Conrad Thompson

Last updated
Conrad Thompson
Born (1981-06-27) June 27, 1981 (age 43)
Guntersville, Alabama, U.S. [1]
Organization Save With Conrad
Title
  • Founder of Save With Conrad
  • Founder of Starrcast
Spouse
Megan Fliehr
​
(m. 2018)​
Relatives

Conrad Channing Thompson (born June 27, 1981) is an American mortgage broker, professional wrestling promoter, [2] and podcast host [3] who presents and co-hosts numerous wrestling oriented podcasts, and promotes the Starrcast wrestling convention.

Contents

Podcasting

Beginnings

Thompson's interest in podcasting began after meeting ECW wrestler Shane Douglas, whom Thompson met after pledging a significant amount of money to a crowdfunding drive for a documentary about ECW. After a positive experience with Douglas, Thompson later approached wrestling manager Jim Cornette with an offer of $1,500 in exchange to come to his house and tell stories for a couple of hours. Before long, word spread, and with Douglas and Cornette vouching for him, numerous wrestling personalities agreed to meet and be interviewed by Thompson. [4] [5]

Ric Flair and Wooooo! Nation

In 2013, Thompson met Ric Flair while he was appearing at a local event. Flair and Thompson hit it off, exchanged contact information and became friends. This led to Thompson occasionally travelling with Flair, meeting yet more wrestling personalities backstage at wrestling events. When CBS approached Flair about starting his own podcast, Flair asked Thompson, who had radio experience advertising his mortgage business, to co-host. Flair's show, called Wooooo! Nation, followed a guest-driven format, and Thompson met many professional wrestling personalities during this time, including Bruce Prichard. Eventually, Flair tired of podcasting, and Prichard agreed to launch a new show with Thompson. [4]

Something to Wrestle with Bruce Prichard

Something to Wrestle eschews a more traditional podcast format, which Thompson describes as, "Be under an hour, don't curse, don't play music, don't play all your ads up front." Thompson calls these, "the standard rules of podcasting" and routinely disregards them on the show, explaining that, "I'm just a fan. But I also am the target demographic. If it's not something I'd listen to or be into, I don't do it." Typically the show revolves around a particular wrestling event or timeline such as a pay-per-view, memorable storyline angle or a wrestler's run in a certain promotion, with Thompson asking questions and Prichard giving his view on the subject. In 2018, Thompson and Prichard signed a deal with WWE to broadcast Something else to Wrestle with Bruce Prichard on the WWE Network. [6]

Starrcast

Starrcast is a professional wrestling fan convention promoted by Thompson. [7] The event typically runs for four days – from Thursday to Sunday – and features wrestlers, wrestling personalities and podcast hosts, [8] [9] interviews, fan activities, and meet-and-greets. [10]

On July 31, 2022 as part of Starrcast V, Thompson - under the Jim Crockett Promotions banner - promoted his first ever wrestling card with Ric Flair's Last Match, featuring his father-in-law wrestling in his final professional wrestling match. [11]

Personal life

Thompson resides in Huntsville, Alabama, where he still operates his mortgage company. [12] He married Megan Fliehr in 2018, becoming an in-law to Ric Flair and his children Ashley (Charlotte Flair) and David. [13]

Awards and accomplishments

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ric Flair</span> American professional wrestler (born 1949)

Richard Morgan Fliehr, known professionally as Ric Flair, is an American professional wrestler. Regarded by multiple peers and journalists as the greatest professional wrestler of all time, Flair has had a career spanning over 50 years in 6 decades.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jim Crockett Promotions</span> Professional wrestling promotion

Jim Crockett Promotions is a family-owned professional wrestling promotion headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, United States. Founded in 1931, the promotion emerged as a cornerstone of the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA). By the 1980s, Jim Crockett Promotions was, along with the World Wrestling Federation, one of the two largest promotions in the United States. The Crockett family sold a majority interest in the promotion to Turner Broadcasting System, resulting in the creation of World Championship Wrestling (WCW) in 1988. In 2022, Jim Crockett Promotions Inc. was restarted by Jim Crockett's son and Jim Crockett Jr's brother, David Crockett.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vince Russo</span> American professional wrestling writer

Vincent James Russo is an American professional wrestling writer, booker and pundit. He is notable for his tenures with the World Wrestling Federation, World Championship Wrestling (WCW) and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) in creative roles. He also occasionally made appearances as an on-screen authority figure, and professional wrestler, in WCW and TNA.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NWA World's Heavyweight Championship</span> Professional wrestling championship

The NWA World's Heavyweight Championship is a men's professional wrestling world heavyweight championship owned and promoted by the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA), an American professional wrestling promotion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jim Ross</span> American professional wrestling commentator

