Episode 456: Bad Blood 2003 REMIX

Bruce is under the weather this week, so we are diving into the archives of Something To Wrestle for what we believe was a sleeper episode of the show. This breakdown of Something To Wrestle is brought to you by our friends at LUMEN - Take the next step in improving your health, go to https://www.lumen.me/WRESTLE to get 15% off your Lumen. Business was down for the WWE in 2003 compared to 2002, but why? Bruce Prichard and Conrad Thompson discuss "the State of the WWE" for two hours this week and it's based around Bad Blood 2003, which exceeded expectations. Was it the Hell in a Cell that was responsible for the bump in business? Was it the return of Mick Foley? The show also featuring a burping contest, a poontang pie eating contest, and a singing contest -- who booked this?! Nobody was asking that for Flair-Michaels, a full five years before the famous retirement match. You'll also hear details about the beginning of Evolution, how Vince got Christian to cut his hair, why Rocky Johnson didn't last in developmental, why Sahadi left, why Jamal left, how Sable and Mero were doing, Nowinski's career, the spot with Steiner that everyone talks about on this show, how Test went into business for himself, the rib that McMahon played during this show, what Goldberg veto'ed in his match with Jericho, and what this show led two just two weeks later. Don't miss another "sleeper episode" filled with hours about a very interesting time for a company in transition, it's all about the WWE in 2003! FUM - Start the Good Habit at https://tryfum.com/WRESTLE to save 10% off the Journey Pack today. DRAFT KINGS - Download the NEW DraftKings Pick Six app NOW and use code STW. That’s code STW for new customers to play $5, and get $50 in Pick 6 credits GUARANTEED, PLUS one month of NFL+ Premium on us! Offer expires 9/19. Only on DraftKings Pick Six. The crown is yours.  THE AMAZING KING - The Amazing Kind, plant-based pain relief balms, creams & gels for muscles & joints and infused oils for mood support and sleep, only at https://theamazingkind.com/ - Buy now at TheAmazingKind.com and get 20% off all orders with promo code: Wrestle – Your body will thank you! FREEBIRD ROAD: https://youtu.be/kd6MCIEkztQ?si=iMmg4L-7_N6VXp0P SAVE WITH CONRAD - Stop throwing your money on rent! Get into a house with NO MONEY DOWN and roughly the same monthly payment at https://nationsgo.com/conrad/ ADVERTISE WITH BRUCE - If your business targets 25-54 year old men, there's no better place to advertise than right here with us on Something to Wrestle You've heard us do ads for some of the same companies for years...why? Because it works! And with our super targeted audience, there's very little waste. Go to https://www.podcastheat.com/advertise now and find out more about advertising with Something to Wrestle. FOLLOW ALL OF OUR SOCIAL MEDIA at https://nationsgo.com/conrad/ On AdFreeShows.com, you get early, ad-free access to more than a dozen of your favorite wrestling podcasts, starting at just $9! And now, you can enjoy the first week...completely FREE! Sign up for a free trial - and get a taste of what Ad Free Shows is all about. Start your free trial today at https://adfreeshows.supercast.com/ Get all of your Something to Wrestle merchandise at https://boxofgimmicks.com/collections/stw Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices