Awesome Truth: A Wrestling Book Club: Recent Episodes
Steve Cimino and Walt Schwenk
Welcome to Awesome Truth, a wrestling book club in podcast form. Every episode, your hosts Steve Cimino and Walt Schwenk will dissect a classic piece of wrestling literature. Join them as they dive into the oft-seamy underbelly of professional wrestling's written word.
To continue Total Nonstop August (which may turn into a 2-month event) we have found what many call the "best Jeff Jarrett match ever." It's against Kurt Angle at TNA Genesis 2009, a no-DQ showdown at a pay-per-view no one watched or remembers. Is this actually the best Jeff has to offer? And what makes a 'good' Jeff Jarrett match anyway? Join us as we watch along and find out.
It's time to make our semi-regular return to the world of Dark Side of the Ring for their recent 3-part series on Jeff Jarrett and TNA. We've barely discussed Jeff or TNA during our 9-year run; does this batch of episodes do the promotion justice? Is Jarrett worthy of so much analysis? And has a company like AEW learned from the mistakes TNA made? Join us for Total Nonstop August and find out.
Back in 2019, Ronda Rousey, Becky Lynch, and Charlotte Flair made history with their triple threat main event at WrestleMania 35. They were the first women to ever occupy that spot, the deserving end to a solidly built 3-way feud. But was the match itself worthy of its place on a very, very, very long card? Join us for the final episode of Rouse-ly as we discuss this well-regarded but perhaps underwhelming showdown.
Ronda Rousey's short WWE career was filled with high highs and low lows; she main evented one WrestleMania and particpated in a 4-way tag match in the other. She was a UFC legend who was treated like a mega-star and then downgraded to "weekly competitor" as fast as the WWE machine could manage. And now that she's a free woman, she's talking shit about everyone, including John Laurinaitis, Vince McMahon, and Bruce Prichard. Join us as we discuss the juicy WWE section of Ronda's latest memoir, Our Fight.
He did it! Somewhat out of nowhere, in Saudi Arabia, at a second-tier PLE, Sami Zayn won the world title. To celebrate, or at least check out the video evidence, we're watching along with Night of Champions 2026 and (hopefully) enjoying the triple threat between Zayn, Gunther, and now-former champ Cody Rhodes.
It's finally time to talk about the Hulkster's Netflix doc. Hulk Hogan: Real American is a very high-profile look at the life, times, and death of a pro wrestling legend; it's also executive produced by Paul "Triple H" Levesque, so how scathing can it be? Does this 4-part series capture the lowest lows of the formerly beloved superstar? Does it need to be 4 parts, or is it overstuffed to appease the streaming gods? And is this finally, blessedly, the last time we talk about my boy Terry? Join us and find out.
Yes, sigh, it's Hulk Month on Awesome Truth. That's what happens when Netflix releases an exclusive 4-part documentary on the life, times, and utter bullsh*t of the Hulkster. To gear up for discussing that series next episode, we're revisiting arguably Hogan's greatest match: his showdown with the Rock at WrestleMania X8. Is it as good as we remember? Of course it is. Join us as we watch along with a stone-cold classic.
To end our short run talking about Shawn Michaels and begin our short run talking about (sigh) Hulk Hogan, we're watching along with their "classic" match at SummerSlam 2005. It's remembered as the night when HBK made Hogan look terrible by overselling everything, but is that reputation fair? And is the match any good? Join us and find out.
Despite mostly moving their content to Netflix and ESPN, WWE is still putting out documentaries on Peacock. Their latest entry, The Heartbreak Kid: Becoming Shawn Michaels, is a full feature-length look at Mr. WrestleMania. Do we need another HBK documentary? Is his latest turn as head of NXT worth diving into? Join us for one more journey through the career of this all-time legend, from the Rockers and the Kliq to Flair and Taker at Mania and back again.
Now that WrestleMania 42 has entered the history books with a resounding "meh," it's time to revisit the already maligned Night 1 main event from this year's show: Cody Rhodes versus Randy Orton. It could've been the easiest feud to book in history; instead, they made it about Pat McAfee. Was the match as boring as everyone claims? Watch along as we find out.
How would you rank the top 50 WrestleMania matches of all time? Pageantry, work rate, legacy, recency? WWE has taken a crack at this very project with a YouTube playlist, led by Undertaker versus Shawn Michaels from WrestleMania 25 and featuring (surprisingly) very few long boring Triple H matches. Did they do a good job? What stood out as smart and what was overrated? Join us as we tackle our first playlist review.
With WrestleMania 42 only weeks away, we decided to travel very briefly back in time and get a preview of this year's premier match (plus Seth Rollins). That's right, we're watching the Night 1 main event from WrestleMania 41: CM Punk versus Roman Reigns vs "The Architect" himself. Most people said it was the high point of a particularly dreary Mania weekend; do we agree? Join us and find out!
Sometimes YouTube recommends videos and sometimes Walt clicks on them, and that's how we ended up watching The Epic Story of The Shield, a wrestling documentary from the good people at Spotfight. What is Spotfight? How do their wrestling documentaries stand up to the dozens of WWE docs we've watched for this show? And did we learn anything new about Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, and the man formerly known as Dean Ambrose? Join us and find out.
To celebrate ElimChamb week, the most thrilling week of the wrestling season, we're revisiting one of the best matches in the history of the event: The Wyatt Family versus The Shield. It's from way back in 2014, when Bluetista was getting booed, Jack Swagger was still a thing, and these 6 guys were lighting the world on fire. Not to mention, you may be shocked by who ends up eating the pin. Join us as we watch along with this classic 6-man tag.
Now that AJ Styles has ridden off into the sunset, temporarily or otherwise, we felt it was time to revisit a classic WWE Network documentary on The Phenomenal One. The years 2017 and 2018 were fascinating ones for Styles, from an incredible match with Brock Lesnar at Survivor Series to a very disappointing title defense against Shinksuke Nakamura at WrestleMania. Join us as we watch the WWE 365 recap of one of AJ's biggest years and discuss Styles' WWE run as a whole.
Hot on the heels of reading Keith Elliot Greenberg's This Book Is All Elite, we're giving AEW an official Awesome Truth performance review. How has the company evolved from 2019 to today? How do the so-called Four Pillars hold up in 2026? Spoiler alert: Sammy Guevara is not quite pillar-y these days. Join us as we discuss the peaks and valleys of All Elite Wrestling.
Welcome to 2026! With Royal Rumble season right around the corner, we're watching a very famous Rumble singles match: The Rock versus Mankind for the WWE championship at the 1999 Royal Rumble. This is the infamous I Quit match that ends with a dozen chairshots right to Mick Foley's unprotected head; it's a tough one to revisit but also a reminder of how good Dwayne was at playing a total asshole heel. Join us as we cover our eyes and do our best to watch along.
Happy holidays from Awesome Truth! We are currently on Christmas vacation so please enjoy this classic episode from January 2024, an in-depth discussion of the very depressing feature film The Iron Claw.
It's somehow been 6 years since AEW opened its doors, which means its time to chronicle the company's dramatic rise in book form. And there's no better man to do it than Keith Elliot Greenberg, author of This Book Is All Elite: The Inside Story of All Elite Wrestling. It's full of photos and stories that document how Tony Khan and a handful of truly elite wrestlers formed the first viable alternative to WWE in decades. Join us as we chat with Keith about this unique opportunity and debate what the future might hold for All Elite Wrestling.
I don't think anyone expected Braun Strowman to go from "pro wrestling goliath" to "food show host," but here we are! Strowman's new USA show, Everything on the Menu With Braun Strowman, has been a surprise hit for the beefy former WWE star and may end up being a solid second career. But is it any good? And are the tie-ins with wrestling even remotely organic? Join us as we follow Braun around Washington, DC, as he attempts to eat the whole dang menu.
We all know November is Survivor Series month, so we're harkening back to when this event was truly about surviving: 1990, when the babyface and heel survivors of each match met in the main event. That meant Hulk Hogan, Ultimate Warrior, and Tito Santana (!) versus the all-star squad of Ted DiBiase, Rick Martel, The Warlord, Hercules, and Paul Roma. Sound like trouble for our all-star superheroes? You bet it wasn't. Join us for the squashiest main in Survivor Series history.
You knew we'd get to it eventually: It's time to review Dwayne Johnson's Oscar play, the 2025 film The Smashing Machine. How does Rock do as UFC original Mark Kerr? Is he finally showing off some dormant acting chops, or is he just playing another big fighter guy with slightly more emotion? And is this MMA movie actually an MMA movie at all?
As John Cena's very bumpy retirement tour nears its conclusion, WWE did the smartest thing since re-turning him babyface: They booked a match with AJ Styles. Cena vs AJ is quietly one of the best rivalries of the last 10 years, and it's exactly the kind of showdown Cena should be having as he sails off into the sunset. Join us as we rewatch this finisher-heavy instant classic (kinda) from Crown Jewel 2025.
We promised (or threatened) it and now it's here: Stephanie McMonth concludes with our first-ever Stephanie McMahon watch-along. It was tough to choose from all the exquisite Stephanie matches, but we finally found a hidden gem: Stephanie and Triple H versus Ronda Rousey and Kurt Angle at WrestleMania 34. This is Ronda's debut, when hope was everywhere and a beautiful future seemed right around the corner. Did it all work out for everyone? Join us and find out.
With Stephanie McMahon announced as the next major inductee into the WWE Hall of Fame, there's no better time to sit back and review her ESPN+ show, Stephanie's Places. We totally planned this, you guys. Join us as we discuss Stephanie's latest foray as a WWE-adjacent personality and examine her first guest, Phil "CM Punk" Brooks.
With WrestlingPalooza right around the corner, it was time to revisit the most iconic showdown between Brock Lesnar and John Cena: SummerSlam 2014. Everyone expected your usual main event between two beefy legends, but instead we got a squash for the ages. Join us as we discuss this famous match and also speculate wildly about Cena's mediocre retirement tour.
Once Raw hit Netflix, you knew a documentary series couldn't be far behind. And now it's here: WWE Unreal, an intimate and up-close look at the inner workings of WWE. They'd have you believe it's unprecedented; we think there is tons of precedent, including dozens of backstage docs that previously aired on the WWE Network and Peacock. So is Unreal worth a watch, especially with the ho-hum year that WWE is having?
To "honor" the late Hulk Hogan, we decided to watch the most Hogan match in history: the Hulkster (and Randy Savage) versus 8 guys in a Doomsday Cage match at Uncensored 1996. That's right, to satisfy Hulk's massive ego, WCW put him up against Ric Flair, Arn Anderson, Lex Luger, actor Tiny Lister, and professional beefy boy "Jeep" Swenson (amongst others) and ... he won. How did it all go down? Watch along with us and find out.
It's true; my boy Terry has passed away. Hulk Hogan was pro wrestling's first megastar and arguably its most controversial; he couldn't give up the spotlight and loved to lie, the quintessential carny until the day he died. We've talked about him for hours and hours on this show, and we're gonna do it one more time. Join us as we discuss the life and legacy of the Hulkster.
When it comes to professional wrestling in popular culture, there are two eras: before and after The Wrestler. The 2008 film from director Darren Aronofsky changed the way wrestlers were perceived by the public. It used to be "out of sight, out of mind," but now everyone knows the toll pro wrestling takes on people's bodies, minds, and lives. In fact, we don't think there would be Dark Side of the Ring, The Iron Claw, or all these nostalgia podcasts without it. Join us as we discuss Mickey Rourke's performance, the movie's legacy, and which pro wrestler likely inspired Randy the Ram.
