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.
Conrad Thompson | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 27, 1981 Guntersville, Alabama, U.S.[1] |
| Organization | Save With Conrad |
| Title |
|
| Spouse |
Megan Fliehr (m. 2018) |
| Relatives |
|
Podcasting
editBeginnings
editThompson'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
editIn 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
editSomething 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
editStarrcast 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
editThompson 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
edit- George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame
- Gordon Solie Award (2023)[14]
References
edit- ^ "How Conrad Thompson became a wrestling podcasting mogul". al. 2017-11-15. Retrieved 2021-09-02.
- ^ Ric Flair deserves chance to find closure in final match — even with risks - NY Post.com
- ^ "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.
- ^ a b "How Conrad Thompson went from Alabama mortgage broker to pro wrestling power player". ESPN.com. August 29, 2018.
- ^ Conrad Thompson Runs a Successful Mortgage Brokerage and Pro-Wrestling Podcast Empire. The Two Are Not Mutually Exclusive. - Entrepreneur.com
- ^ "Alabama's Conrad Thompson signs deal for WWE show". al. April 16, 2018.
- ^ "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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "HOME". www.starrcast.com. Archived from the original on 2018-07-13. Retrieved 2018-08-20.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Fernandes, Steven (May 19, 2022). "New Jim Crockett Promotions Trademark Filings, Four Horsemen Reunion". PWInsider.com. Retrieved June 4, 2022.
- ^ "Save With Conrad". Save with Conrad.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Sharp, John (July 26, 2023). "How an Alabama podcaster got inducted into a pro wrestling hall of fame". AL.com. Retrieved July 28, 2023.