Scott Bowden welcomes guest Kevin Lawler back to the KFR fryer to talk over their humble beginnings as they learned the ring ropes in living rooms, backyard rings and outlaw shows throughout Memphis before eventually graduating to the big stage as part of the USWA promotion owned by his father, Jerry Lawler, and Jerry Jarrett. The two longtime friends reminisce about their stints as USWA referees as well as Kevin's run under a hood as TV enhancement talent The Yellowjacket during the period Bowd...
Feb 21, 2020•1 hr 35 min
Kris Zellner & Rob Naylor are back again with yet another episode of Cover 2 Cover, this time covering the September 1983 issue of The Wrestler. Our main stories include whether or not Nick Bockwinkel forced Hulk Hogan into exile from the AWA, the saga of the Missouri Heavyweight Title at the time, Stu Saks having a steak dinner with “Precious” Paul Ellering, Blackjack Mulligan & Barry Windham's reunion in Florida, determining the real "Super Bowl of Wrestling", Jos LeDuc as a babyface i...
Feb 20, 2020•2 hr 1 min
Kris & David are joined by Robert O'Connor (@ghostofquinones) to discuss the week that was January 29-February 4, 1989. We talk about the upcoming Super Sunday battle between the NWA & WWF on April 2nd, including how the NWA’s scheduled Wrestle War: The Ultimate Gamble PPV that day was being replaced by a Clash of the Champions special on TBS. We also talk about the comings and goings in the promotion featuring Hiro Matsuda as J.J. Dillon's replacement managing Ric Flair & Barry Wind...
Feb 17, 2020•5 hr 32 min
Kris & David are joined by Dominic Garrini (@dgarrinibc) to discuss the *rest* of the week that was January 30-February 5, 2000, as we did the WCW, WWF, & ECW sections of that week last year. (So this show takes care of that outstanding Patreon request.) We talk about the first round of the PRIDE Grand Prix tournament at the Tokyo Dome and all the major news from that show, which was the catalyst for a new beginning for the world of MMA. On that tip, we talk about Kazushi Sakuraba's star...
Feb 10, 2020•3 hr 42 min
If you downloaded the original version of this episode that went up late Sunday night/early Monday morning, that version had audio sync issues in the WCW section, The version you're looking at right now fixes those and should be considered the "proper" release of this episode. Kris & David are joined by Joe Gagne (@joegagne) to discuss the week that was January 22-28, 1994. We were originally going to discuss 1998, but…well…you have to listen to the show to hear why we had to make the change...
Jan 27, 2020•5 hr 17 min
Yello' again, everybody! At LAST—Scott Bowden is back and ready to go, right along ringside with a Memphis wrestling perspective that is somehow both original and extra crispier than ever. First up in the KFR fryer at relaunch is not only the former 1st Lieutenant of Jimmy Hart's First Family in the Gang Wars of Summer of '81 but he's also technically an AWA Southern titleholder—for one golden moment. Look...up the in sky! It's a bird! It's a chick! It's...SUPER CHICK! Yes, KFR cult favorite Chi...
Jan 25, 2020•1 hr 32 min
Kris & David are back with a special show this week, as we cover the REST of the week that was January 16-22, 2000. Last year, on episode #183, we were only able to do WCW, so now it’s time for us to cover everything else. We talk about Ken Shamrock signing with Dream Stage Entertainment and the ramifications that would have on the wrestling & MMA worlds. We also talk about ECW getting a financial boost from Acclaim, Toshiaki Kawada returning to AJPW after a long absence from breaking hi...
Jan 24, 2020•3 hr 33 min
Kris & David are joined by one of our Patrons, Tyler Gignac, who put down the $100 to sit in with us and discuss the week that was January 15-22, 1992. We talk about WCW Clash of the Champions XVIII in Topeka—the first big event under the Kip Frey regime—and all of the big happenings that night like Jesse Ventura’s debut, as well as how everyone seems happier in WCW since Jim Herd left. We also talk about New Japan planning the NWA Title tournament, the WWF getting TV in Japan, lots of futur...
