When It Was Cool Wrestling and Retro Pop Culture by DragonKingKarl

I take the time machine back to December 1986 when the annual Pro Wrestling Illustrated magazine awards issue hit the stands. Would The Road Warriors once again be tag team of the year? Would Ric Flair again dominate the Wrestler of the Year? There are rookies galore to choose from! Yes, the Pro Wrestling Illustrated Year End Awards may have been worked, but they give us a fun glimpse into the world of pro wrestling in 1986!

Joseph and Mike hit record on their first new mix-tape challenge before shifting gears and talking about some of their favorite and most remembered toys - covering everything from GI Joe to the Easy Bake Oven! Mike's also been watching some Krofft Supershow and tries to jog Joseph's memory about Wonderbug, Dr. Shrinker, and the other live-action shorts that played on a regular basis.

We have now gone through the pages of my book DragonKingKarl's Pioneer Era Pro Wrestling Omnibus and finished the timeline of the pioneer era of pro wrestling. So, today is a good time to pause and answer any listener questions this week and I have several of them discussing William Muldoon, Col. James H. McLaughlin, Evan 'Strangler' Lewis, John McMahon, Harry Hill, Prof. Theibaud Baur, and much more.

This is the extended Patreon Edition of the show.

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 130.

This week on my show I continue to look back at 1986 and 1987 in pro wrestling history with the recent release of my new book DragonKingKarl's 1986-1987 Pro Wrestling Omnibus, I review the July 28, 1986 issue of Dave Meltzer's Wrestling Observer Newsletter which features such stories as a disputed AWA World tag team title change between The Midnight Rockers (Shawn Michaels & Marty Jannetty) and Buddy Rose & Doug Somers, the status of Roddy Piper, the arrest of Chris Adams for assaulting an airline pilot, plus the NWA Great American Bash and more!

OK, it's time for the one that's going to get me in trouble. This movie is beloved. I have friends who claim this is their favorite movie. Recently, Margot Kidder who played Lois Lane passed away and social media was filled with tributes to her portrayal of Lois Lane... I hated it. I hated it when I was seven years old. I hated it as a kid when it replayed on television. Here in 2018 when it has been years since I saw it I resolved to watch it with a fresh set of eyes and... I hated it. I did think Christopher Reeve was the best Superman to date and I don't see how anyone will ever beat him as Superman but I hate everything else about this movie.

In 1986 former NWA World heavyweight champion and the top star of World Class Championship Wrestling, Kerry Von Erich (Kerry Adkisson), was riding his motorcycle in Texas when he slammed into the back of a police car which was slowing to make a turn. This simple accident would have lifelong repercussions for Kerry who, ultimately, would lose part of his foot due to complications. On today's podcast I will discuss the June 28, 1986, issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter by Dave Meltzer covering this accident.

Episode 2001

Guess who just got back today

Them wild-eyed boys that had been away

Haven't changed, had much to say

But man, I still think them cats are crazy.

Mike and Joseph are BACK following a self-imposed hiatus that lasted a couple of years longer than expected. Join them for some reintroductions as they hit the ground running with an overview of what the UBW podcast experience is all about in a show that's perfect for new and returning listeners alike!

Today on the 1000 Hours Podcast I finish out the review of my book DragonKingKarl's Pioneer Era Pro Wrestling Omnibus available from Amazon. Frank Gotch is now on the scene after losing to American champion Dan McLeod (working under a fake name) and then was 'discovered' by Farmer Burns. William Muldoon has left pro wrestling, and George Hackenschmidt is ready to rise in Europe. Even though we have finished going through my book the 1000 Hours learning does not end. Next episode I will have a question-and-answer show about the pioneer era and then we move onto new research including a recent book about William Muldoon!

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 130.

Thank you for great participation in the May 2026 question and answer show and I have some great classic pro wrestling questions this episode. I field questions and topic suggestions on Andre the Giant, Hulk Hogan, phycological understanding of working matches, pro wrestling title histories, and much more.

I'm not even kidding. From the deep dark recesses of wherever NoFriender's lair is, years after his last show, a new edition of the Thrash Metal Show Podcast that discusses the 41st anniversary of this important moment in thrash metal music history. Now's a great time to dig into the past episodes of the Thrash Metal Show which lurk in our archive at When It Was Cool!