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PODCAST

When It Was Real

Step into the squared circle of yesteryear with When It Was Real, the ultimate throwback podcast for fans of the golden era of professional wrestling. Each week, this deep-dive audio experience transports listeners to the gritty, unfiltered days of the 1970s World Wide Wrestling Federation, when larger-than-life characters and blood-and-guts rivalries captivated fans and made wrestling feel real. Hosted by two of wrestling’s most passionate historians, When It Was Real is your ringside seat to the

sports wrestling

All Episodes

78:55

When It Was Real - Episode 52 - Madison Square Garden...

When It Was Real ·

2026/02/26

🚨 The Wrestling Wayback Machine is fueled up and ready…Destination: GLORY! 🚨On Wednesday, February 25th at 7:30 PM on The Playa Entertainment Network, Episode 52 of When It Was Real transports you back to the hallowed battleground of Madison Square Garden on February 16, 1981 — when wrestling wasn’t sports entertainment… it was WAR. Standing tall as the embodiment of integrity, WWF Champion Bob Backlund faces his ultimate test against the wild-eyed, cowbell-swinging force of nature known as Stan

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102:51

When It Was Real - Episode 51 -The Great Debate -...

When It Was Real ·

2026/02/19

🔥 WHEN IT WAS REAL – Episode 51 🔥“The Great Debate – February 20, 1978” The Wrestling Wayback Machine is fired up and headed straight for one of the most controversial nights in professional wrestling history… Was Superstar Billy Graham’s championship reign cut short before its time? Did Vince McMahon Sr. make the right call… or change history forever with one decision? This week, Nikita and Benny crack open the vault and dive deep into the moment that still divides fans nearly 50 years later

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93:40

When It Was Real - BONUS EPISODE - Bruno! (Part II)

When It Was Real ·

2026/02/14

A couple of bonus episodes coming your way for the weekend! I can't imagine anyone would be surprised to learn that our 2 most listened to episodes are the 2 that featured Bruno...Originally aired in early October, here for your listening pleasure one more time!

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92:28

When It Was Real - BONUS EPISODE - Bruno! (Part I)

When It Was Real ·

2026/02/14

A couple of bonus episodes coming your way for the weekend! I can't imagine anyone would be surprised to learn that our 2 most listened to episodes are the 2 that featured Bruno...Originally aired in early October, here for your listening pleasure one more time!

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95:53

When It Was Real - Episode 50 - Madison Square Garden...

When It Was Real ·

2026/02/12

NOTE: Please excuse the technical difficulties at the beginning of the show...you may have to fast forward a few minutes! But it's worth the inconvenience, we promise!🔥 WHEN IT WAS REAL – EPISODE 50 🔥 🕰️ Wrestling Wayback Machine engaged… destination: Madison Square Garden, February 17, 1975. The World’s Most Famous Arena is the battleground as reigning WWWF Champion Bruno Sammartino collides with his former ally turned bitter enemy Spiros Arion — now reborn as The Iron Greek. This isn’t just a

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79:03

When It Was Real - BONUS EPISODE! - Superstar Billy...

When It Was Real ·

2026/02/07

Here's a pre-Super Bowl Bonus coming your way! Originally aired July 16, 2025, Nikita and Benny take a deep dive into the epic WWWF run of Eldridge Wayne Coleman, known and loved the world over as Superstar Billy Graham. Billy did the unthinkable when he pinned reigning WWWF Champion Bruno Sammartino at the Baltimore Civic Center on April 30, 1977. Superstar would be the first WWWF transitional champion to hold the belt for any length of time, defending the title for nearly 10 months before dropping

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84:28

When It Was Real - Episode 49 - The Cobra Clutch...

When It Was Real ·

2026/02/05

🔥 EPISODE 49 – WHEN IT WAS REAL 🔥LIVE this Wednesday, February 4th at 7:30 PM on The Playa Entertainment Network 💥 “The Cobra Clutch Challenge – 45 Years Later!” 💥 Travel back to the moment that changed the World Wrestling Federation forever. The legendary Bob Remus aka Sergeant Slaughter turned pain into patriotism and left an impact that still echoes today. Joining Nikita and Benny is WWF mainstay and master storyteller John Callahan — a former Killer Kowalski student and one of the very

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99:42

When It Was Real - Episode 48 - Double Duncum In Philly!

When It Was Real ·

2026/01/28

Join Nikita and Benny for another episode of "When It Was Real!" This week's episode is titled "Double Duncum In Philly", as a tribute to the late great Bob Duncum. The guys will be covering the epic Philadelphia Spectrum cards from January 12th and February 9th of 1980, with Duncum vs. Backlund as the centerpiece for both.The weather is cold outside, but what better way to escape than with some great hot stove old school wrestling chat! Hop inside the Wrestling Wayback Machine! Destination: When

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99:06

Another Bonus Episode - Classic Pro Wrestling With...

When It Was Real ·

2026/01/26

Here is another bonus episode to help cope with the snow and the cold! This is Episode 40 of our sister show, Classic Pro Wrestling With The WFIA. This is their 4th "Hollywood Squares" show, and the all=star panelists include former Big Time Wrestling announcer Terry Sullivan, wrestling historians George Schire and Wes Maidment, and indy wrestling legends "Boston Bad Girl" Brittany Brown and "Dangerous" Dave Star, both former students of the great Killer Kowalski. Why not take a break from the cold

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118:51

When It Was Real - BONUS EPISODE - The Three Amigos!

When It Was Real ·

2026/01/24

This episode was originally broadcast on September 17, 2025, but due to the impending inclement weather, here is one of our favorite episodes to distract you from the snow and the ice! Join Nikita and Benny as they welcome "The Three Amigos" - Johnny Rodz, Tony Garea, and Davey O'Hannon! These men graced the squared circle, as well as our TV sets, from the mid-60s well into the 1980's. The Amigos will share stories of their times in the ring, behind the curtain, and on the road...Enjoy and stay

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74:41

When It Was Real - Episode 47 - Madison Square Garden...

When It Was Real ·

2026/01/22

🔥 WHEN IT WAS REAL – Episode 47 🔥 Step into the Wrestling Wayback Machine as Nikita Breznikov and Benny “The Playa” Scala relive one of the most legendary nights in WWF history! 📍 Madison Square Garden – January 21, 1980 🏆 WWF Champion Bob Backlund vs. Ken Patera Two more championship battles, six additional hard-hitting matches, and wall-to-wall old-school action—this card had everything that made wrestling real. 📺 LIVE Wednesday, January 21st | 7:30 PM 📡 The Playa Entertainment Network 👍

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81:45

When It Was Real - Episode 46 - Bruno vs. Superstar,...

When It Was Real ·

2026/01/15

BRUNO vs. SUPERSTAR 🔥Before History Was Made… The War Began. Step into the Wrestling Wayback Machine as Nikita & Benny rewind to the first run of Superstar Billy Graham—including those legendary MSG clashes with Bruno Sammartino on Jan 12 & Feb 2, 1976. The world title would change hands a year later… but THIS was the preview that shook the Garden. 🎙️ WHEN IT WAS REAL — Live 📅 Wednesday, January 14 ⏰ 7:30 PM 📡 The Playa Entertainment Network Because there was a time when it wasn’t

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74:02

When It Was Real - Episode 45 - Live At The Greek!

When It Was Real ·

2026/01/08

🔥 LIVE AT THE GREEK! 🔥When It Was Real – Episode 45 From riot-level heat on January 7, 1975, at the Hamburg Field House, 🏟️ as Spiros Arion turns heel (with the assistance if “Classy” Freddie Blassie)—and a frustrated Larry Zbyszko in January, 1980, blocked by mentor Bruno Sammartino, until a shocking betrayal that still echoes today… 🎙️ Join Nikita Breznikov & Benny “The Playa” Scala as they fire up the Wrestling Wayback Machine and take you back to those halcyon days WHEN IT WAS REAL. 📅

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88:11

When It Was Real - Madison Square Garden - December...

When It Was Real ·

2026/01/01

Ring in the New Year the old-school way! 🎆 Join Nikita & Benny for a special New Year’s Eve LIVE episode of When It Was Real, streaming Wednesday, December 31st at 7:30 PM on The Playa Entertainment Network — and don’t forget to like & subscribe!This week, the guys break down an epic Madison Square Garden card from December 28, 1982 featuring the reigning WWF Champion Bob Backlund vs. arch-nemesis Superstar Billy Graham in a heated Lumberjack Match! Plus, both the WWF Tag Team and

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90:02

When It Was Real - Episode 43 - The Night The Music Died

When It Was Real ·

2025/12/25

EPISODE 43 — When It Was Real“The Night The Music Died” 🎄 Christmas Eve • December 24th • 7:30 PM 📺 The Playa Entertainment Network One night. One bell. One moment that changed wrestling forever. Nikita and Benny take their customary deep dive into Madison Square Garden, December 26, 1983, when Bob Backlund’s nearly six-year reign as WWF Champion came crashing down at the hands of The Iron Sheik. What looked like a title change became a turning point in history—the night professional wrestling

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92:07

When It Was Real - Episode 42 - Madison Square Garden...

When It Was Real ·

2025/12/18

🔥 LIVE this Wednesday, December 17th at 7:30 PM ET on The Playa Entertainment Network! 🔥Smash that LIKE button and SUBSCRIBE—you don’t want to miss this one! Step into the Wrestling Wayback Machine as wrestling historian, author, actor, and manager Nikita Breznikov joins forces once again with pro wrestling author, podcaster, and Sunday DJ Benny “The Playa” Scala for a deep dive into one of the most electric nights in WWWF history… 🎟️ MADISON SQUARE GARDEN – December 19, 1977 The Garden was

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82:17

When It Was Real - Episode 41 - Madison Square Garden...

When It Was Real ·

2025/12/11

7 TITLE MATCHES! The Most STACKED MSG Card EVER?! It’s Episode 41 of When It Was Real, and Nikita Breznikov and Benny “The Playa” Scala are taking you all the way back to Madison Square Garden—December 17, 1979. One night. Seven championships on the line. The WWF Heavyweight and Intercontinental Championships, as well as the. National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) and National Wrestling Federation (NWF) Championships. Plus more gold than MSG had ever seen in a single event. This week, your hosts break

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76:40

When It Was Real - Episode 40 - Fall of 1973!

When It Was Real ·

2025/12/04

🔥 WHEN IT WAS REAL — EPISODE 39! 🔥“WWWF – FALL 1973” Join wrestling historian, author, actor and wrestling manager Nikita Breznikov and podcaster/poet laureate Benny “The Playa” Scala as they fire up the Wrestling Wayback Machine and blast you straight into the heart of the World Wide Wrestling Federation in the Fall of 1973! Drama, legends, and locker-room lore included! This was the year that shaped an era — long before the bright lights and corporate polish, this is the gritty, golden

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106:00

When It Was Real - Episode 39 - Thanksgiving (1982-1983)

When It Was Real ·

2025/11/27

🔥 THANKSGIVING WRESTLING CHAOS! 🔥 2 EPIC SPECTRUM SHOWS… 1 LEGENDARY NIGHT! Travel back to 1982 & 1983 as Nikita Breznikov & Benny “The Playa” Scala crack open the Turkey Day time capsule and reveal the stories BEHIND the stories from two unforgettable Philadelphia Spectrum Thanksgiving events! 🦃 Old-school intensity. 🎤 Behind-the-curtain secrets. 💥 Wrestling the way YOU remember it. Catch Episode 39 – “Thanksgiving!” LIVE Wednesday, Nov 26th at 7 PM ET only on The Playa

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64:39

When It Was Real - Episode 38 - Madison Square Garden...

When It Was Real ·

2025/11/20

🎙️ WHEN IT WAS REAL — EPISODE 38 LIVE WED • NOV 19 • 7 PM ET — The Playa Entertainment Network (Please LIKE & SUBSCRIBE!) Step into the wrestling time machine as wrestling historian, author, actor, and wrestling manager Nikita Breznikov, and veteran pro wrestling author (Pro Wrestling Stories) and podcaster Benny “The Playa” Scala crack open one of the most electric nights in Madison Square Garden history—November 23, 1981! The guys will break down the entire card, with special emphasis on

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