Contesting Wrestling Podcast

In Contesting Wrestling Episode 80, Ben and Doc are joined by their dear friend from college, Omar Luciano, for a conversation about the career of the great Mr. Bob Backlund, focusing on Backlund’s return to wrestling in the early ‘90s, his “snapping” on Bret “Hitman” Hart, and resulting defeat of Hart to reclaim the WWF Championship he had lost over a decade earlier. We discuss Backlund losing the Championship to The Iron Sheik at Madison Square Garden on 12/26/1983; the continuation of their rivalry in Angelo Savoldi’s ICW in 1984; Backlund challenging Hart for the Championship on the 7/30/1994 episode of WWF Superstars; Backlund finally defeating Hart for the Championship at the 1994 Survivor Series; and more! Now streaming on all major podcast platforms! Spotify link in bio!

In the second installment of the Contesting Wrestling Hollywood Backlot Film Club, available to all our Patreon subscribers at the $5 tier, we discuss the WWE Films animated production Surf’s Up 2, featuring the voices of Vincent K. McMahon, John Cena, Paige, Triple H, and The Undertaker. What reasons could WWE possibly have for being involved in making this film? Why would we choose to cover it over any other possible option? Is it any good? Tune in to find out!

In Contesting Wrestling Episode 45 we are joined by wrestler Francis Wright, who tells us all about his unusual beliefs concerning wrestling, politics, and beyond. We also discuss Brock Lesnar vs CM Punk from Summerslam 2013 and Theodore Long vs Eric Bischoff from Survivor Series 2005. Now streaming on all major podcast platforms!

In Contesting Wrestling Minisode 46, we reflect on Episode 44, dig into the history of Bobo Brazil and the NWA world title, recognize Ron Simmons’ time in ECW, envision Roman Reigns as a fireman, and more!

In Contesting Wrestling Premium Episode 46, referee of joins us once again, as we dive deeper into the career of Ron Simmons. We discuss him teaming with Butch Reed as the team of Doom to take on Rick and Scott Steiner for the NWA World Tag Team Championship at WCW Capital Combat 1990; The Rock usurping the Nation of Domination from him after a match with Ken Shamrock and Steve Blackman on the 3/30/1998 episode of Monday Night Raw; his team with Bradshaw as the Acolytes, first teaming up with Mideon against Gangrel, Edge, and Christian of The Brood at Backlash 1999; then forming the Acolytes Protection Agency (APA) and several of their notable segments; as well as the APA teaming with Tazz against The Goodfather, Bull Buchanan, and Val Venis of Right to Censor at Wrestlemania X-7. Now available for all our $5 tier Patreon subscribers at Patreon.com/contestingwrestling

In Contesting Wrestling Episode 44, we are joined by special guest, referee of for a discussion of the career of the great Ron Simmons. We cover the All-American’s historic WCW Championship victory over Big Van Vader at a live event on 8/1992; his transformation into Faarooq Asad in WWF and subsequent formation of The Nation of Domination in a match at Survivor Series 1996 pitting Faarooq, “Razor Ramon”, “Diesel”, and Vader against Flash Funk, Savio Vega, Yokozuna, and “Superfly” Jimmy Snuka; The Nation, including Faarooq, Vega, and Crush vs. Ahmed Johnson and the Legion of Doom in a Chicago Street Fight at Wrestlemania 13; and Faarooq challenging The Undertaker for the WWF Championship at King of the Ring 1997. Now streaming on all major podcast platforms!

In Contesting Wrestling Minisode 45, we begin our week of being joined by referee as we reflect on Episode 43, note a coincidence concerning lucha libre action figures, discuss evolving perceptions of wrestling with age, and more! Now streaming on all major podcast platforms!

In Contesting Wrestling Premium Episode 45, we continue our exploration of the career of Rey Mysterio, jr., focusing on his work in Mexico and Japan, as well as the latter days of his WCW run and transition to WWE. We discuss him teaming with his uncle, Rey Mysterio sr. against Fuerza and Juventud Guerrera in a 2/3 falls match for the Mexican AAA promotion in 1995; a mega 8-man tag pitting Rey jr., Ultimo Dragon, Lance Storm, and Yuji Yasuraoka against “Lion Do” Chris Jericho, Jushin Thunder Liger, Gedo, and Juventud Guerrera from the WAR vs UWFI Summer Wars on 7/21/96; Rey jr. vs. Jeff Jarrett from the 11/27/2000 episode of Monday Nitro; and Rey (dropping the “jr.” from his name and re-donning his mask) in his WWE debut facing Chavo Guerrero jr. on the 7/25/2002 episode of Smackdown. Now streaming on all major podcast platforms!

