Greetings From Allentown

This week sees a return to Ag Hall in Allentown for a look at some WWF Championship Wrestling from August 14, 1982! - Playboy Buddy Rose's hype video: wrestling, sitting with babes on the beach, and playing hockey(!) - Trying to explain what Mighty Joe Thunder was and why he might have been there - Gorilla Monsoon's 1981 column on Billy Graham's "death" - Vince McMahon promotes the upcoming Spectrum show with a hilarious special referee reveal - The Great Pete Sanchez Push of 1982 that everyone forgot about - Mr. Saito and Japanese wrestling at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics - Johnny Rodz's approach to a 1 on 1 match with Andre the Giant - Pedro vs the Baron: More 1982 WWF or 1972 WWWF? - Dr. George Zahorian is not in the office on this day - Saved by the Bell characters vs 1995 WWF Kliq Email: [email protected] Twitter: www.twitter.com/GFAllentownPod

On this edition of GFA Live, Peter and Keithie talk about Best of the WWF, Volume 4 from Coliseum Video! (and some other stuff, of course!) Topics of discussion include: - Hecklers at golf events and baseball games - Is there a worse WM opener than Orndorff vs Muraco at WM2? - Fiji water and SmartWater - Plan B for the WWF if Hulk Hogan was unavailable in 1984 - A battle royal at the Philly Spectrum with an odd finish - Foreign objects in school yard fights - The WWF's escape the cage rules - Trying to improve the WM4 tournament - If only John Lennon were a big wrestling fan... - Upcoming Coliseum Video releases Lineup: Roddy Piper vs Paul Orndorff - 7-13-1985 MSG Hulk Hogan/Jimmy Snuka vs Bob Orton/Magnificent Muraco - 5-18-1985 Boston 20 Man battle royal - 6-26-1982 Philadelphia Andre the Giant vs Killer Khan (Mongolian Stretcher Match) - 11-14-1981 Philadelphia Andre the Giant vs Big John Studd - 9-24-1983 Philadelphia Andre the Giant vs King Kong Bundy - 9-23-1985 MSG Tito Santana/Ricky Steamboat vs Greg Valentine/Brutus Beefcake 4-21-1985 Toronto Email: [email protected] Twitter: www.twitter.com/GFAllentownPod

Rowdy Roddy Piper takes center stage with a hair match against Sheepherder Luke Williams and a tag match with Rick Martel against the Sheepherders in this double dip edition of Portland Wrestling from March 1 and 15, 1980! - The differences in Roddy Piper's character prior to his big runs in JCP and WWF - Figuring out the appeal of the hair vs hair match - How everybody won from Luke Williams losing a hair match - Playboy Buddy Rose multi-tasks by cutting an effective promo while plugging all the house shows - What Butch Miller does better than most wrestlers - Rick Martel as king of the injury angle - How carrying scissors is like carrying a gun - A weird iron law of NBA basketball Email: [email protected] Twitter: www.twitter.com/GFAllentownPod

On this edition of GFA Live, Peter and Keithie talk about Best of the WWF, Volume 17 from Coliseum Video! (and some other stuff, of course!) Topics of discussion include: - Ken Patera through the decade of the 1980s - King Haku's coronation, and which heels no-showed - The masterful selling of Rick Martel in the Demolition injury angle - What would happen to Matilda with a British Bulldogs heel turn? - Imagining a world where the entire wrestling business revolves around Montreal - A way to freshen up ladder matches at the WWE Performance Center - The big problem with the Brutus Beefcake-Honky Tonk Man feud - Discussion of The People's Court and other courtroom shows - The heel win/loss record on this tape Lineup: Dino Bravo vs Ken Patera - MSG 5-27-1988 Big Bossman vs Sam Houston - Philadelphia 7-23-1988 King Haku's coronation - Glens Falls, NY 06-21-1988 The Bolsheviks vs The British Bulldogs - Philadelphia 7-23-1988 The Fabulous Rougeaus vs The Rockers - MSG 7-25-1988 The Honky Tonk Man vs Brutus Beefcake - Boston 5-7-1988 Demolition vs Strike Force - Oakland 6-1-1988 Andre the Giant vs Hacksaw Jim Duggan - Boston 8-6-1988 Email: [email protected] Twitter: www.twitter.com/GFAllentownPod

Ric Flair makes a rare appearance at the Irish McNeil Boys Club to face the challenge of a battered Ted DiBiase on the November 14, 1985 edition of Mid-South Wrestling! - The simple but beautiful angle that leads to the hated DiBiase become a beloved fan favorite again - The ironic help that Ric Flair uses in the quest to take out challengers - Wrestling angles repeating with the same guy invovled - The strange rotation of Mid-South announcer teams - Two things Bill Watts has in common with Howard Cosell - A bandage somehow makes a cut on Jim Duggan's head look worse - The fan who wrote a fawning letter to Eddie Gilbert and the power of internet info - Wait, Oliver Humperdink is here??? - Jim Ross plugs an appealing match for the show that doesn't happen. Email: [email protected] Twitter: www.twitter.com/GFAllentownPod

On this edition of GFA Live, Peter and Keithie talk about WWF Monday Night RAW from July 25, 1994! (and some other stuff, of course!) Topics of discussion include: - Addressing the Ringo situation with Keithie - Jim Cornette's throat clearing in shoot interviews - Rebooking a Randy Savage Slim Jim ad - Degrees of the 1988 Survivor Series - Vince McMahon's weirdest burial ever - Solving the conundrum of "how does the heel/face get his/her stuff from the heel/face locker room after a turn?" - A perfect wrestling-related Zoom background - Dwayne Gill's look - More Tito Santana talk for some reason - Floating an idea for a new GFA Live project Email: [email protected] Twitter: www.twitter.com/GFAllentownPod

Bob Backlund challenges Bret Hart for the WWF title in this one, the July 30, 1994 edition of WWF Superstars! - The oddity of having the Backlund-Bret match in this spot - What Backlund and Hart can do that someone like Shawn Michaels can't - Excerpts from both Bret and Bob's books about this match and angle - Shawn Michaels speaks in jibberish about the Samoans: bad idea - Jerry Lawler rips on the middle school-aged special ring announcer - Did anyone benefit more on a direct WCW to WWF jump in the mid-90s than Kevin Nash? - The fake Undertaker takes on the unbroken Matt Hardy - The sudden realization of who the voiceover man in the Live Event News is - Thoughts on Summerslam '94 - A Burger King commercial brings to mind an infamous promo from TNA - Why Fox getting the NFL was such a shock to the system of televised sports in the United States Email: [email protected] Twitter: www.twitter.com/GFAllentownPod

On this edition of GFA Live, Peter and Keithie talk about ECW Hardcore TV from August 1, 1995! (and some other stuff, of course!) Topics of discussion include: - Who is the face of ECW to you? - Mikey Whipwreck's unusual gear - Taz's "double Devil" outfit hanging out with the Steiners - Not being in school plays - Usage of the Singapore cane - Keithie's issues with The Sandman are brought to light - A new gimmick idea - Buying "wrong team" merchandise - The Comedy Central Roast of Bob Saget Email: [email protected] Twitter: www.twitter.com/GFAllentownPod

Taking it to the extreme this week with a look at ECW Hardcore TV from October 17, 1995! - Rey Mysterio and Psychosis return to the ECW Arena for a 2/3 falls match - Everything to do with Beulah's Box - Cactus Jack and his "spot" in the Pulp Fiction promo montage - The debut of Bubba Ray Dudley and thoughts on the Dudleys role in 97-99 ECW - Raven and Stevie Richards win the ECW tag titles...but not for long - Heel ref Bill Alfonso and Tod Gordon are at each other's throats literally - 911: The Jack Cust of professional wrestling Email: [email protected] Twitter: www.twitter.com/GFAllentownPod

Long overdue is a look at the only WCW Monday night show that mattered, with a breakdown of the July 3, 1995 edition of WCW Prime! - Dusty Rhodes sings, talks about getting drunk with the Beach Boys, and screwing his wife - How Sgt. Craig Pittman would be looked at by aliens from another planet who only watched WCW C and D shows - The birth of the Taskmaster - A 1990 Royal Rumble rematch in the Moo Match of the Week - Babyface Jimmy Hart: not on my watch! - One problem with WCW Prime is revealed before the Blue Bloods match - Feeling bad again for the Renegade - Vader talks about his upbringing in South Central LA - Thoughts on MLB's return, beer gardens, and why Guy Fieri kicks the ass of wrestling in the ratings Email: [email protected] Twitter: www.twitter.com/GFAllentownPod

On this edition of GFA Live, Peter and Keithie talk about WWF action taped at the Atlantic City Steel Pier from the summer of 1979! (and some other stuff, of course!) Topics of discussion include: - Ted DiBiase and Andre the Giant as the proto-Megabucks in a very long tag match - The Quantum Leap theory of watching older wrestling - When turds turn green - Ivan The Terrible: it's all in his gimmick name - What Keithie's Andre the Giant impersonation really sounds like - The late rapper Tim Dog Email: [email protected] Twitter: www.twitter.com/GFAllentownPod

In honour of Canada Day (July 1), this week features a look at WWF Maple Leaf Wrestling from September 22, 1984! - Angelo Mosca: women's wrestling commentator - Andre the Giant is extremely pissed off about the finish to his match with Kamala in Toronto - "President-Elect" Jack Tunney finds his way onto Piper's Pit - The tangled web of international relations: USSR-Iran, Canada-Iran, Canada-USA - Capt. Lou Albano addresses the French-speaking audience - Greg Valentine as more than just a workhorse - Hulk Hogan also happens to be a Real Canadian too - The busy WWF house show and taping schedule of mid-1984 - Taking a look at the bizarre lineage of the WWF Women's Tag Team titles Email: [email protected] Twitter: www.twitter.com/GFAllentownPod

On this edition of GFA Live, Peter and Keithie talk about the 1990 WWF Summerslam Fever special (and some other stuff, of course!) Topics of discussion include: - Barry Darsow and his disguises - Gene Okerlund's deep tan - A Dusty Rhodes impersonation gradually melds into Scott Steiner - Debating Karate Kid 2 vs Karate Kid 3 - Sapphire waving off questions about the gifts she had been receiving - A rant about Dino Bravo - Sherri's cat makeup - Way too much Brother Love - More wacky conspiracy theory talk Email: [email protected] Twitter: www.twitter.com/GFAllentownPod

Same day, different promotion this week as it's back to Jim Crockett Promotions for a look at NWA Pro from May 7, 1988! - The Barry Windham heel turn a the beauty of paying off the planted seeds - The Stan Lane ZIP code challenge - Dr. Death's drug bust and how the law treated him very differently - What's Kevin Sullivan wearing now? - Al Perez: big fish in small ponds and small fish in big ponds - Forgetting all about mid-1988 Nikita Koloff - JJ Dillon seemingly commandeering the show Email: [email protected] Twitter: www.twitter.com/GFAllentownPod

On this edition of GFA Live, Peter and Keithie talk about the September 29, 1991 episode of WWF Wrestling Challenge (and some other stuff, of course!) Topics of discussion include: - Sid Justice standing up for the honor of Mike McGuirk - The incredible moustache of Big Bully Busick - A trailer for Suburban Commando - Sgt. Slaughter: was he confused sexually? - Virgil: Spelling Bee champion? - Ideas for a Tito Santana message on Cameo - Ric Flair in his first WWF match on TV - Hogan vs Flair as a draw in Boston Email: [email protected] Twitter: www.twitter.com/GFAllentownPod

Some things are just a little off with this rather peculiar edition of WWF Superstars from May 7, 1988! - Vince McMahon starts the show by making zero sense about upcoming events at the venue - Randy Savage not having to be someone's sidekick - Bobby Heenan introduces a third Islander in High Chief Afi, who got tatted up - Hulk Hogan has some strange things to say on the topic of race - Saying hello to Steve Blackman and goodbye to Outback Jack - How the Jake Roberts/Rick Rude feud would have been different in the modern era - A detailed look at the real estate listing for Ted DiBiase's Mississippi home - Recapping all of Hillbilly Jim's title opportunities in the WWF - Bret Hart getting cheers for the first time - The probable reason for the off-brand event center and interview area - Email: [email protected] Twitter: www.twitter.com/GFAllentownPod

On this edition of GFA Live, Peter and Keithie talk about the February 2, 2000 episode of WCW Thunder (and some other stuff, of course!) Topics of discussion include: - Jeff Jarrett as leader of the nWo - The Demon and how he isn't the "KISS Demon" anymore - Debating Stacy Keibler vs Torrie Wilson - Lex Luger's current state - Is David Flair actually Dusty Rhodes' son? - Who does The Wall remind you of? - The wisdom of having Sid work three matches in a show including a submission match - Mike Rotunda's ring gear - Whether a 2000 WCW show will ever be done again on this show Email: [email protected] Twitter: www.twitter.com/GFAllentownPod

Terry Funk is here to make everything alright on this look at World Championship Wrestling from May 20, 1989! - Terry Funk works his way up the WCW ladder: by facing 21 year old Eddie Guerrero - The backstory from both Funk and Guerrero on the match - Everyone is required to give Ric Flair a shoutout - Playing a game of "trading places" with Mike Shaw and Fred Ottman - How Norman would be the perfect babyface in 2020 - The complete and total uselessness of Paul Ellering - So many 1989 WCW debuts - Rick Steiner visits his physical therapist - The interesting post-wrestling career of enhancement talent Cougar Jay - Enjoying the way Gary Hart says "Muta" - Ron Simmons hits the pause button on his slow heel turn - Purchasing legal cannabis in time of COVID Email: [email protected] Twitter: www.twitter.com/GFAllentownPod

This episode ends up finding inspiration in an unlikely place: the dying days of Smoky Mountain Wrestling with the July 29, 1995 edition of their weekly TV! - Buddy Landel goes out of character to talk about his struggles with drugs and alcohol and reminds us of the power of redemption - The bizarre incident with Ricky Morton and Tracy Smothers involving wives, girlfriends, and police - Round 1 of the intertwined lives of Glen Jacobs (Unabom) and Mark Calaway (Undertaker) - The inherent value of a place like Smoky Mountain Wrestling for the WWF and WCW - Shawn Michaels: a cruel man, but fair? - SMW ticket promotions that someone should bring back - The Catch-22 of balancing legends and young stars in a smaller promotion like SMW - Actions taken to avoid social media during trying times - Thoughts on careful use of loaded terms in the English language Email: [email protected] Twitter: www.twitter.com/GFAllentownPod

