON. BROUGHT TO YOU...
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    1 ora e 28 min
  • TAKE THIS JOB and LOVE IT

    TAKE THIS JOB and LOVE IT
    Sep 28 2024

    Wrestling With Heels On is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Sports Yesteryear.

    EPISODE SUMMARY

    An ode to the "jobbers" of wrestling.

    ABOUT WRESTLING WITH HEELS ON

    Wrestling With Heels On Web Page

    Hi EVERYONE. MY NAME IS ARIEL GONZALEZ, ORIGINALLY FROM BROOKLYN, NOW LIVING IN THE GARDEN STATE AND I HAVE A NEW PODCAST SHOW CALLED WRESTLING WITH HEELS ON. BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE SPORTS HISTORY NETWORK, OF COURSE.

    ON THE PODCAST, I GET TO REMINISCENCE ABOUT MY FAVORITE WRESTLING BAD GUYS FROM YESTERYEAR. LIGHT ON STATS AND HEAVY ON NOSTALGIA, THIS LITTLE TRIP DOWN VILLAINY LANE GIVES ME A CHANCE TO VISIT THE DARK CORRIDORS OF MY WRESTLING SOUL. AND IT’S ALSO FUN TO HAVE A PODCAST.

    SO JOIN ME AS I WAX NOSTALGIC ABOUT MY FAVORITE WRESTLING WEIRDOS AND NE’ER DO WELLS, THE NO-GOODNIKS OF A NO-LONGER TIME THAT STILL HAUNT ME TODAY. JUST KEEP IN MIND, LIKE SOME PEOPLE MY AGE, MY RECALL OF PEOPLE AND EVENTS CAN GET A LITTLE WOBBLY SOMETIMES. SO DON’T WORRY IF I GET IT WRONG. OH! WHAT DO YOU EXPECT?

    I’M WRESTLING WITH HEELS ON.
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    13 min
  • YESSIREE, BOB…BACKLUND! ONE NITE ONLY

    YESSIREE, BOB…BACKLUND! ONE NITE ONLY
    Sep 8 2024

    Wrestling With Heels On is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Sports Yesteryear.

    EPISODE SUMMARY

    One of the things Bob Backlund learned early on from ring mentor Terry Funk was to not impose his wrestling style on his opponent, but rather adapt to his opponent’s style. It’s a technique aimed at getting his opponent over with the crowd. And that’s what Backlund did with all his opponents.

    Bob Backlund held the WWF Heavyweight championship from February 20, 1978, to December 26, 1983, an incredible 2,138-day title reign. It is one of the longest reigns in pro wrestling history. Backlund had over 800 successful title defenses during his championship. This is an amazing feat when you consider the range of opponents Backlund defended against. There was Ken Patera, “Superstar” Billy Graham, Big John Studd, Hulk Hogan, Sergeant Slaughter, Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka, Ric Flair and Harley Race.....

    ABOUT WRESTLING WITH HEELS ON

    Wrestling With Heels On Web Page

    Hi EVERYONE. MY NAME IS ARIEL GONZALEZ, ORIGINALLY FROM BROOKLYN, NOW LIVING IN THE GARDEN STATE AND I HAVE A NEW PODCAST SHOW CALLED WRESTLING WITH HEELS ON. BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE SPORTS HISTORY NETWORK, OF COURSE.

    ON THE PODCAST, I GET TO REMINISCENCE ABOUT MY FAVORITE WRESTLING BAD GUYS FROM YESTERYEAR. LIGHT ON STATS AND HEAVY ON NOSTALGIA, THIS LITTLE TRIP DOWN VILLAINY LANE GIVES ME A CHANCE TO VISIT THE DARK CORRIDORS OF MY WRESTLING SOUL. AND IT’S ALSO FUN TO HAVE A PODCAST.

    SO JOIN ME AS I WAX NOSTALGIC ABOUT MY FAVORITE WRESTLING WEIRDOS AND NE’ER DO WELLS, THE NO-GOODNIKS OF A NO-LONGER TIME THAT STILL HAUNT ME TODAY. JUST KEEP IN MIND, LIKE SOME PEOPLE MY AGE, MY RECALL OF PEOPLE AND EVENTS CAN GET A LITTLE WOBBLY SOMETIMES. SO DON’T WORRY IF I GET IT WRONG. OH! WHAT DO YOU EXPECT?

