Podcast Review: AOW w/ Stone Cold Steve Austin

Episode 174 features the best wrestler of all time. I say this not only because he has sold the most t-shirts of all time in wrestling, but he is the total package in and out of the ring. Stone Cold was my idol for the longest time. Watching him as teenager, I was able to connect with his anti-authoritative character. Not saying I was a rebel of any sorts, but it's what wrestling needed at the time and the character I needed at the time. Colt Cabana mentioned that he talked to Stone Cold on Twitter and was trying to get him on as a guest. Stone Cold actually had Colt on his show a few weeks before this podcast was released.

The conversation between the two was fluid, and it seemed like they have been friends for a long time. They delved into Stone Cold's early career which really wasn't covered before. I've watched a lot of WWE/ WWF/ WCW/ ECW documentaries and what they covered was pre- all of that. They talked about how Austin got into the business, who he trained with and some stories that I've never heard. If you haven't started listening to the Art of Wrestling Podcast, this is a perfect episode to jump in on. If you like the format, all the other episodes will be just as entertaining. Even the Harvey Whippleman episode was great. And I knew next to nothing about Harvey Whippleman.

At the end of the podcast, Austin suggested that him and Colt break down their favorite matches in a special edition of each other's shows. I really hope that this made into a reality. I can't really get enough of Stone Cold Steve Austin even though he's been off  wrestling TV for about ten years now.

I give this podcast 5 out of 5 Burning Lariats.

Listen to the podcast on iTunes, Stitcher Radio or http://tsmradio.com/coltcabana/

Podcast Review: AOW w/ Scott Hall

In episode 169 of the Art of Wrestling Podcast, Colt Cabana interviews legendary 90's wrestler Scott Hall. Hall was known as Razor Ramon in the WWF where he gained some notoriety and built quite the following. After some contract disputes with Vince McMahon, he jumped to WCW as Scott Hall and started one of the most important factions of all wrestling history the NWO. Wrestling was as popular as ever when Scott Hall and the NWO were on top.

In this podcast, Hall discusses his beginning as a wrestler, and why is was so important for him to make it to the top of his game. He also discusses the decision to jump to WCW and some background information about what it was like to work for Vince McMahon at that time. Its been documented that Hall has had trouble with substance abuse later in his career. He has all but conquered those demons and is currently managing his son Cody Hall in the wrestling business. He goes into depth about his family growing up and how it lead to some of his problems as an adult. It was good to hear Scott Hall sober and coherent. I'm glad he's on a road to recovery and I am happy to hear his passion of the wrestling business. I wish this could have gone longer than an hour, because there are so many other stories I wanted to hear. I know that Stone Cold Steve Austin interviewed him on his podcast so I can check that one out.

There is some bonus material on this podcast that made the entire listening experience superior. Colt talks with Cody Hall for a few minutes before the interview with Scott and shares about his current relationship with his father. Another bonus is a skit where "Shawn Michaels" leaves a voicemail for Colt Cabana talking about the show which is absolutely hilarious. Not sure if non-wrestling fans will get it, but I truly loved it.

I give AOW 169 w Scott Hall 4 out of 5 Burning Lariats.

Podcast Review: The Art of Wrestling Episode 167 - The Genius Lanny Poffo

The Art of Wrestling hosted by Colt Cabana is my favorite wrestling Podcast. It's usually a cool, relaxed conversation with his wrestler buddies. He's had Daniel Bryan, CM Punk, Jake the Snake Roberts and many other wrestlers from several generations. Even if you aren't a wrestling fan, I would recommend trying at least one out. Try the Miz! Everyone knows who the Miz is.

This week's episode (at least the one I listened to this week) stars The Genius Lanny Poffo. The Genius comes from the prestigious Poffo wrestling family. Originally from Downers Grove, IL his father Angelo Poffo was a promoter in the Memphis area rivaling Jerry Lawler. Lanny's brother is no other than Randy Macho Man Savage. All and all a very talented and important family when it came to wrestling.

This was an interesting interview for a couple of reasons. A lot of wrestlers struggle in their later years because of drug addiction, depression or past injuries catching up with them. Poffo is a nice change of pace where he is a positive thinker and happy to be retired from the wrestling world. He never reached the heights of his brother Macho Man, but he is thankful for every opportunity he had. His highest level of popularity was when he entered a program with the then champion Hulk Hogan. He faced Hogan at a Saturday Night Main Event in 1989 and actually beat him. He won by count out, so he didn't win the title, but that's still pretty impressive. Hulk Hogan beat everybody in the 80's.

Poffo touches on his brothers death, as the two were very close. Cabana is a great interviewer and actually doesn't ask about the Macho Man, but Poffo insists that Randy was the only reason that he achieved anything in his wrestling career. It was a solid conversation with The Genius breaking into poems every so often, it was his gimmick for years, and I enjoyed every moment.

I give the AOW with The Genius 4 out of 5 Burning Lariats.

You can subscribe to the Art of Wrestling Podcast on iTunes and Stitcher Radio or you can stream all of the episodes from Colt's site http://tsmradio.com/coltcabana/