The podcast week in review, brought to you by Naturebox (or our Amazon and WWE Shop affiliate links).
They said it…
“Here’s the difference, and I gotta point this out while I have the opportunity, you were in Madison Square Garden and I was in Hutchinson, Kansas.” – Ric Flair to Hulk Hogan, on them being the two big wrestlers of the 80’s
“Goddammit, they’re the hunchbacks, they ain’t going to tap out, they’ve been raised tough!” – Kevin Sullivan, retelling Jim Herd’s response when asked what would happen if someone applied a submission hold to one of the hunchbacks.
The Usual Suspects
Talk n’ Shop #64 (10/3/15): Back to Rocky, Doc, and Karl are back to swap stories, including Rocky meeting Yokozuna in a locker room, Doc once getting paid in hot dogs, and Doc’s WrestleMerica promotion. But the kicker is Rocky’s story about driving to Mexico as a teenager to work in a building without a roof against two midgets (who promptly beat his ass). A good time. THUMBS UP
The VIP Lounge #2 (10/4/15): MVP, Alex, and Alice are back for another gabfest. Minimal wrestling talk this week, although Alice liked a Beyond Wrestling show and MVP tells a funny story of R-Truth and Alexander Koslov checking into a hotel. A good part of the show is forgettable, but the discussion of guns in the aftermath of the Oregon shootings is notable, as there’s actual disagreement between MVP and Alice, rather than the usual echo chamber. THUMBS IN THE MIDDLE
Steve Austin Show #257 (10/6/15): Steve interviews the guy who catered a cast party for his reality show. For real. Cedric Martin of Satchamo’s BBQ talks about where he came up with that name, how his business turned his life around, his parenting style, and cooking tips. It’s not nearly as interesting as Steve apparently thinks it is. THUMBS DOWN
The Ross Report #85 (10/6/15): The long promised episode with Steve Corino is finally here. He and JR talk about working with Dusty Rhodes, traveling to Japan, JR having it out for Corino, the “Red Light” style, a discussion about selling (of course, but I think Corino explains the ROH style quite well), working hardcore in ECW, the relationship with New Japan, his son Colby, Cesaro, Kevin Owens, Samoa Joe, CM Punk, Kevin Kelly, and more. The current events discussion is obviously a little old, but Corino has some great stories and he’s been everywhere, so it’s hard to have a bad show with him. [Corino’s interview starts at 24:36] THUMBS UP
WOOOOO ™Nation #23 (10/7/15) HULK HOGAN is the guest this week. Before you ask, there’s nothing here about his recent controversies, just another in a line of interviews where it’s just two old wrestlers swapping stories. Hulk and Ric talk about Harley Race, why they didn’t meet at Wrestlemania VIII, hanging on to your spot, Bret Hart, working in TNA, Scott Steiner, the New World Order, Dusty Rhodes, Verne Gagne, Hulk whipping David Flair, the YAPAPI STRAP MATCH, and more. Somewhat odd (but still completely expected) that they don’t address any of the recent controversy, and Hogan’s has some timeline issues, but still fun banter. THUMBS UP
Talk is Jericho #184 (10/7/15): Jericho throws himself a party, as he sits down with Don Callis, Lance Storm, and Dr. Luther to celebrate Y2J’s 25th anniversary in the business. It’s a nearly two hour discussion of everyone’s early days on the Canadian independents, training, ribs, and traveling. Lots of stories about “Bulldog” Bob Brown, Tony Candello, Dynamite Kid, Bad News Brown, and more. The section on the worst Canadian wrestlers is a real treat. A show so fun even Lance Storm is nearly in tears from laughing so much. [The interview starts at 16:24] THUMBS UP & BEST OF THE WEEK
Bauer & Pollock (10/7/15): The dynamic duo run down all the week’s news, including John Cena’s upcoming sabbatical and his life after wrestling, who will be the next face of the company, Daniel Bryan’s future, New Japan trying English commentary, NJPW buying the rights to Jushin “Thunder” Liger’s gimmick, Lucha Underground coming back in January, CM Punk’s injury, AAA’s last iPPV, and more. Fun show with some topics that haven’t really been covered elsewhere. THUMBS UP
Art of Wrestling #271 (10/8/15): Longtime ring announcer Gary Michael Capetta is the guest this week. He talks to Colt about how he got into ring announcing (basically just volunteering for it), having heat with George Steele, suing Vince McMahon years before Jesse Ventura, moving over to Crockett, why he left WCW in 1995, writing his book, and retiring from his teaching career. I didn’t have the highest of hopes for this episode, but this is a strong show with a lot of great stories and tidbits I didn’t know. THUMBS UP
Steve Austin Show – Unleashed #262 (10/8/15): This one is the long threatened jam session with hybrid country group 3 and Twenty Band, who I guess is a band. They talk about how they got together, where the name came from, how the bass player learned from Bill Berry of R.E.M., and they play some songs. The first one was alright, then one guy starts rapping and I just don’t know. Let’s all just move on, shall we? THUMBS DOWN
The Jim Cornette Experience #97 (10/8/15): Jim and Alice first follow up on the Kenny King rant from last week and talk a lot about guns after the Oregon shooting. Then Irv Muchnick joins the show to recap the story and his investigation. It’s fine but likely nothing you haven’t heard before, especially since Dave Meltzer was on just a few shows back to discuss the same topic. They also talk about concussions and some stories about Irv’s uncle Phil Muchnick. An OK if overlong outing. [Muchnick’s interview starts at 38:23] THUMBS IN THE MIDDLE
Talk is Jericho #185 (10/9/15): Jesse Ventura is back to talk about his updated book “American Conspiracies Volume 2.” Lots to digest here, as he and Chris talk about the assassination of John Lennon, 9/11, Abraham Lincoln, Iran-Contra, the Kennedy assassination, and a lot more. Plus Jesse’s ongoing legal battles with the family of Chris Kyle, a potential run for president, and thoughts on Roddy Piper, Jimmy Snuka, and Ronda Roussey. I’m sure a lot of Jesse’s theories are pure hooey, but damned if he isn’t still a compelling listen. [Ventura’s interview at 17:12] THUMBS UP
MSL & Sullivan Show #2 (10/9/15): MSL and Kevin Sullivan are back, and this time they gab about the Hunchbacks in WCW, the British wrestling scene, WWE booking, Daniel Bryan’s future, Lita’s new position with the WWE, CM Punk’s injury, RAW, Hell in a Cell, and a couple of solid TNA rants. The main event is a review of the July 15th 1996 Nitro, which leads to an interesting discussing of race and booking. An enjoyable show, although it might be better served to be trimmed slightly. THUMBS UP
