When It Was Cool Wrestling and Retro Pop Culture (DragonKingKarl)

Епизоди

• July 28, 1986 Wrestling Observer Newsletter Review 02.06.2026 49мин

  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!
• Superman (1978) Movie Review 31.05.2026 30мин

  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.
• June 28, 1986 Wrestling Observer Newsletter Review (Kerry Von Erich's Motorcycle Crash) 26.05.2026 49мин

  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.
• Uphill Both Ways Podcast - 2001 25.05.2026 51мин

  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!
• The End of the Pioneer Era - 1899! 1000 Hours 24.05.2026 50мин

  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.
• May 2026 Q and A Show! 19.05.2026 42мин

  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.
• Music Monday: Thrash Metal Show: Slayer 41st Anniversary of Hell Awaits 18.05.2026 36мин

  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!
• Long Form History of Wrestling Podcast - June 1986 in Pro Wrestling 12.05.2026 54мин

  I continue my Long Form History of Pro Wrestling series today taken from the pages of my latest book DragonKingKarl's 1986-1987 Pro Wrestling Omnibus available from Amazon. Business is starting to slump temporarily in the wake of all the big shows in the spring of 1986. Stan Hansen has the AWA World heavyweight title stripped from him, Antonio Inoki is having big matches in Japan, and World Class continues to have various Von Erich problems. But 1987 is coming and the first few chess pieces for that record shattering year are starting to fall into place.
• McLeod defeats Farmer Burns and more! - 1000 Hours 10.05.2026 49мин

  Today on the 1000 Hours Podcast, the podcast all about the pioneer era of pro wrestling (1800s) we continue to go through my book DragonKingKarl's Pioneer Era Pro Wrestling Omnibus and we are nearing the end of the pioneer era. Martin 'Farmer' Burns had defeated Evan 'Strangler' Lewis and the reputation of Lewis took a big hit after the newspapers firmly believed the match had a predetermined outcome. However, Farmer Burns would not be champion for long as a newcomer, Dan McLeod, who burst onto the scene. Also, we revisit that time that H.M. Dufur was shot in the fact. Literally, shot in the face. 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 129.
• That Didn't Go as Planned - 1000 Hours 26.04.2026 55мин

  Join me on the podcast dealing with the pioneer era of pro wrestling. Taken from the pages of my book DragonKingKarl's Pioneer Era Pro Wrestling Omnibus available at Amazon, we are detailing the events of the last decade of the pioneer era of pro wrestling, the 1890s. Martin 'Farmer' Burns has been on the rise and the star of the moment of the brutal Evan 'Strangler' Lewis, the original 'Strangler' of pro wrestling. So, when the two finally meet for the American heavyweight championship, it was supposed to have ushered in a big new era in pro wrestling history, and it did, just not the way anyone expected. Evan 'Strangler' Lewis' reputation as the most real wrestler in America took a tumble with this match and it changed pro wrestling forever. 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 129.
• The Last Match of William Muldoon - 1000 Hours 12.04.2026 47мин

  We continue in the final decade of the pioneer era of pro wrestling and the biggest star of the pioneer era, William Muldoon, has his last pro wrestling match in New York. Another veteran pioneer wrestler, John McMahon, has his last match as well. Still earlier pioneers like Col. James H. McLaughlin and Homer Lane continue to wrestler periodically, but it is now the era of Evan 'Strangler' Lewis and Farmer Burns is on the rise as well. The 1890s were an incredible era in pro wrestling history that set the stage for what American pro wrestling would become in the 1900s. 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 128.
• William Muldoon the Con Man - 1000 Hours 29.03.2026 57мин

  This week on my 1000 Hours podcast series which focuses exclusively on pre-Frank Gotch era pro wrestling, we finish out the 1880s and enter the last decade of the pioneer era of pro wrestling. Taken from my popular book DragonKingKarl's Pioneer Era Pro Wrestling Omnibus, we look at the final days of William Muldoon as a pro wrestler. Muldoon began losing interest in pro wrestling after the more entertainment based Greco-Roman wrestling declined in popularity, replaced by the rougher and more vicious style of Catch-as-Catch-Can and the rise of Evan 'Strangler' Lewis. Muldoon began casting his lot more and more with boxing, particularly pioneer boxer John L. Sullivan and, well, let's just say that didn't go very well and ended with each insulting the other in the newspapers and Sullivan accusing Muldoon of being (aghast!) a GOVERNMENT RAT! 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 127.
• 1986 and 1987 Two Incredible Years! 17.03.2026 49мин

  My latest book, DragonKingKarl's 1986-1987 Pro Wrestling Omnibus is now available for order, and it is a massive near 600-page book detailing ever major event, story, and happening in pro wrestling for 1986 and 1987. On today's podcast I touch on just a few highlights and deep dives explored in the book from the real attendance for 1987's WWF WrestleMania III to both the 1986 and 1987 NWA Jim Crockett, Sr. Memorial tag team tournaments. Let's also not forget the AWA had WrestleRock in 1986 and Japan, Canada, and Mexico had some incredible moments. Plus, sadly, the drug death epidemic began hitting pro wrestling hard and there were multiple tragic accidents as well including Magnum T.A.'s career ending car wreck. That only scratches the surface.
• The Return of William Muldoon - 1000 Hours 15.03.2026 49мин

