Something to Wrestle with Bruce Prichard

Is WrestleMania 19 the most underrated WrestleMania of all time? It's Brock's first WrestleMania and he's in the main event for the World Title. It's Steve Austin's last WrestleMania and finale of the Austin-Rock trilogy. It's Shawn Michael's first WrestleMania in five years and he stole the show with Chris Jericho. This is the most "stacked" roster in company history. Jeff Hardy, Batista, Randy Orton, Kevin Nash, Goldberg, and John Cena are all on the roster but not on the show. With this loaded roster, why was business down? The buy-rate was down 36% from 2002 but why? Were fans not ready for Angle-Lesnar in the top spot? Did the Undertaker not have a big enough match? Was Hogan-Vince what people saw as the focal point? Had the Rock-Austin feud lost some of it's luster? Of course that night will mostly be remembered for the Shooting Star Press in the main event. We cover that in great detail including never before heard details of the fallout of that evening for both men and you won't believe it. Plus we examine the unbelievable choices the WWE made regarding the Booker T-Triple H storyline to build to WrestleMania, the silliness of the Miller Lite Cat Fight Girls, Torrie's Playboy, the WWE theme ride in Niagra Falls, why the World finally closed, how Austin and Hogan got along, the Flair-Bischoff fight, the Heyman-Gewirtz fight, Shawn's relationship with Vince, Jeff Hardy's diminishing interest in wrestling, Tommy Dreamer on the writing team, the original plans for John Cena at WrestleMania, Kevin Kelly, more on Nathan Jones, the rise of Benoit and Guerrero, how the plans came together at the last minute for Piper, who was considered for that spot, and the unbelievable stuff we saw Vince McMahon do in his match against Hulk Hogan. But most of all we discuss the unfortunate sendoff of "Stone Cold" as it's the retirement match that nobody knew about. Please Subscribe to the ONLY Official STW YouTube: www.youtube.com/SomethingToWrestle Wake up with the "Morning Deuce with Bruce" every day: www.Facebook.com/SomethingToWrestle Ask a question about the "First Draft" episode next week: www.twitter.com/PrichardShow Come see us LIVE in Chicago, San Antonio, and Nashville: www.BrucePrichard.com RARE "behind the scenes" photos from Bruce: www.instagram.com/PrichardShow Save Yourself Some Money: www.SaveWithBruce.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fire up the WWE Network and find Saturday Night's Main Event from 1988 in the Vault to watch-along with Bruce Prichard providing alternate commentary over the final major event before WrestleMania IV! The music, the graphics, the over-the-top characters -- this is everything you loved about the WWF in the 1980s! Bruce and Conrad discuss Harley Race allegedly trying to set the WWF ring on fire and pulling a gun on Hulk Hogan before finally agreeing to join the company. You'll learn about the injury sustained this night, the court case it created, why Hogan worked as a heel, why DiBiase worked with Savage here just a couple weeks before WrestleMania, a hilarious tidbit you've never heard about Andre the Giant, one heck of a prank on Ventura, who designed Bobby's jackets and Brutus's gear, what happened with the Killer Bees, why Tama was fired, where Bruce celebrated his birthday, what Vince thought of Nashville, and much more in a very special BONUS edition of Something to Wrestle! Spend WrestleMania morning picking Bruce's brain: SomethingToWaffle.com Wake up with the "Morning Deuce with Bruce" every day: www.Facebook.com/SomethingToWrestle Vote in our poll for the 3/23 episode: www.twitter.com/PrichardShow Check out our live shows and merchandise at www.BrucePrichard.com RARE "behind the scenes" photos from Bruce: www.instagram.com/PrichardShow Save Yourself Some Money: www.SaveWithBruce.