Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
As “The Voice of Wrestling” Jim Ross continues his recovery, we’re firing up the time machine and heading back 30 years for one of the strangest nights in Monday Night RAW history, the first and last RAW Bowl! Jim Ross and Conrad Thompson revisit the January 1, 1996 edition of RAW and the WWF’s unforgettable attempt to kick off the new year with a football-themed wrestling spectacle. JR shares his firsthand memories of calling the action, why Vince McMahon believed themed television could attract new viewers, and whether anyone backstage actually thought the RAW Bowl might become an annual tradition.
Then, the guys examine the state of the WWF entering 1996. The New Generation Era was nearing its end, the Royal Rumble was right around the corner, and the company was unknowingly standing on the doorstep of one of the most transformative years in professional wrestling history. Plus, JR discusses Diesel’s final months in the WWF, the arrival of Vader, the infamous “Billionaire Ted’s Wrasslin’ War Room” skits, and a Monday Night War that was beginning to heat up faster than anyone could have imagined.
THIS WEEKS SPONSORS
CAR GURUS - It’s no wonder CarGurus is the number 1 most visited car shopping site, according to Similarweb’s estimated traffic data. Buy or sell your next car today with CarGurus at cargurus.com
LARINECO - Larineco is better-for-you chewing gum that uses the same mineral your teeth are made of to support daily enamel health. Right now, Larineco is offering our listeners up to 50% off at BuyLarine.com/JR
BLUECHEW - When you buy two months of BlueChew Gold, you get the third FREE with promo code JR. You will also receive an additional 10% OFF + Free overnight shipping on your first order. Visit BlueChew.com for more details and important safety information
SAVE WITH CONRAD - Stop throwing money away by paying those high interest rates on your credit card. Roll them into one low monthly payment and on top of that, skip your next two house payments. Go to savewithconrad.com to learn more.
PODCAST HEAT - Want to grow your business with the power of podcast advertising? Reach loyal, engaged audiences through trusted host endorsements across the Podcast Heat network. Learn more at PodcastHeat.com
Click to Subscribe! youtube.com/channel/UC8fMN8QagN-ABAeRxRwtmng/?sub_confirmation=1
For fifty years Jim Ross has been the Voice of Wrestling. From starting as referee in the regional territories to becoming the Executive Vice President for WWE to commentary for AEW, nobody has a story quite like Jim Ross. From recruiting and hiring some of the biggest superstars in the industry to providing the soundtrack for the most important moments in wrestling history, “Good Ole JR” was there for it all. Join us every Thursday morning as Conrad Thompson grills JR like you’ve never heard before, uncut and uncensored! Boomer Sooner!
Logos and album art by Dave Silva
All backgrounds licensed by Videoblocks
Some copyrighted images may have been curated and altered to create uniquely transformative content.
As “The Voice of Wrestling” Jim Ross continues his recovery, we’re firing up the time machine and heading back 30 years for one of the strangest nights in Monday Night RAW history, the first and last RAW Bowl! Jim Ross and Conrad Thompson revisit the January 1, 1996 edition of RAW and the WWF’s unforgettable attempt to kick off the new year with a football-themed wrestling spectacle. JR shares his firsthand memories of calling the action, why Vince McMahon believed themed television could attract new viewers, and whether anyone backstage actually thought the RAW Bowl might become an annual tradition.
Then, the guys examine the state of the WWF entering 1996. The New Generation Era was nearing its end, the Royal Rumble was right around the corner, and the company was unknowingly standing on the doorstep of one of the most transformative years in professional wrestling history. Plus, JR discusses Diesel’s final months in the WWF, the arrival of Vader, the infamous “Billionaire Ted’s Wrasslin’ War Room” skits, and a Monday Night War that was beginning to heat up faster than anyone could have imagined.
THIS WEEKS SPONSORS
CAR GURUS - It’s no wonder CarGurus is the number 1 most visited car shopping site, according to Similarweb’s estimated traffic data. Buy or sell your next car today with CarGurus at cargurus.com
LARINECO - Larineco is better-for-you chewing gum that uses the same mineral your teeth are made of to support daily enamel health. Right now, Larineco is offering our listeners up to 50% off at BuyLarine.com/JR
BLUECHEW - When you buy two months of BlueChew Gold, you get the third FREE with promo code JR. You will also receive an additional 10% OFF + Free overnight shipping on your first order. Visit BlueChew.com for more details and important safety information
SAVE WITH CONRAD - Stop throwing money away by paying those high interest rates on your credit card. Roll them into one low monthly payment and on top of that, skip your next two house payments. Go to savewithconrad.com to learn more.
PODCAST HEAT - Want to grow your business with the power of podcast advertising? Reach loyal, engaged audiences through trusted host endorsements across the Podcast Heat network. Learn more at PodcastHeat.com
Click to Subscribe! youtube.com/channel/UC8fMN8QagN-ABAeRxRwtmng/?sub_confirmation=1
For fifty years Jim Ross has been the Voice of Wrestling. From starting as referee in the regional territories to becoming the Executive Vice President for WWE to commentary for AEW, nobody has a story quite like Jim Ross. From recruiting and hiring some of the biggest superstars in the industry to providing the soundtrack for the most important moments in wrestling history, “Good Ole JR” was there for it all. Join us every Thursday morning as Conrad Thompson grills JR like you’ve never heard before, uncut and uncensored! Boomer Sooner!
Logos and album art by Dave Silva
All backgrounds licensed by Videoblocks
Some copyrighted images may have been curated and altered to create uniquely transformative content.
