When It Was Real

🚨 THIS WEDNESDAY NIGHT 🚨 Step inside the legendary Philadelphia Spectrum and witness one of the most STACKED cards of the late ‘70s! On Episode 56 of When It Was Real, Nikita and Benny fire up the Wrestling Wayback Machine and take you back to March 25, 1978 — a night where legends collided and history was made. 🔥 DOUBLE MAIN EVENT 🔥 🏆 Bob Backlund makes his VERY FIRST Spectrum title defense against “The Iron Greek” Spiros Arion 💪 “Living Legend” Bruno Sammartino goes to war once again with his bitter rival Ken Patera 💥 BONUS MATCH 💥 Lock the cage door… it’s the BRUTAL Philadelphia Spectrum Steel Cage showdown between Bob Backlund and Sgt. Slaughter held on March 21, 1981! From sold-out crowds to hard-hitting action, this is professional wrestling the way it was meant to be… 🎙️ Join Nikita and Benny as they break it ALL down — the matches, the moments, and the magic of a bygone era. 🕰️ Take the ride… back to when it was REAL. 📅 Wednesday, March 24th ⏰ 7:30 PM 📺 Only on The Playa Entertainment Network #WhenItWasReal #WrestlingWaybackMachine #BobBacklund #BrunoSammartino #KenPatera #SpirosArion #SgtSlaughter #PhiladelphiaSpectrum #OldSchoolWrestling #ProWrestlingHistory #TerritoryDays #ClassicWrestling #WrestlingPodcast #PlayaEntertainment

Here is one of our favorite episodes for your listening pleasure! The 1999 Heroes of Wrestling event still evokes controversy, over a quarter century later! Get the straight scoop from Nikita, who was there!

The Wrestling Wayback Machine fires up once again on Episode 55 of the When It Was Real Podcast!* This week, Nikita and Benny land in the mecca of professional wrestling — Madison Square Garden — on March 24, 1980, for one of the most electric nights in wrestling history. The spotlight shines on the first Madison Square Garden showdown between teacher and student as the Living Legend Bruno Sammartino faces his former protégé Larry Zbyszko in a bitter and deeply personal battle that would ignite one of wrestling’s most unforgettable rivalries. But the action doesn’t stop there! This legendary card is stacked with some of the biggest names of the era, including the unstoppable Andre the Giant, the powerful Ken Patera, Texas sensation Kerry Von Erich, and a young rising star named Hulk Hogan. And of course, the reigning WWF Champion Bob Backlund is on hand as the Garden crowd witnesses a night packed with larger-than-life personalities and unforgettable moments. Long before the spectacle of WrestleMania, nights like this were the true supercards of professional wrestling. In many ways, this legendary MSG event was WrestleMania… five years before the first one ever happened! Join Nikita and Benny as they break down the matches, the rivalries, the atmosphere, and the unforgettable magic of a time when it was real. 📺 LIVE Wednesday, March 18th at 7:30 PM only on the Playa Entertainment Network! 👍 Please Like & Subscribe so you never miss an episode of wrestling history. #WhenItWasReal #WrestlingWaybackMachine #MadisonSquareGarden #BrunoSammartino #LarryZbyszko #AndreTheGiant #HulkHogan #BobBacklund #KenPatera #KerryVonErich #ClassicWrestling #TerritoryEra #ProWrestlingHistory #PlayaEntertainmentNetwork #OldSchoolWrestling

Here's a special bonus episode to get you through the weekend! In this episode, Nikita and Benny talk about those guys we watched on the losing end every Saturday morning! They'd get that one flurry of offense in, only to be put to the mat for the 3 count in short order. But even though they lost, we loved them anyway!

Step into the Wrestling Wayback Machine with Nikita and Benny as Episode 54 of the When It Was Real podcast transports fans back to one of the most electric nights in wrestling history! On Wednesday, March 11 at 7:30 PM, live on The Playa Entertainment Network (please like and subscribe!), the guys land at the legendary Madison Square Garden on March 17, 1975—a night when the Cathedral of Professional Wrestling was absolutely rocking. Headlining the card is the second explosive meeting between the beloved Bruno Sammartino, reigning WWWF Champion, and his former friend turned bitter enemy, Spiros Arion, the feared “Iron Greek.” What began as respect had turned into one of the most personal rivalries in Garden history, and the tension inside MSG that night was off the charts. But this wasn’t just a one-match show. The card featured seven additional bouts packed with stars, action, and classic WWWF storytelling, making it a night every fan in attendance would remember long after the final bell. Join Nikita Breznikov and Benny “The Playa” Scala as they break down the matches, the atmosphere, the angles, and the magic of an era when wrestling truly felt real. Tune in and relive the glory days of the Garden! #WhenItWasReal #WrestlingWaybackMachine #MadisonSquareGarden #BrunoSammartino #SpirosArion #WWWF #ClassicWrestling #TerritoryEra #ProWrestlingHistory #ThePlayaEntertainmentNetwork

