Greetings From Allentown

This week the show rewinds to a classic episode from 2017 looking at WWF Superstars from June 3, 1989 as Peter says goodbye to a dear friend. Email: [email protected] Twitter: @GFAllentownPod Facebook.com/GreetingsFromAllentown Prowestlingonly.com

This week’s show is a look at the big WWF Superstars of Wrestling from November 22, 1986! - The Macho Man literally goes for the throat of challenger Ricky Steamboat - Randy Savage’s November 1986: the best TV month ever for a champion - Calling for Danny Davis limitations on appearances within a single show - The Honky Tonk Man acts fast after losing a “Vote of Confidence” from “fans” - Examining “the match before the live crowd after the big angle” - Bruno Sammartino takes a spin as a broadcast journalist - A brief musical tribute to Dick Slater’s WWF run as the Confederate “Rebel” Plus: - Fact checking the wild claims of Vince McMahon on commentary - Gene Okerlund’s Update center troubles of late 86 - Jesse Ventura takes it to Vince over his grammar corrections - The enhancement talent who defeated Mick Foley in their first ever match - Chanting “boring” at a stupid time - Sports moments of 2006: the Detroit Tigers provide hope, the New Orleans Saints provide inspiration, Ben Watson is superhuman, Ty Conklin commits a blunder, and great plays when that team loses! Email: [email protected] Twitter: @GFAllentownPod Facebook.com/GreetingsFromAllentown Prowestlingonly.com

It is back to 1984 for a look at the short-lived experiment that was Pro Wrestling USA! Jack Reynolds is a gaffe machine, Terry Funk saves the day (again), Jimmy Hart as your utility manager, the weirdly muted crowd, Bob Backlund comes off creepy, plus original commercials, one of which that will blow your mind! (Offer not valid to those born before 1976) Email: [email protected] Twitter: @GFAllentownPod Facebook.com/GreetingsFromAllentown Prowestlingonly.com https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC16Sz3wzIaPndSBPfj_L6dQ

It’s back to 1985 for a look at WWF Saturday Night’s Main Event from October 5, 1985! - Uncle Elmer gets married and gets his balls busted by Jesse Ventura - The concept of following Golden Era WWF through only Saturday Night’s Main Event - Political differences between faces and heels on the issue of free speech - Acceptance of non-finishes just to see Roddy Piper and Paul Orndorff fight - Weird attire to wear to a wedding - Greg Valentine takes on a new project and gets the tag team title as retainer - The Body Shop as a B-show talk segment - Poor Jerry Valiant: from Oprah to Uncle Elmer in ‘85 Plus: - The many feelings of attending a wedding in a Catholic church - Righteous anger about the guy with the airhorn - The hangover of the defending World Series champs - A fun fact about one the NBC TV executives - The importance of the 1985 Geneva summit between Reagan and Gorbachev - Sports moments of 2004: the first time Dave Roberts helped the Red Sox win a playoff game, Damon slays the Yankees, Bill Walton is sad, Gelinas wins it, and incredible prognostications! Email: [email protected] Twitter: @GFAllentownPod Facebook.com/GreetingsFromAllentown Prowestlingonly.com

With some regrets it is back to January 1984 for a look at some AWA TV aimed at the St. Louis market! - Trying to stay sane watching this very AWA show - A comparison for Ken Resnick trying to replace Gene Okerlund, who they couldn’t edit out of the show - The hilarity of two white dudes dressing up like Arab sheiks - Why a Billy Robinson wouldn’t be a pro wrestler in the modern era - World champ Nick Bockwinkel: not quite so gangsta - Talking about anything but the sad downfall of Superstar Billy Graham - Pondering trying Jesse Ventura as a top babyface - Tom Stone carries Baron Von Raschke to the match of the night(!) Plus: - The many many many MANY issues with the AWA’s t-shirt - A brief history of channel 30 KDNL-TV in St. Louis - The importance of having characters in your everyday life - More Karate Kid 2 talk! - Referees who just aren’t trying or giving a crap - Sports moments of 2003: what Bartman should have done, a personal anecdote on the River City Relay, confessions about game 7 of the ALCS, and “Off the floor, on the board” Email: [email protected] Twitter: @GFAllentownPod Facebook.com/GreetingsFromAllentown Prowestlingonly.com

Revving up the Delorean to 88 MPH for a trip back to 1985 and a look at NWA Worldwide from Jim Crockett Promotions from March 23! - Bizarre scrambles: Ric Flair and Dusty Rhodes together, and Tully Blanchard and JJ Dillon opposing Slick Ric! - Early Arn Anderson: waiting for that first spinebuster - Enjoying the Jimmy Valiant/Paul Jones Army never-ending war - Who is the greatest Cold War era Soviet Russian wrestler? - Why Magnum TA was a better choice as heir apparent babyface than Ricky Steamboat would have been - Buddy Landel’s uphill battle as a “Nature Boy” Plus: - The fire that destroyed the Crockett family’s minor league ballpark - David Crockett attempts to blow up the concept of time - Who would have been a good addition from the world of wrestling to the USA For Africa crew singing “We Are The World” - Sports moments of 2002: the SF Giants tempt fate, Sacramento gets jobbed, an all-time hockey fight and the conflicted emotions it brings up now, and Super Bowl 36 - YouTube Comment Theater Email: [email protected] Twitter: @GFAllentownPod Facebook.com/GreetingsFromAllentown Prowestlingonly.com

Taking a look at when the WWF was trying to rejuvenate the company with a loaded episode of Superstars from October 31, 1992! - The interconnected events making up the “interesting times” for the WWF - A rare Superstars/Challenge crossover! - The Nasty Boys lash out at Jimmy Hart for a double-cross: shouldn’t they have seen this coming? - Marty Jannetty seeks vengeance on Shawn Michaels but ends up with seven years of bad luck - Ground Zero of all Doink offshoots - Yokozuna makes his Superstars debut - Why Tatanka’s push and Big Bossman’s de-push are directly related - Nailz needs a tissue and a chill pill - Pondering having Paul Bearer as a funeral director Plus: - The unsung hero of a baby shower - A cautionary tale of social media postings - Wrestling and another event in an arena on the same day - Sports moments of 2001: Bledsoe, Piazza, Iverson, and an embarrassing moment - Vinnie Vegas Corner: Super Bowl LIII edition with prop bets! Email: [email protected] Twitter: @GFAllentownPod Facebook.com/GreetingsFromAllentown Prowestlingonly.com

Going back to the heart of the Attitude Era for the 100th episode with a look at the June 1, 1998 WWF RAW is WAR! - The peak of the Mr. McMahon character trading jabs with his top stars - A Nation vs DX six man tag all-star game! - The Undertaker begins his evolution by dressing poorly - Taka Michinoku and Bradshaw: like a 1960s TV comedy pairing - Shamrock and Severn: division killers? - How and why Val Venis could only exist from 1998-2000 - Admiring the outfit of newcomer Jacqueline - The unselfish Terry Funk risks major injury against Mark Henry - Double J contradicts everything he said months earlier Plus: - A tongue in cheek promo for the charitable Mr. McMahon - What do you do when “Godwinns’ Law” goes bad - Revealing the top 5 from my PTBN GWWE tag team ballot - A method of remaining calm when your team is in a tense playoff game - Sports moments of 2000: Rams/Titans, Pedro/Roger, an ugly incident in Vancouver, the “HC of the NYJ”, - Hatching a diabolical plan to go to WrestleMania in New Jersey Email: [email protected] Twitter: @GFAllentownPod Facebook.com/GreetingsFromAllentown Prowestlingonly.com

Climb aboard the Mothership for a look back at WCW Saturday Night from June 28, 1997! - The WCW midcard in 1997: a diverse playground with something for everyone - Nobility is out the window as The Blue Bloods explode - Jeff Jarrett has delusions of grandeur - Appreciating Meng’s theme and pondering a trip to Tonga - Ric Flair steals the one bit that Lex Luger was the best at - Categorizing enhancement tag teams - Konnan in wrestling purgatory - Playing the Mean Gene hotline promo guessing game Plus: - Introducing a wedding wrap-up show segment - Karate Kid 2: The WCW of the Karate Kid series? - Braves baseball on TBS roundup! - Sports moments of ’99: Pedro Martinez, Troy O’Leary, Eugene Robinson, Brett Hull, and an OT winner! - Vinnie Vegas Corner NFL Conference Championship Edition! Email: [email protected] Twitter: @GFAllentownPod Facebook.com/GreetingsFromAllentown Prowestlingonly.com

This week is a salute to the late “Mean” Gene Okerlund with a look at his first WWF show Wrestling At The Chase from January 1, 1984! - How Okerlund’s arrival helps everyone in the company be better at their jobs - Hulk Hogan returns to the WWF as a true man of the people - A brief overview of wrestling in St. Louis - “Dr. D” David Schultz issues a subtle challenge to the rest of the heel locker room - The curious case of “Mad Dog” Maganoff - Tony Atlas drops a hint that maybe he isn’t crazy about his tag team partner - Adonis and Murdoch: what makes them different makes them great Plus: - Side Headlock-A-Palooza in St. Louis - How a dog food company screwed over an NHL team - Sports moments of ’98: Kerry Wood, Randy Moss, Bryce Drew, and a goalie “fight” - Vinnie Vegas Corner NFL Divisional Edition! Email: [email protected] Twitter: @GFAllentownPod Facebook.com/GreetingsFromAllentown Prowestlingonly.com

On a unique Greetings From Allentown, this week features a look at the pilot episode of the 1988 wrestling-themed TV show “Learning The Ropes”, starring Lyle Alzado and featuring cameos from Ric Flair, Arn Anderson, and Ronnie Garvin! Plus: - Vinnie Vegas Corner: NFL Wild Card edition! - YouTube Comment Theater! - Sports moments of ’97: Farewell to the Whale, a non-call in the Super Bowl, Wade Boggs takes the hill, and Rick Pitino takes over Email: [email protected] Twitter: @GFAllentownPod Facebook.com/GreetingsFromAllentown Prowestlingonly.com

Learn all about unique ways to injure someone with a chair by checking out WWF Superstars from October 27, 1996! - Steve Austin attacks Brian Pillman: the last consequential angle ever on Superstars - Sunny Days are the end of days for the Smoking Gunns - Pondering how Psycho Sid could approach a presidential campaign - Examining Triple H’s 1996 Curtain Call “punishment” - An important distinction in the Rocky Maivia debut vignettes - Why The Undertaker had a long streak at WrestleManias - The benefits and honors of being a WWF hillbilly - Reworking the WWE Hall of Fame ceremony Plus: - What is wrong with Marty Jannetty? I mean, this time. - Analysis of the matchups in the 1996 Karate Fighters tournament - Brilliant game planning in Madden 18 - Ahmed Johnson: thoughtful AND eloquent? - Sports moments of ’96: A corrupt umpire, the FoxTrax hockey puck, Magic Johnson gets ejected Email: [email protected] Twitter: @GFAllentownPod Facebook.com/GreetingsFromAllentown Prowestlingonly.com

This week features a look at an oddly stacked episode of WWF Wrestling Challenge from February 24, 1991! - Sgt. Slaughter has fun with fire and beats the symbolism into the ground - The New Dream Team explodes and gets a visit from the Ghost of Dream Team Past - Gene Okerlund has a rough go at Toys R Us with the Big Bossman - How Macho Man vs Ultimate Warrior at WM7 would have suffered in the LA Coliseum - The inside scoop of why Gorilla Monsoon hates The Mountie so much - Rick Martel’s ’91 Rumble performance: a template for Flair? - Examining Animal’s promo style - Brawler Facts: 6 things about Steve Lombardi - Jim Duggan vs Pez Whatley for the soul of Greetings From Allentown - A plea for WWE to use nostalgia in a different way Plus: - Hulk Hogan accidentally invents a new kind of WrestleMania - Why Home Alone is NOT a Christmas movie - Speculating on the direction of the vigilante “Mariner” character - Sports moments of ’95: Cal and the Orioles, Hakeem and the Rockets, a national title for BU, and the Habs dump St. Patrick - A classic example of why YouTube Comment Theater exists Email: [email protected] Twitter: @GFAllentownPod Facebook.com/GreetingsFromAllentown Prowestlingonly.com

We’re heading to Florida(!) for some PWF (Professional Wrestling Federation aka Florida Championship Wrestling) action from April 30, 1989! - Dusty Rhodes and Terry Funk renew their rivalry with brawls, boxes, and hilarious promos defining a “Dusty” - The Nasty Boys plagiarize a once and future rival - A Florida edition of “According to Larry” - The appeal of wrestlers in the “before” phase - A musical tribute to Fred Ottman’s PWF character - Dick Slater as the perpetual “backup running back” to Terry Funk - Oliver Humperdink: enough is enough Plus: - Inventing a backstory for Drake Maverick and the Authors of Pain - Pondering WWF President Jack Tunney as the Event Center host - Sports moments of ’94: AC got OJ in the car, Nancy and the black stick, Cheney and Calipari, two point conversions, and Karl “Tuffy” Rhodes - YouTube Comment Theater! Email: [email protected] Twitter: @GFAllentownPod Facebook.com/GreetingsFromAllentown Placetobenation.com/amazon

It was a brand new world for the WWF in January 1993 with the launch of a new show on the USA Network: WWF Mania from January 30, 1993! - Taking stock of Ric Flair’s overall WWF 1991-93 run as it comes to a close - Setting the tone for RAW with the Flair-Perfect match and how it differed from all prior WWF TV matches - How Todd Pettengill may have saved the promotion a ton of money - An era of change stunted by the return of Hulk Hogan - What happens when you call the 800 number of WrestleMania IX tickets? - Kamala forgets how to end matches as a babyface - Tatanka as a “moments” guy and rebooking his match with Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania - Sean Mooney takes a pun-based challenge - The Undertaker awkwardly chips in on behalf of Headlock on Hunger Plus: - Explaining why Savage went for a pinfall at the 1993 Royal Rumble on Yokozuna - George H.W. Bush yakking on the Japanese prime minister - Pondering a trip to London, England - Dustings of light racism litter the show - Rob Schneider SNL characters - Why the Match Game from the 1970s is so rewatchable - Sports moments of ’93: Stanley Cup OT winners, Leon Lett, Chris Webber, how Notre Dame got screwed over in ’93, and an alternate seldom-heard PBP call! [email protected] Twitter.com/GFAllentownPod Facebook.com/greetingsfromallentown www.prowrestlingonly.com

This week it’s back to the early days of Ted Turner-owned World Championship Wrestling with a look at NWA Worldwide from June 24, 1989! - The Great Muta vs Scott Steiner: Where the reality of the situation falls short of expectation - Attempting to improve the Dynamic Dudes - A Las Vegas based Sid Vicious at a locals casino playing the blackjack tables - Lex Luger cares not for your top 10 rankings - Calling BS on the geographical spread of WCW contest winners - Ricky Santana vs Wild Bill Irwin as the “who cares” feud of 1989 - Rick Steiner has some fun with Tommy Young - A neck brace keeps Ric Flair from doing his thing - Teddy Long’s bad evil heel laugh Plus: - Why Great Muta would mostly use the green mist - The unfortunate death of an enhancement talent - Proper consumption of Starburst - Career advice for Ricky Santana - Gripes about Rick Steiner’s real estate website - 1992 sports moments: the last great Indy 500, the Dream Team, and a terrible referee call - YouTube Comment Theater! [email protected] Twitter.com/GFAllentownPod Facebook.com/greetingsfromallentown www.prowrestlingonly.com

Just in time for Turkey Day, the Adams Division Podcast (Peter Winson of Greetings From Allentown & Steve Bennett of the Sports-Casters) reconvene to the discuss and rank Survivor Series shows from 1987 to 1998. Including: a split on the enjoyment level of the ’95 show, how being at a show live helps to remember a show more fondly, good and bad booking, delightfully odd teams, and a lengthy discussion of Ax’s “performance” at the 1990 show!

The devil went down to Georgia and instead of stealing a soul, Vince McMahon presents the WWF on TBS from January 5, 1985! - A brief history of the WWF foray into Georgia with the bumps in the road and the hilarity of how they got bailed out - Drawing on a story from the Old Testament to seek meaning in the Andre The Giant haircut angle - Running down Hulk Hogan matches on weekly TV after winning the world title - Freddie Miller refuses to do multiple takes - Giving thanks for the many musings of Angelo Mosca on color commentary - The irony of the Moondogs finisher - Blackjack Mulligan and an unfortunate incident at the Boston Garden - A rare look at manager-less Greg Valentine Plus: - Tito Santana is worried about groceries - A glimpse at the “bawdy” version of your podcast host - The bizarre game choices of the NBA on TBS from that week - The WWF in the Atlanta Omni: 1,500 wrestling fans can’t be wrong! - Sports moments of 1991 featuring Rocket Ismail, Lonnie Smith, and Magic Johnson Email: [email protected] Twitter: @GFAllentownPod Facebook.com/GreetingsFromAllentown ProWrestlingOnly.com

The show is again walking in Memphis this week with a look at CWA Memphis Wrestling from May 9, 1987! - Austin Idol vs Jerry Lawler in a cage: hair vs hair and the logical booking to build it up - Tommy Rich is off his rocker (and under the ring) - Poor Soul Train Jones can’t get out of the station - Exposing who stole Rocky Johnson’s line from his promo - “How To Work a 1 on 2 Handicap Match” by Mark Starr - Proto-Barry Horowitz dares to put his hands on the great Lance Russell - Steve Keirn is injured….or is he? - Paul Heyman has his first big star-making turn and predicts the future Plus: - A call for more Chicks - Bam Bam Bigelow has a list of confessions he wants to spill before heading to the WWF - A music video featuring the Midnight Rockers - How to deal with a crowd ready to riot in the Mid-South Coliseum - Looking back at 1990 sports moments from baseball, hockey, and college basketball - Connecting literally everything through the 1988 Survivor Series - YouTube Comment Theater! [email protected] Twitter.com/GFAllentownPod Facebook.com/greetingsfromallentown www.prowrestlingonly.com

It’s time for the comfort food of 1991 WWF with a look at Superstars from September 28, 1991! - Ric Flair detours from his debut match to pick on Roddy Piper and damage is done to the commentary team - Randy Savage deals with his status being on probation - A new idea for rebooting Sgt. Slaughter post-Iraq angle - Jake the Snake explains his turn to the dark side - Bret Hart in Canada and the 1997 match we never got - Vince McMahon: King of the awkward plug - The peculiar case of Mark Thomas, enhancement talent Plus: - A proposal to replace Daylight Saving Time in the US - The craziest sports moment of ’89 for episode 89 - Ric Flair’s “edited” first promo in the WWF - Canada on a hot streak in 1991 - One of the all time great Hollywood casting stories - An honest to God 40 second Berzerker promo! [email protected] Twitter.com/GFAllentownPod Facebook.com/greetingsfromallentown www.prowrestlingonly.com

This week it is ’88 for 88 with a look at a historic episode of Continental Championship Wrestling from April 23, 1988! - “I’d like to talk to Tom”: breaking down the Tom Prichard/Dirty White Boy angle itself, how it was shot, and background of how it came to be - A quick history of Continental/Southeastern Wrestling and the big changes that came after this show - Gordon Solie tries to keep the show on track in spite of the craziness - What I think of when it comes to “Dirty” Dutch Mantell - Eddie Gilbert swiping tapes from the production team - The strangest “inset” promo cut you will ever see - The sad story of Detroit Demolition - Bill Kazmeier has self-esteem issues Plus: - Better days in ’88 for the Los Angeles Dodgers - An alarm clock snafu leads to a long Saturday - The risk in wearing a Jason hockey mask - YouTube Comment Theater! [email protected] Twitter.com/GFAllentownPod Facebook.com/greetingsfromallentown www.prowrestlingonly.com

Thanks to a random YouTube crackdown, the show takes an extreme turn with a look at ECW Hardcore TV from September 26, 1995! - ECW as the rest area of professional wrestling - A glimpse of the future Big Poppa Pump as Taz reaches a low point - Weapons, tables, and run-ins: the quintessential ECW match featuring the Pitbulls, Raven, and Stevie Richards - Steve Austin rolls in with a parody of everyone’s favorite balding blond wrestler - Rey Mysterio Jr. and Psicosis light up South Philly - 2 Cold Scorpio just lights up, period - Woman keeps repeating herself - JT Smith works an old comedy trope Plus: - A confession about a popular movie franchise - Why a big 1987 sports moment wouldn’t have happened in 2018 - Explaining Stevie Richards’ white cutoff jeans - How the theme to the Hardcore TV show became popular a couple of years earlier - Background of the term “shah” [email protected] Twitter.com/GFAllentownPod Facebook.com/greetingsfromallentown www.prowrestlingonly.com

Buckle up for the toboggan ride that is Jim Crockett Promotions 1988 style in the form of NWA Worldwide from February 6, 1988! - Sting introduces himself to the Four Horsemen, who just want to get drunk - Speculating on an infamous Dusty Rhodes angle that was aborted - The brilliant satire of the Varsity Club - A “mistake” from JCP that actually deserves praise - Barry Windham’s “50 home run season” - A very special episode of According to Larry (Z) - Taking issue with Bobby Eaton’s gear Plus: - How a joke on Twitter led to an unlikely interaction with “Big Dave” - A fantastic David Crockett blooper - Three great sports moments from 1986 - Dusty Rhodes as the Yankees pitching coach - YouTube Comment Theater! [email protected] Twitter.com/GFAllentownPod Facebook.com/greetingsfromallentown www.prowrestlingonly.com

Greetings From Allentown stays in 1999 this week for a look at the penultimate episode of WWF Shotgun Saturday Night from August 14, 1999! - The greatness and high expectations of Chris Jericho’s WWF debut - Jesse Ventura returns and it is like he never left - Cranky Michael Hayes delights on commentary - Edge: Is he the Canadian Ricky Schroeder? - Triple H embarrasses himself with a commercial tagline - Tough times for Chaz/Mosh and Ken Shamrock - Tag title switches aplenty - Droz’s pal Key makes his only televised appearance in a match Plus: - Developing a parody character of the Ultimate Warrior - Getting the two Headbangers mixed up like a confused commentator - Celebrating the return of the Body in song - An intergender SummerSlam main event? - A strange thought about hockey fans celebrating goals by the home team in the arena - YouTube comment theater! Email: [email protected] Twitter: @GFAllentownPod Facebook.com/GreetingsFromAllentown ProWrestlingOnly.com

Greetings From Allentown returns to da Mothership for WCW Saturday Night from April 10, 1999! - Overcoming prejudices against the phrase “1999 WCW” - The greatest thing Disco Inferno ever did in WCW - The life and times of Jerry Flynn - A personal issue against the new WCW logo - Perusing Rick Steiner’s Georgia real estate listings - The commonality of Konnan and one popular musician - Playing the guessing game for Gene Okerlund’s hotline shills - Norman Smiley and Ernest Miller fight the glass ceiling…and each other Plus: - The trials and tribulations of job hunting in 2018 - Dreaming of an afternoon on the links with Fit Finlay - How the Atlanta Braves fared against the Big Unit Randy Johnson - Prescient statements about Goldberg and Kevin Nash - Sports jerseys galore! - YouTube comment theater! Email: [email protected] Twitter: @GFAllentownPod Facebook.com/GreetingsFromAllentown ProWrestlingOnly.com

We head back to the 80s for some Golden Era WWF with a look at WWF Spotlight from January 3, 1987! - Saluting Andre the Giant to set up the big turn - Starting the meteoric rise of the Honky Tonk Man - Who was Jimmy Hart’s best WWF protégé? (No, not Neidhart) - Lanny Poffo vs Steve Lombardi: a chance for Gorilla and Lord Al to do all their comedy bits - Dennis Stamp gets booked! - A distinct Quebecois flavor permeating the show - Koko B. Ware as the great table setter - The Wizard needs to dial down the volume Also: - What’s the deal with Lord Alfred Hayes? - Similarities between two legendary championship teams of the 80s from different sports - Talking China at a brewery and DeNiro at a winery - The best baseball games on the original Nintendo - Commercials from 1987! Email: [email protected] Twitter.com/GFAllentownPod Facebook.com/GreetingsFromAllentown PlaceToBeNation.com/Amazon

This week it is back to the Sunshine state for some WCW Worldwide from June 25, 1994! - Hulk Hogan arrives and makes changes to his Demandments even as change in WCW takes time - Brian Pillman’s lost 1994 in spite of a new contract - The limitations of Stunning Steve Austin’s in-ring stooging - A proper requiem for the late Frank Andersson - The future Road Dogg picks up an idea from Mr. Wonderful - A very special “According to Larry” - Babyface edition! - Critiquing the Guardian Angel gimmick and recalling a 2007 incident involving the Boston chapter - Kevin Sullivan cares not for non-regional diction Also: - A New Mexico travelogue: coffee, chiles, and the B-52s - WCW Worldwide audio bumpers: the greatest thing ever? - A rant about Nick Patrick’s hair - YouTube Comment Theater! Email: [email protected] Twitter.com/GFAllentownPod Facebook.com/GreetingsFromAllentown PlaceToBeNation.com/Amazon

This special episode of Greetings From Allentown features a look back at three more heel turns covered on the program: The Megapowers explode, Sid Justice flips out on Hulk Hogan, and Pez Whatley is brainwashed and programmed to attack and cut Jimmy Valiant’s hair. Plus: The story of why this show came to be and how Ahmed Johnson is tangentially related to it! Email: [email protected] Twitter: @GFAllentownPod Facebook.com/GreetingsFromAllentown Placetobenation.com/amazon

Time for a long overdue visit to WCW with a look at Worldwide from January 23, 1993! - The shockingly good production of Worldwide in the time period - 2 Cold Scorpio as the man who briefly ruled the world - Evaluating Erik Watts as a football player: was he actually any better at that? - Vinnie Vegas really wants you to know he’s a lefty and isn’t gay - Brad Armstrong and the curse of the solid worker - Recapping Clash of the Champions 22 and the Cactus Jack face turn - Steve Austin: still finding his voice - Callbacks to WWF angles Plus: - Tony Schiavone and Jesse Ventura with some quality bickering - Recalling the Game Boy theme song for the Bo Jackson Hit and Run game - College football interludes a-plenty with talk of the 1991 Fiesta Bowl and the 1993 Cotton Bowl - The problem with trying to have dinner in Cambridge, MA - A Led Zeppelin themed Beer of the Week - YouTube Comment Theater! Email: [email protected] Twitter: @GFAllentownPod Facebook.com/GreetingsFromAllentown Placetobenation.com/amazon

Heading down to Louisiana to have a look at Mid-South Wrestling from November 26, 1983 - Why Mid-South is comfortable for a fan of Golden Era WWF - Trades between wrestling promotions! - Mr. Wrestling II: It’s a beautiful day to trash the Poffos - A requiem for the late Jim “the Anvil” Neidhart - The debut of the Condrey/Eaton version of the Midnight Express - Questioning the fashion sense of Krusher Darsow - A re-examination of the Junkyard Dog’s general lethargy Also: - Reflecting on the state of the Cold War in 1983, including the TV movie “The Day After” - A new sports segment! - Making a request of all non-Mexican masked wrestlers - How to organize a proper NFL Wins Pool with your friends - Great moments in Bill Watts non-sequiturs - Beer of the week! Email: [email protected] Twitter.com/GFAllentownPod Facebook.com/GreetingsFromAllentown PlaceToBeNation.com/Amazon

In the words of famed wrestling promoter Billy Corgan “Shakedown 1979, cool kids never had the time” but this week we go back to that year for WWF Championship Wrestling from May 12, 1979! - The turbulence of the 1970s is summed up in one battle royal promo - Making a case for 1979 being an overlooked consequential year in WWE history - Chief Jay Strongbow returns to sit at ringside and prompts more questions than answers - Bruno Sammartino burying just about all prelim guys on commentary - The delicate nature of the Iranian gimmick in 1979 - Crafting an alternate universe where S.D. Jones main events WrestleMania - Johnny Valiant keeps getting blown off - Comparing young Ted DiBiase with young Tito Santana Plus: - A weekend in Minneapolis: cocktails, steak dinners, baseball, and Surly Brewing - Bobby Fulton not looking so Fantastic against Steve Travis - Johnny Rodz’ facial hair - Ivan Putski can’t wait to go back to New Haven(!?!?) - Original commercials from 1979! Email: [email protected] Twitter: @GFAllentownPod Facebook.com/GreetingsFromAllentown Placetobenation.com/amazon

Purify yourself in the waters of Lake Minnetonka because it’s back to Minnesota for a look at AWA All Star Wrestling from February 18, 1989! - The bizarre circumstances that led to the AWA stripping Jerry Lawler of their “world title” and putting it up in a battle royal - Lawler’s retort to the AWA as aired on Memphis television - A roll call of all 18 participants competing for the title - The latest episode of According To Larry - Comparing Tom Zenk with the season 7 version of Mad Men’s Don Draper - The reverse psychology of telling people to not come to the matches - The weird Greg Gagne coincidence Plus: - How long does it take Larry Zbyszko to mention Bruno Sammartino in the post-match promo? - The most bizarre tape trade in history - Bill Apter: the Samwise Gamgee of the AWA - The utter futility of showing old matches for nostalgia’s sake - More exploration of Sgt. Slaughter’s 1990 Survivor Series team - YouTube Comment Theater! Email: [email protected] Twitter: @GFAllentownPod Facebook.com/GreetingsFromAllentown Placetobenation.com/amazon

In the dog days of summer, the Adams Division Podcast (Peter Winson of Greetings From Allentown & Steve Bennett of the Sports-Casters) reconvenes to FEEL THE HEAT and rank and discuss the first 11 SummerSlam shows from 1988 to 1998. Featuring: Top matches, hidden gems, plenty of cheap shots at Shawn Michaels and much more!

This week features a look at WWF Superstars from June 6, 1992! - Reviewing the oddities of the WWF in 1992 - The trouble with the introduction of Nailz - Papa Shango puts a curse on anyone wanting an entertaining promo - A history lesson on the word “sissy” - Kona Crush: two time impostor - How Bret Hart might have fared has he jumped to WCW in 1992 - The Beverly Brothers borrow and deface some merchandise - Trying to stay cheerful taking about Kerry Von Erich Also: - Vince McMahon Laughter Watch - Nailz vs “Nails” Lenny Dykstra - An irrefutable argument on who the boss was on “Who’s The Boss” - Awkward wrestler promos for the World Bodybuilding Federation! - The advantage of High Energy’s ridiculous pants - Musings on oysters and beer - YouTube Comment Theater! Email: [email protected] Twitter.com/GFAllentownPod Facebook.com/GreetingsFromAllentown PlaceToBeNation.com/Amazon

Time for some good ol’ Southern rasslin’ with a look at Smoky Mountain Wrestling TV from July 23, 1994! - The Gangstas make their debut and scare the bejeesus out of whitey as New Jack gives OJ Simpson a shoutout - Jim Cornette will not shut up - Admiring Ron Wright’s oratory and method of not waving a flag - The disappointment of The Thrillseekers in SMW and the bloody end for Chris Jericho - Tammy Fytch gets very confused about what she wants - The Dirty White Boy blatantly lies to the audience - Imagining Tracy Smothers as a Jeopardy! champion - Why you shouldn’t let Lance Storm give the eulogy at your funeral Plus: - A rant against the #1 song in July 1994 - Ricky Morton’s hair: the most defended mullet in history - Enjoying how Bob Caudle says “Gangstas” - The guy who jumped TO WCW in March 2001 - The Moonlight Graham of WWE - YouTube Comment Theater! Email: [email protected] Twitter: @GFAllentownPod Facebook.com/GreetingsFromAllentown Placetobenation.com/amazon

Stand back for the diamond anniversary show with a look at WWF Superstars of Wrestling from November 14, 1987! - It’s the end of Superstar Billy Graham as we know it and I feel fine - An examination of Demolition’s theme song and music video - Figuring out why Bam Bam Bigelow had a saxophone based theme in 1987/88 - Re-enacting how Jim Crockett would have found out about the Survivor Series being a Thanksgiving event - Who let Dangerous Danny Davis talk twice during the same show? - The Ted DiBiase Basketball Challenge and proper ball protection - Linking Paul Orndorff, Lex Luger, and Big Show - Slick’s reasons for associating with Russian Communists Also: - The one incredible realistic feature of the WWF LJN “Stretch” Dolls - Looking back on a trip to Chicago: Wrigley Field, preferred deep dish pizza, and TSA issues - The high comedy of a facilities manager praising the WWF under apparent duress - S.D. Jones, Frenchy Martin, and the song from the climactic scene from Dirty Dancing - A beloved trope of wrestling run-ins and theme songs - Finding a fan of the Honky Tonk Man in 1987 Email: [email protected] Twitter.com/GFAllentownPod Facebook.com/GreetingsFromAllentown PlaceToBeNation.com/Amazon

This week the show jets to Chicago for a look at WCW Pro on WGN from March 9, 1991! - The reasons why WCW had to tailor a show like this to Chicago only - The Freebirds lose the world tag team titles as part of an elaborate short sell - Attempting to explain why the Southern Boys became the Young Pistols and finding a better way to do it - How Jim Herd did Ric Flair a favor - Sitting in as the third wheel on an awkward date with El Gigante and Missy Hyatt - Legendary sportscaster Jack Brickhouse: From Willie Mays to Alexandra York - Barry Windham's hair is ridiculous - The valid reason why Bobby Eaton sucker punched the Z-Man Also: - Dustin Rhodes imitates his daddy - The 1991 Chicago White Sox and a little dose of Chicago baseball history - Michael Jackson echoes his sister Janet at the MTV Video Music Awards - If he is from anywhere he pleased, why would Sid Vicious choose West Memphis, Arkansas? - YouTube Comment Theater! Email: [email protected] Twitter.com/GFAllentownPod Facebook.com/GreetingsFromAllentown PlaceToBeNation.com/Amazon

This week features a loaded episode of WWF All American Wrestling from February 23, 1986! - Why this particular show had so many big matches - Randy Savage kicks off his IC title reign and his strong case for best of all IC champs - Terry Funk shows and tells us the importance of family - The diminishing returns of bringing back Mr. T for WrestleMania 2 - Mr. Wonderful treads water - Spicing up the Lanny Poffo act of 1986 through song - The inherent problem with using boxing in the wrestling world - Making sense of the “WWF on Tour” announcements Plus: - A public service announcement about restaurant etiquette when in large groups - Connecting the Philippines revolution ousting Ferdinand Marcos back to wrestling - In light of Paul Orndorff’s ’86 induction, looking at other University of Tampa Hall of Famers - So many fragrance ads along with one for a failed computer system - The Andre the Giant of thumb wrestling Email: [email protected] Twitter.com/GFAllentownPod Facebook.com/greetingsfromallentown Placetobenation.com/amazon

This week we take a trip to the Carolinas for some Jim Crockett Promotions action with Mid Atlantic Wrestling from November 1981! - Mid Atlantic as a star laden territory - Roddy Piper as top guy fending off challenger Ricky Steamboat - Defending Bob Caudle as a host of weekly wrestling TV - Sandy Scott tries to attract big names to the territory by offering a specific prize in a vague contest - Framing Sgt. Slaughter as an all-time great - What exactly would you call Jimmy Valiant? - The much more athletic 1981 Jake Roberts Plus: - Local promos for a show that may or may not have happened - A brief history of the studio where this show was taped, WPCQ in Charlotte - Similarities between a song by The Police and the fight song of a Major League Baseball team - A 1995 WWF gimmick idea using one of the early 80s JCP jobber names - YouTube Comment Theater! Email: [email protected] www.twitter.com/GFAllentownPod Facebook.com/GreetingsFromAllentown Placetobenation.com/amazon

In honor of the 2nd season of GLOW dropping on Netflix, this week Greetings From Allentown takes a look at the original G.L.O.W. from the 1980s with their pilot episode! - How G.L.O.W. was different from traditional wrestling promotions and its cult-like popularity - Thoughts on the Netflix series GLOW - Matilda the Hun wants meat and she knows how to get it - WWE Hall of Famer Ivory: the bridge between G.L.O.W. and the Attitude Era - Critiques of David McLane as a play by play announcer - Salt and Pepper take me back to my childhood with their fighting - An incredible moment where someone goes through a table(!) - Americana: a preview of Trump’s America? - The unique production elements during the broadcast Plus: - Travel adventures in Atlanta, GA with long baseball games and confusing rental car keys - A few quality raps and some bizarre promos on topics like food and men in Africa, apple pie, and eating banana splits - Don’t mess with casino security - Hollywood shocks by working blue - A lengthy YouTube Comment Theater where many commenters tell everyone about how they used to make love on themselves Email: [email protected] Twitter.com/GFAllentownPod Facebook.com/greetingsfromallentown Placetobenation.com/amazon

It is that 70s show this week with the initial visit to the decade for a look at WWWF Championship Wrestling from October 29, 1977! - The Grand Wizard makes his case for 1977’s Manager of the Year while running down Arnold Skaaland - The forgotten moment that made the Manager of the Year trophy presentation stand out - “Exclusive” audio of the breakup of the championship tag team of Chief Jay Strongbow and Billy White Wolf - Why Dusty Rhodes couldn’t and wouldn’t be the WWF’s top guy for the 1984 national expansion - The unusual buildup of Bob Backlund in ’77 and how he differed from previous top guys in the promotion - Dewey Robertson as a pure wrestler in his pre-Missing Link days - A different kind of Vince McMahon on commentary: quiet and subdued - Fun with enhancement talents and odd looking results - A single heckler gives Backlund advice - Larry Sharpe: Pretty boy? Plus: - Meditations on the music of 1977 - Thoughts on the Panama Canal treaty - What the Zembo Mosque means to certain wrestlers - The return of YouTube Comment Theater! Email: [email protected] Twitter.com/GFAllentownPod Facebook.com/greetingsfromallentown Placetobenation.com/amazon

Episode number 69 gets extreme with a look at ECW Hardcore TV from October 10, 1997 (ECW 233 on the WWE Network) - Breaking down one of the most (in)famous ECW matches ever between Beulah McGillicutty and Bill Alfonso - Examining whether ECW could have been sustainable in the long term - Figuring out the motivations and background for the Justin Credible character - November to Remember ’97 and its similarity to JCP’s Starrcade ‘87 - Lance Storm’s hideous tail and its potential impact on US/Canada relations - Why the Mr. Monday Night gimmick had an expiration date - Paul Heyman as Vizzini the bald Sicilian from The Princess Bride - An accusation of “match plagiarism” as “move inflation” runs amok Plus: - Thoughts on CM Punk and his MMA experience - Common ground between wrestling and pornography - Actual praise for a specific music dub on the WWE Network Email: [email protected] www.twitter.com/GFAllentownPod Facebook.com/GreetingsFromAllentown Placetobenation.com/amazon

This week we go back three decades for a look at the WWF Superstars of Wrestling from October 22, 1988! - An examination of the attack on Hulk Hogan by the Big Bossman on the Brother Love Show - The WWF in the fall of 1988: out with the old and in with the new - Reasons why Haku was a logical choice for “King” - What kind of wrestler would you want to be: one known for matches or one who is known for everything but the matches? - The simple argument for why the Brain Busters WERE a good fit in the WWF - Comparing two Akeems head to head for 1988-89 - Tito Santana runs into a string of bad luck - Explaining the difference between the Warlord and the Barbarian - A revelation by Bad News Brown Plus: - Running around downtown Nashville like Henry Hill at the end of Goodfellas - A true tale of hustling drunk guys for money on the golf course at age 7 that ends with a life lesson - Dan Quayle walks into a trap - Singing the Hulkamania Prison Blues - Famous men named Pork Chop - Vince McMahon and Jesse Ventura banter galore! Email: [email protected] Twitter.com/GFAllentownPod Facebook.com/greetingsfromallentown Placetobenation.com/amazon

This week we head to Las Vegas, Nevada for an episode of AWA Championship Wrestling on ESPN from May 9, 1987! - How one ends up doing an AWA show from this era - Examining what Curt Hennig’s 1987 might have looked like had he jumped to the WWF - A TV show idea for Larry Zbyszko - Theorizing on Sensational Sherri’s working style - Rod Trongard can’t keep his shaded eyes on the prize - Nick Bockwinkel doesn’t give a crap anymore - The one man who may have benefitted from Curt Hennig’s and the Midnight Rockers’ respective decisions during the year - The racist symbol that somehow made its way onto ESPN - Looking at Jerry Sags and Brian Knobbs as separate enhancement talents Plus: - How Eric Bischoff got his foot in the door of professional wrestling - What was that damn noise when sports channels went to commercial in the 1980s? - Playing the AWA Front Row Empty Seat Watch game - The current state of the site of the Las Vegas AWA shows “The Showboat” Email: [email protected] www.twitter.com/GFAllentownPod Facebook.com/GreetingsFromAllentown Placetobenation.com/amazon

Get funky like a monkey for a look at WCW Prime from March 11, 1996! - The ridiculousness of the Doomsday cage match at Uncensored but did the heels actually accomplish their goal? - Finding the perfect gimmick for John Tenta in WCW - The Berlyn gimmick and Alex Wright: a victim of circumstance and oversized egos - Why Men at Work and the Barrio Brothers should have joined forces - The impossible situation of The Renegade - Sting's new role: NASCAR interviewer? - Critiquing Dave Taylor’s gear - The alternate universe where The Gambler is the WCW World Television champion Plus: - Spicing up the bowling commercial - How NOT to tell a deaf person that the fire alarm is going off - What Peter did in his last ever - There are many men named Manny Fernandez and why is Dusty Rhodes concerned about one of them? Email: [email protected] www.twitter.com/GFAllentownPod Facebook.com/GreetingsFromAllentown Placetobenation.com/amazon

This week the show jumps back into WWF’s “mini-Attitude Era” of 1991 with a look at WWF Superstars from November 23! • Examining the entire cobra bite saga with Jake Roberts and Randy Savage, with great camera work and perhaps Vince McMahon’s last great call • The Mad Men-inspired theory of WWF’s suddenly crazy storylines in 1991 • How Shawn Michaels is kind of like a John Travolta character • Former blood enemies teaming up: how much time needs to pass before this can be accepted? • Breaking down the WWF run of Big Bully Busick • Hulk Hogan invokes God as he faces his Gravest Challenge • So what exactly was the nature of Jack Tunney’s relationship with Elizabeth? • The Undertaker gets audio treatments to close out his promos Plus: • Why it’s a good thing that Ric Flair’s “real world title” belt was censored • Goofy Survivor Series team promos aplenty • Wanting to be an Executive Consultant • Medicating a cat in the year 2018: we’ve come a long way, baby! • The return of YouTube Comment Theater! Email: [email protected] www.twitter.com/GFAllentownPod Facebook.com/GreetingsFromAllentown Placetobenation.com/amazon

Be fair to Flair and check out Greetings From Allentown for a look back at WCW Main Event from April 2, 1995! - WCW in early 1995: the meeting of good comedy and bad continuity - The formation of the Blue Bloods: great vignette or the greatest vignette? - Ric Flair does a time buy to clear his name and set the record straight about some recent actions - Questioning the makeup of the “WCW Executive Committee” - Sgt. Craig Pittman in the big shadow of Sgt. Slaughter - Brian Pillman confounds with his finisher - Executing a “short sell” of the WCW Tag titles Plus: - How to properly smoke a pork shoulder - A brief history of 1-900 numbers in the United States - Nick Bockwinkel as a regular Jay-Z in the boardroom - The infamy of the Duchess of York Email: [email protected] Twitter: @GFAllentownPod Facebook.com/GreetingsFromAllentown Placetobenation.com/amazon

This week Greetings From Allentown heads to the Land of 10,000 Lakes (and Dropkicks) for a look at AWA All Star Wrestling from April 6, 1986! - A comprehensive breakdown of the infamous WrestleRock Rumble rap video ranking the performance of each vocalist - Common threads between rap music and professional wrestling - The last vestiges of the Pro Wrestling USA leads to pleasant surprises in the promo - The AWA in 1986: teetering on the brink but still solid in-ring - Jerry Blackwell as the badass babyface - Young Leon White (Vader) as a plucky underdog(?!) - The “storied” history of the AWA Americas title as told by its Wikipedia page - The common thread between AWA Scott Hall and nWo Scott Hall Plus: - Who are these random people in the WrestleRock Rumble video? - Favorite non-wrestling podcast of all time - There’s no shame in being a one hit wonder and the greatest Simpsons parody song - Travel and entertainment advice for Las Vegas, Nevada! - The full New Hampshire experience Email: [email protected] Twitter: @GFAllentownPod Facebook.com/GreetingsFromAllentown Placetobenation.com/amazon

Much like Marty McFly, we go back to 1985 for a look at WWF All Star Wrestling from August 31, 1985! - Late ’85 WWF gets a freshening up and a more coherent direction than a year earlier - Early Elizabeth and noticeable differences in how she acted and commentary talked about her - Breaking down the candidates for the Manager of the Year contest - The different chemistry of the early Gorilla Monsoon/Jesse Ventura commentary team - Terry Funk is everything you want and need him to be - Uncle Elmer is everything you don’t want or need - Defending Paul Orndorff’s 85/86 babyface run - The incoherent Captain Lou Albano draws comparisons to an ill-fated Goodfellas character Plus: - The bizarre story of how the naming of Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania came to be - An all-jobber tag team match and how something is always off about Lanny Poffo - Gene Okerlund and Mr. Fuji evoke memories of Karate Kid - A story of disposable razors and a bad blade job - Commercials for things like other wrestling promotions, modular homes, and for WWF LJN figures Email: [email protected] Facebook.com/greetingsfromallentown Twitter: @GFAllentownPod Placetobenation.com/amazon

In this very special episode of Greetings From Allentown “Best of the Heel Turns, Volume 1”, Peter looks back at three big turns done on earlier episodes of the podcast. - Andre the Giant turns on Hulk Hogan with a build beginning with the big man’s return from a Jack Tunney imposed suspension (Episode 4) - Shawn Michaels and Marty Jannetty attempt a reconciliation after months of bickering in the Barber Shop, but the Heartbreak Kid has other plans (Episode 5) - In the greatest example of the student taking on the teacher, Larry Zbyszko snaps on Bruno Sammartino after finally getting a match against the Living Legend (Episode 14) Please note: This episode was finalized before the passing of Bruno Sammartino at age 82. Email: [email protected] Twitter: @GFAllentownPod Facebook.com/GreetingsFromAllentown Placetobenation.com/amazon