On the 56th episode of the 24 Inch Podcast (Season 4 Episode 11), Steve Bennett and Dave Rowlands take a deep dive into the 1985 PPV event, The Wrestling Classic. On this night, Hulk Hogan defends the WWF Heavyweight Championship against Roddy Rowdy Piper. At the top, it's just Paula and Steve. Paula tells us that her Elf on the Shelf is currently training with Mr. T and Hulk Hogan to get revenge on three heel wrestlers that taped her to our kitchen cabinets. Paula also does a few blind rankings and sings a Christmas song. After the break, Steve catches up with Davey Caffeine or Hollywood (FL) Dave as some know him. After some jibber jabber, Steve and Dave play a few rounds of a game called, blind rankings. Following the fun we go over the bio of the Junk Yard Dog Last, Dave tells us what the Hulkster was up to in November of 1985. Steve reads the news from November of 1985 while Dave cracks wise and adds his thoughts on a slow month filled with news from the cold war, some baseball awards, and a television movie starring, Lucille Ball. Steve and Dave break down the entire card from the Wrestling Classic on November 7, 1985, including a the entire single elimination tournament, all of Gene Okerlund's antics backstage, and the final between JYD and the Macho Man. Finally, Steve and Dave break down the big match as Hulk Hogan defends the title against Rowdy Roddy Piper. Also on this episode, Steve and Dave read listener emails and comments from our facebook page and announce the topic for the 57th episode of the podcast. Intro: 00:02:37 History of: 00:10:20 The News/Matches: 00:51:10 Plugs/Emails: 01:43:06 For more information follow us on twitter @24InchPodcast Email us: [email protected] Instagram: 24_inch_podcast

Steve interviews Joe Buck (00:08:16) from ESPN's Monday Night Football. Joe is back to talk about how his season is going and how working and traveling with his wife Michelle has impacted his routines and broadcasts. Joe also talks about how fast time moves as a father, tells us his favorite track on Pearl Jam's Dark Matter, and discusses Joe Davis' call of the Freddie Freeman home run in the World Series. Steve starts the show with a brief version of First Things First and talks about the Sabres having an opportunity over the holiday weekend to vanquish some of the demons of the playoff drought. The show ends with one last thing as Steve discusses everything he is thankful for this year. For more information follow the podcast on twitter @sports_casters Email: [email protected]

On the 55th episode of the 24 Inch Podcast (Season 4 Episode 10), Steve Bennett and Dave Rowlands take a deep dive into Survivor Series 1991. On this night, Hulk Hogan wrestles the Undertaker for the WWF World Heavyweight Championship. At the top, Paula, Dave and Steve are together for the first time in ages. After exchanging pleasantries, Steve challenges Dave and Paula to complete blind rankings in a series of categories he created and some submitted by listeners. After the break, Steve and Dave break down the bio of the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit. Also, the guys look at the history of the Undertaker, Last, Dave tells us what the Hulkster was up to in November of 1991. Steve reads the news from October of 1991 while Dave cracks wise and adds his thoughts on a month filled with drama surrounding Clarence Thomas, the Atlanta Braves quest for a first World Series in Atlanta and Garth Brooks winning all of the country music awards. Steve and Dave break down the entire Survivor Series from Detroit on November 27, 1991. The undercard features an opening match filled with hall-of-fame talent, some misplaced interviews, and a brutally boring final two matches. Finally, Steve and Dave break down the WWF Heavyweight Championship match between the challenger, The Undertaker and the champion, Hulk Hogan. Also on this episode, Steve and Dave read listener emails and comments from our facebook page and announce the topic for the 56th episode of the podcast. Intro: 00:02:56 History of: 00:28:46 The News/Matches: 00:54:25 Plugs/Emails: 01:41:46 For more information follow us on twitter @24InchPodcast Email us: [email protected] Instagram: 24_inch_podcast

Steve interviews Joe Davis (00:17:40) from Fox Sports. Joe is fresh off calling another World Series for Fox. Steve and Joe talk about Joe's memorable call of the Freddie Freeman home run in game one against the New York Yankees. Joe also talks about being the voice of the LA Dodgers and then having to call their games for the entire Nation. Joe also explains how he handles the criticism and his reaction to the Yankees meltdown. Joe and Steve talk a little football including Joe working with Greg Olsen and being in the SuperDome for the first ever game of RIzziBalI. Also, Mike Kennan joins us (45:26) to talk about his new book, "Iron Mike: My Life Behind the Bench. Mike talks about his career as a coach, his experiences at the 1987 Canada Cup, the 1987 Stanley Cup run wit the Philadelphia Flyers, and the 1994 New York Rangers. Keenan also talks about coaching Pavel Bure and explains why he decided to write the book. Steve starts the show with First Things First and talks about the last two Azzurri games of 2024, the 2-0 Saints under Darren Rizzi and Chris Sale winning the Cy Young award. The show ends with one last thing about the 61st anniversary of the assassination of John F. Kennedy. For more information follow the podcast on twitter @sports_casters Email: [email protected]

