Greetings From Allentown

Thanks to a random YouTube crackdown, the show takes an extreme turn with a look at ECW Hardcore TV from September 26, 1995! - ECW as the rest area of professional wrestling - A glimpse of the future Big Poppa Pump as Taz reaches a low point - Weapons, tables, and run-ins: the quintessential ECW match featuring the Pitbulls, Raven, and Stevie Richards - Steve Austin rolls in with a parody of everyone’s favorite balding blond wrestler - Rey Mysterio Jr. and Psicosis light up South Philly - 2 Cold Scorpio just lights up, period - Woman keeps repeating herself - JT Smith works an old comedy trope Plus: - A confession about a popular movie franchise - Why a big 1987 sports moment wouldn’t have happened in 2018 - Explaining Stevie Richards’ white cutoff jeans - How the theme to the Hardcore TV show became popular a couple of years earlier - Background of the term “shah” GreetingsFromAllentown@gmail.com Twitter.com/GFAllentownPod Facebook.com/greetingsfromallentown www.prowrestlingonly.com

Buckle up for the toboggan ride that is Jim Crockett Promotions 1988 style in the form of NWA Worldwide from February 6, 1988! - Sting introduces himself to the Four Horsemen, who just want to get drunk - Speculating on an infamous Dusty Rhodes angle that was aborted - The brilliant satire of the Varsity Club - A “mistake” from JCP that actually deserves praise - Barry Windham’s “50 home run season” - A very special episode of According to Larry (Z) - Taking issue with Bobby Eaton’s gear Plus: - How a joke on Twitter led to an unlikely interaction with “Big Dave” - A fantastic David Crockett blooper - Three great sports moments from 1986 - Dusty Rhodes as the Yankees pitching coach - YouTube Comment Theater! GreetingsFromAllentown@gmail.com Twitter.com/GFAllentownPod Facebook.com/greetingsfromallentown www.prowrestlingonly.com

Greetings From Allentown stays in 1999 this week for a look at the penultimate episode of WWF Shotgun Saturday Night from August 14, 1999! - The greatness and high expectations of Chris Jericho’s WWF debut - Jesse Ventura returns and it is like he never left - Cranky Michael Hayes delights on commentary - Edge: Is he the Canadian Ricky Schroeder? - Triple H embarrasses himself with a commercial tagline - Tough times for Chaz/Mosh and Ken Shamrock - Tag title switches aplenty - Droz’s pal Key makes his only televised appearance in a match Plus: - Developing a parody character of the Ultimate Warrior - Getting the two Headbangers mixed up like a confused commentator - Celebrating the return of the Body in song - An intergender SummerSlam main event? - A strange thought about hockey fans celebrating goals by the home team in the arena - YouTube comment theater! Email: Greetingsfromallentown@gmail.com Twitter: @GFAllentownPod Facebook.com/GreetingsFromAllentown ProWrestlingOnly.com

Greetings From Allentown returns to da Mothership for WCW Saturday Night from April 10, 1999! - Overcoming prejudices against the phrase “1999 WCW” - The greatest thing Disco Inferno ever did in WCW - The life and times of Jerry Flynn - A personal issue against the new WCW logo - Perusing Rick Steiner’s Georgia real estate listings - The commonality of Konnan and one popular musician - Playing the guessing game for Gene Okerlund’s hotline shills - Norman Smiley and Ernest Miller fight the glass ceiling…and each other Plus: - The trials and tribulations of job hunting in 2018 - Dreaming of an afternoon on the links with Fit Finlay - How the Atlanta Braves fared against the Big Unit Randy Johnson - Prescient statements about Goldberg and Kevin Nash - Sports jerseys galore! - YouTube comment theater! Email: Greetingsfromallentown@gmail.com Twitter: @GFAllentownPod Facebook.com/GreetingsFromAllentown ProWrestlingOnly.com

We head back to the 80s for some Golden Era WWF with a look at WWF Spotlight from January 3, 1987! - Saluting Andre the Giant to set up the big turn - Starting the meteoric rise of the Honky Tonk Man - Who was Jimmy Hart’s best WWF protégé? (No, not Neidhart) - Lanny Poffo vs Steve Lombardi: a chance for Gorilla and Lord Al to do all their comedy bits - Dennis Stamp gets booked! - A distinct Quebecois flavor permeating the show - Koko B. Ware as the great table setter - The Wizard needs to dial down the volume Also: - What’s the deal with Lord Alfred Hayes? - Similarities between two legendary championship teams of the 80s from different sports - Talking China at a brewery and DeNiro at a winery - The best baseball games on the original Nintendo - Commercials from 1987! Email: GreetingsFromAllentown@gmail.com Twitter.com/GFAllentownPod Facebook.com/GreetingsFromAllentown PlaceToBeNation.com/Amazon

