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Former WWF writer Tommy Blacha and co-host Rob Pasbani are joined by Tom Green (WCW Deep Cuts) to recap the final RAW is WAR before King of the Ring 2000! We dive into a wrestling-heavy show from Nashville that features a masterclass in sports entertainment storytelling between Eddie Guerrero and Chyna. We break down the "Puppy Love" segment that saw Eddie win over Chyna with a gift she couldn't resist, alongside the brilliantly booked tournament qualifier where Eddie used a "wrist-lock rollup" to advance. Tommy Blacha explains the backstage perspective on why Eddie Guerrero took to the WWF style like a fish to water while other "jumpers" struggled. We also discuss the "bureaucracy of the fax machine" as Linda McMahon sends a high-stakes decree from afar, and Vince McMahon's bizarre obsession with the size of his own "grapefruits." Other highlights include: - The Rock delivering a "Pierced Anus" promo that only he could pull off. - Kurt Angle's legendary Nashville "inbreeding" promo and his "Smart Mark" match against Bubba Ray Dudley. - The Dudley Boyz facing a 5-on-2 handicap dumpster-table-chaos match. - Pat Patterson and Gerald Brisco taking their hardcore feud to a New York champagne celebration. - Tommy Blacha reveals the locker room tension surrounding Sean Stasiak and his secret tape recorder. 0:00 - Intro 3:13 - Sean Stasiak and the secret tape recorder scandal 4:06 - The transition of WCW "jumpers" like The Radicals 6:00 - Kurt Angle vs. Bubba Ray Dudley (KOTR Qualifier) 9:20 - Tommy vs. Rob: The "Seasoned Pro" vs. "Tag Team Herb" debate 12:15 - The mysterious "Wall of Voodoo" fan in the front row 14:15 - Linda McMahon and the bureaucracy of the fax machine 16:30 - The comedic timing of Brisco & Patterson 18:30 - Vince McMahon questions his own "raisin-sized grapefruits" 21:50 - Vince's "Steak and Potatoes" booking philosophy 26:00 - Match: Chris Benoit vs. X-Pac (KOTR Qualifier) 32:15 - Eddie Guerrero & Chyna: The masterclass begins 36:45 - Behind the Scenes: Why Eddie and Kurt never get "stink" on them 41:15 - Chris Jericho vs. Edge (KOTR Qualifier) 42:45 - Triple H, Bossman, and Bull Buchanan's broken-up alliance 44:00 - Undertaker vs. Bossman & Bull Buchanan 45:10 - Jesse Ventura raises Triple H’s hand in Minnesota 46:15 - Rikishi vs. Scotty 2 Hotty (KOTR Qualifier) 48:30 - Kane vs. The Hardys: The "Elephant in the Jungle" psychology 53:50 - Crash Holly vs. Hardcore Holly (KOTR Qualifier) 56:30 - Gerald Brisco wins the Hardcore Title with a pipe 1:00:15 - Triple H snuffs Test (The "Shoot Snuff" talk) 1:03:15 - Main Event: The Rock vs. T&A (Handicap Match) 1:08:30 - The Rock, Kane, and Undertaker unite against Triple H 1:11:40 - WCW Freefall: Goldberg turns heel and eats a contract 1:18:20 - Outro Follow Tales from The Attitude Era on all social media http://youtube.com/@TFTAttitudeEra  http://twitter.com/TFTAttitudeEra http://instagram.com/TFTAttitudeEra http://tiktok.com/@TFTAttitudeEra Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Former WWF writer Tommy Blacha and co-host Rob Pasbani are back in the Windy City (or at least Rosemont) to recap a star-studded June 15, 2000 episode of SmackDown. The headline is the guest appearance of Samuel L. Jackson as Shaft! We break down the surreal crossover segments in Time Square and WWE New York, including the legendary moment where Shaft offers to "protect the booty" of Hardcore Champion Crash Holly. Tommy Blacha provides unique insight into the "on-the-fly" nature of the Shaft shoot and what it was like working with a Hollywood A-lister at the peak of his powers. We also discuss the acoustics of the old Rosemont Horizon, the mystery of The Undertaker's sudden arrest for "carjacking," and why Vince McMahon thought Dean Malenko needed to be paired with the Godfather's ladies to get over. Other major discussion points include: - The Dudley Boyz taking a 10-foot plunge off the stage inside a tied-up dumpster. - The Rock, Undertaker, and Kane dealing with a new high-stakes stipulation for their King of the Ring main event. - Lita carving her own path: How her legitimate in-ring ability in Mexico and Mexico's CMLL forced WWE to take the women's division seriously. - The ongoing "Faction vs. Regime" branding war and Triple H's questionable grammar. - Chris Jericho getting "splashed" by a bucket of water from Stephanie McMahon. Don't forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and tell your enemies about us! Follow Tales from the Attitude Era: Email: [email protected] Instagram/TikTok/X: @TFTattitudeera 0:00 - Intro 1:40 - The "Stay Out" Bar and Rosemont's 23-hour liquor laws 3:54 - WWE Post-Production: Making Linda McMahon sound dramatic 6:55 - Match 1: Edge vs. Grandmaster Sexay (KOTR Qualifier) 7:50 - Stone Phillips in the front row / Celebrity cameo talk 10:42 - McMahon-Helmsley promo: The new KOTR stipulation 17:03 - Crash Holly, Brisco, & Patterson take Time Square 17:53 - Match 2: The Hardys vs. T&A / Lita makes the save 19:54 - Lita’s rise: From a bus to Mexico to the Attitude Era 21:19 - Undertaker arrested for carjacking / Spitting tobacco on Bull Buchanan 23:21 - Match 3: D-Lo Brown vs. Scotty 2 Hotty (KOTR Qualifier) 24:00 - Match 4: Kane vs. Chris Benoit (The "Smart Mark Waiver" finish) 25:44 - Edge & Christian’s "Mom" drama / Faction vs. Regime debate 27:56 - Vince McMahon and the XFL Chicago press conference 28:34 - Match 5: Dudley Boyz vs. Edge & Christian 29:42 - THE DUMPSTER SPOT: The Dudleys tossed off the stage 32:14 - Match 6: Chris Jericho vs. Bull Buchanan 33:42 - Is Jericho being "Herbed"? The verb defined 34:57 - Pat Patterson wants to go to the leather clubs 35:58 - Val Venis vs. Rikishi brawl / The vicious chair shot 39:19 - SAMUEL L. JACKSON meets Crash Holly 43:00 - The Sweet 16 King of the Ring Brackets revealed 44:20 - The Rock Scooby-Doo promo: "It doesn't matter!" 