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bruce Prichard addresses all of the "rumor and innuendo" about Shawn Michaels during two of the most controversial years in his career. In today's episode you'll hear about THE ladder match that set the standard for all that followed, the Kliq riding together, how HHH joined the group, Shawn's first WrestleMania world title match, what Shawn and Nash fought Vince about, the night Vince changed his mind about Shawn, why the Heartbreak Hotel was created, what personal problems Shawn had at the time, why Shawn and Nash didn't drop the tag titles, whether or not Shawn was jealous of Nash's title run, how Aldo Montoya came in, the crazy WrestleMania 11 press conference, all the Pamela Anderson talk you'd expect, the unbelievable curve ball Vince threw Shawn and Razor for the SummerSlam ladder match, and of course we address Dean Douglas, the Kliq "burying" a guy, the infamous meeting with Vince in Indianapolis, the Syracuse incident with Marines, Tell Me a Lie, and the collapse on Monday Night RAW. This episode is the Showstopper and your Friday Noon's Main Event! Please Subscribe to the ONLY Official STW YouTube: www.youtube.com/SomethingToWrestle Spend WrestleMania picking Bruce's brain: SomethingToWaffle.com Wake up with the "Morning Deuce with Bruce" every day: www.Facebook.com/SomethingToWrestle Vote in our poll for the 3/23 episode: www.twitter.com/PrichardShow Check out our live shows and merchandise at www.BrucePrichard.com RARE "behind the scenes" photos from Bruce: www.instagram.com/PrichardShow Save Yourself Some Money: www.SaveWithBruce.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"The Heartbreak Kid" has been in singles action for about a year and as we start 1993, he's the Intercontinental Champion who just headlined a Pay Per View for the World Title. We address the rumors of what really happened when Shawn said he scuffed his face when he tripped in a parking lot, why Shawn's matches always had the same finish, how he liked working with Backlund, the original plan for WrestleMania 9, why Sherri was out and Luna was in, a ref knocking his teeth out, why Shawn and Perfect didn't click, a Vince McMahon rib on Howard Finkel, how Kevin Nash came in, when they started riding together and who joined them, the "weak chin" story Bruce has mentioned before, who Shawn looked up to, who named the Kevin Nash gimmick, how Nash's look was decided and what it nearly was, the original thinking about King of the Ring, what Shawn thought of Owen, Shawn gaining weight, Scott Hall's nickname for Shawn, the steroid suspension, Vince and Shawn's relationship, the financial rumor no one talks about, "fraud" on the hotline, why Shawn was chosen for Lawler's replacement at Survivor Series, what the hell was Reo Rodgers, Randy working with Shawn, various folks singing Shawn's theme song, and more! Please Subscribe to the ONLY Official STW YouTube: www.youtube.com/SomethingToWrestle Wake up with the "Morning Deuce with Bruce" every day: www.Facebook.com/SomethingToWrestle Vote in our WrestleMania poll for the 3/16 episode: www.twitter.com/PrichardShow Check out our live shows and merchandise at www.BrucePrichard.com RARE "behind the scenes" photos from Bruce: www.instagram.com/PrichardShow Save Yourself Some Money: www.SaveWithBruce.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As we build towards WrestleMania 19 the roster has never been more stacked but was Goldberg supposed to wrestle the Rock at WrestleMania? Was Bischoff supposed to wrestle McMahon? Was Austin supposed to wrestle Hogan? Why wasn't Scott Steiner on the card? Was Austin-HHH considered? We address all of the rumor and innuendo for Mania plus the Tough Enough incident with Bob Holly, moving SmackDown to Fox, the lawsuit regarding Owen, how Johnny Ace rose to power, the crazy story of Nathan Jones, Heyman and Gerwitz fighting, Wrestler's Court being mentioned by WWE, why Raven didn't make it, how Blackman's career ended, what really happened with D'Lo, the WWE-ESPN relationship, Hogan angling for the Austin match and how he shot himself in the foot, the very strange relationship with Girls Gone Wild, breaking cinder blocks over an announcer's head, the full story on signing the wrong one-legged wrestler, the "haircut" issue Undertaker and others hated, Goldust being electrocuted, Edge's surgery, Heyman losing power, the way Keller described Prichard, Brother Love's last WWE appearance until this year, how to make it clear Rock was a heel for the rematch with Hogan, the real life heat with Bischoff and Austin, and the first time we saw Matt Hardy's "condition" before he was broken in nearly three hours of the WWE in 2003 comes your way for NO WAY OUT 2003! Please Subscribe to the ONLY Official STW YouTube: www.youtube.com/SomethingToWrestle Wake up with the "Morning Deuce with Bruce" every day: www.Facebook.com/SomethingToWrestle Ask your questions for "Shawn Michaels 93/94/95" next week: www.twitter.com/PrichardShow Check out our live shows and merchandise at www.BrucePrichard.com RARE "behind the scenes" photos from Bruce: www.instagram.com/PrichardShow Save Yourself Some Money: www.SaveWithBruce.