Grapple City Rewind

Bradley Palermo & Aaron Fink
  • 4.5 (8)
  • Wrestling
  • Updated Bimonthly

Step into the time machine and rewind the glory (and the weirdness) of pro wrestling’s VHS era. Hosted by Bradley Palermo and Aaron Fink, Grapple City Rewind dives deep into classic pay-per-views from the 80s, 90s, and early 2000s—unpacking everything from five-star classics to glitter botches, fake Diesels, and forgotten squash matches. Each episode blends play-by-play recaps, backstage trivia, and plenty of sarcastic banter. Sometimes it’s reverence, sometimes it’s ridicule, but it’s always passionate. Whether we’re debating star ratings, laughing at signs, or reliving Shawn Michaels vs. Mankind, we’re here to remind you why you fell in love with wrestling in the first place. We kick off every show with a look at today’s wrestling headlines, then rewind to the pay-per-views that shaped us as fans. Think of it as a tape-trading party with your loudest friends, only with better audio. Want to cut a promo on us? Call 626-657-SLAM and tell us what you loved, hated, or want us to cover next. Grapple City Rewind – part history lesson, part comedy roast, all love for the squared circle.

  1. Nashville vs Japan - WCW Starrcade 1995: World Cup of Wrestling

    4d ago

    Nashville vs Japan - WCW Starrcade 1995: World Cup of Wrestling

    This week on Grapple City Rewind, we head to Nashville for one of the strangest and most ambitious events in wrestling history: Starrcade 1995: World Cup of Wrestling. WCW and New Japan Pro Wrestling collide in a seven-match international tournament to determine which country reigns supreme. There's just one problem: nobody seems entirely sure how the tournament works. Along the way we get Jushin Thunder Liger making his first appearance on the podcast, Eddie Guerrero before he became Eddie Guerrero, Bobby Heenan openly rooting against America, Lex Luger's torture rack carrying the hopes of an entire nation, and enough mullets to qualify as a strategic reserve. Was this the original Forbidden Door? Was Eric Bischoff years ahead of his time? And can a show packed with great wrestling still feel oddly lifeless? Plus, before the rewind, Brad and Aaron discuss AEW's Double or Nothing 2026, including Okada vs. Takeshita, FTR vs. Cope & Christian, and whether AEW just delivered the best pay-per-view of the year. Grab your tiny Japanese flag, dust off your USA chants, and join us for Starrcade 1995: World Cup of Wrestling. 🇺🇸🏆🇯🇵 📞 Voicemail: 626-657-SLAM  📸 Instagram: @grapplecitypod  ⭐ Leave a review and tell a fellow wrestling fan about the show. This episode brought to you by Weber4Law - your tag team partner when life body-slams you out of nowhere. Call (818) 502-9200 or visit https://weber4law.com/ (626) 657-SLAM Email: Grapplecitypod@gmail.com IG: @grapplecitypod X:  @grapplecitypod TikTok: @grapplecitypod Threads: @grapplecitypod Music by Bradley Palermo & The Shadow Queens. Created by  Bradley Palermo & Aaron Fink.

    1h 8m
  2. This Is How WrestleMania Started?? - WWF Wrestlemania (1985)

    4d ago

    This Is How WrestleMania Started?? - WWF Wrestlemania (1985)

    Bradley and Aaron rewind to WrestleMania 1 (1985)—the show that launched a billion-dollar empire—and break down all the chaos: nine matches, celebrity overload, bear hugs for days, and barely any actual wrestling. From Liberace and Muhammad Ali to King Kong Bundy’s 9-second squash, this is less a wrestling show and more a bizarre cultural time capsule. Plus, we kick things off with thoughts on the current product, including AEW Dynasty, and run through our WrestleMania predictions before heading back to where it all began. Does it deserve its legendary status… or is it just weird? This episode brought to you by Weber4Law - your tag team partner when life body-slams you out of nowhere. Call (818) 502-9200 or visit https://weber4law.com/ (626) 657-SLAM Email: Grapplecitypod@gmail.com IG: @grapplecitypod X:  @grapplecitypod TikTok: @grapplecitypod Threads: @grapplecitypod Music by Bradley Palermo & The Shadow Queens. Created by  Bradley Palermo & Aaron Fink.

