The Pastamania Conspiracy

[@Jim-Tuner]

Pastamania was a little food court booth sized walk up place behind a corner at the mall of America. The idea was "fast food" pasta. You picked your sauce, you picked your meat (chicken, beef, turkey), you picked your pasta. They also had salad and bread. It was not a "restaurant" by any normal meaning of that word. The whole thing was done on the extreme cheap. I went there a little while after it opened. The hardest thing was finding the place. Nobody in the mall seemed to even know where it was. There was no promotion aside from the Nitro and the whole thing just looked dead not too long after opening. It tasted like Pasta, sauce and meat that had been sitting a long time in the warming pans at the counter. The best way to describe it is that it was like a Mall Sbarro with nothing on the menu but Pasta. And I don't remember ever seeing anyone ever ordering pasta at Sbarro. It disappeared within a few months. The next time I tried to look at it, it was already gone.Thinking about it now, the whole thing had the look of a sham business set up to provide a girlfriend with a steady income.

[@81rbutler]

Not a bad sounding idea actually

[@TobeyStarburst]

I would like to have tried it.

[@realone6886]

They should of pitched a little more money could you imagine a remodel for the nWo and Everytime a child eats there gets a free wrestling action figure? I also remember the nitro grill in Vegas

[@kevmex8119]

That spot is now a Popeyes chicken.

[@blaisevillaume2225]

@@81rbutler How could you possibly read that post and think it's a good idea? What kind of filthy animal doesn't cook pasta to order?

[@FreneticZetetic]

"Hulk Hogan, you can go to hell!" - Tony Schiavone, Bash at The Beach 1996

[@shane49734]

Frenetic Zetetic “Straight to hell.”

[@nellbowie7986]

Best line ever

[@FreneticZetetic]

Bobby Heenan almost giving it away, etc; "WHOSE SIDE IS HE ON?!".

[@jpayne3616]

I'll never forget hearing that!

[@jpayne3616]

@Satchel McQueen Video That! But he loved that Hogan money

[@darklordojeda]

I used to hate Tony back in the nWo days of WCW but listening to him talk during these interviews or podcasts just makes me really like him and respect the hell out of him. I was wrong for disliking him back then.

[@joshuasteward6097]

It is fine that you didn't like something about his announcing style in 1996 and like his storytelling now.

[@nickw7235]

How can you not like Tony lol

[@darklordojeda]

@@nickw7235 I was a huge nwo fan and he was wcw all the way.

[@AkhirahOverDunya85]

IT'S STIIIIIIIIIIING

[@jamesstewart5067]

"Maybe do some butt stuff, brother" genuinely laughed out loud. Brilliant Conrad.

[@thorboysen3318]

Yeah...! The "butt stuff audience" as the great Brian Last mentioned...!!! Brian Last mentioned that during a conversation with Jim Cornette! It is on YT!!! Just look for "JIm Cornette on the insane Vince McMahon biopic...! Jimmy read some parts of the screenplay written by Craig A. Williams! I laughed myself to death listening to that...!!! :) You really should listen to it, too...!!!

[@bradpaton3927]

@@thorboysen3318 link?

[@Nazzlover38]

It only aired in a mall because of a Hulka Restaurant. You choose the pasta, you choose the sauce, you choose the cheese, you choose the sexual position, Brother!

[@weworldwide1348]

@@QuentinDude u sound like a virgin, brody

[@bradpaton3927]

69th Like, Brother!

[@A1ml33y]

Lol 😂 you choose the Lube Brother !! You choose the Anal Beads !!!

[@ibnmamoo9698]

“Plowing his side bitch” LMFAO

[@bingeMAFIA]

Eric cut his teeth in the AWA with Vern so it was poetic for him to bring WCW to his old stomping grounds in Minnesota.

[@LooseCan88]

I thought the Nitro Mall set up looked cool. It holds up well over time.

[@marccaselle8108]

I never saw the first nitro so when I watched it for the 1st time, I was amazed. It was such a cool setup and visual style.

[@robertbrunelle8076]

A.E.W Tony Schiavone Been Loving it

[@bradpaton3927]

Mcdonald's

[@xxnoxx-xp5bl]

Whether Hogan was fucking the mall official really makes no difference, WCW would have pushed the link between its biggest star, Pastamania and the mall regardless. It's basic marketing/production. The intrigue over who's sticking who is frankly sad.