Jan 20, 2020•5 hr 15 min
Kris Zellner & Rob Naylor are back with the latest episode of Cover 2 Cover, in which we talk about the October 1988 issue of Pro Wrestling Illustrated. We talk about the big "Great American Contest" that PWI was running at the time where the winner got a phone call from Sting and how that could've gone, Paula Lawler "talking" about how winning the AWA Title made her husband Jerry a monster, Dr. Death's prescription for Mike Rotunda, and so much more. Rob said that this was his favorite epis...
Jan 17, 2020•1 hr 30 min
Kris & David are guestless this week as we discuss the week that was January 8-14, 1988. We talk about The Main Event prime time Friday night special being made official for NBC on February 5th, including how huge that was for the wrestling business. We also talk about the alternate universe of Ted DiBiase as WWF Champion, Big Bubba Rogers seemingly signing with WWF and how pissed Dusty Rhodes was about that, Jack Tunney suspending The Islanders for kidnapping Matilda, Jerry Blackwell's Sout...
Jan 13, 2020•4 hr 11 min
Kris & David are guestless this week as we discuss the week that was January 1-7, 1997. We talk about the Scott Hall-Jerry Sags "shoot" situation at a house show that pretty much ended Sags' career, as well as the Jeff Jarrett/Four Horsemen drama on Nitro at t and how all that was playing out, We also talk about Atsushi Onita trying to get a relationship with All Japan, New Japan's Wrestling World ’97 at the Tokyo Dome, which was a massive success even with a bizarre New Japan/Big Japan inte...
Jan 06, 2020•3 hr 21 min
Kris & David are guestless as we discuss the week that was December 25-31, 2000. We talk about the impending death of ECW as everything is stacking up against Paul Heyman, including the broadcast of the final episode of Hardcore TV, which features a surprise appearance from Taz. We then go to the WWF where we talk about the New York Daily News previewing the upcoming and incredibly revealing Vince McMahon interview in Playboy, Kurt Angle and his family singing Winter Wonderland, Dave Meltzer...
Dec 30, 2019•4 hr 28 min
Kris Zellner is rejoined by John McAdam (Stick to Wrestling) as we resume our series on John's "Wrestling from the 80's" collection with Volumes 11 & 12. We talk about the infamous WFIA Tag Team of the Year angle with Eddie Gilbert & Tommy Rich in Memphis, lots of Tiger Mask & Dynamite Kid in New Japan, Kerry Von Erich as one of Ric Flair's greatest opponents, Jim Cornette's green jacket angle in World Class, the Midnight Express’s feuds in Mid-South, Bill Watts ripping the WWF on TV...
Dec 28, 2019•1 hr 7 min
Kris & David are joined by Al Getz (@AlGetzWrestling) & Beau James (@kingofkingsport) to discuss the week that was December 18-24, 1993. We talk about Jim Cornette's long letter to the Torch about Wade Keller’s coverage of the “race riot” at an SMW show in Wise, Virginia, but we also play some great clips from SMW, especially a Dick Murdoch promo that you can't miss. We also discuss Bobby Heenan coming to WCW, Jesse Ventura staying in WCW, and Davey Boy Smith leaving WCW, including how h...
Dec 23, 2019•6 hr 33 min
Kris & David are joined by Scott Bowden (Kentucky Fried Rasslin) to not only discuss the week-plus that was December 8-17, 1985, but ALSO make a can’t-mis MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT at the end of the show regarding the future of the KFR Podcast. We talk about Bruiser Brody & Jimmy Snuka being "fired" from New Japan and all of the drama that went on regarding that situation, as well as the end of the Real World Tag League in All Japan. We also talk about the future of PPV for the WWF after the Wr...
Dec 16, 2019•5 hr 39 min
Kris Zellner & Rob Naylor are back with yet another episode of Cover 2 Cover, where this time we discuss the June 1984 issue of Pro Wrestling Illustrated. We talk about Ted DiBiase and his stranglehold on the NWA, with quotes from a supposed press conference that got extremely feisty. We also talk about Angelo Mosca Jr. being pushed pretty hard in this magazine just like he was in JCP. Also: An interview with Bruno Sammartino as he works out in his home gym, Tommy Rogers doing aerobics with ...
Dec 15, 2019•1 hr 36 min
Kris & David are guestless this week as we discuss the week that was December 4-10, 1989. We talk about Dave Meltzer’s thoughts on the status of the NWA going into 1990 and the build towards a weird Starrcade show. Meanwhile, we also look at how Shane Douglas made enemies out of Jim Cornette and Ric Flair by protesting how he was booked against Cornette at a TV taping in Greensboro. Then we play clips of Arn Anderson's return to the NWA and Tommy Young's career ending injury at Center Stage ...
Dec 09, 2019•3 hr 37 min
Kris & David are joined by Ring of Honor's Ian Riccaboni (@IanRiccaboni) to discuss the week that was November 24-December 3, 1991, and yes we explain why this covers more than 7 days. We lead off with an insane WWF section featuring both Survivor Series & This Tuesday in Texas, plus all the TV surrounding those shows in what was probably the longest section in the history of the show. We talk about the Randy Savage/Jake Roberts feud, including the snake bite angle, The Undertaker's brie...
Dec 02, 2019•6 hr 31 min
Kris & David are joined by Robert O'Connor (@ghostofquinones) to discuss the week that was November 20-26, 1986. We talk about John Tatum's tragic car accident that changed his life and career, including how it was covered at the time. We also talk about UWF hooking up with Pro Wrestling Illustrated, the buildup to Starrcade ’86, the uncertainty of Riki Choshu's status in All Japan, the end of Bruiser Brody in New Japan, the state of Stampede Wrestling, everyone leaving Championship Wrestlin...
Nov 25, 2019•5 hr 27 min
Kris & David are joined by Beau James (@kingofkingsport) to discuss the week that was November 13-19, 1988. We talk about possibly the wildest story we've ever covered on the show, regarding federal extortion charges being brought in Hawaii against Lia Maivia and Lars Anderson, as well as how it all ended up at trial a year later, which is crazy in it's own right. We also talk about Dave Meltzer going on the road with the WWF for a couple of highly draining TV tapings in northern California,...
Nov 18, 2019•6 hr 55 min
Rob Naylor & Kris Zellner are back with another episode of Cover 2 Cover, with Rob picking out the December 1993 issue of Wrestling's Main Event to discuss this time out. We talk about Lex Luger loving himself, Brian Lee selling out, Shawn Michaels always needing help, Men on a Mission and their RAPPIN’, the greatness of the Steiner Brothers, the evolution of Diamond Dallas Page, and tons more. Always an entertaining show, so listen now!!! To support the show and get access to exclusive rewa...
Nov 17, 2019•1 hr 41 min
Kris & David are joined by Bruce Mitchell (Pro Wrestling Torch) as we discuss the week that was November 6-12, 1990. Bruce is only with us for the NWA/WCW section, but oh what a section it is, as we talk about the NWA -> WCW name change, Ric Flair at the Georgia/Florida game, and Starrcade ’90 taking shape among other things, but most importantly the dilemma of Art Barr signing just weeks after he copped a plea for sexual abuse in Oregon. Besides WCW, we talk about Dave Meltzer's road tri...
Nov 11, 2019•4 hr 52 min
Kris & David are joined by Michael Blanton (@BLPMikey) to discuss the week that was October 30-November 5, 1999. We talk about rumors of Randy Savage returning to the WWF which were unfounded for sure, unlike Stephanie McMahon's love for Test, which she exclaims loudly and proudly on Monday Night Raw. We also talk about Vince McMahon meeting with Dream Stage Entertainment, Big Van Vader regaining the Triple Crown in All Japan, Hijo del Santo being shown without his mask in a magazine in Mexi...
