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Turnbuckle Tavern is powered by G FUEL and Official Dick Lazer. Use code TAVERN for 20% off at GFUEL.com and DickLazers.com. Episode 208 of Wrestling Tonight is all about AEW All In 2026, as the company returns to Wembley Stadium for its biggest show of the year. From the independent gamble that helped inspire AEW in 2018 to the enormous Wembley events that transformed All In into the company's flagship spectacle, the name carries a history unlike anything else on AEW's calendar. Now, after last year's trip to Texas, All In is back in London with a card built around some of the biggest names and most consequential matches AEW can offer. At the center of everything is Kenny Omega vs. Will Ospreay for the AEW World Championship. Ospreay's road to this match actually stretches back to the decision AEW didn't make in 2025, and his recent comments about Tony Khan, Hangman Page, his injury and the importance of New Japan add another layer to what already feels like a defining moment in his career. We break down why Wembley feels so important for Ospreay, what an Omega victory would mean and whether AEW is finally ready to make the move it considered a year ago. The rest of the card gives us plenty to argue about. Willow Nightingale and Mercedes Moné meet for the Women's World Championship with an additional injury wrinkle hanging over the match, while Jon Moxley and Nigel McGuinness reach the Continental Challenge Cup final with Wembley providing an intriguing backdrop. There's also the three way between Kyle Fletcher, Konosuke Takeshita and Kazuchika Okada, Kevin Knight vs. Darby Allin in Falls Count Anywhere, Copeland & Christian vs. the Young Bucks, the Women's Tag Team Championship match and the Casino Gauntlet. We're making picks across the card, and we don't necessarily see Wembley being a quiet night for the champions. One piece of the card that had remained unresolved is now much clearer. Hangman Page, Brody King and Bandido will defend the AEW World Trios Championship in a seven team Trios Roulette Royale on the Buy In. Tony Khan announced that the gauntlet style match will also feature five teams containing former Trios Champions The Demand, The Dogs, The Conglomeration, The Death Riders and the Bang Bang Gang, along with a mystery wild card trio. Kyle O'Reilly, whose status had been in question following Dynamite in Glasgow, is also expected to be available for the match. We get into what the late change adds to an already packed Wembley weekend and what possibilities that wild card spot could create. There is also a significant business story surrounding the show. The latest update has 43,585 tickets distributed for All In, up 568 from the previous day, as AEW makes its final push toward Sunday. We compare that number with the company's previous trips to Wembley and look at what this year's crowd tells us about where All In stands several years after the extraordinary success of its first London edition. Outside of AEW, we get into the ESPN WWE report that was subsequently retracted, as well as the $147.5 million WWE settlement and why the details behind that enormous figure matter considerably more than the headline alone. We also have CM Punk returning to NXT, adding another notable WWE story to an already loaded wrestling weekend. Episode 208 of Wrestling Tonight covers the history, stakes and biggest questions surrounding AEW All In 2026, our full Wembley predictions and the latest ticket update, plus the ESPN WWE retraction, WWE's $147.5 million settlement and CM Punk's NXT return. All In is back at Wembley, and we're breaking down what could be one of the most consequential nights of AEW's year without spoiling all of our picks before you hit play.

Turnbuckle Tavern is powered by G FUEL and Official Dick Lazer. Use code TAVERN for 20% off at GFUEL.com and DickLazers.com. Episode 207 of Wrestling Tonight opens with a surprising WWE departure that appears to have come together very differently than many would have expected. Ilja Dragunov is leaving WWE, but the circumstances surrounding his exit make this much more interesting than a straightforward contract expiration. WWE reportedly wanted him to remain with the company, and the two sides were still having serious discussions about getting him back on television only a couple of months ago. So how did we go from negotiating a return to Dragunov becoming a free agent? We break down what is known about the timeline, where things apparently changed and what comes next for one of the most distinctive wrestlers to come through WWE in recent years. Then there is The Rock and WrestleMania 43. WWE is heading to Riyadh for WrestleMania next April, but a major commitment on Dwayne Johnson's schedule could make one of the biggest possibilities surrounding the show considerably more complicated. There is an important distinction between The Rock appearing at WrestleMania and actually wrestling at WrestleMania, and the latest information raises questions about whether there will realistically be enough time for the latter. We get into what his schedule looks like, why the timing matters and where that leaves WWE as the road to WrestleMania 43 begins to take shape. AEW All In is just days away, and we now have an updated look at how Wembley Stadium is filling up before Sunday. With Kenny Omega vs. Will Ospreay for the AEW World Championship at the top of the card, the latest ticket numbers give us a much clearer idea of the size of the crowd AEW could be looking at when the company returns to Wembley. We'll go through where ticket distribution currently stands, how that compares with the stadium setup and what AEW still has available heading into the final days before All In. And Wembley is not the only major European story for AEW. Grand Slam is heading to Paris, giving the company another significant international date and its first event in France. There are some notable details about when and where the show will take place, what AEW intends to tape that night and where it fits into the company's European schedule coming out of All In. We also have movement on the John Cena Classic, an event WWE announced months ago without providing many concrete details. A potential date has now emerged, and its placement on the calendar carries an obvious connection to Cena's retirement that is difficult to overlook. There are still unanswered questions about the location, the lineup and exactly how WWE plans to execute Cena's unusual fan-voting concept, but we finally may have an idea of when the event is actually happening. We'll get into the reported date, why it stands out and what Cena has said about making sure the fans legitimately determine the winner. Elsewhere, Royce Keys returned to Raw and brought OTM with him, immediately inserting the group into an already crowded situation involving The Usos, Solo Sikoa and LA Knight. Rather than choosing one side, Keys, Bronco Nima and Lucien Price made their intentions clear by going after everyone. We'll cover how WWE brought Keys back after his absence, the significance of OTM appearing alongside him and how recent developments involving Nima may have helped set up the new alliance. The Women's World Championship picture also has its next major match. Stephanie Vaquer now has a date with Liv Morgan, but Becky Lynch remains directly involved in the story after what happened on Raw. With Vaquer and Lynch both pursuing Morgan since returning after SummerSlam, WWE now has multiple directions it can take as the championship match approaches. And on SmackDown, WWE advertised Blake Monroe vs. Giulia, but fans are still waiting for Monroe's official SmackDown in-ring debut. Instead of giving away the match, WWE used the confrontation to push their rivalry another step forward. Their history goes beyond WWE, and what happened before the bell ensures there is still unfinished business between them. Episode 207 of Wrestling Tonight covers Ilja Dragunov's unexpected WWE exit and the negotiations that preceded it, the scheduling issue hanging over The Rock and WrestleMania 43, the latest numbers heading into AEW All In at Wembley, AEW's first trip to Paris and the potential date for the John Cena Classic. Plus, Royce Keys resurfaces with OTM, Stephanie Vaquer moves closer to the Women's World Championship and Blake Monroe and Giulia's rivalry takes another turn on SmackDown.  

Turnbuckle Tavern is powered by G FUEL and Official Dick Lazer. Use code TAVERN for 20% off at GFUEL.com and DickLazers.com. Episode 206 of Wrestling Tonight begins with one of the biggest "what ifs" surrounding John Cena's retirement run. Adam Copeland says he believes Tony Khan would have allowed him to step outside AEW for one final Edge vs. Cena match in WWE. Copeland made it clear that nothing was ever formally proposed, Tony was never actually asked and WWE never officially rejected the idea, but his belief is that AEW would not have been the obstacle. It is especially interesting because Cena and Edge were so important to one another's careers, and a final match could have been more than nostalgia. It could have been one of those rare moments where WWE and AEW put the promotional rivalry aside for something that made sense historically. We look at whether it was ever realistic, what Tony allowing it would have meant for the relationship between the two companies and why one of the most obvious matches for Cena's farewell never got beyond the hypothetical stage. We then turn to AEW, where Kenny Omega and Will Ospreay have made their All In match increasingly personal. The story has become about far more than simply determining who the better wrestler is, with their history stretching back through PWG, New Japan and Ospreay's years of being compared to the standard Omega established before him. That rivalry now intersects with Ospreay's return from neck fusion surgery and his attempt to prove that he has finally surpassed Omega. Their sit-down with Renee Paquette revisited Omega questioning whether Ospreay ever truly replaced him and the lingering issue of Ospreay needing Don Callis' involvement to defeat Kenny at Forbidden Door. Omega then crossed another line by bringing Ospreay's family into the discussion before ultimately putting him through a table with the One-Winged Angel. With Ospreay back in front of his home crowd at Wembley after everything surrounding his surgery and recovery, AEW has turned this into one of the most important matches of his career. Pat McAfee's WWE future also appears increasingly clear. More than a year after stepping away from Raw commentary because of burnout, McAfee has added another major ESPN responsibility by joining Monday Night Countdown throughout the NFL season. His daily show will also broadcast from the site of Monday Night Football each week while he continues working College GameDay on Saturdays. McAfee has now reiterated that he does not intend to return to WWE television following the WrestleMania 42 stipulation where Cody Rhodes defeating Randy Orton meant McAfee would leave WWE programming for good. He even acknowledged that he may have been wrong about Cody after spending the storyline attacking him. Wrestling stipulations can always be undone, but between McAfee's comments and an ESPN schedule that now consumes both Saturdays and Mondays throughout football season, a regular WWE return looks increasingly unlikely. Josh Alexander is also moving closer to an in-ring return just over four months after undergoing knee surgery. Alexander resurfaced on Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling Mayhem and confronted Stu Grayson, teasing the eventual unification of MLP's Canadian Championship. Alexander has remained champion throughout his injury while Grayson became interim champion, giving them a ready-made program whenever Alexander receives clearance. No date has been announced, but MLP's Northern Rising on October 3 in Toronto would be a logical destination if Alexander is ready. The return is particularly meaningful considering Alexander has spoken about how disappointing it was to be unable to fulfill his responsibilities as champion after becoming the inaugural Canadian Champion following Scott D'Amore's relaunch of the promotion. On the WWE injury front, Logan Paul appears to be making progress from the torn triceps that required surgery after Saturday Night's Main Event in May. Paul recently visited Champion Sports Medicine in Birmingham, with Kevin Wilk saying he is looking good following surgery and eager to return to the ring. Paul himself has been more cautious, recently describing himself as still "very much injured" while saying that he is healing quickly and undergoing PRP treatment as part of the rehabilitation process. WWE has kept him involved on television during the recovery, while The Vision continued without him and Bron Breakker stepped into the tag team picture alongside Austin Theory. There is still no confirmed return date, but the latest update suggests Paul is progressing toward eventually getting back in the ring. Jim Johnston also believes the door to a WWE return is essentially closed. Johnston says he would happily compose wrestling themes again but believes Triple H views him as one of Vince McMahon's guys and has little interest in bringing him back. That is Johnston's interpretation rather than something Triple H has publicly confirmed, but it creates an interesting conversation about one of the most criticized aspects of WWE's current presentation. Johnston's greatest strength was creating music that immediately communicated who a wrestler was before they ever reached the ring. WWE does not necessarily need to turn its entire music department back over to Johnston, but completely ignoring someone responsible for so many instantly recognizable themes is worth discussing when modern entrance music continues to struggle to create that same connection. And finally, 31 years ago this week, Cactus Jack and Terry Funk produced one of the defining matches in the history of deathmatch wrestling at IWA Japan's Kawasaki Dream. Nearly 29,000 fans packed Kawasaki Stadium for the King of the Death Match tournament, with Funk and Cactus each surviving two violent matches before meeting in the final: a no-rope barbed-wire, exploding barbed-wire board and exploding-ring time-bomb deathmatch. Both men entered already beaten up, and what followed became the gold standard for the genre. The match worked because Funk and Foley could create emotion underneath all of the violence. The exploding boards delivered the spectacle, but the planned centerpiece of the match nearly became a disaster when the ring explosion at the ten-minute mark dramatically underdelivered. Instead of allowing the match to die with it, Funk and Cactus improvised. They went back to the remaining explosives and brought a ladder into the match, with Cactus eventually coming off it with an elbow before the closing sequence left both men tangled and destroyed in the wire. Cactus crawled over Funk for the pin and was crowned King of the Death Match. That victory meant considerably more than winning a tournament. Terry Funk was already one of wrestling's great legends and had rarely lost in Japan, while Cactus was still establishing what his career would become after leaving WCW. Foley has described the night as Funk effectively passing the torch to him, and the prestige from defeating Terry gave Cactus credibility that followed him long after Kawasaki. The match was messy, dangerous and even technically failed at the moment that was supposed to provide its biggest spectacle, but Funk and Foley turning that failure into something memorable is part of why it has endured. There have been crazier and more dangerous deathmatches since, but when you combine the atmosphere, violence, improvisation, emotional connection between the two men and what the victory ultimately meant for Mick Foley's career, Cactus Jack vs. Terry Funk remains one of the genre's defining matches. Episode 206 brings together one of wrestling's biggest crossover matches that never happened, Omega and Ospreay turning their decade-long rivalry personal before Wembley, Pat McAfee seemingly closing the door on WWE, Josh Alexander moving toward his comeback, Logan Paul continuing his recovery, Jim Johnston questioning whether WWE would ever welcome him back and a look back at the night Terry Funk helped make Cactus Jack the King of the Death Match.

Turnbuckle Tavern is powered by G FUEL and Official Dick Lazer. Use code TAVERN for 20% off at GFUEL.com and DickLazers.com. Episode 205 of Wrestling Tonight begins in Japan, where Ryohei Oiwa defeated Yuya Uemura in a 35-minute final to win G1 Climax 36 and cap off a tournament that increasingly felt like NJPW finally committing to its new generation. We break down Oiwa's path from qualifying for the tournament to becoming G1 champion, the significance of a final four featuring Oiwa, Uemura, Yota Tsuji and Callum Newman, and Oiwa's decision to follow TMDK mentor Zack Sabre Jr. by taking his IWGP Heavyweight Championship opportunity at King of Pro Wrestling in October rather than waiting for Wrestle Kingdom. Before then, Yota Tsuji must defend against Hirooki Goto at Destruction in Kobe, while Jeff Cobb is suddenly back in NJPW and aligned with Gedo's Unbound Corp after confronting former United Empire stablemate Callum Newman. The G1 weekend also produced one of the strangest moments of the year when an AI recreation of the late Antonio Inoki appeared at Ryogoku, addressed Hiroshi Tanahashi and led the crowd through the traditional "1, 2, 3, dah!" We discuss the uncomfortable contrast of NJPW spending the weekend successfully pushing Oiwa, Uemura, Tsuji and Newman as its future while simultaneously using artificial intelligence to recreate its deceased founder, as well as MJF's social media exchange with Oiwa over their respective headlocks and Oiwa inviting him to enter the 2027 G1. We then head to GCW Homecoming, where former WWE wrestler Joe Gacy, now Joseph Sawyer, ended Atticus Cogar's 266-day reign to become GCW World Champion with assistance from the returning Drake Younger. Drake's appearance immediately generated controversy because of the statements and affiliations that surrounded the end of his WWE tenure, leading to a public apology the following night. Brett Lauderdale then explained his decision to give Drake another opportunity by revealing that Younger helped save his life during Lauderdale's battle with opiate addiction in 2012 and took him to his first Narcotics Anonymous meeting. We look at both the legitimate reasons for the backlash and the deeply personal reason Lauderdale believes Drake deserves a second chance. On the WWE side, Chelsea Green's cracked orbital bone has unexpectedly created one of SmackDown's more interconnected women's stories. Nick Aldis gave Green 30 days to be medically cleared rather than immediately stripping her of the WWE Women's Championship, while Mickie James praised Green's emotional promo as one of the greatest she has seen. Nia Jax and Lash Legend have already targeted the injured champion, Tiffany Stratton came to Green's defense and that decision later contributed directly to Stratton losing the Women's United States Championship to Jacy Jayne and Fatal Influence. We also look at the growing possibility of LA Knight challenging Roman Reigns for the World Heavyweight Championship at Money in the Bank in New Orleans, with AJ Styles publicly arguing that Knight has never been more ready to become world champion. Roman's September title defense is also being built through WWE-owned AAA, where La Parka has advanced to face Penta while Rey Fenix defeated El Fiscal on Raw to reach the semifinals of the tournament determining Roman's challenger in Mexico City. That integration is interesting, but it also highlights the continuing disconnect in AAA's presentation when Mega Champion Dominik Mysterio can regularly lose on WWE television while AAA is simultaneously being used to produce challengers for WWE's world champion. Plus, AEW has reached the quarterfinals of the Continental Challenge Cup with Nigel McGuinness fighting through an injury to face Hechicero, Jon Moxley meeting Jay White, Orange Cassidy facing Kyle O'Reilly and Claudio Castagnoli renewing his rivalry with Eddie Kingston as the tournament moves toward Glasgow and the All In final at Wembley. We also discuss Grayson Waller taking aim at CM Punk and the NXT locker room, and TNA bringing Lockdown back for the first time since 2016 while attaching the bizarre stipulation that Leon Slater's entire 298-day X-Division Championship reign will be erased from company history if he loses to Cedric Alexander.

Turnbuckle Tavern is powered by G FUEL and Official Dick Lazer. Use code TAVERN for 20% off at GFUEL.com and DickLazers.com. Episode 204 of Wrestling Tonight begins in Japan, where G1 Climax 36 is officially down to Yota Tsuji, Ryohei Oiwa, Callum Newman and Yuya Uemura, guaranteeing a first-time tournament winner. Tsuji faces Uemura and Newman meets Oiwa in the semifinals Saturday, August 15 at Ryogoku Sumo Hall, with the winners advancing to Sunday's final. Both blocks ended with three wrestlers tied at 12 points. In A Block, Tsuji, Oiwa and Konosuke Takeshita all finished 6-3, but Tsuji and Oiwa advanced because both held head-to-head victories over Takeshita. Oiwa clinched his spot by beating Takeshita in the final A Block main event, while Tsuji defeated Jake Lee and benefited from Great-O-Khan eliminating Boltin Oleg by countout. B Block produced almost the same situation, with Newman, Uemura and Gabe Kidd all finishing 6-3. Kidd's losses to both semifinalists eliminated him on the head-to-head tiebreaker. With Tsuji already holding the IWGP Heavyweight Championship, the stakes are different for the other three. If Oiwa, Newman or Uemura wins the G1, that wrestler earns a future championship opportunity against Tsuji. If Tsuji wins, the reigning champion would presumably be positioned to select his own future challenger. Saturday's tournament matches will not headline the show, however. Hiroyoshi Tenzan wrestles the final match of his NJPW career against longtime TenKoji partner Satoshi Kojima in a five-minute exhibition, followed by Tenzan's retirement ceremony. The show begins at 2 a.m. Eastern on NJPW World. We then turn to Adam Copeland's first appearance inside Arena México, where he received a reaction he compared to one of the defining moments of his career. Tony Schiavone revealed that after AEW Grand Slam Mexico, he contacted Copeland to ask whether he had ever experienced a crowd response like it. Copeland's comparison was his 2020 WWE Royal Rumble return, when he returned to the ring nine years after neck issues had seemingly ended his career. Arena México had been a bucket-list destination for Copeland, and Bandido provided additional context for what the building represents by comparing it with Korakuen Hall, the Tokyo Dome and Madison Square Garden. Bandido described competing inside Arena México as the type of achievement that allows someone to call themselves a "real luchador." Copeland is also preparing to check off another deeply personal venue on October 3, when he wrestles for Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling at the Mattamy Athletic Centre in Toronto, located on the grounds of the former Maple Leaf Gardens. Copeland has called Maple Leaf Gardens his wrestling "hallowed ground" and explained that Tony Khan allowed the appearance because AEW and Maple Leaf Pro are partners, Khan wants professional wrestling to flourish and he understood what the opportunity meant to Copeland personally. We also break down the growing uncertainty surrounding Bayley's WWE future. Bayley has reportedly been offered a new WWE contract but has not signed it, and there is conflicting information about exactly when her current deal expires. Bayley's own comments from April 2025 point toward October 2026, Fightful has reported that the deal is expected to expire by the end of 2026 unless additional time is added, and Bryan Alvarez has heard January 2027 but has not been able to verify that date. Dave Meltzer says Bayley has a decision to make and confirmed that she will not become a free agent in August. The speculation intensified after Bayley posted a training video featuring Mercedes Moné, captioned it "all or nothing, baby" and used the song "All In." WrestleVotes reported through Fightful Select that the post raised eyebrows backstage in WWE and did not land well with everyone. Despite the obvious AEW references, the available contract timelines make an appearance at All In on August 30 extremely unlikely. The bigger story is whether Bayley eventually re-signs with WWE or becomes one of wrestling's biggest free agents later this year or in early 2027. Swerve Strickland is also back in AEW, making his first appearance since losing to Will Ospreay in the Owen Hart Foundation tournament final at Forbidden Door. Swerve and Prince Nana confronted AEW World Trios Champions Hangman Page, Bandido and Brody King before Ricochet, The Demand and Lethal Twist entered the picture. With Jay Lethal, Blake Christian and Lee Johnson challenging Hangman, Brody King and Bandido for the Trios Championship on Collision, Swerve immediately finds himself surrounded by old enemies and a developing championship program. We also discuss the Fightful Select report that Austin Creed and Kofi are expected to join AEW soon. The report stopped short of confirming that either has officially signed, and no debut date has been established. The timing naturally creates speculation around All In, while both men have also been announced for Chris Jericho's Rock 'N' Wrestling Rager at Sea cruise in November. AEW All In 2026 continues to take shape at Wembley Stadium. Kenny Omega defends the AEW World Championship against Will Ospreay, Willow Nightingale defends the AEW Women's World Championship against Mercedes Moné, and Adam Copeland & Christian Cage defend the AEW World Tag Team Championship against The Young Bucks. One of the biggest additions is Kyle Fletcher defending the AEW International Championship against Konosuke Takeshita and Kazuchika Okada. Takeshita defeated Okada for the title at Double or Nothing before Fletcher defeated Takeshita at Beach Break. Importantly, Takeshita has since left the Don Callis Family, while Fletcher and Okada remain aligned with Callis, adding another layer to the three-way. Kevin Knight defends the TNT Championship against Darby Allin in a Falls Count Anywhere match, with Knight entering their fourth singles meeting holding a 2-1 advantage. The men's Casino Gauntlet will begin with Andrade El Idolo entering No. 1 and MJF entering No. 2. MJF secured his position by defeating Mike Bailey and Nick Wayne on Dynamite, guaranteeing that his rivalry with Andrade will be part of the match from the opening bell. The winner receives a future AEW World Championship opportunity. The Wembley card currently includes Kenny Omega vs. Will Ospreay, Willow Nightingale vs. Mercedes Moné, Adam Copeland & Christian Cage vs. The Young Bucks, Kyle Fletcher vs. Konosuke Takeshita vs. Kazuchika Okada, Kevin Knight vs. Darby Allin, Divine Dominion vs. The Brawling Birds, the men's Casino Gauntlet and the Continental Challenge Cup Final. We also look at the latest Wembley ticket business. WrestleTix reported exactly 38,909 tickets distributed as of August 12, an increase of 1,400 over the previous four days. The current setup is 45,023, leaving 6,114 available and putting AEW at approximately 86.4 percent of its currently configured inventory. All In 2024 finished with 53,922 tickets distributed, meaning the 2026 show currently sits 15,013 tickets behind that mark. With All In taking place August 30, AEW now has 16 days to continue closing that gap, although matching the 2024 total would also require thousands of additional seats to be opened. Additional 500-level inventory has already begun to appear. Be sure to support the show and join our Patreon for just $2.99 a month at Patreon.com/TheTurnbuckleTavern for exclusive content. 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.

Turnbuckle Tavern is powered by G FUEL and Official Dick Lazer. Use code TAVERN for 20% off at GFUEL.com and DickLazers.com. Episode 203 of Wrestling Tonight centers on a question WWE may eventually have to answer with Dominik Mysterio: what happens when someone develops into a legitimate main-event talent faster than the company seems prepared to treat him like one? Dominik has now held the AAA Mega Championship since September 12, 2025, a reign that has reached 333 days as of August 11, 2026, and his progression has become increasingly difficult to dismiss as simply the product of heat, presentation or the Mysterio name. We discuss why Dominik has the ingredients of a future WWE main eventer, but also why WWE's recent history of starting and stopping momentum makes it fair to question whether the company will fully capitalize on what it has created. That conversation opens into a larger criticism of WWE's ability to develop new stars and, more importantly, keep them hot once the audience begins responding. Roman Reigns has argued that WWE had two years after he stepped away from the championship picture to give other wrestlers opportunities to get over, but that idea deserves more scrutiny than simply placing the responsibility on the talent. Wrestlers cannot grab a proverbial brass ring that creative repeatedly moves out of reach, and getting over is not exclusively an individual accomplishment when television time, meaningful programs, victories, opponents and sustained creative investment are controlled by the promotion. Roman Reigns and CM Punk can produce a memorable nine or ten-minute segment because they have enormous presence and established equity with the audience, but WWE also has to create the conditions that allow somebody from the next generation to eventually develop that same equity. Professional wrestling history itself complicates the argument that stars simply force their way to the top. Steve Austin did not become Stone Cold because WWE immediately handed him the company and waited for him to succeed. During the period when his momentum was developing in late 1996 and early 1997, Steve Austin was consistently working with Shawn Michaels, Bret Hart, The Undertaker, Vader, Sycho Sid, Mankind and other established names. He won the 1997 Royal Rumble, challenged Sycho Sid for the WWF World Heavyweight Championship on house shows, worked repeatedly with Shawn Michaels and remained intertwined with Bret Hart even when he was losing matches. The company did not need Steve Austin to win everything for him to become important; it needed to keep putting him in situations where becoming important was possible. That historical context is why Dominik Mysterio is such an interesting test case. His connection to wrestling history is almost literal, because Zilla Fatu has recalled growing up backstage at WWE events alongside Dominik while their fathers were wrestling, describing the two of them running around backstage, getting into the ring and practicing the 619 as children. Zilla Fatu even remembered Dominik as the wrestler's child he connected with most during that period. What was once two kids playing wrestling backstage has now become part of a much larger generational story, with Dominik holding AAA's top championship while WWE controls 51 percent of the promotion following its acquisition of AAA in 2025. That ownership makes Dominik Mysterio's AAA run more significant than a disconnected excursion. WWE announced its agreement to acquire AAA during WrestleMania 41 weekend, the transaction closed on August 1, 2025, and the relationship has since expanded through Worlds Collide, AAA programming on Fox properties in Mexico and Latin America beginning in 2026, and a Mattel AAA action figure line scheduled for fall 2027. Dominik defeating El Hijo del Vikingo for the AAA Mega Championship at Worlds Collide on September 12, 2025 therefore places him directly inside WWE's larger investment in the Mexican promotion, and his lengthy reign provides an opportunity to determine whether WWE views him merely as a valuable character or as someone capable of eventually carrying a major promotion at the highest level. We also compare that approach with the way AEW has positioned Kyle Fletcher as a future cornerstone, because developing a main-event wrestler requires more than identifying somebody as talented. The audience needs repeated evidence that the promotion believes the wrestler belongs at that level, and the booking has to reinforce that idea long enough for perception to become reality. That does not mean every prospect should win constantly or immediately become world champion, but it does mean losses, programs and television appearances should contribute to an identifiable trajectory rather than repeatedly resetting momentum. That is ultimately why WWE has a Dominik Mysterio problem, although it is a potentially very good problem to have. Dominik has lineage, character, experience, sustained championship credibility in AAA and years of television development behind him, and the question is increasingly less about whether he can become a main-event wrestler than whether WWE will provide the sustained creative environment necessary for him to become one. If the company believes the next generation needs to step forward, Dominik Mysterio represents an opportunity to prove that WWE is willing to meet emerging talent halfway rather than waiting for someone to somehow become undeniable despite the booking around them. Be sure to support the show and join our Patreon for just $2.99 a month at Patreon.com/TheTurnbuckleTavern for exclusive content. 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.

Turnbuckle Tavern is powered by G FUEL and Official Dick Lazer. Use code TAVERN for 20% off at GFUEL.com and DickLazers.com. Episode 202 of Wrestling Tonight begins by remembering Dory Funk Jr., who died at 85 years old. We look back at the former NWA World Heavyweight Champion's remarkable career, his influence across generations of professional wrestling, his importance in both the United States and Japan, and the legacy he leaves behind as one of the industry's most respected figures. In WWE, Kevin Owens has called his shot against CM Punk. After returning at SummerSlam and winning a Fatal Four-Way to become number one contender, Owens told Nick Aldis he wants his WWE Championship match on August 21 in Toronto. We discuss why the setting matters, where Punk vs. Owens could be heading, and Chelsea Green's uncertain status after suffering a broken orbital bone on SmackDown. The G1 Climax 36 enters its final block matches with Konosuke Takeshita leading A Block while Ryohei Oiwa, Boltin Oleg and Yota Tsuji remain within striking distance. B Block is even tighter, with Gabe Kidd, Callum Newman and Ren Narita tied at the top. We break down the qualification picture, the tournament's biggest risers and what to watch as NJPW approaches the August 16 final. AEW's Continental Challenge Cup is underway with Claudio Castagnoli, Eddie Kingston and Orange Cassidy advancing to the final eight. We look ahead to Jay White vs. David Finlay, Jon Moxley vs. Jack Perry and the rest of the opening round as the tournament begins its road toward the final at Wembley Stadium. Plus, Hechicero wins the 2026 CMLL International Grand Prix after eliminating PAC and submitting Claudio Castagnoli, further cementing an incredible year for the CMLL World Heavyweight Champion. Finally, we preview the week ahead across WWE, AEW, NXT, TNA, AAA and NWA, including Penta vs. Laredo Kid on Raw, Grayson Waller vs. Cruz Montana on NXT, two Continental Challenge Cup matches on Dynamite, three championship matches on SmackDown, and the latest developments on the road to AEW All In. The August 30 All In card continues to take shape with Kenny Omega vs. Will Ospreay for the AEW World Championship, Willow Nightingale vs. Mercedes Moné for the AEW Women's World Championship, Cage and Cope vs. The Young Bucks for the AEW World Tag Team Championship, Divine Dominion vs. The Brawling Birds for the AEW Women's World Tag Team Championship, the Men's Casino Gauntlet and the Continental Challenge Cup final. Be sure to support the show and join our Patreon for just $2.99 a month at Patreon.com/TheTurnbuckleTavern for exclusive content. 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.  

Turnbuckle Tavern is powered by G FUEL and Official Dick Lazer. Use code TAVERN for 20% off at GFUEL.com and DickLazers.com. Episode 201 is headlined by our complete review of WWE SummerSlam 2026 as we're joined by JBugz from Rawdown to break down both nights of WWE's biggest event of the summer. From CM Punk retaining the Undisputed WWE Championship and Oba Femi defeating Brock Lesnar inside Hell in a Cell to Kevin Owens' shocking return, Chelsea Green becoming Interim Women's Champion, Chad Gable finally capturing his first singles championship, and Roman Reigns defeating Seth Rollins to retain the World Heavyweight Championship in the final chapter of their legendary rivalry, we cover every major match, surprise and storyline coming out of Minneapolis. We begin with Night 1, discussing Liv Morgan's successful Women's World Championship defense against Iyo Sky after her first title defense in roughly 100 days, LA Knight, Solo Sikoa and Royce Keys defeating Jacob Fatu and The Usos, Gunther submitting Nick Aldis in his first match back after three years, and Fatal Influence picking up the victory before The Bella Twins shocked everyone by turning on Paige. We also break down CM Punk's dramatic title defense over Cody Rhodes following Randy Orton's surprise return, the controversy surrounding the Night 1 main event, and Oba Femi defeating Brock Lesnar inside Hell in a Cell before receiving Lesnar's public endorsement as the future of WWE. Next, we shift our attention to Night 2 as Kevin Owens made his long-awaited in-ring return following neck surgery and immediately earned an Undisputed WWE Championship opportunity by winning a surprise Fatal Four-Way over Sami Zayn, Finn Bálor and Gunther. We also discuss Baron Corbin capturing the United States Championship from Trick Williams, Chelsea Green winning the Interim WWE Women's Championship in a chaotic Ladder Match, Danhausen defeating Dominik Mysterio in the Human Monies on a Pole Match, Chad Gable finally winning his first WWE singles championship by defeating Penta for the Intercontinental Championship in front of his hometown crowd, and Roman Reigns retaining the World Heavyweight Championship over Seth Rollins in an emotional 33-minute main event that ended with one final Shield fist bump between the longtime rivals. From there, we discuss Triple H's post-show comments, the Randy Orton factor heading into the Undisputed WWE Championship picture, Kevin Owens immediately becoming CM Punk's next challenger, what Roman Reigns' victory means after finally closing the book on his rivalry with Seth Rollins, Oba Femi's continued rise as one of WWE's biggest stars, what the weekend accomplished creatively, where WWE succeeded, where it fell short, and what SummerSlam means for the road ahead. Be sure to support the show and join our Patreon for just $2.99 a month at Patreon.com/TheTurnbuckleTavern for exclusive content. 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.

Turnbuckle Tavern is powered by G FUEL and Official Dick Lazer. Use code TAVERN for 20% off at GFUEL.com and DickLazers.com. Episode 200 is headlined by our deep dive into All Elite Wrestling's newly announced Continental Cup as we explain the tournament's format, its inspiration from England's historic Football Association Challenge Cup and what it means for the future of the Continental Championship. Along the way, we explore the history behind the oldest national football competition in the world, examine Tony Khan's connection to English football through Fulham Football Club, discuss Nigel McGuinness entering the tournament ahead of Wembley Stadium and analyze why the Continental Cup is designed to complement rather than replace the Continental Classic. We begin by breaking down the announcement itself, explaining why Jon Moxley's comments on Dynamite created confusion before Collision finally revealed the structure of the Continental Cup. From there, we examine the tournament's sixteen-man single-elimination format, the random draw after every round, Continental Rules and why putting the Continental Championship on the line throughout the tournament creates immediate stakes for every match. Next, we explore the history of the Football Association Challenge Cup, tracing its origins back to 1871 and explaining how random draws, knockout competition and the tradition of "giant-killing" have helped make it one of the most prestigious sporting competitions in the world. We also discuss Tony Khan's decade-long involvement with Fulham Football Club and why the Continental Cup feels like a natural extension of his ties to English football rather than simply another wrestling tournament. From there, we shift our attention back to All Elite Wrestling as we discuss Nigel McGuinness announcing himself for the tournament, why competing for a cup at Wembley Stadium carries unique significance for one of Britain's greatest wrestlers and how his inclusion immediately gives the tournament an emotional connection to the country that inspired it. We then compare the Continental Cup to the Continental Classic, explaining why the two tournaments are fundamentally different despite revolving around the same championship. We also examine how New Japan Pro-Wrestling successfully presents both the New Japan Cup every spring and the G1 Climax every summer, rewarding different styles of competition while building annual traditions around the same roster. We discuss how the Continental Championship has evolved since Eddie Kingston won the inaugural Continental Classic, the role of Continental Rules in establishing the title's identity and why adding a second annual tournament could further elevate the championship. Finally, we address one of the biggest criticisms surrounding the announcement: does All Elite Wrestling have too many tournaments and too many prizes? We discuss why that criticism is understandable, why presentation and communication matter just as much as the concept itself, and why the Continental Cup should ultimately be judged by the moments it creates rather than by the fact that it is another tournament. We close by examining what All Elite Wrestling must do over the coming weeks to transform the Continental Cup from an interesting idea into a lasting annual tradition. Be sure to support the show and join our Patreon for just $2.99 a month at Patreon.com/TheTurnbuckleTavern for exclusive content. 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.  

Turnbuckle Tavern is powered by G FUEL and Official Dick Lazer. Use code TAVERN for 20% off at GFUEL.com and DickLazers.com. Episode 199 is headlined by our midway report on G1 Climax 36 as we break down where every wrestler stands after eight nights, analyze the biggest stories shaping this year's tournament, and examine the road to Wrestle Kingdom. Along the way, we dive into the rich history behind New Japan's signature tournament, tracing its roots from the World League, MSG League and IWGP League eras through the birth of the G1 Climax in 1991 and the creation of the IWGP Heavyweight Championship rights certificate. We also examine Konosuke Takeshita's dominant run as IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, the emergence of Callum Newman, Boltin Oleg and Drilla Moloney, Gabe Kidd continuing to establish himself as one of wrestling's most compelling personalities, HENARE quietly putting together the best tournament of his career, and Zack Sabre Jr.'s shocking struggles just one year after winning the G1. We begin by looking at the history behind New Japan's annual summer tournament, from Antonio Inoki's dominance of the World League, MSG League and IWGP League through the World Cup Tournament in 1989, the one-year hiatus in 1990 and the debut of the G1 Climax in 1991. From there, we examine how the reward for winning the tournament evolved over the next two decades, discussing why early G1 winners didn't always receive the same prize, how some champions entered and won the tournament while already holding the IWGP Heavyweight Championship, why Yuji Nagata remains the only G1 winner never to challenge for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship, and how New Japan ultimately created the IWGP Heavyweight Championship rights certificate to establish the modern Road to Wrestle Kingdom. We then break down the certificate era from 2012 through 2025, following Kazuchika Okada, Hiroshi Tanahashi, Tetsuya Naito, Kenny Omega, Kota Ibushi and others as they defended their Wrestle Kingdom opportunities before January 4. We also discuss Jay White becoming the first wrestler to steal the rights certificate from a G1 winner, Zack Sabre Jr. and Konosuke Takeshita cashing in their title opportunities before Wrestle Kingdom, and how those decisions reshaped the modern tournament. We also preview the field for G1 Climax 36, New Japan opening the tournament in the United States for just the second time, and the unfortunate concussion that forced Shota Umino to withdraw before block play was complete. From there, we shift our attention to the action inside the ring as we recap Nights 5 through 8 of G1 Climax 36. We discuss Callum Newman scoring the biggest victory of his career over Zack Sabre Jr., Drilla Moloney's rise to the top of B Block while also signing a multi-show agreement with PRODUCE Wrestling, Konosuke Takeshita continuing to look every bit like the tournament favorite, Great-O-Khan's controversial victory over Hirooki Goto, SANADA's creative count-out win over Jake Lee, Yota Tsuji rebuilding momentum after an 0-2 start, HENARE becoming the first wrestler to reach eight points, and Gabe Kidd delivering one of the tournament's most memorable moments after defeating Zack Sabre Jr. and declaring he planned to win G1 Climax 36 "for my cardio" before entering what he called "a real tournament," the AEW Continental Classic. We wrap up by examining where both blocks stand heading into the second half of the tournament. We discuss Takeshita separating himself atop A Block while Yota Tsuji, Boltin Oleg and Ryohei Oiwa continue their pursuit, the three-way tie between HENARE, Drilla Moloney and Gabe Kidd atop B Block, Callum Newman's breakout performance, Zack Sabre Jr.'s uphill climb to stay alive, the impact of Shota Umino's walkover losses on the standings, and the biggest matches and storylines to watch as the race toward the G1 playoffs and Wrestle Kingdom enters its most important stretch. Be sure to support the show and join our Patreon for just $2.99 a month at Patreon.com/TheTurnbuckleTavern for exclusive content. 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.

Turnbuckle Tavern is powered by G FUEL and Official Dick Lazer. Use code TAVERN for 20% off at GFUEL.com and DickLazers.com. Episode 198 is headlined by the fallout from AEW Redemption as Kenny Omega retained the AEW World Championship before shocking Will Ospreay in the closing moments of the show, Willow Nightingale captured the AEW Women's World Championship, Andrade became the new AEW National Champion, and Tony Khan provided the first meaningful update in months on the long-awaited AEW Podcast Network. We also break down a newsworthy edition of Monday Night Raw that crowned a new champion, featured Ryan Garcia joining Judgment Day, and further reshaped the road to WWE's biggest weekend of the summer. We begin with AEW Redemption, reviewing every major match and angle from Montreal. We discuss Speedball Mike Bailey winning the opening ladder match to earn an AEW International Championship opportunity, The Young Bucks defeating Death Riders after Will Ospreay refused to become the monster Jon Moxley wanted him to be, Kyle Fletcher retaining the International Championship against Bandido in another Match of the Year contender, Andrade defeating Mark Davis to capture the AEW National Championship, Chris Jericho and Tommaso Ciampa delivering one of the most violent matches in AEW history, Willow Nightingale dethroning Thekla to become AEW Women's World Champion, Maya World shocking Hikaru Shida to win the TBS Championship, Cage & Cope retaining the AEW World Tag Team Championship before The Young Bucks officially challenged them for All In, and Kenny Omega surviving Kevin Knight before attacking Will Ospreay after Ospreay rejected the Death Riders and officially set the stage for Wembley. We also share our full match grades and biggest takeaways from AEW's newest pay-per-view. We also break down everything Tony Khan revealed during the Redemption media scrum, including the long-awaited update on the AEW Podcast Network, why Redemption was designed to launch the road to All In, improvements regarding international visa issues, new interactive fan experiences planned for Wembley, his comments about Kenny Omega's importance to AEW, the latest on Mistico's recovery ahead of Grand Slam Mexico, and why he intentionally structured Redemption to conclude before midnight Eastern. Over in WWE, we recap a headline-filled Monday Night Raw as Raquel Rodriguez captured the WWE Women's Intercontinental Championship, earning her first singles championship on the main roster with help from Roxanne Perez and adding even more gold to Judgment Day. We also discuss Bron Breakker and Austin Theory brutally writing Otis off television, Ryan Garcia's shocking arrival and alliance with Judgment Day, YouTube TV subscribers now receiving access to ESPN Unlimited and WWE Premium Live Events, and the latest developments across Raw as WWE continues building momentum toward its biggest event of the summer. We then turn our attention to two of wrestling's biggest developing stories as Bayley openly reflects on her career while her WWE contract reportedly nears its expiration, fueling even more speculation about her long-term future and the possibility of joining Mercedes Moné in AEW. We also discuss former TNA World Champion Mike Santana officially becoming Cruz Montana in NXT, the emotional story behind the new name honoring his late father, and what his arrival could mean for WWE's future. From there, we preview the week ahead across professional wrestling, including AEW Dynamite featuring Willow Nightingale's championship celebration, The Conglomeration defending the AEW World Trios Championship, Adam Copeland and Christian Cage sitting down with The Young Bucks ahead of All In, Rhino appearing live, NXT featuring Myles Borne defending the North American Championship and Cruz Montana addressing the NXT Universe for the first time, TNA Impact headlined by Nic Nemeth defending the TNA World Championship against Jeff Hardy, Mustafa Ali defending the TNA International Championship, Knockouts Television Championship tournament action, plus AEW Collision, WWE SmackDown, AAA on Fox, NWA Powerrr, and a look ahead at the biggest matches coming up across the wrestling calendar. Be sure to support the show and join our Patreon for just $2.99 a month at Patreon.com/TheTurnbuckleTavern for exclusive content. 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.

