Pro Wrestling Then and Now: Recent Episodes
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SHOW SUMMARY: PWTorch contributor and “Raw Hits and Misses” author Jon Mezzera and Frank Peteani wrap up their journey reviewing 1995 WWF by looking back at Survivor Series and In Your House V. They lightly review [...]
SHOW SUMMARY: PWTorch contributor and “Raw Hits and Misses” author Jon Mezzera and Frank Peteani resume their journey reviewing 1995 WWF, taking on the In Your House III & IV PPVs. At III the key matches [...]
SHOW SUMMARY: PWTorch contributor and “Raw Hits and Misses” author Jon Mezzera and Frank Peteani resume their journey reviewing 1995 WWF by breaking both the In Your House II and Summerslam PPVs. In Your House II [...]
SHOW SUMMARY: PWTorch contributor and “Raw Hits and Misses” author Jon Mezzera and Frank resume their journey reviewing 1995 WWF by breaking down the much-criticized King of the Ring PPV. They discuss the decision to have [...]
SHOW SUMMARY: PWTorch contributor and “Raw Hits and Misses” author Jon Mezzera and Frank resume their journey reviewing 1995 WWF by breaking down the first In Your House PPV. Bret Hart faced Hakushi and later Jerry [...]
SHOW SUMMARY: PWTorch VIP Analyst Todd Martin joins Frank to review ECW’s Hostile City Showdown from 1995, Frank’s first time reviewing an ECW show. They open discussing the situation that occurred on the previous show, Three [...]
SHOW SUMMARY: PWTorch contributor Jon Mezzera joins Frank Peteani to continue their review of the 1995 WWF, focusing on WrestleMania XI held in Hartford, Conn. This event featured Diesel defending the WWF Championship against Shawn Michaels, [...]
SHOW SUMMARY: PWTorch contributor Zach Barber makes his debut on Pro Wrestling Then and Now to review WCW Uncensored 1995. They first discuss WCW and WWF increasing their PPV lot, and then review the show. It [...]
SHOW SUMMARY: Long-time PWTorch.com contributor Chris Maitland of the “Wrestling Coast to Coast” Dailycast returns to Pro Wrestling Then and Now to review the 1995 edition of WCW SuperBrawl, which featured seven matches out of which [...]
SHOW SUMMARY: Long-time PWTorch contributor Brandon LeClair returns to Pro Wrestling Then and Now to review episodes 3 & 4 of WWF Saturday Night’s Main Event. Episode 3 featured follow-up of “Rowdy” Roddy Piper interfering in [...]
SHOW SUMMARY: Long-time PWTorch contributor Jon Mezzera joins Frank Peteani to review the 1995 Royal Rumble PPV. Razor Ramon defends the Intercontinental Championship against Jeff Jarrett. Newly turned babyface WWF Champion Diesel defends his title against [...]
SHOW SUMMARY: Long-time PWTorch columnist Sean Radican makes his first appearance on the show to look back at the 1990 Royal Rumble. His viewing habits from the 1990 are discussed along with his thoughts on WWF [...]
SHOW SUMMARY: Jesse Velasquez of the Top Rope Nation podcast and Top Rope Nation Unplugged returns to talk WCW Starrcade 1994. The card featured Hacksaw Jim Duggan defending the U.S. Championship against Big Van Vader, 19-year-old [...]
SHOW SUMMARY: Long-time PWTorch.com VIP subscriber and listener David Wolf returns to break down the first two Saturday Night’s Main Event episodes from May and October of 1985. They discuss the placement and significance of the [...]
SHOW SUMMARY: Long-time PWTorch.com VIP contributor Jon Mezzera joins Frank Peteani to look back at Survivor Series 1994. This is the audio version of the show, which debuted on the PWTorch YouTube page. The card includes [...]
SHOW SUMMARY: Long-time PWTorch VIP analyst Todd Martin returns to “Then and Now” to discuss the 1994 edition of WCW Halloween Havoc. They review the entire show, which is heavily centered on the retirement match between [...]
SHOW SUMMARY: In part two of the latest Pro Wrestling Then and Now, Kylin Furlow and Frank Peteani discuss WCW Fall Brawl, the follow-up to Bash at the Beach discussed in part one. They break down [...]
SHOW SUMMARY: In part one of the latest Pro Wrestling Then and Now, long-time PWTorch.com VIP reader and listener Kylin Furlow returns to Then and Now to discuss not one, but two shows from 1994 [...]
SHOW SUMMARY: Long-time PWTorch.com columnist Greg Parks returns to “Then and Now” to reflect on the 1994 edition of WWF Summerslam. They review the entire card, which featured a Match of the Year candidate in Bret [...]
SHOW SUMMARY: Long-time PWTorch.com contributor Jon Mezzera returns to Pro Wrestling Then and Now to look back at the WWF King of the Ring PPV from 1994. They discuss the entire card, which features Bret Hart [...]
SHOW SUMMARY: Jesse Velasquez from Top Rope Nation and host of TRN Unplugged joins Frank Peteani to look back on WCW Slamboree 1994. The top matches are Cactus Jack & Kevin Sullivan vs. The Nasty Boys [...]
SHOW SUMMARY: Long-time PWTorch VIP subscriber David Wolf joins Frank Peteani to discuss WCW Spring Stampede 1994, a show in which WCW was on the brink of a major change with the potential signing of Hulk [...]
