Between The Sheets
Every Monday, Kris Zellner and David Bixenspan go over how a given week in professional wrestling history was covered by the wrestling media, primarily in the "dirt sheet" newsletters. The deepest dive into wrestling history that you can find.
Ep. #565: October 27-November 2, 1985 with Robert O'Connor
Kris & David are joined by Robert O'Connor (@ghostofquinones) this week to discuss the week that was October 27-November 2, 1985. Topics of discussion include:
The tragic death of Rick McGraw and the terrible timing of an injury angle he did on the TV that aired the day after his death in his famous match against Roddy Piper.Saturday Night's Main Event celebrating spooky season with a Halloween party that features the babyfaces and heels mingling together, which angered many fans and people in the business at the time.The Calgary Hurricanes of Super Strong Machine, Hiro Saito, and Shunji Takano...Center Stage Chronicles Ep. #30: October 1991
Kris Zellner is joined by Rob Naylor and Our Good Buddy Charles to discuss the month of October 1991 in World Championship Wrestling and pop culture at large. Topics of discussion include:
Paul E. Dangerously and Missy Hyatt being on the hunt for the Chamber of Horrors.The "suspension" of Paul E. Dangerously by WCW, what was real vs. what wasn't, and how Jerry "The King" Lawler fit in all of that as well.The heavy push of Van Hammer.The worst-attended wrestling show ever at the Greensboro Coliseum.Sid's infamous squeegee incident with Brian Pillman and Mike Graham...Ep. #564: October 19-24, 1997 with Nick Maniwa & Jim Fannin
Kris and David are back to discuss the (almost-)week that was October 19-24, 1997. We are joined for the first segment of the show by Jim Fannin and Nick Maniwa to discuss not only the end of the USWA and the first ever IWA Mid-South King of the Death Matches tournament, but also other great memories of IWAMS and the upcoming Last Resort tribute show for our dearly departed friend Mark Wolf, which takes place on November 1st. We were excited to have them on to discuss this great cause. Other topics of discussion include:
Ric Flair's contractual...Ep. #563: October 13-19, 1990
Kris and David are back to discuss the week that was October 13-19, 1990. Topics of discussion include:
The Genius joining the growing list of layoffs among WWF veteran wrestlers in light of the end of the C-show tour and how his brother, “Macho King” Randy Savage, felt about it.Vince McMahon wanting Hulk Hogan to work more dates and getting pushback from him.Saturday Night's Main Event turning into Oktoberfest with some wacky skits. plus Dustin Rhodes showing up to get laid out by the Ted DiBiase and Virgil.Dick Glover, J.J. Dillon, and Akio Sato going to J...Ep. #562: October 9-16, 1992 with Steve Corino
Kris and David are delighted to be joined by “The King of Old School” STEVE CORINO (@kingcorino on Instagram) to discuss the week-plus that was October 9-16, 1992. Topics of discussion include:
Rick and Scott Steiner having major issues with Cowboy Bill Watts over Watts wanting to split them up permanently after giving Scott the WCW TV Title as the start of a heel turn and singles push.Jake Roberts already doing jobs to Sting on house shows.Michael Hayes’s role in the upcoming WCW Slam Jam album.Your annual Terry Funk may come to WCW story for the ea...Center Stage Chronicles Ep. #29: September 1991
Kris Zellner is joined by Rob Naylor and Our Good Buddy Charles to discuss September 1991 in the world of WCW and pop culture at large as only they can. Topics of discussion include:
What did O.P.P. really mean to us as kids in 1991?Clash of the Champions 16: Fall Brawl featuring the Georgia Brawl, Brian Pillman and "Bradstreet" being awesome, Sting and Cactus Jack coming out of gift boxes to attack each other, Mike Graham being "old", Ron Simmons being all over the show, the debut of Van Hammer debut and much more.On the same night...Ep. #561: September 28-October 4, 1988
Kris and David are back to discuss the week that was September 28-October 4, 1988. Topics of discussion include:
Dave Meltzer deciphering just what was rumor vs. fact in the wrestling world during our week when it came to Lex Luger or Ric Flair leaving the NWA as well as Jerry Jarrett's acquisition of World Class.The WWF renewing its deal with NBC, but not everything was as it seemed.Ted DiBiase buying Hercules as a “slave,” the in-ring debut of Akeem, and Sensational Sherri soul kissing Greg Valentine all on one episode of Superstars.New Japan’s tour of Taiwan...Ep. #560: September 22-28, 2008
Kris and David are back to discuss the week that was September 22-28, 2008. Topics of discussion include:
ROH New Horizons debuts on PPV featuring Bryan Danielson vs. Tyler Black, Nigel McGuinness defending the ROH Title against Claudio Castagnoli, appearances from Naomichi Marufuji and Go Shiozaki, and so much more.An update on Kevin Nash's contract status in TNA.Booker T's horrible Ugandan accent in TNA."The Love-In" starring “The Guru” Sonjay Dutt and SoCal Val.Who’s going to portray Suicide in TNA with Frankie Kazarian getting hurt?The Great Muta winning the Triple Crown again in AJPW.HUSTLE...Ep. #559: September 15-21, 1984
