Story Time with Dutch Mantell #45 | Responding to Ric Flair, WWE Hall of Fame 2023

[@thethairishsun]

Dutch looks like a detective trying to catch people drinking moonshine in a speakeasy.

[@savagedick1462]

Rex Banner

[@jamesreding6336]

That's funny

[@MrEmperorApples]

YES! Best description I've heard yet! Touché!

[@russellcampbell3500]

Hahahahaha speak easy. Wow u must be an old soul because that is a classic.

[@shaolin1derpalm]

False. He looks like the Champion Cheesemonger of Colchester County fair for his Colby.

[@chanevazquez4610]

I love how James respects Dutch so much. Such a polite lad.

[@billycheatham2860]

If course he does. He knows where his bread is buttered

[@basedphantomlord4462]

Good 2 see some love for Ox Baker, he's one of the best heel's of all time and one of the most underrated wrestlers ever

[@dannyackroyd8941]

Great episode today, loved watching this after a shit week at work... Thanks for making my week uncle Dutch and James 👍

[@MrEmperorApples]

Thank you for the time codes! Love your podcast together. Love the chemistry you're building as Dutch gets ever more comfortable with the whole remote podcasting thing. Keep it up, gentlemen!

[@jeffreykjones2748]

Thanx my friend for mentioning Nashville, we miss you here Dutch!!

[@MrSlagle8706]

A fan here Dutch glad your sharing wrestling history and enjoy listening to your stories. It's a rebirth of wrestling through podcasts this type of media is creating

[@positively_broad_st3780]

Ox Baker was once a contestant on 'The Price Is Right.' He used his real name - Douglas...

[@basedphantomlord4462]

he also produced the first ever wrestling cookbook

[@scypsylock9402]

Hi Dutch! And always remember what Dutch says best: "I'm Dutch Mantell, and you're not!" Loved your segments in Smokey Mountain Wrestling with you making those funny messages on the papers and acting all coy-like haha! I miss those days of wrestling. I really enjoy these road stories of the golden era you take us on and thank you James for making this possible. You are full of awesome, my friend! I listen to these videos on my down time when working on set (I'm an actor, no name is needed on here as I keep work and fun separate from one another) and it really helps pass the time when wrestling was the most mysterious sport around before the internet ruined the mystique of it. Taking a back seat, some iced tea, and listening to your stories back in the day really puts a smile on my face remembering the good days of the territories which I feel is missing in today's wrestlers because seeing a big star all the time takes away the excitement such as Andre the Giant before Vince had him stay in the World Wrestling Federation (I'm talking about the states as most of us did not know about wrestling in Japan, or Great Britain, ETC) I was a young kid in my single digits in the 80's and was able to watch many territories using a scrambler my parents had and I was hooked like a fish the first time I watched wrestling. It was the Wild Samoans vs. two unfortunate wrestlers who were headbutted, slammed, and stomped which scared the hell out of me, and I wanted more lol. I watched the Southeast wrestling, Memphis, WCCW, FCW, GCW, Mid South before it became UWF seeing Dory Funk Jr. winning the title, WCW, Mid Atlantic...a few others, but those wrestlers of that generation such as you were the reason why I became a fan of wrestling of yesteryear and through the 90's. After 2005 or so it especially when WCW was sold, it ruined wrestling. We need territories again and the competition such as the ratings war because that really brought out the best in both companies and now that WWE is the majority they are just slacking. AEW the same, too...too many wrestlers today complain about losing, or money and they have no right to as they work far less than the guys in your generation and they earn far more which makes no sense. Anyway, thank you and James and just wanted to get my two cents out there as a fan.

[@frankE91210]

did you mean to upload this one ??? Just watched yesterdays video very happy to have a double dose of DUTCH! And James you are a fine BLOKE 😂

[@frankE91210]

Dutch looking classy as hell today too!

[@StoryTimewithDutchMantell]

YES, I did! Who knows - could be a permanent thing?

[@OneUltimateWarrior]

Thank you for the time stamps!

[@COYBIG1967]

Even talking about smoking Dutch is just a so damn honest. He is just genuine and you just feel like he really cares about what he’s saying and about his fans. I know personally he truly is a caring guy.

