Episodes
It's the final Raw before WWF Armageddon 1999 and all the storylines are locked in. Stephanie tries to get her marriage to Triple H annulled and he agrees under a few conditions. Plus, Big Boss Man has one last crazy revelation for the Big Show before their big match on Sunday. Too Cool continue to blow up, plus Al Snow is still mad at Mankind for being friends with The Rock. Watch this episode on Youtube. Follow Tales from The Attitude Era on all social...
Published 11/11/24
Everybody remembers the night Triple H crashed Stephanie McMahon's wedding, but what happened on the next episode? How does WWF follow up one of the most memorable angles in the Attitude Era? Former head writer Tommy Blacha takes us through segment-by-segment, as the build to Armageddon continues, including a hot main event with the Hardys and Big Show. Plus the Rock, Mankind, Al Snow, Dudleys, Kurt Angle, Chris Jericho and Kane. Watch this episode on Youtube. Follow Tales from The Attitude...
Published 11/04/24
Published 11/04/24
It's finally time to review the infamous Attitude Era wedding episode of RAW from 11/29/1999. Former head writer Tommy Blacha talks about the infamous wedding with Triple H crashing Stephanie McMahon and Test's wedding, all the production that happened before it, as well as all the matches that night. The Rock and Mankind's continued feud with DX's New Age Outlaws and how Al Snow figures into the equation. Kane and XPac continue their feud. Plus, it's the first wrestling show at the Staples...
Published 10/28/24
We take a brief break from our weekly reviews to welcome special guest David Koechner. Host Tommy Blacha was the head writer of WWE in 1999 and when an actor needed to be brought in to play a wet blanket, Tommy knew just the guy! Koechner talks about his brief run, what could've been and shares some fun backstage stories. He also dives into his year on Saturday Night Live and what happened there and how he got unceremoniously fired. A very fun convo! Watch this episode on Youtube. Follow...
Published 10/21/24
It's Thanksgiving Day 1999, and you can't have a Thanksgiving edition of WWE Smackdown without a good old fashion food fight. Plus, the Rock finally gets to try some poontang pie. The Big Show gets some mic time. DX feud with…the homeless?! The love triangle between Mankind, Al Snow and the Rock continues. Plus, Rikishi and Too Cool finally form their alliance, and the Hardys entertain in a steel cage match. Watch this episode on Youtube. Follow Tales from The Attitude Era on all social...
Published 10/14/24
Vince McMahon loses control and attacks DX's limo, resulting in a restraining order. Tommy tells a great story about photographer David LaChapelle doing a photo shoot behind the scenes for this big spread in Vanity Fair. Mankind and Al Snow face the Holly cousins and Mankind eventually reunited with The Rock. X-Pac faces Jeff Hardy in a fun dream match, and the anti WWF storyline takes a turn. Plus, Kurt Angle, Dudleys vs. Edge and Christian, and the final setup for next Raw's big wedding...
Published 10/07/24
Last week, Netflix released a six-part documentary all about disgraced WWE founder Vince McMahon. Tommy Blacha worked very closely with McMahon in 2000 as head writer and had a lot of thoughts about the documentary, so much so that we took a break from our weekly reviews for this special one-off episode. We review the series as a whole and talk about ways we think it could've been improved. We also discussed a few things we actually liked about it. Did you watch the series? What are your...
Published 09/30/24
The fallout from Survivor Series '99 continues on Smackdown, as DX continues to cause chaos for Vince McMahon and his family, further establishing that feud. Plus Mankind (Mick Foley) and Al Snow go on a Vegas Invasion leading to some very funny bits throughout the episode. The tag team division is as hot as ever, and Big Show is still trying to get revenge on Big Boss Man. Plus, the women have an awesome hardcore match! Watch this episode on Youtube. Follow Tales from The Attitude Era on all...
Published 09/23/24
It's the night after WWF Survivor Series 1999, and Steve Austin was run over by a mysterious vehicle. The local authorities are here to question all the assumed suspects, leading to some great backstage segments with DX, The Rock, Vince McMahon, Jerry Lawler, and others, creating a show-long (and year-long) story arc. The Rock faces Big Boss Man in a number one contender's match and DX's feud with Vince really heats up. Watch this episode on Youtube. Follow Tales from The Attitude Era on all...
Published 09/16/24
WWF Survivor Series 1999 was marred by controversy as mid-way through the show, an angle was shot where Steve Austin was run over by a car, putting him on the shelf for over a year and creating one of the biggest mysteries in company history. How did it come about? When did former head writer Tommy Blacha know about it and how did they shoot the memorable angle? All is discussed in great detail. Plus, how was the Big Show maneuvered into becoming the new world champion and what was the...
Published 09/09/24
One of the most memorable episodes of WWE Smackdown ever was the 11/11/1999 edition and former head writer Tommy Blacha has a lot of stories to share. Tommy goes into detail about dealing with Arnold Schwarzenegger and his people in the lead-up to the episode, how Arnold was integrated into the show and ended up doing way more than they originally agreed on, how Triple H masterminded the memorable ending of the episode, and the ways Vince wanted to overdeliver on the promotion of Arnold's...
Published 09/02/24
We're back to our show reviews on the road to Survivor Series 1999. It's Steve Austin's last Raw for at least a year, and the final build for the PPV which is happening the Sunday after this show. DX is still trying to cause trouble and Vince is doing his best to quell it. Plus, The Rock is named the Sexiest Wrestler Alive by People Magazine, Al Snow's life is ruined by a Walmart protest, and the tag division is heating up. Some great booking philosophy talk, as Rob puts his kayfabe glasses...
