Liam O'Rourke

SCG Radio returns for Part 3B of our series talking 1991 in the WWF! This time, we're continuing our look into July and August by analysing Ric Flair's departure from WCW and impending arrival in the WWF, all the insanity that led to it with Jim Herd, as well as evaluating the lead-up to Flair's exit and aftermath. In addition, we're looking at the undercard build to Summerslam 1991 and talking all about the show itself, featuring Bret Hart's IC Title win over Mr. Perfect, the JAILHOUSE MATCH, Virgil's career peak and a great deal more. A ton of fun looking at the TV and news of the period, check it out and let us know what you think! https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/tmi66t/SCG_Radio_166_-_The_WWF_In_1991_Part_3B7v8dv.mp3

The 2020 SCG Christmas is now online - taking listener questions and comments, the panel talk about the first year of AEW and their standout performers, wrestling adapting to the pandemic, the state of WWE, the Mount Rushmore of wrestlers never to win the big one, favourite TV matches of all time, favourite "bad" matches, the Carny Of The Year award, Rick Rude's cock, Retribution, Undertaker's documentary series, thoughts on the passing of Zeus and Pat Patterson, a wild conspiracy theory on why Vince McMahon looks the way he does, and much, much more. Enjoy, and Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays to all! https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/xnkid4/SCG_Radio_164_-_The_2020_Christmas_Show6572o.mp3

SCG Radio returns this week to talk April to June of 1991 in the World Wrestling Federation! This week, we're walking through everything in the undercard, from Jake Roberts' snake getting squashed and killed by Earthquake, the failed return of Andre The Giant, Bobby Heenan's managing career ends, the often-forgotten Virgilina angle (!), The Mountie and Big Bossman cross paths, IRS debuts, and the tag team scene goes to hell in a handbasket. On top of that, we discuss the first WBF pay-per-view, as well as detail the trial of Dr. George Zahorian on drug trafficking charges, including to WWF wrestlers, one of which was none other than Hulk Hogan. All the facts, figures and analysis you'd expect, check it out and let us know what you think! https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/q5jmmb/SCG_Radio_163_-_The_WWF_In_1991_Part_2Bapuo8.mp3

For those who checked out the first part of our series looking at the WWF in 1991, SCG Radio returns this week to look at April to June. In the first part of our look at the quarter, we break down the top feuds in the promotion to look at the tale it tells - Hulk Hogan Vs. Sgt. Slaughter goes up against Ultimate Warrior Vs. Undertaker at the houses, and the results were striking. We talk about the major angles of the period in the main event scene, the WWF loses its deal with NBC, Warrior gets press for being a gay prostitute (allegedly!), and in perhaps the biggest story of the quarter, WCW's Sid Vicious hands in his notice and sets sail for TITAN in hilarious fashion! All the facts, figures, Observer notes and analysis of the time, check it out and let us know what you think. https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/9bsfwu/SCG_Radio_162_-_The_WWF_In_1991_Part_2A6so9m.mp3

SCG Radio is back this week to kick off a series covering the WWF in 1991 - two parts are now online covering January through to March: the first part looking at the Sgt. Slaughter angle that kicked off the year, all the controversy and media issues around the character, the decision to take the WWF Title off the Ultimate Warrior, the presentation of the angle as well as backstage notes on feelings behind-the-scenes, the show breaks down Vince McMahon's terrible decision to exploit the Persian Gulf War so shamelessly. In the second part, we talk about WrestleMania 7, all the highs and lows of the show, notes on the success or failure of the event (spoiler: it was a failure), moves Vince McMahon made between January and March in the bodybuilding world, a notable doctor gets indicted, and we talk all about the undercard scene for the first three months of the year, all with notes, facts and figures from the Wrestling Observer newsletters of the period. A really fun period of reflect on... Part 1A - https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/r9ekkh/SCG_Radio_160_-_The_WWF_In_1991_Part_1A9ki0h.mp3 Part 1B - https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/dmatud/SCG_Radio_161_-_The_WWF_In_1991_Part_1Bbp0xu.mp3

Just a heads up for anybody interested - I'm running a sale on my limited stock of my Brian Pillman book, "Crazy Like A Fox - The Definitive Chronicle of Brian Pillman 20 Years Later". I'm selling signed copies for £12 or $15, depending on location of course. If anybody doesn't have the book, has heard about it and interested in a signed copy, drop me a line at [email protected], or drop me a line in the old PM box.

The latest SCG Radio is now online, our Room 101 show covering PPVs and TV Shows! Join us as we discuss nominations from you, the loyal listeners, debating whether or not a series of events deserve to be banished to oblivion, including One Night Stand 2006, Starrcade 1997, Uncensored 1995, 1996 and 1999, Great American Bash 2004, TNA Lockdown 2007, WWE Crown Jewel and Evolution, Halloween Havoc 1995, In Your House 4, King of the Ring 1995, WrestleMania 9 and 11, WWF UK Pay-Per-Views, WCW Thunder in general, the WCW Simulcast and ECW Invasion episodes of Raw from 2001 and many many more. A very fun show, check it out and let us know what you think! https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/download/9xa6px/SCG_Radio_143_-_Room_101_Pay-Per-Views_and_TV_Shows.mp3

The latest SCG Radio show, The Monday Night War Timeline: November 1999 is now up. Running down every Raw, Nitro and PPV of the month with backstage notes from the Observer and Torch Newsletters of the time, we break down every major story, Steve Austin's career-threatening neck injury, a shameless Survivor Series bait-and-switch, Test & Stephanie's wedding, the debut of Oklahoma and Seven on one side compared to Kurt Angle on the other, mind-numbing television on Nitro with amateur hour every hour, Bret Hart becomes WCW Champion, Big Show becoming WWF Champion (amidst family tragedy and heartless poetry), HHH finally starting to feel like a main eventer and Kevin Nash exposed as being utterly awful in every way. Check it out and let us know what you think! https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/download/9s35hp/SCG_Radio_142_-_The_Monday_Night_War_in_November_1999.mp3

SCG Radio returns this week for the latest in our Monday Night War Timeline series, this time covering October 1999! Talking every Raw, Nitro and PPV of the month with backstage notes from the Observer and Torch Newsletters of the time, we break down every major story, including the shocking defection of WWF lead writer Vince Russo to WCW, all the fallout and implications of Russo's first WCW television shows, IC Champion Jeff Jarrett makes the jump as well after a huge conflict with Jim Ross when his contract expires the day before No Mercy, "real life" politics used on air in storylines with Hulk Hogan laying down for Sting at Halloween Havoc, Ric Flair gets benched, Bret Hart and Chris Benoit do battle in the famed Owen Hart Tribute match, the Hardyz and Edge and Christian tear the house down in a landmark ladder match, the WWF continues to struggle with depth on the heel side, and both sides air some hideous angles. This, and all the facts, figures, ratings and gossip you know and love - check it out and let us know what you think! https://squaredcirclegazette.podbean.com/mf/download/s4swcc/SCG_Radio_138_-_The_Monday_Night_War_in_October_1999.mp3

The latest SCG Radio is now online, as we return this week to the Monday Night War Timeline, covering September 1999! Running down every Raw, Nitro and PPV of the month with backstage news notes from the Observer and Torch newsletters of the time, we tackle every major story, including the firing of Eric Bischoff as Executive Vice President, Vince McMahon returning from a six week retirement to become WWF World Champion, the shocking signing of Taz to the WWF, the heel turn of Sting, Shawn Michaels being sent home for pissing off the wrong guy, Chris Jericho runs into problems, Bret Hart returns to WCW to stand around, Triple H being booked shockingly poorly, illogical booking, nonsensical television, crazy backstage politics and tons more. As always, we have all the facts, figures and ratings to provide the ultimate insight on a fascinating period - check it out! https://squaredcirclegazette.podbean.com/mf/download/brj6uq/SCG_Radio_137_-_The_Monday_Night_War_in_September_1999.mp3

SCG Radio is back as we return to the Monday Night War Timeline to talk August 1999! Covering every Raw, Nitro and PPV of the month, complete with notes from the Observer and Torch Newsletters of the time, we discuss every big story there is, including controversy around Steve Austin and the Summerslam main event, the awkward crowning of a new WWF Champion, WCW's dipping into the 2's for Nitro ratings, Bischoff pissing money away on KISS, Hulk Hogan returning to the red and yellow, the final (yet still awful) Road Wild PPV, Raven walking out on WCW, the WWF debut and fast demotion of Chris Jericho, Sid "Millenium Man" Vicious dominating Nitro, and all of the insane backstage politics, facts and figures you've come to know and love from the Timeline. Check it out and let us know what you think! https://squaredcirclegazette.podbean.com/mf/download/fk4fvu/SCG_Radio_136_-_The_Monday_Night_War_in_August_1999.mp3

Join us for the first in a four part series, dubbed "2002 By The Quarter". Looking at an extremely turbulent year in the WWF/WWE, we first break down January to March, hitting all the big talking points and breaking them down, discussing the return of Triple H as the top babyface, the debut of the New World Order, the struggling Undisputed Title run of Chris Jericho, WrestleMania X8 and the bizarre dynamic the company found themselves in, the growing discontent of Steve Austin and the launch of the Brand Extension, featuring the first ever WWF Draft show. All this and more within the space of three months, and of course we have comments from you, the loyal listeners! Check it out and let us know what you think! https://squaredcirclegazette.podbean.com/mf/download/qi5fa6/SCG_Radio_133_-_2002_By_The_Quarter_Part_1.mp3

SCG Radio returns to the Monday Night War Timeline this week to talk all about July 1999! Covering every Raw, Nitro and PPV, we discuss all the big stories on the month, including the build-up to The End of an Era at Fully Loaded, the developing elevation of Triple H, the continued failure of Billy Gunn, Steve Austin shooting down plans to work with Jeff Jarrett, assholes crapping on Bret Hart, WCW's utter desperation with the return of Hulk Hogan to take the World Title, a dreadful Bash at the Beach show, Megadeth performing live on Nitro, Goldberg returning unadvertised, Dennis Rodman in a terrible feud with Randy Savage and an awful lot of Sid Vicious. With all the facts, figures and backstage scoops from the Observer and Torch Newsletters of the time, we relive a very foreboding month in the war. A huge, jam-packed show, check it out and let us know what you think! https://squaredcirclegazette.podbean.com/mf/download/t7xiiw/SCG_Radio_132_-_The_Monday_Night_War_in_July_1999.mp3

Thanks so much everybody, the support on here has been awesome and I appreciate it a great deal. Still so surreal. That's a hell of a compliment, I love that you enjoyed the book so much, thank you for the kind words! And yeah, I love that Mike Johnson quote too, really put a fine point on the situation, tragic as it is.

