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Today on Just Pro Wrestling News: • Mercedes Moné is not medically cleared for AEW All Out. • Willow Nightingale versus Thekla will determine Moné's WrestleDream challenger. • Kazuchika Okada versus Tommaso Ciampa is official for the AEW International Championship. • Steven Borden and Darby Allin get a number one contender match at All Out. • Hangman Page and Brodido earn an AEW World Trios Championship opportunity. • Jon Moxley gets the final Dynamite victory over Will Ospreay's team before All Out. • Tessa Blanchard wins CMLL's Copa Independencia. More daily wrestling news: www.JustProWrestlingNews.com
Michael Sorg and Katie Dudas are joined by Sam Eitzen, CEO of Snapbar, for a deep dive into how artificial intelligence is changing experiential marketing, trade shows, conferences, brand activations, and the humble photo booth. Sam explains how Snapbar evolved from physically hauling hundreds of photo booths to events into building a web-based platform that lets brands create interactive experiences accessible from an iPad, touchscreen, QR code, or an attendee's own phone. What started as a necessary pandemic pivot has developed into AI photo experiences, highly personalized AI Stories, and new ways for brands to combine entertainment with lead generation. The conversation also gets beyond the AI hype. Sam discusses the unpredictability of image models, why prompt engineering still requires humans, how Snapbar tests and switches between different AI models, and why brands need to understand that generative AI is not simply automated Photoshop. Snapbar's system remains cloud-based, meaning connectivity and third-party model reliability are still real considerations for live events. Topics and products discussed: What experiential marketing actually means: Sam distinguishes traditional broadcast and digital advertising from interactive marketing designed to bring the audience into the experience through participation. Snapbar's origin story: The company began as a side-gig photo booth business before moving from weddings into conferences, trade shows, sporting events, product launches, festivals, and other B2B activations. The pandemic pivot: When physical events disappeared in 2020, a client asked whether Snapbar could bring its photo experiences online. That request became the foundation of the company's current web-based platform. World Cup fan activations: Sam describes branded soccer experiences that let attendees transform themselves into stylized or animated fans and players without improperly copying team intellectual property. QR codes instead of long lines: Experiences can run on event iPads while also letting thousands of attendees participate from their own phones by scanning a QR code. Understanding the audience: A soccer activation that works at the World Cup may flop at a legal conference. Sam says cybersecurity audiences, for example, often respond particularly well to gaming, fantasy, and trading-card concepts. Digital experiences as event swag: The group discusses whether personalized digital content can become an alternative to another pile of branded pens, bottles, and promotional giveaways. Snapbar's planned digital spinner wheel: Sam explains a digital version of the familiar trade-show prize wheel with customizable branding, prize probabilities, inventory management, QR control, redemption codes, and lead capture. The rise of the AI photo booth: Early image generation was unreliable, producing extra arms, heads, and other artifacts. As models improved, AI photo experiences became one of Snapbar's biggest products. AI Stories: Snapbar adds Mad Libs-like personalization to AI-generated experiences, allowing attendees to influence the resulting scene while brands maintain controls over the experience. Taking event tech into unusual environments: Sam recalls activations at music festivals, on boats, and experiences that attendees could even access while traveling because everything is web-based. Working across AI providers: Rather than building its own image models, Snapbar evaluates available third-party systems and can shift between models depending on prompt adherence, realism, animation style, and client needs. Why testing matters: AI models can regress or behave differently after updates. Snapbar's team tests experiences ahead of events, attempts to break them, adjusts prompts, and can intervene while an activation is live. Treat AI like a new team member: Sam suggests thinking of AI less like an infallible machine and more like a new employee that needs context, supervision, defined permissions, and an understanding of what it does well. AI is not automated Photoshop: Clients sometimes expect pixel-perfect control, but generative systems still involve prompting, probabilities, and outputs that cannot always be completely dictated. Why AI may not magically fix event networking: Sam pushes back on the idea that feeding hobbies and job titles into an AI matchmaking system automatically creates meaningful human connections. Event attendees ultimately want genuine personal and professional connection. The danger of easy AI startups: AI makes prototypes and products dramatically easier to build, but that also means competitors can build similar products just as quickly. Distribution becomes the advantage: Sam argues that customer relationships, audience access, SEO/AEO, reputation, and reaching the right buyers become even more important when everyone has access to powerful AI tools. Learn more about Snapbar at https://snapbar.com, which Sam specifically shares at the end of the interview.
