Between The Sheets - podcast cover

Between The Sheets

Kris Zellner & David Bixenspanredcircle.com

Every Monday, Kris Zellner and David Bixenspan go over how a given week in professional wrestling history was covered by the wrestling media, primarily in the "dirt sheet" newsletters. The deepest dive into wrestling history that you can find.

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Episodes

Ep. #286: January 20-26, 2003 with Daniel Makabe

Kris & David are joined by Daniel Makabe (@danielmakabe) to discuss the week that was January 20-26, 2003. We talk about Hulk Hogan making yet another return to WWE, this time to heat up his angle with Vince McMahon for WrestleMania XIX in Seattle, which Dan attended. We also talk about all of the other WWE news, such as the dependance on big names and part-timers for WrestleMania that still goes on today, The Rock speaking with "Jake T. Icon" about his future in pro wrestling, John Hennigan...

Jan 25, 20216 hr 11 min

Exile on Badstreet #73: Walking on the Wildside Part 6 w/ Jeff G. Bailey & Dan "The Dragon" Wilson - "Natural Born Thrillers"

Kris Zellner is joined by Jeff G. Bailey (@JeffGBailey1) & Dan "The Dragon" Wilson (@dragonsrejects) to take yet another walk on the Wildside as we discuss the months of January & February of 2001 in NWA Wildside. We talk about the burgeoning relationship between WCW & Wildside where the young stars of WCW were getting some seasoning in Cornelia and two men named Air Paris & A.J. Styles would get signed by WCW. We talk about the Paris/Styles feud that was going on and how hot it ...

Jan 24, 20213 hr 17 min

Ep. #285: January 12-21, 1994

Kris & David are guestless this week as we discuss the week-plus that was January 12-21, 1994. We talk about the WWF getting into the “kick boxing” business by partnering with Leisure Concepts on the World Martial Arts Federation—which would eventually become WMAC Masters, the build to Owen Hart turning on Bret Hart, 1-2-3 Kid injuring his knee at Madison Square Garden, the going big in Israel, and Gorilla Monsoon hosting a local show in Baltimore called Bingo Break which has to heard to be ...

Jan 19, 20215 hr 24 min

Ep. #284: January 6-12, 1986 with Jeff Hawkins

Kris & David are joined by Jeff Hawkins (@Crapgame13) to discuss the week that was January 6-12, 1986. We talk about the AWA re-upping with ESPN and what that means for the wrestling business as a whole, plus we talk about the AWA gates and how different they could be across the various major towns. We also talk about Mike Rotundo & Barry Windham showing up in AJPW, Jim Duggan doing the opposite in NJPW, Krusher Kruschev seriously injuring his knee on TBS, the Dream Date with The Fantast...

Jan 11, 20214 hr 52 min

[Patreon Preview] Paul Heyman's latest Knute Rockne speech

In this free preview clip of the sixth and final episode of our deep dive Patreon series about the ECW on TNN saga, Kris and David take a look at ECW’s Canadian debut, which featured a major locker room speech from Paul Heyman. The speech and fallout result in discussion of a lot of themes that come up in the full episode, including Paul’s habit of claiming to have meetings with TV networks in Los Angeles in scenarios that are not exactly realistic. To hear the whole show, you need to become a B...

Jan 07, 202120 min

Ep. #283: December 30, 2009-January 5, 2010

Kris & David are guestless this week as we discuss the week that was December 30th 2009-January 5th, 2010, a Patreon request, and boy, is this a show. We begin talking about TNA's first foray into running shows live on Monday nights head-to-head with WWE Monday Night Raw, featuring the debuts of Hulk Hogan, Jeff Hardy, Eric Bischoff, Ric Flair, and many others on Impact. We go down the show in full detail both inside and outside the ring, especially Homicide getting stuck trying to escape th...

Jan 04, 20215 hr 35 min

Ep. #282: December 22-29, 1995 with Emil Jay

Kris & David are joined by Emil Jay (@theemiljay) to discuss the week-plus that was December 22nd - December 29th, 1995. We start off by talking about Starrcade ’95, where WCW went against New Japan in a best of seven series of matches and we saw a new World Heavyweight Champion crowned, on top of a highly controversial U.S. Title match among other highlights. We also talk about the pre-taped Christmas episode of Monday Nitro, plus Mean Gene dropping one of his biggest Hotline doozies ever. ...

