Talk’n WCW #34: Sid Vicious

The MASTER and RULER of the world is rechristened the Millennium Man on this third and final lap for Sid Vicious in WCW! Our hosts line up once again for a bit of unscheduled synchronicty, with all of our match selections falling under the same timeframe, spanning less than a year from start to finish. First up, it's an old rivalry renewed as a shockingly clean win super charges Sid's 1999 mega push. Next, we go new streak vs. old streak in a veritable dream match... but change was in the air on this night, making for a devisive outing! And the controversy continues when a dominant babyface Sid puts his World Heavyweight Championship on the line in a three-way dance against feuding stablemates. YOU! CANNOT BE! THE MASTER! OF... THE MASTER! Join Jenny, Tim, and Greg for this soft concept episode of Talk'n WCW highlighting the last hurrah of Sid Vicious in WCW.

Talk’n WCW #33: Tully Blanchard

Who needs a Peacock when you’ve got a Horseman? In this edition of Talk’N’ WCW, Jennifer Smith, Greg Phillips and Tim Capel discuss the Jim Crockett Promotions career of the perennial scumbag heel of JCP, the great Tully Blanchard! With a bevy of valets by his side (along with the constant presence of James J. Dillon), Tully was an anchor of the upper midcard when Ric Flair ruled the roost. Whether the occasion called for a bloody brawl, a strange gimmick match or a classic traditional wrestling bout, Tully always found a way to deliver the goods. Join us for a dark journey through wrestling in the mid-‘80s, baby doll!

Talk’n WCW #32: Roddy Piper

If you thought "Hotrod" Roddy Piper was only worth watching in the WWF, well we've got a REALITY CHECK for you pal! Before reaching the heights of national superstardom as the most charismatic villain of the '80s, Piper was tearing it up in Crockett Country. That era serves host to two signature matches on this edition of Talk'n WCW! First up, we detail how the crafty Saskatchewan Scotsman stacks the deck against a resolute champion in a match "wrestled with purpose" in Mid-Atlantic! Next, the Hot Scot cements his legendary status early in a brutal televised bout from a historic 1983 feud that was "just getting warmed up." Then, despite flash-forwarding to 1996, it's a blast from the past for Hollywood Hogan, as WCW gives Piper a shot in the arm in the twilight of his career and Piper gives the fans a rare feel-good moment during the peak of nWo dominance. Even when he isn't making movies or making moves up North, look no further for proof that sooner or later, everybody pays the Piper. And as Captain Lou Albano would (probably, maybe) say, "He's-a one-hip wrestler!"

Talk’n WCW #30: Ricky Steamboat

Unparalleled athleticism! Flawless technique! Impeccable selling! Monotone family-focused interviews!
Find all this and more in the latest episode of Talk’N WCW, as this time our focus turns to the legendary Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat! Jenny, Tim and Greg take a stroll through the lengthy World Championship Wrestling AND Jim Crockett Promotions career of the Dragon, exploring his last major JCP match, a wild one-off battle against one of the all-time greats, and a David vs. Goliath encounter on a Saturday night at Center Stage in Atlanta.
Settle in, turn up the volume and get ready to alleviate your midsection as we drop the Steamer all over the listening audience!

Talk’n WCW #29: Halloween Havoc

The Nasty Boys vs. The Steiner Brothers! Rey Mysterio vs. Eddie Guerrero: Mask vs. Title! Cactus Jack vs. Vader in a Texas Death Match! These are among the classic bouts that come to mind when we look back on WCW's most memorable October tradition.
...But we've already covered those and other standout Havoc matches on previous episodes of Talk'n WCW, leaving us in a bit of a bind for this themed episode! Nevertheless, even if they can't all be winners, they can at least be colorful. Will this love letter to Halloween Havoc prove to be our most HORRENOUS outing yet? Look alive for the following:
-The psychology of climbing an inescapable cage-Mad Max and the Designated Terminators (under Australian Rules)-Scared Electrophobe Bob Caudle-Terry Funk, forever vacillating between barely insulting and wildly offensive-Lipoma Watch 1989-A bad day for the WCW props department-The Ghouls, I Suppose-The Passion of The Butcher-Spin the Wheel, Make the Deal, aka why you should never attribute to incompetence what can be explained by sheer stupidity (and incompetance)-The COPD Punch-Lazy ophidian workers
And with that, you can probably guess what you're in for. That's right, it's a stealth Sting spotlight sequel! Surely this was by design and not at all pure coincidence. No trickery here. It's all too apropos for Spooky SZN!
To hell with Starrcade, Halloween Havoc has been called WCW's TRUE marquee event by no less an authority than Eric Bischoff himself. Indeed this treat of a podcast stands as proof!

Talk’n WCW #28: The Great Muta

When THE GREAT MUTA hit the scene in 1989, American audiences were immediately captivated and awe-struck by a signature style that forever changed everything they thought they knew about professional wrestling. A marriage of violence with grace, acrobatics with technical proficiency, flamboyance with nobility, Muta enriched WCW's already momentous main event scene while bringing increased exposure to pro wrestling on an international scale for a new generation of fans. Although never a regular for any especially long stays in World Championship Wrestling, Muta's influence is undeniable, as exemplified through our three representative matches. Along the way, our discussion leads us to some of the following musings:-Muta and Sting as complimentary opponents-The complex science of color-matching one's facepaint to ring gear-WCW's evil J-Tex Corporation, a xenophobic heel faction cooler than most-Great American Bash 1989: more like Just Okayest American Bash-The managerial... talents? of Gary Hart-A hidden gem of a TV match none of us knew existed going in (*TRIGGER WARNING* Tim cuts a promo around this topic, although directed at no one in particular)-Muta's prospects as a potential babyface post-1989 in WCW-WCW's commitment to giving international talent a spotlight-A seemingly random under-the-radar 1992 match that two hosts nearly picked-Woke Ally SJW Cowboy Bill Watts-Muta's badass reinvention as a member of nWo Japan-A suplex feast for the agesBlazing a trail for future enigmatic, colorful superstars of wrestling and innovating flashy, impactful offense still in popular use today (such as the moonsault, dragonscrew legwhip, Shining Wizard, and Muta Lock), the man born as Keiji Muto is secure in his legendary status. Having announced his intention to retire after a globe-trotting career spanning five decades, it is only fitting that we pay tribute to one of wrestling's finest contributors. May the sun never set on this titan from the Land of the Rising Sun!

Talk’n WCW #27: Barry Windham

With agility and coordination that belies his massive frame, it should be illegal for Barry Windham to make professional wrestling look so damn easy. But it was easy come, easy go for Windham, a gifted athlete remarkably devoid of ego and pretension. Of course, when you're as good as this stacked Sweetwater, Texas native, there's never any real threat to your spot. Greg, Tim, and Jenny are back to break all this down, and more, on a beefy edition of Talk'n WCW! Throughout our spotlight, we check in with Windham as a 2nd generation journeyman taking the NWA by storm in a tag team classic that has EVERYTHING! Then, it's an under-the-radar bout following BW's roguish turn as a Horseman featuring some curious heel-face dynamics. Finally, we cap things off with "The Lone Wolf" stepping to an unorthodox world championship challenger.
Along the way, you'll find out why we consider Windham a pioneer of the balls-to-the-wall modern big match tag team wrestling formula. Indeed, as the marker of a truly special talent, he made everyone better by association. It's no coincidence that Barry's introduction as the 4th Horsemen is widely considered the most acclaimed iteration of the legendary faction. Cementing his status a master-of-all trades, no less an authority than Ric Flair has remarked that he and Windham casually engaged in countless 5-star singles encounters up and down the house show circuit, thrilling local crowds night after night. With a mere glimpse into Barry Windham's illustrious career, we have done our best to impart that greatness to you.
Talk'n WCW: even more entertaining that a "Dr. Death" Steve Williams promo left to die on the vine!

Talk’n WCW #25: The Midnight Express

On this episode of Talk'n WCW, Jennifer Smith, Tim Capel and Greg Phillips hop aboard the Midnight Express! The gang focuses on this legendary tag team with three matches from their outstanding WCW career. From a FANTASTIC time in Baltimore to a star-studded brawl in Tennessee plus a stopover in Chicago for a total Tim match, Beautiful Bobby and Sweet Stan drive this train and we fall in love along the way. Enjoy the ride with the Midnights and Talk'n WCW!

Talk’n WCW #24: Eddie Guerrero

Long before you knew him as "Latino Heat," Eddie Guerrero had already made his mark in professional wrestling as an accomplished international star, lauded for his ring savvy and heat-seeking character work. Son of a proud wrestling dynasty, this second-generation sensation would make his mark on WCW starting in the fall of 1995, bringing style and credibility to the burgeoning Monday Nitro through a combination of high-flying feats and technical precision. Though initially unremarkable as a plucky babyface character plying his trade, Eddie nonetheless connected with an awestruck U.S. audience through his breathtaking ring prowess. Undergoing a radical character transformation in 1997, Guerrero gradually revealed his true colors as the miserable scoundrel fans loved to hate (and love again). On this episode of Talk'n WCW, we honor the legacy of Eddie Guerrero with three matches tracking his evolution in the promotion. First, an unheralded early TV showcase against one of the all-time greats highlighting Eddie’s ring presence and daring underdog persona. Then, an example of Guerrero’s ingenuity by making the most of a then-rarely seen stipulation match in the escalating war between WCW and the nWo, with the U.S. title on the line. And finally, a "second chance" match for the podcast that sees the dastardly heel Eddie face off against perhaps his greatest rival in a preternaturally perfect bout. He lies! He cheats! He steals... our hearts! This is our tribute to the influential, inimitable, IMMORTAL Eddie Guerrero.

Talk‘n WCW #23: Chris Jericho

C’mon, bay bay, and join Jenny, Tim and Greg as they discuss the World Championship Wrestling career of the Ayatollah of Rock ‘n Rolla, the paragon of virtue, the man who went undefeated against Goldberg, Chris Jericho! We look at matches from the cruiserweight pioneer’s early days as a plucky babyface battling familiar international foes and cheating legends, then take a brief look at his iconic 1998 with a rare battle against a fellow heel. It’s a journey through the rise of the Man of 1,004 Holds!