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Wrestling has been uneventful lately, but recent developments on SmackDown have sparked interest.
Drew McIntyre is being positioned as a key member of "the Vision" stable, possibly replacing Seth Rollins.
Drew has lost many matches in the past, but aligning him with Paul Heyman and others could revitalize his character.
Bronson Reed is being elevated and is no longer treated as a secondary character.
WWE often struggles to build multiple stars at once, focusing too much on one or two at a time.
The Bloodline and Judgment Day stables succeeded because every member had a role and story.
There’s skepticism about WWE’s long-term planning, especially with sudden changes due to injuries.
Merchandise and branding are a big focus, sometimes at the expense of storytelling.
Judgment Day members are likely to become babyfaces soon due to their popularity.
Managers are lacking in WWE; bringing back more managers could help talent who struggle with promos.
The women’s division is giving midcard titles to less experienced but marketable wrestlers.
Some matches and segments (e.g., Maxine Dupree vs. Becky Lynch, Jade Cargill’s push) are criticized for prioritizing looks over in-ring skill.
Ticket and merchandise prices are rising, but many feel the product quality isn’t keeping up.
Nostalgia acts (like John Cena) are used to boost interest, but there’s concern about what comes after.
The show’s structure sometimes puts the biggest moments at the start, making the rest feel less important.
There’s debate about past booking decisions, like John Cena’s role in the Nexus storyline.
New talent like Jevon Evans shows promise, but there’s concern about how WWE will develop them.
The episode ends with thanks to listeners and promotion for related shows.
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0:00 – 13:00
Show opens. Joe and Anthony greet each other and start discussing the AEW Blood and Guts show, with initial banter about recording and the state of the show.
13:00 – 55:00
Deep dive into AEW women’s wrestling: match quality, specific wrestlers (Sky Blue, Julia Hart, Mina Shirakawa, etc.), and comparisons to WWE. Includes jokes and critiques about in-ring skills and presentation.
55:00 – 1:20:00
Broader analysis of the women’s division, talent scouting, and the differences between AEW and WWE’s approach to developing female wrestlers. Discussion of individual potential and shortcomings.
1:20:00 – 1:35:00
The conversation shifts to the men’s division, with humorous commentary on appearance, performance, and the overall quality of AEW’s male roster. Includes tangents about pop culture, gaming, and generational differences.
1:35:00 – End (~1:36:00)
Closing thoughts, shoutouts to friends and other podcasts, and wrapping up the episode.
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Anthony and Joe kick off the episode with technical difficulties and banter about everyday frustrations, quickly segueing into Thanksgiving travel woes and the quirks of city life. The conversation shifts to wrestling, with commentary on the current state of WWE and AEW, including recent releases, backstage drama, and the challenges of building new stars. They discuss the significance of John Cena’s return, the aging roster, and the future of the industry, touching on topics like ticket prices, fan engagement, and the economics of wrestling entertainment. The episode wraps up with a review of Monday Night Raw, thoughts on the women’s division, and reflections on the changing landscape of professional wrestling.
1:10 – Thanksgiving plans, travel, and family stories
3:00 – E-bikes, city traffic, and TikTok moments
4:30 – Wrestling high spots, the evolution of risk, and show open
5:15 – “Wrestling Soup” intro, weather, and Discord updates
6:00 – AEW and WWE news, Sasha Banks, and the women’s 250 list
8:00 – Teagan Knox walkout, enhancement talent, and backstage communication
13:00 – WWE releases, indie vs. TV wrestling, and career trajectories
17:00 – The ethics of walking out, fan reactions, and women’s wrestling narratives
25:00 – Monday Night Raw recap: John Cena’s appearance, Triple H, and Boston crowd
32:00 – Tournament talk: aging stars, new prospects, and the future of WWE
38:00 – CM Punk, Paul Heyman, and the “season finale” energy of current storylines
45:00 – The economics of wrestling, streaming, and fan accessibility
50:00 – Reflections on John Cena’s legacy, accessibility, and fan engagement
58:00 – Main event: Women’s tag match, War Games hype, and closing thoughts
1:18:00 – Final banter, Patreon plugs, and sign-off
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00:41 – Discussion of AEW fan signs, merchandise, and Hangman Page’s recent notoriety.
02:54 – Introduction of AEW’s new book and its author “Keg”; first impressions.
09:05 – Early history of Tony Khan’s wrestling fandom and the book’s revisionist approach.
11:41 – The book’s portrayal of the wrestling landscape, including shots at NWA and other promotions.
13:05 – Comparisons to DK encyclopedias and children’s books; the book’s visual style.
14:31 – Excerpts from the book: Tony Khan’s early internet wrestling community experiences.
23:29 – The real indie wrestling boom, with a critique of the book’s selective history.
