Tales from the Attitude Era

Tommy Blacha & Robert Pasbani

Pro wrestling shows dominate the top sports podcast charts, but none are from the perspective of the show's writer, until now. Tommy Blacha has written on Conan O'Brien, Da Ali G Show, The Eric Andre Show, and co-created Adult Swim's Metalocalypse. He was also the head writer of WWE (then WWF) during their big boom period, affectionately referred to as The Attitude Era. Tommy was a significant figure in the Attitude Era, primarily known for his work as a comedy writer and performer. He played a crucial role in shaping the entertainment aspect of the WWF product during this time. Joined by co-host Rob Pasbani (Metal Injection, Squared Circle Pit), the two look back on the unique moment in time. discussing the creative mindset behind some of the biggest stories of the Attitude Tales from the Attitude Era is a weekly one-hour podcast looking back at a specific famous moment or storyline from the period in WWE when Blacha was head writer, between 1999 and 2001, producing some of wrestling's most iconic personalities, both in front of and behind the camera. There was a sense of heightened sensationalism surrounding the industry during this time. Fans were eager to learn about the backstage politics, personal relationships, and locker room dynamics that fueled the drama on-screen. Every week. Rob Pasbani will lead the show offering a recap of events, and reactions from critics & fans of the time. Blacha will then offer his unique insider perspective explaining the hows and whys of famous moments involving larger-than-life figures like Vince McMahon, Stone Cold Steve Austin, The Rock, and Triple H. whose influence extended beyond the ring and into the boardroom. Fans were captivated by learning about their roles in shaping the direction of the company and the industry as a whole further fueled fans' fascination with the backstage of the Attitude Era. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. Rock Wins the Title from Vince! Kurt Angle Crowned! - WWE King of the Ring 2000 Recap

    1D AGO

    Rock Wins the Title from Vince! Kurt Angle Crowned! - WWE King of the Ring 2000 Recap

    On this episode of Tales from the Attitude Era, former WWE writer Tommy Blacha and Rob Pasbani recap WWF King of the Ring 2000 from the Fleet Center in Boston. The guys discuss the marathon weekend that started with a house show at Madison Square Garden featuring a surprise appearance by Donald Trump and Melania Trump. Tommy Blacha shares what the atmosphere was like backstage during the peak of the Attitude Era and why the "home court" advantage of the Garden always brought out the best in the roster. The discussion dives deep into the tournament bracket that saw Kurt Angle ascend to the throne after a series of competitive matches against Chris Jericho and Rikishi. We break down the logic behind the early exits of Chris Benoit and Eddie Guerrero, and why the creative team chose a story-heavy path for the finals. Plus, we look at the polarizing main event where The Rock captured the WWF Championship by pinning Vince McMahon, and whether that finish helped or hurt the title's prestige in the long run. In this episode, we also discuss: - The logic behind the changing format of Sunday Night Heat. - The infamous Pat Patterson vs. Gerald Brisco evening gown match for the Hardcore Championship. - Edge and Christian trolling the Boston crowd with a New York Mets jersey. - Tori taking a massive powerbomb through a table at the hands of the Dudley Boyz. - Rikishi’s incredible performance as the "beaten down" underdog of the tournament. - Tommy Blacha’s response to Dave Meltzer’s 1.75-star rating of the main event. 0:00 - Intro 1:10 - Memories of Donald Trump at the Garden House Show 3:30 - House Shows vs. TV Tapings 7:40 - Sunday Night Heat’s Changing Format 10:40 - The Fast Pace of the Tournament Quarterfinals 12:30 - Could a Round-Robin Tournament Work in WWE? 17:20 - Rikishi vs. Chris Benoit: Building the Underdog Story 20:00 - Val Venis vs. Eddie Guerrero: A Rare Clean Finish 23:20 - Pat Patterson and Gerald Brisco Prep for Drag 27:40 - Kurt Angle vs. Chris Jericho: The Best Match of the Night? 30:00 - Edge and Christian Mock Boston with the Mets Jersey 32:45 - Four-Way Tag Team Elimination Match Breakdown 38:00 - The Semi-Finals: Rikishi Perseveres 43:20 - The Infamous Patterson vs. Brisco Evening Gown Match 50:20 - Dudley Boyz vs. DX: Tables, Dumpsters, and Tori 57:50 - The Finals: Kurt Angle is Crowned King 1:00:00 - Main Event: The Rock Pins Vince McMahon for the Title 1:01:30 - Analyzing Dave Meltzer’s Harsh Review of the Finish 1:08:40 - Final Thoughts and Looking Ahead to 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.

    1h 12m
  2. The King Saves The Kat! Vince Steals the People's Elbow - WWF Smackdown Review 6/22/2000

    FEB 9

    The King Saves The Kat! Vince Steals the People's Elbow - WWF Smackdown Review 6/22/2000

