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

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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

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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

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Former WWF writer Tommy Blacha and co-host Rob Pasbani dive into the highly acclaimed July 2000 pay per view event from the Reunion Arena in Dallas, Texas. This episode of Tales from the Attitude Era covers all the action from Fully Loaded, an event that perfectly highlights the transition of new main event stars stepping into the spotlight.

We break down the intense triple main event, starting with the brutal Last Man Standing match between Triple H and Chris Jericho that left the ring covered in blood. The discussion then shifts to the WWF Championship match between The Rock and Chris Benoit, featuring Shane McMahon's interference and a controversial restart by Mick Foley. We also dissect the incredible Steel Cage match for the Intercontinental Championship, where Rikishi risked it all with a massive dive against Val Venis.

Tommy Blacha provides fascinating backstage insight into how corporate analytics, buyrates, and the lack of competition from WCW began creating unnecessary tension within the WWF creative team.

Other major discussion points include:

- The Hardy Boyz and Lita taking on T&A and Trish Stratus in an exciting intergender tag team match.

- Edge and Christian faking food poisoning before their title defense against The Acolytes.

- Eddie Guerrero defending the European Championship against Perry Saturn.

- The Undertaker getting swift revenge on Kurt Angle after weeks of sneak attacks.

- Tazz making an impact in his match against Al Snow.

0:00 Intro

2:54 Backstage Reaction to the Pay Per View Buyrate

7:37 Corporate Analytics and the Loss of Creative Freedom

18:03 The Triple Main Event Set Design

19:41 The Hardy Boyz and Lita vs. T&A and Trish Stratus

26:38 Tazz vs. Al Snow

28:22 Eddie Guerrero vs. Perry Saturn for the European Championship

31:22 Mick Foley Catches Christian Faking an Illness

33:51 Edge and Christian vs. The Acolytes

40:16 Val Venis vs. Rikishi for the Intercontinental Championship

50:05 The Undertaker vs. Kurt Angle

52:26 Last Man Standing Match: Triple H vs. Chris Jericho

59:14 Main Event: The Rock vs. Chris Benoit for the WWF Championship

1:07:22 Outro

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Former WWF writer Tommy Blacha and co-host Rob Pasbani are back to review the crucial "go-home" episode of SmackDown leading into Fully Loaded. Coming to you from the Nassau Coliseum on Long Island, this show perfectly sets the stage for Sunday's pay per view. Kurt Angle takes his feud with the American Badass to a shocking new level by pouring a mysterious smoking chemical all over The Undertaker's motorcycle and attacking his knee with a giant wrench.

Mick Foley kicks off the show in his hometown to declare that The Rock can lose the WWF Championship by disqualification against Chris Benoit. This perfectly plays into the chaotic main event tag team match featuring The Rock and Chris Jericho taking on Triple H and Chris Benoit, where The Rock completely loses his cool.

Other major discussion points include:

• Tommy Blacha talking about the differences between booking weekly television and major pay per views.
• Perry Saturn delivering a brutal post match beatdown on Chyna.
• Edge and Christian outsmarting the APA during a wild bar room brawl.
• Steve Blackman retaining the Hardcore Championship against Al Snow with a surprise assist from Tazz.
• The Godfather cutting a passionate promo against Steven Richards and the Right to Censor.

0:00 Intro and Summer of Sam Hollywood Rewrites

3:00 TV vs. Pay Per View Booking Formulas

12:00 Mick Foley Adds a Stipulation for The Rock

17:00 Chris Jericho Wants in the Club

20:00 Dean Malenko vs. Eddie Guerrero vs. Perry Saturn

27:00 Just Joe Instigates the APA

30:00 Kurt Angle vs. Kane

32:00 Steve Blackman vs. Al Snow for the Hardcore Championship

34:00 Triple H's Autograph Mind Games

36:00 Rikishi and The Hardy Boyz vs. Val Venis and T&A

38:00 Edge and Christian Hunker Down at the Bar

40:00 The Godfather Confronts Right to Censor

45:00 Kurt Angle Destroys The Undertaker's Motorcycle

48:00 The APA Bar Brawl

52:00 Main Event: The Rock Loses His Cool

54:00 Running Down the Fully Loaded Card and Outro

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Former WWF writer Tommy Blacha and co-host Rob Pasbani rbreak down the July 17, 2000, episode of WWF RAW from the Pepsi Arena. We dive deep into arguably the most efficient (and longest!) opening segment in RAW history, featuring The Undertaker, Kane, Kurt Angle, and Triple H.

Plus, we analyze The Rock’s brutal backstage assault on Chris Benoit, Edge, and Christian, the shifting character of Val Venis, and Chris Jericho’s desperate hunt for Triple H on the road to WWF Fully Loaded, this Sunday.

Other major discussion points include:

- Foley’s Return: How the Hardcore Legend directed traffic for a massive 24-minute opener.

- Main Event Madness: The Brothers of Destruction take on the fragile alliance of Triple H and Kurt Angle.

- The Rise of Benoit: The Rock sells like a champ to put the "Rabid Wolverine" on the map.

- Tazz is Back: The mood changes as Tazz sets his sights on Al Snow.

00:00 – Intro and "Albany" vs "Al-bany" jokes

03:45 – Addressing PMFG11 and the "House Show" booking philosophy

07:20 – ECW Heat Wave 2000 and the XPW "shoot" incident in Los Angeles

12:15 – The Jerry Lawler sound effect is taking over Rob's life

15:30 – Segment 1: Mick Foley returns as Commissioner and the "USA" chant

19:45 – The Undertaker demands Kurt Angle; Kane shows up with a "fixed" voice

24:10 – The Rock interrupts and the Shane McMahon/Chris Benoit alliance

27:50 – The Hardys vs. The Dudley Boyz

31:15 – Lita takes the big ladder/table bump from Trish Stratus

35:40 – The Godfather and the "RTC" (Right to Censor) debut with Steven Richards

39:10 – Bull Buchanan joins the cause; discussing the "censorship" era

42:55 – Triple H, Stephanie, and the Kurt Angle "hug"

46:20 – T&A vs. The APA & The Rock

49:35 – The Rock goes "unhinged" backstage and cleans house

52:10 – Dean Malenko, Chyna, and Eddie Guerrero’s romantic tension

55:45 – Perry Saturn debuts the "Brainbuster to Tombstone" on the ramp

58:30 – Main Event: The Undertaker & Kane vs. Triple H & Kurt Angle

1:01:15 – Chris Jericho attacks; looking forward to Episode 100 and the Q&A

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Former WWF writer Tommy Blacha and co-host Rob Pasbani review a chaotic episode of SmackDown from Oakland, California. Vince McMahon is busy launching the Los Angeles Xtreme for the XFL, leaving the wrestlers to deliver a high-energy show for the WWE fans on the West Coast.

The main event features a brutal No DQ match between Triple H and The Undertaker. Stephanie McMahon attempts to interfere, leading to a massive chokeslam tease before Triple H uses a steel chair to secure the win. Tommy Blacha provides backstage details on the addition of Michael Hayes to the writing team and the grueling travel schedule of the California loop.

Other major discussion points include:

- Steven Richards taking his Right to Censor crusade to the next level by stealing tables from The Dudley Boyz.

- Steve Blackman showcasing his lethal martial arts skills by destroying Crash to retain the Hardcore Championship.

- Chris Benoit defeating Eddie Guerrero and Chyna in a handicap match with an assist from Shane McMahon.

- The Rock making an explosive run-in to save Eddie Guerrero and Chyna from a post-match beatdown.

- Rikishi and Too Cool battling Val Venis and T&A in a six-man tag team match.

0:00 Intro

1:25 Welcome to Oakland and the Bay Area

3:15 The Los Angeles Xtreme XFL Press Conference

6:30 Mick Foley's Absence and Main Event Announcement

8:45 Match 1: Too Cool & Rikishi vs. T&A & Val Venis

12:10 Triple H Addresses the DX Attack on Chris Jericho

14:20 Kurt Angle's Hug and Triple H's Reaction

16:45 Match 2: Kane vs. Kurt Angle

20:15 Match 3: Steve Blackman vs. Crash for the Hardcore Championship

23:40 Match 4: Kaientai vs. Chaz & D-Lo Brown

25:30 Match 5: Bradshaw vs. Gangrel

28:00 Match 6: The Dudley Boyz vs. Edge & Christian

31:15 Steven Richards Steals the Tables

35:40 Match 7: Chris Benoit vs. Eddie Guerrero & Chyna

39:00 The Rock Makes the Save!

42:15 Backstage News: Michael Hayes and the WWF Writing Staff

46:50 Main Event: The Undertaker vs. Triple H in a No DQ Match

51:20 Outro

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Former WWF writer Tommy Blacha and co-host Rob Pasbani take a trip to the "Shark Tank" in San Jose for a chaotic July 10, 2000, episode of Monday Night Raw. With Commissioner Mick Foley away on promotional duties in Asia, Degeneration X attempts to regain total control of the show. Meanwhile, one of the most hilariously disrespectful segments in Attitude Era history unfolds as Kurt Angle presents the Undertaker with an "energy-efficient" Vespa scooter.

We break down the high-stakes main event between The Rock and Chris Benoit, which features a "Montreal-style" screwjob finish involving guest referee Shane McMahon. Tommy Blacha pulls back the curtain on the "mercurial mood" of Vince McMahon during the XFL expansion and the logistical nightmare of the California loop. We also discuss the infamous Bash at the Beach 2000 incident that occurred the night before, analyzing the Vince Russo vs. Hulk Hogan shoot and its impact on the wrestling world.

Other major discussion points include:

- The Undertaker’s hallway biker entrance and his rejection of the "gift" from Kurt Angle.

- The Right to Censor officially shutting down matches and "protecting" Trish Stratus with towels.

- Triple H’s "gym clothes" match against X-Pac and the brutal sledgehammer beatdown of Chris Jericho.

- Edge & Christian defending the tag titles against The Acolytes in a match filled with ring-bell shenanigans.

- The "West Coast Slog": Why fly-away shows often led to last-minute booking chaos.

0:00 - Intro

1:46 - Vince McMahon's hands-on management style off-camera

5:32 - The XFL Hype

9:10 - BASH AT THE BEACH 2000: Russo vs. Hogan and the screwjob

15:40 - Missing Foley: Why the show reverted to heel dominance

17:30 - Lita vs. Trish Stratus: The "Street Clothes" Street Fight

19:10 - Shane McMahon & Chris Benoit: The "Just Friends" alliance

21:50 - The dark side of Benoit's promos in retrospect

23:05 - Mick Foley's "Google Earth" travel graphics

23:25 - Match 1: Too Cool vs. T&A vs. The Hardys

25:00 - Tazz’s "out of the cage" run-ins and status with the writers

26:45 - Chris Jericho’s attacked by Road Dogg

28:00 - THE VESPA INCIDENT: Kurt Angle’s gift to the Undertaker

31:30 - Match 2: Kane vs. Rikishi vs. Val Venis (IC Title)

35:00 - Triple H’s trap for Jericho: "The Hunter" vs. "The Game"

38:30 - Match 3: Edge vs. Bradshaw (Stan Hansen level Lariats)

41:40 - Match 4: Lita vs. Trish Stratus (The top-off ending)

43:55 - RIGHT TO CENSOR: Steven Richards declares the contest over

48:30 - Match 5: Triple H vs. X-Pac (The DX betrayal)

50:30 - Sledgehammer Beatdown: Jericho's Crimson Mask

53:15 - Backstage: Chyna's "Small Ice Pack" dig at Benoit

55:50 - Triple H’s suggestion for the STD: Standing Torture Device

57:10 - Main Event: The Rock vs. Chris Benoit

1:00:30 - The Shane McMahon Ref shirt reveal and Screwjob finish

1:03:00 - Fly on the wall: Tommy’s dream to be at NWO Sold Out

1:05:35 - Outro

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