The William Muldoon Tour Begins - 1000 Hours
When It Was Cool Wrestling and Retro Pop Culture (DragonKingKarl)
Release Date: 08/17/2025
McLeod defeats Farmer Burns and more! - 1000 Hours
When It Was Cool Wrestling and Retro Pop Culture (DragonKingKarl)
Today on the 1000 Hours Podcast, the podcast all about the pioneer era of pro wrestling (1800s) we continue to go through my book and we are nearing the end of the pioneer era. Martin 'Farmer' Burns had defeated Evan 'Strangler' Lewis and the reputation of Lewis took a big hit after the newspapers firmly believed the match had a predetermined outcome. However, Farmer Burns would not be champion for long as a newcomer, Dan McLeod, who burst onto the scene. Also, we revisit that time that H.M. Dufur was shot in the fact. Literally, shot in the face. YOU CONTROL THIS SERIES! It will only run as...
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1984 Hulk Hogan Wins the WWF Title From Iron Sheik!
When It Was Cool Wrestling and Retro Pop Culture (DragonKingKarl)
I have a special show for you this week in place of the DragonKingKarl Classic Wrestling Podcast, I was a guest on the Def Dave podcast which covers pop culture and this season he is coving 1984 and invited me on to discuss the historic WWF title match where Hulk Hogan defeated The Iron Sheik and kicked off the Hulk-a-mania Era of pro wrestling! I hope you enjoy this show and you can subscribe to Def Dave on most all major podcast platforms. There is no extended version of the show this week. I am working on a bigger overrun for Sunday's 1000 Hours show.
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Amazing Spider-Man (1977) Retro TV Review Podcast Special
When It Was Cool Wrestling and Retro Pop Culture (DragonKingKarl)
In 1977 Marvel Comics brought Spider-Man to live action for the first time. Well... not the first time if you count the Electric Company on PBS but you get the picture. I had no idea that this ended up being a TV series that ran TWO seasons! My childhood memory wanted this to be a couple TV specials and I remember them not being very good. Well, the TV pilot wasn't as bad as I remembered. It wasn't good but it wasn't horrible. More like just boring while soaked in 1970s. Anyway, here's the audio review.
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June 16, 1986 Wrestling Observer Newsletter Review
When It Was Cool Wrestling and Retro Pop Culture (DragonKingKarl)
This week on my classic wrestling podcast, I take a look back at the June 16, 1986, issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter by Dave Meltzer. This was one of the sources used in my latest book available at Amazon. This is an issue with a huge news story discussing the severe motorcycle accident suffered by Kerry Von Erich which ultimately led to the partial amputation of his foot. In addition, that huge story is news on Billy Jack Haynes, Roddy Piper, and a major AWA show heading to Denver. Plus, news on the NWA Great American Bash 1986 tour series.
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That Didn't Go as Planned - 1000 Hours
When It Was Cool Wrestling and Retro Pop Culture (DragonKingKarl)
Join me on the podcast dealing with the pioneer era of pro wrestling. Taken from the pages of my book available at Amazon, we are detailing the events of the last decade of the pioneer era of pro wrestling, the 1890s. Martin 'Farmer' Burns has been on the rise and the star of the moment of the brutal Evan 'Strangler' Lewis, the original 'Strangler' of pro wrestling. So, when the two finally meet for the American heavyweight championship, it was supposed to have ushered in a big new era in pro wrestling history, and it did, just not the way anyone expected. Evan 'Strangler' Lewis' reputation...
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Long Form History of Wrestling Podcast - May 1986 - World Class, WWF, Magnum TA)
When It Was Cool Wrestling and Retro Pop Culture (DragonKingKarl)
Today on my Long Form History of Pro Wrestling Series, I cover May 1986 from my latest book available at Amazon. April 1986 was one of the most impactful months in pro wrestling history with most major promotions in the United States holding a super card. In May, WWF, AWA, and NWA try to keep their momentum going and World Class, now having left the National Wrestling Alliance, holds their annual David Von Erich Memorial Parade of Champions card. Join me as I discuss another packed month of pro wrestling history!
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Captain Caveman (1977)
When It Was Cool Wrestling and Retro Pop Culture (DragonKingKarl)
Today on our retro TV review we take a look at the world's first superhero- Captain Caveman! Captain Caveman not only had his own stand alone series but also crossed over with the Flintstones and shared a show with them at one point. Based on two Hanna-Barbara characters previously discussed on our Wacky Races podcast, Captain Caveman also shared a lot of elements (as well as the basic plot of his shows) with Scooby-Doo. Today, let's look back at this Saturday morning cartoon classic.
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The Last Match of William Muldoon - 1000 Hours
When It Was Cool Wrestling and Retro Pop Culture (DragonKingKarl)
We continue in the final decade of the pioneer era of pro wrestling and the biggest star of the pioneer era, William Muldoon, has his last pro wrestling match in New York. Another veteran pioneer wrestler, John McMahon, has his last match as well. Still earlier pioneers like Col. James H. McLaughlin and Homer Lane continue to wrestler periodically, but it is now the era of Evan 'Strangler' Lewis and Farmer Burns is on the rise as well. The 1890s were an incredible era in pro wrestling history that set the stage for what American pro wrestling would become in the 1900s. YOU CONTROL THIS SERIES!...
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William Muldoon the Con Man - 1000 Hours
When It Was Cool Wrestling and Retro Pop Culture (DragonKingKarl)
This week on my 1000 Hours podcast series which focuses exclusively on pre-Frank Gotch era pro wrestling, we finish out the 1880s and enter the last decade of the pioneer era of pro wrestling. Taken from my popular book , we look at the final days of William Muldoon as a pro wrestler. Muldoon began losing interest in pro wrestling after the more entertainment based Greco-Roman wrestling declined in popularity, replaced by the rougher and more vicious style of Catch-as-Catch-Can and the rise of Evan 'Strangler' Lewis. Muldoon began casting his lot more and more with boxing, particularly pioneer...
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1986 and 1987 Two Incredible Years!
When It Was Cool Wrestling and Retro Pop Culture (DragonKingKarl)
My latest book, is now available for order, and it is a massive near 600-page book detailing ever major event, story, and happening in pro wrestling for 1986 and 1987. On today's podcast I touch on just a few highlights and deep dives explored in the book from the real attendance for 1987's WWF WrestleMania III to both the 1986 and 1987 NWA Jim Crockett, Sr. Memorial tag team tournaments. Let's also not forget the AWA had WrestleRock in 1986 and Japan, Canada, and Mexico had some incredible moments. Plus, sadly, the drug death epidemic began hitting pro wrestling hard and there were multiple...
info_outlineOn this edition of the 1000 Hours Podcast, the podcast all about the pioneer era of pro wrestling, author and historian Karl Stern takes a look back at 1881 in pro wrestling history including the evolution of William Muldoon from New York City Police officer to touring pro wrestling champion. Also, a physical description is given for an early championship belt, plus the death of former American champion James Owens at the age of 30.
YOU CONTROL THIS SERIES! It will only run as long as it is supported. In order to get another hour of 1000 hours we need a new Patreon supporter at any level or a cash donation via the front page of WhenItWasCool.com to either PayPal or CashApp (Please put “1000” in the note). As soon as it is received, I will produce a new hour. Presently, we are funded up to hour 100.