Nov 04, 2019•6 hr 28 min
Kris & David are guestless this time out as we discuss the week that was October 23-29, 2003. We talk about TNA and their issues with the booking of their promotion with various people involved, such as Dutch Mantell, Scott D'Amore, Vince Russo, and others. We also talk about their weekly PPV, featuring Jimmy Hart and his MYSTERY MAN among other TNA issues. We also go over Toshiaki Kawada battling Don Frye for the AJPW Triple Crown Title at the Budokan, World Japan drama with wrestlers not b...
Oct 28, 2019•5 hr 38 min
Kris Zellner & Rob Naylor are back with the latest episode of Cover 2 Cover, where discuss the December 1989 issue of Pro Wrestling Illustrated. We talk about the memorable "The Young & The Restless" cover story featuring Lex Luger, Sid Vicious, The Great Muta, & Sting, as the NWA's future, and how the NWA screwed that up. We also talk about whether or not Brutus Beefcake will turn on Hulk Hogan, Dynamite Kid & Johnny Smith forming The British Bruisers, whether or not Arn Anderso...
Oct 24, 2019•1 hr 57 min
Kris & David are guestless this week as we discuss the week that was October 16-22, 2009, a Patreon-requested week. We talk about the big news that shocked the wrestling world, as Shane McMahon announced his resignation from World Wrestling Entertainment, as well as the aftershocks from that. We also talk about Kofi Kingston losing his Jamaican accent on Raw, Vince McMahon trying to make Team SmackDown stronger for Bragging Rights, AAA furthering the Dorian Roldan kidnapping angle, CMLL tryi...
Oct 21, 2019•4 hr 7 min
Kris Zellner & Rob Naylor are back for the latest episode of Cover 2 Cover, where we discuss all of the major contents of the February 1987 issue of Pro Wrestling Illustrated. First, we look at the legendary cover, featuring the UWF wrestlers struggling over the PWI Trophy at stake in an upcoming tournament. We also talk about Hulk Hogan & Paul Orndorff in wrestling's hottest feud, "Magnum" Scott Hall, Rick Rude in the NWA, the Memphis tag team scene in 1986, two sides of Jimmy Valiant, ...
Oct 18, 2019•1 hr 54 min
Kris & David are joined by Matt Griffin (@MattTheMouth) to discuss the week that was October 9-15, 1995. We talk about Big Van Vader being fired by WCW while injured, Nitro in Chicago featuring a legendary Hulk Hogan promo and Ric Flair/Arn Anderson in a steel cage, New Japan and the UWFi go to war in the Tokyo Dome where Riki Choshu wields his power, AAA having some big issues in the war with PROMLL, Steve Austin & Cactus Jack cutting killer promos on ECW TV, Bob Armstrong attacking Ran...
Oct 14, 2019•6 hr 23 min
Kris & David are joined by Beau James (@KingofKingsport) to discuss the week that was October 2-8, 1987. We talk about Saturday Night's Main Event in the WWF featuring the formation of the Mega Powers, the first ever Royal Rumble in St. Louis, Bruiser Brody returning to All Japan as Giant Baba fell out with Jim Crockett, Antonio Inoki & Masa Saito going to war on Ganryujima Island, the Evansville locker room brawl with Randy Hales getting busted open, JCP taping dumping the “magazine” fo...
Oct 07, 2019•6 hr 44 min
Kris & David are joined by Dave Prazak (@DavePrazak) to discuss the week that was September 25-October 1, 1992. In WCW, we talk about the impending creative changes possibly coming to the company as well as the new contracts that Bill Watts is handing out to the talent. We also have audio from Bill Watts explaining the change to the top rope rule, Tony Schiavone kissing Bruno Sammartino's ass, and a wild week in the history of the Steiner Brothers. We also talk about WAR invading New Japan o...
Sep 30, 2019•5 hr 55 min
