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!

Talk‘n WCW #22: Stunning Steve Austin

In this edition of Talk'n WCW, Jennifer Smith, Tim Capel and Greg Phillips slip on their Mike and Ike trunks to talk the career of Stunning Steve Austin! The crew take a look at a trio of Austin matches spanning two years of his WCW run. Barry Windham, Brian Pillman and Dustin Rhodes are his competitors, where they find that being a complete heel seems to come very easily to Austin, featured here accompanied by two of the best managers in the business. Everyone knows Stone Cold but here's to Stunning Steve! 

Talk'n WCW #21: Great American Bash

The gang takes a break from wrestler retrospectives for a seasonally appropriate spotlight on WCW's midsummer classic: The Great American Bash! While we've had a few match picks from the Bash on episodes past, it just felt right to devote an entire discussion to this thoroughly nostalgic - and thoroughly WCW - high concept. After a bit of history and reminiscence, we turn our attention to three representative exemplary matches each from a different edition of the prestigious event. Greg is on deck first, offering a United States Championship defense that would've been right at home on our last episode. Next, Tim makes the case for an overlooked jewel of a tag team bout... problematic iconography notwithstanding. And finally, Jenny closes us out in upstanding fashion with a World Heavyweight Championship showdown of superheroic proportions (which also incidentally completes our coverage of a certain trilogy of classic matches)! All this and we barely scratch the surface of GAB's grand lineage. Could this be a Talk'n WCW tradition in the making?? Well, we'd be remiss in our duties if you weren't left a little wil'-eyed and wonderin'!

Talk'n WCW #20: Lex Luger

Not a hoax! Not a dream! The packeege is real, and it's the TOTAL PACKEEGE! Because you demanded it (or Jenny wanted to get it over with), Lex Luger at last takes center stage! This does prove to be our most divisive episode, which is to say that all three participants had light disagreements with each of their co-host's match picks as well as the accolades (allocades?) of the man himself. Nevertheless, it may well be our most star-studded edition of the show, with the likes of Sting, Ric Flair, the Steiner Brothers, and Hulk Hogan represented in our "Flexy Lexy" match selections. More than power personified, does this versatile, consummate performer ever truly get his due? Join us for this episode chronicling the fits and starts of a sometimes frustrating, yet unforgettable career. Talk'n WCW: IR'FUTABLE EVIDENCE of excellence!

Talk'n WCW #19: Raven

What about us? What about Talk'n WCW?! In this edition, Jenny, Tim and Greg turn their attention to a WCW star who burned bright but burned out soon after: from the Bowery, it's RAVEN! The gang takes a look at the ECW stalwart's brilliant 1998, a year that saw him capture the United States championship and engage in memorable feuds with a variety of fellow rising talents. We see a violent grudge match against a fierce Canadian foe, a wild championship brawl against one of WCW's most popular wrestlers, and a blow off match that illustrates Scott Levy's wrestling brilliance. So it is written. So it shall come to pass.