Dec 28, 20205 hr 24 min

FREE PATREON FLASHBACK: ECW on TNN Part 1

This month, given the season and the fact that we’re about to complete the six-part ECW on TNN series on our Patreon page, we’ve decided to gift everyone the first episode in the series, posted for Patrons back in July. This one covers everything up through the week before the show premiered, also documenting the genesis of ECW’s video game deal with Acclaim, which was reportedly more intertwined with the TNN deal than you may realize. It’s one of the best shows we’ve ever done, both in general ...

Dec 23, 20204 hr 9 min

Ep. #281: December 16-22, 2001 with Alan Counihan

Kris & Bix are joined by Alan Counihan (@Alan4L) to discuss the week that was December 16-22, 2001. We talk about the plans for the upcoming WWF brand split and how it was definitely needed at this time, as well as the Hardys & Lita being taken off TV, negotiations with Rey Misterio Jr., and Steve Austin chasing Booker T around a church on Raw. We also talk about the Tokyo Sports Awards in Japan and the extremely political nature of them, as well as Dave Meltzer experiencing T2P for the ...

Dec 21, 20206 hr 11 min

Ep. #280: December 8-15, 1992

Kris & David are guestless this week as we discuss the week-plus that was December 8th-December 15th, 1992. We talk about the end of Nailz in the WWF after he attacked Vince McMahon backstage at a TV taping and everything surrounding that, the name of the new WWF show on Monday nights, “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan possibly leaving the WWF, New Japan vs. WAR heating up, AAA leaving CMLL & UWA in the dust in Mexico, Kevin Sullivan terrorizing SMW, a crazy, angle-filled episode of USWA TV, Cecil Fi...

Dec 14, 20205 hr 11 min

Cover 2 Cover Ep. #19: Sumo Sadism

Kris Zellner & Rob Naylor are back for another episode of Cover 2 Cover, this time discussing the May 1993 issue of The Wrestler. We go over all of the great letters to the editor, What's Happening with Bill Apter covering the death of Andre the Giant, thoughts on Jim Cornette working with WCW, Bob Smith and his interesting opinions on Yokozuna, Correspondents’ Reports that end up with talk about New Japan guys working the WCW Christmas tour, questions about the WWF adding more titles and 2 ...

Dec 12, 20201 hr 28 min

Ep. #279: December 2-7, 1988 with Beau James & Robert O'Connor

Kris & David bring you a special edition of Between The Sheets this week, as we have both Beau James (@kingofkingsport) & Robert O'Connor (@ghostofquinones) joining us to discuss the (almost) week that was December 2-7, 1988. We start off with the new Universal Wrestling Corporation, a.k.a. WCW, talking about the major changes going on in the company from the top of the food chain all the way down to the wrestlers, including the hiring of Jim Herd, Dusty Rhodes losing his head booker job...

Dec 07, 20206 hr 54 min

Ep. #278: November 25-December 1, 2007 with Lenny Leonard

Kris & David are joined by Lenny Leonard (@WWNLennyLeonard) to discuss the week that was November 25-December 1, 2007, a Patreon pick. Lenny is here specifically for an extended Ring of Honor section, which is one of the best we've ever done. We talk about the "Man Up" pay-per-view event that premiered during our week (it was taped in September) in detail, as well as the full lay of the land for the promotion at that time. We go down the matches and talk about the big angles and happenings f...

Nov 30, 20206 hr 9 min

Ep. #277: November 18-23, 1994 with Dave Prazak & BigTrosMan (Part 2)

Kris & David are joined by Dave Prazak (@DavePrazak) as we discuss All Japan Women’s Big Egg Wrestling Universe super show as part of this week's Between the Sheets. This deserved its own section because of how long the card was, as well as how important a show it was. Dave is one of the most qualified people to do this segment justice and he killed it here, as we went match by match going over all the big happenings on the show, including Akira Hokuto's "retirement” after winning the V-Top ...

Nov 23, 20202 hr 31 min

Ep. #277: November 18-23, 1994 with Dave Prazak & BigTrosMan (Part 1)

Kris & David are not only joined by Dave Prazak (@DavePrazak), also the Patron that requested the show, Big Tros Man (@BigTrosMan) as we discuss the week that was November 18-23, 1994. We talk about Ricky Steamboat getting fired from WCW and his subsequent retirement, the anger from the younger WCW guys over Hulk Hogan's guys getting pushed, a live and “interactive” episode of WCW Main Event at Center Stage, and much more. We then go to Japan where Dave Meltzer attended a big AAA vs. New Jap...

