The Last Bromance: How Wrestling Corrupted the NBA Finals (PTFO Vault)

Pablo Torre Finds Out
Episode: The Last Bromance: How Wrestling Corrupted the NBA Finals (PTFO Vault)
Released: January 2, 2026

Overview

In this deep-dive "talkumentary" from the PTFO Vault, Pablo Torre is joined by comedy writer and wrestling superfan Neil Puncellan to unravel an underappreciated and bizarre chapter in sports history: how professional wrestling's over-the-top spectacle managed to infiltrate and, arguably, compromise the integrity of the 1998 NBA Finals. The episode meticulously traces the wild intersection of wrestling’s carny marketing with the pageantry of “real" basketball, focusing on the rivalry-turned-cooperation between NBA stars Dennis Rodman and Karl Malone—culminating in their post-Finals tag-team match at WCW’s Bash at the Beach. Featuring exclusive interviews (including with Bob Costas and Bulls vet Bill Wennington), archival tape, and forensic-level NBA game re-watching, the episode ultimately asks: Was the greatest Finals of our time secretly a pro wrestling promo?

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Setting the Stage: Wrestling and the NBA Collide

Pablo & Neil’s Mission: Neil's on a crusade to convince, if not all listeners, at least one person that the 1998 NBA Finals were partially orchestrated as a wrestling promo. “I now firmly believe by the end of this, the NBA is going to put a hit on me. I think they're coming after me.” (Neil, 04:10)
The “Unified Theory": “The unifying theory of modern American life now is that everything is pro wrestling. The presidency is wrestling.” (Pablo, 08:57)

[05:52] - Wrestling “Bleeds” Into the NBA

Neil notes the shift from athletes appearing in wrestling, to wrestling’s tactics infecting actual NBA games: “It is not necessarily athletes just showing up at a professional wrestling event. It is professional wrestling bleeding into NBA games.”

2. The Roots: Wrestling History & Its Marketers

[11:50] - History Lesson

Wrestling's regional roots, Vince McMahon’s takeover, and Ted Turner’s creation of rival WCW, setting the stage for the “Monday Night Wars” in the 1990s.
Eric Bischoff’s Influence: The guy who bet Turner’s billions on competing with McMahon, and later orchestrated the NBA–Wrestling crossover.

“WCW...using live broadcast and adult themes and doing the suckets and like all that sort of pushing the envelope stuff. That's all Bischoff.” (Neil, 15:55)

3. The 1998 Finals Plot Unfolds

[17:17] - Enter Dennis Rodman

Rodman’s outsized personality and interest in wrestling—alongside Hulk Hogan—make him a “top-flight wrestling free agent.”
Beginning in 1997, Rodman deeply involves himself in wrestling (joining the NWO, appearing in Bash at the Beach).

[22:29] - Enter Karl Malone

Diamond Dallas Page details Malone’s wrestling obsession—from childhood to backstage meetups and joint hand gestures during NBA games.
Malone’s Motivation: “Carl Malone did not dream of becoming a basketball player. He dreamed of becoming a professional wrestler.” (Neil, 23:49)
DDP and Malone lay the groundwork to tag-team together after a chance All-Star Game meeting.

[27:25] - The Overlap: Both Finals and Wrestling Promo

By the Jazz’s 3–0 lead over the Lakers, DDP and Malone are plotting the tag match while the Finals are still unwon.
Jazz owner’s only plea: “please don’t get hurt.”

[28:06] - The Money and Marketing Math

Both Rodman and Malone are paid at least a million dollars each—Bischoff argues the media coverage is worth far more: “I couldn’t buy $2 million worth of press and get nearly what I got. That was my rationale. It was just a marketing decision.” (Bischoff, 29:08)
The 1998 NBA Playoffs themselves become a massive platform for the wrestling promo.

4. Rewatching the 1998 Finals: The Evidence

Neil’s “Exhibits" break down pivotal moments, suggesting work (wrestling jargon for "orchestrated performance") in real NBA games.

[37:05–42:47] - On-Court Antics as Wrestling Promo

Game 3: Rodman skips practice to wrestle in WCW Nitro.
Bill Wennington (Bulls vet) weighs in, half-joking that the “butt slaps” and entanglements are marketing: “For them it’s marketing and it helped them out for, you know, for lack of a better word, a big payday in July.” (Wennington, 44:13)
Multiple clips and replays: Rodman and Malone tripping, tangling, and exchanging wrestling hand gestures in key moments.

[46:05] - The Diamond Cutter Sign

Malone flashes the “Diamond Cutter” hand gesture (for DDP) after baskets… not once but multiple times in succession.

[48:05–54:32] - The Entanglement and Bob Costas Testifies

Game 6: Rodman and Malone's infamous scrum, replayed with new context, prompts original NBC broadcaster Bob Costas to admit:

"It looked to me like that entanglement wasn’t just a natural outcome... they were trying to prolong it and kind of emphasize it because it drew attention to what was upcoming from which they both would profit.” (Costas, 51:02)
Costas criticizes “low-grade fakery” but asserts it didn’t affect the competitive integrity.

5. Verdicts: Credibility, Legacy, and the (Literal) Asterisk

[54:50] - Does the Wrestling "Work” Taint the Finals?

Neil suggests the '98 Finals (and Jordan’s 6th ring) deserve an asterisk. "If you are trying to decide greatness, then you have to be detailed. You have to be willing to use an asterisk. I'm doing it right here.” (Neil, 61:03)
Bob Costas decisively rejects the idea that game integrity was compromised:

“I just...there’s no evidence here to me that either Rodman or Malone shortchanged the task at hand. But there is evidence that they were definitely trying to promote this...trashy endeavor.” (Costas, 54:02) “It's like saying that: does a hair out of place mean that Cindy Crawford isn't beautiful? I don't think so.” (Costas, 54:34)
Pablo wryly concludes, “I cannot stress enough how you have impugned your own objective credibility.” (Torre, 61:45)

6. Bash at the Beach Aftermath

[58:03] - Was It Worth It?

Bash at the Beach 1998 was underwhelming as a match but massive in ratings (second highest WCW PPV ever).
Rodman and Malone's in-ring action: “Malone is legitimately picking dudes up and slamming them on the ground. He’s a beast.” (Neil, 58:54)

Attempts to reach all involved parties for comment were fruitless; none of the principals spoke for the record on their intent or strategy these many years later.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Neil Puncellan, on his conviction:

“The NBA is going to put a hit on me. I think they're coming after me.” (04:10)

Pablo Torre, on wrestling's pervasiveness:

“The unifying theory of modern American life now is that everything is pro wrestling.” (08:57)

Eric Bischoff, on the media math:

“I couldn’t buy $2 million worth of press and get nearly what I got. That was my rationale. It was just a marketing decision.” (29:08)

Bill Wennington, Bulls center, on the cross-promotion:

“It helped them out...for lack of a better word, a big payday in July. So it was free advertising.” (44:13)

Bob Costas, on spectacle vs. sport:

“Why does that low grade fakery find a place in something that is the highest grade of legitimate sports drama?” (53:08)

Timestamps for Crucial Segments

[05:52] — The “bleeding” of wrestling into NBA games (Neil)
[13:33] — Ted Turner and WCW: Wrestling’s business backstory
[17:17] — How Rodman went from NBA star to wrestling draw
[21:27] — DDP recounts Karl Malone’s lifelong wrestling fixation
[27:25] — Parallel paths: Malone and Rodman plotting their cross-promotion
[29:08] — Bischoff’s $2 million gamble: How wrestling “bought” NBA promo time
[37:05] — Step-by-step breakdown, “Exhibit A” onward: Evidence of wrestling promo in the NBA Finals
[44:13] — Bill Wennington’s testimony
[48:05] — Bob Costas breaks down the “entanglement” moment
[54:50] — The “asterisk” debate: Does any of this taint Jordan’s legacy?
[58:03] — Bash at the Beach aftermath
[61:03] — Neil’s literal call for an “ass*terisk” on the Finals

Tone and Style

Playful, conspiratorial, and rigorous, blending forensic media analysis with comic zeal and pop-culture wit. Neil is genuinely obsessed, Pablo is skeptical but game, and the guest voices (Bill Wennington, Bob Costas, Diamond Dallas Page, Eric Bischoff) lend credibility and a touch of pathos to the absurd spectacle.

Conclusion

This episode is a riveting, entertaining blend of sports journalism and pop-culture conspiracy. While it can't "prove" the NBA Finals were compromised, it presents an avalanche of winking evidence that both the NBA and pro wrestling share more DNA than fans might believe—at least when it comes to showmanship and marketing. As Pablo says, “You have impugned your own objective credibility,” but the tale is persuasive enough to forever change how listeners see Rodman, Malone, and the hallowed 1998 Finals.

