Tessera

Between the Sheets @btsheetspod.bsky.social · 2d ago

New @btsheetspod.bsky.social with @jd-oliva.bsky.social covering 1989! Steve Beverly talks to TBS's Jeff Carr, Terry Funk's nasty staph infection, Vader in talks with Hasbro, "Big Daddy"/Dusty Rhodes civil trial starts, Steve Austin's 1st TV appearance, and lots more. redcircle.com/shows/f0ecb9...

Ep. #556: September 4-10, 1989 with J.D. Oliva
Kris and David are joined by J.D. Oliva to discuss the week that was September 4-10, 1989. Topics of discussion include:
- In MATWATCH, Steve Beverly talks to Turner Broadcasting's Jeff Carr about the ongoing issues with World Championship Wrestling airing outside of its normal timeslot among other issues.
- Terry Funk's health issues flaring up, causing him to miss matches against Ric Flair.
- The NWA losing their spot at the Capital Centre in Maryland.
- Sid Vicious and Scott Hall have quite the match on WCW.
- Big Van Vader talking to Hasbro about an action figure deal.
- Akira Maeda wanting a fight with George Foreman.
- The reality of Stampede Wrestling's "talks" with ESPN about being on their network.
- Captain Lou Albano getting roasted by friends for charity.
- The Big Daddy (Steve DiBlasio) trial in Florida starring Dusty Rhodes.
- The saga of Jerry Lawler, Buddy Landell, and a limousine.
- A young man named Steve Williams makes his TV debut in Dallas.
- Rip Oliver turns babyface in Portland.
- The birth of American Gladiators.
- Rick Rude crashes Roddy Piper's party on the Brother Love Show.
We had a blast recording with J.D. and we hope you have a similar blast listening to the show!!!
Timestamps:
0:00:00 NWA/WCW
1:13:01 Int’l: AJPW, NJPW, FMW, UWF, & Stampede
1:47:34 Classic Commercial Break
1:51:12 Halftime
2:40:03 Other USA: Lou Albano, ICW, USWA (Raskin), Bobby Fulton, Larry Sharpe, ACW (NC), Big Daddy lawsuit, FCW, Continental, CWA/Memphis, USWA (TX), IWF (LA), AWA, Portland, & American Gladiators
4:12:46 WWF

Between the Sheets @btsheetspod.bsky.social · 2d ago

Yo!

Ep. #556: September 4-10, 1989 with J.D. Oliva

Listen to Between The Sheets on RedCircle

redcircle.com

Between the Sheets @btsheetspod.bsky.social · 4d ago

New Center Stage Chronicles on the @btsheetspod.bsky.social feed covering August 1991! Roster cuts, steroid testing rumors, Marvel's WCW comic book, Eddie Gilbert doing Eddie Gilbert things, the American release of the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, and lots more. redcircle.com/shows/f0ecb9...

Center Stage Chronicles Ep. #28: August 1991
Kris Zellner is joined by Rob Naylor and Our Good Buddy Charles for another episode of Center Stage Chronicles. This time, we discuss the month that was August 1991 in the World Championship Wrestling and pop culture in general. Topics of discussion include:
- WCW making roster cuts as the Great American Bash tour comes to a close.
- Differing thoughts from WCW personnel regarding a possible steroid testing policy.
- WCW hooking up with Marvel Comics for a comic book.
- Deidre Hall returns as Dr. Marlena Evans on "Days of our Lives."
- Johnny B. Badd and Steve Austin start a beef over Johnny's intentions for Lady Blossom.
- Eddie Gilbert no-shows a return to WCW for Eddie Gilbert reasons.
- The invention of the World Wide Web and Linux as we enter a new age of computer technology.
- The debut of Nicktoons featuring "Doug," "Rugrats," and "Ren & Stimpy."
- Cactus Jack and Abdullah the Butcher return to WCW to torment Sting.
- Nintendo releases the Super Nintendo Entertainment System to the masses in North America as the video game world changes forever.
- Sting wins the U.S. Heavyweight Title tournament at the Omni in Atlanta.
- "Doc Hollywood," "Double Impact," "The Commitments," "Harley Davidson & The Marlboro Man," and "Showdown in Little Tokyo" all hit the theaters.
- PM Dawn, Metallica, Cypress Hill, Brooks & Dunn, Mr. Bungle, Spin Doctors, Pearl Jam, Blur, Toad the Wet Sprocket all have major albums hit record stores.
- Whether or not The Hunchbacks were really going to be a thing in WCW.
This was a tremendously fun show to do and we hope you enjoy the hell out of it!!!!

