STW

On this episode: Martha Hart and Rena Mero are suing, dX is breaking up, the Greater Power was a swerve, and the Austin-McMahon feud continues as the WWF crowns Billy Gunn the 1999 King of the Ring.
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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www.Twitter.com/PrichardShow
Buy a Shirt, Get a Call from Bruce: www.BoxOfGimmicks.com
Save Yourself Some Money: www.SaveWithBruce.com

[@billyray5232]

Man, the good old days, 911 hasn't happened, Social media wasn't turning everyone into mindless drones, and Kayfabe was on its last legs...miss those days..

[@FilmThePoliceFTP]

Except that this was the PPV following over the edge 1999

[@seeyouinhellyeowie3865]

Obliterating vaginas chat me up

[@themadrapper101]

Wrestling hasn't been as good or as popular since Stone Cold left

[@chrisl9804]

Very true statement there. I feel like this second Golden Age of the WWF only had less then 2 years to go. When Austin joined McMahon at WM 17, that was the official end for me... WrestleMania 17 was the best Mania of all-time, but also the last Mania of the 2nd Golden Age. (Summer 1996-Spring 2001)

[@stuartmorris2803]

@@chrisl9804 100% agree

[@jrblanton9284]

King Of The Ring 1999 starts @ 6:25.

[@vinson311]

Papa bless 🙌

[@joeesposito5204]

They don't even start talking about anything related to the PPv until about 40 minutes in.

[@j.3o21]

"I don't want to go on about owen" Proceeds to talk owen for 15minutes.

[@InstagramAWrestlingHistorian]

Although never officially revealed, it was The Big Boss Man, who lifted the briefcase. He was fired from The Corporation before this PPV and coincidentally rehired immediately after as no member could interfere in the main event.

[@Nicholaus13]

Hindisght, 20/20... Prichard replaced his buddy, Eric and Heyman both in the positions discussed in the beginning of this podcast. Interesting...

[@cscola4824]

That commercial / advert around 1.16 was so funny

[@tomseville1057]

That they talk about Heyman and Bischoff's appointments back to WWE's upper tier is hilarious to read in 2021...

[@Rschr101]

Lmao good shit pal.

[@vickieross4380]

I was there front row behind Spanish announcers table.

[@Super122291]

Lies

[@vickieross4380]

@@Super122291 bullshit asshole.

[@vickieross4380]

@@Super122291 still have my commemorative chair to prove it.

[@rackballjones6585]

Prove it

[@vickieross4380]

@@rackballjones6585 youtube it.

[@grahamstavers5130]

Bob Holly not knowing who Terry Taylor was is my highlight of this ppv lol

[@jimmorrison4340]

Love these shows miss the good old day's.

[@PaleHorseShabuShabu]

*days

[@joeesposito5204]

43:25 actual talk of storylines going into the PPV

[@RichieHorton]

This was the first WWF VHS I bought!

[@ROSTAFA]

Richie Horton Same here.

[@rackballjones6585]

Proof?

[@MBM1117727]

@@rackballjones6585 Why does he have to prove something like that?

[@Rschr101]

JR calling that Big Show/Kane match "bowling shoe ugly" is hilariously awesome.

[@mattm6580]

Too bad Jake Robert's was in a bad place at this time. He would have been perfect as the higher power. He was Taker's mentor in 91 and was humiliated by Austin in 96. He had the motive and gravitas to pull off the character.

[@TheMadStork83]

Just imagine if Jake was apart of the creative team, along with Scott Hall. Those two guys have great minds for the business.

[@guyincognito5706]

Jake and DiBiase would've been great.

[@plonkersbro]

It was always rumoured it was going to be Jake right up until the moment Vince pulled the hood off, Taker said he loved the Ministry storyline until the McMahons made it about them and Austin so wouldn't surprise me if they were true

[@senshix]

@@plonkersbro no no it wasnt. It was supposed to be Christopher Daniels but vince thought he was too small.

[@addi543]

Billy t tbh, Daniels would’ve been a giant wet fart not because of his size, but because nobody knew who he was in 1999 outside of hardcore wrestling fans (and that fanbase was a lot smaller in ‘99 compared to 2019). The entire Higher Power angle needed someone with gravitas to make it believable, introducing a total unknown would’ve caused the entire thing to collapse

[@scottyb003]

When are we going to get an Al Snow, or Mankind podcast?

