Tales from the Attitude Era

Former WWF writer Tommy Blacha and co-host Rob Pasbani are in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to recap a night of massive upsets and "soft reboots." The episode is headlined by a shocker as the Brooklyn Brawler pins Triple H in a handicap match after Chris Jericho provides a timely distraction.

We break down the scary, legitimate injury sustained by Hardcore Holly during a stiff match with Kurt Angle, where a chaotic moonsault resulted in a broken arm for the "Big Shot." Tommy Blacha provides the backstage scoop on Taz’s "doghouse" status with management, the real-life logistics of...

Former WWF writer Tommy Blacha and co-host Rob Pasbani head to the landlocked city of Orlando, Florida, to recap the July 3, 2000, episode of Monday Night Raw. This episode is legendary for one of the most iconic comedic moments in Attitude Era history: Mick Foley using The Rock’s own catchphrase against him to deliver a massive "It doesn't matter how you feel!".

We break down the "soft reboot" of the summer season as Foley settles into his role as Commissioner and begins stacking the deck against the McMahon-Helmsley Faction. Tommy Blacha shares behind-the-scenes stories about the re...

This week on Tales from the Attitude Era, former WWF writer Tommy Blacha and co-host Rob Pasbani are in Hartford for the post-King of the Ring fallout! With The Rock away in Hollywood, the show undergoes a "soft reboot" under the leadership of the brand-new Commissioner, Mick Foley.

We break down the scary moment in the ring when Kurt Angle landed a chaotic moonsault directly on Hardcore Holly, resulting in a legitimate compound fracture to Holly's forearm. Tommy Blacha shares the backstage reaction to the injury and how it stalled a major singles push for the "...

Former WWF writer Tommy Blacha and co-host Rob Pasbani head to Worcester, Massachusetts, to recap the massive fallout from King of the Ring 2000! The landscape of the WWF shifts forever as Shawn Michaels steps down and introduces Mick Foley as the new WWF Commissioner. Tommy Blacha provides the backstage perspective on the decision to bring Foley back in an authority role and how a "face" commissioner completely changed the show's dynamic.

We also break down Vince McMahon’s bizarre and narcissistic "Genetic Jackhammer" promo, where he attempts to write himself off the show to "make babies" wi...

On this episode of Tales from the Attitude Era, former WWE writer Tommy Blacha and Rob Pasbani recap WWF King of the Ring 2000 from the Fleet Center in Boston. The guys discuss the marathon weekend that started with a house show at Madison Square Garden featuring a surprise appearance by Donald Trump and Melania Trump. Tommy Blacha shares what the atmosphere was like backstage during the peak of the Attitude Era and why the "home court" advantage of the Garden always brought out the best in the roster.

The discussion dives deep into the tournament bracket...

Former WWF writer Tommy Blacha and co-host Rob Pasbani are in Memphis at the Pyramid Arena to recap the final stop before King of the Ring 2000. The emotional center of the night features hometown hero Jerry Lawler leaving the announce table to join a mixed tag match and save The Kat from a two on one assault by Dean Malenko and Terry.

We discuss the massive pop for the King and Tommy Blacha provides the backstage scoop on the real life relationship between Lawler and The Kat that fueled the segment. We also break down the...

Former WWF writer Tommy Blacha and co-host Rob Pasbani are joined by Tom Green (WCW Deep Cuts) to recap the final RAW is WAR before King of the Ring 2000! We dive into a wrestling-heavy show from Nashville that features a masterclass in sports entertainment storytelling between Eddie Guerrero and Chyna.

We break down the "Puppy Love" segment that saw Eddie win over Chyna with a gift she couldn't resist, alongside the brilliantly booked tournament qualifier where Eddie used a "wrist-lock rollup" to advance. Tommy Blacha explains the backstage perspective on why Eddie Guerrero took to the...

Former WWF writer Tommy Blacha and co-host Rob Pasbani are back in the Windy City (or at least Rosemont) to recap a star-studded June 15, 2000 episode of SmackDown. The headline is the guest appearance of Samuel L. Jackson as Shaft! We break down the surreal crossover segments in Time Square and WWE New York, including the legendary moment where Shaft offers to "protect the booty" of Hardcore Champion Crash Holly.

