Wrestling Is Real Wrestling Podcast

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 Stratton puts her WWE Women's Championship on the line against the formidable Jade Cargill, while a Triple Threat match for the...

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 results—featuring major title defenses and a battle royal—highlighted the diversity and depth of talent within the roster, including emerging stars and veteran...

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 surprising return of key figures.
Hangman Adam Page Reclaims World Championship Amid Stunning ReturnsIn the main event, “Hangman” Adam Page def...

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 interview with Ariel Helwani, TNA President Carlos Silva shed light on the burgeoning relationship with WWE. Silva expressed immense optimism, stating that the partnership is a...

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 prioritizing storylines and characters that resonate with the broadest possible audience, often sacrificing artistic depth or appealing to niche wrestling fans. This profit-driven approach...

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 well-received match to win the King of the Ring. Meanwhile, Jade Cargill continued her ascent by overcoming Asuka to be crowned the Queen...

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 Cena delivered a "reverse pipe bomb" to CM P...

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 involvement being a poorly executed and confusing attempt at a "Bloodline reunion." 
This "secondary Bloodline," featuring Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa, Jeff Cobb (as JC Mateo), an...

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 Money in the Bank, the reign of "Main Event" Jey Uso as World Heavyweight Champion came to an abrupt end...

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 highlighted a new direction for the women's division, featuring a number of fresh faces from...

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 early June 2025, Karrion Kross's uncertain contract status with no new deal in sight, and broader talent cuts in May 2025 affecting both main roster a...

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 loyalty that often fuels intense online discourse and disdain for the rival promotion.

In a bold scheduling decision, WWE has announced that its NXT Great...

AEW Double or Nothing 2025 was a testament to the promotion’s evolution, blending established stars, fresh faces, and compelling narratives to deliver a show that reaffirmed AEW’s place as a powerhouse in professional wrestling.

Double or Nothing delivered a masterclass in professional wrestling, showcasing a revitalized All Elite Wrestling that has rebounded from a challenging 2024. With a well-rounded card, strategic roster adjustments, and compelling storytelling, AEW proved it’s in a strong position from top to bottom, captivating fans with high-octane matches and fresh rivalries.

The **Men’s Owen Hart Foundation Tournament Final** saw Will Ospreay...

At WWE Saturday Night's Main Event in Tampa, Florida, Paul Heyman shocked the wrestling world by completing the formation of his new "Triple Threat" faction, reminiscent of his legendary ECW stable.

With Seth Rollins as the cunning leader akin to Shane Douglas, Bron Breakker as the explosive powerhouse mirroring Chris Candido, and the returning Big Bronson Reed as the destructive force in the mold of Bam Bam Bigelow, the faction made a thunderous statement.

In the opening tag team match, Rollins and Breakker defeated Sami Zayn and CM Punk, with Reed’s surprise return and attack on...

WWE in 2025 is choosing celebrity clout over their roster to get their wrestling over, delivering an insult to the faithful fanbase.

The year 2025 in WWE has starkly illuminated a troubling trajectory, one where the supposed pursuit of mainstream relevance through celebrity sideshows has taken clear precedence over the craft of professional wrestling.

The company's increasing reliance on figures like social media influencer-turned-part-time champion Logan Paul, the ever-present Pat McAfee, and even fleeting appearances or associations with names like NBA star Tyrese Haliburton and musician Travis Scott, paints a clear picture: WWE brass seemingly believes the path...

In the past, WWE thrived under time constraints, delivering tight, compelling hour-long wrestling shows that left fans wanting more. Fast-forward to today, and the landscape is flooded with content—up to eight hours weekly between Raw, SmackDown, NXT, premium live events, and online programming.

Despite this abundance, or perhaps because of it, the product is suffering creatively. With more hours to fill than ever, the lack of innovation and engaging storytelling is painfully clear, exposing a major flaw in WWE’s modern formula and threatening the long-term value TKO Group Holdings can extract from its media partnerships.

Tonight's WWE Backlash largely lived up to the unfortunate reputation of many "B-level" premium live events: a card filled with solid in-ring action but hampered by predictable finishes and stagnant storylines. While the matches themselves offered moments of quality, the overall narrative landscape felt disappointingly bland.