Nov 23, 20205 hr 5 min

Ep. #276: November 17-23, 1996 with Dominic Garrini

Kris & David are joined by Dominic Garrini (@dgarrinibc) to discuss the week that was November 17th-23rd, 1996, a requested from Brian Blake. We start off with the WWF and their big Survivor Series pay-per-view at Madison Square Garden and what a hoot this was. We talk about Jose Lothario's heart attack angle, Bret Hart vs. Steve Austin, the debut of Rocky Maivia, and tons more from this show, not to mention all of the events after the fact, featuring a major press conference with the WWF &a...

Nov 16, 20206 hr 44 min

Cover 2 Cover Ep. #18: The Most Awesome Human Machine of Destruction on God's Green Earth

Kris Zellner & Rob Naylor are back for yet another episode of Cover 2 Cover, where on this episode, we go back to the 1980's and pore over the January 1987 issue of Wrestling Power magazine…which was edited by 21-year-old Paul Heyman. We talk about all the news in the wrestling world during July 1986— which was when that issue was written—including Dusty Rhodes winning the NWA Title, the Midnight Rockers vs. Buddy Rose & Doug Somers feud, and so much more. We also have Paul Heyman writin...

Nov 12, 20201 hr 49 min

Ep. #275: November 6, 1999

Kris & David are guestless this week was we discuss the DAY that was November 6, 1999. Yes, one day....you will understand why when you listen to the show. This was a Patreon-requested show that Pete Fusco put on the board, so if you want to be a Patron and have a chance to pick a week yourself, then visit Patreon.com/BetweenTheSheets to find out how you can do that. We talk about the infamous Doug Gilbert shoot promo on Memphis Power Pro Wrestling, going over the full month of buildup to th...

Nov 09, 20203 hr 18 min

FREE PATREON FLASHBACK: The Rise and Fall of Sid Justice

With next week's regular Between The Sheets being lighter than usual (albeit long by normal human podcast standards) and it being about six months months since we last did this, we decided that now is a great time to give everyone another peek at the kind of shows we do on Patreon! This time out, thanks in part to the suggestion of Joe Sposto, we flash back to the show we did looking at Sid Eudy's transformation from Sid Vicious to Sid Justice in 1991-1992, going from his very unconventional WCW...

Nov 05, 20203 hr 40 min

Ep. #274: October 24-30, 1995 with Joe Sposto

Kris & David are joined by Joe Sposto (@JoeSposto) to discuss the week that was October 24-30, 1995. We talk about a wild night in the ECW Arena, which Joe was in attendance for, featuring fire, crucifixions, and even a match full of racist chants from the Philadelphia faithful. We have the aftermath of the fire incident featuring Terry Funk & Cactus Jack including who actually set the chair on fire, and so much more. We also talk about the Halloween episode of Monday Night Raw featuring...

Nov 02, 20206 hr 46 min

Ep. #273: October 20-27, 1986 with Mike Sempervive

Kris & David are joined by Mike Sempervive (@Sempervive) to discuss the week-plus that was October 20-27, 1986. We talk about Dusty Rhodes and Nikita Koloff’s formation of the Super Powers after Magnum T.A.'s tragic car wreck, including the awesome clips from the card where Nikita turns, plus Dusty being jumped by the Horsemen in the parking lot of the JCP offices, as well as the Super Powers’ first promo on TBS. We also talk about the Road Warriors revealing the scaffold match for Starrcade...

Oct 26, 20206 hr 6 min

Ep. #272: October 9-20, 1987

Kris & David are joined by Al Getz (@AlGetzWrestling) to discuss the week-plus that was October 9-20, 1987. We start with the ongoing drama in Jim Crockett Promotions regarding Starrcade coming up, how they are handling booking house shows, and the bitter banter between the UWF guys and the Horsemen on WTBS. We also talk about the debut of Mighty Wilbur, Takeshi Kitano wanting to start his own promotion in Japan, Stampede heating up, the Midnight Rockers leaving Continental, Jerry Lawler &am...

