Greetings From Allentown

On this edition of GFA Live, Peter and Keithie talk about the February 2, 2000 episode of WCW Thunder (and some other stuff, of course!) Topics of discussion include: - Jeff Jarrett as leader of the nWo - The Demon and how he isn't the "KISS Demon" anymore - Debating Stacy Keibler vs Torrie Wilson - Lex Luger's current state - Is David Flair actually Dusty Rhodes' son? - Who does The Wall remind you of? - The wisdom of having Sid work three matches in a show including a submission match - Mike Rotunda's ring gear - Whether a 2000 WCW show will ever be done again on this show Email: Greetingsfromallentown@gmail.com Twitter: www.twitter.com/GFAllentownPod

Terry Funk is here to make everything alright on this look at World Championship Wrestling from May 20, 1989! - Terry Funk works his way up the WCW ladder: by facing 21 year old Eddie Guerrero - The backstory from both Funk and Guerrero on the match - Everyone is required to give Ric Flair a shoutout - Playing a game of "trading places" with Mike Shaw and Fred Ottman - How Norman would be the perfect babyface in 2020 - The complete and total uselessness of Paul Ellering - So many 1989 WCW debuts - Rick Steiner visits his physical therapist - The interesting post-wrestling career of enhancement talent Cougar Jay - Enjoying the way Gary Hart says "Muta" - Ron Simmons hits the pause button on his slow heel turn - Purchasing legal cannabis in time of COVID Email: Greetingsfromallentown@gmail.com Twitter: www.twitter.com/GFAllentownPod

This episode ends up finding inspiration in an unlikely place: the dying days of Smoky Mountain Wrestling with the July 29, 1995 edition of their weekly TV! - Buddy Landel goes out of character to talk about his struggles with drugs and alcohol and reminds us of the power of redemption - The bizarre incident with Ricky Morton and Tracy Smothers involving wives, girlfriends, and police - Round 1 of the intertwined lives of Glen Jacobs (Unabom) and Mark Calaway (Undertaker) - The inherent value of a place like Smoky Mountain Wrestling for the WWF and WCW - Shawn Michaels: a cruel man, but fair? - SMW ticket promotions that someone should bring back - The Catch-22 of balancing legends and young stars in a smaller promotion like SMW - Actions taken to avoid social media during trying times - Thoughts on careful use of loaded terms in the English language Email: Greetingsfromallentown@gmail.com Twitter: www.twitter.com/GFAllentownPod

On this edition of GFA Live, Peter and Keithie talk about the January 22, 1994 episode of WWF Superstars (and some other stuff, of course!) Topics of discussion include: - Last week's Mr. Belvedere cast Zoom reunion - Why Stan Lane's smile is the way it is - Imagining Vince McMahon reading off the names of artists in USA For Africa in the style of the Royal Rumble - What child actors do later in life - Jim Ross and an old twitter signoff - A Royal Rumble graphic that makes Jeff Jarrett look ridiculous - Famous Karens in history - How Bret and Owen patched things up over Christmas in 1993 Email: Greetingsfromallentown@gmail.com Twitter: www.twitter.com/GFAllentownPod Facebook.com/GreetingsFromAllentown

This week is a check-in with some pre-Attitude Era action with a look at WWF New York (Shotgun, kinda) from September 6, 1997! - Breaking down the greatest Stone Cold promo of them all as he shoots arrows at Vince, JR, Gorilla, and Owen Hart photographs - Picturing Rick Rude as the State Farm guy - HHH vs Undertaker Volune 2 out of infinity - Why Savio Vega is a valuable type of guy to have in a wrestling promotion - An absolutely pointless light heavyweight match takes place - Seeing Del Wilkes and wondering: what is patriotism anyway? - A profane 15 minute (give or take) tirade about what our society is right now Email: Greetingsfromallentown@gmail.com Twitter: www.twitter.com/GFAllentownPod Facebook.com/GreetingsFromAllentown

On this edition of GFA Live, Peter and Keithie talk about the June 13, 1992 edition of WCW Worldwide (and some other stuff, of course!) Topics of discussion include: - The badassery of Dr. Death and Terry Gordy - A Nestle Crunch commercial leads to an argument about a 2020 Nestle Crunch ad - The evolution of the Freebirds as a type of rock and roll band - Batman movies - The rivalry between Steve Austin and Barry Windham - Thoughts on WCW in 1992 and comparing it to movies - What exactly counts as a sexual encounter? - Ron Simmons headbands - Hatred of Bray Wyatt - A new nickname for Keithie Email: Greetingsfromallentown@gmail.com Twitter: www.twitter.com/GFAllentownPod Facebook.com/GreetingsFromAllentown