Episode 197 of Wrestling Tonight is LIVE! Acefield Retro is joined by JBugz of The Rawdown for our biggest SummerSlam preview of the year as we break down everything you need to know before WWE's biggest event of the summer. SummerSlam 2026 takes place across two nights on August 1 and August 2 from U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. We go match by match through the full card, examining every rivalry, every championship picture, and every storyline that has brought WWE to one of the most anticipated premium live events of the year. We dive deep into Roman Reigns defending the World Heavyweight Championship against Seth Rollins as their decade-long rivalry reaches another defining chapter. We also break down CM Punk defending the Undisputed WWE Championship against Cody Rhodes, Oba Femi colliding with Brock Lesnar inside Hell in a Cell, Liv Morgan defending the Women's World Championship against Iyo Sky, Chad Gable challenging Penta for the Intercontinental Championship in his hometown, the latest chapter in The Bloodline civil war, Nick Aldis stepping into a WWE ring for the first time, Danhausen's bizarre $100,000 showdown with Dominik Mysterio, the Interim WWE Women's Championship Ladder Match, Sami Zayn's road back to the world title picture, and every other announced match on the SummerSlam card. We also count down our Top 5 Greatest SummerSlam Moments of All Time, revisiting the unforgettable matches, shocking twists, emotional victories, legendary returns, and defining moments that helped make SummerSlam "The Biggest Party of the Summer." Plus, we share plenty of honorable mentions and debate which moments deserve a place among the greatest in WWE history. If you're getting ready for SummerSlam weekend, this is your complete guide to every major story heading into Minneapolis. As always, we'd love to hear from you. What are your Top 5 SummerSlam moments of all time? Which match are you most excited for this year, and what are your biggest predictions for SummerSlam 2026? Let us know in the comments! Turnbuckle Tavern is proudly powered by G FUEL, the clean, zero-sugar, zero-crash energy formula built for wrestling fans, gamers, creators, and anyone looking to stay energized. Save 20% on your order at GFUEL.com with promo code TAVERN. We're also sponsored by Official Dick Lazers. Whether you're looking for the ultimate prank gift or just want to be the funniest person in the room, head over to DickLazers.com and use promo code TAVERN to save 20% on your order.  

Episode 196 of Wrestling Tonight is LIVE! WWE and SiriusXM have officially launched WWE Radio, replacing Pro Wrestling Nation with a 24/7 company-branded channel featuring live Premium Live Event commentary, WWE podcasts, Superstar interviews and Busted Open Radio as the centerpiece of its daily lineup. On the surface, it looks like another major media expansion for WWE. But does it represent something much bigger? This week, we're dedicating the entire episode to breaking down what WWE Radio really means for the future of wrestling media. We examine how the launch changes the perception of Busted Open, Jim Ross' recent criticism that the show had become a "WWE infomercial," and whether an official WWE-branded platform can still be viewed as an independent voice covering the wrestling industry. From there, we dive into WWE's broader media strategy, exploring how the company continues to expand its influence through television, podcasts, streaming, partnerships and now national radio. We also discuss WWE's ongoing counterprogramming of AEW, including Dave Meltzer's recent comments, the fan reaction across the wrestling community, and whether these scheduling decisions are about winning individual weekends or strengthening WWE's long-term position within the industry. Finally, we take a deeper look at the larger media conversation. How does company-controlled media differ from independent journalism? Can promotional platforms also provide objective analysis? And what happens when one company increasingly controls not only the biggest wrestling product, but also more of the platforms discussing it? Join us for one of the most in-depth conversations we've ever had as we examine WWE Radio, media influence, editorial independence and the future of wrestling coverage. Turnbuckle Tavern is powered by G FUEL and Official Dick Lazer. Use code TAVERN for 20% off at GFUEL.com and DickLazers.com.    

Turnbuckle Tavern is powered by G FUEL and Official Dick Lazer. Use code TAVERN for 20% off at GFUEL.com and DickLazers.com. Episode 195 is headlined by WWE Unreal Season 3 pulling back the curtain on one of the company's biggest creative decisions as Triple H reveals Bron Breakker was originally planned to win the 2026 Royal Rumble, the fallout from Saturday Night's Main Event at Madison Square Garden, growing speculation surrounding Tom Brady's WWE future, AEW's inaugural Redemption pay-per-view, and a dramatically reshaped G1 Climax 36 after four nights of tournament action. We begin in WWE with the fallout from Saturday Night's Main Event as CM Punk and Cody Rhodes preserved their SummerSlam Undisputed WWE Championship showdown after defeating Gunther and Sami Zayn in a controversial main event. We break down Nick Aldis' decisive involvement, why Gunther has every reason to feel robbed, and how WWE protected its SummerSlam main event while leaving unresolved issues between all four competitors. We also discuss Fatal Influence capturing the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship, Lyra Valkyria taking her rivalry with Bayley to an even darker place following a vicious post-match assault, Danhausen defeating JD McDonagh with memorable assistance from NBA Champion Karl-Anthony Towns, Trick Williams retaining the United States Championship over Laredo Kid, Oba Femi sending another warning to Brock Lesnar before Hell in a Cell, Roman Reigns closing the show alongside NBA Champion Jalen Brunson before a confrontation with Seth Rollins and Tyrese Haliburton, and why the celebrity-heavy closing segment made for an unusual ending after the night's biggest wrestling match had already concluded. We also examine the show's impressive Google Trends performance and how Madison Square Garden once again delivered one of the strongest Saturday Night's Main Event performances of the modern era. We then shift to WWE Unreal Season 3 as Netflix's behind-the-scenes series reveals Bron Breakker was originally scheduled to win the 2026 Royal Rumble before WWE changed course. We discuss Triple H's concerns over whether Breakker was ready for the pressure that comes with winning WWE's biggest annual match, whether fans would accept the push, and how Breakker's hernia injury the following night ultimately changed the trajectory of his WrestleMania season. We also examine John Cena's candid stories from his farewell tour, including why he refused to perform Rey Mysterio's 619 during his final match with AJ Styles at Crown Jewel, the handwritten introduction he personally gave Alicia Taylor honoring Styles' legendary career across TNA, NJPW and WWE, and why that unscripted tribute unexpectedly landed Cena in trouble with WWE management. We also discuss reports that Tom Brady and WWE are engaged in ongoing conversations following Brady's recent confrontations with Logan Paul at Fanatics Fest and the FIFA World Cup Final. We examine how Brady's relationship with Fanatics, his comments about potentially wrestling, and his ties to WWE could make an eventual appearance a realistic possibility. We also cover popular streamer N3on's public apology to Penta after accidentally livestreaming the Intercontinental Champion without his mask at Fanatics Fest, plus the latest legal development as Janel Grant's lawsuit against Vince McMahon and WWE officially moves into private arbitration. Over in AEW, we preview the inaugural Redemption pay-per-view from Montreal as the Bell Centre hosts its first-ever AEW pay-per-view event. We break down Kenny Omega defending the AEW World Championship against Kevin Knight, Kyle Fletcher defending the International Championship against Bandido, Mark Davis putting the National Championship on the line against Andrade El Ídolo, Adam Copeland and Christian Cage defending the AEW World Tag Team Championship against Claudio Castagnoli and PAC, Thekla defending the AEW Women's World Championship against Willow Nightingale, Hikaru Shida defending the TBS Championship against Maya World, Jon Moxley and Will Ospreay joining forces against The Young Bucks, Chris Jericho facing Tommaso Ciampa in a No Holds Barred Match, and the Rougeau wrestling dynasty celebration scheduled for the pre-show. From there, we head to AAA, where Rey Mysterio has officially launched the tournament to crown a new AAA Latin American Champion following El Hijo del Vikingo's injury. We discuss El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. becoming the first qualifier for the TripleManía 34 championship match, preview the remaining qualifying matches, and break down La Hiedra and Laredo Kid earning a AAA World Mixed Tag Team Championship opportunity against Lola Vice and Mr. Iguana as Verano de Escándalo rapidly approaches. Over in New Japan Pro-Wrestling, G1 Climax 36 has become even more unpredictable after four nights of tournament action. We recap Hirooki Goto's victory over IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Yota Tsuji, Yuya Uemura's career-defining upset of Zack Sabre Jr., Ren Narita shocking Callum Newman, Gabe Kidd rebounding after his opening-night loss, and then break down Night Four as Oleg Boltin scored a statement victory over Shingo Takagi, SANADA handed Tsuji another costly defeat, Jake Lee knocked off Goto to erase his undefeated record, and Konosuke Takeshita and Ryohei Oiwa continued their impressive tournaments. We examine why A Block has transformed into a five-way tie for first place while B Block remains just as competitive heading into the next round of matches. Plus, we preview the week ahead across professional wrestling, including Monday Night Raw featuring Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins face-to-face, Oba Femi confronting Brock Lesnar, Sol Ruca defending the Women's Intercontinental Championship against Raquel Rodriguez, and Joe Hendry and Danhausen's concert. We also preview AEW Dynamite, TNA Impact, WWE SmackDown, AEW Collision, AAA on Fox, NWA Powerrr, and continue looking ahead to SummerSlam as CM Punk defends the Undisputed WWE Championship against Cody Rhodes, Roman Reigns battles Seth Rollins for the World Heavyweight Championship, Brock Lesnar collides with Oba Femi inside Hell in a Cell, Penta defends the Intercontinental Championship against Chad Gable, and several more blockbuster matches continue taking shape. Be sure to support the show and join our Patreon for just $2.99 a month at Patreon.com/TheTurnbuckleTavern for exclusive content. 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.  

