Hardcore Haven

It's the final episode of the last episode of television before heading into the first ever pay-per-view for ECW, a wrestling promotion that is trying to prove that a small independent promotion can do it, can be a viable contender all by itself, with the help of nobody else. Nobody. Nobody except the wide range of wrestlers that owed favours or would work for cheap; the first booker Eddie Gilbert who set the tone for what the show would be; Vince McMahon, who while not outright funding the thing, has helped it along as long as Paul Heyman stopped burying his promotion and focused instead on - after WCW raided ECW's roster already, allowing him to raid it much more effectively - WCW; and nobody else except for of course Paul Heyman's Dad's money I assume (and connections) which helped screw Tod Gordon out of the weekend pissup and hotel orgy-hosting nonstop party he had founded that was masquerading as a wrestling company. It's that pivotal final episode of television before that pivotal first pay-per-view, "this Sunday night", at 9 PM, across America, and presumably through piracy and early internet messageboards, across the Globe to a certain extent. Barely Legal. You've got to start that episode right, with a powerful piece of attention-grabbing footage that will make even the most jaded channel-scrolling stoner to shake the cheeto dust out of their eyes, sit up in their Barca Lounger and say hey… I should see if I can steal Barely Legal off the Internet. And what better way to start that episode of television than with… Oh, it's the Pitbulls. It's time for Luke Pennock & Brendan Flaherty to review episode 205 and 206 of ECW, from April 1st & 8th, 1997! Up next - our BARELY LEGAL livestream - presented in eye-wounding VHS-VISION. Join us on Discord - 12.30.25 at 8 PM EST.  Buy the shirt! Buy the shirt! Buy the shirt.  IG & Twitter: @hcorehavenpod Contact us: [email protected] Luke on Twitch: http://www.twitch.tv/pukelennock/ Logo by Raymond Biesinger Theme song by RANX

It's time for Luke Pennock & Brendan Flaherty to review episode 203 and 204 of ECW, from March 18th & 25th, 1997! Matches include: Sabu vs Spike Dudley, Taz vs Rob Van Dam, Balls Mahoney vs The Sandman, Terry Funk vs "The Bulldozer"/"Prime Time" Brian Lee, The Dudleys vs The Eliminators, and a Micinoku Pro 6-man tag. Mostly from Hostile City Showdow, with a few from house shows sprinkled in as is custom.  Tangents include: how soda pop works, the eloquence of Sabu, Luke's lack of Eagles knowledge, the impact of naming someone either "fool" or "jerk", edible underwear and the Lloyd's of London policy, and so much more it's...barely legal. (This is almost over, this bit) Buy the shirt! Buy the shirt! Buy the shirt.  IG & Twitter: @hcorehavenpod Contact us: [email protected] Luke on Twitch: http://www.twitch.tv/pukelennock/ Logo by Raymond Biesinger Theme song by RANX

http://patreon.com/valuedog   Get on board, already. You've had 100 episodes.

It's time for Luke Pennock & Brendan Flaherty to review episode 199 and 200 of ECW, from February 18th & 25th, 1997! Tangents include: what candy goes in your primary bag, Raven's childhood revealed, classic disdain for Boomers and the definition of Gen X, a second retirement for Terry Funk, the food at the Airport Hilton, how it'd be nice if V*** wasn't who he is, health & safety in Revere Park, Mass., the finer points of generic commentary, a "hottie" named Scott Taylor, Luke's long history of stage kisses, Bill Alfonso: intimacy co-ordinator, Chris Candido on Air Farce, things we've done 200 times besides watch ECW, the severity of a pulled groin, the nature of wrestling invasions, and so many things Luke hate that his rage should be ...barely legal.  Buy the shirt! Buy the shirt! Buy the shirt.  IG & Twitter: @hcorehavenpod Contact us: [email protected] Luke on Twitch: http://www.twitch.tv/pukelennock/ Logo by Raymond Biesinger Theme song by RANX