In Contesting Wrestling Episode 43 we begin our study of the greatest luchador of all time, Rey Mysterio (jr.). We discuss his tenure in World Championship Wrestling (WCW), including his debut match at the Great American Bash 1996, challenging Dean Malenko for the Cruiserweight Championship; teaming with Juventud Guerrera to take on Psychosis and La Parka on the 12/15/1997 episode of Monday Nitro; and teaming with Konnan in a Mask vs. Hair match against Kevin Nash and Scott Hall from Superbrawl IX. Now streaming on all major podcast platforms! If you love the show, get DOUBLE the Contesting Wrestling on our Patreon for only 5 bucks a month!

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In Contesting Wrestling Minisode 44, we reflect on Episode 42, discuss MJF’s promo from the 7/29/2020 episode of AEW Dynamite, weigh in on the Brandi Rhodes Heels controversy, offer a general critique of the recent AEW product, and more! Now streaming on all major podcast platforms!

In Contesting Wrestling Minisode 43 we reflect on our unlocked Premium Episode 35, discuss our childhood experiences with participation trophies, consider the relative negative health impacts of pro-wrestling and mma, sing the praises of the R-Truth Game Show, and much more! Now streaming on all major podcast platforms!

In Contesting Wrestling Minisode 43 we reflect on Episode 42, discuss our childhood experiences with participation trophies, consider the relative negative health impacts of pro-wrestling and mma, sing the praises of the R-Truth Game Show, and much more! Now streaming on all major podcast platforms!

In Contesting Wrestling Premium Episode 44, we continue our journey through Lucha Underground with Season 1, Episode 5, featuring a Boyle Heights Street Fight pitting Prince Puma against Big Ryck; Drago vs. Mil Muertes; Sexy Star taking on Chavo Guerrero; and Som of Havoc against Mascarita Sagrada. We also discuss the debate between Orange Cassidy and Chris Jericho from the 8/5/2020 episode of AEW Dynamite; their subsequent match the following week; as well as Orange Cassidy vs Gentleman Jervis for the Wrestlecircus Sideshow Championship, from the Wrestlecircus Encore event. Now available for all our $5 tier Patreon subscribers at Patreon.com/contestingwrestling

In Contesting Wrestling Episode 42 we are joined by very special guest, President of and co-chair of the Wrestling Studies area for the Midwest Popular Culture Association, Dr. CarrieLynn D. Reinhard, for a discussion of All Elite Wrestling (AEW) specifically night 2 of their 2020 Fyter Fest event, which features Orange Cassidy vs Chris Jericho; Private Party challenging Kenny Omega and “Hangman” Adam Page for the AEW Tag Team Championship; Lance Archer vs Joey Janela; an eight-man tag pitting the team of the Lucha Bros. and The Butcher & The Blade against FTR and The Young Bucks; Nyla Rose squashing Kenzie Paige; and C**t Cabana teaming with Brodie Lee and Stu Grayson of the Dark Order to face SCU. Now streaming on all major podcast platforms!

Our newest Premium offering is the first installment of the Contesting Wrestling Hollywood Backlot Film Club, in which we discuss the 1988 feature “Hell Comes to Frog Town” starring “Rowdy” Roddy Piper. Now available for all our $5 tier Patreon subscribers at Patreon.com/contestingwrestling

In Contesting Wrestling Minisode 42 we reflect on Episode 41, explore the Mr. T’s athletic background, talk about why Bad News Brown/Allen seems to have been one of the most honest wrestlers, consider wacky mon-traditional match types, Ben offers a quick review of Money Plane starring Edge and Kelsey Grammer, and more! Now streaming on all major podcast platforms!

RIP James “Kamala” Harris

In Contesting Wrestling Premium Episode 43, we continue our study of the career of “Rowdy” Roddy Piper, this time discussing his brutal Dog Collar Match against Greg Valentine at Starrcade 1983; the infamous blackface angle culminating in his match with Bad News Brown at Wrestlemania VI; and his return to WWF taking on Jerry “The King” Lawler at King of the Ring 1994. Now available for all our $5 tier Patreon subscribers at Patreon.com/contestingwrestling

In Contesting Wrestling Minisode 41 we reflect on Episode 40, express our excitement for the upcoming Big E singles run, bemoan WWE’s squandering of Rusev, celebrate the Golden Role Models’ historic championship milestone, shout out for his PPE mask gimmick, anticipate with jocularity the upcoming film Money Plane, and more! Now streaming on all major podcast platforms!

