Ryan Joy (2024)

16/06/2023

Happy Birthday to The Ultimate Warrior!

John D'Aconti Jr. and I discuss Ultimate Warrior on today's Daily Wrestling News Show.

🎙 Get a 5-10 minute podcast on this history of wrestling using these links.

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/daily-wrestling-news-show/id1541713193

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12/06/2023

The WWF continues their march toward their King of the RIng PPV with the June 12th episode of Monday NIght Raw. Since the Owen Hart and British Bulldog match went to a draw on last week's Monday Night Raw, the WWF has put their respective tag team partners in a King of the Ring Qualifying match. This match rekindles the long standing feud between Lex Luger and Yokozuna!

John D'Aconti Jr. and I have the full story on today's Daily Wrestling News Show.

🎙 Get a 5-10 minute podcast on this history of wrestling using these links.

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/daily-wrestling-news-show/id1541713193

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05/06/2023

The WWF continues their march toward their King of the RIng PPV with the June 5th episode of Monday NIght Raw. On this live episode of Raw, the company broadcasts a taped King of the Ring Qualifying match between the British Bulldog Davey Boy Smith and his brother in-law Owen Hart. As a treat to us, the WWF also uses the alternate commentary team of Jim Ross and Gorilla Monsoon.

John D'Aconti Jr. and I have the full story on today's Daily Wrestling News Show.

🎙 Get a 5-10 minute podcast on this history of wrestling using these links.

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/daily-wrestling-news-show/id1541713193

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31/05/2023

Jeff Jarrett ties Razor Ramon (again) with his then-record 4th Intercontinental Championship victory. But what made the win bittersweet was that Godfather was supposed to drop the title the previous week to the Blue Blazer on the night of Owen Hart’s tragic accident.

It was a wild night in Moline, IL., with plenty of short matches, DQs, the in-ring debut of Beaver Cleavage, and on hell of a cliffhanger ending.

John D'Aconti Jr. has the full story on today’s Daily Wrestling News Show.

🎙 Get a 5-10 minute podcast on this history of wrestling using these links.

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/daily-wrestling-news-show/id1541713193

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30/05/2023

Happy Birthday to the only snake you ever should have been worried about. . . trust me.

John D'Aconti Jr. and I discuss Jake Roberts on today's Daily Wrestling News Show.

🎙 Get a 5-10 minute podcast on this history of wrestling using these links.

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/daily-wrestling-news-show/id1541713193

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29/05/2023

The first In Your House is in the books, and WWE is marching toward their King of the Ring Pay Per View. On the May 29th edition of Monday Night Raw aired in 1995, Double J Jeff Jarrett went up against The Undertaker in a King of the Ring Qualifying match. As you might expect, The Undertaker got the win and he'll go up against Mabel in the first round.

John D'Aconti Jr. and I have the full story on today's Daily Wrestling News Show.

🎙 Get a 5-10 minute podcast on this history of wrestling using these links.

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/daily-wrestling-news-show/id1541713193

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26/05/2023

As Dwayne Johnson refers to at the opening of the series “Tales from the Territories” there was a time in the Golden Age of professional wrestling where the business was protected and the passionate fans still believed. Kayfabe is the term we use to describe this protection of the industry.

So when bitter rivals Hacksaw Jim Duggan and the Iron Sheik were arrested for possession of illegal substances, the bigger story to the wrestling business and its fans was the fact that these mortal enemies were traveling together. It threatened to kill kayfabe all together.

John D'Aconti Jr. has the full story on today’s Daily Wrestling News Show.

🎙 Get a 5-10 minute podcast on this history of wrestling using these links.

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/daily-wrestling-news-show/id1541713193

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25/05/2023

Although most of the major players in what would become All Elite Wrestling were present for the All In PPV back in 2018, it was on this day in 2019 that AEW put on its’ first official show with the Double or Nothing PPV from Las Vegas.

A Casino Battle Royale & a rematch from New Japan would bookend the show & put the pieces in place to crown the first ever AEW World Champion later in the summer. Plus a surprise guest showed up to cause some trouble to close out the evening.

John D'Aconti Jr. has the full story on today’s Daily Wrestling News Show.

🎙 Get a 5-10 minute podcast on this history of wrestling using these links.

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/daily-wrestling-news-show/id1541713193

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24/05/2023

After a four year run as champion, the NWA Championship committee came to the conclusion that it was time for Dory Funk Jr. to drop the NWA World Heavyweight Championship. While Harley Race would be the next champion, he wasn't their first choice. Dory was actually scheduled to drop the world title belt to Jack Brisco in March of 1973, but an injury prevented Dory Funk Jr. from making the date. The legitimacy of Dory's injury is one of the great debates in pro wrestling history. Many believe Dory's father was manipulating the situation to keep the world title on his son. Others look at the provided x-rays, newspaper articles, and other "evidence" as proof that Dory did separate his shoulder in a ranch accident where his truck went into a ditch.

No matter what side of the story you believe, the NWA wanted that title off Dory Funk. They chose Harley Race as the next champion because he was a heel (and could cheat to win), the Funk's respected him from Race's previous work in the Amarillo territory, and because Harley could handle himself if Funk decided he wasn't going to do business.

The stars were aligned for Harley Race to win the world championship, and he did on this day in 1973. Race would drop the belt to the NWA's original choice Jack Brisco just a couple of months later, but Race's time on top in 1973 set the stage for him earning the championship an additional 7 times in the decades that would follow.

I have the full story on today's Daily Wrestling News Show.

🎙 Get a 5-10 minute podcast on this history of wrestling using these links.

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/daily-wrestling-news-show/id1541713193

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23/05/2023

The Hart family was robbed of a husband, father, sibling, and son far too soon.

Wrestling fans were robbed of one of the greats.

John D'Aconti Jr. and I dedicate today's Daily Wrestling News Show to the memory of Owen Hart.

🎙 Get a 5-10 minute podcast on this history of wrestling using these links.

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/daily-wrestling-news-show/id1541713193

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22/05/2023

After his WrestleMania XI loss to Big Daddy Cool Diesel, Shawn Michael's bodyguard Psycho Sid betrayed and attacked him on the April 3 Monday Night Raw. After a seven week absence (which included the first ever In Your House), Shawn returned on this day in 1995 to compete in a King of the Ring Qualifying Match against King Kong Bundy. While HBK would beat Bundy, he would get eliminated in the first round of the tournament.

John D'Aconti Jr. and I have the full story on today's Daily Wrestling News Show.

🎙 Get a 5-10 minute podcast on this history of wrestling using these links.

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/daily-wrestling-news-show/id1541713193

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19/05/2023

Happy Birthday to the "living manifestation of our dreams." Perhaps the world's only known mythological being. I've never seen a unicorn, dragon, or fairy - but I have seen a Giant.

John D'Aconti Jr. and I dedicate today's Daily Wrestling News Show to the memory of Andre "the Giant"

🎙 Get a 5-10 minute podcast on this history of wrestling using these links.

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18/05/2023

Davey Boy Smith began wrestling at the age of 15, with his 19 year old cousin Tom Billington at his side. The team we would come to know as the British Bulldogs immigrated to Canada in 1982 to train at the legendary Hart Dungeon.

After a great run as a team, Davey Boy would eventually become a singular British Bulldog & have a second act as a top tier singles competitor as well.

He passed tragically young on this day in 2002, but we’re using this somber occasion to celebrate a Hall of Fame career.

John D'Aconti Jr. has the full story on today’s Daily Wrestling News Show.

🎙 Get a 5-10 minute podcast on this history of wrestling using these links.

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/daily-wrestling-news-show/id1541713193

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17/05/2023

I love stories that grow into legends and Bruno Sammartino's big title victory over Nature Boy Buddy Rogers is one of those legends. The whole match was less than a minute and Bruno says Rogers didn't know what was going to happen. Rogers thought that he was going to win the match with a Figure Four Leglock. Many have questioned that story over the years and for good reason. Rogers definitely had a heart condition, which is why all of his matches from this point forward were super short. That condition also made it super important that the WWWF get the world title belt off Rogers in as straight forward a way as possible.

No matter the story, Bruno Sammartino wins the match, he wins the title, and he begins a 2800 plus day reign as WWWF Champion!

I have the full story on today's Daily Wrestling News Show.

🎙 Get a 5-10 minute podcast on this history of wrestling using these links.

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/daily-wrestling-news-show/id1541713193

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16/05/2023

The NWA United States Tag Team Championships were only around for five years. The Midnight Express became synonomous with those titles as their combined reigns account for for more than 500 days. On an episode of World Championship Wrestling on this day in 1987, the Midnight Express defeated the team of Ronnie Garvin and Barry Windham to capture the United States Tag Team Titles for the first time. This was the start of the longest reign in the history of the titles as the Midnights held the belts for just shy of one year.

I have the full story on today's Daily Wrestling News Show.

🎙 Get a 5-10 minute podcast on this history of wrestling using these links.

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/daily-wrestling-news-show/id1541713193

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15/05/2023

Following his match with Bret Hart at WrestleMania XI, we saw a series of vignettes where Bob Backlund ran around the country terrorizing kids on spring break. Apparently witnessing the youth of America in their element was enough to motivate Backlund into a run for President of the United States. He had a whole platform that included getting rid of Summer Vacations!

John D'Aconti Jr. and I have the full story on today's Daily Wrestling News Show.

🎙 Get a 5-10 minute podcast on this history of wrestling using these links.

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/daily-wrestling-news-show/id1541713193

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14/05/2023

One of the coolest things that the WWE has ever done is give away a house to commemorate their first ever In Your House PPV. The winner was an 11 year old WWF fan!

John D'Aconti Jr. and I have the full story on today's Daily Wrestling News Show.

🎙 Get a 5-10 minute podcast on this history of wrestling using these links.

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/daily-wrestling-news-show/id1541713193

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12/05/2023

Bret Hart had a huge announcement, but he never quite did get to it. He had plenty of choice words for Shawn Michaels, but he didn’t quite get them all out in time & Raw ended on something of a cliffhanger.

Stone Cold had some unpleasant words for the whole Hart Foundation & he managed to make his thoughts very clear.

Oh, and Rob Van Dam made his WWF debut, though he wouldn’t stay very long during this visit.

John D'Aconti Jr. has the full story on today’s Daily Wrestling News Show.

🎙 Get a 5-10 minute podcast on this history of wrestling using these links.

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/daily-wrestling-news-show/id1541713193

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11/05/2023

On this day in 1985, pro wrestling made broadcast television for the first time in decades when the WWF put their Saturday Night's Main Event show on NBC. The first episode had an edition of Piper's Pit, a WWF Championship defense from Hulk Hogan, a Lady's Championship defense from Wendi Richter, and we saw all the Rock 'N' Wrestling Connection celebrities (Cyndi Lauper and Mr. T). All of that stuff happened before a viewing audience that brought the WWF an 8.8 television rating. The main event spot went to the Junkyard Dog who more or less squashed Pete Doherty.

I have the full story on today's Daily Wrestling News Show.

🎙 Get a 5-10 minute podcast on this history of wrestling using these links.

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/daily-wrestling-news-show/id1541713193

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10/05/2023

In 1983, Nancy Argentino passed away. The circumstances of her death appear to have been at the center of a major cover up to conceal the potential involvement of WWE superstar Jimmy Superfly Snuka. After a reporter dug into the story, charges were officially brought against Snuka a full 30 years later. At that point, Snuka was not fit for trial. He passed away soon after.

The full story surrounding Nancy's untimely passing seem destined to remain a mystery. All we can do today is remember her story and send best wishes to her family.

RIP Nancy.

John D'Aconti Jr. and I have more on the subject on today's Daily Wrestling News Show.

🎙 Get a 5-10 minute podcast on this history of wrestling using these links.

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09/05/2023

As WCW is taking a turn for the worse in 1999, there are lots of ridiculous & unnecessary things going on. Like Ric Flair going from World Champion, to semi-retired President of the on air product, to institutionalized mental patient in a matter of weeks.

One of byproducts of that awful storyline, that actually turned out to be pretty entertaining, was the transformation of Charles Robinson from referee & lifelong Ric Flair fan into the “Little Nature Boy.”

John D'Aconti Jr. has the full story on today’s Daily Wrestling News Show.

🎙 Get a 5-10 minute podcast on this history of wrestling using these links.

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/daily-wrestling-news-show/id1541713193

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08/05/2023

Since the very first In Your House event is going to happen on Mother's Day, Jerry Lawler decides to invite his mom - The Queen Mother - to accompany him for his big match against Bret "Hitman" Hart. When the day finally comes, "the Queen Mother" turns out to be about 20 years younger than Jerry himself. Funny stuff.

John D'Aconti Jr. and I have the full story on today's Daily Wrestling News Show.

05/05/2023

The Plane Ride from Hell is one of those stories in wrestling. It's part tragedy, part crime, and maybe even part myth. It was a bad day for wrestling. Multiple people were fired, others were suspended, and WWE looked the other way in some other cases. Allegations of sexual misconduct came forward, settlements were made, and the whole thing is a black eye. . . but it's a significant event.

Maybe it served as a reality check when it came to excessive drug and alcohol use in the business. If not that, then it can now serve as a cautionary tale of what not to do as a wrestler or any professional in any business.

John D'Aconti Jr. and I have more on this story on today's Daily Wrestling News Show.

🎙 Get a 5-10 minute podcast on this history of wrestling using these links.

