The Lapsed Fan

For the first time, The Lapsed Fan rumbles. This week it’s the 1991 WWF Royal Rumble, a show with sentimental and historic value for your co-chairmen.The extravaganza from Miami set the controversial table for the Hulk Hogan v. Sgt. Slaughter showdown amid Dessert Storm hostilities, as Slaughter ends the Ultimate Warrior’s title reign in a shocker and Hogan survives 29 other superstars to wave Old Glory.Join hosts Jack Encarnacao and JP Sarro as they muse on:- The referee who refused to allow Rick Martel to use the “but I went under the top rope” loophole, actually threatening a 10-count during the Rumble match- The subtlety of the WWF’s leveraging of the Persian Gulf conflict for heat, including having Warrior tear the Iraqi flag to shreds and attempt to eat it- Sherri comes on to Warrior as he radiates discomfort- One of the best PPV openers in WWF history, including a spot involving a karate belt that should be celebrated for generations- Mr. Fuji is compared to the Michelangelo, the painter- Those fantastic cartoon posters for Rumble 91, 92, and 01, with all participants portrayed as a marauding street gang- The Mountie’s passive aggression and apprehension trainingAnd so much more. Get Lapsed across the face, 91 Rumble style, by downloading the latest Lapsed Fan wrestling podcast here.

The Lapsed Fan goes extreme for the first time this week, as the co-chairmen of TLF go hard on the very first ECW pay-per-view, 1997’s Barely Legal.Hosts Jack Encarnacao and JP Sarro assess all that was ECW, including exclusive insight from a 2010 interview Jack conducted with Paul Heyman discussing the state of the pay-per-view industry at the time ECW was looking to break in, and the absurd lengths the promotion had to go to to convince the PPV industry they weren’t “real”or somehow akin to UFC.It’s a table-busting look at a revolutionary night, including:- Sabu’s penchant for setting up high spots without immobilizing his opponent first- Joey Styles’ blend of technical analysis, histrionics, and jabs at WWF and WCW- Heyman’s booking methods, including more than one twist at the end of virtually every major match- Why the Taz character worked- Why ECW struggled- A look at Rob Van Dam at the point just before anyone cared much about him- Terry Funk’s self-destructive peccadilloes and inspiring performance- Blue. World. Order.All that and so much more, as The Lapsed F’N Fan walks up to the line of legality with a one-of-a-kind take on ECW Barely Legal.

The Lapsed Fan dares again this week to dive into early 90s WCW, as the co-chairmen assess the thrills, spills, and chills of the 1992 WCW Halloween Havoc.Jack Encarnacao and JP Sarro journey into a Bill Watts time machine in an all-points review of one of the more taxing PPV events in WCW history.The panel touches on:- How Jesse Ventura made it his business as a WCW commentator to tongue-tie Jim Ross and essentially troll the whole time- The merits of removing the mats from the floors, exposing that grimey Philadelphia concrete- Was the Spin the Wheel apparatus gimmicked? The answer is as clear as the booking philosophy behind it- Jake Roberts in WCW, and if his snake turning on him actually tied up the legendary Savage WWF fued- Stunning Steve Austin’s many reincarnations- The Coal Miner’s glove- Paul E. calls Madusa a hooker

The Lapsed Fan goes extreme for the first time this week, as the co-chairmen of TLF go hard on the very first ECW pay-per-view, 1997’s Barely Legal.Hosts Jack Encarnacao and JP Sarro assess all that was ECW, including exclusive insight from a 2010 interview Jack conducted with Paul Heyman discussing the state of the pay-per-view industry at the time ECW was looking to break in, and the absurd lengths the promotion had to go to to convince the PPV industry they weren’t “real”or somehow akin to UFC.It’s a table-busting look at a revolutionary night, including:- Sabu’s penchant for setting up high spots without immobilizing his opponent first- Joey Styles’ blend of technical analysis, histrionics, and jabs at WWF and WCW- Heyman’s booking methods, including more than one twist at the end of virtually every major match- Why the Taz character worked- Why ECW struggled- A look at Rob Van Dam at the point just before anyone cared much about him- Terry Funk’s self-destructive peccadilloes and inspiring performance- Blue. World. Order.All that and so much more, as The Lapsed F’N Fan walks up to the line of legality with a one-of-a-kind take on ECW Barely Legal.

Another week elapsed, another Lapsed Fan here at WZ, and this time it's Jack and JP's first look at a WCW pay-per-view. The co-chairmen break down the 1991 Halloween Havoc, and the unforgettable, for better or worse (who are we kidding? Worse) "Chamber of Horrors" match.The panel dissect the show as only they can, pointing out and meditating on a number of fascinating tidbits, including:- The original move pegged the "Attitude Adjustment"- The story behind Paul E.'s sudden exodus from WCW and dramatic return on this show to form "The Dangerous Alliance."- Which of the show's competitors JP had Galoob figures of- Prescient insight into Alexandra York's laptop and presumptions on how it led her charges, including "The Computerized Man of the 90s," Terrence Taylor, to, well, losses- The match where, to win, you had to put your opponent in an electric chair and flip the lethal switch, subjecting the audience to a live death that the announcers somehow covered with a detached nonchalance. Unlike anything you've ever seen, thank God.All that and so, so much more on the latest Lasped Fan, exclusively at WrestleZone. Check it out here.

The Lapsed Fan jumps back into past with a look at the WWF In Your House: International Incident pay-per-view from July 1996, an event with hints of the dawning Stone Cold era and a chaotic last-minute main event change that saw Jim Cornette offer refunds to PPV customers if his team lost.Hosts/co-chairmen Jack Encarnacao and JP Sarro take a deep dive into the goings on in WWF at the time of the event, fresh off the heels of The Ultimate Warrior's sudden and final departure from the company, the return of Sycho Sid, and the Shawn Michaels/Vader program catching steam.Among a million other things, Jack and JP touch on:- Why exactly was this an "International Incident?" It's not like Vancouver is in Kuwait or something- Vince McMahon's apparent obsession with saying the Godwins were a "quick" tag team- Mankind goes splat on the concrete- Jerry Lawler mocks a curiously-absent Jake Roberts' alcoholism- The guttural noises and incredibly dangerous German suplexes of of Ahmed Johnson- What made Sunny great- To what degree were fans accepting of HBK as champion?

This week on the Lapsed Fan, the “Co-Chairmen” return to the pomp and circumstance of the King of the Ring… But this time 1994’s entry. Amidst the Vince McMahon steroid trials and Hulk Hogan signing with WCW, the WWE was struggling to find its new identity and a "new generation" of superstars. Headlined by “Rowdy” Roddy Piper versus Jerry “The King” Lawler, this event seemed more like a step backward than a step forward.Jack Encarnacao and JP Sarro bring their brand of humor and nostalgia to the 1994 King of the Ring, discussing among other things:– Arguably the worst pin in the history of the sport of kings– How hard it was to find this particular show in video stores– Roddy Piper’s prejudice against people without a neck– Who Bret Hart claimed was the WWE’s most “stunning figure” at the time– Two words…Art DonovanThat and so much more on the Lapsed Fan review of the 1994 King of the Ring, only at WrestleZone.com. Brace yourself… We’re about to get medieval.

​This week on the Lapsed Fan, the crew delves into a show at a crucial transition point for the WWF, the 1992 Survivor Series. The event was headlined by the first televised meeting between Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels for the WWF championship, a bout that signaled a sharp departure for the overly-muscled bodies that had populated the top of WWF cards for years.Hosts Jack Encarnacao and JP Sarro assess the '92 edition of the Thanksgiving Eve tradition as only they can, discussing among other things:- The obsessive allusions to turkey, cranberry sauce, and other fall harvest trappings- The brilliance of Mr. Perfect's baby face turn after Bobby Heenan slaps him in a classic angle, and the heated tag team match that resulted with Randy Savage, Razor Ramon, and Ric Flair- What WWF tag team Heenan wouldn't hesitate to invite to Thanksgiving dinner- The Coffin Match that preceded the Undertaker's signature Casket Match- Nailz, a befuddling criminal back story, and the failings of Jack TunneyThat and so much more on the Lapsed Fan review of the 1992 Survivor Series, only st WrestleZone.com. Will you survive?

The Lapsed Fan is back to chop up your WWE Network archives, and this week it's a deep dive into one of the worst pay-per-views in WWF history – the 1995 King of the Ring.Hosts Jack Encarnacao and JP Sarro explore just what made this show such a difficult slog, and highlight many fun aspects that time has forgotten, such as:- Bill Murray's odd video induction speech on the back of an elephant for George "The Animal" Steele into the WWF Hall of Fame- The Stridex blimp- The most forced Rocky Balboa tie-ins you've ever heard, as "Caribbean Legend" Savio Vega goes for tournament glory in Philadelphia- The first "ECW" chants to make it on to a WWF broadcast, and Vince McMahon's flustered response- Who thought it was a good idea to end a PPV main event with a standing elbow drop?- What ingredient Bob Backlund thinks made cheese steak healthier.Monarchy reigns! Catch The Lapsed Fan review of the 1995 King of the Ring, if you dare.

Today, the debut episode of "The Lapsed Fan" wrestling podcast officially launches on WrestleZone.com, and the show will air every week on Wednesday's!With the launch of the WWE Network, The Lapsed Fan podcast will specifically talk late 80's and early 90's pro wrestling, and episode #1, which you can listen to below, will talk SummerSlam 1991!Let us know what you think of the new podcast in the comment section below, and be sure to following the podcast on Twitter @TheLapsedFan.