[@user-of7qx9nf3i]

Have heard in interviews from both Billy Gunn and Sean Waltman that X-Pac was actually going to win this KOTR but his behavior caused them to pull that. Thought this might have been touched on? DX was also broken up by then, the night after on Raw when they were crowning BG they started the rights to DX angle which would answer a couple of questions asked. Great listen though taking me back to great days watching it all unfold every week!

[@InstagramAWrestlingHistorian]

The Big Show was originally going to win, but officials changed the outcome once the news got leaked. SOURCE: Dave Meltzer

[@Flowerz__]

Conrad should be in the wwe hall of fame

[@hooksncrosses3419]

When I saw this PPV I was convinced Chyna was going to win the tournament. Not that I wanted her to but I was sure she would.🤷‍♂️

[@Rschr101]

Would've been better than Billy Gunn.

[@patrickruth153]

I thought it should’ve been kane

[@tylercooper2051]

Jack Roberts imo still should of been the higher power and he and Bearer both would manage Taker leading to an eventual split and if Jake can go feud in ring.

[@tomseville1057]

Jake couldn't go. Beyond The Mat was filmed 97-99, and Heroes of Wrestling happened months later. The WWF would have been right to not consider him for the role...

[@ir1041]

6:23

[@tywilliams6235]

Some heros don't where capes

[@ianwebb8066]

Good name

[@flashpointblank4914]

Yo the macho manscaped promo was f*cking classic!!!! Omg

[@Vsvstubbs]

I wish the intro was just 500 minutes longer

[@ir1041]

IT’S ME AUSTIN!!

[@aaronyochim9779]

Ian AW! SON OF A BITCH.

[@scottyb003]

Ha! You're a fool JR!

[@danielescalera6638]

@@aaronyochim9779 😆😆😆

[@danielescalera6638]

@@scottyb003 😆😆😆

[@j.3o21]

IT WAS ME ALL ALONG

[@paulwidit3792]

Can we please get a lord of darkness 1999 or Batista episode?

[@EGarrett01]

1:19:40 For some reason they don't mention that Kane choked Big Show for 3-minutes straight waiting for a run-in that never came. I'm guessing it was edited out of the version they watched?

[@jsvett]

OMG.... I had to listen to that Macho Man skit three times I am fucking dying over here "tell him what you get!"

[@patrickruth153]

I remember the Sunday night heat for this episode

[@quays07]

King of the ring 2000 was my favourite

[@rw8185]

Lmao at the statue story. Would be an awesome prank. Have someone deliver butt ugly statues to someone's house while they are on vacation.

[@TMBales]

What a great macho man promo lmao !

[@juehring007]

Macho man manscaped promo was hilarious!!

[@randylynch4330]

JR's "oh son of a bitch!" Is his greatest call

[@michaelforsythe9350]

Yeah, I love that call. Another great JR "Son of bitch" call is when HHH went up against Shawn Michaels when Shawn came back & beat HHH, but afterwards HHH took out his sledge hammer & beat the shit out of Shawn & JR was yelling out "Son of a Bitch" That's my favorite JR "Son of a Bitch" call. It still cracks me up to this day whenever I hear it.

[@tomseville1057]

Perfect call. Angry, but not surprised...Also why they did the comeuppance moment on the same show...

[@randylynch4330]

@@tomseville1057 that was the best part of the attitude era. Vince would be so arrogant and then Austin would just foil his plot.

[@CeemPlay]

Rock vs Taker what a feud that was

[@CeemPlay]

@Billyboy I loved their King of the Ring match as a kid. I love of it even more now. Typical Attitude Era overbooked main event

[@MBM1117727]

They never really had much of a feud actually. I think this was their only 1 on 1 match on ppv.

[@CeemPlay]

@@MBM1117727 They wrestled at No Way Out 2002. But the feud was worse

[@MBM1117727]

@@CeemPlay Oh shit forgot about that one! You're right! But that proves my point lol

[@Uploadedimages]

It should have been Stiiiing all along.. 🤣🤣

[@addi543]

The Higher Power should’ve been Ted DiBiase, Jake Roberts was a literal crackhead in 99(as seen in the Heroes of Wrestling show that took place at that time) and he would’ve flaked out very quick, and nobody knew who Christopher Daniels was in 99 outside of hardcore wrestling fans (and that fan base was at lot smaller in 99 compared to 2019). They could’ve also played up that Ted brought in both Taker and Austin into the WWF and he had been trying to buy the WWF Title since 1987.

[@TruckerJenkins82]

practically written for dibiase was that angle, can't think of a more perfect fit.

[@DirtyDadDingus]

I think he’d be turned off by the whole devil worshiping part of it

[@addi543]

Todd Dell True, but him and ironically Brother Love were the only options since everyone else was either unavailable (Eric Bischoff, Kevin Sullivan), unreliable (Jake Roberts), too unknown to the audience to be taken seriously against Stone Cold (Christopher Daniels)

[@TruckerJenkins82]

@@DirtyDadDingus "It wasn't a cross, dammit!" Lol

[@quentinkaasa47]

Oh yeah? And then what? DiBiase couldn't go in the ring at this point like Vince could.

[@ROSTAFA]

1:19:10 King of the Ring

[@johnkulick1296]

Thank you!

[@keepitwolfson]

You could hear chyna and hhh calling spots. suprised that wasn mentioned

[@jamesgeese]

Ordered some blue chew hope it works

[@joesnider5503]

james1 not as good as the pricey stuff, but definitely works

[@LakeKyle_]

I’m from Bridgeport ct

[@robertmurph2092]

Ya know Billy Gunn was my favorite next to the outsiders. He had the Ic belt but...eh.

[@travismcdonald6576]

Robert Murph Gunn just couldn’t talk. After his feud wit The Rock, Gunn was toast.

[@Super122291]

Travis McDonald your wrong after this he had a big push as billy and chuck omg good times right there

[@DrDM87]

Hey Bruce answer this. Who was the person supposed to be, that lifted the Brief Case in the McMahon’s Vs Austin Ladder Match & stopped Austin winning. It was never revealed. Was it Big Boss Man ?? that’s the rumour & innuendo. Doot Doot Doot. Deano

[@idcwhatuthink4985]

Big boss man

[@yallevereatenbeans2723]

@Mike The Scott because asking one question in the comments takes the same amount of time as having watched every episode of a podcast with 162 episodes right?

[@yallevereatenbeans2723]

@Mike The Scott yeah takes time to find the specific podcast that Bruce answers that question too, or you could, y'know, just ask

[@yallevereatenbeans2723]

@Mike The Scott funny, since I've just googled it and couldn't find the specific podcast DM87 was looking for, almost as if just asking and getting an answer from Bruce, Conrad or a fan (like happened in this case) would be just as easy. You're awful quick to call people idiots over simple differences of opinion, I'm sure you're a delight to deal with in your day to day life.

[@jameshawkeye8430]

@@yallevereatenbeans2723 their podcast is also on Spotify and you can listen to it in order but I do understand where you are coming from and I understand where DM87tm is coming from as well

[@guyincognito5706]

24:48 Without the in-ring performers and the wrestling matches themselves, there is no other part of the business. Everything else is dependent on the wrestling matches and wrestlers themselves; without them, there's no merchandising, touring, movies, whatever you want to pile on.

[@skincarver1797]

One thing I noticed was the mat was really dirty before the 1st match even started. They should've at least used a halfway clean canvas for a ppv it looked bad.

[@duaneshank6788]

It was probably from Shamrock bleeding on sunday night heat. No time to change the mat.

[@scottyb003]

I would've gone with somebody besided Billy Gunn. I never saw him as anything but a tag team guy.

[@thewrestlewrant5710]

Vince McMahon likes big sweaty men

[@thatdudewithtrexarms8594]

Same here pal. It wasn't good shit.

