When It Was Cool Wrestling and Retro Pop Culture by DragonKingKarl

Today my show returns to one of the most epic months in pro wrestling history, March 1985. WWF WrestleMania took place at the end of the month, however, during first weeks of the month Dr. D David Shultz gets fired (for real this time) from WWF, Hulk Hogan drops talk show host Richard Beltzer on his head and injures him, and Hulk Hogan and Mr. T get a fortuitus opportunity dropped in their laps with a hosting gig on Saturday Night Live. Plus, news from Japan, the NWA, SECW, AWA, World Class, and much more. Much of the information for this show comes from my book DragonKingKarl's 1984-1985 Pro Wrestling Omnibus.

On this episode, I take a look at the Hall of Fame case for former WWF Champion and one of the craziest characters in pro wrestling history - The Iron Sheik. I look at the qualifications for the Iron Sheik and the Observer Hall of Fame plus my personal story of booking the Iron Sheik once. Then I look back to the mid-1930s to Madison Square Garden and the return of Jim Londos, and a mid-1990s look at the Tokyo Dome and the BVD Martial Arts tournament featuring Antonio Inoki and... Sting!

Patreons get a special extended cut of the show!

1000 Hours Podcast takes a look back at the pioneer era of pro wrestling. With information pulled from my latest book, DragonKingKarl's Pioneer Era Pro Wrestling Omnibus: The Bible of the Pioneer Era of Wrestling. On this episode, hour 68 of our series, we continue our look at the post 1870 Detroit International Tournament era. New York is growing as a hub for pro wrestling and promoter and former champion Harry Hill is putting together pro wrestling's first syndicate, trust, or promotion featuring Homer Lane, and the John McMahon family. Also, the future biggest arena in sports takes its first form.

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On today's show, our Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame candidate discussion moves to 'Bullet' Bob Armstrong. Bob Armstrong (and family) was among my favorites growing up. Bob Armstrong was the hometown hero of my regional wrestling promotion Southeastern Championship Wrestling and later as The Bullet in Continental. Does he belong in the Wrestling Observer Hall of Fame? Plus, discussion of 1934 Madison Square Garden where Jim Londos finally gets the title back from 'Pig Farmer' Jim Browning and more 1990s Tokyo Dome!

Hour 67 of the 1000 Hours Podcast takes a look back at the very first 'undisputed' champion in pro wrestling. As I continue a study through my latest book: DragonKingKarl's Pioneer Era Pro Wrestling Omnibus: The Bible of the Pioneer Era of Wrestling, we have just studied the 1870 Detroit International tournament which set up the recognized rules of wrestling and crowned Col. James H. McLaughlin as champion. But McLaughlin wasn't yet the official American champion, that was Homer Lane, but McLaughlin verses Lane decides who pro wrestling's first undisputed champion would be.

YOU CONTROL THIS SERIES! It will only run as long as it is supported. In order to get another hour of 1000 hours we need a new Patreon supporter at any level or a cash donation via the front page of WhenItWasCool.com to either PayPal or CashApp (Please put "1000" in the note). As soon as it is received, I will produce a new hour. Presently, we are funded up to hour 89.

On this week's show, I discuss the life and mysterious death of Jay Youngblood and whether he and Ricky Steamboat as a tag team should be in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame. Also, the entire Mid-Atlantic area and the incredible tag team scene of that time. Then I take a look at a 1994 Tokyo Dome featuring Hulk Hogan and a Brutus Beefcake match that I simply must see!

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This week, I will again be going through a booklet of old DragonKing Newsletters I recently found again. I continue with a look back at the early days of the Midnight Express and look back at the era when it was a trio of Dennis Condrey, Randy Rose, and Norvel Austin. There are also multiple articles we will look back at cover the epidemic of young deaths in pro wrestling that occurred from the mid-1980s until the early 2000s. Be sure to support When It Was Cool on Patreon for instant access to over 2,500 podcasts, books, and more!

1000 Hours podcast discusses the pioneer (pre-1900) era of professional wrestling which I wrote about in my latest book the DragonKingKarl Pioneer Era of Wrestling Omnibus. On today's podcast we cover the most monumental moment of the pioneer era of wrestling - the 1870 Detroit International Tournament. This tournament set many of the rules for pro wrestling and has long been the source of myth and misinformation. By listening to today's podcast, you will gain a detailed perspective of the origin and evolution of pro wrestling in the United States! This is hour 66.

YOU CONTROL THIS SERIES! It will only run as long as it is supported. In order to get another hour of 1000 hours we need a new Patreon supporter at any level or a cash donation via the front page of WhenItWasCool.com to either PayPal or CashApp (Please put "1000" in the note). As soon as it is received, I will produce a new hour. Presently, we are funded up to hour 89.

And now for something different... I have recently found a booklet in my possession I had forgotten about. After closing down the original DragonKing Press Newsletter, I briefly (for 10 issues) launched a volume two. I have now made the DragonKing Newsletter Vol. 2 available as a Kindle book and we will spend a few weeks going through it. Today, we talk about the early history of the Midnight Express, Joe Stecher, and the highly controversial book by Downtown Bruno (Bruno Lauer). Come and join me for some great pro wrestling history!

I begin my methodical look back at pro wrestling in 1985 with January 1985 from my book DragonKingKarl's 1984-1985 Pro Wrestling Omnibus book. Hulk Hogan is the WWF champion and had been for a year, he is also a huge star in Japan. Ric Flair is the NWA World champion and looking forward to a big year. Rick Martel is the AWA World champion and is feuding with Jimmy Garvin. Plus, The Road Warriors, Antonio Inoki, and much more! Join me for a detailed look back at January 1985!