Tommy Blacha provides unique insight into the "on-the-fly" nature of the Shaft shoot and what it was like working with a Hollywood A-lister at the peak of...

This week on Tales from the Attitude Era, former WWF writer Tommy Blacha and co-host Rob Pasbani head to St. Louis to recap the June 12, 2000, episode of RAW is WAR! This show is remembered for a legendary (and unintentional) high-stakes moment involving the Chairman himself.

We break down the chaotic Tables Match where a 54-year-old Vince McMahon took a frightening spill off the shoulders of Bubba Ray Dudley, falling from the top rope all the way to the arena floor. Tommy Blacha shares what it was like backstage watching the boss take such a dangerous bump...

Former WWF writer Tommy Blacha and co-host Rob Pasbani dive into the June 8, 2000, episode of SmackDown from Buffalo! The road to King of the Ring features a chaotic main event and one of the most dangerous splashes in WWE history.

We break down Rikishi’s legendary splash off the 10-foot stage onto Val Venis, a move that still makes our knees hurt just watching it. We also witness a historic character shift for Lita, who debuts her signature "Whale Tail" look while getting robbed of the WWF Women’s Championship by Stephanie McMahon and a fast-counting Tori...

This week on Tales from the Attitude Era, former WWF writer Tommy Blacha and co-host Rob Pasbani recap the June 5, 2000, episode of RAW is WAR from the Blue Cross Arena in Rochester, New York. The night begins with massive dissension in the McMahon-Helmsley faction as Triple H, Vince McMahon, and Shane McMahon engage in a family shoving match that results in everyone—including Stephanie McMahon—getting slapped.

A major talking point this week is how that "laborious" opening segment threw off the timing for the entire broadcast. Tommy Blacha provides unique insight into the backstage stress that...

This week on Tales from the Attitude Era, former WWF writer Tommy Blacha and co-host Rob Pasbani head north to Vancouver for the May 29, 2000, episode of RAW is WAR! It’s a Memorial Day classic featuring one of the hottest (and most anti-American) crowds of the year.

We break down the massive return of Kane, who interrupts a chaotic lumberjack brawl between The Rock, Undertaker, and the McMahon-Helmsley Faction. Plus, Too Cool shocks the world by defeating Edge & Christian for the Tag Team Titles with help from Kid Rock's hype man, Joe C!

We...

This week on Tales from the Attitude Era, former WWF writer Tommy Blacha and co-host Rob Pasbani head north to Vancouver for the May 29, 2000, episode of RAW is WAR! It’s a Memorial Day classic featuring one of the hottest (and most anti-American) crowds of the year.

We break down the massive return of Kane, who interrupts a chaotic lumberjack brawl between The Rock, Undertaker, and the McMahon-Helmsley Faction. Plus, Too Cool shocks the world by defeating Edge & Christian for the Tag Team Titles with help from Kid Rock's hype man, Joe C!

We...

This week on Tales from the Attitude Era, former WWF writer Tommy Blacha and co-host Rob Pasbani review the May 25, 2000, episode of SmackDown from Evansville, Indiana. The McMahon-Helmsley faction is running scared as The Undertaker returns to SmackDown on his motorcycle, chasing Vince, Shane, and Brisco throughout the arena!

We also discuss Tommy's growing burnout during this period and his realization that he needed to make an "exit plan" from the chaotic world of WWF creative.

Plus, we break down:

- The Rock's hilarious segment where he whispers a "secret" to...

This week on Tales from the Attitude Era, former WWF writer Tommy Blacha and co-host Rob Pasbani review the May 22, 2000, episode of RAW is WAR from Indianapolis. It's the fallout from Judgment Day, and while Triple H is the new champion, The Rock is on a warpath!

In a candid moment, Tommy reveals that this was the specific week he first considered quitting the WWF creative team due to burnout and the chaotic backstage environment. We discuss the mindset of the writing team during this period and how the "machine" kept rolling despite the lack of...

This week on Tales from the Attitude Era, former WWF writer Tommy Blacha and co-host Rob Pasbani review one of the greatest pay-per-views of the year: Judgment Day 2000! The main event is a historic 60-Minute Iron Man Match between The Rock and Triple H for the WWF Championship, with the returning Shawn Michaels as the special guest referee.

