Turnbuckle Talk Wrestling

Backlash is one night away…

…but honestly?

This card still feels like it could completely change after SmackDown.

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In this episode of Turnbuckle Talk Wrestling:

🔥 We break down the UPDATED Backlash card after RAW

🔥 Talk about the possibility of Gunther vs Cody being added

🔥 Give our official Backlash predictions

🔥 Open The TTW Vault for: 👉 Top 5 “This Should Have Happened at WrestleMania” Matches 👉 Top 5 “The Story Didn’t End at WrestleMania” Feuds & Rematches

⸻

Because Backlash has always been about one thing:

👉 unfinished business.<...

🎙️ WWE is trying to establish the future right now…

…and the future is starting to push back.

Bron Breakker looks like an absolute monster heading into Backlash.

Oba Femi might already be TOO dominant for WWE’s own booking philosophy.

The Intercontinental Championship division feels alive again.

Roxanne Perez and Finn Bálor may finally be approaching the payoff WWE usually waits way too long to pull the trigger on.

And somehow Logan Paul and Joe Hendry might become one of the most entertaining feuds in the company if W...

🔥 TWO GOOD HOURS… ONE BIG PROBLEM: LOYALTY

Sometimes a show gives you just enough to care…

…and just enough to remind you why you’re frustrated in the first place.

⸻

This week, SmackDown actually worked—for about two hours.

Things were moving. Stories had direction. It felt like the show finally understood what mattered.

And then that third hour hit…

…and everything fell right back into the same problems.

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Meanwhile, RAW continues to feel like the show that actually knows what it is.

Which ma...

WWE feels like two completely different companies right now.

RAW is building momentum, creating direction, and setting the stage for Backlash…

while SmackDown feels disconnected, directionless, and completely out of sync.

On top of that?

WWE just made a wave of talent releases that raise even bigger questions about what this company actually is right now.

This episode breaks down:

• Why RAW feels like it’s moving forward • Why SmackDown feels completely lost • What the recent WWE releases actually mean • And why this company feels split in half heading...

RAW AFTER WRESTLEMANIA didn’t give us the big surprise returns…

…but it gave us something way more important.

👉 direction.

⸻

Oba Femi didn’t celebrate… he arrived.

CM Punk delivered one of the most real promos we’ve seen in a long time… and Cody Rhodes stepped into it with a completely different energy.

The Intercontinental scene didn’t reset — it continued, and that matters.

Sol Ruca didn’t feel like a call-up… she felt like she belongs.

Brock Lesnar?

That didn’t feel like a send-off...

🚨 COMMERCIALMANIA. 🚨

That’s what WrestleMania 42 felt like.

Not because the matches were bad…

but because WWE forgot what WrestleMania is supposed to BE.

Night 1?

👉 Rushed 👉 Cut short 👉 Completely stripped of that WrestleMania feel

Night 2?

👉 Better 👉 More complete 👉 Still dealing with the SAME problems

We’re breaking down:

👉 Why the matches felt rushed 👉 How the commercials KILLED the flow of the show 👉 Why the biggest feuds didn’t get the time they deserved 👉 And what this version of WrestleMania says about where WWE is going

We’re talking...

WrestleMania weekend is here.

And before the lights hit… before the entrances… before the first bell rings…

this is the moment where everything still feels possible.

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In this episode, we’re keeping it simple.

We crack open The TTW Vault and run through: 👉 the greatest in-ring WrestleMania matches ever 👉 the most iconic WrestleMania main events 👉 the moments that made this weekend feel bigger than wrestling

…and then we lock in our official WrestleMania 42 predictions.

⸻

Who’s walking out a champion? Who’s getting their moment? And who is WW...

WrestleMania is right here.

And when we actually look at the full board…

we don’t know if everything connects the way it should.

🎙️ The WrestleMania Board Check

This isn’t a recap.

This is us stepping back and looking at the full picture—

SmackDown, the go-home RAW, and what still needs to happen before WrestleMania.

SmackDown had a chance to build momentum.

It didn’t.

The go-home RAW?

It was fine.

Not bad.

Not great.

Ju...

🔥 YOU FELT THAT TOO… RIGHT?

