Hell in a Cellphone is a wrestling podcast hosted by three comedian friends, where longtime marks Aaron Benoit and Bobby Hankinson introduce recent convert Eric Silver to the shock and awe of the Attitude Era in WWF/WWE. From “Austin 3:16” through “Ruthless Aggression,” in each episode they’ll watch a pay-per-view and dissect the rise of some of the biggest, most charismatic wrestlers of all time, and reckon with all the baggage that came along with them. There will be romance, there will be ...
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Episode 55 - SummerSlam - August 27, 2000
1:20:35
1:20:35
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The WWF was on cruise control as it came to Raleigh, NC for the biggest party of the summer. The matches are mostly solid, but the highs are not quite as high, until one match gets injected with a little TLC. Theme song “There Are Traitors in Our Midst” by Disco Vietnam Art by Alexis YavneBy Aaron Benoit, Bobby Hankinson & Eric Silver
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DEEP DIVE - Lita vs. Stephanie McMahon - RAW, August 21, 2000
26:30
26:30
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While it would still be over a decade until #givedivasachance, this main event from RAW from 2000 marked a change in the expectations and excitement surrounding women wrestlers. Theme song “There Are Traitors in Our Midst” by Disco Vietnam Art by Alexis YavneBy Aaron Benoit, Bobby Hankinson & Eric Silver
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DEEP DIVE - Shawn Michaels vs. Razor Ramon - WrestleMania X
32:34
32:34
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Before we look at the evolution of the art form at SummerSlam 2000, we look back at the first televised ladder match and one of the best wrestling matches of all time in this contest between Shawn Michaels and Razor Ramon. Theme song “Their Are Traitors in Our Midst” by Disco Vietnam. Check out his tracks on Real Late by Peter Rosenberg, out now! A…
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Episode 54 - Fully Loaded - July 23, 2000
1:20:28
1:20:28
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The WWF continued its parade of stellar pay per views in the year 2000 with this entry from Dallas, TX. A future hall of famer continuing her ascent, a big man jumping from on high, and three main event worthy matchups round out this phenomenal show. Theme song “There Are Traitors in Our Midst by Disco Vietnam Art by Alexis Yavne…
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DEEP DIVE - Bull Nakano vs. Alundra Blayze - SummerSlam 1994
31:36
31:36
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Before we explore the sea change in women’s wrestling in the WWF from 2000, we look back for the first time at two women superstars that were doing it half a decade before with this classic from SummerSlam 1994. Theme song “There Are Traitors in Our Midst” by Disco Vietnam Art by Alexis YavneBy Aaron Benoit, Bobby Hankinson & Eric Silver
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Episode 53 - King of the Ring - June 25, 2000
1:43:53
1:43:53
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From Boston, Massachusetts, it’s the finals for the biggest field in King of the Ring tournament history, and sensible booking gives way to a nonsensical main event with a whole bunch of superstars acting against their interests. Theme song “There Are Traitors in Our Midst” by Disco Vietnam Art by Alexis Yavne…
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DEEP DIVE - The Beginning of the Undertaker
27:16
27:16
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At Judgment Day, the sometimes mortuary agent, sometimes evil wizard we’ve grown to usually love reemerged as a biker. What better chance to look back at his history and his first two appearances, a taping of Superstars and Survivor Series from 1990. Theme song “There Are Traitors in Our Midst” by Disco Vietnam Art by Alexis Yavne…
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Episode 52 - Judgment Day - May 21, 2000
1:29:43
1:29:43
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From Louisville, KY, it’s yet another stacked show that even the Big Show vs. Shane McMahon can’t bring down. It features an iron man main event between the Rock and Triple H that completely rewrites the conventions established during WrestleMania XII. Theme song “There Are Traitors in Our Midst” by Disco Vietnam Art by Alexis Yavne…
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DEEP DIVE - Shawn Michaels vs. Bret Hart - WrestleMania XII
51:00
51:00
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Before the Rock and Hunter do battle in an ironman match at Judgment Day 2000, we look back at the original ironman match that capped off WrestleMania XII. Some would say it’s the best wrestling match of all time. Eric wouldn’t, but some would. Theme song "There Are Traitors in Our Midst" by Disco Vietnam Art by Alexis Yavne…
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Episode 51 - Backlash - April 30, 2000
1:40:37
1:40:37
