A match against a living legend, a look at the Gotch gang, a whole lotta strangling, a fake Turk, and a wild ad for vitality pills. It's the story of Fred Beell, part 5. Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert Primary sources: Sited articles from American Newspapers.Por pwhistorynerds

Ep 274 – WWF Monday Night RAW 09/22/1997 First time in Madison Square Garden and they call their shot0:22 - Welcome14:06 - RAW Opening16:16 - Rocky Maivia (w/ the Nation of Domination) vs Ahmed Johnson in the Quarterfinals of the WWF Intercontinental Title Tournament24:49 - The Legion of Doom (Road Warrior Animal/Road Warrior Hawk) vs the Nation of…

In this episode, I discuss the federal government prosecuting a gambling ring in 1910. The case exposed how wrestlers worked matches to bilk fans betting on the matches.Por kenzimmermanjr

Well, our recording software failed on us so a lot of this episode is missing but you do get to hear us talk about the Fire Pro Wrestling 35th Anniversary. Which was..a t-shirt giveaway. We also go over 2K24 DLC featuring the Honky Chunk Man, figures, the Wyatts and the state of wrestling as a whole. Luckily, I was able to call in a special favour …

Ep 273 – As Good As It Gets 1997 New faces and a few old favorites make an appearance0:35 - Welcome14:51 - AGAIG Opening14:58 - The FBI (Little Guido and Tracy Smothers) (w/ Tommy Rich) vs Hardcore Chair Swingin’ Freaks (Axl Rotten and Balls Mahoney)20:39 - Justin Credible (w/ Jason, the Sexiest Man on Earth) vs Jerry Lynn25:54 - Lance Storm vs Chr…

Ep 272 – One Night OnlyOnly Europe and Canada got this one 0:28 - Welcome16:53 - ONO Opening18:20 - Hunter Hearst Helmsley (w/ Chyna) vs Dude Love24:41 - Leif Cassidy vs Tiger Ali Singh (w/ Tiger Jeet Singh)27:50 - Los Boricuas (Savio Vega and Miguel Perez vs the Headbangers (Mosh/Thrasher) for the WWF Tag Team Championships32:38 - Flash Funk vs th…

Wins, losses, angry letters, and attempt to move west, and a box office bomb against a wrestling legend. It's the story of Fred Beell, part 4! Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert Primary sources: Sited articles from American Newspapers.Por pwhistorynerds

This week, we welcome back Freem to discuss WWF No Mercy. Is it really the best AKI game? We also go over the news. The newest VPW2 Freem Edition update, new Fire Pro? Rated Arrrgh DLC, UPW animations and a whole lot more. Here's to another 50 and 80 uncounted Special Reports.

Ep 271 – Fall Brawl 1997 “The Rage in the Cage”They telegraph the ending a little too much 0:28 - Welcome15:12 - Fall Brawl Opening17:37 - Eddie Guerrero vs Chris Jericho for the WCW World Cruiserweight Championship25:06 – Harlem Heat (Booker T/Stevie Ray) (w/ Miss Jacquelyn) vs the Steiner Brothers (Rick/Scott Steiner) (w/ Ted DiBiase)30:40 - Ulti…

In this episode, I talk about the upcoming podcast schedule and website revisions to kenzimmermanjr.com.Por kenzimmermanjr

Blazing Tornado was HUMAN's attempt at an arcade wrestling game. With a much smaller roster than usual, but great presentation. The game would see improvements in its Saturn port which we also go over. We also take a deep dive into the current gaming industry on the week of Summer Game Fest.