Thank you very much :-)

Glad you're enjoying it! Keep me posted, love seeing how you're getting on...

That's right, we're back! Join the panel as we return to our RuView format to breakdown and analyse another piece of Vince Russo written and produced pro wrestling - this time tackling the April 17th 2000 episode of WCW Nitro, a show jam-packed with everything you love about Vinnie Ru. From inside jokes, smarky bullshit, WWF references, turns, nonsense, vehicle driving into things, angles that make no sense and false drama, get a whiff of Russo's cheesy broth one day after Spring Stampede 2000, seven days into the run of Russo and Bischoff. Featuring Hogan Vs. The Law, 99 Red Balloons, God helping Terry Funk win a match, Vampiro being bloody awful, and NO DISQUALIFICATIONS BECAUSE NOBODY TUNES IN TO SEE THAT SHIT (followed by three DQs in a row). It's wacky, it's fun, it's crazy, it's outrageous, it's Vince Russo's Fun House! https://squaredcirclegazette.podbean.com/mf/download/9f9sz2/SCG_Radio_131_-_WCW_Nitro_April_17th_2000_RuView.mp3

Just to drop this in here, the latest Squared Circle Gazette Radio is now online as we break down NXT TakeOver Philly and the 2018 Royal Rumble! Talking all the matches, angles and outcomes, the panel discuss the greatness of Johnny Wrestling, the brilliant production of Shayna Baszler, the future for Adam Cole, Aleister Black and Velveteen Dream (D-R-E-A-M), as well as all the big talking points of the Rumble PPV, looking at the debut of Ronda Rousey, some strong takes on the Women's Royal Rumble, the rise of Shinsuke Nakamura, Brock Lesnar punching Braun Strowman in the face and much, much more. We also give a live reaction to the Smackdown graphics used this past week, discuss potential WrestleMania directions and of course, take your feedback on WWE's second biggest show of the year. Check it out and let us know what you think! https://squaredcirclegazette.podbean.com/mf/download/sb9yu5/SCG_Radio_130_-_2018_Royal_Rumble_and_NXT_TakeOver_Philly.mp3

Thank you very much! Let me know what you guys think as you progress through it. And yeah, @Michael Sweetser, the Stampede ribs seems to be quite popular....

Thank you both for the kind words, very much appreciated! And yeah, that common thought is pretty much impossible to ignore when you reflect on his life - the field was wide open for him. As an aside, as I'd been asked about it a lot - the Pillman book is now also available on Kindle, for those who were holding out for that release.

The latest SCG Radio is now online, as we look to rank the Top 25 Matches and Moments in the history of Monday Night Raw to commemorate the 25 year milestone of the show. Narrowing 25 years of matches, promos, angles and show-long stories into around 150 options, the panel sent their own rankings, which were then scored up, producing the totals that form the definitive SCG list discussed on the show. Listen in as we debate some of the best segments WWE ever produced, questioning their placement, justifying their positions and, in some cases, holding them to scrutiny. We won't ruin the order here - check out the show and let us know what you think! https://squaredcirclegazette.podbean.com/mf/download/kt54nc/SCG_Radio_129_-_The_SCG_Top_25_Raw_Matches_and_Moments_in_History.mp3

Just caught this - thank you very much! Hope you're enjoying it as you progress through :-) Just a heads up, but I was on Wrestling Observer Radio https://www.f4wonline.com/wrestling-observer-radio/wor-liam-orourke-talks-his-book-life-brian-pillman-249756 with Meltzer and Alvarez last week talking about the Brian Pillman book if you want to know a bit more.

Thank you very much - it's greatly appreciated, and agree with you, Pillman is a tough act to follow based on being, in my opinion, one of the more unique personalities and stories to come along. Plus I think Brian's case has so many tie-ins to the nature of wrestling, an underlying theme in the book, that a lot of guys in isolation may not have... Yeah, it's really a credit to them both, and Linda as well, that they've turned out so well. Brittany especially has had to overcome a lot, but she hasn't let it change her the way it could. Brian's just hilarious. Thank you very much, let me know what you think!

Thanks very much! Was fun to read your thoughts and recollections as you go through it. Of course, not looking to 'spoil' the content for anybody either, don't get me wrong, but I really enjoy seeing the on-the-go reaction of a reader because it wasn't written beginning to end, so that journey is fun to follow...

Thanks very much, glad you're enjoying it. Keep me posted as you progress, the most compelling stuff is yet to come...