STW #35: Wrestlemania XV

On this episode: Stone Cold vs. THe Rock! Undertaker vs Big Bossman in Hell in a Cell! The RETURN OF BRAWL FOR ALL! It's all things WrestleMania XV on today's Something to Wrestle with Bruce Prichard!
Something to Wrestle with Bruce Prichard is an audio podcast that discusses topics, events, wrestlers and memorable moments through the lens of former WWE executive Bruce Prichard co-hosted by Conrad Thompson.
The show was launched in August 2016 on MLW Radio. The episodes typically range from 2 hours to 4 hours in length, and include discussions about previous WWE pay-per-views and former WWE wrestlers.
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[@user-sb2tb9oe7d]

I miss these old episodes before Prichard rejoined the WWE.

[@marklupo3441]

I met the mean street posse at a restaurant their table was right next to mine. I waited till they finished eating and I went over and talked to them. I was 13 at the time. They were all really cool guys

[@michaelmcguigan5278]

Listening to this in 2023 hits so different! I’m from Philadelphia I was 10 and a die hard WWE fan well WWF. I begged to go to wrestlemania, but my working class parents couldn’t afford it. However , my dad stood in line with me for 3 hours to get a signed mankind photo & a picture with Mick Foley during the height of his powers . Which to me at 10 was just absolutely the coolest thing ever. But now in my early mid thirties wrestlemania has become a 2 night stadium extravaganza. And they’re coming back to Philadelphia for Wrestlemania 40 and I will be there for one of the nights , and Bruce is back in the company as probably one of their top guys behind the scenes . Gotta love the old episodes though !

[@jacobmorrow2158]

You guys are my favorite I love the stories, impressions this show is absolutely PERFECT. Thank you Conrad and thank you Bruce hopefully one day you guys will come the Virginia or DC area.

[@jacobmorrow2158]

Also I think the show is a little bit better then the expierence. And please if you can answer this who would the barbed wire death match between the co hosts. The great Brian Last vs Conrad Thompson now that’s a ppv.

[@Makainternational]

Nothing is perfect except for Curt Hennig MR PERFECT

[@adam-thesportsguy6147]

According to an Austin dvd he wore his shirt to the ring because he forgot to pack his new vest...he blew it off as a case of; he was going through a divorce and had a lot on his mind.

[@sleepdafiend3983]

That mankind mortgage adlib was fucking amazing "THEY CAN" lmfao

[@adamdavis1737]

Man I usually can't stand their ad spots. But... That was gold 😂

[@josephboza7448]

I wished we had a video version of this podcast. Would have loved to see Bruce's facial reactions to certain parts of mania. To me Wrestlemania 15 was 6 out of 10. It had its good parts but there were parts that suck. Forgot sometimes that Vince Russo was on the writing staff during this mania. There are some parts I could tell that there were his fingerprints all over it. For example, Sable keeping her WWF Women's Championship over Tori. Hell in A Cell match sucked even with the closing. Without the hanging, I would have thought that it was an ok Hell in a cell match. This was the first time that Hell in A Cell match was at Wrestlemania.

[@waynetaylor1025]

Fun ep, funny n interesting. Two guys just chillin and having a laugh 👏

[@redfield1007]

These shows are great. Keep them coming guys.

[@austinblansett9900]

2:03:00 do you boo the hanging or do we cheer the hanging.... makes this the best episode ever

[@TheGodinme88]

They screwed Bart Gunn so bad because they didn’t expect him to win it. That, particular, spot was intended for Dr. Death Steve Williams. Poor guy.

[@LilSexySteve]

keep up the good work guys, i listen to you and cornette everyday , i hope to meet you all sometime in the near future

[@erics8018]

Right! The masses have spoken!

[@quays07]

How can you not love this podcast so interesting and abs hilarious as well

[@MarkyCannoli]

One of the best shows

[@derekfisher8571]

"Any of the boys have a fetish for her?" (Nicole Bass) "I hope not." Lmfao

[@jayb-clay2724]

I to this day still have all the TV guides... all the WWF and WCW ones.

[@rackballjones6585]

Prove it

[@sabercrosby8128]

wrestlemania 15 a.k.a = the raw episode with the wrestlemania ring apron

[@GorditoCrunch343]

@Matthew Alkman Not even close. It had a great main event and a few other entertaining bits but that's it. The Philly crowd were only there for one thing and that was Austin/Rock. It's saving grace in the grand scheme of things was that it didn't end up being the dumpster fire that was Wrestlemania 2000.

[@CrazyTrained]

@Matthew Alkman That's just flat-out untrue. Compare to Mania X7 (which had the exact same main event), the biggest selling PPV ever domestically. Card was stacked with good/great matches (Angle/Benoit, TLC 2, HHH/Taker, Rock/Austin 2), hot feuds, an extremely hot crowd, great payoffs. It felt HUGE. XV, however, was marred by inexplicable title matches (D'Lo and Test vs. Owen and Jarrett, anyone?), confusing feuds (New Age Outlaws title swap), unnecessary DQ finishes, and three unmitigated disasters (Hell in a Cell, Brawl for All, Women's Title). Austin walked out in a shirt, for god's sake. What a mess

[@CrazyTrained]

@Matthew Alkman I guess, by your logic, the Attitude Era was a steaming turd with no crowd reaction

[@CrazyTrained]

@Matthew Alkman Says the loser who thumbs-up his own comments

[@jhot2477]

i liked opening triple threat hardcore match,kane/hhh match, the shane match, the main event, but i do have to say, that philly crowd didn't help matters, but it seemed to me that the entire card was lethargic or something i think they added to the crowd being less then stellar, the philly crowd is usually rabid too, it's one of the best wrestling cities

[@jeffreyriley8742]

53:00 I got tears in my eyes from laughing.

[@Obironnkenobi]

I was keeping it back until Conrad said "I wasn't ready!"

[@jasoncoward-aintscared]

Bruce's Mick Foley sounds more like his Terry Funk. This dude is crazy talented with the impressions.

[@markmenning1804]

The part I remember the most was when they hung the Big Boss Man

[@scaryanima9268]

Is it a symbol?

[@chrishine2717]

Just watched this 'Mania again. Near the front row, is ECW Hat Guy :)

[@williamschaeffer409]

yea i see him at a lot of shows, or at least i use to. and then theres that other guy that looks like rob zombie u kno?

[@j.3o21]

Was Tye Dye Guy there?

[@j.3o21]

Also, anyone remember a fat kid (about 15yr old) with a bowl cut always had front row tickets at PPVs

[@Rschr101]

Foley should have been in the main event. Deserved to be there with Austin and Rock. Austin winning was the right call, but I think Mick should have been there too. Especially after what he went thru at Royal Rumble.

[@borednow5838]

Because of the booking leading up to the show I can see that logic. But I can also see why Vince prefers one on ones in the Mania main events. That has gone out of the window since of course.

[@78bcat]

Danny Glover deserved to be in that final fight in Lethal Weapon with Mel Gibson and Gary Busey, especially after what he went through with the salt in the wounds...do you see why wrestling fans are goofed on?

[@thejmc4074]

78bcat thank you for this

[@MrBooBeeDoo]

A triple threat would have ruined the main event.

[@matsong5134]

Jerry ‘The king’ Lawler “Chyna broke his heart, now Triple H broke his head!” 😂😂😂

[@mjolden]

That Michael Hayes impression during the first ad was hilarious lmao

[@raymondharris3788]

Paul Wight, "The Big Show" 😂😂

[@haleybarrett1995]

I was 7 years old in 1999 and watched this live...i cried when Taker hung boss man lol

[@charlest5604]

Haley Barrett Nice!!!

[@j.3o21]

Charles why shun Travis?

[@scaryanima9268]

Is it a symbol?

[@haleybarrett1995]

@David Butler lol

[@Rschr101]

Oh lawd

[@lookitskazzy]

Starts at 10:46

[@polkaproductions9120]

I like the show so much that I really don't mind adverts, but thanks anyways!