With Goldberg heading toward his retirement match with Gunther, we thought it was time to revisit the moment he probably should've retired: His 2019 match with the Undertaker at Super ShowDown in Saudi Arabia. Is it as bad as everyone says? Is it worse? And what was the ceiling for old man Goldberg versus broken-down Taker anyway? Join us as we grit our teeth and watch along.
For the last few weeks, the internet has been abuzz with talk of Ron Killings. Did WWE release R-Truth? Did they just decide not to renew his contract? How could Truth, a low-key legend and beloved locker room presence, get the axe? We may never know exactly how it all went down, but we at Awesome Truth knew the best way to honor our half-namesake was to watch him turn on the charm. That's why we're discussing our first-ever Table for 3 episode, featuring Truth, Carmella, and Dana Brooke. It's the perfect example of Truth turning garbage into gold and justifying his existence on the roster.
The hardcore legend Sabu passed away on May 11, 2025; in his honor, we're watching what's probably his most famous match, the 1997 barbed wire showdown with Terry Funk at ECW's Born to Be Wired event. It's a grotesque bloody mess that also perfectly illustrates what made Sabu special and why teenage Walt and Steve thought he was one of the coolest wrestlers in the world.
WrestleMania III, the Pontiac Silverdome, Hogan versus Andre. It's where everything changed, at least according to the new book by friend of the show Keith Elliot Greenberg. Keith's been on before talking about the book's genesis; now we've read it and we're breaking down his latest opus. Join us as we discuss Bigger! Better! Badder!, aka the story of pro wrestling in the mid-1980s.
Who asked for a feature-length documentary on WrestleMania 9? Nobody, of course, which makes it even more wild that this thing is somehow fun. WrestleMania IX: Becoming a Spectacle gives us exclusive backstage footage of Shawn Michaels, Bret Hart, Undertaker, and a ton of other wrestlers at the first-ever Vegas Mania. It also, unfortunately, features a ton of Hulk Hogan's world-famous "exaggerations" about the day he magically regained the WWF title. Join us as we dissect this doc on the first time Vince (and Terry) screwed Bret.
WrestleMania 41 dropped the ball with Cody Rhodes vs. John Cena — flat, forgettable, and included heavy involvement from Travis Scott. So to wash the bad taste out of our mouths, Awesome Truth decided to revisit a more memorable main event match from WrestleMania XL between Roman Reigns vs. Cody Rhodes! Does last year's epic showdown stand the test of time?
We've been begging for WWE documentaries to focus on more than just the same old wrestling stories, and they finally listened ... for better or worse. Superfan: The Story of Vladimir follows Vladimir Abouzeide, a lifelong New York wrestling enthusiast whose fandom was upended by the COVID-19 pandemic. But is it a story of celebration, or are they exploiting Vlad for content? Is WWE even equipped to tell these types of wrestling-adjacent stories? Join us as we ask these questions and more.
It's 2025 and we're still talking about WrestleMania III. It was one of the biggest nights in wrestling history: Hogan versus Andre, Savage versus Steamboat, Butch Reed versus Koko B. Ware ... OK, not every match was a banger. But what exactly made that show in Pontiac, Michigan so special? And why did it so thoroughly reshape the industry? Friend of the show Keith Elliot Greenberg joins us to discuss his new book, BIGGER! BETTER! BADDER!: WRESTLEMANIA III and the Year It All Changed, in stores now.
Remember the first time John Cena faced Cody Rhodes? That's right, WrestleMania 41 won't be the debut match between these two legends; for that, we have to go back to April 6, 2015, when Cena kicked off his US Open Challenge with a match against Stardust. And to start down the road to WrestleMania properly, we're watching along! Join us as we discuss what's been accurately described as "a pretty good Raw match."
It's our 200th episode! To celebrate this milestone, we are turning to a musical gem from deep in wrestling history: "WrestleMania: The Album." That's right, the 1993 album where Bret Hart, Macho Man Randy Savage, The Undertaker, and many more sing! Actually, it's more like talk-singing or spoken word. And they don't sing their theme songs; just odd, unexpected tunes about their gimmicks or occasionally love. It's a work of art! Listen along on YouTube and enjoy this very special episode.
Awesome Truth is once again going to the movies, aka the Shudder app, this time to watch the new hit Dark Match! It's a wrestling slasher film starring Chris Jericho as a psychotic cult leader and aspiring world champion. It's kinda bad! But kinda intriguing, and it does show a genuine love for the ins and outs of pro wrestling. Join us as we do battle with the forces of cinematic evil.
It's the 30th anniversary of one of the quickest, oddest Royal Rumbles in history, and we're watching along! It's the night Shawn Michaels became a main event star, and the first pay-per-view Walt ever watched. Join us as we rewatch the 1995 Rumble, when Bulldog and HBK went the distance and also Jacob and Eli Blu were there.
As Triple H, The Rock, Michael Cole, and 500 other people keep telling us, the Raw on Netflix era has begun. But how do we feel, two episodes in? Is it any different than what we've been seeing on cable TV for decades? And what do we think about "Final Boss" Rock suddenly reverting back to Netflix-loving Dwayne Johnson? Join us as we discuss the first two episodes of streaming Raw, including how great it felt to see Hulk Hogan get booed to death on WWE programming.
Welcome to 2025! To kickstart the year, we are rewatching a match we both saw in person: Kenny Omega versus Chris Jericho at Wrestle Kingdom 12 in the Tokyo Dome. It's one of the reasons AEW exists and a reminder that Jericho was on top of the world a mere 7 years ago. Join us as we revisit our magical journey to Japan and this top-tier showdown.
Happy holidays from Awesome Truth! To celebrate, we turned to what seemed like a December treat: WWE's Ring in the Holiday special on Peacock. Instead, we got a steaming lump of coal, a collection of Mick Foley interstitials and unmemorable matches thrown together during the dying days of DVD. Pumped for Randy Orton versus David Otunga with a vague Christmas theme? How about a Xanta Klaus squash match? Join us as we discuss 120 minutes of true holiday torture.
It's watch-along time! As a rare treat, we're watching the main event of the most recent WWE pay-per-view: the 2024 Survivor Series. It's the OG Bloodline (Roman Reigns, Sami Zayn, the Usos, and ... CM Punk) versus the New Bloodline (Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu, Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa, and ... Bronson Reed). Is it the blowoff to a months-long feud or the start of a whole new chapter? Does it ruin the match to shoehorn in Punk and Reed, or does it surprisingly work like a charm? Watch along with us and find out!
We're wrapping up Macho Month by watching along with a famous cinematic match: Bonesaw McGraw versus Spider-Man. That's right; we're watching the scene from Sam Raimi's Spider-Man where Macho Man Randy Savage takes on Tobey Maguire in, for some reason, a steel cage. It's a short scene, but is it the best wrestler acting performance of all time? Join us and find out.
Macho Month is here! For no reason in particular, we are devoting November to the extracurricular post-wrestling career of "Macho Man" Randy Savage, one of the all-time greats. Of course, that means starting with "Be a Man," his 2003 hip hop album in which he calls out Hulk Hogan, pays tribute to Mr. Perfect, and generally is very bad at rapping. How does Macho's debut album hold up? Join us as we go (kinda) track by track and break down Randy's rap career.
For this year's Halloween watch-along, we've found the spooookiest wrestling moment possible: a good Goldberg match! That's right; when Goldberg faced Diamond Dallas Page at Halloween Havoc 1998, people stopped and said, "Pretty good!" Were they unwell from the horrid Hogan/Warrior showdown that preceded it? Is it possible for Bill Goldberg to have an actual quality match, especially against DDP? Watch along with us and find out!
By now, you've probably started or even finished the new Netflix docuseries, Mr. McMahon. It claims to be a no-holds-barred look at the disgraced billionaire Vince McMahon, aimed at a broader streaming audience instead of wrestling freaks like us. But does it live up to the hype? Are there Vince stories in here that we haven't heard before, or just the same old sh*t from Hulk Hogan, Bruce Prichard, and Vince himself? Join us as we discuss the first 2 episodes and whether we're stick around for the final 4.
It's a match that Awesome Truth has discussed over and over: Shawn Michaels versus Mankind at In Your House: Mind Games, a show attended by none other than Steve Cimino. And we're finally watching along! Does this showdown live up to its reputation as one of the best '90s WWF matches? And what do we think of Michaels' post-WrestleMania 12 babyface title run? Join us as we discuss all this and more.
The spirit of the WWE Network lives on with WWE 24, a documentary series that's covered such luminaries as The Miz, Big E, Edge, and now Damian Priest. Does Priest deserve the full doc treatment? Has he truly become a main eventer and top-tier talent in WWE? And what is his future now that he's left Judgment Day and set out on his own? Join us as we discuss the Archer of Infamy for the very first time.
August 1997 was a quaint period in wrestling history: Before the Montreal Screwjob, before D-Generation X and Hell in a Cell and the Attitude Era, there was a tame little title match at SummerSlam 1997 that would redefine everything. It's Bret Hart versus the Undertaker with Shawn Michaels as guest referee, and it leads directly into a brand new era for WWE. It also partially inspired the recent Drew McIntyre/CM Punk match with Seth Rollins as ref, continuining the trend of Punk paying "homage" to the much better stuff that came before him. Join us as we rewatch this classic showdown.
Finally, WWE's long-awaited YouTube documentary about WrestleMania XL is live for the world to see. Is it weird to release a Mania documentary in July? You bet. Is it because The Rock had approval and took his sweet time to give a thumbs up? We'll never know. Fortunately, the story of Cody Rhodes, Roman Reigns, and the aformentioned Dwayne Johnson remains a fascinating one. Join us, one final time, as we revisit the backstage ins and outs of a truly historic WrestleMania,
Now that we've talked with Marc Raimondi about his upcoming nWo book, it's time to revisit the night that whole angle fell apart: Hollywood Hogan versus Sting at Starrcade 97. It should've been a nice clean Stinger win, capping off an epic chase of the cowardly Hogan, but instead it was a boring slog with a messy ending and a Bret Hart run-in that no one wanted or needed. It was the beginning of the end, though nobody knew it yet; it's time to rewatch one of the biggest letdowns in wrestling history.
New new new world order! Those 5 words (ok, 3) changed wrestling forever, and maybe pop culture as well? That's the thesis of the upcoming book Say Hello To The Bad Guys, written by ESPN reporter Marc Raimondi and chronicling the rise, fall, and wide-ranging impact of the nWo. Marc joins us on Awesome Truth to discuss the book's origin story and how it'll differ from the many, many other WCW obituaries published throughout the years.
We've talked about Becky Lynch's new book, now we're revisiting one of her classic matches. It's Becky versus Sasha Banks versus Charlotte Flair at WrestleMania 32, by far the best match on that card and also maybe the first time women were truly taken seriously in a WWE ring. Does watching this triple threat help answer last episode's big question: "Is Becky Lynch good in the ring?" Join us and find out!
The written word is back on Awesome Truth! This week, we're talking about the hottest wrestling book of 2024: Becky Lynch: The Man: Not Your Average Average Girl, by the one and only Becky Lynch. How did Becky go from a young Irish upstart to maybe the most popular female wrestler of all time? What was it like to wrestle in the main event at WrestleMania? "The Man" answers all these questions and more, and we're chatting all about it.
