Dinerpod 45: Dickie Wabash-Creator of MadBash Studios & MadBash Wrestling

In this high-energy "cross-satellite" session, Red Velvet sits down with the "Grizzled Vet" of the Wabash Valley wrestling scene, Dickie Wabash, for a deep dive into the origin of his brand and his 14-year journey in the business.The Lead-In: Practicing with Live BulletsThe episode kicks off with the announcement of Mad Bash Wrestling: Event Horizon, taking place April 25th in Marshall, Illinois. Dickie reflects on the shift from being a sponsor to the "Number One" in charge. He admits that when you're the boss, there’s no one to pass the buck to—if something goes wrong, it’s on you.

The Origin Story: From Fan to "The Iggy" Dickie shares that he didn’t have a "WrestleMania moment" that sparked his fandom; wrestling was simply a household staple, championed by his grandmother who believed it was 100% real.The Big Break: Dickie’s career started with a two-hour notice. While attending a CWF show in Terre Haute, the scheduled ring announcer double-booked. Thanks to a recommendation from Michael Madrox, Dickie stepped into the ring and never looked back.

The Name: Originally performing as Aaron Thomas, he inherited the name "Dickie Wabash" from Bo Sawyer. Though it started as a "backstage rib" meant for any newcomer, Dickie embraced it and turned it into a regional brand.

Building the "Dinerverse" & "Madbashverse"The conversation shifts to the expansion of Mad Bash, which now operates four distinct divisions:Mad Bash Wrestling: The promotion.Mad Bash Studios: Home of The Spot Show and Big Stupid Popcorn.

Mad Bash Films: Documentary production (currently on hiatus).Mischievous Rabbit: Dickie’s graphic design arm.

Title Talk & The "Baja" LegacyDickie breaks down the symbolism behind the Mad Bash Championship belt, which pays homage to the WWE Undisputed title while featuring Easter eggs for CWF and the state of Indiana.

The Baja World Title: In one of the episode’s funniest segments, Dickie explains how a joke about Taco Bell's Baja Blast and Jesse Ventura impressions evolved into a legitimate championship that has been defended as far away as Oeda, Japan.

Looking Ahead: Event HorizonAs the duo prepares to discuss the April 25th card, they highlight the "Original Five" of Mad Bash (including Dalton Davis and Shank Barzini) and the rise of current champion Devontae Knox.

The segment wraps with a nod to the athleticism of the younger generation, specifically Chris Cutler, who balanced wrestling with high school sports.

Thank you to our sponsors:

Wabash Valley Plumbing RJs Formalwear Varsity House Outfitters Ever Haute Co.

#wrestling #prowrestling #indiewrestling #promoter #dinerpodsports

Youth Sports Chowdown 129

What’s going on, everybody? Red Velvet is back, broadcasting from a "secret warm room" in the house to escape the chill! After a massive WrestleMania weekend, we are diving deep into the Dinerverse with a jam-packed episode covering everything from the NBA and MLB to local youth travel ball.

We kick things off by tracking our Dinerverse alumni making waves in the professional and collegiate ranks:

• NBA: Craig Porter Jr. (Terre Haute South) and the Cleveland Cavaliers took Game 1 against the Raptors, 126-113.

• MLB: Timmy Herrin (Terre Haute South) saw action in all three games for the Cleveland Guardians against the St. Louis Cardinals, recording a strikeout in the opener.

• College Baseball Highlights:

• • Kiefer Wilson (Greencastle) had a monster weekend for Huntington, launching 3 home runs in a double-header sweep.

  • Nick Sutherlin (Greencastle) powered ISU through a 14-inning marathon against Wright State, totaling 3 home runs over the series.

  • Dylan Zenko (Northview) notched a strikeout for Murray State in a 1-0 pitcher's duel.

• College Softball Highlights:

• • Sophie Moschos (Clay City) led App State to a dominant 10-0 win.

The local diamonds were on fire this week with cross-state rivalries and walk-off drama:

• The Big Game: Red Velvet made his PA announcing debut for Northview’s thriller against Terre Haute South. The Knights pulled off a dramatic 5-4 walk-off win thanks to a clutch 2-run single by Easton Thomas.

• WRC & MAC Action:

• • Fountain Central showed off the power, hitting 5 home runs in a single game against South Vermillion.

  • Cascade dominated their series against Southmont, with Macy Pugh leading the charge (5 hits, 2 HRs).

  • Greencastle swept their series against Crawfordsville, led by Nathan Sutherlin’s big bat.