SHOW SUMMARY: Ryan Droste from the Top Rope Nation podcast returns to discuss WrestleMania X from Madison Square Garden. They talk about the construction of the show, which was unique to that time, and would a [...]
SHOW SUMMARY: PWTorch contributor Kelly Wells returns to “Then and Now” to look back at the 1994 Royal Rumble event with Frank Peteani. They talk about the craziness of the angle run between Yokozuna and the [...]
SHOW SUMMARY: PWTorch contributor Marcus Arias makes his debut on the show to look back at New Japan Pro Wrestling’s Wrestle Kingdom 8 from 2014. They open discussing the news of Kazuchika Okada leaving New Japan [...]
SHOW SUMMARY: Longtime PWTorch contributor Kelly Wells, host of “PWT Talks NXT” and “NXT Eight Years Back,” returns to Then and Now to look back at the 1989 Royal Rumble, which saw Big John Studd as [...]
SHOW SUMMARY: PTTorch columnist Rich Fann and longtime VIP subscriber Kylin Furlow join Frank to review the 1998 Survivor Series. They go over the overlying story of the tournament to crown a new WWF Champion that [...]
SHOW SUMMARY: Longtime PWTorch VIP subscriber David Wolf makes his debut on “Pro Wrestling Then and Now” to discuss the WWF Wrestling Classic from 1985. This show is personal to both David and Frank as they [...]
SHOW SUMMARY: Longtime PWTorch VIP analyst Todd Martin returns to Then and Now to look back on Halloween Havoc 1998. Frank and Todd discuss the entire card, which featured the much maligned rematch between Hollywood Hogan [...]
SHOW SUMMARY: Frank’s longtime friend Justin Girardi returns to absolutely lash out at the debacle that was WCW Fall Brawl 1998. They compare it to Summerslam 1998, which was a much better show a few weeks [...]
SHOW SUMMARY:Long-time PWTorch columnist Greg Parks returns to Pro Wrestling Then and Now to discuss WWF SummerSlam 1993, which featured the most celebrated count out victory of all time by Lex Luger over Yokozuna. They discuss their feelings overall on WWF 1993 and their viewing habits of wrestling back then versus now, and then review the card in its entirety. They discuss the strange booking decisions throughout the show, especially the aforementioned count out win by Luger over Yokozuna. Why did they build up Luger so much with a Lex Express bus and a song and have such a special entrance if he wasn’t going to win the WWF Championship? Frank reveals he’s been waiting 30 years to complain about this match.
Warning: Some language on this show may be NSFW.
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SHOW SUMMARY:Long-time PWTorch VIP member Kylin Furlow returns to look back on the entire card of the 1998 WWF King of the Ring PPV. This show features one of the more famous matches in the history of the company, where Mankind faces the Undertaker in a Hell in a Cell match and takes the famous dive off the top of the cage. The Rock faces Ken Shamrock in the finals of the King of the Ring tournament. “Stone Cold” Steve Austin defends the WWF Championship against Kane in a First Blood match, where Kane said he would set himself on fire if he lost. They start by going through the history of King of the Ring dating back to 1985 and go over the PPV offerings from 1993 to 2002.
Warning: Some language on this show may be NSFW.
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SHOW SUMMARY:Chris Maitland of the PWTorch Dailycast’s “Wrestling Coast to Coast” joins Frank for the first time to look back on WCW Slamboree from 1993. This show was voted for by you, the PWTorch VIP audience. They discuss where WCW was in 1993 and potential similarities in today’s AEW. They then run down the entire show, which featured legends from the NWA, AWA, and more, as well as the first inductees of the WCW Hall of Fame. There are three matches involving legends, including Blackjack Mulligan, Dick Murdoch, Jimmy Snuka, Jim Brunzell, and more. Heel Barry Windham defends the NWA Championship against babyface Arn Anderson. Big Van Vader defends the WCW Championship against “The British Bulldog” Davey Boy Smith.Warning: Some language on this show may be NSFW.DIRECT LINK: VIP AUDIO LINKNOT VIP? NO PROBLEM… CLICK HERE FOR VIP SIGN UP INFO
SHOW SUMMARY:In part two of the latest Pro Wrestling Then and Now, Jon Mezzera, Bruce Hazelwood, and Frank Peteani continue their look back on WrestleMania 19 from 2003. They review the remaining five matches including the great match between Shawn Michaels and Chris Jericho, Brock Lesnar vs. Kurt Angle for the WWE Championship, Booker T vs. Triple H for the World Heavyweight Championship, The Rock vs. “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, and Hulk Hogan vs. Vince McMahon. Highlighted topics include:* The decision to have Michaels win. * “That promo” between Triple H and Booker T in the buuld-up. * The good and bad of 49-year-old Hulk Hogan vs. 58-year-old Vince McMahon * The well-told conclusion of the Rock vs. Austin story and how much the Rock gave “on the way out.” * Kurt Angle working the match with Brock leading to his downfall. * The surprising talking point coming out of WrestleMania in Bruce’s school at the time,.
Warning: Some language on this show may be NSFW.DIRECT LINK: VIP AUDIO LINKNOT VIP? NO PROBLEM… CLICK HERE FOR VIP SIGN UP INFO
SHOW SUMMARY:In part one of a two-part episode of Pro Wrestling Then and Now, “Doc” Bruce Hazelwood from the PWTorch Dailycast’s "PWT Talks NXT" and Raw Hits & Misses author Jon Mezzera join Frank to discuss current WWE events and begin their look back on WrestleMania 19 from 2003. Topics include:* Current WWE events including the fallout from WrestleMania and the sale of WWE to Endeavor. * When Cody Rhodes could get a rematch with Roman Reigns and is he the right to dethrone him, or is Bruce’s long-standing contention of Jey Uso being the guy the way to go? What are the other options? * WrestleMania 19 being an underrated show and how it was somewhat of a “greatest hits” and how different eras were acknowledged. * The first four matches of the show.
Warning: Some language on this show may be NSFW.DIRECT LINK: VIP AUDIO LINKNOT VIP? NO PROBLEM… CLICK HERE FOR VIP SIGN UP INFO
SHOW SUMMARY: In part two of a special two-part episode of Pro Wrestling Then and Now, PWTorch Dailycast “All Elite Aftershow” co-host Mike McMahon joins Frank to look back on WrestleMania 14 from the Fleet Center in Boston, Mass. Mike was in the building and offers an in-person perspective. They review the entire card, which featured babyface Owen Hart challenging Triple H (w/Chyna handcuffed to Sgt. Slaughter) for the European Championship, Ken Shamrock challenging The Rock (w/Nation of Domination) for the Intercontinental Championship, The Undertaker vs. Kane (w/Paul Bearer) in their long awaited match, and (appropriately on 3:16 Day) “Stone Cold” Steve Austin challenging Shawn Michaels for the WWF Championship with Mike Tyson as the special outside enforcer. Discussion points include:* The state of the tag team division in 1998 * Criticism of Triple H’s in-ring style. Also his introduction of X-Pac the following night on Raw being the first big "Raw after WrestleMania." * The DX band * Owen Hart’s run as a babyface * Should Ken Shamrock have won the IC title, and should The Rock have won King of the Ring in 1998? * The disappointment of the Undertaker vs. Kane match * Did Steve Austin need to get that win over Bret Hart he never got?
Warning: Some language on this show may be NSFW.DIRECT LINK: VIP AUDIO LINKNOT VIP? NO PROBLEM… CLICK HERE FOR VIP SIGN UP INFO
SHOW SUMMARY: In part one of a special two-part episode of Pro Wrestling Then and Now, PWTorch Dailycast “All Elite Aftershow” co-host Mike McMahon joins Frank Peteani for the first time to discuss his personal journey of watching WWF/E Monday Night Raw from the beginning. Discussion points include:* The show and its place relative to what wrestling television was like overall in 1993. * Advertising what was on the shows coming up in comparison to Raw today as well as how AEW advertises Dynamite and all their programming. * The production of Raw back then and the high cost and how they mitigated it. Tied into that were the ways Vince made it feel live. * The major stories in the beginning including Mr. Perfect beating Ric Flair in a loser leaves WWF match, Hulk Hogan returning with Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake and their deal with Ted DiBiase and I.R.S., the 1-2-3 Kid beating Razor Ramon, Shawn Michaels feuding with Marty Jannetty, Lex Luger winning the Yokozuna body slam challenge on the Intrepid, the Randy Savage-Crush summit, and more. * An overall look of the show from 1994-1997 including debate over when the Attitude Era truly started.
Warning: Some language on this show may be NSFW.DIRECT LINK: VIP AUDIO LINKNOT VIP? NO PROBLEM… CLICK HERE FOR VIP SIGN UP INFO
SHOW SUMMARY:It’s the first three-person show for Pro Wrestling Then and Now, where Frank has PWTorch columnist Rich Fann and PWTorch.com contributor Brandon LeClair to discuss the 2003 WWE Royal Rumble PPV. Brandon attended the event in person as a young boy and gives his account of what it was like in the building (Fleet Center in Boston, Mass., now known as the TD Garden) throughout the show. They run through the entire show, which features the Royal Rumble match won by Brock Lesnar, the much-maligned World Heavyweight Championship match between Scott Steiner and Triple H, and the critically acclaimed WWE Championship match between Kurt Angle and Chris Benoit. Other topics discussed include:* Initial reactions to Lanny Poffo’s passing. * A comparison of the roster split then and now. * Clean wins vs. shenanigan finishes and why they’re better overall * The use of the #1 and #2 entrants in the rumble then compared to what took place in recent rumbles. * Brandon tells a story involving John Cena, and then Frank and Rich tell stories of them meeting wrestlers.
Warning: Some language on this show may be NSFW.DIRECT LINK: VIP AUDIO LINKNOT VIP? NO PROBLEM… CLICK HERE FOR VIP SIGN UP INFO
SHOW SUMMARY: Stephanie Chase, host of her own YouTube show and writer for Digital Spy, joins Frank for the first time to look back on the 1998 Royal Rumble. They break down the entire show, which featured “The Rock” Rocky Maivia vs. Ken Shamrock for the Intercontinental Championship, Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels in a casket match for the WWF Championship, and the Royal Rumble match itself. Several other topics come up including:* The comparison of WWF then and AEW now where a new “main event scene” was developing as it is in AEW now. * The characterization and career of Dustin Rhodes through the years spanning from his beginnings as “The Natural” through Goldust to where he is now. * The Rock and Ken Shamrock working with each other at the stages of their career in January of 1998, and Shamrock’s place in wrestling history. * The use of Legion of Doom in a humiliating way to put over the New Age Outlaws. * The story of “Stone Cold” Steve Austin weaved throughout the night and into the Royal Rumble, and how the roster depth affected who took part in the match. * The use of the “three faces of Foley” * Somewhat of a “down the rabbit hole” discussion on Shawn Michaels including his place in history and what would have happened if he didn’t get hurt at this show amongst other things.
