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Between the Sheets
@btsheetspod.bsky.social
600 followers 8 following 110 posts
Weekly podcast with @KrisZellner.bsky.social and @davidbix.bsky.social going over a week in wrestling history as it was covered at the time.
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Both parts of the Tully Blanchard deep dive are now up on the @btsheetspod.bsky.social Patreon! Tully quits the WWF in late 1989, the WWF leaks his drug test results while firing him, & Tully's career immediately spirals from there.

Just $5.00/month or $50.40/year at Patreon.com/BetweenTheSheets!
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November 16, 2025 at 7:52 PM
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New @btsheetspod.bsky.social Patreon show: The 1st of 2 shows this month covering the sudden dismantling of Tully Blanchards wrestling career. He & Arn give the WWF notice, Tully fails a drug test, & all hell starts breaking loose.

Just $5.00/month or $50.40/year at Patreon.com/BetweenTheSheets!
This first part/segment covers everything from the last few months of 1989, while the second part next week will cover the continuing story into 1990 as well as Tully's flirtations with WCW in 1993 and 1994. Topics of discussion include: Tully and Arn, the reigning WWF Tag Team Champions as the Brain Busters, giving their notices, claiming that it was to pursue an opportunity in Japan even though that obviously wasn't true. Is Jack Petrik's refusal to open up the WCW budget for top WWF guys proof that Vince McMahon really made a phone call to Ted Turner in early 1989 begging him to avoid bidding wars so they could artificially hold down wrestler pay? Reports of cash flow issues in the WWF stemming from the "No Holds Barred" and Sugar Ray Leonard vs. Donny Lalonde losses hitting the Titan Sports books, leading to decreasing payoffs, cuts to the Survivor Series '89 card, and WWF talent breaking their brainwashing to seriously consider the stories of big contracts in WCW. Vince reneging on his promise to give Arn and Tully a storyline out on commentary when their tag title loss aired on TV. Tully, already on his way out, getting fired a few weeks before Survivor Series. Did he try to stage a locker room walkout? Was he trying to rally wrestlers to join him and Arn in WCW? Was his failed drug test for cocaine the actual reason, or was it just a nice excuse for the newsletters that they knew would mess with his WCW offer? Some reminders of how big a pro wrestling star Tully Blanchard was in the '80s before his career suddenly dried up at the end of 1989/beginning of 1990. Did the WWF really edit together two different matches to form the Rockers vs. Brain Busters 2/3 falls match on Saturday Night's Main Event? Tully's alleged marketing job with Coca-Cola. Dave Meltzer's personal thoughts on how the drug issue was being leverage to mess with Tully personally, especially as someone who had no reputation for working while intoxicated.
November 8, 2025 at 8:51 PM
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New Center Stage Chronicles is up on the @btsheetspod.bsky.social feed covering October 1990! Halloween Havoc: TERROR RULES THE RING, two different Black Scorpions working house shows, the end of the Midnight Express, Beverly Hills 90210 premieres on Fox, and much more. redcircle.com/shows/f0ecb9...
Center Stage Chronicles Ep. #18: October 1990 Kris Zellner is joined by Rob Naylor and our Good Buddy Charles as we discuss the month that was October 1990 in the National Wrestling Alliance and pop culture in general. Topics of discussion include: The saga of the two Black Scorpions working house shows. Herb Abrams' UWF Fury Hour making it's TV debut. Beverly Hills 90210 debuts on Fox and television was never the same. Gordon Solie enters the Black Scorpion's lair. Two big angles shot in Chicago to promote Halloween Havoc air on TV. The Motor City Madman and The Big Cat are coming. NWA action figures headed to stores for Christmas. Is Bobby Heenan talking to Jim Herd? What the hell is going on with Barry Windham? Terrible attendances at house shows is becoming a regular thing. A full rundown of the very newsworthy Halloween Havoc PPV. Jim Cornette and Stan Lane quit the promotion just days later after a major blowup with Ole Anderson. This was a tremendous show, so we hope you enjoy!!!
