#312- Riiiiiiiicola!

In episode 312 of Dorkside of the Ring, hosts Matt Marbury and Adam Tollefson dive into a nostalgic and chaotic deep dive on pro wrestling history, current events, and pop culture tangents, all while navigating the absurdity of April Fool's Day. The episode opens with a playful jab at the holiday, followed by a detailed look at historical WrestleMania moments from 1973 to 2012, including the 1996 Raw after WrestleMania 12 debut of Mankind and the 2001 classic WrestleMania 17. The SmackDown Symposium segment dissects a pivotal 2002 episode where Vince McMahon unilaterally names Hulk Hogan as the number one contender to Triple H’s title after a coin toss, sparking drama with Kurt Angle, Chris Jericho, and Edge. The hosts geek out over backstage angles, finisher names (like the infamous 'Holocaust' suplex), and the absurdity of wrestling history, including a deep dive into the 2003 Ring of Honor no-rope barbed wire match between Homicide and Steve Carino. The episode also features a lively discussion on wrestling collectibles, the Pro Wrestling Crate, and a recommendation from Deathmatch Jake for a brutal Necro Butcher vs. Masada deathmatch. The hosts express excitement for upcoming events like WrestleMania weekend, Dynasty, and the return of Kill Tony, while reflecting on personal moments—like a nine-year-old son conquering Resident Evil Requiem on insanity mode—and the emotional weight of recent tag team breakups like the Babes of Wrath. The tone is irreverent, affectionate, and deeply immersed in the culture of wrestling fandom.