“That Doesn’t Work for Me, Brother” - Sting, Hogan & A Count That Killed the Moment

On this episode of Grappling with Wrestling, host Derrick Michaud is joined by wrestling minds Jimmy Fulp and Jacob Turner to revisit one of the most infamous botched endings in wrestling history—Sting vs. Hogan at Starrcade 1997. They break down the year-and-a-half-long build-up, the confusing fast count that wasn’t, Bret Hart’s sudden appearance, and how the entire finish felt like a swing and a miss thanks to Hogan's creative control.

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[00:00:00] | “That doesn’t work for me, brother” – Breaking down the Hogan vs. Sting controversy

[00:00:45] | The epic build-up to Starrcade and Sting's silent storytelling

[00:01:15] | The planned finish vs. what actually happened in the ring

[00:02:00] | The referee botch and the awkward "fast count" cover-up

[00:03:00] | Bret Hart’s appearance and being misused… again

[00:04:00] | Why it confused the live crowd and damaged the payoff

[00:05:00] | Hogan’s politics and nostalgia for Hulkamania

Produced by SRP Studios Podcasting, SRPStudiosLLC.com

On this special episode of Grapling with Wrestling, Derrick, Jimmy and Jacob dive deep into the golden legacy of WWE championship belts. From the modern Universal Title to the iconic Winged Eagle belt, it's a show-and-tell session filled with nostalgia, hot takes, and wrestling history. Hear them debate designs, share personal stories, and pay homage to the belts that defined eras.

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00:00 – Intro & belt hype
01:00 – Universal Championship: Roman Reigns to Cody Rhodes
02:30 – WWE Championship color wars
04:00 – Unifying the titles & WrestleMania 38
05:30 – The Winged Eagle: the crown jewel of Derrick’s childhood
07:00 – Wrestling legends who held the Winged Eagle
08:30 – The Brutus beef & IC title drama
09:30 – Cody bringing back the classic IC belt
11:00 – Ted DiBiase’s controversial belt buy
13:00 – Ultimate Warrior’s colorful belt run
15:00 – Belt evolution: ornate vs logo styles
17:30 – Women’s title belts & their rise in prestige
20:00 – Breaking down current WWE men’s titles
22:00 – Booking belts & the balance of storytelling

Produced by SRP Studios Podcasting, SRPStudiosLLC.com

In this episode of Grappling with Wrestling, host Derrick Michaud welcomes guests Jimmy Fulp and Jacob Turner to break down the key differences between WWE and AEW’s storytelling styles. They discuss Jim Cornette’s take on AEW’s high-flying, fast-paced approach versus WWE’s more traditional psychology-driven wrestling. The conversation dives into how wrestlers like Penta adapt between promotions, the importance of selling moves, and why no-selling can hurt a match’s credibility. Plus, they reflect on legendary moments like The Undertaker’s iconic sit-up and the art of building real in-ring drama.

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[00:00:00] - Introduction: Wrestling Styles & Storytelling
[00:01:15] - AEW vs. WWE: The Selling Debate
[00:02:45] - Penta’s Transition from AEW to WWE
[00:04:30] - Jim Cornette’s Perspective on AEW’s "Gymnastics"
[00:06:00] - The Role of Selling in Building a Match
[00:08:15] - The Importance of No-Selling in Wrestling Psychology
[00:10:30] - Legendary No-Sellers: The Undertaker & Hulk Hogan
[00:12:00] - When High Spots Become Choreography
[00:14:00] - Final Thoughts: Does AEW Need More Storytelling?

Produced by SRP Studios Podcasting, SRPStudiosLLC.com

In this episode, the discussion begins by reflecting on the inception of professional wrestling and its evolution through the golden era territories and into the iconic Monday Night Wars. The conversation highlights key moments and wrestlers such as Scott Hall, Kevin Nash, and Hulk Hogan's shocking heel turn. They delve into the anti-hero phenomenon with stars like Stone Cold Steve Austin and The Rock, and recount Kurt Angle's transition from a hero to a heel. The episode also covers significant storylines and characters in WCW and WWF, including the creation of the nWo, the rise of Goldberg, and memorable incidents like Vince giving away match finishes on taped Raw shows. The dynamic nature of wrestling during the Monday Night Wars and the Attitude Era's impact on the industry are underscored, celebrating how these periods captivated audiences and changed the landscape of professional wrestling.

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00:00 Introduction to the Golden Era of Wrestling

00:12 The Monday Night Wars: A Personal Perspective

01:24 The Rise of Anti-Heroes in Wrestling

06:39 The Birth of Stone Cold Steve Austin

09:12 The Curtain Call Incident and Its Impact

10:48 The Goldberg Phenomenon

12:55 The Attitude Era: A Wrestling Revolution

13:24 Switching Between WCW and WWF

Produced by SRP Studios Podcasting, SRPStudiosLLC.com

In this episode, we delve into the exact moment when CM Punk became a significant figure in professional wrestling. We discuss a pivotal house show in Memphis where CM Punk's unexpected popularity amazed the crowd and broke traditional wrestling norms. The conversation covers CM Punk's controversial 'pipe bomb' promo, his frustrations with WWE's booking decisions, and how his mic dropping moment changed the landscape of wrestling promos. We also touch on his admiration for Bret Hart, his straight edge savior persona, and his influence on wrestling fans and culture. Join us as we recount how CM Punk disrupted the status quo and became an enduring icon in the wrestling world.

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00:00 The Moment CM Punk Became a Star

01:29 The Infamous Pipe Bomb

02:16 CM Punk's Frustrations and References

03:08 The Rise of CM Punk

04:28 The Impact of the Pipe Bomb

06:27 The Aftermath and Legacy

Produced by SRP Studios Podcasting, SRPStudiosLLC.com

In this episode, Derrick, Jimmy and Jacob dive deep into one of the most controversial moments in wrestling history: the Montreal Screwjob. We debate whether it was an orchestrated storyline (work) or a genuine betrayal (shoot). We explore various viewpoints, including arguments from Scott Hall and real-life events surrounding Vince McMahon, Shawn Michaels, and Bret Hart. Was Bret screwed for real, or was it the most brilliantly crafted storyline in wrestling? Join us as we analyze this pivotal event and its aftermath, including Bret's move to WCW and the impact on his career.

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00:00 Introduction to the Montreal Screwjob

00:13 Debating the Screwjob: Work or Shoot?

01:01 Arguments for the Screwjob Being a Work

02:10 Arguments for the Screwjob Being a Shoot

04:04 The Aftermath and Legacy of the Screwjob

05:56 WCW's Mishandling of Bret Hart

07:19 Speculations and What-Ifs

Produced by SRP Studios Podcasting, SRPStudiosLLC.com

In this episode, the hosts discuss their personal journeys and experiences as wrestling fans spanning different eras, from the 80s territorial days to the PG era of WWE in the late 2000s. They reflect on the nostalgia of wrestling through different time periods, share personal anecdotes, and discuss the impact of iconic wrestlers like John Cena, Randy Orton, Triple H, and others. They also delve into the evolution of wrestling shows, the behind-the-scenes dynamics such as kayfabe and storyline development, and their love for wrestling documentaries and podcasts. The episode highlights their collective passion for wrestling and sets the stage for future discussions on the history and ongoing storylines in the world of professional wrestling.

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00:00 Introduction and Wrestling Eras

00:29 Meet the Hosts

01:04 The Concept of the Show

01:42 Diving into Wrestling History

05:58 Territory Era Memories

15:29 Personal Wrestling Stories

19:40 Rediscovering Wrestling

20:18 Modern Wrestling and Conclusion

Produced by SRP Studios Podcasting, SRPStudiosLLC.com