NWO Invasion, Barrel-Aged Brews & Summer '96 Shenanigans | Cartridge and Quest: Season 2, Episode 15 | 90s fast food nostalgia
- AverageTrav
- Jun 17
- 11 min read
Introduction
Hook
Remember those endless 90s summers? No adult supervision, just raw freedom until the streetlights came on. Then, it was all about the TV. But what if one random Monday night, that TV screen broke the rules?
What if the very fabric of your favorite wrestling show was ripped apart by invaders who didn't belong? That's just the tip of the iceberg in this week's Cartridge and Quest, where Averagetrav and Foodie Mike C dive headfirst into the chaotic, sun-drenched days of Summer '96.
From corporate wrestling wars to kidney stone sagas and the agonizing wait for the Nintendo 64, this episode is a pure shot of 90s nostalgia podcast gold. Grab a cold one, settle in, and get ready for some serious 90s childhood memories.
Hangout: What's On Tap?
Averagetrav and Foodie Mike C are officially legit! We're kicking things off with big news: Cartridge and Quest has partnered with Auburn Spirits in Wichita! These guys aren't your average liquor store.
They're locally owned, deeply care about the community, and their craft beer selection is absolutely massive. Averagetrav even toured the store and said he hadn't "seen that much beer in one place since Stone Cold Steve Austin drove that beer truck down to the ring!"
The Basement Truth about Auburn Spirits:
Local Love: Genuinely cares about Wichita and surrounding communities.
Expert Pairing: Need a drink for a backyard get-together or to make your food pop? Their crew knows their stuff and can set you up right.
C&Q Exclusive Discount: Mention the Cartridge and Quest podcast when you're there and get 10% off your entire order – every single day! That's usually just a Wednesday special, so you're getting hooked up!
This Week's Brew: Auburn Bach Doppelbock
Auburn Spirits hooked us up with their special Auburn Bock Doppelbock. This isn't just any beer; it's a 9.25% ABV heavy hitter that's a blend of Kansas City Bier Company's finest Doppelbock and Eisenbock, aged in a whiskey barrel provided by Auburn Spirits. It's a true local collaboration, going from Wichita to Kansas City and back.
Trav's Take: "It's light, it's got those notes of spices... like our favorite Bock, Shiner Bock. It's delicious. If Shiner wasn't available, I would take this in a heartbeat."
Mike's Take: "I'm not really even a huge beer guy, but this is one I could definitely see just sitting back, especially after like mowing or something... The barrel is doing something, it kinda gives that like a different umami or something to it."
Go support the local businesses that support Cartridge and Quest! And remember, you must be 21 to drink.
History: Retro Deep Dive
The Monday Night War Begins: WCW's Hostile Takeover
Picture this: early Summer '96. Professional wrestling was predictable. Good guys in neon always won, bad guys growled and always lost. There was a thick, invisible wall between the safe fiction of the ring and the real world.
The First Intruder: Averagetrav remembers watching both WWF Raw and WCW Nitro on his stacked CRTs. Suddenly, Scott Hall, a familiar face from WWF, walked out of the crowd on Nitro. No entrance music, no pyro, just a dude in a Canadian tuxedo (double denim, bro!) who grabbed a mic and said, "You want a war? You know who I am, and you know where I'm from, but you don't know why I'm here." To an 11-year-old kid, this wasn't a script; it felt like a legitimate network hack, a corporate hostage situation playing out on TV.
The Outsiders Arrive: A couple of weeks later, a second intruder arrived: the big man, Kevin Nash. They called themselves "The Outsiders," buying tickets to sit in the crowd, assaulting commentators, and fighting their way into the arena with baseball bats. The line between reality and TV was completely obliterated.
Weaponized Innocence: For 90s kids, this was a corporate war playing out on TV. Vince McMahon's WWF and Turner Broadcasting's WCW were genuinely trying to put each other out of business. Averagetrav recalls thinking, "OH shit? Who's he talking to?" The Attitude Era wrestling seeds were planted right there, as WCW leaned into the gritty, unpredictable feel, prompting WWF to eventually "do it better." This was 90s pro wrestling history in the making.
Before we get further into the chaos, a quick shout-out to The Regent Theater. They're an amazing local sponsor, and right now they're playing Toy Story 5! It's hot as hell, so get out of the house, sit in some AC, and enjoy a giant bucket of popcorn. Support your local theater!
Channel Surfing: Summer '96 Pop Culture Highlights
Nintendo 64 Launch Panic: In June 1996, the Nintendo 64 launched in Japan, causing a global panic for American kids. We had to wait agonizing months, with only Electronic Gaming Monthly and speculation to keep us sane. This was the most stressful delay of childhood, second only to praying your AOL dial-up connection stayed live before your mom picked up the phone. Nintendo 64 memories were about to be made!