Between the Sheets @btsheetspod.bsky.social · 4d ago

This week's @btsheetspod.bsky.social with Scott Passner covers 1993, Scott's Patreon pick! SummerSlam '93 in extreme detail including the disastrous main event finish/post-match celebration, AAA La Revancha in LA, McMemphis, Jeff Jarrett meets Minnesota Fats, and more. redcircle.com/shows/f0ecb9...

Ep. #556: August 24-30, 1993 with Scott Passner
Kris and David are joined by Scott Passner to discuss the week that was August 24-30, 1993, which Scott picked for us to do as a perk for dropping $50 on our Patreon, allowing him to not only request a week, but also sit in for a segment, which Scott does for the WWF section. Topics of discussion include:
- SummerSlam ’93 and how the show was considered a disappointment overall despite a huge crowd.
- The greatness of Jerry Lawler in the Hart Family feud, featuring a feisty Bruce Hart guest appearance.
- The Heavenly Bodies giving the Steiners a WCW-style Steiners match in the WWF.
- Mr. Perfect vs. Shawn Michaels disappointing everyone.
- Lex Luger vs. Yokozuna and how the countout finish buried Luger, especially with the pomp and circumstance celebration afterwards.
- Randy Savage cutting Lex Luger's go-home promo for him on Superstars how and it made you want to see Savage in Lex's spot instead.
- Jim Cornette and Yokozuna on “Live! with Regis and Kathie Lee,” featuring Yoko playing tug o’ war with Regis and friends.
- The Wall Street Journal covers a special New Japan show.
- Michinoku Pro does some STUDIO WRESTLING in Japan.
- AJW selling out the Budokan for a major show.
- Ron Skoler’s IWC makes its debut as AAA’s American promoter, debuting with a series of shows in California where Dave Meltzer is boots on the ground for what he says was, at the time, the best live show he had ever been to: La Revancha at the Los Angeles Sports Arena.
- Terry Funk makes his SMW TV debut in an amazing promo.
- Vince McMahon also cuts an amazing promo on USWA TV as McMemphis is in full effect.
- Jeff Jarrett shoots pool with Minnesota Fats.
- Brian Christopher gifts Miss Simpson (Toni Adams) her own personal valet in Miss Robin (Robin Smith/Veronica Lane/Vivacious Veronica).
- Ric Flair and Rick Rude's feud begins on Flair for the Gold.
This was a strong show, and it's always fun to have Scott on, so take a listen!

Between the Sheets @btsheetspod.bsky.social · 4d ago

It's time for the new @btsheetspod.bsky.social Patreon series covering WWECW! Eerily prescient 2002 Dave Meltzer coverage of a hypothetical ECW revival, Vince McMahon deciding to launch WWECW in a fit of insanity, and LOTS more. Just $5.00/month or $50.40/year at Patreon.com/BetweenTheSheets!

Patreon Ep. #120: WWECW (Part 1)
It's Saturday. You know what that means: A slightly belated start to our latest Patreon-exclusive deep dive! This week, we're kicking off our look into the 2006 launch of WWE's version of ECW, and though we don't know how many parts it will be yet, we're planning on going through the fallout from the December to Dismember pay-per-view event. Topics of discussion include:
- The topic of an ECW revival being floated on a September 2002 WWE investor call, leading to Dave Meltzer basically predicting everything that would end up going wrong when the revival actually happened in 2006.
- 2006's revival happening when Vince McMahon suddenly decided to do it on a whim while flying to Europe.
- How will WWECW affect OVW?
- Is this just an elaborate excuse to move Joey Styles off of Raw and bring back Jim Ross?
- Did Stephanie McMahon try to talk Vince out of this? (Yes.)
- The Joey Styles worked shoot promo that served as the canonical catalyst for the return of ECW.
- Dave Meltzer's comparisons to ROH vs. CZW and how it seemed like he didn't fully understand that feud.
- Will there be a TV deal?
...and much more. Enjoy!

Between the Sheets @btsheetspod.bsky.social · 2w ago

New on the @btsheetspod.bsky.social Patreon: A watch-along of Morton Downey Jr.'s New Jersey indie spectacular from June 1989! A star-studded cast including Lou Albano and Dennis Coralluzzo attempts to debate deregulation...sort of. Just $5.00/month or $50.40/year at Patreon.com/BetweenTheSheets!

Clockwise from left: Tony Altimore, Dennis Coralluzzo, Mitch Seinfeld, Yukon Jack, Davey Gee, Morton Downey Jr., and Capt. Lou Albano stare at the camera.