The night ends in absolute chaos with the shock return of The Undertaker, debuting his new "American Badass" persona! We break down the controversial finish that saw Triple H regain the title despite being decimated by the Deadman.<...

This week on Tales from the Attitude Era, former WWF writer Tommy Blacha and co-host Rob Pasbani head to Detroit for the May 18, 2000, episode of SmackDown! It's the final stop before Judgment Day, and the McMahon-Helmsley regime is pulling out all the stops with a main event stipulation that defies logic: a Lumberjack Handicap Tables Match featuring The Rock & The Dudley Boyz vs. DX & The McMahon-Helmsley Faction.

Vince McMahon delivers a scathing promo about "inferior DNA," while Edge, Christian, and Kurt Angle generate nuclear heat in Detroit by mocking the Red Wings. We also see the...

This week on Tales from the Attitude Era, former WWF writer Tommy Blacha and co-host Rob Pasbani review the wild, go-home episode of RAW is WAR from May 15, 2000! The Rock makes his triumphant return from filming The Mummy Returns and immediately accepts Triple H's challenge for a 60-Minute Iron Man Match at Judgment Day.

The show kicks off with the massive surprise return of Shawn Michaels, who resigns as commissioner and inserts himself as the special guest referee for the Judgment Day main event. Later, The Rock is forced into a Submission Match against Chris Benoit...

This week on Tales from the Attitude Era, former WWF writer Tommy Blacha and co-host Rob Pasbani review the May 11, 2000, episode of SmackDown from New Haven, CT. With The Rock away filming The Mummy Returns, Vince McMahon takes center stage to deliver his iconic, scathing "Life Sucks (And Then You Die)" promo to the live audience.

The McMahon-Helmsley regime books a chaotic night, culminating in one of the most absurd main events of the era: Rikishi & Too Cool vs. DX & Pat Patterson. The match features The Dudley Boyz getting revenge, and in a moment you have...

This week on Tales from the Attitude Era, Rob Pasbani and former WWF writer Tommy Blacha break down the chaotic May 8, 2000 "kitchen sink" episode of RAW is WAR! With The Rock away filming The Mummy Returns, the McMahon-Helmsley regime turns its full attention to the new top babyface, Chris Jericho.

Vince McMahon guarantees Jericho will lose his Intercontinental Championship and forces him to run a gauntlet against Kurt Angle, The Big Show, and Chris Benoit. The night culminates in a main event screwjob orchestrated by special referee Triple H.

We also dive into:<...

This week on Tales from the Attitude Era, Rob and former WWF writer Tommy head to Richmond, VA – Earl Hebner's hometown – for the May 4, 2000 episode of SmackDown! Fresh off The Rock's historic WWF Title win at Backlash and a record-setting RAW, the McMahon-Helmsley regime stacks the deck once again.

Vince McMahon forces The Rock to defend his newly won championship in a seemingly impossible main event: The Rock must team with referee Earl Hebner against Triple H, X-Pac, and Road Dogg. If either The Rock OR Hebner is pinned, The Rock loses the title! The episode foll...

This week on Tales from the Attitude Era, Rob Pasbani and former WWF writer Tommy Blacha dive into the chaotic aftermath of one of the greatest pay-per-views ever: the May 1, 2000, episode of WWF Monday Night RAW!

It's The Rock's first night as the new WWF Champion, and the McMahon-Helmsley regime is already plotting to take the title back. A furious Vince McMahon books The Rock into a Steel Cage match against Shane McMahon for the championship! The episode features The Rock's iconic promo where he lays out the entire family with classic catchphrases, and a main...

This week on Tales from the Attitude Era, Rob Pasbani and former WWF writer Tommy Blacha are joined by special guest, comedian and pro wrestler Peter Angelo (@metalpetecomedy), to review one of the greatest pay-per-views of the era: Backlash 2000!

This is the epic culmination of the WrestleMania fallout, where The Rock finally gets his one-on-one match against Triple H for the WWF Championship. The main event explodes into chaos with interference from the entire McMahon family, Patterson & Brisco, and the monumental return of Stone Cold Steve Austin, who helps The Rock finally reclaim the gold.

Rob and former WWF writer Tommy review the final stop before Backlash: the April 27, 2000, episode of SmackDown! The entire show is built around one massive question: is Stone Cold Steve Austin really in the building?

The McMahon-Helmsley faction spends the night on a frantic hunt for Austin, falling for a series of pranks and red herrings. It all leads to an explosive conclusion where Stone Cold makes his epic return via the TitanTron to destroy the DX Express with a crane, sending a final, destructive message to Triple H.

We also dive into:<...

This week on Tales from the Attitude Era, Rob and former WWF writer Tommy break down the go-home episode of RAW is WAR from April 24, 2000, just six days before the epic Backlash pay-per-view!

The show is packed with final confrontations, including a verbal showdown where Chris Jericho delivers his infamous "lost her flower" line about Stephanie McMahon. This sets up a massive main event tag team match: The Rock & Chris Jericho vs. Triple H & Chris Benoit, which ends in absolute chaos.

We also dive into:

- Vince McMahon's return to TV...

This week on Tales from the Attitude Era, Rob and former WWF writer Tommy head to the heart of ECW country, Philadelphia, for the 4/20/2000 episode of SmackDown! The show features a fantasy champion vs. champion match, as WWF Champion Triple H takes on the reigning ECW Champion, Tazz!

With Backlash just around the corner, the main event sees The Rock and Chris Jericho go one-on-one in a Lumberjack Match, with the deck completely stacked against them by the McMahon-Helmsley faction. We break down the chaotic finish and the politics behind Jericho getting a pinfall victory over...

This week on Tales from the Attitude Era, Rob and former WWF writer Tommy dive into one of the most iconic and chaotic episodes in history: WWF RAW is WAR from April 17, 2000!

This is the night Chris Jericho shocked the world and pinned Triple H to become the WWF Champion... for a few minutes. Tommy shares the incredible behind-the-scenes story of how the match came together, including the fact that Jericho was on the verge of quitting the company just moments before being told he was winning the title.

The McMahon family drama...

This week on Tales from the Attitude Era, Rob Pasbani and former WWF writer Tommy Blacha head to the Ice Palace in Tampa for the April 13, 2000 episode of SmackDown! The road to Backlash is getting shorter, and we discuss the creative pressures of building a pay-per-view card with only a few weeks of TV.

With the roster in their home state of Florida, the show has a fun, house-show vibe. The Rock has secured his title shot, but the McMahon-Helmsley Faction isn't done with him yet, setting up a huge six-man tag team main event between...

On this episode of Tales from the Attitude Era, Rob and former WWF writer Tommy Blacha break down the April 10, 2000 episode of Raw is War! We discuss the fallout from WrestleMania 2000 and why this Raw felt like a "casserole of leftovers."

The Rock is on a quest for revenge against the McMahon-Helmsley faction and demands his shot at the WWF Championship. Vince McMahon finally explains his shocking turn, leading to a bizarre promo about feces and rectal cavities. Plus, The Rock is booked in a handicap Steel Cage match for the main event!

...

It's the Smackdown after WrestleMania 2000, and the Rock has had enough of DX's antics and gets a bit of revenge for being screwed at WrestleMania. Plus, the Latino Heat angle kicks off with Chyna, the Radicalz are finding their new place on the card, the tag team division is heating up with the Dudleys, T&A, Hardys, and Head Cheese all vying for a spot, and we get some great wrestling this episode.

Watch this episode on Youtube.

Follow Tales from The Attitude Era on all social media

http://youtube.com...

It's the night after WrestleMania 2000, and while the world waited on an explanation from Vince McMahon, we didn't quite get one. Instead, he teamed with DX to try to stop the Rock. This is the episode where Chyna finally gives into Eddie Guerrero's advances and we start the memorable storyline between the two of them. Plus, Big Show goes Hollywood with an attempt at an evolution of his character. Plus, the Hardcore Title chronicles continue.

Watch this episode on Youtube.

Follow Tales from The Attitude Era on all social media

http...

It's traditionally the biggest show of the year, but in 2000, WrestleMania felt more like a thrown-together episode of Raw. Former writer Tommy Blacha talks about what worked and what missed the mark, why the crowd was so quiet all night, heightened expectations, his vision for the Hardcore Title segment that got a little muddied, and we dive deep into why the fatal four way main event and the Vince McMahon swerve at the end didn't work for the crowd.