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From our nation’s capital, it’s the event that probably should have been WrestleMania. Tag teams are on display, Chyna catches some Latino heat, and the main event rights the biggest wrong from the showcase of the immortals as the Rock takes on Triple H, one on one. Theme song “There Are Traitors in Our Midst” by Disco Vietnam Art by Alexis Yavne…
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DEEP DIVE - The Rock on Saturday Night Live - March 18, 2000
47:32
47:32
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The bags of money thrown at Vince McMahon and the end of the WWE Network as we know it, means a change in how we do deep dives. Luckily, we peacock comedy here at Hell in a Cellphone, so instead we’re going to relive sketch comedy of the early aughts and dunk on the somehow worse interface that we have with Peacock. Theme song “There Are Traitors i…
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Episode 50 - WrestleMania 2000 - April 2, 2000
1:27:23
1:27:23
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For FIFTY pay per views, the Hell in a Cellphone guys have led you through the Attitude Era of the WWF, and it’s all led to…one of the worst WrestleManias ever. Come for the matches that would have gotten a boring chant on Sunday Night Heat. Stay for the questionable booking throughout. Ask yourself, “Did EVERY McMahon need to be involved in this?”…
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The Attitude Era is here, and it has no room for award shows. We review the changing landscape of the WWF and hand out the awards they didn’t for the year since WrestleMania XV. Come back next week for our WrestleMania 2000 episode! Theme song “There Are Traitors in Our Midst” by Disco Vietnam Art by Alexis Yavne…
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Episode 49 - No Way Out - February 27, 2000
1:48:19
1:48:19
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The WWF continued their pay per view hot-streak in 2000 with this show from Hartford, CT with a Hell in a Cell match that truly understands how you book the stipulation between Cactus Jack and Mankind and a stacked undercard. Surly, they can keep up this momentum for WrestleMania 2000. Theme song “There Are Traitors in Our Midst” by Disco Vietnam A…
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We exhaustively look into the sexual addiction of Sexual Chocolate and the love of an old woman that pulls him out of it. It’s a modern Harold and Maude and we should all get a hand for enduring it. Did we make sense of this story from the Attitude Era of WWE? Not likely Want to get caught up? This episode deals with content from the following epis…
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Episode 48 - Royal Rumble - January 23, 2000
1:51:02
1:51:02
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30 men entered the 2000 Royal Rumble from Madison Square Garden, and most of them were either allied with the McMahon/Helmsley Era or directly opposed. Add to the fun a particularly brutal street fight between Triple H and Cactus Jack and you have one of the most complete pay per views of the Attitude Era. Theme song “There Are Traitors in Our Mids…
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DEEP DIVE - The McMahon/Helmsely Era Part 2
1:37:53
1:37:53
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We continue our deep dive as Triple H takes the WWF Championship and the story shifts to a redemptive one for the recently fired Mankind with the Royal Rumble and the road to WrestleMania looming overhead. Want to get caught up? This episode deals with content from the following episodes of RAW and SmackDown from 2000: January 3, January 6, January…
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DEEP DIVE - The McMahon/Helmsley Era Part 1
1:56:41
1:56:41
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In the wake of the surprise finish of Armageddon, Stephanie McMahon and Triple H spend their honeymoon taking control of the day to day operations at the WWF, and nearly every storyline on RAW and SmackDown goes through them. Want to get caught up? This episode deals with content from the following episodes of RAW and Smackdown from 1999 and 2000: …
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ON THIS DAY - St. Valentine's Day Massacre: In Your House - February 14, 1999
2:04:15
2:04:15
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Before you watch NXT: Vengeance Day look back at this other Valentine’s Day branded event from the build to WrestleMania XV. New episodes return next week with the first part of our deep dive on the McMahon/Helmsley Era. Theme song “There Are Traitors in Our Midst” by Disco Vietnam Art by Alexis Yavne…
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Episode 47 - Armageddon - December 12, 1999
1:46:09
1:46:09
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Nobody would call this show from Sunrise, Florida a masterpiece, but there is definitely a lot of interesting things going on as the WWF ended the millennium and entered into one of the biggest years in the company’s history. Theme song “There Are Traitors in Our Midst” by Disco Vietnam Art by Alexis Yavne…
