Legends By The National Wrestling Hall Of Fame | Chronicling The History And Legacy Of Wrestling's All-time Greats

Full induction ceremony for the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Honors Weekend in Stillwater, Oklahoma on June 7, 2025. Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award: Marcus BlazeTricia Saunders High School Excellence Award: Piper FowlerMeritorious Service for Officials: Ken MaraOrder of Merit: Van StokesMedal of Courage: Mark ColemanOutstanding American: Terry Davis Distinguished MembersDarryl BurleyMatt LindlandTerry SteinerGreg Wojciechowski Recorded June 2025. SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOWApple Podcasts  | Spreaker | iHeartRadio | Spotify  | Android | RSS

The annual tribute brunch for Saturday, June 7, 2025 at the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Honors Weekend. This is the full audio of the morning's events. Tim Johnson serves as the emcee.SpeakersP.A. Bowler & Mike Hagerty (for Ken Mara)Gary Abbott & Johnathan Stokes (for Van Stokes)Matt Brown & Royce Alger (for Mark Coleman)Frank Gallardo & Josh DoBell (for Terry Davis)Pete Schuyler & Solomon Fleckman (for Darryl Burley)Mark Cody & Chris Sada (for Matt Lindland)Adeline Gray & Rich Bender (for Terry Steiner)Josh Cowell & Don Wyper (for Greg Wojciechowski)

The tribute speeches and induction ceremony for 2024 National Wrestling Hall of Fame Distinguished Member Logan Stieber. Tribute speakers: Helen Stieber and Hunter Stieber. Tribune emcee: Dave Martin. Induction ceremony emcee: Sandy Stevens.  Recorded June 2024. SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOWApple Podcasts  | Spreaker | iHeartRadio | Spotify  | Android | RSS ContributeAnd if you're a fan of the extensive and broad-based reach of the shows on the Mat Talk Podcast Network, become a contributor today.. There are various levels of perks for the different levels of patronage. If you like wrestling content — scratch that — if you LOVE great wrestling content, consider becoming a contributor. How much you give is solely up to how much you believe it's worth to you.

The tribute speeches and induction ceremony for 2024 National Wrestling Hall of Fame Distinguished Member Coleman Scott. Tribute speakers: John Yates and Neil Erisman. Tribune emcee: Dave Martin. Induction ceremony emcee: Sandy Stevens.  Recorded June 2024. SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOWApple Podcasts  | Spreaker | iHeartRadio | Spotify  | Android | RSS ContributeAnd if you're a fan of the extensive and broad-based reach of the shows on the Mat Talk Podcast Network, become a contributor today.. There are various levels of perks for the different levels of patronage. If you like wrestling content — scratch that — if you LOVE great wrestling content, consider becoming a contributor. How much you give is solely up to how much you believe it's worth to you.

The tribute speeches and induction ceremony for 2024 National Wrestling Hall of Fame Distinguished Member Toccara Montgomery. Tribute speakers: Jessica Medina and Axa Molina. Tribune emcee: Dave Martin. Induction ceremony emcee: Sandy Stevens.  Recorded June 2024. SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOWApple Podcasts  | Spreaker | iHeartRadio | Spotify  | Android | RSS ContributeAnd if you're a fan of the extensive and broad-based reach of the shows on the Mat Talk Podcast Network, become a contributor today.. There are various levels of perks for the different levels of patronage. If you like wrestling content — scratch that — if you LOVE great wrestling content, consider becoming a contributor. How much you give is solely up to how much you believe it's worth to you.

The tribute speeches and induction ceremony for 2024 National Wrestling Hall of Fame Distinguished Member Tadaaki Hatta. Tribute speakers: Nancy Schultz Vitangeli and Anthony Spooner. Tribune emcee: Dave Martin. Induction ceremony emcee: Sandy Stevens.  Recorded June 2024. SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOWApple Podcasts  | Spreaker | iHeartRadio | Spotify  | Android | RSS ContributeAnd if you're a fan of the extensive and broad-based reach of the shows on the Mat Talk Podcast Network, become a contributor today.. There are various levels of perks for the different levels of patronage. If you like wrestling content — scratch that — if you LOVE great wrestling content, consider becoming a contributor. How much you give is solely up to how much you believe it's worth to you.