James William Ross is an American professional wrestling commentator, sports announcer, podcaster, and occasional professional wrestler, better known by the ring name Jim Ross. He is signed with All Elite Wrestling (AEW), where he serves as a commentator as well as an analyst and senior advisor. Ross is best known for a long and distinguished career as a play-by-play commentator for WWE. Known affectionately by WWE fans as "Good Ol' JR", Ross has been labeled as the greatest wrestling commentator of all time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arn Anderson</span> American professional wrestler, road agent, and author

Martin Anthony Lunde, better known by his ring name Arn Anderson, is an American professional wrestling road agent, author, and retired professional wrestler. Although he is widely regarded as one of the greatest tag team wrestlers in history, he also had a successful singles career and became a four-time NWA/WCW World Television Champion, which he often called his "world title".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jim Cornette</span> American professional wrestling personality

James Mark Cornette is an American author, sports historian, and podcaster who previously worked in the professional wrestling industry as an agent, booker, color commentator, manager, photographer, promoter, trainer, and occasional professional wrestler. Cornette is widely considered to be one of the greatest managers in wrestling history by fans and publications, as well as industry personnel. Cornette currently hosts two podcasts along with co-host and producer Brian Last—The Jim Cornette Experience and Jim Cornette's Drive-Thru— with the latter being the most-played wrestling podcast as of February 2024 and both being among the most popular wrestling podcasts of all time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dusty Rhodes</span> American professional wrestler (1945–2015)

Virgil Riley Runnels Jr., better known as "The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes, was an American professional wrestler, booker, and trainer who worked for the National Wrestling Alliance and the World Wrestling Federation, later known as WWE. Rhodes was considered a star wrestler and presented the persona of an American everyman, the American Dream personified. Rhodes is widely regarded as one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time.

Bruce Prichard is an American professional wrestling executive, booker, and producer and a former manager, commentator, and occasional professional wrestler who works for WWE as Executive Director - CWT. In addition to his corporate roles with WWE, Prichard has also appeared as an on-screen character under the ring name Brother Love. As Brother Love, Prichard was the original manager of The Undertaker, and hosted a talk show segment, The Brother Love Show.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rock 'n' Roll Express</span> Professional wrestling tag team

The Rock 'n' Roll Express is a professional wrestling tag team consisting of professional wrestlers Robert Gibson and Ricky Morton. The duo began teaming together in Memphis in the early 1980s, followed by Mid-South Wrestling, followed by Jim Crockett Promotions (JCP). They held the NWA World Tag Team Championship nine times, with the first four times in JCP. They also feuded with The Four Horsemen. In the late 1980s, they were contenders for the American Wrestling Association's AWA World Tag Team Championship. By 1991, the team was losing momentum, and Morton turned heel on his partner to join The York Foundation in World Championship Wrestling (WCW). In 1992, the team reformed in both the United States Wrestling Association and Smoky Mountain Wrestling, where they held the SMW Tag Team Championship ten times. The duo also worked in the World Wrestling Federation. On March 31, 2017, the Rock 'n' Roll Express was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame by Jim Cornette.

Major League Wrestling (MLW) is an American professional wrestling promotion based in New Rochelle, New York. The promotion was founded in 2002 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by former WWE writer Court Bauer. The promotion markets its product as "Hybrid Wrestling", with its roster featuring a mix of different wrestling styles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tony Schiavone</span> American professional wrestling commentator, podcaster, and sports announcer

Noah Anthony Schiavone is an American sports announcer, professional wrestling commentator and podcaster. He is signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW) where he serves as the play-by-play commentator for Collision, color commentator for Dynamite and Rampage, then also as senior producer. He has previously worked for Jim Crockett Promotions, the World Wrestling Federation, World Championship Wrestling (WCW), and Major League Wrestling (MLW). In addition to his work in wrestling, Schiavone has also worked as a broadcaster for the Gwinnett Braves/Stripers of Minor League Baseball and Georgia Bulldogs football.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jim Crockett Jr.</span> American wrestling promoter (1944–2021)

James Allen Crockett Jr. was an American professional wrestling promoter. From 1973 to 1989, he was part owner of Jim Crockett Promotions (JCP), a wrestling company affiliated with the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA). From 1976 to 1987, Crockett and his family also owned the Charlotte Orioles, a minor league baseball team based in Charlotte, North Carolina as well as owning the Winston-Salem Polar Twins in the Southern Hockey League from 1974 to 1975.

