When It Was Real

“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!

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

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. 

🔥 "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

🔥 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

🔥 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

📺 LIVE — WEDNESDAY, SEPT 24 @ 7PM ET on The Playa Entertainment Network
🔥 LIKE & SUBSCRIBE to witness wrestling history UNFOLD!
This week, Nikita Breznikov and Benny "The Playa" Scala take a deep dive into the epic life and legacy of Pierre Clermont, better known to the wrestling world as Pat Patterson — one of the most influential minds in the business!
Before revolutionizing the WWF in 1979, Patterson dominated the territories as a flamboyant, tough-as-nails heel — especially on the West Coast and in San Francisco’s legendary Cow Palace. Under the guidance of The Grand Wizard, he perfected his craft as a top-tier antagonist, engaging in bloody rivalries that left fans in awe for over two decades.
But it was in the WWF where Patterson etched his name in granite — from his unforgettable steel cage war with Bob Backlund, to becoming the first-ever Intercontinental Champion, and eventually moving behind the curtain to help shape the Attitude Era and beyond as Vince McMahon’s most trusted right-hand man.
Also: hear the real story of Patterson’s transition to color commentator, his often-overlooked comedic brilliance on-screen, and why his influence is still felt in every Royal Rumble to this day.
💥 Don’t miss this tribute to a true architect of professional wrestling greatness.
👇 DROP A COMMENT with your favorite Pat Patterson moment!
 #WhenItWasReal #PatPatterson #WWFLegends #ProWrestlingHistory #BennyScala #NikitaBreznikov #PlayaEntertainmentNetwork #WrestlingPodcast #WWFOldSchool #IntercontinentalChampion #RoyalRumble #TheGrandWizard #BobBacklund #WrestlingManager #WrestlingLegends #AttitudeEra #WrestlingFans

🔥 Episode 29 of "When It Was Real" is pulling NO punches!
Join your hosts — WWWF historian, author, actor, and wrestling manager Nikita Breznikov and wrestling writer/podcaster Benny "The Playa" Scala — for a LIVE event that’s pure wrestling gold!
In a rare and unforgettable gathering, the iconic "Three Amigos" ride again:
👑 WWE Hall of Famer Johnny Rodz
🏆 5-Time World Tag Team Champion Tony Garea
📚 The man with a PhD in pro wrestling, "Irish" Davey O’Hannon
From the gritty locker rooms of the WWWF to the bright lights of Madison Square Garden, these legends shaped an era — and now they’re telling it like it really was.
🕖 WHEN: Wednesday, September 17th at 7 PM ET
📺 WHERE: Only on The Playa Entertainment Network
💥 This is the episode old-school fans have been waiting for!
#WhenItWasReal #TheThreeAmigos #JohnnyRodz #TonyGarea #DaveyOHannon #WWEHallOfFame #WWWF #ProWrestlingHistory #OldSchoolWrestling #ThePlayaEntertainmentNetwork #WrestlingLegends #LivePodcast #WrestlingStories #NikitaBreznikov #BennyScala #WrestlingPodcast

📢 BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND!
🔥 “What’s Old Is New Again- Part II!” 🔥
Join renowned WWWF historian Nikita Breznikov and pro wrestling podcaster/writer Benny "The Playa" Scala as they tag in for the conclusion of the second round of deep dives, shocking facts, and classic storytelling in the history of the WWWF Tag Team Championships! 👊
From the golden era to forgotten feuds, Nikita and Benny leave no turnbuckle untouched in this fan-requested follow-up episode!
💥 NEW EPISODE PREMIERES WEDNESDAY @ 7PM ET
📍Only on The Playa Entertainment Network!
👍 Like, 💬 Comment, and 🔔 Subscribe to stay in the loop!
#WhenItWasReal #WWWF #ProWrestlingHistory #TagTeamChampions #NikitaBreznikov #BennyThePlaya #OldSchoolWrestling #WrestlingPodcast #ThePlayaEntertainmentNetwork #WrestlingLegends #WrestlingThrowback #WednesdayNightWrestling #RetroWrestling

📢 BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND!
🔥 “What’s Old Is New Again!” 🔥
Join renowned WWWF historian Nikita Breznikov and pro wrestling podcaster/writer Benny "The Playa" Scala as they tag in for a second round of deep dives, shocking facts, and classic storytelling in the history of the WWWF Tag Team Championships! 👊
From the golden era to forgotten feuds, Nikita and Benny leave no turnbuckle untouched in this fan-requested follow-up episode!
💥 NEW EPISODES EVERY WEDNESDAY @ 7PM ET
📍Only on The Playa Entertainment Network!
👍 Like, 💬 Comment, and 🔔 Subscribe to stay in the loop!
#WhenItWasReal #WWWF #ProWrestlingHistory #TagTeamChampions #NikitaBreznikov #BennyThePlaya #OldSchoolWrestling #WrestlingPodcast #ThePlayaEntertainmentNetwork #WrestlingLegends #WrestlingThrowback #WednesdayNightWrestling #RetroWrestling