Talk Is Jericho

The Classic Album Clash is back, and this time it’s all about Ratt – “Out Of The Cellar” vs “Invasion of Your Privacy.” And joining in the track-by-track analysis and trivia fun are Tom and Zeus, the hosts of the “Shout Out Loud” podcast, and their friend Sonny. They talk album covers, production, songwriting and lyrics, and individual performances and contributions. They remember their first introductions to Ratt’s music, and seeing the band live. Plus, they discuss Stephen Pearcy as a frontman, why Ratt didn’t reach the same heights as Motley Crue or Bon Jovi, and the ultimately pick their favorite of the two classic albums.

AEW’s Chaos Project is Dr. Luther and Serpentico, and they share the story of how they were put together, what inspired their memorable entrance, and where Serpentico gets his supply of kabuki streamers! They explain their old school wrestling style, and why it works with everyone they wrestle including Penta & Fenix, the Varsity Blonds, and Dark Order. The two recount the infamous cake smashing spot at Negative One’s in-ring birthday party, what it was like cutting a promo on a kid, and the words Jake “The Snake” Roberts had for them afterwards in the locker room. They explain how their match with Jericho & Jake Hagar came together for Jericho’s 30th Anniversary Dynamite episode, being signed during a pandemic, and their first-ever match together as a team. Plus, Serpentico talks about growing up in Puerto Rico and training there, and what ultimately brought him to Florida and “Team 3D Academy” with Bubba & D’Von Dudley.

Helloween is back with a new album, “Helloween,” and two singers, original singer Michael Kiske, and Andi Deris who’s been with the band since Kiske’s departure in the 90s. Michael and Andi talk about forging the bond that enables them to be in the band together, what inspired the whole idea in the first place, how they determine vocal parts, where Kai Hansen fits into the vocal mix, the songwriting and creative process behind the new album, and their current live set list. Michael also speaks to the rumors that he was once asked to sing for Iron Maiden after Bruce Dickinson left, what he misses most about former Helloween drummer Ingo Schwichtenberg, and his favorite Helloween songs.

Dark Order founders Evil Uno and Stu Grayson were among the first talent signed to AEW, but admit that they thought they would be among the first fired when the Dark Order failed to initially catch on! Then came the Exalted One and a global pandemic! Uno & Stu recall the early ideas for the Exalted One, when they found out it was going to be Mr. Brodie Lee (and not Matt Hardy), and what it was like to watch his debut from their homes in Canada during the early lockdown days of the pandemic. They talk about their BTE segments, the arrival of Anna Jay, the faction’s organic babyface flip, -1’s leadership, and their future hopes for Dark Order. Plus, they share stories from their indie wrestling days as the Supersmash Brothers, working Canadian shows with Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens, and why they had all but given up on wrestling when AEW came knocking.

Those were no stunt doubles on top of the scoreboard at TIAA Bank Field stadium in Jacksonville at AEW’s Double or Nothing PPV! That was all 5 members of the Inner Circle who jumped off and rappelled to the ground below. Sammy Guevara, Jake Hager, and Santana and Ortiz return to tell the story of Stadium Stampede 2, and who came up with the brilliant idea to rappel. They detail what went into the planning and execution of their battle against The Pinnacle right down to Sammy’s amazing 630 to finish off Shawn Spears (and The Pinnacle). Hear about Jake’s battle against Wardlow in the freezer, Sammy and Shawn going at it in the stadium chair room, Santana & Ortiz coming to blows with FTR in the bar, and Jericho & MJF’s live match in the AEW ring! They also share the story behind Konnan’s cameo DJ appearance, the DMX music licensing saga, and finally wrestling in front of a full capacity crowd for a PPV!

“Ghost Adventures” host, Jeff Belanger, had a paranormal experience of a different kind when he climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro. He details the journey and the spiritual connection in his new book, “The Call Of Kilimanjaro: Finding Hope Above The Clouds.” Jeff explains what inspired him to undertake the climb, how he trained for the adventure, what it was like once he started up the mountain (from food to bodily functions to surviving the elements). He speaks to being truly disconnected from the world, missing his family, his actual moment on the summit, the sense of accomplishment, and the anti-climactic descent. And he talks about the paranormal connection and experiences associated with Mt. Kilimanjaro.

NWA’s “When Our Shadows Fall” PPV is this Sunday, June 6th, and NWA President Billy Corgan runs down the stacked card, and talks about the incredible talent, including NWA World Heavyweight Champion, Nick Aldis! Billy discusses the crossover with AEW and having talent such as Serena Deeb and Thunder Rosa work for both companies. He speaks to the new revolution in wrestling, surviving the pandemic, the return of crowds, and the development of his weekly show, “NWA Powerrr.” He also recalls what it took to buy the promotion, and how he handled the criticism in the early days. Plus, Billy has an update on his other gig, fronting the Smashing Pumpkins, and talks about their cancelled 2020 tour with Guns N Roses, why they won’t be joining Guns on the road later this Summer, and what happened the first time the Pumpkins ever opened for Axl Rose and crew!  

It’s the return of the Summer blockbuster as movie theaters re-open after the pandemic shutdown! And that means Fandango correspondent Nikki Novak is back on TIJ to share a rundown of what to see and what to skip this Summer! She has details and behind-the-scenes trivia on everything from “The Suicide Squad” to Zack Snyder’s “Army Of The Dead” (with Dave Bautista) to the Aretha Franklin biopic “RESPECT” (starring Jennifer Hudson) to Pixar’s latest animated offering, “Luca.” Nikki’s also talking about “Fast And Furious 9,” Disney’s live action films “Jungle Cruise” and “Cruella,” Jordan Peele’s latest horror flick, “Candyman,” and “A Quiet Place II.” She also has some inside scoop on Peter Jackson’s Beatles documentary, “Get Back,” coming this August. Plus, Nikki & Chris pick their must-see movie, their sleeper hit of the Summer, and predict which will be the blockbuster champ!

Greta Van Fleet have a new album, “The Battle At Garden’s Gate,” a headlining tour starting this August, and some great stories about opening for Guns N Roses in Germany! Singer Josh Kiszka and drummer Danny Wagner talk about their musical influences, the origins of the band, skipping some high school to open for the Struts, and how they feel about Led Zeppelin’s Robert Plant and Jimmy Page’s comments about Greta’s music. They also talk about growing up in small town Michigan, meeting (and underage drinking with) Dave Grohl, performing with Elton John, and killing time during the pandemic.

“Hardway: The Legacy of Deathmatch Wrestling” is an incredible, in-depth, behind-the-scenes look at deathmatch wrestling, the performers, the brutal matches, weapons, and gruesome injuries. Jeff Waldridge, who produced, filmed, and directed the doc, along with lengendary deathmatch wrestler Madman Pondo, and up-and-comer GRaver talk about the doc, the deathmatch scene and culture, and some of their more brutal matches involving light tubes, pencil boards, vats of rubbing alcohol, pinecones, razor wire, barbed wire bats, and thumbtacks. They reveal how they got into deathmatch wrestling, why they love performing in this genre, some of their crazier injuries, ridiculous fan requests, and why they’ll never give it up! Listen to the ep, and then check out the doc on DVD, video on demand or stream it at smartmarkvideo.com.