It's time for another episode of Center Stage Chronicles as Kris Zellner is back with Rob Naylor and Our Good Buddy Charles to discuss the month of September 1990 in the world of the National Wrestling Alliance and in pop culture in general. Topics of discussion include: The weird saga of Barry Windham in late 1990. The debuts of the New York and Chicago-centric versions of NWA Pro Wrestling. The Black Scorpion's domination of all of the TV shows. RUNNING THE GAUNTLET beginning on the TBS shows....
Oct 01, 2025•3 hr 25 min
Kris and David are back as we discuss the week that was September 22-28, 1996. Topics of discussion include: WWF In Your House: Mind Games goes down in Philadelphia, headlined by the legendary Shawn Michaels title defense vs. Mankind, plus the first ECW "invasion" of the WWF with Paul Heyman, Tommy Dreamer, AND The Sandman causing some trouble during the PPV opener. Monday Night Raw the next night in Hershey featuring Jim Ross's infamous "shoot promo” where "Razor Ramon returned" and Taz making ...
Sep 29, 2025•4 hr 57 min
Kris and David are back to discuss the week that was September 14-20, 1988. Topics of discussion include: A very thorough look at the day-to-day dealings between Jim Crockett Promotions and Turner Broadcasting regarding the sale of JCP and the possible acquisition of World Class as well. An episode of World Championship Wrestling that never aired in real time because of the Atlanta Braves, but finally surfaced years later on WWE Network. The aftermath of Arn Anderson and Tully Blanchard's depart...
Sep 22, 2025•3 hr 53 min
Kris and David are back this week as we discuss the week that was September 11-17, 2000. Topics of discussion include: “Stone Cold” Steve Austin and Debra Marshall get married in Las Vegas. Eddie Guerrero invades the Playboy Mansion. Stephanie McMahon bumping like crazy on Raw. Tazz "quits" the WWF in a weird angle. AJPW and NJPW kicking their interpromotional feud up another level as Toshiaki Kawada shows up at a NJPW show. Nicole Bass getting arrested for biting a cop. ECW canceling some house...
Sep 15, 2025•6 hr 18 min
Kris and David are back as we discuss the week that was August 31-September 6, 1993. Topics of discussion include: The 1993 NWA Convention, featuring Dennis Coraluzzo wanting dates on the champion, Tod Gordon/ECW and Jim Cornette/SMW applying for membership, and forcing WCW's hand to remove the NWA name from the titles on their television shows. Sid Vicious walks out on WCW over steroid testing…and then comes right back without having to take a test. The newsletter panic over Dustin Rhodes possi...
Sep 08, 2025•4 hr 25 min
Kris and David are joined by Scott Passner as we discuss the week that was August 23-29, 1992, a week that Scott requested with a $50 pledge on our Patreon page so he could join us for the WWF section. Topics of discussion include: SummerSlam ’92 and the build to the Randy Savage vs. Ultimate Warrior match, which was pretty nonsensical until Pat Patterson returned, seemingly salvaging it in the process. WBF BodyStars getting cancelled, signaling the end of the WBF. The last show that Dave Meltze...
Sep 01, 2025•6 hr 22 min
Center Stage Chronicle is back as Kris Zellner is joined by Rob Naylor and Our Good Buddy Charles to discuss the month of August 1990 in the National Wrestling Alliance and pop culture in general. Topics of discussion include: The status of guaranteed contracts possibly coming to an end in the NWA. THE PEARL, The New Fantastics, Hector Guerrero, Ivan Koloff, Terry Taylor, and many others make debuts/returns as this month has all kinds of names making appearances. Sting having two different conve...
Aug 28, 2025•2 hr 46 min
Kris and David are joined by Phil Schneider ( @philaschneider ) to discuss the week that was August 20-26, 1984. Topics of discussion include: The evolving nature of Jim Crockett Promotions with Dusty Rhodes fully installed as the new booker. Ole Anderson's Championship Wrestling from Georgia trying to find its footing as it starts taping TV at Techwood. Dory Funk Jr. switching places with Dusty, taking over the book in Florida at the peak of Kevin Sullivan's schtick, including Blackjack Mulliga...
