Because WCW

111: WCW’s ’Mount Rushmores’, part one

Sat, 12 Nov 2022 14:53:23 GMT

Well, it's been a long seven months but Dean and Liam are finally back on the podcast beat, and it had nothing to do with jail time... honest!

Their first episode back is a special look at a very popular question across a variety of topics on social media: which four wrestlers/matches/finishing moves etc would be WCW's 'Mount Rushmore'?

The dynamic duo get through as many categories as they can, with more to come on a future episode, no doubt.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

110: Nitro Watchalong, episode 50

Mon, 11 Apr 2022 21:17:12 GMT

Dean and Liam reach a milestone on the retro series, and it's fittingly a significant episode as Ted DiBiase shows up and proves he can count to five, while Chris Jericho makes his debut Nitro appearance and immediately fails to get sportsmanship over as a gimmick.

Not only that, but the Blue Bloods explode, the lesser two Horsemen decide seven days later that they do have a problem with being replaced at WarGames by Sting and Luger after all, and Hollywood Hogan unwittingly spawns an infamous graffiti-based meme for the social media age.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

109: Remembering Scott Hall

Tue, 15 Mar 2022 07:01:21 GMT

The entire wrestling community is this week mourning the news that former WCW United States, Television and Tag Team champion Scott Hall has passed away at the age of 63.

Hall was not only part of WCW's memorable early 1990s era, but would of course return in 1996 in one of the most memorable surprise appearances in the history of the industry before his New World Order faction with Kevin Nash and Hulk Hogan changed the game as we knew it.

Dean and Liam take a look back at his career, his influence, his struggles and exactly how there'll never be another quite like the 'Bad Guy'.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

108: Nitro Watchalong, episode 49

Wed, 23 Feb 2022 22:39:28 GMT

Dean and Liam return from a winter hibernation brought on by a combination of house renovations and more bloody Covid to deliver their first episode of 2022, another Nitro Watchalong during the famous early days of the New World Order.

Stick us on alongside the Aug. 19, 1996 episode, or just listen to the podcast free standing as we walk you through all the happenings. And by happenings, we mean a big development for the upcoming WarGames bout, a fun match between Lord Steven Regal and Dean Malenko and a low-key great TV match between DDP and Chavo Guerrero Jr.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

107: End of 2021 Q&A Spectacular!

Fri, 31 Dec 2021 10:11:37 GMT

The final day of the year brings our last episode of 2021, and as with previous years it's a doozy.

For the third straight year, Dean and Liam have implored you to ask them ANYTHING related to World Championship Wrestling. And after doing it solo in 2019 and inviting a guest in 2020, this time - for the first time in the show's history - there are two special guests!

British wrestling luminaries Justin Richards and Adam 'Muscles' Mansfield return to the show at the very same time to help tackle your WCW Qs. Be ready for plenty of BritWres anecdotes and three times the Ayass abuse!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

106: Nitro Watchalong, episode 48

Wed, 22 Dec 2021 23:02:56 GMT

It's the first episode of Monday Nitro following the lengthy stint at Disney and the first since Hollywood Hogan regained the WCW World title at Hog Wild as the show arrives in what Larry Zbyszko calls 'the middle of nowhere' - Casper, Wyoming.

Join Dean and Liam through an erratic 90 minutes of wrestling TV littered with PPV rematches and some very peculiar character development. Oh, and Chris Benoit superplexing a seven foot monster in a bout that was much better than it had any right to be.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

105: Superbrawl 1 w/ Sam ‘Berry‘ Gardiner

Mon, 22 Nov 2021 22:41:21 GMT

An old favourite guest returns to the podcast to help Dean and Liam look back at the infamous WCW debuts of Scott Hall and Kevin Nash... kinda.

Superbrawl 1 sees Oz and The Diamond Studd make their bows during a very strange transitional period for the company, but thankfully an utterly weird PPV is saved late on by several strong matches, including the fantastic tag title collision between The Steiner Brothers and the team of Sting and Lex Luger.

So, all there is left to say is... "Welcome To Oz!"

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

104: Nitro Watchalong, episode 47

Mon, 25 Oct 2021 20:36:31 GMT

The WCW roster deals with the aftermath of the New World Order's legendary backstage assault from the previous Nitro in this final episode before Hog Wild on PPV, which is also the last of the Disney/MGM tapings due to the 1996 Olympics.

Join Dean and Liam as they watch through the babyfaces standing up in defiance while the heels get even more sinister in their actions as they also vow to take down the NWO. But why does this episode feel like it has been visited by time travellers?

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

103: Mayhem 1999 w/ Grappl‘s Richard ‘Benno‘ Benson

Wed, 29 Sep 2021 21:58:28 GMT

All Elite Wrestling's recent All Out 2021 PPV earned the biggest buyrate for a non-WWE wrestling PPV since WCW produced their inaugural Mayhem show in way back in 1999. And when Dean and Liam shared this trivia with a fellow podcaster they met at Hooked On's All Out watch party, the trio decided to cover Mayhem for an episode. Then, they realised it was a Vince Russo show.

Nonetheless, our fearless hosting duo and special guest Richard 'Benno' Benson endured three hours of utterly baffling product that made them realise why it has probably taken a company not run by Vince McMahon 22 years to do a better number. Find out which of the many matches booked for the event scored a 'full house' in Russo Bingo!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

102: Exclusive interview w/ The Death Of WCW & WrestleCrap‘s RD Reynolds

Wed, 15 Sep 2021 15:20:04 GMT

Today marks four years since the very first episode of Because WCW looked at the infamous Starrcade 1997 PPV (which also means we have lasted longer than the promotion did after that botched Sting/Hogan main event), and to celebrate our 4th birthday we spoke to a member of wrestling media who knows World Championship Wrestling extremely well - the one and only RD Reynolds!

RD tells Dean and Liam about his fandom of NWA/WCW growing up, his most infamous WCW-related WrestleCrap inductions, writing a book with Bryan Alvarez about its demise, what it's like to be currently working on a podcast project with none other than Vince Russo (the duo review classic old Batman episodes) and more!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

101: Nitro Watchalong, episode 46

Wed, 08 Sep 2021 21:44:37 GMT

Dean and Liam arrive at one of the most iconic editions of Monday Nitro, as Scott Hall and Kevin Nash bring a regularly-scheduled episode to its knees with a sneak attack so rough and severe that wrestling writers would spent the next decade or more attempting to replicate it on a weekly basis, to diminishing returns and diluted effects.

Re-live the infamous 'lawn dart' spot and much more as our intrepid duo break down what was great (and also what wasn't that great at all) about one of the game-changing wrestling TV angles of the 1990s.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

100: Exclusive interview w/ Lance Storm

Thu, 19 Aug 2021 10:37:47 GMT

Somehow, some way, Because WCW made it to the 100-episode mark. So, Dean and Liam decided to celebrate by bringing on a very, very special guest!

Former United States (sorry, CANADIAN) heavyweight champion, Triple Crown title winner and globally-respected wrestler and trainer Lance Storm joins the podcast to discuss his brief-but-memorable tenure as a WCW employee.

Storm talks his surprise at how fondly-remembered his three-belt run and World title challenge vs Booker T is 20 years on, under the circumstances at the time. Plus, he responds to Eric Bischoff's harsh words on 83 Weeks, recalls his famous 'invasion' of WWE television, backstage politics involving John Laurinaitis and Vince Russo and much, much more!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

099: Clash Of The Champions 15 w/ Discovery Wrestling's Darren Goss

Mon, 09 Aug 2021 21:51:19 GMT

Days after learning of the passing of beloved wrestling legend 'Beautiful' Bobby Eaton, Dean and Liam decided to rewatch one of the few shows Eaton main evented: a 1991 challenge of WCW champion Ric Flair on a TV special.

Joining the duo is returning former guest Darren Goss of Discovery Wrestling, but before they can get to Flair vs Eaton, first they must endure a ton of World Championship Wrestling in 1991 being, well, World Championship Wrestling in 1991.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

098: Nitro Watchalong, episode 45

Mon, 26 Jul 2021 21:34:23 GMT

The Disney tapings continue in the wake of the New World Order's formation, and Ric Flair is conspicuous by his absence. Fortunately, in Flair's place is new arrival The Leprechaun. Yes, you read that right.

Join Dean and Liam as they breeze through a fast-paced two-hour Nitro, which is a blessing considering how much intolerable guff is on this episode until the stars arrive.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

097: Nitro Watchalong, episode 44

Mon, 05 Jul 2021 21:25:19 GMT

Eight days after the infamous conclusion of BATB '96, 'Hollywood' Hulk Hogan makes his first appearance in the infamous all-black garb. Well, if you ignore his temporary midlife crisis period in late '95.

The battle lines are drawn in WCW as the New World Order make their presence known on another episode that really struggles to cope with the new two-hour format and the casual crowd at Disney.

Nonetheless, Kidman vs Malenko, Benoit vs Guerrero part 4000 and some fun old-school promos (as well as the WCW debut of three graffiti'd bedsheets) make for some decent enough highlights.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

096: Clash Of The Champions 22

Thu, 24 Jun 2021 21:32:16 GMT

Dean and Liam, for the first time in a while, review a classic major WCW show as a two-man act and for the occasion, they covered the second Clash event in the podcast's run so far.

