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. 2d ago

    Christian Pins The Rock & Test Confesses to Calling the Cops on HHH - WWE RAW 9/4/00 Review

    Test steps out with Trish and asks Mick Foley to wait. November 28, 1999, the night Triple H took the money, the power, and Stephanie, Test sat back. The smile on his face when those cops came. He made the call. Tommy Blacha and Rob Pasbani recap the September 4, 2000 Labor Day edition of WWF Monday Night Raw, live from the Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky, airing at 11pm due to the US Open on USA Network. Foley opens the show with a full investigation, narrowing the spousal abuse complaint down to 373 suspects, then bringing out Stephanie, Angle, Chyna, and Eddie one by one. The Test reveal lands as clever soap opera with real nostalgic stakes. Triple H then immediately Pedigrees both Test and Albert in the same night and leaves them on the mat. In the IC title triple threat, Angle knocks Chyna out cold with the belt. Eddie dropkicks Angle out, turns around, and finds Mamacita laid out. He chooses her over Angle. They fall together in a heap, the referee counts three, and Eddie Guerrero is the new Intercontinental Champion. The camera pans to catch a devious grin on his face while Chyna cannot see it, a reveal Tommy and Rob say undercuts everything the pairing has built. Other major discussion points include: Christian pins The Rock with a Conchairto to close the show while Kane joins JR on commentary and delivers emo monologues about being dragged from the gutter and pain becoming your friendThe Dudleys beat the APA and Kaientai in a tables match, prompting Tommy to push for consistent rules: one member through the table ends the match, and anything requiring both should have its own nameRight to Censor kidnaps Val Venus after his promo defending personal freedom, and Lawler's RC Cola live read accidentally plays over Road Dogg's entrance promoTommy opens the episode comparing WWF's late-2000 slide to the current moment in WWE, using a JP Morgan stock analysis and a Fightful report about Netflix executive pressure on the 2025 creative team Please support the show, and join our brand new Patreon, featuring watch-alongs for classic matches. New watch along added: Gorilla Monsoon Mixtape! Previous watch alongs include RVD/Sabu vs. Hayabusa/Hakushi, Verne Gagne vs. Dick the Bruiser, Rock vs Hogan and Buddy Rogers vs. Pat O'Connor. You also get these episodes one day early! Please subscribe at https://patreon.com/talesfromtheattitudeera Chapters: 00:00 Intro 01:39 WWE 2025 vs. WWF 2000: Tommy's Exit, the TNN Move, and the Business Slide 03:44 JP Morgan Analysis / Netflix Execs Pressure WWE Creative 12:27 How to Watch on archive.org / Complete 2000 WWF Collection 15:27 Show Overview / Aired at 11pm on Labor Day 16:03 Opening Segment: Foley Investigates the Arrest / 373 Suspects 21:42 Test's Confession: "November 28, 1999" 29:24 Foley Books Triple H vs. Test / "I'm Not the Champion, But Okay" 32:45 Number One Contender's Match: Kane vs. Benoit / Rock on Commentary 37:17 Tables Match: Dudleys vs. APA / Rules Discussion 41:27 Eddie Begs Foley / Triple Threat IC Match Booked 42:27 SmackDown Your Vote / WWF Invites Bush and Gore to Debate 44:29 IC Title Triple Threat: Eddie Guerrero vs. Chyna vs. Kurt Angle 47:11 Test Hyped / Triple H and Stephanie Backstage 48:52 Eddie Explains to Chyna / Offers the Belt Back / The Devious Face 52:27 Triple H vs. Test (w/ Albert and Trish) / Angle Sneaks Up on Stephanie 57:26 Naked Mideon with Foley / The Implication 58:01 Val Venus vs. Right to Censor / "Stick It Where the Sun Don't Shine" 1:00:20 Crash and Malenko Backstage / Edge and Christian: "Genital Warts Rule" 1:02:46 Hardcore Title: Boss Man vs. Steve Blackman 1:04:40 Road Dogg and Val vs. Right to Censor / RC Cola Disaster / Val Kidnapped 1:07:15 Lawler and Jericho vs. Tazz and Mideon 1:09:25 King Rolls Up Tazz / Austin Statement Teased for SmackDown 1:11:00 Kane on Commentary / Emo Kane / "Pain Can Become Your Friend" 1:11:48 Main Event: Rock and Undertaker vs. Edge and Christian / Conchairto / Christian Pins Rock 1:14:52 Final Thoughts and Sign-Off Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Christian Pins The Rock & Test Confesses to Calling the Cops on HHH - WWE RAW 9/4/00 Review
  2. Jul 27

