When It Was Real

When It Was Real - Episode 40 - Fall of 1973!

🔥 WHEN IT WAS REAL — EPISODE 39! 🔥“WWWF – FALL 1973”
Join wrestling historian, author, actor and wrestling manager Nikita Breznikov and podcaster/poet laureate Benny “The Playa” Scala as they fire up the Wrestling Wayback Machine and blast you straight into the heart of  the World Wide Wrestling Federation in the Fall of 1973!
Drama, legends, and locker-room lore included! This was the year that shaped an era — long before the bright lights and corporate polish, this is the gritty, golden age…WHEN IT WAS REAL.

When It Was Real - Episode 39 - Thanksgiving (1982-1983)

🔥 THANKSGIVING WRESTLING CHAOS! 🔥 2 EPIC SPECTRUM SHOWS… 1 LEGENDARY NIGHT! Travel back to 1982 & 1983 as Nikita Breznikov & Benny “The Playa” Scala crack open the Turkey Day time capsule and reveal the stories BEHIND the stories from two unforgettable Philadelphia Spectrum Thanksgiving events!
🦃 Old-school intensity.
🎤 Behind-the-curtain secrets.
💥 Wrestling the way YOU remember it.
Catch Episode 39 – “Thanksgiving!” LIVE Wednesday, Nov 26th at 7 PM ET only on The Playa Entertainment Network! Hop into the Wrestling Wayback Machine and relive that magical era… When. It. Was. REAL!
👉 Please LIKE & SUBSCRIBE!
#WhenItWasReal #ProWrestlingHistory #ThanksgivingWrestling #NikitaBreznikov #BennyScala #PlayaEntertainmentNetwork #OldSchoolWrestling #PhiladelphiaSpectrum #WrestlingPodcast #ClassicWrestling #WrestlingWaybackMachine

When It Was Real - Episode 38 - Madison Square Garden - November 23, 1981

🎙️ WHEN IT WAS REAL — EPISODE 38
LIVE WED • NOV 19 • 7 PM ET — The Playa Entertainment Network
(Please LIKE & SUBSCRIBE!)
Step into the wrestling time machine as wrestling historian, author, actor, and wrestling manager Nikita Breznikov, and veteran pro wrestling author (Pro Wrestling Stories) and podcaster Benny “The Playa” Scala crack open one of the most electric nights in Madison Square Garden history—November 23, 1981! The guys will break down the entire card, with special emphasis on two legendary main events that defined an era:
🔥 Pedro Morales vs. Don Muraco — WWF Intercontinental Championship A heated clash for the gold, packed with pride, power, and pure intensity. Morales’ fire vs. Muraco’s swagger—who truly controlled the Garden?
🔥 Bob Backlund vs. Greg “The Hammer” Valentine — Return Match for the VACANT WWF Heavyweight Championship
A brutal, emotional rematch that had MSG shaking. Backlund’s grit vs. Valentine’s unrelenting precision—this was more than a match… it was a war for a legacy.
You'll get that true old school feel when Nikita and Benny take you back to When. It. Was. REAL.
📅 Every Wednesday • 7 PM ET
📺 LIVE on The Playa Entertainment Network — Don’t forget to LIKE & SUBSCRIBE!
#WhenItWasReal #ProWrestlingHistory #PedroMorales #DonMuraco #BobBacklund #GregValentine #WWF1981 #MadisonSquareGarden #WrestlingPodcast #ThePlayaEntertainmentNetwork #NikitaAndBenny #OldSchoolWrestling #WWEHistory #Wrestli

When It Was Real - Episode 37 - 1977 Manager of the Year - Philly Spectrum 11-08-80

1977 Manager of the Year & Philly Spectrum – November 8, 1980: Two Moments That Defined an Era!”
Get ready for another deep dive into wrestling history! 📺💥
Professional wrestling historian, author, actor, and manager Nikita Breznikov teams up once again with long-time wrestling author and podcaster Benny “The Playa” Scala for a powerhouse episode of When It Was Real.
This week, the guys rewind to early November classics: 🏆 The 1977 TV taping that crowned the WWWF Manager of the Year — who really deserved the title? 🔥 And the November 8, 1980, Philadelphia Spectrum card, one of the most electric nights in wrestling’s golden era!
It’s nostalgia, knowledge, and no-nonsense discussion — all delivered with that signature “When It Was Real” energy.
📅 Live Wednesday, November 12 at 7 PM Eastern
📺 Only on The Playa Entertainment Network
👍 Like, 💬 Comment, and 🔔 Subscribe to keep wrestling’s golden memories alive!
 

When It Was Real - Episode 36 - Fred Richards

“Old School Wrestling Lives On!”
This week, noted wrestling author, historian, actor, and manager Nikita Breznikov and veteran wrestling writer/podcaster Benny “The Playa” Scala welcome special guest Fred Richards — wrestling historian, promoter, and referee!
Get ready for real stories, insider memories, and behind-the-curtain tales from the golden days of professional wrestling. 💥
👉 Grab your favorite snack and beverage, settle in, and enjoy this classic roundtable of wrestling wisdom and nostalgia.
🕖 LIVE — Wednesday, November 5th, 7 PM Eastern
📺 Only on The Playa Entertainment Network
👍 Like, Subscribe & Join the Chat!

