The Wrestling Memory Grenade

The Wrestling Memory Grenade

You pull the pin and we’ll pick up the pieces… Join host Ray Russell for an exciting trip down Memory Lane as we analyze and discuss years of wrestling history from your favorite promotions. From Hulkamania to Mulkeymania, from the Four Horsemen to the nWo, from the Midnight Express to the Lex Express. Which promotion are we deep diving into next? What year have we time-traveled back to now? Tune in and find out!

Episodes

October 8, 2026 • 37 mins

The latest Wrestling Memory Grenade rolls into August 1989 with WWF news and house show action as the road to SummerSlam heats up! We discuss Jake Roberts’ planned return to his rivalry with Ted DiBiase, Hulk Hogan’s injury troubles, and Jimmy Powers being sidelined. Roddy Piper boosts Prime Time Wrestling while the short-lived Bobby Heenan Show rides a ratings roller coaster toward its final episode. Plus, the Brain Bu...

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Welcome to this special edition of the Wrestling Memory Grenade, as guest John Poz (of the Two Man Power Trip Empire) joins Ray Russell to break down and discuss all thing Saturday Night's Main Event from July 29, 1989. Recorded for "THE BIG ONES" collection over at the Ultimate Tier of the WrestleCopia Patreon, we've decided to bring the discussion to the public! It's a special bonus summertime edition of Saturday Night's Main Eve...

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This week it's a special DOUBLE EDITION of the Grenade as Ray Russell covers TWO WEEKS of WWF TV as we close out the month of July 1989! It's a jam packed episode as The Ultimate Warrior calls out Andre the Giant on The Brother Love Show, Dusty Rhodes takes the "toys" of The Big Boss Man, even crazier promos from both sides of the SummerSlam main event from Macho Man/Zeus/Sherri and Hulk Hogan/Brutus Beefcake, Referee Ron Garvin's ...

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We continue the journey through the summer of 1989 in the WWF by discussing the weekend of July 15th - 17th TV programming! The road to SummerSlam has begun as Hulk Hogan and Brutus Beefcake accept the challenge issued by The Macho Man & Zeus! Plus, Bobby Heenan QUITS Wrestling Challenge before he debuts his own Talk Show, Roddy Piper debuts as the new co-host of Prime Time Wrestling, The Genius gifts Brother Love an honorary P...

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Grenade #206 looking at the weekend of July 8 - 10, 1989. Guest Matt Crowder returns to discuss all the goings on as we begin the road to SummerSlam! Randy Savage aligns himself with Zeus to issue a challenge to Hulk Hogan and "Beef-cake Bar-ber". Plus, Bobby Heenan officially QUITS Prime Time Wrestling as he prepares to launch his own brand new TV show, Ron Garvin continues to stick it to Greg Valentine & Dino Bravo, Rick Mart...

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We kick of JULY 1989 WWF TV this week on the Greande as it's Independence Day week in the States as the Bobby Heenan/Gorilla Monsoon bickering escalates to a new level, a wild brawl takes place on the Brother Love set as Rick Martel & Tito Santana throw down, Dusty Rhodes performs the first ever "Triple Potty Bypass", The Hart Foundation reform, The Genius makes his syndicated TV debut, Rick Rude and Warrior have words, Ted Dib...

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The Grenade is back discussing JULY 1989 WWF News & Results. As SummerSlam '89 is announced, the WWF is finalizing its biggest story, featuring Hulk Hogan/Brutus Beefcake vs. Randy Savage/Zeus headlining the event. We'll also cover roster and television changes, including Roddy Piper's return, commentary shakeups, incoming talent like the future Tugboat, and several notable departures. We'll look at the latest on No Holds Barre...

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This week on the Grenade we close out the month of JUNE TV for 1989 in the WWF! The Ultimate Warrior has a RUDE AWAKENING for IC Champ Rick Rude, we see the debut of "The Widowmaker" gimmick as Barry Windham returns, Ted Dibiase confirms Jake Roberts is out with a neck injury, The Macho Man supports ZEUS in his quest to end Hulk Hogan, Bobby Heenan is no fan of Tony Schiavone (or Mean Gene), Honky Tonk Man has words for the Superfl...

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It's a special watchalong edition of Grenade #202, as old co-host Steven Xstat returns for the festivities and joins host Ray Russell for 2 hours of fun, talking the weekend of June 17, 1989 in the WWF! The Honky Tonk Man plays a tune on "Brother-Fly" Jimmy Snuka, pumping gas with the American Dream, Hulk Hogan threatens fans who haven't seen his movie yet, Battle of the boroughs when Bad News Brown battles The Brooklyn Brawler, Ra...

