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When It Was Cool Wrestling (DragonKingKarl)

When It Was Cool Wrestling (DragonKingKarl)

By: WhenItWasCool.com
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About this listen

For all shows visit our Patreon page - https://www.patreon.com/wiwcool Pro wrestling history. WWE, WCW, NWA, AEW, NXT, NJPW, TNA, Impact, ROH, AWA, ECW, and the pioneer era of pro wrestling. Karl Stern (DragonKingKarl) is a pro wrestling historian who has produced the DragonKingKarl Classic Wrestling Audio Show for over 15 years at Wrestling Observer. This is the free version of some of the pro wrestling podcasts we produce at When It Was Cool. There is much more available to Patreon supporters and there are over 2500 shows available for subscribers. Enjoy these free shows for a deep dive into pro wrestling history and we hope if you enjoy these shows you will become a Patreon supporter and gain access to many others. Ric Flair, Hulk Hogan, Steve Austin, Frank Gotch, William Muldoon, Lou Thesz, Bruno Sammartino, Strangler Lewis, Farmer Burns, Bob Armstrong, Ron Fuller, Jerry Lawler, The Rock, Chris Jericho, Andre the Giant, Dusty Rhodes, and hundreds more are discussed.WhenItWasCool.com Combat Sports & Self-Defense World Wrestling
Episodes
  • The William Muldoon Tour Begins - 1000 Hours
    Aug 17 2025

    On this edition of the 1000 Hours Podcast, the podcast all about the pioneer era of pro wrestling, author and historian Karl Stern takes a look back at 1881 in pro wrestling history including the evolution of William Muldoon from New York City Police officer to touring pro wrestling champion. Also, a physical description is given for an early championship belt, plus the death of former American champion James Owens at the age of 30.

    YOU CONTROL THIS SERIES! It will only run as long as it is supported. In order to get another hour of 1000 hours we need a new Patreon supporter at any level or a cash donation via the front page of WhenItWasCool.com to either PayPal or CashApp (Please put “1000” in the note). As soon as it is received, I will produce a new hour. Presently, we are funded up to hour 100.

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    55 mins
  • The Last Newsletters of the 1990s
    Aug 12 2025

    I am back this week with a new podcast looking back at the 1990s. Recently, I took a look at the first pro wrestling newsletters of the 1990s to get a feeling for where the 1990s era begin, and it began in a very low place. Today, we look at the last newsletters of the 1990s, from 1999 to discover that the WWF / WWE is flying high and WCW is trying to regroup, yet again, from a failed reset. Steve Austin, Bill Goldberg, Vince Russo, Hollywood Hulk Hogan, Bret Hart, and many others are discussed through the pages of the insider newsletters of 1999.

    The extended Patreon version is here.

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    45 mins
  • August Q and A Show!
    Aug 5 2025

    Today is my birthday! And what better way to celebrate than with a packed mailbag and this month is probably our best yet with questions ranging from the pioneer era up to the 1990s! We have a few new great pioneer era finds via wrestling historian Jason Campbell to discuss, plus more 1990s talk, interesting twist on second generation wrestler question, the NWA, and much more!

    There is an extended Patreon version of the show here -

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    46 mins
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