What Happened When

What a difference a year made in the life of World Championship Wrestling! In last week's podcast we looked back on Slamboree 1996, an event most fans hated. A year later? Most everyone loved Slamboree 1997. The advent of the NWO had a lot to do with that, but so did the return of Ric Flair after being off for eight months with shoulder problems. Flair teams with Roddy Piper and Kevin Greene of the NFL to face Scott Hall, Kevin Nash and Syxx in the main event. But here is so much more, including a great opening match between Lord Steven Regal against Ultimate Dragon, and others including Rey Mysterio, the Steiners, Dean Malenko, Jeff Jarrett, Chris Benoit, Meng, Konnan and MORE. Get ready for a great time watching Slamboree 1997...and watch out for the F***ing GOOSE! Support us on Patreon, get this show early and ad free, plus TONS of BONUS content: patreon.com/WHWMonday Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/WHWMonday Check out all the new cool merchandise at BoxOfGimmicks.com Buy a shirt at LoisRules.com Subscribe to our YouTube channel: youtube.com/whw Save thousands at Savewithconrad.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Slamboree was originally an event that began in 1993 and was subtitled: "A Legends Reunion." The event was the brainchild of Dusty Rhodes, but in 1996 it looked nothing like the original one. The 1996 version featured Sting versus the Giant for the WCW World Title, Dean Malenko against Brad Armstrong for the WCW Cruiserweight Title and Konnan against Jushin "Thunder" Liger for the United State Title. It also featured a tag team "Lethal Lottery" with some sort of Battlebowl-Lord of the Ring-Earn a world title shot-nonsense.  Hey, it was WCW, right? And it was pre-NWO, so there was plenty of nonsense, right? Support us on Patreon, get this show early and ad free, plus TONS of BONUS content: patreon.com/WHWMonday Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/WHWMonday Check out all the new cool merchandise at BoxOfGimmicks.com Buy a shirt at LoisRules.com Subscribe to our YouTube channel: youtube.com/whw Save thousands at Savewithconrad.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This is arguably the most famous "Raw is War" ever. Not because it was the highest rated ever, but because it featured DX on the attack against WCW! The two sides, the two shows, were literally 24 miles apart with the WWF(E) at the Hampton Coliseum and WCW at the Norfolk Scope. So DX, led by Triple H, Billy Gunn, X-Pac, Road Dogg and Chyna recorded vignettes outside of the Scope, trying to get into the building where Nitro was being held. But the show was also famous for furthering the storylines between Stone Cold Steve Austin and Vince McMahon and between The Undertaker and Kane. It is an unforgettable and entertaining episode of Raw and another night where Vince McMahon was flexing his muscle in the ratings. Support us on Patreon, get this show early and ad free, plus TONS of BONUS content: patreon.com/WHWMonday Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/WHWMonday Check out all the new cool merchandise at BoxOfGimmicks.com Buy a shirt at LoisRules.com Subscribe to our YouTube channel: youtube.com/whw Save thousands at Savewithconrad.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We go back to 1987 with some pretty memorable events. First of all, Magnum T.A. makes his first public appearance since his horrible accident in the fall of 1986. Secondly, we will see highlights from the Crockett Cup tournament in Baltimore won by Dusty Rhodes and Nikita Koloff, and, finally, we will see the debut of the New Breed: Chris Champion and Sean Royal. Two young men who were ahead of their time and, had it not been for a car crash, would have probably become top stars. Additionally, we will see in action, Ron Garvin (as he beats up another poor soul), Brad Armstrong, Ric Flair, Arn Anderson, Gorgeous Jimmy Garvin, the Barbarian, Gorgeous Jimmy Garvin, the Midnight Express with Jim Cornette and the Road Warriors. Support us on Patreon, get this show early and ad free, plus TONS of BONUS content: patreon.com/WHWMonday Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/WHWMonday Check out all the new cool merchandise at BoxOfGimmicks.com Buy a shirt at LoisRules.com Subscribe to our YouTube channel: youtube.com/whw Save thousands at Savewithconrad.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