45:23 - Shaft drops Pat Patterson at WWE New York 47:02 - Main Event: The Rock vs. Kurt Angle 48:22 - Stephanie throws a bucket of water / The Schmoz finish 49:42 - Servicing the live crowd energy vs. repetitive booking 53:04 - Sunday Night Heat Recap: Benoit, Jericho, and Hardcore Holly 57:27 - Outro Follow Tales from The Attitude Era on all social media http://youtube.com/@TFTAttitudeEra  http://twitter.com/TFTAttitudeEra http://instagram.com/TFTAttitudeEra http://tiktok.com/@TFTAttitudeEra Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Tales from the Attitude Era, former WWF writer Tommy Blacha and co-host Rob Pasbani head to St. Louis to recap the June 12, 2000, episode of RAW is WAR! This show is remembered for a legendary (and unintentional) high-stakes moment involving the Chairman himself. We break down the chaotic Tables Match where a 54-year-old Vince McMahon took a frightening spill off the shoulders of Bubba Ray Dudley, falling from the top rope all the way to the arena floor. Tommy Blacha shares what it was like backstage watching the boss take such a dangerous bump and how the performers reacted in the moment. We also dive into the beginning of one of the Attitude Era’s most entertaining dynamics: the subtle, quirky chemistry between Kurt Angle and Stephanie McMahon. From their accidental hallway bumps to that infamous celebratory hug, we discuss how this storyline sparked one of the biggest pushes in the company. Other highlights include: - Linda McMahon returns as CEO to school the faction, forcing The Rock, Undertaker, and Kane into an uneasy alliance. - Triple H wins a grueling title defense against Chris Jericho. - The McMahon-Helmsley faction’s psychological warfare as they unmask Kane in a dark locker room. - Lita debuting her iconic Team Xtreme look while chasing Stephanie McMahon for the WWF Women’s Championship. - Crash Holly finally reclaiming the Hardcore Championship from Gerald Brisco. Don't forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and hit the notification bell! 0:00 - Intro 1:40 - St. Louis: A pay-per-view quality town 9:11 - The Rock, Triple H, and the "three-foot nose" promo 10:45 - Linda McMahon returns as the "Mom of the WWF" 14:10 - The "Attractive Janet Reno" line and the Delaware lawsuit 21:30 - Off-season booking and the road to SummerSlam 25:40 - Dean Malenko and the Godfather’s ladies 28:20 - Stephanie McMahon vs. Lita (WWF Women’s Championship) 31:40 - Kurt Angle & Stephanie McMahon’s subtle chemistry begins 34:10 - The serendipity of the Kurt/Stephanie hug 35:45 - The McMahon-Helmsley faction unmasks Kane 40:50 - Too Cool vs. T&A / Rikishi saves the day 42:50 - Match: Bubba & D-Von vs. Shane & Vince McMahon (Tables Match) 48:20 - Undertaker steals a sedan to chase Bull Buchanan 50:15 - Crash Holly vs. Gerald Brisco (Hardcore Championship) 51:40 - Triple H vs. Chris Jericho (WWF Championship) 58:40 - Kane vs. The Rock 1:05:20 - Final Thoughts: The freefall of WCW and Goldberg's heel turn 1:15:20 - Outro Follow Tales from The Attitude Era on all social media http://youtube.com/@TFTAttitudeEra  http://twitter.com/TFTAttitudeEra http://instagram.com/TFTAttitudeEra http://tiktok.com/@TFTAttitudeEra Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Former WWF writer Tommy Blacha and co-host Rob Pasbani dive into the June 8, 2000, episode of SmackDown from Buffalo! The road to King of the Ring features a chaotic main event and one of the most dangerous splashes in WWE history. We break down Rikishi’s legendary splash off the 10-foot stage onto Val Venis, a move that still makes our knees hurt just watching it. We also witness a historic character shift for Lita, who debuts her signature "Whale Tail" look while getting robbed of the WWF Women’s Championship by Stephanie McMahon and a fast-counting Tori. Meanwhile, The Rock, Undertaker, and Kane are forced to team up against the McMahon-Helmsley faction. Accidental chair shots and internal friction threaten to destroy the alliance before the pay-per-view. Tommy Blacha also pulls back the curtain on: - The real-world pressure of the Parents Television Council (PTC) and Steve Allen trying to pull WWE advertising. - Why Mosh (Chaz) was being "ignored" by The Rock backstage and the abandoned disgruntled worker storyline. - Early impressions of a young Kurt Angle in dark matches and how one specific promo video made his career. - Behind-the-scenes reality of "Sweeps Week" and why the network pressure didn't apply to the Attitude Era juggernaut. - Chris Benoit and Jeff Hardy in a technical "work-rate" masterclass. - Crash Holly’s continued parking lot brawls with Gerald Brisco and Pat Patterson over the Hardcore Championship. - The night Tommy saw Brock Lesnar in developmental and the frustration of the "need to know" basis in the writers' room. Don't forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and hit the notification bell! 0:00 - Intro 1:40 - The "Number One Contender" trope 8:06 - Match 1: Chris Jericho vs. Test (KOTR Qualifier) 9:10 - The Rock ignores Chaz / Disgruntled worker storylines 13:33 - Lost WWF beauty pageant commercials 15:53 - Steve Allen and the PTC censorship battles 18:40 - The McMahons & DX celebrate / No Vince tonight 20:47 - The Rock brings "Payback Pie" to Buffalo 22:50 - The "American Badass" music license rabbit hole 26:26 - Undertaker vs. The Regime 28:18 - Match 2: Too Cool vs. Godfather & Dean Malenko 29:13 - Match 3: Chris Benoit vs. Jeff Hardy (Intercontinental Championship) 31:13 - Match 4: Edge & Christian vs. The Dudley Boyz 33:50 - The "Clean Pin" vs. "Clean Finish" Smart Mark debate 35:15 - Stephanie McMahon barges into the women’s locker room 36:16 - Kane confronts Undertaker: "I was enjoying it" 38:32 - Women’s Battle Royal 40:10 - Tommy on training vs. "Gaga" in the women's division 43:27 - Tori screws Lita / Stephanie retains the title 46:01 - Match 5: Matt Hardy vs. Eddie Guerrero (KOTR Qualifier) 47:45 - Val Venis & Trish Stratus promo 48:26 - Match 6: Val Venis vs. Rikishi 49:33 - RIKISHI SPLASH OFF THE STAGE! 53:25 - Main Event: Rock, Taker & Kane vs. Triple H & DX 54:41 - The MO of SmackDown: Feeling over Advancement 56:40 - Sunday Night Heat main event recap 57:07 - 2000 Headlines: Dwayne Johnson’s Hollywood breakout 1:01:03 - Dark Match talk: The Dups and a young Brock Lesnar 1:02:44 - The night Tommy saw Kurt Angle get over 1:08:23 - The frustration of the "Need to Know" basis in WWE 1:12:45 - Broken illusions: Why Tommy misses Kayfabe 1:15:26 - Final Thoughts & Outro Follow Tales from The Attitude Era on all social media http://youtube.com/@TFTAttitudeEra  http://twitter.com/TFTAttitudeEra http://instagram.com/TFTAttitudeEra http://tiktok.com/@TFTAttitudeEra Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Tales from the Attitude Era, former WWF writer Tommy Blacha and co-host Rob Pasbani recap the June 5, 2000, episode of RAW is WAR from the Blue Cross Arena in Rochester, New York. The night begins with massive dissension in the McMahon-Helmsley faction as Triple H, Vince McMahon, and Shane McMahon engage in a family shoving match that results in everyone—including Stephanie McMahon—getting slapped. A major talking point this week is how that "laborious" opening segment threw off the timing for the entire broadcast. Tommy Blacha provides unique insight into the backstage stress that occurs when segments run long, forcing the creative team and performers to truncate every single undercard match to fit the remaining time. We also address the "bamboozle" regarding The Undertaker’s entrance music. While the network versions feature a generic theme, original recordings prove he was using Kid Rock’s "American Badass" from day one. Tommy Blacha shares a hilarious story about Kevin Dunn blasting the track on a private jet until everyone was sick of it. Other highlights from this episode include: The Rock, The Undertaker, and Kane battling in a high-stakes Triple Threat match for a title shot. Rikishi delivering a devastating Stink Face to Trish Stratus. - Too Cool defending their WWF Tag Team Championship against The Hardy Boyz. - Crash Holly continuing his relentless quest to reclaim the Hardcore Championship. - The Rock and Triple H closing the show with a pay-per-view quality television main event for the WWF Championship. 0:00 - Intro 1:35 - WWF legal battles & the move to Spike TV 3:55 - Rochester, NY: The "glitch" in the graphic 5:55 - The Undertaker’s real entrance music revealed 8:20 - Vince McMahon, Brisco, & Patterson arrive 10:50 - Opening Segment: Triple H vs. Vince vs. Shane dissension 11:25 - Deep Dive: How the long opening segment ruined the show’s timing 16:55 - The Rock interrupts / The family slap-fest 18:55 - Kane & The Undertaker demand title shots 21:00 - Why WWF gave away main events on free TV 25:40 - Match 1: Too Cool & Rikishi vs. Val Venis, Test & Albert 30:40 - Trish Stratus takes a Stink Face! 32:45 - Crash Holly’s backstage parking lot fail 33:25 - Match 2: Chris Benoit vs. Road Dogg (The impact of time cuts) 35:45 - Kane interview: "I don't have a brother" 36:45 - Gerald Brisco vs. Crash Holly (Hardcore Championship) 39:15 - Triple Threat Match: The Rock vs. Kane vs. The Undertaker 41:25 - Triple H interferes / The Rock earns the title shot 42:02 - Match 3: Eddie Guerrero vs. Dean Malenko (Truncated stories) 45:43 - KOTR Qualifier: Hardcore Holly vs. Faarooq 47:15 - 6-Man Tag: Dudley Boyz & Chris Jericho vs. Angle, Edge & Christian 50:10 - The Hardy Boyz vs. Boss Man & Bull Buchanan 52:15 - Stephanie McMahon announces a Women’s Battle Royal 56:40 - Main Event: Triple H vs. The Rock (WWF Championship) 1:02:25 - Final Thoughts: Burnout & the cycle of wrestling writing 1:12:45 - Inside Baseball: The reality of Kayfabe today 1:15:20 - Outro Follow Tales from The Attitude Era on all social media http://youtube.com/@TFTAttitudeEra  http://twitter.com/TFTAttitudeEra http://instagram.com/TFTAttitudeEra http://tiktok.com/@TFTAttitudeEra Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Tales from the Attitude Era, former WWF writer Tommy Blacha and co-host Rob Pasbani head north to Vancouver for the May 29, 2000, episode of RAW is WAR! It’s a Memorial Day classic featuring one of the hottest (and most anti-American) crowds of the year. We break down the massive return of Kane, who interrupts a chaotic lumberjack brawl between The Rock, Undertaker, and the McMahon-Helmsley Faction. Plus, Too Cool shocks the world by defeating Edge & Christian for the Tag Team Titles with help from Kid Rock's hype man, Joe C! We also dive into: - Kurt Angle's legendary nuclear heat promo insulting Ben Johnson, the Grizzlies, and Canadian healthcare. - A discussion on WWE's history with Canadian customs and immigration lawyers. - The "Cold Spot" match that the crowd ignored to chant for "Puppies." - Chris Benoit vs. Hardcore Holly in an incredibly stiff bout. - The mystery of who is attacking Vince McMahon, Road Dogg, and Pat Patterson backstage. - The Kat returns to join The Godfather and Dean Malenko. Join us for a breakdown of a pivotal RAW on the road to King of the Ring 2000! Don't forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and hit the notification bell! 0:00 - Intro 3:40 - Tommy's Story: WWE vs. Canadian Customs 6:00 - Writing the King of the Ring Tournament (Pencil vs. Ink) 11:00 - Undertaker's "American Badass" Entrance & Theme Music 13:15 - McMahon-Helmsley Faction Promo / Undertaker & Rock Interrupt 19:00 - Match 1: The Godfather, Dean Malenko & The Kat vs. Perry Saturn, D'Lo Brown & Terri 24:44 - Edge & Christian meet Joe C 26:15 - Kurt Angle's Nuclear Heat Promo 32:59 - Match 2: Eddie Guerrero vs. Kurt Angle (European Title) 34:46 - Mystery Attacker Storyline: Road Dogg taken out 35:47 - The "Short" 5-Second Pose 36:16 - Match 3: Too Cool vs. Edge & Christian (Tag Team Titles) 39:00 - TOO COOL WIN THE TITLES! 41:03 - Was Joe C's Involvement "Annoying"? (Meltzer vs. Reality) 43:00 - "Belt" vs. "Championship" / Forbidden Words 44:30 - Vince McMahon Attacked / "Austin" Chants 45:09 - Match 4: Rikishi vs. Shane McMahon (KOTR Qualifier) 47:16 - Backstage: Stephanie, T&A, and Val Venis 49:35 - Match 5: Chris Jericho & The Hardy Boyz vs. Val Venis, Test & Albert 53:33 - Hardcore Holly & Chris Benoit Promo ("US Sucks" Chants) 54:41 - Match 6: Chris Benoit vs. Hardcore Holly 57:25 - Match 7: Bull Buchanan vs. Steve Blackman (The "Cold Spot") 58:40 - The Crowd Ignores the Match for "Puppies" 1:00:47 - Pat Patterson Attacked (The Coffee Spill) 1:02:54 - Edge & Christian Stuff Joe C in a Trash Can 1:03:37 - Main Event Segment: Rock & Undertaker vs. The Regime 1:06:51 - KANE RETURNS! 1:08:30 - Teasing a Fatal Four-Way? 1:10:45 - Final Thoughts & Outro Follow Tales from The Attitude Era on all social media http://youtube.com/@TFTAttitudeEra  http://twitter.com/TFTAttitudeEra http://instagram.com/TFTAttitudeEra http://tiktok.com/@TFTAttitudeEra Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Tales from the Attitude Era, former WWF writer Tommy Blacha and co-host Rob Pasbani head north to Vancouver for the May 29, 2000, episode of RAW is WAR! It’s a Memorial Day classic featuring one of the hottest (and most anti-American) crowds of the year. We break down the massive return of Kane, who interrupts a chaotic lumberjack brawl between The Rock, Undertaker, and the McMahon-Helmsley Faction. Plus, Too Cool shocks the world by defeating Edge & Christian for the Tag Team Titles with help from Kid Rock's hype man, Joe C! We also dive into: - Kurt Angle's legendary nuclear heat promo insulting Ben Johnson, the Grizzlies, and Canadian healthcare. - A discussion on WWE's history with Canadian customs and immigration lawyers. - The "Cold Spot" match that the crowd ignored to chant for "Puppies." - Chris Benoit vs. Hardcore Holly in an incredibly stiff bout. - The mystery of who is attacking Vince McMahon, Road Dogg, and Pat Patterson backstage. - The Kat returns to join The Godfather and Dean Malenko. Join us for a breakdown of a pivotal RAW on the road to King of the Ring 2000! Don't forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and hit the notification bell! 0:00 - Intro 3:40 - Tommy's Story: WWE vs. Canadian Customs 6:00 - Writing the King of the Ring Tournament (Pencil vs. Ink) 11:00 - Undertaker's "American Badass" Entrance & Theme Music 13:15 - McMahon-Helmsley Faction Promo / Undertaker & Rock Interrupt 19:00 - Match 1: The Godfather, Dean Malenko & The Kat vs. Perry Saturn, D'Lo Brown & Terri 24:44 - Edge & Christian meet Joe C 26:15 - Kurt Angle's Nuclear Heat Promo 32:59 - Match 2: Eddie Guerrero vs. Kurt Angle (European Title) 34:46 - Mystery Attacker Storyline: Road Dogg taken out 35:47 - The "Short" 5-Second Pose 36:16 - Match 3: Too Cool vs. Edge & Christian (Tag Team Titles) 39:00 - TOO COOL WIN THE TITLES! 41:03 - Was Joe C's Involvement "Annoying"? (Meltzer vs. Reality) 43:00 - "Belt" vs. "Championship" / Forbidden Words 44:30 - Vince McMahon Attacked / "Austin" Chants 45:09 - Match 4: Rikishi vs. Shane McMahon (KOTR Qualifier) 47:16 - Backstage: Stephanie, T&A, and Val Venis 49:35 - Match 5: Chris Jericho & The Hardy Boyz vs. Val Venis, Test & Albert 53:33 - Hardcore Holly & Chris Benoit Promo ("US Sucks" Chants) 54:41 - Match 6: Chris Benoit vs. Hardcore Holly 57:25 - Match 7: Bull Buchanan vs. Steve Blackman (The "Cold Spot") 58:40 - The Crowd Ignores the Match for "Puppies" 1:00:47 - Pat Patterson Attacked (The Coffee Spill) 1:02:54 - Edge & Christian Stuff Joe C in a Trash Can 1:03:37 - Main Event Segment: Rock & Undertaker vs. The Regime 1:06:51 - KANE RETURNS! 1:08:30 - Teasing a Fatal Four-Way? 1:10:45 - Final Thoughts & Outro Follow Tales from The Attitude Era on all social media http://youtube.com/@TFTAttitudeEra  http://twitter.com/TFTAttitudeEra http://instagram.com/TFTAttitudeEra http://tiktok.com/@TFTAttitudeEra Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Tales from the Attitude Era, former WWF writer Tommy Blacha and co-host Rob Pasbani review the May 25, 2000, episode of SmackDown from Evansville, Indiana. The McMahon-Helmsley faction is running scared as The Undertaker returns to SmackDown on his motorcycle, chasing Vince, Shane, and Brisco throughout the arena! We also discuss Tommy's growing burnout during this period and his realization that he needed to make an "exit plan" from the chaotic world of WWF creative. Plus, we break down: - The Rock's hilarious segment where he whispers a "secret" to Vince McMahon before slapping him in the face. - Kurt Angle, Edge, and Christian delivering "Cheap Heat PLUS" by mocking Bobby Knight and the Indiana Pacers. - The official formation of Team Xtreme as the Hardy Boyz save Lita from a powerbomb by Essa Rios. - Chyna looking dominant in a Tag Team Title match against Edge & Christian. - Crash Holly continuing his feud with the APA, ruining their beer and paying the price. - A messy finish involving The Godfather, Dean Malenko, and Perry Saturn. Join us for another deep dive into the peak of the Attitude Era! Don't forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and hit the notification bell! 0:00 - Intro 1:18 - Tommy's Burnout: Why He Started Planning His Exit 8:06 - Welcome to Evansville: The "Roberts Municipal Stadium" 9:13 - Discussing Crowd Sweetening on SmackDown 11:46 - Undertaker's Return Recap & Re-establishing His Dominance 15:32 - The Undertaker Chases the McMahons with a Motorcycle! 21:01 - Vince McMahon Confronts The Undertaker 25:12 - Match 1: Eddie Guerrero & Chyna vs. Edge & Christian (Tag Titles) 28:57 - Crash Holly Ruins the APA's Beer 29:40 - Match 2: Faarooq vs. Crash Holly (Hardcore Match) 30:18 - Match 3: Chris Jericho vs. Hardcore Holly vs. Val Venis (No. 1 Contender) 34:52 - The Rock Slaps Vince McMahon! 37:03 - Match 4: Matt Hardy vs. Essa Rios 39:54 - The Hardyz Save Lita / Birth of Team Xtreme 42:04 - Backstage: Triple H volunteers Shane to fight Undertaker 42:47 - Match 5: The Dudley Boyz & Too Cool vs. T&A & DX 48:11 - The "Too Cool" Dance Party (with The Dudleyz!) 50:23 - Match 6: Kurt Angle vs. Chris Benoit 52:06 - Match 7: Bull Buchanan vs. Al Snow 53:48 - Backstage: Vince is Proud of Shane's "Grapefruits" 54:19 - Match 8: The Undertaker vs. Shane McMahon 55:36 - The Rock Returns to Help Undertaker! 56:49 - Sunday Night Heat Recap: Dean Malenko & The Hoes 59:23 - Final Thoughts & Outro Follow Tales from The Attitude Era on all social media http://youtube.com/@TFTAttitudeEra  http://twitter.com/TFTAttitudeEra http://instagram.com/TFTAttitudeEra http://tiktok.com/@TFTAttitudeEra Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Tales from the Attitude Era, former WWF writer Tommy Blacha and co-host Rob Pasbani review the May 22, 2000, episode of RAW is WAR from Indianapolis. It's the fallout from Judgment Day, and while Triple H is the new champion, The Rock is on a warpath! In a candid moment, Tommy reveals that this was the specific week he first considered quitting the WWF creative team due to burnout and the chaotic backstage environment. We discuss the mindset of the writing team during this period and how the "machine" kept rolling despite the lack of long-term planning. We also dive into: - The Rock's hilarious and violent assault on Vince McMahon, culminating in him smashing a trash can lid over Vince's head inside a limo. - The Raw debut of The American Badass Undertaker and his new biker persona. - Kurt Angle's hilarious "cheap heat" promo on the Indiana Pacers and Bobby Knight. - The odd pairing of Edge, Christian, and Kurt Angle forming a comedic heel alliance. - A controversial intergender match where Dean Malenko pins Chyna after a rose-based distraction. - Hardcore Holly delivering one of the stiffest chair shots of the era to Chris Benoit. Join us for a fascinating look behind the curtain at a pivotal time in WWF history, both on-screen and in the writer's room. 0:00 - Intro / "The Day After Judgment Day" 1:27 - Tommy Reveals: "I Think I'm Going to Leave Wrestling" 5:03 - The Burnout of Writing for the Attitude Era 13:20 - The Revolving Door of WWE Writers 15:03 - RAW Recap Starts: No Recap Video?! 21:56 - Vince McMahon's Opening Promo 25:28 - The Rock DESTROYS Vince McMahon & His Limo! 29:59 - Trish Stratus & T&A Promo 31:50 - Match 1: The Hardy Boyz vs. T&A (w/ Trish Stratus) 32:53 - Backstage: D'Lo Brown Returns & Wants TV Time 36:55 - Match 2: Eddie Guerrero vs. D'Lo Brown (European Title) 39:18 - The Rock Attacks DX Backstage 39:36 - Kurt Angle, Edge & Christian Mock Indiana (Cheap Heat!) 42:02 - The "Bobby Knight" 5-Second Pose 42:21 - Match 3: Kurt Angle, Edge & Christian vs. Too Cool & Rikishi 42:51 - Rikishi's Stink Face Hygiene Question 45:18 - WWE in Business Week Magazine 47:35 - Shane McMahon Arrives & Gets Attacked by The Rock 49:22 - Match 4: Val Venis vs. Chris Benoit 49:54 - Hardcore Holly KILLS Benoit with a Chair Shot 52:19 - Chris Jericho Attacks Hardcore Holly 52:43 - Match 5: The Dudley Boyz vs. Boss Man & Bull Buchanan 53:34 - Crash Holly Demands a Refund from the APA 54:43 - Match 6: Crash Holly vs. Bradshaw (Hardcore Match) 55:07 - Triple H & The Rock Backstage Reveal 55:38 - Shawn Michaels Denies Screwing The Rock 56:34 - Essa Rios dumps Lita for The Godfather's Hoes 57:28 - Match 7: The Godfather & Essa Rios vs. Dean Malenko & Perry Saturn 58:43 - Lita Turns on Essa Rios! 59:17 - Main Event Promo: The Rock vs. Triple H? 1:01:25 - The Undertaker Returns on RAW! 1:02:08 - The Rock Puts Triple H Through a Table 1:03:52 - Final Thoughts: The "Hold Pattern" Era 1:08:35 - Fan Feedback & Outro Follow Tales from The Attitude Era on all social media http://youtube.com/@TFTAttitudeEra  http://twitter.com/TFTAttitudeEra http://instagram.com/TFTAttitudeEra http://tiktok.com/@TFTAttitudeEra Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Tales from the Attitude Era, former WWF writer Tommy Blacha and co-host Rob Pasbani review one of the greatest pay-per-views of the year: Judgment Day 2000! The main event is a historic 60-Minute Iron Man Match between The Rock and Triple H for the WWF Championship, with the returning Shawn Michaels as the special guest referee. The night ends in absolute chaos with the shock return of The Undertaker, debuting his new "American Badass" persona! We break down the controversial finish that saw Triple H regain the title despite being decimated by the Deadman. We also dive into: - Chris Benoit vs. Chris Jericho in a brutal Submission Match for the Intercontinental Title. - Eddie Guerrero & Chyna taking on Dean Malenko & Perry Saturn for the European Championship. - Edge, Christian and Kurt Angle in an awesome opener against Too Cool and Rikishi. - Shane McMahon facing The Big Show in a Falls Count Anywhere match that features a massive cinder block spot. - Gerald Brisco's ongoing journey as Hardcore Champion Join us as we break down a near-perfect pay-per-view that featured incredible wrestling, massive returns, and peak Attitude Era storytelling. Don't forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and hit the notification bell! 0:00 - Intro / "Dead Man Walking" 0:46 - Welcome to Tales from the Attitude Era (Judgment Day 2000) 1:14 - Debate: "Premium Live Event" vs. "Pay-Per-View" 3:08 - The Unique Format of Sunday Night Heat 7:14 - Louisville, KY: A Hot Wrestling Crowd (OVW Territory) 8:15 - Why the Iron Man Match Format Works So Well 12:08 - Intro Video & Backstage with the McMahon-Helmsley Faction 14:02 - Shawn Michaels Arrives in Short Shorts 14:25 - Match 1: Too Cool & Rikishi vs. Edge, Christian & Kurt Angle 17:40 - The Iconic "Jug Band" 5-Second Pose 21:17 - The Massive Pop for The Worm 22:45 - The Controversy of the Finish (Did Edge Kick Out?) 25:21 - Backstage Interview: Is HBK Trustworthy? 28:00 - Match 2: Eddie Guerrero vs. Perry Saturn vs. Dean Malenko (European Title) 33:53 - Match 3: Shane McMahon vs. The Big Show (Falls Count Anywhere) 41:57 - Match 4: Chris Jericho vs. Chris Benoit (Submission Match for IC Title) 44:55 - Wrestlers Working While Sick (The Flu Game) 51:24 - Match 5: DX vs. The Dudley Boyz (Tables Match) 55:56 - Main Event: The Rock vs. Triple H (60-Minute Iron Man Match) 1:07:03 - THE UNDERTAKER RETURNS! (American Badass Debut) 1:13:21 - Was This The Best PPV of the Year? 1:16:49 - Final Thoughts & What's Next on RAW Follow Tales from The Attitude Era on all social media http://youtube.com/@TFTAttitudeEra  http://twitter.com/TFTAttitudeEra http://instagram.com/TFTAttitudeEra http://tiktok.com/@TFTAttitudeEra Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Tales from the Attitude Era, former WWF writer Tommy Blacha and co-host Rob Pasbani head to Detroit for the May 18, 2000, episode of SmackDown! It's the final stop before Judgment Day, and the McMahon-Helmsley regime is pulling out all the stops with a main event stipulation that defies logic: a Lumberjack Handicap Tables Match featuring The Rock & The Dudley Boyz vs. DX & The McMahon-Helmsley Faction. Vince McMahon delivers a scathing promo about "inferior DNA," while Edge, Christian, and Kurt Angle generate nuclear heat in Detroit by mocking the Red Wings. We also see the apparent end of The Radicals as Dean Malenko and Perry Saturn come to blows, and Big Show returns to his "angry giant" persona. We also dive into: - Gerald Brisco defending "women's rights" after putting Bubba Ray Dudley through a table. - The Godfather showing off his surprising technical wrestling skills against Chris Benoit. - Chyna defeating Dean Malenko in an intergender match, further elevating her status. - A debate on the effectiveness of "cheap heat" in pro wrestling promos. - Crash Holly's continued saga as the sleep-deprived Hardcore Champion, protected by the APA. Join us as we break down a fun, fast-paced go-home show that set the stage for the Iron Man Match at Judgment Day. 0:00 - Intro 0:57 - Welcome & Episode Overview (SmackDown 5/18/00) 1:36 - Side Tangent: Retro Soviet Olympic Gear 3:53 - Discussing the "Go-Home" Show Vibe 4:53 - Match 1: The Dudley Boyz vs. T&A (w/ Shane & Brisco) 8:52 - Gerald Brisco & Trish Stratus celebrate 9:22 - Match 2: The Godfather vs. Chris Benoit 12:02 - Benoit & Jericho set up their Submission Match 12:54 - The McMahon-Helmsley "Faction" Promo 18:15 - Vince