WrestleMania 7: Hogan vs. Slaughter
Jason Mann and Sawyer Paul discuss Sgt. Slaughter v. Hulk Hogan, the main event of WrestleMania 7, and the fascinating ways WWE exploited the Gulf War. Original airdate: 3/14/11
42m Mar 14, 2011
42m
WrestleMania 6: Ultimate Warrior vs. Hulk Hogan
Jason Mann and Fat Man After Dark discuss Hulk Hogan v. Ultimate Warrior at WrestleMania 6 and ponder why the Warrior wasn't a huge success as champion, among other topics. #wwe #wrestling #prowrestling #rasslin
51m Mar 13, 2011
51m
WrestleMania 5: Randy Savage vs. Hulk Hogan
Jason Mann and Josh Hachat examine what happens exactly when Mega Powers start colliding. Original airdate: 3/12/11
31m Mar 12, 2011
31m
WrestleMania 4: The tournament
Jason Mann and David Buckler recount the WrestleMania 4 tournament and final of Macho Man Randy Savage v. The Million Dollar Man Ted DiBiase. #WWE #wrestling #prowrestling #rasslin
47m Mar 11, 2011
47m
WrestleMania 3: Hulk Hogan vs. Andre the Giant
Jason Mann and Razor discuss Hulk Hogan v. Andre the Giant at WrestleMania 3. Does this legendary match live up to the hype? Original airdate: 3/10/11
38m Mar 10, 2011
38m
WrestleMania 2: Hulk Hogan vs. King Kong Bundy
Jason Mann and Fat Man After Dark discuss Hulk Hogan v. King Kong Bundy in a steel cage from WrestleMania 2. #WWE #wrestling #rasslin #prowrestling Original airdate: 3/9/11
32m Mar 09, 2011
32m
Survivor Series 1990 and many other things
Part one of a conversation betweenJason Mann and Geno Mrosko of Cageside Seats covers Survivor Series 1990, the Old School Raw, Roddy Piper’s wonderful emotional promo, Batista trying MMA, how UFC overtook WWE, lack of stars in today’s wrestling, WWE production, the greatness of Howard Finkel, how nostalgia colors opinions, the politics of the WWE Top 50 Superstars of All Time list, fan apathy ...
1hr 17m Mar 06, 2011
1hr 17m
Best and worst of 2010 (A truce in the great wrestling podcast wars)
Jason Mann and Black Cat of Flair Chop Illustrated: Old School Wrestling Podcast put aside their very serious wrestling podcast war to discuss their favorite times in pro wrestling and then pore over the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Awards and share their picks for the best and worst of 2010. #WWE #wrestling Originally published: 3/6/11
2hr 20m Mar 06, 2011
2hr 20m
Monday Night War: December 1995
Jason Mann and Josh Hachat are back recapping the December 1995 episodes of WWF Raw and WCW Nitro, plus In Your House 5 and Starrcade. Topics discussed include: the deliberative nature of the WCW Executive Committee, whether wrestlers of the 1990s had better fundamentals than today’s workers, the endless bickering between Hulk Hogan, Randy Savage, Sting and Lex Luger, the baffling protection of...
59m Mar 06, 2011
59m
Elimination Chamber 2011: Miztakes were made
Jason Mann and Don Owens discuss Elimination Chamber 2011, which included a near-certain match of the year candidate and some fun surprises. They also discuss the Jerry Lawler-Miz saga, Undertaker's and Triple H's returns, what fans' expectations for The Rock should be, and much more. #WWE #wrestling Originally published: 2/23/11
1hr 23m Feb 23, 2011
1hr 23m
Royal Rumble 2011: The biggest one ever
Jason Mann and Don Owens of the Future Endeavors podcast discuss Royal Rumble 2011, the 40-man Rumble, what they expect out of Elimination Chamber and Wrestlemania, and debate whether fans deserve to see The Rock in a WWE ring again. #WWE #wrestling Originally published: 2/3/11
1hr 59m Feb 03, 2011
1hr 59m
Austin vs. Triple H, Raven vs. Jericho, Blonds vs. Horsemen, and more
Jason Mann talks to K Sawyer Paul for the very first time, about pro wrestling as an artform, C.M. Punk’s brilliance, rushed WWE storytelling, TNA’s concussion angle, acting as Fake Vince, plus some great matches that all coincidentally went nowhere: Raven v. Chris Jericho at Halloween Havoc 1998, Ric Flair & Arn Anderson v. Steve Austin & Brian Pillman at Clash of the Champions 23, Hulk Hogan ...
2hr 20m Jan 26, 2011
2hr 20m
Unpopular opinions about wrestling and 2011 predictions
Jason Mann and Josh Hachat go back to the (metaphorical) mailbag and tackle some pressing matters in the world of professional wrestling. They discuss why Shawn Michaels might not be the greatest of all time after all, unpopular opinions we might have about wrestling, greatest entrances, whether tag teams can be relevant today, what specifically Jason doesn’t like about ECW, what TNA is doing r...
1hr 24m Jan 20, 2011
1hr 24m
TLC 2010: The whole show
Don Owens and Jason Mann discuss TLC 2010, including the great John Morrison v. Sheamus ladder match, the merits of a non-title main event, whether Morrison is or ever shall be a good professional wrestler, the overall John Cena v. Nexus story, the best and worst moments of 2010, and favorite past TLC and ladder matches.. Originally published: 12/21/10
1hr 31m Dec 21, 2010
1hr 31m
The Wrestling Classic: Randy Savage vs. Junkyard Dog
Jason Mann and Seth Roy review Randy Savage v. Junkyard Dog in the finals of The Wrestling Classic. They recount the best and worst of the 16-man tournament, marvel at Savage’s ability to draw heat, discuss the difference in perception between the WWE and Intercontinental titles at the time, the relaxed commentary of Gorilla Monsoon, Jesse Ventura and Mean Gene Okerlund, and much more. #WWE #wr...
23m Dec 11, 2010
23m
WrestleWar 1991 War Games and much more
Jason Mann and Razor discuss War Games from WrestleWar 1991, the good and bad in wrestling websites, whether WWE is really unfairly treated in the mainstream media, dealing with the negativity, being a young WWE fan in the 1980s, finding WCW and ECW in the 1990s, why it’s hard to watch TNA in 2010, Hulk Hogan v. Andre the Giant from Wrestlemania 3, whether John Cena is a good candidate to break...
1hr 20m Dec 03, 2010
1hr 20m
AWA Superclash 1: Rick Martel vs. Stan Hansen
Jason Mann and Josh Hachat discuss the brief but wild AWA Champion Rick Martel v. Stan Hansen at Superclash 1 on 9/28/1985, the atmosphere at Comiskey Park, Martel’s abilities as a babyface, answering the challenge of the WWF, the loaded card, Verne Gagne’s relationship with the NWA, Hansen’s falling out with the AWA, and more. #WWE #wrestling #prowrestling #rasslin Originally published: 11/30/10
14m Nov 30, 2010
14m
Hogan-Bischoff TNA failures and chants that ruin matches
Jason Mann and Josh Hachat talk more about TNA’s failings coming out of Turning Point (though they could apply to just about any TNA pay-per-view), just how disappointing the Bischoff-Hogan regime has been, comparisons between Vince Russo and M. Night Shyamalan, why wrestlers sometimes can’t see the forest for the trees, how the argument that outsiders can’t understand the wrestling business is...
32m Nov 26, 2010
32m
Survivor Series 2010 and The Miz wins the belt
Don Owens and Jason Mann discuss Survivor Series 2010, The Miz’s big WWE Championship win, John Cena’s firing from WWE and how he could eventually return, whether WWE is too averse to risk, the outlook for the next TLC pay-per-view, WWE’s recent firings, how much Triple H could have left, next week’s King of the Ring, another season of NXT, the Ezekiel Jackson push, our favorite entrance themes...
1hr 54m Nov 23, 2010
1hr 54m
Austin vs. Dude Love, first Hell in a Cell, WCW vs. NWO War Games, and more
Geno Mrosko of Cageside Seats talks to Jason Mann about Stone Cold Steve Austin v. Dude Love at Over the Edge 1998, frustrating continuity errors in wrestling and the constant shifting of Kane’s back story, Shawn Michaels v. The Undertaker Hell in a Cell at Bad Blood 1997, skillful podcast segues, Team WCW v. Team NWO War Games at Fall Brawl 1996, WCW’s good times and bad, the disappointing Hul...
1hr 48m Nov 19, 2010
1hr 48m
Survivor Series 1987: Team Hogan vs. Team Andre
Jason Mann and Seth Roy talk about the buildup to the show, the incredible depth of talent in 1987, how much fans loved Randy Savage and hated the Honky Tonk Man, the awesome Jumping Bomb Angels, the less awesome Fabulous Moolah, women who can wrestle but don’t look like models, the breathtaking 37-minute 10-team tag match, why Hulk Hogan might not want to trust Paul Orndorff, Jesse Ventura’s c...
54m Nov 17, 2010
54m
Worst-ever gimmick matches and much more
It’s time again to dig into the mailbag (or the Twitter equivalent) with Wrestlespective’s Jason Mann and Josh Hachat as they discuss a random assortment of topics, including: which women’s wrestler has the most provocative Twitter picture, worst gimmick matches ever, best Intercontinental title match at Summerslam, the best way unify the WWE and World titles, why Diesel was doomed to fail as t...
44m Nov 15, 2010
44m
WWE’s Top 50 Superstars of all time
WWE’s list of top 50 wrestlers (sorry -- superstars) of all time has been released for its upcoming DVD, and boy some of the choices are kind of baffling. While it’s not worth getting mad about in any way, Jason Mann and Josh Hachat break down the top 50, try to comprehend what criteria could justify the list, consider what kind of political effects influenced the choices, debate which wrestler...
46m Nov 15, 2010
46m
A.J. Styles vs. Samoa Joe vs. Daniels, greatness of 1997, and more
Mitch of PIZZABODYSLAM and host Jason Mann talk about trying to create a distinctive voice in the wrestling blogosphere, defending the ugly new TNA belt, massive love for 1997 WWF, how the stigma of being a wrestling fan has changed, best iron-man matches, excitement of attending Ring of Honor shows, getting into the independent style, dealing with chant-happy crowds, the joy of a great live cr...
1hr 21m Nov 12, 2010
1hr 21m
Wrestlemania 1: Hulk Hogan & Mr. T vs. Roddy Piper & Paul Orndorff
Jason Mann and Josh Hachat discuss Hulk Hogan & Mr. T v. Roddy Piper & Paul Orndorff at Wrestlemania 1, Hogan’s first year as champion, Mr. T’s importance in the popularization of the WWF, the War to Settle the Score and the rock-and-wrestling connection, Piper’s unmatched ability to be hated, Orndorff’s perpetual underratedness and more. #wrestling #WWE #prowrestling #rasslin Originally publis...
30m Nov 08, 2010
30m
Starrcade 1984: Ric Flair vs. Dusty Rhodes
Jason Mann and Seth Roy discuss Ric Flair v. Dusty Rhodes at Starrcade 1984: The Million Dollar Challenge, the awesome promos that set up the match, Dusty as a preacher, Flair straddling the line between face and heel, whether the quest for one million dollars worked as a story, the Mid-Atlantic territory’s evolution into WCW, Joe Frazier as a referee, Kyle Petty as a seemingly unnecessary ring...
22m Nov 05, 2010
22m
Predicting Sting’s future (in 2010) and Countdown to Lockdown
Seth Roy shares his thoughts on Mick Foley’s Countdown to Lockdown and the new Smackdown vs. Raw 2011 video game. Then he and Jason Mann answer reader questions about Raw’s mystery general manager, Sting’s future in wrestling and how he might fare in WWE, Harley Race’s king gimmick and more. #WWE #wrestling Originally published: 11/2/10
42m Nov 02, 2010
42m
Classics of WrestleMania: Savage vs. Warrior and Rock vs. Hogan
Jason Mann talks to Thomas Holzerman about his love for Chikara, covering independent wrestling and attending shows, why WWE pay-per-view business is declining, why nostalgia almost never works, learning from WCW’s failures, how TNA could be successful, the merits of wrestling as sport vs. entertainment, pushing non-wrestlers in prominent roles, promotions catering to the Internet crowd, whethe...
1hr 32m Nov 01, 2010
1hr 32m
WWE Championship history
Kevin Sullivan, author of “The WWE Championship,” and Wrestlespective’s Jason Mann talk about the evolution of the title and how its value has changed over the years, fascinating stories from past champions such as the Iron Sheik, Bret Hart, Ric Flair, Sid and Sgt. Slaughter, overlooked champions, Kevin’s tenure at WWE.com for a decade, experiences working under Vince McMahon, his first memorie...
35m Oct 29, 2010
35m
Survivor Series memories and 2010 predictions
Special guest Don Owens and Jason Mann look ahead to Survivor Series 2010 with Wade Barrett v. Randy Orton with John Cena as referee, talk about their favorite moments of Survivor Series past, express frustrations at pay-per-views with few announced matches, and answer questions from Twitter regarding Santino Marella’s push, how to best use the Undertaker, who might win the Royal Rumble, and mo...
1hr 12m Oct 27, 2010
1hr 12m
Bragging Rights 2010: Wade Barrett vs. Randy Orton
Special guest Don Owens of the Future Endeavors and Jason Mann discuss the fallout from Bragging Rights 2010, the Brock Lesnar v. Cain Velasquez UFC fight, the strange staredown between Lesnar and the Undertaker and some ideas of how WWE could take advantage of that buzz, whether an MMA v. WWE feud could work, what to do with Undertaker when he returns from the grave (again), why Wade Barrett w...
1hr 25m Oct 26, 2010
1hr 25m
WWF in 1987 (Strike Force, Hart Foundation, Honky Tonk Man and Macho Man) and more
Jason Mann talks with David Buckler about how women’s wrestling is treated in WWE and TNA, the source of David’s love for Beth Phoenix, Internet fans’ attitudes toward Michelle McCool, the Beautiful People’s dominance in TNA, the days of Awesome Kong and Gail Kim, Mickie James in TNA, memories of Saturday Night’s Main Event and classic Wrestlemanias, the awesome WWF tag teams in the late 1980s,...
1hr 37m Oct 22, 2010
1hr 37m
WWE's top 25 talkers and an insulting PR campaign
Jason Mann has a few things he needs to get off his chest regarding the insipid and insulting Stand Up For WWE campaign. He and Josh Hachat discuss that, plus the WWE.com list of 25 best talkers that ranks John Cena ahead of Dusty Rhodes, rumors that Matt Hardy will start his own dirtsheet, explaining why its pointless to fret over TNA because it is highly unlikely they will ever get a clue, an...
48m Oct 21, 2010
48m
Best Battles of Mick Foley
Jason Mann and Josh Hachat discuss three of Mick Foley’s noteworthy battles in celebration of Five Days of Foley: -Cactus Jack & Maxx Payne v. the Nasty Boys, WCW Spring Stampede 1994  -Cactus Jack & Raven v. Tommy Dreamer & Terry Funk, ECW November to Remember 1995  -Mankind v. The Rock, WWF Monday Night Raw, 1/4/99 Originally published: 10/21/10 #WWE #wrestling #MickFoley
49m Oct 21, 2010
49m
Unresolved wrestling stories and should Hogan and Flair ever be pals?
Wrestlespective digs into the mailbag to answer some questions from listeners. Jason Mann and Josh Hachat discuss how the X Division can be saved, unresolved wrestling storylines like Samoa Joe’s kidnapping, the WCW Hummer driver and Baby Doll’s photos, poorly resolved angles like Austin’s attack or the Higher Power, what wrestlers have the best and worst punches, why vehicle-related angles alw...
55m Oct 15, 2010
55m
Starrcade 1983: Ric Flair vs. Harley Race
Jason Mann and Seth Roy discuss Flair’s oddly dismissive attitude toward his first NWA title reign, NWA politics of the 1980s, Mid-Atlantic as the new power center of the NWA, Race putting a bounty on Flair’s head, the angle in which Bob Orton and Dick Slater injure Flair’s neck, Flair’s wild return from retirement and awesome promo, the press conference announcing Greensboro as the site of Sta...
32m Oct 13, 2010
32m
Shawn Michaels vs. Diesel, comparing Michaels vs. Undertaker matches, and more
Jason Mann talks to Don Owens about Don’s 16-year streak of not missing a WWE pay-per-view, memories of attending Wrestlemania 26, love for Big Daddy Cool, watching Brock Lesnar, John Cena and Randy Orton before they were stars, and meeting the super-nice Rico Constantino. Jason and Don also discuss Hell in a Cell 2010, the storytelling possibilities of John Cena in Nexus, how to jazz up Braggi...
2hr Oct 06, 2010
2hr
Chris Jericho memories, Hart vs. Bulldog at In Your House 5, and much more
Jason Mann interviews Jon Waldman about SLAM! Wrestling’s origins in the late 1990s, Jon’s experiences interviewing Chris Jericho, Jericho’s “Breaking the Code” DVD and great moments in his career, some key differences in wrestling between 2010 and the 1980s, Jon’s first memories as a wrestling fan, Davey Boy Smith’s legacy, Jim Cornette’s influence, Michael Hayes’ time in WWE, how TV overexpos...
1hr 28m Sep 30, 2010
1hr 28m
Colossal connections and beastly brawls
Josh Hachat and Jason Mann discuss some intriguing and generally fun matches involving big men facing off against other big men: -Diesel (Kevin Nash) v. The Undertaker, WWE Wrestlemania 12, 3/31/96  -Sid v. Goldberg, WCW Halloween Havoc, 10/14/99  -Andre the Giant & Hulk Hogan v. Big John Studd & King Kong Bundy, Saturday Night’s Main Event No. 3, 11/2/85  -Albert v. Kane, WWE Smackdown, 6/14/0...
46m Sep 28, 2010
46m
Favorite Hell in a Cell matches
Jason Mann is joined by Seth Roy for a marathon show talking about the likely matches at the next WWE Hell in a Cell pay-per-view, the Smackdown and Raw spoilers, the merits of blood in cage matches and much more. #WWE #wrestling Then Jason and Seth discuss the following Hell in a Cell matches in depth before sharing their memories of the remaining 16 (at least the ones they’ve seen): -Brock Le...
1hr 43m Sep 24, 2010
1hr 43m
Anti-Hardy sentiments and making titles feel special
Josh Hachat and Jason Mann answer your questions and discuss who “they” might be in TNA, being perversely interested in Bound For Glory and the end of the Hogan-Bischoff era, how to give the WWE tag-team division a lift, why Internet fans don’t like the Hardy Boys, our philosophy on defending championships and making them meaningful, how to keep main eventers busy when they are out of the title...
50m Sep 23, 2010
50m
Monday Night War: January 1996
Jason Mann and Josh Hachat recap the January 1996 episodes of WWF Raw and WCW Nitro, plus the Royal Rumble and Clash of the Champions 32. Topics discussed include: the Raw Bowl and football puns, Billionaire Ted’s Rasslin War Room, Lord Steven Regal: a man’s man, more drama between friends Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage, Sting and Lex Luger and the Dungeon of Doom and the Four Horsemen, Jeff Jarre...