It's time for Luke Pennock & Brendan Flaherty to review a book! Specifically, TOD IS GOD by ECW former owner and Commisioner and current podcaster and pawn broker Tod Gordon Discussed: the trifecta of off-topic Lukeisms - Hulk Hogan (naturally), The Drew Carey Show (obviously), and Basketball (inevitably),reading Holes to children and the words we were surprised were in this book, the difference between Hak and Hack, the difference between Rockin' Robin and Rockin' Rebel, how Paul Heyman and Tod Gordon are both sorta kinda nepo babies, Paul being the cool one, early days with TWA, the bargain price of joining the NWA, and the conundrum of the wrestling book, Luke's prudish streak, and 2 Cold's appendage - among other tangents! And it's all on the new BONUS episode of Harcore Haven!  And check out our Patreon for another heaping helping of BONUS content - our 2025 "State of Wrestling" check-up - out TOMORROW (August 22nd, 2025).  Listen here: https://www.patreon.com/c/valuedog/ Buy the shirt! Buy the shirt! Buy the shirt.  IG & Twitter: @hcorehavenpod Luke on Twitch: http://www.twitch.tv/pukelennock/ Logo by Raymond Biesinger Bonus theme song by Booji Bomb.

It's time for Luke Pennock & Brendan Flaherty to review episode 197 and 198 of ECW, from February 4th & 11th, 1997! Witness the comeuppance of Dr. Death, a freckled vow by the Funker, the ECW debut of ponytailed Lance Storm (taking on Balls, no less), the formation of the Dudley Boys as we know them, and a dissection of what makes Joe Rogan so insufferable. It's all over the map and so full of tangents it should be... barely legal. And it's all on the new episode of Harcore Haven!  Buy the shirt! Buy the shirt! Buy the shirt.  IG & Twitter: @hcorehavenpod Contact us: [email protected] Luke on Twitch: http://www.twitch.tv/pukelennock/ Logo by Raymond Biesinger Theme song by RANX

It's time for Luke Pennock & Brendan Flaherty to review episode 195 and 196 of ECW, from January 21st & 28th, 1997! The ramifications of House Party '97 continue to be felt as Shane Douglas and his new Triple Threat sing, dance, and act their way roughshod over the undercard. And the debuts and returns pile up like so many pieces of semi-broken table. Mike Awesome! A man in a mask! A guy we thought was gone forever! And don't miss the debut of "The Rookie" in Scranton of all places. It's what Dory Funk Sr. would have wanted and it's happening this week on Hardcore Haven.  Buy a shirt! Buy a shirt! Buy a shirt.  IG & Twitter: @hcorehavenpod Contact us: [email protected] Luke on Twitch: http://www.twitch.tv/pukelennock/ Logo by Raymond Biesinger Theme song by RANX

It's WEDNESDAY - you know what that means- OH.... We've had a scheduling snag and there's NO NEW episode of Hardcore Haven this week, so please enjoy this John Cena Appreication episode of our pal Jordan Stovra's show "Pro Wrestling Weekly With The Stove", from over on CFCR.  Back next week with more 1997 goodness! We promise.  Buy a shirt! Buy a shirt! Buy a shirt.  IG & Twitter: @hcorehavenpod Contact us: [email protected] Luke on Twitch: http://www.twitch.tv/pukelennock/

It's time for Luke Pennock & Brendan Flaherty to review episode 193 and 194 of ECW, from January 7th & 14th, 1997! We FINALLY enter a new year with ECW and it couldn't be more...of... the same. Oh well. Special apearances from Tommy Rich, Ricky Morton and - of all people - Killer Kowalski spice up our lengthy visit to Webster, Mass and a trip to 97's edition of House Party - this time with more slug outs.  Buy a shirt! Buy a shirt! Buy a shirt.  IG & Twitter: @hcorehavenpod Contact us: [email protected] Luke on Twitch: http://www.twitch.tv/pukelennock/ Logo by Raymond Biesinger Theme song by RANX

It's time for Luke Pennock & Brendan Flaherty to review episode 191 and 192 of ECW, from December 17th & 24th, 1996. We round out 1996 with a few matches from Holiday Hell, a search for the Tickle-Me Meanie, and a very clothed rumble that's somewhat less than royal.  Buy a shirt! Buy a shirt! Buy a shirt.  IG & Twitter: @hcorehavenpod Contact us: [email protected] Luke on Twitch: http://www.twitch.tv/pukelennock/ Logo by Raymond Biesinger Theme song by RANX