DragonKingKarl Classic Wrestling Podcast

You have the questions and I (hopefully) have the answers. No matter what era of pro wrestling history, from the pioneer era to the 2000s nothing is off limits. Today's show takes a number of questions and topic suggestions including the recent retirements of John Cena and Hiroshi Tanahasi and opponents they had in common, Jim Londos place in wrestling history, theme music, Bubba Ray Dudley and a few retro pop culture questions as well.

Oh no! There goes Tokyo! From 1974 it's Godzilla vs The Cosmic Monster. The Cosmic Monster is actually Mechagodzilla but we aren't supposed to know that (despite the art work on the poster). Anyway, this is everything I love and hate about Godzilla movies. A largely ridiculous and boring plot about aliens or something. Some women show up and sing a song, then finally monsters fight. It's every Godzilla movie ever. Let's talk about it.

Today we pick back up the Long Form History of Pro Wrestling Series taken from my upcoming book (next month!) DragonKingKarl's 1986-1987 Pro Wrestling Omnibus. Pro wrestling in America is building toward three big shows- WWF WrestleMania 2, the first NWA Jim Crockett, Sr. Memorial Tag Team Tournament, and AWA Wrestle Rock '86. One pro wrestler takes great exception to the WWF incursion into his town when Central States co-owner Harley Race wrestles on one side of town and then drives to the other to confront Hulk Hogan... possibly with a gun!

Join me as I dive back into the pioneer era of pro wrestling. This episode is taken from the pages of my latest book DragonKingKarl's Pioneer Era Pro Wrestling Omnibus available from Amazon. We are now up to 1886 in the book and pro wrestling is in its first business slump. William Muldoon claims that wrestlers are now making less than six percent of the money they made just a few years ago. Meanwhile, Evan 'Strangler' Lewis looks to turn things around as he continues to dominate and Jack Carkeek continues to rise as well! Plus, the World Catch champion is getting tired of being ignored! YOU CONTROL THIS SERIES! It will only run as long as it is supported. In order to get another hour of 1000 hours we need a new Patreon supporter at any level or a cash donation via the front page of WhenItWasCool.com to either PayPal or CashApp (Please put "1000" in the note). As soon as it is received, I will produce a new hour. Presently, we are funded up to hour 120.

It's Friday the 13th once again and you know what that means! It means Karl and Tonya have to sit through an increasingly terrible watch through of all the Friday the 13th Movies and we are, unfortunately up to part 8 which is the worst of the bunch so far where Jason, presumably, takes Manhattan... except he really didn't. It does, however, feature the worst character in the history of the series MEAN UNCLE GUY! I understand it only gets worse from here but join us aboard this very sketchy (air quotes) Cruise Ship (end air quotes) and let's visit one the franchises biggest flops! Warning... there is yet ANOTHER Friday the 13th next month!

I have a really fun pro wrestling history show for you today. As I continue work on my upcoming book DragonKingKarl's 1986-1987 Pro Wrestling Omnibus, I have been watching tons of pro wrestling from that era. Recently, I decided to watch the entire uncut 1987 NWA Jim Crockett, Sr. Memorial tag team Cup tournament. The tournament itself was packed with deep cuts and weird tag teams that make very little sense but most astounding of them all was the otherwise unremarkable four-man combination of Steve Keirn, George South, Nelson Royal, and Mike Graham. If that sound boring to you... well, it was not!

In 1974 one of the most popular superheroes of the golden age made his long-awaited return to pop culture. DC Comics had already started publishing the adventures of Captain Marvel in the pages of the Shazam! comic book.  Now that hero, in a slightly altered form, took to the TV screens on Saturday mornings in 1974.  Billy Batson, a socially conscious teenager in this version, travels the country with a totally not creepy old duded called "Mentor" in a camper van... I swear this is actually going somewhere wholesome... helping other youngsters in need.  Jackson Bostwick stars (originally) as Captain Marvel.

On today's podcast, we go through the pages of the February 24, 1986, Wrestling Observer Newsletter which gives an update on the death of Gino Hernandez and the first revelation that it involved drugs. There are a lot of notes about the upcoming WWF WrestleMania 2 including William 'The Refrigerator' Perry backing out? Dave does not seem to like Mr. T one single bit. That and tons more as we build toward the March 2026 release of my new book DragonKingKarl's 1986-1987 Pro Wrestling Omnibus, a 600 plus page monster book with the most important thing that happened in pro wrestling every day of those two years.

