In this episode, the hosts dive into WCW’s Halloween Havoc 1989, exploring its place in wrestling history and how it shaped the NWA era. They kick things off by comparing today’s wrestling scene — highlighting NXT’s success with talent like Ricky Starks versus AEW’s handling of similar stars. The discussion then shifts to Big E’s retirement and Ridge Holland’s release, before the crew breaks down the night’s matches in detail.

From the chaotic Midnight Express showdown to the powerful clash between the Steiner Brothers and Doom, the hosts analyze the storytelling, physicality, and psychology that defined the event. They spotlight Lex Luger’s standout performance and character development, while also reflecting on missed career opportunities and the importance of strong match finishes. Wrapping up, they evaluate the show’s overall pacing — noting the strength of the second half — and share their excitement for what’s next on the horizon: Clash of the Champions.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Halloween Havoc 1989

01:56 Current Wrestling Landscape: NXT vs AEW

10:39 Big E's Retirement and Ridge Holland's Release

18:44 Halloween Havoc 1989: Match Reviews and Reactions

27:43 Match Analysis and Crowd Reactions

28:54 The Cuban Assassin vs. Wildfire Tommy Rich

30:46 Dynamic Dudes vs. Free Birds

36:31 Steiner Brothers vs. Doom

42:20 Final Thoughts on Matches

42:28 Power and Technical Ability in Wrestling

42:50 Lex Luger's Evolution and Impact

44:07 The Match Dynamics of Luger vs. Pillman

45:18 Mismanagement of Wrestling Talent

46:48 The Road Warriors vs. The Skyscrapers

54:35 The Main Event: Sting and Ric Flair vs. Terry Funk and Muda

01:01:01 The Realness of Wrestling Matches

01:02:35 Match Analysis and Highlights

01:03:49 The Evolution of Wrestlers

01:05:42 Overall Show Assessment

01:06:18 Looking Ahead to Future Events