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

The History of the NWA World Title Part 1 - Special Patreon Section on Is the Wrestling Observer Website Failing or Dying 21.07.2026 52мин

Today, I do something I have never done before. The Patreon extra section (about 30 minutes) is at the BEGINNING of the show discussing is the Wrestling Observer Website Failing or Dying? I've been talking with Bryan Alvarez, front page editors, and more this week. Today on the DragonKingKarl show I begin a deep, deep dive into the true history of the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) World heavyweight title. The NWA World title actually began before most people realize it did. Although the National Wrestling Association World title had been around for years before the Alliance, there was an actual NWA World title associated with Orville Brown before the official version. Today, I look back at the forgotten origins of the NWA World title and its earliest years.

Uphill Both Ways Podcast - 2005 20.07.2026 1ч 4мин

Oh, no - there goes Tokyo! Joseph and Mike take on the world of tokusatsu and daikaiju and how they both came to love the adventures of Godzilla, Ultraman, and other kaiju brethren. Mothra, Gamera, Rodan, and the Gargantuas are all up for discussion in this episode. But first it's time for the mix-tape challenge of planes, trains, and automobiles and Joseph answers the added challenge of being able to make a mix containing songs from one singular artist!

Long Form History of Wrestling Podcast - August 1986 - Ric Flair Wins NWA Title, Bama Bash 14.07.2026 58мин

Today the time machine takes us back to August 1986 from the pages of my latest book DragonKingKarl's 1986-1987 Pro Wrestling Omnibus available from Amazon. In August 1986 Ric Flair won his fifth NWA World title from Dusty Rhodes. WWF was dominating the wrestling scene and doing massive TV tapings for its new shows Superstars and Challenge. The AWA was out of luck, and Stan Hansen defended the AWA World title he no longer held in Alabama!

Thrash Metal Show Podcast - Slayer Mailbag 13.07.2026 38мин

I'm runnin' down the road tryin' to record my show got a Slayer mailbag on my mind. Returning to you yet again with all the production values you have come to expect from the legendary NoFriender, yet ANOTHER new episode of the Thrash Metal Show Podcast hits the internet and this time he is taking questions about Slayer. Let us all sit up and pay attention and sit under the learning tree about one of the most important bands in heavy metal history.

Muldoon and Hogan Had a Lot in Common - 1000 Hours 12.07.2026 50мин

On this edition of the 1000 Hours Podcast, the podcast all about the pioneer era of pro wrestling, I continue my look at the new William Muldoon book by author Scott Beekman who dives deep into the life and controversies of the Solid Man. In this episode we look back at how William Muldoon got into acting and how his first national tour feel apart and the first signs of trouble between William Muldoon and Clarence Whistler. I also compare the striking similarities between William Muldoon and Hulk Hogan who came along 100 years later. The more things change, the more they stay the same. Please check out my book on the pioneer era of pro wrestling available from Amazon titled DragonKingKarl's Pioneer Era Pro Wrestling Omnibus.

September 15, 1986 Wrestling Observer Newsletter 07.07.2026 45мин

Today we dive into the September 15, 1986, issue of Dave Meltzer's Wrestling Observer Newsletter. This was one of the sources I used in my latest book DragonKingKarl's 1986-1987 Pro Wrestling Omnibus available from Amazon. In this issue, Dave breaks down the business metrics of The Big Event in Toronto, Canada with a main event of Hulk Hogan verses Paul Orndorff which drew around 70,000 people. Plus, Jim Crockett Promotions (NWA) takes over Central States wrestling, The Machines come to the WWF, and AWA crowd have fallen into the hundreds.

Uphill Both Ways Podcast - 2004 06.07.2026 1ч 11мин

Get ready for Armageddon as the Mix-Tape Challenge goes nuclear! Yep, it's time for some post-apocalyptic themed playlists before things REALLY get going as "kayfabe" reigns supreme when Joseph and Mike go back to the 70s and 80s for an extra long discussion about professional wrestling. From a pint-sized businessman to a parking lot dash from destruction, the guys have some stories to tell and memories about the squared circle to share.

September 2, 1986 Wrestling Observer Newsletter Review 30.06.2026 51мин

Today, we take the time machine back to September 2, 1986, and grab the Wrestling Observer Newsletter out of the mailbox to find out that Hulk Hogan verses Paul Orndorff in Toronto, Canada (AKA: The Big Event) is expected to break all sorts of box office records. Plus, it appears as though Central States Wrestling is about to fall to Jim Crockett Promotions, but Dave Meltzer thinks Bill Watts and the UWF still stand a chance to be the big number two promotions. AWA is drawing terrible crowds and more. Plus, on a special Patreon overrun edition: Is the Wrestling Observer website failing and dying?

Uphill Both Ways Podcast -2003 23.06.2026 59мин

It's time for some romance! This episode's 'Mix-Tape Challenge' has the guys pressing play on music highlighting the shiny new possibilities of love found. Then, things get bananas as Mike and Joseph go ape for the 'Planet of the Apes' franchise. Movies, books, and more are on the table as we learn that Ape Shall Not Kill Ape.

William Muldoon: Civil War Fraud - 1000 Hours 21.06.2026 50мин

I we have now reached 100 hours of podcast time about the pioneer era of pro wrestling. After finishing my book DragonKingKarl's Pioneer Era Pro Wrestling Omnibus and the timeline of the pioneer era of pro wrestling, we now move on to new research. Respected author and academic Scott Beekman recently released a book on the life of wrestling pioneer legend William Muldoon, and we begin reviewing that book. Early on, it is revealed that William Muldoon flat out made up his Civil War record and stole the valor of his deceased brother. Learn all about it on this episode of 1000 Hours by author and historian 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 130.

Long Form History of Wrestling - July 1986 (Dusty Rhodes Wins the NWA World Title) 16.06.2026 56мин

I am now up to July 1986 in my Long Form History of Pro Wrestling series taken from my latest book DragonKingKarl's 1986-1987 Pro Wrestling Omnibus available at Amazon. The NWA and Jim Crockett Promotions are running the Great American Bash series, and Dusty Rhodes wins his third, and final, NWA World heavyweight championship from Ric Flair. Plus, the WWF continues to roll across the United States, while the AWA is struggling despite having a hot tag team act in the Midnight Rockers (Shawn Michaels and Marty Jannetty). Plus, news from Japan and much more!

2002 - Uphill Both Ways 08.06.2026 1ч 3мин

Joseph and Mike hit record on their first new mix-tape challenge before shifting gears and talking about some of their favorite and most remembered toys - covering everything from GI Joe to the Easy Bake Oven! Mike's also been watching some Krofft Supershow and tries to jog Joseph's memory about Wonderbug, Dr. Shrinker, and the other live-action shorts that played on a regular basis.

Pioneer Era Mailbag Show - 1000 Hours 07.06.2026 54мин

We have now gone through the pages of my book DragonKingKarl's Pioneer Era Pro Wrestling Omnibus and finished the timeline of the pioneer era of pro wrestling. So, today is a good time to pause and answer any listener questions this week and I have several of them discussing William Muldoon, Col. James H. McLaughlin, Evan 'Strangler' Lewis, John McMahon, Harry Hill, Prof. Theibaud Baur, and much more. This is the extended Patreon Edition of the show. 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.

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.

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.