When It Was Real
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.
Episodes
🔥 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 – “Thanksgivin...
🎙️ 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!...
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: 🏆 T...
“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 ...
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, stun...
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, heartfe...
🔥 "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?
💥...
🔥 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...
🔥 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 o...
📺 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 terri...
🔥 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 p...
📢 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...
📢 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 epis...
🩺 WWF's RING DOCTOR TELLS ALL!
💥 Backstage Injuries, Real Fights & Wrestling Legends!
What REALLY happened behind the curtain in the golden age of pro wrestling? This week on When It Was Real, Nikita and Benny are joined by the legendary Dr. Frank Romascavage — long-time physician for the Pennsylvania State Athletic Commission and medical go-to for the WWF/WWE during its rowdiest years.
From real injuries in the ring to ch...
Just Call Him Walter – Remembering Killer Kowalski – Part II This week on When It Was Real, hosts Nikita Breznikov and Benny "The Playa" Scala once again discuss the life and times of legendary wrestler/trainer Walter "Killer" Kowalski. This week, Nikita and Benny and joined by former WWWF professional wrestler John Callahan and podcaster, author, and movie producer (The Wrestler, 350 Days) Evan Ginzburg.
Last week’s guests, “Bost...
This week on When It Was Real, hosts Nikita Breznikov and Benny "The Playa" Scala sit down with two legends who knew Walter "Killer" Kowalski like no one else—Brittany "Boston Bad Girl" Brown and "Dangerous Dave" Star.
Both were personally trained by the Hall of Famer, and they join us to pull back the curtain on the man behind the fearsome in-ring persona. Expect rare stories, heartfelt memories, and some surprising truths about ...
Get ready for a special episode of When It Was Real that flips the spotlight from the titans of the ring to the often-overlooked heroes of the squared circle. This Wednesday at 7 PM Eastern, noted WWWF historian, author, actor, and manager Nikita Breznikov, alongside veteran wrestling author and podcaster Benny "The Playa" Scala, return with a heartfelt tribute to the underdogs of the golden era. While past episodes have celebrated...
Get ready for a very special episode of When It Was Real – the ultimate old school wrestling podcast – with WWWF historian, author, actor, and legendary manager Nikita Breznikov, alongside wrestling writer and podcast host Benny “The Playa” Scala!
This week, we pay a heartfelt tribute to WWE Hall of Famer Nikolai Volkoff, just as we approach the 7th anniversary of his passing. From Cold War heat to beloved icon, Nikolai's incredibl...
Join Nikita and Benny as they are joined by a surprise guest, The Unpredictable Johnny Rodz! The WWE Hall of Famer was kind enough to chat about his legendary career and some never heard before stories!
This Wednesday at 7 PM Eastern, step into the Wrestling Wayback Machine with noted WWWF historian, author, actor, and legendary manager Nikita Breznikov, alongside pro wrestling author and podcaster Benny "The Playa" Scala, for another unforgettable trip back to the golden age of professional wrestling.
On this week’s episode of When It Was Real, the guys take an in-depth look at the charismatic, controversial, and trendsetting car...
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