JaymeFuture

So for this week's podcast, we're attempting the massive task of Rebooking WCW from July 1998 (after the Georgia Dome Nitro and Bash at the Beach), and would love to get your thoughts on what you'd have done to try and steer the company at a point when the Monday Night War was still neck and neck. If you had to take control in July 1998, what moves would you make at this pivotal time to prevent the fall that was? You have Goldberg as the new champion, a enormous roster filled with established star power, future superstars and underneath fodder to work with - what would be your priorities? Who would you push? Who would you de-emphasise and how? What feuds and angles would you put together to counter the rising momentum of the WWF? How do you deal with Hogan and the Hollywood/Wolfpac angle which is in full swing? How would you bring back Flair? And most key of all, what would you have on the docket for Starrcade in December? As always, we will be reading the best contributions on the show and you'll be credited accordingly. So what would you have done as of July 1998?

SCG Radio returns this week for the latest in our Monday Night War Timeline series, this time covering October 1999! Talking every Raw, Nitro and PPV of the month with backstage notes from the Observer and Torch Newsletters of the time, we break down every major story, including the shocking defection of WWF lead writer Vince Russo to WCW, all the fallout and implications of Russo's first WCW television shows, IC Champion Jeff Jarrett makes the jump as well after a huge conflict with Jim Ross when his contract expires the day before No Mercy, "real life" politics used on air in storylines with Hulk Hogan laying down for Sting at Halloween Havoc, Ric Flair gets benched, Bret Hart and Chris Benoit do battle in the famed Owen Hart Tribute match, the Hardyz and Edge and Christian tear the house down in a landmark ladder match, the WWF continues to struggle with depth on the heel side, and both sides air some hideous angles. This, and all the facts, figures, ratings and gossip you know and love - check it out and let us know what you think! https://squaredcirclegazette.podbean.com/mf/download/s4swcc/SCG_Radio_138_-_The_Monday_Night_War_in_October_1999.mp3 Previous SCG Monday Night War Timeline episodes: May to December 1995 - https://squaredcirclegazette.podbean.com/mf/download/feznb8/SCGRadio22-TheMondayNightWarin1995.mp3 January to June 1996 - https://squaredcirclegazette.podbean.com/mf/download/56jfgt/SCGRadio29-TheMondayNightWarin1996-Part1.mp3 July to September 1996 - https://squaredcirclegazette.podbean.com/mf/download/2axgr8/SCGRadio39-TheMondayNightWarin1996-Part2.mp3 October to December 1996 - https://squaredcirclegazette.podbean.com/mf/download/y37x5k/SCGRadio40-TheMondayNightWarin1996-Part3.mp3 January to March 1997 - https://squaredcirclegazette.podbean.com/mf/download/86ubgd/SCGRadio45-TheMondayNightWarin1997Q1.mp3 April to June 1997 - https://squaredcirclegazette.podbean.com/mf/download/4p9yuk/SCGRadio48-TheMondayNightWarin1997Q2.mp3 July to September 1997 - https://squaredcirclegazette.podbean.com/mf/download/6g8k7i/SCGRadio56-TheMondayNightWarin1997Q3.mp3 October to December 1997 - https://squaredcirclegazette.podbean.com/mf/download/ecspn9/SCGRadio62-TheMondayNightWarin1997Q4.mp3 January/February 1998 - https://squaredcirclegazette.podbean.com/mf/download/tkmgeh/SCGRadio68-TheMondayNightWarin1998-JanandFeb.mp3 March/April 1998 - https://squaredcirclegazette.podbean.com/mf/download/dsbmj2/SCG_Radio_75_-_The_Monday_Night_War_in_1998_-_Mar_and_Apr.mp3 May/June 1998 - https://squaredcirclegazette.podbean.com/mf/download/vhpu5q/SCG_Radio_82_-_The_Monday_Night_War_in_1998_-_May_and_June.mp3 July/August 1998 - https://squaredcirclegazette.podbean.com/mf/download/k9zssj/SCG_Radio_90_-_The_Monday_Night_War_in_1998_-_Jul_and_Aug.mp3 September 1998 - https://squaredcirclegazette.podbean.com/mf/download/rhgm88/SCG_Radio_96_-_The_Monday_Night_War_in_1998_-_September.mp3 October 1998 - https://squaredcirclegazette.podbean.com/mf/download/ke7ayz/SCG_Radio_97_-_The_Monday_Night_War_in_1998_-_October.mp3 November 1998 - https://squaredcirclegazette.podbean.com/mf/download/6q3z8p/SCG_Radio_104_-_The_Monday_Night_War_in_1998_-_November.mp3 December 1998 - https://squaredcirclegazette.podbean.com/mf/download/ec3qkj/SCG_Radio_106_-_The_Monday_Night_War_in_1998_-_December.mp3 January 1999 - https://squaredcirclegazette.podbean.com/mf/download/d4qxdt/SCG_Radio_113_-_The_Monday_Night_War_in_January_1999.mp3 February 1999 - https://squaredcirclegazette.podbean.com/mf/download/n923p6/SCG_Radio_114_-_The_Monday_Night_War_in_February_1999.mp3 March 1999 - https://squaredcirclegazette.podbean.com/mf/download/fhuzqi/SCG_Radio_115_-_The_Monday_Night_War_in_March_1999.mp3 April 1999 - https://squaredcirclegazette.podbean.com/mf/download/r57i98/SCG_Radio_121_-_The_Monday_Night_War_in_April_1999.mp3 May 1999 - https://squaredcirclegazette.podbean.com/mf/download/xnbaba/SCG_Radio_123_-_The_Monday_Night_War_in_May_1999.mp3 June 1999 - https://squaredcirclegazette.podbean.com/mf/download/73hmrd/SCG_Radio_124_-_The_Monday_Night_War_in_June_1999.mp3 July 1999 - https://squaredcirclegazette.podbean.com/mf/download/t7xiiw/SCG_Radio_132_-_The_Monday_Night_War_in_July_1999.mp3 August 1999 - https://squaredcirclegazette.podbean.com/mf/download/fk4fvu/SCG_Radio_136_-_The_Monday_Night_War_in_August_1999.mp3 September 1999 - https://squaredcirclegazette.podbean.com/mf/download/brj6uq/SCG_Radio_137_-_The_Monday_Night_War_in_September_1999.mp3

The latest SCG Radio is now online, as we return this week to the Monday Night War Timeline, covering September 1999! Running down every Raw, Nitro and PPV of the month with backstage news notes from the Observer and Torch newsletters of the time, we tackle every major story, including the firing of Eric Bischoff as Executive Vice President, Vince McMahon returning from a six week retirement to become WWF World Champion, the shocking signing of Taz to the WWF, the heel turn of Sting, Shawn Michaels being sent home for pissing off the wrong guy, Chris Jericho runs into problems, Bret Hart returns to WCW to stand around, Triple H being booked shockingly poorly, illogical booking, nonsensical television, crazy backstage politics and tons more. As always, we have all the facts, figures and ratings to provide the ultimate insight on a fascinating period - check it out! https://squaredcirclegazette.podbean.com/mf/download/brj6uq/SCG_Radio_137_-_The_Monday_Night_War_in_September_1999.mp3

SCG Radio is back as we return to the Monday Night War Timeline to talk August 1999! Covering every Raw, Nitro and PPV of the month, complete with notes from the Observer and Torch Newsletters of the time, we discuss every big story there is, including controversy around Steve Austin and the Summerslam main event, the awkward crowning of a new WWF Champion, WCW's dipping into the 2's for Nitro ratings, Bischoff pissing money away on KISS, Hulk Hogan returning to the red and yellow, the final (yet still awful) Road Wild PPV, Raven walking out on WCW, the WWF debut and fast demotion of Chris Jericho, Sid "Millenium Man" Vicious dominating Nitro, and all of the insane backstage politics, facts and figures you've come to know and love from the Timeline. Check it out and let us know what you think! https://squaredcirclegazette.podbean.com/mf/download/fk4fvu/SCG_Radio_136_-_The_Monday_Night_War_in_August_1999.mp3

As soon as the wrestling world became about who is winning a ratings war in 1995, it opened the door to looking at that side of things as a barometer for success or failure, rather than whether people personally liked it.

The latest SCG Radio is now online, as we debate the Worst Turns in Wrestling History! Taking nominations from you, the loyal listeners (!), we discuss everything from the obvious and glaring candidates, such as Steve Austin at WrestleMania X7, Rikishi doing it for The Rock, Goldberg at GAB 2000 and the disastrous Hogan/Flair double-turn of 1999, to the personal and obscure choice that have plagued your wrestling fandom, including Tatanka joining the Million Dollar Corporation, Dusty Rhodes joining the nWo, Eugene's two week stint as the hateable special needs grappler, Heel Godfather from 2002, Ahmed Johnson joining the Nation before being booted out weeks later, Brother Bruti becoming The Butcher, "Nature Boy" AJ Styles, Michael Cole and so many more. A fun show as always, let us know what you think! https://squaredcirclegazette.podbean.com/mf/download/n2pm9r/SCG_Radio_135_-_The_Worst_Turns_in_Wrestling_History.mp3 And as a side note, we're returning to our Monday Night War Timeline next week to cover August 1999...

Just wanted to thank everybody for the contributions - the show looking at the Worst Turns in Wrestling History is now available at the following link: https://squaredcirclegazette.podbean.com/mf/download/n2pm9r/SCG_Radio_135_-_The_Worst_Turns_in_Wrestling_History.mp3 Join us as we discuss nominations from you, the loyal listeners, we discuss everything from the obvious and glaring candidates, such as Steve Austin at WrestleMania X7, Rikishi doing it for The Rock, Goldberg at GAB 2000 and the disastrous Hogan/Flair double-turn of 1999, to the personal and obscure choice that have plagued your wrestling fandom, including Tatanka joining the Million Dollar Corporation, Dusty Rhodes joining the nWo, Eugene's two week stint as the hateable special needs grappler, Heel Godfather from 2002, Ahmed Johnson joining the Nation before being booted out weeks later, Brother Bruti becoming The Butcher, "Nature Boy" AJ Styles, Michael Cole and so many more. A fun show as always, let us know what you think!

So, for this weeks podcast, we're looking at the Worst Turns in wrestling history, and we want to get some feedback on which ones you think rank at the bottom. Which turn from face to heel or vice versa stands out to you as the all-time worst? You can base it on the conception of the idea or the execution itself, but we'd like to know WHY you consider it the all-time worst. As always, the best contributions will be read on the show and you'll be credited accordingly. So what's your pick? Is it an obvious one like Austin at Mania 17, or is there one that personally bothered you more as a fan? EDIT - The show discussing the Worst Turns in Wrestling History, featuring many of your contributions, is now available at the following link: https://squaredcirclegazette.podbean.com/mf/download/n2pm9r/SCG_Radio_135_-_The_Worst_Turns_in_Wrestling_History.mp3

SCG Radio returns to the Monday Night War Timeline to talk all about July 1999! Covering every Raw, Nitro and PPV, we discuss all the big stories on the month, including the build-up to The End of an Era at Fully Loaded, the developing elevation of Triple H, the continued failure of Billy Gunn, Steve Austin shooting down plans to work with Jeff Jarrett, assholes crapping on Bret Hart, WCW's utter desperation with the return of Hulk Hogan to take the World Title, a dreadful Bash at the Beach show, Megadeth performing live on Nitro, Goldberg returning unadvertised, Dennis Rodman in a terrible feud with Randy Savage and an awful lot of Sid Vicious. With all the facts, figures and backstage scoops from the Observer and Torch Newsletters of the time, we relive a very foreboding month in the war. A huge, jam-packed show, check it out and let us know what you think! https://squaredcirclegazette.podbean.com/mf/download/t7xiiw/SCG_Radio_132_-_The_Monday_Night_War_in_July_1999.mp3

We're back at last! Join the panel as we return to our RuView format to breakdown and analyse another piece of Vince Russo written and produced pro wrestling - this time tackling the April 17th 2000 episode of WCW Nitro, a show jam-packed with everything you love about Vinnie Ru. From inside jokes, smarky bullshit, WWF references, turns, nonsense, vehicle driving into things, angles that make no sense and false drama, get a whiff of Russo's cheesy broth one day after Spring Stampede 2000, seven days into the run of Russo and Bischoff. Featuring Hogan Vs. The Law, 99 Red Balloons, God helping Terry Funk win a match, Vampiro being bloody awful, and NO DISQUALIFICATIONS BECAUSE NOBODY TUNES IN TO SEE THAT SHIT (followed by three DQs in a row). It's wacky, it's fun, it's crazy, it's outrageous, it's Vince Russo's Fun House! https://squaredcirclegazette.podbean.com/mf/download/9f9sz2/SCG_Radio_131_-_WCW_Nitro_April_17th_2000_RuView.mp3

Just to drop this in here, the latest Squared Circle Gazette Radio is now online as we break down NXT TakeOver Philly and the 2018 Royal Rumble! Talking all the matches, angles and outcomes, the panel discuss the greatness of Johnny Wrestling, the brilliant production of Shayna Baszler, the future for Adam Cole, Aleister Black and Velveteen Dream (D-R-E-A-M), as well as all the big talking points of the Rumble PPV, looking at the debut of Ronda Rousey, some strong takes on the Women's Royal Rumble, the rise of Shinsuke Nakamura, Brock Lesnar punching Braun Strowman in the face and much, much more. We also give a live reaction to the Smackdown graphics used this past week, discuss potential WrestleMania directions and of course, take your feedback on WWE's second biggest show of the year. Check it out and let us know what you think! https://squaredcirclegazette.podbean.com/mf/download/sb9yu5/SCG_Radio_130_-_2018_Royal_Rumble_and_NXT_TakeOver_Philly.mp3

