The Sweet Chinwag Podcast

Sweet Chinwag is back for June and for our celebration of Pride Month! This month, we're taking a look at our favourite wrestlers in the LGBT+ community and our favourite moments. This week, Dan & Sam go over the career of one of wrestling's most important names of the modern era, Mercedes Martinez. We go over her early life, career and highlights from SHIMMER all the way to her time in WWE and AEW. All of that, plus the week's news in wrestling.

Hey everyone, massive apologies for no episode this week. Technical glitches and fatigue set in in one form or another for all of us. So rather than keep you in the dark we wanted to update you on matters as well as give you all recommendations for the corner. We'll be back this time next week with a brand new episode and our 5 year anniversary!

Welcome to a brand new Sweet Chinwag project, Prime Time Chinwag! A watch along series where we invite a guest to watch absolutely anything and everything wrestling or non-wrestling and have a laugh! Our debut episode is the inaugural UFC event from 1993! Note that future episode will be exclusive to our members over on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/SweetChinwag

So the wrestling world is now in a very weird place, especially coming from the fallout of WrestleMania 41. Rather than going with a subject, the chaps are joined by a returning Andos and a debuting El Balisong as we go over the week's news and our thoughts on 'Mania and the fallout from it. It's quite the different episode, so sit back and hopefully listen in.

We've already done an episode about the wider world of wrestling merch, but by golly does WWE know how to stick the WrestleMania logo on stuff and sell it to you! So for this episode to wrap up the road to WrestleMania, the chaps come up with their favourites and not so favourites of 'Mania Merch! All of that, plus a slightly condensed news segment!

Real Sexy Hot Guys. That is one of the many ways to describe a group of peeps who have made countless laugh with their antics. A little different to our usual fare as Sam is joined by video editing maestro CMOrigins to discuss why we love the nL to Riordan. We go over a brief history, the members, the guests, the videos and the moments. All that plus WrestleMania predictions!

Dwayne Johnson has had a prolific career on the silver screen and none come more iconic than his role in the seminal classic, The Tooth Fairy! On this episode, Sam and Melee are joined by the legendary Duhrel as they each review The Tooth Fairy and go over the history of The Rock's filmography up to 2010. All that plus the week's news in wrestling. Oh and Sweet Chinwag has a new merch store! Old and new designs all available on sweetchinwag-shop.fourthwall.com

It is widely considered one of the greatest matches WWE has put on and even in the grander scale of Pro Wrestling. Bret Hart and Steve Austin created that fabled thing in the industry known as magic that night in Illinois and put on a classic. On this episode and in an incredible turn of luck and timing, we review the first match to be inducted in the Hall of Fame! All that plus the week's news!

WrestleMania season is back and it's about time we looked at one of the tentpole moments in the Attitude Era. But there was a lot more going on than Stone Cold's coronation. Matches, rivalries and silliness ensue in this review of the 1998 'Mania! All of that, plus the week's news in wrestling.

Scotland's favourite son and once proclaimed as The Ch-ch-ch-chosen One! Drew McIntyre was one of the biggest, figurative and literally, prospects that came out of the 2000's UK and Ireland Wrestling scene. He managed to get his foot in the door at WWE and rather than keep it there, he booted it down and came swinging with a giant sword! On this episode, the chaps look on the long journey of Drew's career, leading him to his start and 3MB to his release, return and redemption to the top of WWE's Main Event scene. All of that, plus the week's news in wrestling!

Some wrestling matches you just watch and go... Hell yeah. Kurt Angle and Shawn Michaels first meeting at WrestleMania 21 is absolutely one of those matches. For another Match Focus episode, we give Riordan the reigns as we discuss what is widely considered one of the greatest matches at the showcase of the immortals. We also discuss the build up and what this match meant for us three. All that, plus the week's news!

We all know about the main guy of the first season of NXT and the driving force of the Nexus in Mr 1.9 Seconds Michael Tarver. But did you know that this man's career lasted far longer and wider than any of us knew? We're joined by The Good, The Bad & The Bruv's Wyatt, a leading expert in all things Tarver to discuss his influence on the modern wrestling landscape! Watch out, this one will blow your mind! (Psst, if you didn't know, you're not meant to take this episode seriously! Normal programming will resume next week. - Sam)

The day has finally come. The impossible has been made possible. Dogs and cats are living together. MASS HYSTERIA! John Cena, the constant of wrestling became a heel for the first time in 23 years! It's such a huge piece of news that we had to create a separate bumper news episode for this occasion. This is part of a special two episode release this week, so stay tuned for your regular programming later this week!

We're gremlins here at the Sweet Chinwag... Well two of us are at least! And when Dan suggested this episode, it only seemed fitting to have Dan be the one to present. We go over the advent of hardcore and deathmatch promotions in Japan and the influence they had on US promotions as ECW shut it's doors in 2001, the US promotion's history and matches you should watch. All of that, plus the week's news in pro wrestling!

Edge and Lita became part of the most notable and infamous stories in WWE. 2005 and 2006 were theirs for the taking as they reached their zeniths in the industry. But let's be honest, it all came from some VERY questionable story decisions! We're going over the start, the messy middle and what happened to end it all on this episode. All of that plus Kendrick's victory lap!

So we were approached by our good friend Andos, along with artist PuzzledOrca with an idea... For the pair of them to convince us that Wisconsin has secretly been a great, if not the greatest state for Pro Wrestling. They talk about the wrestlers who came from the state, the influential moments in wrestling history that emanated from there as well as the cheese. So much cheese! All of that, plus the week's news in wrestling!

What a match focus for this episode! We go back to a subject touched upon in the early days of Sweet Chinwag as we are joined by Graphic Designer and YDR mainstay MyCousinWyatt to talk about the importance of CM Punk vs. John Cena at Money in The Bank in 2011. We go over the stakes and news surrounding the match and then the main event itself. All of that, plus the week's news in wrestling.

Oooooooooh boy! Get ready to listen to two hours of four peeps wondering why they wasted three hours watching 2001 WCW. Now we've discussed WCW many times on the podcast and even watched one of the worst Monday Nitros on record. But I don't any of us were really ready to watch the worst PPV they ever put on with Sin! We review this Pay Per View as well as what was happening with the world of wrestling at the beginning of 2001. All of that, plus the week's news.

Brody King is freaking awesome. The modern take on the big hoss wrestler that clobbers his opponents. Someone who would stand beside Brody, Hansen and Jumbo. On this episode we are joined by Andos as we take a look at the influences and life before we delve into his short but fruitful career in pro wrestling before we end with where Brody's career may take him in the near future. All of that plus the week's news in wrestling.

AJ Styles is one of the most important names of the 21st Century in Pro Wrestling. His influence knows no bounds for sure and in this episode, rather than going through a career retrospective the chaps instead open a discussion on his early start, his gimmicks, best matches and his legacy on modern day wrestling. Also yes, we make a joke to that infamous clip! All of that, plus the week's news!

2024 was a crazy year for the world of wrestling. WWE becoming competent at last, AEW all over the shop, Japan indies making waves, Mexico making some weird decisions and the US indies providing some of the best moments in ring. The chaps go over their favourites and provide their winners for each category. All that, plus the week's news in wrestling.

Riordan is once again back in the armchair as he brings to Sam and Dan a big question, what happened to Ronda Rousey? Specifically, what happened to her run in the WWE. Not that it was a bad thing at all, far from it. Rather, what could have been so much more and all of it happening within a year. It's a heck of an episode to cap off another year here at the Sweet Chinwag. We have the news as well, but from all of us here we wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

The Hacksaw, Jim Duggan is one of the enduring wrestlers in WWE's history. A working class everyman who carried a 2x4 to the ring and waved the American flag. His career is one that has a lot of interesting moments. From his start in the NFL, to being discovered by Fritz Von Erich and then his mainstay in the golden age of WWF. It's all discussed on this episode. No news this week as we've been so darn busy!

Well howdy and whatnot from the Sweet Chinwag as we celebrate 'Murica style with what is quite possibly one of the worst PPV reviews we've done in the WWE rebooted Great American Bash from 2004. Listen as the four chaps talk bout three good matches and then wonder why we're getting squash matches throughout... Before they get to the Main Event and the Concrete Crypt Match! All of that, plus the last couple of weeks news!

It's time for another watch-along and boy do we have a heck of a video to watch. The legendary Bas Rutten's Lethal Self Defence video that became an internet sensation in the early 2000's. But we're not alone as we're joined by the Bati-Bati Book Club's very own Just Taking A Walk AKA Walk! As the Book Club just did an episode on Bas with our own Sam, we felt it was appropriate to watch this seminal instructional video classic!

