Something to Wrestle

The WWF is on fire by April ’98. In this episode we cover the “RAW after WrestleMania” where Sean Waltman returned to the company to join DX, the New Age Outlaws became made men, Vince tried to “tame” his new champion, and everything else on the way to the Pay Per View after WrestleMania 14, Unforgiven 1998. Why was Dude Love the right opponent for Austin’s first title defense?



When did the company know that Austin-McMahon had “it” together? What did Waltman change that resulted in a better contract? What was the original name considered for him upon his return? How much of his “shoot” promo was scripted? How in the world did FIRE become such a critical part of the Undertaker-Kane feud? Who first pitched the Inferno Match? When did they first put the match together? What precautions were taken? You’ll also hear more “tinkle, tinkle” silliness, who Bruce saw more potential in, some discussion on Mark Yeaton, the potential plan for Ric Flair on this Pay Per View, why the company didn’t run Greensboro more often, what McMahon thought about the Rock N Roll Express, how the hell Sawyer Brown was on this show, how over Sable was without really doing anything, when the experiment for LOD 2000 was really over, Hunter beating Owen for the 713th time in a row, why Hunter wasn’t the opponent for Steve instead of Dude Love, details on McMahon’s first chair shot, and of course “Cornette” and “Pat” discussing the inferno match. We think 1998 is so easy to talk about and these two hours are going to fly by as we discuss UNFORGIVEN 1998!

ROB! VAN! DAM! This week Bruce examines the entire run of “Mr. Monday Night” for hours on end. From training with the Sheik, to how he got into WCW, to why he left WCW, visiting Japan to fully become Rob Van Dam, finally getting into ECW, and the big break being featured on Monday Night RAW in 1997.



You’ve got to hear Bruce and Rob’s take on Paul Heyman’s “management style” at the time, the first time Rob met Vince, when the WWF made overtures to sign Rob the first time, who actually arranged the meeting with JR, what the perception of Rob was based on the 1997 run, why Rob got to keep his name in the WWF, why he got the major push in 2001 including a win over Austin, what match changed Vince’s perception of him, the little details Rob thought separated the WWF from ECW, who tried to undermine Rob in the back, who Rob had heat with over changing finishes, who Stephanie thought Rob should be more excited about facing, what advice Shane gave him that he thought was basically asking him to kiss ass, when he wanted to play “pick a hand” with Bruce and why, the infamous Tribute to the Troops story, the time Johnny Ace through him out of a meeting, the time he almost slapped Vince, what title Rob misses the most, of course the full rundown of what happened in the car with Sabu when he was champion, what Rob thinks could have been done differently, and how he thinks the company screwed him out of a major check on the way out. Don’t miss the hilarious story of Bruce smoking with Rob, who reminds Bruce of Rob Van Dam today, whether or not RVD is a Hall of Famer, and much more! With a show this long, with this much detail, this is indeed the “Whole F’N Show!”

WHO’S NEXT?! GOOOOOLDBERG! He was the hottest star for WCW during their hottest period but his first run in the WWE wasn’t quite as stellar. Did JR try to bring him in before he signed with WCW? What did Vince think about him? What run-ins did he have with WWE superstars before coming in? Who helped bring him in? Who was against it?



Why didn’t he come in sooner? Was he supposed to be a part of WM19? Why did he debut in jeans and a jacket? What REALLY happened with the fight with Jericho? Goldberg in a Goldust wig, who booked this ish?! What was Vince trying to accomplish with Goldberg? What did Rock think of working with him? How did he get along with Hunter? What was the locker room reception to him? What was the hilarious “common theme” with seemingly all of Goldberg’s storylines? When did the relationship start to change? Was their “strike one” and a “strike two” for Goldberg in the WWE? What was Goldberg’s chief complaint? Why was his first loss on a house show? Was the Elimination Chamber match a back up plan? How was business with Goldberg as the top guy? What backstage incident cemented Goldberg’s future with the company? Why book Goldberg vs. Lesnar at WM20? Why was Austin added? How was it decided who would win the match? What did Goldberg say after he left? Does Goldberg deserve the Hall of Fame honor?

How do you follow a show like WrestleMania III? Was the pressure on Vince McMahon to outdo himself once again in 1988? How did the company try to capitalize on the success of III, what was thinking behind moving from a dome to casino, what package did Trump offer that “won” Mania for his site, what sucked about the arena, how did the live gate compare to the prior year, ticket pricing strategies, why the crowd was dead, why tickets didn’t sell faster, the original idea for the featured match, how closed circuit worked, the business of VHS in 1988,



who had the tournament idea, why the bracket on TV wasn’t the bracket at the event, the war with Crockett, this show compared to Clash of the Champions, what was happening in Hogan’s real life right after this show, how Hogan dealt with the rumors he was leaving for movies, why Savage was chosen, whether or not DiBiase was considered, when the decision was made, how the company spoiled the main event, why the company ended their long relationship with Video One in Baltimore, why Bruno left the company, why Vince prefers America the Beautiful, how the company booked mainstream acts to sing at WrestleMania in this era, why Bret says he was turned baby face, why Bad News was getting a push, how the association with Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous came to be, discussion on Muraco, the relationship between Graham and McMahon, the steroid policy a this time, why Steamboat left, who wanted Steamboat to bring his family to the ring, why Savage-Steamboat didn’t happen again,



why Butch Reed left, the long rumored story of the Steamboat/Reed/HTM/Savage belt scenario, what Heenan hated about this show, Hogan’s crazy promo, Rude and Savage having fun with the Trumps ringside, a story about Hercules getting heat, Sherri’s favorite role, how Brutus got heat with the company, details about the iconic Andre-Uecker promo, Demolition being cheered as heels, what Vince thought was the biggest snafu before the main event, the wardrobe changes for Savage & Liz, whether or not moving away from Hogan was a mistake, why this show didn’t meet expectations critically or financially, whether or not this is the “worst” WrestleMania of all time, and why Vince never did the tournament at WrestleMania ever again. Don’t miss one of our best shows ever and what the world is watching… WRESTLEMANIA IV!

Bruce has had enough and he blows a gasket to start the show this week. Around 18 minutes in, it’s all about the first time Vince McMahon decided to do the very first “brand split” with the First Draft on March 25, 2002! Who had the idea first?



What was the original plan? Who in the office was against a split? Was Flair always supposed to be the first “General Manager” in company history? Was the idea to create “dream matches” for super shows? Was the brand split based on revenues being down or strictly creative? Bruce details exactly how Vince presents an idea and the way the writers worked together in that era. Who was happiest Hogan was back in the locker room? Who did Hall & Nash not want in the nWo? Who was allegedly “blown off” by a friend at WrestleMania? How did Vince feel when people joked about his failure with the XFL on TV? Who first used the word “brand” and why did the company start using it on TV? Who won the battle: WWF or DirecTV? Was there ever a plan to do more than 16 PPVs a year?



Bruce discusses Mark Henry in the Hall of Fame, more details than ever before about the WWF name change, what agreement Vince didn’t honor, what other names were considered, who wanted the word “wrestling” out of the name, rumors about Rey and Eddie’s low ball contract offers, why the lightweight title never caught on, whether or not Stephanie wanted to be a TV star, which Superstars got to tryout for color commentary before Taz was selected, what Vince said at the meeting with the boys prior to the draft, how and where those meetings are held, why Penn State was the host, why RAW got a new look that night, when the talent found out, which talent did know ahead of time, who had special requests, whether or not traveling partners were considered, the silliness of Steve Austin not being in the draft, how Jericho found out, why Hunter wasn’t eligible, why the nWo could be drafted as a group but the Dudleyz were split, who saw the Dudleyz as singles stars, how the Austin-McMahon relationship was at this point, plus details on the first Undisputed World Title belt!