Well, firstly, thanks for the comment on the WCW section - it's interesting to hear that, a few people have echoed it and it's very appreciated. To answer your question, I believe that when it all started, he was thinking WCW. No doubt. Con the conman. Bischoff is a bullshit artist. We can't get a big contract by just being very good. The entire thing was that the weakness of the boss was his ego. There's a story that Eric made a bet with Harry Anderson, who worked high up on the financial side at Turner, that if he could turn a profit with WCW in 1995, Harry would have to get on his hands and knees at the Turner Christmas party and hand Eric a dollar. And he did - by offloading certain contracts and expenses on other books. But that sums it up - Bischoff was desperate to create the perception that he had come in and was on Vince's level. You talk to, or just listen to, some wrestlers talk about Vince at that time, and they think that he's this genius beyond reproach with a Machiavellian ability to know everything and see everything coming. It's absurd. But Bischoff wanted to be Vince, and he bullshitted his way into the position and he wasn't the most respected guy by the wrestlers before he got the job, and their respect was everything. Brian, with the scam, had currency for Bischoff - the ability to make Eric look like a master manipulator. But as the book mentions, by doing so, it gives Brian the massive platform of doing what he wants. As time goes by, Brian absolutely was less certain. He didn't really want to leave WCW, but it crossed his mind that the WWF was becoming a more and more viable option than he first anticipated. If he's healthy, he takes the offer he managed to push Bischoff up to after the wreck, no doubt in my mind. If he'd gone to Vince healthy and with enough of his bearings in tact, he would have done well with him. Because as much as the character and the contract manipulation was inspired by those guys, if he was more level headed when he worked with McMahon, I think he would have ended up as a very close confidant, because Vince would have adored the alpha male he was in real life. That just gels - Vince was a wannabe jock himself, and he'd had loved prime Brian as the smartest guy, toughest guy, womanizer type. Maybe as he progresses they fall out as most people tended to at the time with Vince, but I don't think they fall apart until Brian is in a position where it doesn't matter to him any more. Either way, his future was huge.

Just for an update to those who were waiting for this to be released on Kindle - the day has finally arrived, and you can now procure 'Crazy Like A Fox - The Definitive Chronicle of Brian Pillman 20 Years Later' as an e-book.

The latest SCG Radio is now online, as we look to rank the Top 25 Matches and Moments in the history of Monday Night Raw to commemorate the 25 year milestone of the show. Narrowing 25 years of matches, promos, angles and show-long stories into around 150 options, the panel sent their own rankings, which were then scored up, producing the totals that form the definitive SCG list discussed on the show. Listen in as we debate some of the best segments WWE ever produced, questioning their placement, justifying their positions and, in some cases, holding them to scrutiny. We won't ruin the order here - check out the show and let us know what you think! https://squaredcirclegazette.podbean.com/mf/download/kt54nc/SCG_Radio_129_-_The_SCG_Top_25_Raw_Matches_and_Moments_in_History.mp3

Thank you very much - let me know what you think as you progress. In my opinion the book picks up as it goes along, though others seem to love the WCW section mid-90s the best, interestingly enough. As a quick heads up, I was interviewed by Meltzer and Alvarez on Wrestling Observer Radio on Friday to talk about the book, which you can find at the following link: https://www.f4wonline.com/wrestling-observer-radio/wor-liam-orourke-talks-his-book-life-brian-pillman-249756

Wow - thank you so much for leaving the Amazon review, I greatly appreciate that. Funnily enough heard from a couple of people this weekend saying they bought it based on those reviews, so I am extremely grateful.

Thank you both for the comments, glad to read that you enjoyed it. Dawho - believe me, following the few chapters previous I was dying for a semblence of positivity to reveal itself. SPS - please do post that! That's really massively appreciated, almost overwhelming. I know what you mean about looking at the literature Brian poured through to prep for the Loose Cannon, I did the exact same to try and grasp Pillman's outlook from that point and it really is something else.

Thanks very much dude, let me know what you make of it as you progress through. Had a big piece written on the book by Alex Marvez for Sporting News this past week, which can be seen here: http://www.sportingnews.com/wwe/news/brian-pillman-book-crazy-like-a-fox-flyin-brian-liam-orourke-wcw-ecw-eric-bischoff/15xhpb5b1rffb1r6glsguafb80

Somebody needs to make a wrestling version of Cards Against Humanity. Depraved as wrestling has been, somebody could have a field day with that.

For those interested in picking this up for Christmas, Amazon has an offer on - use this code for $5 off any $15 spent on any print book: BOOKGIFT17

Indeed, which is awesome. Very nice words from Meltzer on Observer Radio on Wednesday to boot.

Thank you both, really looking forward to hearing your full thoughts! Will drop this here, but Meltzer mentioned it in the daily update on Thursday...

Thank you very much - please keep me posted as to how you get on!

SPS - thank you very much, would love to know your thoughts! FPT - Ah! The final verdict is close...

John Lister of Fighting Spirit Magazine has written a review of the new Brian Pillman book, giving it five stars for those interested... https://cinemazine.co.uk/2017/11/22/book-review-crazy-like-a-fox-the-definitive-chronicle-of-brian-pillman-20-years-later/