    1h 8m
  3. Win a Free House in Florida!? - WWF In Your House 1 (1995)

    May 19

    Win a Free House in Florida!? - WWF In Your House 1 (1995)

    On the very first edition of In Your House, the WWF promised fans one thing above all else: somebody was going to WIN A FREE HOUSE IN FLORIDA. This week on Grapple City Rewind, Bradley and Aaron head back to May 1995 for a bizarre slice of New Generation-era WWF featuring Bret Hart vs. Hakushi, Diesel vs. Psycho Sid, Jerry Lawler’s fake mom, Todd Pettengale’s unholy mullet, screaming fans losing their minds for The Smoking Gunns, and one referee who somehow got trapped in the ropes. We break down:  Bret Hart pulling double duty  Hakushi’s fake tattoos and underrated offense  Diesel’s weird Beatles promo  The house giveaway heard around the world  Why this show somehow feels charming despite the chaos  And whether the FIRST In Your House PPV is a PLAY, PAUSE, or FAST FORWARD Plus:  WWE Backlash 2026 thoughts  Braun Breakker’s rise  Danhausen & Minihausen chaos  Asuka vs. Iyo Sky reactions  Listener comments from the Grapple Gang Call the Grapple Gang hotline anytime:  📞 626-657-SLAM Follow/Contact:  Instagram, TikTok, X: @grapplecitypod  Email: grapplecitypod@gmail.com New episodes every week covering the best, worst, weirdest, and most unforgettable wrestling PPVs of the VHS era. This episode brought to you by Weber4Law - your tag team partner when life body-slams you out of nowhere. Call (818) 502-9200 or visit https://weber4law.com/ (626) 657-SLAM Email: Grapplecitypod@gmail.com IG: @grapplecitypod X:  @grapplecitypod TikTok: @grapplecitypod Threads: @grapplecitypod Music by Bradley Palermo & The Shadow Queens. Created by  Bradley Palermo & Aaron Fink.

    56 min
  4. We Needed That Ladder Match - WWF WrestleMania X (1994)

    Apr 29

    We Needed That Ladder Match - WWF WrestleMania X (1994)

    We just got back from WrestleMania in Vegas… and now we’re rewinding to one of the strangest, most uneven WrestleManias of all time. This week on Grapple City Rewind, we dig into WWF WrestleMania X (1994) — a show that somehow opens with an all-time classic… and then spends the rest of the night trying to live up to it. Two Bret Hart matches in one night because one beating isn’t enough. Two Yokozuna matches because gravity demands sacrifice. Two Intercontinental Champions who both think they’re the real one. One ladder match that has to carry the entire show. We break down Bret vs. Owen, the chaos of the double main event, the Lex Luger push quietly dying in real time, and the absolute fever dream energy of fake Bill Clinton wandering around like everything’s normal. Is this actually a great WrestleMania? Or just a mess held together by one iconic match? We’ll decide. This episode brought to you by Weber4Law - your tag team partner when life body-slams you out of nowhere. Call (818) 502-9200 or visit https://weber4law.com/ (626) 657-SLAM Email: Grapplecitypod@gmail.com IG: @grapplecitypod X:  @grapplecitypod TikTok: @grapplecitypod Threads: @grapplecitypod Music by Bradley Palermo & The Shadow Queens. Created by  Bradley Palermo & Aaron Fink.

