Former WWF writer Tommy Blacha and co-host Rob Pasbani break down the final SmackDown of July 2000 from the Freeman Coliseum in San Antonio, Texas. Coming off the momentum of Fully Loaded, this episode is packed with major storyline advancements as WWE builds towards SummerSlam.

Mick Foley books a massive card for the Texas crowd, featuring a massive Tables Match pitting Edge, Christian, and Big Show against The Dudley Boyz and Kane. We also discuss the infamous backstage segment where Stephanie McMahon catches Triple H demonstrating a hammerlock on Trish Stratus, leading to a chaotic mixed tag team match involving Chris Jericho, Lita, and a substitute Chris Benoit.

The Godfather shocks the wrestling world by abandoning his signature lifestyle to debut as The Goodfather alongside Steven Richards and the Right to Censor. Plus, Steve Blackman defends the Hardcore Championship against X-Pac in a weapon filled brawl.

Other major discussion points include:

- Big Show explaining his controversial decision to align with Shane McMahon and Kurt Angle.

- Chaz and D-Lo Brown taking on The Hardy Boyz in tag team action.

- Taz continuing his destructive path in a match against Grandmaster Sexay.

- - Perry Saturn defending his newly won European Championship against Crash Holly.

- The main event clash between The Rock and Kurt Angle.

- A bonus breakdown of a stacked episode of Sunday Night Heat featuring Dean Malenko, Chyna, Eddie Guerrero, and Val Venis.

0:00 Intro and the Freeman Coliseum Atmosphere

5:32 Recapping Big Show's Turn at Fully Loaded

6:46 Steve Blackman vs. X-Pac for the Hardcore Championship

15:08 Mick Foley Books the Card and Big Show Explains Himself

18:29 Triple H, Stephanie McMahon, and the Mysterious Flowers

19:14 Lo Down (Chaz and D-Lo Brown) vs. The Hardy Boyz

22:48 Triple H Teaches Trish Stratus a Hammerlock

23:36 Taz vs. Grandmaster Sexay

27:50 Edge, Christian, and Big Show vs. The Dudley Boyz and Kane

34:15 The Godfather Debuts as The Goodfather

40:47 Mick Foley Replaces Triple H in the Mixed Tag Match

41:30 Perry Saturn vs. Crash Holly for the European Championship

43:55 Trish Stratus and Chris Benoit vs. Lita and Chris Jericho

47:24 Main Event: The Rock vs. Kurt Angle

49:46 Sunday Night Heat Recap and Outro

Follow Tales from The Attitude Era on all social media

http://youtube.com/@TFTAttitudeEra

http://twitter.com/TFTAttitudeEra

http://instagram.com/TFTAttitudeEra

http://tiktok.com/@TFTAttitudeEra

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Former WWF writer Tommy Blacha and co-host Rob Pasbani review the chaotic July 24, 2000 episode of Raw, taking place just one night after the critically acclaimed Fully Loaded pay per view event.

Tommy Blacha opens up about the shifting backstage culture in WWF during the summer of 2000, explaining how corporate analytics and the lack of competition from WCW led management to second guess successful creative decisions. The guys also discuss the stark contrast between the relentless pacing of the Attitude Era and the commercial heavy broadcasts of modern wrestling television.

Inside the ring, Mick Foley establishes new rules to keep The Rock under control, while Shane McMahon and Big Show form a shocking new alliance to destroy The Undertaker. Chris Jericho hunts down Triple H for a backstage brawl, and The Hardy Boyz, Edge, Christian, and The Dudley Boyz tear the house down in a massive triple threat match for the Tag Team Championship.

Other major discussion points include:

- Perry Saturn capturing the European Championship in a triple threat match against Eddie Guerrero and Dean Malenko.

- The Godfather losing to Bull Buchanan after interference from Steven Richards.

- Lita taking the fight to Trish Stratus and Stephanie McMahon in a strap match.

- The massive main event featuring The Rock and Kane taking on Kurt Angle and Chris Benoit.

- An analysis of the record breaking cable television ratings drawn by this specific episode of Raw.