[@Dessan01]

He did a big bag of nothing afterwards... oh wait “the one” Billy Gunn 🤦‍♂️

[@MarkusTate1998]

The UnderTaker ⚰️🪦⚱️🌃☠️💀🖤💯

[@michaelforsythe9350]

Grilling JR has taken over STW as the better podcast in my opinion. JR will answer every question asked to him by Conrad & won't give & a bullshit, "Bruce Answer" obviously unlike Bruce. Plus he is not afraid to talk about money or howmuch he thought a guy would have made back then when asked, again, unlike Bruce, not too mention that JR will call out Vince when need be or times when he thought Vince was full of shit, most certainly unlike Bruce. Most importantly JR to the best of his ability gives real answers of things that really happened, the way they happened, he doesn't give "the safe answers" that keeps the WWE brass (Vince) happy because he works for AEW & doesn't care what Vince thinks, he even does a good Jim Cornette impression, it's the one Bruce does about, killing people & cheeseburgers & calling everyone a MF-er, it's Bruces Cornette impression, but JR still does a pretty good job. If anyone hasn't checked out Grilling JR & you are a fan of STW you should really check it out. I really think it's a better show than STW & In saying all that I really am a fan off STW & of Bruce, I just think Grilling JR is a better podcast than STW.

[@travismcdonald6576]

michael forsythe Truth be told, STW has grown stale. After so long, you can only rehash the same shit over and over.

[@Willthrill8]

@@travismcdonald6576 2 years later it's absolutely unlistenable with all ads and dodging questions.

[@markmenning1804]

Wait the matches are predetermined?

[@splitter7376]

Nope, this is like boxing and UFC where the best guy wins rather than the most marketable, go place a bet at your local bookies 😏

[@paulmazzarella4300]

Shamrock should of won and been back to back champion

[@prowwe6524]

Many different outlets these day's so ratings aren't a fair reflection of wwe product

[@neilsun2521]

When Russo was head of creative, the stats don't lie - Raw's viewing figures were at their all time highest. Always climbing. Imagine 97-99's roster combined with today's creative - yes, you'd have Austin and the Rock, but they'd be actors in an unwatchable kiddies show.

[@AcidRayne100]

Austin would drink soda, wouldn't use any swear words, no Austin 3:16 shirts in case it offends religious people, The Rock wouldn't be allowed to talk about 'pie' or candy asses, Mick Foley wouldn't have had THAT Hell In a Cell match, no blood, no Ministry of Darkness, no fun at all.

[@markmenning1804]

How about king of ring 1995

[@rackballjones6585]

Oh, you’re sick. I like it.

[@michaelscriver5395]

wow lol# bruce take your pills

[@paulearl8203]

I always found the mystery partner being Steve Blackmam weird. Like was that supposed to be threatening? He was a midcarder who had lost multiple times to other midcarders. He also went right back to the midcard after this. Before a good run as hard-core champion and then sure bringing out a well pushed hard-core champion for a ladder match could've been viewed as a threat MAYBE! But at this point? I was hoping they would explain the choice. Alas they didn't ha....

[@MBM1117727]

Would have made a lot more sense for it to be Triple H since he was in the Corporate Ministry and wasn't in a match that night

[@bigsteve8921]

Only one match.. Chyna ans fucking road dogg was over 10 minutes in the entire tournament. Wtf

[@TruckerJenkins82]

Gotta say, as much as I was utterly obsessed with the WWF at the time, that was the biggest disappointment since Savio Vega walked down the aisle at No Way Out 98'. Probably the biggest let down for me in the attitude era, closely followed by Undertaker becoming a one man D.O.A gimmick.

[@Sluggen7n7]

handymchandface Agreed. I will add Dwayne Gill (gillberg) as mystery opponent in deadly game tournament at survivor series 98. I thought it was going to be HBK or literally anyone else Savio Vega included would of been better.

[@TruckerJenkins82]

@@Sluggen7n7 you know, I actually laughed (and groaned a bit) when Dwayne Gill walked out. I thought 'fair play, McMahon'....thought it was going to be Mr Perfect...but then the ruse...Gill, veteran of the WWF, and an amazing win loss record lol.... fit in perfectly with Mankind seemingly being given a fix to win the tournament. Then the swerve at the end with the Rock. A well crafted story in my opinion.

[@quentinkaasa47]

Billy becoming KOTR was a bigger letdown to you than the Higher Power reveal. Am I reading this right?

