100 episodes

Looking for pro wrestling history? WWE, WCW, NWA, AEW, NXT, NJPW, Impact, ROH, AWA, ECW, and much more. Karl Stern (DragonKingKarl) is a pro wrestling historian who has produced the DragonKingKarl Classic Wrestling Audio Show for over 10 years at Wrestling Observer. He is currently putting together the massive Ultimate History of Pro Wrestling Zone at When It Was Cool. This is the free version of some of the pro wrestling podcasts we produce at When It Was Cool. The vast majority of it is available early to Patreon supporters and there are over 1000 shows available for subscribers. Enjoy these free shows for a deep dive into pro wrestling history and we hope if you enjoy these shows you will become a Patreon supporter and gain access to many others.

When It Was Cool Wrestling (DragonKingKarl‪)‬ WhenItWasCool.com

    • Sports
    • 4.7 • 15 Ratings

Looking for pro wrestling history? WWE, WCW, NWA, AEW, NXT, NJPW, Impact, ROH, AWA, ECW, and much more. Karl Stern (DragonKingKarl) is a pro wrestling historian who has produced the DragonKingKarl Classic Wrestling Audio Show for over 10 years at Wrestling Observer. He is currently putting together the massive Ultimate History of Pro Wrestling Zone at When It Was Cool. This is the free version of some of the pro wrestling podcasts we produce at When It Was Cool. The vast majority of it is available early to Patreon supporters and there are over 1000 shows available for subscribers. Enjoy these free shows for a deep dive into pro wrestling history and we hope if you enjoy these shows you will become a Patreon supporter and gain access to many others.

    MSG History, Bruno Sammartino, and more!

    MSG History, Bruno Sammartino, and more!

    On this episode of the DragonKingKarl Classic Wrestling Show, host Karl Stern continues his look at wrestling history at Madison Square Garden in New York in the year 1931, he also continues his look back at Dave Meltzer's epic biography on the life and times of Bruno Sammartino from the pages of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, plus tons of news and notes. More pro wrestling history than you can shake a preverbal stick at!

    • 45 min
    Strangler Lewis, Bruno Sammartino, and More

    Strangler Lewis, Bruno Sammartino, and More

    On this edition of the DragonKingKarl Classic Wrestling Show, historian Karl Stern takes a look at a great retro article from a 1972 wrestling magazine asking the question if Ed "Strangler" Lewis was the greatest wrestler of all time. Then we continue taking a look at Dave Meltzer's biography of Bruno Sammartino from the pages of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter plus much more!

    • 48 min
    Great Lakes Wrestling in the Pioneer Era - 1000 Hours

    Great Lakes Wrestling in the Pioneer Era - 1000 Hours

    The pioneer era (pre-1900) of pro wrestling flourished in the Great Lakes area. While initially the northeast, especially New York and Vermont were the early hotspots, by 1970 Detroit, Chicago, Cleveland, and the entire Great Lakes region became very important in pro wrestling. The 1870 Detroit International tournament was a real ignition point for the popularity of pro wrestling nationwide and the Detroit Opera House became a shrine for the genesis of American pro wrestling. Join historian Karl Stern as he looks at the Great Lakes region in the pioneer era. This is hour 43.
    YOU CONTROL THIS SERIES! It will only run as long as it is supported. In order to get another hour of 1000 hours we need a new Patreon supporter at any level or a cash donation via the front page of WhenItWasCool.com to either PayPal or CashApp (Please put “1000” in the note). As soon as it is received, I will produce a new hour. Presently, we are funded up to hour 60.

    • 54 min
    Long Form History of Wrestling Podcast - April 1984 (Patera and Saito Arrest)

    Long Form History of Wrestling Podcast - April 1984 (Patera and Saito Arrest)

    Wrestling historian Karl Stern returns with another in-depth look at a month in pro wrestling history. Today he looks back at April 1984 and a lot was going on. The WWF was accelerating their national expansion by stealing the AWA's TV spot on the west coast, Jumbo Tsuruta is still the AWA World champion, and a new monster named Lord Humongous is challenging Jerry Lawler in Memphis, but the big news of the month happened in Waukesa, WI when Mr. Saito and Ken Patera fought multiple police officers and were arrested and ultimately sent to prison.

    • 50 min
    Wrestling in the Biblical Era - 1000 Hours

    Wrestling in the Biblical Era - 1000 Hours

    It's Easter Sunday and by serendipity, Eric, the sponsor of this episode of 1000 Hours, asks for the research topic to be wrestling in the Bible. Well, one of the most famous stories in the Bible both for Christians and Jews is the story of Jacob wrestling with the angel, or a man, or God himself (the story is complicated). Of course, by the time we get to the Christian era the Romans are in charge and wrestling is very much a big deal. Also, I finally have an excuse to talk about Milo of Croton and whoa boy... This is Hour 42 of 1000 Hours.
    YOU CONTROL THIS SERIES! It will only run as long as it is supported. In order to get another hour of 1000 hours we need a new Patreon supporter at any level or a cash donation via the front page of WhenItWasCool.com to either PayPal or CashApp (Please put “1000” in the note). As soon as it is received, I will produce a new hour. Presently, we are funded up to hour 60.

    • 53 min
    Sting, The Rock, Strangler Lewis, Bruno Sammartino

    Sting, The Rock, Strangler Lewis, Bruno Sammartino

    On this episode of the DragonKingKarl Classic Wrestling Show with Karl Stern we take a look at the next match in the GKT: Sting verses The Rock, we begin a massive biography on the life and times of Bruno Sammartino, and we start an article from an early 1970's wrestling magazine on Ed "Strangler" Lewis. A fun and history packed edition of the DragonKingKarl Classic Wrestling Show, check us out and let's talk some wrestling history.

    • 54 min

Customer Reviews

4.7 out of 5
15 Ratings

15 Ratings

ChodeDogg90 ,

This is awesome

The amount of research that must have gone into the early history episodes... wow! This is just what I was looking for. So much that I didn’t even know I wanted to know. Can’t believe there aren’t more reviews. Also, Karl seems like a really good dude and is easy to listen to.

Art Vandelay IV ,

if you want to learn history, Karl is your man

I have listened to Karl (with the letter K) for several years now, and even as a 35 year fan of pro wrestling from all over the world, each show teaches this old fan something new.

You want to hear about Lou Thesz? Karl's your man. You want to learn about the NWA title that existed before the NWA was formed in 1948 in Waterloo, Iowa? Karl's your man. You want to hear about Rikidozan or El Santo and how they shaped wrestling in their countries? Karl's your man.

now if you want to get on his good side, ask him to tell you about Col. James H. McLaughlin or Lord Humongous.

it's a fun family friendly show for all ages.

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