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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

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All Episodes

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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38:50

NXTs World Title Takeover at TNA Slammiversary (ep.944)

Wrestling Is Real Wrestling Podcast ·

2025/07/21

Slammiversary 2025 was a monumental event for Total Nonstop Action (TNA) Wrestling, marked by high-stakes championship battles, inter-promotional rivalries, and the highly anticipated return of a legendary figure. The show boasted an impressive attendance of 7,623, the largest for a TNA event in North America since Lockdown 2013, a testament to the growing excitement surrounding the promotion. This year's Slammiversary was particularly notable for the significant presence of NXT talent, leading to

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50:48

WWE SummerSlam Sprint: A Two-Night Card Rushed in...

Wrestling Is Real Wrestling Podcast ·

2025/07/17

WWE is in an absolute scramble, attempting to build a two-night SummerSlam spectacular from August 2nd to 3rd, 2025, with less than three weeks to go. The card, while stacked with high-stakes matchups, feels rushed, largely due to the company's recent programming focus.The current lineup promises some electrifying encounters. John Cena is set to defend his Undisputed WWE Championship against a surging Cody Rhodes, a match with major implications for the top title. On the women's side, Tiffany

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38:03

WWE Evolution A Symbolic Milestone with Stunted...

Wrestling Is Real Wrestling Podcast ·

2025/07/14

The return of WWE Evolution in 2025, following the historic 2018 inaugural event, served as a powerful statement by WWE and its parent company, TKO, reaffirming their commitment to the women's division. While the event was intended as a celebratory showcase of female talent and a symbol of empowerment, critics argue that despite the efforts by TKO and WWE, Evolution 2025 ultimately did not "move the needle" in terms of significant mainstream attention or long-term viewership. The event’s

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41:48

Hang 'Em High! Adam Page Ends Death Riders' Reign at...

Wrestling Is Real Wrestling Podcast ·

2025/07/13

All Elite Wrestling (AEW) made history tonight at Globe Life Field, presenting AEW All In: Texas, a landmark pay-per-view that cemented itself as a pivotal moment in the company’s history. The event lived up to its billing as a "newsworthy" spectacle, featuring dramatic returns, significant title outcomes, and consequential storyline progression that reshaped the AEW landscape.The night’s events were highlighted by the crowning of a new AEW World Champion, major shifts in company management, and the

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71:48

WWE Empty Evolution Toxic TNA Partnership and Another...

Wrestling Is Real Wrestling Podcast ·

2025/07/10

In a bold strategic maneuver, WWE is leveraging its recent "one-sided" partnership with TNA Wrestling, alongside a flurry of its own premium live events, to maximize monetization and, critically, to seek redemption for its bruised ego stemming from the "Wednesday Night Wars" against AEW Dynamite.This weekend's seemingly innocuous "Evolution" pay-per-view, however, reveals a deeper, more troubling narrative about the company's commitment to women's wrestling under this new paradigm.In a revealing

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44:08

Why WWE Is Too Corporate to Be Creative (ep.939)

Wrestling Is Real Wrestling Podcast ·

2025/07/03

Corporate influence significantly stifles creativity in media by prioritizing profit and broad appeal over niche or innovative content, leading to risk aversion and a fear of failure that discourages original ideas. This is clearly exemplified within the WWE, especially under TKO Group Holdings (Endeavor) and the creative leadership of Triple H, despite some shifts from the Vince McMahon era.The drive for mass appeal in WWE, while praised for a more "wrestling-centric" approach, still means

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26:42

WWEs Convoluted and Contentious Night of Champions...

Wrestling Is Real Wrestling Podcast ·

2025/06/29

WWE's return to Riyadh for Night of Champions 2025 delivered a mix of unexpected outcomes and frustrating booking, leaving fans with a sense of both excitement and disappointment. While the event saw the elevation of new talent in rare singles showcases, the title matches were marred by overbooked finishes and excessive interference, contributing to a feeling of generic storytelling.In a night that saw two major tournaments conclude, "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes defeated Randy Orton in a

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62:15

John Cena Pipe Bomb and a CM Punk Saudi Submission...

Wrestling Is Real Wrestling Podcast ·

2025/06/26

At this weekend's Night of Champions in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the WWE is delivering a massive dose of nostalgia—and a heavy dose of irony—as WWE Champion John Cena defends his title against CM Punk in the main event. In a stunning role reversal, the once-rebellious Punk is now at the mercy of a heel John Cena, who's in the midst of a "farewell tour" that promises to "ruin wrestling" on his way out.The build-up to this highly anticipated match has been nothing short of surreal. A newly turned heel

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60:59

Bloodline in Disarray: Inside The Fractured Samoan...

Wrestling Is Real Wrestling Podcast ·

2025/06/19

The once-dominant Bloodline has devolved into a disjointed and often perplexing saga since Roman Reigns lost his championship. While Roman has seemingly faded from the immediate title picture, the remaining members have embarked on disparate and, at times, baffling paths. Jey Uso has experienced a frustrating cycle of brief championship reigns, failing to capitalize on his significant momentum despite his enduring popularity. Jimmy Uso has largely been relegated to irrelevance, his only notable

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43:11

Ring General Reign Renewed, CM Punked Contradiction....

Wrestling Is Real Wrestling Podcast ·

2025/06/12

A whirlwind of change has swept through the WWE Universe in the days following the monumental Money in the Bank premium live event, where Seth Rollins and Naomi secured their respective championship opportunities. The aftershocks of the event have seen a significant title change, a blockbuster match announcement fraught with controversy, and the startling return and evolution of a beloved veteran, leaving fans buzzing with a mix of excitement, debate, and intrigue.On the Monday Night Raw following

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30:11

Tables Ladders Rings and Briefcases Make WWE Money In...

Wrestling Is Real Wrestling Podcast ·

2025/06/08

At the 2025 Money in the Bank event, Seth Rollins climbed the ladder to victory in the Men's Money in the Bank match, outlasting LA Knight, Solo Sikoa, Andrade, El Grande Americano, and Penta to earn his second career briefcase. The match also saw a significant turn of events as Jacob Fatu betrayed his ally, Solo Sikoa.In the Women's Money in the Bank Ladder Match, Naomi captured the briefcase, triumphing over Alexa Bliss, Roxanne Perez, Rhea Ripley, Giulia, and Stephanie Vaquer. The match

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69:37

The TKO Effect: WWE Reluctantly Forced to Cut Veteran...

Wrestling Is Real Wrestling Podcast ·

2025/06/05

TKO Group Holdings, the parent company of WWE and UFC formed in September 2023, is actively shaping WWE's operational landscape, with its financial strategies appearing to exert significant influence on talent roster management. While claims regarding the "sudden upcoming releases" of all specific talents like The Miz are not entirely accurate (as reports indicate he is not leaving and his contract runs until at least late 2025), the departure of R-Truth following a non-renewal of his contract in

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63:26

WWE Goes Double or Nothing Pitting NXT All In on AEW...

Wrestling Is Real Wrestling Podcast ·

2025/05/29

WWE appears to be reigniting a new front in its competitive battle with All Elite Wrestling (AEW), scheduling major NXT events directly against AEW's flagship pay-per-view, All In: Texas. This move follows the recent counter-programming of AEW's Double or Nothing with NXT Battleground and signals a more aggressive strategy, reportedly with more head-to-head clashes planned for 2025. These tactics are unfolding against a backdrop of fluctuating viewership for some WWE programming and dedicated fan

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514 results

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