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/daily-wrestling-news-show/id1541713193

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04/05/2023

On this day in 1998, Fit Finlay got a big win on Nitro capturing the World Television Title from Booker T. The victory marked Finlay's only WCW Championship Run. It was a run that included 16 successful title defenses before he lost the title 41 days later. Almost all of those defenses were on television too. Despite a relatively short run as champion, it was certainly great while it lasted.

I have the full story on today's Daily Wrestling News Show.

🎙 Get a 5-10 minute podcast on this history of wrestling using these links.

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/daily-wrestling-news-show/id1541713193

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03/05/2023

Most people are familiar with the pair of singles matches that Hangman Page had with Kenny Omega in AEW at back to back Full Gear PPV shows in 2020 and 2021. Kenny stepped over Hangman at the 2020 show to win the eliminator tournament on his way to beoming AEW World Champion the next month. A year later in 2021, Hangman Page defeated Kenny for that same World Championship.

A similar story played out over in New Japan in 2018. Omega's star was on the rise and Hangman Page was somewhat of a junior member in the Bullet Club. On this day in 2018, Kenny Omega and Hangman Page squared off in the night one main event of the Wrestling Dontaku show. Kenny would win this match against Page on his way to becoming the IWGP Champion a month later.

I have the full story on today's Daily Wrestling News Show.

🎙 Get a 5-10 minute podcast on this history of wrestling using these links.

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/daily-wrestling-news-show/id1541713193

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02/05/2023

Earl Hebner has a weird career as a WWE official. His resume includes both the 1988 storyline screwjob where Hogan lost the title to Andre "the Giant" and the 1997 legitimate Montreal Screwjob. If you're wondering what Hebner was up to on this day in the year 2000, he was trying to right all those wrongs by helping the Rock evade a screwjob from the McMahon-Helmsley regime.

His efforts earned him a spot in a tag team handicap match alongside The Rock and going up against Triple H, Road Dogg, and X-Pac. The Rock's title would also be on the line, so if Hebner got pinned, The Rock would lose the title. It all happened in Earl's hometown of Richmond, VA.

I have the full story on today's Daily Wrestling News Show.

🎙 Get a 5-10 minute podcast on this history of wrestling using these links.

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/daily-wrestling-news-show/id1541713193

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01/05/2023

After weeks of hearing Jerry Lawler challenge Bret Hart on television, Bret finally acknowledged Jerry on this day in 1995. Bret decided to accept the The King's challenge for a match at the upcoming In Your House PPV even though he already had a scheduled match with Hakushi on the same night. Bret said he would beat Hakushi and then he would beat Jerry Lawler!

John D'Aconti Jr. and I have the full story on today's Daily Wrestling News Show.

🎙 Get a 5-10 minute podcast on this history of wrestling using these links.

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/daily-wrestling-news-show/id1541713193

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28/04/2023

World Championship Wrestling and New Japan Pro Wrestling promoted a two day 1995 event in North Korea called Collision in Korea that broke all pro wrestling attendance records. While the numbers are always in question, the first night (April 28) is said to have around 150,000 people and night 2 (April 29) had about 190,000 fans show up to watch Antonio Inoki take on Ric Flair in the evening's main event.

Episode 4 of Dark Side of the Ring's third season includes a whole bunch of terrifying stories.

John D'Aconti Jr. and I have the full story on today's Daily Wrestling News Show.

🎙 Get a 5-10 minute podcast on this history of wrestling using these links.

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/daily-wrestling-news-show/id1541713193

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27/04/2023

It’s the Spring of 1998 & WWF has recently snapped WCW’s famous 83 week streak of beating them in the Monday Night ratings. But WCW is making a habit of booking venues in the same general area & it’s pi***ng Vince McMahon off.

So D-Generation X strap on their camouflage & hop in a military Jeep to make the less than 20 mile trip from the Hampton, VA. building where Raw is taking place…to officially declare on WCW right outside the Norfolk, VA. arena where Monday Nitro is taking place that very same night.

John D'Aconti Jr. has the full story on today’s Daily Wrestling News Show.

🎙 Get a 5-10 minute podcast on this history of wrestling using these links.

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/daily-wrestling-news-show/id1541713193

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26/04/2023

After an extended absence from the World Wrestling Federation, Captain Lou Albano returned to the WWF in early 1994 and began a several week campaign to get the Quebecers to agree to face the latest team to come under his managerial guidance: The Headshrinkers. When the match was finally made, it happened on this day in 1994. With the Headshrinkers winning the titles, Captain Lou Albano found himself managing the WWF Tag Team Champions for the 20th and final time.

I have the full story on today’s Daily Wrestling News Show.

🎙 Get a 5-10 minute podcast on this history of wrestling using these links.

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/daily-wrestling-news-show/id1541713193

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Ryan Joy