    Chyna DDTs Stephanie & Triple H Gets Arrested for Spousal Abuse - WWE SmackDown 8/31/00 Review

    Triple H and Stephanie are finally reconciling backstage when there's a knock on the door. It's the police, responding to a spousal abuse complaint. Triple H gets put in the car. Mick Foley runs up asking what about his main event. Tommy Blacha and Rob Pasbani recap the August 31, 2000 edition of WWF SmackDown, live from the Crown Coliseum in Fayetteville, North Carolina. The show opens with Stephanie explaining her whereabouts since SummerSlam, but Angle immediately counters with footage of Chyna and Triple H's hug on Raw, then footage of Chyna tending to Triple H after their match. He accuses Triple H of domestic violence, Chyna comes to the ring to defend herself, and Angle gives her the Angle Slam. Tommy and Rob call it A+ soap opera from start to finish. With Triple H in a police car, the main event becomes Eddie vs Angle one-on-one, Chyna in Eddie's corner and Stephanie forced into Angle's. Angle cheats to win using the IC title belt. Chyna beats up Angle post-match, turns to face Stephanie, who tries to talk her way out. Chyna grabs her by the hair and DDTs her to one of the loudest pops of the night. Other major discussion points include: Edge and Christian mock Monday's mini Hardies in a promoAl Snow pins Saturn with a dragon sleeper submission to win the European Championship in a match involving Head, a stopped pinfall by Teddy Long, and a finish nobody saw comingUndertaker vs Benoit for the number one contendership ends by disqualification when Kane interferesKaientai get caught laughing at the Dudleys' TLC losses, leading to the APA costing the Dudleys the match before the Dudleys table Funaki as a receiptTrish Stratus shows up to Val Venis demanding respect, Val tears into her, telegraphing his turn to Right to CensorTommy covers Sunday Night Heat: Crash Holly, Dean Malenko, Kane's mask promo targeting The Rock, and what happened to T&A and the APA Just announced! Rob and Tommy announce the launch of their brand new Patreon featuring watch-alongs for classic matches. New watch along added: RVD/Sabu vs. Hayabusa/Hakushi The first watch along includes Rock vs Hogan and Buddy Rogers vs. Pat O'Connor. Please subscribe at https://patreon.com/talesfromtheattitudeera Chapters: 00:00 Intro 2:51 Crown Coliseum, Fayetteville, NC 5:18 Tommy's Story: Steiners at a WCW Clash of Champions in This Arena 7:32 Back to SmackDown / Storyline Momentum vs Raw 7:56 Recap Focuses on Raw, Not SummerSlam 8:15 Stephanie McMahon Opens the Show: The Alibi 9:36 Kurt Angle Interrupts Stephanie 12:54 Chyna Comes to the Ring 14:34 Angle Slam on Chyna / Eddie Runs Out / Segment Analysis 15:53 Triple H Arrives at the Arena / Stephanie Slaps Him 16:43 Road Dog Promo at Fort Bragg / vs Bull Buchanan 18:58 Chyna and Eddie Approach Foley 19:41 Edge and Christian Promo / Six-Person Tag vs Hardy Boyz and Lita 23:11 Backstage: Angle Approaches Stephanie About the Kiss 24:45 European Championship: Al Snow vs Saturn 27:42 Triple H and Stephanie Reconcile Backstage 29:04 Al Snow's Post-Match Promo: "Citizens of Europea" 30:49 Number One Contender Match: Undertaker vs Benoit / Kane and Rock Arrive 32:13 The DQ Finish Problem: "Only Pinfall or Submission" Goes Out the Window 35:55 Tazz Promo / Jericho Cuts Him Off 40:00 Tazz vs Chris Jericho / Lawler Interferes 41:05 What Went Wrong with Tazz in WWF / Tommy's Take on Vince's Blind Spot 44:06 Just Joe Tells Angle About the Loud Noises / Angle Calls the Cops 44:34 Kaientai Mock the Dudleys / Dudleys vs Kaientai / APA Interfere 46:16 Backstage: Kurt Finds Stephanie / Trish Confronts Val Venis 47:20 Rikishi vs Val Venis / Right to Censor Interference 47:54 Chyna and Eddie Backstage Before the Main Event 48:25 Triple H and Stephanie Make Up / Cops Arrive with Spousal Abuse Complaint 49:24 Foley Changes the Main Event / Stephanie Forced Into Angle's Corner 50:43 Main Event: Eddie Guerrero vs Kurt Angle 51:05 Angle Wins with the IC Belt / Chyna DDTs Stephanie Post-Match 54:21 Sunday Night Heat Rundown 56:21 Closing Thoughts and Sign-Off Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Chyna DDTs Stephanie & Triple H Gets Arrested for Spousal Abuse - WWE SmackDown 8/31/00 Review
  3. Jul 20

