WRESTLING SOUP

This episode covers the swirling rumors about the possible reveal of Ricky Starks, and the ever-changing landscape of wrestling stables. The guys debate the merits of Austin Theory, Ricky Starks, and other rising stars, while reflecting on the booking decisions of WWE and the influence of Netflix on the product.You'll also hear their takes on John Cena's retirement match, the future of top talents like Gunther, and the challenges facing both new and veteran wrestlers. Plus, enjoy candid discussions about wrestling's international expansion, the business side of the industry, and plenty of hilarious side tangents about music videos...

In this episode of Wrestling Soup, Joe and Anthony dive into the latest Monday Night Raw, breaking down the highs, lows, and everything in between. The guys discuss the rushed Maxine Dupree and Natty storyline, critique WWE’s current creative direction, and share their thoughts on the state of the women’s division. They also touch on the War Raiders’ booking, the ongoing saga of the Usos and New Day, and speculate about the future with so many top stars nearing retirement. Tthe hosts debate whether AI is secretly running WWE and what the company needs to do to get back o...

0:00 – Opening banter, ice cream and mall food courts1:45 – Dippin' Dots and ice cream nostalgia3:03 – Bubble tea and unique drinks5:23 – Ben & Jerry’s, ice cream in Chicago8:22 – Movie and pop culture discussion18:56 – WWE, John Cena, and wrestling business talk31:11 – The Rock, Roman Reigns, and wrestling storylines47:23 – WWE business, ESPN, and pay-per-view pricing1:00:00 – Audience, ticket prices, and wrestling economics1:20:00 – Security at wrestling events, Paige story1:34:52 – Closing remarks, shoutouts, and outroBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/wrestling-soup--1425249/support.

In this episode, Anthony and Joe deliver a sharp, humorous, and unfiltered review of WWE’s latest programming, focusing on the fallout from War Games and the current state of Monday Night Raw. They debate the quality of the pay-per-view, critique WWE’s creative direction and booking—especially the use of gimmick matches and the influence of agents and writers—and discuss the ongoing storylines involving Jay Uso, Roman Reigns, and the Bloodline. The hosts also spotlight the women’s division, particularly the evolving dynamic between Maxine Dupree and Natalya, and praise standout performances like Gunther’s match with Solo Sikoa. Throu...

Wrestling Soup: WarGames 2025 - The "Vision" is BlurryJoe Numbas, Anthony, and Jon Draper (@iamjondraper @spitball_media) break down a chaotic night at Petco Park where cages were locked, legends were embarrassed, and masked men ruined the finish. We’re NOT a wrestling show, we’re a show that happens to witness John Cena get hit in the yam bag.Women's WarGames (The "Nostalgia" Pop): AJ Lee proves she can still go (and make people tap), Iyo Sky attempts to murder herself with a trash can dive, and Team Ripley picks up the win over...

00:00 - Intro & Wrestling Soup Banter00:35 - John Cena & Becky Lynch Podcast Drama01:19 - Seth Rollins and John Morrison Comparisons02:33 - Becky Lynch’s Industry Revelations09:08 - Polygamy, Relationships, and Seth’s Past11:31 - Will Ospreay, Wrestling Risks & Injuries16:00 - Partying, Addiction, and Life Choices18:51 - Survivor Series Preview29:00 - Petco vs. PetSmart & Cat Food Tangent33:36 - Survivor Series Women’s Match Breakdown46:42 - Men’s War Games Match Analysis51:00 - John Cena vs. Dominic Mysterio53:20 - Fantasy Booking: Lumberjack Strap Match55:30 - Thanksgiving Wrap-Up & Outro56:17 - End of S...

00:36 - Health Update & Sick Kids05:00 - Raw & SmackDown Ratings Discussion07:44 - AI in WWE & Creative Stagnation11:40 - Long Entrances & Filler Segments19:55 - Carmelo Hayes vs. Gunther Discussion21:01 - Gunther’s Character & Booking24:45 - USOs Tag Team Dynamics29:05 - Dominic Mysterio Angle36:00 - Ray Mysterio vs. JD McDonough40:07 - Becky Lynch, Nia Jax, and Women’s War Games Segment48:58 - Solo Sikoa vs. Penta & Injury54:00 - Logan Paul’s Role & Booking01:06:00 - Main Event Chaos & Show Wrap-upBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcas...

00:00 - Intro & Spanish Commentary Surprises01:21 - Show Overview & First Impressions03:50 - Grande Americano: The Local Hero04:36 - Production Quality & No English Commentary06:10 - Lucha Libre vs. WWE Style07:47 - Recap: Why the Main Event Matters08:40 - Founders of AAA Presentation09:25 - Cruiserweight #1 Contender Match: Axiom vs. Jovan Evans vs. Octagon Jr.14:05 - Match Analysis: High-Flying Action & Selling16:11 - Jovan Evans Wins, Sets Up December 20th16:32 - Tag Team Chaos: Psycho Circus vs. El Hojo’s Team18:46 - No Rules, Wild Spots, and Table Bumps20:06 - Psycho Circus Wins, Af...

Did people really hate Jar Jar Binks?James Earl Jones is the most recognizable voice for white nationalists in the galaxy.unpacking accidental hatredDid mental deficiencies hold Kanye back?Did Kim make Kanye worse?Fan gets weird with AJ LeeA practical way to stop stalkers in 2025The line between what makes a creepAncient Chinese secret on how to get rid of your Boston accentJoe talks about the SouthMish breaks down the new ad-pocalypseWrap up. Shitbox next week for Cena's retirement.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/wrestling-soup--1425249/support.

00:00 – Cat stories and pet banter06:00 – Reincarnation jokes & animal personalities15:00 – Mercedes Moné’s belts & wrestling fandom25:00 – Marks, kayfabe, and fan double standards45:00 – AEW, Tony Khan, and wrestling media01:15:00 – Ratings talk, Jericho’s future, and the AEW roster01:30:00 – Bella Twins, Nick Hogan, and celebrity wrestling01:35:00 – Wrap-up & shoutoutsBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/wrestling-soup--1425249/support.

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...

0:00 – 13:00Show 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 – 55:00Deep 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 – 1:20:00Broader 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 – 1:35:00The conversation shifts to the men’s d...

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 wo...

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.<br...

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 BooksDiscussion 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 CulturePat’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 RawThe conversation moves to wrestler relationships, breakups, and social media rumors, then transitions int...

04:30 – General Thoughts on the EventThe hosts share their initial impressions, noting the event’s short runtime and lack of commercials.06:00 – WWE’s Scheduling & LocationsDiscussion about WWE’s event scheduling, Las Vegas residencies, and the business side of show locations.09:00 – Cody Rhodes vs. Drew McIntyre MatchIn-depth analysis of the opening match, its formulaic nature, and Drew’s booking woes.Commentary on repeated knee injury spots and agent decisions.18:20 – Women’s Championship: Tiffany Stratton vs. Jade CargillCritique of the women’s title match, Jade’s readiness, and Tiffany’s regression.Speculation on alternative champions and the state of the women’s division.28:30 – Intercontinental Championshi...

02:00 – Anthony and Joe discuss AI, music, and Luther Vandross09:30 – Cultural perceptions and coming out in the 80s/90s13:00 – Social media, bots, and the “dead internet” theory17:00 – Honesty and discourse on the internet, generational changes21:20 – Ronda Rousey’s interview, career, and public perception24:00 – Ronda’s transition from UFC to WWE, timeline, and fan reactions28:00 – Ronda’s WWE promos, apraxia, and criticism32:00 – Ronda’s current projects, validation, and public feuds36:00 – Tyrus, Trump, and wrestling’s political circus41:00 – Eddie Guerrero’s daughter Sherilyn starts wrestling, family drama46:00 – Late starts in wrestling, nepo babies, and industry challenges52:00 – B...

0:00 – 1:00Uce Uce Uce Uce, 4 letters, one-word.1:00 – 5:00Initial 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 – 10:00Discussion 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 – 20:00Analysis of the Jey/Jimmy Uso storyline, speculation about heel turns, and the “coupl...

01:47 – 03:39 | Ticket Prices, TKO Era, and Hidden FeesAnthony breaks down the dramatic rise in wrestling ticket prices since the TKO era, including the impact of fees and taxes, and how attending live events has become more expensive.03:39 – 06:00 | The Cost of Entertainment & International ComparisonsJoe and Anthony share stories about the rising costs of entertainment, including ATM fees in the US and abroad, and how price gouging is everywhere.06:00 – 10:39 | Toy Collecting, Wrestling Figures, and AEW MerchAnthony recounts stories about rare wrestling toys, the decline in value of AEW merchandise, and th...

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 & Theme00:09 - Meet the Hosts & Special Guest01:41 - Dr. Gina Possin’s Background03:19 - What is IO Psychology?03:59 - Applying Psychology to Wrestling04:11 - Why Dr. Gina is Qualified04:59 - Wrestling as a Workplace08:25 - Bubba Ray Dudley: Coaching Style10:49 - Bubba’s Relationships with Contestants14:49 - Zena’s Journey & Leadership Fit21:56 - Ace Jameson’s Growth22:34 - Bubba’s...