When It Was Real

The Wrestling Wayback Machine fires up once again on Episode 55 of the When It Was Real Podcast!* This week, Nikita and Benny land in the mecca of professional wrestling — Madison Square Garden — on March 24, 1980, for one of the most electric nights in wrestling history.

The spotlight shines on the first Madison Square Garden showdown between teacher and student as the Living Legend Bruno Sammartino faces his former protégé Larry Zbyszko in a bitter and deeply personal battle that would ignite one of wrestling’s most unforgettable rivalries.

But the action doesn’t stop there! This legendary card is stacked with some of the biggest names of the era, including the unstoppable Andre the Giant, the powerful Ken Patera, Texas sensation Kerry Von Erich, and a young rising star named Hulk Hogan. And of course, the reigning WWF Champion Bob Backlund is on hand as the Garden crowd witnesses a night packed with larger-than-life personalities and unforgettable moments.

Long before the spectacle of WrestleMania, nights like this were the true supercards of professional wrestling. In many ways, this legendary MSG event was WrestleMania… five years before the first one ever happened!

Join Nikita and Benny as they break down the matches, the rivalries, the atmosphere, and the unforgettable magic of a time when it was real.

📺 LIVE Wednesday, March 18th at 7:30 PM only on the Playa Entertainment Network!

#WhenItWasReal #WrestlingWaybackMachine #MadisonSquareGarden #BrunoSammartino #LarryZbyszko #AndreTheGiant #HulkHogan #BobBacklund #KenPatera #KerryVonErich #ClassicWrestling #TerritoryEra #ProWrestlingHistory #PlayaEntertainmentNetwork #OldSchoolWrestling

Here's a special bonus episode to get you through the weekend! In this episode, Nikita and Benny talk about those guys we watched on the losing end every Saturday morning! They'd get that one flurry of offense in, only to be put to the mat for the 3 count in short order. But even though they lost, we loved them anyway!

Step into the Wrestling Wayback Machine with Nikita and Benny as Episode 54 of the When It Was Real podcast transports fans back to one of the most electric nights in wrestling history!

On Wednesday, March 11 at 7:30 PM, live on The Playa Entertainment Network (please like and subscribe!), the guys land at the legendary Madison Square Garden on March 17, 1975—a night when the Cathedral of Professional Wrestling was absolutely rocking.

Headlining the card is the second explosive meeting between the beloved Bruno Sammartino, reigning WWWF Champion, and his former friend turned bitter enemy, Spiros Arion, the feared “Iron Greek.” What began as respect had turned into one of the most personal rivalries in Garden history, and the tension inside MSG that night was off the charts.

But this wasn’t just a one-match show. The card featured seven additional bouts packed with stars, action, and classic WWWF storytelling, making it a night every fan in attendance would remember long after the final bell.

Join Nikita Breznikov and Benny “The Playa” Scala as they break down the matches, the atmosphere, the angles, and the magic of an era when wrestling truly felt real.

Tune in and relive the glory days of the Garden!

#WhenItWasReal

While you're waiting for the next episode of When It Was Real, please enjoy this episode from our brother podcast "The Twisted Turnbuckle Podcast." This past Thursday's Episode, "Hollywood Squares Part V!", was easily the best Squares episode ever. Besides the usual hosts of Chris DeCarlo, Mike "The Class" DiGregorio, and Benny "The Playa" Scala, this weeks 'Squares' were:

Podcaster, author and trainer "Positively" Pat Sims

Pro wrestlers Vlad Koloff and "Wildcat" Wendall Cooley

Former Big Time Wrestling announcer Terry Sullivan

Mid-Atlantic Territory Wrestling promoter Lee Petry

Award-Winning professional wrestling historian Tony Richards

This is a can't miss episode and one for the books!

🎉 EPISODE 53 – HAPPY ANNIVERSARY! 🎉

ONE YEAR.

On Wednesday, March 4th at 7:30 PM, the celebration goes LIVE on The Playa Entertainment Network — and you do NOT want to miss this one! (Please like and subscribe!)

One year ago, wrestling promoter, author, actor, and manager Nikita Breznikov teamed up with pro wrestling author and podcaster Benny Scala — and the journey has been nothing short of legendary.

For their one-year anniversary spectacular, the guys head back to March 1, 1980 at the legendary Philadelphia Spectrum — the night that changed EVERYTHING.

The main event?

The betrayal.

This wasn’t just a match — it was personal. And the fallout would shake the wrestling world to its core.

