The Outdated Wrestling Hour With Bob Smith

It's PWI Guys both old (show host Bob Smith) and new (current editor and writer Al Al Castle) as The Outdated Wrestling Hour takes a look at what it's like to attend a WWE "supercard" these days - in that light, Castle give his thoughts on what it was like to be there at the WWE's recent revival of Saturday Night's Main Event. And that's not nearly all: These longtime writers talk about the differences in Pro Wrestling Illustrated Magazine from its inception till now; the return of Jesse Ventura; cheap heat that goes too far; the genius of HHH; Tony Khan's biggest problem; the confusing case of MJF - and so much more on pro wrestling's most unique and enjoyable nostalgia podcast!

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It’s the first episode of season three of The Outdated Wrestling Hour With Bob Smith, the former managing editor of Pro Wrestling Illustrated magazine – and we’re penciling in this edition as the unofficial second “Introducing” feature on the popular mat nostalgia show.

Back in the day with PWI and the London Publishing family of magazines, Smith was tasked with writing the “Introducing” feature in each edition of The Wrestler magazine, and it was one of his favorite duties. “I’ve always enjoyed giving young talent a chance to be heard from,” said Smith. “We helped introduce a lot of young stars in the era of wrestling mags – now I’m getting a new chance to to it all again.”

Late last year, Smith introduced Kayla Sparks to mat fans all over the globe as she makes her comeback – and now, the longtime scribe welcomes The Even Stevens tag team – comprised of Steven Azure and Steve Somerset – to the OWH for the first time. Fans will hear all about how hard it is for new wrestlers to learn their crafts; the raging success of the Create A Pro wrestling school in New York; what it feels like to be belted by Becky Lynch (seriously!); and much more from one of the most talked-about (and funniest) tag teams on the East Cost indie scene. It’s not only a look at a pair of charismatic new stars – it’s also an education in the wrestling business like you’ll hear nowhere else.

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The first Outdated Wrestling Hour of the New Year will feature returning co-host Joe Puccio, who joins host Bob Smith (Pro Wrestling Illustrated, WCW Magazine) as the veteran duo looks back at celebrity involvement in pro wrestling - and also pro wrestlings who later became celebrities in their own right. We know you know all about John Cena and The Rock - but do you know who Mike Mazurki is (no, it's not The Miz)? Alex Karras? Someone who billed himself as "Iau Kea" in a feature film. Check out the old-time wrestlers who went into showbiz and the Holllywood stars who dared  entere the ring in the third season OWH opener!

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It's a holiday celebration ... a year-end show ... the marking of two years as a wrestling podcast .. and the 100th episode of The Outdated Wrestling Hour - all at the same time! Join host Bob Smith (the former managing editor of Pro Wrestling Illustrated magazine and writer for Wrestling's Main Event and WCW Magazine) as the veteran writer and media pro celebrates all these milestones in a heartfelt special edition. You'll hear all about all the OWH episodes in 2024...

...but we're burying our lead  here - there are special contritubtions on this joyous show: WWE Hall of Famer and hardcore legend Mick Foley; classic PWI editors that Bob worked with in Bill Apter and Craig Peters; and Steve Gennarelli of the Stick To Wrestling With John McAdam podcast. Grab some egg nog and join the fun as Bob Smith pays tribute to everyone that helps the OWH in 2024 - especially all the fans!

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The Podcast: As The Outdated Wrestling Hour With Bob Smith wraps up its second year, it goes back to the format it's become best known for: Looking back with fondness at many of the best wrestlers in history. This time, we look at 20 somewhat underrated stars.

The Episode: The OWH welcomes back podcaster Steve Gennarelli, famed for his work on the top-rated Stick To Wrestling With John McAdam (an Arcadian Vanguard show). From female stars to brawlers to scientific fan favorites, this show has something for everyone ... if you enjoy mat action from  '60s through today's stars, that is!

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The Podcast: The Outdated Wrestling Hour features Bob Smith, the (somehow still sprightly) former managing editor of Pro Wrestling Illustrated Magazine as he takes a look back at the history of Pro Wrestling as only he can deliver it.

The Episode: This special edition is the first "Yay Or Nay" episode - as special guests Anthony Pires (you know him from PW Insider) and Liam Savage (best known for Front Row Material) get some hard questions from Bob ... and all they have to do is answer Yay Or Nay. From old school wrestling to today's star's, it's an all-emcompassing yet enjoyable conversation - the likes of which you can only hear on the OWH. BONUS: Bob Smith waves goodbye to the NWA ... even though there's still something called the NWA out there. Find out why!

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It's a unique episode of The Outdated Wrestling Hour With Bob Smith as Howard Baum - last heard as part of the 6:05 SuperPodcast - guests in what easily is the most freewheeling conversation ever on the OWH. Join as the former PWI editor and writer welcomes Baum as the duo discuss:

- The blues music career of Bob Smith (or Robert Charels, the first time on any podcast)
- What it was like to run a wrestling promotion in the Bahamas
- The exciting yet frustrating life of a pro wrestling photographer
-  The problems with current wrestling
-  And yes, why Martin Short is a legend...and much much more!

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Want the antidote to all the whining and complaining that social media lends to sporting events? Get away from all the claptrack as Bob Smith (former managing editor of Pro Wrestling Illustrated) welcomes longtime wrestling personality and behind-the-scenes East Coast force Rick Del Santo back to the show. Del Santo, best known these days for his comentary on Coliseum Pro Wrestling (see it on W.O.N. Sports and on YouTube), lets us know about a big card coming up in Connecticut the Saturday after the espisode debuts - and, like always, the show veers off into subjects like women's old-time wrestling, today's WWE, fond memories of big stars, and much more. It's just ... fun!

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Most listeners know that Bob Smith - the former managing editor of Pro Wrestling Illustrated Magazine during the 1980s and 1990s - decided to bring The Outdated Wrestling Hour to The WrestleCopia Podcast Network. On this special edition of the OWH, Smith brings on WrestleCopia founder Ray Russell as the pair discusses the array of productions on the burgeoning network - but there's a lot more to this show. Listen in as Smith and Rusell talk about the trevails of being a podcaster; WWE's slick productions on TV; WWE's move to Netflix; the advantages of being a wrestling "tool"; too many championships; AEW's recognition problem; the demise of the NWA; the pair's love of wrestling magazines - and that's just the tip of the iceberg in the type of freewheeling, anything-goes conversation that's become the Hallmark of The Outdated Wrestling Hour!

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The Podcast: The Outdated Wrestling Hour features former Pro Wrestling Illustrated Managing Editor Bob Smith, who looks back with fondness at the wrestling he not only grew up watching, but also covered as a writer for years. In fact, Smith wrote many of the "Introducing" features in The Wrestler magazine, which brings us to...

The Guest: The Outdated Wrestling Hour welcomes Kayla Sparks, an upstate New York native who is gaining traction as a coming star in pro wrestling - she even appeared on WWE and AEW on the same day! Learn all about this effervescent new presence in the sport, her hopes for the future, her work in training and working througout the indie scene, and much more.

The Verdict: Once again The Outdated Wrestling Hour presents a unique, upbeat podcast unlike anything else - in fact, there's a "Podcast Easter Egg" at the end of this particular episode, which aims to bring laughs during this very serious week!

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