Tales from IWA Mid-South Wrestling and everything Jim Fannin

  • Fannin’s Flashbacks – Episode 5 – Rich Wayne

    Fannin’s Flashbacks – Episode 5 – Rich Wayne


    Episode 5 of Fannin’s Flashbacks is LIVE! On this episode, Jim sits down with “The Mayor” Rich Wayne. Great friends for the past 28 years that met at IWA Mid-South where both were mistaken for being with the Kentucky State Athletic Commission because they took notes to post results on AOL Grandstand! That friendship grew into late nights at JBoy’s restaurant until 5 am after shows, midnight bowling with Brent Blades and Nick Maniwa, doing a podcast called Seinfeld, Friends, and Wrestling together and going to 25 out of the 30 current MLB stadiums together on their yearly baseball trips together. Hear Rich discuss his friendship with Reckless Youth, putting the IWA softball team together, and being fooled into hauling around a broken trophy thinking it was legitimately the Brawl For All trophy that Bart Gunn received from WWF! Listen to Jim tell the story of sleeping with a WWE HOFer on the very first road trip he did in the wrestling business & so much more this week on Fannin’s Flashbacks!

    Be sure to follow Jim on X – @JFannin73
    Subscribe to his Youtube channel – https://www.youtube.com/@sportsfannin

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    Youtube – SportsFannin channel – Fannin’s Flashbacks Episode 5
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  • Fannin’s Flashbacks – Audio Only – Episode 5 – Rich Wayne

    Fannin’s Flashbacks – Audio Only – Episode 5 – Rich Wayne

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    Fannin’s Flashbacks
    Fannin’s Flashbacks – Audio Only – Episode 5 – Rich Wayne
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    Episode 5 of Fannin’s Flashbacks is LIVE! On this episode, Jim sits down with “The Mayor” Rich Wayne. Great friends for the past 28 years that met at IWA Mid-South where both were mistaken for being with the Kentucky State Athletic Commission because they took notes to post results on AOL Grandstand! That friendship grew into late nights at JBoy’s restaurant until 5 am after shows, midnight bowling with Brent Blades and Nick Maniwa, doing a podcast called Seinfeld, Friends, and Wrestling together and going to 25 out of the 30 current MLB stadiums together on their yearly baseball trips together. Hear Rich discuss his friendship with Reckless Youth, putting the IWA softball team together, and being fooled into hauling around a broken trophy thinking it was legitimately the Brawl For All trophy that Bart Gunn received from WWF! Listen to Jim tell the story of sleeping with a WWE HOFer on the very first road trip he did in the wrestling business & so much more this week on Fannin’s Flashbacks!

    Be sure to follow Jim on X – @JFannin73
    Subscribe to his Youtube channel – https://www.youtube.com/@sportsfannin

    Apple Podcasts
    Spotify
    iHeart
    Archive.org Direct Link
    Youtube – SportsFannin channel – Fannin’s Flashbacks Episode 5
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    Castbox

  • Fannin’s Flashbacks – Episode 4 – Les Johns

    Fannin’s Flashbacks – Episode 4 – Les Johns


    Episode 4 of Fannin’s Flashbacks is LIVE! On this episode, Jim sits down with the man truly responsible for getting him into the business, Les Johns. College friends that bonded over their love of wrestling, they talk about how Les calling the IWA hotline and leaving a critique of the show ended up with Ian Rotten calling at 3 am to yell at him about the critique. That phone call grew into Les Johns, Ben Rich, and Jim becoming involved in IWA Mid South and bringing shows to Lexington. The release date of this episode (11/7/25) is the 28th anniversary of that debut show in Lexington (11/7/97). So the day before his 49th birthday, Jim celebrates the 28th anniversary of entering the wrestling business. Les and Jim discuss going to ECW fan cons, the 1997 Final Four to watch their Alma mater UK, Starrcade 1995 & 1996, and the 1996 King of the Ring. Where was Jim when Stone Cold Steve Austin was born and debuted the catchphrase Austin 3:16? You have to listen to find out! All that & so much more this week on Fannin’s Flashbacks!