When It Was Real - Episode 35 - David Batchelor

This week on When It Was Real, Nikita and Benny welcome movie actor & professional wrestler David Batchelor — a true powerhouse trained by the legendary Dr. Tom Prichard and a proud graduate of the Jacobs-Prichard Wrestling Academy (JPWA)!
David has appeared in 23 feature films, including Future World and Going Under, and has lit up screens on America’s Got Talent, Jimmy Kimmel Live, and WWE 2K17. His career spans acting, stunts, and award-winning film productions, earning recognition from the Olympus Film Festival and AT&T Createathon — plus a Jury Award nomination for Best US Film.
Join us LIVE — Wednesday, October 29th at 7PM (EST) on The Playa Entertainment Network as Nikita and Benny sit down with David to talk training, fame, film, and the unforgettable moments... When It Was Real.
👉 Don’t forget to LIKE 👍, SUBSCRIBE 🔔, and SHARE to support the show!
#WhenItWasReal #PodcastLive #DavidBatchelor #ProWrestling #HollywoodStories #DrTomPrichard #JPWA #StuntActor #BehindTheScenes #WrestlingLegends #FilmIndustry #ActingLife #EntertainmentPodcast #ThePlayaNetwork #LikeAndSubscribe

When It Was Real - Episode 34 - After The Ring

This week, Nikita Breznikov and Benny "The Playa" Scala welcome special guest Evan Ginzburg, Associate Producer of 350 Days, to explore the often untold story of what happens after the final bell.
🏆 What’s life like for a wrestler once the spotlight fades?
🤕 How do they cope after the bumps, blood, sweat, and cheers are all memories?
🎭 From legends to journeymen, these stories deserve to be heard.
Tune in for candid, heartfelt, and sometimes heartbreaking talk about life after the ring — only on When It Was Real.
👉 Every Wednesday at 7PM ET
💬 Old school stories. Real talk. No kayfabe. 

When It Was Real - Episode 33 - Heroes of Wrestling

🔥 "Heroes of Wrestling: The Infamous Night in Bay St. Louis"
🔥 Wrestling historians and insiders Nikita Breznikov and Benny "The Playa" Scala are diving DEEP into one of the most controversial Pay Per Views in wrestling history: the 1999 "Heroes of Wrestling" event!
💥 What REALLY happened behind the scenes?
💥 What went wrong…and what went right?
💥 What was it like managing Nikolai Volkoff and The Iron Sheik that night?
💥 Why does this show STILL get talked about 25 years later?
Legends like Jake "The Snake" Roberts, King Kong Bundy, The Bushwhackers, The Iron Sheik, and Nikolai Volkoff were all there — and so was Nikita himself.
🕵️‍♂️ It’s more than a controversial PPV — it’s a wrestling mystery, and we’re pulling back the curtain.
👀 Plus: Expect a surprise guest or two to drop by and tell their side of the story.
🛎️ LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and RING THE BELL so you never miss a trip back to a time…👉 WHEN IT WAS REAL.
📺 Watch it LIVE on The Playa Entertainment Network
📅 Wednesday, October 15 @ 7 PM ET
#WhenItWasReal #HeroesOfWrestling #JakeTheSnake #TheIronSheik #NikolaiVolkoff #KingKongBundy #Bushwhackers #WrestlingHistory #ProWrestlingPodcast #WrestlingLegends #WrestlingFails #BehindTheScenes #ShootInterview #OldSchoolWrestling #WrestlingStories #PlayaEntertainment

When It Was Real - Episode 32 - Bruno! Part II

🔥 EPISODE 32 – “The Unmatched Legacy of Bruno Sammartino- The Conclusion!”
🔥 He was more than a champion — he was the Living Legend. This week on When It Was Real, wrestling historian Nikita Breznikov and journalist Benny "The Playa" Scala dive deep into the life, legacy, and larger-than-life presence of Bruno Sammartino — the most beloved wrestler of all time. From Madison Square Garden sellouts to the hearts of millions, Bruno’s story is one of grit, glory, and real respect.
Last week, Nikita and Benny covered from Bruno’s early days in Italy, through his first title reign, his loss to Ivan Koloff and his win over Stan Stasiak at Madison Square Garden on December 10, 1973. This week, the conclusion of Bruno’s career to include his broken neck, his epic feud with Spiros Arion, and the final Showdown at Shea against his pupil turned Judas, Larry Zbyszko.
👊 Was there ever anyone like Bruno?
❤️ Why did fans love him like no other?
🤔 What made his era truly real?
📺 Watch LIVE on The Playa Entertainment Network!
🛎️ Don’t forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and hit that bell so you never miss the moments… When It Was Real.
#BrunoSammartino #WhenItWasReal #WrestlingLegends #WWFHistory #WrestlingPodcast #WrestlingHistory #NikitaBreznikov #BennyScala #ThePlayaEntertainmentNetwork #WrestlingRoyalty #ProWrestling #WrestlingGOAT #MadisonSquareGarden #OldSchoolWrestling

When It Was Real - Episode 31 - Bruno!

🔥 EPISODE 31 – “The Unmatched Legacy of Bruno Sammartino” 🔥
He was more than a champion — he was the Living Legend. This week on When It Was Real, wrestling historian Nikita Breznikov and journalist Benny "The Playa" Scala dive deep into the life, legacy, and larger-than-life presence of Bruno Sammartino — the most beloved wrestler of all time. From Madison Square Garden sellouts to the hearts of millions, Bruno’s story is one of grit, glory, and real respect.
👊 Was there ever anyone like Bruno?
❤️ Why did fans love him like no other?
🤔 What made his era truly real?
📺 Watch LIVE on The Playa Entertainment Network!
🛎️ Don’t forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and hit that bell so you never miss the moments… When It Was Real!
#BrunoSammartino #WhenItWasReal #WrestlingLegends #WWFHistory #WrestlingPodcast #WrestlingHistory #NikitaBreznikov #BennyScala #ThePlayaEntertainmentNetwork #WrestlingRoyalty #ProWrestling #WrestlingGOAT #MadisonSquareGarden #OldSchoolWrestling