Between The Sheets

Kris Zellner & Rob Naylor are back for yet another episode of Cover 2 Cover, where on this episode, we go back to the 1980's and pore over the January 1987 issue of Wrestling Power magazine…which was edited by 21-year-old Paul Heyman. We talk about all the news in the wrestling world during July 1986— which was when that issue was written—including Dusty Rhodes winning the NWA Title, the Midnight Rockers vs. Buddy Rose & Doug Somers feud, and so much more. We also have Paul Heyman writing about Bam Bam Bigelow & Larry Sharpe, a Wrestling Power writer being "assaulted" by D.C. Drake, Paul Heyman going one-on-one with Ric Flair...allegedly....and LETTERS TO THE EDITOR. This was a total blast to do, and we think you will love it as well!!!!To support the show and get access to exclusive rewards like special members-only monthly themed shows, go to our Patreon page at Patreon.com/BetweenTheSheets and become an ongoing Patron. Becoming a Between the Sheets Patron will also get you exclusive

Kris & David are guestless this week was we discuss the DAY that was November 6, 1999. Yes, one day....you will understand why when you listen to the show. This was a Patreon-requested show that Pete Fusco put on the board, so if you want to be a Patron and have a chance to pick a week yourself, then visit Patreon.com/BetweenTheSheets to find out how you can do that.We talk about the infamous Doug Gilbert shoot promo on Memphis Power Pro Wrestling, going over the full month of buildup to the incident so you get the full context of why it happened. In addition to all of the relevant promo clips, we play Doug's thoughts from his shoot interview DVD many years later. We also talk about the 100 greatest matches of Keiji Mutoh’s career, all kinds of results from around the world, plus Mick Foley's book shattering records and much more. This was a short show—by our standards, at least—but an extremely fun one, as well, so check it out!!!Timestamps:0:00:00 Memphis Power Pro Wrestling1:11:33 Classic Comme

With next week's regular Between The Sheets being lighter than usual (albeit long by normal human podcast standards) and it being about six months months since we last did this, we decided that now is a great time to give everyone another peek at the kind of shows we do on Patreon! This time out, thanks in part to the suggestion of Joe Sposto, we flash back to the show we did looking at Sid Eudy's transformation from Sid Vicious to Sid Justice in 1991-1992, going from his very unconventional WCW departure to the unceremonious end of his first WWF run.For dozens more deep dives like this, including the ongoing ECW on TNN series, all you need to do is sign up for our Patreon at just the $5/month level or higher by going to Patreon.com/BetweenTheSheets.----------We're back to look at (approximately) a year in the life of Sid Eudy, going from his bizarre WCW departure in Spring 1991 through his similarly bizarre WWF departure in Spring 1992. Kris and David look at the back and forth drama of Sid leadi

Kris & David are joined by Joe Sposto (@JoeSposto) to discuss the week that was October 24-30, 1995. We talk about a wild night in the ECW Arena, which Joe was in attendance for, featuring fire, crucifixions, and even a match full of racist chants from the Philadelphia faithful. We have the aftermath of the fire incident featuring Terry Funk & Cactus Jack including who actually set the chair on fire, and so much more. We also talk about the Halloween episode of Monday Night Raw featuring Vince McMahon dressed up in an old-timey convict costume, Mitsuharu Misawa & Kenta Kobashi tearing up the Budokan, a big Televisa/AAA press conference, the Halloween Scream tour in SMW, the USWA vs. SMW feud going full force, and a WCW section for the ages, as we go over Halloween Havoc in a lengthy fashion, plus we talk about the Nitro from the following night, plus with all kinds of other WCW goodies. This is a fantastic show that you just can't miss!!!!!!!!!Timestamps:0:00:00 ECW1:34:33 WWF2:13:56 Japan &am

Kris & David are joined by Mike Sempervive (@Sempervive) to discuss the week-plus that was October 20-27, 1986. We talk about Dusty Rhodes and Nikita Koloff’s formation of the Super Powers after Magnum T.A.'s tragic car wreck, including the awesome clips from the card where Nikita turns, plus Dusty being jumped by the Horsemen in the parking lot of the JCP offices, as well as the Super Powers’ first promo on TBS. We also talk about the Road Warriors revealing the scaffold match for Starrcade, Ric Flair cancelling his AJPW tour, Dave Meltzer’s surprising thoughts on Continental TV, Chris Adams going to federal prison, Missy Hyatt dumping John Tatum for Eddie Gilbert, Sunshine debuting on UWF TV, Brian Adias turning on the Von Erichs, and Dutch Savage returning to Portland. And in the WWF we talk about Adrian Adonis being "fired,” the mass exodus of Montreal talent to the WWF, Jim Troy talking about WWF's Japanese prospects, and tons more. That’s just scratching the surface on another great 80&#

Kris & David are joined by Al Getz (@AlGetzWrestling) to discuss the week-plus that was October 9-20, 1987. We start with the ongoing drama in Jim Crockett Promotions regarding Starrcade coming up, how they are handling booking house shows, and the bitter banter between the UWF guys and the Horsemen on WTBS. We also talk about the debut of Mighty Wilbur, Takeshi Kitano wanting to start his own promotion in Japan, Stampede heating up, the Midnight Rockers leaving Continental, Jerry Lawler & Bill Dundee finally capturing the AWA World Tag Team Titles in Memphis, World Class and many others in dire straits, Mad Dog Vachon’s life-changing car accident, and the WWF taking on the Pennsylvania State Athletic Commission. All that and much more; as always when Al joins us, this is a tremendous show, so listen now!!!!Timestamps:0:00:00 Jim Crockett Promotions2:18:50 Int’l: AJPW, NJPW, Takeshi Pro Wrestling Co., AJW, David Manning’s tour, Stampede, EMLL, UWA, Eddy Guerrero, & WWC3:10:53 Classic Commercial Br

Kris & David are guestless this week as we discuss the week-plus that was October 5-12, 1985. We talk about the big Cotton Bowl show for World Class featuring The Dynamic Duo losing their hair in an epic angle and what *should* have been done after the match…but wasn't. We also talk about the controversial return of Mike Von Erich and the debut of Lance Von Erich on that same show, and how that would affect World Class in the future. We then have Dave Meltzer’s thoughts on Dusty Rhodes facing Ric Flair at Starrcade ’85, Superstar Billy Graham turning babyface, Giant Gustav in New Japan, Meltzer wanting to see footage of Tom Magee, Kevin Sullivan attacking "Trudy Hurd” of “Sports Review Magazine,” Jerry Lawler facing Rick Martel in Nashville, Eddie Gilbert's portrait contest, a WWF spy in Portland, a New York state senator trying to ban pro wrestling, and, of course, Uncle Elmer getting married on Saturday Night's Main Event. There is also tons more, so make sure you listen to this show!!!!

Kris Zellner & Rob Naylor are back with the latest episode of Cover 2 Cover, where we finally finish our miniseries on the 1991 PWI 500; specifically by going over the the top 50 and the list of wrestlers who were mistakenly overlooked from the next issue. We spend a lot of time on these names and we had a helluva blast doing the show. You will definitely be interested in our thoughts on these placements and shocked by some of them, I think. Fantastic show that just can't be missed!!!To support the show and get access to exclusive rewards like special members-only monthly themed shows, go to our Patreon page at Patreon.com/BetweenTheSheets and become an ongoing Patron. Becoming a Between the Sheets Patron will also get you exclusive access to not only the monthly themed episode of Between the Sheets, but also access to our new mailbag segment, a Patron-only chat room on Slack, and anything else we do outside of the main shows!Shop at Amazon via our link (go here for Amazon UK if you’re in Europe)— Not

Kris & Bix are guestless as we discuss the week that was September 30-October 6, 2002. We talk about Keiji Mutoh officially taking over All Japan Pro Wrestling and all the major changes that would soon be coming to the promotion. We also talk about the rise of Bob Sapp in K-1 as he gets his first big win over Ernesto Hoost and becomes a major mainstream superstar overnight. We then go to New Japan where we talk about Kensuke Sasaki quitting the promotion to go on his own and how it would affect both him and the promotion. We also talk about the Japanese indie scene with lots of results, NWA TNA with news on who may be investing in the promotion, Shocker & Mascara Magica looking for a new member of Los Nuevos Guapos, and ROH vs. XPW in Philadelphia featuring the epic handshake between Rob Feinstein and John Zandig as they call a truce to battle back Rob Black. We then close with the WWE where we talk about Raw & SmackDown, featuring HHH showering with multiple women and the debut of Al Wilson. As a

Kris & David are joined by Robert O’Connor (@ghostofquinones) to discuss the week-plus that was September 22-29, 1993. We talk about the WWF stripping Shawn Michaels of the Intercontinental Championship and quickly filling the vacancy with Razor Ramon. We also talk about the start of the Ludvig Borga super-push and Undertaker-Yokozuna feud, the rise of Radio WWF, and Titan Sports’ legal team going after bootleggers, which eventually resulted in a lawsuit against RF Video and L&S Comix. We then look at a loaded week in Japan featuring Hulk Hogan capping off a record-breaking house show week for NJPW, Big Bossman/Big Bubba returning to AJPW, a major AJW show flopping at the box office, and much more. We also take a look at Mocho Cota jumping back to CMLL, the seemingly impending takeover of ECW by Jim Crockett and Jim Hudson’s WWN, Dallas woes, a LOT of commission drama Oregon, and much more across North America. Finally, we close out with WCW, where negotiations with Hulk Hogan have commences. Robert w

Kris & David are joined by Roy Lucier (@RoyLucier) to discuss the week-plus that was September 15-22, 1994. We talk about Jesse Ventura being dropped by WCW, ending his tenure there, and we then talk about the Fall Brawl PPV, featuring the last really good War Games. We also talk about the Halloween Havoc press conference in Detroit, Masahiro Chono's first time wearing black as a heel in New Japan, the birth of Kaientai in Michinoku Pro, Felino exposing the business in a magazine in Mexico, Jim Crockett's failed NWA TV tapings in Tennessee, Brian Christopher & Doug Gilbert's hair vs. match, and the end of the Global Wrestling Federation, plus Bob Backlund's awesome first big heel promo on Raw and MUCH more. This was a tremendous show, so listen now!!!!!Timestamps:0:00:00 WCW2:06:24 Japan & Misc. Int’l: NJPW, FMW, IWA Japan, IWU, Michinoku Pro, PWFG, RINGS, AJW, JWP, South Africa, & CWA2:58:38 Classic Commercial Break3:02:23 Housekeeping3:16:34 Other North America: ICW, AAA, CML

Kris & David are joined by Devon Hales (@kingmotivatorh) to finish discussing the week that was September 9-15, 2004. We talk about all of the major happenings in Japan including a big NOAH show at the Budokan featuring the debut of SUWA and everything happening in Mexico & Puerto Rico, plus Mick Foley's debut in ROH, CZW doing a double shot in Philly the same day, IWA Mid-South running a stacked show in Evansville in a promotional war, and lots more on the indie scene. Then of course we close with TNA featuring all kinds of drama and wackiness that can only happen in TNA. This is Part 2, so you better make sure that you listen to the giant WWE section that is Part 1 if you haven't already!!!!0:00:00 Japan:AJPW, NJPW, NOASH< Zero-One, Tenryu, Dragon Gate, Hustle, K-Dojo, Michinoku Pro, Osaka Pro, Toryumon X, GAEA, & JWP1:05:59 Other North America: Tinieblas, CMLL, IWRG, Monterrey, Tijuana, & WWC1:24:25 Classic Commercial Break1:28:08 Housekeeping/The Amazon Game1:50:50 Other USA: RO

Kris & David are joined by Devon Hales (@kingmotivatorh) to discuss the week that was September 9-15, 2004. We talk about a LONG week in the WWE featuring many issues on SmackDown including Kurt Angle & Eddie Guerrero fighting each other backstage in a shoot as well as Unforgiven featuring Triple H taking the World Title off of Randy Orton after a month long reign, not to mention the infamous Tyson Tomko-Steven Richards match. And let's not forget Monday Night Raw featuring the debuts of Simon Dean and Gene Snitsky, and oh boy…what debuts they were. This is only Part 1, folks, so don't miss Part 2!!!To support the show and get access to exclusive rewards like special members-only monthly themed shows, go to our Patreon page at Patreon.com/BetweenTheSheets and become an ongoing Patron. Becoming a Between the Sheets Patron will also get you exclusive access to not only the monthly themed episode of Between the Sheets, but also access to our new mailbag segment, a Patron-only chat room on Slack,

Kris Zellner & Dylan Hales welcome you to the second episode of our new podcast series, The Pay Windah, in which we go over the history of World Championship Wrestling.This time out, we go over the month of February 1989, where George Scott has fully taken over the promotion. Everything is being molded in his vision, but that is a major problem. We talk about the mistakes he made in signing talent, the total lack of build for the Clash of the Champions in Cleveland, the booking and layout of the matches both on the Clash and Chi-Town Rumble, as well as the debacles that were NWA house shows in that era.We also talk about Ric Flair & Ricky Steamboat, though, who are the true highlights of the promotion, but Steamboat is grating on some fans due to his portrayal on TV.This is a fantastic show, and we can't wait for you to listen!!!!---To support the show and get access to exclusive rewards like special members-only monthly themed shows, go to our Patreon page at Patreon.com/BetweenTheSheets and beco

Kris & David are joined this week by Alfredo Esparza (@therealfredo) to discuss the week that was September 2-8, 1991. We talk about the impending luchadores strike that is about to go down in Mexico with all the details about how and why this is happening, with the timing being very important because CMLL is about to get on Televisa and the big Anniversario show coming up. We also talk about Ric Flair officially signing with the WWF and what was to expected there, the 1991 King of the Ring tournament in Providence, AJPW running a big show at the Budokan, lots of great USWA clips featuring Ronnie P. Gossett going belly to belly with Bert Prentice, and of course one of the most WCW EVERYBODY sections ever featuring Clash of the Champions XVI: Fall Brawl ’91. Outstanding show, so don't miss it!!!!Timestamps:0:00:00 Mexico: Luchadores strike, EMLL, & UWA1:37:59 WWF2:29:36 Other Int’l: AJPW, SWS, Universal, AJW, & WWC3:00:33 Classic Commercial Break3:03:24 Housekeeping/The Amazon Game3;33:32 Other

Kris Zellner & Rob Naylor are back with the latest episode of Cover 2 Cover, where we continue our miniseries on the 1991 PWI 500; specifically wrestlers numbered 149-51 on the list. Again, we’re only able to do 98 names because of the name value of these guys, but still there are lots of interesting names and placements on the list that I won’t spoil here. These shows are always a hoot, and this one is no different, so don't miss it!!!!To support the show and get access to exclusive rewards like special members-only monthly themed shows, go to our Patreon page at Patreon.com/BetweenTheSheets and become an ongoing Patron. Becoming a Between the Sheets Patron will also get you exclusive access to not only the monthly themed episode of Between the Sheets, but also access to our new mailbag segment, a Patron-only chat room on Slack, and anything else we do outside of the main shows!Shop at Amazon via our link (go here for Amazon UK if you’re in Europe)— Nothing extra comes out of your pocket; for you, it

In this free preview clip of our latest deep dive Patreon special, which is the second in a series on ECW on TNN, we look an the portion of Bruce Mitchell’s Torch column on “the new work”—being honest about small things so the big lies will be more credible—that dealt with ECW. More specifically, he gets into the reaction to the ECW on TNN ratings, and Kris sees so many parallels to 2020 that he decreed on air that the ensuing discussion would be the preview clip. So here it is! To hear the whole show, you need to become a Between The Sheets patron at the $5/month level or higher by going to Patreon.com/BetweenTheSheets.-----Full show description:It’s time for the second of who knows how many episodes in our series covering ECW on TNN, this time looking at the first show through the end of November 1999! Topics discussed include how Paul Heyman got the relationship off on the wrong foot from the start by avoiding doing tapings using TNN’s preferred production team, Raven’s surprise return fresh off WCW TV coi

Kris & David are joined by Dr. Keith Lipinski (@KeithLipinski) to discuss the week that was August 26-September 1, 1998. We go on the Highway to Hell in the WWF as we talk about SummerSlam ’98 at Madison Square Garden—where Bix lucked into luxury box seats—including all of the great and not so great stuff on the show. We also talk about WWF getting kicked out of Scranton, Pennsylvania, the breakup of the Mitsuharu Misawa & Jun Akiyama tag team, Fuerza Guerrera returning to CMLL, Rob Van Dam nearly crippling himself at the ECW Arena, Marlena & Dustin Runnels shooting an angle on a Pennsylvania indie show during SummerSlam weekend, the first mention of Blitzkrieg in the Observer, a classic WCW section featuring an unforgettable Nitro, and much more. This was a great show by all means, so you’d better not miss it!!!!Timestamps:0:00:00 WWF2:37:08 Eurasia: AJPW, BattlARTS, BJPW, DDT, FMW, WAR, RINGS, ARSION, JWP, LLPW, NEO Ladies, & Austria3:06:19 Classic Commercial Break3:10:04 Housekeeping/The Am

Kris Zellner is joined by Jeff G. Bailey (@JeffGBailey1) & "Reverend" Dan "The Dragon" Wilson (@dragonsrejects) as we take yet another walk on the Wildside to discuss the months of November and December 2000 in NWA Wildside. We talk about the major buildup for Sabu coming to town in December defending the NWA World Heavyweight Title against Air Paris and A.J. Styles on consecutive nights, which also led up to Paris and A.J. Styles feuding for the first time. We also talk about the rise of Suicidal Tendencies under Air Paris, the awesome tag team scene in the promotion at that time, many great promos cut by Shank, Total Destruction, and the others, plus a near kidnapping in a Waffle House, which a story that has to heard to be believed. This show is fantastic, just like all the rest of them, so listen now!!!!!To support the show and get access to exclusive rewards like special members-only monthly themed shows, go to our Patreon page at Patreon.com/BetweenTheSheets and become an ongoing Pat

Kris & David are guestless this week to discuss the week-plus that was August 19-25, 2000. We talk about a typically infuriating week for WCW in 2000 with the debut of Misogynist Mike Tenay, a Juggalo invasion, the debut of Ashley Hudson as Crowbar’s doppelgänger, Kevin Nash politics, bad production, bad crowds, Booker T burying Nash, and much more. We also talk about the death of K-1 legend Andy Hug, the newly launched Pro Wrestling NOAH trying to find its footing, Shinjiro Ohtani going on excursion, BattlARTS’s Young Generation Battle, and all of the other goings-on in Japan. We also discuss a wild NWA lineup in New Jersey, the latest moves in the USA Network lawsuit to keep the WWF from leaving for Viacom, XFL developments, and more before settling into the main event of what ended up being the climax of the Triple H/Stephanie McMahon/Kurt Angle love triangle storyline. All that and much more on a jam-packed show, so listen now!!!Timestamps:0:00:00 WCW2:10:00 Japan: Andy Hug, AJPW, NJPW, NOAH, BattlART