Steve interviews John Feinstein (00:16:59) author and columnist from the Washington Post. John joins us to promote not one but two new books. First, The Ancient Eight, is a look at football played in the Ivy League. Next, Five Banners, is a deep dive into the five National Championship victories by Coach K and Duke basketball. Steve and John talk about things unique to sports in the Ivy League, Christian Laettner, Butler's near miss, and Mike Lupica. John also tells us where he was when Laettner his his famous shot against Kentucky and tells us how he felt watching Butler's half court heave headed towards the basket. Steve starts the show with First Things First and discusses the Saints finally firing Dennis Allen, the end of the World Series and start of the MLB off-season. Also, thoughts on Italy and Mike Tyson. The show ends with one last thing about trying to slow down and take in all the magic of the Christmas season. For more information follow the podcast on twitter @sports_casters Email: [email protected]

Steve interviews Sean McDonough (00:32:03) from ESPN. Sean joins us to talk about his difficult journey through last year's Stanley Cup Playoffs. Sean also talks about criticism of announcers on twitter, the problem baseball has with its broadcasts, and the low energy vs. high energy debate. Sean also talks about his call during of the Atlanta Braves walk-off hit to win game seven of the 1992 NLCS, the NHL's upcoming 4 Nations Face-off, and calling Boston Red Sox games. Steve starts the show with First Things First and discusses the upcoming World Series, MLB payrolls, and the interest Ohtani has created in Japan. Also, some thoughts on Francesco Camarda, the Deshaun Watson injury, and LeBron and Bronny playing together in an NBA game. The show ends with one last thing celebrating 34 years of Pearl Jam. For more information follow the podcast on twitter @sports_casters Email: [email protected]

On the 54th episode of the 24 Inch Podcast (Season 4 Episode 9), Steve Bennett and Dave Rowlands take a deep dive into the house show from Madison Square Garden on 02-23-1992. On this night, Hulk Hogan wrestles in a 20-man over the top battle royal against 19 of the biggest wrestlers in the world. At the top, it's just Paula and Steve. We learned Paula has many boyfriends, won a cheerleading competition, and has a very unusual Halloween costume. After the break, Steve catches up with Davey Caffeine or Hollywood (FL) Dave as some know him. After some jibber jabber, Steve and Dave play a few rounds of a game called, blind rankings. Following the fun we go over the bio of Sid Justice. Last, Dave tells us what the Hulkster was up to in February of 1992. Steve reads the news from February of 1992 while Dave cracks wise and adds his thoughts on a month filled with news from some of he biggest trials of the decade, a major movie debuts in theaters the day before a huge announcement from Motley Crue, and the Winter Olympics. Steve and Dave break down the entire card from MSG on February 23, 1992, including a match between Roddy Piper and the Repo Man, a weird outing from Hercules, and a match featuring Warlord who is jacked out of his skull. Finally, Steve and Dave break down the huge 20-man over the top Battle Royal. Also on this episode, Steve and Dave read listener emails and comments from our facebook page and announce the topic for the 55th episode of the podcast. Intro: 00:01:43 History of: 00:10:11 The News/Matches: 00:59:16 Plugs/Emails: 01:39:53 For more information follow us on twitter @24InchPodcast Email us: [email protected] Instagram: 24_inch_podcast