[@duster71]

Andy made a movie called My Breakfest with Freddie Blasi.Great movie.i was Vince's driver from 88-90 and meet all the great stars and became friends with some. I have pics of me wearing the Double Eagle belt and the Million Dollar belt in my apartment..

[@codysden1]

Dutch Mantel... You are a great human being... Thank you...

[@matthewrock4725]

Love the podcast guys! Just wanted to offer an option as a huge baseball fan myself. Baseballs are incredibly easy to carry, easy to sign, display, and also yes, sell or show people. Even if the person they're getting is not a baseball player it's kind of always made sense to me that that's what somebody grabs

[@paulellington1505]

Dutch they do have criteria for being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame they are a) did you work for them or anyone they have library footage of for more than 2 years b) did you leave on good terms c) don't be Raven. Another great show. Dutch's perspective on the business from almost all sides of it is very he is entertaining in a genuine old fashioned way.

[@martinlloyd8866]

Dutch You Look Good Wearing That Hat

[@jamesreding6336]

I love listening to Duch what a great story teller

[@joelklase9784]

As for the $300,000 Flair payout, the whole weekend had a convention that revolved around Flair. Photos, autos, 3D scanned figure opportunities, private Q & A's, private signings, etc. added to the "match," I have no doubt they raked in enough $$ to pay Ric the $300,00 he claimed.

[@JD0586]

Outlawing guns isn't going to help our gun violence issues. It's only going to hurt the good citizens by giving the criminals one more advantage. Gun violence will still happen as long as the streets have criminals. The only thing defending the public from a bad guy with a gun, is a good guy with a gun. Take that away from us, then what do you expect to happen? In 1924, this nation outlawed heroin. Boy that sure solved a problem.

[@satan3959]

Andy Kaufman is one of the few celebrities that actually DESERVES a spot. The guy made Jerry Lawler a household name outside of Memphis, which was not common back then that a guy who primarily wrestled in one territory was known outside of it.

[@grandstranderj422]

Baker was great. A visual 'Oh sh*t" at first glance as a kid. The Baron. Von Raschke . The Brain Claw. He could go in as well in my book. And finally.....the Thunderfoot gimmick. Unload the loaded boot with the three heel taps and bring it back. Later.

[@jamesreding6336]

Im praying for Rick he needs it and family

[@TheGM-20XX]

Fedora Dutch is the Dutch we didn't know we all needed.

[@codysden1]

Dutch.... I have a serious question to ask, if I may, thank you for your service and welcome home ... How difficult was it to transition back to civilian life and into wrestling from serving in combat ... And how did you control your anger, once again, I loved watching you wrestle and I greatly appreciate your Military Service....

[@ajjjay9583]

Thank you for your content.

[@Seanstrong316]

The problem with criteria for the HOF lies in the fact that the business is a work. Say you require someone to have been a world title holder. Well the only reason someone was never a world title holder is just because no one ever decided to give them that title. How many incredible wrestlers have never held a world title? Unfortunately it's an impossible to thing to quantify objectively

[@healthsciencevideos9346]

Arteriosclerosis is from inflammation which then causes cholesterol, fats and blood clots to adhere to the arterial wall. This can narrow arteries resulting in angina if a coronary artery. A myocardial infarction or heart attack may result if the narrowed lumen is blocked by a clot or cholesterol piece that travels there. This makes it 100 percent blocked.

[@daniellecooper6453]

smart hat!!!!!

[@denisdemey9624]

Love the hat Dutchman! Keep up the good work guys!

[@paullatham4070]

Love the hat.Great show,,,

[@jamesreding6336]

Im watching Saturday and Sunday

[@MooncricketsInc]

Need more 2+ hour shows like this one. King Kong Bundy and Bam Bam are overdue for the HoF...

[@JeremiahEcks777]

Yes, they are. Especially Bam Bam.

[@PigeonPlucker]

Ric Flair has seemingly been on a sustained reputational self-destruct for the last 10 years. - The guy should be happily retired and enjoying his position as a (thoroughly deserved) respected senior statesman of professional wrestling, not picking fights with anyone who, predominantly out of concern, advise him to stop making a jackass out of himself. There's a part of me that's certain Ric Flair wants to cement his legendary status by dying in the ring to a full stadium. At this point though, even if that did happen, I'd be surprised if he drew 1,000 people. This isn't funny, this isn't entertaining. At this point, it's just sad.