Today on my 1000 Hours podcast covering the pioneer era of pro wrestling we enter a new era. Evan Lewis is now The Strangler. Crowds find him barbaric and national opinion has swung from pro wrestling being a con game to it being a brutal sport. Concurrent with the rise of Strangler Lewis is the fall of William Muldoon. Near the same time, Muldoon, nursing a nagging hand and arm injury announces his first of many retirements and the original 1870 Detroit International champion Col. James H. McLaughlin again leaves the sport to return to the railroad. Things are changing. YOU CONTROL THIS SERIES! It will only run as long as it is supported. In order to get another hour of 1000 hours we need a new Patreon supporter at any level or a cash donation via the front page of WhenItWasCool.com to either PayPal or CashApp (Please put "1000" in the note). As soon as it is received, I will produce a new hour. Presently, we are funded up to hour 120.

Today's show is packed with very important events in the history of the pioneer era of pro wrestling. The first event we will talk about may have even changed the course of history. When Clarence 'The Kansas Demon' Whistler died while on tour of Australia he was considered by many newspapers to be the real and true World champion of pro wrestling. His death is full myth and misinformation, and we will cut through the fog of time to get to the truth. Also on this show, Evan Lewis earns his nickname as The Strangler and in the same instance become the first real heel that wrestling had ever seen. The extended Patreon edition is here. YOU CONTROL THIS SERIES! It will only run as long as it is supported. In order to get another hour of 1000 hours we need a new Patreon supporter at any level or a cash donation via the front page of WhenItWasCool.com to either PayPal or CashApp (Please put "1000" in the note). As soon as it is received, I will produce a new hour. Presently, we are funded up to hour 119. This is hour 89.

Today I take a detailed look back at February 1986 from my upcoming book (March 2026) DragonKingKarl's 1986-1987 Pro Wrestling Omnibus with a very historic month in pro wrestling history. The tragic death of World Class wrestler Gino Hernandez shocks the pro wrestling world. Plus, NWA Superstars on the Superstation, The Bullet battled Mr. Olympia over their masks, the Honky Tonk Man gimmick is born, a famous tag team wrestler is arrested for a fatal car accident, the first pro wrestling video game, and huge, tall tales spun by the Von Erich family. The extended Patreon edition of the show is here.

Today on my 1000 Hours podcast series which focuses on the pioneer era of pro wrestling, two of the biggest stars of the era head to court for very different reasons. First, William Muldoon is arrested and hauled to court for slapping a security guard upside the head and calling him a dirty loafer for daring to tell Muldoon to move along. While the Muldoon trial was largely humorous, we see the dark side of Japanese wrestler Matsada Sorakichi who, freshly married, has already began abusing his wife. Amongst all the legal happenings there is actual pro wrestling going on as Col. James H. McLaughlin continues his return and faces a very violent man. The content for this episode is taken from my latest book: DragonKingKarl's Pioneer Era Pro Wrestling Omnibus available on Amazon. YOU CONTROL THIS SERIES! It will only run as long as it is supported. In order to get another hour of 1000 hours we need a new Patreon supporter at any level or a cash donation via the front page of WhenItWasCool.com to either PayPal or CashApp (Please put "1000" in the note). As soon as it is received, I will produce a new hour. Presently, we are funded up to hour 116.

On this last DragonKingKarl show of 2025, I grab a copy of a really cool book I've been looking at for a while - the WWE Encyclopedia. I have versions of this same type of book for Marvel Comics, DC Comics, G.I. Joe, Masters of the Universe, etc. but I expected the WWE book to be well... full of lies and cheesy. It was full of kayfabe, but it wasn't cheesy and we have a good bit of fun looking at some classic characters featured inside and a few stories that you won't believe!

On this episode of the DragonKingKarl Classic Wrestling Show 1000 Hours podcast series we finally get not one but TWO matches between the two biggest stars of the pioneer era of pro wrestling. William Muldoon had not previously wrestled Col. James H. McLaughlin mainly because Muldoon was not a fan of collar and elbow wrestling nor did McLaughlin consider Greco Roman his style. But Muldoon has now been largely disgraced on the west coast and crowds aren't what they used to be so the two finally had two matches... which were flops. YOU CONTROL THIS SERIES! It will only run as long as it is supported. In order to get another hour of 1000 hours we need a new Patreon supporter at any level or a cash donation via the front page of WhenItWasCool.com to either PayPal or CashApp (Please put "1000" in the note). As soon as it is received, I will produce a new hour. Presently, we are funded up to hour 111.

Today, I wrap up my months long look back into the early 1990s, a time when the pro wrestling business was in its worst state during my lifetime. Thanksgiving 1992 gave us two interesting shows to discuss. First, WWF Survivor Series 1992 was a very mixed bag with a great main event and a lot of not-so-great stuff, and Smoky Mountain Wrestling had its biggest show to that date during the worst era of business. Join me today as I discuss both these 1992 shows!

On this edition of the DragonKingKarl show, pro wrestling historian and author Karl Stern begins wrapping up our months long look at the 1990s by taking a look at a rare one-off pay per view from 1991 which took place on a Tuesday (as the name suggests). WWF This Tuesday in Texas featured Hulk Hogan ending the very short first WWF title reign of The Undertaker. Plus, Ric Flair, Roddy Piper, Bret Hart, Skinner, Randy Savage, Jake Roberts, British Bulldog, The Warlord, Repo Man, Ted DiBiase, Virgil, Tito Santana and more!

The year is 1884 and the first national pro wrestling star, Col. James H. McLaughlin has been semi-retired for quite a while working as a train engineer. He had been the American heavyweight champion and won pro wrestling's first major tournament in Detroit, MI in 1870 setting the course for pro wrestling going forward. Now, he suddenly returns and wins the World Mixed-Styles championship! His return to glory wouldn't last for long, however. Plus, the sponsor of this episode, Wrestling With the Dawg Podcast, has a question: What is the strangest or most inexplicable thing to happen during the pioneer era of wrestling? Well, the answer is strange indeed. Please check out my latest book DragonKingKarl's Pioneer Era Pro Wrestling Omnibus available at Amazon. This is the extended Patreon version of the show. YOU CONTROL THIS SERIES! It will only run as long as it is supported. In order to get another hour of 1000 hours we need a new Patreon supporter at any level or a cash donation via the front page of WhenItWasCool.com to either PayPal or CashApp (Please put "1000" in the note). As soon as it is received, I will produce a new hour. Presently, we are funded up to hour 107.

We have now exited 1985 and finished my book DragonKingKarl's 1984-1985 Pro Wrestling Omnibus and sail into uncharted territory- 1986! This is a red-hot time in pro wrestling. WWF has established itself as a dominate national brand, but Jim Crockett Promotions and the NWA are putting forth some of the best action of the era. A strange tag team title change takes place in the AWA giving two top stars of the future a major championship in Scott Hall and Curt Hennig! Support When It Was Cool by checking out our Patreon with almost 3,000 podcasts now at HALF PRICE (until December 21).

For the first time in the history of When It Was Cool! Half off every Patreon level! Get instant access to almost 3,000 podcasts, books, and more on pro wrestling history, pop culture, and retro pop culture. Sale ends soon! Save this feed and get TONS of content! https://www.patreon.com/wiwcool

In 1994 the train wreck that was WCW somehow managed to pull off one of the best PPVs of all-time. In association with Mexico's AAA promotion, When Worlds Collide featured not a single bad match. It featured multiple classic matches including Eddie Guerrero and Art Barr taking on El Hijo del Santo and Octagon. Today, let's revisit this show through the pages of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter and remember one of the greatest shows of the era!

The 1000 Hours podcast series looks back at the pioneer era of pro wrestling, the era before Frank Gotch. On this episode, pro wrestling historian Karl Stern takes a look into the 1880s as William Muldoon wraps up his tenure in California with a debacle of a worked match against Clarence Whistler that turned into a double cross. Whistler was supposed to go to a draw against Muldoon but decided to take it the distance. Muldoon then gives up on the west coast and heads back to New York but first stops in the wild west town of Tombstone, AZ. This match marked a real shift in the pioneer era of wrestling, and the history of pro wrestling would forever change. YOU CONTROL THIS SERIES! It will only run as long as it is supported. In order to get another hour of 1000 hours we need a new Patreon supporter at any level or a cash donation via the front page of WhenItWasCool.com to either PayPal or CashApp (Please put "1000" in the note). As soon as it is received, I will produce a new hour. Presently, we are funded up to hour 104.