Sometimes… something shifts.

Not in the story.

Not in the matches.

In the feeling of the show.

This week on RAW… something pushed back.

CM Punk didn’t just cut a promo—

👉 he said things you’re not supposed to say 👉 he went after the system 👉 and for the first time in a long time… WWE reacted

Because this episode isn’t about results.

It’s about:

👉 why that Punk segment felt different 👉 what it exposed about WWE & TKO 👉 why Cod...

Sometimes the things you love stop loving you back,

For us, its our first love that stopped loving us back.

This isn't the WWE that I fell in love with.

This isn’t WWE anymore ...

And that’s not just a hot take… it’s starting to feel real.

This week on Turnbuckle Talk Wrestling, we break down a SmackDown that should have been building one of the most personal WrestleMania main events in years…

…and somehow turned into something completely different.

Randy Orton vs Cody Rhodes...

The Illusion of Progress in WWE’s Biggest Season

WrestleMania is almost here…

…but something still feels off.

Because this week exposed a gap in WWE’s biggest season:

👉 RAW feels like it’s tightening everything 👉 SmackDown still feels like it’s trying to catch up

And that difference?

It matters more than people think.

On this episode of Turnbuckle Talk Wrestling:

• Randy Orton’s story continues to be the most complete thing on SmackDown • Cody Rhodes might be the biggest question mark heading into WrestleMani...

WWE CHOSE VIOLENCE - And now we’re seeing who actually matters.

This week wasn’t about recaps - It was about momentum. It was about control.

And it was about who’s actually ready for WrestleMania ... Because when you look at RAW (3/16), SmackDown (3/20), and RAW (3/23) together… this isn’t three shows. this is one continuous WrestleMania build ... and things are starting to shift.

⸻ On this episode:

• Oba Femi vs Brock Lesnar — WWE just created a star in real time

• CM Punk vs Roman Reigns — the match is set… but the story might no...

The road to WrestleMania just got violent.

We dropped an episode before the 3/13 SmackDown airs, saying the fuse was lit… and within hours, Randy Orton lit the match.

On this episode of Turnbuckle Talk Wrestling, we break down a week where pressure didn’t just build — it started breaking people.

Cody Rhodes is bleeding. Friendships are cracking. And WWE might’ve just stumbled into its most dangerous WrestleMania story.

But Orton isn’t the only one unraveling.

Drew McIntyre is spiraling. The roster feels like it’s on edge. And for the...

Apologies for any audio issues. I recorded this on a new set up!

NOTE:

We literally published this episode minutes before SmackDown aired… and Randy Orton just turned heel. We talked in this episode about how a Cody vs Orton story could turn in that direction closer to WrestleMania. Apparently WWE decided: “Nah. Tonight.” Full breakdown coming in the next episode!

This week the road to WrestleMania finally got personal.

CM Punk just poured gasoline on the Roman Reigns story, Judgment Day is finally imploding in fro...

Elimination Chamber Review + RAW After Preview (WrestleMania 42 Build Ignites)

Elimination Chamber 2026 finally did what it was supposed to do: it lit the road to WrestleMania on fire.

We break down the entire PLE match-by-match — Rhea Ripley punching her ticket to WrestleMania and what that means for Jade Cargill, AJ Lee winning the Women’s Intercontinental Championship, CM Punk surviving Finn Bálor in a slow-burn Chicago banger, and the Mystery Crate payoff with Danhausen making his WWE debut.

Then we get into the chaos: Randy Orton stealing the Men’s Chamber, Seth Rollins returni...

WWE Elimination Chamber 2026 Predictions, Go-Home RAW Fallout & WrestleMania 42 Pressure Test

NOTE: *We recorded this episode before the go home SmackDown.

-The Irresistible Forces dethrone RhIyo and become the NEW women's tag team champions.

*Jey Uso has since now been attacked and it will be Jacob Fatu vs. Logan Paul for the final Elimination Chamber spot.

-Drew screws Jacob and Logan advances to the Elimination Chamber tomorrow.

Our picks stay the same! (Except Aiden Haystacks dark horse 😂

WWE Elimination Chamber 2026 is a day away — and W...

*Apologies for the Audio in certain spots, we had some technical issues during recording. Just know we had a mystery box Danhausen prediction and a Punk v Balor segment. We had to cut it out due to the audio issues. We'll catch back up with these Friday when we drop our predictions episode!*

WWE is officially on the Road to WrestleMania 42 — but does it actually feel like it?

On this episode of Turnbuckle Talk Wrestling, we break down everything from RAW (2/16) and SmackDown (2/20) as Elimination Chamber 2026 approaches in Chicago.

Gunther was co...

RAW moved. SmackDown played it safe. And we’re tired of safe.

This week on Turnbuckle Talk Wrestling, we break down the real issue heading into Elimination Chamber — momentum.

Why did RAW feel like it understood WrestleMania season… while SmackDown felt like it was protecting the board?

We dig into:

The Royal Rumble is over, and WrestleMania season is officially underway.

On this episode of Turnbuckle Talk Wrestling, we break down the immediate fallout from the Royal Rumble and the first week of television that followed. Rather than recapping results, this episode focuses on direction — who feels elevated, where momentum continued, and where WWE may already be hesitating as the road to WrestleMania takes shape.

We look at how RAW and SmackDown handled the post-Rumble reset, what decisions felt intentional, and which storylines still feel unfinished heading into Elimination Chamber. From title pictures to rising st...

The Royal Rumble is over — and the fallout is already reshaping WrestleMania season.

On this episode of Turnbuckle Talk Wrestling, we break down everything that actually mattered coming out of the 2026 Royal Rumble. From a Women’s Rumble that struggled early but delivered big in the final stretch, to Liv Morgan punching her ticket to WrestleMania, to AJ Styles wrestling his final WWE match, this episode focuses on direction, momentum, and long-term consequences.

We also dive deep into the Men’s Royal Rumble — what worked, what raised eyebrows, and why one decision may end up defining...

This is the final episode before the Royal Rumble.

On this episode of TTW, we break down everything that actually matters heading into WWE’s most important match of the year. From the fallout of Saturday Night’s Main Event to the go-home RAW, this is a full momentum check on who WWE clearly believes in — and who still feels unresolved as WrestleMania season begins.

Before predictions, we also run through a fun Royal Rumble Top 5, covering Men’s and Women’s Royal Rumble matches, debuts and returns, and Royal Rumble winners. No stakes, no forecastin...

Royal Rumble: The Difference Between Momentum and Noise

With the Royal Rumble just weeks away, the gap between momentum and noise in WWE has never been clearer.

On this episode of Turnbuckle Talk Wrestling, co-hosts Alexander the Great and Aiden Haystack break down why SmackDown feels confident and intentional heading into the Rumble — while RAW continues to feel hesitant, unfocused, and unsure of itself.

This isn’t a results show.

It’s a philosophy-driven deep dive into:

In this episode, Alexander the Great and Aiden Haystack discuss the recent events in professional wrestling, focusing on John Cena's final match against Gunther, the implications of Austin Theory's reveal as the masked man, and the fallout from the Pro Wrestling Awards.

They analyze match outcomes, character developments, and fan reactions, particularly regarding Cena's retirement and Gunther's rise as a top heel.

00:00John Cena's Final Match Recap

02:49Austin Theory and the Masked Man Reveal

06:11Carmelo Hayes and Ilja Dragunov Spoilers

09:01Pro Wrestling Awards Discussion

11:48Dominic...

In this episode, the hosts recap the recent Survivor Series event, expressing their disappointment with the overall product and the WarGames match.

They discuss the implications of John Cena's last match against Gunther, predictions for Saturday Night's Main Event, and the future of various wrestlers, including Maxine and Gunther.

The conversation also touches on the current state of WWE, long-term storytelling, and the potential for surprises at Cena's final match.

They also discuss the emotional farewell of John Cena, his potential last match, and the legends of wrestling. They share their predictions for...

In this episode, Alexander the Great and Aiden Haystack discuss the upcoming SummerSlam event.

They delve into predictions for the matches, the 'Evolution' of women's wrestling, and the impact of celebrity appearances in WWE.