    "That's My Mami!" Eddie Guerrero Shoves Triple H Over Chyna - WWE RAW 8/28/00 Review

    Chyna knocks on Triple H's door to check on him after SummerSlam. They share a platonic hug. Eddie Guerrero walks in, shoves Triple H, and says "That's my mama." Tommy Blacha and Rob Pasbani recap the August 28, 2000 edition of WWF Monday Night Raw, live from Greensboro, North Carolina, one night after SummerSlam 2000. Triple H opened the show stranded in the parking garage, waiting for Stephanie who hasn't been seen since he accidentally hit her the night before. Kurt Angle comes to the ring and accuses him of domestic violence, then casually mentions his concussion is coming back to him. He remembers being in a hotel lobby after SummerSlam. He wasn't alone. Room A14. Wait, that was Stephanie's room. His memory is a little fuzzy. After Angle goads Eddie into defending Chyna's honor, he ends up running into the match with a steel chair anyway. The annoucers openly wonder whose side Chyna is really on. Tommy and Rob did not see this coming and loved every second of it. Other major discussion points include: Edge and Christian bring out miniature versions of all three TLC teams for their 36-second pose, complete with tiny ladders, tiny tables, and a fight between the mini Hardies and mini DudleysLita defends the Women's Championship against Jackie in the highest-rated quarter hour of the night, then eats an Edge spear post-match in what Tommy and Rob call a real test of whether her SummerSlam rub translated on its ownChyna retains the IC title when Val Venis abandons his Money Shot to yell at Trish Stratus, who had been watching at ringside the entire matchJR grabs a trash can lid and clocks Tazz at ringside, letting Blackman retain the Hardcore title in a feud Tommy and Rob agree never justified itselfThe Rock keeps the WWF title over Kane, but the Undertaker rides in on his motorcycle and choke slams Kane first, teasing a three-way championship programNaked Midian debuts as a streaker in the Al Snow and Saturn mixed tag, wearing nothing but a fanny pack and a thong 00:00 Intro and Cold Open: Eddie Guerrero Shoves Triple H Over Chyna 00:33 Welcome to Tales from the Attitude Era 00:52 Why Raw Aired at 11pm: US Open Tennis and the USA Network Problem 1:07 Tommy's Backstage Story: Vince McMahon vs the Dog Show 5:01 Post-SummerSlam Booking Philosophy and the Late Start Show 6:06 The Chyna and Triple H Reunion: Kayfabe, Reality, and the Real-Life Timeline 8:15 Mick Foley Opens the Show in Greensboro / Four Title Matches Announced 10:31 Triple H Waits in the Parking Garage / X-Pac and Road Dog Weigh In 10:54 Opening Match: Y2J and the Acolytes vs Benoit and T&A 16:35 Kurt Angle Accuses Triple H of Abuse / Room A14 Revealed 18:40 Triple H Cheap Shots Angle / Chyna and Eddie Watch from Backstage 19:03 Intercontinental Championship: Chyna vs Val Venis 23:00 Michael Cole Interviews Angle: "I Remember Stephanie's Room" 23:42 Right to Censor Promo / Too Cool and Rikishi Dance Segment 26:53 Chyna Enters Triple H's Dressing Room 29:41 Eddie Guerrero Bursts In: "That's My Mama" 31:53 Edge and Christian's Mini TLC Teams Segment 36:24 Angle Talks Eddie Into Challenging Triple H 36:53 Hardcore Championship: Tazz vs Steve Blackman / JR with the Trash Can Lid 41:54 Just Joe Gets Kicked Out / Eddie Barges In and a Match Is Made 45:14 Women's Championship: Lita vs Jackie / Edge Spears Lita Post-Match 49:14 Kane Promo: No Voice Box, New Monster Heel Direction 53:28 Patreon Plug 55:38 Chyna and Eddie Backstage Before the Match 56:03 Eddie Guerrero vs Triple H 1:00:07 Frog Splash Miss / Pedigree Attempt / Angle Runs In with a Chair 1:01:04 Chyna Saves Both Men / The Love Quadrangle Is Born 1:03:05 Al Snow and Saturn vs Cat and Terry / Naked Midian Debuts 1:05:25 Dudleys at WWF New York / The Rock Promo with Kevin Kelly 1:06:47 WWF Championship: The Rock vs Kane / The Undertaker Rides In 1:09:24 Ratings Breakdown: 4.93 Rating and 11.5 Share 1:12:46 Closing Thoughts and Sign-Off Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    "That's My Mami!" Eddie Guerrero Shoves Triple H Over Chyna - WWE RAW 8/28/00 Review
  4. Jul 13

