Tommy Blacha & Robert Pasbani
Tales from the Attitude Era
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-...
Author
Tommy Blacha & Robert Pasbani
Category
Podcast website
Latest episode
Jul 6, 2026
Where to listen?
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Episodes
The Rock Threatens A Walk Out - WWF Raw Review 1/10/2000 27.01.2025 1:01:15
The entire WWF roster is sick of the McMahon Helmsley era's tactics and are threatning a walkout. The entire theme of the episode is payback for DX, with the Rock leading the charge. Plus, Rikishi and Too Cool get more over, the Big Show and Test get some heat back and Al Snow is still crazy. Watch this episode on Youtube . Follow Tales from The Attitude Era on all social media http://youtube.com/...
Triple H Puts Rikishi Over by Winning - WWE Smackdown 1/6/2000 Review 20.01.2025 1:06:16
The first Smackdown of 2000 also features Triple H's first title defense of his newly won title, and even though he ends up winning, the match makes Rikishi into a true threat and a fixture of the main event scene. Plus, Chris Jericho and Chyna have trouble getting along while being co-Intercontinental Champions. Stephanie deals out some punishments/challenges to the rest of DX and they're none-to...
Triple H Steals The Gold, Tries To Fire The Rock - WWF RAW Review 1/3/2000 13.01.2025 1:15:05
Triple H finally stacks the odds against Big Show to reclaim his WWF World Title for his third reign, and is getting even cozier with Stephanie. A huge new development in the Intercontinental Title program with Chris Jericho and Chyna is revealed thanks to Stephanie, who also continues to help Kurt Angle maintain his undefeated stream. Plus, Moolah and Mae are put in a unique tag team situation, a...
DX's New Year's Message - WWF Smackdown Review 12/30/99 06.01.2025 55:18
It's the final WWF episode of the 20th century and DX is here to make their mark on the new millenium. The power trip continues as they manipulate Tori, and thus Kane to do their bidding against the Rock. Plus, Triple H tries to steal away the World Title from the Big Show. Our favorite storyline with Moolah and Mae continues here, as does the Hardys and Edge & Christian's climbs up the card....
Mankind Gets Fired in a Pink Slip on a Pole Match - WWF Raw Review 12/27/99 30.12.2024 1:11:35
It's the last WWF Monday Night Raw of 1999 and the McMahon-Helmsley power trip continues with a Pink Slip on a Pole match between Mankind and The Rock, leading to Mick Foley's untimely demise. The locker room is starting to boil over with the power trip. Plus, Kane and Tori have some relationship issues after her weekend with X-Pac, and it involves Test. Plus, Chyna continues to help Chris Jericho...
Mankind Stands Up to McMahon-Helmsley Era - WWF Smackdown 12/23/1999 Review by former head writer 22.12.2024 1:01:02
The year is almost over but things are heating up on WWF Smackdown and Mankind tries to rally the troops against the McMahon-Helmsley era, and gets some surprising help from Stephanie McMahon. Plus, the love fest between Mark Henry and Mae Young sparks up as the Dudleys try to get in the way. Chyna keeps interfering in Jericho's matches. Al Snow faces The Rock in a cage! Are there too many gimmick...
Top Rope Topless - WWF Raw Review 12/20/1999 16.12.2024 1:23:04
The McMahon-Helmsley era kicks into full gear, and the bullying is reaching a fever pitch. They continue to abuse The Rock, Mankind, Big Show, Test, Kane and Tori. We see the first ever Top Rope Topless match. The Hardys and Edge & Christian continue their ongoing story and we get a boiler room match with Santas. Plus, Mae Young and Moolah's feud with the Dudleys kicks off. Watch this episode...
The McMahon-Helmsley Era Begins - WWF Smackdown 12/16/1999 Review 09.12.2024 56:59
The McMahon-Helmsley regime takes full control of the show on Smackdown, making the lives of The Rock, Big Show and Mankind a living nightmare. Plus, the teams of the Hardys and Edge & Christian are forced to each wrestler their tag team partner for the first time. Al Snow tries to get some revenge, and Rikishi and Too Cool continue their hot streak. Plus, Tommy finds an excuse to feature Pat...