The King (and Queen) of the Ring is sometimes a thing in WWE and sometimes not, but once upon a time it was new and different and actually mattered. To revisit those glory days of 1993, we are watching one of wrestling's most quietly celebrated matches: Bret Hart versus Mr. Perfect. It's a mere quarter-final match in that year's tournament, but it's no surprise that Bret and Curt Hennig, two of the best to ever do it, made their 18 minutes count.
Bray Wyatt was a truly unique wrestling character, and Windham Rotunda was a unique man. The deep complexities of his personality and creativity are examined in the latest feature-length WWE documentary on Peacock, Bray Wyatt: Becoming Immortal. Almost a year after his death, what is Bray's wrestling legacy? And what happens next with the rumored Wyatt 6 stable, seemingly designed to honor and build on his legacy? We break it all down on today's Awesome Truth.
For years, David Penzer was one of the voices of WCW, the man with a microphone in the center of the ring for every episode of Monday Nitro and Thunder. Now, in his new book Sitting Ringside Volume 1, Penzer shares his stories of WCW, the Monday Night Wars, and more. And we're getting a sneak preview on Awesome Truth! Join us as we talk to Penzer about how he got started in the business, why he wrote a book, and the best ribs he ever saw played.
April is usually the quietest month on the wrestling calendar, but not on Awesome Truth! Instead of digging through the archives to find the 'best' ho-hum Backlash match, we're watching a legendary showdown from Extreme Rules 2012: John Cena versus the returning Brock Lesnar. It's the rare semi-recent Lesnar match that doesn't feel like one of his fast-paced MMA-style bouts; instead, these two beefy boys beat the heck out of each other for nearly 18 minutes. Join us as we revisit a classic.
Awesome Truth's Road to WrestleMania finally stops here; we're departing from our usual format to recap the 2-night spectacular, especially the showdown between Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes. Did it live it up to the hype? Was it too much Rock or (surprisingly) too little? And what's next for Triple H and WWE now that the Bloodline story is at least on pause? Join us as we discuss WrestleMania 40 in detail.
The last stop on Awesome Truth's Road to WrestleMania is all about the Tribal Chief himself, Roman Reigns. His episode of WWE Evil examines the life of the real Joe Anoa'i, including the recent bout with leukemia that led to time away from wrestling and his eventual return as sports entertainment's biggest heel. But is this half-kayfabe, half-reality docuseries the best way to tell Roman's story? And is WrestleMania 40 going to be the apex of Roman's career and ultimately the end of his incredible run on top? Join us as we discuss The Big Dog.
Our next stop on the road to WrestleMania 40 is yet another look at the rise of Cody Rhodes, namely his showdown with Seth Rollins at Hell in a Cell 2022. You may know this as "the one with Cody's fully torn pectoral muscle," but it's also a match that Walt and Steve have never seen. Does it live up to the 5-star hype? Is it an integral part of Cody's still-forming WWE legacy? Join us and find out.
Cody Rhodes is about to main event two WrestleManias in a row, and his return to WWE from AEW has been about the biggest success story one could imagine. So it's no surprise that, in summer 2023, they released a documentary about his life in and around pro wrestling. But how does that doc hold up in the midst of this build to a Roman Reigns rematch and the likely involvement of Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson? Join us as we dissect American Nightmare: Becoming Cody Rhodes as we continue down the road to WrestleMania 40.
As Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson threatens a return to the ring and a leap into the WrestleMania main event picture, we felt we owed it to our fans to revisit the last time he had a true wrestling match. That's right, we're watching along with John Cena versus The Rock at WrestleMania 29, a show we actually attended in person. How did Rock look in the squared circle 11 years ago? And what do we think he'll look like now, at age 51? Join us as we talk over this finisher-heavy Mania showdown.
As Will Ospreay prepares to make his full-time debut with AEW, we thought it was time to revisit his ascent through the ranks of wrestling via the 2020 documentary Ospreay: The Rise of an International Pro Wrestler. Is it a good, well-made doc? Not necessarily, but it does spark some great conversation about the hotly desired Ospreay and if his signing could be the spark that AEW desperately needs.
If it's January, then it's time for a Rumble watch-along. Awesome Truth is revisiting a recent classic and maybe the best of all time: the 2020 Royal Rumble. It's one of the best-booked matches in Rumble history, from Brock Lesnar's attempt to take on all 30 entrants by himself to Drew McIntyre's coming-out party. And don't forget the exciting return of Edge! And the less exciting return of MVP. Join us as we journey back to that magical year of 2020.
Despite being incredibly depressing, A24's The Iron Claw is one of the winter's biggest movies, and you better believe the Awesome Truth boys bought themselves two tickets during Christmas break. The tale of the Von Erichs has been told before but there's something special about seeing wrestling depicted on the big screen, especially when the movie has legit Oscar buzz. Join us as we discuss Zac Efron, Zac Efron's muscles, Jeremy Allen White, Holt McCallany, a horrific Ric Flair impersonation, and all the other elements that made up Sean Durkin's well-done pro wrestling tragedy.
Happy holidays! To celebrate the season, and the end of 2023, we're watching one of the Attitude Era's defining matches: the 6-man Hell in a Cell featuring Stone Cold Steve Austin, The Rock, Undertaker, Kurt Angle, HHH, and Rikishi. It's the infamous match with the "big" bump onto a flatbed truck, and it's indicative of a lot of the bloat and excess that made the era both famous and infamous. But is it any good? Join us and find out.
What does everybody want?! That's right; Al Snow (minus Head) is on Awesome Truth. The living legend and 'star' of Wrestlers joins us to talk about his Netflix-fueled return to the wrestling spotlight, what it's like to book Ohio Valley Wrestling, and how it felt to perform in front of thousands of screaming ECW fanatics during his in-ring heyday.
It's our November watch-along! Awesome Truth is celebrating WWE’s November tradition by revisiting one of our favorite Survivor Series matches from recent history. 2014’s main event has it all: The Authority, a Big Show heel turn, the Bludgies, and Dolph Ziggler putting on a wrestling clinic to the delight of everyone (but probably not Vince McMahon). Plus, it has one of WWE’s biggest superstar debuts of all time: the Stinger himself.
You may remember Ohio Valley Wrestling from countless mentions in other wrestling documentaries; it's the company where Brock Lesnar, John Cena, Batista, and Randy Orton cut their teeth. Now, however, it's gone from WWE minor league to barely surviving regional Kentucky promotion, and it's up to Al Snow and a sports talk radio host to save the day. That's the conceit of Netflix's Wrestlers anyway, a new docuseries that follows the misfits of OVW and lead booker Snow as they pursue their dream of a pro wrestling career. We've watched countless docs and TV shows for Awesome Truth; is this one worth your time? Join us for a surprising answer.
We really had no choice for our October watch-along: It's the spookiest match of all time, Hulk Hogan versus The Giant in a monster truck showdown at Halloween Havoc 1995, followed by an impromptu battle featuring the bearhugging debut of The Yeti. This is the apex of the "Hogan versus the Dungeon of Doom" era, one most wrestling fans would like to forget but perfect for amateur wrestling historians to revisit. Join us as we watch along with this two-part match that probably should've buried WCW for good.
Pro wrestling has returned to the silver screen, or at least the streaming screen. Cassandro, the new biopic of a beloved exótico played by Gael García Bernal, is now on Amazon Prime Video, and we're talking all about it. Does the film provide a deeper understanding of lucha libre and the luchador lifestyle? How does an acclaimed actor like Bernal look in the ring? And does the appearance of WWE's own Bad Bunny add anything to the experience? Join us as we once again do our wrestling-centric Siskel and Ebert impressions.
It's our September watch-along! On the heels of the recent third installment of AEW's annual Grand Slam event, we went back to the first-ever Slam to watch what many considered the modern dream match: Kenny Omega vs. Bryan Danielson. Relive this instant classic with your favorite pod as we break down the match, talk about AEW as a promotion, and rate Kenny's HHH-inspired facial hair.
Kurt Angle's Olympic medal wasn't a gimmick; in 1996, he won the gold in Atlanta and became the best amateur wrestler in the world, a journey that's covered in detail in Peacock's new documentary, Angle. Peacock is taking a broader approach with their recent wrestling-centric docs, focusing on more than just the squared circle, and Angle is no exception. Join us as we discuss Kurt Angle's incredible wrestling career, amateur and professional, and debate where he ranks among the greatest pro wrestlers of all time.
Against all odds, Heels is back on Starz for a second season. But just because the pro wrestling drama has returned doesn't mean we're watching; should we all stick around for another helping of the Duffy Wrestling League? Join us as we discuss the Stephen Amell-led series and try to figure out if Ace and Jack Spade deserve another 8 hours of our time.
SummerSlam 2023 may be over and done, but it's still August so there's still time for a watch-along! Join us as we revisit a 5-star classic from 1992: it's the "British Bulldog" Davey Boy Smith versus Bret "The Hitman" Hart in front of nearly 80,000 fans at Wembley Stadium in London. It's the Intercontinental Championship being defended in a '90s WWF main event, a bizarro world Vince McMahon decision that paid off like gangbusters. Is the match as good as everyone remembers? Join us and find out.
It's rerun time on Awesome Truth! Steve had a baby and Walt is being worked to the bone, so let's revisit an old episode that made everyone smile: an in-depth discussion of The Marine 6: Close Quarters. Yes, just a few years ago, The Miz, Shawn Michaels, and Becky Lynch all starred in the final (we hope) chapter in a Marine saga that once featured mega star John Cena. Special guest Andrew Johnson joins us to break down the ups and downs of this WWE-centric action movie.
For this month's watch-along, we're revisiting one of the best main events in In Your House history: The Hart Foundation versus Stone Cold Steve Austin and friends. That's right; it's Bret Hart, Owen Hart, Davey Boy Smith, Jim Neidhart, and Brian Pillman against Austin, Ken Shamrock, Goldust, and the Legion of Doom. It should've been a 10-man snoozer, but the hottest Calgary crowd in history turned Team Canada into babyfaces and sparked a memorable classic. Join us as we discuss one of the last matches before the Attitude Era overtook WWE.
Against all odds, the A&E network keeps churning out high-level WWE documentary programming, including this excellent episode of Biography: WWE Legends on "The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes. With Cody's return and subsequent rise to the top of WWE, it's the perfect moment to rexamine how the Rhodes clan has risen, fallen, and risen again over decades in professional wrestling. From the NWA and WCW to NXT, Cody, and Dustin, this doc is worthy of the Dream and his legacy.
Wrestling fans have been waiting for the Chris Candido and Tammy "Sunny" Sytch story on Dark Side of the Ring since the show premiered, and now it's finally here. Does it live up to the hype? Did we learn more about Chris and Tammy as people and performers, or is this a tale that most fans already know? And, 4 seasons in, is Dark Side still humming along as a high-level wrestling documentary series? Join us as we dive into the rise and fall of the Bodydonnas.
Remember when CM Punk was the hottest thing in wrestling? And it was because of his talent and not backstage bullsh*t? We do, mostly because we just rewatched the classic Punk/Cena match from Money in the Bank 2011. Join us for our June watch-along as we revisit maybe the greatest modern WWE showdown and the first one in decades to get the coveted 5 stars from Dave Meltzer.
You've heard us talk all about Ringmaster: Vince McMahon and the Unmaking of America; now it's time to talk to the author! Abraham Josephine "Josie" Riesman joins us to discuss writing a book that aims to be the definitive Vince biography, as well as how it feels to be an outsider reporting on pro wrestling.