  William Muldoon got about a 25-year head start on Frank Gotch's gimmick of returning from 'retirement' multiple times and about a 100-year head start on Terry Funk. William Muldoon had begun suffering from nagging hand and arm injuries and a severe downturn in the popularity of pro wrestling, especially French Greco-Roman style of which he was the dominate master. Evan 'Strangler' Lewis and the rise of Catch-as-Catch-Can wrestling was beginning to dominate the scene. All the ingredients are starting to set the stage for the coming of Frank Gotch. Martin 'Farmer' Burns is now on the scene and soon Tom Jenkins will be as well. Jack Carkeek gets in legal trouble and will become no stranger to it. 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 124.
• Strangler Lewis is a Heel - 1000 Hours 01.03.2026 51мин

  Today on my 1000 Hours podcast series we discuss the continued rise of Evan 'Strangler' Lewis and how crowds in the late 1800s turned on this man. The vicious tactics of the original Strangler Lewis bumps up against the code of conduct of the era's sporting culture. Plus, William Muldoon says he is retired but is really? The wild 1880s continue on the 1000 Hours Podcast with Karl Stern. 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 122.
• Long Form History of Wrestling - March 1986 - Harley Race Confronts Hulk Hogan 17.02.2026 1ч 7мин

  Today we pick back up the Long Form History of Pro Wrestling Series taken from my upcoming book (next month!) DragonKingKarl's 1986-1987 Pro Wrestling Omnibus. Pro wrestling in America is building toward three big shows- WWF WrestleMania 2, the first NWA Jim Crockett, Sr. Memorial Tag Team Tournament, and AWA Wrestle Rock '86. One pro wrestler takes great exception to the WWF incursion into his town when Central States co-owner Harley Race wrestles on one side of town and then drives to the other to confront Hulk Hogan... possibly with a gun!
• Pro Wrestling's First Business Slump was in 1886 - 1000 Hours 15.02.2026 57мин

  Join me as I dive back into the pioneer era of pro wrestling. This episode is taken from the pages of my latest book DragonKingKarl's Pioneer Era Pro Wrestling Omnibus available from Amazon. We are now up to 1886 in the book and pro wrestling is in its first business slump. William Muldoon claims that wrestlers are now making less than six percent of the money they made just a few years ago. Meanwhile, Evan 'Strangler' Lewis looks to turn things around as he continues to dominate and Jack Carkeek continues to rise as well! Plus, the World Catch champion is getting tired of being ignored! 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 120.
• The Rise of Lewis, The Fall of Muldoon - 1000 Hours 01.02.2026 58мин

  Today on my 1000 Hours podcast covering the pioneer era of pro wrestling we enter a new era. Evan Lewis is now The Strangler. Crowds find him barbaric and national opinion has swung from pro wrestling being a con game to it being a brutal sport. Concurrent with the rise of Strangler Lewis is the fall of William Muldoon. Near the same time, Muldoon, nursing a nagging hand and arm injury announces his first of many retirements and the original 1870 Detroit International champion Col. James H. McLaughlin again leaves the sport to return to the railroad. Things are changing. 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 120.
• The Death of Clarence Whistler and Lewis Becomes the Strangler - 1000 Hours 18.01.2026 53мин

  Today's show is packed with very important events in the history of the pioneer era of pro wrestling. The first event we will talk about may have even changed the course of history. When Clarence 'The Kansas Demon' Whistler died while on tour of Australia he was considered by many newspapers to be the real and true World champion of pro wrestling. His death is full myth and misinformation, and we will cut through the fog of time to get to the truth. Also on this show, Evan Lewis earns his nickname as The Strangler and in the same instance become the first real heel that wrestling had ever seen. The extended Patreon edition is here. 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 119. This is hour 89.
• Muldoon and Sorakichi Head to Court - 1000 Hours 04.01.2026 57мин

  Today on my 1000 Hours podcast series which focuses on the pioneer era of pro wrestling, two of the biggest stars of the era head to court for very different reasons. First, William Muldoon is arrested and hauled to court for slapping a security guard upside the head and calling him a dirty loafer for daring to tell Muldoon to move along. While the Muldoon trial was largely humorous, we see the dark side of Japanese wrestler Matsada Sorakichi who, freshly married, has already began abusing his wife. Amongst all the legal happenings there is actual pro wrestling going on as Col. James H. McLaughlin continues his return and faces a very violent man. The content for this episode is taken from my latest book: DragonKingKarl's Pioneer Era Pro Wrestling Omnibus available on Amazon. 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 116.