The tribute speeches and induction ceremony for 2024 National Wrestling Hall of Fame Outstanding American recipient Col. Steve Banach.  Tribute speakers: Mark Faller and Samuel Banach. Tribune emcee: Dave Martin. Induction ceremony emcee: Sandy Stevens.  Recorded June 2024. SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOWApple Podcasts  | Spreaker | iHeartRadio | Spotify  | Android | RSS ContributeAnd if you're a fan of the extensive and broad-based reach of the shows on the Mat Talk Podcast Network, become a contributor today.. There are various levels of perks for the different levels of patronage. If you like wrestling content — scratch that — if you LOVE great wrestling content, consider becoming a contributor. How much you give is solely up to how much you believe it's worth to you.

The tribute speeches and induction ceremony for 2024 National Wrestling Hall of Fame Medal of Courage recipient Jonathan Koch.  Tribute speakers: Mark Waters and Kyle Klingman. Tribune emcee: Dave Martin. Induction ceremony emcee: Sandy Stevens.  Recorded June 2024. SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOWApple Podcasts  | Spreaker | iHeartRadio | Spotify  | Android | RSS ContributeAnd if you're a fan of the extensive and broad-based reach of the shows on the Mat Talk Podcast Network, become a contributor today.. There are various levels of perks for the different levels of patronage. If you like wrestling content — scratch that — if you LOVE great wrestling content, consider becoming a contributor. How much you give is solely up to how much you believe it's worth to you.

The tribute speeches and induction ceremony for 2024 National Wrestling Hall of Fame Order of Merit recipient Darryl W. Miller.  Tribute speakers: Bill Zadick, Jake Miller and Andy Rein. Tribune emcee: Dave Martin. Induction ceremony emcee: Sandy Stevens.  Recorded June 2024. SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOWApple Podcasts  | Spreaker | iHeartRadio | Spotify  | Android | RSS ContributeAnd if you're a fan of the extensive and broad-based reach of the shows on the Mat Talk Podcast Network, become a contributor today.. There are various levels of perks for the different levels of patronage. If you like wrestling content — scratch that — if you LOVE great wrestling content, consider becoming a contributor. How much you give is solely up to how much you believe it's worth to you.

The tribute speeches and induction ceremony for 2024 National Wrestling Hall of Fame Meritorious Service for Officials recipient J.R. Johnson. Tribute speakers: Jeff Pultz & Dr. Mike McCormick. Tribune emcee: Dave Martin. Induction ceremony emcee: Sandy Stevens. SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOWApple Podcasts  | Spreaker | iHeartRadio | Spotify  | Android | RSS ContributeAnd if you're a fan of the extensive and broad-based reach of the shows on the Mat Talk Podcast Network, become a contributor today.. There are various levels of perks for the different levels of patronage. If you like wrestling content — scratch that — if you LOVE great wrestling content, consider becoming a contributor. How much you give is solely up to how much you believe it's worth to you. Recorded June 2024.

Coleman Scott won a bronze medal at the 2012 Olympics after being an NCAA champion, two-time finalist and four-time All-American for Oklahoma State University. He helped OSU win NCAA team titles in 2005 and 2006 and to fifth-place finishes in 2007 and 2008. Scott was a member of the U.S. National Freestyle Team in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014 and 2015. He was a three-time Pennsylvania state champion for Waynesburg Central High School. Scott was a two-time USA Wrestling National Junior Freestyle champion and a two-time USA Junior World Freestyle team member. He was the Pennsylvania, Northeast Region and National winner of the Hall of Fame’s Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award in 2004. Scott was an assistant wrestling coach at Oklahoma State from 2012 to 2014, where he coached four NCAA Division I national champions and six NCAA DI All-Americans while helping OSU capture two Big 12 Conference titles and finish second and third as a team at the NCAA championships. He became an assistant coach at the Univer

