When It Was Real cover art

When It Was Real

When It Was Real

By: bennyjscala
Listen for free

About this listen

 Step into the squared circle of yesteryear with When It Was Real, the ultimate throwback podcast for fans of the golden era of professional wrestling. Each week, this deep-dive audio experience transports listeners to the gritty, unfiltered days of the 1970s World Wide Wrestling Federation, when larger-than-life characters and blood-and-guts rivalries captivated fans and made wrestling feel real. Hosted by two of wrestling’s most passionate historians, When It Was Real is your ringside seat to the past: 🎙️ Nikita Breznikov – Noted WWWF historian, author, actor, and former wrestling manager whose encyclopedic knowledge and firsthand experience bring authenticity and color to every tale. 🎙️ Benny “The Playa” Scala – Acclaimed pro wrestling author and podcaster, whose wit and warmth shine through as he recalls the matches, promos, and personalities that shaped a generation. Together, Nikita and Benny guide you through the smoky arenas, unforgettable promos, and dramatic moments that defined the WWWF in the 1970s—when kayfabe was king, the belts were hard-earned, and the crowd reactions were pure electricity. Whether you remember watching Bruno Sammartino defend his title at the Garden, or you’re just discovering the legends of the past, When It Was Real delivers a heartfelt, intelligent, and often humorous look at the era that made pro wrestling a cultural phenomenon. 📻 Tune in every Wednesday at 7 PM Eastern Time for a nostalgic ride on the Wrestling Wayback Machine—because there was a time when it was real.Copyright 2025 All Rights Reserved Combat Sports & Self-Defense Wrestling
Episodes
  • When It Was Real - Episode 34 - After The Ring

    When It Was Real - Episode 34 - After The Ring
    Oct 23 2025

    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 heard.

    Tune in for candid, heartfelt, and sometimes heartbreaking talk about life after the ring — only on When It Was Real.

    👉 Every Wednesday at 7PM ET

    💬 Old school stories. Real talk. No kayfabe.

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 10 mins
  • When It Was Real - Episode 33 - Heroes of Wrestling

    When It Was Real - Episode 33 - Heroes of Wrestling
    Oct 16 2025

    🔥 "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 The Iron Sheik that night?

    💥 Why does this show STILL get talked about 25 years later?

    Legends like Jake "The Snake" Roberts, King Kong Bundy, The Bushwhackers, The Iron Sheik, and Nikolai Volkoff were all there — and so was Nikita himself.

    🕵️‍♂️ It’s more than a controversial PPV — it’s a wrestling mystery, and we’re pulling back the curtain.

    👀 Plus: Expect a surprise guest or two to drop by and tell their side of the story.

    🛎️ LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and RING THE BELL so you never miss a trip back to a time…👉 WHEN IT WAS REAL.

    📺 Watch it LIVE on The Playa Entertainment Network

    📅 Wednesday, October 15 @ 7 PM ET

    #WhenItWasReal #HeroesOfWrestling #JakeTheSnake #TheIronSheik #NikolaiVolkoff #KingKongBundy #Bushwhackers #WrestlingHistory #ProWrestlingPodcast #WrestlingLegends #WrestlingFails #BehindTheScenes #ShootInterview #OldSchoolWrestling #WrestlingStories #PlayaEntertainment
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 34 mins
  • When It Was Real - Episode 32 - Bruno! Part II

    When It Was Real - Episode 32 - Bruno! Part II
    Oct 9 2025

    🔥 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 sellouts to the hearts of millions, Bruno’s story is one of grit, glory, and real respect.

    Last week, Nikita and Benny covered from Bruno’s early days in Italy, through his first title reign, his loss to Ivan Koloff and his win over Stan Stasiak at Madison Square Garden on December 10, 1973. This week, the conclusion of Bruno’s career to include his broken neck, his epic feud with Spiros Arion, and the final Showdown at Shea against his pupil turned Judas, Larry Zbyszko.

    👊 Was there ever anyone like Bruno?

    ❤️ Why did fans love him like no other?

    🤔 What made his era truly real?

    📺 Watch LIVE on The Playa Entertainment Network!

    🛎️ Don’t forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and hit that bell so you never miss the moments… When It Was Real.

    #BrunoSammartino #WhenItWasReal #WrestlingLegends #WWFHistory #WrestlingPodcast #WrestlingHistory #NikitaBreznikov #BennyScala #ThePlayaEntertainmentNetwork #WrestlingRoyalty #ProWrestling #WrestlingGOAT #MadisonSquareGarden #OldSchoolWrestling
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 34 mins
No reviews yet
In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.