    WWE SummerSlam 2000 Review: The First-Ever TLC Match & Shane McMahon's Insane Scaffold Fall

    Kurt Angle grabs the mic before the main event and announces he has an apology to make for kissing Stephanie McMahon. He's sorry he didn't do it sooner. Tommy Blacha and Rob Pasbani recap SummerSlam 2000, live from Raleigh, North Carolina on August 27, 2000. The love triangle runs through the whole show. Stephanie tells her makeup artist backstage that Kurt is a good kisser. Angle's pre-match promo drops the line "I gave your wife the kind of passion you could never give her." Then the Spanish announce table breaks early, Angle is immediately concussed, and the main event somehow has to keep going. The match of the night is the first-ever Tables, Ladders and Chairs match between Edge and Christian, the Hardy Boyz, and the Dudley Boyz, which Tommy and Rob call a blueprint for an even better version at WrestleMania the following year. Earlier, Shane McMahon climbs 75 feet up the entrance scaffolding trying to escape Steve Blackman, takes a kendo stick to the back, and falls in one of the biggest bumps either host has ever seen. Other major discussion points include: - Chyna pins Trish Stratus to become two-time Intercontinental Champion in a mixed tag with a stipulation that creates more problems than it solves - JR pays Tazz back by smashing the same candy jar Tazz used on Lawler weeks earlier over his head to help the King get the win, though Tommy and Rob agree Tazz deserved better from the whole feud - Road Dogg and X-Pac finally collide but their slow-burn DX breakup never generated enough heat for the match to land - Jericho and Benoit put on a solid two-out-of-three falls match in 13 minutes, though Tommy argues the stipulation demands more time and the feud deserved a cleaner finish - The show opens with a Fellini-inspired David Sahadi short film that Tommy and Rob call one of the most interesting pay-per-view cold opens of the Attitude Era - Kane and Undertaker brawl on the outside with the bell never ringing, in a match the hosts agree did nothing to elevate either man --- Just announced! Rob and Tommy announce the launch of their brand new Patreon featuring watch-alongs for classic matches. New watch along added: Dick the Bruiser vs. Verne Gagne The first watch along includes Rock vs Hogan and Buddy Rogers vs. Pat O'Connor. Please subscribe at https://patreon.com/talesfromtheattitudeera --- 00:00 Intro and Welcome to SummerSlam 2000 / Raleigh, NC / Gate Figures 05:27 Card Structure Discussion and the David Sahadi Opening Film 11:44 Meltzer and Keller Review SummerSlam 14:53 Right to Censor vs Too Cool & Rikishi 19:44 Heat Recap: The Kiss Aftermath / Kurt Angle Arrives 21:01 Road Dogg vs X-Pac / The DX Breakup Falls Flat 24:26 Chyna & Eddie Guerrero Backstage / Trish and Val's Tension 30:09 Intercontinental Championship: Chyna & Eddie vs Val Venis & Trish Stratus 37:33 Stephanie in the Makeup Chair: Kurt Is a Good Kisser 38:23 Jerry Lawler vs Tazz / JR's Candy Jar Revenge 47:18 Steve Blackman vs Shane McMahon (Hardcore Championship) / The Scaffold Fall 52:22 Chris Jericho vs Chris Benoit (Two-Out-of-Three Falls) 57:08 The First-Ever TLC Match: Edge & Christian vs Hardy Boyz vs Dudley Boyz 1:03:19 Triple H Confronts Stephanie About the Kiss 1:04:03 Thong Stinkface Match: Cat vs Terry 1:08:39 Kane vs Undertaker (The Bell Never Rings) 1:11:50 WWF Championship Triple Threat: The Rock vs Triple H vs Kurt Angle 1:19:01 Overall Show Breakdown and Final Thoughts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    WWE SummerSlam 2000 Review: The First-Ever TLC Match & Shane McMahon's Insane Scaffold Fall
  5. Jul 6