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DEEP DIVE - Test and Stephanie's Wedding Part 2
1:46:12
1:46:12
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Wedding bells are in the air! Vince McMahon is feuding with D-Generation X. Certainly that will have no bearing on his daughter’s nuptials with Test. Want to get caught up? This episode deals with content from the following episodes of RAW and SmackDown from 1999: November 15, November 18, November 22, November 25, November 29, December 2, and Dece…
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DEEP DIVE - Test and Stephanie's Wedding Part 1
2:10:48
2:10:48
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We go all the way back to the Summer of 1999 to track every inch of the Test and Stephanie wedding story, from the proposal, to the second proposal, to the amnesia, to the third proposal. We even look at what’s going on with Triple H, even though there’s no way that could have anything to do with the happy couple’s nuptials. Want to get caught up? …
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Episode 46 - Survivor Series - November 14, 1999
1:54:49
1:54:49
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Survivor Series is filled with iconic moments: The Montreal Screwjob, the Deadly Game Tournament, and now the Middling Follow-Up from Detroit, Michigan. Aside from the traditional survivor series matches, we have the premiere of WWE Hall of Famer Kurt Angle, Chyna’s first Intercontinental Title defense, and the first Championship win for future Hal…
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DEEP DIVE - The Big Show's Daddy's Dead!
1:19:52
1:19:52
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Known doggie murderer the Big Bossman sets his sights on the Big Show and his dying father for super vague reasons, but before its all done we’ll have broken watches, attempted murder and dragging coffins. Want to get caught up? This episode deals with content from the following episodes of RAW and SmackDown from 1999: October 7, October 11, Octobe…
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WATCH ALONG - Edge & Christian vs. the Hardy Boyz - No Mercy Ladder Match
24:32
24:32
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Happy Holidays to you! Ever wish you could watch wrestling with us? We tried to do just that and it mostly worked! If you sync up your WWE Network with a countdown in podcast Wizard of Oz/Pink Floyd style, you can hear our witty commentary live along with the final match of the Terri Invitational Tournament, Edge & Christian vs. the Hardy Boyz from…
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Episode 45 - No Mercy - October 17, 1999
1:20:55
1:20:55
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So many of our deep dives come to a head at this redundantly named pay per view from the Gund Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. The Rock thankfully finishes his business with the British Bulldog. Mankind goes to war with Val Venis over a sock. The Terri Invitational Tournament has its stunning finale. Chyna finally gets sweet revenge on Jeff Jarrett. And S…
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DEEP DIVE - The Terri Invitational Tournament (Get it?)
1:10:13
1:10:13
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A paper thin story with weird stakes leads to a sea change in tag team wrestling. Matt & Jeff Hardy, Gangrel’s New Brood, take on Edge & Christian, the former holders of that title, in a best of five tournament culminating in the first ever tag team ladder match at No Mercy for $100,000 and the managerial services of Terri Runnels. Want to get caug…
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DEEP DIVE - Jeff Jarrett Vs. Every Single Woman
1:40:20
1:40:20
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In our first of two deep dives leading up to No Mercy 1999, we explore the continuing rise of Chyna as a top superstar, the depths of Jeff Jarrett’s kayfabe misogyny, and the insane booking decisions the WWE had for every other woman on the roster, making a guest appearance, or just hanging around backstage Want to get caught up? This episode deals…
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Episode 44 - Rebellion - October 2, 1999
1:28:40
1:28:40
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It’s off to Birmingham, England for another for another glorified house show at Rebellion 1999. While it does feature a major moment in the Stephanie McMahon storyline and a pretty good steel cage match between the Rock and Triple H, it also has a lot of British Bulldog. Theme song “There Are Traitors in Our Midst” by Disco Vietnam Art by Alexis Ya…
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DEEP DIVE - The Rise and Fall of the Rock 'n' Sock Connection Part 2
51:37
51:37