Wrestling Mayhem Show 1020 dives headfirst into a massive weekend of lucha libre, WWE in Mexico, surprising championship changes, and unforgettable independent wrestling. Sorg and Mad Mike welcome special guest co-host TruePrinceOfPro for a spirited review of TripleMania, from Omos launching Rey Mysterio through a table to El Grande Americano's championship celebration. The crew examines whether WWE's production style has polished away some of Triple A's distinct personality while also giving its wrestlers a larger international platform. They discuss the Copa Bardahl, the return of familiar Triple A personalities, Nathan Frazer and Axiom finding a natural home in lucha libre, Rey Fenix's four-way title defense, La Catalina's championship journey, and the Wagner Brothers capturing tag team gold. The conversation then turns to WWE's Mexico run, including Sami Zayn becoming WWE Champion, Damian Priest turning on R-Truth, Chad Gable's outstanding battle with Dragon Lee, and Penta receiving a WrestleMania-level presentation against Roman Reigns. Did Penta need to win, or did his performance establish him as a true main-event player? Sorg also shares stories from Prospect Pro Wrestling's Banger at the Hangar, a unique event staged inside an aircraft hangar at the 911th Airlift Wing near Pittsburgh International Airport. The show featured wrestlers emerging from a military aircraft, an encounter between Paul Atlas and the Pirate Parrot, a huge crowd, and a memorable sendoff for longtime Pittsburgh wrestling fixture Dennis Gregory. Topics include: Omos chokeslamming Rey Mysterio through a table during TripleMania Rey Mysterio's tribute to his classic Halloween Havoc gear Whether TripleMania's Las Vegas event captured the authentic Triple A atmosphere The Copa Bardahl, Omos, Los Vipers, Niño Hamburguesa, and returning Triple A personalities Pimpinela Escarlata's adventures outside wrestling on reality television Rey Fenix defending the Cruiserweight Championship in a four-way match Why Nathan Frazer and Axiom belong in Triple A La Catalina completing her journey back to championship gold The Wagner Brothers defeating the War Raiders Corey Graves calling multiple shows despite struggling with his voice JBL's entertaining role on Triple A commentary El Grande Americano defeating Dominik Mysterio in an overbooked lucha spectacle The live band and crowd celebration that followed El Grande Americano's victory The possibility of Rey Mysterio facing Dominik in a mask-versus-hair match Triple A's potential to grow into an international touring brand Sami Zayn becoming WWE Champion Stephanie Vaquer's championship victory and a potential match with Chelsea Green The strange possibilities of a Money in the Bank cash-in during the Royal Rumble Damian Priest turning against R-Truth Chad Gable and Dragon Lee delivering one of the weekend's standout matches Roman Reigns versus Penta and the debate over whether WWE should have changed the championship Why Penta may have won the night even without winning the match Prospect Pro Wrestling's Banger at the Hangar The Pirate Parrot confronting Paul Atlas Dennis Gregory's Pittsburgh wrestling legacy Updates from 880 Wrestling, VCW, RWA, and the Pittsburgh wrestling community The return of Just Pro Wrestling News as a weekday short-form news show Why supporting local independent wrestling remains more important than ever Hosted by Sorg and Mad Mike with special guest co-host TruePrinceOfPro. Find more from the Wrestling Mayhem Show at: www.wrestlingmayhemshow.com
Wrestling Mayhem Show 1020 dives headfirst into a massive weekend of lucha libre, WWE in Mexico, surprising championship changes, and unforgettable independent wrestling. Sorg and Mad Mike welcome special guest co-host TruePrinceOfPro for a spirited review of TripleMania, from Omos launching Rey Mysterio through a table to El Grande Americano's championship celebration. The crew examines whether WWE's production style has polished away some of Triple A's distinct personality while also giving its wrestlers a larger international platform. They discuss the Copa Bardahl, the return of familiar Triple A personalities, Nathan Frazer and Axiom finding a natural home in lucha libre, Rey Fenix's four-way title defense, La Catalina's championship journey, and the Wagner Brothers capturing tag team gold. The conversation then turns to WWE's Mexico run, including Sami Zayn becoming WWE Champion, Damian Priest turning on R-Truth, Chad Gable's outstanding