    Kurt Angle Kisses Stephanie McMahon - WWE SmackDown 8/24/00 Review

    Kurt Angle dismisses the EMTs from Stephanie McMahon's room, tells her he really cares for her, and kisses her to close the show. Tommy Blacha and Rob Pasbani break down the August 24, 2000 edition of WWF SmackDown, the final episode before SummerSlam 2000, live from the New Orleans Arena in New Orleans, Louisiana. The whole episode builds around one question: will Stephanie pick Triple H or Kurt Angle as her mixed tag partner? The McMahon family love triangle is at full boil, and the final two minutes of the show are, as Tommy puts it, maybe the most melodramatic moment in WWE history. Chris Jericho rolls out a Benoit photoshop promo that Tommy and Rob agree is well below the level of their blood feud, complete with Dr. Seuss rhymes. Benoit fires back with his own "picture." In the Tazz/Lawler saga, Tazz spray-paints Lawler's rental car, smashes the window, and finds J.R. in the passenger seat. Other major discussion points include: - Rikishi moons Right to Censor, wins his match against the Goodfather, and teases Stevie Richards with the stink face before Bull Buchanan pulls him out at the last second to save the heat for SummerSlam - The six-person tag (Trish/Val/Test vs Chyna, Eddie Guerrero, and Steve Blackman) ends when Val's nunchuck attack on Blackman backfires and takes out Test instead - Kurt Angle pitches himself as Stephanie's partner backstage, promising the match won't last more than three minutes. Triple H then storms out when Stephanie suggests Angle made good points about the hothead thing, proving the critique in real time - Road Dogg and X-Pac lose a handicap match to Undertaker in what Tommy and Rob call the least heated angle heading into SummerSlam - A full breakdown of the SummerSlam 2000 card - The WWF's SmackDown Your Vote campaign, a partnership with MTV's Rock the Vote driven by the looming threat of censorship from the Parent Television Council --- Just announced! Rob and Tommy announce the launch of their brand new Patreon featuring watch-alongs for classic matches. The first watch along includes Rock vs Hogan and Buddy Rogers vs. Pat O'Connor. Please subscribe at https://patreon.com/talesfromtheattitudeera --- 00:00 Intro 03:29 Stephanie Demands a Rematch 09:37 Backstage: Triple H Proves Angle Right About the Hothead Thing 10:29 Rikishi Moons Right to Censor 15:17 Eddie Guerrero & Chyna Backstage 21:47 Trish Stratus & Val Venis vs Chyna, Eddie Guerrero & Steve Blackman 27:32 Backstage: Kurt Angle Pitches Himself as Stephanie's Partner 29:26 Tazz Spray-Paints Lawler's Rental Car 34:47 Chris Jericho's Terrible Benoit Photoshops 39:12 Benoit Responds with His Own "Picture" 42:13 DX vs Undertaker (Handicap Match) / The Slow-Burn Breakup That Isn't Working 44:06 Triple H Storms Out on Stephanie / SmackDown Your Vote 46:34 Saturn vs Al Snow / The Thong Stinkface Match Is Set for SummerSlam 48:55 Jericho & Hardies vs Benoit & Edge & Christian 51:01 Triple H Confronts Angle Backstage / The Rock's Big Easy Promo 53:03 Main Event: The Rock & Lita vs Kurt Angle & Stephanie McMahon 55:33 Epilogue: Kurt Angle Kisses Stephanie McMahon to End the Show 56:34 Analysis: Is This the Best SummerSlam Go-Home Angle Ever? 1:02:29 The SummerSlam 2000 Card Is Set 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.

    Kurt Angle Kisses Stephanie McMahon - WWE SmackDown 8/24/00 Review
  6. Jun 29

    Lita Wins the Women's Championship w/ The Rock as Referee - WWE RAW 8/21/00 Review

    Lita wins the Women's Championship from Stephanie McMahon with The Rock as special guest referee in a main event! Tommy Blacha calls one of the greatest convoluted booked gaga matches of the Attitude Era. Tommy Blacha and Rob Pasbani break down the August 21, 2000 edition of WWF Monday Night Raw, live from the Cajundome in Lafayette, Louisiana, six days before SummerSlam 2000. The show opens with The Rock cutting a Louisiana-specific promo before Mick Foley gives him the night off and announces two title matches for the evening: Shane McMahon vs. Steve Blackman for the Hardcore Championship and Stephanie's Women's Championship defense against Lita, with The Rock serving as special guest referee. In the chaotic main event, Triple H and Kurt Angle accompany Stephanie to ringside with the Hardy Boys in Lita's corner. At the decisive moment, Angle accidentally nails Triple H with a belt while trying to interfere, The Rock delivers a Rock Bottom to Angle, and Lita hits a moonsault on Stephanie to win the Women's Championship. Earlier in the night, Shane McMahon sneaks a kendo stick into the Hardcore title match and cracks Steve Blackman across the skull to steal the championship, only for Foley to immediately book him into a rematch at SummerSlam. In their tag match, Triple H pins Farooq for the win but conspicuously hangs back while Bradshaw drops Kurt Angle with a Clothesline from Hell, planting seeds of tension between the two allies heading into Sunday. Other major discussion points include: - Mick Foley adds a wrinkle to the IC title picture: if Eddie Guerrero or Chyna pins Val Venis or Trish Stratus in their tag match, they become the new Intercontinental Champion - Kane destroys Rikishi with three vicious chair shots before Right to Censor prevents Too Cool from making the save - Jerry Lawler hides behind a pile of equipment backstage and drops it on an unsuspecting Taz to get his revenge before sliding back out to commentary - Tommy reads from both the Wrestling Observer and the Pro Wrestling Torch on why Big Show was sent home, covering conditioning concerns, attitude, and a herniated disc - Kurt Angle tells Stephanie he's thinking of leaving the McMahon family; Stephanie begs him to stay in a scene Tommy credits to writer Brian Gewirtz - Steve Austin has been medically cleared and is expected back imminently --- Just announced! Rob and Tommy announce the launch of their brand new Patreon featuring watch-alongs for classic matches. The first watch along includes Rock vs Hogan and Buddy Rogers vs. Pat O'Connor. Please subscribe at https://patreon.com/talesfromtheattitudeera --- 00:00 Intro 03:25 The Observer and Torch Debate WWF's Booking Pace 05:49 The Rock's Louisiana Promo 09:47 Foley Gives The Rock the Night Off / SummerSlam Matches Announced 14:32 Jerry Lawler Ambushes Taz Backstage 15:22 The Hardy Boyz vs The Dudley Boyz / Edge & Christian on Commentary 17:02 Val Venis & Trish Stratus vs Crash Holly & Ivory 20:15 Foley Puts the Intercontinental Title on the Line in the Tag Match 22:27 Kane Destroys Rikishi / Right to Censor Stops Too Cool 23:15 The Dirt Sheets: What Really Happened to Big Show 30:28 The Acolytes vs Kurt Angle & Triple H / Triple H Leaves Angle to the Wolves 33:06 Right to Censor Promo / Foley's Shrimp Etouffee Bit / RTC vs Too Cool & Rikishi Set 36:20 Shane's Mean Street Posse Scheme Backfires / Angle Threatens to Walk Out 38:13 Chris Jericho vs Perry Saturn / Benoit Runs Down / Angle's Olympic Wrestling Lesson 40:55 Steve Blackman vs Test (Hardcore 24/7) / Shane McMahon Wins the Hardcore Championship 43:05 Shane's Hardcore Title Problem / Foley Books SummerSlam Rematch / Edge & Christian vs DX Set 44:48 Edge & Christian vs DX for the Tag Team Championships 46:11 Main Event: Lita vs Stephanie McMahon for the Women's Championship / The Rock as Special Guest Referee 54:06 Was This the First Women's Main Event in Raw History? 58:18 Steve Austin Cleared to Wrestle / Expected Back Soon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Lita Wins the Women's Championship w/ The Rock as Referee - WWE RAW 8/21/00 Review
  7. Jun 22

