Let's Go to the Ring!

We're back for another look at WCW's scariest series, Halloween Havoc! But are the scares from ghouls and ghosts...or match concepts and presentation ideas that should never have seen the light of day or a dark and stormy night? Sting and friends battle their way through the Chamber of Horrors - a match so haunted match props move on their own in ways that entirely demolish the concept! WCW proudly presents a whole bunch of mystery people in masks, only one of which is actually important, which also happens to be the one whose mask fits so badly you can see his quite familiar mustache! Plus - four exciting squash matches to blow through some airtime! A discussion of the uses of early 1990s computers in wrestling! Where is Bobby Eaton going with that pumpkin? Oh, and Ron Simmons has a truly star-making turn in one of WCW's best-produced matches ever. For all this and more...let's go to the ring!Music by Michael Gary Brewer at https://www.instantmusicnow.com/Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/LetsGo2theRing/

Join us in the haunted arena for our look at the second WCW Halloween show, Halloween Havoc 1990! This year, WCW even realized they were making a Halloween show, so that's a plus! The Freebirds face another generic face tag team - can they get booed this time? Ric Flair joins Arn Anderson for tag team action! Lex Luger faces Stan Hansen! Sting faces Sid Vicious for the world title! This show should be pretty good, unless, say, WCW cuts four full matches, forgets to write an ending for a match, has somebody else dress as Sting seven years early for that, and/or has a low budget stage magician for their latest villain. You know, purely hypothetically. For hopefully none of that, let's go to the ring!Music by Michael Gary Brewer at https://www.instantmusicnow.com/Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/LetsGo2theRing/

It's spooky season, so time to...wait, what do you mean it's December? Okay, we're a little behind - but still, it's time to take a look at WCW's most ghoulish and horrifying series...no, no, not Souled Out. It's Halloween Havoc! First up, Halloween Havoc 1989: Settling the Score, in which WCW puts on a largely normal wrestling pay-per-view and trusts in a fun intro video and some basic party store Halloween decorations to convince us it has a scary theme. The Steiners face a mysterious new team, the Road Warriors remind us of a favorite AWA promo, the Freebirds are apparently faces now (?), and somebody at WCW has been watching Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome, but can't do math. For all this, plus the Great Muta's firefighting demonstration, let's go to the ring!Music by Michael Gary Brewer at https://www.instantmusicnow.com/Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/LetsGo2theRing/

It's finally time! Bob and Al have been looking forward to this show since the start of Let's Go to the Ring, and finally, at long last, it's time to take a look at Capital Combat: Return of Robocop. Yes, unbelievably enough, WCW actually did a tie-in pay-per-view for the film Robocop II, but rather than do something sane like get Peter Weller to show up as Peter Weller and guest referee a match or do some commentary or something, it instead turned out that the Man Called Robocop was really real and was best pals with the Man Called Sting. At least, he is until the midpoint of the show, after which everyone starts pretending that angle never happened and Robocop turns into El Gigante. Some other stuff probably happens too, like a whole load of really good tag matches and a title match between some guys named Lex Luger and Ric Flair, but let's face it, you're here for Robocop. To serve the public trust, protect the innocent, and uphold the law...let's go to the ring!Music by Michael Gary Brewer at https://www.instantmusicnow.com/Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/LetsGo2theRing/

We've finished our seventh series! It's time for a look back at WCW's partnership with New Japan in the all-too-short Supershow series! See how you do remembering series stats, and hear our selections for series awards. Plus: Which matches made our Ultimate cards? Have there been notable changes to our overall stats? And what bizarre regimmickings have we created this time? For all this, plus news on our next series...let's go to the ring!Music by Michael Gary Brewer at https://www.instantmusicnow.com/Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/LetsGo2theRing/

We head back to Japan for, unfortunately, the last time, as we close out the WCW / New Japan Supershow series with Supershow III - a heavily (and awkwardly) edited version of Fantastic Story in Tokyo Dome, which unfortunately is not about elves and wizards fighting dragons in Tokyo Dome, but is, at least, a darn good wrestling show. Jushin "Thunder" Liger faces Ultimo Dragon in a dream match (okay, so there is one Dragon)! The Great Muta and Masahiro get another chance after their Starrcade 1992 effort underwhelmed us! Sting faces Hiroshi Hase in a contest for most naturally likeable wrestler! Plus, just what the heck is going on with commentary in that six-man tag match, and what big match got left on the cutting room floor this year? For all this and more (but no ceremony or presentation, goodness no), let's go to the ring!Music by Michael Gary Brewer at https://www.instantmusicnow.com/Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/LetsGo2theRing/

WCW returns to Japan for the second WCW / New Japan Supershow - known in Japan by the much better title "Super Warriors in Tokyo Dome." Like the prior year, WCW's presenting a heavily edited and cut down version of the Japanese original - but don't worry, I'm sure they didn't cut a match featuring a legendary wrestler and then-member of the Japanese government or anything. They didn't...right? Well, what we do get for sure is a whole slew of tag matches, including a Rhodes family teamup, Arn bowing to peer pressure from Larry Zbyszko, and an array of outfits you could only possibly find on a wrestling show - plus, Sting teaming up with Great Muta with absolutely no explanation! On the singles side, Luger does have to wrestle in Japan this year, and El Gigante is back but at least this time he's with Vader. For all this, plus a match we weren't expecting to get, let's go to the squared circle...I mean, the ring!Music by Michael Gary Brewer at https://www.instantmusicnow.com/Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/LetsGo2theRing/

It's time for a new series, and this time, we're going international! We've gotten an occasional glimpse of WCW's partnership with New Japan Pro Wrestling before, when New Japan wrestlers visited WCW, but now it's time to take a look at when WCW wrestlers visited New Japan - in the WCW / New Japan Supershow series! First up - 1991's Supershow I, hacked together by WCW from New Japan's "91 Starrcade in Tokyo Dome." WCW's cut an 11 match show down to 7, but did they leave the fun intact? Sting vs. the Great Muta! The Steiners vs. Sasaki and Hase in a prematch from Collision in Korea! The Four Horsemen enjoy shopping! And can Ric Flair defeat the Dragon (not that one)? For all this and more, let's go to the ring!Music by Michael Gary Brewer at https://www.instantmusicnow.com/Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/LetsGo2theRing/

We're back! Our latest series, Bash at the Beach, turned out to be an incredible look at basically the entire WCW career of one Hulk Hogan - so we figured, why not continue that theme and take a look at an earlier pivotal point in Hogan's career? No, not his time in the WWF - instead, we're taking a look at his time in the AWA, where somehow the sheer noise of the crowd reaction Hogan was getting did not clue the company in to the fact that they really should probably consider giving him the belt already. Plus - early looks at Bobby Heenan, Jesse Ventura, Ed Leslie, and Mean Gene Okerlund! For all this, plus some familiar faces (and audio and show design elements) from the early Starrcades, let's go to the ring!Music by Michael Gary Brewer at https://www.instantmusicnow.com/Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/LetsGo2theRing/

We've finished our sixth series! Now, join us as we take a look back at WCW's annual beach party! See how you do remembering series stats, and hear our selections for series awards. Plus: Which matches made our Ultimate cards? And - six series in, is Tully Blanchard still in our top ten recipients of Match of the Night awards overall? For all this, plus news on our next series...let's go to the ring! Music by Michael Gary Brewer at https://www.instantmusicnow.com/ Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/LetsGo2theRing/

It's WCW's final Bash at the Beach - and you'd never know it was a beach-themed show. Come on, WCW - one lifeguard stand or beach umbrella, that's all we ask. But don't worry, WCW spent the money they saved on set design so they could pay Michael Buffer to be drowned out by entrance music and commentary. Plus: A wedding gown match confuses us more than just about anything else we've watched, Vince Russo and Hulk Hogan have a, shall we say, disagreement about the future of WCW, and there's a Graveyard Match - but is it a graveyard smash? For all this and more, let's go to the ring! Music by Michael Gary Brewer at https://www.instantmusicnow.com/ Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/LetsGo2theRing/

