Talking Smark Wrestling Podcast

Join Tony and Shawn this week as they take a look back at one of the stranger post-Mania pay per views, Backlash 2002. Despite being a month after one of the biggest WrestleManias of all time, Backlash 2002 doesn't focus on WrestleMania x8 rematches. Instead, we get a clunky and awkward show that looks much better in theory than in practice. Does Austin/Undertaker hold up? Can Hulk Hogan pull off...

Shawn and Tony stay back in 1997 for this week's show and cover the very first pay-per-view from ECW, Barely Legal! Does Taz vs. Sabu hold up today? Is the main event too much gaga? And why aren't more strong-style Japanese trios matches like this today? All this and more on this episode of Talking Smark! You can listen to this and EVERY episode of Talking Smark on YouTube, where you can also find...

On this week's episode, Shawn and Tony check out April 1997's In Your House: Revenge of the Taker, featuring Mankind spiking himself through a table, and a less-than-memorable Bret/Austin match that probably shouldn't have gone on last. It's a main-event heavy show with an underwhelming undercard, so you know there's lots of nits to pick! You can listen to this and EVERY episode of Talking Smark o...

On this week's episode of Talking Smark, Shawn and Tony (or is it Tony and Shawn?) go LONGFORM to discuss Howard Finkel switching up names, Raven crashing a golf cart, the gimmick battle royal, Taker and HHH's forgotten match, the second bout in the Rock/Austin trilogy (and the subsequent Austin heel turn) and more!  You can listen to this and EVERY episode of Talking Smark on YouTube, where...

Join Shawn and Tony as they put the magnifying glass on WrestleMania x8 for its 20th anniversary. Is Hogan/Rock truly one of the greatest matches of all time? How did Ric Flair fare against The Undertaker during the height of the streak? And who the hell decided to put HHH/Jericho on last? All this and more on this week's Talking Smark! You can listen to this and EVERY episode of Talking Smark on...

Hey yo! Survey says, one more for the bad guy. Shawn and Tony are joined by special guest Gio [from the Gio and Meatbag Show] to reminisce and, "Say Goodnight to the Bad Guy" on this special episode of Talking Smark.  No event reviews or nitpicking this week, just two solid classic match watchalongs (Royal Rumble 1993 vs. Bret Hart, SummerSlam 1995 vs. Shawn Michaels) and some of our favorite...

Mania Month continues as Shawn and Tony recount one of their most-rented VHS tapes, WrestleMania 12 from 1996 at the Arrowhead Pond in Anaheim. Does the 60-Minute Iron Man match between Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels stand the test of time, or is the Hollywood Backlot Brawl the superior bout? Warrior's "trumphant" return and more on this week's Talking Smark!    You can listen to this and...

The year 1997 finally pays off so far for Tony and Shawn as they recount the classic bout between Bret Hart and Steve Austin - and then there's the rest of the card. Was WrestleMania 13 an unlucky draw for Chicago, or does it go down in the annals of wrestling history for that famous submission match alone?  You can listen to this and EVERY episode on YouTube, where you can also find bonus co...

This week is all about nostalgia as Shawn and Tony look back at their very first live event, RAW from 2/26/01 at America West Arena in Phoenix, Arizona! Join us for some anecdotes and laughs as we recount an Attitude Era RAW from the perspective of 10 year old kids.  You can listen to this and EVERY episode on YouTube, where you can also find bonus content, archived episodes and more! http://...

This week on the show, Tony and Shawn reminisce on the nWo's WWF debut, from No Way Out 2002! Struggling with Ric Flair for control of the Federation, Vince McMahon seeks to destroy his own creation by INJECTING IT WITH A POISON - Seeds are planted for the classic Hogan vs The Rock bout at WrestleMania, Chris Jericho defends his undisputed title and MORE on this exciting 20th anniversary review! Y...

Shawn and Tony step back just over two years ago to discuss AEW Full Gear 2019 from Baltimore, Maryland on November 9, 2019. This was the inaugural Full Gear PPV, and features the lights out unsanctioned match between Jon Moxley and Kenny Omega that resulted in fines from the Maryland Athletic Commission! You can listen to this and EVERY episode on YouTube, where you can also find bonus content, a...

Tony and Shawn continue their journey back through 1997 with their review of In Your House 13: Final Four from February 16th 1997. This was a tumultuous time for the Federation as they were gearing up to go live for two hours against rival WCW Monday Nitro, dealing with the fallout of vacating their title due to a smile-less Shawn Michaels, and trying to placate the egos of everybody else along th...

Tony and Shawn step back to the not-so-distant past, when the black and gold brand was still alive and well! Widely regarded as one of the greatest WWE events of recent years, NXT TakeOver New Orleans features a spectacular six man ladder match, and an absolute must-see classic in the Unsanctioned bout between Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa. You can listen to this and EVERY episode on YouTube,...

On this episode, Shawn and Tony discuss the 2002 Royal Rumble, covering Triple H's huge Rumble win after his return from injury, Chris Jericho retaining the undisputed title on the Road to WrestleMania x8, and Vince McMahon vs Ric Flair in a classic of a street fight!  You can listen to this and EVERY episode on YouTube, where you can also find bonus content, archived episodes and more! http:...

This week, Shawn and Tony go back and visit the Royal Rumble from January 19, 1997. At the time, this event boasted the second largest paid attendance in history behind only WrestleMania 3! Hear our take on this historic event, and Shawn Michaels' last world title win before he lost his smile.  You can listen to this and EVERY episode on YouTube, where you can also find bonus content, archive...

The reboot has arrived! On this week's episode, Tony and Shawn take a deep dive on a listener requested topic, WWF's "Battle Royal at the Albert Hall" from October 3rd of 1991 in London, England. You can listen to this and EVERY episode on YouTube, where you can also find bonus content, archived episodes and more! http://talkingsmark.com Questions or topic suggestions? Contact the show at TalkingS...