Koch worked as a television producer and co-founded Asylum Entertainment which sold to Legendary Entertainment in 2014.In 2015 his life took an unexpected turn when he fell seriously ill during a producers conference in Washington, D.C.To save his life, doctors had to place Koch into a coma. After several harrowing weeks, he miraculously woke up with his mind and spirit intact.However, he learned that he had survived septic shock, which had severely compromised his body. As a result, he had lost all or part of all four limbs, including his right leg and left hand.Even in the face of such devastating circumstances, Koch refused to succumb to despair. Rather than accepting a grim prognosis, he made a vow to not only survive but to thrive for the sake of his teenaged daughter and new wife, Jennifer.Despite being told that his chances of survival were slim, Koch defied the odds. His doctors were astounded by his resilience and determination to live.One doctor, in particular, admitted that Koch had changed her per

Retired United States Army Infantry Colonel Steve Banach began wrestling in the eighth grade and competed alongside his younger twin brothers Ed and Lou Banach for Port Jervis High School in Port Jervis, New York.He continued his career at Clemson University, where he was elected captain of the wrestling team as a freshman and was an Atlantic Coast Conference finalist. Banach then decided to transfer to the University of Iowa, where his twin brothers were wrestling for Dan Gable. Steve ended his wrestling career at the 1984 Final Olympic Trials as a member of the US Army Wrestling Team.He served with distinction in the United States Army from 1983 to 2010.This period of service included deployments to six combat zones.Steve demonstrated impeccable leadership during his service in the U.S. Army.He is a Distinguished Member of the 75th Ranger Regiment and served in that special operations organization for nine years, culminating with command of the 3rd Ranger Battalion from 2001-2003.He led U.S. Army Rangers du

The 2023 Induction Ceremony and speeches from the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Honors Weekend in June 2023 in Stillwater, Oklahoma. The National Wrestling Hall of Fame has announced that the Class of 2023 is Distinguished Members Rich Bender, Jimmy Jackson, Patricia Miranda and Joe Williams, Meritorious Official honoree Ed Kelly, Order of Merit recipient Frank Popolizio, Medal of Courage recipient Richard Perry, and Outstanding American honoree Bob Bowlsby.SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOWApple Podcasts  | Spreaker | iHeartRadio | Spotify  | Android | RSS ContributeAnd if you're a fan of the extensive and broad-based reach of the shows on the Mat Talk Podcast Network, become a contributor today.. There are various levels of perks for the different levels of patronage. If you like wrestling content — scratch that — if you LOVE great wrestling content, consider becoming a contributor. How much you give is solely up to how much you believe it's worth to you. Recorded June 2023.

The Tribute Breakfast for the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Class of 2023 took place at the McKnight Center on the campus of Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Speaking for the Class of 2023 honorees were: John Kelly and Joel Weber for Meritorious Official Ed Kelly, Pat Popolizio and Bryan Hazard for Order of Merit recipient Frank Popolizio, Brandon Slay and Jordan Burroughs for Medal of Courage recipient Richard Perry, John Bowlsby and Tim Johnson speaking for Outstanding American Bob Bowlsby. Speaking for the Distinguished Members were: Michelle Bender and Jeff Levitetz for Rich Bender; Jay Jackson, Tela O’Donnell Bacher and Katie Kunimoto for Patricia Miranda; Jim Shields and Darryl Monasmith for the late Jimmy Jackson; Mark Ironside and Hardell Moore for Joe Williams. SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOWApple Podcasts  | Spreaker | iHeartRadio | Spotify  | Android | RSS ContributeAnd if you're a fan of the extensive and broad-based reach of the shows on the Mat Talk Podcast Network, become a contributo

The 2022 National Wrestling Hall of Fame Honors Weekend closed out with its annual induction program featuring all the honorees. The Class of 2022 featured Meritorious Official Tom Clark (posthumously), Order of Merit recipient Mike Moyer, Medal of Courage recipient Melissa Simmons, Outstanding American Mario Lopez and Distinguished Members Clarissa Chun, Sara McMann, Andy Rein and Jake Varner. The program includes highlight speeches and video presentations. Also honored are Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award winner Cory Land of Alabama and Tricia Saunders High School Excellence Award winner Sofia Macaluso of New York. 1:05 - Opening Remarks8:30 - Cory Land12:30 - Sofia Macaluso16:30 - The late Tom Clark23:55 - Mike Moyer33:00 - Melissa Simmons44:00 - Mario Lopez53:00 - Clarissa Chun1:11:00 - Sara McMann1:20:00 - Andy Rein1:31:00 - Jake Varner1:45:00 - Closing Remarks
And if you're a fan of the extensive and broad-based reach of the shows on the Mat Talk Podcast Network, become a contributor today.. Th