Aug 25, 2025•5 hr 42 min
Kris and David are back to discuss the (almost-)week that was August 14-19, 1997. Topics of discussion include: Hardcore Heaven '97, ECW's 2nd ever PPV.....and boy, what a disaster this show was in so many ways. We go over all the details on and off camera including all of the "big surprises" on the show. WCW's volatile title situation as they are changing left and right. Sting making J.J. Dillon look like a fool yet again on Nitro. CMLL Japan not having a strong start. The tragic death of Plum ...
Aug 18, 2025•5 hr 39 min
We took a week off from the main show, and you know what that means: We’re keeping you busy with some older Between the Sheets Patreon content that we’ve now made available for free. This time, we decided to assemble the entire “FUCK SABU!” trilogy (originally Patreon episodes #43-#45), covering Sabu’s wild 1995, into one file for everyone to check out as a taste of what our Patreon-only deep dives are like. This is a great example, too, as we notice some very interesting things that the newslet...
Aug 11, 2025•7 hr 24 min
Kris and David are back this week to discuss the week that was July 30-August 5, 2006. Topics of discussion include: WWE bringing back Jeff Hardy and the message that sent at the time about their stance on drug issues among top talent. Raw featuring the wacky "Orton Knows Best" skit with Larry Sweeney, Mick Foley talking about Christy Canyon, and more craziness. ECW on Syfy at the Hammerstein Ballroom, featuring CM Punk's TV debut and Batista vs. Big Show being booed out of the building, resulti...
Aug 04, 2025•5 hr 28 min
Kris and David are back to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Between the Sheets, and there’s no better way to do that than to look back at the week July 23-29, 2015, the week where we recorded and released our first episode. (Note: Other than the Halftime segment, this episode was recorded before Hulk Hogan passed away.) Topics of discussion include: WWE firing Hulk Hogan after the contents of his racist rant contained in one of the sex tapes featuring him with Bubba the Love Sponge's wife were ...
Jul 28, 2025•6 hr 33 min
This month on Center Stage Chronicles, Kris Zellner is joined by Rob Naylor and Our Good Buddy Charles to discuss the month that was July 1990 in not only the National Wrestling Alliance but also pop culture. Topics of discussion include: 2 Live Crew releasing “Banned in the U.S.A.” to piss off their critics even more. “Blossom” debuting on NBC, “Dream On” debuting on HBO, and “Northern Exposure” debuting on CBS. The Great American Bash in Baltimore, featuring Sting finally winning the NWA World...
Jul 23, 2025•2 hr 55 min
Kris and David are back as we discuss the week that was July 16-22, 1998. Topics of discussion include: Steve “Dr. Death” Williams vs. Quebecer Pierre and Scorpio vs. 8-Ball in Brawl for All. Mrs. Yamaguchi-san getting saved by Val Venis. Triple H compelling a "fan" to flash her breasts on Raw, causing Jerry Lawler to lose his mind…at a time when “puppies” was not yet in his vocabulary. Akira Maeda's final match against a fellow Japanese wrestler in RINGS. Vampiro quitting CMLL, claiming Dr. Wag...
Jul 21, 2025•5 hr 36 min
Kris and David are guestless this week as we discuss the week that was July 9-15, 2010. Topics of discussion include: TNA trying to bring in Paul Heyman, which fizzles out because they wouldn't meet his demands. They continue with their planned ECW invasion angle anyway, though… A full rundown TNA's Victory Road PPV and the Impact which followed, which had all sorts of Vince Russo insanity. Dixie Carter meeting with the wrestlers, which was always a hoot. NOAH doing poorly in Tokyo as their popu...