Watch this episode on Youtube.

Follow Tales from The Attitude Era on all social...

WrestleMania 2000 is only a few days away in our timeline, and for this review of #WWESmackdown, comedian and show business star Dave Hill joins us to share his views on pro wrestling as we get through the last episode before Mania, and there's a lot here from Stephanie's win of the WWF Women's Title, the hardcore title schenanigans and the tag team division really heating up.

Watch this episode on Youtube.

Follow Tales from The Attitude Era on all social media

http://youtube.com/@TFTAttitudeEra 

http://twitter.com/TFTAttitudeEra

It's the final WWF Monday Night Raw before the biggest show of the year, and things get out of whack when the first segment runs much longer than it should have, forcing cuts to the timing of the rest of the show. Watch as former head writer Tommy Blacha describes the mayhem backstage and also some angles he hoped to get across before the big PPV this weekend - namely never getting a Hardcore vs. Crash Holly feud fully off the ground. All the matches on the show this week seem to set up PPV matches for the weekend...

Stephanie McMahon isn't so innocent anymore. This is the infamous episode where she slaps her mom, future Secretary of Education, Linda McMahon. Plus, Mick Foley does his best to explain how he came back so soon after his retirement, and we start to see the full WrestleMania 2000 card developing with Hardys, Edge & Christian, the Dudleys, the Hollys, Rikishi, Too Cool, the Radicalz and more all getting roles.

Watch this episode on Youtube.

Follow Tales from The Attitude Era on all social media

http://youtube.com/@TFTAttitudeEra 

http://twitter.com/T...

With WrestleMania 2000 just two weeks away, this episode of Raw is laser-focused on making sure to set up all the proper angles to finalize the card. We see a tag team battle royal interrupted by the Dudleys, DX's feuds with Kane and Rikishi escalating, and most importantly, we get a preview of the WrestleMania main event and the addition of the hardcore legend Mick Foley in a very controversial angle. Tommy also discussed some of the other angle possibilities.

Watch this episode on Youtube.

Follow Tales from The Attitude Era on all social...

It's a special edition of Tales from the Attitude Era, where we review The Rock's first time hosting Saturday Night Live, leading up to WrestleMania 2000. Tommy Blacha was there as a guest writer for the week, advocating for the Rock and WWE and he shares all the stories of what the week was like. Plus, we are joined by special guest, comedian Jon Glaser, who has plenty of stories of writing at 30 Rock and sharing some great anecdotes.

Watch this episode on Youtube.

Follow Tales from The Attitude Era on all social media<...

Vince is back, and he wants revenge on his children for causing chaos while he was gone. Lots of McMahon interactions this episode, plus the Rock continues to get the best of DX and Big Show. One of the best 24/7 hardcore segments ever aired on this episode at Fun Time USA with Crash Holly and the Headbangers. Plus, Bob Backlund gets involved in Kurt Angle's feud with Chris Jericho and Chyna, and Chris Benoit butts in as well. Edge and Christian get some payback on the she-devil Terri. You can really see the WrestleMania card start to form on...

Business starts to pick up on this RAW on the road to WrestleMania in the New York tri-state area. The Rock finally figures his way into the WrestleMania 2000 main event with help from the returning Vince McMahon, who we haven't seen since December. Plus, the 24/7 Hardcore Title chronicles continue in Newark Airport and the Dudleys go even further with powerbombing Mae Young through the stage

Watch this episode on Youtube.

Follow Tales from The Attitude Era on all social media

http://youtube.com/@TFTAttitudeEra 

http://twitter.com/TFTAttitudeEra

It's Handicap Match Mania on Smackdown this episode, and we dive into why there were four handicap matches booked on this show. With just under a month to WrestleMania 2000, it was an episode to build heat on the heels. Also on this episode, Bob Backlund and Taz trade submissions, Steve Blackman and Jeff Hardy wow the crowd, Crash Holly escapes out of a laundromat with his title, and Edge spears Lita!

Watch this episode on Youtube.

Follow Tales from The Attitude Era on all social media

http://youtube.com/@TFTAttitudeEra