November 1, 2025 at 3:42 PM
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New on the @btsheetspod.bsky.social Patreon: Both parts of our deep dive into WWE's big gay ratings stunts from 2002 are up, in separate and combined form. Yes, both the Chuck and Billy wedding AND the "HOT LESBIAN ACTION" disaster.

Just $5.00/month or $50.40/year at Patreon.com/BetweenTheSheets!
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October 24, 2025 at 6:14 PM
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New on the @btsheetspod.bsky.social feed: @iamjohnpollock.bsky.social joins @davidbix.bsky.social to discuss the 2025 Observer HOF ballot! Tag team vs. singles criteria, The Randy Orton Problem and the pros/cons of voting for active wrestlers, and a whole lot more. redcircle.com/shows/f0ecb9...
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October 20, 2025 at 4:35 AM
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EARLY RELEASE on the @btsheetspod.bsky.social Patreon: @iamjohnpollock.bsky.social joins @davidbix.bsky.social to discuss the 2025 Observer HOF ballot! Junkyard Dog good! Randy Orton bad! Tree pretty! And more!

Just $5.00/month or $50.40/year at Patreon.com/BetweenTheSheets! (Or wait until Monday.)
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October 18, 2025 at 8:51 PM
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New @btsheetspod.bsky.social with @jd-oliva.bsky.social joining us to cover 1989! WWF's 1st show in England, Jim Troy fired over fight with Koko Ware, Steve Beverly's advice for WCW, Bret Hart's first talks with WCW, Antonio Inoki gets stabbed during a speech, and more. redcircle.com/shows/f0ecb9...
Ep. #528: October 9-15, 1989 with J.D. Oliva It’s Monday, and you know what that means: A new Between the Sheets with J.D. Oliva joining Kris and David to discuss 1989! Topics of discussion include: Saturday Night’s Main Event featuring the return of ZEUS. The WWF debuts in England with the famous London Arena show that aired live on Sky One as part of their latest European tour. Jim Troy getting fired after his fight with Koko Ware on the same tour. Steve Beverly giving his suggestions to remedy WCW’s early weak points, some of which sound oddly familiar in 2025. Bret Hart’s discussions with WCW that didn’t go anywhere. Antonio Inoki getting stabbed during a speech. A Florida independent promotion is trying to go public. Again. But this time it’s the PWF. The dying days of Continental TV. Memphis attendance bottoming out. Tim Brooks’ NAWA holds its first TV taping at the Longhorn Ballroom and soundly outdraws what the USWA had been doing at the Sportatorium. All that and much more this week, with J.D. doing a great job in the guest chair. Timestamps: 0:00:00 WWF 1:14:36 Int’l: AJPW, NJPW, FMW, Stampede, EMLL, & UWF 1:39:21 Classic Commercial Break 1:44:26 Halftime 2:13:55 Other USA: PWF, Continental, CWA/Memphis, USWA (TX), NAWA (TX), & Portland 3:33:57 NWA/WCW
October 13, 2025 at 3:31 PM
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New @btsheetspod.bsky.social Patreon show is up, the 1st of 2 weeks covering the Chuck and Billy wedding and "Hot Lesbian Action," which actually took place during the same week and were intertwined in the storyline. And it's...a lot.

Just $5.00/month or $50.40/year at Patreon.com/BetweenTheSheets!
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October 10, 2025 at 6:52 PM
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New on the @btsheetspod.bsky.social Patreon: We go back to 1992 for the infamous "fool or liar?" column that Bruce Mitchell wrote in the Torch Re: Joe Pedicino. Joe's friends respond in force, and then it gets very, VERY interesting.

Just $5.00/month or $50.40/year at Patreon.com/BetweenTheSheets!
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October 3, 2025 at 2:28 PM
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New Center Stage Chronicles on the @btsheetspod.bsky.social feed covering September 1990! Clash of the Champions 12 sets ratings records with Lex Luger vs. Ric Flair and Sting vs. the Black Scorpion, RUNNING THE GAUNTLET debuts on the TBS shows, COP ROCK, and much more. redcircle.com/shows/f0ecb9...
Center Stage Chronicles Ep. #16: September 1990 It's time for another episode of Center Stage Chronicles as Kris Zellner is back with Rob Naylor and Our Good Buddy Charles to discuss the month of September 1990 in the world of the National Wrestling Alliance and in pop culture in general. Topics of discussion include: The weird saga of Barry Windham in late 1990. The debuts of the New York and Chicago-centric versions of NWA Pro Wrestling. The Black Scorpion's domination of all of the TV shows. RUNNING THE GAUNTLET beginning on the TBS shows. Clash of the Champions XII: Mountain Madness popping an amazing, record-breaking TV rating, plus a full rundown of the show. Rocky King becoming LITTLE RICHARD MARLEY. The Master Blasters and Maximum Overdrive both debuting on TV…and then POOF! A member of each team disappears. The beginning of the Doom’s feud with Arn Anderson & Ric Flair. The 1990 MTV Video Music Awards....nuff said... Jake “Body By Jake” Steinfeld becoming a big deal in pop culture. The debut of Fox Kids’ Saturday morning lineup. Vanilla Ice hitting the pop music scene. Fresh Prince of Bel Air and Law & Order both debut on NBC in the same week. COP ROCK debuting on ABC and thus birthing a legend. Plus more movies, TV shows, albums, and of course wrestling discussion in quite the damn episode of CSC.
October 2, 2025 at 12:55 PM
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New @btsheetspod.bsky.social covering 1996! Very newsworthy WWF week with In Your House: Mind Games, the ECW invasion, and Jim Ross's heel turn to introduce the new Razor Ramon and Diesel, the nWo takes over Nitro while Jim Powers is stacked and lookin' GOOD, and more. redcircle.com/shows/f0ecb9...
Ep. #526: September 22-28, 1996 Kris and David are back as we discuss the week that was September 22-28, 1996. Topics of discussion include: WWF In Your House: Mind Games goes down in Philadelphia, headlined by the legendary Shawn Michaels title defense vs. Mankind, plus the first ECW "invasion" of the WWF with Paul Heyman, Tommy Dreamer, AND The Sandman causing some trouble during the PPV opener. Monday Night Raw the next night in Hershey featuring Jim Ross's infamous "shoot promo” where "Razor Ramon returned" and Taz making his first appearance in the WWF as part of the "invasion." We also talk about the genesis of the WWF/ECW angle, why it was happening, and how it affected Dennis Coralluzzo’s NWA New Jersey promotion. AJPW’s foreign talent morale not in a good place as the Can-Am Express are getting ready to to go to the WWF. NJPW and WCW hold a tournament om Ja[am featuring some interesting matches and a serious injury to Ric Flair. Terry Funk creates the Funk Masters of Wrestling stable in FMW. Problems mounting in AAA between Konnan and Antonio Peña over the direction of the company. Randy Hales quitting his job as the booker and general manager of the USWA. Scott Bowden shooting a big angle with a local Memphis sports radio host. The Road Warriors showing up in Paul Alperstein's AWF. The nWo take over Monday Nitro as Kevin Nash roasts Jim Powers in amazing fashion,, The Giant becomes the World's Tallest Ring Announcer, Hulk Hogan cons the Nasty Boys, and we get get the WCW debut of Mike Jones as Vincent. What a crazy show this was.....a total must listen show!!!! Timestamps: 0:00:00 WWF 1:39:22 Int’l: AJPW, NJPW, WAR, BJPW, FMW, IWA Japan, Michinoku Pro, SPWF, Tokyo Pro, Wrestle Yume Factory, RINGS, AJW, ICW (BC), AAA, CMLL, & IWRG 2:27:36 Classic Commercial Break 2:30:53 Halftime 3:11;34 Other USA: EWA (NY), NWA NJ, ECW, Steel City, USWA, & AWF (Alperstein) 4:17:14 WCW
September 29, 2025 at 3:56 PM
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New on the @btsheetspod.bsky.social Patreon: All 4 parts of September's deep dive, covering WWE's 2005 move from Spike TV to USA Network, are up in both separate & combined form. Viacom publicly shivs WWE, final Spike ep drama, & more.