Warning: Some language on this show may be NSFW.DIRECT LINK: VIP AUDIO LINKNOT VIP? NO PROBLEM… CLICK HERE FOR VIP SIGN UP INFO
SHOW SUMMARY: Todd Martin joins Frank Peteani to look back on WCW Starrcade 1997, the PPV with the infamous finish between Sting and Hollywood Hogan for the WCW Championship. The entire card is discussed, which featured Curt Hennig defending the U.S. Championship against Diamond Dallas Page, Eric Bischoff vs. Larry Zbyszko with Bret “Hit Man” Hart as the special referee for control of Nitro, Lex Luger vs. Buff Bagwell, and more. Todd was in attendance and discussed what he remembers about the show in person. Sidebar topics discussed include:* The comparison of WCW then and AEW now in terms of Tony Khan pushing his younger “core” talent as opposed to Eric Bischoff. * Issues with how much talent was sitting on the sidelines, especially with Dean Malenko wrestling a match days after his wife had given birth. * Kevin Nash’s no-show as well as others on this show. * The presentation of heels and babyfaces in general. * How an NWO and WCW show would have looked had they gone with Nitro being the “NWO” show and Thunder belonging to WCW. * A full look at the build of Sting vs. Hogan, whom might have been in on the “fast count that wasn’t,” what were the alternatives to the finish, and the aftermath. * Was this the beginning of the end of WCW? * How Todd and Frank both don’t like red eye flights
Warning: Some language on this show may be NSFW.DIRECT LINK: VIP AUDIO LINKNOT VIP? NO PROBLEM… CLICK HERE FOR VIP SIGN UP INFO
SHOW SUMMARY:Ryan Droste of the Top Rope Nation podcast returns to break down Survivor Series 1997. In part two, Ryan and Frank discuss the infamous WWF Championship match between Bret “Hit Man” Hart and Shawn Michaels, which became known as the Montreal Screwjob. They not only discuss the match, but go back and march through the timeline of events that eventually fueled the issues between Bret and Shawn, going back as far as 1992. In addition, Ryan dispels the notion that this was all a work and Bret was in on it.Warning: Some language on this show may be NSFW.DIRECT LINK: VIP AUDIO LINKNOT VIP? NO PROBLEM… CLICK HERE FOR VIP SIGN UP INFO
SHOW SUMMARY:Ryan Droste of the Top Rope Nation podcast returns to break down Survivor Series 1997. In part one Ryan and Frank go over the undercard, which featured the pre-DX New Age Outlaws and the Godwinns vs. The New Blackjacks (Barry Windham & Bradshaw, the eventual JBL) & The Headbangers, Team USA (Vader, Goldust, Ken Shamrock, and the debuting Steve Blackman) vs. Team Canada (British Bulldog, Jim Neidhart, and Furnas & Lafon), Mankind vs. Kane (having his first PPV match), and “Stone Cold” Steve Austin vs. Owen Hart for the Intercontinental Championship. Before they do that, they discuss if Twitter was around in 1997, what story would be bigger between this and what took place at All Out over the summer.Warning: Some language on this show may be NSFW.DIRECT LINK: VIP AUDIO LINKNOT VIP? NO PROBLEM… CLICK HERE FOR VIP SIGN UP INFO
SHOW SUMMARY:Justin Girardi returns to look back on Survivor Series 2002, an event he attended in Madison Square Garden in New York, NY. He offers an in-person perspective including reactions to the Dudley Boyz reunion at the time, Brock Lesnar, the “Smackdown Six” in a triple threat tag match, Shawn Michaels winning the World Heavyweight Championship in the first Elimination Chamber match, and more. They review the entire card including the chamber match, Brock Lesnar vs. Big Show for the WWE Championship, Trish Stratus vs. Victoria in a hardcore match for the WWE Women’s Championship, and more. Roxie weighs in, too!
Warning: Some language on this show may be NSFW.
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SHOW SUMMARY:Kyle Ross of the “Top Rope Nation” podcast returns to "Then and Now" to look back on the 1992 edition of Survivor Series, a show which he attended and thus offers an in-person perspective. They review the entire card, which featured Randy “Macho Man” Savage & Mr. Perfect vs. Ric Flair & Razor Ramon and Bret “Hit Man” Hart’s first PPV WWF Championship defense against recently crowned Intercontinental Champion Shawn Michaels. Mixed in is discussion about consuming wrestling in late 1992 compared to today, and the first show where the traditional Survivor Series concept was abandoned.
Warning: Some language on this show may be NSFW.
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SHOW SUMMARY:Jesse Velasquez of “Wrestling Unplugged and Undeniable” and SEScoops joins Frank for the first time to look back on WCW Halloween Havoc 1997. They start discussing their viewing preference between WWF and WCW around this time. They then compare what has taken place in AEW recently to what was going on behind the scenes in WCW. Then the entire card is reviewed, which featured the very memorable Eddie Guerrero vs. Rey Misterio, Jr. Cruiserweight Championship match. It also featured the heavily criticized steel cage match between “Rowdy” Roddy Piper and WCW Champion Hollywood Hogan. They close with what they would have done differently in WCW from this point in time moving forward.