James Herd is a former television production executive, Pizza Hut manager, and professional wrestling executive. Herd was the Executive Vice President of World Championship Wrestling (WCW) from 1988 to 1992 following Turner Broadcasting's acquisition of the National Wrestling Alliance-affiliated Jim Crockett Promotions in 1988.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mark Madden</span> Radio sports talk show host, professional wrestling commentator

Mark Madden is an American sports talk show host in Pittsburgh. He is best known for his work as a professional wrestling color commentator for World Championship Wrestling (WCW). Madden hosts a weekday afternoon show from 3-6 PM on local radio station, 105.9 The X, and serves as a part-time sports columnist for TribLive.

<i>Something to Wrestle with Bruce Prichard</i> Wrestling podcast

Something to Wrestle with Bruce Prichard is an audio podcast that discusses topics, events, wrestlers and memorable moments through the lens of WWE executive Bruce Prichard. The show was launched in August 2016 on MLW Radio. The episodes' length typically ranges from two to four hours, and include discussions about previous WWE pay-per-views and former WWE wrestlers. A video version of the podcast called Something Else to Wrestle with Bruce Prichard debuted on the WWE Network on April 18, 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Starrcast</span> Series of professional wrestling fan conventions promoted by Conrad Thompson

Starrcast is a professional wrestling fan convention promoted by Conrad Thompson. The event typically runs for four days— from Thursday to Sunday – and features wrestlers, wrestling personalities and podcast hosts, interviews, fan activities, and meet-and-greets.

<i>NWA Powerrr</i> American professional wrestling television program

NWA Powerrr is a professional wrestling streaming television program produced by the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) that premiered on October 8, 2019. As of October 1, 2024, the series streams on X.

A Hot Summer Night: The '85 World Invitational Wrestling Spectacular was a professional wrestling supercard produced by NWA Polynesian Pro Wrestling (NWA-PPW), which took place on August 3, 1985, at the Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii. An interpromotional show, it featured wrestlers from the American Wrestling Association, Jim Crockett Promotions and New Japan Pro-Wrestling.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ric Flair's Last Match</span> 2022 Jim Crockett Promotions pay-per-view event

Ric Flair's Last Match was a professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) event and supershow. It took place on July 31, 2022, at the Nashville Municipal Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee and aired on FITE and In Demand. The event was produced and promoted by Conrad Thompson and David Crockett under the banner of Jim Crockett Promotions (JCP) as part of the Starrcast V convention, and was the first card promoted under the JCP banner since 1988. Ric Flair headlined the event in the advertised final match of his 50-year career, teaming with his son-in-law Andrade El Idolo to defeat Jay Lethal and Jeff Jarrett.

References

  1. ↑ "How Conrad Thompson became a wrestling podcasting mogul". al. 2017-11-15. Retrieved 2021-09-02.
  2. ↑ Ric Flair deserves chance to find closure in final match — even with risks - NY Post.com
  3. ↑ "Arn Anderson Unable To Detail His WWE Departure, Says He Doesn't Want To Be Where He's Not Wanted | Fightful Wrestling". www.fightful.com. Retrieved 2019-07-25.
  4. 1 2 "How Conrad Thompson went from Alabama mortgage broker to pro wrestling power player". ESPN.com. August 29, 2018.
  5. ↑ Conrad Thompson Runs a Successful Mortgage Brokerage and Pro-Wrestling Podcast Empire. The Two Are Not Mutually Exclusive. - Entrepreneur.com
  6. ↑ "Alabama's Conrad Thompson signs deal for WWE show". al. April 16, 2018.
  7. ↑ "4-day wresting podcast convention coming to Hyatt Regency Schaumburg". 20 August 2018. Archived from the original on 2018-08-21. Retrieved 21 August 2018.
  8. ↑ Carey, Ian (May 11, 2018). "Macaulay Culkin, DDP, and Others Announced For Starrcast". Archived from the original on 2018-05-17. Retrieved May 16, 2018.
  9. ↑ "HOME". www.starrcast.com. Archived from the original on 2018-07-13. Retrieved 2018-08-20.
  10. ↑ Fite.TV (July 9, 2018). "FITE schedule for STARRCAST online viewing announced". Fite.TV. Archived from the original on 2018-08-21. Retrieved July 9, 2018.
  11. ↑ Fernandes, Steven (May 19, 2022). "New Jim Crockett Promotions Trademark Filings, Four Horsemen Reunion". PWInsider.com. Retrieved June 4, 2022.
  12. ↑ "Save With Conrad". Save with Conrad.
  13. ↑ Price, Mark (January 17, 2018). "Ric Flair announces his daughter's engagement to a guy wrestling fans know well". charlotteobserver.com. The Charlotte Observer. Retrieved January 28, 2020.
  14. ↑ Sharp, John (July 26, 2023). "How an Alabama podcaster got inducted into a pro wrestling hall of fame". AL.com . Retrieved July 28, 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.