• Standout Performances: Lucy Moore (Casey-Westfield) and Layney Hughes (North Clay JV) both flirted with cycles, proving the future of the Dinerverse is in good hands.

Rounding out the show, we look at the grinders of the weekend:

• 8U Blue Jays: A huge shout-out to the Blue Jays! In their first-ever Double-A tournament, they fought their way to a Runner-Up finish, going 4-1 on the weekend.

• Riley Braves (12U): A stellar 4-1 weekend, anchored by Connor Kirk, who was absolutely dealing on the mound with a massive 11-strikeout performance.

• The Gators (Travel Softball): Battled through a tough 1-3 weekend in Shelbyville, highlighted by a gritty 7-5 win over the Thunder Kids.

Don't forget—for just 99 cents a month, you can get early access to all things Dinerverse by subscribing on Facebook. Click that button twice and support the community!

Coming Up Next: We've got three more teams on the radar for Dinerverse expansion. Keep interacting, keep commenting, and your school might be next!

1. Next Level Athletes: Pros & College Stars2. Varsity Special: High School Heat3. The Ricky Report: Youth & Travel BallClosing Remarks

Dinerpod 44: Jed Collins-Former NFL Fullback

In this high-octane episode, Red Velvet welcomes former NFL fullback Jedidiah Collins to the studio via satellite from Bellevue, Washington. The conversation bridges the gap between the gridiron and the "real world," exploring how a "great failure" mentality and the grit of a fullback can lead to a successful life as an entrepreneur.

• The "Million Dollar" Wake-Up Call: Jedidiah opens with a powerful perspective on gratitude: if someone offered you a million dollars but told you that you wouldn't wake up tomorrow, you’d turn it down. Therefore, every day you wake up is already worth a million bucks.

• The Mission Viejo Dynasty: Jedidiah reflects on his legendary high school career in Southern California under the late Bob Johnson. He discusses the 41-1 record and the "small college" atmosphere of a program that produced NFL stars like Mark Sanchez and Jordan Palmer.

• The "Slow" Overachiever: Despite being a top-rated linebacker, Jedidiah’s recruiting slowed down due to his 5.03 forty-yard dash. He shares how he leveraged "basketball fluidity" and mental processing to lead the nation in receptions as a tight end at Washington State, proving that being a step ahead is better than being a step fast.

• 13 Times Cut: A raw look at the brutal reality of the NFL. Jedidiah details the mental toll of being cut 13 times in three years before finding his home with Sean Payton and the New Orleans Saints.

• The Birth of "Jedzilla": To survive the "crash test dummy" life of a fullback, Jedidiah had to create an alter-ego. He explains the psychological shift required to become the "scary monster" on the field who could go head-to-head with legends like Brian Dawkins.

"I lost every day growing up... I consider myself a great failure that extended into my NFL career. As an entrepreneur, you've got to be comfortable knowing you're going to get kicked in the teeth a lot." — Jedidiah Collins

The Lead-Off: Finance & Fullbacks

• Main Event: Red teases a high-profile interview with Jed Collins, former NFL Fullback.

• The Story: Jed played seven years in the league despite being cut 13 times. He’s now the founder of Money Vehicle, a financial literacy company.

  
  

• Release Info: This episode drops Wednesday at noon.

The "Dinerverse" alumni are making waves on the professional stage:

• Craig Porter Jr. (Cleveland Cavaliers): A massive week for the rookie. He posted 11 points and 8 rebounds in a win over Memphis and steady minutes (7pts/7reb/4ast) in the regular-season finale win over Washington.

• Jalen Moore (Cloverdale Alumni): Finishing the regular season in Hungary for Ingus Corman with a near double-double (9 points, 10 assists).

• Timmy Heron (Terre Haute South Alumni): Holding it down in the MLB bullpen for the Cleveland Guardians, throwing scoreless innings in a tight 2-1 win over the Royals.

It was a monster week for spring sports, headlined by hardware coming home to Montezuma.

• Riverton Parke: Your 2026 Banks of the Wabash Champions! They dominated South Vermillion 10-0 in the semis and crushed Parke Heritage 13-2 in the final. Bruce Landis was electric on the mound with 10 Ks in the tourney.

  
  

• Terre Haute North: Colton Moore had a career day, going 4-for-4 with 7 RBIs and a home run against Shakamack.

• Greencastle: The Tiger Cubs are red-hot, including a 12-8 win over Northview where Sam Gooch racked up 4 hits.

