The Book of Wrestling

Latest Episodes:

Card Subject to Change Jan 26, 2023

Show notes

David Shoemaker gives an update on the status of 'The Book of Wrestling: 25 Catchphrases that Explain the Attitude Era.'

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DX Fires the First Shot | 25 Catchphrases That Explain the Attitude Era Nov 09, 2022

Show notes

With WWE in the thick of a ratings war with the rival company WCW, D-Generation X decided to take to the battlefield by attempting an "invasion" when their foes were in a town nearby. David Shoemaker speaks with X-Pac and Road Dogg to get their first-hand perspective of the visit. Then he speaks with Trey Kerby and Chris Hero about an unlikely reason the ratings shifted on this night.

Host: David Shoemaker

Guests: Road Dogg, X-Pac, Trey Kerby, and Chris Hero

Producers: Brian H. Waters, Ben Cruz, Vikram Patel, Devon Renaldo, and Scott Somerville

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As God As My Witness (Part 2) | 25 Catchphrases That Explain the Attitude Era Sep 30, 2022

Show notes

After Jim Ross gave the call that was heard around the world, he had to regroup. Not only did Mankind and Undertaker decide to go back up on the cell, but they continued the match after ’Taker threw Mankind through the cage. David Shoemaker speaks with Jim Ross about how he was able to bounce back and speaks with Celtics play-by-play announcer Sean Grande, who is friends with both Ross and Mankind, a.k.a. Mick Foley.

Host: David Shoemaker

Guests: Jim Ross and Sean Grande

Producers: Brian H. Waters, Ben Cruz, Vikram Patel, and Scott Somerville

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As God Is My Witness | 25 Catchphrases That Explain the Attitude Era Sep 21, 2022

Show notes

It was the call heard around the wrestling world! On the night the Undertaker threw Mankind off the Hell in a Cell, Jim Ross made one of the most iconic calls in one of pro wrestling’s most memorable moments. David Shoemaker talks to Ross about his legendary call, which has been a soundtrack for many memes on the internet. He also speaks to Boston Celtics play-by-play announcer Sean Grande to get his take on this call not only from a professional perspective, but a fan’s as well.

Host: David Shoemaker

Guests: Jim Ross and Sean Grande

Producers: Brian H. Waters, Ben Cruz, Vikram Patel, and Scott Somerville

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Tyson Right Hand | 25 Catchphrases That Explain the Attitude Era Sep 02, 2022

Show notes

Mike Tyson’s redemption story is one for the ages—and so is WWE’s during the Monday Night Wars. Can you credit Mike Tyson for saving WWE? David Shoemaker speaks with boxing expert Andreas Hale about the Baddest Man on the Planet joining WWE during a tumultuous time, and how a bitten ear led to the pro wrestling event that changed WWE.

Host: David Shoemaker

Guests: Andreas Hale

Producers: Brian H. Waters, Ben Cruz, Vikram Patel, and Scott Somerville

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That’s Gotta Be Kane | 25 Catchphrases That Explain the Attitude Era Aug 19, 2022

Show notes

Kane’s debut not only led to one of the greatest rivalries in WWE history, but also to one of the greatest horror stories in wrestling. David Shoemaker sits down with Glenn Jacobs, who discusses portraying the character that made the Undertaker an underdog. Plus, he discusses the relationship between horror and pro wrestling with longtime villain Kevin Sullivan and then with horror-movie director Cody Knotts.

Host: David Shoemaker

Guests: Glenn Jacobs, Kevin Sullivan and Cody Knotts

Producers: Brian H. Waters, Ben Cruz, Vikram Patel and Scott Somerville

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Bret Screwed Bret (Part 2) | 25 Catchphrases That Explain the Attitude Era Jul 20, 2022

Show notes

The Montreal Screwjob was so intense that it needed two parts. After discussing the events that led up to it, the fall out itself led to the business as we know it changing forever. David Shoemaker speaks with Gerald Briscoe, Shawn Michaels, Triple H and Bruce Prichard about the aftermath that ultimately led to the creation of the “Mr. McMahon” character.

Host: David Shoemaker

Guests: Gerald Briscoe, Bruce Prichard, Shawn Michaels and Triple H

Producers: Brian H. Waters, Ben Cruz, Vikram Patel, and Scott Somerville

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Bret Screwed Bret (Part 1) | 25 Catchphrases That Explain the Attitude Era Jul 08, 2022

Show notes

A feud between two of WWE’s biggest stars, Bret “the Hitman” Hart and “the Heartbreak Kid” Shawn Michaels, was set to culminate at the 1997 'Survivor Series.' With Hart on his way out of WWE and heading to bitter rival WCW, the stage was set for one of the MOST controversial finishes in WWE and professional wrestling history. In Part 1, David Shoemaker discusses the events that led up to the infamous “Montreal Screwjob” with some of the biggest players involved, including Gerald Briscoe, Shawn Michaels, Triple H, and Bruce Prichard.

Host: David Shoemaker

Guests: Gerald Briscoe, Bruce Prichard, Shawn Michaels, and Triple H

Producers: Brian H. Waters, Ben Cruz, Vikram Patel, and Scott Somerville

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"SUCK IT" (Part 2) | 25 Catchphrases That Explain the Attitude Era Jun 17, 2022

Show notes

"SUCK IT" had such an impact on the lives of teenagers that we had to do the episode in two parts! David Shoemaker discusses D-Generation X 2.0 and how things changed once Triple H was in charge. He speaks with Triple H, X-Pac, and Road Dogg about this and how their lives changed when they joined the group, and he speaks to Shawn Michaels about DX’s reunion in 2006 and their lasting legacy.

Host: David Shoemaker

Guests: Triple H, X-Pac, Road Dogg, and Shawn Michaels

Producers: Brian H. Waters, Ben Cruz, Vikram Patel, and Scott Somerville

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"SUCK IT" (Part 1) | 25 Catchphrases That Explain the Attitude Era Jun 08, 2022

Show notes

It was the crass, boundary-pushing act that had every teenage boy crotch-chopping in family photos. And if you’re not down for it, we’ve got two words for ya! David Shoemaker speaks with Shawn Michaels, Triple H, Road Dogg, and X-Pac about the beginning of D-Generation X and how it felt having the entire world saying "SUCK IT!"

Host: David Shoemaker

Guests: Shawn Michaels, Triple H, X-Pac and Road Dogg

Producers: Brian H. Waters, Ben Cruz, Vikram Patel and Scott Somerville

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