While things were on the steep decline in 1998 for WCW, Vince McMahon and the WWE continued to grow. Then on April 13, 1998 something happened that shook the Monday Night Wars: Raw beat Nitro in the ratings for the first time in 83 weeks. Things were never the same, again. The main reason was the angle between Stone Cold Steve Austin and McMahon. But this edition of Raw had plenty of other moments and Superstars such as DX, the Rock, The Undertaker, Kane, the New Midnight Express, Sable and plenty more. We once again revisit an historic moment in professional wrestling. You can watch along with us by going to Monday Night Raw, Season Six, Episode 15 on Peacock. Support us on Patreon, get this show early and ad free, plus TONS of BONUS content: patreon.com/WHWMonday Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/WHWMonday Check out all the new cool merchandise at BoxOfGimmicks.com Buy a shirt at LoisRules.com Subscribe to our YouTube channel: youtube.com/whw Save thousands at Savewithconrad.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In honor of her 70th birthday (which is April 6th), we take a close look at the woman who has been with Tony Schiavone during his entire wrestling career. A very emotional but devoted, loving wife and mother of five, she was with Tony when he first decided to take the plunge into wrestling, during the move to WWE, the move back to WCW, the demise of WCW and more. Find out what was the low point in their lives (you might be surprised) and what was behind the move from Connecticut and back to Atlanta and WCW. But what about her? A lady who moved all over the world as a child and was a great student...plus discover what she decided to do with her double-major in college. Enjoy Lois Rules (even if she is old)! Support us on Patreon, get this show early and ad free, plus TONS of BONUS content: patreon.com/WHWMonday Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/WHWMonday Check out all the new cool merchandise at BoxOfGimmicks.com Buy a shirt at LoisRules.com Subscribe to our YouTube channel: youtube.com/whw Save thousands at Savewithconrad.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Nitro ratings were tumbling, but that did not stop a very large crowd from coming to the Air Canada Center in Toronto in March of 1999. Why? Because Bret Hart was on the card with a memorable challenge to Goldberg. Also, Hollywood Hulk Hogan meets Diamond Dallas Page and their brawl goes on to destroy the Nitro set. Chris Benoit and Dean Malenko, the World Tag Team Champions have a great match against Kidman and Rey Mysterio, Chris Jericho faces Jerry Flynn plus Booker T. Konnan, Raven and so much more...including an appearances from Ric Flair and Kevin Nash. WCW was losing ground in the Monday Night Wars, but on this night the show was pretty good.  Support us on Patreon, get this show early and ad free, plus TONS of BONUS content: patreon.com/WHWMonday Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/WHWMonday Check out all the new cool merchandise at BoxOfGimmicks.com Buy a shirt at LoisRules.com Subscribe to our YouTube channel: youtube.com/whw Save thousands at Savewithconrad.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Twelve years ago, great stars like Christopher Daniels, Frankie Kazarian, Amazing Red, the Young Bucks, the Motor City Machine Guns, Mangus (AKA Nick Aldis), Scott Hall, Syxx-Pac, Kevin Nash, Ric Flair, Hulk Hogan, AJ Style, Kurt Angle, Abyss and many more all got together for a special edition of TNA's Destination X. We will look back on that program and see just how things have changed since 2010; both for the good and the bad. Support us on Patreon, get this show early and ad free, plus TONS of BONUS content: patreon.com/WHWMonday Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/WHWMonday Check out all the new cool merchandise at BoxOfGimmicks.com Buy a shirt at LoisRules.com Subscribe to our YouTube channel: youtube.com/whw Save thousands at Savewithconrad.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If you combine Cinnaburst gum with college students, girls gone wild and WCW and what do you get? WCW Monday Nitro at Club La Vela in Panama City, Florida on March 16, 1998. Quite a collection! With Hollywood Hulk Hogan, Macho Man Randy Savage, Lex Luger, Sting, Ultimo Dragon, Fit Finlay, Chris Jericho, Eddie Guerrero, Chavo Guerrero, Diamond Dallas Page, Scott Steiner, Booker T., Raven and his Flock and many others, this was quite a memorable night. Plus it is hosted by a very fat Tony Schiavone with Gene Okerlund, Bobby Heenan, Mike Tenay and Larry Zbyszko. So let's crank up the time machine and go back when the Monday Night Wars were FUN! Support us on Patreon, get this show early and ad free, plus TONS of BONUS content: patreon.com/WHWMonday Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/WHWMonday Check out all the new cool merchandise at BoxOfGimmicks.com Buy a shirt at LoisRules.com Subscribe to our YouTube channel: youtube.com/whw Save thousands at Savewithconrad.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ole Anderson has left the Four Horsemen and it is time they fill the void.  That big announcement happens on this show along with some great action. We will see Ron Garvin and Barry Windham defend the US Tag Team Titles against the unlikely duo of Ivan Koloff and Dick Murdoch. Plus in action: Brad Armstrong, Jim Cornette, Big Bubba and the Midnight Express, the Rock and Roll Express, Lex Luger, Tully Blanchard, Arn Anderson, Gorgeous Jimmy Garvin and others. And we will check in on a few great interviews from Cornette, Bullet Bob Armstrong and Ole Anderson. Ole may be out, but the Four Horsemen are forever. Support us on Patreon, get this show early and ad free, plus TONS of BONUS content: patreon.com/WHWMonday Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/WHWMonday Check out all the new cool merchandise at BoxOfGimmicks.com Buy a shirt at LoisRules.com Subscribe to our YouTube channel: youtube.com/whw Save thousands at Savewithconrad.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It was a card loaded with talent, and one that saw the end of Lex Luger's run in WCW for awhile as he would bolt to the WWF. Here we have Cactus Jack, Steve Austin, Ron Simmons, the Steiners, Arn Anderson, Larry Zbyszko, Barry Windham, Arn Anderson, Beautiful Bobby, Sting, Luger, Ricky Steamboat, Rick Rude. Ricky Morton, Vinnie Vegas and more. But the match that "stole the show" was Flyin' Brian Pillman vs Jushin "Thunder" Liger. Great stuff from the pre-Hogan and pre-NWO days of World Championship Wrestling! Support us on Patreon, get this show early and ad free, plus TONS of BONUS content: patreon.com/WHWMonday Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/WHWMonday Check out all the new cool merchandise at BoxOfGimmicks.com Buy a shirt at LoisRules.com Subscribe to our YouTube channel: youtube.com/whw Save thousands at Savewithconrad.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Four Horsemen were dominate in 1986. So much so that to this day, wrestling fans worldwide know what you mean when you flash four fingers on one hand. But in 1987, the unthinkable happened. The crew of Ric Flair, Tully Blanchard, Arn Anderson and Ole Anderson (managed by JJ Dillon) had a problem and it escalated. We will take you back to relive that moment along with some other great stars like: Nikita Koloff, Dusty Rhodes, Ron Garvin, Lex Luger, Barry Windham, Jim Cornette, Big Bubba, Bobby Eaton, Gorgeous Jimmy Garvin and Precious and others. Enjoy an historic moment in professional wrestling. Support us on Patreon, get this show early and ad free, plus TONS of BONUS content: patreon.com/WHWMonday Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/WHWMonday Check out all the new cool merchandise at BoxOfGimmicks.com Buy a shirt at LoisRules.com Subscribe to our YouTube channel: youtube.com/whw Save thousands at Savewithconrad.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's the midst of the Jim Herd era in WCW and this seven match card had some good moments and some bad ones as well. The good featured a Ric Flair vs Lex Luger NWA World Title matchup that was basically a substitute match due to Sting's knee injury. Plus the Rock and Roll Express and the Midnight Express with Jim Cornette put on yet another tag team classic. Also featured are the Road Warriors, the Steiners, Doom, Kevin Sullivan, Buzz Sawyer, Cactus Jack, Norman, the Dynamic Dudes, Brian Pillman, the Z-Man, the Freebirds, Teddy Long and a pre-Undertaker wrestler named Mark Callous. A new decade begins with plenty of good and bad wrestling and plenty of turmoil for the TBS owned World Championship Wrestling. Support us on Patreon, get this show early and ad free, plus TONS of BONUS content: patreon.com/WHWMonday Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/WHWMonday Check out all the new cool merchandise at BoxOfGimmicks.com Buy a shirt at LoisRules.com Subscribe to our YouTube channel: youtube.com/whw Save thousands at Savewithconrad.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The WCW Annual February event was a few months before the advent of the NWO. Packed with stars and some very bad matches, the pay per view event was not short on major talent. Two cage matches highlighted the event with Hulk Hogan meeting the Giant and Ric Flair going up against the Macho Man Randy Savage. The event also featured, Sting, Lex Luger, the Road Warriors, Konnan, the Nasty Boys, Diamond Dallas Page, Harlem Heat, Johnny B. Badd and more, but what it will most be remembered for is the "I Respect You" strap match between Brian Pillman and Kevin Sullivan. Enjoy a look back 25 years ago as we check out World Championship Wrestling. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We celebrate five (count 'em, five!) years of WHW with a look at the 2017 Royal Rumble. Back in January of 2017, Conrad Thompson brought Tony Schiavone's attention back to wrestling when this podcast began, and for Schiavone, this event--the 2017 Rumble--was the first wrestling program he watched since his departure from wrestling in 2001. So, this time we will watch it together. We will watch the WWE Championship match between John Cena and AJ Styles and then the 30 man Royal Rumble. It's a great look back, if for nothing else than to see how many athletes are still in the WWE or have moved on. Happy 5th to WHW and all of you who have been with us during this run. Support us on Patreon, get this show early and ad free, plus TONS of BONUS content: patreon.com/WHWMonday Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/WHWMonday Check out all the new cool merchandise at BoxOfGimmicks.com Buy a shirt at LoisRules.com Subscribe to our YouTube channel: youtube.com/whw Save thousands at Savewithconrad.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices