Under the Ring Report

This week we dig into the Under The Ring Report archives and travel back to August of 2000. We had the pleasure to speak with WWE Hall of Famer Nikolai Volkoff and he talked about how he got started in the business. Listen to him discuss his favorite matches and his thoughts on the difference between old school wrestling and modern wrestling. He talked about wrestling in Madison Square Garden and his opinion on Hulk Hogan and when Hulkamania started. Plus what Freddie Blassie talked him into doing that broke his heart. We’re are also joined by Nikolai’s manager at the time Nikita Breznikov and they talked about wrestling in the independents and why they prefer it.

This week we dig into the Under The Ring Report archives and travel back to October of 2000. We had the pleasure to speak with former WCW and TNA wrestler Shark Boy. He talks about how he got started in the business and what it was like training in the WCW Power Plant. Plus he describes wrestling in the Brian Pillman Memorial Shows and how they honored him after winning a tournament during the event. His experience hosting Shark Week and his short stay in WCW and a whole lot more.

When you need a guest for your podcast, you turn to family. You turn to Cousin Tom! This week’s fan spotlight is with my Cousin Tom and he talks about how he got hooked on wrestling as a kid and matches that had a lasting impact on him. We talk about how wrestling has changed for him over the last 40 years and how he sees a difference in how he perceived wrestling compared to how his son enjoys it now. Plus hear what he thinks are his 3 favorite matches of all time, the results might surprise you.

This week we dig into the Under The Ring Report archives and travel back to February of 2000. We had the pleasure to speak with former ECW and WWE World Champion Rob Van Dam. This was right after Rob had broke his leg in ECW and was recovering, so we talked about the recovery and what might happen to the TV title. We also talked about why he stayed with ECW and his thoughts on his time in WCW and WWF and why ECW was the better place for him. Plus hear his thoughts on Shane Douglas, Sabu and Paul Heyman.

This week we dig into the Under The Ring Report archives and travel back to July of 2000. We had the pleasure to speak with Barry Horowitz, the man that made patting himself on the back cool in wrestling. We talk about his difficulties finding work and the politics that are part of the business. Plus how he got started and his thoughts on the way the business has changed. He also talked about his run in the WWF in 1995 and how he got started in Florida Championship Wrestling. Don’t miss this interview as Barry tells it like it is.

This week Scary Terry and Zach from Pro Wrestling Off Topic join the show and we discuss Kurt Angle’s new son Jason Jordan. After a bombshell like this I had to call in some extra help and see what they thought of our Olympic hero now having a son on the WWE roster. You get to hear us state our cases for why the angle might bomb and then discuss ways it could work. Plus Terry has his own revelation that I’m still not sure what happened at the end of the show.

We discuss the WWE Great Balls of Fire PPV and what I’d like to see happen with Samoa Joe and Lesnar. Then we dig into the Under The Ring Report archives and travel back to January of 2000. We talked with WWE Hall of Famers The Bushwhackers and the discuss how they got started and their time in WWE. Plus their thoughts on the indies compared to WWE.

We dig into the Under the Ring Report vault and go back to 1999 when we talked with Ken Patera. We talk about how he got started and some of his greatest opponents. Plus find out why he spent months running from an angry Andre the Giant.

This week I discuss my thoughts on Jinder Mahal as WWE Champion and if it’s good for the company or not. My ramblings on the Ball family being on Raw. Plus John Cena coming back to WWE and where I think he fits into the picture.

It’s part two of our interview with WWE Hall of Famer Dory Funk Jr. from 2000. The Funking Dojo camps for WWE in the late 90’s were responsible for training some of the biggest stars during that time. Wrestlers like Kurt Angle, Edge, Christian, the Hardy Boyz, Test, Albert and so many more. Listen to Dory talk about working with them and what it takes to be a wrestler.