    Be sure to follow Jim on X – @JFannin73
    Subscribe to his Youtube channel – https://www.youtube.com/@sportsfannin

    Apple Podcasts
    Spotify
    iHeart
    Archive.org Direct Link
    Youtube – SportsFannin channel – Fannin’s Flashbacks Episode 4
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  • Fannin’s Flashbacks – Audio Only – Episode 4 – Les Johns

    Fannin’s Flashbacks – Audio Only – Episode 4 – Les Johns

    11 07 25 -fannins flashbacks episode 4
    Fannin’s Flashbacks
    Fannin’s Flashbacks – Audio Only – Episode 4 – Les Johns
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    Episode 4 of Fannin’s Flashbacks is LIVE! On this episode, Jim sits down with the man truly responsible for getting him into the business, Les Johns. College friends that bonded over their love of wrestling, they talk about how Les calling the IWA hotline and leaving a critique of the show ended up with Ian Rotten calling at 3 am to yell at him about the critique. That phone call grew into Les Johns, Ben Rich, and Jim becoming involved in IWA Mid South and bringing shows to Lexington. The release date of this episode (11/7/25) is the 28th anniversary of that debut show in Lexington (11/7/97). So the day before his 49th birthday, Jim celebrates the 28th anniversary of entering the wrestling business. Les and Jim discuss going to ECW fan cons, the 1997 Final Four to watch their Alma mater UK, Starrcade 1995 & 1996, and the 1996 King of the Ring. Where was Jim when Stone Cold Steve Austin was born and debuted the catchphrase Austin 3:16? You have to listen to find out! All that & so much more this week on Fannin’s Flashbacks!

    Be sure to follow Jim on X – @JFannin73
    Subscribe to his Youtube channel – https://www.youtube.com/@sportsfannin

    Apple Podcasts
    Spotify
    iHeart
    Archive.org Direct Link
    Youtube – SportsFannin channel – Fannin’s Flashbacks Episode 4
    Pocketcasts
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    Anghami
    Podcast App
    Castbox

  • Fannin’s Flashbacks – Episode 3 – American Kickboxer

    Fannin’s Flashbacks – Episode 3 – American Kickboxer


    Episode 3 of Fannin’s Flashbacks is LIVE! On this episode, Jim sits down with multiple times over former IWA Midsouth Light Heavyweight champion American Kickboxer. Despite knowing each other for close to 30 years, this podcast & leading up to the recording is the most Jim & AKB have ever talked. They start the conversation with Kickboxer’s start in the business, his training, meeting Les Thatcher, proper training, starting in IWA Midsouth, the Tarek/Kickboxer matches actually being the draw for Jim & his friends to make the trip from Lexington every week and listen to Kickboxer actually make Jim speechless for the first time in his life with an answer about acknowledging what happened in IWA and having gratitude for it. All that & so much more this week on Fannin’s Flashbacks!

    Be sure to follow Jim on X – @JFannin73
    Subscribe to his Youtube channel – https://www.youtube.com/@sportsfannin

    Buy Frank Mullins’ (American Kickboxer) book:
    Gypsies are Real. Wrestling is Pre-Determined (not fake)
    December 1, 2025. by Frank Mullins (Author), Lauren Huston (Editor)

    Apple Podcasts
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    Youtube – SportsFannin channel – Fannin’s Flashbacks Episode 3
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  • Fannin’s Flashbacks – Audio Only – Episode 3 – American Kickboxer

    Fannin’s Flashbacks – Audio Only – Episode 3 – American Kickboxer

    10 31 25 -fannins flashbacks episode 3
    Fannin’s Flashbacks
    Fannin’s Flashbacks – Audio Only – Episode 3 – American Kickboxer
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    Episode 3 of Fannin’s Flashbacks is LIVE! On this episode, Jim sits down with multiple times over former IWA Midsouth Light Heavyweight champion American Kickboxer. Despite knowing each other for close to 30 years, this podcast & leading up to the recording is the most Jim & AKB have ever talked. They start the conversation with Kickboxer’s start in the business, his training, meeting Les Thatcher, proper training, starting in IWA Midsouth, the Tarek/Kickboxer matches actually being the draw for Jim & his friends to make the trip from Lexington every week and listen to Kickboxer actually make Jim speechless for the first time in his life with an answer about acknowledging what happened in IWA and having gratitude for it. All that & so much more this week on Fannin’s Flashbacks!

