Hard Hidz Wrestling Podcast

Hard Hidz reviews All Elite Wrestling Winter Is Coming, where MJF made his first world title defense against Ricky Starks and Chris Jericho lost to a jobber. Plus, we discuss Ring of Honor Final Battle - featuring another FTR vs. The Briscoes banger & 5 new champions! - alongside NXT Deadline - headlined by their unique new Iron Survivor Challenge. Finally, we talk about Ricochet's renaissance in WWE SmackDown's World Cup, WWE firing Mandy Rose, and William Regal leaving AEW.

Hard Hidz reviews WWE Survivor Series, which debuted the double-ringed caged madness of WarGames to the main roster. Plus we discuss The Elite trolling CM Punk in Chicago, and New Japan & Stardom's first-ever co-promoted event, headlined by KAIRI winning the inaugural IWGP women's championship.

Hard Hidz reviews AEW's phenomenal Full Gear PPV, headlined by banger matches, new champions, shocking turns, a dream match, The Elite's return and Saraya's in-ring debut. Plus we discuss IMPACT Over Drive, Nick Aldis burning bridges with NWA & Billy Corgan, and VICE TV's docuseries Tales From the Territories (by the creators of Dark Side of the Ring).

On this episode, we review WWE Crown Jewel, NXT Halloween Havoc and AAA Triplemanía XXX: Mexico City. Plus we discuss the most compelling story in pro wrestling right now - Sami Zayn & The Bloodline, alongside reports that CM Punk is exiting All Elite Wrestling while The Elite are set to return.

On this episode we pay tribute to the late Antonio Inoki, and review WWE Extreme Rules 2022, headlined by the return of Bray Wyatt & several fun hardcore stipulations. Plus we discuss All Elite Wrestling Battle of the Belts IV, IMPACT Bound for Glory, New Japan Pro Wrestling Royal Quest II (which featured another MOTY contender from FTR), STARDOM 5 Star Grand Prix, Game Changer Wrestling Fight Club, and the backstage fight between Andrade & Sammy Guevara.

On this episode, we review All Elite Wrestling's annual stadium show, Grand Slam! We discuss a fantastic main event between Jon Moxley & Bryan Danielson, The Acclaimed finally becoming the tag-team champs, the surprise debuts of Saraya (fka Paige) & Great Muta, Chris Jericho winning the Ring of Honor world title, Action Bronson's first match, appearances by Westside Gunn, Trina, Fabolous & DJ Whoo Kid, and much more. Plus we talk about the enigmatic “White Rabbit” teases appearing in WWE.

On this episode, we review a BUSY weekend of pro wrestling that features All Elite Wrestling's jam-packed All Out PPV, WWE's first UK stadium show in 30 years in Clash at the Castle, and an NXT vs NXT UK showdown at Worlds Collide. Plus, we discuss all the backstage drama at AEW (particularly CM Punk burying The Elite), WWE's recent returns (Braun Strowman, Hit Row, Johnny Gargano, etc.) and New Japan's G1 Climax 32 which culminated in a MOTY contender between Will Ospreay and Kazuchika Okada.

On this episode, we review a fun couple of weeks for All Elite Wrestling, which included their 3rd Battle of Belts special (headlined by a MOTY contender between Claudio Castagnoli & Konosuke Takeshita) & Quake by the Lake (featuring “Lionheart” Chris Jericho, the return of CM Punk, and a crazy coffin match). Plus we discuss yet another awesome IMPACT PPV in Emergence, and catch-up on how Triple H's creative reign has slowly but surely improved many aspects of the main roster.

On this episode, we review the first main roster PPV under Triple H's creative reign - SummerSlam! The show featured noticeable improvements in booking, commentary and pacing, alongside big returns (Io Shirai, Dakota Kai, Bayley) and innovative spots (TRACTOR!), signaling a hopeful start to a new era for WWE. Plus we discuss All Elite Wrestling's big stories from Fight For The Fallen, including Hook winning the FTW title, Powerhouse Hobbs turning on Ricky Starks, Daniel Garcia upsetting Bryan Danielson, and the new trios titles. Finally, we talk about Ric Flair's Last Match.