[@danieltempleton838]

This should be #1

[@hansno1475]

This is probably my favorite episode of STW. The boys are on point! Bruce and Conrad riff off of each other so well. We get the mankind commercial and the chocolate titties story as well. Just hilarious. This made my day

[@melainebullock]

I am probably one of the few who adored Wrestlemania XV

[@kb4231]

Besides the Hell in a cell right?

[@Njbear7453]

The brawl for all was entertaining and the main event was too.

[@melainebullock]

Keywan Bernard I loved the hell in a cell match. Specifically because of the ending. I think the hate it got is unjust and is the prime example of taste difference between the majority, and someone like me who can appreciate and understand the design and creativity of it. But then again, I love Vince Russos writing that clearly the majority of people feel differently about

[@melainebullock]

Bear 7453 the creativity of this show is why it stands out so high to me. It had rough edges, and was a bit gritty and messy, and that’s what made me love it so much. The storylines and creativity of this ppv makes it iconic to me, even Sable vs Tori having Nicole Bass come out and press slam Tori, it was just a very iconic moment and even if it wasn’t executed perfectly and the matches were lacking in technical wrestling, this ppv is one of the best to me for it’s originality and ability to create moments you remember.

[@jstinson7072]

The best match was Shane vs. Xpac

[@Dredsed]

Hope Conrad does even more with other people

[@tomseville1057]

The only company really missing is ECW. Bruce is head writer of Raw AND SmackDown now, so hopefully he arranges for Paul Heyman to cover ECW events. Or perhaps Conrad could chat with Tommy Dreamer, who actually had more to do with booking ECW than Heyman did at times...

[@MooseheadStudios]

the vince jackie bit is gold 52:00

[@j.3o21]

CHOCOLATE TITIES

[@ROSTAFA]

Starts at 7:32 Show Begins 1:24:11

[@gregharper6382]

THANK YOU!!!!!

[@adamsBASSCOVERS]

57:05😂

[@jeffreyriley8742]

2:00:08 Conrad: "Well, people are listening, I'm trying to get you to, you know, talk to them." Bruce: "I don't want to!"

[@tomseville1057]

Michael Cole being ordered to say "He's hanging the Corporation in effigy! This is symbolic of what?" still makes me howl with laughter, they just blatantly hanged a human being on live PPV! But seriously, I can't believe this was less than two months before OTE 99, Martha Hart should have asked questions about three guys being allowed to rig themselves without pro help, when her husband only got a damn fly-fishing karabiner that opened early...

[@papamike612]

Dang guys... i was drinking coffee when he was doing the topless bit and about blew coffee all over the place

[@peterbrix1155]

Forgot how much Conrad just jumped over bruce at every answer

[@shadowman2192]

53:16

[@quays07]

Bruce pritchard on a stage with a mic doing all these voice overs would be a sell out 👌

[@MarioLabot]

58:34 Bruce had to answer that question?

[@j.3o21]

He said "never", and then he was "proud of it"

[@blakerose6606]

You guys gotta do wrestlemania 24!!

[@jamiewiesner7351]

I have a feeling Vince Russo was behind Jim Ross not being on commentary at that time.

[@melainebullock]

Jamie Wiesner they said in the podcast Vince Russo Kevin Dunn and many others all shared that belief including Bruce. So, your feeling of singling out Vince is wrong

[@thecaliforniabruh1158]

Iiiiiiiiiiiii Loooooooove Youuuuuu!

[@RealAlphaDrum]

Can you believe WrestleMania XV was Waltman's first match at Mania, 6 years after his initial debut.

[@jamesbarnes7045]

You got to ask yourself was there really anyone that was really excited to see Xpac he wasn't that good to me he was just kind of like a tag along

[@RealAlphaDrum]

@@jamesbarnes7045 he was good. If you want any indication of how well and much he could "go," watch him in any of his wcw matches. He out preformed pretty much any wcw talent by default simply because of his wwf background.

[@jamesbarnes7045]

@@RealAlphaDrum it doesn't always matter how good of a wrestler no one came to watch hulk Hogan solely on his wrestling ability even Stone Cold it was about the entertainment beaten up the owner of the company body slamming the giant That's what people want to see

[@RealAlphaDrum]

@@jamesbarnes7045 your comment was he wasn't very "good." Yes he was good. But like you've said, not everyone goes to see someone just because of their wrestling ability, or in this case, good or bad in the ring.

[@jamesbarnes7045]

@@RealAlphaDrum X-Pac on the microphone was trash was he a little entertaining yeah kind of if the whole DX is together but him by his self not so much I'll give you another one The road dog Jesse James was fucking great but he was great because his theatrics coming to the ring, while he was in a match and shit like that a lot of people confuse wrestling with wrestlers let me explain wrestlers are people like Stone Cold The undertaker triple h etc wrestling let me think I don't know anything but they're the two guys that roll around on that little mat that you see on ESPN that's boring as fuck end of story

[@ChrisHonowayOFFICIAL]

The San Diego Chicken screwed The San Diego Chicken.

[@Triscuit585]

#itsmillertime

[@markmenning1804]

Did Miller sponsor this?

[@ogarstyle]

00:53:16 Not in today's world!!! LOLz

[@j.3o21]

CHOCLATE TITIES

[@NobleGZ]

57:35 😂😂

[@priimovalentiino1640]

"We make $$ over here idk what the fulk you do.. Doot doot doot"

[@jeffreyriley8742]

I'm looking up Big Pun. He died a year later and was 698 POUNDS when he died.

[@Rschr101]

Gross

[@JoeyMartz]

53:17 - - - you're welcome.

[@juanperezvargas6655]

This is literally the best episode ever someone please tell me what there is saying that got bleeped out

[@juanperezvargas6655]

Oh that's all lmao what a low pay off

[@CAMZAB]

It was actually "midget".

[@Dredsed]

Love

[@j.3o21]

24:05 WHERE IS THE INNUENDO

[@XRay44]

Benny Hinn? I think he meant Benny Hill. lol

[@thunercattt6018]

Miller Lite? You mean canned water.

[@MarkyCannoli]

Gotta establish him.......who?.........the chicken!!

[@freederrydom]

50:25 can anyone make out what Conrad says. "Something Mark Henry" Or "someone blew Mark Henry" 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@JackPlays587]

blew

[@jasonbattaglia2390]

Its a symbol!!!!

[@MrPound4Pound1]

Why haven’t you done Wrestlemania 14 yet? Please do it!

[@TheShadowcast]

Whoa, guys. Perk an ear. The guy currently booking Raw to its lowest recorded ratings of all time wants to tell us all about how Russo - who drew record highs for the same company - didn't know how to book. I especially liked the part where Conrad laughed at the idea of Kane shooting a fireball as if it were ridiculous. To Bruce Prichard. The guy who booked Undertaker to LEVITATE ABOVE THE ARENA.

[@scaryanima9268]

Is it a symbol?

[@borednow5838]

Hahaha! Pete Gas has a book out! Because of course he does! Everyone has nowadays right?...

[@charlest5604]

Bored Now Where's your book? I bet its title is "the guy that tries to suck his own dick"

[@borednow5838]

I was being light hearted. There's nothing here to overract to.

[@Zanatos9]

I always shake my head when they compare Austin's merch to Hogan. Austin's merch sold well yes, BUT they literally had it everywhere. Even my local Walmart was selling Austin 3:16. Hogans 80s stuff was pretty much at the venue only or mail order.

[@StrikeTeam0316]

Austin > hogan

[@joaquindelossantos7140]

Catalog orders were available for those that didn't buy them at the arenas themselves. I had many school buddies who got them that way

[@ROSTAFA]

53:16 Choclate T*****S

[@borednow5838]

That Mania rage party was just a bad idea looking back. Its a little funny Bruce blaming the heat with Sable on Mero. Don't really buy that. He sounds like an easy scapegoat to me. My guess is her ego got out of control and she was becoming a diva. Another good episode!

[@borednow5838]

Looking forward to the Hot Rod episode! Such an interesting character in and out of the ring. He was involved in two golden eras for wrestling when you think he was apart of WCW during the NWO era.

[@j.3o21]

Mero did get jealous and he was in her head.