The conversation also touches on Seth Rollins' 'injury'(?) status, the dynamics between Cody Rhodes and John Cena - potentially leading to a RARE double turn and the overall quality of WWE's product as they close out the Summer.

The conversation also touches on the Mount Rushmore of SummerSlam, highlighting memorable matches and PPV events from the past.

...

In this episode of StS, hosts Alexander the Great and Aiden Haystack discuss the recent shocking releases in WWE and the implications for the wrestling industry..

The conversation shifts to Will Ospreay's perspective on the rivalry between WWE and AEW, and the importance of finding a balance of both in-ring skills and storytelling in wrestling versus only choosing to do one or the other,

The episode shifts to it's Backlash theme - with a discussion on the host's Mount Rushmore of Backlash pay-per-views and matches, highlighting the best moments in both Backlash and wrestling history.<...

The conversation delves into the aftermath of WrestleMania, analyzing match outcomes, performances, and future storylines. The hosts discuss the contrasting energies of the two nights, highlight key matches, and express concerns about the women's division and tag team dynamics.

They also speculate on potential future feuds and the direction of various wrestlers in the coming months.

Overall, the discussion highlights the evolving landscape of wrestling and the need for fresh storylines and character arcs. In this conversation, the hosts delve into the intricacies of WWE's storytelling, particularly focusing on WrestleMania's outcomes and the implications of...

TTW Hosts Alexander the Great and Aiden Haystack dive deep into their predictions for WrestleMania, discussing each match on the card for both nights.

They give an in depth analysis of the potential outcomes, the implications of each wrestler's performance, the storytelling involved, and the implications of each match, while also engaging in friendly bets and speculating on character developments, particularly regarding the potential of: Jey Uso, Seth Rollins and Bianca Belair's potential heel turns.

The conversation is filled with excitement and unpredictability surrounding the event, with a mix of humor and critical insights into...

In this episode of Wednesday Night Marks, hosts Alexander the Great and Aiden Haystack discuss the upcoming WrestleMania 41, including match predictions, the recent 'Go Home' Monday Night Raw, and the overall state of wrestling storylines.

They express their frustrations with the current build-up to WrestleMania, the treatment of mid-card talent, and the women's division in WWE.

The discussion also briefly touches on Josh Alexander's debut in AEW and the implications for wrestling narratives moving forward.

In this segment of the conversation, the hosts delve into various aspects of wrestling, including the complexities of...

In this episode, Alexander the Great and Aiden Haystack discuss the current state of WWE as they approach WrestleMania, including the card overview, the impact of the European tour on storylines, and the heated exchanges between John Cena and Cody Rhodes.

They also delve into Jade Cargill and her feud with Naomi, Rey Phoenix's debut, and the lackluster feud between Charlotte Flair and Tiffany Stratton.

The conversation highlights the ups and downs of the wrestling world, with a focus on character development and audience reception.

The hosts discuss the recent injury announcement of...

In this inaugural segment of StS, co-hosts conversation, Alexander the Great and Aiden Haystack discuss the current build-up to WrestleMania, focusing on John Cena's first heel promo, the impact of European tours on WWE storylines, and the dynamics between Cena and Cody Rhodes.

They analyze the role of legends like Stone Cold Steve Austin and The Rock in the current wrestling landscape, as well as fan expectations and reactions leading up to WrestleMania 41. The conversation delves into the current state of WWE leading up to WrestleMania, discussing the anticipation for the event, the disappointing booking of champions...

In the fourth installment of Wednesday Night Marks, co-hosts Alexander the Great and Aiden Haystack discuss the recent shocking heel turn of John Cena, the implications for WrestleMania, and the impact of CM Punk's next 'Pipe Bomb' promo. They analyze the role of Travis Scott in the wrestling narrative and the unexpected victory of Iyo Sky for the Women's World Heavyweight Championship. The conversation also touches on the future of Gunther and Jey Uso, exploring the dynamics of their feuds and potential storylines leading up to WrestleMania. In this conversation, the hosts delve into various aspects of professional wrestling...

In this conversation, hosts Alexander the Great and Aiden Haystack discuss the recent shocking heel turn of John Cena, analyzing its implications for his character and the wrestling landscape. They compare it to past iconic heel turns, particularly Hulk Hogan's, and speculate on the future of Cena's character leading into WrestleMania. The discussion then shifts to the Elimination Chamber event, highlighting key matches and performances, especially focusing on the women's elimination chamber match and Liv Morgan's standout performance. The hosts express their excitement for upcoming storylines and potential feuds, particularly involving Jade Cargill and Cody Rhodes. The conversation delves...

Rest in Peace Churchill Froelich.

April 6, 1993 - February 17, 2025.

In this episode, hosts Alexander the Great and Aiden Haystack discuss the upcoming Elimination Chamber event and give their predictions for the matches and the potential outcomes they could have for WrestleMania 41.

They delve into the dynamics between Cody Rhodes and The Rock, analyze the women's and men's elimination chamber matches, and speculate on potential outcomes and storylines leading to WrestleMania.

The conversation highlights the unpredictability of wrestling narratives for WrestleMania 41 and the excitement surrounding the event.

00:00...

In this episode, the hosts Alexander the Great and Aiden Haystack discuss the fallout from the Royal Rumble, analyzing both the Women's and Men's matches, including unexpected returns and eliminations. They delve into the ladder match between Cody Rhodes and Kevin Owens, highlighting the brutal spots and storytelling involved. The conversation shifts to Jey Uso's surprising victory and the implications for future storylines, emphasizing the importance of character development and long-term storytelling in wrestling. In this segment of the conversation, the hosts delve into various topics surrounding WWE, including John Cena's return and its implications. They discuss The Raw...

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In this episode, Alexander the Great and Aiden Haystack dive into their predictions for the upcoming Royal Rumble, discussing key matches, character developments, and potential outcomes. They analyze the tension between Cody Rhodes and CM Punk, speculate on Cody's character arc, and explore the implications of a possible heel turn. The duo also discuss the importance of Tag Team wrestling and it being prominently featured on the Royal Rumble Big 4 PLE and give their predictions and thoughts surrounding the upcoming Royal Rumble event, focusing on both the women's and men's matches, highlighting...

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In this 2nd installment of 'Wednesday Night Marks, co-hosts Alexander the Great and Aiden Haystack - dive into the TNA Genesis pay-per-view, discussing match highlights, the emergence of new champions, and potential future feuds. They analyze key matches, including Tessa Blanchard vs. Jordynne Grace and the 'I Quit' match between Mike Santana and Josh Alexander, while also touching on the state of tag team wrestling in TNA and WWE. In this conversation, the speakers discuss the current state of wrestling, focusing on the tag team division, the Knockouts Championship match, Joe Hendry's journey to...

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In this episode, Alexander the Great and Aiden Haystack discuss the highlights from WWE Raw on January 20, 2025. They delve into the commentary dynamics with Wade Barrett filling in for Corey Graves, the impact of Pat McAfee's commentary style, and the ongoing storyline involving Jey Uso and Gunther. The conversation also touches on the upcoming Saturday Night Main Event, predictions for title changes, and the unique wrestling style of Gunther, as well as fan reactions to various wrestlers. In this segment, the hosts discuss the recent developments in WWE, focusing on Kofi Kingston's...

CHAPTERS BELOW DESCRIPTION!

The inaugural episode of Wednesday Night Marks dives into the world of wrestling, focusing on WWE's current landscape, character dynamics, and fan reactions. The hosts discuss the significance of Cody Rhodes and John Cena's roles, the impact of pre-recorded shows, and the recent Netflix debut. They also explore the women's division, particularly Tiffany Stratton's rise, and the potential future of Jacob Fatu and Tama Tonga. The episode wraps up with thoughts on upcoming matches and the overall direction of WWE storylines. In this conversation, the hosts delve into various topics surrounding professional...

APOLOGIES FOR THE AUDIO VOLUME ISSUES! If you are wearing headphones, be careful! It gets louder around the 8 minute mark.*

In this episode, Alexander the Great reflects on the past year and shares his predictions for the world of wrestling in 2025. He discusses the potential outcomes for WrestleMania 41, the influence of The Rock on WWE storylines, and highlights emerging stars and future matches. The conversation also covers predictions for the women's division and concludes with community engagement and thoughts on the future of wrestling.