Digest

This episode of Something to Wrestle with features Bruce Pritchard as the guest, where he shares his unique perspective on the world of professional wrestling. The episode delves into a wide range of topics, including Bruce's experience acquiring Paul Bosch's personal collection, his reflections on the emotional toll of wrestling, and his insights into the Monday Night Wars. Bruce discusses the impact of the steroid trial on the rise of smaller, more technical wrestlers like Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels, and shares his experiences with backstage fights, including the brutal altercation between Jacques Rougeau and Dynamite Kid. He also provides insights into Vince McMahon's decision-making process, explaining his perspective on the handling of Haku, the Beefcake-Hogan team, and the potential for Stan Hansen to have been a bigger star in WWE. The episode also features a discussion about the "vomatorium," a section in arenas used for bringing in large items and providing audience access, and Bruce explains why the ramp typically comes from the left side of the arena. Throughout the episode, Bruce and Conrad Thompson answer listener questions about various aspects of wrestling, including the potential of Kerry Von Erich as a heel, the art of manager assignments, and the ideal time for Randy Savage to have returned to WWE after the WCW acquisition. The episode concludes with a discussion about wrestlers who would thrive in different eras, highlighting the evolution of the industry and the enduring appeal of professional wrestling.

Outlines

00:00:00

Introduction and Sponsor Shoutout

Conrad Thompson welcomes listeners to Something to Wrestle with, introducing Bruce Pritchard as the guest. They briefly discuss Bruce's pre-show beverage and Conrad's intro.

00:00:51

Bruce Pritchard's Perspective on Current Events and Nostalgia

Conrad asks Bruce about his thoughts on current events in wrestling, and Bruce explains why he avoids discussing them due to his current employment with WWE. He emphasizes the show's focus on nostalgia and past events.

00:01:54

The Paul Bosch Collection and its Surprises

Bruce shares his experience acquiring Paul Bosch's personal collection, revealing surprising items like financial records, correspondence, and even battle plans from World War II. He discusses the fascinating insights he gained from Bosch's notes and the collection's overall significance.

00:02:30

Reflecting on Past Misery and Finding Joy

Bruce and Conrad discuss the emotional toll of wrestling and how it can lead to self-inflicted misery. Bruce shares his personal experience of distancing himself from the business and eventually realizing that his anger was directed at himself, not the industry.

00:29:32

The Impact of the Steroid Trial on Wrestling

Bruce and Conrad discuss a listener's question about the potential impact of the steroid trial on the rise of smaller, more technical wrestlers like Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels. Bruce believes that their talent would have allowed them to break through regardless, but acknowledges the potential influence of the steroid era on the industry.

00:33:57

Wildest Backstage Fights

Bruce shares his experiences with backstage fights, recounting the brutal altercation between Jacques Rougeau and Dynamite Kid and the uncomfortable situation between Shawn Michaels and Adnan Al-Kasey. He emphasizes the unpleasant nature of real fights and the importance of perspective in such situations.

00:40:53

Vince McMahon's Decisions and Bruce's Perspective

Bruce and Conrad discuss a listener's question about Vince McMahon's decisions that Bruce disagreed with but ultimately carried out. Bruce shares his thoughts on the handling of Haku, the Beefcake-Hogan team, and the potential for Stan Hansen to have been a bigger star in WWE.

00:49:39

The Vomatorium and its Role in Arenas

Bruce explains the origin and purpose of the "vomatorium," a section in arenas used for bringing in large items and providing audience access. He clarifies why the ramp typically comes from the left side of the arena, emphasizing the importance of shooting into a full audience.

00:56:37

The Potential of Kerry Von Erich as a Heel and Dream Matches

Bruce and Conrad discuss a listener's question about whether Kerry Von Erich could have been a successful heel in WWE. Bruce believes that Kerry's likable personality made him unsuitable for a heel role, but acknowledges his potential as a champion had he stayed healthy. They also discuss dream matches for Kerry Von Erich in different eras.

01:11:01

The Monday Night Wars: Loved and Hated

Bruce and Conrad discuss a listener's question about their favorite and least favorite aspects of the Monday Night Wars. Bruce expresses his love for the live format and the spontaneity it brought, while also acknowledging his dislike for the taping process and the potential for second-guessing.

01:29:44

Wrestlers Who Would Thrive in Different Eras

Bruce and Conrad discuss a listener's question about which current wrestlers would have thrived in the 80s WWF and vice versa. They highlight wrestlers like Damian Priest, Gunther, Cody Rhodes, and Seth Rollins as potential stars in the 80s, while suggesting that Shawn Michaels, Savage, and Hulk Hogan would have been successful in modern WWE.

01:32:19

Closing Remarks and Call to Action

Bruce and Conrad wrap up the podcast, thanking listeners for their questions and encouraging them to submit more via social media. They also remind listeners to subscribe and turn on notifications for future episodes.

Keywords

Q&A

• Why does Bruce Pritchard avoid discussing current events in wrestling?

  Bruce avoids discussing current events because he is currently employed by WWE and has agreed not to talk about things that are happening now, as it could jeopardize future projects and creative decisions.

• What were some of the surprising items Bruce found in Paul Bosch's personal collection?

  Bruce found a variety of surprising items in Paul Bosch's collection, including financial records, correspondence, notes on WWE programming, and even battle plans from World War II.

• How did Bruce's perspective on wrestling change after distancing himself from the business?

  Bruce realized that his anger and frustration with wrestling were directed at himself, not the industry. He learned that he had a choice to be miserable or to find joy in life, and he chose to embrace the positive aspects of the business.

• What are some of the key differences between wrestling in the 80s and 90s compared to today?

  Wrestling in the 80s and 90s was often slower-paced, with simpler finishes and a greater emphasis on storytelling and character development. Today's wrestling is more high-paced, with more complex moves and a focus on athleticism and spectacle.

• What are some of the factors that made the Monday Night Wars such a significant period in wrestling history?

  The Monday Night Wars was a period of intense competition between WWF and WCW, leading to a surge in popularity and innovation in the industry. It forced both companies to push boundaries and create memorable moments, resulting in a golden age for wrestling fans.

• What are some of the challenges of fantasy booking wrestling storylines?

  Fantasy booking can be challenging because it requires considering not only the immediate impact of a decision but also its long-term consequences. It's important to think about how a change in one storyline might affect other wrestlers, angles, and the overall direction of the business.

Show Notes