Retro pop culture, classic rock, pro wrestling history, comics, toys, television, movies and podcasts from Karl & Tonya. Home of historian and author Karl Stern's extensive professional wrestling history research.

Feature Article: 10 Greatest Forgotten TV Shows of the (Mostly) 1980s!

Join Karl Stern and When It Was Cool for a look back at some hidden gems from the late 1970s and 1980s. Crazy TV cops, superheroes without instruction manuals, dudes that turn into cars or something, Bigfoot (of course), and other whacked out ideas made the 1980s are wild and weird time for retro pop culture television! Read More

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09-21-2026: 1980’s Pro Wrestling Star Ricky Morton Turns 70 Years Old

09-21-2026: 40 Years Ago Today in Pro Wrestling History (1986)

09-21-2026: Changes are Coming to When It Was Cool [Patreon]

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09-20-2026: 1000 Hours Podcast: The Retirement of William Muldoon

09-20-2026: This Day in Pioneer Era Pro Wrestling History: September 20

09-19-2026: Carrot Top Hospitalized in Las Vegas Following Reported Suicide Attempt

09-19-2026: Saturday Retro Wrestling Podcast: August 2013 Mailbag from Wrestling Observer Talking TNA, Jackie Fargo, Ronnie James Dio and More. [Patreon]

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Who is When It Was Cool?

When It Was Cool is a family run website and podcast network operated by the husband & wife duo of Karl & Tonya.

Karl (AKA: DragonKingKarl from Wrestling Observer & Figure Four Online) is a long-time pro wrestling historian and author. He and his wife love retro TV, movies, classic rock, comics, toys, dolls, and retro pop culture. Karl Stern is a Professional Wrestling Historian and Author of DragonKingKarl's Pioneer Era Pro Wrestling Omnibus.

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When It Was Cool

Feature Article: 10 Greatest Forgotten TV Shows of the (Mostly) 1980s!

MORE NEW TODAY:

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