Nikita and Benny break down the historic main event, the electric atmosphere, and the entire star-studded card — with the passion and perspective that only When It Was Real can deliver.

52 episodes down.

🔥 Join the celebration.

#WhenItWasReal #HappyAnniversary #WrestlingWaybackMachine #BrunoSammartino #LarryZbyszko #PhiladelphiaSpectrum #TerritoryEra #OldSchoolWrestling #ProWrestlingHistory #ThePlayaEntertainmentNetwork

🚨 The Wrestling Wayback Machine is fueled up and ready…Destination: GLORY! 🚨

On Wednesday, February 25th at 7:30 PM on The Playa Entertainment Network, Episode 52 of When It Was Real transports you back to the hallowed battleground of Madison Square Garden on February 16, 1981 — when wrestling wasn’t sports entertainment… it was WAR.

Standing tall as the embodiment of integrity, WWF Champion Bob Backlund faces his ultimate test against the wild-eyed, cowbell-swinging force of nature known as Stan Hansen. Hansen didn’t come to wrestle — he came to destroy. Could Backlund survive the storm in front of the most demanding crowd in the world?

And that’s not all… the Intercontinental Championship hangs in the balance as the proud Puerto Rican legend Pedro Morales defends against the sadistic drill instructor himself, Sergeant Slaughter. Pride. Pain. Patriotism. Only one walks out with the gold.

This was a night where legends were tested, warriors were forged, and every match meant everything. No scripts. No shortcuts. Just the raw intensity of WHEN IT WAS REAL.

Step inside the Garden. Feel the electricity. Witness history.

#WhenItWasReal #MadisonSquareGarden #BobBacklund #StanHansen #PedroMorales #SergeantSlaughter #WWF #TerritoryEra #OldSchoolWrestling #WrestlingHistory #PlayaEntertainmentNetwork #WrestlingWaybackMachine #1981Wrestling #IntercontinentalChampionship #ClassicWrestling

🔥 WHEN IT WAS REAL – Episode 51 🔥

“The Great Debate – February 20, 1978”

The Wrestling Wayback Machine is fired up and headed straight for one of the most controversial nights in professional wrestling history…

Was Superstar Billy Graham’s championship reign cut short before its time?

This week, Nikita and Benny crack open the vault and dive deep into the moment that still divides fans nearly 50 years later. Legacy. Business. Loyalty. Ego. The title.

And the surprise guests?

That’s right — we’re opening the floor to the live chat. Bring your passion. Bring your receipts. Bring your opinion. This debate has sparked arguments for decades… and Wednesday night will be no different.

📅 LIVE Wednesday, February 18th

Hop in the time machine and strap in tight…

#WhenItWasReal #WrestlingHistory #SuperstarBillyGraham #VinceMcMahonSr #WWFHistory #ProWrestling #WrestlingDebate #TerritoryDays #OldSchoolWrestling #PlayaEntertainmentNetwork

A couple of bonus episodes coming your way for the weekend! I can't imagine anyone would be surprised to learn that our 2 most listened to episodes are the 2 that featured Bruno...Originally aired in early October, here for your listening pleasure one more time!

A couple of bonus episodes coming your way for the weekend! I can't imagine anyone would be surprised to learn that our 2 most listened to episodes are the 2 that featured Bruno...Originally aired in early October, here for your listening pleasure one more time!

NOTE: Please excuse the technical difficulties at the beginning of the show...you may have to fast forward a few minutes! But it's worth the inconvenience, we promise!

🔥 WHEN IT WAS REAL – EPISODE 50 🔥

The World’s Most Famous Arena is the battleground as reigning WWWF Champion Bruno Sammartino collides with his former ally turned bitter enemy Spiros Arion — now reborn as The Iron Greek. This isn’t just a title match… it’s the first thunderous chapter in a trilogy of brutal, history-making clashes between two titans of the squared circle. 💥

Join Nikita & Benny as they relive this epic main event and break down a stacked Garden card, including a WWWF World Tag Team Title showdown and legendary appearances by Pedro Morales and Victor Rivera. The lights are bright, the crowd is electric, and the action is as real as it gets.

📅 LIVE Wednesday, February 11 at 7:30 PM

Step back to an era when legends were forged…

#WhenItWasReal #Episode50 #WWWF #BrunoSammartino #IronGreek #SpirosArion #MadisonSquareGarden #OldSchoolWrestling #WrestlingHistory #TerritoryDays #ThePlayaEntertainmentNetwork #LikeAndSubscribe #LiveWrestlingTalk