Just $5.00/month or $50.40/year at Patreon.com/BetweenTheSheets
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September 27, 2025 at 6:27 PM
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New on the @btsheetspod.bsky.social Patreon: Part 2 of September's deep dive on WWE's 2005 move from Spike TV back to USA Network! WWE loses lucrative ad split, the history of USA's original shows including SANCHEZ OF BEL-AIR, & more.

Just $5.00/month or $50.40/year at Patreon.com/BetweenTheSheets!
Patreon Ep. #108: Viacom's WWE Revenge Tour (Part 2) It’s September, and you know what that means: It’s time part two of this month’s four-part deep dive into WWE’s cable programming leaving Viacom’s Spike TV to return to USA Network in September 2005. This first part covers everything from the April 2005 announcement of the USA deal through The Hollywood Reporter's features on the direction of USA in July. Topics of discussion include: How the announcement of the new WWE/USA deal sounded great for WWE, complete with new Saturday Night's Main Event specials on NBC...until you found out that WWE was losing out on its very lucrative ad split that it had under previous cable contracts with USA and Viacom. USA's fanatical commitment to being the #1 ranked cable network. How the timing of Barry Diller's purchase and later divestment of USA Network was key to everything that went down in the 2000 and 2005 negotiations. Lots of USA Network notes, including Bonnie Hammer detailing how the "characters welcome" tagline and eventual "blue sky" strategy for original programming helped the network finally develop a specific identity. How the "PG era" of WWE that came into being circa 2007-2008 fit in much better with "blue sky" era USA Network than the previous decade of WWE programming would have. USA Network's long history with trying its hand at original programming, complete with a discussion of "Sanchez of Bel-Air" where Kris and David both get freaked out by how it looks like that footnote of show used the same set that would become the Banks family living room on "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air." ...and much more. Please help us find episodes of "Sanchez of Bel-Air" while you wait for next week's Part 3, which includes the end of Velocity, Sunday Night Heat, and the syndicated recap shows on American television, the announcement that Spike TV wants the UFC to go head to head with Raw Homecoming on USA, and more.
September 12, 2025 at 6:43 PM
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New @btsheetspod.bsky.social covering 1993! Annual NWA Convention takes place as the Alliance splits from WCW for good, Dustin Rhodes as world champion scaremongering, the Torch profiles Tod Gordon/ECW, McMemphis in full swing on TV, Ted DiBiase's AJPW return, and more. redcircle.com/shows/f0ecb9...
Ep. #523: August 31-September 6, 1993 Kris and David are back as we discuss the week that was August 31-September 6, 1993. Topics of discussion include: The 1993 NWA Convention, featuring Dennis Coraluzzo wanting dates on the champion, Tod Gordon/ECW and Jim Cornette/SMW applying for membership, and forcing WCW's hand to remove the NWA name from the titles on their television shows. Sid Vicious walks out on WCW over steroid testing…and then comes right back without having to take a test. The newsletter panic over Dustin Rhodes possibly becoming not just WCW World Heavyweight Champion, but Unified WCW World Heavyweight Champion. Shane Douglas becoming a part-time wrestler and full-time teacher. Ted DiBiase becoming a world tag team champion in his first match back in AJPW. New Japan going to battle with Leon White over the Big Van Vader name. "Mr. Danger" Mitsuhiro Matsunaga making his FMW debut. The Torch running a special feature that goes in-depth on Tod Gordon and ECW. “WWA President” Dennis Coralluzzo showing up on SMW TV. McMemphis running wild in the USWA. The aftermath of SummerSlam, including how WWF framed Lex Luger as the true winner. This was a blast of a show folks, so check it out!!! Timestamps: 0:00:00 NWA & WCW 0:51:11 Eurasia: AJPW, NJPW, WAR, FMW, NOW, UWFi, AJW, Fuji TV, & CWA 1:14:58 Classic Commercial Break 1:18:08 Halftime 1:52:22 Mexico: AAA, CMLL, & UWA 2:01:29 Other USA: John Arezzi, ECW, SMW, USWA, & GWF 3:31:47 WWF
September 8, 2025 at 8:05 PM
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This week's @btsheetspod.bsky.social covers 1992, a Patreon pick from Scott Passner, who joins us for the WWF section. SummerSlam sets records at Wembley Stadium, Paul E. Dangerously somehow makes it to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution's gossip section, and much more. redcircle.com/shows/f0ecb9...
Ep. #522: August 23-29, 1992 with Scott Passner Kris and David are joined by Scott Passner as we discuss the week that was August 23-29, 1992, a week that Scott requested with a $50 pledge on our Patreon page so he could join us for the WWF section. Topics of discussion include: SummerSlam ’92 and the build to the Randy Savage vs. Ultimate Warrior match, which was pretty nonsensical until Pat Patterson returned, seemingly salvaging it in the process. WBF BodyStars getting cancelled, signaling the end of the WBF. The last show that Dave Meltzer attended on his 2+ week Japan tour. All sorts of lucha goodness. USWA and the WWF cement their working agreement with Jimmy Hart’s return to Memphis TV. Lots of wackiness as usual in the GWF. Erik Watts making his WCW debut. Paul E. Dangerously getting featured in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution's gossip section. Cactus Jack interviewing Jake “The Snake” Roberts in a great segment on WCW Saturday Night that seemingly attempts to retcon a year-old storyline. …and a LOT more, as this ended up being a stacked show. Timestamps: 0:00:00 WWF 1:59:29 Int’l: AJPW, FMW, Oriental Pro, W*ING, UWFi, AJW, LLPW, AAA, CMLL, Blue Demon, Monterrey, UWA, & WWC 2:39:15 Classic Commercial Break 2:41:29 Halftime 3:52:24 Other USA: IWF (MA), John Arezzi’s Weekend of Champions, WWA (NJ), ICWA, SMW, USWA, GWF, Big D, Angel of Death Produce, WCCW, WWA (CA), & Portland/CWUSA 5:24:44 WCW
September 5, 2025 at 9:20 PM
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New @btsheetspod.bsky.social Patreon show is up, starting our month-long deep dive into WWE's drama-heavy move from Spike TV back to USA Network 20 years ago! Falling ratings, Vince's conspiracy theory, Viacom sabotaging WWE, & more.

Just $5.00/month or $50.40/year at Patreon.com/BetweenTheSheets!
It’s time to kick off this month’s deep dive into WWE’s cable programming leaving Viacom’s Spike TV to return to USA Network in September 2005. This first part covers everything through Viacom killing WWE’s leverage by publicly announcing in March 2005 that they were calling off negotiations. Topics of discussion include: The erosion of WWE's audience in the men aged 18 to 34 demographic that took place from 2001 through 2004. The impact of the losses of Steve Austin and The Rock on WWE ratings. Viacom arguably poisoning the relationship early on when they refused to make a reasonable deal for what was then the WWF to buy out the exclusivity clause of their deal so the WWF could buy WCW and keep its programming on the Turner networks. How the larger cultural moment on cable television was a bad one for WWE's leverage, with their most obvious potential cable partners switching from general entertainment networks to having more clearly-defined themes that didn't play well with pro wrestling. Spike's acquisition of the cable rights for syndicated reruns of "CSI" changing the face of the network because it was so successful, both in general and especially when it came to getting women to watch the network. Vince McMahon privately blaming the move from USA Network to Spike TV for the ratings drop and how that claim doesn't hold under scrutiny at all. Viacom blindsiding WWE with the public announcement that they were pulling out of contract renewal negotiations, leaving WWE with one serious suitor (USA Network) and zero leverage. Paul Heyman somehow barnstorming his way onto this show, too via a bunch of Barry Diller-centric nonsense...but this time, it's in the Observer, not the Torch. ...and much more. Next week: WWE and USA Network announce their new deal effective fall 2005, WWE's loss of leverage pushing them into a deal where they lost control of the ad inventory, Vince McMahon penning a note in TV Week about the deal, and a whole lot more.
September 5, 2025 at 9:09 PM
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New @btsheetspod.bsky.social mailbag is up for Patrons! Favorite indie shows we've attended, meta podcast talk, tons of wacky DVDVR message board/chat lore (including Het, the "FUCK YOU ALL! ALLL OF YOU FUCK OFF!" guy), and much more.