    Be sure to follow Jim on X – @JFannin73
    Subscribe to his Youtube channel – https://www.youtube.com/@sportsfannin

    Buy Frank Mullins’ (American Kickboxer) book:
    Gypsies are Real. Wrestling is Pre-Determined (not fake)
    December 1, 2025. by Frank Mullins (Author), Lauren Huston (Editor)

    Apple Podcasts
    Spotify
    iHeart
    Archive.org Direct Link
    Youtube – SportsFannin channel – Fannin’s Flashbacks Episode 3
    Pocketcasts
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  • Fannin’s Flashbacks – Episode 2 – Brent Blades

    Fannin’s Flashbacks – Episode 2 – Brent Blades


    Episode 2 of Fannin’s Flashbacks is LIVE! On this episode, I sit down with “The Whole Reffin Show” Brent Blades who served as the IWA senior official from 2000-2003. We talk about starting out in the front row at IWA shows at the old Kmart building and how many eventually got involved on shows, the world famous piss bucket, the infamous snow storm in Morris that wrecked the attendance for CM Punk vs. Eddie Guerrero in 2002 at my old high school, the tomfoolery on the drive thru the show from Indianapolis, how eerily similar our actual wrestling records are in IWA, midnight bingo, midnight bowling, and everything in between. You’d never guess who argued for Brent to make his first payday in the wrestling business, gotta listen to find out who!

    Be sure to follow Jim on X – @JFannin73
    Subscribe to his Youtube channel – https://www.youtube.com/@sportsfannin

    Apple Podcasts
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    Youtube – SportsFannin channel – Fannin’s Flashbacks Episode 2
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  • Fannin’s Flashbacks – Audio Only – Episode 2 – Brent Blades

    Fannin’s Flashbacks – Audio Only – Episode 2 – Brent Blades

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    Fannin’s Flashbacks
    Fannin’s Flashbacks – Audio Only – Episode 2 – Brent Blades
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    Episode 2 of Fannin’s Flashbacks is LIVE! On this episode, I sit down with “The Whole Reffin Show” Brent Blades who served as the IWA senior official from 2000-2003. We talk about starting out in the front row at IWA shows at the old Kmart building and how many eventually got involved on shows, the world famous piss bucket, the infamous snow storm in Morris that wrecked the attendance for CM Punk vs. Eddie Guerrero in 2002 at my old high school, the tomfoolery on the drive thru the show from Indianapolis, how eerily similar our actual wrestling records are in IWA, midnight bingo, midnight bowling, and everything in between. You’d never guess who argued for Brent to make his first payday in the wrestling business, gotta listen to find out who!

    Be sure to follow Jim on X – @JFannin73
    Subscribe to his Youtube channel – https://www.youtube.com/@sportsfannin

    Apple Podcasts
    Spotify
    iHeart
    Archive.org Direct Link
    Youtube – SportsFannin channel – Fannin’s Flashbacks Episode 2
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    Castbox

  • Fannin’s Flashbacks – Episode 1 – University of Kentucky College Buddy Ben Rich

    Fannin’s Flashbacks – Episode 1 – University of Kentucky College Buddy Ben Rich


    Episode 1 of Fannin’s Flashbacks is LIVE! The first episode features a conversation between Jim & his old college buddy Ben Rich as they talk about becoming friends during their time in college at University of Kentucky, finding IWA Midsouth, bringing IWAMS to Lexington and everything in between.

    Be sure to follow Jim on X – @JFannin73
    Subscribe to his Youtube channel – https://www.youtube.com/@sportsfannin

    Apple Podcasts
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    Archive.org Direct Link
    Youtube – SportsFannin channel – Fannin’s Flashbacks Episode 1
    Pocketcasts
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    Episode 1 of #FanninsFlashbacks with @benrich6610 dropped on my YT channel. Also on all podcast apps. Episode is right around 1 hour 23 minutes long. So it’s like a Chris Hero vs CM Punk match!
    For Episode 2, I recorded with @brentblades. Brent was the whole Reffin’ show and hands down the best damn referee I ever worked with. If you have any questions, please send them on X.

  • Fannin’s Flashbacks – Audio Only – Episode 1 – Ben Rich

    Fannin’s Flashbacks – Audio Only – Episode 1 – Ben Rich

    10 19 25 -fannins flashbacks episode1 sqq
    Fannin’s Flashbacks
    Fannin’s Flashbacks – Audio Only – Episode 1 – Ben Rich



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    Episode 1 of Fannin’s Flashbacks is LIVE! The first episode features a conversation between Jim & his old college buddy Ben Rich as they talk about becoming friends during their time in college at University of Kentucky, finding IWA Midsouth, bringing IWAMS to Lexington and everything in between.

    Be sure to follow Jim on X – @JFannin73
    Subscribe to his Youtube channel – https://www.youtube.com/@sportsfannin

    Apple Podcasts
    Spotify
    iHeart
    Archive.org Direct Link
    Youtube – SportsFannin channel – Fannin’s Flashbacks Episode 1
    Pocketcasts
    Podbean
    PlayerFM
    Anghami
    Podcast App
    Castbox