Tag Archives: Vince McMahon

Podcast

Episode 433: Nothing Happened Today

This week on STICK TO WRESTLING we review the WWF from October, 1986!

Bobby Heenan, Roddy Piper, Randy Savage, Jake Roberts, Hulk Hogan, Honkytonk Man, Ricky Steamboat, Big John Studd, Jesse Ventura, Dino Bravo, Paul Orndorff, Danny Davis, Butch Reed, Don Muraco, British Bulldogs, Andre The Giant, Adrian Adonis, Kamala, Harley Race, The Wizard, Bob Orton Jr, Hart Foundation, Vince McMahon, Blackjack Mulligan, Slick, Pedro Morales, Nikolai Volkoff, Greg Valentine, Sika, The Islanders, Jimmy Jack Funk, Fred Blassie, George Steele, The Machines, Jimmy Hart, King Kong Bundy, Tito Santana, Kamala, Killer Bees, Gene Okerlund, Johnny V, Koko B. Ware, Dick Slater, Hercules Hernandez, Killer Bees, Bruno Sammartino, Captain Lou Albano, Billy Jack Haynes, Brutus Beefcake, The Rougeaus, Junkyard Dog, The Iron Sheik, Mr. Fuji, and more! Also discussed:

— The sun finally sets on Fred Blassie’s career in wrestling that lasted over fifty years.
— Saturday Night’s Main Event goes over the top trying to get non-wrestling fans to sample the product.
— We talk about the career arcs of Barry O and Ron Shaw- that’s how hardcore this podcast is.
— Honkytonk Man as a babyface is a complete stinkbomb and no, it was not all part of the plan.
— Butch Reed has an obsession with all things that are natural.
— Dino Bravo returns as a heel. It may not seem so now but this was shocking at the time.

Plus Johnny Mac tells a story about gambling on wrestling results and there’s lot’s of great, rare audio, so are you waiting for? Download it, fire it up, and join us for another wicked good episode of STICK TO WRESTLING.

STICK TO WRESTLING: give us sixty minutes, and perhaps indeed we’ll give you a rawboned weekly classic pro wrestling podcast.

Produced by Lou Kipilman

Stick To Wrestling with John McAdam is a production of the Arcadian Vanguard Podcast Network

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Podcast

Episode 421: As The Years Go Passing By

This week on STICK TO WRESTLING, we rank and discuss the greatest years in WWWF/WWF history, from 1976 through 1995! Johnny Mac and Steve lived through every one of those trips around the Sun, and they have plenty of information, and even more opinions, to share. On the discussion table:

— The year the WWF broke from its traditional Madison Square Garden booking patterns.
— The year Bruno Sammartino faced five future Hall of Famers as his primary challengers.
— The year Bob Backlund suddenly found himself with a whole new slate of exciting rivals.
— The year Superstar Billy Graham shattered every mold and presented a WWWF unlike anything fans had ever seen before or since.
— The year Hulk Hogan exploded onto the scene and changed everything.
— The year of WrestleMania III when, for better or worse, the WWF emerged as the unquestioned number one wrestling promotion in the world.

Which year comes out on top? There’s only one way to find out. Download and listen to this wicked good podcast today!

STICK TO WRESTLING… give us sixty minutes, and perhaps indeed we’ll give you a rawboned weekly classic pro wrestling podcast.

Produced by Lou Kipilman

Stick To Wrestling with John McAdam is a production of the Arcadian Vanguard Podcast Network

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Podcast

Episode 420: Machine Delivery

This week on STICK TO WRESTLING, we review the WWF during the month of July 1986!

— Paul Orndorff finally turns on Hulk Hogan, who somehow never saw it coming. Then again, neither did TV commentator Bruno Sammartino.
— The Machines make their television debut through a series of vignettes, and Bobby Heenan takes a decidedly dim view of the whole thing.
— Dick Slater debuts, and he’s a bomb- a stinkbomb. He feels like a first-round NFL draft pick who already looks like a bust after two weeks of training camp.
— Meanwhile, Jake Roberts is absolutely on fire. He’s unlike any other heel in the WWF, and the fans can’t take their eyes off him.
— From coast to coast and everywhere in between, the WWF is drawing enormous crowds in Canada.
— Three Dogs are losing momentum: Junkyard, Dynamite, and Davey. Woof.

Plus, Johnny Mac talks about a WWF event he deliberately avoided and we’ve got plenty of rare, outstanding audio. So what are you waiting for? Skip the predictable fireworks, then download and listen to this wicked good podcast today!

STICK TO WRESTLING…give us sixty minutes, and perhaps indeed we’ll give you a rawboned weekly classic pro wrestling podcast.

Produced by Lou Kipilman

Stick To Wrestling with John McAdam is a production of the Arcadian Vanguard Podcast Network

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Podcast

Episode 416: Hulk Junior

This week STICK TO WRESTLING is joined by Richard Land from thehistoryofwwe.com! We review the WWF during the month of 1986 and we discuss:

— Billy Jack Haynes is back in the WWF after a legendary bridge burning with Don Owen and the Portland territory. We tell you what happened and why it wasn’t always the best idea getting celebrities involved in the business back in 1986.
— Speaking of Portland promoter Don Owen, the WWF ran a show in Tacoma, WA that drew a record crowd. Don, and many other old-school regional promoters, could not have been sleeping well at night.
— Paul Orndorff being baited by heels like Adrian Adonis and Bobby Heenan about his “little brother” relationship with Hulk Hogan. —The Ricky Steamboat vs Jake Roberts feud is a big hit, and Jake is pushing all of the right buttons here.
— There are some wrestlers who are, at least currently, lost in the WWF shuffle: Bob Orton, Tito Santana, and Hercules Hernandez just to name a few.
— Related, there are more wrestlers who needed TV time than there was TV time available. We discuss how the WWF handles this challenge.

We crossed over eleven time zones getting this episode recorded AND there’s lots of great and rare audio for you to enjoy, so what are you waiting for? Download and listen to this wicked good podcast today!

STICK TO WRESTLING…give us sixty minutes and perhaps indeed we’ll give you a rawboned weekly classic pro wrestling podcast.

Produced by Lou Kipilman

Stick To Wrestling with John McAdam is a production of the Arcadian Vanguard Podcast Network

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Podcast

Episode 373: Act Like You’ve Seen One Before

This week on Stick to Wrestling we’re turning the clock back to August 1985, and business is booming.

—Andre the Giant in Trouble! The “Eighth Wonder of the World” is heavier than ever, and the strain is showing. Once untouchable, Andre is now fighting a battle not just in the ring, but with his own body as he’s clearly encountering difficulty just getting around. Has the Giant’s time finally caught up with him?
—Hulk Hogan vs. King Kong Bundy – Collision Course! Two of the biggest forces in the WWF are on a direct path toward each other. Given what the WWF was selling at the time this really was a dream match to many fans.
—The Rise of “Macho Man” Randy Savage! He’s brash, he’s unpredictable, and in one unforgettable moment, he shocks the wrestling world by choosing a complete unknown to guide his career…a woman who will soon become one of the most famous names in the sport.
—Piper’s Pit: The Decline of a Legend? Once the most must-see segment in wrestling, we look at why Hot Rod’s talk segment is losing steam.
—The Bundy–Heenan–Studd Alliance! Bundy makes it official, joining forces with Bobby “The Brain” Heenan and Big John Studd, then making a statement with a savage attack on Andre the Giant.
—Corporal Kirchner: Not Sgt. Slaughter’s Second Coming! The comparisons are there, but we set the record straight on why Kirchner is a different soldier altogether.

Plus, we’ve got rare and classic audio including the unforgettable segment where Randy Savage introduces his new manager to the world, so what are you waiting for? Download and listen to this wicked good podcast today!

STICK TO WRESTLING…give us sixty minutes and perhaps indeed we’ll give you a rawboned weekly classic pro wrestling podcast.

Produced by Lou Kipilman

Stick To Wrestling with John McAdam is a production of the Arcadian Vanguard Podcast Network

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Podcast

Episode 368: I Can Be Macho Man?

This week on STICK TO WRESTLING, we dive headfirst into the madness that was WWF in July 1985. Expect high drama, hot crowds, and some fast-paced booking. On the card:

— Randy Savage makes his WWF debut and immediately proves he’s not just some flashy gear and Slim Jim energy: the man radiates future legend.
— The Roddy Piper vs. Paul Orndorff feud heats up faster than a Waffle House griddle, and Bobby Heenan shows up with a gas can and a maniacal grin.
— Tito Santana wins back the Intercontinental Title from Greg Valentine, who responds like any sore loser would: by teasing an unhinged spiral.
— The Ricky Steamboat vs. Magnificent Muraco feud kicks off with Steamboat taking a broken chair to the back, because nothing says “here comes a red-hot feud” like a wood shampoo.
— Barry Windham & Mike Rotundo reclaim the WWF tag titles, but let’s be honest: were they already sliding down the card faster than you can say “U.S. Express”?
— Adrian Adonis returns wearing black leather and using a finisher so confusing it might qualify as performance art.

PLUS, Johnny Mac breaks down the worst night in pro wrestling history (it’s not the Heroes of Wrestling pay per view, but it could have been its spiritual ancestor), so what are you waiting for? Download and listen to this wicked good podcast today!

STICK TO WRESTLING…give us sixty minutes and perhaps indeed we’ll give you a rawboned weekly classic pro wrestling podcast.

Produced by Lou Kipilman

Stick To Wrestling with John McAdam is a production of the Arcadian Vanguard Podcast Network

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Podcast

Episode 355: MulletMania

This week on STICK TO WRESTLING, Dr. Nick Coliadis joins the show as we take a deep dive into WrestleMania XI—an event that took place thirty years ago! We cover:

–Why this show ended up at the Hartford Civic Center, which was not exactly a premium venue.
–Was this the worst WrestleMania of all time? (Spoiler: Not even close.)
–How Lawrence Taylor could’ve handled the pre-match hype a bit differently.
–Mullets were about a half-decade out of style…unless you were a pro wrestler, apparently.
–Jeff Jarrett: the king of big pushes with minimal results.
–Why it being 1995 (not 1985) was very bad news for Lex Luger.

Plus Dr. Nick does some drooling over Pamela Anderson and Jenny McCarthy, so what are you waiting for? Smash that play button and dive into another wicked good episode!

STICK TO WRESTLING: Give us sixty minutes, and perhaps indeed we’ll give you a rawboned weekly classic wrestling podcast.

Produced by Lou Kipilman

Stick To Wrestling with John McAdam is a production of the Arcadian Vanguard Podcast Network

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Uncategorized

Episode 349: Settling Scores

This week on STICK TO WRESTLING features Part Two of our review of all things WWF, February 1985!

The month was a turning point in the WWF’s history, with celebrity involvement and mainstream exposure paving the way for WrestleMania I. The War to Settle the Score on MTV was a massive success, setting the stage for professional wrestling’s boom in the mid-to-late 1980s.

The WWF was aggressively expanding nationwide, competing with regional territories. The promotion was actively signing top talent from rival organizations, and Vince McMahon’s vision was pushing WWF toward becoming a global powerhouse.

We also review The War to Settle the Score, a pivotal event that aired on MTV featuring Hulk Hogan vs. Roddy Piper for the WWF Championship. The match ended in disqualification after interference from Paul Orndorff and Bob Orton Jr. Mr. T came to Hogan’s aid, setting the stage for the first WrestleMania.

Plus there’s lot of rare and classic audio, so what are you waiting for? Hit play and dive into this wicked good episode now!

STICK TO WRESTLING: Give us sixty minutes, and perhaps indeed, we’ll give you a rawboned weekly classic wrestling podcast.

Produced by Lou Kipilman

Stick To Wrestling with John McAdam is a production of the Arcadian Vanguard Podcast Network

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Podcast

Episode 345: State Haircut

This week on STICK TO WRESTLING we finish our review of the WWF during the month of January 1985!

We talk Vince McMahon, Hulk Hogan, Bobby Heenan, Roddy Piper, Barry Windham, Wendi Richter, Iron Sheik, Captain Lou Albano, Tito Santana, Gene Okerlund, Magnificent Muraco, Fred Blassie, Greg Valentine, Big John Studd, Tonga Kid, Jack & Jerry Brisco, Cyndi Lauper, Blackjack Mulligan, Ken Patera, Johnny Rodz, Adrian Adonis, Mike Rotondo, Andre The Giant, Bob Orton Jr, Dick Murdoch, Salvatorre Bellomo, Junkyard Dog, Mr. Fuji, Jimmy Snuka, Bret Hart, Paul Orndorff, Brutus Beefcake, Nikolai Volkoff, and more!

Plus there’s lot of rare audio and an absolutely wild segment from Tuesday Night Titans, so what are you waiting for? Hit play and dive into this wicked good episode now!

STICK TO WRESTLING: Give us sixty minutes, and perhaps indeed, we’ll give you a rawboned weekly classic wrestling podcast.

Produced by Lou Kipilman

Stick To Wrestling with John McAdam is a production of the Arcadian Vanguard Podcast Network

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Podcast

Episode 343: Isn’t That Duggan’s Car?

This week STICK TO WRESTLING is joined by Jeff Lyons, and we discuss a virtual cornucopia of pro wrestling topics including:

–What a Vince McMahon vs Bill Watts wrestling war might have looked like. A war between these two would have been fascinating, as McMahon’s flashy, spectacle-driven product would clash with Watts’ more grounded and hard-hitting style. Watts would have likely fought to maintain regional control over the Southern territories, while McMahon’s ambition to go national would have presented a direct challenge to the old territorial system.
–The earliest NWA shows in the Baltimore / DC metroplex. Baltimore and DC were key cities that bridged the gap between the southern and northeastern parts of the country and their significance in the NWA’s growth cannot be understated.
–The sheer joy of Mid-South Wrestling debuting on WTBS. This was a major (albeit temporary) milestone for the company, as WTBS was one of the biggest cable networks in the country. The regional promotion and its inclusion on WTBS exposed it to a much wider audience.
–The movie “The Iron Claw”. Our podcast’s host has finally seen it.
–A point-by-point analysis of one of the all-time great and logical angles.
–The games Vince McMahon played to keep other promotions out of traditional WWF arenas, and a promoter who would have played hardball against the WWF having his group locked out.

Plus Johnny Mac does his impression of The Human Beat Box of the 80’s Fat Boys rap group, so what are you waiting for? Hit play and dive into this wicked good episode now!

STICK TO WRESTLING: Give us sixty minutes, and perhaps indeed, we’ll give you a rawboned weekly classic wrestling podcast.

Produced by Lou Kipilman

Stick To Wrestling with John McAdam is a production of the Arcadian Vanguard Podcast Network

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS