Out of the KC Vault

With the nWo in full swing, there seemed no way that WCW could lose the momentum they’d built. Huge stars appeared on TV weekly as Nash, Hall, Syxx, Hogan, Savage, Flair, Bret, and Sting were red hot and would drive ratings high. Starrcade would deliver WCW’s highest butyrate in 1997 as well.Now head inside that operation with one of the engineers of the nWo, Kevin Nash. Join Kev for this 3-hour journey into WCW and hear about putting all the pieces together and playing the game of wrestling politics to perfection.Nash is open and honest as usual and holds no opinion close to the vest. It all goes on the table and if you ever wondered what was going on inside the company during the glory days of the nWo…wonder no more!!! From the contracts to the characters…it’s all here in this edition of Timeline: The History of WCW!00:32 WWF 1997 INTRO01:20 WWF January 4th, 199708:00 WWF January 13th, 199711:10 WWF January 20th, 199715:20 WWF Januray 21st, 199717:22 WWF January 22nd, 199719:11 WWF January 25th, 199725:12 WWF January 27th, 199727:12 WWF February 3rd, 199730:14 WWF February 23rd, 199738:23 WWF March 10th, 199746:40 WWF March 16th, 199751:46 WWF March 21st, 199755:31 WWF March 31st, 199759:55 WWF April 6th, 199701:02:18 WWF April 7th, 199701:03:44 WWF April 14th, 199701:10:40 WWF April 21st, 199701:13:22 WWF May 1st, 199701:18:14 WWF May 12th, 199701:21:53 WWF May 18th, 199701:28:06 WWF May 29th, 199701:29:35 WWF June 6th, 199701:30:48 WWF June 9th, 199701:34:55 WWF June 30th, 199701:39:52 WWF July 13th, 199701:42:33 WWF July 14th, 199701:49:03 WWF July 26th, 199701:50:19 WWF August 4th, 199701:53:44 WWF August 9th, 199701:57:56 WWF August 21st, 199701:58:40 WWF August 23rd, 199702:00:51 WWF August 25th, 199702:02:38 WWF September 1st, 199702:07:18 WWF September 8th, 199702:08:47 WWF September 14th, 199702:10:52 WWF September 22nd, 199702:23:50 WWF October 5th, 199702:26:42 WWF October 6th, 199702:28:56 WWF October 14th, 199702:30:46 WWF October 26th, 199702:35:42 WWF October 31st, 199702:36:25 WWF November 17th, 199702:38:23 WWF November 28th, 199702:40:17 WWF December 1st, 199702:42:09 WWF December 15th, 199702:46:49 WWF December 22nd, 199702:50:06 WWF December 28th, 199702:56:13 WWF December 29th, 1997Join this channel to get access to perks:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOTZzb1tdtCzLBaOGczlLYQ/join

The King of the Shoot Interview agrees to sit down and sift through all of your questions for nearly four hours! It’s truly an event not to be missed by wrestling fans.HE HASN’T STOPPED TALKING SINCE WE LEFT HIM IN YOU SHOOT!That was a while ago, but 4 hours just didn’t seem to be enough! There were so many questions and topics that didn’t fit into the format for Jim Cornette’s first YouShoot appearance, so we’re doing it again. And this time it’s all the fun stuff outside of Cornette’s career.Last time we touched on all the territories he hit, but this time it’s the other stuff we get to explore.Hands down, the most controversial man in the pro wrestling business sounds off about all kinds of hot-button topics…on the ONLY shoot-style show conducted entirely by YOU!!!Last time it was all wrestling, and now Corny sounds off on all your crazy-ass questions! As always nothing is safe, and he’ll “answer it all!”…fast food…Sprite…Dairy Queen…WrestleRock Rumble…updated Russo tirade…rats…valets…health…drugs…”What’s in the Bag?”…”The Sprite Challenge”…Heart Attack Grill…today’s wrestling product…life at Castle Cornette…TV…relaxation…terroristic threats…acid reflux… AND MORE CRAZY SHIT!!!00:00 Introduction and Opening Remarks00:55 Early Days and Wrestling Memories05:47 Fan Clubs and Newsletters10:35 Photography Days in Memphis13:59 First Experiences in Wrestling15:57 Memories of Working with Wrestlers22:14 Riots and Close Calls33:59 Thoughts on Lex Luger37:32 Comparing Tag Team Partners39:23 Starrcade 87 and Wrestling Expansion40:16 The Move to Chicago and Vince's Interference41:15 The Decline of Starrcade and Pay-Per-View Issues42:05 The Clash of Champions and Cable Company Conflicts42:24 Animal and Hawk: Babysitting Myths42:44 Crockett's Purchase of UWF and Missed Opportunities44:07 The Role of Wrestling Historians45:26 Nightmares and Memories of Learning the Ropes45:46 The La La Zay Doe Sitcom Experience46:55 Crockett's Business Troubles and Arn and Tully's Departure56:09 The Midnight Express and WCW Paydays57:54 Smoky Mountain Wrestling: Challenges and Closure01:01:51 The Thrill Seekers and Jericho's Injury01:07:53 Vince's Misuse of Talent and Smoky Mountain's End01:19:28 Selling Classic Wrestling Libraries01:20:12 WWE's Ownership Issues with Ohio Valley Wrestling01:21:15 WWE's Use of SMW Footage01:22:44 The Importance of Tape Trading01:24:10 Stump Cornet: Wrestling Trivia Challenge01:29:49 The Gangstas and Paul Heyman01:38:06 Critique of ECW's Hardcore Style01:45:16 WWE's Misunderstanding of ECW01:47:36 Meeting with Vince McMahon in 198601:53:23 Cultural Shift in Wrestling01:54:26 Howard Finkel Memories01:54:39 Bill Watts' Short Tenure in WWE01:55:04 Stan Lane as an Announcer01:56:21 Managing Owen and Bulldog01:57:09 Owen Hart's Pranks02:04:23 Vader's Struggles in WWF02:10:24 NWA Invasion Angle02:17:14 New Midnight Express02:28:03 Kane's Dominance and Wrestlemania Build-Up02:28:33 Humor in Wrestling: Kane and the Mexican Minis02:30:50 The Bret Hart Screwjob: Behind the Scenes02:41:44 Vince Russo's Controversial Booking Decisions02:45:11 Shane McMahon's Departure from WWE03:02:05 Dairy Queen and Bubba the Lovesick03:02:54 Joey Stiles and Paul Hammond03:04:00 Vince Russo Rant03:04:53 Santino and Kevin Dunn03:05:56 ICP and Hardcore Wrestling03:11:46 TNA Critique03:24:07 Ring of Honor and Wrestling Philosophy03:38:25 Ric Flair and Final ThoughtsJoin this channel to get access to perks:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOTZzb1tdtCzLBaOGczlLYQ/join

The WWE would soon feel the explosion of what has come to be known as the second boom period. But in 1995, those benefits could not yet be reaped. Business was down, the B shows were cancelled. What could turn this around?Vince hoped it would be a group of guys working at the top of his card… a group that became known as the clique. Kevin Nash will take us back to '95 when the kliq was formed, and he was given the strap. But was he REALLY Vince's "guy"? Join Kevin for a journey into this pivotal year as the clique solidified their stranglehold on the WWE.Shawn Michaels' mouth… Bret… Diesel's run… formation of the kliq… Hunter arrives.. Nitro airs… Lex at the mall… ECW gets big… influencing Austin… Shane Douglas makes Dean… the clique calls a meeting with Vince… more and more!!00:00 Timeline WWE #11 | Kevin Nash | 199500:00 WWF 1995 INTRODUCTION01:04 WWF January 1st, 199504:04 WWF January 8th, 199506:17 WWF January 9th, 199507:14 WWF January 16th, 199508:59 WWF January 28th, 199511:14 WWF January 22nd, 199527:03 WWF January 23rd, 199528:53 WWF February 18th, 199533:18 WWF February 20th, 199538:22 WWF February 23rd, 199541:21 WWF February 27th, 199544:57 WWF February 28th, 199546:18 WWF March 12th, 199549:50 WWF March 19th, 199551:11 WWF March 20th, 199554:52 WWF April 2nd, 199501:13:41 WWF April 3rd, 199501:18:10 WWF April 8th, 199501:19:42 WWF April 15th, 199501:20:48 WWF April 17th, 199501:27:28 WWF April 30th, 199501:32:26 WWF May 13th, 199501:33:42 WWF May 14th, 199501:41:43 WWF May 18th, 199501:43:38 WWF June 3rd, 199501:45:35 WWF June 24th, 199501:48:54 WWF June 25th, 199501:50:52 WWF July 8th, 199501:57:00 WWF July 23rd, 199502:00:51 WWF July 24th, 199502:04:16 WWF August 10th, 199502:05:53 WWF August 18th, 199502:08:22 WWF August 27th, 199502:17:05 WWF August 30th, 199502:20:26 WWF September 1st, 199502:20:59 WWF September 4th, 199502:24:56 WWF September 9th, 199502:26:26 WWF September 11th, 199502:31:28 WWF September 17th, 199502:33:20 WWF September 25th, 199502:34:36 WWF October 2nd, 199502:35:51 WWF October 8th, 199502:40:22 WWF October 13th, 199502:46:42 WWF October 22nd, 199502:49:34 WWF October 30th, 199502:51:49 WWF November 13th, 199502:52:32 WWF November 19th, 199502:58:15 WWF November 20th, 199503:02:51 WWF November 25th, 199503:04:52 WWF December 17th, 199503:06:11 WWF December 18th, 199503:07:53 WWF December 19th, 1995Join this channel to get access to perks:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOTZzb1tdtCzLBaOGczlLYQ/join

"I’m wrestling crazy.”That may say it all, from the lips of our most recent guest on the series that seeks to get inside the people of the wrestling business. Jim Cornette joins Sean on Breaking Kayfabe to probe all that contributes to his admitted anger issues. Jim’s most recent hiatus from wrestling has brought him a clarity and happiness he’d not experienced in years…and he agrees to head down the dark path here at the risk of upsetting the applecart by going through the entire Ring of Honor catastrophe from start to finish.Jim tackles all that went wrong there, and also addresses TNA, his struggle with anger, and the falling out between him and Kayfabe Commentaries after producing the shoot industry’s most celebrated programs together. It’s nearly three hours of Cornette’s dark journey. Are you ready for it?Join this channel to get access to perks:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOTZzb1tdtCzLBaOGczlLYQ/join00:00 Introduction to the Guest: Jim Cornette01:08 Jim Cornette's Personal Life and Promos01:46 The Vince Russo Controversy03:45 Behind the Scenes of Wrestling Shows09:34 TNA Wrestling and Vince Russo's Influence30:50 Wrestling Show Writing Woes31:21 Agenting a 32-Man Brawl32:21 Unexpected Firing33:23 Confrontation with Dixie37:06 Anger Issues and Personal Reflections42:40 The Decline of Wrestling52:56 Ring of Honor: Last Hope59:16 Challenges with Ring of Honor01:02:36 Fan Base Dilemma01:03:40 Sinclair's Issues Begin01:03:56 Proposed Solutions for Ring of Honor01:07:34 Website and Pay-Per-View Challenges01:10:36 Office Boy's Interference01:21:22 Pay-Per-View Disasters01:34:34 Charleston, West Virginia Event01:39:13 The Cost of Entertainment01:39:33 Circus Comparisons and Office Dynamics01:40:04 Ticket Sales and Event Failures01:40:35 Production Challenges and Makeshift Solutions01:42:12 Financial Constraints and Personal Sacrifices01:43:00 Gorilla Position and Staffing Issues01:48:41 Creative Changes and Internal Conflicts01:50:54 Booking Decisions and Talent Management01:54:31 Production Logistics and Budget Cuts02:09:06 Anniversary Disruptions and Health Concerns02:16:45 Camera Chaos and Pizza Breaks02:17:26 Cold Rink and Missing Equipment02:18:58 Production Nightmares and Greg's Antics02:21:27 The Disaster Unfolds02:23:07 The Final Match and Aftermath02:28:14 Reflecting on the Chaos02:33:43 Personal Reflections and Future Plans02:38:11 Entertainment Preferences and Politics02:43:29 Final Thoughts and Farewell

It was supposed to be an old-school partnership. Jim Crockett Promotions was stepping in for a merger with Championship Wrestling from Florida. The promotions would have a talent swap, share their biggest cities, as well as their television exposure.Then it was over. Why? According to our current Guest Booker, the late Mike Graham, son of CWF’s legendary Eddie Graham, the fix was in from the beginning. He alleges that it was Crockett’s plan all along. The merger was an attempt to infiltrate and bankrupt the Florida territory that the Graham family had spent a lifetime cultivating.Mike Graham was dad Eddie’s best friend. He was the only man alive with the insight into Eddie’s mind and the intricate machinations of his business, and Florida wrestling as a whole. Learn about Florida, Eddie,running the territory, fighting Crockett, Dusty’s departure and its effect on Eddie. And ultimately, the details surrounding the untimely death of Eddie Graham, told eerily enough by the son that would meet his fate soon after this taping.00:00 Introduction to Championship Wrestling from Florida00:32 The Merger Attempt with Jim Crockett Promotions01:03 Guest Booker: Mike Graham's Perspective02:00 Eddie Graham's Legacy and Influence03:05 Mike Graham's Early Wrestling Career03:27 Transition to New York and Meeting Vince McMahon Sr.06:49 The Philosophy of Booking and Wrestling Psychology09:06 Challenges in the Wrestling Business39:36 The Decline of Championship Wrestling from Florida46:11 The Downfall of Florida Wrestling48:16 Jimmy and Dusty's Booking Decisions49:03 Personal Reflections and Dusty's Role51:37 The Decline of Championship Wrestling from Florida54:19 Transition to WCW and New Challenges55:10 WCW 2000: Behind the Scenes55:40 The Benoit Controversy01:03:20 WCW's Financial Mismanagement01:09:24 Hypothetical Merger: CWF and JCP01:10:10 Evaluating Wrestling Talent01:28:27 Concluding Thoughts and Reflections

The white-hot Four Horsemen were storming through Jim Crockett Promotions as 1987 began. Fans came out by the tens of thousands to see them hopefully get their comeuppance. They were hated and loved for being hated. But no one knew that an implosion to that original Horsemen line-up was coming. Heck, who thought Ole would ever be cheered?!But as good as business was, subtle shifts began to signal potential trouble. Crockett moves his entire operation to Dallas upon expanding there, incurring sizable expenses. Ron Garvin would win the Heavyweight title as houses began to suffer. What was to come?Join arguably the most hated member of wrestling’s most notorious faction ever, as Tully Blanchard sits down with you to draw back the curtain on everything happening in 1987.– Ole’s split– Tagging with Arn– The U.S. Title– The Dallas Expansion– Bunkhouse Stampedes– Dusty the booker– Lex Luger, Horseman… and MUCH MORE00:00 Introduction to Wrestling in the 80s01:34 The Significance of the TV Title05:36 Barry Windham and the Horsemen06:42 Crockett's Expansion and Cable TV10:00 Lex Luger Joins the Horsemen12:57 The Role of Heel and Babyface Champions14:40 The Philosophy of Wrestling Shows53:41 The Crockett Cup and Teaming with Lex01:08:08 Memories of Mark Fleming and Norfolk, Virginia01:09:03 The Art of Making People Mad01:09:35 Behind the Scenes: Authenticity in Wrestling01:12:36 Chemistry and Failed Re-creations01:13:04 The Wild 80s: Partying and Valets01:14:29 Adaptability and Wrestling Styles01:16:43 Fan Interactions and Safety01:28:02 War Games and Gimmick Matches01:33:11 Blading and Commitment to Performance01:57:34 The Rise of the Horsemen02:10:12 Reflections on 1987 and the End of an Era

We’re off once again…back in time to the years of regional territories in pro wrestling. For this edition, host Jim Cornette sits down with the venerable J.J. Dillon for a comprehensive examination of the Crocketts’ Mid Atlantic Wrestling.In what can best be described as a tale of two territories, you’ll see the style and formulas used by Jim Crockett Sr, and then the direction and decisions that his family implemented after his death in the 70s.J.J. Dillon is the perfect guest for this edition of the show, having worked in both Crockett eras and also having worked as a manager and office personnel. He and Jim paint a vivid and living picture of the Mid Atlantic era like no one has before.This journey back through one of pro wrestling’s most celebrated territories is made even more special with the inclusion of over one hour of lost Mid Atlantic Wrestling footage, thanks to Jim Cornette’s collection of film he purged from the dumpsters of TBS after the sale of Crockett promotions.Get ready to hop in with JJ and Jim and go BACK TO THE TERRITORIES00:00 Introduction to the Tale of Two Territories00:51 The Legacy of Jim Crockett Sr.02:02 Welcome to Back to the Territories02:30 James J. Dillon's Early Career in Charlotte02:55 The History of Jim Crockett Promotions04:55 Meeting Jim Crockett Sr.05:28 The Carolinas Wrestling Scene in the 1970s08:22 The National Wrestling Alliance and Its Champions21:38 The Tag Team Territory Era42:21 Local Promoters and Their Influence51:53 The Transition to Singles Wrestling01:01:54 The Impact of Jim Crockett Sr.'s Death01:17:15 The Rise of Jim Crockett Jr. and the New Era01:30:33 Dusty Rhodes: A Wrestling Legend01:31:24 Johnny Valentine: The Real Deal01:34:31 Wahoo McDaniel: The Tough Competitor01:41:31 The Rise of Ric Flair01:43:16 The Importance of Championships01:44:57 Dory Funk Jr.: A Champion's Legacy02:21:04 The Influence of Eddie Graham02:26:14 The Formation of The Four Horsemen02:28:05 Dusty Rhodes' Booking Style02:29:20 Jim Crockett Promotions: The Family Legacy02:37:02 Jimmy Crockett's Reserved Nature02:37:41 The Crockett Family Reunion02:38:22 Jimmy Crockett Takes Responsibility02:39:59 The TBS Time Slot and Vince McMahon02:42:47 The Rise of Jim Crockett Promotions02:47:32 The Great American Bash and Expansion02:48:23 The Decline of Jim Crockett Promotions03:12:22 The Sale to Turner Broadcasting03:17:45 The Legacy of Mid-Atlantic Wrestling03:23:15 Final Reflections and FarewellJoin this channel to get access to perks:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOTZzb1tdtCzLBaOGczlLYQ/join

Our most recent guest is a recent inductee into WWE’s version of the Hall of Fame, and he’s come here to YOUSHOOT to talk about everything that got him inducted. Rikishi is a proud descendant of a bloodline fully entrenched in pro wrestling and he discusses it at length here, as well as all the unpredictable and uncensored topics you had for him.Whether it’s his prior runs, or the ass that made him a fortune, Rikishi has something to say about all of it!00:00 Introduction and Welcome Back01:07 Fan Questions Begin03:06 Hall of Fame Reflections04:01 Future in WWE and Training Academy08:14 Too Cool Memories10:05 The Dirt and Rumors22:22 Training Philosophy and Advice26:07 Locker Room Etiquette and Stories38:59 First WWE Appearance39:24 Meeting Wrestling Legends39:58 Unplanned TV Moment40:56 Interactions with Wrestling Icons42:16 Montreal Screwjob Perspective44:27 Toughest Wrestlers48:29 Family Legacy in Wrestling51:05 Advice for the Usos54:33 Roman Reigns' Push and Criticism01:07:39 The Stink Face