Turnbuckle Tavern is powered by G FUEL and Official Dick Lazer. Use code TAVERN for 20% off at GFUEL.com and DickLazers.com. Episode 194 is headlined by the return of Saturday Night's Main Event to Madison Square Garden, CM Punk's candid comments about WWE's backstage culture, the surprise return of Baron Corbin, and the official start of NJPW's G1 Climax 36 as one of wrestling's biggest weeks of the summer unfolds. We begin in WWE, where CM Punk sat down with Stephanie McMahon for one of his most revealing interviews since becoming Undisputed WWE Champion. Punk discusses why he believes WWE needs to do a better job providing constructive feedback to its talent, why too many wrestlers care more about social media reactions than live crowd responses, and why both performers and producers share responsibility for developing the next generation. We also discuss Punk's praise for WWE's current leadership, why he hopes future wrestlers work fewer dates while making more money than previous generations, and his emotional reflections on winning the Undisputed WWE Championship in his hometown of Chicago. Plus, Punk explains why watching John Cena and AJ Styles retire has motivated him to continue wrestling at the highest level as he prepares for SummerSlam. We also preview Saturday Night's Main Event XLV, as WWE brings one of its most historic television franchises back to Madison Square Garden for the first time since 2007. We look at the show's rich history dating back to 1985, how it became one of the defining programs of wrestling's boom period, and why WWE continues embracing its classic presentation today. We also preview CM Punk and Cody Rhodes taking on Gunther and Sami Zayn, Bayley facing Lyra Valkyria, Danhausen battling JD McDonagh in a No Disqualification Match, the Bella Twins defending the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship, and Roman Reigns' appearance alongside 2026 NBA Champion Jalen Brunson at The World's Most Famous Arena. We also discuss the surprise return of Baron Corbin, who made his first WWE television appearance since his release at the end of 2024 by attacking Carmelo Hayes and Trick Williams on SmackDown. Corbin laid out both men with End of Days before holding the United States Championship high above his head, immediately establishing himself as a new challenger. We also examine Corbin's run on the independent scene as Bishop Dyer, his MLW Tag Team Championship reign alongside Donovan Dijak, and his brief AEW appearance earlier this year before returning to WWE. Roman Reigns also had plenty to say following Monday's heated contract signing with Seth Rollins. After Rollins stood tall by delivering a Stomp on Raw, Reigns fired back on social media, claiming every major accomplishment of Rollins' career happened because of him while warning that The Bloodline could "end" him for the disrespect. We discuss the latest chapter in one of WWE's greatest rivalries and what it means heading into their World Heavyweight Championship match at SummerSlam. We also discuss the latest speculation surrounding Bayley's WWE future after Mercedes Moné once again fueled rumors with another social media tease. Following Bayley's Raw confrontation with Lyra Valkyria, Moné posted an hourglass GIF just weeks after sharing a WrestleDream graphic featuring herself against Bayley under her real name, Davina Rose. We discuss why fans continue to speculate about Bayley's future while emphasizing that there is currently no confirmation she is leaving WWE or signing with AEW. Over in AEW, one of the biggest stories isn't happening inside the ring but in the courtroom. Paramount Skydance's proposed $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery is facing a major legal challenge after a coalition of 12 state attorneys general filed a federal antitrust lawsuit seeking to block the merger. Led by California Attorney General Rob Bonta, the states argue the deal would combine two of Hollywood's five largest studios, reducing competition while leading to higher prices, fewer theatrical releases, and less content. Paramount maintains the merger is pro-competitive, expects to receive final European Union approval on July 22, and is still targeting a September closing despite the lawsuit. We discuss why the case could have long-term implications for AEW, whose multi-year media rights agreement with Warner Bros. Discovery includes Dynamite on TBS, Collision on TNT, and streaming on Max. While nothing changes for AEW today and its current television deal remains fully intact, the lawsuit creates uncertainty surrounding the future ownership of AEW's broadcast partner and what that could mean whenever the company's next media rights negotiations begin. Over in AEW, the company heads to Boston riding significant momentum after Beach Break delivered its largest television audience in years. We break down Wrestlenomics reporting that Beach Break averaged 773,000 viewers, up 22 percent from the previous week while finishing No. 4 on cable in the key demographic. We also discuss Fightful Select's report that AEW officials were thrilled with both the television numbers and Kenny Omega versus MJF, along with confirmation that the match's memorable table spot paid tribute to Mick Foley's iconic Mankind bump. Looking ahead to Dynamite, Kenny Omega celebrates becoming a two-time AEW World Champion as AEW continues building toward Redemption later this month, while WrestleTix reports Boston ticket sales have climbed to 2,628 distributed. We also discuss Hangman Page's emotional return to AEW Collision after nearly four months away. Reflecting on his inability to ever challenge for the AEW World Championship again following his Revolution loss to MJF, Page made it clear he's turning his attention toward new goals, teasing future pursuits of Kevin Knight's TNT Championship and Kyle Fletcher's International Championship as he begins the next chapter of his AEW career. From there, we head to New Japan Pro-Wrestling, where G1 Climax 36 is officially underway. We recap opening night from Chicago as IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Yota Tsuji defeated Konosuke Takeshita in the main event to earn his first two tournament points alongside Jake Lee, Yuto-Ice, Hirooki Goto, Ryohei Oiwa, Aaron Wolf, OSKAR, Zack Sabre Jr., and Callum Newman. We discuss the early standings, Gabe Kidd's visa-related absence, the history and prestige of the G1 Climax, and preview another loaded weekend of tournament action. Plus, we preview the week ahead across professional wrestling, including AEW Dynamite featuring Kenny Omega's World Championship Celebration, NXT, AAA on FOX, AEW Collision, TNA Impact, the opening week of G1 Climax 36, Saturday Night's Main Event from Madison Square Garden, and everything else to watch across WWE, AEW, NJPW, TNA, AAA, and the NWA. Be sure to support the show and join our Patreon for just $2.99 a month at Patreon.com/TheTurnbuckleTavern for exclusive content. 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.  

Eight years ago, a broken heart and a bar called Sugars turned into the GZ Chop Shop. This week, Greg, Ty, and Uly celebrate 8 years on air by diving into PlayStation's plan to kill physical games in 2028, the billion-dollar UK lawsuit that could reshape the PlayStation Store, dynamic pricing, Xbox's leadership shakeup, and a real console-wars history lesson — plus the origin story of the show itself.KEY TAKEAWAYSSony is ending physical disc production in January 2028 — every future PlayStation game will be digital-only, which strips away the one built-in price comparison consumers had against the PlayStation Store.Sony faces a UK monopoly lawsuit (reported near $2.7B) alleging the PlayStation Store's 30% commission and lack of retail competition make digital prices "excessive and unfair" — on top of an already-settled $7.85M U.S. case over lost voucher competition.Dynamic pricing is coming to PlayStation Store — the same game could cost you more or less depending on your purchase history and genre preferences, with no outside storefront to compare against once physical is gone."Owning" a digital license isn't the same as owning a game — Yakuza Zero and the Kingdom Hearts All-in-One collection have both been delisted from PS Store, and physical PS Vita purchases have a hard shutoff date looming.Xbox's leadership is in flux, and the crew digs into what that means for whoever ends up being blamed if Game Pass's economics don't hold up long-term.A real console-wars history lesson: why the Xbox 360 outsold the PS3 lifetime (and why that one-year head start matters more than people remember), and how Nintendo profits off pure brand loyalty (Labo, we're looking at you).Square Enix is moving upcoming titles to "game key cards" on Switch — a cartridge that's really just a license key, not the actual game data.8 years, 241+ episodes, zero hiatuses — the crew looks back at how a bad breakup and a bar conversation turned into a full media brand.CHAPTERS00:00 — Intro: 8 years of the Chop Shop + anniversary housekeeping01:00 — G FUEL Giveaway details (prize pack + $50 Steam Gift Card)02:00 — PlayStation's censorship baggage, revisited03:41 — Sony's billion-dollar UK monopoly lawsuit04:41 — Dynamic pricing, explained plainly06:22 — GTA 6's price tag and the industry domino effect07:03 — Digital "ownership" is a rental — the GamesRadar take that broke us11:26 — The Crew (Yakuza Zero) delisting precedent13:14 — Kingdom Hearts All-in-One quietly disappears from PS Store20:12 — How to actually protect your physical/digital library before the cutoffs hit22:57 — Xbox's "we told you so" moment29:00 — Is Microsoft trying to sell off Xbox?31:00 — Xbox 360 vs. PS3 vs. Wii — the real lifetime sales numbers41:41 — Nintendo's untouchable formula (yes, we all bought the Labo)44:52 — Days Gone, Sunset Overdrive, and games we'll never get sequels for45:26 — Square Enix's game key card move — bad news for physical Switch collectors53:54 — [Redacted for decency — you'll know it when you hear it]54:22 — 8 years of GZ Chop Shop: the actual origin story1:08:00 — The wildest guest requests we've ever landed1:14:16 — Where we want the show to go next1:19:15 — Outro + how to enter the anniversary giveaway⚡ G FUEL affiliate link

Turnbuckle Tavern is powered by G FUEL and Official Dick Lazer. Use code TAVERN for 20% off at GFUEL.com and DickLazers.com. Episode 193 is headlined by one of the most shocking championship changes of the year as CM Punk reclaimed the Undisputed WWE Championship in his hometown of Chicago, major backstage reports revealed WWE's long-term plans for Oba Femi, AEW prepares for Beach Break, and questions continue to surround WWE's handling of its ID program. We begin in WWE, where CM Punk stunned Chicago by defeating Sami Zayn in a surprise Raw main event to become the new Undisputed WWE Champion. After Cody Rhodes was attacked backstage by Gunther before his scheduled title match, Punk stepped in as the replacement challenger and defeated Zayn in a thrilling 20-minute championship match, ending Sami's reign after just nine days. We discuss Punk capturing his eighth recognized WWE/World Championship, his emotional 2011-inspired celebration through the crowd, the refrigerator callback on Instagram, and what this title change means heading into SummerSlam for Cody Rhodes, Gunther, Roman Reigns, and the rest of WWE's main event picture. We also break down reports that WWE's decision to have Oba Femi give up the World Heavyweight Championship opportunity he earned through King of the Ring was the plan from the very beginning. According to Dave Meltzer, WWE wants to build Femi vs. Roman Reigns into the biggest match possible rather than rushing it at SummerSlam. Instead, Femi will face Brock Lesnar inside Hell in a Cell in the deciding match of their trilogy while Reigns defends the World Heavyweight Championship against Seth Rollins. We discuss the reported long-term strategy, whether WWE made the right decision, and what it says about how highly the company views Oba Femi. We also examine the growing criticism surrounding WWE's ID program after reports that scheduling changes to Evolve tapings and communication issues forced independent wrestlers to cancel previously scheduled bookings. Dave Meltzer and Bryan Alvarez both detailed the challenges facing WWE ID talent, who are reportedly expected to secure regular high-profile independent bookings while remaining available for WWE commitments. We discuss why some independent wrestlers are reportedly questioning whether signing a WWE ID deal is actually beneficial. Plus, we discuss reports that Sheamus is nearing the end of his WWE run after reportedly declining both a contract extension and a restructured deal. We look back at the career of the former WWE Champion, Royal Rumble winner, Money in the Bank winner, and King of the Ring winner, and discuss what could be next if his nearly 20-year run with WWE comes to an end. We also discuss the continued crossover between WWE and AAA after the AAA World Tag Team Champions, The War Raiders, challenged WWE Tag Team Champions Damian Priest and R-Truth to a winner-take-all championship match featuring both companies' tag team titles. Over in AEW, we preview Dynamite: Beach Break from Clearwater, Florida, where MJF defends the AEW World Championship against Kenny Omega in one of the biggest television main events of the year. With Omega permanently losing his ability to challenge for the championship if he comes up short, we discuss the enormous stakes, Konosuke Takeshita defending the International Championship against Kyle Fletcher, the Women's Casino Gauntlet Match, Chris Jericho facing Tommaso Ciampa, and AEW's first-of-its-kind partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery and Twitch featuring Agent00 and CashNastyGaming. We also look at the latest business news surrounding AEW as Beach Break has distributed 2,686 tickets according to WrestleTix, while All In has reached 26,915 tickets distributed for Wembley Stadium with just over 55 days remaining. We discuss the latest All In build, Mercedes Moné and Will Ospreay's championship opportunities, and Tony Khan officially bringing All Out back to the Chicago area on September 26 while explaining why the event will remain separate from Labor Day weekend. From there, we head to New Japan Pro-Wrestling as the field for G1 Climax 36 is officially complete. Ryohei Oiwa and OSKAR claimed the final tournament spots, Chicago prepares to host opening night this weekend, and we preview one of wrestling's most prestigious tournaments as 20 competitors begin their pursuit of an IWGP World Heavyweight Championship opportunity. Plus, we preview the week ahead across professional wrestling, including AEW Beach Break, TNA Impact featuring multiple championship matches and the Knockouts Television Championship Tournament, CM Punk's first SmackDown appearance as Undisputed WWE Champion, NJPW G1 Climax opening weekend in Chicago, WWE Saturday Night's Main Event from Madison Square Garden, and everything else to watch this week across WWE, AEW, TNA, NJPW, AAA, and the NWA. Be sure to support the show and join our Patreon for just $2.99 a month at Patreon.com/TheTurnbuckleTavern for exclusive content. 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.

Turnbuckle Tavern is powered by G FUEL and Official Dick Lazer. Use code TAVERN for 20% off at GFUEL.com and DickLazers.com. Episode 192 is all about one of the biggest wrestling weekends of the year as WWE, AEW, TNA, and NXT all delivered major shows that set the stage for SummerSlam, All In, and beyond. We kick things off with WWE Night of Champions, where Sami Zayn finally climbed the mountain and won the Undisputed WWE Championship in a thrilling triple threat against Cody Rhodes and Gunther. Was this the right time to crown Sami? Where do Cody and Gunther go from here? We also break down Oba Femi winning King of the Ring, IYO SKY becoming Queen of the Ring, Seth Rollins surviving Bron Breakker inside a steel cage, and the rest of the night's biggest moments. Then it's on to AEW Forbidden Door, where Will Ospreay defeated Swerve Strickland to punch his ticket to All In against MJF. Has AEW finally found its defining long-term story with Ospreay? We also discuss Kenny Omega vs. Zack Sabre Jr., Mercedes Moné earning another title shot, Jon Moxley, Team Briscoe, and everything that made Forbidden Door one of the year's best shows. From there, we celebrate TNA Slammiversary's 25th anniversary, including Nic Nemeth regaining the TNA World Championship. Is this the right direction for TNA as the company heads into its next chapter? We also recap NXT Great American Bash, where Kendal Grey stunned Lola Vice to win the NXT Women's Championship. Is she ready to be the face of the division? Finally, we preview the week ahead, including MJF vs. Mark Briscoe, the first-ever Survival of the Fittest Match for the TBS Championship, WWE title matches, AAA, NXT, TNA, and much more. Join us on Patreon for just $2.99/month at Patreon.com/TheTurnbuckleTavern for exclusive content, and follow @TurnbuckleTavern on social media. 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.  

Turnbuckle Tavern is powered by G FUEL and Official Dick Lazer. Use code TAVERN for 20% off at GFUEL.com and DickLazers.com. Episode 191 is headlined by a massive week across WWE, AEW, TNA Wrestling, and NJPW as Night of Champions, Forbidden Door, Slammiversary, and G1 Climax continue to take shape. We begin in WWE, where Sami Zayn's controversial actions as special guest referee have led to a WWE Championship Triple Threat between Cody Rhodes, Gunther, and Sami Zayn at Night of Champions. We break down the fallout and preview the rest of the card, including Seth Rollins vs. Bron Breakker inside a steel cage, the King and Queen of the Ring Finals, Trick Williams defending the United States Championship against Ricky Saints, and Tiffany Stratton facing Jade Cargill. Over in AEW, we discuss reports that multiple AEW, NJPW, and CMLL talents still don't know their Forbidden Door plans, Gabe Kidd's expected involvement, and the unique way the event continues to come together. We also preview a loaded card featuring Swerve Strickland vs. Will Ospreay, Mercedes Moné vs. Maya World, Kenny Omega vs. Zack Sabre Jr., Jon Moxley vs. Bandido, PAC vs. Shota Umino, and more. The women's division remains a major focus as Kris Statlander joins Hikaru Shida and Persephone in the first-ever Survival of the Fittest Match to crown a new TBS Champion following Willow Nightingale's injury. We also discuss Tony Khan naming Thekla, Kevin Knight, Kyle Fletcher, and Mercedes Moné among AEW's modern pillars. In TNA Wrestling, we examine the company's ongoing restructuring following the departures of Tommy Dreamer, Sami Callihan, and Tessa Blanchard. We discuss Matt Hardy's defense of TNA President Carlos Silva, the latest creative rumors involving Delirious, Eric Tompkins, and Road Dogg, and whether the promotion is entering a new era. We also preview Slammiversary, headlined by Mike Santana challenging Nic Nemeth for the TNA World Championship. Over in NJPW, Aaron Wolf and Yuto-Ice officially qualify for G1 Climax 36 as the tournament field continues to take shape. We discuss NJPW's continued investment in its next generation of stars and what it means for the company's future. Plus, Paul Heyman praises AEW's impact on wrestler compensation and the industry at large, Mystery Wrestling's Infinite Rumble sets a new fundraising record, Josh Barnett responds to Bully Ray's criticism of Jon Moxley, and we discuss why Moxley remains one of wrestling's most polarizing figures. Be sure to support the show and join our Patreon for just $2.99 a month at Patreon.com/TheTurnbuckleTavern for exclusive content. Follow @TurnbuckleTavern on social media 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.

