Best of Windy City Slam Year 1 interviews: Foley, Dreamer, Merchant, Lethal, Kazarian

By Mike Pankow

July 29, 2019

In our first year, Windy City Slam has conducted many interviews. Among those we uploaded several of these to YouTube, some video and some just audio, but we are very proud of obtaining some of the superstars of professional wrestling and beyond who are featured.

Check them out below:

Mick Foley at Wizard World Chicago 2018 (video):

Story: https://www.windycityslam.com/home/2018/9/12/chicago-history-sticks-with-mick-foley

WWE Hall of Famer Mick Foley is interviewed by Windy City Slam editor Mike Pankow about his brutal matches in Chicago, the reason he donated his brain to the Concussion Legacy Foundation, his affinity for Christmas and who he thinks is some of the brightest upcoming stars in WWE.

Tommy Dreamer at Wizard World Chicago 2018 (video):

Story: https://www.windycityslam.com/home/2018/10/5/extreme-icon-tommy-dreamer-still-going-strong

ECW Original Tommy Dreamer is interviewed by Windy City Slam editor Mike Pankow about his hardcore wrestling style, his days in ECW, his travels in the wrestling business, founding House of Hardcore, plus working on Busted Open Radio and his "fat war" with Bully Ray.

Stephen Merchant on “Fighting With My Family” on Chicago media tour (video):

Story: https://www.windycityslam.com/home/2019/2/13/paige-biopic-helped-stephen-merchant-become-wrestling-fan

Windy City Slam editor Mike Pankow interviews noted British actor/director Stephen Merchant about "Fighting with My Family," the upcoming biopic on WWE Superstar Paige. The interview was conducted during Merchant's Chicago media tour on Jan. 31, just days after the movie premiered at the Sundance Film Festival.

Jay Lethal before ROH’s 17th Anniversary show (audio):

Story: https://www.windycityslam.com/home/2019/3/11/record-breaking-roh-champion-jay-lethal-never-stops-learning

Ring of Honor World Champion Jay Lethal is interviewed by Windy City Slam editor Mike Pankow. Subjects include Lethal becoming the longest reigning World Champion in company history, the evolution of ROH, the "Black Machismo" character and Lethal's favorite wrestlers of all time.

Rob Schamberger, WWE artist-in-residence, at C2E2 (video):

Story: https://www.windycityslam.com/home/2019/3/29/wwe-artist-rob-schamberger-living-the-dream

WWE artist in residence Rob Schamberger spoke with Windy City Slam editor Mike Pankow at C2E2 on Friday, March 22, 2019. Topics include how he got his role with WWE, the piece of artwork that touched him the most and the WWE women's division.

Dave LaGreca, Busted Open host, at Starrcast I 2018 in Schaumburg, Ill. (audio):

Story: https://www.windycityslam.com/home/2019/4/3/busted-open-going-10-years-strong-on-siriusxm

Windy City Slam editor Mike Pankow interviews Dave LaGreca, the host of Busted Open Radio at STARRCAST at the Hyatt Regency Schaumburg Chicago on Friday, August 31, 2018. LaGreca speaks about how Busted Open Radio came to be, the evolution of the show, his various co-hosts and his wrestling fandom.

Frankie Kazarian before All Elite Wrestling’s “Double or Nothing” (audio):

Story: https://www.windycityslam.com/home/2019/5/22/frankie-kazarian-riding-the-wave-of-all-elite-wrestling

Windy City Slam editor Mike Pankow interviews All Elite Wrestling's Frankie Kazarian via telephone on Thursday, March 14, 2019. Kazarian talks about the evolution of his career, becoming buddies with Christopher Daniels, the formation of SCU, wrestlers who inspired him, facing oVe at Warrior Wrestling 4 and what kind of product AEW will offer.

Pat Monix at Warrior Wrestling 5 (video):

Story: https://www.windycityslam.com/home/2019/6/6/chicagos-pat-monix-still-grinding-for-his-dream

Windy City Slam editor Mike Pankow interviews Chicago independent wrestler Pat Monix (aka Project M.O.N.I.X.) at Warrior Wrestling 5 on Sunday, May 12, 2019. Monix talks about the evolution of his career and character, his wrestling influences, his feuds with Simon Grimm and Sam Adonis, his relationship with DJZ and his goals for the future.