This week it is back to the Sunshine state for some WCW Worldwide from June 25, 1994! - Hulk Hogan arrives and makes changes to his Demandments even as change in WCW takes time - Brian Pillman’s lost 1994 in spite of a new contract - The limitations of Stunning Steve Austin’s in-ring stooging - A proper requiem for the late Frank Andersson - The future Road Dogg picks up an idea from Mr. Wonderful - A very special “According to Larry” - Babyface edition! - Critiquing the Guardian Angel gimmick and recalling a 2007 incident involving the Boston chapter - Kevin Sullivan cares not for non-regional diction Also: - A New Mexico travelogue: coffee, chiles, and the B-52s - WCW Worldwide audio bumpers: the greatest thing ever? - A rant about Nick Patrick’s hair - YouTube Comment Theater! Email: GreetingsFromAllentown@gmail.com Twitter.com/GFAllentownPod Facebook.com/GreetingsFromAllentown PlaceToBeNation.com/Amazon

This special episode of Greetings From Allentown features a look back at three more heel turns covered on the program: The Megapowers explode, Sid Justice flips out on Hulk Hogan, and Pez Whatley is brainwashed and programmed to attack and cut Jimmy Valiant’s hair. Plus: The story of why this show came to be and how Ahmed Johnson is tangentially related to it! Email: Greetingsfromallentown@gmail.com Twitter: @GFAllentownPod Facebook.com/GreetingsFromAllentown Placetobenation.com/amazon

Time for a long overdue visit to WCW with a look at Worldwide from January 23, 1993! - The shockingly good production of Worldwide in the time period - 2 Cold Scorpio as the man who briefly ruled the world - Evaluating Erik Watts as a football player: was he actually any better at that? - Vinnie Vegas really wants you to know he’s a lefty and isn’t gay - Brad Armstrong and the curse of the solid worker - Recapping Clash of the Champions 22 and the Cactus Jack face turn - Steve Austin: still finding his voice - Callbacks to WWF angles Plus: - Tony Schiavone and Jesse Ventura with some quality bickering - Recalling the Game Boy theme song for the Bo Jackson Hit and Run game - College football interludes a-plenty with talk of the 1991 Fiesta Bowl and the 1993 Cotton Bowl - The problem with trying to have dinner in Cambridge, MA - A Led Zeppelin themed Beer of the Week - YouTube Comment Theater! Email: Greetingsfromallentown@gmail.com Twitter: @GFAllentownPod Facebook.com/GreetingsFromAllentown Placetobenation

Heading down to Louisiana to have a look at Mid-South Wrestling from November 26, 1983 - Why Mid-South is comfortable for a fan of Golden Era WWF - Trades between wrestling promotions! - Mr. Wrestling II: It’s a beautiful day to trash the Poffos - A requiem for the late Jim “the Anvil” Neidhart - The debut of the Condrey/Eaton version of the Midnight Express - Questioning the fashion sense of Krusher Darsow - A re-examination of the Junkyard Dog’s general lethargy Also: - Reflecting on the state of the Cold War in 1983, including the TV movie “The Day After” - A new sports segment! - Making a request of all non-Mexican masked wrestlers - How to organize a proper NFL Wins Pool with your friends - Great moments in Bill Watts non-sequiturs - Beer of the week! Email: GreetingsFromAllentown@gmail.com Twitter.com/GFAllentownPod Facebook.com/GreetingsFromAllentown PlaceToBeNation.com/Amazon

In the words of famed wrestling promoter Billy Corgan “Shakedown 1979, cool kids never had the time” but this week we go back to that year for WWF Championship Wrestling from May 12, 1979! - The turbulence of the 1970s is summed up in one battle royal promo - Making a case for 1979 being an overlooked consequential year in WWE history - Chief Jay Strongbow returns to sit at ringside and prompts more questions than answers - Bruno Sammartino burying just about all prelim guys on commentary - The delicate nature of the Iranian gimmick in 1979 - Crafting an alternate universe where S.D. Jones main events WrestleMania - Johnny Valiant keeps getting blown off - Comparing young Ted DiBiase with young Tito Santana Plus: - A weekend in Minneapolis: cocktails, steak dinners, baseball, and Surly Brewing - Bobby Fulton not looking so Fantastic against Steve Travis - Johnny Rodz’ facial hair - Ivan Putski can’t wait to go back to New Haven(!?!?) - Original commercials from 1979! Email: Greetingsfromallentown@gmail.com

