Michael Porter (professional wrestling)

Michael Porter
Born January 14, 1951
Gridley, California
Died October 23, 2010(2010-10-23) (aged 59)
Hollywood, California
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s) Michael Porter
Billed height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Billed weight 350 lb (160 kg)
Debut 1969 in San Francisco, California

Michael Porter (born Kim Michael Porter, January 14, 1951 – October 23, 2010) was an American professional wrestling ring announcer and internet radio host.

Porter was born in Gridley, California, and began his career in 1969 in the San Francisco Bay Area and Sacramento region working under the guidance of legendary promoters Roy Shire, Louie Miller and Terry Garvin. Porter was best known for working as a house show ring announcer for the World Wrestling Federation (now World Wrestling Entertainment) from 1988 to 1993 (mostly on the west coast, including the historic Cow Palace in San Francisco, Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena - now Oracle Arena - in Oakland and ARCO Arena - now Sleep Train Arena - in Sacramento). He worked security at WrestleMania VII at the Los Angeles Sports Arena in 1991.

He had announced for such independent feds such as the United Wrestling Alliance (Marysville, California) in 2002-2003, Pro Championship Wrestling (Oroville, California) in 2006 and Devil Mountain Wrestling (Martinez, California) in 2007-2008.[1] Porter hosted a pro wrestling interview program Michael Porter's WrestleShoot, which started as a weekend radio show on Marysville, California, radio station KMYC-AM 1410 and aired there during 2004 and 2005. The show was later broadcast on the internet radio network, Blog Talk Radio. Porter interviewed varying levels of talent from independent stars to members of the WWE Hall of Fame. He also co-hosted the popular Cloverleaf Radio on the same channel.

Porter remained close friends with many WWE stars like Rowdy Roddy Piper, Koko B. Ware, Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka, Honky Tonk Man and Mean Gene Okerlund.

Porter died on October 23, 2010, at his home in Hollywood, California.[2] He was suffering through various health problems from obesity to diabetes and was a two-time cancer survivor.

Good friends of Porter's, internet radio host Wacko Bob (Robert Guercia) & indy pro wrestler Rick Ryder would reunite with their old wrestling internet radio show The Dark Match on Blog Talk Radio and pay tribute to him only a few days after his death with The Stro and Bill Apter as guests on the show.[3]

Return of Michael Porter's WrestleShoot

On October 23, 2012, exactly two years after his death, Michael Porter's WrestleShoot returned to Blog Talk Radio with close friends Mike Summers (now of Action Video Entertainment of Mt. Shasta, California, and The Wacko Radio Network) and Paula Jo Schaber as hosts and producers.[4] The program aired on Sundays on BTR and also spawned a spin-off program called RollerShoot, a program devoted to roller derby. On August 5, 2013, Michael Porter's WrestleShoot ended its five-year run with BTR with its final program by re-airing the pilot from 2008. [5] The program is set to return to internet radio on The Wacko Radio Network in either late 2016 or early 2017.

Career highlights

  • Ring Announcer/Security/Ring Crew (House shows, 1988-1993)
  • UWA Commissioner (2003)
  • UWA Hardcore Champion (2003)
  • Ring Announcer (2005)
  • Ring Announcer (2007)

References

  1. ↑ Former WWE announcer Porter keeps the faith Canoe - SLAM! Sports, February 19, 2008
  2. ↑ Former WWE ring announcer Michael Porter dies, SLAM! Sports, October 25, 2010
  3. ↑ The Dark Match is back - Classic Line Up - Saying Goodbye To Michael Porter on BTR, hosted by Wacko Bob on Blog Talk Radio, October 27, 2010
  4. ↑ Michael Porter's WrestleShoot-Episode #76 - Tribute Show, hosted by Mike Summers and Paula Jo on Blog Talk Radio, October 23, 2012
  5. ↑ Michael Porter's WrestleShoot - Final Episode on MP Channel, Blog Talk Radio, August 5, 2013
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