The 2022 National Wrestling Hall of Fame Honors Weekend was back to a fully attended in-person event after a delay from the 2020 class and the 2021 induction ceremony. The McKnight Center hosted one of the newest additions to the weekend, the Tribute Breakfast. Speaking at the Tribute Breakfast in 2022 were Rick Tucci and Zach Errett for Meritorious Official inductee Tom Clark, Jim Miller and Greg Hatcher for Order of Merit inductee Mike Moyer, Archie Randall and Dr. Bob Hines for Medal of Courage inductee Melissa Simmons, Greg Blankenship and William Virchis for Outstanding American inductee Mario Lopez. From the Distinguished Members, speaking are Dr. Roberta Kraus and Waylon Hiler for inductee Clarissa Chun, Tim Hutchins and Art Martori for inductee Sara McMann, Jenna Zipf and Duane Kleven for inductee Andy Rein, Andy Varner and family for inductee Jake Varner. 
And if you're a fan of the extensive and broad-based reach of the shows on the Mat Talk Podcast Network, become a contributor today.. There are va

Bruce Burnett has excelled as a coach on the high school, collegiate and international levels, serving as USA Wrestling’s national freestyle coach and leading some of the most successful teams in American history.During his tenure, five Americans won Olympic gold medals and 11 U.S. athletes won 13 World Championships including four champions in 1993 and four in 1995.From 1993-2000, U.S. wrestlers won 22 World medals (11 gold, four silver and seven bronze) and placed in the Top 10 at the World Championships as a team every year. The United States won its first-ever Senior World Freestyle team title in 1993 and again in 1995, and won the medal count at the 1996 Olympic Games with three gold, a silver and a bronze.He led the United States to seven World Cup team titles and five Pan American Championships, including 2011 when the U.S. had six medalists, including four champions. From the national teams he coached, 14 wrestlers were inducted as Distinguished Members of the Hall of Fame.Burnett was the wrestling co

When wrestlers, coaches, media and fans gather to talk about the G.O.A.T. at Lehigh University, the conversation always includes Mark Lieberman. Combining all styles, he is considered the Mountain Hawks’ greatest overall wrestler. A 1979 Sports Illustrated article described Mark as “the guttiest and the best” college wrestler that year.He was a two-time undefeated NCAA champion at 177 pounds in 1978 and 1979 after a runner-up finish in 1977 at 167. He is part of another special wrestling family with his brother, Mike, winning the NCAA championship for Lehigh in 1975 at 177 pounds.Mark was the first four-time EIWA champion in school history, pinning a tournament record 12 of 16 opponents. In his senior year, he swept the EIWA’s major awards, winning the Outstanding Wrestler Trophy, the Sheridan Trophy for most falls and the Fletcher Award for scoring the most team points in his career. He still holds Lehigh records for season falls (16), career falls (43) and most bonus points in a season (95.2% of his matches

One of only two Americans to win three medals at the Greco-Roman World Championships, Dremiel Byers is considered one of the best Greco-Roman wrestlers in U.S. history.Byers won a gold medal at the 2002 World Championships and is one of just five Americans to win a gold medal in Greco-Roman wrestling. He added a bronze medal in 2007 and a silver medal in 2009 joining Distinguished Member Matt Ghaffari as the only Americans to medal three times. His 2007 bronze medal helped the United States win its first and only Greco-Roman World team title, by a single point over Russia.Between 1999 and 2011, Byers made eight World Greco-Roman and two Olympic teams, finishing seventh in 2008 and ninth in 2012. He is the winningest wrestler, in any style, in Dave Schultz Memorial International history with six gold medals and 11 total medals. He was named USA Wrestling’s Greco-Roman Wrestler of the Year in 1999, 2002 and 2009.Byers attended Kings Mountain High School in Kings Mountain, North Carolina, where he was an All-Sta