    1h 14m
  5. What a Maneuver - WWF WrestleMania XII (1996)

    Apr 6

    What a Maneuver - WWF WrestleMania XII (1996)

    WrestleMania season rolls on in Grapple City Rewind, and this week Bradley Palermo and Aaron Fink dive headfirst into WrestleMania XII—a show defined by contrasts, chaos, and one of the most famous main events in wrestling history. From the jump, it’s clear this isn’t your typical Mania: we’ve got a bizarre mix of New Generation weirdness, Attitude Era seeds being planted, and a main event that dares to go a full 60 minutes. Before getting there, the guys break down the current product during WrestleMania season—questioning crowd reactions, the blurred lines between heel and babyface, and whether WWE even cares anymore if fans follow the script. Then it’s back to 1996, where a stacked six-man tag kicks things off with nearly a literal ton of humanity in the ring, and somehow still manages to swerve expectations. From there, things get strange. Very strange. Roddy Piper vs. Goldust spirals into a cinematic backlot brawl complete with OJ-style freeway footage, sound effects that feel dubbed in from another dimension, and one of the weirdest endings ever aired on a WrestleMania broadcast. Meanwhile, a “throwaway” match features a not-quite-yet Stone Cold Steve Austin quietly inching toward superstardom, reminding everyone how quickly things were about to change. The show continues with an absurd clash of eras as Ultimate Warrior steamrolls Hunter Hearst Helmsley in under two minutes, followed by a surprisingly divisive big-man battle between The Undertaker and Diesel that splits Bradley and Aaron right down the middle. And then… the main event. Bret Hart vs. Shawn Michaels in a 60-minute Iron Man Match. No falls. No shortcuts. Just endurance, psychology, and two of the best to ever do it pushing each other to the limit. The guys unpack the pacing, the crowd dynamics, the subtle storytelling, and how this match both holds up and feels like a blueprint for everything that came after. It’s WrestleMania XII—equal parts awkward, iconic, experimental, and essential. And Grapple City Rewind is here to break it all down. This episode brought to you by Weber4Law - your tag team partner when life body-slams you out of nowhere. Call (818) 502-9200 or visit https://weber4law.com/ (626) 657-SLAM Email: Grapplecitypod@gmail.com IG: @grapplecitypod X:  @grapplecitypod TikTok: @grapplecitypod Threads: @grapplecitypod Music by Bradley Palermo & The Shadow Queens. Created by  Bradley Palermo & Aaron Fink.

    1h 13m
  6. Wrestling Under Watchful Eyes - NJPW / WCW Collision in Korea (1995)

    Mar 22

    Wrestling Under Watchful Eyes - NJPW / WCW Collision in Korea (1995)

    Collision in Korea 1995 is one of the strangest events in wrestling history. WCW and New Japan brought a massive show to North Korea, drawing over 300,000 people… but something felt completely off. The crowd barely reacted, the atmosphere was eerie, and even solid matches felt lifeless. We break down the weird vibe, standout moments like Flair vs Inoki, and why this is a “watch it so you don’t have to” show. This episode brought to you by Weber4Law - your tag team partner when life body-slams you out of nowhere. Call (818) 502-9200 or visit https://weber4law.com/ (626) 657-SLAM Email: Grapplecitypod@gmail.com IG: @grapplecitypod X:  @grapplecitypod TikTok: @grapplecitypod Threads: @grapplecitypod Music by Bradley Palermo & The Shadow Queens. Created by  Bradley Palermo & Aaron Fink.

    37 min
  7. Icon vs Icon and a Broomstick - WWF WrestleMania X8 (2002)

    Mar 5

    Icon vs Icon and a Broomstick - WWF WrestleMania X8 (2002)

    Hulk Hogan. The Rock. Sixty-eight thousand screaming fans in Toronto. And somehow… a broomstick gets involved. This week on Grapple City Rewind, Bradley Palermo and Aaron Fink head back to WWF WrestleMania X8 (2002) — the strange transitional moment where the Attitude Era crashes head-first into nostalgia. The nWo has arrived, Limp Bizkit is blasting through the arena, and the WWF is suddenly leaning hard on legends again. But nothing on this show matters more than Icon vs Icon: Hollywood Hulk Hogan vs The Rock. What starts as a simple dream match quickly turns into one of the loudest crowd reactions in wrestling history, with Toronto hijacking the entire narrative and accidentally resurrecting Hulkamania in real time. Along the way we also get: Stone Cold Steve Austin vs Scott Hall in a beer-soaked brawl with the nWo lurkingRic Flair bleeding buckets against The Undertaker in a brutal fight for the StreakKurt Angle and Kane throwing each other around like refrigeratorsThe chaotic Hardcore Championship insanityNu-metal everywhere you lookAnd one of the weirdest tonal WrestleManias WWE ever producedIt’s legends, blood, nostalgia, and a crowd that refuses to follow the script. Because sometimes WrestleMania history isn’t written by the booking. Sometimes the crowd decides. 🎙️ Grapple City Rewind — where we revisit the wildest, weirdest, and most unforgettable wrestling pay-per-views of the VHS era. This episode brought to you by Weber4Law - your tag team partner when life body-slams you out of nowhere. Call (818) 502-9200 or visit https://weber4law.com/ (626) 657-SLAM Email: Grapplecitypod@gmail.com IG: @grapplecitypod X:  @grapplecitypod TikTok: @grapplecitypod Threads: @grapplecitypod Music by Bradley Palermo & The Shadow Queens. Created by  Bradley Palermo & Aaron Fink.

    1h 15m
  8. Let Him Piss - ECW CyberSlam 1996

    Feb 26

    Let Him Piss - ECW CyberSlam 1996

    Grapple City Rewind heads back to the gritty ECW Arena in February 1996 for CyberSlam 96, Bradley Palermo and Aaron Fink break down the chaotic compilation-style event featuring Taz squashes, a completely unhinged Brian Pillman segment, dancing babyface Bubba Ray Dudley, triple dog collar madness, and the only true wrestling clinic of the night Too Cold Scorpio vs Sabu, we debate whether ECW’s wild run-in heavy style still holds up, question Meltzer’s dud-heavy ratings, revisit Cactus Jack vs Shane Douglas in a brutal chair shot spectacle, compare modern crowd energy after attending AEW Dynamite live, and discuss The Smashing Machine and how MMA crossover stories shaped the aura of workers like Taz during the 90s This episode brought to you by Weber4Law - your tag team partner when life body-slams you out of nowhere. Call (818) 502-9200 or visit https://weber4law.com/ (626) 657-SLAM Email: Grapplecitypod@gmail.com IG: @grapplecitypod X:  @grapplecitypod TikTok: @grapplecitypod Threads: @grapplecitypod Music by Bradley Palermo & The Shadow Queens. Created by  Bradley Palermo & Aaron Fink.

    1h 16m
See All (46)

4.5
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

Step into the time machine and rewind the glory (and the weirdness) of pro wrestling’s VHS era. Hosted by Bradley Palermo and Aaron Fink, Grapple City Rewind dives deep into classic pay-per-views from the 80s, 90s, and early 2000s—unpacking everything from five-star classics to glitter botches, fake Diesels, and forgotten squash matches. Each episode blends play-by-play recaps, backstage trivia, and plenty of sarcastic banter. Sometimes it’s reverence, sometimes it’s ridicule, but it’s always passionate. Whether we’re debating star ratings, laughing at signs, or reliving Shawn Michaels vs. Mankind, we’re here to remind you why you fell in love with wrestling in the first place. We kick off every show with a look at today’s wrestling headlines, then rewind to the pay-per-views that shaped us as fans. Think of it as a tape-trading party with your loudest friends, only with better audio. Want to cut a promo on us? Call 626-657-SLAM and tell us what you loved, hated, or want us to cover next. Grapple City Rewind – part history lesson, part comedy roast, all love for the squared circle.

Information

  • Creator
    Bradley Palermo & Aaron Fink
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    46
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Bradley Palermo & Aaron Fink
  • Show Website
    Grapple City Rewind