[@jaredparks9457]

"Might get to do butt stuff, brother" -Hulk Hogan

[@tobysgamingworld1550]

“Why the mall? Why the mall? But why the mall? You don’t know? Ok I’ll make up a story based on the dirt sheets” LMBO. This is Conrad’s entire podcast career. Dude has access to the brains behind the storyline but he HAS to push himself and be right.

[@robertbrunelle8076]

been too that mall it,s almost as Big as Rhode island

[@wahoomcdaniel6359]

imagine the sauce pans on all day filled with cheap burned up Chef Boy Are Dee spaghetti brother!

[@YousefTube]

That's pretty gross 😁😅😂

[@bradpaton3927]

Not withouThe meatballs!

[@jeff-ds2pr]

No Hulkaroos for you dude!

[@MattAlbie]

If this had been Bruce he'd deny the Hogan connection, spin himself 360, they'd both yell at each other for 10 minutes and then they'd move onto the next thing

[@BOBBYSOX86]

Exactly! Bruce is a Hogan boot licker

[@wmsmith7346]

Still better than Eric he'd just say he doesnt remember it and keep it to himself all grumpy and pat himself on the back for some wyoming ranch thing no one cares about lol

[@tlv8555]

​@@wmsmith7346 LMAO

[@alanjohnsonbmw]

I think Bischoff talks about Hogan entering PastaMania clauses in his WCW contract negotiations on 83 weeks

[@YousefTube]

Give me a link

[@jeff-ds2pr]

I ate two servings of Hulkaroos...biggest mistake of my life. I was on the shitter for 3 days straight.

[@wahoomcdaniel6359]

I was hanging and banging in the Mall of America bathroom brother!!!!

[@xUnrealWarriorx]

Lmao

[@SuperHDJ_]

I bet it tasted like Spaghettios out of the Can

[@Jim-Tuner]

Kind of. But Imagine the Spaghettios and the sauce seperated out into warming units sitting behind the counter slow-cooking all day long.

[@OneUponADime]

Hogan said he ate there only once, and it gave him diarrhea. No joke.

[@leestenson6975]

That's what it looks like

[@randomnerd3402]

@@OneUponADime Evennif Hogan lies a lot I totally believe him on that one

[@AIWFNW]

u hating on SpeghettiOs!!?

[@jamescourt5201]

Why the fuck is the iceman confessions on the suggested list for this vid?

[@BigBoyToys-ce5qg]

"Derp derp, I don't understand how youtube recommendations work." Everyone doesn't get the same recommendations, genius. It's based on your personal viewing history.

[@edwardfarnsworth5915]

I don't really understand what Conrad thinks he figured out here. They held a show in a unique venue where they had some connections. So?

[@Jim-Tuner]

Based on what he said, he seemed to be presenting the theory that Pastamania and the first Nitro being at the Mall of America happened because of Hogan's involvement with a particular woman. He is pushing in the direction of suggesting that Hogan was letting his complicated personal life influence business (including WCW) in really selfish ways. The thing wrong with the theory is that Eric Bischoff was also from the Minneapolis area and the whole first Nitro being at the Mall could also have been all about Eric putting on a big show in his home town.

[@edwardfarnsworth5915]

Jim Tuner Thanks. So, he thinks this was the only way Hulk was ever able to go to Minneapolis? I always figured it was done to plug Pastamania. It was practically the first thing they showed. No big mystery

[@jdcapps21]

He figured out how to save you big money on your mortgage!! Call now...it just takes a few minutes!

[@scottyb003]

I listen to all three shows in which Conrad is the "host." I've noticed that Conrad is kind of obsessed with sexual things. It's a little uncomfortable at times.

[@jpayne3616]

@@jdcapps21 lol

[@brettrossi034]

"My god I've eaten so many Hulkaroos and Hulkayoos, Brother!!"

[@andrewjones-ex5xo]

"Might get to do butt stuff brother!!" Lmfao

[@greenskiis]

Hogan couldn't possibly look more creepy in that photo. He looked older and his arms were much smaller at this point in time.

[@toma.4808]

Pasta STILL rules brother!

[@bradpaton3927]

Atkins Diet: that doesn't work for me, Brother!

[@bradpaton3927]

Tony Schiavone: I never used to curse, but....that's some good shit. Vince McMahon: (the Force is strong in this One, Pal!)

[@TheeCoachg]

“Unnnnh unnnnnh because Linda said in her book that he talked to her about it! If he didnt do anything he wouldnt have to talk to her about it.” 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 I love Conrad

[@ASwagPecan]

Tony is the funniest of the podcasters.

[@jasonr9654]

WHY IS THIS GUY TRYING TO SOUND LIKE A SCUFFED JR?

[@christoperburke8380]

Conrad hasn't turned down any pasta any. Sauce any cheese.

[@dougripley861]

Conrad better chill.....Hogan will sue his ass too for defamation of character lol

[@bradpaton3927]

"When In Minnesota And you've Got A Drinking quota" --NOFX

[@CreightonRabs]

**insert Mean Gene joke here**

[@jamesmainstream3112]

You heard Connie: a lady's Spidey senses went off. Must be legit.

[@jasondiend4248]

My wife went to the first Nitro. It was random her family went to the Mall of America that day and Nitro was going on. I honestly think this is a stroke of genius for WCW. It wasn't a paid to get in since it was a mall. It was just one of those cheap ways to make things look filled out.

[@ZeusMcCormick]

Pastamania must’ve been running through Shiavone’s brain.

[@literaryman9001]

päss the spaget, brőther

[@fmthebaron]

9:16 with Ken Kennedy?

[@sadetwizelve]

7:53-7:55 LMAO

[@warshipsatin8764]

"what did they find out, counselor" its nice to finally hear someone give conrad some shit back. he's really scummy

[@jasonx1580]

Might get to do butt stuff, Brother

[@film79]

We went as kids with my cousins and I was expecting a full restaurant, it was like food court place, maybe 3 tables but mostly for to go. It was awful too, I remember the pasta was mush and I threw mine away.

[@Sos4real]

Detective Conrad is on the case lol

[@williambotner2317]

Is this u Tony. STING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@KevinsKontentKorner]

i'd love to hear owen hart shooting...especially on what happened to him business-wise right after the screwjob.

[@durden2480]

Blahblahblah what about Rick rude? I’d love to hear him shoot

[@jeremymatties778]

Got some bad news for ya, OP...

[@chubbycatfish4573]

Macho Man and Curt Hennig, too. I know Macho did one or two, but there's plenty more to ask.

[@robertbrunelle8076]

and tony not on mic

[@joshuac5537]

Watch with the captions on. Butt stuff was all caps lol

[@joeriveracomedy]

I need to buy a shirt. I want to have skee a vone call me. Does he still do that?

[@leestenson6975]

I'm dying😂😂😂

[@JustinLeeper]

Conrad may be a big guy, but he’s sure flexible with that streeeeetch!

[@Feuerspray31]

I fail to see how this is a "Conspiracy". Having an event at a mall where your big star also has a restaurant just sounds like good business to me. The alleged affair may or may not have had anything to do with the choice of venue. Who cares either way? Was anyone hurt because the event was held at the Mall of America? I just don't see the problem.

[@durden2480]

Mandalore06 it was legendary, the Luger angle was great

[@joshuasteward6097]

They did too many free shows. But I get the reasoning.

[@stephaniereece5757]

So they went to the mall of America so hogan can see his mistress

[@jeremymerriman8987]

Man... this one was really sad.

[@sizigi13]

All noodles. LMAO

[@joshuasteward6097]

I believe Conrad hasn't been a Hogan fan since 1989. He bashes Hogan all the time. And he has cited the late 80's as when he and his friends got more interested in Warrior.

[@hermanbooger5431]

Hell you can tell Hogan doesn't even want to eat that crap.

[@weatheredtome]

Holy crap Tony comes off as naive here

[@lizardsboy81westcoastshawn7]

As we now know logic in wcw was nowhere to be found 😂😂😂

[@chrisp1946]

you probably don't read this but Tony next to Hennan you are my favoritie announcer of all time. been watch you call matchs since I was 3?

[@travismcdonald6576]

NOSAJ WAHSTUC Epic!

[@thegreat1007]

9.49.. what is this any of this have to do with pasta Mania

[@marcelmoreau2733]

Is kay kennedy mr kennedy's mother? Gasp! Is HOGAN his father?

[@iamtheduke87]

From Williamsburg va I laughed

[@alonsolopez3541]

Because when I think of Italian Cuisine I think of the Hulkster 😅😅

[@slakcheetah4989]

I mean he is half Italian, his real last name is Bollea. But yeah there isn’t anything Italian about “Hulk Hogan” the character, hell he was supposed to be an Irish-American character, hence the name Hogan

[@robertgarcia3891]

Hey it's great advertising....seems like a good deal to me....so wcw debut at the mall of America was cuz Hogan wanted too see his side piece? I'm sure he could see her when he wanted...

