When It Was Real

This week, Nikita Breznikov and Benny "The Playa" Scala welcome special guest Evan Ginzburg, Associate Producer of 350 Days, to explore the often untold story of what happens after the final bell. 🏆 What’s life like for a wrestler once the spotlight fades? 🤕 How do they cope after the bumps, blood, sweat, and cheers are all memories? 🎭 From legends to journeymen, these stories deserve to be hea...

🔥 "Heroes of Wrestling: The Infamous Night in Bay St. Louis" 🔥 Wrestling historians and insiders Nikita Breznikov and Benny "The Playa" Scala are diving DEEP into one of the most controversial Pay Per Views in wrestling history: the 1999 "Heroes of Wrestling" event! 💥 What REALLY happened behind the scenes? 💥 What went wrong…and what went right? 💥 What was it like managing Nikolai Volkoff and...

🔥 EPISODE 32 – “The Unmatched Legacy of Bruno Sammartino- The Conclusion!” 🔥 He was more than a champion — he was the Living Legend. This week on When It Was Real, wrestling historian Nikita Breznikov and journalist Benny "The Playa" Scala dive deep into the life, legacy, and larger-than-life presence of Bruno Sammartino — the most beloved wrestler of all time. From Madison Square Garden sellout...

🔥 EPISODE 31 – “The Unmatched Legacy of Bruno Sammartino” 🔥 He was more than a champion — he was the Living Legend. This week on When It Was Real, wrestling historian Nikita Breznikov and journalist Benny "The Playa" Scala dive deep into the life, legacy, and larger-than-life presence of Bruno Sammartino — the most beloved wrestler of all time. From Madison Square Garden sellouts to the hearts o...

📺 LIVE — WEDNESDAY, SEPT 24 @ 7PM ET on The Playa Entertainment Network 🔥 LIKE & SUBSCRIBE to witness wrestling history UNFOLD! This week, Nikita Breznikov and Benny "The Playa" Scala take a deep dive into the epic life and legacy of Pierre Clermont, better known to the wrestling world as Pat Patterson — one of the most influential minds in the business! Before revolutionizing the WWF in 197...

🔥 Episode 29 of "When It Was Real" is pulling NO punches! Join your hosts — WWWF historian, author, actor, and wrestling manager Nikita Breznikov and wrestling writer/podcaster Benny "The Playa" Scala — for a LIVE event that’s pure wrestling gold! In a rare and unforgettable gathering, the iconic "Three Amigos" ride again: 👑 WWE Hall of Famer Johnny Rodz 🏆 5-Time World Tag Team Champion Tony Ga...

📢 BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND! 🔥 “What’s Old Is New Again- Part II!” 🔥 Join renowned WWWF historian Nikita Breznikov and pro wrestling podcaster/writer Benny "The Playa" Scala as they tag in for the conclusion of the second round of deep dives, shocking facts, and classic storytelling in the history of the WWWF Tag Team Championships! 👊 From the golden era to forgotten feuds, Nikita and Benny leave...

📢 BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND! 🔥 “What’s Old Is New Again!” 🔥 Join renowned WWWF historian Nikita Breznikov and pro wrestling podcaster/writer Benny "The Playa" Scala as they tag in for a second round of deep dives, shocking facts, and classic storytelling in the history of the WWWF Tag Team Championships! 👊 From the golden era to forgotten feuds, Nikita and Benny leave no turnbuckle untouched in t...

🩺 WWF's RING DOCTOR TELLS ALL! 💥 Backstage Injuries, Real Fights & Wrestling Legends! What REALLY happened behind the curtain in the golden age of pro wrestling? This week on When It Was Real, Nikita and Benny are joined by the legendary Dr. Frank Romascavage — long-time physician for the Pennsylvania State Athletic Commission and medical go-to for the WWF/WWE during its rowdiest years. From...

Just Call Him Walter – Remembering Killer Kowalski – Part II This week on When It Was Real, hosts Nikita Breznikov and Benny "The Playa" Scala once again discuss the life and times of legendary wrestler/trainer Walter "Killer" Kowalski. This week, Nikita and Benny and joined by former WWWF professional wrestler John Callahan and podcaster, author, and movie producer (The Wrestler, 350 Days) Evan G...

This week on When It Was Real, hosts Nikita Breznikov and Benny "The Playa" Scala sit down with two legends who knew Walter "Killer" Kowalski like no one else—Brittany "Boston Bad Girl" Brown and "Dangerous Dave" Star. Both were personally trained by the Hall of Famer, and they join us to pull back the curtain on the man behind the fearsome in-ring persona. Expect rare stories, heartfelt memories,...

Get ready for a special episode of When It Was Real that flips the spotlight from the titans of the ring to the often-overlooked heroes of the squared circle. This Wednesday at 7 PM Eastern, noted WWWF historian, author, actor, and manager Nikita Breznikov, alongside veteran wrestling author and podcaster Benny "The Playa" Scala, return with a heartfelt tribute to the underdogs of the golden era....

Get ready for a very special episode of When It Was Real – the ultimate old school wrestling podcast – with WWWF historian, author, actor, and legendary manager Nikita Breznikov, alongside wrestling writer and podcast host Benny “The Playa” Scala! This week, we pay a heartfelt tribute to WWE Hall of Famer Nikolai Volkoff, just as we approach the 7th anniversary of his passing. From Cold War heat t...

Join Nikita and Benny as they are joined by a surprise guest, The Unpredictable Johnny Rodz! The WWE Hall of Famer was kind enough to chat about his legendary career and some never heard before stories!

This Wednesday at 7 PM Eastern, step into the Wrestling Wayback Machine with noted WWWF historian, author, actor, and legendary manager Nikita Breznikov, alongside pro wrestling author and podcaster Benny "The Playa" Scala, for another unforgettable trip back to the golden age of professional wrestling. On this week’s episode of When It Was Real, the guys take an in-depth look at the charismatic,...

  Join noted author, historian, wrestling manager, and actor Nikita Breznikov as he teams up with pro wrestling author/podcaster Benny “The Playa” Scala for another episode of “When It Was Real." Every Wednesday at 7 PM Eastern Time, Nikita and Benny delve into the sacred history of professional wrestling. This week, the guys welcome Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame founder and former New York...