Twister Hits Theaters: The iconic 90s movie, Twister, graced the box office. For those of us growing up in the 90s in Kansas, it felt less like a motion picture and more like a documentary of a typical summer weekend. Foodie Mike C even got yelled at in basic training for staring at a storm, nonchalantly replying, "I'm just from Kansas."
Hunchback of Notre Dame Happy Meal Toys: McDonald's started putting terrifying, misshapen plastic Hunchback puppets in Happy Meals to promote Disney's new animation. Averagetrav describes finding a fry-grease-covered Quasimodo as "still the exact feeling that you get right before you pass a kidney stone."
The Cable Guy Drops: Jim Carrey's follow-up to his blockbuster run was the dark comedy, The Cable Guy. Audiences expecting another Ace Ventura were traumatized by the bait and switch. As Mike said, it was like expecting a Happy Meal toy and getting Marlboros.
Keenan & Kel Spin-Off: Keenan & Kel spun off from All That, making "Who loves orange soda?" the most requested drink across middle school cafeterias. It's a hilarious catchphrase for an 11-year-old, but a grown man yelling it in the grocery store today would make you "turn around going down a different aisle." This was peak Classic 90s cartoons retrospective material.
Bone Thugs-n-Harmony's "Crossroads": Bone Thugs-n-Harmony's "Crossroads" was the hit of the summer. While a beautiful tribute, trying to rap it at a hundred miles an hour like your friends was impossible. The guys still can't figure out half the lyrics.
* CCICT: Keeping You Connected: Our other sponsor, Cellular Center ICT, is keeping the basement connected. Phones are expensive these days, costing as much as a Gateway computer in a cowbox from 90s internet culture. Sam and Alex at CCICT (located in Towne East Mall, across from Men's Warehouse) offer certified pre-owned phones, 100% unlocked for any carrier worldwide, fully tested with a warranty. Upgrade your phone, keep your cash, and support local! Give them a call at 316-325-6111.
Humor/Hilarity: The Unscripted Chaos
Cartridge Conundrum
We're doing an NBA Finals edition this week! If we get 100 comments across our socials, someone wins one item from the CAQ Mall!
The Setup: Close your eyes and imagine the NBA on NBC in '96. You're probably begging your parents for Jordan 11s. The Chicago Bulls just finished a legendary 72-10 regular season. Jordan, Pippen, and Rodman were men amongst boys.
The Question: To cap off that historic run and start their second three-peat, who did Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and Dennis Rodman defeat in the 1996 NBA Finals?
A. The Utah Jazz
B. The Orlando Magic
C. The Seattle Supersonics
D. The Phoenix Suns
(Answer revealed at the end of the blog post!)
Suits or Jabronies?
Averagetrav brings back a classic game: is the person a silicone suit (a successful business person) or a squared circle jabroni (a wrestling jobber who always loses)?
1. Marc Andreessen vs. Bastion Booger
The Pick: Foodie Mike C immediately picked Booger as the jobber.
The Reveal: Mike was right! Bastion Booger (real name Mike Shaw) was indeed a wrestling jobber, famous for his ill-fitting, napkin-like gear. Marc Andreessen, meanwhile, helped build the Netscape browser and sold it to AOL for 4.2 BILLION dollars. Definitely a suit.
2. Gil Amelio vs. Phineas Godwin
The Pick: Mike picked Phineas Godwin as the jobber.
The Reveal: Mike was right again! Phineas I. Godwin (real name Dennis Knight), part of The Godwinns, was known for his slop bucket and hillbilly overalls. Gil Amelio briefly ran Apple right before Steve Jobs' return. Another suit.
3. Craig McCaw vs. Max Moon
The Pick: Mike picked Max Moon as the jobber.
The Reveal: Third time's the charm for Mike! Max Moon was a bizarre wrestling gimmick known for shooting fireworks out of his arms. Craig McCaw and his brother sold their cellular network, McCaw Cellular, to AT&T for 12.6 BILLION dollars in 1992. No doubt, a suit.
Mike swept the board! Averagetrav needs to sharpen his trickery next time!
What's On Mike's Mind: The Urban Dictionary Wheel of Awkwardness
This segment is a guaranteed dive into unscripted chaos. Averagetrav spins the Urban Dictionary wheel and has to explain the term to a "second-grade class without going to jail." This week's term: "The Magician."
The Explanation (as clean as possible): Imagine you and a "lady friend" are engaging in certain "activities" before bed. You ask her to turn around for a "magic trick," have your "fun," and then surprise! "Abracadabra! I wasn't done! And now there's stuff all over your face and things." It was awkward, it was hilarious, and it left everyone, especially Averagetrav, questioning life choices.
Foodie Mike C's Dallas Cowboys 2026 Schedule Predictions
Mike got amped (and Trav's doorbell went off) just thinking about the Cowboys' 2026 schedule. Averagetrav, a true believer in Dak Prescott as "the goat," provided the game-by-game predictions, reflecting Millennial dad nostalgia podcast levels of optimism for his beloved Cowboys.
