Posted By
Joe Gagne on Nov 20 |
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Likely no column next week, due to the holiday and travel and the like. I’ll do my best to catch up the week after.
The podcast week in review, brought to you by Harry’s Razors (or our
Amazon and
WWE affiliate links).
- “Obviously, I have an opinion, but I’m afraid to voice it because I don’t want anything to affect Ashley’s career. I will just say that I know Hunter and Stephanie and Michael Hayes have her back.” – Ric Flair
- “Eh, you’ll get it one day.” – Colt Cabana, relaying Nick Bockwinkel’s reaction to a match of his in Kouraken Hall
- “I used to think the kayfabe room was where they kept all the foreign wrestlers.” – Mauro Ranallo, on not being smartened up
Talk n’ Shop #73 (11/14/15): Back to basics, as Doc, Karl, and Rocky read some fan e-mails, which of course ends with them insulting the listeners. Not their most memorable show (I’m struggling to remember details a day after listening), but I did get a kick out of the guy asking why the Japanese ring announcer always calls him “Dork Gallows,” and Doc’s reaction to the question.
THUMBS IN THE MIDDLE
Steve Austin Show #273 (11/17/15): A double dose of guests this week, as first Steve talks to the El Segundo Brewing Company’s Rob Croxall about the new Broken Skull IPA, how it came to be, and the big release party. Maybe it’s because I just saw the Peanuts movie, but this all sounded like Charlie Brown’s parents to me. I guess because he felt he didn’t have enough show, Steve also calls Court Bauer to talk about wrestling styles, Rusev, Ronda Rousey’s loss, and Billy Gunn’s dismissal from the WWE. That back half of the show is OK, but the highlight is Steve’s wife gleefully recounting meeting Jerry Only of the Misfits.
<Croxall’s interview starts at 17:05, Bauer’s interview starts at 47:56>THUMBS IN THE MIDDLE
The Ross Report #92 (11/17/15): Another twofer, as this week JR is first joined by Magnum TA to discuss the passing of Dusty Rhodes and Roddy Piper, as well as the Hulk Hogan controversy. The discussion is fine (if not quite timely) but too short at 15 minutes to really amount to much. Then James Cornette comes on board to tell the same story about obtaining the Mid-Atlantic tapes we’ve heard 80 times already. Cornette also makes the “UFC is the new pro wrestling” analogy, they talk women’s wrestling, and the Hulk Hogan scandal. How old is this show? Nothing worth listening to here.
<T.A.’s interview starts at 27:07, Cornette’s interview starts at 46:22>THUMBS DOWN
WOOOOO![emoji]8482[/emoji] Nation #29 (11/18/2015): Ric & Conrad talk to one of Ric’s former running buddies, Terry Blanchard. They discuss the 30th anniversary of the Horsemen, what lead to Tully coming to the territory, what lead to them leaving for the WWE, being managed by Bobby Heenan, his college football days, why he never really returned to the business after 1989,slapping Baby Doll, good times on the road, and a lot more. It’s a good Tully interview (and he’s had some stinkers), but the real news is in the intro, where Ric reveals he didn’t know the Reid Flair reference was coming, and doesn’t want to say anything that may harm his daughter’s career.
THUMBS UP
MLW Radio #202 (11/18/15): Konnan and Court are back to talk about Charlie Sheen, blood in wrestling, the return of Psicosis to AAA, TNA offering big contracts, Ernest Borgnine, the Paige promo from RAW, Billy Gunn, Survivor Series, Ronda Rousey, comings and goings in Lucha, AAA’s Mega title plans (which were news to Konnan), Spectre, Star Wars, Lost, True Blood, and a lot more. Enjoyable enough show, but I have to wonder how much overlap there’s going to be with this week’s Bauer & Pollock.
