Episode 7: Tommy Rogers, Siegfried Steinke, and Larry Zbyszko

From rising stars to rugged brawlers and future legends, three very different wrestlers passed through Portland on their way to wrestling history.

In this episode, host Frank Culbertson explores how the Northwest served as a launching pad—and sometimes a proving ground—for wrestlers who went on to better things.

🌟 Tommy Rogers — In 1982, a young babyface named Tommy Rogers was just five months into his career when he arrived in Portland. Rumors swirled that he was related to the Sawyer brothers, but Rogers made his own name with athletic performances that foreshadowed his later success as one half of The Fantastics—a team that helped define 1980s tag team wrestling.

💥 Siegfried Steinke — A powerhouse from Vancouver with titles to his name, Steinke brought chaos to Portland in the mid-’70s. His “bounty hunter” tag match with Mad Dog Vachon against The Fabulous Kangaroos became the stuff of legend—an all-out brawl that spilled into the crowd and left no chair unturned.

🏆 Larry Whistler (Larry Zbyszko) — In 1973, a young Larry Whistler came through Portland for a handful of matches before becoming the protégé—and later the rival—of Bruno Sammartino. That feud would culminate in front of 36,000 fans at Shea Stadium and make Zbyszko a household name as The Living Legend.

Three unique careers. Three glimpses into wrestling history. All connected by their time in the Northwest.

📚 Based on The Encyclopedia of Portland Wrestlers by historian Mike Rodgers, available now on Amazon.
🎧 Follow On to Better Things: The Portland Chapters on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
📅 New episodes drop every Friday.