    Former WWF writer Tommy Blacha and co-host Rob Pasbani are in Memphis at the Pyramid Arena to recap the final stop before King of the Ring 2000. The emotional center of the night features hometown hero Jerry Lawler leaving the announce table to join a mixed tag match and save The Kat from a two on one assault by Dean Malenko and Terry. We discuss the massive pop for the King and Tommy Blacha provides the backstage scoop on the real life relationship between Lawler and The Kat that fueled the segment. We also break down the chaotic main event where Vince McMahon pinned The Rock after a mocking billionaire’s elbow.  We dive into the chaotic Hardcore Championship shifts as Gerald Brisco and Pat Patterson trade the title using pipes and champagne bottles in the locker room.. Tommy Blacha provides the backstage scoop on the "bureaucracy of the fax machine" , the reality of filming segments on the fly, and the surprising history of the USA Network match-refusal lawsuits.. We also discuss why the McMahon-Helmsley Faction was reaching "steak and potatoes" fatigue and how the roster's incredible technical ability saved a show filled with questionable booking. We also talk about: The Rock’s promo referencing Albert and a "pierced anus".The Dudley Boyz putting announcer Tony Chimel through a table after a series of mic failures.Lita and Trish Stratus taking their mixed-gender rivalry to new heights with a Swanton Bomb/moonsault combination.Jerry Lee Lewis in the front row and the historical context of Vince McMahon's future "Great Balls of Fire" legal battles. 0:00 - Intro 4:13 - The McMahon-Helmsley Faction & Main Event Fatigue 6:55 - Setting the Bait-and-Switch 10:04 - WWF.com and Early Internet Wrestling Culture 14:34 - Mixed Gender Tag: The Hardies & Lita vs. T&A & Trish 17:19 - Hardcore Title Hijinks & Jerry Lee Lewis 18:16 - King of the Ring Tournament Brackets 21:17 - Too Cool vs. Edge & Christian: The Fat Elvis Pose 26:05 - The "Big D" & The Women’s Locker Room 27:42 - Eddie Guerrero vs. Big Boss Man 33:55 - Rikishi vs. Chris Benoit: Intercontinental Title Change 37:05 - Y2J vs. Hardcore Holly & Stephanie’s Interference 38:30 - The King Returns: Jerry Lawler in Memphis 41:40 - The Dudleys & The Table for Tony Chimel 42:58 - The Evening Gown Match is Born 47:01 - Main Event: The Gauntlet Handicap Match 54:11 - The Business of Wrestling: Lawsuits and Networks 1:03:05 - The Sci-Fi Channel & Final Thoughts 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.

    1h 9m
  3. Eddie Guerrero vs. Chyna: The Night "Mamacita" Melted - WWE RAW Review 6/19/2000 with Tom Green

    FEB 2

    Eddie Guerrero vs. Chyna: The Night "Mamacita" Melted - WWE RAW Review 6/19/2000 with Tom Green

    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.

    1h 19m
  4. When Shaft Saved the Hardcore Title! Samuel L. Jackson on WWE SmackDown 6/15/00 Review

    JAN 26

    When Shaft Saved the Hardcore Title! Samuel L. Jackson on WWE SmackDown 6/15/00 Review

    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: tftattitudera@gmail.com 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.

    58 min
  5. The Night Vince McMahon Fell Off the Top Rope! - WWE RAW 6/12/00 Review

    JAN 19

    The Night Vince McMahon Fell Off the Top Rope! - WWE RAW 6/12/00 Review

    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.

    1h 11m
  6. Rikishi’s INSANE Stage Splash & Lita’s Signature Look! - WWE SmackDown 6/8/00 Review

    JAN 12

    Rikishi’s INSANE Stage Splash & Lita’s Signature Look! - WWE SmackDown 6/8/00 Review

    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.

    1h 10m
  7. The Rock vs. Triple H & The Behind the Scenes of a Timing Disaster - WWF RAW Review 6/5/2000

    JAN 5

    The Rock vs. Triple H & The Behind the Scenes of a Timing Disaster - WWF RAW Review 6/5/2000

    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.

    1h 16m
  8. Kane Finds His Voice! The Big Red Machine Challenged Triple H - WWF Smackdown Review 6/1/2000

    12/29/2025

    Kane Finds His Voice! The Big Red Machine Challenged Triple H - WWF Smackdown Review 6/1/2000

    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.

    54 min
4.9
out of 5
25 Ratings

About

Pro wrestling shows dominate the top sports podcast charts, but none are from the perspective of the show's writer, until now. Tommy Blacha has written on Conan O'Brien, Da Ali G Show, The Eric Andre Show, and co-created Adult Swim's Metalocalypse. He was also the head writer of WWE (then WWF) during their big boom period, affectionately referred to as The Attitude Era. Tommy was a significant figure in the Attitude Era, primarily known for his work as a comedy writer and performer. He played a crucial role in shaping the entertainment aspect of the WWF product during this time. Joined by co-host Rob Pasbani (Metal Injection, Squared Circle Pit), the two look back on the unique moment in time. discussing the creative mindset behind some of the biggest stories of the Attitude Tales from the Attitude Era is a weekly one-hour podcast looking back at a specific famous moment or storyline from the period in WWE when Blacha was head writer, between 1999 and 2001, producing some of wrestling's most iconic personalities, both in front of and behind the camera. There was a sense of heightened sensationalism surrounding the industry during this time. Fans were eager to learn about the backstage politics, personal relationships, and locker room dynamics that fueled the drama on-screen. Every week. Rob Pasbani will lead the show offering a recap of events, and reactions from critics & fans of the time. Blacha will then offer his unique insider perspective explaining the hows and whys of famous moments involving larger-than-life figures like Vince McMahon, Stone Cold Steve Austin, The Rock, and Triple H. whose influence extended beyond the ring and into the boardroom. Fans were captivated by learning about their roles in shaping the direction of the company and the industry as a whole further fueled fans' fascination with the backstage of the Attitude Era. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You Might Also Like