Purify yourself in the waters of Lake Minnetonka because it’s back to Minnesota for a look at AWA All Star Wrestling from February 18, 1989! - The bizarre circumstances that led to the AWA stripping Jerry Lawler of their “world title” and putting it up in a battle royal - Lawler’s retort to the AWA as aired on Memphis television - A roll call of all 18 participants competing for the title - The latest episode of According To Larry - Comparing Tom Zenk with the season 7 version of Mad Men’s Don Draper - The reverse psychology of telling people to not come to the matches - The weird Greg Gagne coincidence Plus: - How long does it take Larry Zbyszko to mention Bruno Sammartino in the post-match promo? - The most bizarre tape trade in history - Bill Apter: the Samwise Gamgee of the AWA - The utter futility of showing old matches for nostalgia’s sake - More exploration of Sgt. Slaughter’s 1990 Survivor Series team - YouTube Comment Theater! Email: Greetingsfromallentown@gmail.com Twitter: @GFAllentownPod Facebo

In the dog days of summer, the Adams Division Podcast (Peter Winson of Greetings From Allentown & Steve Bennett of the Sports-Casters) reconvenes to FEEL THE HEAT and rank and discuss the first 11 SummerSlam shows from 1988 to 1998. Featuring: Top matches, hidden gems, plenty of cheap shots at Shawn Michaels and much more!

This week features a look at WWF Superstars from June 6, 1992! - Reviewing the oddities of the WWF in 1992 - The trouble with the introduction of Nailz - Papa Shango puts a curse on anyone wanting an entertaining promo - A history lesson on the word “sissy” - Kona Crush: two time impostor - How Bret Hart might have fared has he jumped to WCW in 1992 - The Beverly Brothers borrow and deface some merchandise - Trying to stay cheerful taking about Kerry Von Erich Also: - Vince McMahon Laughter Watch - Nailz vs “Nails” Lenny Dykstra - An irrefutable argument on who the boss was on “Who’s The Boss” - Awkward wrestler promos for the World Bodybuilding Federation! - The advantage of High Energy’s ridiculous pants - Musings on oysters and beer - YouTube Comment Theater! Email: GreetingsFromAllentown@gmail.com Twitter.com/GFAllentownPod Facebook.com/GreetingsFromAllentown PlaceToBeNation.com/Amazon

Time for some good ol’ Southern rasslin’ with a look at Smoky Mountain Wrestling TV from July 23, 1994! - The Gangstas make their debut and scare the bejeesus out of whitey as New Jack gives OJ Simpson a shoutout - Jim Cornette will not shut up - Admiring Ron Wright’s oratory and method of not waving a flag - The disappointment of The Thrillseekers in SMW and the bloody end for Chris Jericho - Tammy Fytch gets very confused about what she wants - The Dirty White Boy blatantly lies to the audience - Imagining Tracy Smothers as a Jeopardy! champion - Why you shouldn’t let Lance Storm give the eulogy at your funeral Plus: - A rant against the #1 song in July 1994 - Ricky Morton’s hair: the most defended mullet in history - Enjoying how Bob Caudle says “Gangstas” - The guy who jumped TO WCW in March 2001 - The Moonlight Graham of WWE - YouTube Comment Theater! Email: Greetingsfromallentown@gmail.com Twitter: @GFAllentownPod Facebook.com/GreetingsFromAllentown Placetobenation.com/amazon

Stand back for the diamond anniversary show with a look at WWF Superstars of Wrestling from November 14, 1987! - It’s the end of Superstar Billy Graham as we know it and I feel fine - An examination of Demolition’s theme song and music video - Figuring out why Bam Bam Bigelow had a saxophone based theme in 1987/88 - Re-enacting how Jim Crockett would have found out about the Survivor Series being a Thanksgiving event - Who let Dangerous Danny Davis talk twice during the same show? - The Ted DiBiase Basketball Challenge and proper ball protection - Linking Paul Orndorff, Lex Luger, and Big Show - Slick’s reasons for associating with Russian Communists Also: - The one incredible realistic feature of the WWF LJN “Stretch” Dolls - Looking back on a trip to Chicago: Wrigley Field, preferred deep dish pizza, and TSA issues - The high comedy of a facilities manager praising the WWF under apparent duress - S.D. Jones, Frenchy Martin, and the song from the climactic scene from Dirty Dancing - A beloved trope of wr