The story of Vince McMahon is a difficult one to tell, especially in the wake of the retirement and resurgence that has kept the WWE chairman in the limelight despite numerous financial and sexual accusations being leveled against him. Vince is one of the most complex and problematic corporate overlords in modern American history, and Ringmaster is an attempt to distill him down to 464 pages and assess his impact on not only pro wrestling but all of society. Does it succeed? Join us as we dissect this long-awaited effort to tell the full McMahon tale.
It's April, which means it's (sigh) Backlash season. While this year's event features stars like Cody Rhodes, Brock Lesnar, and Bad Bunny, this post-WrestleMania show is not usually a highlight for WWE. That said, to give you all the watch-along you deserve, we dug into the archives and pulled up Backlash 2007, which features four of the era's top guys facing off: John Cena, Edge, Randy Orton, and Shawn Michaels. Does HBK mesh well with these 3 modern stars? How have Cena and Orton evolved over the years? And how is Edge twice as swole 16 years later? We'll answer all these questions and more during this Backlash Fatal 4-Way.
WWE 24 is the most consistent documentary series on the WWE Network/Peacock, and their WrestleMania 38 episode is no exception. Even 15 minutes on Rick Boogs can't slow down this intimate backstage look at Stone Cold Steve Austin, Becky Lynch, Kevin Owens, and the other stars of 2022's biggest show. Join us as we finish our Mania coverage by dissecting yet another WWE 24 offering, and who knows: Maybe we'll talk for 20 minutes about WrestleMania 39 (and Roman Reigns versus Cody Rhodes) along the way.
We've made it to 150 episodes! To celebrate, we're diving into the rich history of pro wrestling theme songs and ranking our 10 favorites. What will make the cut? Will the glass breaking for Stone Cold Steve Austin top Triple H's Motorhead classics, or will Shawn Michaels being the world's sexiest boy sneak into the No. 1 spot? From Jim Johnston to CFO$ and everything in between, join us as we toast to years of Awesome Truth by choosing wrestling's best entrance music.
It's WrestleMania month, which means it's time for another world-famous Awesome Truth watch-along. This time, we're revisiting WrestleMania XVI, also known as WrestleMania 2000. And, of course, the match we're discussing is one of the greatest tag-team showdowns of all time: the Hardys versus the Dudleys versus Edge and Christian. They call it a "triangle ladder match" but it's basically the first-ever TLC match, and it sets the tone for a million vicious spot-fests to come. So turn on Peacock, load up this Mania classic, and bask in 23 minutes of wrestling insanity with your best buds Steve and Walt.
A&E continues to embrace pro wrestling with WWE Rivals, another documentary series that covers the greatest rivalries in sports entertainment history, and they've chosen to kick off their second season with a look back at Hulk Hogan versus Andre the Giant. Is there more to say about the Hulkster going up against the Eighth Wonder of the World? Is WWE finally ready to embrace and revisit the pre-WrestleMania III era when Hogan was a heel and Andre was a face? And does bringing in Freddie Prinze Jr to "host" this series excite anyone out there? Join as we break down A&E's latest wrestling endeavor.
It's time for another world-famous Awesome Truth watch-along; this month, we're revisiting the 2012 Elimination Chamber PPV, also known as the night Santino Marella had the crowd in the palm of his hand. Up against Hall of Famers like The Big Show, Daniel Bryan, and Cody Rhodes, Santino and his Cobra stole the show and somehow got WWE fans to believe that he'd be the next World Heavyweight Champion. Join us as we rewatch one of the most iconic ElimChambs in history.
The Ric Flair story has been told up and down, left and right. We covered his autobiography on the very first episode of this show, we covered his 30 for 30 back in 2017, and his sexual transgressions were well-detailed in the Plane Ride From Hell episode of Dark Side of the Ring. But now, Peacock and WWE Network Documentaries have given us even more Nature Boy, as Woooooo! Becoming Ric Flair was released to the world in December 2022. Does the world really need another 2 hours of Flair chatter? Is there more of his life to dissect and analyze? Join us as we discuss Ric Flair yet again, hopefully for the last time.
The 2015 Royal Rumble is also known as "the night everyone turned on Roman Reigns," as Philadelphia fans booed the Big Dog (and his cousin The Rock) with a passion and kickstarted years of WWE crowds being mixed at best toward Reigns. Your two Awesome Truth hosts were in attendance that night, jeering like crazy as beloved wrestlers like Daniel Bryan were tossed aside for Roman's babyface push to the top. With the 2023 Royal Rumble right around the corner, join us as we revisit this classic Rumble and see if it's as bad as we remember.
Back in 1988, famed director John Carpenter and WWE Hall of Famer Roddy Piper came together for what became a true cult classic: They Live. From South Park parodies to eBaum's World soundboards, the pop culture impact of Piper's performance in They Live was far greater than anyone could've anticipated. For our first episode of 2023, we popped on this 94-minute gem and discussed the acting career of one of pro wrestling's top thespians.
When you hear that Vice is releasing a new Vince McMahon documentary, mere months after the chairman retired from WWE amid allegations of sexual misconduct and hush money payments, it's only natural to get excited. So imagine our surprise when it turned out to be cobbled-together clips from old Dark Side of the Ring episodes mixed with several minutes of new Dave Meltzer and Vince Russo interviews. Why did Vice rush this out, trick its audience, and perhaps salt its reputation as a hard-hitting chronicler of wrestling history? Join us as we dissect the few ups and many downs of The Nine Lives of Vince McMahon.
Arn Anderson in graphic novel form? That's right; "The Enforcer" himself, the WWE Hall of Famer and original member of the Four Horsemen, is coming to the world of comic books. To promote Arn Anderson: My Life as the Enforcer, which is collecting pledges on Kickstarter through mid-December, we welcome Arn himself and friend of the show Dirk Manning to discuss the Arn comic, how they've condensed four decades of wrestling into a few hundred pages, and what it was like to see the business evolve from NWA and WWF to WCW, WWE, and now AEW.
With Triple H finally achieving his dream of integrating WarGames into the WWE main roster, Awesome Truth is taking a trip back to the '90s and revisiting one of our favorite iterations of the double cage match! Join us as we watch along with Fall Brawl 1997, specifically the main event WarGames match pitting the nWo’s insufferable team of Kevin Nash, Syxx, Konnan, and Buff Bagwell against The Four Horsemen’s Ric Flair, Chris Benoit, Steve "Mongo" McMichael, and Curt Hennig. I sure hope Mr. Perfect can be trusted!
What would happen if "The Franchise" Shane Douglas, Rowdy Roddy Piper, and Hacksaw Jim Duggan squared off against the undead? The 2013 feature film Pro Wrestlers vs Zombies answers that very question and also throws Kurt Angle and Matt Hardy in there as a bonus. Join us as we discuss this very low-budget Troma picture, released at the height of the zombie craze, and dissect the performances of all your favorite aging grapplers.
What would happen if "The Franchise" Shane Douglas, Rowdy Roddy Piper, and Hacksaw Jim Duggan squared off against the undead? The 2013 feature film Pro Wrestlers vs Zombies answers that very question and also throws Kurt Angle and Matt Hardy in there as a bonus. Join us as we discuss this very low-budget Troma picture, released at the height of the zombie craze, and dissect the performances of all your favorite aging grapplers.
Back in March 2020, the world basically paused as we assessed how to handle the COVID-19 pandemic. All that remained? Televised professional wrestling. In Follow the Buzzards, best friend of the show Keith Elliot Greenberg recaps the battles that accompanied the coronavirus, in politics, society, and the squared circle. He visited outdoor indie shows and went backstage at WrestleMania 37, all to bring us this story of how wrestling can survive -- and even thrive -- in the craziest of circumstances.
Back in March 2020, the world basically paused as we assessed how to handle the COVID-19 pandemic. All that remained? Televised professional wrestling. In Follow the Buzzards, best friend of the show Keith Elliot Greenberg recaps the battles that accompanied the coronavirus, in politics, society, and the squared circle. He visited outdoor indie shows and went backstage at WrestleMania 37, all to bring us this story of how wrestling can survive -- and even thrive -- in the craziest of circumstances.
To celebrate this month’s release of Follow the Buzzards: Pro Wrestling in the Age of COVID-19, Awesome Truth invites author and close friend Keith Elliot Greenberg back on the show! Keith discusses how and why he started chronicling this particular topic in book form as well as sharing his favorite memories as a writer and a fan during wrestling’s COVID-19 era.
For more, buy Follow the Buzzards: Pro Wrestling in the Age of COVID-19 wherever books are sold.
"This is awesome" is a chant most wrestling fans know well, whether it's screamed along with a great match, a classic promo, or an epic staredown. But on Peacock's new WWE show, This Is Awesome, it's reduced to a watered-down cliché applied to a countdown-style clip show. Join as we return to what was once the WWE Network and assess their assessment of the most "awesome" SummerSlam moments and wrestler entrances.
Brian Gewirtz, former WWE head writer and current exec at Dwayne Johnson's Seven Bucks Productions, has given us a serious contender for best wrestling book of 2022. In his new autobiography, There's Just One Problem...: True Tales from the Former, One-Time, 7th Most Powerful Person in WWE, Gewirtz provides a uniquely personal perspective into the backstage world of WWE. Join us as we discuss Brian's many creative battles with Vince McMahon, his relationship with The Rock, and what it must've been like to book and produce celebrity talent for Raw’s illustrious guest host era.
For a while now, The Players' Tribune has been helping athletes speak directly to fans via first-person articles that highlight the ups and downs on the road to fame and glory. This includes professional wrestlers; stars like Sting, Eddie Kingston, Jade Cargill, and even the wife of Brodie Lee/Jon Huber have shared their powerful stories. This week, we are revisiting many of The Players' Tribune's wrestling articles and assessing this unique, succinct way for wrestlers (mostly of the AEW variety) to open up and tell their tales.
Booker T's story is tailor-made for A&E's Biography series: A Black man from Houston who went from empty pockets to the heights of professional wrestling. He's also someone who hasn't been covered to death on the WWE Network or the podcast circuit, which meant when it was time for Awesome Truth to pick an episode from A&E's big batch of wrestling content, the choice was easy. Join us as we discuss Harlem Heat's place in the tag team pantheon, the joys of Booker's theme song, and where he ranks as a WCW-to-WWE success story.
Last month, Awesome Truth read and reviewed one of our favorite new wrestling biographies: Dynamite and Davey: The Explosive Lives of the British Bulldogs. Joining us for this episode is the book's author, Steven Bell! We talk about what compelled Steven to chronicle these two larger-than-life British wrestling legends and write about Dynamite and Davey from such a unique perspective, both as wrestlers and people. We also talk about the Bulldogs' finest moments in the ring, including Davey's iconic match at SummerSlam 1992 in Wembley.
Here are six words we thought we'd never get to say: Vince McMahon has retired from WWE. As we await details on the various crimes that finally drove the chairman from pro wrestling, we couldn't help but wonder what legacy McMahon leaves behind. Is his company in good shape? What will creative be like with Paul "Triple H" Levesque now in charge? Is World Wrestling Entertainment about to evolve and reach new heights, or is everyone fine with a lukewarm product and the hundreds of millions in TV rights that come with it? Join us as we predict the future of the post-Vince, pro-HHH era.
