JaymeFuture

The use of "championship opportunity" instead of title shot bothers me more than it should, but fuck, no matter how you say it, no matter what context it's said, it sticks out like a sore ass.

For this week's podcast (and partly inspired by Slammiversary last week), we're going to debate the Most Useless Major Wrestling PPV show in history, and are looking for your suggestions for this esteemed honour. So what is your ONE pick for the most completely irredeemable, meritless show you've ever seen, devoid of any quality, the one that sticks in your craw, and your explanation on why this takes the wooden spoon. As always the best nominations/explanations will be read on the show (which will be posted this weekend) and you'll be credited accordingly. So which one is it for you? EDIT - The podcast debating The Most Useless PPV Ever and discussing your nominations is now available to listen to here: http://squaredcirclegazette.podbean.com/mf/web/4285da/SCGRadio46-TheMostUselessPPVEver.mp3

This week's SCG Radio sees a return to our most popular series, as we talk from January to March of 1997 in the Monday Night War Timeline! Accompanied as always by notes from the Wrestling Observer Newsletters of the time, the panel discusses all the key talking points such as the frantic state of the WWF Title, Thursday Raw Thursday, nWo Souled Out, the awesome story of Austin and Bret, Roddy Piper's tryouts, shoot promos galore, Sting finally reveals his true colours, all the facts and figures (including a couple of surprises) and much more. With all the backstory behind the decision-making at the time, a fun show as always, check it out and let me know what you think! http://squaredcirclegazette.podbean.com/mf/play/86ubgd/SCGRadio45-TheMondayNightWarin1997Q1.mp3

Really hope you enjoyed it dude, your Jarrett post forced him to get discussed first on sheer principle. Fantastic stuff.

Didn't help that Michaels treated him like a teenager embarrassed to be shopping with his parents at the mall.

This week's SCG Radio is up, as we talk about the overbearing and overdone pushes we've witnessed as fans. Taking your suggestions for guys pushed way above their limitations throughout wrestling history, we talk about world champions that maybe shouldn't have been such as Jeff Jarrett, Justin Credible and Ron Simmons, WCW nepotism with Erik Watts and Dustin Rhodes, as well as the use and talents of such individuals as Brutus Beefcake, Billy Gunn, Abyss, Hardcore Holly, Eugene, The Big Show, Alberto Del Rio, Dino Bravo, Sheamus and many more that you felt were given way too much. A really fun and entertaining show this week, check it out and let us know what you think~! http://squaredcirclegazette.podbean.com/mf/play/qtizxc/SCGRadio44-OverdonePushes.mp3

I want to thank everybody for the suggestions in this thread, we got to read many of them on the podcast, which is now available to listen to at the following link: http://squaredcirclegazette.podbean.com/mf/play/qtizxc/SCGRadio44-OverdonePushes.mp3 Taking your suggestions for guys pushed way above their limitations throughout wrestling history, we talk about world champions that shouldn't have been such as Jeff Jarrett, Justin Credible and Ron Simmons, WCW nepotism with Erik Watts and Dustin Rhodes, as well as the use and talents of such individuals as Brutus Beefcake, Billy Gunn, Abyss, Hardcore Holly, Eugene, The Big Show, Alberto Del Rio, Sheamus and many more that you felt were given way too much. A really fun and entertaining show this week, check it out and let us know what you think~!

How about the one Hebner takes through the ropes when Bulldog runs him over at Beware Of Dog?

Agreed. I think the wording of the charge made it a tough argument for them, the idea that everything Heyman was doing was focused on the here and now, but sacrificed the future as a result had to be their argument. I do think they were on to something with that mentality somewhat staining wrestling's image to the eyes of TV exec and advertisers, thats probably the best argument you can make in that sense?

Thanks very much, glad you're enjoying them - thought this one was a real "lets see how this gets over" type of experiment, but the response has been good so far, may have to revisit this style of show in future. But agreed that there's always going to be ideas in a free-flowing brainstorm that don't jive, there's a few myself that I didn't like the sound of...can only imagine what these discussions were really like in real life at the time. And I love that Perfect/Bret promo, didn't even think about that comparison. "Your Dad never beat my Dad...."

