Zeroes of Wrestling

I promise the background dog barking goes away after a few minutes. It's Thanksgiving week and Gavin brings in his brother Justin Jasper to help him watch some late-97 schlock. This time around, the lowest-rated matches come from One Night Only, Badd Blood: In Your House, Halloween Havoc 97, Survivor Series 97, and World War 3 97. I'm going to level with you, some of these eight-man tag matches were hard to recall, even with notes, and the alcohol involved when watching these might not have helped. Anyway, we're done with the Gang Warz stuff, and that's worth being thankful for.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/zeroes-of-wrestling/donations

Wrestler, commentator, and former CHIKARA referee "Top Shelf" Troy Nelson is this week's guest. He and Gavin discuss the worst matches from SummerSlam 97, Road Wild 97, Hardcore Heaven 97, In Your House 17: Ground Zero, and Fall Brawl 97. Of course "worst" is only relative, as two of the matches are pretty good in their own right and one is at least fascinating to watch. Topics include offensive ECW promos, contrasting motorcycle entrances, Scott Norton's amazing feud with Ernest Miller, and Savio Vega's questionable role as the first secret character in WWE video game history.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/zeroes-of-wrestling/donations

It's Zeroes of Wrestling with special guest Alex Sharkey, YAAAAAY! Otherwise known as Captain Idol or idoliside, Sharkey has been doing his own online chronological wrestling history lesson, which is a partial inspiration for ZOW in the first place. Our heroes together face the lowest-rated matches from Slamboree 97, King of the Ring 97, Great American Bash 97, In Your House 16: Canadian Stampede, and Bash at the Beach 97. They discuss the worst version of the worst rest hold, a match where the two wrestlers have a different idea of how the final spot is supposed to go, and Mongo McMichael's very questionable trash talk.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/zeroes-of-wrestling/donations

Gavin's friend Dan Mullooly stops by as ZOW continues through 1997. This time around, it's all about the lowest-rated matches from WrestleMania 13, Spring Stampede 97, ECW Barely Legal, In Your House 14: Revenge of the Taker, and In Your House 15: Cold Day in Hell. Yes, ECW has finally entered the chat, and it's a doozy. Together, the two discuss such topics as how Ahmed Johnson's sudden injury saved WWF, how it's possible to be both a fake Undertaker AND a fake Rick Rude, how far is too far when repeatedly slamming someone's head into an exposed turnbuckle. Whatever the case, one thing is certain: The big Johnson is hard to handle!Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/zeroes-of-wrestling/donations

FAK! You want to play 21? Well, this week, Gavin's going into the danger zone by sending for the man. And by that, I mean Maffew Gregg of Botchamania. JEEZUS! Together, they go through the worst-rated matches from such shows as Royal Rumble 97, Souled Out 97, In Your House 13: Final Four, SuperBrawl VII, and Uncensored 97. Topics include whether or not spending a week in Alcatraz makes your balls invincible, Randy Savage's most underrated outfit, the bizarre realization that Crush has yet to have a match on ZOW somehow, and the most random-ass trio to ever get a PPV spot in WWF history. Who can withstand the Flash of the Golden Gunn? Presumably, a lot of people.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/zeroes-of-wrestling/donations

To celebrate 25 episodes, Gavin has convinced Brighid Kivlehan to be a guest on his show. This is six years after Gavin convinced Brighid to marry him. The husband and wife duo shares a microphone (so sorry about the lack of volume) and talk up the lowest-rated matches from Halloween Havoc 96, Survivor Series 96, World War 3 96, In Your House 12: It's Time, and Starrcade 96. Discussions include why there's a Diesel and a Razor Ramon in both promotions, how one of them looks like a supporting character from an obscure Fox sitcom from the 90s, and whatever the hell was going on with Jeff Jarrett's in-ring attire.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/zeroes-of-wrestling/donations

Kevin Ford, the guy behind CHIKARA Special, stops by to help with five very fun matches that are low on the totem pole for their respective PPVs. For this episode, the shows in question are Hog Wild 96, SummerSlam 96, Fall Brawl 96, In Your House 10: Mind Games, and In Your House 11: Buried Alive. Two of the matches here are genuinely good! Gavin and Kevin seemed to get a kick out of them, at least. Otherwise, discussions include the coolest-looking setting for a wrestling match, how the New Rockers were like a Disney cartoon about Christmas elves, and the forgotten unease of seeing the CGI Mind Games logo just randomly pop up.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/zeroes-of-wrestling/donations