Most wrestling fans think they know the story of Tom "Dynamite Kid" Billington and Davey Boy Smith: Two young guns from the United Kingdom who saved Stampede Wrestling and became the British Bulldogs, a tag team that surged in the early WrestleMania era and then crumbled, leaving Dynamite in a wheelchair and Davey with a up-and-down singles run until his untimely death at age 39. But in Dynamite and Davey, the excellent new biography by Steven Bell, you find out just what made these two so special, so unique, and so self-destructive. Join us as we discuss the rise and fall of the British Bulldogs.
On July 5, 1993, Monday Night Raw began with a truly memorable segment: Yokozuna challenging the United States of America to a bodyslam competition. Yoko stood on the USS Intrepid, parked in New York Harbor, and dared all comers to slam him. Numerous NBA, NFL, and WWF stars failed, including the "Macho Man" Randy Savage; only a stars-and-stripes-clad Lex Luger succeeded. To celebrate Independence Day in the year 2022, we're opening up Peacock and revisiting this slam heard round the world.
In the aftermath of Cody Rhodes' legendary peformance at Hell in a Cell, your pals at Awesome Truth got to thinking: How have injuries altered the wrestling landscape? What would pro wrestling be like without broken legs, busted necks, and eardrum-rupturing returns? Join us as we discuss the American Nightmare's torn pec, CM Punk's shattered foot, and the other injuries -- past and present -- that changed the course of wrestling history.
In recent weeks, Sasha Banks has been at the center of controversy. A recent episode of Peacock’s WWE Evil explores her history as a person, performer and character, but does art imitate life with Sasha’s suspension for walking out on Raw? Through the lens of this new docuseries — produced & narrated by John Cena — Awesome Truth dissects The Boss’s decorated past and debates whether her recent actions were justified.
From his days as Lord Steven Regal in WCW to his tenure as the beloved commissioner of NXT, William Regal has been a constant in modern pro wrestling. But what makes this beloved Englishman tick? If you aren't aware of his death-defying struggles with drug addiction, 2005's Walking a Golden Mile is the book for you. Join us as we examine Regal's endless appeal and debate whether a healthy Real Man's Man could've made it big in Attitude Era WWE.
When the CM Punk/MJF feud ended at AEW Revolution with a vicious and bloody dog collar match, you knew there was an outside chance it would be recapped on Outside Interefence. The YouTube channel known for its brilliant recap of the Kenny Omega/Hangman Adam Page feud is back to dissect every nook and cranny of Phil Brooks versus Maxwell Jacob Friedman, and we're here to break down the breakdown! Join us as we discuss Punk's AEW run thus far and debate whether MJF is already the best heel in the business.
Mick Foley’s first autobiography, Have a Nice Day, was a trailblazer in the world we now know as wrestling literature. Foley’s fourth autobiography, Countdown to Lockdown, is not. In this book, Mick details the events leading up to his TNA Championship win at 2009’s Lockdown PPV against Sting. He also patches together stories from his life, including his final months at WWE working as a color commentator (read: Vince stories) and his fated meeting with pop singer Tori Amos. But is his fourth attempt at this any good? Are his insights into 2009 TNA worth reading? And just who is this Tori Amos? Join us as we break down this less-than-memorable Foley memoir.
Following in the rich tradition of Total Divas, Total Bellas and Miz & Mrs, the WWE has given Corey Graves and Carmella their own reality show. But is this short YouTube series a free-wheeling experiment or the dumping ground for a failed pilot? Beyond that, are the daily lives of Corey and Carmella worth a minute of your time, let alone five episodes? Join us as we try to answer all of these questions without sighing loudly.
We are mere days away from WrestleMania 38, a two-night spectacle that will draw hundreds of thousands of people to Texas for the biggest WWE event of the year. But how did Mania get to be so massive? Is it luck, timing, or Vince McMahon mythmaking? Join us as we put on our amateur wrestling historian hats and revisit old WrestleMania cards while previewing this year's extravaganza.
Scott Hall, also known to many wrestling fans as Razor Ramon, died on March 14, 2022. We've dedicated this episode of Awesome Truth to his memory, revisiting his contributions to the growth of WWF and WCW, the birth of the nWo, and the evolution of professional wrestling in the 1990s.
Just when you thought WWE was finally finished glorifying its Ruthless Aggression Era, now there’s a season 2! We previously covered all things Ruthless Aggression when the first season of the docuseries debuted more than 2 years ago, and with big topics like John Cena, Brock Lesnar, and Evolution already addressed, us viewers are left with scraps. Are "Hollywood Rock," the return of Shawn Michaels, and the creation of the Elimination Chamber enough to justify additional episodes? How much more meat is left on the proverbial Ruthless Aggression bone?
Tony Schiavone's comic book has arrived! Butts in Seats is the story of the voice of WCW and AEW as he travels from pro wrestling fame to obscurity and back again. Does Tony's story work in the graphic novel format? Can he recapture the magic after telling many of these same tales on What Happened When with Conrad Thompson? Join us as we crack open the life and times of Tony Schiavone.
For years, the feud between "Hangman" Adam Page and Kenny Omega (featuring The Young Bucks) has captivated wrestling fans and helped AEW become a legit first-tier wrestling company. To commemorate the feud's finale at Full Gear 2021, a YouTube channel called Outside Interference documented every major twist and turn in a series called "The Good, the Bad, and the Elite." And surprisingly, it's pretty good! Did this series reignite our faith in YouTube wrestling content? And now that Page/Omega is complete, how did their rivalry shape All Elite Wrestling?
What's it like to try out for AEW? Indie wrestler Leroy Patterson knows all about it; the Freakshow Wrestling alum had a match on AEW Dark in December 2021 and recently came by the Awesome Truth studios to chat about this unique opportunity. What was it like to take on the Dark Order? How does it feel to pop Tony Khan during your debut? Join us for some unparalleled insights into the All Elite Wrestling backstage experience.
We're kicking off 2022 by revisiting one of the greatest matches in WrestleMania history: Kurt Angle versus Shawn Michaels. The terrific WWE Untold series covered this beloved showdown a few years ago, so we watched both the doc and the match to see if it's worthy of such legendary status. Spoiler: it really is. Join us as we break down the backstory behind this classic Mania battle.
Well, it's the holidays! And to celebrate, we are revisiting the final episode of Paul Wight's The Big Show Show on Netflix, entitled "The Big Christmas." Did Big Show's sitcom end up on the naughty or the nice list? Is Show a true TV leading man? We've invited friend of the show (and Big Show expert) Matt Reis back on to determine if this Christmas special belongs in the pantheon of holiday classics.
The most anticipated wrestling book of 2021 is here! Our apologies to Drew McIntyre and the Young Bucks, but the tale of Jon Moxley is the one fans have been waiting to hear. From the Cincinnati indies to wrestling as Dean Ambrose in the Shield and finally finding peace in his career at AEW, this autobiography provides a truly unique look into what makes the deathmatch-loving wildman tick. And of course, there are enough Vince McMahon and Triple H anecdotes to satisfy even the hungriest dirtsheet fans. Join us as we talk all things MOX.
A few months ago, Awesome Truth asked the eternal question, "Should you watch Heels on Starz?" Well, we did, and now we're back to talk all about season 1. What did we ultimately think about Stephen Amell as Jack Spade, Alexander Ludwig as Ace Spade, and the Duffy Wrestling League? Did we enjoy Chris Bauer's turn as the Ric Flair/Randy Savage mashup Wild Bill Hancock? And how does the final episode's "shocking" twist involving Crystal set things up for season 2 and beyond?
If there's ever been a WWE wrestler who deserves a graphic novel, it's the Undertaker. His complicated, undead backstory feels tailor-made for the comic book treatment. Unfortunately, Undertaker: Rise of the Deadman does not quite capture what made Mark Calaway so special. Why exactly does the Undertaker graphic novel stink so badly? Join us and find out!
It's our first watch-along! Join us as we hit play on Netflix and traverse through the Dead Man's mansion in an effort to Escape the Undertaker. Will Big E, Kofi Kingston, and Xavier Woods survive their attempt to swipe Taker's urn? Is this new WWE interactive adventure worth your 30 minutes? Get ready for Halloween the Awesome Truth way: by following us through this "New Day versus Mark Calaway" showdown.
Another WWE superstar has visited the Awesome Truth studios! We sat down with former Cruiserweight Champion and 24/7 Champion Drew Gulak to discuss his Philly roots, how he found his way into professional wrestling, and the wrestling literature that inspired him along the way.
It's the story Dark Side of the Ring was destined to tell: the Plane Ride from Hell. From Jim Ross to Rob Van Dam and (gulp) Tommy Dreamer, the Vice series has gathered a cavalcade of 2000s wrestling executives and talent to discuss this infamous flight. Did they do the story justice? What do we think about the post-ep uproar that engulfed Dreamer and Ric Flair? Join us as we dissect the retelling of one of WWE's most salacious tales.
For the first time ever, you are listening to a live, in-person recording of Awesome Truth! To celebrate this momentous occasion, we decided to answer the question on everyone's lips: "Should I watch Heels on Starz?" The Stephen Amell show recently premiered on the premium network; is it worth hunting down a subscription? Does this Friday Night Lights-style wrestling drama have anything new to say?
Before The Ringer and The Masked Man Show, before becoming a WWE talking head, David Shoemaker was writing "Dead Wrestler of the Week" for Deadspin and telling tales of the many pro wrestlers who'd lost their lives. This week on Awesome Truth, we're revisiting those days and discussing The Squared Circle: Life, Death, and Professional Wrestling, the 2013 classic that covers pro wrestling's finest dead men (Undertaker not included).
"Stone Cold" Steve Austin's podcast-turned-TV show is streaming on Peacock and features top guests like AEW's Chris Jericho, Kevin Nash, and the Undertaker, but is it any good? Austin was one of the pioneers of wrestling podcasting, but is his interview style better suited to an audio format? Join us as we dissect Steve Austin's Broken Skull Sessions and ponder the future of wrestling nostalgia.
A&E, long the home of hit show Storage Wars, has dipped their toe into the world of wrestling memorabilia with the weirdly titled WWE's Most Wanted Treasures. But instead of collectors going wild over Undertaker's urn and Ric Flair's robe, it's Triple H and Stephanie McMahon trying to collect lost items for the WWE archives. Is this type of wrestling-themed reality TV too little too late, or is it a hidden treasure of its own?
Brian Pillman's story is so influential and consequential that it took Dark Side of the Ring two episodes to tell it fully. Well, we're topping them and making it three! Years after we read Crazy Like a Fox and talked to author Liam O'Rourke, we're discussing the recently aired two-part Pillman saga and reflecting on how magnetic it still is to watch the Loose Cannon perform.
He was arguably the second-biggest star of the 1980s, and then it all came apart in spectacular fashion. The rise and fall of the Ultimate Warrior is a wrestling story for the ages, which is why it's not surprising that Vice's Dark Side of the Ring and A&E's Biography both recently covered it in detail. But is either documentary any good? Do we still need to be telling the Warrior's tale in 2021, or have wrestling fans digested it in full already? Join us as we dissect the life and times of the late Jim Hellwig.
In roughly a dozen years, Drew McIntyre has gone from Scottish upstart to "The Chosen One" to 3MB to the indies to the WWE Championship. He's had a wild ride for a wrestler in his 30s, one very worthy of an autobiography despite being a superstar still in his prime. Join us as we discuss A Chosen Destiny: My Story, Drew's inspiring redemption tale that unflinchingly dissects the highs and lows of a modern pro wrestling career.
WWE 24 is back with another installment, and it’s AWESOME.
Awesome Truth finally talks about one-half of its namesake as we dive deep on all things Mike “The Miz” Mizanin. We discuss his origins in reality TV, his struggles to break into wrestling (specifically, the WWE locker room), and his most memorable moments since becoming a main roster mainstay. We’re looking to talk smack and ask the tough questions, like, “Is Miz a top-10 wrestler of the last decade?” “What are his greatest career successes?” and “Why does his dad look so goofy?”
If you were a teenage wrestling fan in the early '90s, you had to love Shawn Michaels and Diesel. Both men went onto bigger and better things, including D-Generation X and the nWo, but for a brief second there, nothing was cooler than HBK and Big Daddy Cool.
So when your hosts -- who grew up with the New Generation -- heard about WWE Untold: Two Dudes with Attitudes, we cleared Awesome Truth's schedule accordingly. Join us as we discuss that fleeting but everlasting moment when the Heartbreak Kid and Kevin Nash held every belt in the World Wrestling Federation.
Awesome Truth is back to the written word, but we’re having a hard time labeling this episode’s entry as a book. On March 16, 2021, ECW Press published a unique piece of wrestling literature, all about Stone Cold Steve Austin’s life and career. Michael McAvennie’s Austin 3:16: 316 Facts and Stories about Stone Cold Steve Austin is exactly what it sounds like. But can it keep our interest for hundreds of pages? Are there actually 300-plus stone cold facts about Steve Austin? Join us as we use this “book” to talk about the career of one of our favorite wrestlers ever. And that’s the bottom line.
…What?
4 years. 100 episodes. 5 top wrestling books.
Awesome Truth reaches a major podcasting milestone: 100 episodes! After years of reading books and recording pods, join us as we look back at them all and craft our definitive list of the top 5. We also give our hot takes on some of our least favorite entries into the book club.
Want to know more about the books we picked? Go back into the Awesome Truth archives of 100+ episodes to get a full breakdown of each one!
You may know him from WCW, AEW, the What Happened When podcast, or that time he wore a denim vest, but soon you'll know him from Butts in Seats: The Tony Schiavone Story, an upcoming graphic novel that's breaking records on Kickstarter. The man himself, Tony Schiavone, joins us with his co-author Dirk Manning to discuss where the graphic novel idea came from, their love of comic books, and how Tony went from "out of the business" to "beloved legend and voice of All Elite Wrestling."
Yes, you read that right: in the year 2021, NBC is airing a sitcom about the childhood of Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. And it's not just all about Rock; we get a little Andre the Giant, The Iron Sheik, and "Macho Man" Randy Savage to boot. But why is our favorite pro wrestler-turned-movie star dipping his toe into the dying medium of network TV? And is the show any good? To talk all things Rock, we've welcomed back our friend Holc to dissect this recap of how Dwayne went from boy to man.
We're back to the WWE Network for probably the last time (hello, Peacock) but luckily it's for a rare good cause. It's our second Big E episode in so many weeks, and this time we're talking about his installment of WWE 24. How did Ettore Ewen go from a self-professed introvert to the voice of the New Day and perhaps the most iconic Black WWE superstar? Join us we examine Big E's past, present, and future.
You may know Ettore Ewen as WWE's Big E, but if everything goes right, you'll also know him as the brains behind an animation empire. In tandem with his friends Jonathan Davenport and Andreas Hale, they've got a Kickstarter going called Our Heroes Rock, a potential 3D animated series that explores the heroes of Black history. The trio joins us today on Awesome Truth to discuss the project and Ettore's burgeoning legacy as one of the most prominent Black superstars in pro wrestling.
Alright hosers, it's time for another episode of the Awesome Truth Book Club That Totally Reeks of Awesomeness! For the benefit of those who enjoy reading, we're covering all things Edge pre-2005, as written in his autobiography, Adam Copeland on Edge. Adam chronicles his humble upbringing, his death-defying road trips while wrestling in Canada’s independent wrestling scene, and his big break in WWF, including the historic TLC matches. So hold on tight as your hosts put the rocketstrapper to this totally bodacious book!
For anyone who grew up on '90s wrestling, Yokozuna was larger than life. He was the man who sat on Hulk Hogan, the foe of Bret Hart and the Undertaker, the behemoth who Lex Luger somehow slammed on the USS Intrepid. And now, on the first episode of WWE Icons, we finally get to hear his story. What made Yoko burn too bright too fast and become — literally — too big for wrestling? And is this new WWE Network doc series worth a watch?
Take a trip on the greatest wrestling nostalgia tour we’ve ever had on Awesome Truth! With Hardcore Gaming 101 Presents: Wrestling with Pixels as our guide, we discuss the features and nuances behind the most iconic wrestling video games of all time. From WrestleMania: The Arcade Game to Fire Pro Wrestling World, we discuss games from every era and console and decide once and for all which ones deserve to be called the best wrestling games ever made.
Do we need another detailed history of WWE? That's the question we couldn't stop asking while reading Bill Hanstock's otherwise entertaining We Promised You a Great Main Event, and it's what we're talking about today on Awesome Truth. Who is this book for? Is there really a chunk of the fan base that wants to read about wrestling's recent past yet doesn't already know it like the back of their hand?
2021 is already shaping up to be Kenny Omega’s greatest year in professional wrestling. So what better way to ring in the new year than to watch the Kenny Omega documentary? From Kenny’s humble beginnings in wrestling to his decision to turn down a WWE contract and his incredible rise in Japan, Awesome Truth is here to dissect his journey thus far, from Kota Ibushi and the Golden Lovers to his top-dog status in AEW.
For a year and change, Bill Goldberg was the biggest name in wrestling. His unbeaten streak and championship win over Hulk Hogan captivated fans and gave WCW an aura of invincibility that felt endless...until it ended. In this episode of WWE Network's Untold series, Goldberg and frenemies like Kevin Nash and DDP dissect the phenomenon that was the streak, and we dissect the ins and outs of the angle that fueled and then signaled the end of WCW.
You've heard our interview with Matt and Nick Jackson; now it's time to go in-depth on their smash-hit book, Young Bucks: Killing the Business from Backyards to the Big Leagues. Would the Bucks have made it big in WWE? What do we think of their performance thus far in AEW? And are they the most important indie act of the last few decades? We break down all things Bucks as we review perhaps the year's best wrestling book.
It's a Superkick Party on Awesome Truth; the Young Bucks are here. Tag team champions of the world Matt and Nick Jackson join us to discuss their new book Killing the Business from Backyards to the Big Leagues and explain how they went from indie darlings to AEW executive vice presidents to best-selling authors — and how they documented that remarkable journey.
Vice's Dark Side of the Ring has become a surprise sensation, the network's highest-rated show and a much-needed alternative to WWE's stranglehold on the history of pro wrestling. To share how this engrossing docuseries came to be, we welcome Evan Husney, the show's co-creator and executive producer, as he discusses his favorite episode(s) and what it was like to tell the stories of wrestlers like Owen Hart and Chris Benoit.
Welcome to 30 Days of the Deadman, whatever that means. Though The Last Ride came out mere months ago, it's been 30 years since The Undertaker's debut at Survivor Series 1990, which means the WWE Network is once again awash in Mark Calaway content. Fortunately, this one is a good one: wrestlers remembering the first time they met The Phenom. Join us as we analyze what The Rock, Batista, Edge, and (sigh) Baron Corbin had to say about their initial Taker interactions.
It's a little weird to say, but this Chris Jericho autobiography from 2011 might be the best Vince McMahon book ever written. The shockingly honest Y2J dissects his Raw is Jericho debut, his uncomfortable first few years in WWE, and most importantly, his day-to-day interactions with the oft-manipulative Mr. McMahon. Plus, there are Fozzy and Hollywood stories! Nine years later, it holds up as one of the most insightful and intriguing wrestling books ever written.
Many wrestling fans think David Arquette winning the WCW championship killed the business, and the man himself doesn't agree. That's why the Hollywood actor decided to return to pro wrestling the right way, a journey documented in the 2020 documentary You Cannot Kill David Arquette. But is this really a doc? And who wants or needs a stylized, overproduced chronicling of the David Arquette story?
Ken Shamrock is a UFC Hall of Famer and a star from the early days of WWE's Attitude Era; he's also one of the few wrestlers to fall out with Vince McMahon so thoroughly that he's never, ever returned to the company. We sit down with Jonathan Snowden, acclaimed author of a new Shamrock biography, to discuss Ken's thoughts on pro wrestling and to dissect what makes the World's Most Dangerous Man tick.
The rise of AEW and the rebirth of indie wrestling have changed the game for WWE and beyond, and the first great chronicle of this new world order has emerged: Too Sweet: Inside the Indie Wrestling Revolution by Keith Elliot Greenberg. We welcome Keith back to the show yet again to discuss the Young Bucks, Kevin Steen, Pro Wrestling Tees, PWG, and everything else over the last two decades that's given indie wrestling new life.
We've booked our first star of the small screen! Ben Giroux, also known as Coach Fener on Netflix's The Big Show Show, joins us to discuss acting alongside The Big Show himself, Paul Wight. Sadly, their show was canceled right after we recorded this interview, but that doesn't mean we can't all enjoy his stories of going toe to toe with Show on set for four glorious episodes.
Just because Netflix canceled The Big Show Show moments before we recorded this episode doesn't mean we abandoned our plans to talk Paul Wight's sitcom debut! It's not every day that a WWE superstar gets a starring role on TV, and surprisingly enough, Big Show proves up to the task. To talk about Show's fake family, I needed my family; my brother Chris and friend of the show Matt both stop by to break down Big Show's performing chops, Roman Reigns' handshake, and pro wrestler acting prowess on the big and little screens.
As the "Million Dollar Man" and beyond, Ted DiBiase is one of pro wrestling's all-time greats. But like almost every star from the 1980s, DiBiase had his demons. His son, former WWE superstar Ted DiBiase Jr., decided to dissect those demons in the 2017 film The Price of Fame. It's a decent little conceit for a wrestling documentary, but does it hold up for 95 minutes? And does it even attempt to unpack the complications that come from being a second- or third-generation wrestler, operating almost entirely in your father's shadow? Join us and find out.
Once upon a time, Vince McMahon gave a director named Barry Blaustein full access to the WWF locker room. Paul Heyman, Terry Funk and Jake Roberts all signed up as well. Almost 21 years later, it's amazing that Beyond the Mat even exists, but it does. Why did all these wrestling luminaries provide the cowriter of Coming to America with so much access? Did this documentary convince Vince to close ranks and start producing all those WWE-branded docs? Join us as we revisit this remarkable pro wrestling time capsule.
No pro wrestler has battled his "demons" quite like Jake "The Snake" Roberts. His recovery from years of drug and alcohol abuse was documented in 2015's The Resurrection of Jake the Snake, in which Diamond Dallas Page famously adopts Jake and Scott Hall while nursing them back to health. To break down this instant-classic wrestling doc, we've invited our friend Dr. Chris on to discuss the power of friendship and also the insidiousness of using a redemption story to promote DDP's yoga brand.
For years, Mark Calaway fully lived the Undertaker gimmick. Now, he's finally speaking out as himself, a decision highlighted in great detail throughout WWE Network's Undertaker: The Last Ride. Though it's become one of the network's highest profile documentaries, how entertaining is it to watch Calaway lament all his recent injuries and subpar WrestleMania performances? Do we actually learn anything about the man behind the Deadman? Is it a fitting send-off (temporary or otherwise) for the Undertaker character? We answer all the big questions about this five-part limited series.
The second season of Vice's Dark Side of the Ring ends with a gut punch: the story of Owen Hart. Instead of telling the sanitized WWE version, we get an intimate look at Owen the father and husband as much as Owen the wrestler. To help us dissect what the highest flying Hart meant to us, we've brought on a special guest: a childhood friend who had us over for Over the Edge 1999, the night Owen lost his life.
We present to you the holy grail of wresting literature: Matthew Randazzo's Ring of Hell. More than just the story of Chris Benoit, it's the story of modern pro wrestling: WCW, WWE, ECW, New Japan, Stampede, Bret and Owen Hart, Kevin Nash, Vince McMahon, Eddie Guerrero. All of these promotions and people shaped Benoit in some capacity, as concussions destroyed his brain and steroids kept him functional enough to destroy the rest of his body and soul. Randazzo somehow captures all of this and more in 330 pages; join us as we discuss how he accomplished this herculean task.
We've finally made it to the Chris Benoit story. It's the most fascinating and horrifying tale in pro wrestling history, one so shocking and tragic that Vice's Dark Side of the Ring gave it a two-part episode. They brought out the big guns here: Chris Jericho, Dean Malenko, Chavo and Vickie Guerrero, even Benoit's son David. Does the episode redeem Dark Side's shaky reputation in our eyes? Do they capture the twists and turns that make Benoit's atrocious saga so unique? Join us and find out.
If you ever doubted that New Jack was one of the wildest men to step into the squared circle, his new autobiography and recent episode of Dark Side of the Ring should clear those doubts right up. He does not give a f*ck, and his insane stories stand out in a wrestling business full of wild tales. Join us as we discuss the life and legacy of this ECW legend who literally tried to kill several people in the ring.
Another good WWE Network documentary? It's true. This one uses a ton of archival footage to revisit Florida Championship Wrestling, the developmental promotion that brought us Seth Rollins, Big E, Drew McIntyre, and the dearly departed Heath Slater. Join us as we break down WWE's look back at the weird little semi-indie that ended up spawning NXT.
Edge's return at the 2020 Royal Rumble was one of the greatest moments in wrestling history, and now the WWE 24 series is showing us how it all went down. From 2011 through the present day, this documentary is a detailed look at how Adam Copeland accepted his post-wrestling life and then received an unexpected second chance in the ring. Join us we discuss WWE's wonderful use of backstage footage, Edge's legacy in wrestling and, of course, "Metalingus" by Alter Bridge.
The Ruthless Aggression era produced some of WWE's brightest modern stars: Brock Lesnar, John Cena, Batista, and Randy Orton. So it shouldn't be any surprise that the WWE Network docuseries on pro wrestling post-Attitude Era shines the most when it revisits those four during their rise to glory. Join us we break down the first five episodes of WWE Ruthless Aggression, one of the best series the Network has produced.
For almost two decades, Lex Luger was one of the biggest legends and stars in professional wrestling. But like many, his demons caught up with him and his post-wrestling years were a pill-fueled nightmare. Is his autobiography — featuring a few great stories about Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair — required reading? Or does the born-again Christian pull too many punches when describing the mistakes that almost ruined his life?
The 2020 Royal Rumble was one of the best in years, as Edge returned and WWE finally pulled the trigger on new babyface star Drew McIntyre. And the Network documentary on the show is just as good; it's chock full of all the backstage footage that we beg WWE to put out for every big event. Join as we discuss the Rated R Superstar's beloved reappearance, along with the Drew Mac push, MVP's return, and the sadly disappointing women's Rumble.
Khosrow Vaziri, better known as The Iron Sheik, is one of the greatest heels in wrestling history. Everyone remembers his loss to Hulk Hogan that kickstarted Hulkamania, and lots of people follow his current wild persona on social media. But what about the in-between parts? His headline-making arrest with Hacksaw Jim Duggan? His amateur wrestling roots? His crack use? Join us as we dissect this documentary on one of pro wrestling's wildest characters.
Before he came to WWE, Shinsuke Nakamura was a sensation in New Japan Pro Wrestling, first winning the IWGP Heavyweight Championship at the age of 23. In this semi-autobiography, Nakamura explains how he became a Japanese star, including confrontations with Antonio Inoki, feuds with Hiroshi Tanahashi, and even a match with Brock Lesnar. But does the one-man oral history format hold up for 300 pages? And is Shinsuke interesting enough to deserve a full mid-career book?
The Architect. The Kingslayer. The Beastslayer. Seth Rollins is one of WWE's biggest stars, and he has an array of inorganic nicknames to prove it. But is Rollins a budding legend in the making, or just a thin-skinned grappler who has above-average matches? From two big showdowns against Brock Lesnar to his new relationship with Becky Lynch, the latest installment in the WWE 365 series covers a busy year in Seth's life. Did it make us like him more, or does it only reinforce why he's such a good pissy heel?
Call it the luck of the Irish: Hornswoggle may have written the best wrestling autobiography in years. In his recap of a decade with WWE, Dylan Postl shares his honest opinions on Vince McMahon, CM Punk, Triple H, John Cena, Kofi Kingston, and countless other wrestlers who became his friends and (occasionally) his enemies. We break down what made Hornswoggle such a unique character, and why that uniqueness made his book such a treat to read.
Merry Christmas! To celebrate the holiday, we're heading to Netflix and streaming the pro wrestling episode of The Toys That Made Us, a documentary series that focuses on hit popular toys from the '80s and '90s. From Galoob to Hasbro to Jakks, from the big rubber action figures to WWF Wrestling Buddies, we travel back to the days when Hulk Hogan, Bret Hart, and a blue plastic ring were all wrapped and waiting under your Christmas tree.
Bryan Alvarez is beloved by smarks everywhere for his book The Death of WCW and his work with Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Live. Unfortunately, his new book, 100 Things WWE Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die, likely won't inspire the same enthusiasm. We break down why, despite terrific chapters on Chris Benoit and WrestleMania III, the format and template don't suit Alvarez's knowledge or style.
Don't be fooled; this isn't just a Kane documentary. Instead, it covers all the buildup to Badd Blood 1997, including the beginning of the legendary feud between Shawn Michaels and The Undertaker and the first-ever Hell in a Cell match. But it's also a reminder that Kane might've had the best debut in wrestling history, and that the WWE Network might actually be finding their way with these short docs. Join us as we somehow find more nice words to say about another Network offering.
When Tommaso Ciampa vacated the NXT Championship in March of 2019, wrestling fans everywhere were devastated. Fortunately, the WWE Network cameras were also rolling, which led to the terrific documentary Tommaso Ciampa: blackHEART. It's proof that, despite the horrible WWE Chronicle series, the Network can indeed produce docs that are both emotional and relevant. Join us as we dissect the rise of Ciampa, the glory of NXT, and the joy of a simple, well-told story.
Steve Austin versus Vince McMahon. Hulk Hogan versus Andre the Giant. Bret Hart versus Shawn Michaels. Dolph Ziggler versus The Miz? Not all rivalries are created equal, although WWE Greatest Rivalries would love to convince you otherwise. We dive into this coffee table book of the best feuds in WWE history and rank our favorite showdowns of the last four decades.
After two weeks of AEW Dynamite, NXT on USA, and Friday Night SmackDown, where does the WWE vs AEW war stand? Did WWE's new flagship show change with the move to Fox, or is it more of the same from Vince McMahon and company? And will 5-star Young Bucks matches and unique Chris Jericho promos make a dent in WWE's dominance? Join us as we leave the written word behind and attempt to dissect wrestling history as it happens.
Jim Cornette and graphic novels don't seem like they go together, which made reading Jim Cornette Presents: Behind the Curtain – Real Pro Wrestling Stories an intriguing endeavor. Why did Cornette decide to tell a series of loosely related wrestling stories in a comic book format, ranging from Ric Flair's plane crash to the Montreal Screwjob? And who made him the arbiter of all things kayfabe? Join us as we crack open this comic and break down Cornette's life and legacy in wrestling.
Kofi Kingston's remarkable win at WrestleMania 35 was the feel-good moment of the wrestling decade; to commemorate the occasion, the WWE Network has produced what might be their finest documentary. It's the latest installment in the WWE 24 series, and it follows the WWE Champion as he visits his home country of Ghana after vanquishing Daniel Bryan. Find out why everyone loves the New Day legend, and what his long path to WWE stardom was really like.
ECW legend Sabu has penned his autobiography, and it's as extreme as you'd expect. From a childhood story about getting shot in the face to all his in-ring and extracurricular antics as arguably the biggest star of Paul Heyman's Extreme Championship Wrestling, Sabu's tales are as crazy as they get. Join us as we dissect the dirty life and times of the homicidal, suicidal, genocidal wildman.
What happens when a show about female pro wrestlers removes the wrestling? Unfortunately, this eternal question is answered on the latest season of GLOW. It's still a wonderful show, but less Zoya the Destroya, Liberty Belle, Machu Picchu and Welfare Queen means less enthusiasm from your best buds at Awesome Truth. Join us for our thoughts on the Gorgeous Ladies shifting to Las Vegas and where the Netflix hit can go from here.
The Rock and Roman Reigns, together again for the first time since being booed mercilessly at the 2015 Royal Rumble: what could go wrong? Unfortunately, a whole lot; it turns out 135 minutes of Dwayne Johnson and Jason Statham trading lame insults is not what the doctor ordered, and Reigns is nothing more than a glorified extra. Awesome Truth welcomes a special guest and Fast & Furious aficionado to break down exactly where Hobbs & Shaw went wrong.
In 1991, Roddy Piper and Jesse Ventura could've been the biggest television stars in the world. Their pilot Tag Team had the kind of perfectly lame premise — pro wrestlers become cops — that might've cruised to the top of the ratings. Alas, ABC didn't pick up the show. But now, 28 years later, we're revisiting their first and only episode and dissecting whether Piper and Ventura really had a shot at fame.
No one has written a definitive book on indie wrestling, until now. We welcome back returning champion Keith Elliot Greenberg – who is currently in the middle of penning a deep tome on PWG, wXw, EVOLVE, and numerous other indie promotions – to discuss how his conversations with the Young Bucks, Hangman Page, Marty Scurll and other modern indie legends have contributed to this upcoming, much anticipated book.
Conrad Thompson, Keith Elliot Greenberg, Liam O'Rourke, Chris Charlton: these are just a few of the terrific guests we've been blessed to have on Awesome Truth. To celebrate our 50th episode, we're revisiting our interviews with the best of them. Join us for classic insights into Ric Flair, Brian Pillman, and New Japan Pro Wrestling, and find out how we booked all these new friends to come on our show. It's a very special anniversary show, and the truth will set you free.
A documentary series on the seedy underbelly of pro wrestling, produced by famed truth-tellers Vice Media? This is what we've been clamoring for...except not at all. How could telling the stories of Bruiser Brody, the Von Erich family, the Fabulous Moolah, and 'Macho Man' Randy Savage go so wrong? We break down all six episodes of the Vice series Dark Side of the Ring and try to figure out why this exciting idea ultimately flopped.
For years, a dark match between Bret Hart and Tom Magee was lost in the WWE archives. Now it has been found, just in time for the WWE Network to slap together a documentary and scoop Conrad Thompson's Starrcast event. Fortunately, the doc happens to be great. Join us as we offer a rare bit of praise for a WWE Network offering and ponder why Magee was considered a potential heir to the Hulk Hogan throne.
ECW's true swan song is one of the best moments in modern wrestling history; inspired by John Lister's Turning the Tables: The Story of Extreme Championship Wrestling, we're about to revisit it. Join us for Awesome Truth's first event recap, where we dissect what made ECW special, praise Eric Bischoff and JBL for being the evening's perfect heels, and reward WWE for finally getting out of the way and letting a rival promotion have its moment in the sun.
It's finally time to get extreme. Despite growing up outside of Philadelphia, Awesome Truth has yet to cover Extreme Championship Wrestling. To accompany us on this long-awaited deep dive into Paul Heyman, Tommy Dreamer, Raven, Sabu, Taz, and the rest of the legends who made ECW great, we welcome John Lister, author of Turning the Tables: The Story of Extreme Championship Wrestling, to discuss how a UK journalist came to write a detailed book on a Philly-based wrestling promotion.
Break out the pitchforks because we're heading back to the barren wasteland that is WWE Chronicle. You'd think a brief documentary on the WrestleMania 35 main event would be a nonstop thrill ride, but you'd be wrong. The New York crowd was hot for Becky Lynch, Ronda Rousey, and Chronicle subject Charlotte Flair, but this kayfabe-centric series just can't stop tripping over its own feet. Join us as we hate-watch another mess from the WWE Network and wonder if WWE is helping or hurting its once-rising women's division.
When HBO's Last Week Tonight devotes an entire episode to WWE business practices, you know Awesome Truth will reassemble for a special bonus episode of their own. John Oliver took aim at WWE's wrestlers being labeled independent contractors and the internet lost its collective mind; we break down his detailed thoughts on the matter, Vince McMahon's extreme bouts of insanity, and whether All Elite Wrestling can (or even wants to) change how wrestling companies do business.
With WrestleMania weekend and the NJPW/ROH G1 Supercard show at Madison Square Garden right around the corner, there's no better time to talk New Japan Pro-Wrestling with author and historian Chris Charlton. He's written two books on Japanese wrestling, Lion's Pride and Eggshells, and he's here to discuss the history of the Tokyo Dome, comparisons between Vince McMahon and Antonio Inoki, and all the little details that make NJPW and Japanese wrestling so fascinating to fans around the globe.
The WWE Network is awash in documentary content, but nothing gets in-depth quite like Breaking Ground. Covering NXT and the Performance Center in late 2015, you get a real glimpse into future superstars like Bayley, Baron Corbin, Tyler Breeze and Apollo Crews, plus cameos from William Regal, Sami Zayn, Scott Hall, and Triple H himself. But is it a true high-quality doc series or just the best of a subpar bunch? We break down all 10 episodes of the show we've dubbed B-Ground.
For the first time in forever, there's a major motion picture in theaters and it's about WWE! The rise of former female phenom Paige has been adapted into a feature film called Fighting with My Family, and its 91% Rotten Tomatoes score means critics are weirdly onboard with a movie where Vince Vaughn says "NXT" and "belly to back suplex." What did we on Awesome Truth think? Join us for a recap of this Dwayne Johnson-produced crowd-pleaser.
He created three of the biggest wrestling podcasts in the world, and now he's here on Awesome Truth! Conrad Thompson, the host of Something to Wrestle with Bruce Prichard, 83 Weeks with Eric Bischoff, and What Happened When with Tony Schiavone, joins us for a very special episode to discuss his favorite recent wrestling book, how he snagged a WWE Network show, and where his podcasts fit into the wrestling media landscape.
That's more like it, WWE Network. Though WrestleMania 34 wasn't the best show of all time, you could be tricked into thinking it was after this documentary. From Matt Hardy and Rusev roaming Bourbon Street to Shawn Michaels praising Ronda Rousey and Titus O'Neil tying Paul Heyman's tie, this is the kind of backstage pass that makes wrestling docs worthwhile. Unfortunately, it's also a reminder that 7 hours of WrestleMania is just way too many. Join us as we dissect the latest entry in the WWE 24 series.
New Japan Pro Wrestling is arguably the hottest wrestling promotion in the world, second only to WWE in worldwide success. But their ups and downs are legendary, and documented brilliantly in Chris Charlton's book on everything from Antonio Inoki to Kazuchika Okada. Though it was written in 2015, before the rise of Kenny Omega and the arrival of Chris Jericho, Lion's Pride offers a detailed look at what helped NJPW reach its current heights. Join us as we break down the land that helped shape Finn Balor, Shinsuke Nakamura, and so many more.
There's no love lost between Awesome Truth and WWE Network's Chronicle series, but a Becky Lynch episode has to turn everything around, right? Right?! "The Man" might be the hottest character in WWE, but this 'documentary' series from the Network seems beyond saving. We dissect WWE's 24-minute recap of Lynch's rehab from a Nia Jax punch and rant about their insistence on keeping kayfabe in the midst of a 'revealing' doc.
"Mean" Gene Okerlund died on January 2, 2019, but he'd already been granted eternal life in the hearts and minds of wrestling fans everywhere. There will never be another interviewer like Gene, beloved by all and perfect at telling the stories that make wrestling so great. To celebrate his remarkable life and career, we gathered to discuss all our favorite Okerlund interviews and analyze his legacy in the business.
Mick Foley's first book changed the wrestling literature game. Before its release in 1999, wrestling books were mostly lame tales penned by ghostwriters, but Foley showed the world that stories about WCW, ECW, WWF, and life on the road could be well-written and entertaining while also selling like hotcakes. For our last episode of 2018, we sat down with this lengthy literary gem and revisited all the memories and matches that made Foley so very special.
Awesome Truth is going to the movies! Or, more accurately, renting one through a streaming service. We invited a very special guest from the In Reel Deep Podcast to discuss the latest entry in The Marine franchise, starring Mike "The Miz" Mizanin, Shawn Michaels, and "The Man" Becky Lynch. Was it worth our $4 and 85 minutes? And how do "The Heartbreak Kid" and Lynch fare on the somewhat-silver screen? Find out as we foray into the world of Hollywood glitz and glamour.
Anyone who grew up on the Attitude Era knows Good Ol' JR, but there's more to Jim Ross than being the voice of WWF/WWE. He was a fixture in Mid-South Wrestling, Crockett Promotions, and WCW, all of which he outlines in his 2017 autobiography Slobberknocker. Though Ross ends this tale at WrestleMania XV, there are still plenty of Vince McMahon stories and crazy wrestling anecdotes to keep you coming back for more. Join us as we break down JR's first, and likely not last, book.
From starring as Razor Ramon to co-founding the nWo, very few wrestlers have a more legendary resume than Scott Hall. But he also has one of the most unique and depressing tales in pro wrestling history, a story the WWE captures perfectly in this 80-minute documentary. What drove Scott Hall down such a dark hole, and how did he climb out of it? And what made him arguably the best wrestler never to win a world title? It's time to revisit one of the all-time greats.
From Frank Gotch and Ed "Strangler" Lewis to Giant Baba, El Santo, and Vince McMahon's modern-day WWE, the history of pro wrestling is colorful, detailed, and always fascinating. So it makes a surprising amount of sense that The Comic Book Story of Professional Wrestling would be the best way to tell the story of the squared circle. Co-creators Aubrey Sitterson and Chris Moreno join us to discuss melding the worlds of comics and wrestling literature, including how they condensed years of wrestling history into 170 beautiful pages.
One episode about NITRO: The Incredible Rise and Inevitable Collapse of Ted Turner's WCW just wasn't enough! After talking to Guy Evans and reading his 590-page WCW retrospective, we're back to discuss what made World Championship Wrestling special and what ultimately killed it. Do we blame Eric Bischoff? Vince Russo? WCW Thunder? Hulk Hogan and Kevin Nash? And what was the company's ultimate achievement? Strap yourselves in for one more memory-fueled visit to Atlanta.
The pro wrestling world can't stop talking about NITRO: The Incredible Rise and Inevitable Collapse of Ted Turner's WCW, Guy Evans's 590-page magnum opus that covers all things World Championship Wrestling. And because we are the best wrestling literature podcast there is, we've brought Guy himself on to discuss what killed WCW, his favorite WCW wrestlers, and how it feels to receive rare praise from Eric Bischoff.
For our 30th episode, we're returning to the world of WWE Network documentaries via this inside look at Samoa Joe. Joe has defied expectations and become a WWE star after years of toiling in ROH and TNA; does this doc capture what makes Joe a special talent and terrific heel, or is it another example of WWE telling its version of the story while toying with breaking kayfabe? And what makes WWE Chronicle different than WWE 24 and WWE 365? As always, we continue to ask all the tough questions here on Awesome Truth.
The WWF in the 1980s had its fair share of crazy characters: Jake "The Snake" Roberts, "Rowdy" Roddy Piper, and the subject of today's podcast, Brutus "The Barber" Beefcake. To provide even more insight into Beefcake's autobiography, Struttin' and Cuttin', we've brought on coauthor Kenny Casanova to share Brutus stories both from the book and beyond. We talk about Beefcake's relationship with Hulk Hogan, his shining moments at WrestleMania III and SummerSlam 1989, and his legacy as one of the most memorable characters in WWF history.
You've heard us praise Crazy Like A Fox: The Definitive Chronicle of Brian Pillman 20 Years Later; now hear more Pillman stories directly from the author. The wonderful Liam O'Rourke joins us to tell some wild and crazy Brian Pillman tales that didn't make the book; he also shares his thoughts on Vince McMahon, the recent Eric Bischoff controversy, WWE's role as custodian of wrestling history, and Pillman's legacy as both wrestler and innovator.
The first season of GLOW might've been Netflix's best; now Liberty Belle, Welfare Queen, Zoya the Destroyer, and the rest of the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling are back for a second season. As such, we're breaking down the Mother of All Matches, cameos from Chavo Guerrero Jr. and Carlito, and everything else pro wrestling from this show. The creators may not watch modern day WWE but they sure know how to critique bad storytelling, which today's wrestling has in spades.
There's more to the story of Brian Pillman than you think you know. In Crazy Like A Fox, Liam O'Rourke's detailed retelling of Pillman's life, we find out how the Loose Cannon went from Cincinnati Bengal to pro wrestler to extremely tragic cautionary tale. There's plenty of Eric Bischoff and Vince McMahon to go around, not to mention some Hulk Hogan and Steve Austin. We do a deep dive into O'Rourke's journalistic book, examining Pillman's genius for the business, Bischoff's long-standing reputation as a mark, and if pro wrestling will ever see another Brian Pillman. Spoiler: probably not.
Matt and Jeff Hardy went from devoted jobbers to tag team champions, and then it all came tumbling down. But now the Hardys are back in WWE, with Jeff still putting on high-quality matches and Matt bringing the Woken Universe to life. In The Hardys: Woken, this latest episode in the WWE 24 series offers a surprisingly unflinching look at Matt's meltdowns, Jeff's disaster of a match against Sting in TNA, and their return via the Broken Universe. Is it the best "documentary" the WWE Network has ever produced? Join us on Awesome Truth and find out.
For the last five years, NXT has been the home of arguably the best wrestling on the planet, beloved by indie enthusiast and WWE Network subscriber alike. But did we really need a whole book on how WWE's developmental system came to be? Your best buds at Awesome Truth welcome special guest Matt Reis to the podcast to discuss NXT: The Future is Now, a Triple H-loving look at the rise of the black-and-yellow brand. Why does WWE misuse stars like Sami Zayn and Bayley after they've proven themselves in NXT? What is Vince McMahon's influence on NXT, if any? We break down every aspect of Paul Levesque's baby.