»Reported by Adam Martin of WrestleView.com

On Tuesday, March 22, 2005 at 4:24 PM EST

Tim Stein of WrestleTalkRadio sent in the following...

This past Sunday marked a milestone for WrestleTalkRadio and its signature show ‘WTR Sunday Night’. One year ago the landscape of the Internet Wrestling Community was forever altered when the ‘Evolution of Online Entertainment’ made their debut. While we can’t list all of the guests that have been on our fifty shows since that day, some of the highlights include rare interviews with stars like Homicide, Diana Hart, Penny Banner, Jack Evans and Bad News Allen, the first interview with Johnny Devine after his stabbing, stars of the future like Austin Aries, Harry “Bulldog” Smith, Michael Shane, “Wildcat” Chris Harris, former WWE superstars like Mick Foley, Gail Kim, Ted DiBiase, Carl Oulette and Steve Blackman, the only show that has been promoted by John Cena and Lita, and much more. However, the big thing about WTR’s success is all of our friends, fellow websites, and most importantly you the listeners, who have tuned in and helped WTR become the show it has become today. So as we blow out the candles, we say THANK YOU! In keeping with the tradition of unequaled in quality broadcasts and phenomenally stellar guests ‘WTR Sunday Nights’ was honored to be joined in their celebration at ‘Bottom’s Up’ Sports Pub by NWA/TNA’s Lance Hoyt, WWE’s Frankie Kazarian and wrestling legend ‘Psycho’ Sid Vicious.

Double J started off the broadcast by bringing in the rest of the crew from Calgary. Tim, Doc, Jason and Dave Standish were live from ‘Bottom’s Up Sports Café’ and the show was underway. Everybody ran down the week that was in their lives, congratulations on the first year were offered and a complete run-through of a jam packed line up for WTR’s first anniversary show was in order. Jason Clevett then brought everyone listening up to speed on the week that was in professional wrestling discussing the classic returns on RAW, the injury status of ‘Hotshot’ Johnny Devine and Jason’s very controversial remarks regarding ‘Destination X’.

Bringing ‘WTR Sunday Nights’ out of its first break was a replay of the first appearance of Lance Hoyt on the show when he broke the story of his being signed by NWA/TNA. Double J welcomed Lance back and the questions were quick to fire. Doc asked about the recent decision by NWA to change Lance’s name from the previous gimmick of ‘Dallas’ to having him work under his own name. Lance said that while working without the shield of a persona is intimidating the fans quickly embraced the change and even began chants during tapings. While he had no confirmation as to why it happened he agreed that the best move was the nonchalant transition they took. Jason then asked about the difference between the crowds in Nashville and Orlando. Lance attributed it to the ever changing tourist crowd that fills the Orlando tapings whereas the Nashville crowd started to get a bit complacent and were becoming stale. Double J then asked Lance his feelings about being left off the ‘Destination X’ pay-per-view after working a spot at ‘Against all Odds’. The interview then turned to the new creative direction that NWA/TNA took towards being a more family oriented program, Lance’s assessment of the abruptness of the changes and his impressions of whether the changes were even warranted or not. This led into his feelings about Dusty Rhodes as a booker and how the perception of Kid Kash as a difficult worker is hugely unfair. Check out the complete show by clicking here.

Lance then took a question from the WTR Chat Room about his feelings regarding Frankie Kazarian leaving NWA/TNA and whether he thought it was the start of an unfortunate trend. While he did admit that losing Kazarian was a blow to TNA seeing as he was such a great talent he did not think that it marked the beginning of a number of workers leaving TNA. Doc then asked whether there was any concern amongst other wrestlers that the WWE’s record for misusing talent and even burying promising talent maybe leant to their staying put in TNA. Lance thought that perhaps the change in companies required a change in the talent’s skills which they might not be so readily able to perform, thus making their progress look muted. Wrapping up a great interview with ‘WTR Sunday Nights’ Lance hoped that everybody listening would get out and support their local Indy feds as well as others around the country. He mentioned that while the biggest promotion WWE may not offer everything that there is to experience in professional wrestling and fans need to experience as much as they can.

Jason Clevett had the honor of introducing ‘WTR Sunday Nights’ second guest, the former NWA/TNA and current WWE talent Frankie Kazarian. Jason’s first question was how many dates of Metallica’s ‘Madly In Anger’ tour Frankie got to attend. Frankie, being a huge fan, said he had only managed 3 dates on the tour but got to meet the band on one stop which made it the highlight for him. Frankie then talked about his early days working with John Cena and Samoa Joe and how their differences in personalities bonded them as friends. Doc then asked what his expectations were with his upcoming chance in the WWE and how he hoped to make a mark for himself. Frankie noted that while it was exciting to be on his way to the WWE he has come to appreciate the opportunities he has been given working the Indy circuit and how winding up his commitments in these final weeks has become somewhat of a farewell tour. When asked who he would like to bring with him from TNA to WWE he quickly responded, Michael Shane. He felt they has so much still to do in TNA that he was sad to be leaving but made it clear that the shot at the WWE is what he has been working for. Two other names he mentioned he would like to bring along were AJ Styles and Christopher Daniels. Double J asked if he was worried about getting lost in the shuffle in WWE. Kazarian said he saw it more as a challenge to him to get himself noticed and keep that from happening. Whether they get lost in the shuffle or not, he said, was totally up to the wrestlers themselves. Frankie also said that he did not know if he would be carrying ‘The Future’ gimmick with him to WWE and then went into the details of how he was simply stripped of the nickname in NWA/TNA as well as his own first name without any type of explanation.

Jason brought the discussion back around to Kazarian’s early days in NWA/TNA and how he was practically married to Chris Sabin for quite some time. Frankie said that working with Chris was one of his most favorite times in TNA and that the talent level of Chris Sabin had a great deal to do with that. Double J then asked if Frankie would prefer working the cruiserweight division in WWE or what his preference would be. When asked about losing to Jeff Hammond Frankie took the opportunity to clear up any misconception that may be lingering about his supposed unhappiness. He said that his decision to leave TNA was made long before he was asked to do the match with Hammond and that he understood why the match was done and frankly thought it was good business to do what he did for TNA and for Hammond. Doc asked if Frankie felt he had any unfinished business in TNA. Frankie answered "absolutely" and said that he could foresee a time when he may even return to TNA but his focus right now is on WWE and he is putting all of his energies there. Jason then asked what Kazarian thought was his reason for having such a solid reputation with other wrestlers and what he attributes to what is perceived as a laid back attitude. Frankie cited his upbringing as well as his lack of need for "political heat" within an already competitive business.

As the interview drew to a close the chat room asked whether Frankie thought there was a rise in popularity coming anytime soon for professional wrestling. He thought that there is definitely something on the horizon that will break the business open once again. He also spoke about how the industry needed to embrace its fans more. He related how he had started out as a fan, attending shows and seeking autographs of his favorite wrestlers. He understands the fans and remembers the rush of meeting superstars which is why he always accommodates fans when he can. Before leaving Kazarian plugged the Pro Wrestling Guerrilla ‘All Star Weekend’ show he will be a part of on WrestleMania weekend April 1st and 2nd, also saying it should be his final Indy performance before starting his run with WWE.

With two absolutely great interviews in the bag the WTR Community was absolutely spoiled when Double J brought on the third star for ‘WTR Sunday Nights’ 1st anniversary show. Returning to the WTR environs and always welcomed was "The Master and Ruler of The World" ‘Psycho’ Sid Vicious!! As anyone who has listened to his first appearance on WTR knows, when Sid talks you better listen because you are going to learn something whether you like it or not. Doc started off the interview by asking Sid about his thoughts on the emerging popularity of mixed martial arts and ultimate fighting. Sid noted that the growing exposure and marketing of the two were very similar to what is happening with NWA/TNA. However, what separated them from profession wrestling was that both MMA and UFC had popularity based on credibility which is sorely lacking in professional wrestling today. He spoke of how certain guys might have the ability to cross over to wrestling but that the inability of wrestling promotions to believably push them would lead to it being a failed experiment. Doc then asked Sid what advice he would give to people who were trying to enter into a profession in wrestling. One of the most un-enjoyable aspects Sid said of his first run had been the politics that were so invasive everywhere he went. He related numerous stories of guys who were either misused or unprepared for their positions that had so much potential but due to a lack of smarts on the side of the promotions they were doomed to fail before they even got out of the blocks.

One of the best parts of listening to Sid Vicious talk about wrestling is how effortlessly he weaves one story into another. Double J started off asking Sid about working with Tracey Smothers in Memphis, WCW and WWE. The conversation then flowed into what Sid thought about responsibilities to other workers within the business, specifically citing the upcoming match at WrestleMania between The Undertaker and Randy Orton. Sid said he was concerned that while Undertaker’s streak might be an issue it really is not something stellar. However, it might not be something worth sacrificing in order to put Randy over if Orton is not going to be able to draw money, which in Sid’s opinion he will not do. Sid recounted how at WrestleMania 13 he was told the night of the show he was to drop to The Undertaker. He had been assured the belt would stay with him as long as he drew money. In the end neither participant was enthusiastic about the match and Sid related how disappointed he was with the whole thing. Doc then asked who Sid attributed his success in learning how to put himself over with the crowd. Sid cited Ole Anderson as a huge influence as well as Pat Patterson. Looking back throughout his career Sid mentioned several instances which he thought were badly written or badly booked and how certain angles ruined more wrestlers simply because people who were writing the angles did not use common sense. With the show winding to a close Sid was asked how he would like to write the ending to his career if indeed he was finished. Sid said he would like to come back to show everyone he had recuperated from such a terrible injury as the broken leg, put over somebody deserving of a push and bow out of the industry on top. In parting Sid had nothing but kind words for everyone at WTR and thanked them for providing a forum for greater discussion than the standard everyday questions. Sid also wanted to lay out his prediction for WrestleMania that he foresees a major swerve coming and someone unexpected may be sticking around after WMXXI.
When the night began it was a momentous occasion for ‘WTR Sunday Nights’ and the WTR Community marking its 1 year anniversary. An unbelievable line up of Lance Hoyt, Frankie Kazarian and Sid Vicious made the entire show unforgettable. Nothing could encapsulate the spirit of WTR better than the show tonight and nothing could be more indicative of the path the ‘Evolution of Online Entertainment’ is forging. Tim, Doc, Double J and Jason make up what is WrestleTalk Radio and building upon a successful year one is their commitment to excellence. Check out the replay of the show and make sure you tune in EVERY Sunday night starting at 7:00pm EST for the pre-show and join the chat room at 8:00pm EST for ‘WTR Sunday Nights’. There is nowhere else you need to be Sunday night other than right here at WTR!