The United States Championship remained with Jacob Fatu (c), who overcame LA Knight, Drew McIntyre, and Damian Priest in a chaotic Fatal Four-Way. The most significant talking point of this match, and perhaps the entire evening, was the debut of Jeff Cobb, the newest Samoan addition to the Bloodline lineage. Cobb made...

Amidst the bewildering main roster booking, WWE's inherited contract decisions in AAA Lucha Libre, and the TNA World Title defense at NXT Battleground, who is WWE strategically trying to get over?

The WWE Universe is witnessing a period of perplexing main event booking on its main roster, exemplified by a recent Raw where World Heavyweight Champion Jey Uso, after a charged confrontation with Paul Heyman (now aligned with Seth Rollins and Bron Breakker), impulsively accepted a title defense against Rollins for that same night—a match reportedly ending in a "confusing no contest."

This follows Heyman's el...

WWE's talent development has significantly transformed over the decades. Initially, a traditional "farm league" system aimed to refine a small pool of prospects. This has evolved into a vast, multi-tiered structure centered on the WWE Performance Center and the NXT brand. While this expansion aimed for a global talent pipeline and a consistent influx of stars, it has arguably become a "bloated hierarchy burdened by redundancy," often struggling to consistently produce main event talent ready for the main roster.

Historically, WWE relied on affiliations with independent territories like Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW) and Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW). These...

TNA Rebellion 2025 was a major event on the calendar for TNA Wrestling, but the show was arguably overshadowed by a pervasive and, for some viewers, overwhelming presence of WWE NXT talent and creative influence. Based on the night's card and outcomes, a clear argument can be made that there is currently "too much NXT" integrated into the TNA product, raising questions about the promotion's distinct identity.

The integration was felt throughout the pay-per-view, often in significant matches and segments. The TNA Knockouts Tag Team Championship match, a Fatal Four-Way, featured not one, but two full teams from NXT...

WrestleMania 41 has come and gone, but the stench of its disjointed booking and crumbling creative foundation still lingers. While fans are quick to point fingers—at The Rock, John Cena, or even the always-polarizing Becky Lynch—the reality is that WWE’s storytelling machine has been running on fumes, with WrestleMania 41 exposing just how dire things have become.

Let’s start with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, who popped up on The Pat McAfee Show attempting damage control after his elimination chamber cameo and subsequent WrestleMania 41 absence. He addressed the chaos surrounding his involvement, or lack thereof, in this year’s Wrest...

WrestleMania 41 Night 2 in Las Vegas culminated in a series of controversial to trainwreck moments that electrified the WWE Universe.

The energy was palpable as fans celebrated the return of Becky Lynch, fully embracing her iconic "The Man" persona and storming back into the title picture by capturing the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship with Lyra Valkyria.

The night also saw Dominik Mysterio cleverly navigating a chaotic Fatal Four-Way to secure a massive victory and the Intercontinental Championship, marking a huge milestone in his ascendant career.

Logan Paul delivered polishes his main-event credentials with an...

WrestleMania 41 Night 1 unfolded as a largely predictable affair, headlined by a main event solely dictated by contractual obligation and "favors" rather than compelling narrative with a meaningless Triple Threat Match in Roman Reigns vs. CM Punk vs. Seth Rollins.

Jey Uso's victory over Gunther for the World Heavyweight Championship felt more like a foregone conclusion than a truly earned triumph. Gunther's swift submission marked a concerning trend of diminishing dominance on WWE's grandest stage.

The tag team title match between The New Day and The War Raiders served as a stark reminder of creative stagnation, a...

Recent statements heading into WrestleMania 41 in Las Vegas, emanating from WWE's top brass, have ignited a firestorm of criticism, fueling accusations of a disconnect between the company's leadership and a significant portion of its fanbase. Articles detailing comments from President Nick Khan and Chief Content Officer Triple H paint a picture that many interpret as WWE officials downplaying legitimate concerns and doubling down on a potentially flawed corporate pivot.

Nick Khan's subtle jabs at AEW ("subtle shots at AEW") and his dismissal of negative reactions surrounding the Vince McMahon documentary ("negative reaction to Mr. McMahon docuseries") suggest an...

Paul "Triple H" Levesque and Nick Khan recently took the stage at the NAB Show in Las Vegas, offering insights into WWE's business strategies, particularly their significant new Netflix partnership.

With the bright lights of Vegas hosting WrestleMania in less than two weeks, their discussion naturally centered on the company's continued growth and their vision for reaching an even wider audience..

The conversation likely highlighted the synergy between WWE's live event spectacle and their expanding media landscape. WrestleMania, a multi-day extravaganza set to electrify Allegiant Stadium, serves as a prime example of their ability to draw...

AEW Dynasty delivered a night of compelling action, highlighted by several championship clashes and the beginning of the Owen Hart Cup tournaments. Jon Moxley successfully defended his AEW World Championship against a valiant Swerve Strickland in the main event. Elsewhere in the title scene, "Timeless" Toni Storm retained her AEW Women's World Championship against the formidable Megan Bayne. The AEW World Tag Team Championship saw a change of hands as the Hurt Syndicate, comprised of Bobby Lashley and Shelton Benjamin, defeated Big Bill and Bryan Keith. A chaotic AEW World Trios Championship match ended with the Death Riders, PAC, Claudio...

This segment on Monday Night RAW in London was supposed to be a WrestleMania main event-level confrontation between John Cena and Cody Rhodes, but what it really became was an exercise in WWE's self-congratulatory revisionist history, wrapped in a thinly veiled burial of everything outside its own bubble.

Cena, ever the company man, took the opportunity not just to challenge Cody Rhodes but to take an underhanded shot at the entire existence of AEW without actually saying it. His entire premise boiled down to this: Cody left because he wasn’t good enough, he ran off to play wr...

The WWE's current trajectory presents a stark contrast between the enthusiastic reception John Cena receives during his European tour and the increasingly tepid build-up to WrestleMania.

While Cena's heel turn, a long-anticipated shift, should be a pivotal moment, its impact is potentially diluted by the predictable adoration of European crowds, known for their fervent support of wrestling superstars.

This creates a disconnect, as the intended antagonistic persona risks being softened by the overwhelming cheers, obscuring the true nature of his character change.

Simultaneously, the WrestleMania match card suffers from a glaring lack of compelling...

John Cena's post-Elimination Chamber "heel turn" promo, while generating initial shock, ultimately fell flat, failing to capture the raw intensity and lasting impact of Hulk Hogan's infamous WCW heel turn in 1996. Cena's appearance, mirroring his usual ring attire and entrance music, lacked the visual and auditory cues necessary to solidify a genuine character shift.

The absence of The Rock and Travis Scott, who had accompanied him earlier in the night, further diminished the sense of a significant change. More importantly, Cena's promo lacked the venom and conviction required to establish him as a credible antagonist.

Instead...

As WWE barrels toward WrestleMania 41, the company finds itself at a crossroads between compelling storytelling and chaotic creative choices. In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, legendary manager and creative mind Paul Heyman offered insights into WWE’s ongoing evolution, the impact of its new Netflix partnership, and the state of storytelling leading into the biggest show of the year.

Heyman, known for his unparalleled ability to craft compelling narratives, spoke at length about WWE’s shift in presentation and its growing presence in mainstream entertainment. The upcoming Netflix series, which promises to give fans an unfiltered look...

A sold-out crowd at the Crypto.com Arena witnessed a night of high-stakes action and championship clashes at AEW Revolution 2025. The pay-per-view, emanating from the heart of Los Angeles, saw title changes, bitter rivalries reach boiling point, and ultimately, Jon Moxley standing tall as AEW World Champion after a chaotic main event.

The night was punctuated by a series of intense matches, beginning with a brutal Steel Cage Match where Will Ospreay triumphed over Kyle Fletcher in a steel cage match stemming from their fractured alliance. Kenny Omega won the AEW International Championship against Konosuke Takeshita in a...

As WrestleMania looms, we dive deep into the corporate takeover of WWE’s biggest event and how its commercialized grip is shaping the main event scene. The focus? John Cena’s shocking heel turn against Cody Rhodes and the seismic shift it creates. Could Cena’s pursuit of a record-breaking 17th World Title derail Cody’s redemption story for the second straight year? We’ll break down the potential booking scenarios, the long-term ramifications for WWE’s future, and whether Cena’s allegiance to the corporate machine signals a new era of WrestleMania as pure spectacle over storytelling.

At Elimination...

WWE Champion Cody Rhodes was brutally bombarded by the box office brothers in arms, The Rock and John Cena.

The once-beloved bastion of "Never Give Up," Cena, shockingly shifted sides, siding with the sinister superstar, The Rock, to shatter Rhodes’s championship aspirations.

The packed Toronto venue, a sea of screaming spectators, witnessed the shocking spectacle unfold. Rhodes, recently victorious in a vicious, steel-cage struggle, was reeling from the relentless rivalry when The Rock’s signature theme shattered the celebratory silence.

However, the subsequent scene was far from a typical Rock rendezvous. This time, the...

The Rock's return to WWE has injected a potent dose of unpredictability into the company's landscape.

His re-emergence, marked by the adoption of the "Final Boss" persona, has been far from a nostalgic victory lap. Instead, it's been a calculated power play, designed to reshape the narrative leading into major events like Elimination Chamber and WrestleMania.

Key to this shift has been his intense focus on Cody Rhodes, with The Rock delivering charged promos that blur the lines between showmanship and genuine animosity.

His pronouncements, like wanting to "take Cody's soul," have ignited a...

NXT Vengeance Day delivered thrilling matches and title changes, with Stephanie Vaquer dethroning Fallon Henley for the Women's North American Championship, and successful title defenses by Fraxiom, Oba Femi, and Giulia. Eddy Thorpe and Ethan Page also secured key victories.

However, beneath the surface of these exciting contests lies a deeper issue plaguing the developmental brand: the struggle of both free agent signings and NXT call-ups to achieve sustained success on the main roster.

NXT has become a hotbed for independent wrestling talent, attracting a diverse array of performers like Giulia, Stephanie Vaquer Ethan Page and...

The Men's and Women's Elimination Chamber matches is taking shape, with several superstars already securing their spots for the high-stakes event set to take place on March 1, 2025, at the Rogers Centre in Toronto, Canada. These matches will determine the next challengers for WWE’s top championships at WrestleMania 41.

In the Men's Elimination Chamber match, four competitors have already qualified. John Cena was the first to enter the match, earning his spot after finishing as the runner-up in the Royal Rumble and declaring his intention to pursue his record-breaking 17th world championship. CM Punk followed by defeating Sami Zayn in...

The Wrestling is Real Podcast got a massive mix of reasoned arguments, passionate defenses of Triple H's booking, and outright negativity, highlighting the strong opinions and invested interest of the WWE fanbase in the lead-up to WrestleMania 41.

Yours truly got a lot of feedback regarding the potential booking of WrestleMania 41, starting with this past weekend's Royal Rumble, is highly polarized and centers around several key points. A significant portion of the audience believes that Triple H's booking, exemplified by the Rumble results, isn't drastically different from what Vince McMahon would have done.

This perspective often argues...

The 2025 Royal Rumble sent a clear message: Experience trumps hype. Charlotte Flair's triumphant return, two years in the making, culminated in a dominant Rumble victory, last eliminating Roxanne Perez. While Flair shone, a glaring weakness was exposed: NXT stars like Giulia, Vaquer, Legend, and Parker received a muted response, proving Triple H's developmental system isn't creating mainstream stars. The over-produced lower third scoreboard only amplified the problem, distracting from the action instead of enhancing it. Even Nia Jax's prolonged eliminations felt forced, highlighting the lack of credible threats.

The tag team scene sputtered with #DIY (Gargano & Ciampa...

Desperate for relevance, WWE trotted out internet personality Kai Cenat on Monday Night Raw, orchestrating a manufactured "call-out" of IShowSpeed for the Royal Rumble. This transparent attempt to grab some cross-platform attention highlights WWE's continued reliance on cheap spectacle rather than, you know, meaningful storytelling. While Cenat's appearance might generate some fleeting buzz online, it does little to address the glaring issues plaguing the company.

Namely, the stale main event scene. Cody Rhodes stuck in a never ending contrived feud with Kevin Owens. The rest of the roster? Lost in the shuffle, reduced to mid-card filler while WWE...

Jacob Fatu just sent a message through Braun Strowman's chest! This wasn't just a victory; it was a demolition. Fatu, with the pedigree of the legendary Anoa'i family coursing through his veins, decimated Strowman in a way that leaves no doubt about his potential. Is this the performance that finally convinces WWE to strap a rocket to his back? We analyze Fatu's dominant display, explore his journey from MLW, and discuss why he's the perfect antidote to the current WWE landscape.

But that's not all! Over in the world of AEW, Toni Storm has pulled off a masterstroke...