DENNIS CORALLUZZO
WRESTLING PROMOTER, NJ

MITCHELL STEINFELD
FORMER CHAMP/PROMOTER

Patreon Ep. #119: Morton Downey Jr.'s New Jersey Indie Spectacular
It's Friday. You know what that means: Our watch-along of the June 30, 1989 episode of The Morton Downey Jr. Show covering the potential deregulation of pro wrestling in New Jersey! Topics of discussion include:
- The larger cultural context of Morton Downey Jr.
- Why this episode aired almost four months after it was taped instead of the next day like it usually would.
- Morty showing more journalistic integrity than a lot of actual journalists.
- Pretty much all of the guests (like Dennis Coralluzzo, Larry Sharpe, Capt. Lou Albano, and Davey O'Hannon) other than Mitch Seinfeld being pro-commission.
- The show devolving into a screaming mess once Lou Albano and Tony Altimore joined the panel despite almost everyone agreeing with each other.
- YUKON JACK! joins the panel, as do Chief Thunder Mountain and Big Hoss in full gimmick.
- Albano promoting a new pro wrestling novel that he appears to think is actually a non-fiction book.
- The panel's suggestions for improving the commission system, like appointing retired wrestlers and promoters as commissioners.
- How New Jersey being the gold standard for athletic commissions probably heavily influenced the tone of the discussion compared to if the show was based in Oregon or Pennsylvania.
- Just who was Mitch S[t]einfeld, anyway?
- Surprise revelations about a pro wrestler and a future pro wrestling-related historical figure working on The Morton Downey Jr. Show.
- A lawsuit that was birthed by the episode in question.
- The most Jewish-coded phone sex ad in the history of television.
...and much more. We had a blast and hope you have as fun much listening to it as we did recording it!

Between the Sheets @btsheetspod.bsky.social · 2w ago

New on the @btsheetspod.bsky.social Patreon: A watch-along of Morton Downey Jr.'s New Jersey indie spectacular from June 1989! A star-studded cast including Lou Albano and Dennis Coralluzzo attempts to debate deregulation...sort of. Just $5.00/month or $50.40/year at Patreon.com/BetweenTheSheets!

David Bixenspan @davidbix.com · 2w ago

Coming this Friday on the @btsheetspod.bsky.social Patreon as part of our Morton Downey Jr. watchalong: The most Ashkenazi-coded phone sex ad I've ever seen in my life, starring RUTH. Are her friends named Ida, Miriam, and Esther?

Between the Sheets @btsheetspod.bsky.social · 2w ago

New @btsheetspod.bsky.social covering 1994! Vader wins UWFi Title, lots of NWA drama between ECW, Dennis Coralluzzo, and Jim Crockett, The Gangstas hate the NAACP, Sid Vicious being amazing in the USWA, the WWF's awful Sunday Night Slam call-in show, and lots more. redcircle.com/shows/f0ecb9...

Ep. #555: August 16-23, 1994
Kris and David are back as we discuss the week that was August 16-23, 1994. Topics of discussion include:
- Hulk Hogan giving a very candid interview to the Gainesville Sun newspaper talking about Randy Savage, Bret Hart, Vince McMahon, joining WCW, and more.
- The greatness of the Rhodes family vs. Stud Stable feud in Summer 1994.
- Jesse Ventura having issues as Mayor of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota.
- Antonio Inoki & George Foreman negotiating for a super fight in North Korea in 1995.
- Super Vader winning the UWFi World Title from Nobuhiko Takada in one of the most famous bouts of the era.
- Konnan cements his rudo turn in AAA as Los Gringos Locos become a major force.
- The drama between ECW, Dennis Coralluzzo, and Jim Crockett regarding the NWA World Heavyweight Title tournament seems to be getting smoothed over as everyone comes to an agreement so the tournament can take place.
- Shane Douglas and Paul E. Dangerously cut promos ECW TV about the tournament, with Shane specifically targetting "Dick Flair."
- The Gangstas’ first big show as main eventers flops and Dave Meltzer speculates on their future as New Jack calls out the Knoxville NAACP on SMW TV.
- Chris Candido and Tammy Fytch turn on Brian Lee after losing the SMW Tag Team Titles.
- Doug Gilbert gets suspended in the USWA, so he doesn't have to risk his mane in hair matches…yet.
- The greatness of Sid Vicious in the USWA and why he was so different there from anywhere else.
- Austin Idol returning to Memphis in grand fashion.
- Vince McMahon and Jerry Lawler taking viewer phone calls on WWF Sunday Night Slam and what an experience that was.
All of that plus so much more on an extremely fun episode of BTS!!!
Timestamps:
0:00:00 WCW
1:03:39 Int’l: AJPW, NJPW, FMW, Michinoku Pro, RINGS, UWFi, JWP, Maharaj Promotions, CWA, AAA, CMLL, & UWA
1:39:40 Classic Commercial Break
1:43:46 Halftime
2:31:07 Other USA: NWA, ECW, NWA Sabu, IWA (OH), SMW, USWA, Mid-South, & GWF
4:10:27 WWF

Between the Sheets @btsheetspod.bsky.social · 2w ago

The newest @btsheetspod.bsky.social Patreon show completes our look at THAT Bill Watts Torch Talk, incl. THAT section with the various racist and homophobic comments, plus why Wade should've reported on them in the regular newsletter. Just $5.00/month or $50.40/year at Patreon.com/BetweenTheSheets!

Between the Sheets @btsheetspod.bsky.social · 3w ago

New @btsheetspod.bsky.social covering 2005! Raw in Montreal with the infamous Bret Hart tease as we near the end of the Spike era, Eddy/Mysterios telenovela drama on SmackDown, Masahiro Chono wins the G1 as a tribute to Shinya Hashimoto, CM Punk's ROH farewell, & more. redcircle.com/shows/f0ecb9...

Ep. #554: August 10-16, 2005
Kris and David are back as we discuss the week that was August 10-16, 2005. Topics of discussion include:
- WWE being in a total lame duck state with Spike TV as their contract is running out soon.
- SmackDown featuring the Eddy Guerrero/Rey Mysterio/Dominik Mysterio soap opera, guest starring MISS CRABTREE.
- Raw in Montreal, as Shawn Michaels is having the time of his life being the old HBK in front of a raucous crowd mocking Bret Hart and Hulk Hogan.
- Ashley Massaro winning the Diva Search over Leyla Milani.
- Ken Anderson becoming Mr. Kennedy.
- Masahiro Chono winning the G1 Climax as a tribute to Shinya Hashimoto.
- A wild angle in the WWC featuring Eddie Colon being imprisoned in the Dominican Republic.
- The Summer of Punk ends in ROH as he loses his title to James Gibson in Dayton and then loses his farewell match to Colt Cabana in Chicago Ridge.
- TNA Sacrifice on PPV and lots more TNA stuff in one of the most stable eras of that promotion's history thanks to Scott D’Amore’s booking and the impending debut of Impact on Spike TV.
That this was all 21 years ago is wild to think about. This was a really fun show, so check it out!!!
Timestamps:
0:00:00 WWE & OVW
1:53:48 Int’l: NJPW, Riki Pro, CMLL, IWA Puerto Rico, & WWC
2:14:17 Classic Commercial Break
2:19:29 Halftime
3:18:07 Other USA: Ballpark Brawl, CZW, & ROH
3:50:10 TNA

Joe Gagne @joegagne.bsky.social · 3w ago

Per today’s @btsheetspod.bsky.social here’s Eric Young’s psycho bump from Sacrifice 2005

Alan4L @alan4l.bsky.social · 4w ago

All new ProWres Paradise with the MIGHTY @kriszellner.bsky.social talking about the career of Hiroyoshi Tenzan ahead of the great man's retirement this weekend in Sumo Hall. It's always an awesome time under the KrisZ learning tree! @pwtorch.bsky.social vip.pwtorch.com/2026/08/12/v...

Between the Sheets @btsheetspod.bsky.social · 3w ago

New @btsheetspod.bsky.social covering 2005! Raw in Montreal with the infamous Bret Hart tease as we near the end of the Spike era, Eddy/Mysterios telenovela drama on SmackDown, Masahiro Chono wins the G1 as a tribute to Shinya Hashimoto, CM Punk's ROH farewell, & more. redcircle.com/shows/f0ecb9...

Between the Sheets @btsheetspod.bsky.social · 3w ago

New @btsheetspod.bsky.social covering 2005! Raw in Montreal with the infamous Bret Hart tease as we near the end of the Spike era, Eddy/Mysterios telenovela drama on SmackDown, Masahiro Chono wins the G1 as a tribute to Shinya Hashimoto, CM Punk's ROH farewell, & more. redcircle.com/shows/f0ecb9...

Between the Sheets @btsheetspod.bsky.social · 3w ago

New @btsheetspod.bsky.social Patreon show: Part 2 covering THAT Bill Watts Torch Talk from 1991! THE STEROID ISSUE, Watts's early career and journey to becoming a promoter, insane lies about who "didn't do steroids," and lots more. Just $5.00/month or $50.40/year at Patreon.com/BetweenTheSheets!

It's Friday. You know what that means: Part 2 of our (hopefully?) 3-part look at Bill Watts's infamous Torch Talk interview from July 1991. This time, we cover the second part of the interview, published in the August 15, 1991 issue of the Pro Wrestling Torch, as well as the early portions of the third part, which run in the Torch Summer Annual IV. Topics of discussion include:

Watts' thoughts on The Steroid Issue. Spoiler: They're very libertarian.

Watts claiming that Dr. Death and Hercules Hernandez never used steroids while working for him.

How to lie convincingly,

The Blade Runners in the UWF.

How Watts broke into the business.

"'Big' Dick Watts."

Wade shoehorning in a shot at SID EUDY.

Transitioning to being a full-time promoter.

The role that Joe Pedicino offered Watts in Global.

...and much more. Enjoy!

Between the Sheets @btsheetspod.bsky.social · last mo.

New @btsheetspod.bsky.social covering 1987! Gordon Solie quits Championship Wrestling from Florida, Stampede's loaded roster of all-timer rookies, THE BLACK PRINCE AND THE COMMISSION, "Jammin' with Donna & Mitch," Paul Boesch announces his retirement, and lots more. redcircle.com/shows/f0ecb9...

Between the Sheets @btsheetspod.bsky.social · last mo.

New on @btsheetspod.bsky.social's Patreon: Part 1 of hopefully 3 covering THAT Bill Watts Torch Talk from 1991! Why we're sure TBS brass only read the 1st part of the interview, Cowboy claims he called Jim Herd a jock-sniffer, & more. Just $5.00/month or $50.40/year at Patreon.com/BetweenTheSheets!

Between the Sheets @btsheetspod.bsky.social · last mo.

New on the @btsheetspod.bsky.social feed: Center Stage Chronicles covering July 1991! "WE WANT FLAIR!" chants echo throughout arenas nationwide as Ric Flair's excommunicated from WCW...and then WCW leadership freaks out and tries to rehire him. Plus LOTS more! redcircle.com/shows/f0ecb9...

Center Stage Chronicles Ep. #27: July 1991
Kris Zellner is joined by Rob Naylor and Our Good Buddy Charles as we discuss the month of July 1991 in World Championship Wrestling and pop culture in general. Topics of discussion include:

- The entire show is bookended by Ric Flair being fired at the beginning of the month and then WCW basically offering him the booking position at the end of the month.
- Ric Flair refusing to drop the title not just to Lex Luger but Barry Windham as well, as they were trying to get Flair to do business before he left.
- Flair's departure totally screwing up the production going into the Great American Bash PPV.
- The way Flair's departure was treated on TV as a complete shoot which was so foreign to how wrestling was presented on TV in that era.
- The total confusion of what Barry Windham was supposed to be.
- Axl Rose starting a riot at a Guns ’n’ Roses concert in St. Louis.
- Fans at house shows being very upset over no-shows, especially Ric Flair.
- The awesomeness of The Geto Boys.
- The end of the Desperados after all that damn TV time.
- “Boyz n the Hood” and “Point Break” being released on the same weekend and the impact “Boyz” had on the west coast's rise in pop culture.
- A full rundown of the Great American Bash PPV, including why it wasn't as bad as people want to think it was.
- The supposedly buried Brian Pillman being all over TV and in main events all the time while the supposedly overpushed Dustin Rhodes isn't in those spots.
- The first-ever Lollapalooza tour.
- Mike Tyson and Jeffrey Dahmer getting arrested on the SAME DAMN DAY.
- The end of WCW Pro Wrestling New York, as WCW they switches affiliates in NYC from WPIX to WCBS and Pro NY is replaced by Worldwide.
- MTV and who they pushed to the moon that didn't reach the expected level of success.
This is just a taste of what we talk about on the show as we have a complete and total blast here!!!

Between the Sheets @btsheetspod.bsky.social · last mo.

Show is up! redcircle.com/shows/f0ecb9...

Between The Sheets

Listen to Between The Sheets on RedCircle

redcircle.com

Between the Sheets @btsheetspod.bsky.social · last mo.

New @btsheetspod.bsky.social Patreon show: Our Destination Cancellation Epilogue covering how the 2014-2015 TNA nonsense was addressed in 2026 in Vince Russo and David Sahadi's books plus Twitter drama! New Dixie lore and LOTS more! Just $5.00/month or $50.40/year at Patreon.com/BetweenTheSheets!

Patreon Ep. #117: Destination Cancellation Epilogue
It's Friday. You know what that means: Our epilogue to the Destination Cancellation series using the new #content about the period we covered that was released in 2026! Specifically, we focus on Vince Russo's "Total Non-stop Agony" book, David Sahadi's "Backstage Pass" book, and the Twitter nonsense that resulted from the "Dark Side of the Ring: TNA episodes. Topics of discussion include:
- Russo's surprisingly mostly honest-seeming book, starting with how he was secretly brought back to TNA as a consultant in late 2013.
- Was the secrecy because of potential DIRTSHEET BACKLASH?
- Russo's thoughts on [redacted TNA creative team member who's since been cancelled].
- Russo getting pissed off that his pre-tape ideas never made it onto Impact, resulting in "more lame-ass, mean-nothing, fake wrestling matches on the show."
- Russo switching back and forth between "!@#$%^&" and "f***" for censoring variations of the word "fuck" without any real rhyme or reason. While not censoring "shit."
- Russo's frustration with Eric Bischoff's weekly critiques of Impact after Eric went home.
- Russo's side of the Mike Johnson email fiasco and how it got him dropped as a consultant.
- John Gaburick claiming that Dixie Carter sent Russo an email telling him not to go on Jim Ross's podcast even if they never discussed TNA, and then Russo offering to let TNA log into his computer using Team Viewer so they can see he never got the email.
- David Sahadi confirming that Spike TV ordered Dixie to keep Russo away from TNA creative and felt betrayed by the email gaffe revelation.
- Dixie being overheard by a Destination America executive at a hotel bar insulting him...before Impact even started airing on the network.
- People in TNA blaming Court Bauer for the Spike TV cancellation story getting out.
- Vince Russo's vinyl collection and top 25 albums list.
...and much more. Enjoy!

Between the Sheets @btsheetspod.bsky.social · last mo.

New @btsheetspod.bsky.social Patreon show: Our Destination Cancellation Epilogue covering how the 2014-2015 TNA nonsense was addressed in 2026 in Vince Russo and David Sahadi's books plus Twitter drama! New Dixie lore and LOTS more! Just $5.00/month or $50.40/year at Patreon.com/BetweenTheSheets!

Between the Sheets @btsheetspod.bsky.social · last mo.

New @btsheetspod.bsky.social covering 1990! Jesse Ventura quits the WWF, Sgt. Slaughter returns to WWF TV while still on AWA TV, the Legion of Doom debuts on WWF TV while touring NJPW, Koji Kitao departs NJPW, GWF rumors, Stan Lane won't go to Florida, and lots more. redcircle.com/shows/f0ecb9...

Between the Sheets @btsheetspod.bsky.social · last mo.

Show will go up later, been sick all weekend.

Between the Sheets @btsheetspod.bsky.social · 2mo ago

New @btsheetspod.bsky.social Patreon deep dive: Part 7/7 (sort of) of our series on the 2014-2015 TNA spiral/TV drama! MVP's scapegoated for Hernandez contract mess, Dixie's infamous "DUMMY" email, Pop TV announcement, and lots more. Just $5.00/month or $50.40/year at Patreon.com/BetweenTheSheets!

Patreon Ep. #117: Destination Cancellation (Part 7)
It's Friday. You know what that means: The last of SEVEN installments covering TNA's 2014 cancellation by Spike TV through the end of their run on Destination America in 2015. Part 7 covers the weeks of July 6 to December 21, 2015, and topics of discussion include:
- EVP Andy Barton, who worked for Dixie Carter before TNA, leaving the company.
- TNA having to pull several weeks of Beat Down Clan segments from TV because Shawn Hernandez hadn't actually gotten his release from Lucha Underground and John Gaburick, whatever his actual job was, somehow didn't know he needed a copy of said theoretical release.
- TNA blaming MVP for the Hernandez mess for some reason and firing him over it.
- The realization that MVP has been doing some version of the BDC/Hurt Business/Hurt Syndicate archetype for over ELEVEN YEARS.
- Almost everyone undergoes contract restructuring to pay-per-appearance. But hey, they're adding house shows again!
- Dixie Carter's interview with Sports Illustrated.
- Dixie's infamous email calling Discovery Networks President Marc Graboff a "Adummy," which she accidentally sent to numerous Discovery executives.
- TNA's first tour of India is announced! And eventually cancelled!
- Will the new General Manager of Destination America un-cancel the wrestling shows? (No.)
- TNA Director of Touring Mike Krewson quitting as the company claims to be adding a bunch of house show dates.
- Pop TV officially announces that TNA Impact is joining the network, complete with network president Brad Schwartz going off about how they're going to rebuild Impact's viewership back up to Spike TV levels. (They would not.)
- Mike Tenay's contract expires.
- The reveal that we're adding the 2026 Destination Cancellation Epilogue next week, sourcing Vince Russo's new book, David Sahadi's book, and the recent Twitter drama about the Spike TV cancellation.

...and so much more. Enjoy!

Between the Sheets @btsheetspod.bsky.social · 2mo ago

New @btsheetspod.bsky.social Patreon deep dive: Part 7/7 (sort of) of our series on the 2014-2015 TNA spiral/TV drama! MVP's scapegoated for Hernandez contract mess, Dixie's infamous "DUMMY" email, Pop TV announcement, and lots more. Just $5.00/month or $50.40/year at Patreon.com/BetweenTheSheets!

Between the Sheets @btsheetspod.bsky.social · 2mo ago

New @btsheetspod.bsky.social covering 1993! Heavy attempted Vince/WWF image rehab, Eddie Gilbert cuts a shoot promo on USWA TV/quits/is fired, Vader & Sting trade the WCW World Title on a tour of the UK & Ireland, Kevin Sullivan stabs W*ING Kanemura on SMW TV, & more. redcircle.com/shows/f0ecb9...

Ep. #550: March 15-21, 1993

Kris and David are back to discuss the week that was March 15-21, 1993, the last of our “backlog” shows. Topics of discussion include:

WCW’s tour of the UK and Ireland, where they changed the WCW World Heavyweight Title twice in a week with Big Van Vader flipping the belt back and forth, plus why this really didn't get talked about much on TV.

Ric Flair goes “Up Close” with Eric Bischoff on TV, talking about his return to WCW and Barry Windham being NWA World Heavyweighht Champion.

The Cole Twins get a fan club.

The Big Bossman returns to All Japan while Hulk Hogan is on his way to New Japan.

New Japan’s faction warfare and how fun that was.

The birth of Michinoku Pro Wrestling.

The three major promotions in Mexico receive their David Awards.

Chuck Wepner shows up at a New Jersey indie show to referee the most 1993 New Jersey indie match you could possibly think of.

Arn Anderson works three house shows in SMW the same week that Chris Candido makes his debut as The Avenger.

Kevin Sullivan brutalizes W*ING Kanemura on SMW TV in a famously gruesome moment.

Bert Prentice sings live on Memphis TV. Sort of.

Eddie Gilbert cuts a shoot promo about his position in the USWA and is basically done with the promotion as a result in true Eddie fashion.

Vince McMahon misses Monday Night Raw’s first visit to Poughkeepsie to receive the Michael Landon Award, so Rob Bartlett joins Gorilla Monsoon as Bobby Heenan “Not Vince McMahon,” and that doesn't go too well.

All this and so much more on a damn fun episode of BTS!

Timestamps:
0:00:00 WCW
0:57:20 Int’l: AJPW, NJPW, FMW, Michinoku Pro debut show, NOW, PWC, W*ING, AJW, JWP, LLPW, Dino Bravo funeral, AAA, CMLL, Juan Herrera, Arena Naucalpan, UWA, & Tijuana
1:46:53 Classic Commercial Break
1:55:05 Halftime
2:40:18 Other USA: WIN, IWF (Mansfield), UWS/Chuck Wepner, WWWA (PA), NGWA, SMW, USA (AL), USWA, GWF, Big D, CWUSA, & Wrestling Fury/MidwestWA
4:02:49 WWF

Between the Sheets @btsheetspod.bsky.social · 2mo ago

New @btsheetspod.bsky.social Patreon show, part 6/7 covering the beautiful disaster that was 2014-2015 TNA! Jeff and Karen Jarrett return, Destination America adds ROH without tipping off TNA, James Storm + Mickie James = 🚂, and more. Just $5.00/month or $50.40/year at Patreon.com/BetweenTheSheets!

RING OF HONOR
ROH
WRESTLING

ON

DESTINATION AMERICA

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3 AT 8/7c!

Patreon Ep. #117: Destination Cancellation (Part 6)
It's Friday. You know what that means: The sixth of SEVEN installments covering TNA's 2014 cancellation by Spike TV through the end of their run on Destination America in 2015. Part 6 covers the weeks of May 25 to June 29, 2015, and topics of discussion include:
- Destination America adds Ring of Honor as Impact's lead-in and lead-out on Wednesday nights...without telling TNA.
- ROH being the exact same show that aired over the weekend on Sinclair Stations and NESN, complete with outdated house show plugs.
- TNA kind of sort of but not really threatening Dave Meltzer with a defamation lawsuit for reporting that Destination America canceled Impact, prompting Dave to get into more detail than usual about his attempts to reach Dixie Carter for comment AND also publish the memo Discovery sent out about the cancellation.
- Billy Corgan losing his mind on Twitter, claiming that Dave got "worked by a sloppy angle."
- Bischoff-Hervey Entertainment suing TNA for unpaid wages.
- TNA taping several weeks' worth of post-PPV TV before the PPV. Again.
- The Dixie Carter reality show pilot.
- Dave Meltzer making it very obvious that he has a direct line to Spike TV's Kevin Kay.
- Increasingly depressing office conference calls with TNA talent.
- James Storm throwing Mickie James in front of an oncoming train on Impact.
- We figured out who Eric Tompkins is!
- Jeff and Karen Jarrett returning to TNA to kick off what turns into the TNA vs. GFW feud...which was left off of the formats for Impact to keep it a secret even though it got out over a day in advance.
...and much more. Enjoy!

Between the Sheets @btsheetspod.bsky.social · 2mo ago

New @btsheetspod.bsky.social covering 2003! Kurt Angle delays neck surgery, DEAN BALDWIN! does extra work on Raw, Yuji Nagata-Manabu Nakanashi goes 60 minutes, the final show of XPW's original run, Lollipop "accidentally" gets stripped on the NWA-TNA PPV, and much more. redcircle.com/shows/f0ecb9...

Ep. #549: March 7-12, 2003

Kris and David return to discuss the (almost-)week that was March 7-12, 2003. Topics of discussion include:

Kurt Angle delaying his neck surgery and dropping the WWE Heavyweight Title to Brock Lesnar at a SmackDown taping in Pittsburgh weeks before WrestleMania so they can have their title match at Mania proper.

We also go into the rash of neck injuries that ravaged WWE in the early 2000s.

The Triple H-Booker T feud with its constant racial overtones.

Just why did The Rock wrestle Hurricane on Raw instead of Booker T?

Triple H vs. Maven totally tanking the ratings on Raw and why that happened.

Yuji Nagata and Manabu Nakanishi going the full 60 minutes on a big New Japan show in Nagoya.

Dave Meltzer giving his thoughts on the epic Kenta Kobashi vs. Mitsuharu Misawa match at Budokan on 3/1, which aired on Nippon TV during our week.

The 1970s NJPW feel of Zero-One in this era.

XPW running a big show at the Golden Dome in Monaca, PA promoted by Shane Douglas in what would turn out to be the last show in the original incarnation of the promotion.

Brad Siegel being forced to resign from Turner Broadcasting.

The supposedly retired Vince Russo is still helping TNA with creative the shock of all shocks.

Lollipop “accidentally” gets exposed, showing off her new implants on the week’s NWA-TNA PPV.

All of this and so much more on a really stout episode of Between the Sheets.

Timestamps:
0:00:00 WWE
1:34:00 Int’l: AJPW, NJPW, NOAH, WJ, Zero-One, Capture, IWA Kokusai, Michinoku Pro, Osaka Pro, Toryumon, WEW, WMF, GAEA, EWP, All-Star (UK), Stampede, CMLL, Super Calo/Tepic, IWRG, Monterrey, Reynosa, Tijuana, & IWAPR
2:35:24 Classic Commercial Break
2:39:52 Halftime
2:18:44 Other USA: USA Pro, CZW, Chikara, XPW, MarylandCW, NWA Wildside, MXPW, IWAMS, USACW, Rev Pro, Portland, & Brad Siegel
4:05:41 NWA-TNA

Between the Sheets @btsheetspod.bsky.social · 2mo ago

New @btsheetspod.bsky.social Patreon show, part 5/7 covering TNA's disastrous 2014-2015! Taz quits, more pay issues, Billy Corgan's hired for some reason, Dave Meltzer buries the lede when Destination America cancels Impact, and more. Just $5.00/month or $50.40/year at Patreon.com/BetweenTheSheets!

Patreon Ep. #117: Destination Cancellation (Part 5)
It's Friday. You know what that means: The fifth of SEVEN installments covering TNA's 2014 cancellation by Spike TV through the end of their run on Destination America in 2015. Part 5 covers the weeks of April 20 to May 18, 2015, and topics of discussion include:
- Taz officially quits over being paid late.
- More depressing stories of production crew not only getting paid late, but also getting shorted on their actual paychecks.
- An incredibly weird and very WCW-ish story about TNA's relationship with RDS, its French-Canadian TV partner.
- Billy Corgan of all people is hired as Senior Producer of Creative and Talent Development.
- BILLY CORGAN of all people talks about exploring storylines that examine race and transgender issues.
- The planned but not announced tour of China gets cancelled.
- Destination America cancels more shoulder programming, this time in the form of Impact Unlocked.
- Thanks in large part to ad sales difficulties, Destination America cancels TNA Impact effective September 2015 in an all-time example of lede-burying by Dave Meltzer when he breaks the story.
- Destination America executives think that the Friday of Memorial Day weekend is a major party holiday for some reason...?
- Dixie Carter spewing nonsense on The Steve Austin Show.
- SIMON INOKI CONTENT.
...and much more. Enjoy!