Jul 14, 2025•5 hr 41 min
Kris and David are joined by Beau James ( @kingofkingsport ) to discuss the week that was July 1-10, 1992. Topics of discussion include: Bob Backlund returning to the WWF after 8 years in exile. A fake Sensational Sherri working WWF house shows?!? The WWF cutting back on U.S. house shows. A protest at a WWF house show in Poughkeepsie regarding Titangate. Barry Horowitz's controversial entrance music in All Japan. Hulk Hogan possibly signing with New Japan. Rey Misterio Jr. making his AAA debut a...
Jul 07, 2025•6 hr 12 min
Kris Zellner is joined by Rob Naylor and Our Good Buddy Charles to discuss the month that was June 1990 in the National Wrestling Alliance and in Pop Culture. Topics of discussion include: Ric Flair's battles with The Junkyard Dog. A wild night in Columbia, South Carolina for Jim Cornette. Cactus Jack Manson quits the NWA. A full rundown of Clash of the Champions XI: COASTAL CRUSH. Sid Vicious plays some softball. Thunderbolt Patterson and Mr. Wrestling II making their short lived returns. Ric F...
Jul 01, 2025•3 hr 10 min
Kris and David are joined by Al Getz ( @algetz.bsky.social ) to discuss the week that was June 25-July 1, 1985. Topics of discussion include: The syndicated TV ratings among various wrestling promotions, with Mid-South reigning supreme…sort of. JCP running their first show in Los Angeles, which bombs hard. David Crockett returning to TV after being attacked by Nikita Koloff. Dusty Rhodes being Whiskey Bent and Hell-bound. Jim Cornette and The Midnight Express making their JCP/WTBS debut. Antonio...
Jun 30, 2025•5 hr 32 min
Kris and David are guestless as we talk about the week that was June 18-24, 2002. Topics of discussion include: Vince Russo getting rehired by WWE for a few days and why this marriage dissolved as quickly as it did. King of the Ring featuring Brock Lesnar being crowned and Hulk Hogan doing a rare clean submission job for Kurt Angle. Vince McMahon breaks out RUTHLESS AGGRESSION for the first time on Raw and a new canonical WWE “era” is born. Chris Jericho loses his shit at the readers of PWTorch....
Jun 23, 2025•6 hr 50 min
Kris and David are guestless as we discuss the week that was June 11-17, 1999. Topics of discussion include: Rena Mero showing up in the front row of a crazy episode of WCW Monday Nitro days after filing her lawsuit against the WWF. Jerry McDevitt was pissed, of course, while Eric Bischoff was in his damn bag on commentary. The horrible Great American Bash PPV featuring the return of Sid Vicious to WCW, plus Nitro and one of the most lame duck episodes of Thunder in history. A wild story involvi...
Jun 16, 2025•6 hr 25 min
Kris and David are joined by Robert O'Connor ( @ghostofquinones ) to discuss the week that was June 5-11, 1986. Topics of discussion include: Superstar Billy Graham's imminent return to the WWF. Andre the Giant possibly booking himself out to independent promotions. Jack Tunney firing Maple Leaf Wrestling ring announcer Norm Kimber. The Road Warriors taking over in All Japan. NJPW’s TV situation being up in the air. The Angel of Death and Miss Honey fluster Ed Whalen in Stampede. The Shock Troop...
Jun 09, 2025•6 hr 35 min
Kris and David are guestless as we discuss the week that was May 28-June 3, 2006. Topics of discussion include: Terry Taylor being named the Director of Talent Relations in TNA and how the Torch was all over that news in an absolute shocker. TNA Knockouts being featured in the magazine "Sole Collector.”. NJPW holding Masahito Kakihara’s retirement show. Cibernetico undergoing knee surgery, which kills a major angle for TripleMania. Rey Bucanero turning tecnico in CMLL. Davey Richards making his ...
Jun 02, 2025•5 hr 28 min
Kris and David are guestless as we discuss the week that was May 22-28, 1996. Topics of discussion include: Scott Hall making his shocking WCW debut on the first-ever 2 hour episode of Monday Nitro in Macon, Georgia, and how the wrestling world was changed forever. The original plans for "Team WWF" against "Team WCW" and how Hulk Hogan was originally going to be involved. The Road Warriors quitting WCW because of how much Scott Hall and Kevin Nash were being paid. Brian Pillman playing everyone ...
