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[0:00-0:20] Opening banter - Joe making Jade Cargill references, Anthony catching up on wrestling news
[2:00-2:30] Introduction and show setup - Discussing Monday Night Raw's quality issues
[2:30-4:00] Raw show structure critique - Too many women's matches, lack of coherent booking, disappointing for live Brooklyn audience
[4:30-5:30] Kabuki Warriors vs Rhea/IyO Sky tag match - Best match of the night, good action but questionable placement as opener
[9:30-13:00] Asuka/Shayna Basler Twitter incident - Cultural misunderstanding about toughness compliment
[14:30-15:30] Stranger Things promotion - Just a van, no actors, completely underwhelming tie-in
[22:30-25:00] Gunther/AJ Styles segment - Gunther looking weak, poor booking decisions
[29:00-32:00] Maxxine vs Becky Lynch - Too much time given, Maxine too green for featured spot
[21:30-22:30] Stephanie Vaquer injury angle - Rushed off TV despite being over with fans
[33:00-35:00] Paul Heyman group criticism - None ready for main event spots except possibly Drew McIntyre
[34:00-35:00] Logan Paul/Austin Theory promo - Disconnected and ineffective
[38:00-44:00] CM Punk main event - Stumbling through promos, match with Bron Breaker was sloppy
[40:00-48:00] Bron Breakker concerns - Too green, dangerous spots, needs shorter matches
[49:00-52:00] Liv Morgan return - Poorly positioned after multiple women's matches, crowd was dead
[54:00-58:00] Judgment Day storyline - Falling apart, no clear direction for members
[58:00-1:05:00] Overall show critique - Poorly structured, felt like contractually obligated content
[1:05:00-1:08:00] International shows vs US shows - Better matches given to international audiences
[1:05:00-1:07:00] Saudi Arabia performance center discussion
[1:09:00-1:13:00] Commercial breaks - Excessive ads on Netflix, VPN workarounds
[1:13:00-end] Wrap-up and closing thoughts
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Joe and Anthony discuss the current state of wrestling, focusing on WWE’s use of old footage, the Netflix deal, and the value of nostalgia content. They critique modern wrestling’s creative direction, the risks wrestlers take for fan approval, and the business of monetizing archival material. The conversation also touches on personalities like Chris Jericho, Mr. Beast, and the challenges wrestlers face after retirement, ending with commentary on the cyclical nature of wrestling trends and media.
0:00 – WWE vault, nostalgia, and old footage
4:00 – Classic wrestling humor, Andre the Giant stories
15:00 – Humanizing wrestlers, behind-the-scenes moments
40:00 – Modern wrestling risks, fan influence, dangerous spots
1:00:00 – WWE’s business model, YouTube/Netflix monetization
1:15:00 – WWE creative team, bureaucracy, and lack of vision
1:25:00 – Chris Jericho rumors, nostalgia pops, closing thoughts
1:29:35 – End
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Anthony Missionary Thomas breaks down the latest Monday Night Raw from the Kia Center in Orlando! With Joe on vacation, Missionary goes solo to deliver his unfiltered thoughts on the new streaming format, wild backstage drama, and all the in-ring action.
In this episode:
The Vision’s new member and Paul Heyman’s mic work
CM Punk’s return and his face-off with Bron Breaker
The Vince McMahon retirement lawsuit and behind-the-scenes revelations
Women’s division shakeups and Nikki Bella
Gunther’s dominance, R-Truth’s comedy, and the USOs’ tag team triumph
Crossover moments, and quirks of watching WWE on Netflix
Plus, Missionary tackles fan reactions, wrestler injuries, and the ever-evolving landscape of pro wrestling.
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Join Joe for a solo, unfiltered, and hilarious holiday episode! From reflections on Christmas with pets and family, to rants about podcasting gear, wrestling fandoms, and the wild world of sports, Joe covers it all. Whether you’re here for the wrestling takes, the football rants, or just the laughs, this episode is packed with relatable moments and sharp commentary.
00:00 – Holiday Greetings & Pet Talk
Joe opens with holiday wishes, muses on family vs. loved ones, and shares thoughts on pets during the holidays.
00:53 – Cats, Dogs, and Family Gatherings
Why cats hate big family parties, and the chaos of holiday get-togethers.
01:38 – Podcasting Gear & Tech Rants
Joe’s take on podcasting equipment, tech confusion, and the reality of most podcasters.
03:41 – Car Comforts & Boomer Habits
A funny look at new car features, seat warmers, and refusing modern comforts.
05:41 – Solo Shows & Audience Preferences
Joe reflects on solo podcasting, being a polarizing host, and the “Friends” effect.
07:23 – Midwest Vibes & Listener Dynamics
How regional differences affect audience reactions and the nature of podcast “fans.”
10:06 – Wrestling Fandom & Internet Drama
Diving into wrestling fandom, online arguments, and the absurdity of defending companies on Christmas.
13:04 – Truth, History, and Wrestling Narratives
Why wrestling stories are all about perspective, and how history is written by the winners.
16:48 – Social Media, Memes, and Influencers
Joe’s take on Instagram, memes, and the weirdness of influencer culture.
20:00 – Toxicity in Fandoms & Discord Community
Comparing wrestling fans to other fandoms, and inviting nice people to join the Discord.
22:18 – Wrestling Stories, CTE, and Athlete Choices
A deep dive into wrestling injuries, CTE, and the choices athletes make.
28:50 – Sports Rants: Chiefs, Patriots, and Quarterbacks
Joe’s passionate takes on NFL teams, quarterbacks, and the downfall of the Chiefs.
36:00 – Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce, and Pop Culture
A hilarious critique of celebrity relationships and pop music.
37:50 – Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady, and Football Legends
Why Aaron Rodgers is a “gigantic douchebag” and why Joe will always defend Tom Brady.
38:47 – Wrap-Up & Final Thoughts
Joe thanks the audience, teases more content, and signs off with holiday wishes.
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– Intro & Holiday Banter
– Show Length & Review Philosophy
– Sports Podcasts & Seth Everywhere
– Nikki Bella Segment & Rumors
– Wrestling Rumors & Conspiracy Theories
– Bronson Reed & Promo Styles
– Maxine, Becky Lynch, and Women’s Division
– AJ Styles’ Role & Hair Talk
– Jevon Evans’ Match & Enhancement Talent
– Raquel, Judgment Day, and Storyline Threads
– Bailey vs. Roxy & Character Development
– Gunther’s Segment & Heel Work
– Main Event Setup: Punk & Mysterio vs. Reed & Theory
– Logan Paul Speculation & Closing Thoughts
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LuFisto and Evil Dos cover the AAA GUERRA DE TITANES December 20th show.
Joe and Anthony dust off the old Shitbox and take listener voicemails about the final match of John Cena and where he goes after WWE.
- Old entertainers get cancelled.
- political stances about rural areas of the US
- Cena voicemails
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/wrestling-soup--1425249/support.
00:00 – Opening Banter & Audio Troubles
00:50 – Plastic Surgery in Wrestling
02:42 – Saturday Night’s Main Event Reactions
03:36 – The Influence of Algorithms & Internet Culture
05:29 – Comparing Ads – Podcasts vs. Corporations
09:52 – John Cena’s Retirement & Legacy
14:30 – Wrestling Storytelling & Nostalgia
26:44 – Foreign Invader Storylines & WWE’s Global Image
52:31 – Sports Illustrated Wrestling Awards
1:05:00 – State of Women’s Wrestling & Ambition
1:23:44 – Closing Thoughts & Community Updates
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/wrestling-soup--1425249/support.
Join Anthony and Joe as they dive deep into the latest Monday Night Raw, dissecting the fallout from John Cena’s retirement, Gunther’s controversial win, and the current state of WWE’s creative direction. From hilarious opening banter to sharp critiques of booking decisions, this episode covers it all—plus, thoughts on Logan Paul, Nikki Bella, and the future of wrestling’s biggest stars. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a casual viewer, you’ll find plenty to laugh about and ponder in this unfiltered, passionate review. :gunshot:
00:00 – Cold Open & Banter: Reubens, fiber, and afternoon delight
01:10 – Anthony and Joe introduce the show
02:10 – Raw Recap: “Not trying” and the feeling of a series finale
03:00 – Gunther’s Booking: What did he do wrong?
05:00 – The Cena Conundrum: Why is everyone mad at Gunther?
08:00 – Storyline Analysis: Is WWE leaning on old tropes?
10:00 – The Foreign Heel: Are fans booing for the right reasons?
12:00 – WWE’s Creative Direction: Locker room reactions and missed opportunities
15:00 – Logan Paul in the Main Event: Is WWE out of ideas?
18:00 – Nikki Bella, Stephanie, and the Women’s Division
21:00 – Booking Blunders: Austin Theory, LA Knight, and crowd reactions
25:00 – WWE’s Business Model: International tours, ticket prices, and fan fatigue
28:00 – The Future of WWE: Can the product survive on hype alone?
31:00 – Side Tangents: Mr. Beast Land, Randy Orton, and Saudi Arabia
34:00 – Wrapping Up: Listener voicemails, final thoughts, and what’s next
Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more wrestling reviews and discussions!
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We went live on YouTube immediately following Saturday Night’s Main Event, and let’s be honest—the chat saw exactly what we saw. We watched the "End of an Era," but instead of an emotional goodbye, WWE gave us a retirement party planned by a focus group. It was sterile, it was underwhelming, and it was the definition of corporate.We break down the disconnect: The audience wanted to give Cena his flowers, but the execution was lifeless. We talk about Gunther being the absolute right guy for the job, but being handcuffed by "cheeseball" booking that felt like it was written for a cartoon in 1988, not a retirement in 2025. The H Machine managed to take a historic moment and make it feel like an HR meeting.We also touched on the rest of the card—briefly—because we had to. We look at Cody Rhodes vs. Oba Femi, Bayley mixing it up with Sol Ruca, and AJ Styles & Dragon Lee in a tag match against... I’ve already forgotten their names, and judging by the crowd reaction, so did everyone else.Come for the rant on the booking, stay for the reality check on Cena’s farewell.
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/wrestling-soup--1425249/support.
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