Summer showcase season is officially in the books — and Greg, Ty, and Uly have receipts.This week, the crew digs into the data behind all the hype: which games actually won Summer Game Fest according to Steam wishlist numbers and search trends, and why the top three spots all went to remakes and sequels. Code Veronica taking the #1 wishlist spot gets the full breakdown — Ty explains why the game's weird place in Resident Evil canon is exactly the reason people are losing their minds over it, and the crew goes deep on how RE4 and Code Veronica's release timeline essentially screwed Capcom's own franchise order. Ocarina of Time, Persona 6, Insomniac's Wolverine, Gears of War: E-Day, Kingdom Hearts, and Spyro all get their moment.Then things get real when Greg drops the number: Gears of War: E-Day reportedly cost $400 million to make. The crew breaks down why that figure is almost impossible to recoup — comparing it to Spider-Man 2's $300M budget, which needed 7.2 million copies at full price to break even, against Gears of War II's total lifetime sales of 6.75 million copies ever. Factor in that the game launches Day 1 on Game Pass, Xbox's recent price drop, and that Microsoft is quietly aging out its console ambitions — and this gets uncomfortable fast.Also: a full Resident Evil 6 rehabilitation arc, the correct story order to play RE6 (yes, there is one), a debate on whether RE5 deserves a remake, and the moment Greg admits he's never actually played Until Dawn, Detroit: Become Human, or Heavy Rain — despite knowing every detail about all three. Ty does not take this well.Plus — the 8th anniversary of GZ Chop Shop is coming. July 18th. G Fuel is involved. More details dropping in the newsletter soon.Key Topics:Breakdown of Summer Game Fest's top winners and surprises, including Stellar Blade, Gears of War, and Dawn 2.The cultural significance of franchises like Gears of War and Kingdom Hearts.The impact of search trends and search result data on game popularity.Industry analysis: budget estimates, sales figures, and the feasibility of blockbuster hits like Xbox's $400 million exclusive.The debate over remakes: Wind Waker, Twilight Princess, and the longevity of classic titles.The complex timeline of Resident Evil remakes and their impact on franchise storytelling.Technical and strategic industry insights, including counterfeit perceptions and hardware shortages.The role of game subscriptions like Game Pass in the financial landscape.Final thoughts on upcoming releases, the state of the industry, and the importance of community engagement.Subscribe to the GZ Press Play Gaming Newsletter for the full written breakdown every Thursday: gz-press-play-gaming-newsletter.beehiiv.com

Turnbuckle Tavern is powered by G FUEL and Official Dick Lazer. Use code TAVERN for 20% off at GFUEL.com and DickLazers.com. Episode 190 is headlined by a major development in Janel Grant's lawsuit against Vince McMahon and WWE, as all parties have received approval to move the case toward private arbitration. We discuss what the canceled June 16 hearing, the July 10 status report, and the potential move to confidential arbitration could mean, not just legally but publicly, as questions grow about whether WWE and TKO may eventually test the waters for a Vince McMahon rehabilitation tour. We also break down CM Punk's expected WWE return. Punk has been announced for FanaticsFest on July 19, reports continue to point toward a return on or before the July 6 Raw near Chicago, and Dave Meltzer reports WWE's current plan is for Punk to join the SmackDown roster. We examine the teased Cody Rhodes program, why creative changes delayed his return, and what it could mean for SummerSlam. Rhea Ripley is dealing with issues both inside and outside the ring. WWE revealed that the Women's Champion is being evaluated for a knee injury suffered in Italy, while Ripley also opened up about fans crossing major boundaries, including showing up at her home and one person obtaining her personal phone number after being unable to purchase SmackDown tickets. On the AEW side, we look at ticket sales for Redemption in Montreal and Grand Slam Mexico, with both events showing encouraging early momentum. Redemption has distributed 4,782 tickets and is already approaching AEW's previous Bell Centre number, while Grand Slam Mexico sits at 5,146 tickets distributed, well above AEW's current 2026 attendance average. We also cover NJPW Dominion 2026, where five championships changed hands. Yota Tsuji regained the IWGP Heavyweight Championship, Shota Umino captured the IWGP Global Championship, YOH became the 100th IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion, Aaron Wolf reclaimed the NEVER Openweight Championship, and Great O Khan and HENARE captured the IWGP Tag Team Championships. Plus, Gabe Kidd returned and immediately inserted himself into the title picture. The road to G1 Climax 36 is now set as NJPW finalizes its play in matches. We discuss Aaron Wolf's rapid rise, the final qualifying matches, and how the field is shaping up before the tournament begins July 11 in Chicago. John Cena also shares new details on the planned John Cena Classic, including WWE's version of an All Star Game, a new championship, fan voting, cross brand exhibition matches, and the possibility, however unlikely, of one more match. Plus, UFC Freedom 250 becomes one of the strangest stories of the year. The FBI says it foiled an alleged attack plot targeting the White House event, Dana White publicly criticized Josh Hokit's remarks about Michelle Obama, Roman Reigns, Nick Khan, Paul Levesque, Shane McMahon, and Declan McMahon were all in attendance, and Daniel Cormier found himself at the center of a bizarre social media controversy involving Eric Trump. From there, we head to TNA, where the company is undergoing major changes. Tessa Blanchard has been granted her release after reportedly declining an exclusive contract offer, while longtime creative figure Tommy Dreamer has mutually parted ways with the promotion after nearly a decade in leadership and creative roles. We break down the reported wrestling politics involving TNA, WWE, AAA, CMLL, and AEW that may have contributed to Blanchard's departure, discuss Dreamer's exit and his impact on the company behind the scenes, examine the reports linking Road Dogg to a potential role in TNA's creative future, and explore what these departures could mean for the company's direction moving forward. We also preview the week ahead, including Cody Rhodes defending the WWE Championship against Gunther with Sami Zayn as special guest referee, Charlotte Flair facing Liv Morgan in the Queen of the Ring semifinals, Mercedes Moné battling Hazuki in the Owen Hart Tournament, AEW's continued build toward Forbidden Door, and a loaded slate of action from NJPW, TNA, and more. Be sure to support the show and join our Patreon for just $2.99 a month at Patreon.com/TheTurnbuckleTavern for exclusive content. 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.

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, a marathon gaming session, or just getting through your day, G FUEL has you covered. 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 also proudly powered by the one-of-a-kind Official Dick Lazer — a wild, over-the-top gag gift that's guaranteed to get a reaction. With the flip of a switch, it projects five laser images, and it also features 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 weighing just 1.4 ounces. It's perfect for pranking coworkers, lighting up parties, college dorm antics, or just being the funniest person in the room. 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. Episode 189 is headlined by the wild week of rumors surrounding CM Punk's WWE status. We break down the online speculation, Sean Ross Sapp addressing the "reckless speculation," Fightful Select pushing back on claims that Punk wanted out or was asked to take a pay cut, and PWInsider reporting that Punk is expected back on WWE television in the coming months with new merchandise being prepared. We also discuss Ariel Helwani's blunt criticism of WWE under TKO, including his comments calling the current product "soulless," his issues with WrestleMania, his disappointment in the John Cena retirement tour, and his belief that WWE may have creatively peaked with Cody Rhodes defeating Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 40. From there, we get into the latest legal and business stories surrounding WWE. A settlement agreement in principle has been reached in the WWE shareholder lawsuit, cancelling the Delaware Chancery Court trial that was expected to feature testimony from Vince McMahon, Nick Khan, Paul Levesque, Mark Shapiro, Ari Emanuel, and others. We also cover WWE moving Money in the Bank again, with the show now set for October 10 in New Orleans, while September 6 will instead feature a special Sunday edition of Saturday Night's Main Event in Atlanta. The road to Night of Champions is also heating up as the King and Queen of the Ring tournaments continue. Je'Von Evans, Dominik Mysterio, and Oba Femi have advanced on the men's side, while Liv Morgan, Raquel Rodriguez, and IYO SKY are moving forward in the women's bracket. We also discuss Cody Rhodes and Gunther running it back for the Undisputed WWE Championship on the June 19 episode of SmackDown, with Gunther set to choose the stipulation. On the AEW side, we look at All In 2026 ticket sales lagging behind previous Wembley Stadium events, MJF's hyperextended knee injury and why AEW still expects to use him, and the growing movement around the vacant TBS Championship with Hikaru Shida, Kris Statlander, Mina Shirakawa, Harley Cameron, Zayda Steel, and Queen Aminata all declaring for Survival of the Fittest qualifiers. We also dive into Stardom's major presence in North America. Syuri, Hazuki, Ranna Yagami, and Fuwa-chan will miss the 2026 5 Star Grand Prix due to excursions, while Syuri challenges Athena for the ROH Women's World Championship at Global Wars Cincinnati and Hazuki prepares to face Mercedes Moné in the Owen Hart Foundation Tournament semifinals. Plus, AAA officially announces Verano de Escándalo for July 25 in Aguascalientes, NJPW finalizes a loaded Dominion card headlined by Callum Newman vs. Yota Tsuji, YOH challenging DOUKI, and Konosuke Takeshita defending against SANADA, TNA confirms Nic Nemeth will call his shot at Slammiversary as Steve Maclin and Myla Grace exit the company, Fetty Wap gets involved in light tube chaos at GCW Tournament of Survival, HOOK prepares for his GCW debut and World title shot, and NXT sets multiple title matches for Great American Bash. Be sure to support the show and join our Patreon for just $2.99 a month at Patreon.com/TheTurnbuckleTavern for exclusive content. 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.

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, a marathon gaming session, or just getting through your day, G FUEL has you covered. 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 also proudly powered by the one-of-a-kind Official Dick Lazer — a wild, over-the-top gag gift that's guaranteed to get a reaction. With the flip of a switch, it projects five laser images, and it also features 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 weighing just 1.4 ounces. 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. Episode 188 is headlined by the incredible conclusion to the El Grande Americano saga at AAA Noche de los Grandes as Ludwig Kaiser and Chad Gable delivered a mask vs. mask match that has quickly become a Feud of the Year and Match of the Year contender. We discuss how the story evolved from a comedy gimmick into one of wrestling's most emotionally resonant rivalries and why WWE is now airing the match on Netflix. We also break down the full fallout from WWE Clash in Italy. Cody Rhodes retained the Undisputed WWE Championship against Gunther amid controversy, Roman Reigns defeated Jacob Fatu in Tribal Combat, Rhea Ripley survived Jade Cargill thanks in part to Charlotte Flair's involvement, Sol Ruca captured the WWE Women's Intercontinental Championship from Becky Lynch, and Brock Lesnar's dominant win over Oba Femi sparked major debate about WWE's long-term plans for one of its brightest young stars. The 2026 King and Queen of the Ring tournaments are officially underway, and we discuss why Oba Femi and IYO SKY have quickly emerged as early favorites. We break down the brackets, SummerSlam implications, and whether WWE is positioning its next generation of main event talent through this year's tournaments. On the AEW side, we analyze the Owen Hart Foundation Tournament semifinals featuring Swerve Strickland, Brody King, Will Ospreay, and Mark Davis. We also discuss AEW bringing ROH's historic Survival of the Fittest match to Dynamite to crown a new TBS Champion following Willow Nightingale's injury. Plus, Mistico's return to CMLL after a knee injury, MLW's new VEEPS partnership and move into quarterly pay-per-view events, the bizarre story of WWE nearly reviving the nWo during the pandemic, and previews of Raw, NXT, Dynamite, Collision, SmackDown, TNA Impact, AAA Noches de Grandes Part 2, NJPW/CMLL Fantasticamania, NWA Powerrr, and the entire week ahead across professional wrestling. Be sure to support the show and join our Patreon for just $2.99 a month at Patreon.com/TheTurnbuckleTavern for exclusive content. 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.  

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, a marathon gaming session, or just getting through your day, G FUEL has you covered. 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 also proudly powered by the one-of-a-kind Official Dick Lazer — a wild, over-the-top gag gift that's guaranteed to get a reaction. With the flip of a switch, it projects five laser images, plus a red-dot laser, flashlight, and blacklight all packed into a sleek USB-C rechargeable pen weighing just 1.4 ounces. 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. Episode 187 covers one of the biggest weeks wrestling has seen all year as AEW Double or Nothing completely reshapes the company's championship picture, WWE heads toward its historic Clash in Italy premium live event, major injuries continue piling up inside The Vision faction, and the independent wrestling landscape sees a massive ownership shift. We break down the full fallout from AEW Double or Nothing 2026 from Queens, New York as MJF regains the AEW World Championship in a brutal Title vs. Hair main event against Darby Allin. We discuss the violent structure of the match, Darby's terrifying Coffin Drop off the stage scaffolding, the hardway bleeding controversy under the New York State Athletic Commission, and Kevin Knight's shocking heel turn after attacking Darby while he was strapped to a stretcher. We also look at the end of Darby's chaotic 40-day title reign after seven successful defenses and MJF beginning his third AEW World Championship run. We also cover the massive Stadium Stampede spectacle involving Jericho, The Hurt Syndicate, The Elite, Ricochet, The Don Callis Family, and The Dogs, plus Konosuke Takeshita defeating Kazuchika Okada for the AEW International Championship before Kyle Fletcher returned and betrayed Takeshita to officially end Protoshida. We discuss Jon Moxley retaining the Continental Championship against Kyle O'Reilly, Thekla surviving a four-way Women's World Championship match, Cage and Cope winning the AEW World Tag Team Championship in a violent "I Quit" street fight against FTR, and the latest Owen Hart Cup tournament developments involving Will Ospreay, Swerve Strickland, Athena, Mina Shirakawa, Samoa Joe, Bandido, Sareee, Persephone, Hazuki, and the mystery Wild Card entrant replacing the injured Willow Nightingale. Outside the ring, AEW officially announced the new AEW Redemption pay-per-view for July 26 at the Bell Centre in Montreal, bringing the company to ten annual pay-per-views for the first time ever. We discuss Tony Khan's comments about Montreal's wrestling history, Mick Foley potentially appearing at the event, and what the continued expansion of AEW's pay-per-view calendar means moving forward. We also break down the major independent wrestling business story of the week as former WWE stars Big Damo and Nikki Cross officially acquire ownership of PROGRESS Wrestling and co-ownership of DEFY Wrestling. We discuss their vision for the companies, expansion plans across the UK, relationships with Pro Wrestling NOAH and other promotions, the future of women's wrestling under Cross' leadership, and why this move could become one of the most important independent wrestling developments of the year. On the WWE side, we preview Clash in Italy, WWE's first-ever premium live event in Italy taking place from Turin at the Inalpi Arena. We break down Cody Rhodes defending the Undisputed WWE Championship against Gunther, Roman Reigns facing Jacob Fatu in Tribal Combat for the World Heavyweight Championship, Rhea Ripley defending the WWE Women's Championship against Jade Cargill in a WrestleMania rematch, Becky Lynch defending the Women's Intercontinental Championship against Sol Ruca, and Brock Lesnar returning to face Oba Femi after appearing to retire at WrestleMania 42. We also discuss Saturday Night's Main Event fallout as The Vision retained the World Tag Team Championship against The Street Profits before WWE later announced Logan Paul suffered a torn triceps that will sideline him for months. We cover Bron Breakker replacing Paul as Austin Theory's tag team partner, Theory's brutal chair attack on Joe Hendry, Brie Bella and Paige retaining the Women's Tag Team Championship, Penta retaining against Ethan Page, Jade Cargill pinning Rhea Ripley ahead of Clash in Italy, and Sol Ruca officially earning her Women's Intercontinental Championship opportunity against Becky Lynch. Plus, we discuss WWE officially launching the 2026 King & Queen of the Ring tournaments next week on Raw from Turin, LA Knight declaring himself for the tournament while targeting Roman Reigns, Jimmy Uso defending the modern Bloodline, and the increasing likelihood that this year's finals once again culminate at Night of Champions in Saudi Arabia. We also preview AAA Noches de Grandes, NJPW/CMLL Fantasticamania, Raw, NXT, Dynamite, Collision, SmackDown, TNA Impact, NWA Powerrr, and the entire week ahead across professional wrestling. Be sure to support the show and join our Patreon for just $2.99 a month at Patreon.com/TheTurnbuckleTavern for exclusive content. 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.

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, a marathon gaming session, or just getting through your day, G FUEL has you covered. 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 also proudly powered by the one-of-a-kind Official Dick Lazer — a wild, over-the-top gag gift that's guaranteed to get a reaction. With the flip of a switch, it projects five laser images, plus a red-dot laser, flashlight, and blacklight all packed into a sleek USB-C rechargeable pen weighing just 1.4 ounces. 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. Episode 186 covers one of the busiest weeks wrestling has seen all year as the fallout from John Cena's major WWE announcement, growing TKO criticism, AEW's loaded Owen Hart Cup, and major roster uncertainty across multiple companies all collide at once. We break down the increasingly divided reaction to the John Cena Classic, including criticism from Jeff Jarrett and Lance Storm over WWE replacing wins and losses with fan voting. We also discuss WWE's growing ad issues under TKO after O'Shea Jackson Jr. called the current presentation "almost unwatchable," plus the return of WWE house shows and why the company is suddenly prioritizing more affordable live events again. We also cover Andrew Yang supporting Kevin Nash's push for WWE wrestlers to consider SAG-AFTRA representation, the ongoing uncertainty surrounding Asuka's WWE future, and the latest confusion regarding TKO's Arizona partnership after reports involving Survivor Series and Royal Rumble were corrected. Outside WWE, AEW officially revealed the 2026 Owen Hart Foundation Tournament brackets featuring Will Ospreay vs. Samoa Joe, Swerve Strickland vs. Bandido, and a stacked women's field led by Athena, Mina Shirakawa, Sareee, and Willow Nightingale. We also discuss Tony Khan addressing AEW's relationship with Jazwares, confidence in Nielsen ratings, injury concerns surrounding Sareee and Persephone, and the growing speculation that Mick Foley could potentially appear at Double or Nothing in Queens. Plus, we preview ROH Supercard of Honor, Raw, NXT, Dynamite, Collision, SmackDown, TNA Impact, NWA Powerrr, and the full week ahead in wrestling. Be sure to support the show and join our Patreon for just $2.99 a month at Patreon.com/TheTurnbuckleTavern for exclusive content. 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.

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, a marathon gaming session, or just getting through your day, G FUEL has you covered. 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 also proudly powered by the Official Dick Lazer — a wild, over-the-top gag gift that's guaranteed to get a reaction. With the flip of a switch, it projects five laser images, and it also features 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 weighing just 1.4 ounces. It's perfect for pranking coworkers, lighting up 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 make every moment 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. Episode 185 is a full WWE Backlash preview while also covering one of the most news-heavy weeks wrestling has seen all year. We break down WWE Backlash 2026 from every angle as the company heads into its first Backlash event of the ESPN era in the United States. Roman Reigns defends the World Heavyweight Championship against Jacob Fatu in the biggest match on the card, with the Bloodline story entering a completely new phase after reports surfaced that Reigns is currently not planned for Night of Champions or the June television leading into it. We discuss the family history behind the match, Jacob Fatu's rise from enforcer to true singles star, and why this feels like the biggest opportunity of his WWE career so far. Seth Rollins vs. Bron Breakker may be the most personal match on the show as the collapse of The Vision finally comes to a head. Seth Rollins opened up this week about creating the faction because of insecurity and distrust toward Roman Reigns and CM Punk, while Bron Breakker continues trying to prove he has completely outgrown his former mentor and is ready to become WWE's next centerpiece star. The WWE United States Championship feud between Trick Williams and Sami Zayn has become one of the strangest stories in wrestling all year. We discuss the reported backstage pushback toward the Gingerbread Man storyline, why several people in WWE reportedly viewed the angle as "hokey and archaic," and Sami Zayn's explanation that he intentionally wanted to experiment with a character shift designed to divide the audience rather than function as a traditional heel turn. We also preview IYO SKY vs. Asuka, Danhausen's mystery partner situation against The Miz and Kit Wilson, and the growing speculation that Jelly Roll could appear at Backlash despite CM Punk remaining the betting favorite internally and externally. John Cena also continues heavily teasing what he calls a "history-making" announcement at Backlash that will "shock the very foundation of WWE." Reports now point toward the possible launch of Club WWE tied to the company's growing ESPN integration, and we discuss why WWE is clearly positioning the announcement as one of the defining talking points of the entire event. Outside WWE, one of the biggest stories in wrestling involves Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods officially leaving WWE after reportedly rejecting TKO restructuring deals. We break down the end of The New Day as an active WWE act, why the situation feels different from a normal release, the AEW interest already surrounding both men, and what their departures say about WWE's changing business structure under TKO. AEW delivered an emotional tribute to Ted Turner following his passing at 87 years old. Sting made a surprise appearance alongside Tony Schiavone to honor the man responsible for keeping wrestling alive on TBS and TNT for decades. We reflect on Turner's impact on wrestling history, WCW surviving because of his commitment to the business, and why modern wrestling television likely looks completely different without him. We also discuss AEW Double or Nothing trending toward one of the company's strongest domestic crowds in years from Queens, New York, while Stadium Stampede officially returns for the first time since 2021. Chris Jericho, Ricochet, The Gates of Agony, and The Hurt Syndicate are all becoming part of one of AEW's signature match concepts once again as the company leans harder into faction warfare and spectacle. Plus, we cover Lei Ying Lee regaining the TNA Knockouts World Championship, Yota Tsuji earning an IWGP Heavyweight Championship rematch against Callum Newman for NJPW Dominion, MLW and CMLL's crossover event from Arena México, and the NWA celebrating the reported audience for Powerrr's return to broadcast television on Comet TV. Then we look ahead to Raw, NXT, AEW Dynamite, TNA Impact, SmackDown, AEW Collision, NWA Powerrr, WWE Saturday Night's Main Event, Double or Nothing, Dominion, and the rest of the upcoming wrestling calendar. Be sure to support the show and join our Patreon for just $2.99 a month at Patreon.com/TheTurnbuckleTavern for exclusive content. 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.

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% with code TAVERN at GFUEL.com. Fuel up and keep it Tavern. Turnbuckle Tavern is also powered by the Official Dick Lazer, the ultimate gag gift with laser projections, flashlight, blacklight, and more. Head to DickLazers.com and use code TAVERN for 20% off. Keep it Tavern. Episode 184 covers a packed week across wrestling, led by WWE reshaping NXT's future. NXT Premium Live Events are moving to The CW in the U.S., with weekly episodes and PLEs also headed to ESPN Unlimited, while next-day episodes will arrive on The Roku Channel this fall. WWE is clearly trying to make NXT more accessible, more sports-adjacent, and easier to find across multiple platforms. We also break down Stephanie Vaquer's legitimate second-degree AC sprain after the Raw angle with Raquel Rodriguez and Roxanne Perez. Vaquer is expected to be out for the foreseeable future, with hope but no guarantee that she could return by SummerSlam. Talla Tonga is also sidelined with an undisclosed injury but has not been released and is expected back fairly soon. The WWE AI conversation heated up after backlash to an NXT video package for Sol Ruca and Zaria, coming just after Mark Shapiro confirmed WWE has been using AI in connection with storylines, audience data, creative direction, touring, and revenue strategy. The concern is simple: fans do not want wrestling to feel generated, synthetic, or stripped of its human emotion. Outside WWE, Carlos Silva addressed TNA pulling talent from approved indie matches involving AEW stars, including Nic Nemeth vs. MJF and Leon Slater vs. Ricochet. Silva framed the move as protecting TNA's business, while Matt Hardy said the talent were compensated and MJF publicly accused Silva of lying. We also cover SmackDown's yearly format change, with three-hour shows running from January through June before returning to two hours from July through December. AJ Lee's current WWE run appears to be finished for now after WrestleMania 42, though a future return remains possible. AEW may be adding a new July pay-per-view called Redemption, with Montreal reportedly the favorite host city. If finalized, it would bring AEW to ten yearly pay-per-views for the first time. New Japan also heads into Wrestling Dontaku 2026 with major AEW involvement, including Will Ospreay in six-man action, Andrade El Idolo challenging Yota Tsuji, and Konosuke Takeshita defending the NJPW World TV Championship. We also discuss Janel Grant launching an Instagram account tied to the broader conversation around workplace NDAs and Connecticut Raised Bill S.B. 355, ahead of a key June 10 ruling in her case. And we close the news section with a heartfelt acknowledgment of Rebel, Tanea Brooks, who revealed she has been diagnosed with terminal ALS after a long medical journey. Then we look ahead to Raw, NXT, AEW Dynamite, TNA Impact, SmackDown, AEW Collision, AAA on Fox, NWA Powerrr, and the upcoming 2026 PPV and PLE calendar. Episode 184 is about access, control, uncertainty, and change across the wrestling industry. WWE is expanding NXT's reach while facing injury and AI questions. TNA and AEW tensions are spilling into public view. AEW continues to scale. NJPW leans into crossover appeal. And the week reminds us that behind every headline are real people navigating real consequences. Be sure to support the show and join our Patreon for just $2.99 a month at Patreon.com/TheTurnbuckleTavern for exclusive content. 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.  

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% with code TAVERN at GFUEL.com. Fuel up and keep it Tavern. Turnbuckle Tavern is also powered by the Official Dick Lazer, the ultimate gag gift with laser projections, flashlight, blacklight, and more. Head to DickLazers.com and use code TAVERN for 20% off. Keep it Tavern. Episode 183 breaks down a week where WWE's future started changing fast. The post WrestleMania 42 roster cuts hit every level of the company, with Kairi Sane, Aleister Black, Zelina Vega, Zoey Stark, Alba Fyre, Nikki Cross, Joe Gacy, Bo Dallas, Dexter Lumis, Erik Rowan, Apollo Crews, Santos Escobar, the Motor City Machine Guns, Tyra Mae Steele, and several NXT prospects all gone. Kairi Sane's release is the hardest one to explain. She was active on television, coming off a singles win over IYO SKY on the April 13 Raw, and appeared to be headed toward a bigger story with Asuka. IYO SKY called the timing unexpected, Bayley said she was struggling to process it, and Kairi thanked fans while saying she would "set sail… in my own time." Aleister Black's exit raises similar questions after wins over Randy Orton, Sami Zayn, and Matt Cardona. These did not feel like talents being phased out creatively. They felt like cuts made while stories were still moving. The Wyatt Sicks were also wiped out, with Nikki Cross, Joe Gacy, Dexter Lumis, Erik Rowan, and Bo Dallas all released. Nikki Cross later called her time as Abby the Witch "the honour of a lifetime," tying the group back to Bray Wyatt, Brodie Lee, the Windham family, the Huber family, and the Fireflies who kept that world alive. The locker room reaction showed how heavy the day was. Alexa Bliss honored Nikki Cross and the Wyatt Sicks. Rhea Ripley called it a sad day. Chelsea Green and Piper Niven praised Alba Fyre. Asuka, Bayley, and IYO SKY supported Kairi Sane. Nathan Frazer gave a heartfelt tribute to Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin, crediting the Motor City Machine Guns for helping him during his first year on the main roster. At the same time, WWE is pushing new names forward. Ricky Saints is set for his SmackDown debut next week in Tulsa after one final NXT match against Shiloh Hill. Ethan Page and Sol Ruca already arrived on Raw, while Joe Hendry is set for his official Raw debut with a concert. SmackDown also got a jolt from Fatal Attraction, as Jacy Jayne, Fallon Henley, and Lainey Reid attacked Paige, Brie Bella, Alexa Bliss, Charlotte Flair, and Rhea Ripley. Blake Monroe is also headed to the blue brand after a vignette for "The Glamour," bringing her résumé as Mariah May, Owen Hart Cup winner, former AEW Women's World Champion, and former NXT Women's North American Champion with her. Cody Rhodes used SmackDown to send a pointed message beyond Randy Orton. Still showing the effects of Orton's punt, Cody called out the "outside forces" affecting his WrestleMania path, saying they are "0-3" and telling them to send their best or stay out of his business. The line appears aimed at TKO influence and connects to past WrestleMania shifts involving Roman Reigns, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, and John Cena. Tiffany Stratton also turned a missed WrestleMania into momentum, defeating Giulia to win the WWE Women's United States Championship. The win ended Giulia's 112 day reign and gave Stratton her third singles title in WWE. In her interview with Joey Karni, Stratton said missing WrestleMania gave her a chip on her shoulder, and she is determined to make sure it never happens again. Outside WWE, Lucha Underground suddenly resurfaced after years of silence with a "¿Más?" teaser and the caption "soon." Taya Valkyrie, Willie Mack, Ivelisse, Vinnie Massaro, The Butcher, AJ Francis, Shelly Martinez, Chelsea Green, and Brian Cage all reacted, with speculation already pointing to anything from a YouTube library rollout to something bigger. AAA is also teasing a shift of its own. Marisela Peña Roldán confirmed that a new general manager will be revealed on May 23 in Mexico City after Dorian Roldán asked for the role. She made it clear that nothing in AAA will remain the same once the new GM is announced. Episode 183 is about transition everywhere. WWE is cutting major names while elevating new ones. Cody Rhodes is calling out the power above the ring. Tiffany Stratton is forcing her way back into focus. Lucha Underground is stirring again. AAA is preparing a reset. The whole landscape feels like it is moving at once. Be sure to support the show and follow us @TurnbuckleTavern. Until next week, stay out of the alley and away from the pork and beans. Good luck and good speed.

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% with code TAVERN at GFUEL.com. Fuel up and keep it Tavern. Turnbuckle Tavern is also powered by the Official Dick Lazer, the ultimate gag gift with laser projections, flashlight, and more. Head to DickLazers.com and use code TAVERN for 20% off. Keep it Tavern. Episode 182 centers on a wrestling landscape that feels like it's shifting in real time, where creative direction, corporate influence, and long dormant brands are all colliding at once. Lucha Underground is suddenly back in the conversation after years of silence, posting a "soon" teaser that follows trademark filings and a reactivated website. This does not feel random. The timing suggests something more deliberate is being built, potentially opening the door for a return of one of the most distinct cinematic wrestling products the industry has seen. At the same time, the fallout from WrestleMania 42 continues to reveal how close WWE came to telling a very different story at the top of the card. CM Punk defeating Roman Reigns was a scenario that was seriously discussed internally, with a follow up title change planned shortly after to keep both protected. Instead, WWE chose a decisive finish, with Reigns winning clean in a match now being viewed as one of the best in WrestleMania history, signaling a preference for finality over extended balance. That decision did not happen in isolation. Backstage, WrestleMania weekend was described as chaotic, with tension tied to celebrity involvement and shifting creative priorities. The presence of TKO Group Holdings loomed large, as executives with final say over creative reportedly stepped in at a critical moment. It is a rare occurrence, but one that highlighted the growing reality that WWE's biggest decisions are now influenced at the corporate level, not just within the wrestling side. Outside the ring, WWE continues to blur the line between performance and reality. Seth Rollins' walk off from Good Morning Football turned out to be a staged angle, executed well enough that even high level figures believed it was real. It is another example of how WWE talent are extending character work beyond traditional programming and into mainstream media. Taken together, this week is not defined by one headline. It is defined by movement. A dormant brand possibly returning. A WrestleMania main event that nearly took a different shape. And a power structure that is becoming more visible and more influential than ever before. Be sure to support the show and follow us @TurnbuckleTavern. Until next week, stay out of the alley and away from the pork and beans. Good luck and good speed.  

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% with code TAVERN at GFUEL.com. Fuel up and keep it Tavern. Turnbuckle Tavern is also powered by the Official Dick Lazer — the ultimate gag gift with laser projections, flashlight, and more. Head to DickLazers.com and use code TAVERN for 20% off. Keep it Tavern. Episode 181 focuses on the Raw after WrestleMania fallout and what it tells us about where WWE is heading. Mark Shapiro made it clear that TKO Group Holdings has full control over WWE, leaning into celebrity crossover and bigger media reach while admitting not every fan will be on board with the direction. On Raw, Cody Rhodes and CM Punk teased a future match with the "just say when" moment, while Roman Reigns pushed back on part-timer talk and said he'll be around all summer. Jacob Fatu stepped up and challenged Roman Reigns for Backlash, while Brock Lesnar's status remains unclear after his WrestleMania loss, with no real confirmation on whether he's done. Outside the ring, Booker T called out major security issues during WrestleMania weekend. Elsewhere, Darby Allin wins the AEW World Title, Shotzi Blackheart takes the GCW Clusterf—, Josh Barnett ends Bloodsport, and Callum Newman confirms his NJPW future. Be sure to support the show and follow us @TurnbuckleTavern. Until next week, stay out of the alley and away from the pork and beans. Good luck and good speed.  

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 late-night pay-per-views or grinding through your day, G FUEL has you covered. Save 20% with code TAVERN at GFUEL.com. Fuel up and keep it Tavern. Turnbuckle Tavern is also powered by the Official Dick Lazer, the ultimate gag gift that guarantees a reaction. With laser projections, a red-dot laser, flashlight, and more, it's built to stand out. Head to DickLazers.com and use code TAVERN for 20% off. Keep it Tavern. Episode 180 dives into the fallout from WrestleMania 42 across both nights, as Matt from the Extra Cooler Show and JBugz from the Rawdown join Acefield Retro to break it all down. Night 1 saw The Usos and LA Knight pick up the win over Logan Paul, Austin Theory, and IShowSpeed in a six-man tag opener. Jacob Fatu defeated Drew McIntyre in an unsanctioned match, while Brie Bella and Paige captured the WWE Women's Tag Team Championships with Nikki Bella at ringside. Becky Lynch defeated AJ Lee to become Women's Intercontinental Champion, Gunther forced Seth Rollins to submit, and Liv Morgan defeated Stephanie Vaquer to win the Women's World Championship. In the main event, Cody Rhodes retained the Undisputed WWE Championship against Randy Orton. Night 2 kicked off with Oba Femi defeating Brock Lesnar. Penta retained the Intercontinental Championship in a six-pack ladder match against Je'Von Evans, Dragon Lee, JD McDonagh, Rusev, and Rey Mysterio. Trick Williams defeated Sami Zayn to win the United States Championship, and "The Demon" Finn Bálor defeated Dominik Mysterio in a street fight. Rhea Ripley defeated Jade Cargill to win the WWE Women's Championship, while John Cena appeared alongside Danhausen to announce the attendance. The weekend closed with Roman Reigns defeating CM Punk to win the World Heavyweight Championship. Be sure to support the show and join our Patreon for exclusive content. Follow us @TurnbuckleTavern for all the latest updates. Until next week, stay out of the alley and away from the pork and beans. Good luck and good speed.

Turnbuckle Tavern is powered by G FUEL, the clean zero sugar energy formula that keeps you locked in for the main event. Save 20% with code TAVERN at GFUEL.com. Fuel up and keep it Tavern. Turnbuckle Tavern is also powered by the Official Dick Lazer, the ultimate gag gift with a red dot laser, flashlight, blacklight and more. Head to DickLazers.com and use code TAVERN for 20% off. Keep it Tavern. Episode 179 centers on AEW Dynasty fallout and a packed week across the wrestling landscape. MJF retains over Kenny Omega in a main event built on frustration and control, closing the show firmly on top while Darby Allin immediately steps in as the next challenger. Jon Moxley vs Will Ospreay delivers the strongest story of the night, centered on obsession, while Thekla continues to define the women's division even as her finishes become a talking point. FTR's win over Cope and Cage feels decisive, Kevin Knight breaks out with the TNT Title win, and Kamille's return instantly reshapes the TBS picture with Willow Nightingale. We move straight into Dynamite Spring BreakThru with MJF vs Darby Allin, Kevin Knight vs Claudio Castagnoli, and Willow vs Kamille, all with real stakes coming out of Dynasty. Across the week, Raw brings CM Punk and Roman Reigns under the same roof with Brock Lesnar and Oba Femi appearing. NXT is headlined by Tony D'Angelo vs Ethan Page, plus Lola Vice vs Jacy Jayne and Joe Hendry in concert. SmackDown features the Andre the Giant Battle Royal and a loaded roster presence. Be sure to support the show and join our Patreon for exclusive content. 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.  

Turnbuckle Tavern is powered by G FUEL, the clean, zero sugar energy formula that keeps you locked in for the main event. Save 20% with code TAVERN at GFUEL.com. Fuel up and keep it Tavern. Turnbuckle Tavern is also powered by the Official Dick Lazer, the ultimate gag gift with a red dot laser, flashlight, blacklight and more. Head to DickLazers.com and use code TAVERN for 20% off. Keep it Tavern. Episode 178 is a full-scale SUPERSIZED preview of WrestleMania 42 and a Las Vegas week that has taken over the wrestling world. JBugz from the Rawdown fills in for Chad as we break down the entire WrestleMania card, led by CM Punk vs Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes vs Randy Orton. Both matchups feel bigger than championships, centered around control, legacy, and the direction WWE is heading. We also dive into AJ Lee vs Becky Lynch, Jade Cargill vs Rhea Ripley, the instability surrounding the women's tag division, and how matches like McIntyre vs Fatu and the Logan Paul six-man tag reflect a company leaning into unpredictability and outside influence. Be sure to support the show and join our Patreon for exclusive content. 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.

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% with code TAVERN at GFUEL.com. Fuel up and keep it Tavern. Turnbuckle Tavern is also powered by the Official Dick Lazer — the ultimate gag gift with a red-dot laser, flashlight, blacklight, and more. Head to DickLazers.com and use code TAVERN for 20% off. Keep it Tavern. Episode 177 centers on a week where creative direction and real-world influence collided. We start with WWE SmackDown, where Pat McAfee's heel turn reshapes the entire WrestleMania build, shifting the focus from a personal rivalry into something much bigger — and far more controversial. From there, we preview AEW Dynasty 2026 in Vancouver, headlined by MJF vs. Kenny Omega, alongside a loaded championship card and strong late ticket movement heading into the final stretch. We also give you everything you need to know about TNA Rebellion 2026 in Cleveland main evented by Mike Santana vs. Eddie Edwards. We also break down NXT Stand & Deliver fallout, as Lola Vice and Tony D'Angelo emerge as new champions, signaling a clear shift in the brand's direction moving forward. Be sure to support the show and join our Patreon for exclusive content. 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.

Turnbuckle Tavern is powered by G FUEL—the zero-sugar, zero-crash energy formula built for late nights, gaming, and your daily grind. Save 20% with code TAVERN at GFUEL.com. Fuel up and keep it Tavern. We're also 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. Perfect for pranks and parties. Head to DickLazers.com, use code TAVERN for 20% off, and keep it Tavern. Episode 176 centers on a week where real-life disruption and storyline momentum collided across the wrestling landscape. We start with TNA Sacrifice 2026, where the main event between Mike Santana and Steve Maclin was stopped early due to a legitimate injury, immediately destabilizing the world title picture heading into Rebellion. Eddie Edwards' involvement shifted the finish into an angle, but the bigger story is the uncertainty now at the top of the card. Elsewhere on the show, Leon Slater retained the X-Division Championship in a decisive performance, while Mustafa Ali and Tasha Steelz vs. Trey Miguel and Jada Stone stood out despite interference shaping the result. Across the board, strong in-ring work was consistently influenced by outside factors rather than clean resolution. TNA also introduced 21-year-old Ricky Sosa, a high-upside international prospect, in a segment grounded by Chris Bey's real-life recovery story. We then shift to Global Wars, where ROH and Maple Leaf Pro delivered meaningful crossover momentum. The Good Brothers became inaugural MLP Tag Team Champions, followed by Bishop Dyer turning on Kaito Kiyomiya, while the promotion also announced a new weekly TV deal launching in July. That momentum takes a hit with Josh Alexander confirming a severe knee injury and upcoming surgery, leaving no timetable for return and forcing adjustments across AEW, TNA, and MLP. We also break down Kyle Fletcher's comments about AEW All In stirring internal reaction, highlighting the balance between personal frustration and locker room perspective when injuries impact major moments. On the business side, ESPN has moved to intervene in the WWE PLE lawsuit, aiming to push the case into arbitration, while WrestleMania 42 ticket sales show a more aggressive discount-driven approach despite strong projected attendance. Plus, Sami Zayn forces his way onto the WrestleMania card by winning the United States Championship and setting up a defense against Trick Williams, Chris Jericho files a new "Cornerstone" trademark, Toni Storm's absence shifts into a mystery angle, and NJPW begins rolling out the Best of the Super Juniors field. 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.

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.

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.  

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.

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.

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.      

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.  

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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.