Imagine actually wanting to be on this show. That's the case for this week's volunteer guest Genericide, who is also the first ZOW guest from across the pond. He and Gavin go through the worst-rated matches from In Your House 8: Beware of Dog, Great American Bash 96, King of the Ring 96, Bash at the Beach 96, and In Your House 9: International Incident. We get a couple matches of big dudes colliding... both of which would have been better a few years earlier. We also get the ZOW debut of Mongo, brightening all of our days.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/zeroes-of-wrestling/donations

22?! Oh, man! This week, Gavin's guest is prolific podcaster and former Bob Saget flunky Joe Sposto. Only together can they withstand the worst matches from In Your House 6: Rage in the Cage, Uncensored 96, WrestleMania XII, In Your House 7: Good Friends, Better Enemies, and Slamboree 96. Fun fact, one of these shows includes the lowest-rated Ultimate Warrior match of all time! If it actually counts as a match. Topics include Warrior comic solicitations, Steve Austin being in a transitional period in terms of gimmicks, which Hulk Hogan foes have hung out in Gotham City, and how awesome the Barbarian was. The wrestler, not the movie. Though seeing Barbarian kick Justin Long's head off would be pretty rad to see.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/zeroes-of-wrestling/donations

There are two WWF PPVs and two WCW PPVs in this week's episode, but there's a unique show mixed in there that's such an undertaking that Gavin needs to call on someone he can trust to handle it. Vinny Murphy (Rock Nerd Radio Show) returns to ZOW to help discuss the worst matches from In Your House 5: Season's Beatings, Starrcade 95, CWA Bodyguards vs. Bandits, Royal Rumble 96, and SuperBrawl VI. Granted, for that third one, it's the ONLY match, but that's what makes it so harrowing. Otherwise, Gavin's Ahmed Johnson fandom sees eye-to-eye with Vinny's Jeff Jarrett fandom, Triple H eats like a pig, and Hulk Hogan's kayfabe power level is starting to reach critical.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/zeroes-of-wrestling/donations

Hulk Hogan and The Giant are about to do battle in a sumo monster truck match and Gavin needs help talking about it. He doesn't need a partner. He doesn't need a friend. He needs his older BRAH-ther! Geremy Jasper (director of O'Dessa, now on Hulu!) steps into the ring as he and Gavin discuss the lowest-rated matches from In Your House 3: Triple Header, In Your House 4: Great White North, Halloween Havoc 95, Survivor Series 95, and World War 3. Topics include how awesome Bam Bam Bigelow was, Waylon Mercy's questionable fashion, giant mummies who are also giant ninjas, and how the power of friendship conquers all.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/zeroes-of-wrestling/donations

It's another episode based around bringing in someone who doesn't watch wrestling and making them watch some weird and bad wrestling. This time the guest is Gavin's shoot job coworker Peter McNamara, who was admittedly very nervous when recording. Gavin dooms Peter by having him watch the roughest matches from King of the Ring 95, Bash at the Beach 95, In Your House 2: The Lumberjacks, SummerSlam 95, and Fall Brawl 95. In-between discussions about terrible-looking bearhugs, Peter learns -- against his will -- about the many gimmicks of Ed Leslie, why Lex Luger shows up in two different companies, and why Diesel jumping out of the ring is the most shocking moment in wrestling history.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/zeroes-of-wrestling/donations

Hey, look! RD Reynolds from WrestleCrap is here! I know, right? Makes sense, though. If you're going to talk about the worst matches from each PPV, might as well bring in an expert. Their targets this time around are the bottom of the barrel from Uncensored 95, WrestleMania XI, In Your House, Slamboree 95, and Great American Bash 95. Topics include how a one-off clown disguise allowed the Undertaker's Streak to survive, tier-ranking Hacksaw Jim Duggan's skull offense, whether or not Luther Reigns has ever eaten peas, and Gavin gets introduced to his new favorite bad wrestling match. Also, Gavin tries to explain to a confused RD Reynolds the wonders of WWF Krozor. Don't know what Krozor is? Are you sure you want to know? Then check out this week's episode!Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/zeroes-of-wrestling/donations