While you're waiting for the next episode of When It Was Real, please enjoy this episode from our brother podcast "The Twisted Turnbuckle Podcast." This past Thursday's Episode, "Hollywood Squares Part V!", was easily the best Squares episode ever. Besides the usual hosts of Chris DeCarlo, Mike "The Class" DiGregorio, and Benny "The Playa" Scala, this weeks 'Squares' were: Podcaster, author and trainer "Positively" Pat Sims Pro wrestlers Vlad Koloff and "Wildcat" Wendall Cooley Former Big Time Wrestling announcer Terry Sullivan Mid-Atlantic Territory Wrestling promoter Lee Petry Award-Winning professional wrestling historian Tony Richards This is a can't miss episode and one for the books!

🎉 EPISODE 53 – HAPPY ANNIVERSARY! 🎉 ONE YEAR. 52 trips on the Wrestling Wayback Machine. Countless memories from the days… WHEN IT WAS REAL. On Wednesday, March 4th at 7:30 PM, the celebration goes LIVE on The Playa Entertainment Network — and you do NOT want to miss this one! (Please like and subscribe!) One year ago, wrestling promoter, author, actor, and manager Nikita Breznikov teamed up with pro wrestling author and podcaster Benny Scala — and the journey has been nothing short of legendary. For their one-year anniversary spectacular, the guys head back to March 1, 1980 at the legendary Philadelphia Spectrum — the night that changed EVERYTHING. The main event? The first true clash between mentor and student: Bruno Sammartino vs. Larry Zbyszko. The betrayal. The build-up. The unprecedented HEAT. This wasn’t just a match — it was personal. And the fallout would shake the wrestling world to its core. Nikita and Benny break down the historic main event, the electric atmosphere, and the entire star-studded card — with the passion and perspective that only When It Was Real can deliver. 52 episodes down. Year Two begins NOW. 🔥 Join the celebration. 🔥 Relive the emotion. 🔥 Remember when wrestling felt REAL. #WhenItWasReal #HappyAnniversary #WrestlingWaybackMachine #BrunoSammartino #LarryZbyszko #PhiladelphiaSpectrum #TerritoryEra #OldSchoolWrestling #ProWrestlingHistory #ThePlayaEntertainmentNetwork

🚨 The Wrestling Wayback Machine is fueled up and ready…Destination: GLORY! 🚨 On Wednesday, February 25th at 7:30 PM on The Playa Entertainment Network, Episode 52 of When It Was Real transports you back to the hallowed battleground of Madison Square Garden on February 16, 1981 — when wrestling wasn’t sports entertainment… it was WAR. Standing tall as the embodiment of integrity, WWF Champion Bob Backlund faces his ultimate test against the wild-eyed, cowbell-swinging force of nature known as Stan Hansen. Hansen didn’t come to wrestle — he came to destroy. Could Backlund survive the storm in front of the most demanding crowd in the world? And that’s not all… the Intercontinental Championship hangs in the balance as the proud Puerto Rican legend Pedro Morales defends against the sadistic drill instructor himself, Sergeant Slaughter. Pride. Pain. Patriotism. Only one walks out with the gold. This was a night where legends were tested, warriors were forged, and every match meant everything. No scripts. No shortcuts. Just the raw intensity of WHEN IT WAS REAL. Step inside the Garden. Feel the electricity. Witness history. #WhenItWasReal #MadisonSquareGarden #BobBacklund #StanHansen #PedroMorales #SergeantSlaughter #WWF #TerritoryEra #OldSchoolWrestling #WrestlingHistory #PlayaEntertainmentNetwork #WrestlingWaybackMachine #1981Wrestling #IntercontinentalChampionship #ClassicWrestling

🔥 WHEN IT WAS REAL – Episode 51 🔥 “The Great Debate – February 20, 1978” The Wrestling Wayback Machine is fired up and headed straight for one of the most controversial nights in professional wrestling history… Was Superstar Billy Graham’s championship reign cut short before its time? Did Vince McMahon Sr. make the right call… or change history forever with one decision? This week, Nikita and Benny crack open the vault and dive deep into the moment that still divides fans nearly 50 years later. Legacy. Business. Loyalty. Ego. The title. And the surprise guests? YOU. That’s right — we’re opening the floor to the live chat. Bring your passion. Bring your receipts. Bring your opinion. This debate has sparked arguments for decades… and Wednesday night will be no different. 📅 LIVE Wednesday, February 18th ⏰ 7:30 PM 📺 The Playa Entertainment Network Hop in the time machine and strap in tight… Destination: WHEN IT WAS REAL. #WhenItWasReal #WrestlingHistory #SuperstarBillyGraham #VinceMcMahonSr #WWFHistory #ProWrestling #WrestlingDebate #TerritoryDays #OldSchoolWrestling #PlayaEntertainmentNetwork

A couple of bonus episodes coming your way for the weekend! I can't imagine anyone would be surprised to learn that our 2 most listened to episodes are the 2 that featured Bruno...Originally aired in early October, here for your listening pleasure one more time!

A couple of bonus episodes coming your way for the weekend! I can't imagine anyone would be surprised to learn that our 2 most listened to episodes are the 2 that featured Bruno...Originally aired in early October, here for your listening pleasure one more time!

NOTE: Please excuse the technical difficulties at the beginning of the show...you may have to fast forward a few minutes! But it's worth the inconvenience, we promise! 🔥 WHEN IT WAS REAL – EPISODE 50 🔥 🕰️ Wrestling Wayback Machine engaged… destination: Madison Square Garden, February 17, 1975. The World’s Most Famous Arena is the battleground as reigning WWWF Champion Bruno Sammartino collides with his former ally turned bitter enemy Spiros Arion — now reborn as The Iron Greek. This isn’t just a title match… it’s the first thunderous chapter in a trilogy of brutal, history-making clashes between two titans of the squared circle. 💥 Join Nikita & Benny as they relive this epic main event and break down a stacked Garden card, including a WWWF World Tag Team Title showdown and legendary appearances by Pedro Morales and Victor Rivera. The lights are bright, the crowd is electric, and the action is as real as it gets. 📅 LIVE Wednesday, February 11 at 7:30 PM 📺 The Playa Entertainment Network 💬 Jump into the live chat, sound off with fellow fans, and relive the magic! 👍 Please like & subscribe! Step back to an era when legends were forged… 🎙️ WHEN IT WAS REAL 🏛️ #WhenItWasReal #Episode50 #WWWF #BrunoSammartino #IronGreek #SpirosArion #MadisonSquareGarden #OldSchoolWrestling #WrestlingHistory #TerritoryDays #ThePlayaEntertainmentNetwork #LikeAndSubscribe #LiveWrestlingTalk  

Here's a pre-Super Bowl Bonus coming your way! Originally aired July 16, 2025, Nikita and Benny take a deep dive into the epic WWWF run of Eldridge Wayne Coleman, known and loved the world over as Superstar Billy Graham. Billy did the unthinkable when he pinned reigning WWWF Champion Bruno Sammartino at the Baltimore Civic Center on April 30, 1977. Superstar would be the first WWWF transitional champion to hold the belt for any length of time, defending the title for nearly 10 months before dropping it to Bob Backlund in Madison Square Garden on February 20, 1978. 

🔥 EPISODE 49 – WHEN IT WAS REAL 🔥 LIVE this Wednesday, February 4th at 7:30 PM on The Playa Entertainment Network 💥 “The Cobra Clutch Challenge – 45 Years Later!” 💥 Travel back to the moment that changed the World Wrestling Federation forever. The legendary Bob Remus aka Sergeant Slaughter turned pain into patriotism and left an impact that still echoes today. Joining Nikita and Benny is WWF mainstay and master storyteller John Callahan — a former Killer Kowalski student and one of the very first men to survive the Cobra Clutch Challenge. First-hand stories. Locker-room memories. Old-school wrestling the way it was meant to be remembered. 💬 Jump into the LIVE chat and be part of the action 👍 Please LIKE & SUBSCRIBE ⏳ Every Wednesday, 7:30 PM — hop aboard the Wrestling Wayback Machine 🎯 Destination: WHEN IT WAS REAL #WhenItWasReal #CobraClutchChallenge #SergeantSlaughter #BobRemus #OldSchoolWrestling #WWFHistory #ProWrestlingPodcast #WrestlingWaybackMachine #ThePlayaEntertainmentNetwork #LiveWrestlingTalk

Join Nikita and Benny for another episode of "When It Was Real!" This week's episode is titled "Double Duncum In Philly", as a tribute to the late great Bob Duncum. The guys will be covering the epic Philadelphia Spectrum cards from January 12th and February 9th of 1980, with Duncum vs. Backlund as the centerpiece for both. The weather is cold outside, but what better way to escape than with some great hot stove old school wrestling chat! Hop inside the Wrestling Wayback Machine! Destination: When It Was Real...

Here is another bonus episode to help cope with the snow and the cold! This is Episode 40 of our sister show, Classic Pro Wrestling With The WFIA. This is their 4th "Hollywood Squares" show, and the all=star panelists include former Big Time Wrestling announcer Terry Sullivan, wrestling historians George Schire and Wes Maidment, and indy wrestling legends "Boston Bad Girl" Brittany Brown and "Dangerous" Dave Star, both former students of the great Killer Kowalski. Why not take a break from the cold and listen to some good old school wrestling chat!

This episode was originally broadcast on September 17, 2025, but due to the impending inclement weather, here is one of our favorite episodes to distract you from the snow and the ice! Join Nikita and Benny as they welcome "The Three Amigos" - Johnny Rodz, Tony Garea, and Davey O'Hannon! These men graced the squared circle, as well as our TV sets, from the mid-60s well into the 1980's. The Amigos will share stories of their times in the ring, behind the curtain, and on the road...Enjoy and stay safe!

🔥 WHEN IT WAS REAL – Episode 47 🔥 Step into the Wrestling Wayback Machine as Nikita Breznikov and Benny “The Playa” Scala relive one of the most legendary nights in WWF history! 📍 Madison Square Garden – January 21, 1980 🏆 WWF Champion Bob Backlund vs. Ken Patera Two more championship battles, six additional hard-hitting matches, and wall-to-wall old-school action—this card had everything that made wrestling real. 📺 LIVE Wednesday, January 21st | 7:30 PM 📡 The Playa Entertainment Network 👍 Please Like & Subscribe! Strap in and travel back to a time when the lights were bright, the stakes were high, and the Garden ruled them all. 🎯 Destination: WHEN IT WAS REAL. #WhenItWasReal #Episode47 #WWFHistory #MSG #BobBacklund #KenPatera #OldSchoolWrestling #WrestlingPodcast #ProWrestlingHistory #ThePlayaEntertainmentNetwork #WrestlingWaybackMachine

BRUNO vs. SUPERSTAR 🔥 Before History Was Made… The War Began. Step into the Wrestling Wayback Machine as Nikita & Benny rewind to the first run of Superstar Billy Graham—including those legendary MSG clashes with Bruno Sammartino on Jan 12 & Feb 2, 1976. The world title would change hands a year later… but THIS was the preview that shook the Garden. 🎙️ WHEN IT WAS REAL — Live 📅 Wednesday, January 14 ⏰ 7:30 PM 📡 The Playa Entertainment Network Because there was a time when it wasn’t sports entertainment… WHEN. IT. WAS. REAL. #WhenItWasReal #BrunoSammartino #SuperstarBillyGraham #WrestlingHistory #MSG #OldSchoolWrestling #TerritoryDays #ProWrestling #WrestlingPodcast #ThePlayaEntertainmentNetwork #WrestlingWaybackMachine

🔥 LIVE AT THE GREEK! 🔥 When It Was Real – Episode 45 From riot-level heat on January 7, 1975, at the Hamburg Field House, 🏟️ as Spiros Arion turns heel (with the assistance if “Classy” Freddie Blassie)—and a frustrated Larry Zbyszko in January, 1980, blocked by mentor Bruno Sammartino, until a shocking betrayal that still echoes today… 🎙️ Join Nikita Breznikov & Benny “The Playa” Scala as they fire up the Wrestling Wayback Machine and take you back to those halcyon days WHEN IT WAS REAL. 📅 LIVE Wednesday, January 7 | 7:30 PM 📡 The Playa Entertainment Network #WhenItWasReal #ANightAtTheGreek #ClassicWrestling #ProWrestlingHistory #SpirosArion #FreddieBlassie #LarryZbyszko #BrunoSammartino #OldSchoolWrestling #WrestlingPodcast #TerritoryEra #HeelHeat #WrestlingWaybackMachine