History of Wrestling Podcast - Episode #8: Remembering the Dream

There are legends and then there is Dusty Rhodes.
The History of Wrestling boys are back as Graham Cawthon, Brad Stutts, and Dan McGinn talk about the influence and legacy of the late 'American Dream' Dusty Rhodes.
The guys scrap their planned show and instead share their personal memories of Dusty and his charisma, detail his years as a performer and booker, and discuss his greatest triumphs and failures.
The talk focuses on Jim Crockett Promotions (from the creation of Starrcade, the Great American Bash and Wargames to Dusty's impact on the careers of Ric Flair, the Four Horsemen, Big Bubba, Magnum TA, and Nikita Koloff) his run in the WWF against the Big Bossman, Macho King Randy Savage and Ted Dibiase, and his later roles in WCW, TNA, and NXT.
There's also talk about Vince McMahon, Hulk Hogan, Bill Watts, Paul Heyman, Jim Cornette, Carolina independent shows, Terry Funk, the Midnight Express, the Rock 'n' Roll Express, Dustin Rhodes, Cody Rhodes, the Shield, Barry Windham, the UWF, the Dusty Finish, and much more.
Follow Graham, Brad and Dan on Twitter at @thehistoryofwwe, @stuttsy, and @DMacP2B and use the hashtag #HoWPodcast if you wish to send them comments or questions. You can also follow our mascot (Dan’s dog) on Twitter at @KingBasil1110. For more, visit http://www.thehistoryofwwe.com.

History of Wrestling Podcast - Episode #7: The Good, Bad and Dusty

The History of Wrestling podcast is back -- and there's a lot to discuss! Graham Cawthon, Brad Stutts, & Dan McGinn talk all things Elimination Chamber, with a focus on the development of rising stars, elevating titles, and the finish of the Dean Ambrose vs. Seth Rollins main event.
Brad, the longtime booker of CWF Mid Atlantic in North Carolina, goes into his psychology when it comes to finishes and return matches and the boys talk about finishes that work, finishes that don't work, and the art of longterm storytelling.
Other discussion points include: the new Andre the Giant museum in North Carolina, the Great Muta on tour in the US, a shift in WWE booking, the Dusty Finish - who it helps and who it hurts, favorite finishes, unfulfilling finishes, and even Super Mario Bros.
Follow Graham, Brad and Dan on Twitter at @thehistoryofwwe, @stuttsy, and @DMacP2B and use the hashtag #HoWPodcast if you wish to send them comments or questions. You can also follow our mascot (Dan’s dog) on Twitter at @KingBasil1110. For more, visit http://www.thehistoryofwwe.com.

History of Wrestling Podcast #6 - Does Hardcore Still Exist?

How have we gone from Wargames to Kiss Me Arse matches? Does hardcore still exist in today's WWE?This week on The History of Wrestling Podcast, Graham Cawthon, Brad Stutts, & Dan McGinn talk the evolution of hardcore wrestling throughout WWE, ECW, and NWA/WCW and discuss the role of WWE's 'Extreme Rules' in the modern era.Topics include WCW's Uncensored, ECW being kicked off television stations, stipulation matches that headlined early Starrcade and Great American Bash events, Bruiser Brody, Abdullah the Butcher, Terry Funk, Mick Foley, Sabu, Tommy Dreamer vs. Brian Lee, Spin the Wheel/Make the Deal, monthly Madison Square Garden events, blading, character development, fan investment, false advertising, and more.They also give their thoughts on Sunday’s Extreme Rules. What worked, what didn't, and what made the event stand out (or not) in the WWE calendar.Follow Graham, Brad and Dan on Twitter at @thehistoryofwwe, @stuttsy, and @DMacP2B and use the hashtag #HoWPodcast if you wish to send them comments or questions.You can also follow our mascot (Dan’s dog) on Twitter at @KingBasil1110.