Ep 270 – Terry Funk’s WrestleFest: 50 Years of FunkTerry decides to say bye-bye….for now0:45 - Welcome16:59 - WrestleFest Opening17:44 - Roadkill vs Wing Kanemura21:28 - Taz vs Chris Candido for the ECW World Television Championship26:23 - Lady Cooga vs Shark Tsuchiya29:43 – The Youngbloods (Chris/Mark Youngblood) (w/ Ricky Romero) vs the Bushwhack…

A tale of bait-and-switch booking, stacking the betting odds, a wrestler with upset stomach, and why you can't answer a public challenge from the dark woods of the frontier. It's the story of Fred Beell, part 3! Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert Primary sources: Sited articles from American Newspapers.…

Fire Pro Wrestling: Iron Slam '96 was considered by many to be the black sheep of the series. At least, until 2012. The second ever 3D wrestling game released, the game features impressive animations and music but is unfortunately plagued by poor, broken AI and a miniscule roster. Here is our review.…

Ep 269 – Ground Zero: In Your House “That’s the Bottom Line”The midcard is still a problem and we've made IYH even longer0:29 - Welcome15:39 - IYH Opening18:47 - Goldust (w/ Marlena) vs Brian Pillman in an Indecent Proposal match23:14 - Brian Christopher vs Scott Putski28:04 - Savio Vega vs Faarooq vs Crush in a Triple Threat match39:10 - El Torito…

In this episode, we discuss wrestlers and jiu jitsu fighters working matches in Brazil. We also review WWE's King and Queen of the Ring.Por kenzimmermanjr

After X Premium, 6Men Scramble was the next Fire Pro title that really impacted a lot of people. Not just fans, but wrestlers as well. It still holds up as a fantastic game. We also talk gaming news as always, figures, X-Men '97, and the "Big Rubber Guy" Rene Dupree.

Ep 268 – Hardcore Heaven 1997 ECW does PPV for a 2nd time0:34 - Welcome14:09 - HH Opening17:54 - Chris Candido vs Taz for the ECW World Television Championship24:04 - Spike Dudley vs Bam Bam Bigelow27:46 - Rob Van Dam (w/ Bill Alfonso) vs Al Snow in a Monday Night Wrestling match35:26 - The Dudley Boys (Dvon/Buh Buh Ray Dudley) (w/ Big Dick/Sign Gu…

Ep 267 – WWF Monday Night RAW 08/11/1997There are glimpses of the future 0:22 - Welcome15:19 - RAW Opening20:36 - Road Warrior Hawk (w/Road Warrior Animal) vs Henry O Godwinn (w/Phineas I Godwinn) in a Country Whipping match25:34 - Scott Putski vs Tony Williams28:57 - Flash Funk vs Brian Pillman38:00 - Owen Hart and British Bulldog vs the Patriot a…

Learn about the impact of disease in warfare, the horrors of pre-OSHA railroad work, an ill-fated attempt to swindle a "Jay In The Woods" town, trash talking in the sports pages, and more! Join Nick and Heidi for the story of Fred Beell, part two! Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert Primary sources: Sited articles from American N…

In this episode, I talk about the 1924 match between Jim Browning and Taro Miyake.Por kenzimmermanjr

X Premium is a landmark wrestling game. If you were new to the series, it was the first game everyone talked about and ignited the fanbase outside of Japan. We also talk the AEW DLC, WWE DLC, status of UPW, X-MEN and more.

Ep 266 – Born to Be Wired One of the most brutal main events0:33 - Welcome14:00 - BtBW Opening14:05 - Little Guido (w/ Tracy Smothers and Tommy Rich) vs Pablo Marquez17:53 – Louie Spicolli vs Mikey Whipwreck21:01 - Spike Dudley vs Bam Bam Bigelow24:26 - “The Rookie” Chris Chetti vs Chris Candido27:37 - “The Franchise” Shane Douglas (w/ Francine) vs…

We're back with Super Fire Pro Wrestling Special! A really enjoyable Super Famicom title with an infamous story mode. Also, NERVE TESTING, X-Men '97, not buying figures but also ordering figures. More content than you can shake a stick at.

