The Smack Addict Podcast

The road to King of the Ring begins here, with the eventual winner of the 1997 King of the Ring losing in the first round. Huh? Well, that’s okay, because Mankind is here with Paul Bearer, who looks like a mummy, and Bret Hart ends the show by insulting Shawn Michaels until the show simply has to go off the air. But did he do it on purpose? Join Matt and Joel as they try to break it all down.

BONUS MATCH: Bret Hart vs. Hakushi, Monday Night Raw, July 24, 1995

If you’ve ever wondered what Steve Austin’s first world title main event on a PPV looked like, search no further than this iteration of the In Your House shows! Taker defends against Stone Cold, but both men are defending against the hooligans at ringside, the Hart Foundation. Also, Vader and Ken Shamrock really punch each other, and Rocky Maivia and Mankind collide for the first time, too!

BONUS MATCH: Bret Hart vs. Kevin Nash, WCW Monday Nitro, January 10, 2000

The Hart Foundation is on the prowl, looking for Shawn Michaels, but they can’t track him down. That’s going around these days, as apparently the Undertaker has lost the WWF Championship? It’s a bad look for the Dead Man, but he’s on the case. Listen as Matt and Kris break it all down, plus a…

BONUS MATCH: The Hart Foundation vs. The British Bulldogs, 2/3 Falls Match, Saturday Night’s Main Event, May 1987 

Brian Pillman spends most of the show praying for the success of Bret Hart and the newly formed Hart Foundation `97, but do they receive divine assistance? Owen certainly hopes so, as he takes on Rocky Maivia for the Intercontinental Championship as his injured brother Bret watches on from his wheelchair. Also, even though Steve Austin has a WWF Championship match in two weeks, he’s still intent on coming after the Hart family, but will he pay for it? Matt and Will break down another show that is a stepping stone toward the Attitude Era!

BONUS MATCH: Bret Hart vs. Chris Benoit, Owen Hart Tribute Match, WCW Monday Nitro, October 4, 1999

You want to hear about a historic episode of Raw? How about a show that kicks off (in part) the Attitude Era? Well, that’s what happens when Steve Austin gets his hands on Bret Hart, and then an ambulance driver. Also, we have a couple surprise returns, and Vader is behind bars in Kuwait! Matt and Daniel break it all down!

There’s no false advertising here: ‘Taker gets his revenge, bringing the fight to Mankind (and Paul Bearer) in a decent brawl, though his spirit of vengeance is thwarted by a less-than-operational lighter. Don’t you hate it when that happens? Also, Bret Hart and Steve Austin tangle once again, this time in the main event of the show, and both men end up hobbling out, but who won? Join Matt and Joel as they break it all down, plus they offer a few thoughtful wrestling gimmick ideas to the world.

This might be one of the worst episodes of Raw ever, as the WWF heads to South Africa and they forget how to record commentary for matches, apparently. There’s a PPV coming up on the weekend, but you wouldn’t really know it. It’s befuddling, it’s baffling, it’s bad, and Matt and Will break it all down for you. But at least there’s a bonus match, right?

BONUS MATCH: Bret Hart vs. The Dynamite Kid, Prime Time Wrestling, October 8, 1985

Half the roster is overseas yet again, so just about everyone is pulling double duty on this episode, except Owen and Bulldog, who spend half the show watching the monitor in the back and cutting in. Also, Steve Austin gets one of his first huge reactions from an excited college crowd, and Shawn Michaels is here to vent! Join Matt and Daniel as they break it down, and as they unintentionally create a new mashed-up horror icon.

BONUS MATCH: Bret Hart vs. Owen Hart, No Holds Barred, Raw, March 27, 1995

Owen Hart and the British Bulldog are headed for a tag team separation, but wait, what’s Bret Hart doing here? After a tearjerking moment, we move onto wondering about the Undertaker, and his current relationship with Paul Bearer. All this, plus Stone Cold speaks, and Jesses Jammes comes to the ring with a six year old. Join Matt and Will as they forge the bonds of brotherhood, much like a certain family from Calgary…

It’s the night after Wrestlemania, and the big news is Bret Hart’s turn to the dark side the night before, which Bret cements with his (awesome?) actions on this show, and he adds a significant anti-America twist. Also, the next PPV is already in sight, and a rather odd #1 contender has been set for Undertaker’s WWF Championship. Also, this edition of Raw ends abruptly and hilariously, so enjoy as Matt and Joel break is all down.

BONUS MATCH: Bret Hart vs. Owen Hart, Wrestlemania X, March 20, 1994