Today our time machine takes us back to 1991, a time when pro wrestling was about as low as it could go. Business is horrendous across the board. The WWF is plagued by multiple scandals and WCW is drawing less than 1,000 people to some of its hottest areas. In a November 1991 issue of Dave Meltzer's Wrestling Observer Newsletter, he breaks down all the information one needed to know about pro wrestling and steroids. Plus, an interesting write-up about how WWF was forced to edit the NWA title belt out of its TV shows and what they did about it.

My on-going series on the history of pro wrestling has now reached the end of 1985. The information for this episode is taken from my book DragonKingKarl's 1984-1985 Pro Wrestling Omnibus available from Amazon. 1985 was a hugely impactful year in pro wrestling history and in December 1985, the AWA crowned a new World champion when Stan Hansen defeated Rick Martel. Plus, a major talent situation unfolds in Japan!

My 1000 Hours podcast series is taken from my latest book DragonKingKarl's Pioneer Era Pro Wrestling Omnibus and covers the pre-1900 era of pro wrestling. In this episode, William Muldoon, Clarence Whistler, and Donald Dinnie are in a feud. Worked or shoot? There is evidence of both. Clarence Whistler gets injured yet again. Donald Dinnie goes to jail for putting on a worked pro wrestling match. Meanwhile, an old name from the past creeps back into the story... Col. James H. McLaughlin is plotting his return. YOU CONTROL THIS SERIES! It will only run as long as it is supported. In order to get another hour of 1000 hours we need a new Patreon supporter at any level or a cash donation via the front page of WhenItWasCool.com to either PayPal or CashApp (Please put "1000" in the note). As soon as it is received, I will produce a new hour. Presently, we are funded up to hour 104.

Today I hop in the time machine and travel back to January 1994. There I pick up an issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter which covered the previous Decembers incredible WCW Starrcade 1993! The early 1990s has reputation for being the worst era in modern pro wrestling history and, to an extent, that is true. However, there were many diamonds in this rough era and Ric Flair regaining the WCW from Vader after his original opponent Sid Vicious was fired is one of those! Join me as we look back at this great match from a not-so-great era.

Today I hop in the time machine and travel back to January 1994. There I pick up an issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter which covered the previous Decembers incredible WCW Starrcade 1993! The early 1990s has reputation for being the worst era in modern pro wrestling history and, to an extent, that is true. However, there were many diamonds in this rough era and Ric Flair regaining the WCW from Vader after his original opponent Sid Vicious was fired is one of those! Join me as we look back at this great match from a not-so-great era.

The 1000 Hours podcast series focuses on the pioneer era of pro wrestling history. You do not have to listen to the shows in order, jump in at any point! Today, we are in 1883 and the biggest star of the pioneer era- William Muldoon is about to face one of the greatest all around athletes of the time and Scottish legend Donald Dinnie. The two men did not get along, and Muldoon feels like he has been double crossed by Donald Dinnie and it leads to a big show down in Portland, Oregon. That and much more on hour 83 of 1000 Hours! The information in this episode is taken from my latest book: DragonKingKarl's Pioneer Era Pro Wrestling Omnibus available at Amazon. YOU CONTROL THIS SERIES! It will only run as long as it is supported. In order to get another hour of 1000 hours we need a new Patreon supporter at any level or a cash donation via the front page of WhenItWasCool.com to either PayPal or CashApp (Please put "1000" in the note). As soon as it is received, I will produce a new hour. Presently, we are funded up to hour 104.

On this edition of the DragonKingKarl Show, I grab the March 1991 issue of Pro Wrestling Illustrated Magazine which covers the year 1990 in depth. Besides the annual year end awards, the magazine also covers the major events of 1990. 1990 was a hugely transitional year in pro wrestling history. Ric Flair was no longer king of the NWA with Sting now the reigning World champion. Hulk Hogan was out of the WWF title picture as Ultimate Warrior now had that championship. The AWA was still barely hanging on and a major angle in USWA was grabbing attention and a newcomer named Steve Austin was making waves in Texas.

I continue my history of pro wrestling series today looking at November 1985 which is taken from my book DragonKingKarl's 1984-1985 Pro Wrestling Omnibus. The young death of 'Quick Draw' Rick McGraw stunned wrestling and started a false urban legend. Thanksgiving in 1985 was a huge deal in wrestling and there were major cards by the WWF, World Class, AWA, and the biggest one of all: NWA Starrcade. Also in this month, an off-hand remark in a promo gives birth to the most famous stable in pro wrestling. Join me as well look back at this historic month in pro wrestling history.

My 1000 Hours podcast sub-series is devoted to discussion about the pioneer era of pro wrestling (Pre-Frank Gotch). Currently, we are going through my latest book: DragonKingKarl's Pioneer Era of Wrestling Omnibus and we have arrived at a fascinating story I had never heard before researching my book. A huge pro wrestling tournament was held in St. Louis, Missouri and was to feature the biggest names of the era. A rival promoter, however, syphoned off several of the stars for an East Coast tournament instead. But, back in St. Louis, one of the wrestlers, Tom Connors, was alleged to have been poisoned by another- Edwin Bibby. This and much more is discussed in this, hour 82 of 1000 Hour podcast. YOU CONTROL THIS SERIES! It will only run as long as it is supported. In order to get another hour of 1000 hours we need a new Patreon supporter at any level or a cash donation via the front page of WhenItWasCool.com to either PayPal or CashApp (Please put "1000" in the note). As soon as it is received, I will produce a new hour. Presently, we are funded up to hour 103.

Generally speaking, this is my most listened to show of the year, so thank you and strap in. Over the past several months this podcast has focused on many of the people who had not yet made the ballot. That gives me much more latitude on today's show to dive into the people and process of the Hall of Fame, examine the ballot, and on the second half of the show I throw a curveball to the process which makes for a very interesting segment. Also, I am preparing a suggestion for Dave Meltzer about how to handle the pioneer era of wrestling. The extended Patreon edition with an over 20-minute discussion about morality in pro wrestling and if that should affect voting can be found here.

Today we hop in the time machine and set it for the fall of 1990. Pro Wrestling was slumping but not yet bottoming out. When the December 1990 issue of the WWF Magazine hit the stands, The Texas Tornado (Kerry Von Erich) graced the cover. Inside was tons of hype for the now four-man Survivor Series where Teams of Four Strive to Score or something like that. Anyway, the magazine seems hyper-fixated on getting over Samba Simba which makes for some pretty weird reading in 2025.

Today on my 1000 Hours podcast series looking back at the pioneer era of pro wrestling (the era before Frank Gotch) from my latest book DragonKingKarl's Pioneer Era Pro Wrestling Omnibus, I look at correspondence from two top pro wrestling historians which include new information on pro wrestling pioneers Duncan C. Ross and Homer Lane. Who were these pioneer champion pro wrestlers? All of this plus more on William Muldoon, Prof. Thiebaud Bauer, Joe Acton, and more! YOU CONTROL THIS SERIES! It will only run as long as it is supported. In order to get another hour of 1000 hours we need a new Patreon supporter at any level or a cash donation via the front page of WhenItWasCool.com to either PayPal or CashApp (Please put “1000” in the note). As soon as it is received, I will produce a new hour. Presently, we are funded up to hour 102.

Today my classic wrestling podcast takes a detailed look back at September 1992 through the pages of Dave Meltzer's Wrestling Observer Newsletter. WCW was having an identity crisis. The pro wrestling world was crumbling down. The WWF (WWE) was plagued with multiple scandals and business was down around the globe. Bill Watts was running WCW and had taken it backward instead of forward. Bill Watts instituted weird, outdated rules and even tried to elevate the now irrelevant NWA back to some sort of stature. It was an effort in futility as Bill Watts would soon be removed due to inflammatory comments which would be brought to light by a baseball legend.

Tons of great questions and topics submitted by our Patreon supporters this month. A wide range of pro wrestling history questions including a few great ones on the pioneer era of pro wrestling plus other topics including: The Wrestler movie, Gulf Coast wrestling area, and much more! These questions and answer shows work best when we get lots of good questions and that is exactly what I have for you on this show!

On hour 80 of my 1000 Hours podcast series covering the pioneer era of pro wrestling, we continue in my latest book DragonKingKarl's Pioneer Era Pro Wrestling Omnibus further into the 1880s. For years now, Collar and Elbow had been the dominate style until the more flashy Greco-Roman style passed it in popularity. Now, there is a new rougher and more dangerous style on the field: Catch-as-Catch-Can! YOU CONTROL THIS SERIES! It will only run as long as it is supported. In order to get another hour of 1000 hours we need a new Patreon supporter at any level or a cash donation via the front page of WhenItWasCool.com to either PayPal or CashApp (Please put “1000” in the note). As soon as it is received, I will produce a new hour. Presently, we are funded up to hour 100.

On this weeks show I continue my long form history of pro wrestling series taken from my book DragonKingKarl's 1984-1985 Pro Wrestling Omnibus. I take a deep dive into October 1985 where Vince McMahon buries Uncle Elmer during his own (real!) wedding! Plus, both the NWA and AWA World champions are in Japan at the same time and wrestle, as well as, tag team with each other. Plus, the Mike Von Erich saga continues.

Join me today for a look back at one of the most significant and impactful years in pro wrestling history - 1996! WCW was exploding in popularity with the formation of the NWO, the heel turn of Hulk Hogan, and much more. WWF was trying to find the right combination to fight the rise of WCW and putting on some incredible matches. I have grabbed a copy of the Pro Wrestling Illustrated Almanac for guidance, so let's see what was so special about 1996.

1000 Hours is my series on the pioneer era of pro wrestling history and is taken from my latest book DragonKingKarl's Pioneer Era Pro Wrestling Omnibus available from Amazon. On this episode, hour 79, we take a look back at the very successful exhibition tour put on by World Greco-Roman champion William Muldoon along with his troupe of wrestlers including Clarence Whistler. Clarence, however, kept beating up poor Andre Christol and finally William Muldoon had to step in which led to a public brawl between the two. YOU CONTROL THIS SERIES! It will only run as long as it is supported. In order to get another hour of 1000 hours we need a new Patreon supporter at any level or a cash donation via the front page of WhenItWasCool.com to either PayPal or CashApp (Please put “1000” in the note). As soon as it is received, I will produce a new hour. Presently, we are funded up to hour 100

Welcome to my pro wrestling history podcast where, this week, I am going to look back at 1992 when Ron Simmons defeated Big Van Vader for the WCW World championship in an angle that also involved Sting. Plus, we dive into that same issue of Dave Meltzer's Wrestling Observer Newsletter for a breakdown of the latest scandal revelations concerning the WWF (WWE). A packed episode with tons of pro wrestling insider information about a very volatile time in pro wrestling history.

On this edition of the 1000 Hours Podcast, the podcast all about the pioneer era of pro wrestling, author and historian Karl Stern takes a look back at 1881 in pro wrestling history including the evolution of William Muldoon from New York City Police officer to touring pro wrestling champion. Also, a physical description is given for an early championship belt, plus the death of former American champion James Owens at the age of 30. YOU CONTROL THIS SERIES! It will only run as long as it is supported. In order to get another hour of 1000 hours we need a new Patreon supporter at any level or a cash donation via the front page of WhenItWasCool.com to either PayPal or CashApp (Please put “1000” in the note). As soon as it is received, I will produce a new hour. Presently, we are funded up to hour 100.

I am back this week with a new podcast looking back at the 1990s. Recently, I took a look at the first pro wrestling newsletters of the 1990s to get a feeling for where the 1990s era begin, and it began in a very low place. Today, we look at the last newsletters of the 1990s, from 1999 to discover that the WWF / WWE is flying high and WCW is trying to regroup, yet again, from a failed reset. Steve Austin, Bill Goldberg, Vince Russo, Hollywood Hulk Hogan, Bret Hart, and many others are discussed through the pages of the insider newsletters of 1999. The extended Patreon version is here.

Today is my birthday! And what better way to celebrate than with a packed mailbag and this month is probably our best yet with questions ranging from the pioneer era up to the 1990s! We have a few new great pioneer era finds via wrestling historian Jason Campbell to discuss, plus more 1990s talk, interesting twist on second generation wrestler question, the NWA, and much more! There is an extended Patreon version of the show here - 

The 1000 Hours podcast this week answers a sponsor's question: Why should we study the pioneer era of pro wrestling? What relevance does it have to the modern era? Well, I am glad you asked. The mythology of the pioneer era and men like William Muldoon, Evan Strangler Lewis, Farmer Burns and others is often misunderstood as the origin of mixed martial arts, Catch wrestling, and belongs to that world. While there are elements which do belong in that world, make no mistake, ninety percent of what happened back then influenced and began what we now recognize as worked American entertainment style pro wrestling. Please also check out my book on the pioneer era of wrestling: DragonKingKarl's Pioneer Era Pro Wrestling Omnibus. The expanded Patreon edition is available here. YOU CONTROL THIS SERIES! It will only run as long as it is supported. In order to get another hour of 1000 hours we need a new Patreon supporter at any level or a cash donation via the front page of WhenItWasCool.com to either PayPal or CashApp (Please put “1000” in the note). As soon as it is received, I will produce a new hour. Presently, we are funded up to hour 98

What did the end of the 1980s and the beginning of the 1990s look like in pro wrestling? What did it look like in real time through the lenses of the pro wrestling newsletters? There was a real business and fan shift going from 1989 into 1990, pro wrestling was getting smaller, scandal ridden, and less popular but how did the pro wrestling media cover it at the time? On today's show I take a look at the first issues of pro wrestling newsletters for January 1990. The extended Patreon version of the show is here.

