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Tales from the Attitude Era

Vince McMahon's ICONIC "Life Sucks (And Then You Die)" Promo - WWE SmackDown 5/13/00 Review

Ep. 78

This week on Tales from the Attitude Era, former WWF writer Tommy Blacha and co-host Rob Pasbani review the May 11, 2000, episode of SmackDown from New Haven, CT. With The Rock away filming The Mummy Returns, Vince McMahon takes center stage to deliver his iconic, scathing "Life Sucks (And Then You Die)" promo to the live audience.


The McMahon-Helmsley regime books a chaotic night, culminating in one of the most absurd main events of the era: Rikishi & Too Cool vs. DX & Pat Patterson. The match features The Dudley Boyz getting revenge, and in a moment you have to see to believe, Rikishi shoves Patterson's infamous "skid mark" underwear right into Triple H's face!


We also dive into:

- Chris Benoit and Chris Jericho setting up their brutal Submission Match for Judgment Day.

- The APA getting into a wild, pre-taped bar fight with Boss Man & Bull Buchanan.

- Big Show finally turning face after being mocked one too many times by Shane McMahon.

- The formation of a new heel alliance as Kurt Angle teams up with Edge & Christian.

- The Dudley Boyz getting screwed by Shane McMahon and Gerald Brisco (who is fighting for "women's rights").


Join us as we break down an episode filled with great midcard wrestling, iconic comedy, and major setup for Judgment Day.

Don't forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and hit the notification bell!



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Tommy Blacha made his name in Hollywood as a writer on Conan O'Brien, co-creator of Metalocalypse on Adult Swim, and a writer on shows like The Eric Andre Show and Da Ali G Show. But, a little-known fact about Tommy's career is that he was the head writer of WWE (WWF at the time)) during their most successful period, starting in 1999, taking over for Vince Russo, who left for the competition. This podcast, Tales from the Attitude Era will be a retrospective of Tommy's time in the head writer position and the roller coaster ride that is pro wrestling, co-hosted by Rob Pasbani.

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    01:05:11|
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    53:31|
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  • 95. "It Doesn't Matter…" Mick Foley Finally Catches The Rock - WWE RAW Review 7/03/00

    01:06:10||Ep. 95
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    01:06:11||Ep. 94
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    01:02:42||Ep. 93
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  • 92. Rock Wins the Title from Vince! Kurt Angle Crowned! - WWE King of the Ring 2000 Recap

    01:11:58||Ep. 92
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  • 91. The King Saves The Kat! Vince Steals the People's Elbow - WWF Smackdown Review 6/22/2000

    01:09:01||Ep. 91
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  • 90. Eddie Guerrero vs. Chyna: The Night "Mamacita" Melted - WWE RAW Review 6/19/2000 with Tom Green

    01:19:05||Ep. 90
    Former WWF writer Tommy Blacha and co-host Rob Pasbani are joined by Tom Green (WCW Deep Cuts) to recap the final RAW is WAR before King of the Ring 2000! We dive into a wrestling-heavy show from Nashville that features a masterclass in sports entertainment storytelling between Eddie Guerrero and Chyna.We break down the "Puppy Love" segment that saw Eddie win over Chyna with a gift she couldn't resist, alongside the brilliantly booked tournament qualifier where Eddie used a "wrist-lock rollup" to advance. Tommy Blacha explains the backstage perspective on why Eddie Guerrero took to the WWF style like a fish to water while other "jumpers" struggled. We also discuss the "bureaucracy of the fax machine" as Linda McMahon sends a high-stakes decree from afar, and Vince McMahon's bizarre obsession with the size of his own "grapefruits."Other highlights include:- The Rock delivering a "Pierced Anus" promo that only he could pull off.- Kurt Angle's legendary Nashville "inbreeding" promo and his "Smart Mark" match against Bubba Ray Dudley.- The Dudley Boyz facing a 5-on-2 handicap dumpster-table-chaos match.- Pat Patterson and Gerald Brisco taking their hardcore feud to a New York champagne celebration.- Tommy Blacha reveals the locker room tension surrounding Sean Stasiak and his secret tape recorder.0:00 - Intro 3:13 - Sean Stasiak and the secret tape recorder scandal4:06 - The transition of WCW "jumpers" like The Radicals6:00 - Kurt Angle vs. Bubba Ray Dudley (KOTR Qualifier)9:20 - Tommy vs. Rob: The "Seasoned Pro" vs. "Tag Team Herb" debate12:15 - The mysterious "Wall of Voodoo" fan in the front row14:15 - Linda McMahon and the bureaucracy of the fax machine16:30 - The comedic timing of Brisco & Patterson18:30 - Vince McMahon questions his own "raisin-sized grapefruits"21:50 - Vince's "Steak and Potatoes" booking philosophy26:00 - Match: Chris Benoit vs. X-Pac (KOTR Qualifier)32:15 - Eddie Guerrero & Chyna: The masterclass begins36:45 - Behind the Scenes: Why Eddie and Kurt never get "stink" on them41:15 - Chris Jericho vs. Edge (KOTR Qualifier)42:45 - Triple H, Bossman, and Bull Buchanan's broken-up alliance44:00 - Undertaker vs. Bossman & Bull Buchanan45:10 - Jesse Ventura raises Triple H’s hand in Minnesota46:15 - Rikishi vs. Scotty 2 Hotty (KOTR Qualifier)48:30 - Kane vs. The Hardys: The "Elephant in the Jungle" psychology53:50 - Crash Holly vs. Hardcore Holly (KOTR Qualifier)56:30 - Gerald Brisco wins the Hardcore Title with a pipe1:00:15 - Triple H snuffs Test (The "Shoot Snuff" talk)1:03:15 - Main Event: The Rock vs. T&A (Handicap Match)1:08:30 - The Rock, Kane, and Undertaker unite against Triple H1:11:40 - WCW Freefall: Goldberg turns heel and eats a contract1:18:20 - OutroFollow Tales from The Attitude Era on all social mediahttp://youtube.com/@TFTAttitudeEra http://twitter.com/TFTAttitudeErahttp://instagram.com/TFTAttitudeErahttp://tiktok.com/@TFTAttitudeEra