[@markmenning1804]

How can the commissioner overrule the owner?

[@j.3o21]

Commissioner runs the day to day, owner runs the business aspects 🤓

[@southbeachtalent]

Bruce's Mankind sounds more like Paul Bearer

[@CAMZAB]

Ohhhh yeessssss.

[@papamike612]

I disagree... it is pretty spot on for his early wwe interviews

[@hooksncrosses3419]

When I watched WM 15 live I thought it was the greatest thing ever. Now I watch it back it is kind of crappy. I was 15 at the time.🤷‍♂️

[@Njbear7453]

I watched it tonight first time and I think the main event was the only decent match, everything else was meh. It was also funny watching the brawl for all that’s about it.

[@liamroyce5958]

I've always thought that the main event should of been Austin McMahon

[@melainebullock]

liam Royce omg it would have been the biggest selling wrestlemania ever

[@MaximusX67]

Austin/McMahon had just been the main event at the previous month's PPV 'St. Valentine's Day Massacre' - the cage match where Vince went through the announcers table and The Big Show made his debut.

[@melainebullock]

Maximus DreivinX yes and all of these shows were booked and written in advance I think Austin Mcmahon would have sold just as many tickets a month later in a one on one match with no interferences or disqualifications

[@Njbear7453]

Rock / mankind for the wwf title And then McMahon/ Austin in a no- dq match would’ve been much better

[@robgbaby]

@@Njbear7453 they already did that the previous 2 months, or 4 plus months for Rock/Mankind

[@faithfamilyandcountry7452]

I ordered that Wrestlemania had a buddy come over to watch. It was a good show but no doubt the worst Hell in a cell of all time next to Dog kennel from hell match.

[@dmrogers7713]

Bruce's Mankind sounds more like Paul Bearer.

[@DavidSmith-rv2hw]

there's some terry funk in there too, all in the same range.

[@erics8018]

Def. Agree with both of ya'll on that one.

[@fuckthepolice.9410]

CAN YOU ASK BRUCE WHY THEY HAVE ONLY DONE WRESTLEMANIA IN CT 1 TIME? I UNDERSTAND WE PROBABLY DONT HAVE ONE OF THE BIGGEST ARENAS BUT WE DO HAVE A COUPLE BASEBALL STADIUM THAT FOR SURE COULD HOLD A SHITLOAD OF PEOPLE AS THEY HAVE IN THE PAST. IM JUST WONDERING I MEAN THIS IS THE HOME STATE! I KNOW WE CONSIDER THE GARDEN TO BE THE TRUE HOME OF WWF AND STUFF BUT CMON THIS IS HOME FOR WWF...IF YOU COULD HAVE HIM CHAT YOU UP ON THAT IVE ALWAYS WONDERED WHY MA NY AND JERSEY HAVE A BUNCH AND WE HAVE 1

[@donniepipsqeek4500]

Actually wwf has had beer sponsorships pilsner molson export

[@flashpointblank4914]

Disappointed when he did mankind promo of the housing lender he didnt scream have a nice day to wrap it up.

[@Bloodth3Butcher]

At about 2 hours. Im sorry I really liked the visual of Taker and Bossman. I just thought that was so different. I agree the angle was shit bcuz he worked the next night, but I am one of few that enjoyed the skit. Another oddity of the Undertaker. Im a mark for Taker so yea I didn't care and I bet thats what they were counting on. Whoever came up with it 😂😂😂😂😂

[@paulpothier6660]

towards the end it was like listening to my drunk uncles

[@CAMZAB]

Bruce was showing signs of being drunk 50 minutes in, I think he'd had one beer at that point. Mustn't have been his first of the day or maybe he's a lightweight.

[@carlweddle6962]

Dude, i wanna meet your uncle's then.

[@carlweddle6962]

@@CAMZAB during his firing episode Conrad said he only saw Bruce drink once in their eighteen month relationship. So it had probably been awhile making Bruce a lightweight again.

[@joemama7163]

#millerishorsepiss

[@HereIsWisdom1318]

JR’s heel turn here DID work!