0:00 Intro

2:43 The Pacing of Old Raw vs. Modern WWE

7:37 Tommy Blacha Misses Raw for WWF New York Meetings

8:58 Mick Foley Adds a DQ Stipulation for The Rock

17:04 Road Dogg vs. Steve Blackman

21:03 Discussing the Downfall of WCW Nitro

24:42 Triple H Arrives Late and Smashes Flowers

28:22 Shane McMahon and Stephanie McMahon Confront Lita

29:54 The Godfather vs. Bull Buchanan

38:32 The Undertaker vs. Kurt Angle and Big Show's Heel Turn

45:45 Chris Jericho and Triple H Brawl Backstage

49:11 Scotty 2 Hotty vs. Taz

52:55 The Hardy Boyz vs. Edge and Christian vs. The Dudley Boyz for the Tag Team Championship

56:40 Lita vs. Trish Stratus in a Strap Match

59:21 Main Event: The Rock and Kane vs. Kurt Angle and Chris Benoit

1:02:24 The Massive Record Breaking Cable Ratings

1:05:05 Backstage News: Big Show, Lilian Garcia, and Taz

Follow Tales from The Attitude Era on all social media

http://youtube.com/@TFTAttitudeEra

http://twitter.com/TFTAttitudeEra

http://instagram.com/TFTAttitudeEra

http://tiktok.com/@TFTAttitudeEra

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Former WWF writer Tommy Blacha and co-host Rob Pasbani pause their week to week reviews for a very special Q&A episode. Attitudinals submitted their best questions, and Tommy delivers backstage insights from the peak of the wrestling boom.

We discuss the turning point of WWF creative feeling too corporate following Fully Loaded, the chaotic energy of the locker room, and the logistics behind the infamous Kennel from Hell match between Big Boss Man and Al Snow. Tommy also dives into the pressure of live television and how wrestlers change spots on the fly due to last minute time cuts.

Other major discussion points include:

- Drafting a 10 man fantasy roster in the year 2000 featuring Eddie Guerrero, Raven, and Kenta Kobashi.

- Reflecting on the greatest matches of all time, including Bret Hart vs. Steve Austin at WrestleMania 13.

- Why the modern WWE product struggles to capture the magic of the late 90s for WWE fans.

- X-Pac getting legitimately angry over a segment involving Kane and a pool of pudding.

- The lost art of television announcing and why Jim Ross and Tony Schiavone were so effective.

0:00 Intro and Patreon Update

1:23 When did WWF start to lose its fun?

4:43 The impact of buying WCW and corporate management

6:14 What the Attitude Era actually felt like

9:39 Why modern WWE pacing and long entrances are frustrating

14:46 Why did the Attitude Era work so well?

17:11 Corporate synergy, Pat McAfee, and celebrity wrestlers

23:11 How the Netflix deal changes WWE's risk taking

24:48 Fantasy Booking: Poaching 10 wrestlers for a new promotion in 2000

30:35 The final 10 man roster is locked in

33:43 How much of the show was planned vs. called on the fly?

37:19 The frustration of live TV time cuts

39:53 Did Tommy Blacha maintain backstage friendships?

41:11 Peak Jim Ross and the lost art of play-by-play announcing

46:37 Tommy Blacha's all time favorite matches

50:34 A deep cut classic: Buddy Rogers vs. Pat O'Connor (1961)

56:34 Could the Attitude Era ever happen again?

58:28 How ECW planted the seeds for the Attitude Era

1:06:03 The best and most difficult talent to write for

1:08:14 Pitching Big Show's dad's funeral to Vince McMahon

1:11:14 The logistical nightmare of the Kennel from Hell match

1:19:19 X-Pac's legitimate backstage meltdown over pudding

1:21:26 Outro

Follow Tales from The Attitude Era on all social media

http://youtube.com/@TFTAttitudeEra

http://twitter.com/TFTAttitudeEra

http://instagram.com/TFTAttitudeEra

http://tiktok.com/@TFTAttitudeEra

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.