Join them as they debate whether Cactus Jack turned babyface at or before this show; whether 2 Cold Scorpio's hideous music video is the craziest WCW ever produced (and they made some doozies); and whether Harley Race firing The Barbarian is the single greatest P45 in professional wrestling history. Or at least, they do so once Bill Watts finishes his self-indulgent 5-hour intro.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

095: Nitro Watchalong, episode 43

Thu, 03 Jun 2021 21:41:52 GMT

It's the day after Bash At The Beach 1996 and everything has changed on Nitro. Not only is beloved hero Hulk Hogan now a villain in league with The Outsiders, but WCW are filming their Monday night TV show at Disney in broad daylight!

An intriguing and unique episode begins the steady move into the promotion's absolute peak. Join Dean and Liam for Sting vs Arn Anderson, Dean Malenko defending the cruiserweight title against Rey Mysterio and perhaps the worst and most ill-advised promo Hall and Nash ever cut as a collective unit.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

094: Nitro Watchalong, episode 42

Thu, 20 May 2021 22:13:53 GMT

It's the end of an era on the Watchalong series, as Dean and Liam cover the final episode of Monday Nitro prior to the arrival of the New World Order and professional wrestling being turned on its head.

A mostly-enjoyable run of pre-Hollywood Hogan television finishes up with a decent enough offering, featuring the biggest Ric Flair's Banquet Table(tm) to date and much more on the go-home show six days before the pivotal Bash At The Beach 1996.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

093: Starrcade 1992 w/ comedian Chris Brooker

Thu, 06 May 2021 18:38:04 GMT

Because WCW continues its chronicles of the company's bizarre obsession of anchoring its flagship year-end pay-per-view offering with a myriad of side concepts as Starrcade finds itself once again piggybacking a Battlebowl and a Lethal Lottery.

Nonetheless, this curiously-booked smattering of double duty, triple duty and wholly uninspiring encounters for major singles titles does carry a lot of that famous early-1990s WCW charm. It's also a cherished childhood memory of our guest, Chris 'The Brooker Man' Brooker.

The man who has opened for spoken word tours conducted by the likes of Mick Foley, Diamond Dallas Page and more shares his love of the event with Dean and Liam, who frankly deserve a medal for all the Bill Watts PPVs they have re-lived.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

092: Nitro Watchalong, episode 41

Fri, 23 Apr 2021 14:39:24 GMT

It took a month, but Nitro are finally starting to figure out how to make their two-hour shows run as smoothly as their mostly-enjoyable 60-minute bursts.

Join Dean and Liam as those two no-good outsiders continue to make their presence known, spoiling an intriguing triangle main event for the tag team titles, while the rest of the show features a host of perversely-entertaining style-clashes.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

091: WrestleWar 1991 w/ wrestling commentator Dave Bradshaw

Sat, 10 Apr 2021 15:49:21 GMT

We let our special guests pick a pay-per-view or special WCW event to cover when they appear on the show, and many of them pick shows from the early 1990s. Who can blame them? To many of us growing up at that time, it was a true glory period, surpassed only by the nWo's peak months.

Our latest third chair was no exception, as Dave Bradshaw - who has written, presented and commentated on pro wrestling all over Europe and on everything from digital TV to the WWE Network - selected WrestleWar, and WarGames!

Join us in recalling that time Sid Vicious attempted and came extremely close to single-handedly ruining a great edition of the famous double-cage score-settler, as well as such early 90s luminaries as The Freebirds, Doom, and, erm, State Patrol.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

090: Nitro Watchalong, episode 40

Fri, 02 Apr 2021 11:03:38 GMT

It's the night after the 1996 Great American Bash (recently reviewed in episode 88), and the battle lines are starting to form in the wake of The Outsiders' attack on Eric Bischoff. Even WCW's resident villains are issuing threats to Hall and Nash - what has become of pro wrestling!?

Join Dean and Liam as they once again attempt to speed up Nitro's early struggles in moving from one hour to two with their trademark blend of offbeat shenanigans and genuine insight, as Randy Savage and Ric Flair engage in their 5647th singles match and The Giant takes on Scott Steiner.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

089: The 20th anniversary of the end of WCW

Fri, 26 Mar 2021 07:57:39 GMT

It was indeed an entire two decades ago on this very day that World Championship Wrestling staged its final live event, the 'series finale' edition of Monday Nitro, from Panama City Beach, Florida.

This poignant landmark has prompted Dean and Liam to reflect back on the final few months of the company, whether Eric Bischoff could have truly turned things around with Fusient if he had a TV network to back him and whether WWE could have at the very least done something more meaningful with their new assets.

Plus, we read out YOUR ideas for how the planned return PPV under Fusient, The Big Bang set for May 6, 2001, should have been handled!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

088: Great American Bash 1996 w/ Motorsport Network's James Dickens

Tue, 09 Mar 2021 22:47:49 GMT

Once again, Dean and Liam look back at a PPV in line with their ongoing Nitro Watchalong series, and it happens to be one of the more enjoyable efforts WCW ever put behind a paywall.

The Giant vs Lex Luger, Sting vs Lord Steven Regal, a surprisingly fun battle between The Horsemen and two NFL stars plus the iconic Falls Count Anywhere bout between Chris Benoit and Kevin Sullivan and Rey Mysterio's company debut combine for a memorable three hours, capped by The Outsiders assaulting Eric Bischoff as part of their hostile takeover.

Joining the team for this one is James Dickens, an experienced publishing head at a number of sports media juggernauts and a casual fan of old-school wrestling who has been drawn back into the community by the British wrestling scene of recent years.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

087: Nitro Watchalong, episode 39

Fri, 26 Feb 2021 21:12:00 GMT

Nitro's move to two hours continues to experience some teething pain, as WCW delivers another one-hour episode stretched out the extra length as the hard sell for the 1996 Great American Bash begins.

That said, a great old-school tag team main event featuring Sting and Lex Luger defending the tag titles against the Horsemen, plus perhaps the greatest ever match lasting under a minute between Lord Steven Regal and a young Billy Kidman, are highlights on this June edition of the show.

Join Dean and Liam as Scott Hall arrives with his "big surprise", who delivers one of the soundbytes of the podcast's intro!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

086: Nitro Watchalong, episode 38

Wed, 17 Feb 2021 22:20:45 GMT

One week after the shocking Nitro appearance of Scott Hall, WCW broadcast their second two-hour Monday night offering - though it could have easily fit inside the old one-hour timeslot if they removed all the repeated promo videos for the absent Hulk Hogan.

Nonetheless, an old-school bout pitting Ric Flair and Arn Anderson against The Rock 'n' Roll Express, a main event of Sting and Lex Luger defending the tag titles against The Steiner Brothers and first-class antics from the likes of Disco Inferno, Lord Steven Regal and more make this episode an easy watch. So, watch along with us!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

085: Clash Of The Champions 17 w/ Rock FM's Joel Ross

Sat, 06 Feb 2021 10:37:52 GMT

A new year means new horizons for Because WCW, as for the first time we review a Clash Of The Champions event! The two-hour TV specials had a Saturday Night's Main Event/In Your House vibe, but were eventually replaced by monthly three-hour PPVs.

Dean and Liam start with one of the very best Clash shows of the 1990-2001 WCW era, as the 17th edition overall features Sting vs newcomer Rick Rude for the United States title and Dustin Rhodes teaming with a mystery partner to challenge tag champs The Enforcers.

And joining them for this special episode is former BBC Radio DJ and host of WrestleTalk on Challenge TV, Joel Ross. For once, Liam may not be the most prolific swearer of an episode...

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

084: Nitro Watchalong, episode 37

Fri, 29 Jan 2021 21:04:45 GMT

Hey, yo!

After an extended Christmas break, Dean and Liam are back with not just any Monday Nitro Watchalong, but the May 27, 1996 episode.

As Nitro moves from one hour to two, they mark the occasion with the arrival of one Scott Hall. The company's greatest ever storyline is underway!

Tune in for that plus Ric Flair and Woman's glorious cheating tactics, Sting vs Scott Steiner, Lord Steven Regal calling Alex Wright "Junior Adolf" and more!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

083: Christmas Special Q&A w/ Power Slam Magazine editor Findlay Martin

Fri, 18 Dec 2020 13:44:10 GMT

After the positive feedback for last year's special festive episode, during which Dean and Liam answered YOUR WCW-related questions, they decided to do it again this year... with a special guest joining their panel.

Former two-time guest of the show and editor of famed British wrestling publication Power Slam for its 20-year run from 1994 to 2014, Findlay Martin, offered his expertise and insight as our devoted listeners fired away about everything from how we'd book things differently to what happened behind the scenes to whether or not we'd prefer to make sweet love to either '93 WCW or '93 WWF.

Which World Championship Wrestling names would Dean, Liam and Fin invite over for Christmas dinner? TUNE INTO NITRO- erm, this episode of Because WCW, to find out!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

082: Nitro Watchalong, episode 36

Tue, 08 Dec 2020 12:32:28 GMT

It's the final Monday Nitro before the entire landscape of the professional wrestling industry would change forever, and it is also the night of perhaps Nitro's best match to date as the on-form Ric Flair battles popular babyface Eddie Guerrero.

