WHEN IT WAS REAL – Episode 72

🚨 The Wrestling Wayback Machine is fueled up and ready for another unforgettable trip through professional wrestling history!

This week, Nikita Breznikov and Benny "The Playa" Scala return to the Mecca of Professional Wrestling, Madison Square Garden, for the legendary card of July 30, 1979.

The summer of '79 was scorching, and so was the action inside the World's Most Famous Arena!

🔥 Witness one of "Rowdy" Roddy Piper's earliest Madison Square Garden appearances as the future icon begins making his presence felt on the biggest stage in wrestling.

🔥 Feel the intensity of an unforgettable Indian Strap Match as bitter enemies Chief Jay Strongbow and "The Hammer" Greg Valentine settle their score in one of the Garden's most brutal and emotional battles.

🏆 Then it's time for the main event as WWF Champion Bob Backlund and the legendary Pat Patterson collide in Match Two of their historic four-match tetralogy. Two of the greatest wrestlers of their generation pushed each other to the limit in a championship rivalry that deserves far more recognition than it receives today.

As always, Nikita and Benny will relive every match, every storyline, every unforgettable moment, and all the history that made this one of the great Madison Square Garden cards of the era.

So climb aboard the Wrestling Wayback Machine and let us transport you to a time when the arenas were packed, the rivalries were personal, and WHEN IT WAS REAL!

Destination: Madison Square Garden... July 30, 1979.

Don't miss it—LIVE Wednesday, July 15 at 7:30 PM ET only on The Playa Entertainment Network!

#WhenItWasReal #Episode72 #MadisonSquareGarden #WWF #BobBacklund #PatPatterson #RoddyPiper #ChiefJayStrongbow #GregValentine #IndianStrapMatch #WrestlingWaybackMachine #ClassicWrestling #TerritorialWrestling #OldSchoolWrestling #NikitaBreznikov #BennyThePlaya #ThePlayaEntertainmentNetwork #ProfessionalWrestling #WrestlingHistory #LivePodcast

🔥 WHEN IT WAS REAL – EPISODE 71 🔥

LIVE Wednesday, July 8th at 7:30 PM ET only on The Playa Entertainment Network!

🌡️ JULY...HOT AS HELL! 🌡️

The temperature is rising, and so is the excitement as Nikita Breznikov and Benny "The Playa" Scala fire up the Wrestling Wayback Machine for another unforgettable trip into professional wrestling's golden age!

This week, the guys break down the epic July 16, 1977 card from the Baltimore Civic Center, featuring some of the biggest stars and hottest rivalries of the era. But wait...there's more!

As a special bonus, Nikita and Benny will also revisit several classic Boston Garden battles featuring the one and only Bruno Sammartino, the Living Legend himself! From unforgettable championship clashes to legendary performances, this is a celebration of one of the greatest careers in wrestling history.

If you love classic wrestling, unforgettable arenas, legendary champions, and stories from the days WHEN IT WAS REAL, you won't want to miss this episode!

So climb aboard the Wrestling Wayback Machine with Nikita and Benny...

Destination: WHEN IT WAS REAL!

👍 Please Like, Subscribe, and Share The Playa Entertainment Network!

#WhenItWasReal #Episode71 #JulyHotAsHell #BrunoSammartino #BaltimoreCivicCenter #BostonGarden #ClassicWrestling #OldSchoolWrestling #WrestlingHistory #TerritoryWrestling #NikitaBreznikov #BennyThePlaya #ThePlayaEntertainmentNetwork #ProfessionalWrestling #WrestlingWaybackMachine

Every Wednesday night at 7:30 PM, climb aboard The Wrestling Wayback Machine with Nikita Breznikov and Benny "The Playa" Scala as they transport you back to the golden age of professional wrestling... WHEN IT WAS REAL!

From legendary championship battles and unforgettable rivalries to the larger-than-life personalities who built the business, Nikita and Benny relive the matches, moments, and memories that made wrestling truly special. Every week, the guys break down classic cards, celebrate the careers of wrestling's greatest legends, share behind-the-scenes stories, and occasionally welcome special guests for exclusive interviews you won't want to miss.

If you miss the days when wrestling was about packed arenas, unforgettable promos, and timeless storytelling, this is the show for you!

