When the MLW Radio Network launched a few years back, its main attraction was its MLW Radio podcast, featuring former WWE writer Court Bauer, announcer and indie wrestler Mister Saint Laurent, and lucha legend Konnan. The three of them would talk about current events within wrestling and MMA in a light-hearted way, while also providing insights not heard elsewhere. As the podcast grew, so did the caliber of guests calling into the show and the events being presented by MLW.
Earlier today, Jul. 2, MLW announced that Ric Flair had joined its fold, several months after his CBS Sports show with co-host Conrad Thompson had suddenly disappeared. While one can argue as to whether Ric Flair is the biggest wrestler to host a podcast — Chris Jericho, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, Bill Goldberg and Bret “The Hitman” Hart have all hosted podcasts — one cannot dispute Flair’s crossover and recognizability beyond the wrestling world. The show officially launches on Wednesday, Jul. 6, being downloadable via iTunes at no cost.
A few days earlier on Jun. 29, Podcast One — the network of the aforementioned Chris Jericho and “Stone Cold” Steve Austin — announced a new podcast starring Konnan called Keeping It 100. More details were explained on this past week’s MLW Radio, as Konnan seems to be staying part of the MLW extended family.
The current lineup of the MLW Radio Network is as follows:
Sundays:
– VIP Lounge With MVP – The former WWE and TNA star MVP co-hosts a podcast with former WWE lead writer Alex Greenfield, often with other wrestlers calling in.
Mondays:
– Indyriffic – Pro wrestler and historian Matt Farmer co-hosts a weekly show with Jeremey Tate about today’s indie scene.
Tuesdays:
– Corny’s Drive-Thru – Legendary manager and creative talent Jim Cornette answers questions and rants to almost no end.
– Tuesdays – MLW Radio – The aforementioned flagship show is hosted by Court Bauer and Mister Saint Laurent. Expect call-ins beyond a news round-up.
Wednesdays:
– The Ric Flair Show – Ric and Conrad are currently accepting voicemails from listeners, which can be left at 1-844-RIC-SHOW.
– The Writers Room – Alex Greenfield also hosts “The Writers Room,” which primarily focuses on the creative process of wrestling. It often has on guests that you’ve watched on weekly television.
Thursdays:
– The Jim Cornette Experience – If you didn’t get enough of Corny via Corny’s Drive-Thru, then there’s more from Jim Cornette and his often-changing co-host.
– MLW Radio Extra – And if you didn’t get enough news earlier in the week, MLW Radio Extra offers up news bites and related commentary, in addition to answers to questions posted on the MLW news board.
Fridays:
– MSL & Sullivan – Legendary wrestler and booker Kevin Sullivan co-hosts this show with Mister Saint Laurent, which always runs on the insightful side. Beyond taking listener questions and talking about current events in wrestling, MSL and Sullivan also revisit a specific episode of WCW Monday Nitro every week as Sullivan explains why particular segments happened the way they did.
– Bauer & Pollock – Just as how MSL has a second show on the network, so does Court Bauer. On this one, co-hosted with The Fight Network’s John Pollock, the duo cover pro wrestling news yet hold their own in talking about the MMA world in-depth.
Saturdays:
– Tiki Bar With Tama Tonga – Tama Tonga, son of Haku, has made a major name for himself in Japan in recent years as a member of The Bullet Club. He offered appeared on the Talk ‘n’ Shop podcast with his Club brethren, who abandoned the weekly series once a few of them signed to WWE. Tama brings back Japanese wrestling into the MLW fold, while throwing in some interesting Tongan flavor.
– Eastern Lariat – On the other side of the Japanese wrestling scene, writers STRIGGA and Dylan Harris cover New Japan and plenty more within Eastern Lariat.
While the majority of these podcasts are available as a free download, some of them are only available to members of MLW’s VIP subscription package, which is a low $1.99 per month.
Any way you slice it, the MLW Radio Network is keeping things interesting. Fingers remain crossed that other legends find their way within the MLW fold, more events (e.g. Walemania) are produced, and the great daily content keeps coming to the wrestling community for almost no charge.