announces the ridiculous Main Event stipulation 22:07 - Crash Holly hires the APA for protection 23:53 - Match 3: Kurt Angle vs. Scotty 2 Hotty 25:11 - Fan Mail Debate: Does "Cheap Heat" work on TV? 28:56 - Match 4: Dean Malenko vs. Chyna 32:35 - Saturn interferes; The Radicals implode 36:35 - The APA Bar Fight Vignette 38:50 - Eddie & Chyna's chemistry 40:32 - Match 5: Eddie Guerrero vs. Perry Saturn (European Title) 44:21 - Joe C visits the APA (RIP Joe C) 46:16 - Match 6: Big Show runs the Gauntlet (vs. T&A, Boss Man, etc.) 52:18 - Gerald Brisco tiptoes through the APA office 53:53 - Match 7: Crash Holly vs. Brisco & Patterson (Hardcore Title) 55:24 - The Rock Promo: "Just Bring It!" 56:56 - Main Event: The Rock & Dudley Boyz vs. DX & McMahons (Lumberjack Handicap Tables Match) 1:00:07 - X-Pac puts himself through a table! 1:01:42 - Final Thoughts & On to Judgment Day 1:08:36 - Outro Follow Tales from The Attitude Era on all social media http://youtube.com/@TFTAttitudeEra  http://twitter.com/TFTAttitudeEra http://instagram.com/TFTAttitudeEra http://tiktok.com/@TFTAttitudeEra Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Tales from the Attitude Era, former WWF writer Tommy Blacha and co-host Rob Pasbani review the wild, go-home episode of RAW is WAR from May 15, 2000! The Rock makes his triumphant return from filming The Mummy Returns and immediately accepts Triple H's challenge for a 60-Minute Iron Man Match at Judgment Day. The show kicks off with the massive surprise return of Shawn Michaels, who resigns as commissioner and inserts himself as the special guest referee for the Judgment Day main event. Later, The Rock is forced into a Submission Match against Chris Benoit, which ends when Vince McMahon orders the timekeeper to ring the bell in a stunning "Montreal Screwjob" replay. The night ends with a massive brawl, culminating in The Rock putting Triple H through the announce table. We also dive into: - Tori getting her revenge by putting Bubba Ray Dudley through a table! - A Godfather's "Hoe" winning the Hardcore Championship... for a few seconds. - Big Show's continued hunt for Shane McMahon, which ends with Shane being thrown into the set. - The real-life heat between The Rock and Shawn Michaels. - Dean Malenko accidentally clotheslining Chyna, causing more friction among the Radicals. Join us as we break down an action-packed Raw that perfectly set the stage for one of the most anticipated main events of the year. Don't forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and hit the notification bell! 0:00 - Intro / The Rock is Back! 3:00 - The Surprise Return of Shawn Michaels! 7:05 - Tommy's backstage perspective on HBK's return 12:29 - Shawn Michaels' promo: Resigns as Commissioner 14:15 - HBK named Special Guest Referee for Judgment Day 16:35 - DX arrives, just misses HBK 20:36 - Big Show is looking for Shane 20:56 - Match 1: Dudley Boyz vs. Head Cheese (Al Snow & Steve Blackman) 22:50 - Stephanie McMahon & Kurt Angle Promo 26:25 - Match 2: Rikishi vs. Kurt Angle (w/ Edge & Christian) 27:14 - Match 3: Godfather vs. Crash Holly (Hardcore Title) 29:01 - A "Hoe" Wins the Hardcore Championship! 30:23 - McMahon-Helmsley Faction Promo 31:47 - The Rock Returns to RAW! 33:30 - The Real-Life Heat Between The Rock & Shawn Michaels 35:40 - Discussing the 60-Minute Iron Man Match Stipulation 39:15 - Match 4: Hardcore Holly vs. Chris Jericho (Hardcore Match) 40:49 - Big Show Hunts for Shane in a Limo 41:16 - Match 5: Big Show vs. T&A (w/ Shane, Trish & Brisco) 44:25 - Shane gets thrown into the WWF.com sign 44:52 - Match 6: Eddie Guerrero & Chyna vs. Dean Malenko & Perry Saturn 47:04 - Chyna accidentally low-blows Eddie 48:39 - Match 7: Edge & Christian vs. APA vs. The Hardy Boyz 52:12 - Main Event Setup: The Rock vs. Chris Benoit (Submission Match) 54:15 - The Montreal Screwjob 2.0: Vince screws The Rock 55:55 - Post-Match Brawl: Rock puts Triple H Through a Table! 57:47 - The Undertaker's Impending Return (Meltzer Notes) 1:00:21 - Final Thoughts & Show Rating 1:01:48 - Q&A Tease & Outro Follow Tales from The Attitude Era on all social media http://youtube.com/@TFTAttitudeEra  http://twitter.com/TFTAttitudeEra http://instagram.com/TFTAttitudeEra http://tiktok.com/@TFTAttitudeEra Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Tales from the Attitude Era, former WWF writer Tommy Blacha and co-host Rob Pasbani review the May 11, 2000, episode of SmackDown from New Haven, CT. With The Rock away filming The Mummy Returns, Vince McMahon takes center stage to deliver his iconic, scathing "Life Sucks (And Then You Die)" promo to the live audience. The McMahon-Helmsley regime books a chaotic night, culminating in one of the most absurd main events of the era: Rikishi & Too Cool vs. DX & Pat Patterson. The match features The Dudley Boyz getting revenge, and in a moment you have to see to believe, Rikishi shoves Patterson's infamous "skid mark" underwear right into Triple H's face! We also dive into: - Chris Benoit and Chris Jericho setting up their brutal Submission Match for Judgment Day. - The APA getting into a wild, pre-taped bar fight with Boss Man & Bull Buchanan. - Big Show finally turning face after being mocked one too many times by Shane McMahon. - The formation of a new heel alliance as Kurt Angle teams up with Edge & Christian. - The Dudley Boyz getting