Join pro wrestling author, actor, manager, and podcaster Nikita Breznikov, alongside pro wrestling author, podcaster, and weekend DJ Benny "The Playa" Scala, every Wednesday at 7:30 PM, exclusively on The Playa Entertainment Network.

Please like, subscribe, and be part of the conversation as we take you back to a time... WHEN IT WAS REAL!

#WhenItWasReal #TheWrestlingWaybackMachine #ThePlayaEntertainmentNetwork #NikitaBreznikov #BennyThePlayaScala #ClassicWrestling #OldSchoolWrestling #ProWrestlingHistory #WWWF #WWF #NWA #TerritoryWrestling #WrestlingLegends #ProfessionalWrestling #WrestlingFans #PleaseLikeAndSubscribe

Happy Weekend to all! Here for your listening pleasure is one of our all-time favorite episodes...WWE Hall of Famer Johnny Rodz, 5-Time WWF World Tag Team Champion Tony Garea, and the man with the PhD in Professional Wrestling, Davey O'Hannon...More affectionately known as The Three Amigos! If you like listening to some great stories from some true wrestling legends, look no further!

🚨 THE WRESTLING WAYBACK MACHINE IS HEADED BACK TO THE MECCA! 🚨

This Wednesday night at 7:30 PM, Episode 69 of When It Was Real takes a trip to one of the most legendary cards in professional wrestling history as Nikita Breznikov and Benny "The Playa" Scala set the controls for Madison Square Garden on June 30, 1973!

The World's Most Famous Arena was packed with some of the biggest stars and future Hall of Famers the wrestling business has ever produced. We're talking about a card loaded with legends including Blackjack Lanza, Professor Tanaka, Gorilla Monsoon, Captain Lou Albano, Pedro Morales, George "The Animal" Steele, Chief Jay Strongbow, and the massive Haystacks Calhoun!

Before sports entertainment, before social media, before pyrotechnics and giant video screens, there was Madison Square Garden—the proving ground of champions and the home of professional wrestling's greatest heroes and villains. Nikita and Benny will break down every match, every character, and every unforgettable moment from this incredible night in wrestling history.

And as if that wasn't enough, Wednesday also happens to be Benny "The Playa" Scala's birthday! So be sure to stop by the chat and remind him that anyone who remembers this card firsthand may have seen a dinosaur roam! 🎂😂

Join us LIVE every Wednesday night as we fire up the Wrestling Wayback Machine and transport you back to a time when the arenas were packed, the heroes were larger than life, and professional wrestling was... WHEN IT WAS REAL!

📅 Wednesday, June 24th

👍 Please Like, Subscribe, and Share!

#WhenItWasReal #WrestlingWaybackMachine #MadisonSquareGarden #MSG #PedroMorales #GorillaMonsoon #GeorgeSteele #ChiefJayStrongbow #BlackjackLanza #ProfessorTanaka #LouAlbano #HaystacksCalhoun #OldSchoolWrestling #ClassicWrestling #WWWF #WrestlingHistory #NikitaBreznikov #BennyThePlaya #ThePlayaEntertainmentNetwork

Here's a little something to get you through the weekend! Our Christmas Eve episode entitled "The Night The Music Died." Nikita and Benny hop into the Wrestling Wayback Machine and visit Madison Square Garden on December 26, 1983. The fateful night when the nearly 6 year title reign of Bob Backlund was ended at the hands of The Iron Sheik. But this match and this night went far beyond the crowning of a new champion...this represented the end of the era we all know and love as old school wrestling...

🚨THE WRESTLING WAYBACK MACHINE IS HEADED BACK TO THE MECCA! 🚨

This Wednesday night at 7:30 PM, join Nikita Breznikov and Benny "The Playa" Scala on The Playa Entertainment Network as When It Was Real travels back to the hallowed halls of Madison Square Garden on June 27, 1977!

The main event alone was enough to shake the foundations of the World's Most Famous Arena! Fresh off his stunning championship victory, the newly crowned WWWF World Heavyweight Champion, Superstar Billy Graham, puts the gold on the line in an explosive rematch against the man he dethroned, "The Living Legend" Bruno Sammartino. Pride, revenge, and the richest prize in professional wrestling were all at stake as these two titans collided once again in one of the most memorable rivalries of the era.

