The Book of Wrestling

The Book of Wrestling

Based off of Bill Simmons' highly popular book, which evolved into a podcast, the “Book of” theme has established a brand that is known to fans. This theme focuses on the history of a sport and the people who have defined that history. The Attitude Era is one of the most celebrated in WWE history, and the catchphrases that helped define it live in the memory of every fan. This show looks to tell the stories behind those words and sounds that propelled wrestling to new heights. Each episode will focus on one catchphrase, with David Shoemaker serving as the host. He will set up the story, use audio to help bring the story to life, and talk to the people who either played a part in the creation of the catchphrase, or were there to witness its impact on the wrestling community.

Episodes

Card Subject to Change

January 26, 2023 • 45 secs
David Shoemaker gives an update on the status of 'The Book of Wrestling: 25 Catchphrases that Explain the Attitude Era.' Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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DX Fires the First Shot | 25 Catchphrases That Explain the Attitude Era

November 9, 2022 • 55 mins
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...
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As God As My Witness (Part 2) | 25 Catchphrases That Explain the Attitude Era

September 30, 2022 • 61 mins
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 S...
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As God Is My Witness | 25 Catchphrases That Explain the Attitude Era

September 21, 2022 • 50 mins
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...
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Tyson Right Hand | 25 Catchphrases That Explain the Attitude Era

September 2, 2022 • 55 mins
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...
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That’s Gotta Be Kane | 25 Catchphrases That Explain the Attitude Era

August 19, 2022 • 64 mins
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 ...
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Bret Screwed Bret (Part 2) | 25 Catchphrases That Explain the Attitude Era

July 20, 2022 • 60 mins
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...
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Bret Screwed Bret (Part 1) | 25 Catchphrases That Explain the Attitude Era

July 8, 2022 • 45 mins
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 o...
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"SUCK IT" (Part 2) | 25 Catchphrases That Explain the Attitude Era

June 17, 2022 • 40 mins
"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, ...
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"SUCK IT" (Part 1) | 25 Catchphrases That Explain the Attitude Era

June 8, 2022 • 40 mins
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, ...
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Die Rocky Die | 25 Catchphrases That Explain the Attitude Era

May 18, 2022 • 50 mins
Before he became the most electrifying man in sports entertainment, Dwayne “the Rock” Johnson was a paint-by-numbers babyface who was immediately and thoroughly rejected by the WWE fans. In this episode, David Shoemaker discusses how three words, “Die Rocky Die” (and two others: “Rocky sucks”), led to Johnson becoming to one of the biggest stars the business has ever seen. He speaks with Ron Simmons and The Godfather, who had a fro...
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Pillman 9 Millimeter | 25 Catchphrases That Explain the Attitude Era

May 11, 2022 • 58 mins
Brian Pillman shocked the wrestling world when he did the unthinkable—he pulled out a 9MM Glock to defend himself against an invading “Stone Cold” Steve Austin on Monday Night Raw. David Shoemaker speaks with Paul Heyman and Bruce Prichard about all the shocking moments in Pillman’s career—and the legacy of reality bending he left behind. Host: David Shoemaker Guests: Paul Heyman and Bruce Prichard Producers: Brian H. Waters, Troy...
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BONUS: 'The Gimmick Attorney' Michael E. Dockins on Protecting Wrestlers' Intellectual Property

April 27, 2022 • 75 mins
In this bonus episode, we release the full interview with Michael E. Dockins, who speaks about protecting pro wrestling's intellectual property, WWE using replacement characters for Diesel and Razor Ramon after Scott Hall and Kevin Nash left for WCW, and whether or not he would have used those characters. Host: David Shoemaker Guest: Michael Dockins Producer: Brian H. Waters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.co...
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You Want a War? | 25 Catchphrases That Explain the Attitude Era

April 20, 2022 • 37 mins
When Scott Hall and Kevin Nash joined WCW as the Outsiders, Vince McMahon decided on a different approach with “replacements.” David Shoemaker speaks with Glenn Jacobs who before he became Kane, played the role of fake Diesel and attorney Michael Dockins, who gives the legal breakdown of the behind the scenes battle at the heart of the Monday Night Wars. Host: David Shoemaker Guests: Glenn Jacobs and Michael Dockins Producers: Bri...
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Austin 3:16 | 25 Catchphrases That Explain the Attitude Era

April 14, 2022 • 50 mins
Nine words elevated a mid-carder into one of the most iconic WWE superstars of all time. In Chapter 2, David Shoemaker speaks with Michael P.S. Hayes about the infamous promo 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin cut after defeating Jake 'the Snake' Roberts at 'King of the Ring' 1996. Host: David Shoemaker Guest: Michael P.S. Hayes and Carlos Herrera Producers: Brian H. Waters, Vikram Patel, Scott Somerville, and Troy Farkas Learn more about y...
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Prologue: The Curtain Call | 25 Catchphrases That Explain the Attitude Era

April 4, 2022 • 44 mins
The Curtain Call was the unofficial kickoff of the Attitude Era, when four guys—Shawn Michaels, Scott Hall, Kevin Nash, and Triple H—broke the unwritten rules of pro wrestling and changed the way we talk about the industry forever. Host: David Shoemaker Producers: Brian H. Waters, Troy Farkas, Vikram Patel and Scott Somerville  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Introducing the Book of Wrestling

March 28, 2022 • 46 secs
Based off of Bill Simmons' highly popular book, which evolved into a podcast, the“Book of” theme has established a brand that is known to fans. This theme focuses on the history of a sport and the people who have defined that history. The Attitude Era is one of the most celebrated in WWE history, and the catchphrases that helped define it live in the memory of every fan. This show looks to tell the stories behind those words and so...
Mark as Played

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