Stephanie Explains Her Actions - WWF RAW Review 12/13/1999 02.12.2024 1:17:55
It's the night after WWF Armageddon 1999 and the world wants to know "Why, Stephanie, why??" Stephanie is a tour de force explaining her actions in a completely logical manner. Plus, the spark of the new relationship between Mark Henry and Mae Young. Tommy gets yelled at by X-Pac for booking a pudding match and Test continues to look like a herb. Plus, the Rock and Sock Connection is in action and...
Stephanie Turns on Vince - WWF Armageddon 1999 Review 25.11.2024 1:22:11
It's the final PPV of 1999 and it's quite a newsworthy show. Former WWF head writer Tommy Blacha goes through the show match by match offering insights into the creative process of each match. We finally see Stephanie join Triple H against her father in the climax of the event. Ms. Kitty reveals all as she becomes Women's Champion. Rikishi continues his hot streak. The tag team division is lightin...
Final Stop Before Armageddon - Smackdown Review 12/9/1999 18.11.2024 52:03
So much happens on the final Smackdown before WWF Armageddon 1999 and former head writer Tommy Blacha is here to take you through the process of all of it. The final build to the big-time Triple H/Vince angle, the Rock and Sock feud with Al Snow escalates, all the tag teams jockey for position and Big Show still wants revenge on Big Boss Man. Watch this episode on Youtube . Follow Tales from The A...
Big Show is a Bastard - RAW Review 12/6/1999 11.11.2024 1:14:57
It's the final Raw before WWF Armageddon 1999 and all the storylines are locked in. Stephanie tries to get her marriage to Triple H annulled and he agrees under a few conditions. Plus, Big Boss Man has one last crazy revelation for the Big Show before their big match on Sunday. Too Cool continue to blow up, plus Al Snow is still mad at Mankind for being friends with The Rock. Watch this episode on...
The SmackDown After Triple H Crashes The Wedding - Smackdown Review 12/2/1999 04.11.2024 1:09:21
Everybody remembers the night Triple H crashed Stephanie McMahon's wedding, but what happened on the next episode? How does WWF follow up one of the most memorable angles in the Attitude Era? Former head writer Tommy Blacha takes us through segment-by-segment, as the build to Armageddon continues, including a hot main event with the Hardys and Big Show. Plus the Rock, Mankind, Al Snow, Dudleys, Ku...
Triple H Crashes Stephanie's Wedding - Raw Review 11/29/1999 28.10.2024 1:18:02
It's finally time to review the infamous Attitude Era wedding episode of RAW from 11/29/1999. Former head writer Tommy Blacha talks about the infamous wedding with Triple H crashing Stephanie McMahon and Test's wedding, all the production that happened before it, as well as all the matches that night. The Rock and Mankind's continued feud with DX's New Age Outlaws and how Al Snow figures into the...
Comedian David Koechner on His Brief WWF Stint & Working SNL 21.10.2024 1:14:15
We take a brief break from our weekly reviews to welcome special guest David Koechner. Host Tommy Blacha was the head writer of WWE in 1999 and when an actor needed to be brought in to play a wet blanket, Tommy knew just the guy! Koechner talks about his brief run, what could've been and shares some fun backstage stories. He also dives into his year on Saturday Night Live and what happened there a...
The Rock Tries Poontang Pie on Thanksgiving - WWF Smackdown Review 11/25/1999 14.10.2024 1:13:41
It's Thanksgiving Day 1999, and you can't have a Thanksgiving edition of WWE Smackdown without a good old fashion food fight. Plus, the Rock finally gets to try some poontang pie. The Big Show gets some mic time. DX feud with…the homeless?! The love triangle between Mankind, Al Snow and the Rock continues. Plus, Rikishi and Too Cool finally form their alliance, and the Hardys entertain in a steel...