[@pooddescrewch8718]

Ric Flair is the biggest attention whore the business has ever seen .

[@ElimGarakSpoonHead]

Hes broke every ten minutes

[@fjccommish]

Dutch can't hold Ric's jock in the wrestling business. Ric is still terrific. You retire. Old, tired Dutch can retire. Ric still went out, drew money.

[@CuteLesbo69]

@@fjccommish Flair should be charged for grand larceny for accepting payment.

[@vincenzovieri3743]

He’s always got financial problems. He can’t stop spending, so he’s gotta work.

[@chrisblester37]

We love to Hear stories about Andy Coughman. He was money and part of 5he business

[@kevinbrooks1104]

We need to have trained seals ,providing security in the schools themselves because they are hyperactivity alert on who is a danger.

[@ShowRyuKen]

I don't know if this is a new thing, but I'm amused to see James busting out a cigar too in this episode. You guys could do a sponsorship deal with Davidoff or someone... Also, has Dutch ever talked about his love of cigars on the channel?

[@DUFFYISBACK]

James needs to visit eddy's store in London to get the best cigars.

[@RatedRLouisN.TNAwrestling]

*quick* predictions lol i love Dutch!

[@thomashall6288]

Ric the man child. Insecure to say the least.

[@thack57]

You'd think that Ric's son-in-law would sit him down and tell him how unbecoming of a former world champion his words are but Connie (Conrad Thompson) pro'ly only cares about the clicks. I must be awfully shallow because I don't get that marriage - Ric's daughter and Conrad. It seems, at least to an outsider, that their marriage is like a business deal. You have have a hot babe, who is also an extremely talented athlete (at least that's what I read) and she marries a guy who has a very relaxing, easy going, way of speaking - almost hypnotic but he's huge and pro'ly weighs 4 Xs what his wife weighs and it's not muscle. So how does a love connection come from that? Could it be that she's taking one for Team Flair. Something like - 'You marry me and I will get your daddy's bill paid and make him more $$$ to blow on booze + women in his final yrs. It's a Win/Win situation - your daddy doesn't go to debtors prison and I get a hot babe to 'Root' every night....Or at least every night that you don't have a headache.' Can you picture that? "Uhhh, not tonight Connie, I've got my monthly." "But you had that LAST week!" "Did I say my PERIOD? I'm sorry, I meant HEADACHE! Yes headache. Oh, what a headache. It should be gone by the end of June."

[@jjpope3757]

What a couple of douche bags

[@Gary-su8sb]

I'd say after watching it, and before the match, I was hoping Ric didn't do this. Hopefully he's actually done! I mean it's gonna be like if Hogan tries, but he can't bump at all, so is this Hogan match gonna be a few punches a whip to the ropes and a kind of a big boot? The perfect guy to take this is the Miz! He will sell for Hogan, get his big last match and kinda go back to his normal duties lol. Don't put Shane o Mac in there.

[@toma.4808]

​@thack57 Conrad is. 450lbs mark. He married the first woman(flair daughter) that took his virginity and his money.he sounds chubby on the mic and he's absolutely obnoxious to his wrestling cohosts and unbearable to listen to.

[@danastout36]

I watched the Flair match and I can honestly say as someone who has watched wrestling since 81 that it was the worst match I've ever seen. I loved Flair as a wrester for decades, but then his extremely fragile ego really started to shine through when the internet became popular and I found him hard to listen to or take seriously. Every time he tweets or speaks he shows his true colors as a fragile minded lover of only money that hates everyone who disagrees with his lunacy. Very sad to see how far from reality someone can stray.

[@andrewhoffman4245]

Great show you have 8 fans now

[@muck6852]

No no.. The Thairish Sun, Dutch looks cool as always !

[@tedmayer1597]

I see Dutch in that hat, I see him as the "bad guy" cowboy in a Clint Eastwood western, and gets caught cheating in cards and goes out in a "blaze of glory " shoot out with Clint... ***Side note before going down Dutch takes out Clint's right hand man 😂

[@jamesstephenson8789]

Didn’t mickie James walk into the royal rumble with some other promotions belt?

