DragonKingKarl Classic Wrestling Podcast

Thank you for great participation in the May 2026 question and answer show and I have some great classic pro wrestling questions this episode. I field questions and topic suggestions on Andre the Giant, Hulk Hogan, phycological understanding of working matches, pro wrestling title histories, and much more.

I'm not even kidding. From the deep dark recesses of wherever NoFriender's lair is, years after his last show, a new edition of the Thrash Metal Show Podcast that discusses the 41st anniversary of this important moment in thrash metal music history. Now's a great time to dig into the past episodes of the Thrash Metal Show which lurk in our archive at When It Was Cool!

I've got a deep cut for you this week! From the 1977 Saturday morning TV line-up I bring you, out of the Pacific Northwest, the tale of Bigfoot and Wildboy. Bigfoot finds a lost boy and raises him and they solve mysteries along with a Forest Ranger and his daughter. In this episode they take on evil space aliens who have landed a UFO in order to steal minerals from a lake. I AM NOT MAKING THIS UP!

I continue my Long Form History of Pro Wrestling series today taken from the pages of my latest book DragonKingKarl's 1986-1987 Pro Wrestling Omnibus available from Amazon. Business is starting to slump temporarily in the wake of all the big shows in the spring of 1986. Stan Hansen has the AWA World heavyweight title stripped from him, Antonio Inoki is having big matches in Japan, and World Class continues to have various Von Erich problems. But 1987 is coming and the first few chess pieces for that record shattering year are starting to fall into place.

Today on the 1000 Hours Podcast, the podcast all about the pioneer era of pro wrestling (1800s) we continue to go through my book DragonKingKarl's Pioneer Era Pro Wrestling Omnibus and we are nearing the end of the pioneer era. Martin 'Farmer' Burns had defeated Evan 'Strangler' Lewis and the reputation of Lewis took a big hit after the newspapers firmly believed the match had a predetermined outcome. However, Farmer Burns would not be champion for long as a newcomer, Dan McLeod, who burst onto the scene. Also, we revisit that time that H.M. Dufur was shot in the fact. Literally, shot in the face. 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 129.

I have a special show for you this week in place of the DragonKingKarl Classic Wrestling Podcast, I was a guest on the Def Dave podcast which covers pop culture and this season he is coving 1984 and invited me on to discuss the historic WWF title match where Hulk Hogan defeated The Iron Sheik and kicked off the Hulk-a-mania Era of pro wrestling! I hope you enjoy this show and you can subscribe to Def Dave on most all major podcast platforms. There is no extended version of the show this week. I am working on a bigger overrun for Sunday's 1000 Hours show.

In 1977 Marvel Comics brought Spider-Man to live action for the first time. Well... not the first time if you count the Electric Company on PBS but you get the picture. I had no idea that this ended up being a TV series that ran TWO seasons! My childhood memory wanted this to be a couple TV specials and I remember them not being very good. Well, the TV pilot wasn't as bad as I remembered. It wasn't good but it wasn't horrible. More like just boring while soaked in 1970s. Anyway, here's the audio review.

This week on my classic wrestling podcast, I take a look back at the June 16, 1986, issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter by Dave Meltzer. This was one of the sources used in my latest book DragonKingKarl's 1986-1987 Pro Wrestling Omnibus available at Amazon. This is an issue with a huge news story discussing the severe motorcycle accident suffered by Kerry Von Erich which ultimately led to the partial amputation of his foot. In addition, that huge story is news on Billy Jack Haynes, Roddy Piper, and a major AWA show heading to Denver. Plus, news on the NWA Great American Bash 1986 tour series.

Join me on the podcast dealing with the pioneer era of pro wrestling. Taken from the pages of my book DragonKingKarl's Pioneer Era Pro Wrestling Omnibus available at Amazon, we are detailing the events of the last decade of the pioneer era of pro wrestling, the 1890s. Martin 'Farmer' Burns has been on the rise and the star of the moment of the brutal Evan 'Strangler' Lewis, the original 'Strangler' of pro wrestling. So, when the two finally meet for the American heavyweight championship, it was supposed to have ushered in a big new era in pro wrestling history, and it did, just not the way anyone expected. Evan 'Strangler' Lewis' reputation as the most real wrestler in America took a tumble with this match and it changed pro wrestling forever. 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 129.

Today on my Long Form History of Pro Wrestling Series, I cover May 1986 from my latest book DragonKingKarl's 1986-1987 Pro Wrestling Omnibus available at Amazon. April 1986 was one of the most impactful months in pro wrestling history with most major promotions in the United States holding a super card. In May, WWF, AWA, and NWA try to keep their momentum going and World Class, now having left the National Wrestling Alliance, holds their annual David Von Erich Memorial Parade of Champions card. Join me as I discuss another packed month of pro wrestling history!

Today on our retro TV review we take a look at the world's first superhero- Captain Caveman! Captain Caveman not only had his own stand alone series but also crossed over with the Flintstones and shared a show with them at one point. Based on two Hanna-Barbara characters previously discussed on our Wacky Races podcast, Captain Caveman also shared a lot of elements (as well as the basic plot of his shows) with Scooby-Doo. Today, let's look back at this Saturday morning cartoon classic.

This week, I continue to take a look back at 1986 from my latest book DragonKingKarl's 1986-1987 Pro Wrestling Omnibus available at Amazon. I take a deep dive into the June 10, 1986 issue of Dave Meltzer's Wrestling Observer Newsletter where he looks at major stories involving Billy Jack Haynes leaving the Pacific Northwest territory for the WWF, major problems in Fritz Von Erich's World Class Championship Wrestling, and the upcoming NWA Great American Bash Tour.

We continue in the final decade of the pioneer era of pro wrestling and the biggest star of the pioneer era, William Muldoon, has his last pro wrestling match in New York. Another veteran pioneer wrestler, John McMahon, has his last match as well. Still earlier pioneers like Col. James H. McLaughlin and Homer Lane continue to wrestler periodically, but it is now the era of Evan 'Strangler' Lewis and Farmer Burns is on the rise as well. The 1890s were an incredible era in pro wrestling history that set the stage for what American pro wrestling would become in the 1900s. 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 128.

With the release of my new book DragonKingKarl's 1986-1987 Pro Wrestling Omnibus available on Amazon, I continue a deep dive into those two years to look at the stories between the stories. Wrestling Observer Newsletter Dave Meltzer begins the May 29, 1986 issue by stating that there isn't 'any big news this week' which allows us to look at a lot of stuff that doesn't get regularly discussed. Buddy Rose and Doug Somers have won the AWA World tag team titles from Curt Hennig and Scott Hall, 'Cowboy' Bob Orton has been arrested, UWF is running a hot angle with Bill Watts, Eddie Gilbert, and Korstia Korchenko, and the big powerhouse team of The Bladerunners (the future Ultimate Warrior and Sting) are changing companies... sort of. This week is a fun deep dive back into 1986 pro wrestling history.

Bullshido at its finest! The 1976 post-Bruce Lee era Master of the Flying Guillotine is one of my favorite Kung-Fu movies. It is utterly ridiculous. Featuring a one-armed Kung Fu master who is the target of an evil Kung Fu master. The evil Kung Fu matches shows up at an incredibly ridiculous Kung Fu tournament and starts killing every one-armed person there! This movie features everything you love about wacky Kung Fu movies: bizarre tournament to the death, evil Kung Fu heels, traps, and more! Prepare to be destroyed! 

On this installment of my Long Form History of Pro Wrestling Series, I cover one of the business months in pro wrestling history. Taken from the pages of my latest book DragonKingKarl's 1986-1987 Pro Wrestling Omnibus, April 1986 featured multiple giant supercards including WWF WrestleMania 2 featuring the debut of the Big Blue Steel Cage and NFL Football players in a battle royal, the first ever NWA Jim Crockett, Sr. Memorial Tag Team Tournament, and AWA WrestleRock '86. This is literally one of the most packed months in the history of pro wrestling. Join me as I discuss it!

This week on my 1000 Hours podcast series which focuses exclusively on pre-Frank Gotch era pro wrestling, we finish out the 1880s and enter the last decade of the pioneer era of pro wrestling. Taken from my popular book DragonKingKarl's Pioneer Era Pro Wrestling Omnibus, we look at the final days of William Muldoon as a pro wrestler. Muldoon began losing interest in pro wrestling after the more entertainment based Greco-Roman wrestling declined in popularity, replaced by the rougher and more vicious style of Catch-as-Catch-Can and the rise of Evan 'Strangler' Lewis. Muldoon began casting his lot more and more with boxing, particularly pioneer boxer John L. Sullivan and, well, let's just say that didn't go very well and ended with each insulting the other in the newspapers and Sullivan accusing Muldoon of being (aghast!) a GOVERNMENT RAT! 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 127.

This week on the DragonKingKarl podcast I take a look back at the April 4, 1986 issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter by Dave Meltzer which discusses the lead up to WWF WrestleMania 2. The Observer looks at the training that Mr. T and Roddy Piper were going through leading up to their boxing match. Also, an update on the various NFL stars who are expected to be in the celebrity battle royal. In addition, more details are discussed on the upcoming NWA Jim Crockett, Sr. Memorial Tag Team Tournament. All of these events and much more are discussed in my latest book DragonKingKarl's 1986-1987 Pro Wrestling Omnibus available at Amazon.

A superhero combination that exists within the Hanna-Barbara and Scooby-Doo universe. Blue Falcon is clearly a parody of Batman and I suppose Dynomutt (the Dog Wonder) is a parody of Robin the Boy Wonder but is more Inspector Gadget than anything. When I was a young kid I loved it whenever the Blue Falcon would show up. He crossed over into the Laugh-A-Lympics, Scooby-Doo, and his own Hanna-Barbara show. He even returned a few years ago for a direct to DVD Scooby-Doo special. Today I take a look back at Blue Falcon and Dynomutt!

A superhero combination that exists within the Hanna-Barbara and Scooby-Doo universe. Blue Falcon is clearly a parody of Batman and I suppose Dynomutt (the Dog Wonder) is a parody of Robin the Boy Wonder but is more Inspector Gadget than anything. When I was a young kid I loved it whenever the Blue Falcon would show up. He crossed over into the Laugh-A-Lympics, Scooby-Doo, and his own Hanna-Barbara show. He even returned a few years ago for a direct to DVD Scooby-Doo special. Today I take a look back at Blue Falcon and Dynomutt!

My latest book, DragonKingKarl's 1986-1987 Pro Wrestling Omnibus is now available for order, and it is a massive near 600-page book detailing ever major event, story, and happening in pro wrestling for 1986 and 1987. On today's podcast I touch on just a few highlights and deep dives explored in the book from the real attendance for 1987's WWF WrestleMania III to both the 1986 and 1987 NWA Jim Crockett, Sr. Memorial tag team tournaments. Let's also not forget the AWA had WrestleRock in 1986 and Japan, Canada, and Mexico had some incredible moments. Plus, sadly, the drug death epidemic began hitting pro wrestling hard and there were multiple tragic accidents as well including Magnum T.A.'s career ending car wreck. That only scratches the surface.

William Muldoon got about a 25-year head start on Frank Gotch's gimmick of returning from 'retirement' multiple times and about a 100-year head start on Terry Funk. William Muldoon had begun suffering from nagging hand and arm injuries and a severe downturn in the popularity of pro wrestling, especially French Greco-Roman style of which he was the dominate master. Evan 'Strangler' Lewis and the rise of Catch-as-Catch-Can wrestling was beginning to dominate the scene. All the ingredients are starting to set the stage for the coming of Frank Gotch. Martin 'Farmer' Burns is now on the scene and soon Tom Jenkins will be as well. Jack Carkeek gets in legal trouble and will become no stranger to it. 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 124.

Today, I continue preparations for the debut of my latest book: DragonKingKarl's 1986-1987 Pro Wrestling Omnibus with a detailed look back at the March 3, 1986, issue of Dave Meltzer's Wrestling Observer Newsletter. This issue of the Observer discusses such stories as World Class Championship Wrestling pulling out of the NWA and crowning their own world champion. Plus, the hype for WWF WrestleMania II, Saturday Night's Main Event, Yoshiaki Yatsu trying to get into the Olympics, and Florida's Battle of the Belts card.

I recently ran through every Disney+ Star Wars offering in timeline order starting with The Acolyte (currently the series farthest back in Star Wars history) through Revenge of the Sith, and yes, that means I watched every season and episode of The Clone Wars. As a huge Star Wars fan my whole life (I saw A New Hope in theaters when I was in second grade and was hooked), all the recent Star Wars stuff on Disney+ both helped the story take on richer meaning but also brought a ton of problems with it as well. Let's talk about it.

This week I am working on finishing up my new book DragonKingKarl's 1986-1987 Pro Wrestling Omnibus so this week I am presenting a show that I don't believe many people heard before. These two shows were recorded for a special project and this week I am letting everyone hear them. The first half of the show discusses pro wrestling's place in pop culture, especially back in the 1980s, and the second half of the show talks about times that pro wrestling either did completely embarrassing angles or featured embarrassing characters.

Today on my 1000 Hours podcast series we discuss the continued rise of Evan 'Strangler' Lewis and how crowds in the late 1800s turned on this man. The vicious tactics of the original Strangler Lewis bumps up against the code of conduct of the era's sporting culture. Plus, William Muldoon says he is retired but is really? The wild 1880s continue on the 1000 Hours Podcast with Karl Stern. 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 122.

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.