    Foley's McMahon Family Vote Tears the Group Apart - WWE SmackDown 8/17/00 Review

    Mick Foley turns the McMahon family against itself with a Survivor-style vote to decide who faces The Rock. Tommy Blacha and Rob Pasbani break down the August 17, 2000 episode of WWF SmackDown, live from the Worcester Centrum in Worcester, Massachusetts, with SummerSlam just two weeks away. Shane, Triple H, Stephanie, and Kurt Angle open the show by declaring themselves a united family, but Foley quickly detonates it by replaying the footage of Kurt kissing Stephanie's cheek from Raw. Rather than pick The Rock's opponent himself, Foley forces the McMahon camp to vote among themselves — with Shane volunteering first before the group ultimately settles on Triple H. Angle storms off in a fury, telling Stephanie he feels voted off the island. Triple H gets the win in the main event only after Kurt Angle runs down with a chair and helps him double-team The Rock, giving The Rock his second pinfall loss in two shows heading into SummerSlam. Elsewhere, Trish Stratus grabs a water pitcher from the announcer's table and smashes it over Chyna's head during the Eddie Guerrero vs. Val Venis Intercontinental Championship match, setting up Trish and Val vs. Chyna and Eddie at SummerSlam. Other major discussion points include: - Rikishi gives Terri the Stink Face after The Cat recruits him as her partner in a mixed tag match against Perry Saturn and Terri, featuring a monkey flip in high heeled boots - Edge and Christian redefine TLC as Totally Lacking Coolness and teach Worcester the word hanosity, before losing to Jeff Hardy and D-Von Dudley in a match that sows dissension between the Hardys and the Dudleys - Chris Benoit defeats Steve Blackman in a Hardcore Championship match with Chris Jericho on commentary, leading to a candid discussion about how this footage ages given what Benoit would later do - Tommy Blacha explains why Kane was plugged into the Undertaker feud after Big Show was sent to OVW because management grew unhappy with him - Kane destroys X-Pac and Road Dogg, takes the mic, and announces he is a monster before brawling with Undertaker - Big Bossman refers to Kaientai as his Chinese buddies and then oriental buddies as they try to correct him, with Crash Holly and the APA picking up the win - A recap of Sunday Night Heat, including Dean Malenko retaining the Light Heavyweight Championship, a Jericho promo officially announcing his two-out-of-three falls match with Benoit at SummerSlam, Kurt Angle defeating Matt Hardy, and Stephanie McMahon attacking Lita to set up their Raw Women's Championship match --- Just announced! Rob and Tommy announce the launch of their brand new Patreon featuring watch-alongs for classic matches. The first watch along includes Rock vs Hogan and Buddy Rogers vs. Pat O'Connor. Please subscribe at https://patreon.com/talesfromtheattitudeera --- 00:00 Intro 05:20 The McMahon Family Claims Unity 13:57 Terri and The Kat 17:15 Backstage: The McMahon Family Votes on Who Faces The Rock 18:09 Kat & Rikishi vs. Perry Saturn & Terri 22:07 Shane McMahon Volunteers to Face The Rock 22:31 Eddie Guerrero vs. Val Venis (Intercontinental Championship) 29:18 Stephanie Wants to Fight The Rock / SummerSlam Tag Match Set 30:14 APA & Crash Holly vs. Big Bossman & Kaientai 33:04 The Vote Is In: Triple H Chosen / Kurt Angle Walks Out 33:27 Chris Benoit vs. Steve Blackman (Hardcore Championship) / Jericho on Commentary 47:27 Kurt Angle Threatens to Quit the McMahon Family 48:43 Edge & Christian vs. Jeff Hardy & D-Von Dudley 50:17 Why Kane Got Plugged Into the Undertaker Feud 52:40 Right to Censor Targets Rikishi's Rear End 56:39 X-Pac & Road Dogg vs. Too Cool / Kane Declares "I Am a Monster" 58:39 Kane and Undertaker Brawl / Main Event: Triple H vs. The Rock 1:02:00 Heat Recap 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.

    Foley's McMahon Family Vote Tears the Group Apart - WWE SmackDown 8/17/00 Review
  8. Jun 15

    Mick Foley Invents the TLC Match! "Tables, and Ladders, and Chairs, Oh My!" - WWE RAW 8/13/00 Review

    Former WWF writer Tommy Blacha and co-host Rob Pasbani are back in Providence, Rhode Island to review the August 14, 2000 episode of Raw. With SummerSlam less than two weeks away, the WWF hits the accelerator on all major storylines, delivering a truly iconic moment that changed wrestling history forever. Mick Foley interrupts a sit-in protest by Edge and Christian to drop a bombshell announcement: at SummerSlam, they will defend their tag team titles against The Hardy Boyz and The Dudley Boyz in the very first TLC match. "Tables, and ladders, and chairs, oh my!" The soap opera drama surrounding the world title picture also reaches a fever pitch. Kurt Angle compares himself to Nancy Kerrigan, steals a kiss from Stephanie McMahon, and forces Triple H to briefly put aside his jealousy to team up in a massive main event against The Rock and The Dudley Boyz. Plus, Kane shocks the WWE fans by betraying The Undertaker, chokeslamming him through the ring, and stealing his motorcycle! --- Just announced! Rob and Tommy announce the launch of their brand new Patreon featuring watch-alongs for classic matches. The first watch along includes Rock vs Hogan and Buddy Rogers vs. Pat O'Connor. Please subscribe at https://patreon.com/talesfromtheattitudeera --- Other highlights from the episode: Right to Censor defeats The Hardy Boyz and Lita in intergender action.The Acolytes get hired by Kaientai and end up destroying the Friendly Tap.Taz continues his vicious feud with Jerry Lawler after making quick work of Crash Holly.Tommy Blacha and Rob discuss the WWF courting voters at the DNC and RNC. 0:00 Intro, Jumping Bomb Angels, and Patreon 06:26 Kurt Angle Compares Himself to Nancy Kerrigan 13:08 Mick Foley Books the Six-Man Tag Team Main Event 15:13 Kaientai and The Acolytes Backstage 16:20 Eddie Guerrero & Steve Blackman vs. T&A 17:13 Kurt Angle Kisses Stephanie McMahon 18:47 The Chef Boyardee SummerSlam Commercial & Slim Jims 21:18 Triple H Confronts Stephanie McMahon 23:20 Right to Censor vs. The Hardy Boyz & Lita 27:19 The Acolytes and Kaientai at the Friendly Tap (Part 1) 30:41 Edge & Christian's Protest and Mick Foley Invents TLC! 38:46 Shane McMahon Gives Triple H a Pep Talk 39:14 The Undertaker vs. Chris Benoit & Kane's Betrayal 43:42 The WWF at the Democratic National Convention 46:27 The Acolytes and Kaientai Destroy the Friendly Tap 48:26 Jerry Lawler Attacks Taz 50:46 Just Joe Approaches Kurt Angle 51:19 X-Pac & Road Dogg vs. Rikishi 53:49 Linda McMahon's DNC Voter Announcement 54:01 Just Joe Approaches Triple H 54:33 The WWF TV Guide Covers 58:41 Chris Jericho vs. Val Venis 1:01:49 Vince McMahon Returns in a Limo 1:04:30 Main Event: The Rock & The Dudley Boyz vs. Triple H, Kurt Angle, & Shane McMahon 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.

    Mick Foley Invents the TLC Match! "Tables, and Ladders, and Chairs, Oh My!" - WWE RAW 8/13/00 Review
4.9
out of 5
29 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