For this week's podcast we're taking a look at examples throughout history where certain guys were pushed far beyond their limitations, and want to know about those particular instances that actually annoyed you as a viewer and why. This can manifest itself as: a) A terrible wrestler you couldn't stand getting a spot they shouldn't have. An acceptable midcard act being ruined by being spotlighted too much. c) A badly executed push for a talented guy. Either way, what is an example of a really aggressive promotional push you couldn't stand, and why did it annoy you? As always we'll be reading the best examples on the show (which will be up this weekend) and crediting you accordingly. So what's your pick? EDIT - The show discussing your candidates for overdone pushes is now online and available to listen to at the following link: http://squaredcirclegazette.podbean.com/mf/play/qtizxc/SCGRadio44-OverdonePushes.mp3

I want to thank everyone for the responses in this thread, we got to read a good few of them on the show, which is now available to listen to at the following link: http://squaredcirclegazette.podbean.com/mf/web/8y4eda/SCGRadio43-TheTrialOfPaulHeyman.mp3 The Heyman Trial has occured, as both prosecution and defence debate the hardcore style, the human toll, drugs, ECW's influence on WWF Attitude and impact on the Monday Night War, just how key they really were to the stars that got signed by the Big Two, his role booking Smackdown, eye for talent and much more in an effort to convince our neutral judge, and of course reading your statements on Paul E as well. Will he be found guilty? These shows are always fun, check it out and let us know what you think~!

The SCG Court Cases return this week for the Trial of Paul Heyman! The prosecution attempt to charge Paul E's booking for being more detrimental than positive for the wrestling business in the long haul, and debate the hardcore style, the human toll, drugs, ECW's influence on WWF Attitude and impact on the Monday Night War, just how key they really were to the stars that got signed by the Big Two, his role booking Smackdown, eye for talent and much more, as the defence vehemently backs one of the most well regarded figures in the industry. And as always, we take your statement on Paul E's booking legacy. Will Heyman be found guilty? Check it out and let us know what you think! http://squaredcirclegazette.podbean.com/mf/web/8y4eda/SCGRadio43-TheTrialOfPaulHeyman.mp3

On this week's podcast we're returning to our trial format to talk about a figure held more positively than our previous trials, and debate whether or not Paul Heyman's booking was more detrimental than positive in the long run for professional wrestling, and we're looking for your thoughts on the subject, considering the following elements: *The human toll his booking created *ECW's influence on the business in the 90s and beyond (both good and bad) *ECW's lack of financial success *Your opinion on his booking throughout his whole career As always we'll read the best ones on the air and credit you accordingly, so do the positives outweigh the negatives for you or vice versa, and why? EDIT - The Trial Of Paul Heyman, with your comments included, is now available to listen to at the following link: http://squaredcirclegazette.podbean.com/mf/web/8y4eda/SCGRadio43-TheTrialOfPaulHeyman.mp3

This week's SCG Radio is now available, after taking feedback from a number of forums and in the inbox, the panel and I discuss all things WCW in October 1999 in an effort to prevent the company from certain doom. We ended up taking a booking meeting approach - cutting the enormous roster, talking pushes, talent, angles, feuds and directions that could have perhaps salvaged things, evaluating all the issues WCW had at the time and the problems they were facing, talking about whether or not it was beyond repair at this point, and of course, taking your suggestions on how to turn things around. A very fun show this week, check it out and as always, let us know what you think! http://squaredcirclegazette.podbean.com/mf/web/khzvan/SCGRadio42-SavingWCWinOctober1999.mp3

Just wanted to thank everybody for the responses, we got to a good few of them on the show, which is now available to listen to at the following link: http://squaredcirclegazette.podbean.com/mf/web/khzvan/SCGRadio42-SavingWCWinOctober1999.mp3 We ended up taking a booking meeting approach - cutting the roster and talking pushes, talent, angles and feuds to change the product, evaluating all the issues WCW had at the time and the problems they were facing, as well as taking your suggestions on how to salvage a company spiralling downhill and heading for disaster at a pivotal time, and talking about whether or not it was beyond repair. A very fun show this week, check it out~!

After reading El-P's inspired effort in the Highway to Hell thread recently, for this week's podcast we're looking to tackle the commonly held belief that WCW was still salvageable when Vince Russo came along, and as always we're looking to get some feedback from your good selves on this issue. If the date is October 1st, 1999, what would you have done to try and turn the tide against the WWF? Who are you pushing, who are you not, is there an angle you think could have made a difference? What changes would you make? Or do you think it was beyond repair? Post your suggestions for what you'd do to "save" WCW, and as always the best ones will be read on the show, and I'll post the link in here this weekend. So whaddya think? EDIT - The podcast taking your suggestions on saving WCW in 99 is now available at the following link: http://squaredcirclegazette.podbean.com/mf/web/khzvan/SCGRadio42-SavingWCWinOctober1999.mp3

Just wanted to thank everybody in this thread for the awesome suggestions - the podcast discussing a great many of the Tag Teams mentioned in this thread (and your reasons why) is now available to listen to at the following link: http://squaredcirclegazette.podbean.com/mf/play/i3h5p2/SCGRadio41-AllTimeFavouriteorBestTagTeam.mp3 This was a really fun trip down memory lane this week, talking about the dynamics of making great teams work, excellent matches, and discussing your suggestions such as The Hart Foundation, The Steiners, Tully and Arn, The Road Warriors, The Funks, Demolition, The Midnight Express, The Rock and Roll Express, The British Bulldogs, Misawa & Kobashi, Kawada & Taue, Hardyz, Dudleyz, Edge and Christian, and many more. A really fun show this week, check it out and let me know what you think!

After taking nominations from a number of message boards and emails, we return this week with a look at people's choice for All Time Favourite or All Time Best Tag Teams. This was a really fun trip down memory lane this week, talking about the dynamics of making great teams work, excellent matches, and discussing your suggestions such as The Hart Foundation, The Steiners, Tully and Arn, The Road Warriors, Demolition, The Midnight Express, The Rock and Roll Express, The British Bulldogs, Misawa & Kobashi, Kawada & Taue, Hardyz, Dudleyz, Edge and Christian, and many more. A really fun show this week, check it out and let me know what you think! http://squaredcirclegazette.podbean.com/mf/play/i3h5p2/SCGRadio41-AllTimeFavouriteorBestTagTeam.mp3

I thought we were pushing our luck even playing it once. My condolences....

So for this week's podcast we're taking a look at great tag teams, and are looking to get a sense of which teams come to people minds when the question is posed: Do you have an all-time favourite tag team, or a combination that you firmly believe are the best tandem to ever grace the squared circle? If so, why them, and what is it that sets them apart to you as favourite, or what is the defining element that makes them the best you've ever seen? I think there's a murky line between 'favourite' and 'best', so tackle this one however you wish, but I find it interesting to narrow it down to the one team you set above all others. As always the best answers will be read on the podcast, and you'll be credited accordingly. So who is that one team for you, and why? EDIT - The podcast discussing your nominations and reasons for selecting them is now available to listen to at the following link: http://squaredcirclegazette.podbean.com/mf/play/i3h5p2/SCGRadio41-AllTimeFavouriteorBestTagTeam.mp3

For the second week in a row, this week's Squared Circle Gazette Radio returns to our History of the Monday Night War Timeline, complete with inside notes from the Wrestling Observer Newsletters of the era. This week the panel covers from October to the end of December 1996, talking the nWo membership drive, the battle for Bret Hart, Rowdy Roddy Piper's return, the emergence of Steve Austin, Pillman 9mm, the origins of Crow Sting, and a lot of numbers and the stories they tell. A really good show this week, and the response to this series so far has been very positive - check it out and let me know what you think, the feedback is always appreciated. http://squaredcirclegazette.podbean.com/mf/web/y37x5k/SCGRadio40-TheMondayNightWarin1996-Part3.mp3

Oh, Bill Watts commentary. Seriously awesome.

Thanks very much dude, glad you enjoy it. Got the next instalment coming up this week as well. That's actually a really interesting way to look at Bischoff, I never thought of that before. Since he was in charge public perception was he basically failed to build anything of his own, took stars made in the WWF and featured them, and it had to bother him that people saw him as just taking ready made stuff and recycling it. Then he finally creates an angle that gets over huge that is exclusively his, and he was obsessed with shoving it down everybody's throat. Agreed Ric and Arn were silently very good this quarter and between them did some really strong promos. Arn's pre-War Games speech after the fake Sting angle especially is a favourite of mine.

Ric Flair Vs. Sting matches. I don't care that it's the exact same match every time out, I love watching Sting no-sell and Flair react in utter dejection. The spot where Flair would shoot him in, chop him to no effect, but doesn't realise and strikes a double bicep pose only to turn into a punch, dropkick or press slam is gold.