1hr 14m Sep 17, 2010
1hr 14m
Favorite celebrations, belt designs, and not being indie fans
Jason Mann and Josh Hachat answer questions submitted by listeners in this edition of Wrestlespective. Topics include the new design WWE Tag Team Championship, best facial expressions, our favorite title-victory celebrations, the future of wrestling on television, whether TNA has ruined the chance for a second wrestling company to thrive, WWE after Vince McMahon, the greatest tag teams in the w...
55m Sep 03, 2010
55m
Champions vs. Champions
Josh Hachat and Jason Mann break down the following bouts: -Hulk Hogan (WWF) vs. The Ultimate Warrior (Intercontinental), 4/1/90 WWF Wrestlemania 6 -Rob Van Dam (Intercontinental) vs. Tommy Dreamer (Hardcore), 8/26/2002 WWE Raw -Samoa Joe (X Division) & Kurt Angle (TNA World) vs. Team 3D (Tag Team), 7/15/2007 TNA Victory Road -Triple H (WWF) vs. Tazz (ECW), 4/20/2000 WWF Smackdown -Jerry Lawler...
57m Aug 27, 2010
57m
Great Grudges of the 1980s
Josh and Jason discuss three classic grudge matches: the Terry Funk-Jerry Lawler empty arena match in Memphis from 5/9/1981, the Iron Sheik-Sgt. Slaughter boot camp battle at Madison Square Garden from 6/16/1984 and Michael P.S. Hayes, Buddy Roberts and Terry Gordy battling Kevin Von Erich, Kerry Von Erich and Mike Von Erich in Fort Worth on 7/4/1984. Topics discussed include the wonderful insa...
35m Jul 26, 2010
35m
The curious legacy of ECW
Josh Hachat and Jason Mann discuss this week’s “ReCW” invasion of TNA Impact, whether this version will work any better than anything TNA does, what ECW means in wrestling in 2010, what influence ECW had in the Monday Night Wars, remembering some of the best and worst moments and much more. Originally published: 7/17/10
40m Jul 17, 2010
40m
Monday Night War: November 1995
Jason Mann and Josh Hachat continue looking back at the Monday Night War between WCW and the WWF. Part 3 of our series looks at November 1995, and topics discussed include: the Shawn Michaels concussion angle, the end of Dieselmania and that tricky Bret Hart, someone besides Hulk Hogan becoming WCW champion, the “wildcard” Survivor Series, the debut of the World War 3 battle royal, the beginnin...
50m Jun 02, 2010
50m
Monday Night War: October 1995
Jason Mann and Josh Hachat travel back to October 1995 and explain Hulk Hogan’s first flirtation with the dark side and continued uncontrolled ego, Bret Hart’s continuing feuds with wrestlers who were far beneath him, the Horsemen deciding to turn on Sting for old times’ sake, Diesel being chewed out by Vince McMahon after a pay-per-view main event, Shawn Michaels being beaten up by Marines for...
44m May 26, 2010
44m
Monday Night War: September 1995
Jason Mann and Josh Hachat take you back to September 1995, when Hulkamania was (still) running wild over WCW and Diesel power was running WWF. Topics of discussion include Lex Luger’s shocking debut on the first Nitro, the serendipity of Sting and Ric Flair wrestling on the first and last editions, the 1-2-3 Kid rekindling his feud with Razor Ramon, whether the Smoking Gunns’ tight jeans are b...
53m May 18, 2010
53m
Ken Shamrock vs. Vader and wrestling as a "sport"
Josh Hachat and Jason Mann talk about Ken Shamrock’s WWE career, specifically his debut against Vader at Cold Day in Hell in 1997 and his Lions Den battle with Owen Hart at Summerslam 1998. Topics covered include: MMA’s influence on pro wrestling, making submissions believable, Jerry Lawler’s seeming disdain for UFC, missed opportunities for Shamrock, how Goldberg succeeded in WCW by adopting t...
43m May 09, 2010
43m