Back in the comfort zone of late 80s WWF with a look at Superstars from July 22, 1989! - Dusty Rhodes makes the scene and foils the Bossman and Slick, then discusses “Hard Times” with Brother Love - Rick Martel’s Dance Party - Andre the Giant: reduced to being a sock on the door knob - Jesse Ventura coming in hot with thoughts on “King” Jim Duggan leads to discussion of a US Supreme Court case - Comparing the crowing in the Red Rooster theme to a similar one from a Gap Band song - How Ax (Bill Eadie) came to be considered underrated - The usual Jesse and Vince bickering, such as Ventura wondering how McMahon has avoided jail time - Why comparing Rick Rude’s IC title run to others preceding him is a fool’s errand Email: Greetingsfromallentown@gmail.com Twitter: www.twitter.com/GFAllentownPod Facebook.com/GreetingsFromAllentown

On this edition of GFA Live, Peter and Keithie celebrate the 25th anniversary of 1995's highest grossing film: Die Hard With a Vengeance! Topics of discussion include: - The World Trade Center towers in TV and movies - Is Zeus the real hero of the movie? - Which minor character role would Peter and Keithie cast each other as? - Tony Halme (Ludvig Borga) quietly being all over this movie - Admitted possible plot holes in the movie - Keithie's annoyance with the call center lady with the NYPD - The one action McClane took that saved a ton of lives - Realizing things that tie together only on the 397th viewing - How much do those gold bars weigh? Email: Greetingsfromallentown@gmail.com Twitter: www.twitter.com/GFAllentownPod Facebook.com/GreetingsFromAllentown

It's time to play the Feud! This week features a look at two episodes of Family Feud with wrestlers: the WWF in 1993 and WCW faces the women of GLOW from 1990! - A brief history of Family Feud - The various hosts over the years, including ones who either turned down the gig or never made it to air - Guys who surprised with their performance, both good and bad - The strategy of Fast Money - What exactly was Tony Schiavone doing on a team with 4 heels?

On this edition of GFA Live, Peter and Keithie talk about the October 10, 1992 edition of WWF Superstars (and some other stuff, of course!) Topics of discussion include: - Early Razor Ramon - Kamala and the moon painted on his stomach - What Bret Hart was up to between Summerslam and winning the world title - Sega Genesis vs Super Nintendo - The November 1992 Boston Garden house show and Keithie’s trips to the Garden as a lad - Where Steve Armstong (Lance Cassidy) ranks in the Armstrong brothers pecking order - Peter’s disenchantment with wrestling as a whole - Items that have been censored from versions on the WWE Network Email: Greetingsfromallentown@gmail.com Twitter: www.twitter.com/GFAllentownPod Facebook.com/GreetingsFromAllentown

As we live like it’s Groundhog Day, it is appropriate to go back to February 2, 1991 for newsworthy edition of WCW Worldwide! - Footage of Ric Flair’s world title win over Sting, and more info on the Meadowlands show - Arn Anderson gets a chance to regain the TV title from the Z-Man and does not disappoint even if the match does - Father Sid Vicious checks in with a couple of bible readings - Kevin Sullivan Boston Accent Watch, plus his hilarious outfit - Tommy Rich and the 1970s Yacht Rock song “Wildfire” - The 1991 Freebirds and what current NBA team are they like - Doom’s final theme song and the horn section therein - Forgetting the names of the Master Blasters multiple times - Trying to brew beer and make good BBQ while ignoring stupid neighbors Email: Greetingsfromallentown@gmail.com Twitter: www.twitter.com/GFAllentownPod Facebook.com/GreetingsFromAllentown

On this edition of GFA Live, Peter and Keithie watch and (mostly) discuss the 1990 WWF Intercontinental title tournament as it played out on weekly TV 30 years ago this month! Topics of discussion include: - Casting Goodfellas with WWF personalities - Avril Lavigne and Judith Light conspiracy theories - Speculation on the making of one sign in the crowd - Dino Bravo selling a hail of bullets - Jimmy Snuka’s remaining usefulness - Who actually was the “Manager of Champions”? - Mr. Perfect’s package - All sorts of Portland Wrestling connections - The woman who does not like Rick Martel Email: Greetingsfromallentown@gmail.com Twitter: www.twitter.com/GFAllentownPod Facebook.com/GreetingsFromAllentown

It’s a mildly historic TV taping for this episode of the WWF Superstars of Wrestling from May 2, 1987! - Bobby Heenan faces Ken Patera in a debate: a comprehensive analysis - As Brutus Beefcake debuts his barber gimmick, Johnny V makes a tactical error - Randy Savage in the middle of his “most interesting man in the world” campaign - The final Adrian Adonis match in the WWF - Trying to figure out why Tom Zenk always looked dead inside - The bizarre way in which Dan Spivey became a WWF heel - Finding something for Outback Jack to do: promote ice cream bars - A pair of rants: one against the most useless state in the union, and another for that smug prick John Stossel Email: Greetingsfromallentown@gmail.com Twitter: www.twitter.com/GFAllentownPod Facebook.com/GreetingsFromAllentown

Walking in Memphis….keeping six feet away my friend, walking in Memphis for the June 7, 1986 edition of Memphis Wrestling! - Paul Diamond misreads crazy man Jos LeDuc and gets a haircut for his trouble; but was it that bad? - JD Costello: generic brand manager - The trouble with 8 man tags in the Memphis studio - Bill Dundee as the rare 80s tweener - Expressing legitimate anger at the state of current pro wrestling, among other things - The Beach Boys debut and a back story about griping on their gear Email: Greetingsfromallentown@gmail.com Twitter: www.twitter.com/GFAllentownPod Facebook.com/GreetingsFromAllentown