Origin01:19:01 Eating Habits and Pre-Match Routine01:19:37 Buffet Stories and Favorite Opponents01:20:38 Memorable Matches and Difficult Opponents01:22:47 Influences and Iconic Moments01:24:12 Opinions on Wrestling Personalities01:24:55 Favorite Managers and Chemistry01:28:14 Road Stories and Wrestling Culture01:31:15 Gimmicks and Character Evolution01:38:43 UK Wrestling Scene and Rising Stars01:40:19 Experiences with ICP and Juggalo Championship Wrestling01:42:37 Wrestling Events and Payment Issues01:43:58 Working with Von Erichs and Freebirds01:45:37 Paul Heyman and ECW01:47:00 WWE Tryouts and Career Reflections01:52:14 TNA Experiences and Disappointments01:55:21 Regrets and Career Highlights01:59:59 Family Legacy and Future Stars02:00:35 Concluding Thoughts and FarewellJoin this channel to get access to perks:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOTZzb1tdtCzLBaOGczlLYQ/join

The ongoing history of wrestling's most dangerous and innovative organization in recent times rolls on! This edition is very special as we tackle the beginning of ECW's "Hardcore Era" as Eastern became E-X-T-R-E-M-E!! This 1994 edition is told by the man that was at the center of the transition, as he grabbed the mic, threw down a belt and changed wrestling history.00:00 The Early Days of ECW02:14 The Birth of 'The Franchise' Character03:16 Memories of Sherry Martel05:02 Working with Terry Funk06:58 The Rise of Mikey Whipwreck22:43 The Evolution of Sandman26:02 The Tazmaniac and JT Smith39:53 The Impact of the Singapore Cane42:08 Joey Styles: The Voice of ECW42:44 Joey Styles' Unique Commentary Style44:54 The Impact of Joey Styles on ECW46:45 The Phenomenal In-Ring Performers49:26 Tension Between Terry and Dory Funk51:24 The Dangerous Stunts in ECW53:18 Mick Foley's Hardcore Legacy59:13 Rick Flair's Controversial Behavior01:15:52 Fan Participation and Security Challenges01:20:48 The NWA Belt Controversy01:29:40 The Promo That Shocked Everyone01:31:10 Backstage Reactions and Aftermath01:34:21 The Ric Flair Feud01:37:17 The ECW Experience01:39:10 Locker Room Stories and Personal Reflections01:46:36 The Legacy of ECW01:59:25 The Loose Cannon: Brian Pillman02:06:48 Final Thoughts on ECW's Impact

The hard-nosed Amarillo territory of yesteryear can have its roots traced to one man... Dory Funk, Sr. A star in the ring and a highly respected promoter and owner, Dory Sr. churned out talents that would go on to be superstars both in the ring and as bookers. Texans looking for no-frills pro wrestling in the mid-century looked no further than Dory's towns.But an even more remarkable thing happened as Dory Sr. gave the world to strapping young bucks that would not only go on to national prominence as a tag team but also both became NWA World Champions. This feat is unprecedented and one of those sons, Terry Funk, is there to take us back in time to the Amarillo territory of the Funk family.Join our resident mad scientist, Jim Cornette, and get ready to hop in and hit another territory of the past!!!00:00 - Introductions00:14 - Dory Funk Sr. And Amarillo Wrestling11:48 - The Evolution of UFC and Wrestling25:05 - West Texas Sports and Travel31:17 - Zales and Wrestling Promoters46:36 - Texas Death Match and Wrestling Stories1:02:46 - Stories From the Wrestling Business1:11:00 - Wrestlers1:21:00 - Wrestling Legends Talk NWA Title Success1:33:50 - Memorable Stories and Riots in Wrestling1:45:18 - Career Highlights and Memories in Wrestling1:51:59 - In-Ring Performers and Suspension of Disbelief1:57:37 - The Evolution of Wrestling in Amarillo2:11:57 - Reflections and Farewell in the Territories