Kris and David are back to discuss the week that was September 15-21, 1984. Topics of discussion include:
The birth of Pro Wrestling USA, as we get the first official TV taping from the Mid-South Coliseum in Memphis, plus we discuss the impetus behind the promotion, plus who is running it behind the scenes. what their game plan is trying to compete with the WWF, and how similar plans had been brewing going back almost a year.The taping itself and how some of the top local stars were used as basically glorified jobbers for the "bigger stars."Randy...Ep. #558: September 8-13, 1998
Kris and David are back to discuss the week that was September 8-13, 1998. Topics of discussion include:
Wrestlers from various promotions having legal issues in the same week.DX vs. Kaientai DX in THE BATTLE OF DX on Raw Saturday Night.Davey Boy Smith attending the WWF house show in Calgary two days before he nearly ends his career at WCW Fall Brawl.Vince McMahon talking shit on Bret Hart to Mike Mooneyham.AJPW needing to change up their main event scene.CMLL changing up their Anniversario plans (and why).Justin Credible's wedding causing various people to miss...9/11 Flashback — Ep. #165: September 12-18, 2001 with Matt Griffin & Phil Schneider
Since today is the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, we figured we'd re-upload what is effectively our 9/11 show. Matt Griffin joins us to talk about the week from his perspective working in the U.S. Marine Corps public relations department at the time, plus Phil Schneider hops on for the indie section since he lived in Washington, DC at the time of the attacks and is a longtime evangelist of the Low-Ki vs. The Amazing Red match that took place on the UCW/ICW New York show in Queens that week.
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Kris and...
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...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...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...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...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...Ep. #553: August 4-10, 1987
Kris and David are back to discuss the week that was August 4-10, 1987. Topics of discussion include:
Gordon Solie's 26½ year tenure as the lead announcer for Championship Wrestling from Florida comes to an end after a pay dispute with Jim Crockett.Ric Flair and Ronnie Garvin have one of the most epic exchanges possible on TV in front of a molten hot Spartanburg crowd.Terry Taylor's highly entertaining for the wrong reasons “press conference" from UWF TV.The greatness of Brian Pillman as a rookie.Owen Hart does his first pinfall job in 1987 on TV to Gama Singh, los...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...Ep. #552: July 29-August 4, 1999 with Beau James
Kris and David are back this week with Beau James (@kingofkingsport) joining us to discuss the week that was July 29-August 4, 1999. Topics of discussion include:
"Curtis Comes Home" as Shane Douglas and Cody Michaels promote a benefit show for Brian Hildebrand in Rostraver, PA featuring long-time friends of Brian's — including Beau — working the show. Beau gives us a full rundown of the show, his relationship with Brian, and his eyewitness view of Bruno Sammartino's confrontation with Mark Madden.Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff's vision for WCW is not working in the slightest as their ideas regarding the main even...Ep. #551: July 20-26, 1990
Kris and David are back this week to discuss the week that was July 20-26, 1990. Topics of discussion include:
Jesse Ventura's departure from the WWF over making a deal with Sega to lend his name and likeness to a wrestling video game that would be in direct competition to the WWF games.Sgt. Slaughter debuts on a heel on WWF TV as we discuss how different his whole run goes if Iraq doesn't invade Kuwait…plus his final AWA TV appearances are still airing.The Legion of Doom also makes their WWF TV debut with a little bit of...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...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...Ep. #548: April 28-May 5, 1986
Kris and David are back this week to discuss the week-plus that was April 28-May 5, 1986, a show requested by Joe Finnerty on our Patreon with a $25 pledge. Topics of discussion include:
The final gasp of the glory days of World Class, as we talk about the 3rd Annual David Von Erich Memorial Parade of Champions at Texas Stadium, featuring the end of the Freebirds basically as they depart for the UWF, plus the return of Chris Adams from his "blindness" angle and much more.Hell freezing over as Harley Race makes his WWF debut in Toronto just days...Center Stage Chronicles Ep. #26: June 1991
Kris Zellner is joined by Rob Naylor and Our Good Buddy Charles as we go back in time to the discuss the month of June 1991 in the world of World Championship Wrestling and pop culture at large in another installment of CENTER STAGE CHRONICLES!!! Topics of discussion include:
WCW getting their own newsstand magazine with London Publishing in charge of the project.A new United States Heavyweight Title Belt being made to replace the one Nikita Koloff busted up as part of his feud with Lex Luger.The background on Johnny B. Badd.Jim Ross going after WWF...Ep. #547: April 1-7, 2013
Kris and David are back as we continue to catch up on our backlog of shows, with this episode covering the week that was April 1-7, 2013, show requested by Tim Ostrander with a $25 pledge on our Patreon. Topics of discussion include:
The first true "modern" WrestleMania weekend, complete with the first Wrestlecon, all sorts of indie shows at Wrestlecon, and PWS being the first promotion to claim the Thursday night slot.ROH running Supercard of Honor at the Hammerstein Ballroom, featuring Jay Briscoe winning the ROH Title for the first time from Kevin Steen. Wrestlecon’s indie lineup fea...Ep. #546: March 24-29, 1998
Kris and David ARE BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!! with the main show, and we are making up for lost time with our Patreon picks, so this week we are discussing the (almost)-week that was March 24-29, 1998, a show that was requested by BTS Patron Michael Otts with his $25 pledge. Topics of discussion include:
Wrestlemania XIV in Boston, featuring Mike Tyson as a ringside enforcer for the Steve Austin vs. Shawn Michaels main event. We talk about the match and how injuries affected it, plus Tyson's involvement and whether or not Tyson shot his own angle after the show to explain...FREE WITH SPECIAL UPDATE INTRO — Patreon Ep. #117: Destination Cancellation (Part 1)
It's Monday. You know what that means. Sort of. As a very special taster, we're offering up the first part of our new Patreon series, Destination Cancellation, for free this week so non-patrons can sample it and have it serve as a bridge to next week's return of the regular free show. (This first episode of Destination Cancellation dropped for Patrons this past Friday.) After an intro previewing the Patreon show and next week's regular show, you get the entire first part of what will be a seven week series covering the disaster that was TNA Wrestling from the...
Ep. #545: February 28-March 6, 1989
New new free shows will be back very soon, but remember that we've been back doing weekly content on our Patreon page for a while during the free show hiatus, covering the Jerry Lawler/Stacy Carter 2001 WWE departure and eventual divorce, the WWE Network launch, and the "Clique Curtain Call." We're also starting an in-depth series on TNA getting cancelled by Spike TV and Destination America this week, which promises to be epic. In the meantime, though, here's the unreleased episode from three months ago. Will episode #544 ever be fully re-edited and re-released? We don't know. But enjoy episode #545...
Center Stage Chronicles Ep. #25: May 1991
Kris Zellner is joined by Rob Naylor and Our Good Buddy Charles as we discuss the month of May 1991 in the world of World Championship Wrestling and pop culture at large. Topics of discussion include:
The WWF trying to get dates at The Omni at a time when WCW was having some major issues drawing crowds at house shows.The wrestlers having a meeting about being overworked, hoping that their schedule will ease up soon.Rickey Henderson breaking the MLB stolen base record while Nolan Ryan throws his 7th no-hitter on the same day.TV season finales featuring “Ni...Press Row with Jordan Breen featuring David Bixenspan: The Complete Collection
We lost our dear friend Jordan Breen a year ago today. As a special tribute, courtesy of TJ De Santis at The Rounds Podcast, here's a special compilation of all five episodes of the Sherdog Radio Network's Press Row that our own David Bixenspan appeared on with Jordan. For more of Jordan's audio output, check out not just the archive at The Rounds, which has the remaining archives of the SRN shows (including David's appearances with Jordan and Jack Encarnacao on The Roundtable and Beatdown After the Bell), the shows we did with Jordan that are available right here...
Center Stage Chronicles Ep. #24: April 1991
Kris Zellner is joined by Rob Naylor and Our Good Buddy Charles to discuss the month that was April 1991 in the world of World Championship Wrestling and pop culture at large. Topics of discussion include:
Sid Vicious and his decision to leave WCW for the WWF, including how it went back and forth throughout the month.The looming influx of wacky new gimmicks being talked about in the newsletters as WCW is about to undergo a massive change.Duke wins their first ever National Championship in college basketball, led by top heel Christian Laettner.The birth of Comedy...BTS Extra April 21, 2026: KRULE, WrestleMania week, & more
Well, this is a week we had to do something like this. We start by talking about the fake stabbing of THE ATROCITY KRULE and how it culminated in him being booted from all reputable indies during WrestleMania week after he cost everyone the Berwyn Eagles Club as a venue. Then we move on to WrestleMania week and this may have been a huge mistake! David keeps having to mute to cough as the show gets way too long! Kris loves him some Double Double E! Adam Weitsman: Scrap Metal King of Owego, New York is discussed in detail...
Center Stage Chronicles Ep. #23: March 1991
Kris Zellner is joined by Rob Naylor and Our Good Buddy Charles as we discuss the month of March 1991 in World Championship Wrestling and pop culture at large. Topics of discussion include:
Barry Windham kinda sorta teasing leaving the Four Horsemen.The greatness of Buddy Landel shining through right as he gets fired by the promotion for being Budro.The NEVER-ENDING Z-Man vs. Terrence Taylor goes on for yet another month.Bobby Eaton finally turning babyface.The debut of the Mr. Hughes gimmick.Marc Mero makes his debut, getting killed by Sid Vicious.Rodney King gets assaulted by...Status Update April 8, 2026
Here's the text update we posted on Patreon eartlier; we get more detailed on the audio. (Where we also congratulate Steve Corino on his recent nuptials.) Plus we get into more details on how soon the banked Patreon show will come out, as well as Center Stage Chronicles among other things. But just listen to the audio to get the full update.
First off: Apologies for forgetting to post this here previously. But based on the numbers, it looks like you guys mostly saw the social media updates, and we greatly appreciate the continued support, especially under...
Ep. #544: February 17-23, 1990
Kris and David are back to discuss the week that was February 17-23, 1990.Topics of discussion include:
The WWF's third live prime time The Main Event" special airs on NBC on 2/23, with Buster Douglas replacing Mike Tyson as the special referee in the Hulk Hogan/Randy Savage main event and the story of why Tyson pulled out.We also talk about the Ultimate Warrior/Dino Bravo match on the show and how that further built up to Hogan/Warrior at Wrestlemania.Randy Savage makes an epic appearance on the Arsenio Hall show to plug The Main Event. Learn...Center Stage Chronicles Ep. #22: February 1991
Center Stage Chronicles is back and Kris Zellner is joined by Rob Naylor and Our Good Buddy Charles to discuss the month that was February 1991 in World Championship Wrestling and pop culture in general. Topics of discussion include:
Jim Herd going on the record with Steve Beverly in MATWATCH on a number of topics ranging from Dusty Rhodes as announcer, Terry Gordy possibly coming back, doing a live Saturday Night TV show, the amount of titles in WCW, and more. Diamond Dallas Page makes his WCW debut and hoodwinks Teddy Long into giving a match to his "new y...Ep. #543: February 13-19, 1999
Kris and David are back as we discuss the week that was February 13-19, 1999, a show that was requested by Tim Ostrander by dropping $25 on our Patreon page: Topics of discussion include:
Ric Flair being left in the farmlands of Florida being the main story of what was was, up to that point in time, the worst episode of WCW Monday Nitro in it's history. Also on Nitro, we get Bret Hart vs. then “Mad TV” star Will Sasso in a shockingly cromulent match, Hulk Hogan vs. Roddy Piper in a HORRIBLE match, Torrie Wilson as “Samantha" seducing an off...Ep. #542: February 2-7, 1996
Kris and David are back as we discuss the week that was February 2-7, 1996. Topics of discussion include:
Vince McMahon getting particularly vindictive towards Ted Turner as he airs the latest Billionaire Ted skit “despite threat of legal action from Turner Broadcasting” and takes out an ad in the New York Times business section warning stockholders of Ted’s "predatory practices.”All of this overshadows a very good Raw show featuring the first televised Bret Hart vs. Undertaker match.WWF taking a tour of India with Bret Hart getting a total rock star reaction from local school children.Davey Bo...Center Stage Chronicles Ep. #21: January 1991
Kris Zellner is joined by Rob Naylor and our Good Buddy Charles as we discuss the month of January 1991 in not only World Championship Wrestling, but also the world of pop culture in general. Topics of discussion include:
The greatness of Buddy Landel.Bobby Eaton coming into his own as a singles wrestler.Paul E. Dangerously and Missy Hyatt kickstart their feud that would last many months.\Konnan, Steve DiSalvo as THE MINOTAUR, and Larry Cameron appear on TV in “blink and you’ll miss it” runs.Dusty Rhodes officially taking over as the head booker and making his bi...Ep. #541: January 29-February 4, 2002
Kris and David are back to discuss the week that was January 29-February 4, 2002. Topics of discussion include:
The XWF trying to get a TV deal with various outlets.Brian Knobbs and Greg Valentine cozying up to the big money backers of the XWF to try to milk them.Andrew McManus' WWA PPV in Las Vegas has its onsale delayed due to promoter’s license issues.More on the aftermath of Keiji Muto and friends leaving New Japan for All Japan and how NJPW is trying to navigate the situation.The IWGP Heavyweight Title tournament begins in Sapporo.News on...