Me, Jody Mac, WFAN and “Keep It In The Ring”

By Rich Mancuso/Sports Editor

Today and all day sports talk radio AM660, known as WFAN in New York City, is celebrating 30 years on the airwaves.  It’s time to reflect a bit about the infancy stages and how yours truly and pro wrestling talk became a part of overnights with Jody McDonald and the fans. And as always how “Keep It In The Ring” became a catch-phrase with many of the loyal fans who listened and called in at 3 AM.



 

 

It all started as a gimmick in the early 1990’s with Steve Somers. He knocked the pro wrestling industry. I would call in. Jody came into the picture later. We met at a local pub and the idea was born to give a radio show a try. We did so not knowing that in four years pro wrestling talk would once again be heard in the New York City market on a 50,000 watt radio station.

 

You know, this was sports talk radio and not the place to discuss something that was scripted and all about the soap opera. Remember this was long before the WWE cable network and web sites that are now the go-to sources for rabid fans.

 

Listeners waited patiently to talk with Jody and me. WFAN management was not sold on the segment, but Jody pushed for it and soon the hour became a platform for pro wrestling fans. Promoters tuned in and buying spots on the hour became their forum, Management saw that revenue, and, of course, at 3 am, that revenue was precious to say the least.

 

Because Jody had that passion for pro wrestling, as well as an encyclopedic sports knowledge, it worked. This was a period of time when interest in pro wrestling was at an all-time high. The fans wanted to be informed and we were there.

 

The most common question asked  by listeners was, “Is Paul Orndorff dead?” Of course, he was alive and well. But that was a persistent rumor, if not, an inside joke. But we always answered the question.

 

 

I hear so many say, “Rich your voice and knowledge of pro wrestling made me stay awake.” And for that, I am forever grateful. I am glad that when the opportunity presented itself, I went for it. Of course, getting scoops and reporting on the “Karma” of the wrestling industry would not sit well with the suits at what-was-once-called the WWF (World Wrestling Federation).

 

 

The great Terry Funk came to the old Kaufman Astoria Studios, as did some other legends, including the late “Captain” Lou Albano. The Hall of Fame list of guests goes on and on, and we are so always grateful. That includes the tag team known as the Dudley Boys who listened as faithful fans.

 

In fact, to this day, the Dudleys attribute yours truly for getting them into the wrestling business. They heard about the “Unpredictable Johnny Rodz School of Pro Wrestling” on the show. Later, this Brooklyn-born duo would become legends and one of the top tag team championship tandems in pro wrestling history.

 

Jody usually said. “JM with RM, early in the morning.” My fans and friends frequently tell me that the segment with Jody McDonald had an impact. We kept fans from getting their weekend sleep, until Jody later moved on, taking his vast sports knowledge to WIP in Philadelphia.

 

As for “Keep It in the Ring,” a slogan that is alive and well, it just came to me. I needed a close to the segment just before 4am. As Jody offered his thanks until next week, I chimed in with “Keep it In The Ring.” It was appropriate and it became one of those catch-phrases that is a part of this journey.

 

At times, when I review the various YouTube shows that loyal fans have posted online, I get emotional looking at those highlights of an amazing career in sports media.

 

So many years later and WFAN continues its remarkable ride as the No. 1 talk sports radio station in the country. The format worked and imitators followed and had similar success but smaller audiences, at more normal hours.  I am grateful to them, the fans, and I owe it all to Jody McDonald.

 

 

Pro wrestling talk radio will always be a part of WFAN history. And, “Keep It In The Ring” is an indelible part of that history.

 

Comment Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com  Twitter@Ring786 Facebook.com/Rich Mancuso

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