Just $5.00/month or $50.40/year at Patreon.com/BetweenTheSheets!
Joey Janela's LOST IN NEW YORK Presented by GCW Mailbag Ep. #15 - Late August 2025 It's been four weeks, and you know what that means: A new mailbag show for our beloved patrons! Topics include: Various meta podcast-related topics, including our favorite episodes. Stories from the glory days of the DVDVR message board and chat, including a fake death, Rob Feinstein’s sock puppet accounts, Zach Arnold vs. The World, and the many adventures of “Het Hetson.” The impact of the homogenization of wrestling styles internationally. Classic wrestling footage blind spots. Our favorite indie shows that we’ve been to. The creative nadir of Memphis wrestling. …and more. Enjoy! (Or as Het would say: FUCK YOU ALL!!! ALLL OF YOU FUCK OFF!!!!!!!!!!)
August 29, 2025 at 4:31 PM
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This month's Center Stage Chronicles covering the NWA/WCW in August 1990 is now up on the @btsheetspod.bsky.social feed! Lots of weird debuts including THE PEARL, a double dose of Sting autograph signing drama, Ole Anderson and Jim Herd beef over "older" talent, & more. redcircle.com/shows/f0ecb9...
Center Stage Chronicles Ep. #16: August 1990 Center Stage Chronicle is back as Kris Zellner is joined by Rob Naylor and Our Good Buddy Charles to discuss the month of August 1990 in the National Wrestling Alliance and pop culture in general. Topics of discussion include: The status of guaranteed contracts possibly coming to an end in the NWA. THE PEARL, The New Fantastics, Hector Guerrero, Ivan Koloff, Terry Taylor, and many others make debuts/returns as this month has all kinds of names making appearances. Sting having two different convention appearances end in some form of controversy. Jim Herd and Ole Anderson beefing over the usage of older talent. “Mean” Mark Callous, Paul Orndorff, and more leave the NWA. Speculation about The Black Scorpion starts kicking up. “Young Guns II,” “Air America,” “My Blue Heaven,” and more hit the theatres. Extreme's “Pornograffiti,” Prince's “Graffiti Bridge,” Alice In Chains' “Facelift,” and more ht the stores. The TV series adaptation of “Ferris Bueller” debuts on NBC. Iraq invades Kuwait and the Desert Storm Conflict has begun. All of this and TONS more on another strong episode of CSC.
August 28, 2025 at 3:15 PM
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This week's @btsheetspod.bsky.social features @philschneider.bsky.social talking 1984! Fallout from Junkyard Dog jumping from Mid-South to the WWF, Road Warriors win the AWA World Tag Team Titles, Tiger Mask II gimmick debuts in AJPW, Brutus Beefcake debuts, and more. redcircle.com/shows/f0ecb9...