• North Putnam: Sitting at a perfect 4-0 after absolute blowouts over Crawfordsville (23-0) and a no-hitter from Kirsten Connor.

• Riverton Parke: Double champions! The Lady Panthers also secured the Banks of the Wabash title this weekend.

• Clay City: Rebounded from an early loss to beat Linton-Stockton and put up 21 runs on Bloomfield.

• 9U Knights: Took the dub over the Linton Stars (8-6) and Sullivan Sluggers (13-7), led by Houston Dyer’s multi-hit weekend.

• Mambas (9U): Went 2-2 at the Ricky Vaughn Major League Bash. Emerson Sinclair was the MVP of the weekend, tallying 4 hits and 2 doubles in a 24-4 win over the Groove.

• Blue Jays (Putnam County): Tournament runners-up in Greenwood, finishing 3-1. Gavin and Cole combined for a home run derby, including Gavin’s 2 HR game against TBD.

• EV Baseball Academy & Riley 9U: Congratulations to both squads for bringing home tournament trophies this weekend!

• Facebook Subscribers: A huge shoutout to the "99-cent" club. Red reminded listeners they can support the pod for less than a buck a month.

Red’s Final Word: "I know I rumbled and bumbled... I'm going to get better at that, I promise."

Pro-Tip: Don't sweat the stumbles, Red—the passion for the local kids is what keeps the Dinerverse growing. Maybe just swap the ninth Monster for a Gatorade!

🏀 Next Level Athletes: NBA & Beyond⚾ The Varsity Special: High School HighlightsBaseball StandoutsSoftball Standouts🍼 The Rookie Report: Future Stars📢 Community Notes & Shoutouts

Dinerpod 43: Nick Wheeler-North Central Football Coach

Host Red Velvet is back in the studio for a deep dive into the rising football program at North Central (Farmersburg). Joining the show for his third visit is T-Bird Head Coach Nick Wheeler, but first, we sit down with a rising star on the offensive line—his son, Eli Wheeler.

We kick things off with Eli to discuss the high-stakes life of a Left Tackle (the "blindside" protector), the perks of being a coach's kid on the sidelines, and the ultimate family rivalry: who is actually better at Fortnite?

Then, Coach Wheeler joins the desk to pull back the curtain on the T-Birds' massive Year 2 turnaround. After a culture-building first season, North Central exploded for a 6-game win streak and their first sectional victory in years. Coach breaks down the "Red Velvet" play—a trick reverse flea-flicker he promised (and delivered) on game day—and explains why he wants his quarterback rocking an old-school cowboy collar.

We also get real about the mental side of coaching. From the "Energy Bus" leadership philosophy to the challenges of running a program with a small roster, Coach Wheeler shares his journey of building a "tough kids on the block" identity in one of the state's most competitive 1A sectionals.

What’s Inside the Episode:

The "Blindside" Life: Eli Wheeler on protecting the QB and out-gaming his dad.X's & O's: The mechanics of the "Red Velvet" trick play.

The Streak: How a 7-4 season changed the expectations in Farmersburg.

Culture Shock: Adding fireworks, PA antics, and "college-level" energy to Friday nights.

Looking Ahead: Spring break lifting, roster growth (42 and counting!), and the 2026 outlook.

Thank you to our sponsors:Wabash Valley Plumbing RJs Formalwear Varsity House Outfitters Ever Haute Co.

Youth Sports Chowdown 127

Spring sports have officially arrived in the Dinerverse, and host Red Velvet is feeling the heat! With a massive expansion to 38 high school baseball and softball teams across Indiana and Illinois, Episode 127 is a marathon through the box scores.

From professional updates in the NBA and Hungary to record-shattering performances on the track and "video game numbers" on the diamond, this episode covers the absolute best of local and next-level talent.

What’s Inside This Episode:The Big Reveal: Red discusses the logistics of covering nearly 40 high school teams and 15 college squads—plus a special announcement for Diner Podcast subscribers regarding the first-ever All-Dinerpod Boys Basketball teams.

Next Level Athletes: Updates on Craig Porter Jr. (Cleveland Cavaliers), Jalen Moore (Hungary), and a sweep of college baseball and softball standouts including Nick Sutherlin (ISU), Peyton Lear (IU Kokomo), and Sophie Moshos (App State).

The Varsity Special: * Baseball: Sullivan stays perfect at 3-0, West Vigo shuts out a rival, and South Putnam’s Hayden Tencher puts on a baserunning clinic with 5 stolen bases in one game.