[@joshuasteward6097]

Conrad, that seems like a normal business connection. She's worked with the Mall of America and Pastamania so they know her. They use that connection to do Nitro at the mall. Tony, it is not logical. Come on. We don't know about the possible affair.

[@mrfixitishere]

The idea works on paper but hulk seems more like an outback ripoff then good Italian food guy. But if they had done the chefboyardy route I think it would still be a thing.

[@thorboysen3318]

According to Bobby "The Brain" Heenan Tony Schiavone hated the wrestling fans because he thought they were bad educated members of the "social group" that is living below the poverty line...! Bobby loved all the wrestling fans but that was an attitude Tony could never understand. I don't know if Bobby was right about Tony but i can imagine that Tony was that way back then...!

[@Jim-Tuner]

Bobby Heenan got really angry at Tony Schiavone after WCW released him. They had worked together for years and Tony made no attempt to contact him after he was released. Given Schiavone's position, Heenan could have easily thought that he knew what was going to happen or was involved in what happened. Not reaching out at all would just have made it worse. Schiavone, as lead announcer, was kind of his boss in the both and his point of contact with the rest of the company. So additionally some of Heenan's anger at WCW got directed at Tony. Tony Schiavone has said in the past that he deserved Heenan's anger and had done him wrong by not reaching out to him after he was released. Tony Schiavone always kind of had the reputation of a company guy doing a job. He wasn't passionate about wrestling or wrestling fans but he was always professional. His real passion was baseball announcing and being around baseball.

[@thenorsenut380]

Thor Boysen that's not true.... Tony was a wrestling fan himself. Bobby is making stuff up.

[@TheeCoachg]

Heenan was spiteful because Tony didnt warn him WCW was gonna fire him for Mark Madden,which he probably was told not to or he would be fired also. They had a real friendship outside of wrestling allegedly and thats why expected Tony to warn him. If Tony hated wrestling fans and the business so much,why befriend him? Also,Tony has told the story many times of buying his family front row seats to see Ric Flair as a teenager and Flair later also got him in the business. His closest friend in the business is also Arn Anderson and he does this show with Conrad Thompson,an old school wrestling fan and mortgage guy from Huntsville, Alabama. He also STILL lives in Atlanta(or near by) which was the home of WCW. Vince McMahon eventually fired him because he sounded “too southern” ,I mean I could go on and on here...

[@chrismorgan8330]

Honestly out of the two I'd pick heenan to actually look down on fans. Behind the scenes heenan was a "it's fake what does anybody care about the matches?" entertainer type

[@TheZom1965]

Tony playing dumb. (derp)

[@themachine8277]

When I was young, I thought this pic of Hogan looked like he had aids, now that I'm older, I was right.

[@Joy..citizen]

Bro he probably split ticket sales with her or settled out of court shavonni is playing dumb

[@UseYourIllusions78]

Hulk a roonys brother

[@williambotner2317]

Haha I love ya

[@DavidSanchez-kk5wo]

Tony Schiavone is a prick. He hated the fans, hated the business and thought wrestling fans were idiots. He was acted like a child every time he thought he was getting over on Vince McMahon & the WWF, this is where the big boys play etc etc. I was laughing when WCW went under Schiavone contact Vince McMahon and asked for a job. Of course, Vince said NO! Awesome

[@vp9908]

Dude these are pointless questions that tony does not know the answers to. This guy was an announcer who did what he was told. He is irrelevant in wrestling culture and therefore is excited by any bull shit podcast that invites him. does not know the answers to any of these damn questions. Pasta mania was a joint deal. Listen to Eric Bichshoffs podcast.

[@TheeCoachg]

V P Bischoff’s podcast was cancelled and this is a conspiracy theory that Contad is pitching so what exactly is Tony supposed to know. They clearly state it was joint venture with WCW and The Mall of America,which is in Minnesota not Atlanta,the home of WCW...thats the whole fucking point of this theory.

[@vp9908]

thalrg22 you just proved my point idiot. Tony doesn’t know anything so it’s pointless to ask him all of these behind the scenes questions. Think before you reply

[@johnnyfive222]

V P Wow no need to get hostile dude.

[@vp9908]

Wolfpack22 hahha you right man, these interviews get under my skin I swear