Join Dean and Liam as they wonder why 1996 Flair isn't celebrated quite as much as other peak periods for The Nature Boy, while the usual storylines featuring Sting, Lex Luger, Randy Savage, The Four Horsemen and The Dungeon of Doom go around in one more circle before things freshen up with a certain arrival the following week.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

081: Nitro Watchalong, episode 35

Tue, 01 Dec 2020 22:05:19 GMT

One of the final slender episodes of Monday Nitro brings us four matches that could all be classified as 'heel vs heel', if you are counting the constantly-scowling Scott Steiner and a Lex Luger who camped outside the arena overnight as heels. After all, Luger seems to switch each week at this juncture.

Join Dean and Liam for 42 minutes of perfectly acceptable wrestling, plus the usual greatness from Ric Flair and Woman. Oh, and Elizabeth was also there with them. We think.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

080: Great American Bash 1992 w/ wrestling historian Bradley Craig

Thu, 19 Nov 2020 17:30:04 GMT

We here at Because WCW have covered our fair share of awful, harebrained, nonsensical offerings from various loons somehow employed to positions of power at World Championship Wrestling over the years. This time, however, Dean and Liam cover perhaps the dullest.

Joining them to look back at the 1992 Great American Bash is wrestling historian and operator of the Scottish Wrestling Hall of Fame, Bradley Craig. A tournament for the NWA tag team titles dominates the show as the Bill Watts era begins to vaccuum the entertainment and charm out of professional wrestling.

Thankfully, the one non-tournament match is Sting vs Big Van Vader for the WCW World title, one of the best bouts in company history. So there's that.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

079: Interview w/wrestling writer Scott Keith

Wed, 11 Nov 2020 22:08:09 GMT

This special episode of the podcast sees Dean and Liam joined by a man who covered wrestling online for much of World Championship Wrestling's existence and to this day contributes to Inside The Ropes as well as running his Blog Of Doom website, Scott Keith.

The trio discuss Scott's experiences as a WCW fan as well as a wrestling writer, including the implementation of the famed 'hot pokers up the ass' rating system and seminal 'Want Of A Nail' column on WCW's troubles in the year 1993.

And, true to the form of all three members of this nostalgic chat, Hulk Hogan gets well and truly slated, of course.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

078: Nitro Watchalong, episode 34

Wed, 04 Nov 2020 10:44:04 GMT

The era of The Giant has arrived, and WCW wastes no time showing us what an unstoppable and uncontrollable force he is as World champion. They also waste no time in hammering home their two favourite on-off long-running storylines, "Randy Savage has lost his mind!" and "what's the deal with Sting and Lex Luger?"

Join Dean and Liam and take your mind off the confusing United States election updates with a nice, brisk hour of Monday Nitro that unlike the polls, doesn't drag out well beyond a reasonable period of time.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

077: Halloween Havoc 1990 w/ wrestler RJ Singh

Tue, 27 Oct 2020 08:16:11 GMT

Thirty years ago on the very date of this episode being published, World Championship Wrestling aired the second annual Halloween Havoc PPV live on PPV.

And on this momentous anniversary - not to mention the day before NXT finally brings the beloved concept back - is the perfect time for us to cover another of the most requested WCW themed show, by far.

Joining Dean and Liam as they finally get to rewatch the famous Steiner Brothers vs Nasty Boys donnybrook is British wrestling veteran RJ Singh, himself a longtime WCW fan who made his in-ring debut shortly after the company folded in 2001.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

076: Nitro Watchalong, episode 33

Mon, 19 Oct 2020 20:49:00 GMT

The April 29, 1996 edition of Monday Nitro may well be the best one yet.

Featuring a hard-hitting Parking Lot Brawl between Fit Finlay and Lord Steven Regal plus two major title bouts, the absence of Hulk Hogan continues to lead to some enjoyable hour-long television.

Join Dean and Liam for more great nostalgia, insight and of course, random talk about chocolate bars.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

075: Nitro Watchalong, episode 32

Mon, 12 Oct 2020 21:04:58 GMT

Would you believe it? WCW begins three months of Hulk Hogan-less episodes of Monday Nitro with a really enjoyable hour of television!

As fate would have it, while fans on social media bicker over how many non-finishes AEW have or have not used on a year of Dynamite, the April 22, 1996 edition of Nitro is one of the best of the early bunch despite half of its four matches going to non-finishes and the other two using some form of cheating before the pinfall.

It's almost as if things can be great if done right and also bad if done in a slapdash manner, isn't it?

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

074: Slamboree 2000 w/ TV's Adam Pearson

Fri, 02 Oct 2020 09:52:18 GMT

Earlier this year, we rewatched Spring Stampede 2000 and recalled how Eric Bischoff and Vince Russo's publicised joint rescue attempt of WCW was taking on water after just six days. Three weeks later, their second PPV effort continued to confuse and depress.

The PPV that features actor David Arquette entering as the defending WCW World champion is rife with overbooking, extra-curricular nonsense and short-minded decision-making. But who better to join us for Arquette's big show than fellow TV star Adam Pearson?

Pearson, like all of us, is a huge fan of the 'Ready To Rumble' triple cage structure that main events the show. It's a shame nobody has brought it back since 2000, really...

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

073: Nitro Watchalong, episode 31

Thu, 24 Sep 2020 20:56:42 GMT

Good news: Midlife Crisis Hulk Hogan makes his final appearance on this edition of Monday Nitro before forming the New World Order and going Hollywood that summer.

Bad news: he manages to leave a horrific taste in the mouth of the watching fan on his way out with his latest desperate self-serving antics.

Join Dean and Liam as they endure a depressing opening segment, enjoy The Nasty Boys and Public Enemy beating the tar out of each other and witness the latest instalment of Randy Savage Formula Reverse Squash Matches(tm).

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

072: Nitro Watchalong, episode 30

Tue, 15 Sep 2020 11:17:12 GMT

Today, Because WCW turns three years old! And what better way to celebrate than with Hulk Hogan and Ed Leslie's latest desperate attempts to stay relevant?

On the plus side, the Hulkster isn't far in our Nitro chronicles from disappearing until he'd return to form the New World Order. Until then, Dean and Liam witness an hour of old-school wrestling (for better and for worse) staged in front of a very 1990s crowd, littered with some extremely creative (again, for better and for worse) match finishes.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

071: The legacy of Monday Nitro w/ Power Slam Magazine's Findlay Martin

Thu, 03 Sep 2020 21:44:47 GMT

As it's Nitro Week on hookedonwrestling.co.uk, we have for the first time published a second episode in a week. And it's a humdinger!

Dean and Liam are joined by British wrestling media legend Findlay Martin to discuss the impact WCW's game-changing weekly show had not just on the industry as a whole, but on fans of various generations and Fin himself as a wrestling magazine editor at the time.

The man now writing for the brand-new Inside The Ropes Magazine recalls Nitro's biggest highs and lows from the perspective of having to cover it month after month.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

070: Exclusive interview w/ Sonny Onoo

Mon, 31 Aug 2020 21:49:12 GMT

From Monday August 31 to Sunday September 6 2020, hookedonwrestling.co.uk and Because WCW are celebrating 'Monday Nitro Week', to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the very first episode of the game-changing weekly TV show on September 4.

To mark the occasion, Dean and Liam present a very special interview conducted by 'The Twisted Genius' with his fellow devious manager, WCW legend Sonny Onoo!

The sunglasses-wearing, wide-grinning former international liaison and on-screen talent for World Championship Wrestling reflects back on the very beginnings of Nitro, his favourite talents to work with, being involved first-hand with the Monday Night Wars and more.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

069: Bash At The Beach 1996 w/ Hooked On Wrestling's Rob McNichol

Sat, 22 Aug 2020 06:24:56 GMT

For the first time, Because WCW has a podcast episode longer than the PPV it was covering. And considering which PPV this episode looks at, we're sure you'll agree it deserves the distinction of our biggest ep yet.

Dean and Liam bring in a 'third man' for one of WCW's most infamous and critically-successful efforts as Hooked On Wrestling original and former The Sun wrestling columnist Rob McNichol helps decipher the 'hostile takeover' main event that launched Eric Bischoff's vision into supernova. But whose side is he on!?

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

068: Nitro Watchalong, episode 29

Fri, 14 Aug 2020 16:33:17 GMT

Dean and Liam's run of early-1996 Nitros continues as they encounter an episode that, bizarrely, they both vaguely recalled watching on British cable TV back when it was fresh content.

So, will this hour of TV, headlined by Ric Flair defending the WCW World title against The Giant and also featuring Sting and Lex Luger defending the tag team titles against The American Males plus Randy Savage vs Fit Finlay, stand the test of time?

And more importantly, why the bloody hell are we stuck watching another Booty Man 'match'!?

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

067: Nitro Watchalong, episode 28

Mon, 03 Aug 2020 21:25:45 GMT

How many wrestling shows can 'boast' that their match of the night was an immediate countout that finished in a matter of seconds?

Welcome to the March 18, 1996 edition of Monday Nitro, where the tag team division continues to hurt the head and the eyes of everyone unfortunate enough to pick WCW over the WWF on this particular evening back in the day, and the star workers were an unfoldable chair found in most schools and community centres, and a foam Randy Savage hat.

Join Dean and Liam as they count the minutes until Hulk Hogan takes his pre-New World Order hiatus, and welcome late actor Jeep Swenson to the show shortly before someone has to tell WCW that it wasn't a good idea to name one of their wrestlers 'The Final Solution'.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

066: Nitro Watchalong, episode 27

Fri, 17 Jul 2020 08:25:26 GMT

As advertised on the previous episode, a Lumberjack Strap six-man tag main events the 27th Monday Nitro - and they made all of the lumberjacks dress in flannel!