On this episode we review Ring of Honor's fantastic Death Before Dishonor PPV headlined by Claudio claiming the ROH world championship, and FANTASTIC title matches between FTR & The Briscoes and Wheeler Yuta & Daniel Garcia. Plus, we discuss All Elite Wrestling's 2-week Fyter Fest featuring incredible highlights (like Swerve In Our Glory winning the tag titles in a great triple threat), and terrible lowlights (like the overbooked mess that was the Barbed Wire Everywhere Death Match). Finally, we talk about Vince McMahon's retirement from WWE.

On this episode, we review All Elite Wrestling's gloriously gory Blood & Guts cage match, their innovative Royal Rampage battle royal, WWE Money in the Bank, and NXT Great American Bash.

On this episode, we review New Japan Pro Wrestling & All Elite Wrestling's co-promoted PPV - Forbidden Door! While the show was hampered by injuries to big stars on both sides- it still delivered dream matches, surprise cameos, great action, and a massive debut. Plus, we discuss IMPACT's 20th Slammiversary, AAA Triplemanía XXX: Tijuana, Vince McMahon stepping down as WWE CEO amidst sexual misconduct allegations, and Jeff Hardy's DUI arrest.

On this episode, we discuss WWE Hell in a Cell (where Cody Rhodes worked with a gruesome torn pec) and NXT In Your House (where new champs were crowned), alongside the controversy surrounding Sasha Banks and Naomi walking out due to creative differences. Plus, we talk about MJF pipe bombing his contract dispute with All Elite Wrestling into a compelling worked-shoot angle, while CM Punk's broken foot forces the company to messily set up an interim world championship.

On this episode, we review All Elite Wrestling's jam-packed Double or Nothing PPV! From marquee matches like CM Punk vs. Adam Page, Anarchy in the Arena, Wardlow vs. MJF, & the Owen Hart tournament finals; to surprise highlights like Rancid's performance, alongside Rush, Stokely Hathaway & Athena's debuts - we had LOTS to talk about. Plus we discuss New Japan's Capital Collision (headlined by Tomohiro Ishii vs. Eddie Kingston, and Juice Robinson winning the IWGP U.S. title against Hiroshi Tanahashi, Jon Moxley & Will Ospreay in a great fatal 4-way) and AAA Triplemanía XXX: Monterrey.

On this episode we review a pair of great IMPACT PPVs - Rebellion (headlined by Taya Valkyrie winning the AAA Reina de Reinas title, a wild X Division triple threat, & Josh Alexander claiming the IMPACT World championship), and Under Siege (where the Briscoes won the tag titles.) Plus, we discuss NJPW Windy City Riot (featuring Jon Moxley vs Will Ospreay & Tomohiro Ishii vs Minoru Suzuki), WWE WrestleMania Backlash 2022 and NXT Spring Breakin.

On this episode, we discuss a memorable past couple of weeks for All Elite Wrestling - headlined by a star-making performance from Wheeler Yuta, yet another FTR instant classic, the Adams in a Texas Death Match, a Samoa Joe vs. Minoru Suzuki dream match for the Ring of Honor TV title, Battle of the Belts II, and much more!

On this episode, we review Zack Sabre Jr.'s triumphant run in NJPW's New Japan Cup, STARDOM World Climax (headlined by the return of KAIRI), IMPACT Multiverse of Matches, and Game Changer Wrestling's Mania weekend events like Josh Barnett's Bloodsport 8 and Joey Janela's Spring Break 6.

On this episode, we review WWE WrestleMania 38, headlined by Pat McAfee's big Mania moment and the return of Cody Rhodes & “Stone Cold” Steve Austin! Plus we discuss NXT's Stand & Deliver, Ring of Honor's Supercard of Honor XV and Triple H's retirement.

On this episode, we look back at the career and legacy of the late, great Scott Hall! Plus we review All Elite Wrestling's St. Patrick Day's Slam featuring Thunder Rosa claiming the Women's World Championship in a bloody cage match, Scorpio Sky defending his newly won TNT title, the reunited Hardy Boyz making their AEW in-ring debut, and big developments in Bryan Danielson & Chris Jericho's new factions. Finally, we discuss NXT Roadblock, headlined by Dolph Ziggler's surprising championship win.

On our 200th episode, we cover a massive week for All Elite Wrestling! We review their insanely stacked Revolution PPV, featuring huge matches (like Hangman Page vs. Adam Cole, CM Punk vs. MJF, Jon Moxley vs Bryan Danielson, Chris Jericho vs. Eddie Kingston) and the debuts of Swerve Strickland and William Regal! Finally, we discuss Tony Khan's purchase of Ring of Honor, Cain Velasquez getting arrested for attempted murder, and Vince McMahon's interview on Pat McAfee's podcast.

On this episode, we discuss the shocking comings and goings at All Elite Wrestling as founders Cody & Brandi Rhodes leave while Keith Lee joins and Jay White crosses the forbidden door. Plus we review WWE Elimination Chamber in Saudi Arabia, NXT Vengeance Day, IMPACT No Surrender and AAA Rey de Reyes

On this episode we review WWE Royal Rumble (headlined by Ronda Rousey's return) and All Elite Wrestling Beach Break (featuring a death-defying ladder match and Danhausen's debut)! Plus we discuss IMPACT's awesome Hard to Kill PPV, Game Changer Wrestling's inaugural Hammerstein Ballroom event, the premiere of Jonathan Gresham's grappling-centric Terminus, WALTER's cringey name change, Mustafa Ali requesting his release, and more!

On our first episode of 2022, we review New Japan's epic 3-night Wrestle Kingdom 16 (capped off by NJPW vs NOAH), All Elite Wrestling Dynamite's debut on TBS (headlined by Hangman Page vs. Bryan Danielson II & several new champs) and their Battle of the Belts special. Plus, we discuss how Roman Reigns getting COVID somehow led to Brock Lesnar pinning Big E at Day 1 to win the WWE Championship, NXT 2.0 New Year's Evil (where Carmelo Hayes unified the Cruiserweight & North American titles while Bron Breakker became the new NXT champion), Tony Khan's terrible response to Big Swole, and IMPACT Knockouts Champion Mickie James crossing the forbidden door to enter the Royal Rumble.

On our final episode of the year, we discuss All Elite Wrestling's Winter is Coming, headlined by an hour-long epic between Bryan Danielson and “Hangman” Adam Page. Plus we pay tribute to the best pro wrestling company of the 21st century - Ring of Honor. We review their end of an era with Final Battle, where legendary alums appeared, FTR attacked The Briscoes, Deonna Purrazzo challenged Rok-C, The Titan (fka Braun Strowman) debuted and Jonathan Gresham defeated Jay Lethal to claim the original ROH world title. Finally, we hand out our Best of the Year Awards for 2021!

On this episode we review AAA's incredible Triplemania Regia featuring an FTR vs. Lucha Brothers ladder match, La Facción Ingobernable vs. Laredo Kid & Willie Mack tearing the house down, Cain Velasquez's pro wrestling return and El Hijo del Vikingo finally claiming the Mega Championship. Plus we discuss NXT 2.0's first PPV, where the old guard put over the new, and we bid farewell to Johnny Garagno & Kyle O'Reilly; alongside NWA's Hard Times event.

On this episode, we review WWE's meaningless battle of the brands, which was partially redeemed by a worked-shoot Beck Lynch vs Charlotte Flair blood feud. Plus we discuss Hit Row's release, and a fantastic rematch between Will Ospreay and Amazing Red at House of Glory.

On this episode, we review All Elite Wrestling's great Full Gear PPV, headlined by “Hangman” Adam Page's cathartic crowning achievement, Eddie Kingston & CM Punk's blood feud, the world championship eliminator tournament finals between Bryan Danielson & Miro, and a remarkable showcase for AEW's future MJF & Darby Allin. Plus, we discuss Buddy Matthews' New Japan debut against Kazuchika Okada at Battle in the Valley, the shocking slate of WWE's latest releases, and Ring of Honor's heartbreaking (temporary?) shut down.

On this episode, we review the 1st season of STARZ's pro wrestling drama Heels, the 3rd season of VICE TV's docuseries Dark Side of the Ring, NXT Halloween Havoc 2021, IMPACT Bound for Glory and Game Changer Wrestling War Ready.

On this episode we review WWE's royal return to Saudi Arabia headlined by Brock Lesnar vs. Roman Reigns and the King of the Ring and Queens Crown finals. Plus we discuss the New Japan Pro-Wrestling G1 Climax 31 Finals (featuring the return of Katsuyori Shibata), IMPACT's all-female Knockouts Knockdown PPV, and the controversial reboot of WOW - Women of Wrestling with Tessa Blanchard at the helm.

On this episode, Hidzir reviews Game Changer Wrestling Fight Club, Tokyo Joshi Pro Wrestle Princess II, Stardom 10th Anniversary Grand Final Osaka Dream Cinderella and AAA Héroes Inmortales XIV.

On this episode, we review All Elite Wrestling's massive Grand Slam at New York's Arthur Ashe stadium, headlined by a Kenny Omega & Bryan Danielson dream match! Plus, we discuss WWE Extreme Rules, Big E cashing in to become world champion and the new faces of NXT 2.0 (including Singapore's Dante Chen).

On this episode, we review a PERFECT All Elite Wrestling PPV, featuring the in-ring return of CM Punk, an all-time great cage match, and surprises from Minoru Suzuki, Ruby Soho, Adam Cole and Bryan Danielson! Plus we discuss NWA's first all-women PPV and Jon Moxley claiming the Game Changer Wrestling's world title.

On this episode, we discuss CM Punk's pro wrestling comeback with All Elite Wrestling! Plus we review a tediously overlong WWE SummerSlam (where Brock Lesnar and Becky Lynch returned) and an absolutely tremendous NXT TakeOver 36 (featuring another WALTER vs. Ilja Dragunov instant classic).

On this episode, we review the debut episode of All Elite Wrestling Rampage and Triplemanía XXIX, where Christian Cage and Andrade (with Ric Flair!) challenged Kenny Omega for the IMPACT and AAA world championships. Plus we discuss the multitude of surprises at NJPW Resurgence, NXT's future, and an amazing 60-minute Iron Man match between Wheeler Yuta and Daniel Garcia on IWTV 100.

On this episode, we review another big AEW on TNT episode, which featured Juventud Guerrera rekindling his WCW rivalry with Chris Jericho, and Malakai Black's debut match against Cody Rhodes. Plus, we discuss Bray Wyatt and Ric Flair's releases, as well as Adam Cole's expiring contract and Ruby Soho signing with All Elite Wrestling.

From his intense blood feud against Matt Cardona on GCW Homecoming to his AEW Dynamite main event debut against Chris Jericho - Hard Hidz digs into a big week for NICK GAGE! Plus we discuss the rest of All Elite Wrestling's Fight for the Fallen special and New Japan Pro Wrestling's Wrestle Grand Slam in Tokyo Dome.

On this episode, we discuss All Elite Wrestling reportedly singing CM Punk and Daniel Bryan, alongside their tremendous 2-week Fyter Fest. Plus we review IMPACT's incredible Slammiversary, the results and fallout of WWE Money in the Bank, and the multitude of title changes on ROH Best in the World.

On this episode, we review NXT's special The Great American Bash episode (featuring a Hit Row cypher) and All Elite Wrestling's return to touring with Road Rager (headlined by Aleister Black's debut).

On this episode, we review yet another near-flawless NXT TakeOver, filled with fantastic bell to bell action. Plus, we also discuss an NJPW's awesome new beginnings in Sapporo and Osaka, a changing of the guard at RevPro High Stakes, and the return of Vince McMahon's XFL.

On this episode, we review a solid Royal Rumble PPV which featured surprise returns (especially Edge!) and surprisingly well-booked Rumble matches! Additionally, we also discuss NXT Worlds Collide where NXT and NXT UK's finest clash in a series of dream matches, NWA's Hard Times PPV which featured 2 new champs and a tournament for the NWA TV Title, and AEW's 10-day long Bash at the Beach revival in Miami and on Chris Jericho's Rock 'N' Wrestling Rager at Sea cruise.

On this episode, we review NJPW's epic two-night event Wrestle Kingdom 14, and NXT UK's stellar TakeOver: Blackpool II. Plus, we mourn over the tragic passing of lucha libre legend La Parka II, and discuss Tessa Blanchard winning the world championship at IMPACT Hard to Kill.

On this episode, both Hidzir and Hardi came up with separate Top 5 lists naming our favourite matches of the year! Plus, we look back on the best (and worst) moments, matches, wrestlers and angles of 2019.

On this episode, we review TLC 2019, which continued WWE's string of terrible of main roster PPVs this year. Outside of a few bright spots and great matches, the event accentuated all the things we loathe about the company's booking tendencies. Plus, we also discuss NWA Into The Fire and ROH Final Battle!

On this episode, we review All Elite Wrestling's first post-Dynamite PPV! From the classical psychology of Cody vs Chris Jericho, to the death match insanity of Jon Moxley vs Kenny Omega - we discuss the highs (and lows) of Full Gear.

On this episode, we review a banner weekend for NXT after they impressed with yet another sterling TakeOver at WarGames 3, and dominated the battle for brand supremacy in Survivor Series. Plus we discuss SPW Into The Mist, CM Punk on WWE Backstage, Corey Graves' beef with Mauro Ranallo, and Jim Cornette being fired from NWA for racist remarks.

On this episode, we review the spectacle that was Crown Jewel - which featured the first-ever women's match in Saudi Arabia, a great match between Cesaro and Mansoor, a Universal title change, and the WWE in-ring debuts of combat sports stars Tyson Fury and Cain Velasquez. Plus, we discuss NXT's exciting takeover of Friday Night SmackDown, the controversy surrounding Jordan Myles' racist T-shirt, and the continued Wednesday Night War.

On this episode, we break down WWE's sports-like presentation of their 2019 draft, the picks, and what Raw and SmackDown willl look like going forward. In addition, we review the throwback goodness of NWA's new studio show, and AEW's YouTube series showcasing dark matches. Finally, we discuss the 2nd week of the Wednesday Night War! While Dynamite delivered cool moments like Private Party's shocking upset of The Young Bucks and Darby Allin's skateboard attack, NXT stuck to great in-ring action as Lio Rush beat Drew Gulak for the Cruiserweight Championship and WALTER took on KUSHIDA.

On this episode, we discuss the first week of the Wednesday Night War as AEW and NXT went head to head - each with their own pros and cons in terms of production, presentation and pacing. While a solid Dynamite debut had the bigger atmosphere and a huge ratings win, for our money, NXT had the better in-ring product as The Undisputed Era, Matt Riddle and The Street Profits delivered incredible matches. We also review Friday Night SmackDown's awesome premiere on Fox (featuring The Rock, Brock Lesnar squashing Kofi Kingston, Tyson Fury facing down Braun Strownman, and Cain Velasquez's WWE debut), Raw's season opener - and an uneven Hell In A Cell 2019 where amazing wrestling (Becky Lynch vs Sasha Banks, Ali's RKO counter, Daniel Bryan & Roman Reigns vs Bludgeon Brothers, heel Kabuki Warriors) was dragged down by an embarrassingly stupid main event.

On this episode, we discuss the first real shot in the Wednesday Night Wars as NXT impressed with great matches, upgraded production, and strong ratings for their 2-hour "live" debut on cable TV. Plus, we review the highs and lows of 2 prestigious tournaments in NJPW's Super J-Cup and WWE's King of the Ring. Finally, we unpack Kenny Omega's (v)triggering "real stars, not developmental talent" comments, LAX's emotional farewell on Impact Wrestling, and Dr. Gore's unwarranted putdown of Kick to the Gut!

On this episode, we review clashes between kings and champions! Over in Singapore, Kenny Omega and a strong-hearted OWE contingent visited to challenge SPW's finest. Meanwhile, former Wyatt Family members bludgeon former The Shield members on a night where all of WWE's champions are showcased. Plus, we discuss reports of Big Cass' troubling behavior and Josh Barnett's Bloodsport II on GCW.

On this episode, we review a huge weekend for pro wrestling as the 3 biggest companies in the industry each held awesome shows within 24 hours. While AEW All Out was probably the strongest PPV overall (highlighted by PAC vs Kenny Omega, & The Lucha Brothers vs The Young Bucks in an insane "Escelera de la Muerte" match), the incredibly EPIC main events for NXT UK TakeOver: Cardiff (Tyler Bate vs WALTER) and NJPW Royal Quest (Kazuchika Okada vs Minoru Suzuki) might have stolen the limelight.