Oct 19, 20206 hr 31 min

Ep. #271: October 5-12, 1985

Kris & David are guestless this week as we discuss the week-plus that was October 5-12, 1985. We talk about the big Cotton Bowl show for World Class featuring The Dynamic Duo losing their hair in an epic angle and what *should* have been done after the match…but wasn't. We also talk about the controversial return of Mike Von Erich and the debut of Lance Von Erich on that same show, and how that would affect World Class in the future. We then have Dave Meltzer’s thoughts on Dusty Rhodes facin...

Oct 12, 20205 hr 7 min

Cover 2 Cover Ep. #17: The 1991 PWI 500 Part 6 (#50-#1 & Revisions)

Kris Zellner & Rob Naylor are back with the latest episode of Cover 2 Cover, where we finally finish our miniseries on the 1991 PWI 500; specifically by going over the the top 50 and the list of wrestlers who were mistakenly overlooked from the next issue. We spend a lot of time on these names and we had a helluva blast doing the show. You will definitely be interested in our thoughts on these placements and shocked by some of them, I think. Fantastic show that just can't be missed!!! To sup...

Oct 11, 20203 hr 14 min

Ep. #270: September 30-October 6, 2002

Kris & Bix are guestless as we discuss the week that was September 30-October 6, 2002. We talk about Keiji Mutoh officially taking over All Japan Pro Wrestling and all the major changes that would soon be coming to the promotion. We also talk about the rise of Bob Sapp in K-1 as he gets his first big win over Ernesto Hoost and becomes a major mainstream superstar overnight. We then go to New Japan where we talk about Kensuke Sasaki quitting the promotion to go on his own and how it would aff...

Oct 05, 20205 hr 43 min

Ep. #269: September 22-29, 1993 with Robert O'Connor

Kris & David are joined by Robert O’Connor (@ghostofquinones) to discuss the week-plus that was September 22-29, 1993. We talk about the WWF stripping Shawn Michaels of the Intercontinental Championship and quickly filling the vacancy with Razor Ramon. We also talk about the start of the Ludvig Borga super-push and Undertaker-Yokozuna feud, the rise of Radio WWF, and Titan Sports’ legal team going after bootleggers, which eventually resulted in a lawsuit against RF Video and L&S Comix. W...

Sep 28, 20205 hr 46 min

Ep. #268: September 15-22, 1994 with Roy Lucier

Kris & David are joined by Roy Lucier (@RoyLucier) to discuss the week-plus that was September 15-22, 1994. We talk about Jesse Ventura being dropped by WCW, ending his tenure there, and we then talk about the Fall Brawl PPV, featuring the last really good War Games. We also talk about the Halloween Havoc press conference in Detroit, Masahiro Chono's first time wearing black as a heel in New Japan, the birth of Kaientai in Michinoku Pro, Felino exposing the business in a magazine in Mexico, ...

Sep 21, 20206 hr 35 min

Ep. #267: September 9-15, 2004 with Devon Hales [Part 2]

Kris & David are joined by Devon Hales (@kingmotivatorh) to finish discussing the week that was September 9-15, 2004. We talk about all of the major happenings in Japan including a big NOAH show at the Budokan featuring the debut of SUWA and everything happening in Mexico & Puerto Rico, plus Mick Foley's debut in ROH, CZW doing a double shot in Philly the same day, IWA Mid-South running a stacked show in Evansville in a promotional war, and lots more on the indie scene. Then of course we...

Sep 14, 20203 hr 57 min

Ep. #267: September 9-15, 2004 with Devon Hales [Part 1]

Kris & David are joined by Devon Hales (@kingmotivatorh) to discuss the week that was September 9-15, 2004. We talk about a LONG week in the WWE featuring many issues on SmackDown including Kurt Angle & Eddie Guerrero fighting each other backstage in a shoot as well as Unforgiven featuring Triple H taking the World Title off of Randy Orton after a month long reign, not to mention the infamous Tyson Tomko-Steven Richards match. And let's not forget Monday Night Raw featuring the debuts of...

Sep 14, 20203 hr 56 min

The Pay Windah #2: The Family Unit [Audio issues FIXED]

Kris Zellner & Dylan Hales welcome you to the second episode of our new podcast series, The Pay Windah, in which we go over the history of World Championship Wrestling. This time out, we go over the month of February 1989, where George Scott has fully taken over the promotion. Everything is being molded in his vision, but that is a major problem. We talk about the mistakes he made in signing talent, the total lack of build for the Clash of the Champions in Cleveland, the booking and layout o...

Sep 12, 20204 hr 40 min
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