What does every legendary good guy need in wrestling? A equally legendary bad guy. Who better during the golden age (minus Roddy Piper, we'll get to him soon!) than the man who broke backs, locked in camel clutches and made people humble! Yes, The Iron Sheik is in the spotlight for this episode! We go over his start in life in Iran before he went to the US, coached the US Olympic Wrestling Team and then made it to the AWA before he hit his high in the WWF and won the WWF Championship. Oh and of course, we talk a lot about his interviews in later life and his hatred for one certain blonde hair moustachioed wrestler. This is a heck of an Election Special! All of that, plus the week's news in wrestling.

As we wrap up our look at the best of wrestling in Black History Month '24, we go over the life and career of one of the most influential and underappreciated Joshi wrestlers: Aja Kong. We chronicle her life, her start in AJW, how she carved her own huge path in the Japanese scene and how she made her presence felt across the wrestling world. All of that plus the week's news

We carry on our look at the best of wrestling during Black History Month with one of our absolute favourite women's wrestlers, Awesome Kong. What a varied and legendary career she has had! We go in depth about her start in Japan, her time with Aja Kong and success in AJW and GAEA before we wax lyrical about her TNA run and iconic rivalry with Gail Kim. We also chat about the run in WWE as Kharma and her acting prowess in GLOW. All of that plus the week's news.

We continue on our celebration of the best in pro wrestling during Black History Month with an episode long due (quite like the Cesaro one). The chaps discuss arguably one of the best of the Ruthless Aggression era in Shelton Benjamin as they discuss his start in sports, being a standout in collegiate wrestling, debuting at OVW, Team Angle, his awesome singles run, the highlight reel of moments during Money In The Bank and The Hurt Business. We also talk about his awesome run in Japan and now his new chapter in AEW. This is a really good one peeps! All of that plus the week's news.

We back to celebrate the absolute best of wrestling during Black History Month and we have a heck of a way to start it off. A wrestler who has etched his legacy as one of the best in modern day WWE and beyond. One Montel Vontavious Porter. This episode sees the chaps discuss his early life, his start in WWE, his amazing run with the US Championship, rivalries and the mastermind behind Bobby Lashley and The Hurt Business. All of that plus the week's news in wrestling.

Man, when the subject of hardcore wrestling comes up you're guaranteed to have a lot of fun followed by sheer disgust. This episode and the subject is the prime example of that. A legend of the hardcore style, Sabu has produced many a moment that lives in infamy... Mostly at the expense of his body and health. We chat about his career, his gruesome injuries and overall influence on the wrestling world. All of that plus the news in wrestling.

WHOA-OH! It's time to yet again talk about Cody Rhodes! Only this time we go in depth about his ever changing gimmicks throughout the years. But we're not alone as we're joined by The Good, The Bad and The Bruv's very own Simon! All of that plus the week's news in wrestling.

We have been gone a little longer than usual. Sorry about that. We all had the moment to breathe and reflect on 200 episodes! We just wanted to say that we're back in the swings of things and give you a super duper Recommendation Corner. See you next week!

Well here we are. 200 episodes of The Sweet Chinwag Podcast. A milestone we never thought we could achieve. Thank you to each and every one of you for helping us reach this point. As a reward, let's chat all about Hulk Hogan for two hours. The chaps are joined by guests past and future as they wax lyrical on one of the most known figures in pro wrestling. All of that plus a chat about our visit to All In London!

Yes, do not let that title fool you! Our second album review sees us talk about the infamous 2003 album from the Macho Man, Be A Man. Now granted it is a bad album, but we give the man, the producers and everyone involved the love they deserve as they came together to release an album made with love of the game in mind. You're going to be majorly surprised with how much we came to appreciate this! Oh and we talk about the news too.

We've realised something in our time on this podcast. The New Generation was weird man! And it doesn't get any weirder than Doink The Clown. This is a more informal episode as we discuss the origins, gimmick changes and the people who portrayed him before we chat about how a sad clown character could absolutely work today. All that, plus the news in wrestling.

Strap in for The Sweet Chinwag's first gameshow episode! We could've done a retrospective on Atsushi Onita, but the man has had such a crazy life that we felt that the form of telling truths and lies was the best way to do the man justice. So Sam is hosting and Dan & Riordan are the contestants. This one is going to be a silly one. Oh and we have some wrestling news too!

Crazy to think that Jamie Hayter's journey to one of the best wrestlers today started only several years ago! But on this episode the chaps are joined by returning guest, video editor and Jamie Hayter fan David Alaniz as they discuss the huge rise and impact that she has made on the women's and joshi scene. All of that, plus the week's news in wrestling.

It's a huge thing that even when you have long since left your boots in the middle of the ring, your name is still being talked about as a big moment for the change in Wrestling. Chyna is one of those figures, which is especially crazy when she came up in the Attitude Era. Being the first woman to enter the Royal Rumble, The King of The Ring, become No. 1 contender for the WWF title and the first female to hold the IC championship. On this episode, we chronicle the in-ring career of The Ninth Wonder of The World. All of that, plus the week's news!

Yes, we mean that! Kaientai were a really good stable and eventual tag team and this episode Sam tries to explain how truly influential TAKA Michinoku, Funaki, Dick Togo and Men's Teioh were to the modern day wrestling scene. From their start in Michinoku Pro to the WWF, we go over their career and life. All of that, plus the week's news in wrestling.

Out the many family members of the Dudley family of Dudleyville, USA, two stood out from the rest to then become one of the greatest tag teams in history. Yes, it's time to talk about the career and legacy of D-Von and Bubba Ray Dudley, From ECW all the way to HUSTLE, we talk about the two brothers who left splintered wood all over the world. All of that plus the week's news in wrestling.

Since it's release in 2014, the WWE Network provided wrestling fans with a vault of great matches from promotions gone by. But it also provided the subscriber base with some strange programming and on this episode, to commemorate it's near demise we go over some of the programming it has offered in it's ten years for something Chinwag related in the future! All of that, plus the news in wrestling!

So it's crazy to think that a company nearly a year old to this date has made massive waves in the industry. It's even crazier that it's happening in a country that hasn't had much of an industry to begin with. But the story of Bumbash Daniel and his promotion in Uganda is one that is incredible to talk about. Sam and Melee are joined by Goon Squad member TylerElGuapo (and Big Baby) as we discuss all about Soft Ground Wrestling Uganda. All of that, plus the week's news in wrestling.

The Sweet Chinwag is now stepping into the world of film reviews and they decided to take a look at a classic from 2008. Yes, the cheery, wholesome Darren Aronofsky film The Wrestler. But they are not alone as they are joined by friend of the pod, Chris of Reload Last Save! All that, plus the week's news in wrestling.

If there is one thing that is certain on The Sweet Chinwag, it's that Dan and Sam will talk about CZW for a long old time! And with Great Wrestlers back again, it is time to finally talk about M-Dogg20 Matt Cross and his enduring career in Pro Wrestling. All of that, plus the week's news in wrestling.

4 years. 4 crazy and tangent filled years of talking about our favourite topic. It's been a wild and fun time. This week we discuss some of our favourite moments, episodes, behind-the-scenes laugh and answer some viewer submitted questions. Plus the news as well. From Dan, Riordan, Melee and Sam, we thank you all for listening and being a part of this crazy thing called The Sweet Chinwag.

We've mentioned him so many times when ECW or big men in wrestling come up, so we decided to give Mike Awesome his own episode! The chaps go over his start in Florida before his meteoric rise in Japan with FMW and his legendary run as ECW Champion. All of that plus the week's news in wrestling.

This week the Chinwag boys talk about the Lord, the REAL Man's man, the true King of Blackpool himself, William Regal! From humble beginnings in the bars on Blackpool pier, through World of Sport, to WCW, to WWF, and AEW, we cover it all!

One of the biggest and longest fables in modern pro wrestling that spans several years, lots of gimmicks, many promotions and a WrestleMania title win to cap it off. Yes, we are going over the the long career of The American Nightmare Cody Rhodes! All of that plus the week's news. APOLOGIES FOR THE TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES IN THIS EPISODE

It's an important chapter in one of the most down times in WWE history. The rise of second and third generations wrestlers under the wing of arguably one of the best third generation stars the company has had. This is the short story of how Randy Orton helped the careers of two men: Ted DiBiase Jr. and Cody Rhodes. All of that, plus the roundup of WrestleMania 40!

Well it's about damn time! The crossover Sam has been waiting for! Sam, Justin and Melee of You Damn Right join Sam and Riordan for their review of Wrestlemania 2000. Considered one of the absolute worst 'Manias in history, we wonder if it really was that bad? All of that, plus the news in wrestling!