Published 08/26/24
We welcome another guest to the show this week, The Blue Meanie, who goes way back with Tommy. We go deep in depth with how Meanie became a fan, how he broke into the business under Al Snow, being discovered by Raven on an indie show and being invited to join ECW, how he got the call to join WWF and an incredible, detailed retelling of the incident with John Bradshaw Layfield at ECW One Night Stand that left Meanie unexpectedly bloody, and the receipt Meanie gave to JBL. We're back to...
Published 08/19/24
Will Sasso is our guest this week for a very special episode. Will and host Tommy Blacha go way back and their friendship is discussed at length with some great anecdotes. Will talks about his earliest wrestling memories. He shares amazing stories of working in the ring with Bret Hart, Steve Austin and Chris Jericho. And, we are treated to a quick impression of Scott Hall and his incredible Jesse Ventura impression, including some spicy political takes. Watch this episode on Youtube. Follow...
Published 08/12/24
DX continues to cause chaos on this Smackdown, leading to an epic eight-man tag team main event with a controversial finish. We go through the entire process. Plus, Al Snow's action figure gets pulled off the shelves of WalMart and it led to some publicity for WWE and Snow. Too Cool continues to develop and Mankind proves to be a priceless part of the show. Watch this episode on Youtube. You can watch the Smackdown we are reviewing on Peacock. Follow Tales from The Attitude Era on all social...
Published 08/05/24
Chyna finally has new theme music as she is teamed with Miss Kitty and continues her feud with Chris Jericho and Stevie Richards in drag. Vince McMahon is out to punish DX tonight and puts each of them in singles matches leading to an explosive main event between Triple H and Shane McMahon with all the main event players at ringside. Plus, the tag team division heats up further and Val Venis continues getting the best of Mankind. Watch this episode on Youtube. You can watch the Raw we are...
Published 07/29/24
It's DX's coming out party. The newly reformed heel faction are here to stake their claims and start by attacking The Rock, but Steve Austin is too smart for their game. We find out this is the first time the writers learn Austin is "limited" with a back injury that would eventually take him out for a year. Elsewhere, the tag division is heating up with new teams, Mark Henry has too much of a good thing, and British Bulldog wins back the gold. Watch this episode on Youtube. You can watch the...
Published 07/22/24
It's a monumental edition of Raw, as we inch closer to Survivor Series 99. The Rock and Steve Austin team up to face the New Age Outlaws with a huge ending, Mick Foley challenges Triple H, Big Show is out for revenge on Big Bossman, and Mark Henry and Godfather run into some trouble from Big Vis. Watch this episode on Youtube. You can watch the Raw we are reviewing on Peacock. Follow Tales from The Attitude Era on all social...
Published 07/15/24
We are on the road to WWF Survivor Series 1999, and on this edition of Smackdown that we're reviewing, Triple H's challenger(s) are set for the event. We get a great match from the Hardys and the Hollys, Big Show gets some payback on Big Bossman and more in Mark Henry's sexual adventures. Watch this episode on Youtube. You can watch the Smackdown we are reviewing on Peacock. Follow Tales from The Attitude Era on all social...
Published 07/08/24
We are back to reviewing the weekly episodes this week, looking at the night after WWF No Mercy 1999, with a very notable Raw that saw the dissolution of the Rock and Sock Connection as the main thread of the show. Plus, the first taste of what the main event for next month's Survivor Series will be, a follow up with Edge & Christian, and the Hardys, The Hollys challenge for the tag titles and the Dudleys show up! Watch this episode on Youtube. Follow Tales from The Attitude Era on all...
Published 07/01/24
Comedian and actor Andy Richter sits in on this episode to share some of his favorite wrestling memories, including when he was growing up in Chicago, memories of shoots with wrestlers while working on Late Night with Conan O'Brien and his guest appearance at the WWE Royal Rumble 2000 Miss Royal Rumble pageant. Watch this episode on Youtube. Next week: We review the Raw after No Mercy 1999. Follow Tales from The Attitude Era on all social media...
Published 06/24/24
Former WWE head writer Tommy Blacha looks back at the first pay-per-view that he was the head writer of, WWF No Mercy 1999. The main event was Steve Austin vs. Hunter Hearst Helmsley for the world title in a street fight. Other notable matches include the first ladder match between The Hardy Boyz and Edge & Christian. Plus, the infamous Good Housekeeping Match between Chyna and Jeff Jarrett. Plus, the Hollies vs. The New Age Outlaws, The Rock vs. British Bulldog, and Mankind vs. Val...
Published 06/17/24
Former WWE head writer Tommy Blacha looks back at one of his favorite people to write for, WWE Hall of Famer Mae Young. We go through the entire pregnancy arc as well as the angle where the Dudleys kept putting her through a table. Find out what Mae was really like backstage and how some of the wildest concepts of the Attitude Era came together by former head writer Tommy Blacha and co-host Rob Pasbani. Watch this episode on Youtube. NEXT WEEK: A special episode focusing on Mae Young before...
Published 06/10/24
It's the final episode of WWF television before the big WWF No Mercy PPV and there is so much happening on the go-home show. Is Triple H retiring? Will the Rock N Sock Connection team again after tonight? How will Kane stop the Acolytes? Mideon likes to fornicate with…what??? All is reviewed by former head writer Tommy Blacha and co-host Rob Pasbani. Here is a playlist of all the videos we discussed this week: Watch this episode on Youtube. Follow Tales from The Attitude Era on all social...
Published 06/03/24