[@rackballjones6585]

Prove it

[@RawKetchup]

That Miller spot is cringey as fuck.

[@robertb4075]

Enough Miller Light bullshit

[@andresabucco6244]

Miller light. Also know as watered piss

[@81superjay]

Brooklyn Brawler of all people had to be targeted for sexual harassment 😂😂😂

[@j.3o21]

Nicole Bass would be lucky if the Brooklyn Brawler even looked at her!

[@jaserogers997]

#HuuuuhPauseYouWannaDoWhaaaatPauseToMahPeePeeee

[@munstrumridcully]

About Boss Man getting strung up by the Ministry, the Grammer Nazi in me cannot help but to point out that _hung_ (as Bruce said Boss Man was) is the correct past tense form of the verb hang _except_ when one is talking about stringing a person up by a noose, where _hanged_ is the preferred form. A good rule of thumb is "curtains or shelves are _hung_ , men are _hanged_ ". Sorry for the Grammer Nazism, it's a personal foible of mine; call it a character flaw. Cheers all :)

[@thomascrowley9122]

Ass

[@HereIsWisdom1318]

How does that “good rule of thumb” help. I always just remembered that ppl are hanged.

[@thickerconstrictor9037]

that's what I noticed in a lot of the comments haha I always used to say hyung and I don't think even now I understand why it's not hung instead of hanged. hanged just doesn't sound right. Although I do say it now.

[@Zroolmpf_Celmbror]

It's grammar, not grammer. But thanks for the lesson, professor.

[@RealAlphaDrum]

WM XV Taker - even more forgettable than Mania IX.

[@jeffreyriley8742]

I'm probably the only one but I hated the WWF from this time. I'm an old school 1980s (when I first started watching) guy. The WWF at this time were like sleazy adults acting like children.

[@HereIsWisdom1318]

Jeffrey Riley YES!!! You are the only one!

[@jeffreyriley8742]

@@HereIsWisdom1318 Excellent. Then I'm the only one with any class.

[@Rschr101]

Yep you're the only one.

[@StrikeTeam0316]

Yes you are the only idiot

[@MBM1117727]

Nah you raise good points, some of the Attitude Era was great but some of it was garbage

[@AltJake]

"He's phenomenal" Seriously Conrad? The hard-on he has for Meltzer is REALLY weird. The man's word is NOT gospel, Meltzer isn't a journalist, he's a mark with a platform & an agenda

[@jrdoo7x]

i saw this on ppv. i thought it was awful. to me it was the second worst wm behind wm 11.

[@Krimsonking1998]

Jason Davis I agree with you. WM 15 was awful and I hated watching it. WM 14 was the best of all time

[@jjthecat9692]

I fucking loved this show in all honesty

[@BlindassassinMGTOW]

WM 9 as well.

[@Njbear7453]

I think 14 is a very underrated wrestlemania.

[@joemazza2583]

Miller Lite blows.. Coors lite baby

[@thickerconstrictor9037]

Miller bud and Coors lite are all trash

[@Rschr101]

Nah

[@Gorski122]

Man Mark Kerr woulda made out so well in the WWE. He had such a look & The Smashing Machine due I’m sure in part to his drug use started getting SMASHED HARD CORE! He totally fell off.

[@kimvanhorn1966]

I could really do without Bruce singing

[@jaserogers997]

I really want a couple of fucking Miller Lights now. It's product placement psychology, I know that and I don't care. #ItsMillerTime

[@joemama7163]

Sometimes gimmicks get old and you retire them. Bruce singing should be retired.

[@Super122291]

Never Joe never !!!

[@derekfisher8571]

Pronouns, Pal.

[@chrislewis6488]

One of my least favorite wrestlemania's

[@reyjusuf]

Ugh, so many beer drinking. Worst episode.

[@jamesbarnes7045]

I really love your podcast I just got one complaint you guys do not go in enough detail on the Monday night Rawls leading up to the pay-per-view there's a lot of stuff that could be covered for instance China getting blasted in the face with the flame explain to us what happened there was she really hurt what was their reaction backstage That's just one instance we just need more depth

[@Greenz1111111119]

1:56:23