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More Rock! More Sock! Unlikely partners Mankind and the Rock found themselves teaming up in 1999. Eric, Bobby and Aaron find themselves teaming up in 2020 to talk about it. But can they coexist? Want to get caught up? This episode deals with content from the following episodes of RAW and SmackDown from 1999: September 27, September 30, October 4, O…
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DEEP DIVE - The Rise and Fall of the Rock 'n' Sock Connection Part 1
1:01:35
1:01:35
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Unlikely partners Mankind and the Rock found themselves teaming up in 1999. Eric, Bobby and Aaron find themselves teaming up in 2020 to talk about it. But can they coexist? Want to get caught up? This episode deals with content from the following episodes of RAW and SmackDown from 1999: August 30, September 2, September 6, September 9, September 20…
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Episode 43 - Unforgiven - September 26, 1999
1:27:44
1:27:44
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Don’t let the poster fool you. There is absolutely no Undertaker in this show from Charlotte, NORTH Carolina. What we do have is a 6 pack challenge featuring 5 of the greatest superstars of the era and the British Bulldog, the completely satisfying “Kennel from Hell” match that was definitely not a complete embarrassment, and all the drama of the r…
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Just gonna say it: Al Snow gets a little chihuahua friend, and the Big Bossman decides to feed it to him. And then the story keeps going! Want to get caught up? This episode deals with content from SummerSlam 1999 and the following episodes of RAW and SmackDown from 1999: July 26, August 2, August 9, August 16, August 23, August 26 August 30, Sepet…
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Episode 42 - SummerSlam - August 22, 1999
1:48:35
1:48:35
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It’s SummerSlam from Minneapolis, Minnesota, and everyone’s here, even former Governor Jesse Ventura! Wait, he was the CURRENT governor? We also get a great match from Shane McMahon and some incredible tag team action from Edge & Christian. Not to mention . . . I’m sorry, I’m still stuck on the governor thing. Theme song “There Are Traitors in Our …
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DEEP DIVE - The Best of Chris Jericho (Pre-WWE Matches)
1:42:22
1:42:22
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To celebrate the arrival of the Ayatollah of Rock ’n’ Rolla Y2J on the August 9, 1999 episode of RAW, we look back at some of Chris Jericho’s best matches before he joined WWE. Here’s what made the list: July 7, 1995 - WAR 95 vs. Ultimo Dragon December 13, 1995 War Super J Cup 1995 vs. Wild Pegasus March 9, 1996 - ECW Big Ass Extreme Bash vs. Cactu…
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Episode 41 - Fully Loaded - July 25, 1999
1:38:10
1:38:10
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We’re back with a new one! The road to SummerSlam takes us through Buffalo, New York. It’s so big it takes us from the arena to a service road by the arena to a parking structure adjacent to the arena. It’s all leading to a first blood match between Austin and the Undertaker, and if Austin wins, we will never see Vince McMahon ever again on televis…
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ON THIS DAY - Badd Blood: In Your House - October 5, 1997
2:10:56
2:10:56
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Only one more week until we’re back to new episodes! In the mean time, take a trip back to the debut of Kane and the time we got wrecked off of our Bloody Mary competition on the hottest day of the year. Theme song “There Are Traitors in Our Midst” by Disco Vietnam Art by Alexis Yavne Aaron’s Recipe: Fill a highball glass with ice. Shake in celery …
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ON THIS DAY - Breakdown: In Your House - September 27, 1998
1:58:00
1:58:00
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New episodes coming very soon, but in the meantime, go back 22 years to this show from Hamilton, Ontario, Canada following Summerslam 1998. We apologize for reminding you the Disciples of Apocalypse, Southern Justice, and Marc Mero existed. We don’t like it either. But at least you got Austin vs. both Brothers of Destruction and a steel cage match …
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ON THIS DAY - One Night Only - September 20, 1997
1:33:46
1:33:46
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We’re a little behind on recording, so let’s all go back 23 years to a glorified house show from Birmingham, England. Revel in nostalgia for teams like Los Boriquas and wrestlers like the patriot, while we remember a time where we could crush spiked seltzers while recording in the same apartment. Theme song “There Are Traitors in Our Midst” by Disc…
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Episode 40 - King of the Ring - June 27, 1999
1:41:00
1:41:00