[@jamescrawford6771]

Dutch you are full of it

[@LordPeaceFrog]

A couple decades ago Ric was great suits, great hair, and great promos........now he's bad suits, bad hair, and bad shoots.😞Such a shame.....

[@johnnyargon5454]

Your not supposed to inhale cigars the nicotine gets dissolved in the saliva from the smoke.

[@CharlesBronson1977]

The Brooklyn Brawler is long overdue for the Hall of Fame.

[@elijahchesterthomas5334]

Anyone who knows anything about psychology, not ring psychology, but actual psychology can see that Ric Flair is the epitome of a child that was abandoned by his real parents. I've seen this with some people that I know in my life. To be clear, I'm not saying all adopted folks, I'm saying the epitome of. The insecurity, the lack of ability to maintain relationships, the holes that will never be filled no matter what he stuffs in them. Yeah, he is an asshole but it is sad.

[@pooddescrewch8718]

I gave up on wrestling in my thirties . Am now 54. I see nothing has changed . I do like hearing old timers tales though . For me wrestling is dead .

[@COYBIG1967]

Ric is really losing his legend , he’s being so ignorant, petulant, childish and downright nasty. I feel for Conrad in this case because he looks so awkward when he knows ric is being really out of order

[@Pogotono]

Yeah, can't really walk out on him either, with Ric being his father-in-law and all

[@franciscouch8378]

Yeah..Ric needs to check his behaviour at times.

[@vanalbright9868]

I'M FROM SAVANNAH, AND I HEARD THAT STORY AS A LITTLE BOY

[@billycheatham2860]

If Stacy keibler doesn't deserve to be in the hall of fame then neither does Andy Kaufman

[@Pogotono]

I feel kinda bad for Ric, the buildup for his last match was set up awesomely and I loved the skits with Jeff Jarrett and Jay Lethal! To me it looks like he really thought he is going to deliver, but just "accidentally" partied too much and got instantly gassed out, feels bad man

[@EmoEmu]

"We got bugs!"

[@ameliastencil6058]

Dutch, James and FTR with Dax have to be the most real podcasts. Thanks guys

[@thehatedone2857]

What about the Jim Cornette Experience and the Cornette drive-thru? Those are my top two for wrestling history and opinions on Modern wrestling

[@ameliastencil6058]

@@thehatedone2857 absolutely

[@williammitchell4417]

I used to inhale Cigars, but yipes...

[@sudacagamer]

it`s really weird that nobody dares to say that Dominik Mysterio sucks. Maybe because everyone respects Rey so much? the co commentator kinda tried to imply he sucks (sorry for not knowing his name but it`s nowhere to be found in the desceription) but Dutch just never took the bait haha

[@frankE91210]

Jokes about OX Bakers heart punch killing someone but LAWLER claims ZIGGLERS elbow drops threw his heart of rhythm and killed em!

[@knighttraine2380]

This was just my 6th episode/short segment. W O W ! 🤼‍♀️ Wrestling Podcast!? So interesting 🎉 and refreshing 😮 ⏺️⏺️⏺️⏺️➡️. I’m not a big fan of wrestling 🤼‍♂️ but I did have TV at home. Way back then , we only had basic channels in Detroit. Everyone followed wrestling 🤼‍♂️ on the independent channel. Television 📺 watching was different then. B&W , no color, No remote control, rabbit ear antennae with scratchy quality picture, the family, all seven kids and Mom and Pops watched TV together. Saturday night was wrestling and boxing 🥊 night! Dad liked sports, so we watched sports, or went and read a book 📚 or newspaper 📰. Well articulated and interesting 🧐 wrestler 🤼. Lots of great collaborations stories about behind the scenes of a simpler world where people were just entertained with being family.

[@ziskokid1]

Flair is making shitload of money now with all his sidework. Two and a half times more than when he wrestled.

[@chrisblester37]

Shoot fight Duch vs Flair .No dq in a cage

[@COYBIG1967]

You can’t stop ppl writing there opinions and gossip now a days but I have to say in general. Once was good at keeping stuff in-house in wwe , I’m not talking about the Moses serious stuff or recets. I mean wrestler fall outs etc and now you see why. The fact is like Dutch says now it seems everything that happens behind the scenes at AEW comes straight out. When I see all this I start to think maybe it wasn’t always wwe fault these guys didn’t work there longer term. Tony doesn’t help himself tho as he seems to just come out and agree with everything punk says and everything moxley says and so on so forth. They can’t all be right. Tony imo needs to stop trying to be one of the boys and be the boss. They aren’t his friends. The fact that Punk said one thing to Tony and co and then they get a legal letter saying different says it all. Couldn’t he have said it to Tony himself , punk has so many faces , honestly he’s the biggest narcissist in wrestling and that’s saying something 😂😂 ps James Cigars just don’t look right with you for some reason 😂

[@jonjohnson1978.]

If tony had balls, was professional and stopped fan girling 99% of the isses wouldn't of materialised

[@bigdaddyroy5382]

Need some time stamps if at all possible james

[@StoryTimewithDutchMantell]

Time stamps will be coming sooner rather than later for all future episodes

[@bigdaddyroy5382]

@@StoryTimewithDutchMantell sweet. Thanks bud. I listen to the whole thing. Just wanted to hear the part about ric before work

[@bb-gc2tx]

father of the year ric flair 🤣

[@CMPUNK___146]

It's like a dick Tracy hat. Lol

[@killerjoe7596]

Kaufman had to be at least 6'1.

[@romanmartinez6458]

I thought he was gonna die too. It was sad.

[@russellfrancis6294]

Tony Khan's a big kid, like one aged 16 gong on 41.

[@bigogarland7325]

Ric Flair had a million marquis matches and Dutch had 0 but Dutch wants to shit on Ric having one the shits match.

[@sammydabull4001]

It's hard for me to believe that an Englishman cannot tell the difference between a country western hat and a fedora

[@matthewgabbard6415]

It's a fedora dude, it just has a wider brim. That style is from the 1920's, the more compact brim fedora became common in the 30's and 40's

[@TravelatorH8r]

You didn't finish your Bill Clinton joke!😮" he never inhaled, he only sucked" BAW GAWHD...🧐

[@d-mo733]

Biggest HOF snub is Brian Pillman!

[@danastout36]

I would suggest looking a little deeper into that "shooting", start with the shoes the alleged shooter was wearing as they walked the empty halls and compare those to the shoes on the alleged dead body of the "shooter". Call me what you want, hate me, I don't care because truth is all that matters.

[@vanalbright9868]

SHOUT OUT SAVANNAH GEORGIA

[@franciscouch8378]

Dutch is cool as hell.

[@user-rk4ey7wh9q]

@46:23. Did he say Rey was 6ft??. I gave him bout 5'7-8 tops..he was talking about his son too but it sounded like he was referring to Rey when he said without the mask he looks like a 6 ft. Child.

[@jandafin]

I don’t know who’s worse in WWE HOF. Torrie Wilson or Stacy Keibler.

[@JeremiahEcks777]

I'll tell you who's worse than both. The Bellas and Sunny. At least Torrie and Stacy were entertaining, popped the crowd and had respect for the business, all reports suggest.

[@billycheatham2860]

All of them were better than the ultimate warrior

[@toma.4808]

Sting shouldve inducted muta

[@Batman-wv5ng]

Dutch moustache looks like old mop hanging on the fence.

[@JC-zj7nv]

Bray is out with a talent injury.

[@frankE91210]

When it comes to corporate greed they will re-rite the constitution while taking a morning shit, but for the betterment society it is always "impossible" glad i aint american. 😂

[@jonjohnson1978.]

Love the all these podcast gents....Dutch take on punk hurting not helping i dont agree with though understand, punk increases ratings, numbers and 'traffic' factually...

[@JeremiahEcks777]

But if your roster ends up Punk, FTR, MJF and everybody else has left because it's toxic, would ratings still be a thing? Punk gets an immediate spike, poisons the area he's in, and leaves a trail of chaos and frustration. Much better to leave it alone, make bigger and better stars who are grateful for their opportunity and stay the heck away. AEW has felt contaminated before All Out and it hasn't been right since. Punk was to blame because he took his concerns public before dealing with them behind closed doors. If any of us did that with the companies we work for, we'd be sacked.

[@jonjohnson1978.]

​@@JeremiahEcks777 the only people who are known detractors of punk are the bucks and hangman, I'd take pink and ftr over them every day....omega publicly and privately hasn't been as opposed but even if he was I'd take punk/FTR over thr elite without doubt.......jericho has stated some grievances but we all know jericho is full of shite and would work with punk undoubtedly, mans an attention whore....moxley/punk though there was a clear issue and having listened to moxley on the podcast with renee it's clear to me that what punk said in the Instagram post was correct.....starks, powerhouse hobbs ,jade Cargill, brody king have all publicly said how grt punk was, as has brit baker i believe and while punk has ruffled the feathers of some what top star hasn't....objectively looking at it having punk and FTR over the elite is far better for ratings and profit and this locker room toxicity you believe he creates only occurs in some not all

[@jonjohnson1978.]

​@@JeremiahEcks777 forgot to add if u include MJF on the punk side it's a no brainer, easily the top 2 draws in the company....other than the elite who has an issue with punk?......

[@JeremiahEcks777]

@@jonjohnson1978. IIRC weren't there others who said they did? Jericho off the top of my head...

[@jonjohnson1978.]

​@@JeremiahEcks777 yes...i referenced jericho BUT i have zero doubt in my mind given the absolute attention whore and momentum goblin that is chris jericho that he would want to and absolutely be willing work with punk if he came back....any fuker that got a shred of momentum jericho immediately wanted to work with them and in almost all cases the hype behind them hit a wall.....I'd be willing to put money on it that punk would have prior to and post the press conference he had and has no interest in working with jericho who's creative ideas are absolutely fuking horrid.....there isn't anyone privately or publicly outside of the elite who have stated no interest in or had issues with punk...cabana doesn't count as that's personal and much much like brandon cutler is an irrelevance

[@pooddescrewch8718]

Punks too small to be a wrestler .

[@MyNameIsUnavailable]

Arn's son, sadly, was arrested for public drunkenness and really didn't do anything with his life. Sad to say.

[@bristolguy45]

Then don't say it

[@MyNameIsUnavailable]

@ian stroud Sad to Say isnt the same as Shouldn't Be Said.

[@basedphantomlord4462]

"really didnt do anything with his life" so because he's not a pro wrestler he's a failure in your book? What have you 'done with your life'?

[@pooddescrewch8718]

@@basedphantomlord4462 You read a lot into that

[@basedphantomlord4462]

he literally said "he didnt do anything with his life" simply because the man wasnt a pro wrestler. Not much to read into, that statement was plain as day.

[@six6thdisciple]

STOP MAKING VIDEOS ABOUT FLAIR…YALL HAVE TOO MANY

[@jimkrause6775]

What made Ric great in the 80s is what makes him a joke today.

[@TribalThief]

No dutch, aew does not have a better women's roster, Jesus Christ 😂😂😂

[@JeremiahEcks777]

If it does, it ain't being booked right. The potential is there but because Jade and Britt have a strangle hold on it, women who can actually wrestle but need storylines, can't progress.

[@TribalThief]

Wwe cast offs

[@JeremiahEcks777]

@@TribalThief Err, how many have been in WWE as serious competitors? Athena and Ruby AFAIK. Statlander did a local job or two, as did Britt, but none of the others are 'WWE castoffs'. Are they?

[@TribalThief]

Rhea and Charlotte just stole the big show, keep liking the little 4ft botchers on the little kids promotion

[@alexanderson618]

Aew woman roster is the worst in history...

[@ameliastencil6058]

🙄

[@bullettoothjosh]

No one wants to ban all guns. Maybe the AR but more so maybe try common sense gun laws first.

[@basedphantomlord4462]

.We already have 'common sense gun control', and have for decades. Laws have no effect if they are not enforced. If medical professionals would have filled out the proper paperwork that pervert degenerate would have never been able to buy a firearm. The medical professionals involved with that POS should be charged.

[@billycheatham2860]

Alcohol and cigarettes kill more people than guns but no one is trying to get rid of them. That would be common sense.

[@thehatedone2857]

About Freakin Time! I've been waiting for this response, how was the vacation by the way?

[@vanhausen2603]

Mickie James took her tna title to the WWe not too long ago....

[@johnbrown1691]

I've lost any respect that I ever had for flair..........it's sad that he's destroyed his legacy this completely. 💔

[@nickl4326]

What city is the wwe hof building at so we can visit? 😂😂😂😂🤌