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The WWF has struck gold with Mike Tyson agreeing to participate in WrestleMania to the point that the New York Daily News had a headline that read, "Vince Revels as King for a Day!" Business is up and the public attention in WrestleMania is hotter than ever. In the middle of all this Mike Tyson has a very public split from long time promoter Don King and many think the WWF deal was the "final straw." We dig into that full story, Vince hilariously coaching Tyson in front of reporters at the press conference, how they handled Cold Stone, plus we discuss the relationship off camera with Mero and Sable, Goldust as Marilyn Manson, the NWA in the WWF, how many buys Tyson needed to add for the WWF to be profitable, where the money for such appearances was earmarked within the company, Shawn Michaels "jacking off" weanies on TV, when Crash Holly got his try-out, how Hunter won and lost a title without wrestling, ribbing Hunter's nose, Butterbean's plan for WrestleMania 98, TCI Cable threatening to not carry WrestleMania and their hilarious reasoning as to why, how Shawn Michaels pulling out of shows ruined Owen Hart's chances to get credit for new records at the gate, Ahmed collapsing on air plane and what the company thought of that, Bradshaw's rising star as a singles performer, Barry Windham in 98, whether or not Vince ever tried to get the Rock N Roll Express to come over in the 80s, how Vince chose press conference locations, Undertaker's relationship with his dad, the famous "dumpster off the stage" scene from RAW, the Jackyl character, why Meltzer hated Sable, how the WWF did the "wrestler comes up from under the ring" skits for Undertaker and others, what Shawn's doctor said about his injuries and when, how everyone felt about Shawn being injured again, when did plans for the PPV change, who was discussed as replacement, why the light heavyweight division never took off, why Brian Christopher didn't become a bigger star, Lawler's relationship with his kids, the AOL-WWF relationship, why the Quebecers were even around, Lawler's line about Clinton, the Rock's interview that became an internet legend, when plans for Mania 17 in Houston started, Austin's reaction this night, the way merch was flying off the shelves, the original card advertised locally, who campaigned for Savio Vega, why Tyson wasn't there, "what if" Vince had went with Bret instead of Shawn? Please Subscribe to the ONLY Official STW YouTube: www.youtube.com/SomethingToWrestle Ask your questions for "No Way Out 2003" next week: www.Facebook.com/SomethingToWrestle Vote in our poll for the 3/2 episode now: www.twitter.com/PrichardShow Don't miss our live show in Vegas on 2/24, New Orleans 4/7, Chicago 6/16, or San Antonio 9/15: www.NotARib.com Columbus, we're coming to you 3/11: www.PronounsPal.com Join us for St. Patrick's Day with the Florida Panthers 3/17: www.BoxOfGimmicks.com Nashville for 9/30 is on sale now: www.MustPose.com RARE "behind the scenes" photos from Bruce: www.instagram.com/PrichardShow Buy a Shirt, Get a Call from Bruce: www.BrucePrichard.com Save Yourself Some Money: www.SaveWithBruce.