Join Dean and Liam as they continue on the road to Uncensored 1996 with quite the enjoyable hour of television, even despite the hideously-confusing face-heel blurs. The Steiner Brothers return, Brian Pillman refuses to leave quietly and Ric Flair goes bonkers. Again.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

065: Superbrawl 1993 w/ BBC Radio's Mike White

Wed, 08 Jul 2020 21:08:53 GMT

WCW had plenty of pros to supplement the many, many cons, but PPV events from the company that are widely regarded as truly great are few and far between. Superbrawl III is one of those select few that many consider to be great.

So great, in fact, that friend of the podcast and BBC Sport broadcast journalist in the Humberside region Mike White insisted that we rewatch it for his special guest appearance.

Join Dean, Liam and Mike as they fondly recall the White Castle of Fear strap match between Big Van Vader and Sting, the falls-count-anywhere melee between Cactus Jack and Paul Orndorff and an overall product now free of the dated Bill Watts stench.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

064: Starrcade 1990 w/ Carl Stewart

Thu, 25 Jun 2020 17:59:31 GMT

World Championship Wrestling transitioned out of the NWA/Jim Crockett Promotions in 1990, and is there a more WCW way for the company's era of infamy to begin than the Black Scorpion storyline?

Ole Anderson followed up a brilliant 1989 by growling into a voice distorter to cap a massive squandering of the firm's momentum, shortly before he would be replaced as booker by Dusty Rhodes.

Dean, Liam and special guest Carl 'Conroy' Stewart do their best not to say anything that breaches the podcast rules or bash their own heads into their laptops as they endure 14 matches including an obscure and pointless tag tournament, overly political match finishes and, of course, that main event.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

063: Nitro Watchalong, episode 26

Wed, 17 Jun 2020 21:56:09 GMT

Very few episodes of Monday Nitro so far on this Watchalong series have felt like chores to watch. The February 26, 1996 broadcast, unfortunately, was a massive chore to watch.

Nonetheless, Dean and Liam make it worthwhile with their audio accompaniment. Hell, just listen to the episode without watching Nitro on WWE Network, if you wish.

Deep fried Mars Bars, the difference between a Milky Way in Britain and in the United States and other such riveting conversations salvage an hour of wrestling that was worthwhile only to see more from Sting and Lex Luger's wacky tag title reign.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

062: Halloween Havoc 1997 w/ Adam 'Muscles' Mansfield

Sat, 06 Jun 2020 21:12:20 GMT

A question that has cropped up more than once in previous episodes of Because WCW is this: how did World Championship Wrestling manage so often to provide some all-time classic wrestling moments right next to some truly turgid excuses for entertainment?

Havoc 1997 may well be the pinnacle of their trademark marriage of the ridiculous and the sublime, as Rey Misterio Jr vs Eddie Guerrero in one of the greatest ever matches on North American soil and Ric Flair's gloriously-Wild West revenge on Curt Hennig are accompanied by the Mongo/Alex Wright/Goldberg farce and - yes - Age In The Cage.

British wrestling cornerstone and expert trainer Adam 'Muscles' Mansfield joins Dean and Liam to provide in-depth analysis of such things as Roddy Piper biting Hollywood Hogan's arse.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

061: Exclusive interview w/ Nitro book author Guy Evans

Fri, 29 May 2020 15:13:36 GMT

Since WCW folded in 2001, there have been countless accounts of what went wrong. There have been many opinions shared by fans and outsiders alike as to why they stopped watching or caring. But there has been nothing quite like Guy Evans' comprehensive insight into the Nitro era.

And in a very special chat recorded on May 23, the man himself joined us from New York via Skype to discuss the making of the book, how it affected his enjoyment of wrestling and potentially writing a follow-up.

For die-hard WCW nuts and wrestling nostalgists alike, this is an hour and a half's listening you won't regret!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

060: Nitro watchalong, episode 25

Thu, 21 May 2020 11:41:09 GMT

It's a 'night of rematches' according to Eric Bischoff, Bobby Heenan, Mongo and Mongo's poor, forcibly-costumed dog. Hey, at least WCW's reliance on the same marquee matches over and over again has a fancy packaging, this time.

Join Dean and Liam as they cross their fingers and pray that Hulk Hogan doesn't get his win back from Arn Anderson after just seven days, and share with them the unbridled joy that only an episode featuring Fit Finlay, Brad Armstrong, Giant Haystacks AND Alex Wright can provide.

That is, until Liam said something very naughty and forced Because WCW to use their censor button for the first time in 60 episodes. We had money on him doing it inside five, to be fair.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

059: Lady Blossom exclusive interview

Thu, 14 May 2020 13:55:11 GMT

Dean and Liam are joined for this very special episode by WCW alumnus Jeanie 'Lady Blossom' Clarke, former valet and real-life wife of 'Stunning' Steve Austin.

Clarke tells us about life on the road in the early days of World Championship Wrestling, being an ITV star without realising it, maintaining great friendships with some of her former colleagues and of course, the urban legend that she was the source of Austin's 'Stone Cold' moniker.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

058: Nitro Watchalong, episode 24

Thu, 07 May 2020 10:47:49 GMT

The February 12th, 1996 edition of WCW Monday Nitro answers the question: can the visual of Arn Anderson pinning Hulk Hogan's shoulders to the mat for a count of three make an otherwise-tedious hour of wrestling a worthwhile watch.

Well, the answer is unfortunately no. But come and join Dean and Liam regardless as they endure everything Hogan had to get to do to Arn and the Horseman in return for the essentially-meaningless defeat, as well as Loch Ness almost legit maiming Scotty Riggs, Macho Man attempting to emote after Elizabeth's post-Superbrawl betrayal and an engrossing carwreck of a clash between Konnan and Devon Storm.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

057: Spring Stampede 2000 w/ Priscilla, Queen of the Ring

Wed, 29 Apr 2020 11:47:41 GMT

In a quirk of fate, Dean and Liam look back at the WCW PPV immediately after the last one they covered on the podcast, as the Eric Bischoff/Vince Russo collaboration era presents Spring Stampede 2000.

Although just four weeks separated that and Uncensored, there were so many changes behind the scenes you'd be forgiven for thinking four years had passed. And yet, the co-hosts and special guest Priscilla Queen of the Ring explain why beneath the surface, hardly anything had actually changed at all.

With 14(!) matches on a sub-three-hour show, title tournaments, multi-man melees and more swerves than you can shake a stick at, come and see exactly why the beacon of hope offered by Russo and Bischoff was merely an ignition to burn down the wick of the final candle in the company's existence.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

056: Nitro Watchalong, episode 23

Tue, 21 Apr 2020 21:29:50 GMT

With just six days until Superbrawl VI, World Championship Wrestling embarks on the 'hard sell' (or in their case, somewhat semi-erect) and thankfully also remembers what made most of the first 20 episodes of Monday Nitro enjoyable in the first place.

Randy Savage and Ric Flair make Chris Benoit and Marcus Bagwell look formidable, respectively, in fresh match-ups while The Road Warriors challenge the intriguing pairing of Sting and Lex Luger for the world tag team titles in a main event that manages to wrap up just before it outstays its welcome. Plus, Brian Pillman and Kevin Sullivan launch their bid to confuse the hell out of the live audience as much as possible!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

055: Uncensored 2000 w/ Cultaholic's Justin Henry

Fri, 10 Apr 2020 13:51:48 GMT

Having looked back at Superbrawl 2000 in the show's early days, Dean and Liam complete the two-month era of 'booking committee' PPVs in between Vince Russo's two brief but wild stints and soon remember that it actually felt like two decades.

The final edition of one of the most infamous PPV show themes of all time comes shortly after the exodus of The Radicals to WWE and sees WCW respond to the changes by main eventing with Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair AGAIN while showcasing such finger-on-the-pulse acts as Brian Knobbs and the Harris Boys.

And joining our long-suffering co-hosts for this wretched mess of a major wrestling event from his own transatlantic self-isolation is Justin Henry of Cultaholic, who is now regretting his decision to take pity on us and join in via Skype.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

054: Nitro Watchalong, episode 22

Mon, 30 Mar 2020 21:42:12 GMT

The series that prompted ITV to stick the entire Euro 1996 football tournament up on their on-demand service is back with the 22nd edition of Monday Nitro - where after a fun first few months, things are starting to fall into a rut.

But don't panic, Dean and Liam will fight their isolation blues to make light of the umpteenth re-arrangement of Hogan, Flair, Savage and Giant while also wondering who on Earth told the returning Road Warriors to go 10 minutes with the Faces of Fear.

Plus, get ready for the debut of a foreign object that would prove a key figure in the infamous Billionaire Ted skits!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

053: Superbrawl 1992 w/ Doug Williams

Fri, 20 Mar 2020 09:36:45 GMT

Dean and Liam attempt to cope with the safety protocol for the Corona virus by rewatching the second annual Superbrawl - with Sting vs Lex Luger headlining for the World title plus Rick Rude, Ricky Steamboat, the Steiners, the Dangerous Alliance, Flyin' Brian Pillman and more, it could perhaps be one of the most peak WCW pay-per-views in their history in the midst of their early 1990s zeitgeist.

And joining them is a man who surely would have competed for World Championship Wrestling, had they survived past 2001: one of British wrestling's all-time greats, Doug Williams. Fresh off having his return to Ring of Honor cancelled by the lockdown, Doug talks WCW and his own lengthy career in this special episode.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

052: Nitro Watchalong, episode 21

Wed, 11 Mar 2020 11:28:35 GMT

WCW rolls into Las Vegas for a double-shot of a Monday Nitro and a Tuesday Clash of the Champions, with a spot of big-time networking thrown in. This hobnobbing excursion means the big names are all over the card, the matchups are particularly rehashed and Hulk Hogan is more nauseatingly insecure than ever before.

Will the World title and/or the World tag titles change hands on this landmark episode? Will Hulk and co plunge us to only a third 'thumbs down' from Dean and Liam in 21 episodes so far? And what will Mongo force that poor dog to dress up as this time?

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

051: Nitro Watchalong, episode 20

Tue, 18 Feb 2020 21:49:05 GMT

Nitro's 20th episode, taking place in Miami, is the first serious sign of how shallow the roster's rotation was before the Outsiders and the New World Order shook things up momentarily.

A top-heavy match listing sees Randy Savage and Lex Luger randomly resume their old hostilities while Sting challenges Ric Flair for the World title in their third singles outing on the TNT show alone so far. But, of course, Hulk Hogan's predictable clash with Meng main events anyway.

Come join us for all of that plus the Public Enemy's big debut, as well as the intriguing storyline development that led to it.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

050: Nitro Watchalong, episode 19

Mon, 03 Feb 2020 23:30:19 GMT

We're not quite sure how, but we've made it to 50 episodes of Because WCW! And to mark the occasion, we've arrived at perhaps the best episode of Monday Nitro yet as the January 8, 1996 edition provides four very entertaining and very different bouts.

And in even more good news, the Sting/Lex Luger storyline has magically recommenced after being virtually ignored last week. Not only that, but Hulk Hogan is only mildly overbearing by his usual standards - though that doesn't stop him from having his way with the Horsemen in Horsemen country.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

049: Starrcade 1991 w/ Sam 'Berry' Gardiner

Thu, 23 Jan 2020 13:10:26 GMT

If our Starrcade '95 episode just before Christmas didn't satisfy your craving for times WCW turned their biggest PPV of the year into a baffling concept pilot, you're in for a treat! Our first special guest podcast of 2020 relives Starrcade 1991, a showpiece overrun by the debut of Lethal Lottery and Battlebowl.

Dean, Liam and British wrestling veteran Sam 'Berry' Gardiner - known between the ropes as Voodoo, eXodus, Mr. Puppet, Blok Busta and more - break down exactly what WCW did right and wrong in their attempt to make Battlebowl their answer to the Royal Rumble. And yes, it was 95% wrong.

In hindsight, they should have just plagiarised the Rumble outright. After all, if they're brazen enough to rip off Marvel's Spiderman with Brad Armstrong clad in purple and yellow, there's little point stopping there.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

048: Nitro Watchalong, episode 18

Thu, 16 Jan 2020 18:17:46 GMT

Our first episode of the new decade brings the Watchalong series into 1996, where the Nitro immediately following Starrcade proceeds to reset most of the intrigue offered in the Sting/Lex Luger storyline and have Hulk Hogan single-handedly make the Four Horsemen cower at his feet.

Nonetheless, Randy Savage leaves the Macho Man Formula(tm) at home in order to settle the score with Arn Anderson while Chris Benoit and Lord Steven Regal beat the tar out of each other in a pair of matches that salvage another pass for this New Year's Day special. Join Dean and Liam for a strangely bright orange hour of action (and apologies in advance for the audio falling away a bit in the final moments).

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

047: Christmas special Q&A

Tue, 24 Dec 2019 15:13:15 GMT

Merry Christmas, fellow WCW masochists!

As a special festive treat, Dean and Liam have followed through on their love of special content being pre-recorded for the holidays and put together a Q&A episode using questions about WCW posed via social media by you, our faithful listeners.

So, what are our all-time favourite matches and shows? How should the New World Order have ended? And just why was the syndicated WCW Worldwide show so coveted over here in the UK? All this and more are our Christmas present to you guys. See you in the new year!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

046: Starrcade 1995 w/ Paul Benson

Thu, 05 Dec 2019 11:34:41 GMT

For the very first time, Dean and Liam look back at a PPV in line with their chronological Nitro Watchalong series, as a pivotal 1995 for WCW is wrapped up with their annual showpiece event - or, in this case, another Starrcade wasted on experimental formats.

Hooked On Wrestling's Paul Benson takes home the match ball in his third special guest appearance on the podcast, and it's well-earned as WCW manage to find ways to turn an intriguing interpromotional best-of-seven series and one of the first ever three-man matches on PPV into confusing groan-fests. Turns out not all of Eric Bischoff's cutting-edge concepts were as successful or well-executed as the New World Order.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

045: Nitro Watchalong, episode 17

Mon, 25 Nov 2019 11:47:08 GMT

Dean and Liam wrap up the 1995 Monday Nitros with this festive Starrcade go-home, making them long for wrestling companies of today to make pre-taping shows to first-air on Christmas Day a regular thing, if only so they don't have to watch Gavin and Stacey after their turkey dinners.

Will the PPV's cutting edge but confusing concepts, such as the World Cup of Wrestling and the Triangle match for a WCW World title bout, be made any easier to figure out? Well, no.Randy Savage defends the big gold belt against Ric Flair, days before Flair needs to earn a title match. But Sting and Lex Luger are in action! And check out Mean Gene's hat!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

044: Nitro Watchalong, episode 16

Fri, 15 Nov 2019 13:22:00 GMT

The penultimate Nitro of 1995 brings us the infamous visual of Madusa returning to the company to dump the WWF Women's title into a handily-located bin, immediately infuriating Vince McMahon and others at the Federation who were aghast that someone would treat the title in such a horrific fashion. Y'know, besides the rest of the championship's entire existence.

This seminal angle does however overshadow another very easy to watch hour of television, capped by WCW Champion Randy Savage and The Giant's off-Broadway interpretation of 'David vs Goliath on several lines of cocaine' in the main event. And if you think that match was supercharged, check out Hulk Hogan's antics in a surreal overrun!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

043: Nitro Watchalong, episode 15

Mon, 04 Nov 2019 22:45:03 GMT

Dean and Liam pull back onto the road to Starrcade 1995 with their 15th Nitro Watchalong, and what feels like the 15th straight episode of Hulk Hogan, Sting and Randy Savage proclaiming that they cannot trust one another.

Nonetheless, the main eventers deliver a delightful old-school main event for the most part on an enjoyable episode also featuring decent action elsewhere and a bittersweet angle involving "Mr. Wonderful" Paul Orndorff. He coulda been a Horseman, didn't you know...

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

042: Slamboree 1998 w/ WCW Worldwide's Bryan Barrera

Wed, 16 Oct 2019 09:05:42 GMT

At the height of WCW's fame, the promotion cultivated a reputation for providing fantastic, exciting, fresh wrestling on its undercard before the main event crew arrived to stink up the joint. Those main eventers put WCW at the top, but as we learned, they couldn't keep them there forever without some fresh ideas.

Slamboree could well be the perfect example of that template. It comes weeks after WWE ended the 83-week winning streak of Nitro over Raw. It comes shortly after DX made fun of WCW at the Scope. And rather than shake up the formula in response, Bischoff instead opted to challenge Vince McMahon to a fight that was never going to happen.

Dean, Liam and Bryan Barrera, owner of top fan site WCWworldwide.com, look back at what could well be when the wheels came off as the Jerichos and Benoits deliver while the latest reshuffling of the same old guys on top proves even more confusing than the last.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

041: Nitro Watchalong, episode 14

Mon, 07 Oct 2019 21:34:23 GMT

After 11 very good hour-long episodes of wrestling television and two not-so-good ones, episode 14 of Monday Nitro is perhaps the first to which Dean and Liam can truly say they don't have a bloody clue whether it was good or bad.

This middle-of-the-road offering has a new record for Longest Nitro Match in the main event, as well as a tag title match ever-so-slightly sidetracked by a proposal and a big man clash that really should have been better. But at least Ric Flair is feeling energetic, thanks in part to his famous new buddy.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

040: Bret Hart concussion special w/ exclusive Bret audio

Mon, 30 Sep 2019 08:57:30 GMT

Last summer, Dean had the honour of hosting Bret Hart's spoken word UK tour staged by Kayfabe Events. At the tail end of the London leg, attended by his podcast co-host, Liam was one of the fans posing a question to the Hitman during the Q&A section. Liam asked about how WCW dealt with his Starrcade 1999 concussion. What followed was an emotional 40-minute answer detailing the rocky road Bret's health endured following that fateful night.

Now, finally, after much effort and a slew of technical disasters, Because WCW can bring you audio from that question. Even if you've read Bret's brilliant autobiography, the detail and raw emotion on show here are something else.

With what we know now about concussions and the after-effects, World Championship Wrestling's treatment of one of their biggest stars (and anyone else in a similar position) is all the more sobering.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

039: Nitro Watchalong, episode 13

Tue, 17 Sep 2019 12:55:18 GMT

The first World War 3 pay-per-view has come and gone, and unfortunately so has Hulk Hogan's bewildering-yet-entertaining 'man in black' phase as well as any hope that World War 3 would be a remotely decent match concept.