May 26, 2025•5 hr 26 min
Kris Zellner is joined by Rob Naylor and Our Good Buddy Charles to discuss the month that was May 1990 in the National Wrestling Alliance and pop culture. We talk about Paul E. Dangerously making his return to TV managing Mean Mark Callous, the shocking death of Jim Henson, Ric Flair and Brian Pillman working the AWA Twin Wars ’90 show to return the favor of being loaned The Destruction Crew, Ole Anderson becoming the sole booker in a shocker, the NWA babyfaces vs. the GLOW girls on Family Feud,...
May 23, 2025•3 hr 38 min
Kris and David are guestless as we discuss the (almost-)week that was May 14-19, 2001. Topics of discussion include: The WWF’s early plans for a new WCW roster. The WWF trying to reassure the masses that their fanbase nearly as dumb and or poor as recent demographic data suggested. A TERRIBLE angle involving Steve Austin, Triple H, and The Undertaker. William Regal putting Grandmaster Sexay and Triple H in their places on TV. An interesting new name joining the WWF writers’ room. Triple H vs. Ra...
May 19, 2025•5 hr 20 min
Kris and David are guestless this week as we discuss the week that was May 7-13, 2004. Topics of discussion include: The very first Randy Orton vs. Edge singles match taking place on Raw. The early days of the abominable Kane/Lita storyline. The story of how Kenzo Suzuki's wife, Hiroko, got her job with WWE. Triple H’s promising" movie career. Hustle III in Yokohama featuring Scott Hall and Kevin Nash in the main event, Cactus Jack wrestling for the Triple Crown, and all sorts of other wackiness...
May 12, 2025•4 hr 27 min
Kris and David are back after a week off to discuss the partial week that was April 26-30, 1995, a show requested by William Lanham, who threw down the requisite $25 on our Patreon to pick this week. Topics of discussion include: A full rundown of the two NJPW shows at Mayday Stadium in Pyongyang, North Korea, both inside and outside the ring, with stories about the political implications of the shows, Ric Flair and Eric Bischoff being the only WCW people involved, the real attendance numbers, N...
May 05, 2025•4 hr 42 min
Kris Zellner is joined by Rob Naylor and our good buddy Charles to discuss the month of April 1990 in the National Wrestling Alliance…and in pop culture as well! We talk about the ongoing saga of Ric Flair and his battles with Jim Herd, even as Flair signs a contract extension. We also talk about Barry Windham making his return to the NWA, more comings and goings with some weird names making appearances, Tommy Rich vs. Joel Deaton and Eddie Gilbert vs. Samu being never-ending feuds on TV, and mu...
Apr 30, 2025•3 hr 23 min
Kris and David are guestless this week as we discuss the (almost) week that was April 16-21, 1997. Topics of discussion include: The WWF's In Your House: Revenge of the Taker PPV, featuring Undertaker scorching Paul Bearer and the Steve Austin vs. Bret Hart rematch from WrestleMania. The Raw after the PPV, which really kickstarted the "Attitude Era" in many ways, as Austin "injures" Bret in a wild, show-long angle, and much, much more also happens on one of Raw’s greatest episodes of all-time. A...
Apr 21, 2025•5 hr 2 min
Kris and David are guestless as we discuss the week that was April 10-16, 1987, a show requested by Gregg Serota via a $25 pledge on our Patreon page. Topics of discussion include: The tragic end of Mike Von Erich's life, complete with with local news reports and Mike’s final promos on World Class TV. Dave Meltzer attends the Crockett Cup in Baltimore and gives a detailed rundown of the weekend. Ric Flair, the Space Mountainettes, and Precious’s fur coat star in quite the saga on World Champions...
Apr 14, 2025•4 hr 36 min