In Contesting Wrestling Episode 41 we discuss the career of one of the biggest wrestling stars of the 80s and 90s, the highly controversial “Rowdy” Roddy Piper. We focus on him attacking Cindy Lauper at Madison Square Garden on 12/28/84; his (in)famous 3/28/84 Piper’s Pit segment with “Superfly” Jimmy Snuka; his “boxing” match against Mr. T at Wrestlemania 2; his feud with “Adorable” Adrian Adonis culminating in their match at Wrestlemania III; and his defense of the Intercontinental Championship against Bret “The Hitman” Hart at Wrestlemania VIII. Now streaming on all major podcast platforms!

In Contesting Wrestling Premium Episode 42, we discuss a couple of The New Day’s funniest segments, as well as a notable singles match from each member, namely the psa; the time machine promo from the 5/16/2016 edition of Monday Night Raw; Big E capturing the NXT Championship from Seth Rollins on the 1/9/13 episode of NXT tv; Xavier Woods challenging John Cena for the US Championship on the 9/28/2015 Raw; and one of the greatest matches in WWE history, pitting Kofi Kingston against Daniel Bryan for the WWE Championship at Wrestlemania 35. Now streaming on all major podcast platforms!

In Contesting Wrestling Minisode 40, we reflect on Episode 39, discuss the Shawn Michaels “Tell Me A Lie” music video, clarify the function of rodeo clowns, give our brief reactions to The Horror Show at Extreme Rules, Ben declares his allegiance to the Donna del Mundo faction of World Wonder Ring Stardom, and much more! Now streaming on all major podcast platforms!

In Contesting Wrestling Episode 40, we marvel at the uncanny pro-wrestling phenomenon that is The New Day: Kofi Kingston, Xavier Woods, and Big E. We discuss their complex formation and early development; Kofi and Big E teaming with the Lucha Dragons of Sin Cara and Kalisto to take on Cesaro, Tyson Kidd, and the Ascension on the 3/30/2015 episode of Monday Night Raw; All three New Day members battling Rusev, Sheamus, and Alberto Del Rio of the League of Nations at Wrestlemania 32; as well as Big E and Xavier defending the Smackdown Tag Team Championship against Jimmy and Jey Uso in a Hell in a Cell Match at the 2017 Hell in a Cell event. Now streaming on all major podcast platforms!

The Undertaker and Paul Bearer on Live! With Regis & Kathy Lee, 1994

The Undertaker Interview Show TV 1994

In Contesting Wrestling Premium Episode 40, went spend a little more time In Your House, discussing the Lumberjack Match for the WWF Championship between Diesel and Sycho Sid, at In Your House 2; the Crybaby Match pitting Razor Ramon against the 123 Kid, from In Your House 6: Rage in The Cage; and the main event of In Your House: Canadian Stampede, with The Hart Foundation of Bret Hart, Owen Hart, The British Bulldog, Brian Pillman, and Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart, battling “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, Goldust, Ken Shamrock, and The Legion of Doom. Now available for all our Patreon subscribers at the $5 tier. Patreon.com/contestingwrestling

In Contesting Wrestling Minisode 39, we reflect on Episode 38, remark on inflating championship belt designs over the years, meditate on the realness of tables and news, and more! Now streaming on all major podcast platforms!

In Contesting Wrestling Episode 39, we go In Your House, to discuss the mid-90s B-level WWE pay-per/view series of that name! We talk about the Bret “Hitman” Hart seeking to retrieve his stolen jacket from Jean-Pierre Lafitte at In Your House 3; Hunter Hearst Helmsley facing Henry O. Godwin in the infamous Hog Pen Match from In Your House 5: Season’s Beatings; and Owen Hart challenging Shawn Michaels for Michaels’ Wrestlemania XII WWF title shot at In Your House 6: Rage in the Cage. Now streaming on all major podcast platforms!

In Contesting Wrestling Premium Episode 40 we discuss the match billed as “The Greatest Wrestling Match Ever” pitting Edge against Randy Orton at Backlash 2020. We also continue our coverage of Lucha Underground, specifically Episodes 3+4 of Season 1, featuring Mascarita Sagrada vs El Mariachi Loco; Ricky Mandel vs Mil Muertes; Fenix vs Pentagon jr. vs Drago; Sexy Star vs Ivelisse; Pentagon jr. vs Fenix; Drago vs King Cuerno; and Big Rick vs Johnny Mundo. Now available for all our Patreon subscribers at the $5 tier at Patreon.com/contestingwrestling

In Contesting Wrestling Minisode 38, we reflect on Episode 37, correct our misidentification of the IIconics’ nationality, discuss the mechanics of the crucifix hold, celebrate Keith Lee’s monumental NXT title victory, and more! Now streaming on all major podcast platforms!