Happy New Year! I don't know about you folks, but our resolution here at Let's Go to the Ring is to never watch WCW's Bash at the Beach 1999 again. Why? Two words: Junkyard Invitational. Plus: Piper vs. Bagwell in a boxing match evidently plotted by someone who'd never actually watched a boxing match to its conclusion, Nash and Sting vs. Savage and Sid in a match where Sting can, somehow, win Nash's world title - don't worry, I'm sure WCW will give a logical explanation at some point on the show - and some of the lengthiest video packages since a cowboy explained the Bunkhouse Stampede. For all this and more, let's go to the ring! Music by Michael Gary Brewer at https://www.instantmusicnow.com/ Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/LetsGo2theRing/

It's 1998! With the evil champ Hollywood Hogan at their head, nWo Hollywood wars with nWo Wolfpac and WCW for control. Now, at Bash at the Beach...wait, Hogan's not champ anymore? Goldberg is? The nWo Wolfpac is an afterthought? Well, at least Curt Hennig and Giant will have an interesting match against Goldberg and Kevin Greene...wait, that match turned into two matches? Surely Dean Malenko vs. Chris Jericho must be stable, right? Right? It's amazing how unplanned WCW's planning feels sometimes. For all this, plus WCW for some unknown reason deciding to actually hold another match involving Dennis Rodman, let's go to the ring! Music by Michael Gary Brewer at https://www.instantmusicnow.com/ Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/LetsGo2theRing/

One year out from the formation of the nWo, WCW holds another match that could change wrestling forever - at least to hear the commentators tell it. We're not sure Dennis Rodman's stint in the nWo is as notable, ourselves. Plus: Which Mortal Kombat characters (effectively) make an appearance? Just how many flips and dives can the luchadores put in one match? Who do the WCW sound guys evidently think has joined the nWo? And does Hulk Hogan know just what dogs do to fire hydrants? For all this and more...let's go to the ring! Music by Michael Gary Brewer at https://www.instantmusicnow.com/ Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/letsgo2thering , or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/LetsGo2theRing/

Bash at the Beach 1996. Challenged by Outsiders, WCW has put together a team to fight for the company's honor...but the identity of the Outsiders' third man will change WCW forever. That's right - it's time to look at the birth of the nWo. Plus: Rey Mysterio and Psychosis put on one of the most mind-blowing match finishes we've yet witnessed, Arn Anderson teaches division, Kevin Sullivan is a face (!), and apparently, Konnan is Dean Malenko per Ric Flair. For all this, plus the wonder that is Crab-Cam, let's go to the ring! Music by Michael Gary Brewer at https://www.instantmusicnow.com/ Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/letsgo2thering , or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/LetsGo2theRing/

At Bash at the Beach 1995, Baywatch crossed over with WCW - now, it's time for WCW to return the questionable favor on Baywatch's version of Bash at the Beach! Can Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage best Vader and Ric Flair to regain that greatest of all wrestling prizes: the escrow papers for a local gym? When Hulk Hogan faces off against a jet ski, who wins? (It ain't physics.) Has any Baywatch editor ever seen any professional wrestling matches, ever? And don't worry - they didn't film enough WCW antics to fill a full episode, but Baywatch's writers came up with exactly the right plot to combine with this fun, lighthearted wrestling angle. For all this and more, let's go to the beach! Music by Michael Gary Brewer at https://www.instantmusicnow.com/ Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/letsgo2thering , or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/LetsGo2theRing/

With Bash at the Beach 1995, WCW has finally hit on the idea of holding a beach-themed show on, you know, a beach! With a partnership with Baywatch and a sponsorship from Slim Jims, the stage is set for interesting show - can WCW deliver fun in the sun? Hogan faces Vader in a cage! Savage faces Flair in a lifeguard match (not those lifeguards, wrestler lifeguards)! Paul Orndorff faces DDP...in a contest to see who can get a better match out of their respective dance partners, Renegade and Dave Sullivan! Plus, triangle match has yet another meaning, and this one sucks. For all this, plus a discussion of Vader and multiverse theory, let's go to the beach! Music by Michael Gary Brewer at https://www.instantmusicnow.com/ Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/letsgo2thering , or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/LetsGo2theRing/

WCW's beach-themed show gets a new title as the company itself enters a new era with the arrival of Hulkamania at Bash at the Beach 1994! It's Hulk Hogan vs. Ric Flair in a match that's sold as champion vs. champion even though it, well, isn't. Meanwhile, Vader and the Boss - I mean, Guardian Angel - are back at it in a rematch of one of Al's favorites, Dustin Rhodes teams with the very trustworthy Arn Anderson, Ricky Steamboat faces a wonderfully insufferable Steve Austin, and Michael Buffer makes it through his over-the-top match intro for the main even through an effort of sheer will. For all this, plus a couple wooden birds WCW left out in the sun too long, let's go to the ring! Music by Michael Gary Brewer at https://www.instantmusicnow.com/ Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/letsgo2thering , or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/LetsGo2theRing/

It may or may not be safe to go back into the water, but it definitely wasn't safe to board Sting's boat in the leadup to Beach Blast 1993! It may involve entirely too much attempted explosive homicide, but the match between the Superpowers and the Masters of the Powerbomb is surely epic. Plus: Can NWA champion Barry Windham prove himself against the Man? Can Arn Anderson and promising (?) new Horseman Paul Roma claim tag team gold? Rick Rude has another go at becoming WCW's Iron Man! And...just what is that goop on Tony Schiavone's nose? For all this and more, let's go to the ring! Music by Michael Gary Brewer at https://www.instantmusicnow.com/ Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/letsgo2thering , or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/LetsGo2theRing/

It's time for fun in the sun as we start our latest series, covering Beach Blast and Bash at the Beach! First up - Beach Blast 1992. Who will prove to be the Iron Man - Ricky Steamboat or Rick Rude? Can Dustin Rhodes and his friends defeat the Dangerous Alliance? Can the Steiner Brothers stop the Murder Torpedo? Are we sure we're not watching a cheesy 90s action movie? For all this, plus a bikini contest you never asked for, let's go to the ring! Music by Michael Gary Brewer at https://www.instantmusicnow.com/ Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/letsgo2thering , or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/LetsGo2theRing/

August, 2000 - well, I guess it's time to head back to Sturgis, right? Wait, WCW didn't go back to Sturgis? This isn't a Road Wild show? It's called New Blood Rising (even though the New Blood angle is already pretty much over)? Well, what do we have on offer? Let's see. Generic set, confusing rules, mud wrestling, Judy Bagwell on a Forklift... Oh, dear. For all this, plus one of the most infamous matches in WCW history - yes, even worse than the stuff I've already listed - let's go to the ring! Music by Michael Gary Brewer at https://www.instantmusicnow.com/ Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/letsgo2thering , or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/LetsGo2theRing/

Last episode, we took a look at Diamond Dallas Page's 1999 film - now, we take a look at Goldberg's! Budget cuts threaten the Universal Soldier program...despite an array of scientific accomplishments that would make your head spin. Supercomputer SETH doesn't exactly take it well. Can former UniSol Luc Deveraux (Jean-Claude Van Damme) save the day? Will Goldberg be better used than DDP was in his film? Will the franchise's new reporter lady live up to the original? For all this, plus more broken plate glass than you can shake a stick at, let's go to the movies! Music by Michael Gary Brewer at https://www.instantmusicnow.com/ Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/letsgo2thering , or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/LetsGo2theRing/

Happy New Year! At Road Wild 1999, we heard that two WCW wrestlers had been featured in films. But just how featured is "featured?" To find out, first up, we're taking a look at Diamond Dallas Page in the 1999 film "First Daughter" (not to be confused with the 2004 film of the same title). When extremists kidmap the president's daughter, can Secret Service Agent Alex McGregor bring her back? Will Agent Deadmeat survive until the end of the film? And will Dirk Lindman (DDP) get even a single fight scene? For all this and more, let's go...sit on the couch and turn on TBS? Music by Michael Gary Brewer at https://www.instantmusicnow.com/ Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/letsgo2thering , or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/LetsGo2theRing/

We've reached episode 50! To celebrate, we take a trip back to the late 1980s for a reunion with performers from the early days of our podcast...at SuperClash III! Lots of old friends are back: Wahoo McDaniel, Manny Fernandez, Hector Guerrero, Ron Garvin...even Jimmy Valiant! Plus: Jerry Lawler vs. Kerry Von Erich in a match to unite two belts (and several companies), our thoughts on the wrestling weaponry scale of effectiveness, and a metric ton of promos. There's one Mona Lisa, one Leaning Tower of Pisa...and one Let's Go to the Ring! Music by Michael Gary Brewer at https://www.instantmusicnow.com/ Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/letsgo2thering , or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/LetsGo2theRing/

