Grappling with Wrestling

The Botch: Hogan vs. Sting, Starrcade '97

“That Doesn’t Work for Me, Brother” - Sting, Hogan & A Count That Killed the Moment On this episode of Grappling with Wrestling, host Derrick Michaud is joined by wrestling minds Jimmy Fulp and Jacob Turner to revisit one of the most infamous botched endings in wrestling history—Sting vs. Hogan at Starrcade 1997. They break down the year-and-a-half-long build-up, the confusing fast count that wasn’t, Bret Hart’s sudden appearance, and how the entire finish felt like a swing and a miss thanks to Hogan's creative control. YouTube - https://bit.ly/4it8ATq [https://bit.ly/4it8ATq] [00:00:00] | “That doesn’t work for me, brother” – Breaking down the Hogan vs. Sting controversy [00:00:45] | The epic build-up to Starrcade and Sting's silent storytelling [00:01:15] | The planned finish vs. what actually happened in the ring [00:02:00] | The referee botch and the awkward "fast count" cover-up [00:03:00] | Bret Hart’s appearance and being misused… again [00:04:00] | Why it confused the live crowd and damaged the payoff [00:05:00] | Hogan’s politics and nostalgia for Hulkamania Produced by SRP Studios Podcasting [https://www.facebook.com/shelbyrowproductions], SRPStudiosLLC.com [http://SRPStudiosLLC.com]

WWE Belts Through the Ages

On this special episode of Grapling with Wrestling, Derrick, Jimmy and Jacob dive deep into the golden legacy of WWE championship belts. From the modern Universal Title to the iconic Winged Eagle belt, it's a show-and-tell session filled with nostalgia, hot takes, and wrestling history. Hear them debate designs, share personal stories, and pay homage to the belts that defined eras. YouTube - https://bit.ly/4it8ATq [https://bit.ly/4it8ATq] 00:00 – Intro & belt hype 01:00 – Universal Championship: Roman Reigns to Cody Rhodes 02:30 – WWE Championship color wars 04:00 – Unifying the titles & WrestleMania 38 05:30 – The Winged Eagle: the crown jewel of Derrick’s childhood 07:00 – Wrestling legends who held the Winged Eagle 08:30 – The Brutus beef & IC title drama 09:30 – Cody bringing back the classic IC belt 11:00 – Ted DiBiase’s controversial belt buy 13:00 – Ultimate Warrior’s colorful belt run 15:00 – Belt evolution: ornate vs logo styles 17:30 – Women’s title belts & their rise in prestige 20:00 – Breaking down current WWE men’s titles 22:00 – Booking belts & the balance of storytelling Produced by SRP Studios Podcasting [https://www.facebook.com/shelbyrowproductions], SRPStudiosLLC.com [http://SRPStudiosLLC.com]

AEW vs. WWE: Does Selling Still Matter?

In this episode of Grappling with Wrestling, host Derrick Michaud welcomes guests Jimmy Fulp and Jacob Turner to break down the key differences between WWE and AEW’s storytelling styles. They discuss Jim Cornette’s take on AEW’s high-flying, fast-paced approach versus WWE’s more traditional psychology-driven wrestling. The conversation dives into how wrestlers like Penta adapt between promotions, the importance of selling moves, and why no-selling can hurt a match’s credibility. Plus, they reflect on legendary moments like The Undertaker’s iconic sit-up and the art of building real in-ring drama. YouTube - https://bit.ly/4it8ATq [https://bit.ly/4it8ATq] [00:00:00] - Introduction: Wrestling Styles & Storytelling [00:01:15] - AEW vs. WWE: The Selling Debate [00:02:45] - Penta’s Transition from AEW to WWE [00:04:30] - Jim Cornette’s Perspective on AEW’s "Gymnastics" [00:06:00] - The Role of Selling in Building a Match [00:08:15] - The Importance of No-Selling in Wrestling Psychology [00:10:30] - Legendary No-Sellers: The Undertaker & Hulk Hogan [00:12:00] - When High Spots Become Choreography [00:14:00] - Final Thoughts: Does AEW Need More Storytelling? Produced by SRP Studios Podcasting [https://www.facebook.com/shelbyrowproductions], SRPStudiosLLC.com [http://SRPStudiosLLC.com]

Stone Cold, Hogan, and the Wars that shaped Wrestling

In this episode, the discussion begins by reflecting on the inception of professional wrestling and its evolution through the golden era territories and into the iconic Monday Night Wars. The conversation highlights key moments and wrestlers such as Scott Hall, Kevin Nash, and Hulk Hogan's shocking heel turn. They delve into the anti-hero phenomenon with stars like Stone Cold Steve Austin and The Rock, and recount Kurt Angle's transition from a hero to a heel. The episode also covers significant storylines and characters in WCW and WWF, including the creation of the nWo, the rise of Goldberg, and memorable incidents like Vince giving away match finishes on taped Raw shows. The dynamic nature of wrestling during the Monday Night Wars and the Attitude Era's impact on the industry are underscored, celebrating how these periods captivated audiences and changed the landscape of professional wrestling. YouTube - https://bit.ly/4it8ATq [https://bit.ly/4it8ATq] 00:00 Introduction to the Golden Era of Wrestling 00:12 The Monday Night Wars: A Personal Perspective 01:24 The Rise of Anti-Heroes in Wrestling 06:39 The Birth of Stone Cold Steve Austin 09:12 The Curtain Call Incident and Its Impact 10:48 The Goldberg Phenomenon 12:55 The Attitude Era: A Wrestling Revolution 13:24 Switching Between WCW and WWF Produced by SRP Studios Podcasting [https://www.facebook.com/shelbyrowproductions], SRPStudiosLLC.com [http://SRPStudiosLLC.com]

Behind the Bomb: Punk's Work Exposed

In this episode, we delve into the exact moment when CM Punk became a significant figure in professional wrestling. We discuss a pivotal house show in Memphis where CM Punk's unexpected popularity amazed the crowd and broke traditional wrestling norms. The conversation covers CM Punk's controversial 'pipe bomb' promo, his frustrations with WWE's booking decisions, and how his mic dropping moment changed the landscape of wrestling promos. We also touch on his admiration for Bret Hart, his straight edge savior persona, and his influence on wrestling fans and culture. Join us as we recount how CM Punk disrupted the status quo and became an enduring icon in the wrestling world. YouTube - https://bit.ly/4it8ATq [https://bit.ly/4it8ATq] 00:00 The Moment CM Punk Became a Star 01:29 The Infamous Pipe Bomb 02:16 CM Punk's Frustrations and References 03:08 The Rise of CM Punk 04:28 The Impact of the Pipe Bomb 06:27 The Aftermath and Legacy Produced by SRP Studios Podcasting [https://www.facebook.com/shelbyrowproductions], SRPStudiosLLC.com [http://SRPStudiosLLC.com]