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Ohhhhhh yessssss!" we've got everything you could ever want to know about the Phenom, the Undertaker from 1995, 1996, and 1997! "REST IN PEACE" that we cover why the "druids" were with Undertaker, how Undertaker handled autograph signings in the mid 90s, how the WWF almost did Baywatch, an incredible never-before-heard story about what Vince wanted to do to create controversy at NAPTE in 95, how Vince tried to piggyback the Super Bowl, why King Kong Bundy was chosen for Taker at 11, whether or not Ventura almost came back and why it didn't happen, Steve McMichael almost wrestling here rather than WCW, why Vince didn't sign the Fridge, the most random SMW tag match ever, an incredible story about Doot Doot Doot getting hired in the WWF, what Missy was considered for during this era and why it didn't happen, who was offered to crown the King of the Ring and you won't believe it, who Vince wanted to do a guest spot on In Your House is maybe the craziest story of the week, Undertaker's first pinfall loss since Hogan years prior being to MABEL, the television rights deal with USA with specific numbers discussed will shock you, who Vince tried to leverage USA against for more money, more about the WWF blimp, whether or not the NBA actually blocked the WWF coming back to NBC, shooting the opening for RAW upsetting the locals in Stamford, ESPN working with the WWF back in 95, why Tatanka was fired will shock you, why the WWF ran a poll for whether or not OJ was guilty on TV (yes, that happened!), Bill Watts and his brief run in the WWF, a story even Bruce doesn't want to tell about JJ Dillon, so much good stuff about Lisa Wolf, the heat on Mabel for hurting guys, how Taker handled the broken orbital bone, why Brother Love was back in 95, the ECW talent was heavily considered in 95 is not the name you expect, revisit the feuds with Diesel, Goldust, and Mankind, how chokeslamming Sable came about, Bruce's thought's on Live Wire, why Undertaker started doing planchas and what he called them, more details than you ever imagined on a Buried Alive match, how Gordy was brought in and why it didn't last, the 1996 Hall of Fame banquet, how Bruce describes Undertaker's look at Survivor Series, why Cornette thought Bruce was ribbing him in an Undertaker skit, the great Final Four match, the 1996 Slammys, why Vince looked to the Undertaker for Mania 13, did shit Sid himself, the first fireball in WWF TV history, why New Jersey got TV and PPV again in 1997, how Taker handled the Vader incident in Kuwait, why Meltzer thought Papa Shango was coming back, John Tesh's crazy contract rider, Yokozuna's weight loss, Sid collapsing backstage, why Taker needed to lose the belt at SummerSlam, the crazy chair shots in August, was Kane supposed to debut in September, why the company decided to stop doing One Night Only type shows, where does Bruce rank the first Hell in a Cell, why Taker wasn't on Survivor Series 1997, blood pressure issues, the BSK, grey to purple gloves, the dangers of the tombstone, Undertaker's tattoos, the Curtain Call, Wrestler's Court, why body bags went away, and much more in one of our longest episodes ever! Please Subscribe to the ONLY Official STW YouTube: www.youtube.com/SomethingToWrestle Wake up with the Morning Deuce with Bruce: www.Facebook.com/SomethingToWrestle Ask your questions for "No Way Out 1998" next week: www.twitter.com/PrichardShow Don't miss our live show in Vegas on 2/24, New Orleans 4/7, or Chicago 6/16: www.NotARib.com Columbus, we're coming to you 3/11: www.PronounsPal.com Join us for St. Patrick's Day with the Florida Panthers 3/17: www.BoxOfGimmicks.com Nashville for 9/30 is on sale now: www.MustPose.com RARE "behind the scenes" photos from Bruce: www.instagram.com/PrichardShow Buy a Shirt, Get a Call from Bruce: www.BrucePrichard.com Save Yourself Some Money: www.SaveWithBruce.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

WWE still refers to our topic today as, "the most watched wrestling program in American TV history." February 5, 1988, was the first time pro-wrestling had been on network TV since 1955 and 33 million viewers tuned into NBC to see the biggest rematch in history: Hulk Hogan vs. Andre the Giant for the WWF World Championship. The largest audience in wrestling history was in for a treat: "How can there be two Dave Hebners?" Bruce breaks down arguably the best angle in WWF history and it was so good Meltzer even wrote, "Everything worked so well it was scary." We break down everything from that night and the weeks leading up to it. How did the WWF negotiate to get a slot during prime time, when was the decision made to switch the title, how did word leak