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This week on the Grenade, host Ray Russell continues on into the month of June TV for 1989 in the WWF. The Dusty Rhodes "Common Man" vignettes continue as the American Dream works in a butcher shop and a Mexican restaurant! Plus, the push to go see No Holds Barred continues, Honky Tonk Man responds to the Superfly, John Studd has words for Andre the Giant, does Hercules side with "Great Taste" or "Less Filling"(?), Bad News Brown c...

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This week marks the 200th edition of the Wrestling Memory Grenade as host Ray Russell jumps back in time to kick off JUNE TV for 1989 in the WWF! We celebrate this milestone event with the arrival of "The American Dream" Dusty Rhodes, as both a pizza delivery man AND a stable boy (complete with sound bites)! Plus, "Superfly" Jimmy Snuka makes an impactful return on The Honky Tonk Man, "KIng Hacksaw" Jim Duggan and Big John Studd de...

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Special Guest Matt Crowder makes his Grenade debut as he joins host Ray Russell to discuss JUNE 1989 NEWS & RESULTS. Topics include No Holds Barred at the Box Office, Dusty Rhodes arrival, Superfly's return, Big John Studd & Owen Hart quit, Roddy Piper signs a new contract, Twin Towers on Arsenio, Savage vs. Hulk selling out arenas, Jake Roberts undegoes surgery, MSG undergoes renovations, Ronnie Garvin as Referee, Barry Wi...

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The Grenade is back with #198 as host Ray Russell looks at the WWF's Saturday Night's Main Event from May 27, 1989. The Big Boss Man challenges WWF Champion Hulk Hogan inside the STEEL CAGE! Plus, a surprise appearance by ZEUS, Tag Champs Demolition vs. The Brain Busters, IC Champ Rick Rude vs. King Duggan, The Macho Man vs. Jim Neidhart, the return of THE SUPERFLY, & more!

If you're enjoying WrestleCopia and interested in helpi...

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The Grenade returns with two more weeks of MAY 1989 WWF TV goodness! As we prepare for the upcoming SNME with Boss Man vs. Hogan in a Cage AND the premiere of No Holds Barred (at a theater near you... maybe), the WWF machine just keeps on trucking. The Rougeau Brothers attack the Rockers after Shawn & Marty try a hand at singing their own theme song! Plus, the coronation of new KING "Hacksaw" Duggan, Red Rooster vs. Brooklyn Br...

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New Grenade #196 as we kick off MAY TV for 1989 in the WWF. Looking into the first 2 weeks of May, the WWF debuts a new intro and look for it's Superstars TV program, ZEUS arrives in the ring, Ronnie Garvin is retired from wrestling but has a new job as WWF Trouble Shooting Referee! Speaking of referees, Danny Davis returns as an official while under probation, Warrior wants the IC Title back from Rick Rude, Brutus Beefcake vows re...

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Welcome to a Special Edition of The Wrestling Memory Grenade #195 as Mike Mills of Booking the Territory joins Ray Russell to discuss WCW 1994, the talent, the structure change upon Hulk Hogan's arrival, and all of the good... AND bad things it caused for both the business, and the fans... Brother! As Mike would say.. Book It, Bitch!

If you're enjoying WrestleCopia and interested in helping us continue to grow, please consid...

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Guest John Poz joins Ray Russell as they discuss MAY 1989 WWF NEWS & RESULTS! Jake Roberts Arrested, Zeus begins to tour, Dusty Rhodes Arrives, Roddy Piper steps back in the ring, Hulk Hogan vs. The Macho Man takes a new turn with Sherri at ringside, Vince continues to screw with the NWA, No Holds Barred coming soon, David Sammartino apologizes, Bad News Brown finds a partner(?), Tag Champs Demolition vs. Twin Towers, IC Champ ...

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This week on the Grenade, Ray Russell continues the journey back to April 1989 WWF TV to close out the month with two more weeks of storylines, gimmicks, and action galore! A double dose of Brother Love, one comedic and one very serious in demeanor. While the Bushwhackers play pranks filled with sardines on poor Brother, Brutus Beefcake is assaulted and has his hair cut by the Macho Man & Sensational Sherri! Plus, Greg Valentin...

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Coming out of WrestleMania V it's a "new season" of WWF action as we look at the first two weeks of April 1989 WWF TV. We see a post PPV angle where Hulk Hogan saves Elizabeth from the hands of the Macho Man, leading to the subsequent announcement of The Sensational Sherri as the new manager of Randy Savage! Plus, we're treated to the first two poetic vignettes featuring "THE GENIUS" Lanny Poffo! Several new house show feuds begin ...

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This week on the Grenade begins the new "season" of the WWF in 1989 as former WMG co-host Steve "XStat" stops by in a guest spot to discuss the Mania fallout. With WrestleMania V now behind us, The Macho Man finds himself a new manager as he comes back for "his" WWF title in rematches with Champion Hulk Hogan. Plus, we discuss the Tag Team scene, partners disband for a fresh start, new feuds, new gimmicks, new matches, new roles, N...

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