Steve interviews Chad Finn (00:17:29) from the Boston Globe. Chad makes his debut and kicks it off by telling stories about covering the 1992-93 Maine hockey team that featured Paul Kariya and ended with a National Championship. Chad talks about his journey to achieving his dream of becoming a columnist for the Boston Globe. Chad also discusses announcers during the baseball playoffs, the 2004 Boston Red Sox, and the book he helped put together that features hundreds of columns about the Celtics from the Globe. Also, author Daniel Bukszpan makes his debut on the podcast (01:15:25) to chat about his new book, Rush 50. Daniel talks about how he became a Rush fan, discusses his favorite deep tracks, and gives his personal hot takes about Rush. Daniel also explains how the book came together and what goes into creating a beautiful coffee table book. Steve starts the show with First Things First and tears into the New Orleans Saints and their coach, Dennis Allen. Also, Italy's triumphs during the Nations League, the Braves fire some coaches and the Sabres still stink. The book club has two books on the way out and several more on the way in including two books by, John Feinstein. The show ends with one last thing about Drew Brees being inducted into the New Orleans Saints Hall of Fame. For more information follow the podcast on twitter @sports_casters Email: [email protected]

Steve interviews Joe Posnanski (00:14:54) from joeblogs.joeposnanski.com. Joe is back to promote his sixth book to be featured in The Sports-Casters book club. Why We Love Football is the next in a line of books Joe has written dating back to the Baseball 100. Joe talks about making the list, leaving out Tracy Porter's pick-six, Steve Gleason's punt block, and Joe Theismann's leg running into Lawrence Taylor. Joe also gives his thoughts on the 2024 Braves, Max Fried, and the Greg Maddux documentary. Also, Marco Messina from IFTV and Paramount+ makes his debut on the podcast (00:54:52) to chat about Italian football (calcio). Steve and Marco talk about young talent in Italy, the future of the Italian National team, and Serie A's place in European football. Marco also explains what Italy needs to do to win the 2026 World Cup, discusses the future of IFTV, and goes over his role at Paramount+. Steve starts the show with First Things First and gives a eulogy to the 2024 Braves. Also, some thoughts on Dennis Allen, the Sabres, and the rest of the MLB playoffs. The book club has a new baseball book and a new hockey book by Scott Morrison. The show ends with one last thing about how ridiculous DirecTV is. For more information follow the podcast on twitter @sports_casters Email: [email protected]

Steve interviews Jay Mariotti (00:16:12) from jaymariotti.substack.com. Jay is back on the podcast and of fire after having just returned from a trip to Chicago to watch the pathetic White Sox. Jay goes off on poor ownership in baseball, the Chicago Bears, and the first few weeks of the NFL season. After Steve is fooled by a pinned article, Jay does speak on a column he wrote two years ago about life after ESPN. Also, Christopher "Bulldog" Parker returns (01:08:48) to chat about being on the radio in 2024, his relationship with Mike Schopp, and the upcoming Sabres season. The guys spent a lot of time talking about The Tragically Hip's new documentary on Amazon, "No Dress Rehearsal." Chris also talks about the Bills hot start, looks back at being on location for big Sabres games. Steve starts the show with First Things First and covers the latest disaster facing the 2024 Braves, the incredible Italia victory over France, and the 2-1 start by the New Orleans Saints. The book club has a new baseball book about busts and a new Joe Posnanski book. The show ends with one last thing about an amazing night at Fenway Park watching Pearl Jam. For more information follow the podcast on twitter @sports_casters Email: [email protected]

On the 53rd episode of the 24 Inch Podcast (Season 4 Episode 8), Steve Bennett and Dave Rowlands take a deep dive into the season premier of Saturday Night's Main Event on 10-29-1988. On this night, Hulk Hogan wrestles Haku with the lovely Miss Elizabeth at his side. At the top, it's just Paula and Steve. We learned Paula has started third grade, a new season of cheerleading, and went to see the new Beetlejuice movie. After the break, Steve catches up with Davey Caffeine or Hollywood (FL) Dave as some know him. After some jibber jabber, Steve and Dave go over the bio of Haku and the Baltimore Arena. Last, Dave tells us what the Hulkster was up to in October of 1988. Steve reads the news from October of 1988 while Dave cracks wise and adds his thoughts on a month filled with news from the upcoming presidential election, a major debut on television, and one of the biggest moments in the history of Major League Baseball (yes, Dave had no clue). Steve and Dave break down the entire card from SNME on October 29, 1988, including a match between Jake Roberts and RicK Rude, a tag team title match, and a showcase squash for the Big Bossman. Finally, Steve and Dave break down the huge main event of Haku vs. Hulk Hogan. Also on this episode, Steve and Dave read listener emails and comments from our facebook page and announce the topic for the 54th episode of the podcast. Intro: 00:03:26 History of: 00:08:04 The News/Matches: 00:35:43 Plugs/Emails: 01:22:00 For more information follow us on twitter @24InchPodcast Email us: [email protected] Instagram: 24_inch_podcast