Warning: Some language on this show may be NSFW.
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SHOW SUMMARY:Brandon LeClair returns to Then and Now to discuss with Frank Peteani In Your House Badd Blood, which included the first Hell in a Cell match featuring the Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels. They start discussing the tragic news of Brian Pillman’s death that hit the WWF just before the show and Vince McMahon’s handling of the situation. They then move to discussing WWF in general in 1997 and the formation of DX, who just celebrated their 25-year anniversary and their place in history. They go on to discuss the rest of the card that was weighed down by Pillman’s passing. You didn’t know you needed it, but you also get a discussion of CDs, cassette tapes, vinyl records, and football.
Warning: Some language on this show may be NSFW.
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SHOW SUMMARY: Frank’s long-time friend Justin Girardi returns to look back and talk about his in-person experience at Summerslam 2002 and run down the entire card, which featured Shawn Michaels’s return to the ring to face his former friend Triple H, and The Rock defending the Undisputed WWE Championship against the up-and-coming Brock Lesnar. They open the show quickly weighing in on the recent happenings with AEW and C.M. Punk, and pivot to discussing WWE overall in 2002. They go down some rabbit holes regarding Hulk Hogan, Steve Austin, the WWE Championship changing hands several times, and some “what ifs.”
Warning: Some language on this show may be NSFW.
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SHOW SUMMARY: Frank goes solo to review Summerslam 1997 from the Continental Airlines Arena. He runs down the entire card, which features pre-DX Hunter Hearst Helmsley vs. Mankind in a steel cage, the infamous match between “Stone Cold” Steve Austin and Owen Hart for the Intercontinental Championship, and The Undertaker defending the WWF Championship against Bret “Hitman” Hart with Shawn Michaels as the special guest referee.
Warning: Some language on this show may be NSFW.
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SHOW SUMMARY: Long-time PWTorch contributor Jon Mezzera returns to discuss the 1992 edition of Summerslam from Wembley Stadium, as well as current events. Peteani and Mezzera open the show talking about what they want to see out of Triple H taking over creative over time, and what can be done to return prestige to the Intercontinental and U.S. Championships. They then run through the PPV, which featured “Macho Man” Randy Savage defending the WWF Championship against the Ultimate Warrior with the mystery of in who’s corner would Mr. Perfect be, and Bret “Hitman” Hart defending the Intercontinental Championship against The British Bulldog. Many discussion points come up, including the turning over of the roster year over year from that time, the presentation of gimmicks, the build and potential alternate scenarios for the Warrior vs. Savage match, why the finish in the Bret vs. Bulldog match may have happened, and protection of finishing moves.
Warning: Some language on this show may be NSFW.
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SHOW SUMMARY: Long-time PWTorch VIP member Kylin Furlow returns to review the July 1997 In Your House Canadian Stampede event that featured Bret “Hit Man” Hart, Owen Hart, British Bulldog, Brian Pillman, and Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart” taking on “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, Goldust, Ken Shamrock, and the Legion of Doom in what was a partisan Canadian crowd favoring the Hart Foundation. They open the show discussing current events including Vince McMahon’s resignation, Triple H taking over creative, and what the WWE could look like moving forward.
Warning: Some language on this show may be NSFW.
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SHOW SUMMARY: PWTorch assistant editor Zack Heydorn returns to Pro Wrestling Then and Now to look back at WCW Beach Blast from 1992 with Frank Peteani. They open the show discussing each other’s viewing habits of 1992, compare the scandalous year that was 1992 to what is taking place today, and whether it is time for Tony Khan to hire a “right-hand man.” The card features Flyin’ Brian Pillman vs. Scotty Flamingo for the Light Heavyweight Championship, then-World Champion Sting vs. Cactus Jack in a Falls Count Anywhere non-title match, Ricky “The Dragon Steamboat vs. U.S. Champion “Ravishing” Rick Rude in a non-title 30-minute Iron Man match, and The Steiner Brothers defending the Tag Team Championship against Terry “Bam Bam” Gordy & “Dr. Death” Steve Williams.
Warning: Some language on this show may be NSFW.
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SHOW SUMMARY: PWTorch columnist Greg Parks returns to Pro Wrestling Then and Now to look back at Backlash 2000. Greg and Frank open the show discussing what was happening at the time with WCW and their world title picture vs. what was taking place in general with the WWF in 2000, as well as the current situation with AEW Interim Championship. They then go back to discuss the entire card of Backlash 2000 that featured Edge & Christian defending the WWF Tag Team Championship against X-Pac & Road Dogg, Eddie Guerrero (w/Chyna) defending the European Championship against Essa Rios, and Triple H (w/Vince & Stephanie McMahon) defending the WWF Championship against The Rock with Shane McMahon as the special guest referee.
Warning: Some language on this show may be NSFW.