Vince McMahon Loses Control - RAW 11/22/99 Review 07.10.2024 1:12:54
Vince McMahon loses control and attacks DX's limo, resulting in a restraining order. Tommy tells a great story about photographer David LaChapelle doing a photo shoot behind the scenes for this big spread in Vanity Fair. Mankind and Al Snow face the Holly cousins and Mankind eventually reunited with The Rock. X-Pac faces Jeff Hardy in a fun dream match, and the anti WWF storyline takes a turn. Plu...
Former WWE Head Writer Reviews Netflix Vince McMahon Doc 30.09.2024 51:10
Last week, Netflix released a six-part documentary all about disgraced WWE founder Vince McMahon. Tommy Blacha worked very closely with McMahon in 2000 as head writer and had a lot of thoughts about the documentary, so much so that we took a break from our weekly reviews for this special one-off episode. We review the series as a whole and talk about ways we think it could've been improved. We als...
Vegas Invasion - Smackdown Review 11/18/99 23.09.2024 1:05:46
The fallout from Survivor Series '99 continues on Smackdown, as DX continues to cause chaos for Vince McMahon and his family, further establishing that feud. Plus Mankind (Mick Foley) and Al Snow go on a Vegas Invasion leading to some very funny bits throughout the episode. The tag team division is as hot as ever, and Big Show is still trying to get revenge on Big Boss Man. Plus, the women have an...
The Night After Austin Was Run Over, Whodunit? - RAW Review 11/15/99 16.09.2024 1:07:48
It's the night after WWF Survivor Series 1999, and Steve Austin was run over by a mysterious vehicle. The local authorities are here to question all the assumed suspects, leading to some great backstage segments with DX, The Rock, Vince McMahon, Jerry Lawler, and others, creating a show-long (and year-long) story arc. The Rock faces Big Boss Man in a number one contender's match and DX's feud with...
Steve Austin Gets Run Over - WWE Survivor Series 1999 Review 09.09.2024 1:14:53
WWF Survivor Series 1999 was marred by controversy as mid-way through the show, an angle was shot where Steve Austin was run over by a car, putting him on the shelf for over a year and creating one of the biggest mysteries in company history. How did it come about? When did former head writer Tommy Blacha know about it and how did they shoot the memorable angle? All is discussed in great detail. P...
Schwarzenegger Invades Smackdown - Former WWE Head Writer Shares Behind The Scenes Stories 02.09.2024 1:09:07
One of the most memorable episodes of WWE Smackdown ever was the 11/11/1999 edition and former head writer Tommy Blacha has a lot of stories to share. Tommy goes into detail about dealing with Arnold Schwarzenegger and his people in the lead-up to the episode, how Arnold was integrated into the show and ended up doing way more than they originally agreed on, how Triple H masterminded the memorable...
Steve Austin's Last RAW Before Injury - Raw Review 11/8/99 26.08.2024 1:13:36
We're back to our show reviews on the road to Survivor Series 1999. It's Steve Austin's last Raw for at least a year, and the final build for the PPV which is happening the Sunday after this show. DX is still trying to cause trouble and Vince is doing his best to quell it. Plus, The Rock is named the Sexiest Wrestler Alive by People Magazine, Al Snow's life is ruined by a Walmart protest, and the...
The Blue Meanie Talks About His Career and Shoot Punches from JBL 19.08.2024 1:41:40
We welcome another guest to the show this week, The Blue Meanie, who goes way back with Tommy. We go deep in depth with how Meanie became a fan, how he broke into the business under Al Snow, being discovered by Raven on an indie show and being invited to join ECW, how he got the call to join WWF and an incredible, detailed retelling of the incident with John Bradshaw Layfield at ECW One Night Stan...
Will Sasso Guests, Impersonates Steve Austin, Jesse Ventura, Scott Hall, Bret Hart 12.08.2024 1:18:32
Will Sasso is our guest this week for a very special episode. Will and host Tommy Blacha go way back and their friendship is discussed at length with some great anecdotes. Will talks about his earliest wrestling memories. He shares amazing stories of working in the ring with Bret Hart, Steve Austin and Chris Jericho. And, we are treated to a quick impression of Scott Hall and his incredible Jesse...
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