THUMBS UP
Talk is Jericho #196 (11/18/15): Metallica bassist Robert Trujillo (and his family) makes his second appearance on TiJ. He talks about his now completed documentary on famed bassist Jaco Pastorius, the process of making a film, his son playing the bass, his former bandmate Brooks Wackerman, Gene Simmons, Jerry Cantrell, playing live with Metallica, and a lot more. Trujillo sounds like a nice guy but this one bored me. Jericho also promises a studio update on Metallica, which basically amounts to “Metallica is in the studio.”
<Trujillo’s interview starts at 20:05> THUMBS DOWN
Bauer & Pollock (11/18/15): Lots of news to run down, including but not limited to: Paige’s promo on RAW, the Survivor Series tournament, Billy Gunn getting canned from WWE, the ten year anniversary of the Wellness Policy (a very interesting discussion), the Tenryu retirement show, ROH moving to Comet TV, and of course Ronda Rousey’s loss at UFC 193. Not only a good discussion, but thankfully minimal overlap with MLW radio.
THUMBS UP
Art of Wrestling #277 (11/19/15): A live show this week from Alpha-1 Wrestling in Canada. We get Cedric Alexander (getting nicknames from George South), Josh Alexander (his retirement), Ethan Page (teaming with Alexander and working WWN Live), **** Justice (being **** Justice), and Colin Hunter of Kayfabe News to read some headlines. Some guy also sings the Mountie theme song. Live shows can bit hit or miss, but this might be Colt’s strongest one yet. And I’m not just saying that because Colt (kinda) shouted me out on the show.
THUMBS UP
Steve Austin – Unleashed #274 (11/19/15): Steve sits down with longtime WWE director Kerwin Selfies, who has been with the company for 30+ years. He talks about how he fell into working for the company by accident, working with Gorilla Monsoon, Bobby Heenan, & Jesse Ventura, Vince McMahon’s commentary skills, how the product has evolved , having a heart attack at 48, directing a WrestleMania, watching Vince transition to an in-ring worker, blowing up Vince’s car, and a lot more. It’s an interesting look at an underreported side of the business, coupled with some great anecdotes.
THUMBS UP
The Jim Cornette Experience #103 (11/19/15):First we get a lengthy intro on many subjects, mostly the shootings in Paris and the evils of modern religion. Then MMA, boxing, and NJPW announcer Mauro Ranallo joins Jim and Alice. He speaks of being discovered in high school by Al Tomko, overcoming his shyness, transitioning to calling boxing, Ronda Rousey’s loss, the New Japan gig, his favorite talents and moments, his bipolar disorder, and a lot more. Mauro is an entertaining guest, but the “MMA is the new pro wrestling” trope is beyond tired. And for God’s sake make sure you skip the opening.
<Ranallo’s interview starts at 36:57>>
THUMBS IN THE MIDDLE
Talk is Jericho #197 (11/20/15): Jericho talks to Luke Harper in Saudi Arabia. They talk about wrestling in that country, how Harper got started, wrestling in Japan and England (where he was the Miami Bruiser!), finally getting signed by WWE, hooking up with Bray Wyatt, moving to the main roster, where the Luke Harper name came from (spoiler: some guy gave it to him), working at WrestleMania, and a bunch more. Awesome show with great stories; Jericho mentions how well-liked Harper is in the locker room, and after listening to this show you’ll know why.
<Harper’s interview starts at 4:00>THUMBS UP & BEST OF THE WEEK
MSL & Sullivan Show #8 (11/20/15): Sullivan opens up the show discussing the 30 For 30 doc The Prince of Pennsylvania, which leads to an interesting discussion of sports owners and how it relates to wrestling. They also discuss new TV deals for TNA and ROH, Nick Bockwinkel, John Cena’s future, and the Paige promo on RAW (which Sullivan ties back to an old angle with Bob Roop and Steve Keirn). They run down the second hour of the 8/5/96 Nitro and some mailbag question, including the origins of “Spin the Wheel, Make the Deal” and the lack of true superstars today. Excellent discussion this week.
THUMBS UP