Fortunately, Monday Nitro continues to entertain in its fast and breezy format even when Hogan is splashed all over everything and Eric Bischoff sticks a random Japanese womens tag match on the show in a blatant counter-programming ploy.

Join Dean and Liam as the Johnny B Badd/DDP angle deepens, the Sting/Lex Luger relationship intrigues and new WCW champion Randy Savage brings back one of his all-time worst outfits. And remember: you can tune in with OR without this episode on the Network!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

038: Nitro Watchalong, episode 12

Fri, 06 Sep 2019 10:42:10 GMT

The podcast's second year has been a challenging one, but Dean and Liam are finally back from a third laptop-related absence, hopeful that the sophomore jinx is behind them once and for all.

And it's back to the Monday Nitro Watchalongs with a busy go-home show six days before the inaugural World War 3 PPV concept. If you assumed Sting and Hulk Hogan clashed for the very first time at Starrcade 97, think again: they're the main event tonight!

Despite spending recent weeks having what appeared to be an on-screen midlife crisis, the 'new', dressed-in-black Hogan finally gives his attempted character evolution a try between the ropes and it's actually very interesting. Perhaps there's something to this heelish dark-clothes deal after all...?

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

037: Nitro Watchalong, episode 11

Mon, 08 Jul 2019 13:04:33 GMT

Is the 11th edition of Monday Nitro the best so far? With four fun and very different TV matches plus plenty of storyline advancement, most probably. But who cares about all that when you've got the latest instalment of Hulk Hogan's desperate descent into career despair plus Lex Luger in pinstripe workout gear?

Join Dean and Liam for the intriguing match-up of Sting vs Dean Malenko, a TV title clash that isn't quite as predictable as most and perhaps the most enjoyable sub-three minute bout you'll find. Oh, and several indications that the entire crew had been to a fetish club shortly before recording this pre-taped episode.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

036: The legacy of the luchadores w/ Mike Quackenbush

Thu, 27 Jun 2019 21:44:41 GMT

On the day the wrestling world plunged back to the 1990s with the news that Eric Bischoff and Paul Heyman were returning to positions of power within WWE, Dean and Liam finally sat down for their promised look back at the revolution both Paul and Eric helped facilitate within the Stateside industry: the arrival of the luchadores and subsequent mainstream acceptance of smaller performers.

And who better to join them as a special guest than the returning 'Lightning' Mike Quackenbush, renowned wrestler, trainer, author, friend of the podcast and one of the premier proponents of American-styled lucha libre? Weeks after the passing of Silver King, this very special look back at the importance of Nitro's trailblazing cruiserweight division is as poignant as it is insightful.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

035: Nitro Watchalong, episode 10

Thu, 13 Jun 2019 21:35:10 GMT

Almost a decade before the WWE 'invented' fan-interactive events such as Taboo Tuesday, Nitro ran a hotline poll to decide the main event of its tenth episode and in no way shape or form ensured only one logical result. No sir.

But despite the trademark shadiness of anything related to the WCW Hotline, Nitro 10 ended a two-episode crap streak and provided plenty of enjoyable action as well as seminal moments. Join Dean and Liam for the birth of the awesome Sting/Lex Luger storyline, the demise of the blatant Ultimate Warrior rip-off gimmick and Venice Beach Song Time with Randy Savage, Dark And Edgy Hulk Hogan and their charismatic hobo friend.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

034: Nitro Watchalong, episode nine

Thu, 06 Jun 2019 20:47:47 GMT

Back in the mid-1990s during the early stages of wrestling companies staging live weekly flagship TV shows and monthly PPVs, the continuity model was still very much rough around the edges. One thing was usually a constant, however: do not give away PPV footage on free TV when there are still replays to be bought.

Of course, WCW would choose Halloween Havoc 1995 as the event to buck this trend, as their 'main event' on Nitro episode nine was a replay of the PPV's closing moments. Yes, the moment when The Giant and THE YETAY! performed a three-man sex act on Hulk Hogan in the middle of the ring.

Join Dean and Liam as they explain why the ninth Nitro joins episode eight in the bin despite getting off to a reasonable enough start, and why the phrase "it's always darkest before dawn" is very applicable here.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

033: Halloween Havoc 1993 w/ John Lister

Fri, 17 May 2019 11:54:51 GMT

How important are match finishes in wrestling? Of course, the climax of each piece of art constructed inside the squared circle is significant to an extent, but could a series of bad match finishes really spoil an otherwise good card of graps?

Thanks to Halloween Havoc 93, the answer is a resounding yes. Join Dean, Liam and pro wrestling author/historian John Lister as they analyse eight creatively horrendous finishes to eight very different contests. Oh, and a truly under-appreciated WCW mini-movie, compared to Havoc 92 and Beach Blast 93, as Tony Schiavone provides early inspiration for Operation Yewtree.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

032: Nitro Watchalong, episode eight

Tue, 07 May 2019 21:43:25 GMT

Remember when 'go-home' TV shows before a PPV used to make very little reference to the contents of said PPV? Well, the eighth edition of Monday Nitro, six days before Halloween Havoc 1995, would have you believe that the only wrestling match taking place was Hulk Hogan vs The Giant. Oh, and Hulk Hogan vs The Giant in a monster truck sumo showdown, obvs.

But while this week's hour is agreed upon by Dean and Liam as being the first to miss the mark, at the same time you absolutely have to watch it for the infamous debut of THE YETAAAAAAAAY! Oh, and six ridiculous fans with the worst face paint job in live audience history.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

031: Nitro Watchalong, episode seven

Mon, 01 Apr 2019 11:40:19 GMT

Early Monday Nitro continues to entertain in 45 minute squirts, despite Hulk Hogan's desperate attempts to come across as edgy and contemporary by... dressing in black. Whilst cutting the same 80s promos alongside the same 80s manager in front of the same 80s green screen. Oh, but they changed his custom backdrop to black, too.

Find out who gives the fledgling show its longest match to date, who gives it the shortest match to date and who makes us wish Ric Flair would have stayed babyface for just a little bit longer as our chronological crusade through pro wrestling's good old days continues.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

030: Superbrawl Revenge

Wed, 20 Mar 2019 15:55:17 GMT

It's been over a year since Dean and Liam put a PPV episode down to a vote on Twitter and, after this, it may be at least five before they do it again.

In defence of the final WCW Superbrawl ever made, it continues the 2001 trend of providing shockingly watchable professional wrestling as the company entered a sensible creative holding pattern in anticipation of the Fusient bailout that never came.

Join us to find out why Mike Awesome actually made a decent Bryan Clarke impersonator, why Chavo Guerrero Jr really was one of the top wrestlers in North America during WCW's dying days and why Kevin Nash's cringeworthy final match for the promotion pretty much summed up the majority of his five-year tenure under his real name.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

029: Nitro Watchalong, episode six

Tue, 05 Mar 2019 22:12:17 GMT

The honeymoon period is over for Monday Nitro. After five weeks of feeling fresh and fun by default, episode six would decide whether or not the trademark WCW productive gaffes, Macho Man/Lex Luger fashion disasters and deeply uncomfortable Hulk Hogan interviews would be tolerable as a week-in, week-out attraction.

Join Dean and Liam as they dissect how WCW managed to screw up Ric Flair vs Arn Anderson in a cage, how Disco Inferno should have been made heavyweight champion (but kept off Twitter) and how Sabu had already reached his expiry date in the company after just a few short weeks (and is indeed kept off Twitter).

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

028: Nitro Watchalong, episode five

Thu, 14 Feb 2019 22:38:25 GMT

Nitro continues its streak of immense watchability five weeks into the series, as Eric Bischoff steps up his Taped Raw Results Giveaway game and Kevin Sullivan becomes the master of the oddball run-in attack.

Oh, and there's plenty of great stuff taking place that night in Denver, too. Lex Luger vs Randy Savage, Dean Malenko vs Eddie Guerrero and Ric Flair vs Arn Anderson make the most of the television sprint format.

Join Dean and Liam for another rapid 45 minute journey on the road to Halloween Havoc. Will Hulk Hogan keep his brand new Adolf Hitler moustache? TUNE IN NEXT WEEK TO FIND OUT!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

027: Nitro Watchalong, episode four

Thu, 07 Feb 2019 21:57:35 GMT

After a two-month laptop-repair-induced absence, Because WCW is back with a bang: attempting to see how much of the first three episodes of Monday Nitro they can recall just from the fourth show's recaps.

Dean and Liam are back from what appears to be an annual tradition of failing to publish new content over the festive period, and they're ready for the run-up to Halloween Havoc 1995 - even if that means constant reminders of the monster truck showdown between Hulk Hogan and The Giant.

Join them for 45 fast-paced minutes of cringeworthy mentions of Andre's grave, Kevin Sullivan-inspired mass treks to the food stands and unflattering renders of Lex Luger. Hopefully, it won't take them another two months to look at Nitro number five.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

026: Nitro Watchalong, episode three

Tue, 04 Dec 2018 22:48:07 GMT

Can WCW Monday Nitro make it three enjoyable episodes from three, or is the honeymoon period already over? Will they be able to cram all of the fallout from Fall Brawl 1995 into just 45 minutes? And who wore the most nauseating ring gear on the evening: 'Macho Man' Randy Savage or the American Males?

Dean and Liam continue their unplanned, unedited, perhaps unbearable live review of the weekly TV show that forever changed pro wrestling. And this time, they do it without making a single reference to Jimmy Saville. Or do they..?