Softball: Tori Detro (North Put) puts up a "cheat code" stat line (15 Ks and a HR), while Edgewood outscores opponents by a staggering 29-1 to start the season

.Track & Field: A massive shoutout to Ava Williamson (Greencastle) for obliterating a 21-year-old discus record and a recap of the Northview girls' dominant showing at the inaugural Mayor’s Cup.

The Rookie Report: Recapping the Looney Toons Showdown with hardware for the Riley Rebels, CYL 8U Knights, and the Mooresville 12U Pioneers.

Power Performers: The debut of the new Red Velvet Power Performers segment highlighting the week's most explosive athletes.

Community Links:Podcast Drop:

Catch the full interview with North Central Football Coach Nick Wheeler this Wednesday!

Soccer Alert: FHS Soccer is looking for two high school players for their travel team—don't miss the $40 deal!

"Don't miss the wave. Of course, if you miss the wave, I’ll still pick you up."

Thank you to our sponsors:Wabash Valley Plumbing RJs Formalwear Varsity House Outfitters Ever Haute Co.

#sports #sportsshow #youthsports #highschoolsports #dinerpodsports

Dinerpod 42: Patrick Rady-Executive Director of Hoosier Basketball Coaches Association

In this episode, Red Velvet welcomes Coach Patrick Rady, Executive Director of the Hoosier Basketball Coaches Association (HBCA), for a powerful conversation that goes far beyond basketball.

Coach Rady dives into the mission of the HBCA—highlighting and promoting talented athletes across Southern Indiana who might otherwise be overlooked. From organizing All-Star games to providing scholarships and academic recognition, the HBCA is all about giving student-athletes the spotlight they’ve earned both on and off the court.

The conversation takes a deeper turn as Coach Rady shares his personal journey growing up as the son of a legendary coach, learning the game from a young age, and eventually building his own successful coaching career. From being cut by his own father to winning sectional championships and coaching high-level talent, his story is filled with lessons about perseverance, humility, and growth.

Red Velvet and Coach Rady also break down what’s missing in today’s youth sports culture—emphasizing the importance of playing for the love of the game, learning through pickup competition, and developing real basketball IQ instead of relying solely on structured systems.

They highlight standout local athletes selected for the HBCA All-Star Game and discuss how recognition—especially hearing your name—can make a lasting impact on young players.

The episode wraps with a meaningful discussion about the sacrifices behind the scenes, especially from coaches’ families, and the life lessons sports teach: accountability, teamwork, and passion.

🔥 Bottom line: This episode is about more than wins and losses—it’s about building people, celebrating effort, and keeping the love of the game alive.

Youth Sports Chowdown 126

Red Velvet went LIVE to kick off Episode 126 after a long, action-packed weekend at the Squared Circle Expo, featuring a special appearance from wrestling legend Buff Bagwell. Running on energy drinks and adrenaline, the show delivered another full slate of local sports coverage, community shoutouts, and standout performances.

The episode opened with major announcements, including an upcoming podcast featuring Patrick Rady, Executive Director of the Hoosier Basketball Coaches Association and a highly respected Indiana coach. Community highlights followed, with shoutouts to Studio One by Cindy, race winner Trip Lewis, the Outkast Kent team, and track standout Zane Catlin.

In the Next Level Athletes segment, Craig Porter Jr. and the Cleveland Cavaliers split games against the Heat, while Jalen Moore continued to shine professionally overseas in Hungary. The Marian Knights captured the NAIA National Championship with an impressive win over the top-ranked team in the country.

The Varsity Spotlight was loaded with opening-week baseball and softball action across Illinois and Indiana. Programs like Newton, Marshall, and Richland County saw strong performances at the plate and on the mound, while Terre Haute North, West Vigo, Parke Heritage, and Franklin Central kicked off their seasons with statement wins.

A major highlight came on the hardwood, as the Park Heritage Wolves secured their first-ever state championship, edging out Westview in a thrilling 57-56 finish.

In the Rookie Report, youth programs brought the heat. Chaos Baseball and the Level One Training Warriors both went undefeated in tournament play, while the Blue Jays captured a championship in their first season as a team.

The Knights, Outkast squads, and several others also competed hard across multiple tournaments, showing the future of local sports is bright.

The show wrapped with a massive list of Red Velvet Power Performers, recognizing top athletes from across all levels who delivered standout performances throughout the weekend.

Despite the exhaustion, Episode 126 proved once again that the Youth Sports Chowdown is the go-to source for local sports coverage—bringing energy, recognition, and community together every single week.