Technical difficulties led to this podcast being more of a compilation. We discuss an odd decision by the New York State Althletic Commission in 1921.Por kenzimmermanjr

Ep 265 – Road WIld 1997 “It’s Gonna Be Wild” It doesn’t get as wild as they said it would0:15 - Welcome14:17 - RW Opening15:26 – Vicious and Delicious (Buff Bagwell/Scott Norton) (w/ Vincent) vs Harlem Heat (Booker T/Stevie Ray)21:11 - Konnan vs Rey Mysterio Jr in a Mexican Death Match26:26 - Four Horsemen (Steve “Mongo” McMichael/”The Crippler” Ch…

Today we look at the licensed Fire Pro Joshi games released for the Super Famicom and PC Engine CD. Spoilers, Queen's Special rules. We also talk the recent UPW Kickstarter update, WhatsTheStatus, The Great Shake, Rattle & Roll controversary of 2K24 and as always, X-Men. Bub.

Ep 264 – WCW Monday Night Nitro 08/04/1997It's the so-called "100th" episode of Nitro 0:29 - Welcome12:42 - Nitro Opening17:42 - Mortis (w/ James Vandenburg) vs Curt Hennig20:17 - Hector Guerrero and Chavo Guerrero Jr vs Jeff Jarrett and Dean Malenko (w/ Queen Debra)25:41 - Lenny Lane, Scott D'Amore and Joey Maggs vs Giant28:14 - High Voltage (Kenn…

Today Nick and Heidi discuss the railroad expansion into the post-Civil War Midwest, why fire is bad, old timey language that makes us giggle, and of course the early life and career of Fred Beell. Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert Primary sources: Sited articles from American Newspapers.…

This week we take a look at Super Fire Pro Wrestling, Super Fire Pro Wrestling 2 and Super Fire Pro Wrestling 3:Final Bout/Easy Type for the Super Famicom. We also talk the Fight Forever Samoa Joe DLC and news of the week. Oh, and X-Men, of course!

Ep 263 – Summerslam 1997 “Hart & Soul”Unfortunate mistakes mar this show 0:28 - Welcome17:00 - SS Opening21:07 - Hunter Hearst Helmsley (w/Chyna) vs Mankind in a Steel Cage match35:28 - Goldust (w/ Marlena) vs Brian Pillman40:32 - The Godwinns (Henry O/Phineas I Godwinn) vs the Legion of Doom (Road Warrior Hawk/Road Warrior Animal)50:54 - British B…

Mongo bit the bullet and bought WWE 2K24 so we're here with a special report! We also talk about The Wrestling Code King Kong Bundy TECH DEMO (Oh boy) and some clarification on the Ultra Pro Wrestling discussion we had last week.We also go over Mike Straw's report on AEW Fight Forever. It's a bit of anger feuled episode this week so it's a fun one.…

In this episode, I discuss the backstage video from AEW at Wembley, talk about pro wrestling before the modern promotion system, and review Wrestlemania XL Day 2.Por kenzimmermanjr

Ep 262 – G1 Climax 1997It's that time of year0:34 - Welcome18:46 - G1 Opening20:08 – Lord Steven Regal vs Satoshi Kojima in a 1st round battle23:28 - Hiroyoshi Tenzan vs Tadao Yasuda in a 1st round battle29:06 - Scott Norton vs Junji Hirata in a 1st round battle31:59 - Michiyoshi Ohara vs Masahiro Chono (w/ Hiro Saito and Hiroyoshi Tenzan) in a 1st…

Today we discuss a man of many stolen gimmicks. A man with multiple shots at the NWA title. A man who set fires, committed crimes, did prison time, and was the body guard of a Mafia boss, who went on to be a movie icon. Nick and Heidi tell the story of Lenny Montana! Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert Primary sources: Sited arti…

In this episode, I discuss the possible reasons for the falling out between Tex Rickard and Jack Curley. I also review the first night of Wrestlemania XL.Por kenzimmermanjr

It's a WHOPPER of an episode this week as we take a look at the Fire Pro trilogy that started it all. It's also WrestleMania week with tons of news on action figures, wrestling in general and some video game news, including UPW DLC announcements.