We've finished up another series - that's five down now! So join us as we discuss the Hog / Road Wild series as a whole. See how you do remembering some series facts. Plus: Who will get the coveted Series MVP awards, and which matches made our Ultimate cards? For all this, plus news of our plans for Episode 50, Let's Go to the Ring! Music by Michael Gary Brewer at https://www.instantmusicnow.com/ Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/letsgo2thering , or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/LetsGo2theRing/

WCW returns to Sturgis one last time for Road Wild 1999...with the face Hulk Hogan the crowd evidently thought it was getting the first year. Plus: Rodman vs. Savage in a match where somehow the guy who (at best) kidnapped somebody is the face! Goldberg vs. Rick Steiner should be a big, impressive fight...right? And...will anyone standing on the apron learn to dodge when someone comes flying at them? For all this and more...Let's Go to the Ring! Music by Michael Gary Brewer at https://www.instantmusicnow.com/ Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/letsgo2thering , or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/LetsGo2theRing/

Hogan. Bischoff. Page. Leno? It's Road Wild 1998, and as WCW heads back to Sturgis for the third year in a row, it brings the Tonight Show along for the ride in one of the stranger main events in WCW history. Before that, it's nWo vs. nWo, but Goldberg joins the battle just because. Dean Malenko dons referee stripes, even though WCW's referees don't wear stripes. Plus - we've got a no-DQ match on the card already, but it's probably cool if we convert the match just before it to no-DQ in the middle of the action, right? For all this and more, Let's Go to the Ring! Music by Michael Gary Brewer at https://www.instantmusicnow.com/ Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/letsgo2thering , or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/LetsGo2theRing/

WCW returns to Sturgis under an ever-so-slightly different name for Road Wild 1997 (though no one told Michael Buffer about the name change, apparently). Tonight, Hogan challenges for the world title, Ric Flair battles an up-and-coming Cruiserweight in the midcard, the Outsiders have a tag match just before the main event...wait, didn't all this stuff happen last year? Let's see...uh, road trips, spraypainting the title, helicopter footage, Tony-Bobby-Dusty... This...this *is* a new show, right? Right? To find out...Let's Go to the Ring! Music by Michael Gary Brewer at https://www.instantmusicnow.com/ Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/letsgo2thering , or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/LetsGo2theRing/

Happy 4th! Our new series begins - the rumble of motorcycles fills the air as Sturgis, South Dakota, goes Hog Wild! WCW and the newly formed nWo clash as Hogan fights the Giant to try to claim the Big Gold Belt for the nWo, while Kevin Nash and Scott Hall try to take down WCW stalwarts Sting and Lex Luger. Also: Is it really a good idea to enter a match with so much shoulder tape you look like a yet...I mean, a mummy? Just what the heck is Kevin Nash supposed to do with that enormous cake? And WCW decides to showcase the durability of Honda motorcycles. For all this and more...Let's Go to the Ring! Music by Michael Gary Brewer at https://www.instantmusicnow.com/ Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/letsgo2thering , or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/LetsGo2theRing/

For the first time, we take a look at an episode of WCW's flagship television show, WCW Monday Nitro. The nWo formed back at Bash at the Beach 1996...but hey, it's just another wrestling faction, right? WCW can just carry on as usual, right? To find out...let's go to the ring! Music by Michael Gary Brewer at https://www.instantmusicnow.com/ Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/letsgo2thering , or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/LetsGo2theRing/

We've finished up our fourth series! Now join us as we discuss the Spring Stampede series as a whole, to find its unifying themes. See how you do on our Spring Stampede quiz. Plus: Who will get the coveted Series MVP awards? For all this, plus some very strange match rebookings, Let's Go to the Ring! Music by Michael Gary Brewer at https://www.instantmusicnow.com/ Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/letsgo2thering , or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/LetsGo2theRing/

The stagecoach keeps on rolling, but the end of the trail approaches...as WCW Spring Stampede 2000 looms. Ironically, the final Spring Stampede brings a new beginning for WCW as they establish all new champions in a whole slew of tournaments. Plus...Norman Smiley vs. Terry Funk, because we love that pairing so much. DDP vs. Jeff Jarrett for the World Title...and revenge. And, at least seven quintillion cruiserweights pile into the ring for a supposed six-man match! For all this and more...let's go to the ring! Music by Michael Gary Brewer at https://www.instantmusicnow.com/ Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/letsgo2thering , or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/LetsGo2theRing/

The Spring Stampede series continues...and so too does the rise of Diamond Dallas Page, who has his biggest opportunity yet - a shot at the World Heavyweight Championship. Can he dethrone the ever-so-slightly power-mad Ric Flair? Also: Can Goldberg get his revenge on Kevin Nash? Can Konnan even hope to stand against the raw might of...Disco Inferno? And WCW's booked every single lower card title to be occupied by only two matches...that's not weird at all, right? For all this and more, let's go to the ring! Music by Michael Gary Brewer at https://www.instantmusicnow.com/ Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/letsgo2thering , or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/LetsGo2theRing/

It's Spring Stampede 1998, and there's trouble down at the nWo-K Corral, brother! Hogan and Nash must face Piper and the Giant in a Baseball Bat on a Pole match...but should the two nWo members fear each other more than their opponents? Can Prince Iaukea avenge his defeated mentor, Dean Malenko? Can Saturn best the rising phenomenon, Goldberg? (Uh...no.) Just how much of the arena will remain after DDP and Raven do battle? For all this, plus a wrestler debut Al has long awaited, let's go to the ring! Music by Michael Gary Brewer at https://www.instantmusicnow.com/ Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/letsgo2thering , or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/LetsGo2theRing/

Yeehaw! Spring Stampede may have managed to skip the entire WCW Hulkamania era, but now it's back - landing smack in the middle of the nWo angle! Has the time off hurt the series, or can it come roaring back just as strong as in its first showing? One person who certainly benefitted from the two year gap is Diamond Dallas Page, who has gone from a barely-mentioned opening match performer to a main eventer in the intervening time. Also: Who will win a (very very eventual) title shot against World Champ Hollywood Hogan? Can Prince Iaukea retain his TV title against Steven Regal? Will the commentators even pay attention to Madusa vs. Akira Hokuto? For all this, plus one of the most infamous promo flubs of all time, let's go to the ring! Music by Michael Gary Brewer at https://www.instantmusicnow.com/ Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/letsgo2thering , or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/LetsGo2theRing/

Saddle up, pardners! It's time for a new series! In 1994, WCW decided the absolute best location to host their new, cowboy-themed show, Spring Stampede, was of course...Illinois? Sure, that sounds logical. It also features precisely zero Bunkhouse Stampedes, though we're actually rather thankful for that one. So what does it have? The Boss boldly battles Vader and copyright law! Dustin Rhodes and Bunkhouse Buck fistfight to prove which is better, Texas or Tennessee...in Illinois. Best pals Ric Flair and Ricky Steamboat battle it out in a reignition of their legendary feud. For all this, plus our thoughts on the latest Michael Buffer fashion, let's go to the ring! Music by Michael Gary Brewer at https://www.instantmusicnow.com/ Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/letsgo2thering , or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/LetsGo2theRing/

In 1995, WCW tried their hand at international diplomacy, working with New Japan Pro Wrestling and Antonio Inoki to put on a wrestling show / peace mission in North Korea. Now, the pay-per-view version of that show has been posted to YouTube, courtesy of Eric Bischoff's "83 Weeks" podcast - allowing us to take a look at one of the few WCW pay-per-views not available on the WWE Network. Should it have stayed hidden? To find out - let's go to the ring! Want to watch the version of the show we're reviewing? Find it at: https://youtu.be/R-By0dlVYE4 Music by Michael Gary Brewer at https://www.instantmusicnow.com/ Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/letsgo2thering , or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/LetsGo2theRing/

A third series down! Join us as we take a look back at Slamboree and figure out the series' identity and unifying themes. We'll also play some guessing games (see how you do!) and hand out series awards...and create our Ultimate Slamboree cards. Finally, find out what we'll be covering next! For all this, plus an exploration of the fourth dimension, Let's Go to the Ring! Music by Michael Gary Brewer at https://www.instantmusicnow.com/ Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/letsgo2thering , or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/LetsGo2theRing/