On this edition of GFA Live, Peter and Keithie talk about the January 22, 1994 episode of WWF Superstars (and some other stuff, of course!) Topics of discussion include: - Last week's Mr. Belvedere cast Zoom reunion - Why Stan Lane's smile is the way it is - Imagining Vince McMahon reading off the names of artists in USA For Africa in the style of the Royal Rumble - What child actors do later in life - Jim Ross and an old twitter signoff - A Royal Rumble graphic that makes Jeff Jarrett look ridiculous - Famous Karens in history - How Bret and Owen patched things up over Christmas in 1993 Email: [email protected] Twitter: www.twitter.com/GFAllentownPod Facebook.com/GreetingsFromAllentown

This week is a check-in with some pre-Attitude Era action with a look at WWF New York (Shotgun, kinda) from September 6, 1997! - Breaking down the greatest Stone Cold promo of them all as he shoots arrows at Vince, JR, Gorilla, and Owen Hart photographs - Picturing Rick Rude as the State Farm guy - HHH vs Undertaker Volune 2 out of infinity - Why Savio Vega is a valuable type of guy to have in a wrestling promotion - An absolutely pointless light heavyweight match takes place - Seeing Del Wilkes and wondering: what is patriotism anyway? - A profane 15 minute (give or take) tirade about what our society is right now Email: [email protected] Twitter: www.twitter.com/GFAllentownPod Facebook.com/GreetingsFromAllentown

On this edition of GFA Live, Peter and Keithie talk about the June 13, 1992 edition of WCW Worldwide (and some other stuff, of course!) Topics of discussion include: - The badassery of Dr. Death and Terry Gordy - A Nestle Crunch commercial leads to an argument about a 2020 Nestle Crunch ad - The evolution of the Freebirds as a type of rock and roll band - Batman movies - The rivalry between Steve Austin and Barry Windham - Thoughts on WCW in 1992 and comparing it to movies - What exactly counts as a sexual encounter? - Ron Simmons headbands - Hatred of Bray Wyatt - A new nickname for Keithie Email: [email protected] Twitter: www.twitter.com/GFAllentownPod Facebook.com/GreetingsFromAllentown

Back in the comfort zone of late 80s WWF with a look at Superstars from July 22, 1989! - Dusty Rhodes makes the scene and foils the Bossman and Slick, then discusses “Hard Times” with Brother Love - Rick Martel’s Dance Party - Andre the Giant: reduced to being a sock on the door knob - Jesse Ventura coming in hot with thoughts on “King” Jim Duggan leads to discussion of a US Supreme Court case - Comparing the crowing in the Red Rooster theme to a similar one from a Gap Band song - How Ax (Bill Eadie) came to be considered underrated - The usual Jesse and Vince bickering, such as Ventura wondering how McMahon has avoided jail time - Why comparing Rick Rude’s IC title run to others preceding him is a fool’s errand Email: [email protected] Twitter: www.twitter.com/GFAllentownPod Facebook.com/GreetingsFromAllentown

On this edition of GFA Live, Peter and Keithie celebrate the 25th anniversary of 1995's highest grossing film: Die Hard With a Vengeance! Topics of discussion include: - The World Trade Center towers in TV and movies - Is Zeus the real hero of the movie? - Which minor character role would Peter and Keithie cast each other as? - Tony Halme (Ludvig Borga) quietly being all over this movie - Admitted possible plot holes in the movie - Keithie's annoyance with the call center lady with the NYPD - The one action McClane took that saved a ton of lives - Realizing things that tie together only on the 397th viewing - How much do those gold bars weigh? Email: [email protected] Twitter: www.twitter.com/GFAllentownPod Facebook.com/GreetingsFromAllentown

It's time to play the Feud! This week features a look at two episodes of Family Feud with wrestlers: the WWF in 1993 and WCW faces the women of GLOW from 1990! - A brief history of Family Feud - The various hosts over the years, including ones who either turned down the gig or never made it to air - Guys who surprised with their performance, both good and bad - The strategy of Fast Money - What exactly was Tony Schiavone doing on a team with 4 heels?

On this edition of GFA Live, Peter and Keithie talk about the October 10, 1992 edition of WWF Superstars (and some other stuff, of course!) Topics of discussion include: - Early Razor Ramon - Kamala and the moon painted on his stomach - What Bret Hart was up to between Summerslam and winning the world title - Sega Genesis vs Super Nintendo - The November 1992 Boston Garden house show and Keithie’s trips to the Garden as a lad - Where Steve Armstong (Lance Cassidy) ranks in the Armstrong brothers pecking order - Peter’s disenchantment with wrestling as a whole - Items that have been censored from versions on the WWE Network Email: [email protected] Twitter: www.twitter.com/GFAllentownPod Facebook.com/GreetingsFromAllentown

As we live like it’s Groundhog Day, it is appropriate to go back to February 2, 1991 for newsworthy edition of WCW Worldwide! - Footage of Ric Flair’s world title win over Sting, and more info on the Meadowlands show - Arn Anderson gets a chance to regain the TV title from the Z-Man and does not disappoint even if the match does - Father Sid Vicious checks in with a couple of bible readings - Kevin Sullivan Boston Accent Watch, plus his hilarious outfit - Tommy Rich and the 1970s Yacht Rock song “Wildfire” - The 1991 Freebirds and what current NBA team are they like - Doom’s final theme song and the horn section therein - Forgetting the names of the Master Blasters multiple times - Trying to brew beer and make good BBQ while ignoring stupid neighbors Email: [email protected] Twitter: www.twitter.com/GFAllentownPod Facebook.com/GreetingsFromAllentown

On this edition of GFA Live, Peter and Keithie watch and (mostly) discuss the 1990 WWF Intercontinental title tournament as it played out on weekly TV 30 years ago this month! Topics of discussion include: - Casting Goodfellas with WWF personalities - Avril Lavigne and Judith Light conspiracy theories - Speculation on the making of one sign in the crowd - Dino Bravo selling a hail of bullets - Jimmy Snuka’s remaining usefulness - Who actually was the “Manager of Champions”? - Mr. Perfect’s package - All sorts of Portland Wrestling connections - The woman who does not like Rick Martel Email: [email protected] Twitter: www.twitter.com/GFAllentownPod Facebook.com/GreetingsFromAllentown

It’s a mildly historic TV taping for this episode of the WWF Superstars of Wrestling from May 2, 1987! - Bobby Heenan faces Ken Patera in a debate: a comprehensive analysis - As Brutus Beefcake debuts his barber gimmick, Johnny V makes a tactical error - Randy Savage in the middle of his “most interesting man in the world” campaign - The final Adrian Adonis match in the WWF - Trying to figure out why Tom Zenk always looked dead inside - The bizarre way in which Dan Spivey became a WWF heel - Finding something for Outback Jack to do: promote ice cream bars - A pair of rants: one against the most useless state in the union, and another for that smug prick John Stossel Email: [email protected] Twitter: www.twitter.com/GFAllentownPod Facebook.com/GreetingsFromAllentown

Walking in Memphis….keeping six feet away my friend, walking in Memphis for the June 7, 1986 edition of Memphis Wrestling! - Paul Diamond misreads crazy man Jos LeDuc and gets a haircut for his trouble; but was it that bad? - JD Costello: generic brand manager - The trouble with 8 man tags in the Memphis studio - Bill Dundee as the rare 80s tweener - Expressing legitimate anger at the state of current pro wrestling, among other things - The Beach Boys debut and a back story about griping on their gear Email: [email protected] Twitter: www.twitter.com/GFAllentownPod Facebook.com/GreetingsFromAllentown

With snow falling in Massachusetts it’s time to turn up the heat with a look at the WWF Summerslam Spectacular from 1991, originally airing on the USA Network. Topics of discussion include: - Why Peter doesn’t want Keithie to ever work in WWE creative - The concept of “Anal Terrorism” - Vince McMahon watching Indiana Jones movies - Bret vs Shawn yet again - Sid as a priest-like figure to explain why he is so beloved by Roman Catholics in the northeast - Celebrity death pools - Guessing the masked man that is Virgil’s opponent Email: [email protected] Twitter: www.twitter.com/GFAllentownPod Facebook.com/GreetingsFromAllentown

Back in the day, wrestling used to be taped in front of actual people in the state of Florida, like this edition of WCW Pro from April 27, 1997! - Lord Steven Regal: master of WCW Pro and Worldwide tapings - Two editions of According to Larry with so much going on in WCW - La Parka vs Ice Train: not the WCW randomness that it seemed - How the Dungeon of Doom was like a successful private equity fund - The timing of the Prince Iuekea push relative to this taping and air date - Eric Bischoff as the bad precedent he set - Building to the secretly good Slamboree 97 show with its many NFL players Plus: - Original commercials! - Chris Cruise checks in from the road - Buying and making beer - A musical replacement for YouTube Comment Theater Email: [email protected] Twitter: www.twitter.com/GFAllentownPod Facebook.com/GreetingsFromAllentown

On this third edition of GFA Live, Peter and Keithie take a look at All Japan TV from November 20, 1988! Familiar faces abound on night #1 of the annual Real World Tag League such as Stan Hansen, Terry Gordy, John Tenta, Abdullah the Butcher, Jumbo Tsuruta, Genichiro Tenryu, and more! Discussion topics include: Podcasting when you know your mother is listening, John Tenta's ranking as a Hulk Hogan opponent, the slots in Abdullah the Butcher's forehead, Phil Hickerson and cultural appropriation, Hansen-Andre from 1981 and much more! Lineup courtesy of wwfoldschool.com 11/20/88 1. John Tenta/Shunji Takano vs. Stan Hansen/Terry Gordy 2. Jumbo Tsuruta/Yoshikai Yatsu vs. Jerry Blackwell/Phil Hickerson 3. Abby/Tiger Jeet Singh vs. Genichiro Tenryu/Toshiaki Kawada

In an effort to try and feel good again, it’s time to turn back to Jim Crockett Promotions in 1986 for a look at NWA Worldwide from April 5, 1986! - Why this was a big day in the life of Mr. Ric Flair - Eastern Airlines and their tie-in with JCP - Jimmy Garvin and Precious: ready for the year 2020 - Remembering Wahoo McDaniel - Super babyface Magnum TA beating the crap out of Russians - Appreciating the greatness of Shaska Whatley - The necessary and respectable role of Hector Guererro - David Crockett and infectious enthusiasm Plus: - A second video of the show drops from heaven to provide more context - Speculating on what Ronald Reagan thought about wrestling - An appreciation of Julius Erving - YouTube Comment Theater Email: [email protected] Twitter: www.twitter.com/GFAllentownPod Facebook.com/GreetingsFromAllentown

This “live” edition of Greetings From Allentown looks at AWA Championship Wrestling on ESPN from September 10, 1985! Join Peter and his good pal Keithie as they try to discuss a show with terrible production values, even worse video quality, the 28/58 scoreboard ticker that appears with that day’s baseball scores, Larry Z and his place in history, Verne Gagne vs Stu Hart as a father, Greg Gagne/Greg Brady comparisons, and connecting The Godfather I and II to the turbulent mid-80s in professional wrestling! Email: [email protected] Twitter: www.twitter.com/GFAllentownPod Facebook.com/GreetingsFromAllentown

The end of the Attitude Era is coming soon but there is time for one last hurrah in advance of WrestleMania X-7 with this edition of WWF Sunday Night Heat from April 1, 2001! - How Rock-Austin is so good it makes people think positively about Limp Bizkit - Big events in the Houston Astrodome - Why you should NOT feel bad for Linda McMahon watching her husband make out with Trish Stratus - Capt. Lou Albano checks in from NYC actually sober - Recaps of the events leading to many of the WM17 matches: Regal-Jericho, Benoit-Angle, Chyna-Ivory, - Why the rivalry of the three teams in TLC II endures - An actual WrestleMania pre-show match! Plus: - Original commercials from 2001: plugs for music aplenty - Life in quarantine getting drive thru beer - Some perspective on the length of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign - YouTube Comment Theater Email: [email protected] Twitter: www.twitter.com/GFAllentownPod Facebook.com/GreetingsFromAllentown

From Television City: The podcast looking at classic (and not-so classic) sitcoms of the past! This show features a look at the 1980s sitcom Small Wonder and the episode "Wally The Wimp" with guest start Jesse "The Body" Ventura as an old college "friend" of the Lawsons. Back then he was a 92 lb weakling bullied by Ted, but now he's a 247 lb professional wrestler! How will Ted (and Vicki the robot) respond to Jesse?

The Adams Division podcast is back! Steve Bennett (The Sports-Casters) and Peter Winson (Greetings From Allentown) reunite to once against discuss WrestleManias 1 to 14, but with a twist: Choosing ten matches from among the first 14 WrestleMania shows without using the same wrestler twice, only one match per WrestleMania show, only one world title match, one IC title match, and one tag team title match! What matches didn’t make the list for those restrictive reasons? What matches did Steve and Peter prioritize? Will Peter ever give Shawn Michaels credit for anything? Tune into find out! Subscribe to the Place To Be Nation Wrestling feed, home of The Adams Division Podcast

This special “live” edition of Greetings From Allentown looks at WWF Wrestling Challenge from September 28, 1986! Join Peter and his good pal Keithie as they converse over a show with a few surprising faces, a ton of early Slick, and a British Bulldogs match against Nikolai Volkoff and the Iron Sheik! Email: [email protected] Twitter: www.twitter.com/GFAllentownPod Facebook.com/GreetingsFromAllentown

The wonderful pairing of Gorilla Monsoon and Stan Lane barnstorm around Manhattan getting ready for WrestleMania 10 on this edition of WWF Wrestling Challenge from March 20, 1994! - Why Gorilla Monsoon would make an A+ wingman on the town - Breaking down the celebrities of WrestleMania 10: Burt Reynolds, Jennie Garth, Donnie Wahlberg and more! - Recapping Owen-Bret and similarities to Bruno-Larry - The insanity of writing off Randy Savage in 1994 - Pondering how Jim Cornette screwed up badly in the kayfabe universe - The problem with podcasting about a show with no actual wrestling matches Plus: - Life in time of quarantine - Finding salvation in complete broadcasts of 1986 Celtics playoff games - The hilarity of a pre-taped WrestleMania Email: [email protected] Twitter: www.twitter.com/GFAllentownPod Facebook.com/GreetingsFromAllentown

Eight days away from WrestleMania 2, Hulk Hogan has a rare singles bout on weekly TV on this edition of WWF All American Wrestling from March 30, 1986! - Comprehensive commentary on every celebrity invited to WrestleMania 2 from Joan Rivers all the way down to Herb, including those who no showed the event! - The back story of NFL battle royal participant Bill Fralic and why he came off as such a natural heel - Gorilla Monsoon with a great line about the Funks - Lamenting the failure of the WWF to give King Kong Bundy a proper face run - Who is the best midcard friend you could have for life? Also: - The most likely man to save America these next few weeks and his similarities to John Cena - Life in self-quarantine - The scene in Burlington, VT over the weekend

Finishing up the two show series on the end of the Bill Watts-era UWF with a look at the first show under the control of Jim Crockett Promotions from May 2, 1987! - The invasion angle begins....with JCP midcarder Big Bubba Rogers coming in to challenge for the UWF title - Why the match between Big Bubba and One Man Gang was so unique - An insanely idiotic production snafu that spoiled a big angle within the show - The fate of the top ten UWF guys for 1987-88 - Chris Adams' remarkable patience with Terry Taylor's obvious douchebaggery - John Milton Ayers: the best choice for a commissioner? - The coincidence of two guys named Steve Cox who played football at University of Tulsa around the same time Also: - Pandemics and how this might impact Summerslam in Boston months from now - A pair of ref bumps leads to another rant about Earl Hebner's "all about me" refereeing - Reiterating an admittedly nutty plan for DST that everyone can agree on - YouTube Comment Theater! [email protected] Twitter.com/GFAllentownPod Facebook.com/greetingsfromallentown

This week starts a two episode journey through the end of the Universal Wrestling Federation as we knew it, but will we feel fine after this final Bill Watts controlled show from April 25, 1987? - Some economic data from the core UWF territory to shine light on the economic troubles hitting their fanbase - The oddities of TV production for a promotion on its last legs - Chris Adams is open about his legal issues and attempts a PSA - The trouble with Terry Taylor's voice - Dr. Death's strange views about the people of Japan - Trying to figure out why the WWF would take Sam Houston over Eddie Gilbert - Gary Young: The Forrest Gump of late-stage UWF? Also: - The mystery of the UWF's magazine - Exploring the notion that Bruce Springsteen's "Born in the USA" album is really about something else - A righteous rant about current WWE RAW production foibles - The perfect Leap Day spent at an old WrestleMania venue - The return of YouTube Comment Theater! [email protected] Twitter.com/GFAllentownPod Facebook.com/greetingsfromallentown

It’s a leap year so this show features a look at a WWF Superstars from a Leap Day, February 29, 1992! - Jake Roberts puts an end to the Funeral Parlor but can’t keep the Undertaker down - The story of purchasing an El Matador Hasbro - A bizarre turn of events leading to the Money Inc. tag team title win and the Natural Disasters split from Jimmy Hart - Why in the hell are Kerry Von Erich matches making it to TV after his very public arrest? - Inspired by Papa Shango, a quick overview of the origins of voodoo - Rocking out to the Repo Man theme - Why ’92 Hulk Hogan is like a fading sports team dynasty Plus: - An idea for a Tito Santana/Virgil movie celebrating their friendship - The craziness of the 1992 US Presidential primary season - An impassioned defense of the Sid-Hogan WM8 match, excluding the botched finish - TWO VIRGIL PROMOS, but sadly also two IRS promos - A resolution to watch more movies Email: [email protected] Twitter: www.twitter.com/GFAllentownPod Facebook.com/GreetingsFromAllentown

Walking through Memphis without the King on hand for this edition of Memphis Wrestling from April 28, 1984! - Jimmy Hart as an oncologist and football coach rolled into one - Randy Savage: the best TV match guy of all time? - The gigantic miss that was the “New Fabulous Ones” of Tommy Rich and Eddie Gilbert - Jim Neidhart as the best friend you could possibly have - Ravishing Rick Rude struggles with his confidence - Harley Davidson, the proto-Hillbilly Jim - Norvell Austin as an overlooked figure in wrestling history Plus: - A rant about current NXT matches and an impromptu grievance about the Ruthless Aggression documentary - The Japanese adventures of southern “rasslers” - Struggling with the “TV time remaining” match - Dave Brown as VP of the USA or Speaker of the House - YouTube Comment Theater! Email: [email protected] Twitter: @GFAllentownPod Facebook.com/GreetingsFromAllentown

Things are moving fast on the road to Starrcade ’86 on this edition of Jim Crockett Promotions World Championship Wrestling from November 1, 1986! - The very necessary but ballsy move of Dusty Rhodes to turn hated Russian Nikita Koloff into a beloved babyface - A Four Horsemen planned strike of Starrcade? - Ravishing Rick Rude stumbles over a promo - Disappointment with Jimmy Garvin’s gear - The Battle of Philadelphia: JCP vs the WWF both run Philly on October 18, 1986 - David Crockett is a true taskmaster on the final interview of the show - One surprise about the build to Starrcade 86 Plus: - Another example of how bleeping audio is always funny - Three Musketeers: the Ronnie Garvin of candy? - Similarities between Creedence Clearwater Revival and the 2000s LeBron-led Cleveland Cavaliers - Getting an autograph from a wrestler without actually meeting them - YouTube Comment Theater! Email: [email protected] Twitter: @GFAllentownPod Facebook.com/GreetingsFromAllentown

In the shadow of the NWO lighting WCW on fire, the WWF keeps chugging along with this edition of Superstars from July 20, 1996! - The quiet building of Stone Cold Steve Austin between his King of the Ring win and start of feud with Bret Hart - A detailed examination of Hunter Hearst Helmsley’s “punishment” for the MSG Curtain Call - The Goon debuts in the WWF with some great costuming - Embarassment is shared over involvement in an e-fed in the early 90s - What has to be done to replace the Ultimate Warrior with Sid - Camp Cornette’s place in the list of awesome trios groups - In Your House: International Incident: hidden gem of a show? Plus: - Dok Hendrix and the singing of the Superstars theme - Taking a car in for service leads to a weekend long odyssey - Another look at Vince McMahon laughs through the years - Pitching a Sycho Sid sitcom Email: [email protected] Twitter: twitter,com/GFAllentownPod Facebook.com/GreetingsFromAllentown

The Horsemen needed help on how to train your Dragon on this edition of World Championship Wrestling from January 21, 1989! - Ricky Steamboat returns to the NWA and has Ric Flair’s number - Eddie Gilbert’s role in Steamboat-Flair as a shining moment - Michael Hayes rides solo and brings to mind a famous movie character from the 90s - Kevin Sullivan’s accent: great accent or the greatest accent? - Jack Victory as the utility masked man - Butch Reed returns leading to a call to question all references to wrestlers’ football careers Plus: - Thoughts on the late Kobe Bryant - Taking a trip to Rhode Island to see (part of) the Royal Rumble - What exactly constitutes a “Gamesmaster”? - More YouTube shenanigans - Vinnie Vegas Corner limps to the finish with Super Bowl LIV Email: [email protected] Twitter: @GFAllentownPod Facebook.com/GreetingsFromAllentown

A famous edition of Piper’s Pit highlights WWF All Star Wrestling from April 14, 1984! - Roddy Piper invites longtime enhancement talent Frankie Williams on the Pit and has his way with him in memorable fashion - A tribute to the late Rocky Johnson with a story of his youth in Canada - Hulk Hogan’s great entrance to take on Afa the Samoan - Tito Santana’s wide variety of opponents early in his IC title run - Thoughts on the recent Sgt. Slaughter Marines imbroglio - Attempting to ignore Pvt. Terry Daniels by discussing a Norm McDonald movie Plus: - Another medical update, now with actual good news! - Original commercials, including one with baseball player Graig Nettles referencing current events in sports! - The editing of Gary Michael Cappetta on All Star - A quality Bob Backlund interview takes a weird turn at the end - The return of YouTube Comment Theater! Email: [email protected] Twitter: @GFAllentownPod Facebook.com/GreetingsFromAllentown

You can’t go wrong with a Dangerous Alliance six man match, and that is the feature on this edition of WCW Pro from January 18, 1992! - The issues that held back the Dangerous Alliance that weren’t Bill Watts - A star power rating of 83.33% in the main event - The utterly pointless 1992 El Gigante and his hilarious injury in Japan - Cactus Jack’s bizarre month: falling down stairs, fighting with his sometimes friend, teaming with Buddy Lee Parker, and odd opponents - The WCW Patriots and their planned community of WCW Special Forces - We will always love The Bodyguard Mr. Hughes - Glimpsing Big Josh’s future appeal to children Plus: - Another medical update, now with lots more gross fluid! - Abdullah The Butcher’s bad luck on GFA - Lex Luger gets the Lesnar treatment - The tenuous connection between the 1990 Dallas Cowboys, the 1991 New England Patriots, and Monday Night Football - Celebrating the lack of Van Hammer on the show - Vinnie Vegas Corner for the NFL Conference title games for you to bet against my picks Email: [email protected] Twitter: @GFAllentownPod Facebook.com/GreetingsFromAllentown