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PODCAST

Wrestling Is Real Wrestling Podcast

Wrestling Is Real Podcast

Navigating the ever-evolving landscape of professional wrestling since 2012, the Wrestling Is Real Podcast, with your host @KingOfPodcasts, offers in-depth, bold, and uncensored commentary. We go beyond the surface to analyze the intricate storylines, pivotal TV moments, and creative directions across all major promotions including WWE, AEW, TNA, MLW, NWA, and more.Expect insightful critiques, passionate debate, and a commitment to exploring why some angles captivate us and others fall flat. If

sports wrestling

All Episodes

54:16

WWE NXT-N-A Talent and Title Control Over TNA and AAA

Wrestling Is Real Wrestling Podcast ·

2025/10/02

WWE's NXTNA—a snarky shorthand for the NXT-TNA-AAA mashup—smells like a calculated middle finger to AEW, cloaked in cross-promotional chaos. Ricky Starks, rebranded as Ricky Saints, went from AEW's midcard darling to NXT's dual-title kingpin in six months, snagging the North American belt from Shawn Spears in April and toppling Oba Femi for the NXT Championship at No Mercy. NoDQ.com crowed the Femi match as WWE's "F.U." to AEW, spinning a supposed jobber into a titan.Never mind Starks' AEW

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51:42

WWE Counterprogramming Fumbles WrestlePalooza and Put...

Wrestling Is Real Wrestling Podcast ·

2025/09/25

WWE’s much-hyped WrestlePalooza, the first Premium Live Event (PLE) streamed on ESPN Unlimited, landed with a thud, earning a scathing “C” grade from ESPN combat sports writer Andreas Hale. The Indianapolis event, meant to kick off WWE’s blockbuster five-year, $325 million deal with ESPN, promised “epic moments” and "surprises" but delivered a lackluster card that left fans and critics underwhelmed. Hale praised the Women’s World Championship match between Stephanie Vaquer and IYO SKY as the sole

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21:30

AEW All Out Fletcher or All About AJ Wrestlepalooza

Wrestling Is Real Wrestling Podcast ·

2025/09/21

AEW All Out 2025 delivered a stacked card with five championship matches, intense stipulation bouts, and the emergence of new stars. Headlined by AEW World Champion “Hangman” Adam Page defending his title against TNT Champion Kyle Fletcher.“The Protostar,” stepped into the spotlight as a main event contender, challenging Hangman Adam Page for the AEW World Championship. Fletcher’s performance, however, showcased his potential as a top-tier talent, earning praise for his intensity and signaling his

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55:06

A WWE Wrestlepalooza of Inferior Improv and Match...

Wrestling Is Real Wrestling Podcast ·

2025/09/18

We look into the intersection of corporate influence and creative execution within WWE's programming. The "Match Match Match" podcast trope is used to critique what is described as "inferior improv" and "corporate suffocation of creative," leading to generic and uninspired storylines. This is exemplified by a "tedious" go-home promo for a mixed-tag team match involving CM Punk & AJ Lee against Seth Rollins & Becky Lynch. Meanwhile, this creative direction coincides with a significant new

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39:02

TKO's Global Power Play Puts WWE Toxic Fandom Into...

Wrestling Is Real Wrestling Podcast ·

2025/09/15

WWE made a controversial announcement that WrestleMania 43 in 2027 will be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This marks the first time WWE's flagship event will be hosted outside of North America, and it's a decision that has sent shockwaves through the fan base. The move, which is reportedly part of a massive new deal that includes the 2027 Royal Rumble and at least one other major event in the same year, is a clear signal of TKO Group Holdings' focus on maximizing global revenue, with reports

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69:36

Triple H: Master Manipulator or AJ Lee: Agent of...

Wrestling Is Real Wrestling Podcast ·

2025/09/11

In the face of historically low wrestling ratings and a strategic gamble with Raw's start time, WWE Chief Content Officer Triple H is being cast as a master manipulator, deftly using the "juvenile delusional fandom" as putty in his hands. Rather than a genuine philosophical shift toward transparency, his public defense of the WWE: Unreal docuseries is portrayed as a calculated mind trick. He cleverly called out the hypocrisy of podcasters and online critics who consume backstage gossip, while

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21:59

AJ Lee WWE Return Riles Frenzied Fandom For...

Wrestling Is Real Wrestling Podcast ·

2025/09/06

WWE Smackdown pulled out all the stops with "hot shot" booking to set the stage for their upcoming Wrestlepalooza event. The surprise return of AJ Lee, who came to the aid of her husband, CM Punk, in a heated confrontation with Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch. While the toxic portion of the WWE fandom is ecstatic over Lee's comeback, gloating online about how it proves WWE's superiority over a struggling AEW brand that is reportedly seeing its TV ratings and viewership numbers sink to record lows, her

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54:40

AEW Avoids WWE Chess Move. Wrestlepalooza Now...

Wrestling Is Real Wrestling Podcast ·

2025/09/04

Time to dissect the latest chapter in the WWE bullying tactics to counter AEW, arguing that WWE's decision to counter-program AEW All Out with their new ESPN-backed Wrestlepalooza event was a major unforced error. This move, driven by a clear case of "Tony Khan derangement syndrome," aimed to disrupt AEW's business but instead provided them with the perfect opportunity to make a brilliant strategic pivot. We break down how AEW not only sidestepped a pointless head-to-head conflict by moving their

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31:29

World Title Goes Bonnie and Clyde in Contemptuous...

Wrestling Is Real Wrestling Podcast ·

2025/09/01

The Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns, secured a decisive victory over Bronson Reed. The Wyatt Sicks, with the eerie presence of Uncle Howdy, successfully defended their WWE Tag Team Championship against The Street Profits.Becky Lynch, emerged victorious, retaining her WWE Women's Intercontinental Championship against Nikki Bella. Later in the evening, in a crucial Fatal four-way match for the World Heavyweight Championship, Seth Rollins retained his title. The win came with a twist, in the true style of

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72:10

WWE Fixed on Crushing Competition and Fueling Toxic...

Wrestling Is Real Wrestling Podcast ·

2025/08/28

The competition between WWE and All Elite Wrestling (AEW) has been characterized by what many consider to be a series of petty and anti-competitive actions, particularly on the part of WWE. This approach appears to be rooted in a desire to prevent any competitor from reaching the level of success once achieved by WCW, which forced WWE to work harder and innovate. The modern-day parallel of this rivalry extends from the top corporate level down to the fan base.Corporate Anti-CompetitionThe business

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40:02

AEW Forbidden Door London: MJF and Toni Storm Excel...

Wrestling Is Real Wrestling Podcast ·

2025/08/25

AEW Forbidden Door London highlighted MJF and "Timeless" Toni Storm as top main event stars through stellar booking. MJF’s gripping AEW World Championship loss to "Hangman" Adam Page showcased his magnetic presence, while Toni Storm’s submission win over Athena for the AEW Women’s World Championship reinforced her dominance. Beyond the intense Lights Out Steel Cage main event, where Golden Lovers, Darby Allin, Hiroshi Tanahashi, and Will Ospreay defeated Death Riders, The Young Bucks, and Gabe Kidd,

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53:21

WWE Panders To Petty Fandom While Pushing Around...

Wrestling Is Real Wrestling Podcast ·

2025/08/21

WWE's recent maneuvers suggest a calculated strategy to dominate the industry, often at the expense of fostering genuine growth or collaboration. Under the leadership of Triple H and with TKO Group's backing, WWE has been accused of leveraging its resources to undermine rivals like AEW, while exerting influence over smaller promotions such as AAA and TNA. This approach not only involves aggressive counter-programming but also subtle digs that appeal to a segment of the fanbase thrives on tribalism

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8:11

Triplemania 33 and the Case for WWE to Embrace Fun...

Wrestling Is Real Wrestling Podcast ·

2025/08/17

AAA's Triplemania 33 event as one of the year's best wrestling shows, highlighting its use of over-the-top, character-driven performances. Memorable moments included the match between Omos and Microman and a puppet version of Finn Bálor's "Demon" character. The speaker suggests that WWE, under Triple H's leadership, could benefit from adopting AAA's "make-believe," campy, and fun approach to storytelling to energize its own product. While some WWE stars participated, the crossover with AAA's style

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62:12

TKO Stands for TV Domination Kicking Out Talent and...

Wrestling Is Real Wrestling Podcast ·

2025/08/14

KOP argues that the TKO Group's business strategy, which combines the assets of WWE and UFC, is focused on securing maximum television and streaming dominance at the expense of talent and competition. New UFC Deal with Paramount+We look at the recent, historic seven-year, $7.7 billion media rights deal between TKO Group and Paramount for UFC content, beginning in 2026. This agreement is seen as a major power play, as it moves all UFC numbered events and Fight Nights exclusively to Paramount+. This

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66:32

TKO Terrific Banking Big ESPN Deal While WWE...

Wrestling Is Real Wrestling Podcast ·

2025/08/07

In a landmark move for professional wrestling, WWE, under the umbrella of TKO Group Holdings, has secured a five-year, $1.625 billion media rights agreement with ESPN, positioning the sports entertainment giant’s Premium Live Events (PLEs) on ESPN’s new direct-to-consumer (DTC) streaming platform starting in 2026. This deal, valued at an average of $325 million annually, marks a significant shift from WWE’s current streaming partnership with NBCUniversal’s Peacock, which expires in March 2026 and

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40:26

Cody Conquers Cena with a Beast Incarnate Callback...

Wrestling Is Real Wrestling Podcast ·

2025/08/04

In a night of unexpected turns and high-stakes championship matches, Cody Rhodes emerged victorious over John Cena in a brutal street fight for the Undisputed WWE Championship. The night also saw Naomi successfully defend her Women's World Championship in a triple-threat match against Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky, replicating the surprise pinfall strategy used at a previous event.The Wyatt Sicks, consisting of Dexter Lumis and Joe Gacy, retained their WWE Tag Team Championship in a chaotic Six-Pack

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24:05

Seth Rollins Briefcase Bait and Switch and John Cena...

Wrestling Is Real Wrestling Podcast ·

2025/08/03

SummerSlam 2025 starts up following a plot twist in a highly anticipated rematch between two of WWE's biggest stars: the returning hero John Cena and the "American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes.The main event of SummerSlam Night 1 saw CM Punk dethrone Gunther for the World Heavyweight Championship. The celebration was short-lived, however, as Seth Rollins, who had won the Money in the Bank contract, appeared with his briefcase. With CM Punk weakened from his grueling match, Rollins cashed in, hitting a

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69:59

WWE: Unreal Exposes No Script, No Structure, and...

Wrestling Is Real Wrestling Podcast ·

2025/07/31

"They spent less than 10 minutes in the writer's room". Netflix’s WWE: Unreal docuseries may have promised to pull back the curtain on the larger-than-life world of professional wrestling—but it also unintentionally revealed just how thin that curtain really is. Across multiple episodes and interviews, what stands out most is not just the backstage access or production secrets, but the shocking admission that WWE’s writing process often consists of planning by booking committee with no ownership,

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19:20

Hulk Hogan: Reshaping Wrestling, Outliving the...

Wrestling Is Real Wrestling Podcast ·

2025/07/24

The wrestling world is reeling today with the news of Hulk Hogan's passing at the age of 71. TMZ reported that the legendary superstar, born Terry Gene Bollea on August 11, 1953, died this morning after reportedly suffering a cardiac arrest at his home in Florida. His death marks the end of an era for a figure who transcended professional wrestling to become a global pop culture phenomenon.Hogan's career spanned decades, leaving an indelible mark on every territory he graced. Before the "Hulkamania"

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39:46

WWE TKO Shell Game with TNA, Streamers and Theaters

Wrestling Is Real Wrestling Podcast ·

2025/07/24

The cynical orchestrators at WWE are once again tightening their grip, not just on the narrative, but on the wallets of their most devoted fans. Peacock, WWE's exclusive streaming home for Premium Live Events in the US, has just announced a significant price hike, adding another $3 to both its ad-supported and ad-free tiers starting July 23rd. This move, framed by Peacock as a necessary reinvestment in content, feels like a familiar shell game for WWE devotees, who now face increased costs to access

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