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SHOW SUMMARY: Justin Joynt of the “Top Rope Nation Podcast” debuts on Pro Wrestling Then and Now to look back at WCW WrestleWar ’92. They start by discussing the hire of Bill Watts, which took place five days before this event, referencing multiple excerpts from Torch newsletters, and talk about his undoing, which ironically came from a portion of the Torch Talk done with Wade Keller back in 1991. They then run down the entire card, which featured Flyin’ Brian for the Light Heavyweight Championship, Steiner Brothers vs. Takayuki Iizuka & Tatsumi Fujinami for the #1 contendership for the IWGP Tag Team Championship, and Sting’s Squadron vs. the Dangerous Alliance in a WarGames match. Highlight topics are the lack of good undercard matches, announcing, the stiffness of the Steiners’ style, and the great storytelling of the WarGames match vs. WarGames matches of today.
Warning: Some language on this show may be NSFW.
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SHOW SUMMARY: This is a special edition of Pro Wrestling Then and Now, where Frank Peteani discusses his in-person experience with his wife at the AEW Dynamite and Rampage taping from the UBS Arena in Uniondale, N.Y on May 11, 2022. He talks about what took place on the Dark Elevation taping before Dynamite, what the in-arena experience was like for Dynamite proper, and what happened on Rampage. He discusses some of the production issues, especially with the jumbotron and what wasn’t seen in the arena as opposed to what was on TV. He discusses what took place after Rampage and why it may have been too much, and weighs in most especially on the CM Punk and Wardlow presentations.
Warning: Some language on this show may be NSFW.
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SHOW SUMMARY: This is a special edition of the show where Frank Peteani discusses his in-person experience with his family at WWE Smackdown from the Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, N.Y. He talks about making the last-minute decision to go and the logistics of getting to the arena, issues with getting concessions, and then breaks down the show from an in-person perspective. He talks about what wasn’t seen on TV including Ricochet vs. Face, various videos, the ridiculously loud pyro, commentary in the arena, and the Cody Rhodes vs. Seth Rollins dark match and what took place afterwards. He discusses the oddness of Lacey Evans’s current situation, who got the best pop, and who was the most over.
Warning: Some language on this show may be NSFW.
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SHOW SUMMARY: Tom Stoup returns to Pro Wrestling Then and Now to look back at WrestleMania 2000. They open discussing WrestleMania 38 and give their thoughts on Sami Zayn vs. Johnny Knoxville, the world title picture moving forward, and general overall feelings on running one night vs. two nights. They then move back to review WrestleMania 2000 and what was happening with WWF and WCW at the time. They run through the entire card, which featured “a McMahon in every corner” in the main event four-way elimination match for the WWF Championship between The Rock, Triple H, Big Show, and Mick Foley. Focus topics include: * The Big Boss Man’s character from the late 80s/90s vs. the Attitude Era version * Comparing the Hardcore division of the 2000s vs. the current version * The pairings of Test & Albert, Al Snow & Steve Blackman and who benefitted out of both teams. * The good, the bad, and the ugly of the ladder and TLC matches in particular to the careers of the Hardys and Edge & Christian. * The women’s division of the 2000s and its evolution through the years. * The use of the Radicalz in the story between Eddie Guerrero and Chyna. * Where Kurt Angle and Chris Jericho were at the time and how they evolved, bridging the gap from the Attitude Era to the next era. * How the fatal four-way elimination match came about, Foley’s abrupt return after retiring a month earlier, the involvement of the McMahons in the main event, did they believe in the Rock as a top babyface, was their enough heat on Triple H and enough love behind the Rock to warrant booking a one-on-one match instead and coronating the Rock at WrestleMania as opposed to the subsequent Backlash.
Warning: Some language on this show may be NSFW.
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SHOW SUMMARY: Tom Colohue from the PWTorch VIP-exclusive show “Nick & Tom’s Intercontinental Adventure” makes his debut on "Pro Wrestling Then and Now" to relive WrestleMania 15, the first WrestleMania Tom watched. They run down the entire card, which featured the Hardcore and Intercontinental Championship defended in multi-man matches. Triple H takes on Kane and Shane McMahon defends the European Championship against X-Pac in matches that end up being intertwined. The Rock defends the WWF Championship against “Stone Cold” Steve Austin with Mankind (eventually) as the special guest referee. Topics that arise include: * Tom’s interesting take on the Steve Austin-Rock rivalry, and a never-before thought-of comparison between the Rock of ’99 and the Miz of 2011, * A retrospective on January 4, 1999, the night Mankind won the WWF Championship after Tony Schiavone made his famous comment and Hulk Hogan beat Kevin Nash via the “Fingerpoke of Doom.” * When WCW really failed while WWF, with less talent, thrived. * A brief look at the Brawl for All and sizing it up to Raw Underground from 2020. * Where Ken Shamrock would have fared better vs. others that were pushed. * The character development of Kane and Triple H on this night and moving forward. * Where the women’s division was and when Tom thought it got better and why. * Overall discussion on the Attitude Era and was it as good as most say. * What Wade and columnists of the Torch at the time had to say about this show.
Warning: Some language on this show may be NSFW.
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SHOW SUMMARY: Ryan Droste from the “Top Rope Nation” podcast returns to Pro Wrestling Then and Now to look back on and discuss WrestleMania 13. They discuss the entire card, which featured the pivotal submission match Bret “Hitman” Hart vs. “Stone Cold” Steve Austin with Ken Shamrock as the special guest referee. Extensive discussion is had pertaining to the many title changes that took place between Survivor Series 1996 until WrestleMania, and all the machinations behind why that was the case. They talk about how Shawn Michaels' and Bret Hart’s contentious relationship affected WWF booking throughout 1997 and beyond, as well as the benefits of having the Undertaker winning the title here and holding it throughout that year. They close out with an alternate universe discussion of what would have happened had Shawn not “lost his smile” and lost the title to Bret at this event, which was the original plan.