Ep. #521: August 20-26, 1984 with Phil Schneider Kris and David are joined by Phil Schneider (@philaschneider) to discuss the week that was August 20-26, 1984. Topics of discussion include: The evolving nature of Jim Crockett Promotions with Dusty Rhodes fully installed as the new booker. Ole Anderson's Championship Wrestling from Georgia trying to find its footing as it starts taping TV at Techwood. Dory Funk Jr. switching places with Dusty, taking over the book in Florida at the peak of Kevin Sullivan's schtick, including Blackjack Mulligan trying to save The Lock. Eddie Gilbert and Tommy Rich feuding in Memphis on the heels of the WFIA Tag Team of the Year angle. The aftermath of the Junkyard Dog leaving Mid-South. Gary Hart returning to World Class as a babyface, feuding with Skandor Akbar. Southwest running "stripper matches" with actual legit wrestlers Susan Greene and Evelyn Stevens. The Road Warriors winning the AWA World Tag Team Titles. Dave Meltzer's love of Portland Wrestling and hatred of the WWF, especially after Vince bought Stampede. Mitsuharu Misawa making his debut in the Tiger Mask II gimmick…but is he being joined by another Tiger Mask to form the Tiger Mask Brothers? Bob Backlund showing up in NJPW after leaving the WWF, right after NJPW signs a big contract with the WWF to pay Vince a hefty booking fee. Brutus Beefcake making his TV debut while Dave Meltzer has no idea who he is and has some…interesting speculation about how he got his job. Hulk Hogan transforming “Mean” Gene Okerlund into a wrestler and showing off his protein drinks on TNT. This show was a BLAST!!!! to record and we hope you enjoy it as well. Timstamps: 0:00:00 USA East: JCP, CWG, CWF, Southeastern, & Memphis 1:18:46 USA West: Mid-South, WCCW, Southwest, St. Louis, Central States, AWA, & Portland 2:37:27 Classic Commercial Break 2:41:41 Halftime 3:28:15 Int’l: AJPW, NJPW, AJW, Dale Martin, Maritimes (Dupree & Zinck), Montreal, Stampede, EMLL, & UWA 4:16:24 WWF
August 28, 2025 at 2:56 AM
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All of this month's @btsheetspod.bsky.social Patreon deep dive Re: Bill Watts' 1995 WWF booking stint is up! If you've already heard the 1st 2 parts, the finale looks at morale in "Titanic Sports" after Watts quit, plus his thoughts.

Just $5.00/month or $50.40/year at Patreon.com/BetweenTheSheets!
August 23, 2025 at 8:07 PM
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New @btsheetspod.bsky.social covering 1997! ECW Hardcore Heaven 1997 a.k.a. "the bad lighting show" with Paul Heyman blowing money on a helicopter for some reason plus Sabu-Funk-Douglas II, Plum Mariko dies from in-ring injuries, Rocky Maivia's first heel promo, & more. redcircle.com/shows/f0ecb9...
Ep. #520: August 14-19, 1997 Kris and David are back to discuss the (almost-)week that was August 14-19, 1997. Topics of discussion include: Hardcore Heaven '97, ECW's 2nd ever PPV.....and boy, what a disaster this show was in so many ways. We go over all the details on and off camera including all of the "big surprises" on the show. WCW's volatile title situation as they are changing left and right. Sting making J.J. Dillon look like a fool yet again on Nitro. CMLL Japan not having a strong start. The tragic death of Plum Mariko and how it should've been prevented. Promo Azteca and CMLL talent jumping around. WWC Anniversario shows featuring the end of the Carlos Colon vs. Abdullah the Butcher feud. An update on Steve Austin's neck injury. Rick Rude links up with Shawn Michaels and Hunter Hearst Helmsley on Raw in the unofficial birth of D-Generation X. Rocky Maivia explains why he joined the National of Domination in his first ever heel promo on national television. All of this and so much more on a slam packed episode of BTS! Timestamps: 0:00:00 ECW 1:38:25 WCW 2:01:08 Eurasia: AJPW, CMLL Japan, Takashi Ishikawa, Michinoku Pro, Wrestle Dream Factory, Pride FC, Plum Mariko, AJW, GAEA, LLPW, & CWA 2:32:52 Classic Commercial Break 2:37:39 Halftime 3:37:18 Other North America: IWA (Condello), AAA, CMLL, IWRG, Promo Azteca, & WWC 4:13:50 Other USA: IWA (NC), USWA, MAW (NorCal), APW, & Jeep Swenson 4:38:06 WWF
August 18, 2025 at 6:41 PM
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August's @btsheetspod.bsky.social Patreon deep dive covering Bill Watts's brief 1995 WWF run continues with Part 2! Vince McMahon declaring Watts the new autonomous booker, Raw is Melrose Place, Watts quitting when overruled, & more.

Just $5.00/month or $50.40/year at Patreon.com/BetweenTheSheets!