Either play this episode in sync with Nitro #03 on the WWE Network, or just listen alone as we talk you through the show.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

025: Bash At The Beach 1997 w/ Fin Martin

Fri, 23 Nov 2018 01:03:18 GMT

Some things are best viewed in isolation. Bereft of context, hindsight and any other asides. BATB 1997 not only one of those things, but perhaps the perfect WCW example of such.

Joining Dean and Liam to look back at the show is a man who was there in attendance at Daytona Beach that evening. A man who was directly responsible for so many British wrestling fans falling in love with the industry in the first place. The editor of Power Slam Magazine from 1994-2014, Fin Martin.

And if you want to learn how it is indeed possible to find a show containing Ric Flair vs Roddy Piper with a combined age nearing 100, a Mortal Kombat rip-off tag match and Dennis bleedin' Rodman in the main event strangely gratifying, step on in and allow us to explain.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

024: Nitro Watchalong, episode two

Tue, 13 Nov 2018 22:41:09 GMT

It's easy to assume that the Monday Night Wars began with the debut of Nitro, but in fact it was episode two that first went head-to-head against WWE Raw after a US Open tennis pre-emption that Eric Bischoff used to his advantage. It was also Nitro's first 'go-home' edition, ahead of Fall Brawl and War Games.

So, join Dean and Liam in the second of the Nitro Watchalong series and listen to them try to count how many blatant shots are fired at the opposition by the WCW commentary team, who makes the most dated pop culture references between Bobby Heenan and Steve McMichael, and how many moves WCW champ Hulk Hogan and challenger Lex Luger no-sell between them in our main event.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

023: The Ring Announcers (w/ David Penzer interview)

Tue, 30 Oct 2018 22:36:08 GMT

World Championship Wrestling had its fair share of memorable MCs, whether it be the distinct voice of early WCW era compere Gary Michael Capetta, voice of six years of weekly live television David Penzer or the legendary part-time contributor Michael Buffer.

And after 22 episodes of sidebars talking about such a vital aspect of a wrestling company, Dean and Liam have finally taken the time to put the unheralded microphone maestros under the microscope.

Not only that, but Mr. Penzer himself very kindly agreed to join us via telephone for a fascinating and detailed insight into the chaotic behind-the-scenes operations of WCW. From trying to calm a furious Philadelphia crowd by reading Positively Page chapter by chapter to getting into a 'hockey fight' with a former WCW titleholder, 'The Penz' has a story or two to tell.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

022: Halloween Havoc 1991 w/ 'Dominator' Stu Allen

Mon, 15 Oct 2018 20:06:53 GMT

It's only taken us four Halloween Havocs to actually publish an episode looking at one in the actual build-up to Halloween, but here we are - and what a Havoc it is.

For some twisted reason, 'Dominator' Stu Allen of British promotion EWW thought it would be a laugh to rewatch the PPV featuring the infamous Chamber of Horrors match in celebration of his company's upcoming 20th anniversary.

But as Dean and Liam explain, some of the things taking place behind the scenes at WCW around this time made an opening contest pitting two teams of four completely random non-rivals against each other in a bid to put someone in an electric chair for no particular additional gain look like your run-of-the-mill storytelling in comparison.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

021: Nitro Watchalong, episode one

Mon, 01 Oct 2018 21:50:55 GMT

In a departure from the usual format, Dean and Liam venture into the world of live watchalong podcasting. And they begin with the start of Monday Nitro, the show that changed the face of wrestling television for better and for worse.

Feel free to watch the first ever Nitro on the WWE Network while you listen, or just tune into the podcast on its own as usual. Either way, join us as we renact the wild five-plus-year-ride that was WCW on Monday nights in an unprecedented, unedited, unscripted, unfiltered and unsomethingelse style of episode. So apologies in advance for the rough-and-ready audio...

Thankfully, the show began with a simple one-hour format and WCW pulled out all the stops. Brian Pillman vs Jushin Liger, Sting vs Ric Flair and Hulk Hogan vs Big Bubba Rogers combine with a memorable location and an infamous surprise return. Plus, a suitable show-closing entrance theme to mark the first podcast coverage of the company's Monday "Primetime" debut.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

020: Superbrawl 1995 w/ Justin Richards

Mon, 17 Sep 2018 12:50:00 GMT

Very few wrestling 'dream matches' involved Hulk Hogan back in the day, but Superbrawl V was certainly main evented by one of them.

Hogan vs Vader carried so much intrigue that WCW drew over 10,000 paid to an event for the first time since 1989, back when they were still the NWA. And those impressive ticket sales apparently had the company so scared that they were doing something right for once, they slapped a terrible non-finish on the big PPV clash after forcing the audience to endure one of the worst undercards in recorded history.

Nonetheless, Dean and Liam resisted the urge to 'do a Paul Roma' on this podcast. Along with special guest, veteran former British wrestler and trainer Justin Richards, they tackle everything from Dusty Finishes to Jim Duggan snorefests to Dave effing Sullivan with the utmost professionalism to celebrate the podcast surviving its rookie year.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

019: Beach Blast 1992 w/ Greg Lambert

Mon, 27 Aug 2018 08:15:21 GMT

Remember WCW's Beach Blast '92 show? Remember how critically acclaimed it was? Remember how awesome it was in just about every single way?

Yeah, it turns out our minds have been lying to us for 26 years. The show isn't actually all that good after all. Either that, or it's aged rather horrifically. Probably the latter.

But what better way to say farewell to this unfathomably hot summer than to look at WCW's very first foray into the beach-themed PPV concept? Joining us for this episode is British wrestling guru, author of two brilliant books, promoter, manager, commentator and key figure at WrestleTalk.com, Mr. Greg Lambert. It's worth tuning in for his reaction to the infamous Bikini Contest or his shocking critique of the Iron Man Challenge alone.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

018: Great American Bash 1990

Fri, 10 Aug 2018 20:07:11 GMT

"Nobody gives a **** about the undercard," a famous boxing promoter once declared in front of the gathered press. It's an arguable point, especially in the non-scripted realms of combat sports. But when it comes to wrestling, it's rarely that simple.

Welcome to GAB 90, a show bang in the middle of the NWA's transition into WCW and the event at which the company expected to kick start their own version of Hulkamania. Before that epic main event match, they had the small matter of two and a half hours to kill.

Dean and Liam turn the clock back 28 years to analyse the various ways a wrestling promotion can ensure every contest not involving the Midnight Express on a show does not upstage the World title match. Oh, and Iron Sheik and El Gigante make their Because WCW debuts!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

017: Jeff Jarrett Special (w/ exclusive interview)

Thu, 19 Jul 2018 08:49:09 GMT

Jaws hit the floor all across the global wrestling community earlier this year when Jeff Jarrett was announced as an inductee into the WWE Hall of Fame. And Jarrett's years-long standoff with the dominant force of the industry isn't the only time 'Double J' has courted controversy.

And ahead of Jarrett's no-holds-barred spoken word tour of the UK, Because WCW had the chance to speak to 'The Chosen One' about some of those moments, from his ill-fated stints with the Four Horsemen and the New World Order, the Bash at the Beach 2000 incident and his penchant for smashing guitars over the heads of the vertically challenged.

In addition to this exclusive interview with the first former WCW star to join us on the podcast, Dean and Liam look back at Jarrett's two stints with the company, his entrance themes, his legacy as a professional wrestler and more.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

016: Halloween Havoc 1992 w/ Dave Doyle

Fri, 06 Jul 2018 11:24:15 GMT

Sometimes wrestling shows are good. Sometimes wrestling shows are bad. And then there's Halloween Havoc 1992, which starts off harmlessly enough before falling off a cliff and landing rectum-first on a spiked fence with its infamous 'triple main event'.

And if you think Dean and Liam had it rough rewatching and reliving this Bill Watts catastrophe of a PPV, spare a thought for their special guest, veteran MMA journalist Dave Doyle. Dave travelled from Boston to Philadelphia to attend Havoc 92 live, in what was his very first wrestling road trip.

You'd think such a trip would put him off wrestling for life, but a typewritten letter of apology from Watts himself turned a horrendous show into a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

015: Remembering Big Van Vader

Fri, 22 Jun 2018 14:50:55 GMT

The global wrestling community was deeply saddened by the news this week that Leon 'Big Van Vader' White had passed away on Monday at the age of 63. It's no exaggeration that if it wasn't for Vader, there probably wouldn't be a Because WCW podcast.

In this special episode, Dean and Liam recall their favourite memories of Big Van Vader's WCW career which spanned from 1990 until 1995, including Dean's first-hand accounts of Vader matches across several UK tours.

Arguably the greatest big man in wrestling history and without doubt one of the reasons World Championship Wrestling retained as many fans as it did regardless of the company's overall decision-making, Leon will be missed.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

014: Spring Stampede 1998 w/ Paul Benson

Wed, 13 Jun 2018 13:32:25 GMT

Is it possible for a wrestling pay-per-view to be quite good and quite shit at the same time? Spring Stampede 1998 may well be the best example of this, if so.

Dean and Liam welcome back friend of the show and Hooked On Wrestling head honcho Paul Benson to look back at a host of matches that polarise, have aged badly after a good first impression or sometimes just plain depend on your mood when you watch them. All at a time when the product was both at a commercial peak and about to fall apart in breathtaking fashion.