out, how were tickets selling for WrestleMania IV relative to III, why did this show happen in Indianapolis, what was Ebersol's involvement since he wasn't with NBC at the time, who put together the graphics and backdrops, who produced the promos for the show, when and where were those shot, why didn't the main event close the show, what was different between Saturday Night's Main Event and the Main Event, whose idea was Peggy Sue, when was it decided that Honky wouldn't drop the IC title, who bought thousands of tickets to WrestleMania, the new World Title, who gets the credit for the evil twin idea, why there were empty seats in the arena, who the director was, who shot the Hulk Hogan training montage and why they used Jake Robert's theme, and much more about the biggest show in WWF history! Wake up with the Morning Deuce with Bruce: www.Facebook.com/SomethingToWrestle Ask your questions for "Undertaker 95/96/97" next week: www.twitter.com/PrichardShow Don't miss our live show in Vegas on 2/24: www.NotARib.com Join us in Florida for St. Patrick's Day with the Florida Panthers 3/17: www.BoxOfGimmicks.com Win a Free Shirt This Week: www.instagram.com/PrichardShow Buy a Shirt, Get a Call from Bruce: www.BrucePrichard.com Save Yourself Some Money: www.SaveWithBruce.com ONLY Official STW YouTube: www.youtube.com/SomethingToWrestle Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"I LOOOOOOOOOOVE YOUUUUUUU!" returned to Monday Night RAW and we hear details about Bruce's experience at #RAW25. Did he see Vince? What did Stephanie say to him? What does this mean for the podcast? And of course then it's time for the story behind the very first Royal Rumble. Why did it ever happen to being with? Who sort of deserves the credit besides Pat Patterson? How was Dick Ebersol involved in a USA show? Why was it on USA anyway? What other names were considered? What sort of walk through was done that day? What is Pat's idea for creating a legacy for the event? Why 20 men the first time? Why Duggan? What did Vince think of the concept? Who helped convince Vince? What did the house show versions look like and how were they received? What was deleted from the Dino Bravo weightlifting skit? How much ribbing happened after that skit? What did they learn about in-ring contract signings after this event? Was this the first of it's kind in WWF history? PLUS watch the actual Rumble match along with us! Ask your questions for the "2-5-88 Main Event" plus wake up with the Morning Deuce with Bruce: www.Facebook.com/SomethingToWrestle Vote NOW for the 2/9 Episode: www.twitter.com/PrichardShow Don't miss our live show in Philly TOMORROW: www.PronounsPal.com Join us in Vegas on 2/24: www.NotARib.com Come drink with us 3/17 Florida: www.BoxOfGimmicks.com Win Free Swag: www.instagram.com/PrichardShow Buy a Shirt, Get a Call from Bruce: www.BrucePrichard.com Save Yourself Some Money: www.SaveWithBruce.com ONLY Official STW YouTube: www.youtube.com/SomethingToWrestle Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

STONE COLD! STONE COLD! It is one of the best pay per views of all time, at a time where the WWF was at the very top of it's game. Seemingly reeling from the departure of top stars and being "out gunned" by the star power of rival WCW, the WWF emphasized the talent they had on hand: Steve Austin, HBK, Undertaker, Mick Foley and more.. and the wrestling world was never the same. Hear all about this pivotal event, as well Mike Tyson, HBK's infamous farewell tour, Chainsaw Charlie and all things 1998 WWF on this episode of Something to Wrestle with ..... Bruce Prichard. Ask your questions for the "1988 Royal Rumble" plus wake up with the Morning Deuce with Bruce: www.Facebook.com/SomethingToWrestle Don't miss our live show TONIGHT in Brooklyn on 1/19 with ERIC BISCHOFF: www.BoxOfGimmicks.com Don't miss our live show in Philly on 1/27: www.PronounsPal.com Just Announced: Live show in Las Vegas on 2/24 www.notarib.com Win Free STW Swag: www.instagram.com/PrichardShow Buy a Shirt, Get a Call from Bruce: www.BrucePrichard.com Save Yourself Some Money: www.SaveWithBruce.com ONLY Official STW YouTube: www.youtube.com/SomethingToWrestle Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices