The Turnbuckle Tavern

The RAWDOWN boys discuss all of the news coming out of RAW and Smackdown and get you caught up on all of the news happening inside and outside the ropes in WWE. Everything is on the table. This is just the tip of the iceberg with all of the stories and news going on in the WWE. Let's talk about it and everything else in the WWE Universe! WWE RAW, WWE Smackdown, NXT... It's all there! Come get your best weekly fix for all things WWE on The RAWDOWN, right here at The Turnbuckle Tavern! PLEASE SUBSCRIBE, COMMENT, SHARE, & CLICK THE BELL! TELL A FRIEND ABOUT US! Go to patreon.com/theturnbuckletavern to join our Patreon for only $2.99/mo! 

Turnbuckle Tavern is powered by G FUEL, the zero-sugar, zero-crash energy formula built to keep you going through late-night shows, gaming sessions, or your daily grind—save 20% now with code TAVERN at GFUEL.com. We're also proudly powered by the Official Dick Lazer, a USB-C rechargeable multi-function pen with a red-dot laser, flashlight, blacklight, and a signature gag feature that makes it the ultimate conversation starter. Head to DickLazers.com, use code TAVERN for 20% off, and fuel up, save big, and always… keep it Tavern. Episode 175 covers one of the most news-heavy weeks across the wrestling landscape. We break down the revelation that Tony Khan submitted a $6.9 billion bid to purchase WWE during the 2023 sale process, what it means for AEW's long-term vision, and how close it actually was to changing the industry. We also dive into the Ricochet controversy that crossed into mainstream coverage, the fallout from his comments, and what it means for his standing moving forward. Plus, Hechicero captures the CMLL World Heavyweight Championship from Claudio Castagnoli, continuing the growing crossover between AEW and CMLL. We also discuss the passing of Dennis Condrey, Mercedes Moné's ongoing title losses, Callum Newman's New Japan Cup win, Jade Cargill's new alliance before WrestleMania, Gunther vs. Rey Mysterio plans in doubt, Ted DiBiase Jr.'s legal verdict, Dennis Rodman's WWE Hall of Fame induction, Ronda Rousey's AEW status, and the latest from AAA Rey de Reyes. Be sure to support the show and join our Patreon for just $2.99 a month for exclusive content at Patreon.com/TheTurnbuckleTavern. Follow us on social media @TurnbuckleTavern for all the latest updates. Until the following week, when we wine and dine with you kings and queens — stay out of the alley and away from the pork and beans. Good luck and good speed.

The week we are joined by Tanner from Kicking Out Pod! Join us as we ask is the juice worth the squeeze with Ronda Rousey; is it the right move to immediately put Ospreay with Mox; and who does that leave for MJF next; and should AEW stick to the Hangman stipulation? If not, how do they get out of it without contradicting their booking philosophy? It's going to be a fun week here at The Tavern, so to make sure you do not miss anything, go to patreon.com/theturnbuckletavern for all your Tavern needs!

It's Thursday, and you know what that means! It is time to walk through those Tavern doors and order up a round of professional wrestling coverage from The Two Bad Chads! This week we talk AEW and all the happenings of the week! Make sure you go to patreon.com/theturnbuckletavern for all your Tavern needs!

The RAWDOWN boys discuss all of the news coming out of RAW and Smackdown and get you caught up on all of the news happening inside and outside the ropes in WWE. Everything is on the table. This is just the tip of the iceberg with all of the stories and news going on in the WWE. Let's talk about it and everything else in the WWE Universe! WWE RAW, WWE Smackdown, NXT... It's all there! Come get your best weekly fix for all things WWE on The RAWDOWN, right here at The Turnbuckle Tavern! PLEASE SUBSCRIBE, COMMENT, SHARE, & CLICK THE BELL! TELL A FRIEND ABOUT US! Go to patreon.com/theturnbuckletavern to join our Patreon for only $2.99/mo! 

Episode 174 breaks down the fallout from AEW Revolution 2026, a chaotic and violent night that reshaped several divisions across the company. In the main event, MJF defeated Hangman Adam Page in a brutal Texas Death Match to retain the AEW World Championship. The match pushed the limits of violence with glass, barbed wire, light tubes, chains, and some of the most disturbing spots AEW has ever presented. In the end, MJF knocked Hangman out with the Dynamite Diamond Ring and hung him with a chain, leaving him unconscious and unable to answer the ten count. With the stipulation attached to the match, Hangman Adam Page can no longer challenge for the AEW World Championship. Elsewhere on the show, Jon Moxley defeated Konosuke Takeshita in a brutal war to retain the Continental Championship before the shocking return of Will Ospreay, who stormed the ring and attacked the Death Riders after months away recovering from a neck injury. FTR retained the AEW World Tag Team Championships against The Young Bucks in another instant classic between the two teams. The celebration didn't last long, however, as the lights went out and the chaos escalated with the surprise arrivals of Adam Copeland and Christian Cage, creating a tense standoff that immediately reshapes the tag team title picture. The AEW Trios Championships changed hands as Mistico and JetSpeed defeated the Don Callis Family, followed by the announcement that Mistico is officially All Elite. Other major results included Swerve Strickland defeating Brody King before Kenny Omega returned to stop a post-match assault, Andrade El Idolo defeating Bandido in a standout lucha showcase, and Thekla retaining the AEW Women's Championship over Kris Statlander in a controversial two-falls-to-one match. In the women's division, Timeless Toni Storm defeated Marina Shafir, but the bigger moment came afterward when Ronda Rousey appeared and confronted Storm, creating a tense face-to-face moment that could set up a massive future clash. Plus we run down the full Zero Hour results, preview the week ahead across RAW, NXT, Dynamite, SmackDown, TNA Impact, AEW Collision, and AAA on Fox, and look ahead to the major events shaping the wrestling calendar including TNA Sacrifice, NXT Road Block, NXT Stand & Deliver, WrestleMania weekend, AEW Dynasty, and more. Be sure to support the show and join our Patreon for just $2.99 a month for exclusive content at Patreon.com/TheTurnbuckleTavern. Follow us on social media @TurnbuckleTavern for all the latest updates. Turnbuckle Tavern is powered by G FUEL — the clean, zero-sugar, zero-crash energy formula that keeps you locked in for the main event. Whether it's a late-night pay-per-view, marathon gaming session, or just powering through your day, G FUEL's got your back. And right now, you can save 20% instantly with code TAVERN at checkout at GFUEL.com. Fuel up, save big, and always… keep it Tavern. Turnbuckle Tavern is proudly powered by the one-of-a-kind Official Dick Lazer which is the ultimate gag gift. There's a red-dot laser with over 1,000 ft range, plus a flashlight and blacklight all wrapped into a sleek, USB-C rechargeable pen that's just 1.4 oz. Perfect for pranking coworkers, lighting up bachelorette parties, college dorm antics, or just being the funniest person in the room. So don't settle for boring: bring out the Dick Lazer and shine bright, outrageous, and unforgettable. Head to DickLazers.com and use code TAVERN for 20% off your order today. Light up the room. Get some laughs. And always… keep it Tavern.  

The week we are joined by The Ace Of The Tavern, Acefield Retro and Rawdown's JBugZ! Join us as we ask outside of talent being groomed to be future top talent, who are the most untapped mid-card talent in WWE and AEW; does AEW launching an international streaming service mean they're preparing for life beyond their current deal, or just global expansion; and with the median age of this years WrestleMania main event performers being 43 years old, is the top of WWE's card too old, or is 43 the new 33? It's going to be a fun week here at The Tavern, so to make sure you do not miss anything, go to patreon.com/theturnbuckletavern for all your Tavern needs!

It's Thursday, and you know what that means! It is time to walk through those Tavern doors and order up a round of professional wrestling coverage from The Two Bad Chads! This week we talk AEW and all the happenings of the week! Make sure you go to patreon.com/theturnbuckletavern for all your Tavern needs!

Turnbuckle Tavern is powered by G FUEL — the clean, zero-sugar, zero-crash energy formula that keeps you locked in for the main event. Whether it's a late-night pay-per-view, marathon gaming session, or just powering through your day, G FUEL's got your back. Save 20% with code TAVERN at GFUEL.com. Fuel up, save big, and always… keep it Tavern. Turnbuckle Tavern is also proudly powered by the Official Dick Lazer — the one-of-a-kind gag gift that projects five penises with the flip of a switch. Featuring a red-dot laser with over 1,000 feet of range, plus a flashlight and blacklight, all packed into a sleek USB-C rechargeable pen. Head to DickLazers.com and use code TAVERN for 20% off. Light up the room, get some laughs, and always… keep it Tavern. Episode 173 dives into a packed week across WWE, AEW, NJPW, and the global wrestling scene as WrestleMania season continues to take shape. We break down the latest WrestleMania 42 plans, including Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton for the WWE Championship — and the original pitch that would have seen Rhodes face Drew McIntyre inside Hell in a Cell before WWE scrapped the idea. With McIntyre now expected to face Jacob Fatu, we look at what changed and why. The women's division picture is also coming into focus, with Rhea Ripley set to challenge Jade Cargill for the WWE Women's Championship, Tiffany Stratton reportedly heading toward a match with Giulia for the Women's United States Championship, and internal discussions around IYO SKY vs. Asuka — possibly with Kairi Sane added to the mix. Meanwhile, one of the biggest mysteries heading into WrestleMania is Gunther, who currently holds the World Heavyweight Championship but reportedly does not have a locked-in WrestleMania program yet. We also discuss the growing WWE–ESPN controversy after reports surfaced that ESPN removed letter grades from WWE PLE reviews following objections from the company. Over in NXT, the road to Stand & Deliver is heating up with a tag team number one contender's tournament announced for the NXT Tag Team Championships. We also look at the surprising distribution change as Stand & Deliver will stream globally on YouTube on April 4 following NXT's exit from Peacock. On the AEW side, we examine the launch of the company's new MyAEW streaming platform, which introduces AEW's first FAST channel and a new international subscription model — a move that could reshape how fans watch AEW content worldwide. We also cover Will Ospreay's progress toward an in-ring return, with reports suggesting a possible spring comeback and hopes that he'll be ready for AEW All In at Wembley Stadium. Across the wider wrestling world, we look at Alex Windsor winning the NJPW Strong Women's Championship, Konosuke Takeshita returning to NJPW for the New Japan Cup Finals, and the latest developments in the New Japan Cup tournament with Yuya Uemura, Shingo Takagi, Ren Narita, and Oleg Boltin advancing. We also preview major WrestleMania week events, including Josh Barnett's Bloodsport XV featuring Yuji Nagata, Timothy Thatcher, Shayna Baszler, and Pete Dunne, Bandido vs. Amazing Red at HOG Culture Clash, and Mark Davis vs. Masato Tanaka at the WrestleCon SuperShow. Plus: AJ Styles' new backstage WWE role, Pat McAfee addressing a potential WWE return, Maple Leaf Pro's Multiverse event lineup, and the reported release of Niño Hamburguesa from AAA following an incident with a fan. WrestleMania season is heating up, streaming platforms are evolving, and major stories are unfolding across the wrestling world. Listen now. Be sure to support the show and join our Patreon at Patreon.com/TheTurnbuckleTavern for just $2.99 a month for exclusive content. Follow us on social media @TurnbuckleTavern for the latest updates.

The RAWDOWN boys discuss all of the news coming out of RAW and Smackdown and get you caught up on all of the news happening inside and outside the ropes in WWE. Everything is on the table. This is just the tip of the iceberg with all of the stories and news going on in the WWE. Let's talk about it and everything else in the WWE Universe! WWE RAW, WWE Smackdown, NXT... It's all there! Come get your best weekly fix for all things WWE on The RAWDOWN, right here at The Turnbuckle Tavern! PLEASE SUBSCRIBE, COMMENT, SHARE, & CLICK THE BELL! TELL A FRIEND ABOUT US! Go to patreon.com/theturnbuckletavern to join our Patreon for only $2.99/mo! 

Turnbuckle Tavern is powered by G FUEL — the clean, zero-sugar, zero-crash energy formula that keeps you locked in for the main event. Whether you're watching a late-night pay-per-view, grinding through a gaming marathon, or powering through your day, G FUEL has you covered. Save 20% with code TAVERN at GFUEL.com. Fuel up, save big, and always… keep it Tavern. The Tavern is also proudly powered by the Official Dick Lazer — the one-of-a-kind gag gift that projects five images at the flip of a switch. Featuring a red-dot laser with over 1,000 feet of range, plus a flashlight and blacklight, all built into a sleek USB-C rechargeable pen. Head to DickLazers.com and use code TAVERN for 20% off. Light up the room, get some laughs, and always… keep it Tavern. AEW Revolution headlines Episode 172 as AEW returns to Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on March 15. The show is anchored by a Last Chance Texas Death Match for the AEW World Championship, with MJF defending against "Hangman" Adam Page, who puts his future title opportunities on the line. Also set for Revolution: • Jon Moxley vs. Konosuke Takeshita for the Continental Championship (no time limit) • FTR vs. The Young Bucks for the AEW World Tag Team Championships • Thekla vs. Kris Statlander for the AEW Women's World Championship in a two-out-of-three falls match • Kazuchika Okada, Kyle Fletcher, and Mark Davis defending the AEW World Trios Titles Plus on Zero Hour, Ricochet defends the AEW National Championship in a 21-man Blackjack Battle Royal. In WWE, the road to WrestleMania 42 shifted when Cody Rhodes defeated Drew McIntyre on SmackDown to win the WWE Championship for the third time, officially setting up Rhodes vs. Randy Orton in Las Vegas. Another title change saw Penta defeat Dominik Mysterio on Raw to capture the Intercontinental Championship, capitalizing on tension within The Judgment Day. We also break down the fallout from NXT Vengeance Day, where Joe Hendry retained the NXT Championship against Ricky Saints, Tatum Paxley captured the NXT Women's North American Championship, and new storylines began forming on the road to Stand & Deliver. Plus, we examine reports of a potential Paramount–Warner Bros. Discovery merger, which could combine HBO Max and Paramount+ and potentially reshape the streaming landscape — including what it could mean for AEW's future distribution. AEW's biggest spring pay-per-view approaches, the WrestleMania main event picture takes shape, championships change hands, and the wrestling industry continues to evolve. Listen now. Support the show and join our Patreon at Patreon.com/TheTurnbuckleTavern for just $2.99 a month for exclusive content. Follow us on social media @TurnbuckleTavern for the latest updates.

The week we are joined by The Ace Of The Tavern, Acefield Retro and our very own Colton! Join us as we ask will Danhausen be a hit in WWE; did the Hangman VS MJF match need a stipulation to make it matter; and Is the creation of Android Inoki ethical, and is this a sign of things to come? It's going to be a fun week here at The Tavern, so to make sure you do not miss anything, go to patreon.com/theturnbuckletavern for all your Tavern needs!

It's Thursday, and you know what that means! It is time to walk through those Tavern doors and order up a round of professional wrestling coverage from One Bad Chad and Ol Reliable, Hoch! This week we talk AEW and all the happenings of the week! Make sure you go to patreon.com/theturnbuckletavern for all your Tavern needs!

The RAWDOWN boys discuss all of the news coming out of RAW and Smackdown and get you caught up on all of the news happening inside and outside the ropes in WWE. Everything is on the table. This is just the tip of the iceberg with all of the stories and news going on in the WWE. Let's talk about it and everything else in the WWE Universe! WWE RAW, WWE Smackdown, NXT... It's all there! Come get your best weekly fix for all things WWE on The RAWDOWN, right here at The Turnbuckle Tavern! PLEASE SUBSCRIBE, COMMENT, SHARE, & CLICK THE BELL! TELL A FRIEND ABOUT US! Go to patreon.com/theturnbuckletavern to join our Patreon for only $2.99/mo! 

Turnbuckle Tavern is powered by G FUEL, the clean, zero sugar, zero crash energy formula that keeps you locked in for the main event. Save 20 percent with code TAVERN at GFUEL.com. We are also proudly powered by the Official Dick Lazer. Head to DickLazers.com and use code TAVERN for 20 percent off. Fuel up, light it up, and always keep it Tavern. Episode 171 centers on Elimination Chamber fallout and the way one night in Chicago shifted the structure of WrestleMania 42. Randy Orton outlasted Cody Rhodes, Logan Paul, Trick Williams, LA Knight, and Je'Von Evans to secure a WWE Championship match on the biggest stage, but the path there was defined by interference rather than endurance. Logan Paul eliminated three competitors before Seth Rollins returned through an open Chamber door and attacked him, immediately destabilizing the match. That same opening allowed Drew McIntyre to enter and strike Rhodes with the WWE Championship. Orton dropped McIntyre with an RKO, Rhodes answered with Cross Rhodes, and as Rhodes stood, Orton delivered a second RKO to win. In the aftermath, Nick Aldis announced McIntyre will defend the WWE Championship against Rhodes on SmackDown, leaving Orton locked in for WrestleMania while Rhodes remains in pursuit and Rollins reenters the equation. The women's Chamber provided clearer direction. Rhea Ripley defeated Tiffany Stratton, Raquel Rodriguez, Asuka, Kiana James, and Alexa Bliss to earn her WrestleMania match against Jade Cargill. Rodriguez created chaos with a double elimination, Asuka misted Bliss before being eliminated, and Ripley closed with the Riptide to formalize a high level collision at WrestleMania. AJ Lee added another headline by submitting Becky Lynch to win the Women's Intercontinental Championship, her first singles title victory in over a decade, while CM Punk retained the World Heavyweight Championship against Finn Bálor after surviving sustained rib targeting and finishing with the GTS in his hometown. The long teased mystery crate revealed Danhausen, drawing a mixed reaction and existing more as spectacle than structural shift on the road to WrestleMania. Outside the Chamber, AJ Styles formally confirmed his in ring retirement. He will remain with WWE in a non wrestling capacity and enter the 2026 Hall of Fame, closing the door on speculation about a final run elsewhere. We also examine the newly announced Android Inoki project targeting 2027, which begins with an AI model trained on Antonio Inoki's speech patterns and philosophy before integration into a humanoid form. Positioned as legacy preservation, it raises broader questions about likeness rights, commercialization, and how wrestling history will intersect with artificial intelligence moving forward. From a business standpoint, TKO disclosed that WWE generated 1.709 billion dollars in revenue for 2025. The 2026 Royal Rumble in Riyadh produced 55 million dollars, and WrestleMania 43 in Saudi Arabia is projected to exceed 100 million. WrestleMania 42 will follow a hybrid distribution model, beginning on ESPN and ESPN2 before shifting to ESPN Unlimited domestically and Netflix internationally, reflecting WWE's continued evolution in broadcast and streaming strategy. Across weekly programming, championships changed hands on SmackDown and NXT, Bronson Reed suffered a distal biceps tear that forces creative adjustments, and AEW builds toward Revolution under schedule compression with MJF set to defend the AEW World Championship against Hangman Page in a Texas Death Match with permanent stakes language attached. Internationally, NJPW crowned new STRONG and Television champions, CMLL delivered a high stakes hair match at Arena México, and Mauro Ranallo joins commentary for Global Wars Canada. Episode 171 connects creative fallout, retirement finality, AI experimentation, revenue transparency, and shifting broadcast strategy as WrestleMania season accelerates. Listen now.      

The week Snead and Ace go two-wide for a great debate! Join us as we ask would WWE be in a better or worse spot if Vince never sold; if Hangman Page loses and is permanently barred from challenging for the AEW World Championship, does that truly close the door on him as a top babyface protagonist — or would the only viable path back to the title require a heel turn that justifies going back on the stipulation; and does WWE's decision to place DUDE Wipes branding directly onto Dominik Mysterio's ring gear represent a natural evolution of modern sponsorship integration under TKO, or does blending corporate partnerships with character presentation introduce new challenges for maintaining performer identity and audience immersion? It's going to be a fun week here at The Tavern, so to make sure you do not miss anything, go to patreon.com/theturnbuckletavern for all your Tavern needs!

Shot of Nostalgia: Shuffle continues with your host Acefield Retro, and this week we revisit April 4, 1993, WrestleMania IX from Caesars Palace in Paradise, Nevada. The first fully outdoor WrestleMania. The World's Largest Toga Party. A Roman coliseum theme complete with live animals, trumpeters, and commentators fully committed to the presentation. But beyond the spectacle, this event represents a pivot. This episode traces the road into WrestleMania IX through the March and April 1993 Wrestling Observer Newsletter coverage, capturing a company navigating lawsuits, scrutiny, roster instability, and mounting pressure. Bret Hart entered as WWF Champion. Yokozuna had been elevated as the dominant Royal Rumble winner. Hulk Hogan had returned, but his long term direction was fluid rather than locked in. The structure of the card reflects that instability. Shawn Michaels versus Tatanka opens with an Intercontinental Championship match that creates movement without definitive closure, immediately signaling protection over payoff. The Steiner Brothers versus the Headshrinkers provide one of the night's most cohesive in ring performances, reinforcing how effective the tag division could be when execution was clean. Doink versus Crush leans heavily into character psychology and spectacle, highlighted by the double Doink finish. We examine the originally planned mechanical stunt that was scrapped and what that decision says about the era's emphasis on visual moments. Razor Ramon secures a direct win over Bob Backlund, continuing his steady rise. The Tag Team Championship match between Money Inc. and the Mega Maniacs unfolds through referee bumps, disqualification tension, and spectacle driven pacing. We revisit the reported late reshuffling that removed the originally planned tag title blow off and centered Hogan more prominently on the card. Lex Luger's WrestleMania debut against Mr. Perfect introduces rope leverage controversy and is layered with behind the scenes anecdotes that contribute to the uneven rhythm of the night. The Undertaker versus Giant Gonzalez becomes one of the most criticized finishes in WrestleMania history, prioritizing theatricality over decisive resolution. The championship picture ultimately defines the event. Bret Hart versus Yokozuna is framed as a generational collision until Mr. Fuji's salt interference shifts the WWF Championship. Moments later, Hulk Hogan enters, accepts an impromptu challenge, and captures the title in approximately twenty seconds. With three decades of hindsight, this episode examines whether that closing decision reflects creative confusion or calculated business pragmatism. The Observer context suggests urgency. The optics suggest an audible. The result reshaped Bret Hart's reign, altered Yokozuna's trajectory, and placed Hogan back on top during a volatile moment for the company. WrestleMania IX is remembered for its ending. It deserves to be studied for what it reveals about transition, pressure, and how quickly direction can change when stability becomes the priority. Shot of Nostalgia: Shuffle premieres Saturday wherever you listen. Like, subscribe, and leave a review to support the continued growth of the series. Visit TurnbuckleTavern.com for merchandise, archives, and the full network schedule. Support the project at Patreon.com/TheTurnbuckleTavern for exclusive content and extended deep dives. Powered by G FUEL and Dick Lazers. Use code TAVERN at checkout to save twenty percent on your entire order.  

It's Thursday, and you know what that means! It is time to walk through those Tavern doors and order up a round of professional wrestling coverage from One Bad Chad and Ol Reliable, Hoch! This week we talk AEW and all the happenings of the week! Make sure you go to patreon.com/theturnbuckletavern for all your Tavern needs!

The RAWDOWN boys discuss all of the news coming out of RAW and Smackdown and get you caught up on all of the news happening inside and outside the ropes in WWE. Everything is on the table. This is just the tip of the iceberg with all of the stories and news going on in the WWE. Let's talk about it and everything else in the WWE Universe! WWE RAW, WWE Smackdown, NXT... It's all there! Come get your best weekly fix for all things WWE on The RAWDOWN, right here at The Turnbuckle Tavern! PLEASE SUBSCRIBE, COMMENT, SHARE, & CLICK THE BELL! TELL A FRIEND ABOUT US! Go to patreon.com/theturnbuckletavern to join our Patreon for only $2.99/mo! 

Welcome to Episode 170 of Wrestling Tonight, powered by G FUEL and Dick Lazers. Use code TAVERN to save 20 percent at GFUEL.com and DickLazers.com. Acefield Retro and Chad return this week with a focused, comprehensive look at WWE Elimination Chamber: Chicago, and the broader business and legal context surrounding the event as WrestleMania 42 approaches. Elimination Chamber is not simply a February premium live event. The 2026 edition marks WWE's first televised event at the United Center since SummerSlam 1994, the first U.S.-based Elimination Chamber since 2021, and the final structural checkpoint before WrestleMania 42. With title implications and WrestleMania main event positioning attached to multiple matches, this show operates as a pivot point in WWE's calendar. We break down the full card in detail. The World Heavyweight Championship headlines in Chicago as CM Punk defends against Finn Bálor in Punk's hometown. What began as professional respect shifted into hostility after Bálor was excluded from the Royal Rumble match and responded with a direct assault on the champion. Despite reported hesitation from management within storyline, Bálor forced the issue and secured the title match. A Bálor victory would immediately reshape the WrestleMania 42 main event picture. The Women's Intercontinental Championship match between Becky Lynch and AJ Lee is built on competitive imbalance. Since returning, AJ has submitted Becky twice in non-title settings, creating a dynamic where the champion is defending not just a title but her standing within the division. This is less about opportunity and more about restoring hierarchy before WrestleMania season locks into place. Both Elimination Chamber matches will determine WrestleMania challengers. On the men's side, the field includes Drew McIntyre, LA Knight, Sami Zayn, Bron Breakker, and Damian Priest, with one final qualifying spot to be decided on the go-home edition of Raw. Historically, the Chamber has either elevated a rising star or reinforced an established main event presence. With a mix of veteran credibility and emerging power, WWE appears to be actively testing which direction serves WrestleMania best. The women's Chamber features Bayley, Bianca Belair, Liv Morgan, Jade Cargill, and Shayna Baszler, with one final entrant pending. Complicating the stakes is Rhea Ripley's pending WrestleMania decision as Royal Rumble winner. The eventual Chamber victor will not know their WrestleMania opponent until Ripley makes her choice, adding strategic uncertainty to the structure. Beyond the in-ring narrative, we examine WWE's reported restriction of public Elimination Chamber watch parties within the Chicago market. Multiple local venues were allegedly informed they could not host public viewing events. With ticket distribution reportedly below configuration and entry prices exceeding $260, the move appears connected to protecting live gate revenue. We discuss the business rationale, the optics in a historically strong WWE city, and the long-term implications for fan goodwill. We also address the week's most significant off-screen development. Janel Grant appeared publicly at a Connecticut Alliance to End Sexual Violence briefing, where she discussed the impact of non-disclosure agreements in workplace misconduct cases and referenced the NDA central to her lawsuit against WWE and Vince McMahon. Grant spoke about the mental health toll of being publicly identified, her SEC whistleblower status, and directed remarks toward TKO leadership. As WrestleMania season accelerates, we analyze the corporate, legal, and reputational implications for WWE and its parent company. Additionally, reports indicate uncertainty regarding Chris Jericho's AEW contract status, with speculation that his deal may be paused or frozen during his television absence. While AEW has not confirmed details, the timing raises legitimate questions about contract structure, injury clauses, and potential movement in 2026. Inside the Chamber, WrestleMania challengers will be determined. Outside the ring, issues of access, optics, and corporate accountability continue to shape the broader conversation. Episode 170 examines both dimensions with clarity and depth as WrestleMania season moves into its decisive phase. Listen now.      

The week we are joined by Tanner from Kicking Out Pod! Join us as we ask should AEW run house shows in the US; outside of the Trios Championships, what is the biggest weak spot in AEW's current creative; and you can choose 4 talent (male or female) currently on the AEW roster to carry AEW in the 2030's, who are you choosing? It's going to be a fun week here at The Tavern, so to make sure you do not miss anything, go to patreon.com/theturnbuckletavern for all your Tavern needs!

Shot of Nostalgia: Shuffle rolls on with your host Acefield Retro, and this week we revisit October 2, 2019, the night AEW Dynamite debuted live on TNT and officially stepped into national competition. We trace the road from the January 2019 press conference to the WarnerMedia deal, the Double or Nothing launch, and WWE moving NXT to USA in the same time slot. By the time Dynamite hits the air from Washington, D.C., this is not just a premiere. It is the opening shot of the Wednesday Night Wars. The show wastes no time establishing tone. Cody vs. Sammy Guevara opens with a 20 minute statement built on pacing and credibility. PAC submits Hangman Page in a result that reshapes the early hierarchy. Riho defeats Nyla Rose to become the first AEW Women's World Champion, signaling the company's international lean. In the main event, The Elite fall to Chris Jericho, Santana, and Ortiz before Jake Hager debuts and The Inner Circle forms to close the night. Dynamite wins the ratings battle with 1.409 million viewers and doubles NXT in the key 18 to 49 demographic. More importantly, it establishes identity. The founders do not stand tall. A heel faction does. The message is clear. Long term storytelling over short term celebration. With 2026 hindsight, we examine who from that night became pillars, who evolved, and how this debut became the blueprint for everything that followed. Shot of Nostalgia: Shuffle premieres Saturday wherever you listen. Like, subscribe, and leave a review to help the show grow.  Support the project at Patreon.com/TheTurnbuckleTavern for just $2.99 a month to keep these deep dives going. Powered by G FUEL and Dick Lazers. Use code TAVERN at checkout for 20 percent off your entire order.

It's Thursday, and you know what that means! It is time to walk through those Tavern doors and order up a round of professional wrestling coverage from The Two Bad Chads! This week we talk AEW and all the happenings of the week! Make sure you go to patreon.com/theturnbuckletavern for all your Tavern needs!

The RAWDOWN boys discuss all of the news coming out of RAW and Smackdown and get you caught up on all of the news happening inside and outside the ropes in WWE. Everything is on the table. This is just the tip of the iceberg with all of the stories and news going on in the WWE. Let's talk about it and everything else in the WWE Universe! WWE RAW, WWE Smackdown, NXT... It's all there! Come get your best weekly fix for all things WWE on The RAWDOWN, right here at The Turnbuckle Tavern! PLEASE SUBSCRIBE, COMMENT, SHARE, & CLICK THE BELL! TELL A FRIEND ABOUT US! Go to patreon.com/theturnbuckletavern to join our Patreon for only $2.99/mo! 

Welcome to Episode 169 of Wrestling Tonight, powered by G FUEL and Dick Lazers. Use code TAVERN to save 20 percent at GFUEL.com and DickLazers.com. Acefield Retro and Chad are back, and this week we are pulling on threads that could reshape how you look at the entire industry. We open with the story that quietly shifted the business conversation. CNN confirmed that Warner Bros. Discovery owns a minority stake in All Elite Wrestling. Not rumor. Not speculation. Confirmed. For years, Tony Khan has emphasized that he controls one hundred percent of AEW's decision making while declining to confirm outside equity. Now a Warner Bros. Discovery outlet has acknowledged ownership outright. What does that mean for AEW's future? For media rights negotiations? For leverage and perception? And why is this confirmation being framed inside a broader cultural conversation? We break down what is confirmed, what is still unknown, and what it signals long term. From there, we move into AEW Grand Slam Australia, a show that clarified the top of the card while leaving deeper storylines open. MJF retained the AEW World Championship against Brody King. Hangman Adam Page secured number one contender status. Jon Moxley and Konosuke Takeshita went to a time limit draw. Kyle Fletcher retained the TNT Championship. Wheeler Yuta lost his hair. The direction at the top is clear. The layers underneath are still shifting. Was this a defining moment for the spring? Or a stepping stone toward something bigger? We then pivot to WWE, where the numbers tell their own story. WrestleMania 42 ticket distribution currently sits at 36,964 for Night One and 36,737 for Night Two, roughly 18 percent behind last year's pace. Allegiant Stadium is advertising a 25 percent discount. Only CM Punk versus Roman Reigns is officially locked in. Brock Lesnar still does not have a confirmed opponent. Internal discussions have reportedly included LA Knight and Oba Femi. Lesnar returns on February 23. Is the board being carefully shaped, or is urgency creeping in as sales lag? We close with the 2025 Wrestling Observer Newsletter Awards, where several results sparked immediate backlash. John Cena versus Cody Rhodes was voted Worst Match of the Year. Booker T was voted Worst Television Announcer. AEW Collision ranked ahead of WWE Raw and WWE SmackDown. Bryan Alvarez publicly disagreed with multiple categories. Meanwhile, Mistico won Wrestler of the Year nineteen years after his first victory, and CMLL dominated across major awards. Are these results reflective of industry consensus, vocal fan sentiment, or deeper bias within the voting pool? Episode 169 is not just about results. It is about ownership, optics, ticket momentum, creative positioning, and perception colliding at the same time.

The week we are joined by The Rawdown's own, JBugz! Join us as we ask is it a good idea to do a blackout of WrestleMania broadcasts in Vegas; was it the right move for Matt Cardona to make a WWE return; and who will be the next 3 AEW tag champions? It's going to be a fun week here at The Tavern, so to make sure you do not miss anything, go to patreon.com/theturnbuckletavern for all your Tavern needs!

Welcome to Episode 168 of Wrestling Tonight, a mini episode powered by G FUEL, Dick Lazers, and Code TAVERN. Use code TAVERN to save 20 percent at GFUEL.com and DickLazers.com. Acefield Retro breaks down a weekend where AEW reinforces one of its most important global brands. This Saturday, February 14, AEW presents Grand Slam Australia 2026 live from Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney. For U.S. viewers, the event airs at 8:00 PM Eastern on TNT and streaming on Max. Because the show takes place Sunday afternoon local time in Australia, the American broadcast will air on tape delay in prime time. The episode opens with the evolution of Grand Slam. What began in 2021 as a post-pandemic statement at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York — AEW's first stadium show in the largest media market in the United States — quickly became an annual tentpole. For four years, Grand Slam meant Arthur Ashe, championship implications, and major television moments. Then in 2025, the brand pivoted. Grand Slam Australia in Brisbane and Grand Slam Mexico at Arena México transformed the event from a New York tradition into a portable international showcase. The identity shifted from venue-based prestige to global expansion. Now Sydney becomes the next chapter. From there, the preview turns to the stakes without giving the outcomes away. MJF defends the AEW World Championship against Brody King after King pinned him in a World Title Eliminator. It's manipulation versus physical dominance, and Sydney becomes a defining checkpoint in MJF's reign. Jon Moxley defends the Continental Championship against Konosuke Takeshita in a rematch rooted in last year's Continental Classic. Pride and positioning collide. Kyle Fletcher and Mark Briscoe escalate their rivalry into a TNT Championship ladder match, raising the risk factor under Grand Slam lights. Hangman Page and Andrade El Ídolo battle for a future World Title opportunity, with long-term ripple effects tied directly to Revolution. The Women's World Tag Team Titles are on the line as the division continues to establish its identity on an international stage. And a mixed tornado tag with a hair-shaving stipulation guarantees visible consequence — the kind of moment Grand Slam has become known for. Episode 168 is a focused preview of a brand that started as a declaration in New York and has matured into a recurring global platform. From Arthur Ashe to Brisbane to Arena México and now Sydney, Grand Slam mirrors AEW's trajectory. Saturday night at 8:00 PM Eastern, the next chapter airs.

It's Thursday, and you know what that means! It is time to walk through those Tavern doors and order up a round of professional wrestling coverage from The Two Bad Chads! This week we talk AEW and all the happenings of the week! Make sure you go to patreon.com/theturnbuckletavern for all your Tavern needs!

The RAWDOWN boys discuss all of the news coming out of RAW and Smackdown and get you caught up on all of the news happening inside and outside the ropes in WWE. Everything is on the table. This is just the tip of the iceberg with all of the stories and news going on in the WWE. Let's talk about it and everything else in the WWE Universe! WWE RAW, WWE Smackdown, NXT... It's all there! Come get your best weekly fix for all things WWE on The RAWDOWN, right here at The Turnbuckle Tavern! PLEASE SUBSCRIBE, COMMENT, SHARE, & CLICK THE BELL! TELL A FRIEND ABOUT US! Go to patreon.com/theturnbuckletavern to join our Patreon for only $2.99/mo! 

The week we are joined by The Ace Of The Tavern, Acefield Retro and our very own Colton! Join us as we ask Is CM Punk/Roman Reigns the best option to main event WrestleMania 42 in Vegas; did the Saudi Rumble quell anxiety of having WrestleMania there or make it worse; and is AJ Styles really retiring? It's going to be a fun week here at The Tavern, so to make sure you do not miss anything, go to patreon.com/theturnbuckletavern for all your Tavern needs!

Welcome to Episode 167 of Wrestling Tonight, a mini episode powered by G FUEL, Dick Lazers, and Code TAVERN. Use code TAVERN to save 20 percent at GFUEL.com and DickLazers.com. Acefield Retro breaks down the week in pro wrestling. We open with AEW Dynamite and a result that immediately changed the landscape at the top of the card. Brody King defeated MJF in decisive fashion. We break down why the finish felt intentional, how it repositioned King from a short term challenger to a more credible threat, and how the result cleanly sets up their AEW World Championship rematch at Grand Slam Australia. From there, we circle back to the broader context of the main event, including a pre bell crowd chant involving ICE that moved beyond wrestling coverage and into wider media discussion. We look at why that moment drew attention, how uncommon it is for an unscripted crowd reaction to be picked up outside the wrestling space, and why AEW choosing not to immediately move past it allowed the moment to register more clearly. The episode then shifts to WWE, starting with confirmation that John Cena will not be inducted into this year's Hall of Fame class. We discuss why the timing is notable, why WWE may be holding Cena's induction for a future year, and how Hall of Fame moments are increasingly planned with long term presentation in mind. We close with a backstage story tied to WrestleMania season involving Bron Breakker being considered to win the Royal Rumble at one point. Using recent reporting, we examine how injuries and creative changes altered those plans, what that shift suggests about WWE's priorities, and where Breakker currently fits as the company moves into its biggest stretch of the year. Episode 167 focuses on moments that were not scripted, including match finishes that altered perception, crowd reactions that drew outside attention, and behind the scenes decisions that influenced the direction of WrestleMania season.  

It's Thursday, and you know what that means! It is time to walk through those Tavern doors and order up a round of professional wrestling coverage from The Two Bad Chads! This week we talk AEW and all the happenings of the week! Make sure you go to patreon.com/theturnbuckletavern for all your Tavern needs!

The RAWDOWN boys discuss all of the news coming out of RAW and Smackdown and get you caught up on all of the news happening inside and outside the ropes in WWE. Everything is on the table. This is just the tip of the iceberg with all of the stories and news going on in the WWE. Let's talk about it and everything else in the WWE Universe! WWE RAW, WWE Smackdown, NXT... It's all there! Come get your best weekly fix for all things WWE on The RAWDOWN, right here at The Turnbuckle Tavern! PLEASE SUBSCRIBE, COMMENT, SHARE, & CLICK THE BELL! TELL A FRIEND ABOUT US! Go to patreon.com/theturnbuckletavern to join our Patreon for only $2.99/mo! 

Welcome to Episode 166 of Wrestling Tonight, a mini episode powered by G FUEL, Dick Lazers, and Code TAVERN. Use code TAVERN to save 20 percent at GFUEL.com and DickLazers.com. Acefield Retro breaks down Roman Reigns officially selecting CM Punk as his WrestleMania 42 opponent, a decision driven by long-standing personal history rather than championships or accolades. On Monday Night Raw, Reigns—fresh off his Royal Rumble victory—made his choice clear. He did not present the match as an opportunity or a legacy play. He stated plainly that he chose Punk because he hated him. That framing immediately shifted the segment from promotion to explanation. This mini episode examines why that moment worked. Punk entered the exchange as the World Heavyweight Champion, positioning Raw as his domain and revisiting familiar critiques of Reigns' schedule and WWE's historical protection of him. Reigns responded by addressing an issue WWE had largely avoided for over a decade: Punk's 2014 podcast comments, which helped shape public perception of Reigns before his singles push fully began. We revisit those remarks, why they mattered at the time, and why WWE acknowledging them now signals a more historically grounded approach to building WrestleMania 42. The episode also touches on Punk's role during The Shield era, the tension between influence and resistance, and how both men have evolved since their first professional overlap. Episode 166 focuses on intent over spectacle—why Roman Reigns vs. CM Punk feels rooted in reality rather than construction, and why WWE's willingness to incorporate real history gives this WrestleMania match added credibility.

The week we are joined by Ella Jay! Join us as we ask what WWE brand should Powerhouse Hobbs debut on; can TNA take the #2 spot, and will AJ Styles retire after the Royal Rumble and should he? It's going to be a fun week here at The Tavern, so to make sure you do not miss anything, go to patreon.com/theturnbuckletavern for all your Tavern needs!

Welcome to Episode 165 of Wrestling Tonight, powered by G FUEL, Dick Lazers, and Code TAVERN. Use code TAVERN to save 20% at GFUEL.com and DickLazers.com. Acefield Retro breaks down Royal Rumble: Riyadh, WWE's first traditional Royal Rumble held outside North America, with a full recap of what happened and why it happened. We start with the Men's Royal Rumble, won by Roman Reigns after lasting 58 minutes. The focus here is on structure more than surprises — Oba Femi's early dominance, some jarring eliminations involving major players, the Bloodline-heavy finish, and why this Rumble leaned into timing, hierarchy, and direction instead of pure chaos. From there, we go back to the Women's Royal Rumble, a match that got off to a rough start thanks to production issues and uneven pacing, but steadily improved as it went. Liv Morgan picked up the win with a smart, controlled performance. Lash Legend led everyone with five eliminations, Sol Ruca continued to look like a long-term piece, and Rhea Ripley still felt like the biggest presence in the match, even without the victory. We then break down Gunther vs. AJ Styles, a 24-minute match that was the closing chapter of AJ's WWE run. Styles stayed competitive throughout, but Gunther's patience and late-match execution decided it, leading to a bigger conversation about what this loss means for Styles moving forward.  The episode also covers Drew McIntyre vs. Sami Zayn for the WWE Championship. McIntyre retained after a physically demanding, emotionally heavy match that leaned hard into Zayn's toughness and McIntyre's increasingly ruthless edge as champion. Episode 165 is about results, structure, and intent — what worked, what didn't, and what Royal Rumble: Riyadh tells us about where WWE is heading on the road to WrestleMania.

It's Thursday, and you know what that means! It is time to walk through those Tavern doors and order up a round of professional wrestling coverage from The Two Bad Chads! This week we talk AEW and all the happenings of the week! Make sure you go to patreon.com/theturnbuckletavern for all your Tavern needs!

The RAWDOWN boys discuss all of the news coming out of RAW and Smackdown and get you caught up on all of the news happening inside and outside the ropes in WWE. Everything is on the table. This is just the tip of the iceberg with all of the stories and news going on in the WWE. Let's talk about it and everything else in the WWE Universe! WWE RAW, WWE Smackdown, NXT... It's all there! Come get your best weekly fix for all things WWE on The RAWDOWN, right here at The Turnbuckle Tavern! PLEASE SUBSCRIBE, COMMENT, SHARE, & CLICK THE BELL! TELL A FRIEND ABOUT US! Go to patreon.com/theturnbuckletavern to join our Patreon for only $2.99/mo! 

Welcome to Episode 164 of Wrestling Tonight, powered by G FUEL and Dick Lazers. Use code TAVERN for 20 percent off. Acefield Retro and Chad are back, and this week is built around the road to Royal Rumble: Riyadh, while also zooming out to examine how WWE, AEW, TNA, AAA, NJPW, Stardom — and the global wrestling economy itself — are all adjusting direction at the same time. We open with a full preview of Royal Rumble: Riyadh, taking place January 31, 2026 at the King Abdullah Financial District as part of Riyadh Season. This marks the first traditional Royal Rumble ever held outside North America, the first Royal Rumble in Saudi Arabia, and the first of WWE's "Big Five" events to take place in the Kingdom. We break down why this Rumble matters more than usual, with both the men's and women's winners earning world championship matches at WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas, the event's return to its traditional January slot, and the shift in distribution with ESPN streaming the Rumble in the U.S. for the first time while Netflix carries most international markets. From there, we dig into what's already locked in for Riyadh: the Men's and Women's Royal Rumble matches, Drew McIntyre defending the Undisputed WWE Championship against the winner of the Saturday Night's Main Event four-way, and Gunther vs. AJ Styles in a career-threatening match where Styles must retire if he loses. We also run through the early betting odds, where Roman Reigns and Bron Breakker sit at the top of the board, followed by Sami Zayn, Gunther, and Cody Rhodes, and discuss what those numbers tell us about WWE's short-term and long-term thinking. We cover the growing list of announced entrants on both the men's and women's sides and how the field is already beginning to take shape. We then pivot into Saturday Night's Main Event fallout from Montreal, breaking down Cody Rhodes vs. Jacob Fatu, AJ Styles vs. Shinsuke Nakamura, the Women's Tag Team Championship defense with Rhea Ripley & IYO SKY against Liv Morgan & Roxanne Perez, and the massive four-way number one contender's match featuring Damian Priest, Randy Orton, Sami Zayn, and Trick Williams, with the winner stepping directly into McIntyre's title picture at the Royal Rumble. From there, we widen the lens to WrestleMania season planning. We discuss WWE's current reluctance to turn Cody Rhodes heel, how WrestleMania 42 plans remain fluid, and why AJ Lee vs. Becky Lynch is shaping up as one of the most locked-in matches on the card. We also look ahead to WrestleMania 43 in Saudi Arabia, with The Rock openly addressing his excitement for the event and internal speculation swirling about possible appearances from Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin as WWE enters its busiest stretch of the year. We then shift fully into the global business of wrestling, as Dave Meltzer reports that Místico has headlined 13 consecutive sellouts at Arena Mexico in 2026, a venue that holds approximately 16,000 fans. Meltzer called the run unprecedented, noting that sustained, high-frequency sellouts in the same building represent a business pattern rarely seen in wrestling history. We contextualize the streak against past drawing eras, the legacy of El Santo, and why comparisons to Japan or North American touring models often miss the structural realities of how wrestling draws actually function. We also discuss the growing push for Místico to capture a major championship currently held by talent from All Elite Wrestling, and what that would signal about CMLL's place in the current power structure. Outside WWE, AEW remains in a moment of transition. We break down Powerhouse Hobbs officially signing with WWE, the company parting ways with longtime executive Nik Sobic, and what those exits say about AEW's current phase. We also cover Will Ospreay's next step toward a return as he undergoes a medical evaluation, Hikaru Shida being backstage in Orlando as she edges closer to U.S. competition, and clarity emerging on AEW's streaming future as reports indicate the promotion is expected to remain aligned with Warner-backed platforms rather than moving to Netflix. TNA continues to operate within a shared ecosystem, as we revisit the fallout from Genesis and Impact's AMC debut amid lingering visa issues, the accidental TNA+ audio leak revealing No Surrender plans, Trey Miguel's emotional return, and the Knockouts Tag Team picture coming into focus with ZaRuca crowned as new number one contenders. We also hit international headlines, including AAA's FOX era officially beginning, Dominik Mysterio's accidental AEW belt graphic during a promo, El Hijo del Vikingo emerging as number one contender for the Mega Championship, NJPW seeing TMDK lose the NEVER Six-Man titles at Korakuen Hall, and Stardom keeping its options open following an alleged intellectual property violation involving trading cards. Episode 164 is a full-scale snapshot of the wrestling industry at a turning point — Royal Rumble season underway, WrestleMania plans coming into focus, media rights shifting, talent moving, and promotions everywhere adjusting direction rather than delivering final outcomes as the calendar heats up.  

The week we are joined by Tanner from Kicking Out Pod! Join us as we ask should Trey Miguel be signed to AEW or is he too much of a liability; who make a bigger impact, Rascalz in AEW or Hobbs in WWE; and of the latest AEW signings, who are you most excited about? It's going to be a fun week here at The Tavern, so to make sure you do not miss anything, go to patreon.com/theturnbuckletavern for all your Tavern needs!

It's Thursday, and you know what that means! It is time to walk through those Tavern doors and order up a round of professional wrestling coverage from The Two Bad Chads! This week we talk AEW and all the happenings of the week! Make sure you go to patreon.com/theturnbuckletavern for all your Tavern needs!

The RAWDOWN boys discuss all of the news coming out of RAW and Smackdown and get you caught up on all of the news happening inside and outside the ropes in WWE. Everything is on the table. This is just the tip of the iceberg with all of the stories and news going on in the WWE. Let's talk about it and everything else in the WWE Universe! WWE RAW, WWE Smackdown, NXT... It's all there! Come get your best weekly fix for all things WWE on The RAWDOWN, right here at The Turnbuckle Tavern! PLEASE SUBSCRIBE, COMMENT, SHARE, & CLICK THE BELL! TELL A FRIEND ABOUT US! Go to patreon.com/theturnbuckletavern to join our Patreon for only $2.99/mo! 

Welcome to Episode 163 of Wrestling Tonight, powered by G FUEL and Dick Lazers. Use code TAVERN for 20 percent off. Acefield Retro and Chad are back, and this week focuses on how multiple promotions are adjusting direction rather than delivering final outcomes. We begin with TNA Genesis, where several championships were defended and key moments shaped the current hierarchy. The event took place amid confirmed visa issues that affected both Impact's AMC debut and Genesis, requiring multiple card changes and substitutions. Those adjustments highlighted the degree to which TNA is currently operating within a broader, shared wrestling ecosystem. WWE made notable changes at the top of the card. WrestleMania 42 plans have been revised, Drew McIntyre is the current WWE Champion, and the direction toward WrestleMania remains fluid. On Raw, a confrontation involving management and top talent escalated into a suspension, adding another layer of uncertainty to the weekly product. AEW saw movement in both directions. FTR learned their next challengers for the AEW World Tag Team Championships, while The Rascalz were confirmed as new signings as were Jordan Oliver & Alec Price. At the same time, Powerhouse Hobbs appears to be nearing the end of his AEW run, with WWE expected to be his next destination. NXT continues its transition following the NXT Championship being vacated, with a multi-man ladder match scheduled to determine a new champion. Meanwhile, AAA began its new FOX television run, crowned a new number one contender for the AAA Mega Championship, and featured the return of a familiar name. The promotion also outlined a broadcast model centered on periodic live events rather than weekly live television. Episode 163 centers on how these developments fit together across the industry, as companies make adjustments and set short-term direction heading into a busy stretch of the calendar.

The week we are joined by The Rawdown's own, JBugz! Join us as we ask will Drew McIntyre hold the world title until WrestleMania; should AEW add an on-screen GM; and will Chris Jericho hold the TNA world championship in 2026? It's going to be a fun week here at The Tavern, so to make sure you do not miss anything, go to patreon.com/theturnbuckletavern for all your Tavern needs!

Welcome to a bonus episode of Wrestling Tonight, powered by G FUEL and Dick Lazers. Use code TAVERN for 20 percent off. Acefield Retro with a focused breakdown of TNA's AMC debut, a show that looked professional, sounded historic, and still felt unsure of what it wanted to be. This was not a loud failure. There were no disastrous matches or segments that collapsed in real time. That is exactly why it matters. This was a failure of priorities, not execution. A failure of conviction, not talent. On the night TNA needed to be decisive, it hesitated. The framing told the story. From the opening seconds, commentary, graphics, celebrity shots, and symbolism worked overtime to declare the moment historic. Wrestling does not build momentum by saying something matters. It builds it by showing it. When action is rationed, importance feels manufactured. AJ Styles opening the show worked emotionally. He is the most iconic figure in company history, and the goodwill is real. But it also exposed the core issue. TNA still seeks legitimacy through validation rather than assertion. Styles blessed the era, promised wrestling, and what followed leaned far more on legacy than identity. Three matches in two hours on a live network debut for a company called Total Nonstop Action is indefensible. Wrestling is the clearest language a promotion has, especially for new viewers. When talking outweighs bell to bell action, the message is simple. TNA did not fully trust wrestling to carry the show. That is the irony. The roster clearly can deliver. The six man tag warmed the crowd but felt disposable. The Knockouts Tag Title match was overbooked to the point of undercutting what has historically been TNA's strongest division. Production choices and celebrity cutaways weakened the illusion the broadcast was trying to sell. The TNA Plus outage compounded everything. On a night this big, reliability is not optional. New viewers do not contextualize failures. They leave. The clearest vision of what TNA could be came in the main event. Mike Santana versus Frankie Kazarian was physical, focused, and credible. For stretches, it felt like a mission statement. That is why the cluttered finishing stretch was so frustrating. Santana winning was the right call. One strong match was not enough. This episode is not about piling on. It is about recognizing the pattern. TNA's AMC debut did not collapse. It stalled. The talent is there. The platform is there. Until TNA commits fully and unapologetically to wrestling as the centerpiece rather than the accessory, moments this big will continue to feel smaller than they should.  

It's Thursday, and you know what that means! It is time to walk through those Tavern doors and order up a round of professional wrestling coverage from The Two Bad Chads! This week we talk AEW and all the happenings of the week! Make sure you go to patreon.com/theturnbuckletavern for all your Tavern needs!

The RAWDOWN boys discuss all of the news coming out of RAW and Smackdown and get you caught up on all of the news happening inside and outside the ropes in WWE. Everything is on the table. This is just the tip of the iceberg with all of the stories and news going on in the WWE. Let's talk about it and everything else in the WWE Universe! WWE RAW, WWE Smackdown, NXT... It's all there! Come get your best weekly fix for all things WWE on The RAWDOWN, right here at The Turnbuckle Tavern! PLEASE SUBSCRIBE, COMMENT, SHARE, & CLICK THE BELL! TELL A FRIEND ABOUT US! Go to patreon.com/theturnbuckletavern to join our Patreon for only $2.99/mo! 

Welcome to Episode 161 of Wrestling Tonight, powered by G FUEL and Dick Lazers. Use code TAVERN for 20 percent off. Acefield Retro and Chad are back this week, and there is a lot to talk through as WWE, AEW, NXT, and TNA all continue to feel like they are in the middle of major transitions rather than arriving at clean conclusions. WWE drives most of the conversation again, not because of one isolated moment, but because of how many significant pieces are moving at the same time. Drew McIntyre capturing the WWE Championship in Berlin, CM Punk surviving a defining title defense on Raw's Netflix anniversary, and the looming Royal Rumble in a stadium that is still under construction all point to a company comfortable operating under pressure. Between Raw, SmackDown, and the way NXT talent is being elevated, WWE feels less interested in overexplaining its choices and more focused on letting outcomes speak for themselves as the road to WrestleMania comes into view. NXT, in particular, feels like it is clearly handing the keys to the next era. Oba Femi vacating the NXT Championship, titles changing hands, and open acknowledgment of roster movement make it clear this is not a quiet reset. It is a deliberate handoff. Established names are moving on, new names are being asked to step up immediately, and the brand is leaning into the uncertainty that comes with that shift. The instability is intentional, and it is creating urgency across the show. AEW approaches the week from a different angle. Instead of accelerating everything at once, the company leans into timing and restraint. Mercedes Moné stepping away, Jay White remaining sidelined, and stories being allowed to pause rather than peak all at once give the product a different rhythm. Absence becomes part of the narrative, and patience is treated as a feature rather than a flaw. TNA also finds itself at a meaningful crossroads. The company's debut on AMC marks a major step forward in visibility, while Genesis looms as a test of whether that momentum can carry through on a bigger stage. With championships on the line and long-running threads converging, Genesis feels less like a standalone event and more like a statement about where TNA sees itself heading in 2026. Episode 161 is not about chasing headlines or ranking moments. It is about reading the landscape as it exists right now. It is about recognizing where WWE is applying pressure, where NXT is opening doors, where AEW is choosing to wait, and where TNA is attempting to grow. It is a conversation about direction, tone, and trust during a week that did not rely on shock, but still managed to move the industry forward.  

The week we are joined by The Ace Of The Tavern, Acefield Retro and our very own Colton! Join us as we ask will Saudi pay for Stone Cold Steve Austin to wrestle and if so, who does he wrestle; will MJF hold the AEW Championship until All In; and does Bron Breakker losing his first title match clean hurt or help his rise? It's going to be a fun week here at The Tavern, so to make sure you do not miss anything, go to patreon.com/theturnbuckletavern for all your Tavern needs!

Welcome to Wrestling Tonight. Episode 160 is a solo, instant reaction from Acefield Retro to Drew McIntyre winning the WWE Championship in Berlin. This episode focuses on why this title change felt different in the moment and what it says about WWE's direction as 2026 begins. Ace breaks down how the finish reshaped the championship picture, why WWE chose this specific night and setting, and what this win means for McIntyre moving forward. Rather than revisiting the past, the conversation centers on what comes next, with new challengers already being established and the European tour still underway. This wasn't a shock-driven decision or a temporary pivot. It was a deliberate shift at the top of the card, and the episode reflects on the trust being placed in McIntyre to carry that momentum forward. This is Episode 160 of Wrestling Tonight. A clear, immediate reaction to a moment that reset the landscape.  

It's Thursday, and you know what that means! It is time to walk through those Tavern doors and order up a round of professional wrestling coverage from The Two Bad Chads! This week we talk AEW and all the happenings of the week! Make sure you go to patreon.com/theturnbuckletavern for all your Tavern needs!