One thing remains a constant, however: most people who ordered the show at the time were wondering why they bothered to spend their hard-earned on it. No wonder buyrates fell off a cliff a year later.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

013: Halloween Havoc 1996 w/ Mike Quackenbush

Thu, 24 May 2018 15:42:44 GMT

There was a time when WCW was not only successful, but cool and fun to watch. A good example of that time is the Slim Jim-sponsored event, Slim Jim presents Halloween Havoc 1996 in association with Slim Jim.

Join Dean, Liam and special guest Mike Quackenbush as they look back at when the New World Order was the absolute best thing going in professional wrestling, flanked by a brilliant roster of big names, exciting performers and masterful workhorses.

Then, re-live the turgid main event of Hollywood Hogan vs Randy Savage plus its rambling aftermath which all served as a stark reminder that pretty much everything great about WCW happened almost by accident. It's as sobering as when you realise that Slim Jims are actually a poor man's Pepperami.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

012: Spring Stampede 1994 w/ Darren Goss

Thu, 26 Apr 2018 02:25:39 GMT

Since it's April, Dean and Liam decided to treat themselves to one of the best PPVs WCW ever put out as they're joined by Darren Goss of Discovery Wrestling for one of the last major events pre-Hogan arrival.

But hang on just a second: don't let a Flair-Steamboat main event, a retrospective dream match between Steve Austin and Great Muta and a trailblazing tag team war fool you: there's plenty of typical WCW numbskullery to be found amidst the greatness.

Who wins the war between all-time great workers and baffling booking? Or will it end in a confusing and inconclusive draw? And exactly what does the American Males theme say when played backwards?

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

011: Bash At The Beach 1999 w/ Ash Rose

Wed, 11 Apr 2018 02:28:43 GMT

Dean and Liam are joined for Episode 11 by Ash Rose, member of top wrestling podcasting and media group Gorilla Position as well as the voice of Alive and Kicking, the 90s nostalgia pod. Of all the choices Mr. 90s had at his disposal, with most of WCW's existence occurring in that decade, he plumped for this absolute shower.

BATB '99, where the 'war' pitting rap vs country gets outright confusing, the conflict between the old guard and the young lions fizzles out with a whimper, the WCW title is decided in a tag match where there's more chance of finding out who drove that bloody Hummer than there is sussing the exact rules, and of course over a dozen men risking their careers in a junkyard for a match no sod could properly watch.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

010: The debut of Thunder

Wed, 28 Mar 2018 15:01:42 GMT

This month, WWE Network has finally begun to upload episodes of Thunder, WCW's ill-fated and corporate-mandated second major weekly show which ran from 1998 until the company's demise in 2001. So, what better time for Dean Ayass and Liam Happe to cover their first ever non-PPV on Because WCW?

The very first Thunder, unsurprisingly, featured some real effort before the show became the poorly-produced afterthought it will forever be known as just weeks later. This bumper three-hour opening gambit featured big stars, some notable results and even large chunks of footage from Starrcade. So, what went wrong? And why was the show's dismal failure so inevitable even after a successful debut? All will be explained.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

009: Uncensored 1996 w/ Paul Benson

Wed, 07 Mar 2018 21:33:41 GMT

Some major professional wrestling events are forever known as "the show with that match". Uncensored 1996 is one of those events. And "that match" is the utterly reprehensible 8-on-2 Doomsday Cage debacle.

Join Dean, Liam and special guest Paul Benson of Hooked On Wrestling as they attempt to answer several pivotal questions. Questions such as "how was Giant Haystacks' big Stateside moment?", "why did mid-90s promotions treat women so badly?" and "can four of the company's most established performers really make a Chicago Street Fight a total chore to watch?".

Oh, and don't worry: they go in two-footed on Ed Leslie and Terry Bollea, too.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

008: Superbrawl 2000 w/ Billy Wood

Wed, 21 Feb 2018 20:04:35 GMT

We here at Because WCW have in just seven prior episodes covered some of the worst and most ridiculous PPV efforts that the company had to offer. And yet here, for the first time, we plunge deep into perhaps the most depraved overall period in the promotion's history: Early 2000. Head booker Kevin Sullivan, part deux, post-Radicalz.

And who do we have to thank for this? Why, the podcast's very first special guest! Joining Dean Ayass and Liam Happe is British fed IPW's owner, Billy Wood. Tune in to find out which member of the Superbrawl 2000 roster he very nearly booked in a moment of sheer madness. Or else we'll send over Tank Abbott wielding a knife.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

007: Greed

Thu, 01 Feb 2018 23:32:13 GMT

Dean Ayass and Liam Happe wrap up the opening chapter of the Because WCW project with Greed, the aptly-titled final pay-per-view in company history.

In typical fashion, the product had improved in the promotion's dying months but with Fusient's takeover hitting a brick wall just days prior to the event, WCW's days were officially numbered just as Scott Steiner peaked in his world title reign, Dusty Rhodes and Ric Flair brought the nostalgic comedy and the cruiserweights finally began their comeback.

Tune into the entire show for a special discount code courtesy of our new partners IWN Live!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

006: New Blood Rising

Thu, 11 Jan 2018 19:49:06 GMT

Brace yourselves. This one's gonna be rough.

After enjoying a nice WCW-free winter break full of festive feasts, Dean Ayass and Liam Happe return with episode six, covering perhaps the worst ever attempt at a major wrestling event and by far the most Russorific of all time.

Sit back, relax and enjoy Dean and Liam reliving every elderly woman on a forklift, every fake miscarriage and every confusing attempt at reinventing the rules of a wrestling match. It's safe to say they may never put the show selection up for a vote on Twitter ever again.

NOTE: Our audio quality improved after the first six episodes, but we are perfectly audible in this one nonetheless. Please hang in there!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

005: Starrcade 1999

Thu, 30 Nov 2017 17:39:28 GMT

WWE has recently revived the Starrcade brand name for a house show in the old North Carolina territory. So, Dean Ayass and Liam Happe look back to one of the reasons a rival company was in a position to revive the name in the first place.

In their first look at a 'Vince Russo PPV', Dean and Liam endure all 13 - yes, thirteen - matches on a three hour show that gave us so much crap and snatched away the in-ring career of Bret 'Hitman' Hart all at the same time.

NOTE: Our audio quality improved after the first six episodes, but we are perfectly audible in this one nonetheless. Please hang in there!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

004: WrestleWar 1992

Fri, 10 Nov 2017 16:08:26 GMT

WWE are bringing back the epic spectacle known as WarGames for the first time in almost 20 years at the upcoming NXT Takeover, so Dean Ayass and Liam Happe look back to a vintage WCW edition of the match. And as you the listener decided via Twitter, that show is WrestleWar 92!

In addition to learning to cope with covering a PPV that is actually fun to watch, Dean and Liam break down what is seen by many as the greatest contest in the 1990-2001 history of the WCW brand. And, as a bonus, they preview NXT's take on 'The Match Beyond' and discuss whether Triple H can successfully revive the concept.

As a result, our 'Classic WCW Themes' feature will return in Episode 5!

NOTE: Our audio quality improved after the first six episodes, but we are perfectly audible in this one nonetheless. Please hang in there!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

003: Halloween Havoc 1998

Fri, 27 Oct 2017 08:59:20 GMT

Yep, THAT show.

One of the most infamous PPVs in WCW history and the inspiration for the Because WCW social media profile picture is the subject of episode three. Dean Ayass and Liam Happe endure Hogan vs Warrior II so, hopefully, you never feel you have to.

Plus, join them as they break down exactly how a major entertainment company can possibly run over their alloted PPV time and deny paying customers their advertised main event, costing them millions of dollars. Oh, and the duo look back at a truly wonderful classic WCW entrance theme.

NOTE: Our audio quality improved after the first six episodes, but we are perfectly audible in this one nonetheless. Please hang in there!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

002: Bash At The Beach 1998

Thu, 05 Oct 2017 17:42:16 GMT

After their peak at Starrcade 1997, WCW enjoyed a red-hot 1998 at the peak of professional wrestling's popularity. Unfortunately for them, they also inflicted enough damage upon themselves in 1998 to fall back behind the WWF/WWE and begin their three-year tailspin from glory to oblivion.

Join Dean Ayass and Liam Happe in looking back at BATB '98, a pay-per-view pitting basketball stars Karl Malone and Dennis Rodman across the ring from one another as WCW well and truly lost touch with what made them so popular in the first place.

Why? Because WCW.

NOTE: Our audio quality improved after the first six episodes, but we are perfectly audible in this one nonetheless. Please hang in there!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

001: Starrcade 1997

Fri, 15 Sep 2017 10:36:46 GMT

Why has professional wrestling been in a mind-numbing monopoly for 16 years and counting? Because WCW.

Why is a 350 pound man tripping up and falling through a wall the greatest thing the industry has ever seen? Because WCW.

And why is there now a podcast series dedicated to the vast quantities of incomprehensible idiocy that one single company managed to unleash upon wrestling within the span of a decade? Because WCW.

In the very first episode looking at the legacy of World Championship Wrestling, Dean Ayass and Liam Happe start with the high point of the company timeline. Their finest hour. Their biggest ever show. Their hottest ever main event. And the night they showed why they would lose the Monday Night Wars.

NOTE: Our audio quality improved after the first six episodes, but we are perfectly audible in this one nonetheless. Please hang in there!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.