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When It Was Real

When It Was Real

By: bennyjscala
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Step into the squared circle of yesteryear with When It Was Real, the ultimate throwback podcast for fans of the golden era of professional wrestling. Each week, this deep-dive audio experience transports listeners to the gritty, unfiltered days of the 1970s World Wide Wrestling Federation, when larger-than-life characters and blood-and-guts rivalries captivated fans and made wrestling feel real. Hosted by two of wrestling’s most passionate historians, When It Was Real is your ringside seat to the past: 🎙️ Nikita Breznikov – Noted WWWF historian, author, actor, and former wrestling manager whose encyclopedic knowledge and firsthand experience bring authenticity and color to every tale. 🎙️ Benny “The Playa” Scala – Acclaimed pro wrestling author and podcaster, whose wit and warmth shine through as he recalls the matches, promos, and personalities that shaped a generation. Together, Nikita and Benny guide you through the smoky arenas, unforgettable promos, and dramatic moments that defined the WWWF in the 1970s—when kayfabe was king, the belts were hard-earned, and the crowd reactions were pure electricity. Whether you remember watching Bruno Sammartino defend his title at the Garden, or you’re just discovering the legends of the past, When It Was Real delivers a heartfelt, intelligent, and often humorous look at the era that made pro wrestling a cultural phenomenon. 📻 Tune in every Wednesday at 7 PM Eastern Time for a nostalgic ride on the Wrestling Wayback Machine—because there was a time when it was real.Copyright 2026 All Rights Reserved Combat Sports & Self-Defense Wrestling
Episodes
  • When It Was Real - BONUS EPISODE - Live At The Greek!

    When It Was Real - BONUS EPISODE - Live At The Greek!
    May 23 2026

    For your additional listening pleasure during this great holiday weekend, here is our first episode of 2026! Nikita and Benny cover two of the most shocking heel turns in the history of wrestling! Spiros Arion, The Golden Greek, did the unthinkable and turned on his friend and tag team partner, Chief Jay Strongbow. And 5 years later, Larry became Judas when he turned on his mentor, wrestling's Living Legend, Bruno Sammartino. Enjoy and have a fabulous (but safe) weekend!
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    1 hr and 14 mins
  • When It Was Real - Episode 64 - Madison Square Garden - May 19, 1980

    When It Was Real - Episode 64 - Madison Square Garden - May 19, 1980
    May 21 2026

    🔥 WEDNESDAY NIGHT (May 20th) at 7:30 PM — the Wrestling Wayback Machine rolls back into the legendary Madison Square Garden for another unforgettable chapter of WHEN IT WAS REAL!

    Episode 64 of When It Was Real takes you back to May 19, 1980, for a STACKED night of classic WWF action from the Mecca of Professional Wrestling! Nikita and Benny break down every match, every moment, and every memory from this absolutely loaded card!

    💥 In the featured 6-Man Tag Team War: Pat Patterson, Tony Atlas & Ivan Putski collide with the savage Wild Samoans and the High Chief Peter Maivia in a battle that shook MSG to its core!

    🏆 Then in the brutal MAIN EVENT: WWF Champion Bob Backlund defends the gold against the powerful and dangerous Ken Patera in a TEXAS DEATH MATCH with survival on the line!

    From opening bell to main event chaos, this is old-school wrestling at its absolute finest!

    📺 Join Nikita and Benny LIVE every Wednesday night at 7:30 PM on The Playa Entertainment Network — and don’t forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and hit that notification bell!

    🎙️ WHEN IT WAS REAL — because wrestling memories never die!

    #WhenItWasReal #WWF #MadisonSquareGarden #BobBacklund #KenPatera #PatPatterson #TonyAtlas #IvanPutski #WildSamoans #PeterMaivia #TexasDeathMatch #ClassicWrestling #OldSchoolWrestling #ProWrestlingHistory #WrestlingPodcast #TerritorialWrestling #VintageWrestling #ThePlayaEntertainmentNetwork #WrestlingFans #MSGWrestling
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    1 hr and 21 mins
  • When It Was Real - Episode 63 - Madison Square Garden - May 16, 1977

    When It Was Real - Episode 63 - Madison Square Garden - May 16, 1977
    May 14 2026

    🚨 WRESTLING WAYBACK MACHINE SET FOR NEW YORK CITY! 🚨

    This Wednesday night, Episode 63 of WHEN IT WAS REAL goes LIVE at 7:30 PM on The Playa Entertainment Network! 🎙️🔥

    Nikita and Benny travel back to May 16, 1977, as the Wrestling Wayback Machine lands inside the legendary Madison Square Garden for another unforgettable night in wrestling history! 🗽💥

    This historic card features: 🏆 Superstar Billy Graham’s FIRST Madison Square Garden title defense as WWWF Champion! 💪 Classic battles from the golden era! 🎟️ A packed MSG crowd and the electric atmosphere only 1970s wrestling could deliver!

    Join us every Wednesday night at 7:30 PM and find out… 🌎 WHERE WILL THE WRESTLING WAYBACK MACHINE LAND NEXT?

    ⚡ WHEN IT WAS REAL ⚡

    #WhenItWasReal #WrestlingWaybackMachine #SuperstarBillyGraham #MadisonSquareGarden #WWWF #ClassicWrestling #TerritoryWrestling #1977Wrestling #OldSchoolWrestling #ProWrestlingHistory #ThePlayaEntertainmentNetwork #LiveWrestlingPodcast #WrestlingPodcast #VintageWrestling #MSGWrestling
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    1 hr and 23 mins
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