    I’M WRESTLING WITH HEELS ON.
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    26 min
  • THE BELL'S OF SAINT JR

    THE BELL'S OF SAINT JR
    Aug 9 2024

    Wrestling With Heels On is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Sports Yesteryear.

    EPISODE SUMMARY

    Ariel shares the story of his own battle with Bell's Palsy and integrates the story of Jim Ross, one of the most well-known people that has struggled with this condition. Known to the wrestling world as "J.R.," he is widely considered the best ringside announcer in WWE/WWF history.

    You can learn more about this episode on the SHN website.

    ABOUT WRESTLING WITH HEELS ON

    Wrestling With Heels On Web Page

    Hi EVERYONE. MY NAME IS ARIEL GONZALEZ, ORIGINALLY FROM BROOKLYN, NOW LIVING IN THE GARDEN STATE AND I HAVE A NEW PODCAST SHOW CALLED WRESTLING WITH HEELS ON. BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE SPORTS HISTORY NETWORK, OF COURSE.

    ON THE PODCAST, I GET TO REMINISCENCE ABOUT MY FAVORITE WRESTLING BAD GUYS FROM YESTERYEAR. LIGHT ON STATS AND HEAVY ON NOSTALGIA, THIS LITTLE TRIP DOWN VILLAINY LANE GIVES ME A CHANCE TO VISIT THE DARK CORRIDORS OF MY WRESTLING SOUL. AND IT’S ALSO FUN TO HAVE A PODCAST.

    SO JOIN ME AS I WAX NOSTALGIC ABOUT MY FAVORITE WRESTLING WEIRDOS AND NE’ER DO WELLS, THE NO-GOODNIKS OF A NO-LONGER TIME THAT STILL HAUNT ME TODAY. JUST KEEP IN MIND, LIKE SOME PEOPLE MY AGE, MY RECALL OF PEOPLE AND EVENTS CAN GET A LITTLE WOBBLY SOMETIMES. SO DON’T WORRY IF I GET IT WRONG. OH! WHAT DO YOU EXPECT?

    I’M WRESTLING WITH HEELS ON.
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    32 min
  • RAISING THE SPORTS BAR (The Harv Aronson Interview)

    RAISING THE SPORTS BAR (The Harv Aronson Interview)
    Feb 17 2024

    Wrestling With Heels On is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Sports Yesteryear.

    EPISODE SUMMARY

    Harv Aronson of Total Sports Recall joins Ariel to discuss some wrestling history. You can check out Harv's podcast and work at the links below:

    Total Sports Recall website

    Total Sports Recall podcast

    Total Sports Recall on the Sports History Network

    ABOUT WRESTLING WITH HEELS ON

    Wrestling With Heels On Web Page

    Hi EVERYONE. MY NAME IS ARIEL GONZALEZ, ORIGINALLY FROM BROOKLYN, NOW LIVING IN THE GARDEN STATE AND I HAVE A NEW PODCAST SHOW CALLED WRESTLING WITH HEELS ON. BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE SPORTS HISTORY NETWORK, OF COURSE.

    ON THE PODCAST, I GET TO REMINISCENCE ABOUT MY FAVORITE WRESTLING BAD GUYS FROM YESTERYEAR. LIGHT ON STATS AND HEAVY ON NOSTALGIA, THIS LITTLE TRIP DOWN VILLAINY LANE GIVES ME A CHANCE TO VISIT THE DARK CORRIDORS OF MY WRESTLING SOUL. AND IT’S ALSO FUN TO HAVE A PODCAST.

    SO JOIN ME AS I WAX NOSTALGIC ABOUT MY FAVORITE WRESTLING WEIRDOS AND NE’ER DO WELLS, THE NO-GOODNIKS OF A NO-LONGER TIME THAT STILL HAUNT ME TODAY. JUST KEEP IN MIND, LIKE SOME PEOPLE MY AGE, MY RECALL OF PEOPLE AND EVENTS CAN GET A LITTLE WOBBLY SOMETIMES. SO DON’T WORRY IF I GET IT WRONG. OH! WHAT DO YOU EXPECT?

    I’M WRESTLING WITH HEELS ON.
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    1 ora e 24 min