But the excitement didn't stop there! This legendary Garden card was packed from top to bottom with wrestling icons, future Hall of Famers, and unforgettable action that helped define the golden age of professional wrestling.

Nikita and Benny will take their customary deep dive into the stories, personalities, and moments that made this night so special. So buckle up, hop aboard the Wrestling Wayback Machine, and prepare to return to a time when larger-than-life heroes and villains captivated audiences night after night...

📅 Wednesday, June 17th

👍 Please Like and Subscribe!

Because every Wednesday night, there's only one destination...

WHEN IT WAS REAL!

#WhenItWasReal #WrestlingWaybackMachine #ThePlayaEntertainmentNetwork #MadisonSquareGarden #WWWF #SuperstarBillyGraham #BrunoSammartino #LivingLegend #NikitaBreznikov #BennyThePlaya #OldSchoolWrestling #WrestlingHistory #ProfessionalWrestling #TerritoryEra #WrestlingLegends #LikeAndSubscribe

🎙️ WHEN IT WAS REAL – Episode 67 🎙️

This week, your fearless pilots Nikita Breznikov and Benny "The Playa" Scala fire up the Wrestling Wayback Machine and set the coordinates for June 27, 1981, landing at the legendary Capital Centre in Landover, Maryland for another unforgettable night of classic WWF action!

The main event spotlight shines brightly on WWF Champion Bob Backlund as he defends his title against former Canadian football star turned wrestling powerhouse Angelo Mosca. Can the rugged champion withstand the challenge of the man known as "King Kong"?

The night also marks the triumphant return of the legendary André the Giant following a broken ankle, as the Eighth Wonder of the World steps back into a WWF ring to the delight of the Capital Centre faithful.

And if that's not enough, prepare for a classic clash of styles when international superstar Mil Máscaras squares off against the hard-nosed, drill-sergeant tough Sergeant Slaughter in a match that showcased everything fans loved about early-1980s wrestling.

Join Nikita and Benny as they break down the card, revisit the stories, discuss the stars, and relive an era when professional wrestling was larger than life and every arena card felt special.

Tune in LIVE every Wednesday night at 7:30 PM and chat old-school wrestling with fellow fans as we remember the glory days... WHEN IT WAS REAL!

#WhenItWasReal #WWF1981 #CapitalCentre #BobBacklund #AngeloMosca #AndreTheGiant #MilMascaras #SergeantSlaughter #OldSchoolWrestling #ClassicWrestling #WrestlingHistory #ThePlayaEntertainmentNetwork #NikitaBreznikov #BennyThePlaya #WrestlingWaybackMachine #TerritorialWrestling #GoldenAgeOfWrestling #ProWrestling

Greetings all! If you haven't gotten enough old school wrestling this weekend, take a listen to one of our favorite episodes...Nikita and Benny are graced by the presence of a true professional wrestling legend, The Unpredictable Johnny Rodz! Johnny recently celebrated his 85th birthday, and was inducted into the St. Louis Wrestling Hall of Fame in May. The accolades keep coming for Johnny, and they are very well deserved!

#johnnyrodz #theunpredictablejohnnyrodz #javaruuk #wwehalloffame

🚨 THIS WEEK on EPISODE 66 of WHEN IT WAS REAL! 🚨

The Wrestling Wayback Machine travels to the most famous arena in the world — MADISON SQUARE GARDEN — for a HISTORIC night in professional wrestling history on June 4, 1979!

🏆 The VERY FIRST Battle Royal ever held at the Garden!

But the night was far from over...

His reward?

Could Hussein Arab shock the wrestling world twice in one night? Could Backlund survive one of his fiercest rivals?

Join Nikita and Benny as they relive every slam, every surprise, and every unforgettable moment from one of the most unique cards in Madison Square Garden history!

🎙️ LIVE Wednesday, June 3rd at 7:30 PM

Hop aboard the Wrestling Wayback Machine and journey back to a time and place...

WHEN IT WAS REAL.

#WhenItWasReal #WrestlingWaybackMachine #WWF #MadisonSquareGarden #BobBacklund #IronSheik #HusseinArab #ClassicWrestling #TerritorialWrestling #VintageWrestling #OldSchoolWrestling #ProWrestlingHistory #BattleRoyal #WWFHistory #ThePlayaEntertainmentNetwork #WrestlingPodcast #1979Wrestling #MSG #NikitaAndBenny