This week the show jets to Chicago for a look at WCW Pro on WGN from March 9, 1991! - The reasons why WCW had to tailor a show like this to Chicago only - The Freebirds lose the world tag team titles as part of an elaborate short sell - Attempting to explain why the Southern Boys became the Young Pistols and finding a better way to do it - How Jim Herd did Ric Flair a favor - Sitting in as the third wheel on an awkward date with El Gigante and Missy Hyatt - Legendary sportscaster Jack Brickhouse: From Willie Mays to Alexandra York - Barry Windham's hair is ridiculous - The valid reason why Bobby Eaton sucker punched the Z-Man Also: - Dustin Rhodes imitates his daddy - The 1991 Chicago White Sox and a little dose of Chicago baseball history - Michael Jackson echoes his sister Janet at the MTV Video Music Awards - If he is from anywhere he pleased, why would Sid Vicious choose West Memphis, Arkansas? - YouTube Comment Theater! Email: GreetingsFromAllentown@gmail.com Twitter.com/GFAllentownPod Facebook.com

This week features a loaded episode of WWF All American Wrestling from February 23, 1986! - Why this particular show had so many big matches - Randy Savage kicks off his IC title reign and his strong case for best of all IC champs - Terry Funk shows and tells us the importance of family - The diminishing returns of bringing back Mr. T for WrestleMania 2 - Mr. Wonderful treads water - Spicing up the Lanny Poffo act of 1986 through song - The inherent problem with using boxing in the wrestling world - Making sense of the “WWF on Tour” announcements Plus: - A public service announcement about restaurant etiquette when in large groups - Connecting the Philippines revolution ousting Ferdinand Marcos back to wrestling - In light of Paul Orndorff’s ’86 induction, looking at other University of Tampa Hall of Famers - So many fragrance ads along with one for a failed computer system - The Andre the Giant of thumb wrestling Email: GreetingsFromAllentown@gmail.com Twitter.com/GFAllentownPod Facebook.com/greetingsfr

This week we take a trip to the Carolinas for some Jim Crockett Promotions action with Mid Atlantic Wrestling from November 1981! - Mid Atlantic as a star laden territory - Roddy Piper as top guy fending off challenger Ricky Steamboat - Defending Bob Caudle as a host of weekly wrestling TV - Sandy Scott tries to attract big names to the territory by offering a specific prize in a vague contest - Framing Sgt. Slaughter as an all-time great - What exactly would you call Jimmy Valiant? - The much more athletic 1981 Jake Roberts Plus: - Local promos for a show that may or may not have happened - A brief history of the studio where this show was taped, WPCQ in Charlotte - Similarities between a song by The Police and the fight song of a Major League Baseball team - A 1995 WWF gimmick idea using one of the early 80s JCP jobber names - YouTube Comment Theater! Email: Greetingsfromallentown@gmail.com www.twitter.com/GFAllentownPod Facebook.com/GreetingsFromAllentown Placetobenation.com/amazon

In honor of the 2nd season of GLOW dropping on Netflix, this week Greetings From Allentown takes a look at the original G.L.O.W. from the 1980s with their pilot episode! - How G.L.O.W. was different from traditional wrestling promotions and its cult-like popularity - Thoughts on the Netflix series GLOW - Matilda the Hun wants meat and she knows how to get it - WWE Hall of Famer Ivory: the bridge between G.L.O.W. and the Attitude Era - Critiques of David McLane as a play by play announcer - Salt and Pepper take me back to my childhood with their fighting - An incredible moment where someone goes through a table(!) - Americana: a preview of Trump’s America? - The unique production elements during the broadcast Plus: - Travel adventures in Atlanta, GA with long baseball games and confusing rental car keys - A few quality raps and some bizarre promos on topics like food and men in Africa, apple pie, and eating banana splits - Don’t mess with casino security - Hollywood shocks by working blue - A lengthy YouTu

It is that 70s show this week with the initial visit to the decade for a look at WWWF Championship Wrestling from October 29, 1977! - The Grand Wizard makes his case for 1977’s Manager of the Year while running down Arnold Skaaland - The forgotten moment that made the Manager of the Year trophy presentation stand out - “Exclusive” audio of the breakup of the championship tag team of Chief Jay Strongbow and Billy White Wolf - Why Dusty Rhodes couldn’t and wouldn’t be the WWF’s top guy for the 1984 national expansion - The unusual buildup of Bob Backlund in ’77 and how he differed from previous top guys in the promotion - Dewey Robertson as a pure wrestler in his pre-Missing Link days - A different kind of Vince McMahon on commentary: quiet and subdued - Fun with enhancement talents and odd looking results - A single heckler gives Backlund advice - Larry Sharpe: Pretty boy? Plus: - Meditations on the music of 1977 - Thoughts on the Panama Canal treaty - What the Zembo Mosque means to certain wrestlers - The