Ep 261 – Bash at the Beach 1997“Hollywood Hogan and Dennis Rodman Crash the Beach”The 1year anniversary of the nWo 0:36 - Welcome15:09 - BatB Opening16:37 - Mortis and Wrath (w/ James Vandenberg) vs Glacier and Ernest “The Cat” Miller23:43 - Ultimo Dragon vs Chris Jericho for the WCW Cruiserweight Championship34:47 - nWo Japan (Masahiro Chono/Great…

We got together and did some Wrestlemania XL predictions plus some bonus movie talkPor Wrestling History X

In this episode, we discuss the threat that Marin Plestina posed to the wrestling trust between 1917 and 1921.Por kenzimmermanjr

Ep 260 – In Your House 16: Canadian Stampede Technical difficulties don’t stop us from heading to the Deep North0:30 - Welcome15:24 - IYH Opening18:04 - Hunter Hearst Helmsley (w/ Chyna) vs Mankind25:35 - Taka Michinoku vs the Great Sasuke38:45 - Vader (w/ Paul Bearer) vs the Undertaker for the WWF Championship51:30 - Goldust, Ken Shamrock, the Leg…

How did an all-women's show impact the Colorado Wrestling Scene? How do women wrestlers navigate the world of regional pro wrestling? Why did Priscilla Kelly kick Heidi Howitzer in the face? Listen up as we solve these mysteries and tell wild stories from Respect Women's Wrestling! Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert…

In this episode, we discuss how World War I affected American professional wrestling. We also reveal who said, "Repetition is the key when dealing with goofs."Por kenzimmermanjr

Ep 259 – Great American Bash 1997 “Give Him a Nice Warm Hug on Father’s Day”Feuds galore on this one 0:28 - Welcome13:46 - GAB Opening16:02 - Psychosis (w/ Sonny Onoo) vs Ultimo Dragon in a Special Respect Challenge23:11 - Harlem Heat (Booker T/Stevie Ray) (w/ Sister Sherri) vs the Steiner Brothers (Rick/Scott Steiner) in a #1 Contender’s Match for…

RetroMania Wrestling has finally finished it's story. Was it worth the wait? I also talk about my experience with WWE 2K24, action figures and we're also super pumped for X-Men '97 so we take a detour into the world of comics.

Ep 258 – WCW Monday Night Nitro 06/09/1997The go-home show to Great American Bash 0:26 - Welcome15:31 - Nitro Opening17:01 - Juventud Guerrera, Super Calo, and Ultimo Dragon vs La Parka, Psychosis, and Silver King25:38 - Alex Wright vs Chris Jericho29:30 - Malia Hosaka vs Akira Hokuto (w/ Sonny Onoo) for the WCW World Women’s Championship32:18 - Ko…

Murder, scandals, intervention by the supreme court, Nazi in-laws, a Texas Death match, and the hottest short run a tag team could ask for. Today Nick and Heidi discuss the life and career of Sam Sheppard! Venmo research donations accepted at @nicholas-gossert Primary sources: Sited articles from American Newspapers.…

In this solo episode, I look at John "The Nebraska Tiger Man" Pesek settling two promotional wars in the 1920s.Por kenzimmermanjr

Ep 257 – King of the Ring 1997 “It’s Bound to Get Medieval. Brace Yourself” These options aren’t the best 0:33 - Welcome18:04 - KotR Opening19:52 - Ahmed Johnon vs Hunter Hearst Helmsley (w/ Chyna) in a Semi-Final of the King of the Ring Tournament23:18 - Mankind vs Jerry “The King” Lawler in a Semi-Final of the King of the Ring Tournament32:30 - C…

In this episode, we discuss the origins of professional wrestling stories and legends around events through history.Por kenzimmermanjr