Patreon Ep. #107: Only One Titan (Part 2) It's August (15th), and you know what that means: The first part of this month's deep dive, covering "Cowboy" Bill Watts' very brief 1995 stint on the WWF creative team! Topics of discussion include: Vince McMahon announcing to the roster at In Your House 3 that he will be focusing more on his duties as CEO and that Watts will be autonomous booker who he won't overrule. The meeting in general, which includes a bunch of moments that are fascinating to look back at 30 years later. Vince McMahon's short-lived "Melrose Place" philosophy for trying to turn most episodes of Mondsy Night Raw into a strength against the always-live WCW Monday Nitro. The October 9, 1995 episode of Raw that's come to define Watts' brief run as booker, complete with all of the top heels destroying all of the top babyfaces...and then the rest of the show being formatted INCREDIBLY oddly. Watts trying to prevent spoilers from leaking. Watts quitting when Vince tried to overrule him...and how it went down the same day that Shawn Michaels was brutalized outside a bar in Syracuse, NY. Wade Keller's suggestions for potential replacements for Watts. ...and more. Next week: The deep dive concludes as we look at talent morale nosediving in the aftermath of Watts' departure, Watts' own side of went went down from his book, and much more. Enjoy!
August 15, 2025 at 4:09 PM
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New in the @btsheetspod.bsky.social feed: Since we took the week off, enjoy a supercut of all 3 episodes of "FUCK SABU!" — our past Patreon deep dive into Sabu's epic 1995 — for free! ECW firing & how Chris Benoit PROBABLY orchestrated it, WCW run, & a whole lot more. redcircle.com/shows/f0ecb9...
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August 11, 2025 at 3:13 PM
btsheetspod.bsky.social
This month's @btsheetspod.bsky.social Patreon deep dive covers Bill Watts's brief 1995 WWF run, & part 1 is up now! Pat Patterson's theoretical retirement, Watts buying a scalper ticket to watch an MSG show, uneven booking, & more.

Just $5.00/month or $50.40/year at Patreon.com/BetweenTheSheets!
Patreon Ep. #107: Only One Titan (Part 1) It's August (8th), and you know what that means: The first part of this month's deep dive, covering "Cowboy" Bill Watts' very brief 1995 stint on the WWF creative team! Topics of discussion include: Watts being hired to replace a theoretically retiring Pat Patterson. Vince McMahon's reliance on Patterson and potentially his fear that his "genius" would be exposed as lacking without Pat making him look good. Was the President Gorilla Monsoon character supposed to be the WWF's version of Promoter Bill Watts and/or Commissioner Bob Armstrong? Watts buying a ticket (from a scalper!) to the August MSG show to observe the talent without the office's knowledge. SummerSlam '95 being an unusually good (and no-nonsense) WWF PPV by New Generation standards. The disastrous booking if In Your House 3 and how it seemingly killed business for the secondary PPVs for the next several months. ...and more. Next week, we cover McMahon announcing that Watts was the new autonomous head booker through Watts quitting a few weeks later. Enjoy!
August 8, 2025 at 4:20 PM
btsheetspod.bsky.social
This month's @btsheetspod.bsky.social Patreon deep dive covers Bill Watts's brief 1995 WWF run, & part 1 is up now! Pat Patterson's theoretical retirement, Watts buying a scalper ticket to watch an MSG show, uneven booking, & more.

Just $5.00/month or $50.40/year at Patreon.com/BetweenTheSheets!
Patreon Ep. #107: Only One Titan (Part 1) It's August (8th), and you know what that means: The first part of this month's deep dive, covering "Cowboy" Bill Watts' very brief 1995 stint on the WWF creative team! Topics of discussion include: Watts being hired to replace a theoretically retiring Pat Patterson. Vince McMahon's reliance on Patterson and potentially his fear that his "genius" would be exposed as lacking without Pat making him look good. Was the President Gorilla Monsoon character supposed to be the WWF's version of Promoter Bill Watts and/or Commissioner Bob Armstrong? Watts buying a ticket (from a scalper!) to the August MSG show to observe the talent without the office's knowledge. SummerSlam '95 being an unusually good (and no-nonsense) WWF PPV by New Generation standards. The disastrous booking if In Your House 3 and how it seemingly killed business for the secondary PPVs for the next several months. ...and more. Next week, we cover McMahon announcing that Watts was the new autonomous head booker through Watts quitting a few weeks later. Enjoy!
August 8, 2025 at 4:02 AM