On Episode #5 of Talkin’ Off The Top Rope, “The Grizzled Vet” Michael McCurdy welcomes 26 year pro wrestling veteran “Golden Boy” Greg Anthony for an in-depth conversation about the business he’s loved nearly his entire life.
Greg traces his journey from watching professional wrestling sitting on his grandmother’s knee to stepping inside the ring for Memphis Championship Wrestling. He recalls performing before he’d received formal training, attracting more than 200 hometown fans, and receiving early advice from William Regal and Bryan Danielson. Greg also remembers the encouragement shown by Reckless Youth (one of wrestling’s first true internet sensations) and explains why his influence deserves far more recognition.
The stories keep coming. Greg discusses learning from veterans such as Brickhouse Brown and Moondog Spot including the time Spot offered to turn the 180 lb youngster into a smaller, scrappier Moondog. He also talks about tagging with the legendary Bobby Eaton, working behind the scenes for Traditional Championship Wrestling, main eventing Cauliflower Alley Club reunions, his history with the National Wrestling Alliance, and competing at the NWA Parade of Champions alongside Jim Cornette, Rob Conway, and Matt Riviera.
But this episode goes well beyond championships and memorable matches. Greg opens up about balancing wrestling with marriage, fatherhood, day jobs, and exhausting road trips (even when that meant missing major moments in his children’s lives). He also shares the frightening heart condition that nearly ended everything, how that experience renewed his Christian faith, and the work he’s now doing through Pro Wrestling Mid South.
Along the way, Greg and Michael tackle old school psychology, believable heels and babyfaces, the reality of a wrestler’s “bump card,” and why holds, selling, and emotional storytelling still matter. It’s a candid look at the wrestler, trainer, promoter, booker, historian, husband, father, and man behind “The Golden Boy” all in keeping with the show’s mission to make sure the stories never die.
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