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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

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All Episodes

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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74:28

When It Was Real - Episode 37 - 1977 Manager of the...

When It Was Real ·

2025/11/13

1977 Manager of the Year & Philly Spectrum – November 8, 1980: Two Moments That Defined an Era!”Get ready for another deep dive into wrestling history! 📺💥 Professional wrestling historian, author, actor, and manager Nikita Breznikov teams up once again with long-time wrestling author and podcaster Benny “The Playa” Scala for a powerhouse episode of When It Was Real. This week, the guys rewind to early November classics: 🏆 The 1977 TV taping that crowned the WWWF Manager of the Year — who

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85:44

When It Was Real - Episode 36 - Fred Richards

When It Was Real ·

2025/11/06

“Old School Wrestling Lives On!”This week, noted wrestling author, historian, actor, and manager Nikita Breznikov and veteran wrestling writer/podcaster Benny “The Playa” Scala welcome special guest Fred Richards — wrestling historian, promoter, and referee! Get ready for real stories, insider memories, and behind-the-curtain tales from the golden days of professional wrestling. 💥 👉 Grab your favorite snack and beverage, settle in, and enjoy this classic roundtable of wrestling wisdom and

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70:03

When It Was Real - Episode 35 - David Batchelor

When It Was Real ·

2025/10/30

This week on When It Was Real, Nikita and Benny welcome movie actor & professional wrestler David Batchelor — a true powerhouse trained by the legendary Dr. Tom Prichard and a proud graduate of the Jacobs-Prichard Wrestling Academy (JPWA)! David has appeared in 23 feature films, including Future World and Going Under, and has lit up screens on America’s Got Talent, Jimmy Kimmel Live, and WWE 2K17. His career spans acting, stunts, and award-winning film productions, earning recognition from the

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70:14

When It Was Real - Episode 34 - After The Ring

When It Was Real ·

2025/10/23

This week, Nikita Breznikov and Benny "The Playa" Scala welcome special guest Evan Ginzburg, Associate Producer of 350 Days, to explore the often untold story of what happens after the final bell.🏆 What’s life like for a wrestler once the spotlight fades? 🤕 How do they cope after the bumps, blood, sweat, and cheers are all memories? 🎭 From legends to journeymen, these stories deserve to be heard. Tune in for candid, heartfelt, and sometimes heartbreaking talk about life after the ring — only

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94:26

When It Was Real - Episode 33 - Heroes of Wrestling

When It Was Real ·

2025/10/16

🔥 "Heroes of Wrestling: The Infamous Night in Bay St. Louis" 🔥 Wrestling historians and insiders Nikita Breznikov and Benny "The Playa" Scala are diving DEEP into one of the most controversial Pay Per Views in wrestling history: the 1999 "Heroes of Wrestling" event! 💥 What REALLY happened behind the scenes? 💥 What went wrong…and what went right? 💥 What was it like managing Nikolai Volkoff and The Iron Sheik that night? 💥 Why does this show STILL get talked about 25 years later? Legends

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93:43

When It Was Real - Episode 32 - Bruno! Part II

When It Was Real ·

2025/10/09

🔥 EPISODE 32 – “The Unmatched Legacy of Bruno Sammartino- The Conclusion!” 🔥 He was more than a champion — he was the Living Legend. This week on When It Was Real, wrestling historian Nikita Breznikov and journalist Benny "The Playa" Scala dive deep into the life, legacy, and larger-than-life presence of Bruno Sammartino — the most beloved wrestler of all time. From Madison Square Garden sellouts to the hearts of millions, Bruno’s story is one of grit, glory, and real respect. Last week, Nikita

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92:29

When It Was Real - Episode 31 - Bruno!

When It Was Real ·

2025/10/02

🔥 EPISODE 31 – “The Unmatched Legacy of Bruno Sammartino” 🔥He was more than a champion — he was the Living Legend. This week on When It Was Real, wrestling historian Nikita Breznikov and journalist Benny "The Playa" Scala dive deep into the life, legacy, and larger-than-life presence of Bruno Sammartino — the most beloved wrestler of all time. From Madison Square Garden sellouts to the hearts of millions, Bruno’s story is one of grit, glory, and real respect. 👊 Was there ever anyone like

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80:59

When It Was Real - Episode 30 - Pat Patterson

When It Was Real ·

2025/09/25

📺 LIVE — WEDNESDAY, SEPT 24 @ 7PM ET on The Playa Entertainment Network🔥 LIKE & SUBSCRIBE to witness wrestling history UNFOLD! This week, Nikita Breznikov and Benny "The Playa" Scala take a deep dive into the epic life and legacy of Pierre Clermont, better known to the wrestling world as Pat Patterson — one of the most influential minds in the business! Before revolutionizing the WWF in 1979, Patterson dominated the territories as a flamboyant, tough-as-nails heel — especially on the West

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118:52

When It Was Real - Episode 29 - The Three Amigos!

When It Was Real ·

2025/09/18

🔥 Episode 29 of "When It Was Real" is pulling NO punches! Join your hosts — WWWF historian, author, actor, and wrestling manager Nikita Breznikov and wrestling writer/podcaster Benny "The Playa" Scala — for a LIVE event that’s pure wrestling gold! In a rare and unforgettable gathering, the iconic "Three Amigos" ride again: 👑 WWE Hall of Famer Johnny Rodz 🏆 5-Time World Tag Team Champion Tony Garea 📚 The man with a PhD in pro wrestling, "Irish" Davey O’Hannon From the gritty locker rooms of

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99:21

When It Was Real - Episode 28 - Return Of The Tag...

When It Was Real ·

2025/09/11

📢 BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND! 🔥 “What’s Old Is New Again- Part II!” 🔥 Join renowned WWWF historian Nikita Breznikov and pro wrestling podcaster/writer Benny "The Playa" Scala as they tag in for the conclusion of the second round of deep dives, shocking facts, and classic storytelling in the history of the WWWF Tag Team Championships! 👊 From the golden era to forgotten feuds, Nikita and Benny leave no turnbuckle untouched in this fan-requested follow-up episode! 💥 NEW EPISODE PREMIERES WEDNESDAY

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100:49

When It Was Real - Episode 27 - Return Of The Tag Teams!

When It Was Real ·

2025/09/04

📢 BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND! 🔥 “What’s Old Is New Again!” 🔥 Join renowned WWWF historian Nikita Breznikov and pro wrestling podcaster/writer Benny "The Playa" Scala as they tag in for a second round of deep dives, shocking facts, and classic storytelling in the history of the WWWF Tag Team Championships! 👊 From the golden era to forgotten feuds, Nikita and Benny leave no turnbuckle untouched in this fan-requested follow-up episode! 💥 NEW EPISODES EVERY WEDNESDAY @ 7PM ET 📍Only on The Playa

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01:42:35

When It Was Real - Episode 26 - Dr. Frank!

When It Was Real ·

2025/08/28

🩺 WWF's RING DOCTOR TELLS ALL! 💥 Backstage Injuries, Real Fights & Wrestling Legends! What REALLY happened behind the curtain in the golden age of pro wrestling? This week on When It Was Real, Nikita and Benny are joined by the legendary Dr. Frank Romascavage — long-time physician for the Pennsylvania State Athletic Commission and medical go-to for the WWF/WWE during its rowdiest years. From real injuries in the ring to chaotic backstage moments, Dr. Frank shares never-before-heard stories

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01:55:25

When It Was Real - Episode 25 - Walter Part II

When It Was Real ·

2025/08/21

Just Call Him Walter – Remembering Killer Kowalski – Part II This week on When It Was Real, hosts Nikita Breznikov and Benny "The Playa" Scala once again discuss the life and times of legendary wrestler/trainer Walter "Killer" Kowalski. This week, Nikita and Benny and joined by former WWWF professional wrestler John Callahan and podcaster, author, and movie producer (The Wrestler, 350 Days) Evan Ginzburg. Last week’s guests, “Boston Bad Girl” Brittany Brown and “Dangerous” Dave Star shared some

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