Warning: Some language on this show may be NSFW.
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SHOW SUMMARY: Nick Barbati of the PWTorch VIP show “Nick & Tom’s Intercontinental Adventure” debuts to look back at WrestleMania VIII from 1992. They run down the entire card, which included Bret “Hit Man” Hart challenging “Rowdy” Roddy Piper for the Intercontinental Championship, Randy “Macho Man” Savage challenging Ric Flair for the WWF Championship, and Hulk Hogan vs. Sid Justice in potentially Hogan’s last match in the WWF at the time. Talking points include: * Behind the scenes happenings in 1992 including steroid and sex scandals * How the WWF was in transition around this time * The dawning of Shawn Michaels and the Undertaker and how they became hallmarks on not just the upcoming the era, but 10-20 years later * What is today’s Tito Santana vs. Shawn Michaels? * Roddy Piper and his “passing of the torch” to his childhood friend Bret * The artistry of the match between Savage and Flair and why it worked so much better than what Flair vs. Hogan would have been * Where Hulkamania was at this point and the charm of Sid Justice’s character and why Nick and Frank are higher on him than most. What happened with Sid and Warrior in the aftermath? * Match placement and pacing * Mafia movies * Musicians * Sunday Italian sauce NOT GRAVY
Warning: Some language on this show may be NSFW.
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SHOW SUMMARY: Kyle Ross from the Top Rope Nation Podcast debuts for the Torch to review WCW SuperBrawl II from 1992 with Frank. They open the show giving thoughts on recent events with Cody Rhodes leaving AEW and compare it to other departures through the years. They then run down the entire card of SuperBrawl, which featured a historic match between Flyin’ Brian Pillman and Jushin Liger, Larry Zbyszko & Stunning Steve (eventually “Stone Cold” Steve Austin) vs. Barry Windham & a young Dustin Rhodes, Ricky Steamboat challenging Rick Rude for the U.S. Championship, and Sting challenging Lex Luger for the WCW Championship in what turned out to be Luger’s last WCW at the time.
Warning: Some language on this show may be NSFW.
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SHOW SUMMARY: PWTorch.com contributor Kelly Wells from “PWT Talks NXT” and “NXT Eight Years Back” returns to "Pro Wrestling Then and Now" to complete a three-part series this time looking back on the 2002 Royal Rumble event. They discuss the entire card, which included a Street Fight between Ric Flair and Vince McMahon, Rock challenging Chris Jericho for the Undisputed Championship, and the Royal Rumble won by Triple H after returning to the WWE. Focus topics include: * Kelly’s thoughts on past poor builds to rumbles that turned out to be good. He and Frank give their thoughts on the recently poorly received 2022 Royal Rumble event, including Shane McMahon’s involvement. * Edge’s lack of character around this period and the effectiveness of William Regal as a character. * What women would we like to transport from the period covering the late 90s until Trish and Lita’s retirements to the current division? * What worked for/against Chris Jericho being the Undisputed WWF Champion and how many expected him not to have the title going into WrestleMania 18. * The multiple stories told within the Royal Rumble including Goldust and Rikishi leading off, the lead-up to the Undertaker’s entry and his heel character at the time, the Maven-Undertaker angle, the build-up to Stone Cold Steve Austin’s arrival and his face-off with Triple H, and the buildup to the final four which included Austin, Triple H, Angle, and a returning Mr. Perfect. * Were there alternate scenarios for an Undisputed Champion heading into WrestleMania 18? Should Austin have faced Angle instead of Scott Hall because of Angle eliminating him in the rumble?
Warning: Some language on this show may be NSFW.
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SHOW SUMMARY: PWTorch.com contributor Kelly Wells from the “PWT Talks NXT” Dailycast and “NXT Eight Years Back” returns to “Pro Wrestling Then and Now” to look back on the 1997 Royal Rumble event. Frank and Kelly discuss the entire card, which they agree is disappointing, but have a very interesting discussion on the historical nature of this event. It features Goldust vs. Hunter Hearst Helmsley for the Intercontinental Championship, Ahmed Johnson vs. Farooq of the Nation of Domination, Undertaker vs. Vader, a six-man tag match featuring AAA wrestlers, Shawn Michaels challenging Sycho Sid for the WWF Championship, and the Royal Rumble itself won by “Stone Cold” Steve Austin in controversial fashion. Topics of focus include: * The characterization of Goldust and Hunter Hearst Helmsley (Triple H) at the time. Would Dustin Rhodes have been anything if not for the Goldust character? * The potential and demise of Ahmed Johnson. * The matchers that suited Undertaker and Vader best, just not with each other. * How the AAA wrestlers appearing in WWF could have been handled better. * Shawn Michaels’ issues at the time and what got in the way for Sycho Sid. * WWF “lucking” themselves into big business with stars they may not have realized they had at the time including “Stone Cold” and Rocky Maivia (the eventual Rock). * The “butterfly effect” of Shawn Michaels “losing his smile” and relinquishing the WWF championship because (let’s be honest) he didn’t want to job to Bret “Hit Man” Hart at WrestleMania 13. What if he did the right thing and jobbed to Bret? Would Bret and Stone Cold have ever had their historic match they had at that event? Would there have been a Montreal Screwjob? If there was no Montreal, would we have ever had a “Mr. McMahon?” If there wasn’t a Mr. McMahon would Stone Cold have ever been as big as he got (would there have even been a Stone Cold without the match with Bret)?