It's the year 2000, and the end is swiftly approaching for WCW, making this the final Slamboree. But don't worry - WCW's still in the mood to waste a massive load of money on a terrifically expensive and equally massive three-tiered cage to put on one of their biggest spectacles yet, as Diamond Dallas Page and Jeff Jarrett challenge for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship held by...David Arquette? Meanwhile, Hulk Hogan goes hardcore, Prince Iaukea protests his record label I guess, Ric Flair gets franchised (I'd eat at a Ric Flair burger chain, for the record), and WCW has at least figured out that promo videos are best done about storylines rather than the mere existence of wrestlers but has apparently drained several 2-liters of Surge before making them. For all this and far too much more, let's go to the ring! Music by Michael Gary Brewer at https://www.instantmusicnow.com/ Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/letsgo2thering , or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/LetsGo2theRing/

In early 2000, losing money and fans by the boatload, WCW decided they were so popular it was time to release a movie! Enter "Ready to Rumble," which is such a cinematic masterpiece that Michael Buffer would be justified suing for defamation of character just for having his catchphrase associated with it. Thrill to the cinematic exploits of your favorite WCW performers, like DDP, Goldberg, Perry Saturn (no longer employed by WCW at this point), and...Jimmy King? Who the heck is Jimmy King? Oh, and you'll love watching fans just like you on screen for the first time, treated with all the dignity and respect you deserve and certainly not at all portrayed as absolute idiots who are dangers to themselves and others. Are we really sure an actual pro wrestling company was involved in this thing? For all this and more...let's go to the ring! Music by Michael Gary Brewer at https://www.instantmusicnow.com/ Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/letsgo2thering , or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/LetsGo2theRing/

In 1999, a troubled WCW presents its penultimate Slamboree - including a whole bunch of video packages that really, really want to tell you that Sting, Goldberg, Kevin Nash, and DDP do in fact exist. Nothing about what they're doing, mind - but they exist. Good to know! Will Ric Flair or Roddy Piper become president of WCW? Will Mike Tenay stop interfering with Bobby Heenan's attempts to watch an assuredly enjoyable hardcore match? And will a referee and a valet have a better match than many wrestlers? For all this and more - let's go to the ring! Music by Michael Gary Brewer at https://www.instantmusicnow.com/ Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/letsgo2thering , or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/LetsGo2theRing/

It's WCW vs. nWo vs. nWo! At Slamboree '98, the battle lines are drawn...sometimes in rather confusing ways. Will Sting join the nWo (either version)? Can Lex Luger get revenge on Scott Steiner...by attacking Brian Adams? Will Vince McMahon accept Eric' Bischoff's challenge, and give us the first WWF vs. WCW match, even though even the guy who made the challenge is telling us he definitely won't? (Blatantly obvious spoiler: no). And what wrestler gets pretty much the loudest pop of his career? For all this and more - let's go to the ring! Music by Michael Gary Brewer at https://www.instantmusicnow.com/ Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/letsgo2thering , or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/LetsGo2theRing/

The tradition continues at Slamboree 1997! What tradition? Well, maybe it's the Steiners, traditionally hurling people overhead? Or maybe Ultimo Dragon, traditionally kicking really, really hard? Or maybe Kevin Greene, making a traditional appearance for the second year? Jeff Jarrett, traditionally worst dressed wrestler? Ric Flair's traditional "woo?" Take your pick. For all this and more, Let's (traditionally) Go to the Ring! Music by Michael Gary Brewer at https://www.instantmusicnow.com/ Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/letsgo2thering , or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/LetsGo2theRing/

Woooooo shall not pass! It's Slamboree 1996, and WCW's stalwarts, along with some of its rising stars, seek to become the Lord of the Ring...as WCW, for some reason, decides to abandon the Hall of Fame concept of prior Slamborees to do a Battlebowl show. Can Ric Flair and Randy Savage get along? Which Steiner Brother will come out on top when they face off? What secret purpose does Luger Selling serve? And who will become the Lord of the Ring? For all this, plus our picks for the WCW cast of "The Lord of the Rings," let's go to the One Ring! Music by Michael Gary Brewer at https://www.instantmusicnow.com/ Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/letsgo2thering , or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/LetsGo2theRing/

Slamboree '95 is a Legends' Reunion once again...even if the legends are kind of crammed into their own little corner on the show this time. As WCW hurtles headlong into its future, how will it change a show that has, thus far, been heavily focused on the past? Plus: The Conch Republic, Red Tide, North Korea, and the Sylvester Stallone...classic..."Over the Top," all somehow come up on the same wrestling show. How in the heck did that happen? To find out, let's go to the ring! Music by Michael Gary Brewer at https://www.instantmusicnow.com/ Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/letsgo2thering , or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/LetsGo2theRing/

We're back with a look at Slamboree '94, as WCW once again honors the legends of the past, but has a bit more time for the stars of the present this time. They just probably shouldn't have asked Verne Gagne and Lou Thesz their thoughts on hardcore wrestling. Who is the mystery challenger for Ric Flair's World Heavyweight Championship (and who does everyone expect it to be)? Can Sting best Vader for the vacant International World Heavyweight Title (yes, that's still a thing) after giving it up earlier in the night? Will Bunkhouse Buck even get one actual move of offense in his match against Dustin Rhodes? For WCW in its priiiiiiiiiiime - let's go to the ring! Music by Michael Gary Brewer at https://www.instantmusicnow.com/ Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/letsgo2thering , or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/LetsGo2theRing/

Happy New Year! It's a new year and we've got a new series! We're taking a look back at when WCW took a look back, as WCW plans a night honoring stars of prior eras. It's a night of reunions, flashbacks, and classy celebration...and also features Ricky Steamboat wearing a sombrero for some reason. The Four Horsemen reunite (kind of)! Sting faces his most deadly foe yet...the Prisoner! (Boredom can be deadly, right?) The British Bulldog matches strength against Vader! For all this, plus a parade of legends having fun at Eric Bischoff's expense, Let's Go to the Ring! Music by Michael Gary Brewer at https://www.instantmusicnow.com/ Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/letsgo2thering , or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/LetsGo2theRing/

We're back! Before our next series, we step away from WCW for a moment to look at another wrestling promotion: the AWA. With fans not attending shows, the AWA seized on a solution not dissimilar from what other entertainment companies are trying today...just well before the technology existed to actually manage it. Green screen entrances, bizarre promos, terrible audio, magic sledgehammers, and a crowd of questionable existence make this a...unique...wrestling show. For all this, plus Verne Gagne's adorable sleepy dog, Let's Go to the Ring! Music by Michael Gary Brewer at https://www.instantmusicnow.com/ Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/letsgo2thering , or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/LetsGo2theRing/

We're already at the end of our second series! Time flies when you're having fun (and when the series is less than a fourth the length of Starrcade). It's time for a look at WrestleWar as a whole - what themes did we find to unify the series? Plus: Our awards for the series, guessing games (play along!), our Ultimate WrestleWar cards, and a very special surprise! Finally - find out what we'll be covering next. For all this and more, Let's Go to the Ring! Music by Michael Gary Brewer at https://www.instantmusicnow.com/ Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/letsgo2thering , or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/LetsGo2theRing/

It's time for the last WrestleWar - but before the series closes up, WCW has one more WarGames for us. Which team will survive - Sting's Squadron, or the Dangerous Alliance? Also: Raven plays Buff Bagwell against pre-Buff Buff Bagwell! There's no Vader this show, but please accept the Super inVader! And when Z-Man puts a title on the line before he even wins it, it kind of ticks off the current champ - his best friend, Brian Pillman. For all this and more, let's go to the ring! Music by Michael Gary Brewer at https://www.instantmusicnow.com/ Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/letsgo2thering , or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/LetsGo2theRing/

We Want You to listen to this episode! WrestleWar '91 brings us our first look at one of WCW's most famous match types - WarGames - as the Four Horsemen (minus one, plus a fill-in) face off against Captain Stingmerica and his buddies. Meanwhile, WCW tries a hard sell for a future show without any apparent idea what's going to be on it, our neighbor Dan Spivey goes after Lex Luger's US Title (with Nikita Koloff on hand to deliver a new title belt to the victor), and a simple question to a fan ends up being a bit awkward for poor JR. For all this and more, Let's Go to the Ring! Music by Michael Gary Brewer at https://www.instantmusicnow.com/ Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/letsgo2thering , or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/LetsGo2theRing/