Join pro wrestling historian and author Karl Stern as he talks about the complicated history and legacy of pro wrestling legend Hulk Hogan, who passed away on July 24, 2025, at his home in Florida. Hulk Hogan, who began his pro wrestling career in the late 1970s, became one of the most famous pro wrestlers in history and a major pop culture star as well. From his movies to his reality show, Hulk Hogan was one of the biggest media stars pro wrestling ever produced.

As I continue my look back at the 1990s, I make a stop in one of the strangest eras of pro wrestling history- 1992. The pro wrestling business has cratered. Ticket sales are terrible, PPV is struggling, TV rating are nothing impressive, and the business is scandal ridden. However, there were still plenty of great wrestlers. WCW, in particular, had many pieces to a great puzzle but no one to put it together. The NWA was still around for some reason. This week I look back at the WCW Great American Bash 1992 and how it represents just how bad... yet also, good, things were then!

This is hour 76 our podcast series looking back at the pioneer era of pro wrestling. We pick up in 1880. H.M. Dufur has recently defeated James Owens as American heavyweight champion and on this episode, we cover most of his first reign as champion. The collar and elbow scene was changing and William Muldoon is still rising in the Greco-Roman world but is seriously being held back by the New York City Police Department. Pro wrestling is really ramping up in this era and I am excited for us to learn about it. This episode is taken from my latest book: DragonKingKarl's Pioneer Era Pro Wrestling Omnibus available from Amazon here - https://amzn.to/44SMdSf YOU CONTROL THIS SERIES! It will only run as long as it is supported. In order to get another hour of 1000 hours we need a new Patreon supporter at any level or a cash donation via the front page of WhenItWasCool.com to either PayPal or CashApp (Please put “1000” in the note). As soon as it is received, I will produce a new hour. Presently, we are funded up to hour 96.

I am back with the latest long form history of pro wrestling series from my book DragonKingKarl's 1984-1985 Pro Wrestling Omnibus book taking a detailed look at August of 1985. On this show we discuss the continued growth of the WWF, Jim Crockett Promotions is coming on strong, the AWA continues to hang on, plus news from the young Continental wrestling, World Class, Japan, and much more! There is an extended Patreon version of this show here - https://www.patreon.com/posts/134196339 #wrestling, #WWE, #AEW, #NJPW, #TNA, #NXT, #NWA, #ROH, #sport, #sports, #history, #movie, #movies, #WCW, #retro, #WIWC

You've got the questions, and I have the answers! We have several great topics and questions to discuss on this edition of the show including the Roddy Piper movies Hell Comes to Frogtown and Body Slam, masked wrestlers of the territorial era, Mr. Wrestling II and his legal mystery unearthed, Jake Roberts, Sting, Rick Rude, Sonny King, early 1990s WCW feuds, and much more! The extended Patreon version with extra questions answered and discussed is here. #wrestling, #WWE, #AEW, #NJPW, #TNA, #NXT, #NWA, #ROH, #sport, #sports, #history, #movie, #movies, #WCW, #retro, #WIWC, #truecrime, #crime

The 1000 Hours podcast series focus exclusively on the pioneer era of pro wrestling or the era before Frank Gotch. This episode of the show is sponsored by Andy C. with information taken from my latest book DragonKingKarl's Pioneer Era Pro Wrestling Omnibus available at Amazon. We finish up the 1870s on this episode as we see pro wrestling riding a wave of popularity. H.M. Dufur wins the American title from James Owens, plus William Muldoon is rising to the top in the Greco-Roman world, plus tons more from this action-packed era! The extended Patreon version is here - https://www.patreon.com/posts/133516652 YOU CONTROL THIS SERIES! It will only run as long as it is supported. In order to get another hour of 1000 hours we need a new Patreon supporter at any level or a cash donation via the front page of WhenItWasCool.com to either PayPal or CashApp (Please put “1000” in the note). As soon as it is received, I will produce a new hour. Presently, we are funded up to hour 94.