24:22 – TNA’s role in wrestling and the broader landscape of promotions.
25:10 – AEW’s impact on the indies and the book’s self-promotional tone.
26:38 – The “all-star” mentality of AEW and its approach to talent acquisition.
35:14 – The timing of the book’s release and the perception of AEW as a “clown show.”
37:25 – Satirical comparison: “If Scientology was a wrestling promotion, this would be AEW.”
41:40 – Comparison of fast food pricing/business models to wrestling ticket pricing.
45:30 – The Hart family, championship collecting, and the credibility of wrestling titles.
57:13 – Introduction of AEW’s new championship and Tommy Dreamer’s reaction.
59:13 – Dave Meltzer’s response to criticism about the proliferation of wrestling titles.
1:02:01 – Jokes about the “Undisputed Continental” title and the absurdity of belt names.
1:06:53 – Disney’s partnership with DraftKings and the implications for WWE.
1:08:25 – WWE’s ticket pricing, touring model, and the economics of live events.
1:22:34 – Broader challenges in wrestling and the cost of living.
1:41:55 – Eva Marie’s interview about WWE, performing, and the Ridge Holland scenario.
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Joe and Anthony introduce the new AEW book by Keith Elliot Greenberg and joke about AEW’s impact and fleeting trends.
[01:15–02:42] Natty’s Book, Family, and Wrestling Books
Discussion shifts to Natalya’s (Natty) book, her family, and playful speculation about her choices for the book’s foreword.
[02:42–04:55] Q&A, Natty, and Wrestling Culture
Pat’s Q&A with Natty is mentioned, leading to a brainstorm of “offensive” questions and anecdotes about wrestling personalities.
[04:55–07:07] Relationships, Social Media, and WWE Raw
The conversation moves to wrestler relationships, breakups, and social media rumors, then transitions into a recap of WWE Raw.
[07:07–19:27] Raw Recap: CM Punk, Logan Paul, and Storylines
Detailed breakdown of Raw’s opening: CM Punk’s promo, Logan Paul’s appearance, and the evolving heel/face dynamics.
Discussion of crowd reactions, character motivations, and storyline complexity.
[19:27–29:00] Character Arcs: Jay Uso, Logan Paul, and Group Dynamics
In-depth analysis of Jay Uso’s character, his “rehab” arc, and the challenges of keeping characters fresh.
Debate about Logan Paul’s future role and potential alliances.
[29:00–35:59] Women’s Division: Matches, Characters, and Critique
Review of women’s matches, including Nikki Bella, Raquel Rodriguez, and others.
Opinions on character development, in-ring chemistry, and the need for new talent.
[35:59–44:01] Tag Teams, Promos, and Match Quality
Recap of tag team matches, including AJ Styles and Dragon Lee vs. Judgment Day.
Commentary on match repetition and crowd investment.
[44:01–50:58] Judgment Day, Dominic Mysterio, and Family Drama
Focus on Dominic Mysterio’s storyline with his father Rey, crowd reactions, and the challenge of maintaining heel heat.
[50:58–57:29] Becky Lynch, Oscar, and Women’s Storylines
Critique of Becky Lynch’s promos, Oscar’s role, and the direction of the women’s division.
[57:29–1:04:34] Tag Team Chemistry, Division Depth, and AEW vs. WWE
Analysis of tag team chemistry, the struggle to build new stars, and the believability of certain matchups.
The conversation turns to AEW’s book, its cover, and comparisons to WWE’s marketing power.
[1:04:34–1:21:20] Closing Thoughts, Book Covers, and Patreon Shoutouts
The hosts wrap up with final thoughts, jokes about wrestling fandom, and sign off.
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/wrestling-soup--1425249/support.
02:00 – Anthony and Joe discuss AI, music, and Luther Vandross
09:30 – Cultural perceptions and coming out in the 80s/90s
13:00 – Social media, bots, and the “dead internet” theory
17:00 – Honesty and discourse on the internet, generational changes
21:20 – Ronda Rousey’s interview, career, and public perception
24:00 – Ronda’s transition from UFC to WWE, timeline, and fan reactions
28:00 – Ronda’s WWE promos, apraxia, and criticism
32:00 – Ronda’s current projects, validation, and public feuds
36:00 – Tyrus, Trump, and wrestling’s political circus
41:00 – Eddie Guerrero’s daughter Sherilyn starts wrestling, family drama
46:00 – Late starts in wrestling, nepo babies, and industry challenges
52:00 – Brad Maddox, Vince McMahon, and WWE’s odd rules
58:00 – Paige, Chyna, and double standards in wrestling
1:05:00 – Enzo Amore’s interview, firing, and rap response
1:12:00 – Andrade’s AEW/WWE journey, family sacrifices, and future
1:20:00 – Closing banter, Patreon plug, and Halloween wishes
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/wrestling-soup--1425249/support.
0:00 – 1:00
Uce Uce Uce Uce, 4 letters, one-word.
1:00 – 5:00
Initial reactions to Monday Night Raw. Anthony finds it “so bad it’s good,” while Joe is more forgiving. They riff on WWE’s quirks, including character nicknames and the ongoing “Kyrie sucks” storyline.
5:00 – 10:00
Discussion of Jey Uso’s prominence on Raw, the overuse of certain wrestlers, and WWE’s tendency to ignore negative fan feedback (e.g., YouTube dislikes). The hosts debate the logic behind booking decisions and the company’s response to criticism.
10:00 – 20:00
Analysis of the Jey/Jimmy Uso storyline, speculation about heel turns, and the “couples” trend in WWE. Joe and Anthony critique the lack of realism and emotional whiplash in the storytelling.
20:00 – 30:00
Match quality talk: praise for in-ring performances, even in less compelling storylines. Nikki Bella’s ongoing run is dissected, with jokes about her career trajectory and WWE’s habit of giving veterans “one last run.”
30:00 – 40:00
Regional and character humor: New York accents, Discord nicknames, and Bubba Ray Dudley’s creative advice for LA Knight. The hosts lampoon the idea of taking away LA Knight’s voice and WWE’s experimentation with AI.
40:00 – 55:00
LA Knight’s booking woes, the challenge of building new stars, and the disconnect between online wrestling discourse and reality. The conversation shifts to Rhea Ripley vs. Brock Lesnar comparisons and the pitfalls of trusting “fan” opinions.
SmackDown as the “secondary brand,” the futility of brand splits, and nostalgia for the days when champions floated between shows. The hosts brainstorm fantasy Survivor Series matches (Irish vs. Samoans, “race war” jokes, etc.).
Women’s division talk: Alexa Bliss, Charlotte, Bayley, and the awkwardness of current storylines. The hosts praise Bayley’s authenticity and critique the prevalence of cosmetic surgery among other wrestlers.
Main event and title scene: Tiffany Stratton, Jade Cargill, and the booking of women’s championship matches. Predictions for upcoming events and speculation about Naomi’s return.
Saturday Night’s Main Event preview: IC title match (Dominik Mysterio vs. Penta vs. Rusev), WWE and World Heavyweight title matches (Cody vs. Drew, CM Punk vs. Jey Uso). The hosts discuss possible outcomes, interference, and the future of various stars.
1:31:00 – End
Closing thoughts: generational change in wrestling, the challenge of building new main eventers, and the emotional focus of current storylines (especially Jey Uso’s “feelings”). The show wraps with plugs for Patreon and a tease for the next episode.
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/wrestling-soup--1425249/support.
Join LuFisto, Jeff Lippman, and Dr. Gina Possin for a full breakdown of LFG: every contestant, every coach, and a psychological look at the season!
Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro & Theme
00:09 - Meet the Hosts & Special Guest
01:41 - Dr. Gina Possin’s Background
03:19 - What is IO Psychology?
03:59 - Applying Psychology to Wrestling
04:11 - Why Dr. Gina is Qualified
04:59 - Wrestling as a Workplace
08:25 - Bubba Ray Dudley: Coaching Style
10:49 - Bubba’s Relationships with Contestants
14:49 - Zena’s Journey & Leadership Fit
21:56 - Ace Jameson’s Growth
22:34 - Bubba’s Coaching Outcomes
32:55 - Booker T: Dramatic Teaching & Tactics
35:19 - Booker’s Team: Harlem, Chris Island, Tiana Duma
57:40 - Serena’s Progress & Personality
60:04 - Michelle McCool: Transformational Leadership
65:24 - Michelle’s Team: Trill, Summer, Panina, Anthony Luke
78:17 - Undertaker: Old School Meets New School
88:27 - Drake Moreau’s Growth
89:57 - Shiloh & Finals Analysis
97:46 - Bailey Humphreys: Confidence & Sensitivity
99:57 - Danny: Attitude, Character, and Winning
102:24 - Sean’s Decisions & Contestant Reactions
108:08 - Recovering from Loss & Career Advice
110:50 - BJ Ray: Attitude, Self-Sabotage, and Manager Potential
116:55 - Emotional Regulation in Wrestling
120:41 - Coaches, Criticism, and Modern Athlete Mindset
123:18 - Parenting, Entitlement, and Social Trends
125:25 - Hosts’ Self-Analysis & Show Wrap-Up
127:41 - Where to Follow the Hosts
132:29 - Final Thoughts & Outro
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/wrestling-soup--1425249/support.
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