[@lalomontoyajr.9282]

Triple H is one of the best!

[@WillS724]

The excuse given on why they didnt go to Pillmans funeral was absolute bullshit. They all went to Harts because they felt guilty as fuck. Who cares how long Pillman has been with the company. Show respect no matter what.

[@gothchicksbongrips5712]

Dont know how you rate KOTR matches? They're not meant to be long or really have any story. You'd think a world famous reporter like Meltzer would understand that.

[@daeleonmanuel5360]

I like that Rock vs Undertaker match , definitely not a star in a half

[@charlest5604]

Linda should've been the higher power

[@seeyouinhellyeowie3865]

Conrad bluechew Thompson

[@bradnimbus4836]

Billy Gunn's built like a brick shithouse while poor Bruce is built like a shit brickhouse

[@rosyrus]

Bruce sounding line bob ueckeR.

[@treywar25]

Y'all barely even talk about the build up leading up to the event

[@omegaman6494]

KOTR 1999 was one of WWE's all time worst ppvs

[@j.3o21]

Bob Holly was always a dud match.

[@TMBales]

I’m a mark for finishes and titles. Russo killed my fandom as a kid . Late 98 was iffy, but by 99 it sucked . I tried turning to wcw and it sucked and then Russo switched and I was done

[@dalynsanders]

Mabel is not the worst King of the Ring. The Heat he got that night for winning. Puts him in the top five alone. Granted there's only like 10 or so haha. But Billy Gunn is much worse. Edge was not that great. And the latest 3 we've had not so much. He's no Owen, No Stone Cold, no Bret,. But I don't know why Mabel doesn't get the credit that he deserve he is definitely underrated. Not great. But underrated... And definitely underappreciated.

[@willc9324]

Couldn't agree more bud! Mabel really soaked it in and played it well. His theme was preety dope too

[@Super122291]

WILL C how did his theme go ?

[@dkbarbados4540]

Gaagaa ooh lala lol..i like taker&rock from this show.. Also this is yet another kotr thats not better then 94.

[@josephboza7448]

This King of the Ring is pretty forgettable. This was a great podcast with Bruce and Conrad. It did feel like WWF tried to accomplish a lot. 15 matches in 1 night. well 14 cause Meat vs Kurt Angle was the dark match. I think the fact they did the quarterfinals, semifinals and finals in 1 night was a lot. It took away from the pay per view as a whole. Road dogg and Chyna got 13 minutes to tell their story of the match. It was a good match. I think Undertaker retaining the WWF Championship over the Rock was just there. The bigger story was obviously Austin being a 'brat' in storyline and wanting the WWF Championship back. I rated the pay per view as a whole 6/10.

[@travismcdonald6576]

Joseph Boza 1999 was really a weak year compared to 97 and 98.

[@josephboza7448]

@@travismcdonald6576 When Roaddogg vs Chyna was the match of the night in my opinion you know 1999 was a weak year. It just felt like with this pay per view they tried to accomplish too much and it bite them in the ass

[@travismcdonald6576]

Joseph Boza The company got complacent and rode on Austin’s popularity. First half of 99 produced some awful PPV’s.

[@josephboza7448]

@@travismcdonald6576 Looking back 2 decades later, I can agree with you with that. There were some PPVs they didnt even try at all.

[@humblesmith1215]

I think Undertaker vs The Rock was match of the night. Twas a good match, solid. Crowd involvement!! Etc

[@grantgibson6419]

Worst wwf ppv of 1999

[@PhillyCYOSports]

One of the worst of the Russo era.

[@Rschr101]

Still better than anything they've done in 20 years.

[@Tamlinearthly]

Will Bruce ever realize that his reflexive, aggro, overweening attempts to discredit the dirt sheets only make them seem more credible?

[@jamesbarnes7045]

When you two do interviews together and talk about these pay-per-views you guys never go into enough detail about the Monday night Raw leading up to the pay-per-view We want to know simple stuff like where was Mick Foley was he really hit with the sledgehammer and hurt his knee? When Stone Cold was at the headquarters who else was there with him was that really Vince's office they put shit in just simple stuff