Ryan Andrew Smith

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Ryan Andrew Smith (born March 10, 1984) is a United States media and entertainment enthusiast, perhaps best known as the website manager for former WWF and WCW professional wrestler, the Honky Tonk Man. He currently attends graduate school in Chicago, IL.

Contents

[edit] TheHonkyTonkMan.com

In the summer of 2000, Ryan Smith began TheHonkyTonkMan.com, the official website of professional wrestler, the Honky Tonk Man. The website was frequently revolutionary in it's content, as it often involved features not found on other official wrestler websites. The site featured articles written by the Honky Tonk Man, audio blog updates, a message board community, live chats, photo galleries and more. The website was often surrounded in controversy, as the Honky Tonk Man was extremely outspoken in his views on wrestling.

In 2003, Smith found himself in the middle of an internet feud with former professional wrestler, "Rowdy" Roddy Piper. The feud began after Piper noticed a few comments about him on theHonkyTonkMan.com. Piper shot off a number of emails, which Smith and company later posted on the web. The feud went back and forth and included a video of Piper threatening to kill Smith. The realness of the feud was never made apparent, but it was often debated as to whether it was a work or shoot.

As years went on, the Honky Tonk Man's involvement seemed to lessen, and the majority of the content seemed to be written by Smith and other members of the staff. In late 2005, Smith began working as the Honky Tonk Man's booking agent and continued until the site unexpectedly closed in December 2006. The website now forwards to the former Honky Tonk Man message board under the name "The Rant Shop," and other Smith projects. Smith has kept rather quiet about the reason the website has closed, but occasionally drops hints on the message board before saying that maybe he'll write a book.

[edit] Radio and Broadcasting

[edit] The Ryan Smith Show (1999-2000)

Smith began broadcasting a rock n' wrestling radio program from his parents home at the age of 15. The program was pre-recorded weekly and put online using real audio technology for others to listen at any time. This type of format was a precursor to podcasting. Smith was joined by Professor K, his real life Uncle for the majority of the programs run. The show later moved to WPON 1460 AM in Bloomfield Hills, MI.

[edit] Inside the Ring / WPON 1460 AM (2000)

While producing his weekly internet show, Smith received in inquiry from Shaun "Q-Ball" Sisk, an individual hosting a wrestling talk program on WPON 1460 AM. Smith along with Professor K began making weekly appearances on Inside the Ring, while promoting his internet show, The Ryan Smith Show. Inside the Ring aired on Tuesday nights from 6-7 PM ET. The Ryan Smith Show later moved to WPON as well and began following Inside the Ring on Tuesday nights from 7-8 PM ET. Inside the Ring focused on the independent world of professional wrestling, often spending the majority of the hour talking to Michigan based independent wrestlers and promoters. The Ryan Smith Show aimed at mainstream wrestling including the World Wrestling Federation, World Championship Wrestling and Extreme Championship Wrestling.

[edit] The Ringside Edge (2000-2002)

In May of 2000, Inside the Ring and the Ryan Smith Show merged together to form the Ringside Edge. Shortly before merging, the programs both added fourth host, local independent wrestler Bud "Mojo" Laws. Around this time, long time co-host Professor K was fired without much discussion. The Ringside Edge's debut episode featured a live parking lot brawl wrestling match between two local independent wrestling teams. The Ringside Edge began to also involve board operator Michael "Mike the Board/Bored Guy" Dwyer into regular conversation. In August 2001 the program aired a controversial and hilarious prank phone call featuring a person receiving phone sex. This call was largely well received by the audience, but didn't sit well with WPON management and would lead to Smith, Sisk and Laws leaving the station for internet radio. The Ringside Edge continued to broadcast live on the internet until airing their series finale in July 2002.

[edit] The Show/Talk That Rocks (2005-Current)

In the summer of 2005, Smith and Laws returned to live internet radio hosting "The Show w/ Ryan and Mojo." The Show aired approximately 10 episodes as a pilot to what would later become "The Show, Talk that Rocks Kalamazoo!" Smith was joined by fellow Western Michigan University students, "Prime Time" John Rickson and Kevin Howell from October 2005 until October 2006. Smith currently hosts a weekly internet rock program on Wednesday nights from 9-11 PM ET under the name Talk that Rocks!

[edit] Education

[edit] References