Warning: Some language on this show may be NSFW.
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SHOW SUMMARY: PWTorch.com contributor Kelly Wells from “PWT Talks NXT” and “NXT Eight Years Back” debuts on Pro Wrestling Then and Now to look back on the 1992 Royal Rumble event, which was one of Kelly and Frank’s favorite shows in history. They discuss the entire card featuring New Foundation (Owen Hart & Jim Neidhart) vs. Orient Express, “Rowdy” Roddy Piper vs. the Mountie for the Intercontinental Championship, Beverly Brothers vs. Bushwhackers, Legion of Doom vs. the Natural Disasters for the WWF Tag Team Championship, and the 30-man Royal Rumble to determine the vacant WWF Championship. Many topics are discussed including: * What could have been for the New Foundation if Jim Neidhart didn’t get fired? * The surrounding circumstances regarding Roddy Piper, the Mountie, and Bret Hart and the Intercontinental Championship, and how WWF got caught with their pants down revealing the Mountie had won the title on syndicated television. * The commentary of Bobby Heenan and Gorilla Monsoon throughout the night. * A sidebar discussion on Kelly and Frank’s experience attending WWF and WCW shows with some funny stories. * The awful match between the Bushwhackers and the Beverly Brothers and what the real story was (Genius and Jamison). Kelly talks about Jamison and his role on the short-lived Bobby Heenan show. * The unsatisfactory finish in the Legion of Doom vs. Natural Disasters title match. Who were they protecting and did they actually benefit from it? * The strange tag team title change following this event and what was planned for WrestleMania VIII. * The many happenings “outside the ring” including the growing steroid scandal at the time (Hulk Hogan’s appearance on the Arsenio Hall show, the George Zahorian convinction, the Phil Muschnick article, and others), Jim Herd and Ric Flair having a falling-out in WCW and his arrival in WWF with the WCW title belt. How did all of this tie into how we got to a vacant WWF Championship. * The crowd turning on Hulk Hogan during the pull-apart with Sid Justice * The amazing Ric Flair promo after his rumble win.
Warning: Some language on this show may be NSFW.
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SHOW SUMMARY: PWTorch.com contributor Bruce Hazelwood, soon to be the author of the NXT “Alt Perspective” report, joins Frank to discuss WCW Starrcade 1996. The show’s main event featured the “Match of the Century” between then-WCW Champion “Hollywood” Hulk Hogan vs. “Rowdy” Roddy Piper. Other matches on the card were Ultimo Dragon vs. Dean Malenko to unify the J-Crown and WCW Cruiserweight Championships, Jushin Thunder Liger vs. a young Rey Mysterio, Jr., Eddie Guerrero vs. Diamond Dallas Page for the U.S. Championship, Lex Luger vs. The Giant, and more. There are several discussion points including comparisons of WCW to the WWE and AEW of today, in particular giving a resolution in the main event between Piper and Hogan the way they did as opposed to what took place recently between Hangman Adam Page and Bryan Danielson recently on Dynamite. They also talk about the core of WCW in comparison to today’s “pillars” of AEW, and what may have been if WCW got behind them and moved on from the NWO.
Warning: Some language on this show may be NSFW.
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SHOW SUMMARY: PWTorch VIP analyst Todd Martin joins Frank for the first time on the renamed “Pro Wrestling Then and Now” (formerly known as “WWE Then and Now”) to look back on WCW Fall Brawl 1996. They review the entire card, which featured a heel Diamond Dallas Page vs. a young Chavo Guerrero, Konnan vs. Juventud Guerrera, Four Horsemen’s Chris Benoit vs. a young Chris Jericho, Harlem Heat vs. the Nasty Boys for the WCW Tag Team Championship, and team WCW (Flair, Anderson, Luger, Sting) vs. team NWO (Hogan, Hall & Nash, Imposter Sting). Discussion points include: * The progression of Diamond Dallas Page and how he got over at the right time. * How Chavo & Eddie Guerrero progressed opposite of what people may have thought early on. * Big man matches that were historically better than others. * Mike Tenay’s commentary. * The odd placement of Konnan in the Dungeon of Doom and the various members that were part of the odd faction through the years. Todd brings up the issues of Konnan and the wrestlers he brought from AAA. They also talk about the dangerous spots and botches in the match against Juventud. * Where would late 90s Juventud fit in today’s wrestling? * Stakes in wrestling then and now and how fans can be more invested, and a sidebar discussion about today’s AEW. * A young Chris Jericho taking on Chris Benoit and the dangerous spots in their match. Did we see it all along in Jericho? Is it tough to watch Benoit matches knowing what we know? * What was going on with Rey Misterio, Jr. and Dean Malenko? * The finish in the Giant vs. Randy Savage match and how ineffective that was at building Savage as the next challenger to Hulk Hogan. * The ineffectiveness of the babyfaces in team WCW ahead of their WarGames match. Why didn’t they name a fourth partner? * Lex Luger’s promo skills. * They compare WarGames of then to today’s NXT format. * Is an invasion angle in the cards for AEW, run by Tony Khan who grew up watching 90s WCW?
Warning: Some language on this show may be NSFW.
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