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The stage is set in Greensboro, North Carolina for the ascension of . . . Mr. Ass? At the same time, the Undertaker and the Rock clash for the WWF Championship, two of the greatest tag teams in history meet for the first time on pay per view, and “Stone Cold” Steve Austin battles Vince and Shane McMahon for control of 170% of the company. Theme son…
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DEEP DIVE - The Greater Power Revealed (Ministry Part 4)
1:47:53
1:47:53
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Vince McMahon is revealed to be the Greater Power. Or is it the Higher Power? Either way we have a lot of questions. Also, Stone Cold is the CEO? Look, a bunch of people have a percentage of the company. What will this do to their IPO? Want to get caught up? This episode deals with content from the following episodes of RAW from 1999: May 31, June …
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Episode 39 - Over the Edge - May 23, 1999
1:36:16
1:36:16
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Is there anything that can be gained from watching this pay per view? We watch Over the Edge, the pay per view that cost Owen Hart his life, for probably the last time. Theme song “There Are Traitors in Our Midst” by Disco Vietnam Art by Alexis YavneBy Aaron Benoit, Bobby Hankinson & Eric Silver
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After so many episodes falling in love with his heel work with Camp Cornette, the Hart Foundation, and the Nation, it was inevitable that we got here. We ponder the questions surrounding the gimmick change and stunt that got Owen Hart killed while marveling at the deep love shown by his fellow performers. This episode deals with content from the No…
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Episode 38 - No Mercy (UK) - May 16, 1999
1:31:47
1:31:47
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In the midst of some of one of the biggest storylines in the history of the WWE and just before arguably the greatest tragedy in wrestling history, the WWF headed to Manchester, England for an inconsequential house show. Do you love the Rock? We do too! But instead you get Droz, Steve Blackman and Tiger Ali Singh. Theme song “There Are Traitors in …
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DEEP DIVE - The Ministry Goes Corporate (Ministry Part 3)
2:04:09
2:04:09
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Still here? Great! We have an evil wedding and an evil melding of organizational charts with more nondescript evil in between. Plus, you know we love a Union here at Hell in a Cell Phone. Plenty to talk about, and we talk about it! For over 2 hours! Want to get caught up? This episode deals with content from the following episodes of RAW from 1999:…
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Episode 37 - Backlash - April 25, 1999
2:08:06
2:08:06
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Following WrestleMania XV, the WWF heads to Providence, Rhode Island for a pay per view that eclipses the show of shows. The Rock and Steve Austin give us a first person view of the action. Friends turn to rivals as D-Generation X stalwarts Triple H and X-Pac go head to head. Mankind takes the Big Show to the Boiler Room. The Godfather and Goldust …
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DEEP DIVE - Daddy's Little Plot Point (Ministry Part 2)
1:20:14
1:20:14
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We pick up right where we left off last week, as the build to WrestleMania ends with yet another home invasion angle, with questionable imagery to boot! Then we look post ‘Mania as Stephanie McMahon becomes yet another character in this story. Want to get caught up? This episode deals with content from WrestleMania XV and the following episodes of …
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Welcome to season 2! The Undertaker makes some questionable staffing choices but he’s focused on his H.A.R.D. goal: total domination and maybe ownership of the World Wrestling Federation! Also he’s working for someone? It’s one of the biggest storylines of the Attitude Era, and it’s A LOT! Come back for part 2 next week. Want to get caught up? This…
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There’s nothing in the rule book that says we’re only allowed to cover the Attitude Era, but maybe there should be. We watch this movie about a wrestling dog and a talking monkey that makes us rethink whether we like animals, wrestling and movies in general. You have to listen; it’s a stipulation in our will. Theme song “There Are Traitors in Our M…
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REWIND - Pacific Blue - "Blue Hawaii" Parts 1 & 2 (Shawn Michaels)
1:11:25
1:11:25
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Because somebody probably wanted it, we go back to USA’s bike cop action drama Pacific Blue. This time, the gang heads to Hawaii, and it wastes no time being gross. This time, it’s Shawn Michaels lending his acting talent to this decidedly no Christian product. It’s season episodes 3 & 4: “Blue Hawaii” Parts 1 & 2. Want to get caught up? Both episo…
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