With snow falling in Massachusetts it’s time to turn up the heat with a look at the WWF Summerslam Spectacular from 1991, originally airing on the USA Network. Topics of discussion include: - Why Peter doesn’t want Keithie to ever work in WWE creative - The concept of “Anal Terrorism” - Vince McMahon watching Indiana Jones movies - Bret vs Shawn yet again - Sid as a priest-like figure to explain why he is so beloved by Roman Catholics in the northeast - Celebrity death pools - Guessing the masked man that is Virgil’s opponent Email: Greetingsfromallentown@gmail.com Twitter: www.twitter.com/GFAllentownPod Facebook.com/GreetingsFromAllentown

Back in the day, wrestling used to be taped in front of actual people in the state of Florida, like this edition of WCW Pro from April 27, 1997! - Lord Steven Regal: master of WCW Pro and Worldwide tapings - Two editions of According to Larry with so much going on in WCW - La Parka vs Ice Train: not the WCW randomness that it seemed - How the Dungeon of Doom was like a successful private equity fund - The timing of the Prince Iuekea push relative to this taping and air date - Eric Bischoff as the bad precedent he set - Building to the secretly good Slamboree 97 show with its many NFL players Plus: - Original commercials! - Chris Cruise checks in from the road - Buying and making beer - A musical replacement for YouTube Comment Theater Email: Greetingsfromallentown@gmail.com Twitter: www.twitter.com/GFAllentownPod Facebook.com/GreetingsFromAllentown

On this third edition of GFA Live, Peter and Keithie take a look at All Japan TV from November 20, 1988! Familiar faces abound on night #1 of the annual Real World Tag League such as Stan Hansen, Terry Gordy, John Tenta, Abdullah the Butcher, Jumbo Tsuruta, Genichiro Tenryu, and more! Discussion topics include: Podcasting when you know your mother is listening, John Tenta's ranking as a Hulk Hogan opponent, the slots in Abdullah the Butcher's forehead, Phil Hickerson and cultural appropriation, Hansen-Andre from 1981 and much more! Lineup courtesy of wwfoldschool.com 11/20/88 1. John Tenta/Shunji Takano vs. Stan Hansen/Terry Gordy 2. Jumbo Tsuruta/Yoshikai Yatsu vs. Jerry Blackwell/Phil Hickerson 3. Abby/Tiger Jeet Singh vs. Genichiro Tenryu/Toshiaki Kawada

In an effort to try and feel good again, it’s time to turn back to Jim Crockett Promotions in 1986 for a look at NWA Worldwide from April 5, 1986! - Why this was a big day in the life of Mr. Ric Flair - Eastern Airlines and their tie-in with JCP - Jimmy Garvin and Precious: ready for the year 2020 - Remembering Wahoo McDaniel - Super babyface Magnum TA beating the crap out of Russians - Appreciating the greatness of Shaska Whatley - The necessary and respectable role of Hector Guererro - David Crockett and infectious enthusiasm Plus: - A second video of the show drops from heaven to provide more context - Speculating on what Ronald Reagan thought about wrestling - An appreciation of Julius Erving - YouTube Comment Theater Email: Greetingsfromallentown@gmail.com Twitter: www.twitter.com/GFAllentownPod Facebook.com/GreetingsFromAllentown

This “live” edition of Greetings From Allentown looks at AWA Championship Wrestling on ESPN from September 10, 1985! Join Peter and his good pal Keithie as they try to discuss a show with terrible production values, even worse video quality, the 28/58 scoreboard ticker that appears with that day’s baseball scores, Larry Z and his place in history, Verne Gagne vs Stu Hart as a father, Greg Gagne/Greg Brady comparisons, and connecting The Godfather I and II to the turbulent mid-80s in professional wrestling! Email: Greetingsfromallentown@gmail.com Twitter: www.twitter.com/GFAllentownPod Facebook.com/GreetingsFromAllentown

The end of the Attitude Era is coming soon but there is time for one last hurrah in advance of WrestleMania X-7 with this edition of WWF Sunday Night Heat from April 1, 2001! - How Rock-Austin is so good it makes people think positively about Limp Bizkit - Big events in the Houston Astrodome - Why you should NOT feel bad for Linda McMahon watching her husband make out with Trish Stratus - Capt. Lou Albano checks in from NYC actually sober - Recaps of the events leading to many of the WM17 matches: Regal-Jericho, Benoit-Angle, Chyna-Ivory, - Why the rivalry of the three teams in TLC II endures - An actual WrestleMania pre-show match! Plus: - Original commercials from 2001: plugs for music aplenty - Life in quarantine getting drive thru beer - Some perspective on the length of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign - YouTube Comment Theater Email: Greetingsfromallentown@gmail.com Twitter: www.twitter.com/GFAllentownPod Facebook.com/GreetingsFromAllentown