History of Wrestling Podcast #5 - How WWE Won Over the Mainstream Media

This week on The History of Wrestling Podcast, Graham Cawthon, Brad Stutts, & Dan McGinn discuss the involvement of celebrities in building the concept and legacy of WrestleMania and how, because of that, the wrestling industry is more ingrained in pop culture than it ever has been before.They talk recent mainstream coverage by ESPN, SportsCenter, broadcast talk shows, and The Daily Show and compare it to wrestler appearances 25 years ago. Regis, Arsenio, The Tonight Show, and Saturday Night Live all come up in conversation.They also give their thoughts on Sunday's WrestleMania 31, why it exceeded expectations, and give their predictions on what to expect for WrestleMania 32.Follow Graham, Brad and Dan on Twitter at @thehistoryofwwe, @stuttsy, and @DMacP2B and use the hashtag #HoWPodcast if you wish to send them comments or questions.You can also follow our mascot (Dan’s dog) on Twitter at @KingBasil1110.Each week, the boys will present their Youtube Clip of The Week. This week’s offering takes a look at an early wrestler appearance on The Conan O'Brien Show as a pushing-the-limit Goldust makes Conan and his security team awkward and uncomfortable back in 1996.

The History of Wrestling Podcast #4 - The Dial-Up Age

Graham Cawthon, Brad Stutts, and Dan McGinn share their personal experiences with dial-up internet in the mid to late 1990s and how it broadend their view of professional wrestling - from downloading photos of Sunny to downloading wrestler theme songs, reading spoilers to learning more about what happens behind the curtain.Discussion points include: comparing internet in the 90s to cable in the 80s, WWF's One Night Only, tape trading, RSPW, the Montreal Screwjob, AOL chat rooms, the WWF debuts of Chris Jericho and Taz, writing for wrestling websites, the WWF purposely spoiling taped title changes, WCW pay-per-listen events, and more.

History of Wrestling Podcast #3: WCW B Shows wtih Scott Hudson

This week, The History of Wrestling Podcast is joined by former WCW announcer Scott Hudson to talk about the later years of WCW Saturday Night and Worldwide, the hidden gem matches, what went into producing the shows, and the talent.Graham Cawthon, Brad Stutts, and Dan McGinn discuss how weekly shows that were once can't-miss became afterthoughts in the Nitro/Thunder era, the internal efforts to make them more meaningful, and the wide variety of names that walked through the doors in WCW's later years.

History of Wrestling Podcast #2: Outrage and the Royal Rumble

Why didn’t fans revolt when Hulk Hogan was ousted in 1989?Why did they revolt when Daniel Bryan was in 2015?And how has the Royal Rumble concept evolved since its debut nearly 30 years ago?In the latest episode of The History of Wrestling podcast, Graham Cawthon, Brad Stutts, and Dan McGinn take a look at the 2015 Royal Rumble match and share their experiences both watching it on TV and being in attendance. They also compare the match to previous incarnations, breakdown the storytelling, discuss what worked and what didn’t as well as the backlash that followed.Topics include: Bryan’s early elimination, Roman Reigns winning, Kane and Big Show as monsters in 2015, Dolph Ziggler, Dean Ambrose, Bray Wyatt, Fandango’s pants, Antonio Cesaro, and more.Follow them on Twitter at @thehistoryofwwe, @stuttsy, and @DMacP2B and use the hashtag #HoWPodcast if you wish to send them questions.

History of Wrestling Podcast #1 - Remembering the Meadowlands

From Saturday Night's Main Event and WCW title changes to SummerSlams and an amazing post-WrestleMania Raw, the Izod Center, aka "The Meadowlands," has seen it all when it comes to pro wrestling!In this premiere episode of The History of Wrestling Podcast, Graham Cawthon, Brad Stutts, and Dan McGinn take a look at the significance of the arena, its imminent closing, and its role in the war between the WWF, NWA, and AWA.Topics include: the relationship to Madison Square Garden, Bruno Sammartino's retirement match, Flair vs. Race, Hogan vs. Andre, Hart Foundation vs. the Brain Busters, Austin's broken neck, Umaga vs. the cast of Jackass, WeeLC, and more.Follow them on Twitter at @thehistoryofwwe, @stuttsy, and @DMacP2B and use the hashtag #HoWPodcastIn addition, every show the boys will present their Youtube Clip of The Week. This week's offering takes us back to January 11th, 1991 from the Meadowlands Arena where we witnessed an appearance by Lawrence Taylor and a WCW World Title change. Check it out!