screwed by Shane McMahon and Gerald Brisco (who is fighting for "women's rights"). Join us as we break down an episode filled with great midcard wrestling, iconic comedy, and major setup for Judgment Day. Don't forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and hit the notification bell! Follow Tales from The Attitude Era on all social media http://youtube.com/@TFTAttitudeEra  http://twitter.com/TFTAttitudeEra http://instagram.com/TFTAttitudeEra http://tiktok.com/@TFTAttitudeEra Tommy Blacha made his name in Hollywood as a writer on Conan O'Brien, co-creator of Metalocalypse on Adult Swim, and a writer on shows like The Eric Andre Show and Da Ali G Show. But, a little-known fact about Tommy's career is that he was the head writer of WWE (WWF at the time)) during their most successful period, starting in 1999, taking over for Vince Russo, who left for the competition. This podcast, Tales from the Attitude Era will be a retrospective of Tommy's time in the head writer position and the roller coaster ride that is pro wrestling, co-hosted by Rob Pasbani. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Tales from the Attitude Era, Rob Pasbani and former WWF writer Tommy Blacha break down the chaotic May 8, 2000 "kitchen sink" episode of RAW is WAR! With The Rock away filming The Mummy Returns, the McMahon-Helmsley regime turns its full attention to the new top babyface, Chris Jericho. Vince McMahon guarantees Jericho will lose his Intercontinental Championship and forces him to run a gauntlet against Kurt Angle, The Big Show, and Chris Benoit. The night culminates in a main event screwjob orchestrated by special referee Triple H. We also dive into: - Triple H officially challenging The Rock to a 60-Minute Iron Man Match at Judgment Day. - One of the most disgusting and iconic comedy moments in WWF history: Pat Patterson giving Rikishi a "skid mark" stink face. - Gerald Brisco getting his receipt from The Dudley Boyz in a hilarious 3-on-2 Tables Match. - Edge & Christian hiring the APA for protection, only for it to immediately backfire. - The formation of a new babyface alliance to combat the McMahon-Helmsley regime. Join us as we review an episode that perfectly showcases the Attitude Era's "smoke and mirrors" booking, blending high-stakes drama with unforgettable comedy. Follow Tales from The Attitude Era on all social media http://youtube.com/@TFTAttitudeEra  http://twitter.com/TFTAttitudeEra http://instagram.com/TFTAttitudeEra http://tiktok.com/@TFTAttitudeEra Tommy Blacha made his name in Hollywood as a writer on Conan O'Brien, co-creator of Metalocalypse on Adult Swim, and a writer on shows like The Eric Andre Show and Da Ali G Show. But, a little-known fact about Tommy's career is that he was the head writer of WWE (WWF at the time)) during their most successful period, starting in 1999, taking over for Vince Russo, who left for the competition. This podcast, Tales from the Attitude Era will be a retrospective of Tommy's time in the head writer position and the roller coaster ride that is pro wrestling, co-hosted by Rob Pasbani. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Tales from the Attitude Era, Rob and former WWF writer Tommy head to Richmond, VA – Earl Hebner's hometown – for the May 4, 2000 episode of SmackDown! Fresh off The Rock's historic WWF Title win at Backlash and a record-setting RAW, the McMahon-Helmsley regime stacks the deck once again. Vince McMahon forces The Rock to defend his newly won championship in a seemingly impossible main event: The Rock must team with referee Earl Hebner against Triple H, X-Pac, and Road Dogg. If either The Rock OR Hebner is pinned, The Rock loses the title! The episode follows Hebner's journey from referee to reluctant competitor, culminating in a chaotic, star-studded finale. We also dive into: Chris Jericho capturing the Intercontinental Championship from Chris Benoit under controversial circumstances involving Earl Hebner.The continuation of the Eddie Guerrero/Chyna vs. Essa Rios/Lita feud with an intergender tag match.The apparent breakup of The Radicals after Dean Malenko and Perry Saturn come to blows during a Hardcore Title defense involving Crash Holly.Stephanie McMahon confronting The Dudley Boyz about putting women through tables.Big Show debuting another questionable impersonation before seemingly turning face. Join us as we break down a fun, action-packed SmackDown that kept the post-Backlash momentum going strong, featuring great midcard wrestling and tons of Attitude Era chaos. Follow Tales from The Attitude Era on all social media http://youtube.com/@TFTAttitudeEra  http://twitter.com/TFTAttitudeEra http://instagram.com/TFTAttitudeEra http://tiktok.com/@TFTAttitudeEra Tommy Blacha made his name in Hollywood as a writer on Conan O'Brien, co-creator of Metalocalypse on Adult Swim, and a writer on shows like The Eric Andre Show and Da Ali G Show. But, a little-known fact about Tommy's career is that he was the head writer of WWE (WWF at the time)) during their most successful period, starting in 1999, taking over for Vince Russo, who left for the competition. This podcast, Tales from the Attitude Era will be a retrospective of Tommy's time in the head writer position and the roller coaster ride that is pro wrestling, co-hosted by Rob Pasbani. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.