Gavin's annoying, loud, nasally voice contrasts with the smooth, ASMR style of Chris Eckert. The plan was to discuss the lowest-rated matches from AAA When Worlds Collide, Survivor Series 94, Starrcade 94, Royal Rumble 95, and SuperBrawl 5. Too bad a technical error caused a lack of recording, so enjoy Gavin starting things off hot and really, really annoyed! Otherwise, the two discuss everything from druid mysteries to the lack of Liam Neeson in wrestling to the idea of Uncle Howdy having a Captain Planet gimmick. Also, Gavin explains how to make Andre the Giant lactate!Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/zeroes-of-wrestling/donations

From the files of Police Squad! This week, Gavin is helped out by his ever-enthusiastic buddy David Burszan. They power through the mid-90s discussing the worst hits from King of the Ring 94, Bash at the Beach 94, SummerSlam 94, Fall Brawl 94, and Halloween Havoc 94. Topics include Duckman, drag queens sitting with Muhammad Ali, and Art Donovan's commentary. At one point, David gets steamed and animated over lazy dyslexia jokes. Also, hope you like people talking about Kevin Sullivan matches because hoo boy is that on the menu!Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/zeroes-of-wrestling/donations

There's not a word yet for old friends who just met. Gavin finally gets around to talking to musician and renaissance man James Howard, a guy he's known online since 1997. Go figure. The two go through the gauntlet of the lowest-rated matches of Royal Rumble 94, SuperBrawl 4, WrestleMania X, Spring Stampede 94, and Slamboree 94. Things start out goofy as hell before grooving into some solid singles matches. Topics include real-life Virtua Fighter, Kronik Origins, Mr. Perfect's striped pajamas, Jesse "The Ponytail" Ventura, and a very Brady dark match.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/zeroes-of-wrestling/donations

Gavin hangs out with his old improv buddy Caitlin Coleman, who keeps referring to Missy Hyatt as "Misty," but Gavin doesn't have it in him to correct her. Their fodder this time around is the worst matches from Fall Brawl 93, Halloween Havoc 93, BattleBowl, Survivor Series 93, and Starrcade 93. Caitlin knows very, very little about wrestling and had no idea what she was in for, learning more than she ever wanted to know about clumsy Stormtroopers, rappers dressed as clowns, slave-owning managers, and Hulk Hogan superfans with learning disabilities. Rub a banana on your head and get to listening!Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/zeroes-of-wrestling/donations

Note: There are zero matches in this episode that involve King Kong Bundy. Gavin's guest this time around is his good buddy Bob Chamberlain, who blesses the show with his chill, soothing voice. They discuss the worst matches from WrestleMania IX, Slamboree 93, King of the Ring, Beach Blast 93, and SummerSlam 93. It's bad enough that they have to watch a stiff zombie wizard fight a nudist bigfoot with little coordination, but having to watch it twice? Oof.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/zeroes-of-wrestling/donations

Golly, it's an extra episode! Iconic top wrestleguy Hulk Hogan died just a few days ago. Love him or hate him or tolerate him, one thing's for sure: he has been in some seriously terrible matches in his career. So many of his bad matches are on PPV and we'll get to them in due time, but what about the ones that you didn't have to pay good money for? The Monumental Podcast's Mongo Underscore Ebooks takes a break from being a nationally published troll and helps Gavin discuss the five lowest-rated TV matches to involve the Hulkster. Just to give you an idea, three of them end in disqualification, one ends in an especially stupid count-out, and one is a battle royal that Hogan loses despite never coming close to going over the top rope! Join the insanity as we mourn (?) the legend who helped Alf advertise Telecom's 10-10-220 service that one time.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/zeroes-of-wrestling/donations

Gavin's guest for this week is writer Marc Quill, who helps him review some lousy matches featuring... wait, that can't be right... Two Masahiro Chono matches? The hell? You're telling me that Chono was in the worst-rated match for TWO PPVs? Okay, if you insist. The shows for this episode include Halloween Havoc 92, Survivor Series 92, Starrcade 92, Royal Rumble 93, and SuperBrawl III. So get your plane tickets to the State of Euphoria and listen in!Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/zeroes-of-wrestling/donations