Pablo Torre Finds Out
Episode: The Last Bromance: How Wrestling Corrupted the NBA Finals (PTFO Vault)
Released: January 2, 2026

Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Setting the Stage: Wrestling and the NBA Collide

Pablo & Neil’s Mission: Neil's on a crusade to convince, if not all listeners, at least one person that the 1998 NBA Finals were partially orchestrated as a wrestling promo. “I now firmly believe by the end of this, the NBA is going to put a hit on me. I think they're coming after me.” (Neil, 04:10)
The “Unified Theory": “The unifying theory of modern American life now is that everything is pro wrestling. The presidency is wrestling.” (Pablo, 08:57)

[05:52] - Wrestling “Bleeds” Into the NBA

Neil notes the shift from athletes appearing in wrestling, to wrestling’s tactics infecting actual NBA games: “It is not necessarily athletes just showing up at a professional wrestling event. It is professional wrestling bleeding into NBA games.”

2. The Roots: Wrestling History & Its Marketers

[11:50] - History Lesson

Wrestling's regional roots, Vince McMahon’s takeover, and Ted Turner’s creation of rival WCW, setting the stage for the “Monday Night Wars” in the 1990s.
Eric Bischoff’s Influence: The guy who bet Turner’s billions on competing with McMahon, and later orchestrated the NBA–Wrestling crossover.

“WCW...using live broadcast and adult themes and doing the suckets and like all that sort of pushing the envelope stuff. That's all Bischoff.” (Neil, 15:55)

3. The 1998 Finals Plot Unfolds

[17:17] - Enter Dennis Rodman

Rodman’s outsized personality and interest in wrestling—alongside Hulk Hogan—make him a “top-flight wrestling free agent.”
Beginning in 1997, Rodman deeply involves himself in wrestling (joining the NWO, appearing in Bash at the Beach).

[22:29] - Enter Karl Malone

Diamond Dallas Page details Malone’s wrestling obsession—from childhood to backstage meetups and joint hand gestures during NBA games.
Malone’s Motivation: “Carl Malone did not dream of becoming a basketball player. He dreamed of becoming a professional wrestler.” (Neil, 23:49)
DDP and Malone lay the groundwork to tag-team together after a chance All-Star Game meeting.

[27:25] - The Overlap: Both Finals and Wrestling Promo

By the Jazz’s 3–0 lead over the Lakers, DDP and Malone are plotting the tag match while the Finals are still unwon.
Jazz owner’s only plea: “please don’t get hurt.”

[28:06] - The Money and Marketing Math

Both Rodman and Malone are paid at least a million dollars each—Bischoff argues the media coverage is worth far more: “I couldn’t buy $2 million worth of press and get nearly what I got. That was my rationale. It was just a marketing decision.” (Bischoff, 29:08)
The 1998 NBA Playoffs themselves become a massive platform for the wrestling promo.

4. Rewatching the 1998 Finals: The Evidence

Neil’s “Exhibits" break down pivotal moments, suggesting work (wrestling jargon for "orchestrated performance") in real NBA games.

[37:05–42:47] - On-Court Antics as Wrestling Promo

Game 3: Rodman skips practice to wrestle in WCW Nitro.
Bill Wennington (Bulls vet) weighs in, half-joking that the “butt slaps” and entanglements are marketing: “For them it’s marketing and it helped them out for, you know, for lack of a better word, a big payday in July.” (Wennington, 44:13)
Multiple clips and replays: Rodman and Malone tripping, tangling, and exchanging wrestling hand gestures in key moments.

[46:05] - The Diamond Cutter Sign

Malone flashes the “Diamond Cutter” hand gesture (for DDP) after baskets… not once but multiple times in succession.

[48:05–54:32] - The Entanglement and Bob Costas Testifies

Game 6: Rodman and Malone's infamous scrum, replayed with new context, prompts original NBC broadcaster Bob Costas to admit:

"It looked to me like that entanglement wasn’t just a natural outcome... they were trying to prolong it and kind of emphasize it because it drew attention to what was upcoming from which they both would profit.” (Costas, 51:02)
Costas criticizes “low-grade fakery” but asserts it didn’t affect the competitive integrity.

5. Verdicts: Credibility, Legacy, and the (Literal) Asterisk

[54:50] - Does the Wrestling "Work” Taint the Finals?

Neil suggests the '98 Finals (and Jordan’s 6th ring) deserve an asterisk. "If you are trying to decide greatness, then you have to be detailed. You have to be willing to use an asterisk. I'm doing it right here.” (Neil, 61:03)
Bob Costas decisively rejects the idea that game integrity was compromised:

“I just...there’s no evidence here to me that either Rodman or Malone shortchanged the task at hand. But there is evidence that they were definitely trying to promote this...trashy endeavor.” (Costas, 54:02) “It's like saying that: does a hair out of place mean that Cindy Crawford isn't beautiful? I don't think so.” (Costas, 54:34)
Pablo wryly concludes, “I cannot stress enough how you have impugned your own objective credibility.” (Torre, 61:45)

6. Bash at the Beach Aftermath

[58:03] - Was It Worth It?

Bash at the Beach 1998 was underwhelming as a match but massive in ratings (second highest WCW PPV ever).
Rodman and Malone's in-ring action: “Malone is legitimately picking dudes up and slamming them on the ground. He’s a beast.” (Neil, 58:54)

Attempts to reach all involved parties for comment were fruitless; none of the principals spoke for the record on their intent or strategy these many years later.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Neil Puncellan, on his conviction:

“The NBA is going to put a hit on me. I think they're coming after me.” (04:10)

Pablo Torre, on wrestling's pervasiveness:

“The unifying theory of modern American life now is that everything is pro wrestling.” (08:57)

Eric Bischoff, on the media math:

“I couldn’t buy $2 million worth of press and get nearly what I got. That was my rationale. It was just a marketing decision.” (29:08)

Bill Wennington, Bulls center, on the cross-promotion:

“It helped them out...for lack of a better word, a big payday in July. So it was free advertising.” (44:13)

Bob Costas, on spectacle vs. sport:

“Why does that low grade fakery find a place in something that is the highest grade of legitimate sports drama?” (53:08)

Timestamps for Crucial Segments

[05:52] — The “bleeding” of wrestling into NBA games (Neil)
[13:33] — Ted Turner and WCW: Wrestling’s business backstory
[17:17] — How Rodman went from NBA star to wrestling draw
[21:27] — DDP recounts Karl Malone’s lifelong wrestling fixation
[27:25] — Parallel paths: Malone and Rodman plotting their cross-promotion
[29:08] — Bischoff’s $2 million gamble: How wrestling “bought” NBA promo time
[37:05] — Step-by-step breakdown, “Exhibit A” onward: Evidence of wrestling promo in the NBA Finals
[44:13] — Bill Wennington’s testimony
[48:05] — Bob Costas breaks down the “entanglement” moment
[54:50] — The “asterisk” debate: Does any of this taint Jordan’s legacy?
[58:03] — Bash at the Beach aftermath
[61:03] — Neil’s literal call for an “ass*terisk” on the Finals

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Summary

Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Setting the Stage: Wrestling and the NBA Collide

[05:52] - Wrestling “Bleeds” Into the NBA

2. The Roots: Wrestling History & Its Marketers

[11:50] - History Lesson

3. The 1998 Finals Plot Unfolds

[17:17] - Enter Dennis Rodman

[22:29] - Enter Karl Malone

[27:25] - The Overlap: Both Finals and Wrestling Promo

[28:06] - The Money and Marketing Math

4. Rewatching the 1998 Finals: The Evidence

[37:05–42:47] - On-Court Antics as Wrestling Promo

[46:05] - The Diamond Cutter Sign

[48:05–54:32] - The Entanglement and Bob Costas Testifies

5. Verdicts: Credibility, Legacy, and the (Literal) Asterisk

[54:50] - Does the Wrestling "Work” Taint the Finals?

6. Bash at the Beach Aftermath

[58:03] - Was It Worth It?

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Timestamps for Crucial Segments

Tone and Style

Conclusion

Summary

Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Setting the Stage: Wrestling and the NBA Collide

[05:52] - Wrestling “Bleeds” Into the NBA

2. The Roots: Wrestling History & Its Marketers

[11:50] - History Lesson

3. The 1998 Finals Plot Unfolds

[17:17] - Enter Dennis Rodman

[22:29] - Enter Karl Malone

[27:25] - The Overlap: Both Finals and Wrestling Promo

[28:06] - The Money and Marketing Math

4. Rewatching the 1998 Finals: The Evidence

[37:05–42:47] - On-Court Antics as Wrestling Promo

[46:05] - The Diamond Cutter Sign

[48:05–54:32] - The Entanglement and Bob Costas Testifies

5. Verdicts: Credibility, Legacy, and the (Literal) Asterisk

[54:50] - Does the Wrestling "Work” Taint the Finals?

6. Bash at the Beach Aftermath

[58:03] - Was It Worth It?

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Timestamps for Crucial Segments

Tone and Style

Conclusion