Giants: 37-0 W. "The Giants suck butt."
Washington: 17-7 W. "Screw those guys."
Baltimore Ravens: Ass blastin' revenge game W. "Fat arm Chuck over there."
Houston Texans: 27-0 W. "Dallas fans, fill that stadium!"
Tampa Bay Bucs: 37-10 W. "Screw you, Baker Mayfield."
Green Bay Packers: 14-0 W. "Jordan Love, you're gonna love losing!" Caleb Downs and Demarion Overshone with pick-six and fumble return.
Philadelphia Eagles (Away): 47-32 W. "Screw the Eagles!" Expect eggs and batteries thrown.
Arizona Cardinals: W. "They don't even have Kyler Murray!"
Indianapolis Colts: W. "They can move back to Baltimore for all we care!"
San Francisco 49ers: W. "Screw you, George Kittle and Christian McCaffrey!"
Tennessee Titans: W. "They suck so bad, it's a bye week!"
Philadelphia Eagles (Home): W. "Can we get Philly both times? Absolutely!"
Seattle Seahawks: W. Even with the 12th man hoop and the Legion of Boom memories, "we got this."
Los Angeles Rams: 21-7 W. "They don't even have Aaron Darnold anymore!"
Jacksonville Jaguars: W. "Screw you, Trevor Lawrence, with your new haircut!"
Washington (Final Game): W. "Eat a butt!"
Total: 17-0! (No, they're not counting the bye weeks as losses). Mike is "fucking amped" for the cruise, where they'll stay in a haunted hotel in New Orleans and enjoy "funky monkeys" (frozen drinks, not the Urban Dictionary version, Averagetrav hopes).
Trav's Take: The N64 vs. The Mod Retro 64 - The Agony of Waiting
The N64 vs. The Mod Retro 64
Averagetrav closes out the show by contrasting the agony of waiting for the original Nintendo 64 launch in 1996 with the current wait for the Mod Retro 64. Back then, it was just electronic gaming monthly and speculation.
1996: Back then, it was just "electronic gaming monthly and speculation." Reading the same magazine 30 times. Retro gaming history and trivia was consumed via print.
2026 (Mod Retro 64): Now, waiting for the M64 means endless YouTube videos, breakdowns, and hands-on reviews. The M64 is a clone console launching July 28th, designed to play original N64 cartridges. It supports original controllers and offers new, weighted Bluetooth trident controllers with rumble.
Why It Matters: While emulators are great (Averagetrav built a PC just for NES and SNES nostalgia and other emulators), there's nothing like a physical cartridge. "You can sit and watch porn all day, but real sex is pretty cool," Mike analogized perfectly. The Nostalgic video game podcast hosts agree: it's about the shared, couch co-op experience with kids, punching your buddy for screen-watching in Mario Kart 64. This is replaying 90s video games today at its best, bringing 90s gaming memories back to life.
Cartridge Conundrum Trivia
Q: In the 1996 NBA Finals, who did Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and Dennis Rodman's Chicago Bulls defeat to cap off their historic 72-10 season and begin their second three-peat?
A: The Chicago Bulls defeated the Seattle Supersonics in the 1996 NBA Finals.
Basement Dictionary
Here's some of the authentic lingo and colorful phrases dropped by Averagetrav and Foodie Mike C in this episode:
Canadian Tuxedo: (noun) A full outfit consisting entirely of denim, typically a denim jacket paired with jeans. Also known as "double denim."
Jobber: (noun) In professional wrestling, a wrestler whose primary role is to lose matches, making their opponents look stronger. (Also used here metaphorically to describe a loser or someone who isn't successful).
Butthurt: (adjective) Annoyed, offended, or excessively sensitive; easily upset or taking offense.
Ghosted: (verb) To abruptly end all communication with someone without explanation, typically in a romantic or social context.
Ass Blastin': (verb) To thoroughly defeat or dominate someone or something in a forceful manner. (Used here to describe a Cowboys victory).
Scrambly Boob: (noun) Refers to a scrambled or fuzzy adult content channel on old analog cable television, usually watched by trying to adjust the tracking for a fleeting, unclear image.
Funky Monkey: (noun) In the context of the podcast, a delicious frozen alcoholic beverage, typically consumed on a cruise ship. (Foodie Mike C jokingly suggested it could have an Urban Dictionary meaning).
Eating a butt: (verb) A crude and vulgar phrase implying sexual activity or a severe defeat/humiliation, often used in a joking, taunting manner. (Used by Foodie Mike C when discussing the Cowboys' dominance).
Silicone Suit: (noun) A term used in the "Suits or Jabronies" game to describe a successful business professional, implying they are polished and perhaps a bit stiff or corporate.
Squared Circle Jabroni: (noun) A term from the "Suits or Jabronies" game combining "squared circle" (a wrestling ring) with "jabroni" (a wrestling term for a jobber or a loser), describing a wrestling character who primarily loses.
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