battle with Dragon Lee, and Penta receiving a WrestleMania-level presentation against Roman Reigns. Did Penta need to win, or did his performance establish him as a true main-event player? Sorg also shares stories from Prospect Pro Wrestling's Banger at the Hangar, a unique event staged inside an aircraft hangar at the 911th Airlift Wing near Pittsburgh International Airport. The show featured wrestlers emerging from a military aircraft, an encounter between Paul Atlas and the Pirate Parrot, a huge crowd, and a memorable sendoff for longtime Pittsburgh wrestling fixture Dennis Gregory. Topics include: Omos chokeslamming Rey Mysterio through a table during TripleMania Rey Mysterio's tribute to his classic Halloween Havoc gear Whether TripleMania's Las Vegas event captured the authentic Triple A atmosphere The Copa Bardahl, Omos, Los Vipers, Niño Hamburguesa, and returning Triple A personalities Pimpinela Escarlata's adventures outside wrestling on reality television Rey Fenix defending the Cruiserweight Championship in a four-way match Why Nathan Frazer and Axiom belong in Triple A La Catalina completing her journey back to championship gold The Wagner Brothers defeating the War Raiders Corey Graves calling multiple shows despite struggling with his voice JBL's entertaining role on Triple A commentary El Grande Americano defeating Dominik Mysterio in an overbooked lucha spectacle The live band and crowd celebration that followed El Grande Americano's victory The possibility of Rey Mysterio facing Dominik in a mask-versus-hair match Triple A's potential to grow into an international touring brand Sami Zayn becoming WWE Champion Stephanie Vaquer's championship victory and a potential match with Chelsea Green The strange possibilities of a Money in the Bank cash-in during the Royal Rumble Damian Priest turning against R-Truth Chad Gable and Dragon Lee delivering one of the weekend's standout matches Roman Reigns versus Penta and the debate over whether WWE should have changed the championship Why Penta may have won the night even without winning the match Prospect Pro Wrestling's Banger at the Hangar The Pirate Parrot confronting Paul Atlas Dennis Gregory's Pittsburgh wrestling legacy Updates from 880 Wrestling, VCW, RWA, and the Pittsburgh wrestling community The return of Just Pro Wrestling News as a weekday short-form news show Why supporting local independent wrestling remains more important than ever Hosted by Sorg and Mad Mike with special guest co-host TruePrinceOfPro. Find more from the Wrestling Mayhem Show at: www.wrestlingmayhemshow.com
Apple finally gave the tech world its foldable iPhone, and the biggest question on AwesomeCast 796 isn't whether it looks impressive. It's whether anyone needs a $1,999 phone. Sorg, Katie Dudas and Dave Podnar spend this week's episode looking at where Apple is going next, while also catching up on Nintendo, MapQuest, Pittsburgh technology and some unusually revealing internet analytics. Siri Gets Smarter — Eventually Dave upgraded to iOS 27 and came away impressed with its speed and stability, but the headline Siri AI features come with a catch: there's a waitlist. Apple's rollout includes a more capable Siri experience, improved Visual Intelligence and upgrades to Image Playground. Sorg, who had access earlier through the beta process, says Siri already appears better at understanding spoken requests and answering questions without immediately handing everything off elsewhere. More on the Siri AI rollout: https://www.macrumors.com/2026/09/15/ios-27-siri-ai-has-waitlist-how-to-join/ Apple's $1,999 Foldable Experiment Then there's the iPhone Duo. The foldable became one of the episode's biggest discussions after an unlikely piece of analytics showed just how much attention Apple's announcement received: Pornhub reported a significant traffic drop when Apple revealed the device. https://mashable.com/life/pornhub-apple-event-viewers-dropped-iphone-duo Beyond the jokes, there are intriguing ideas here. Apple is using matching aspect ratios between the outside and inside displays, potentially making life easier for developers. The larger format opens up interesting multitasking possibilities, and the crew sees potential for business users, presenters and some creators. The problem is impossible to ignore: $1,999 is a lot of money for a phone. Katie compares the experience to having a dual-monitor setup in your pocket but struggles to get past the cost. Sorg sees the Duo more as Apple's latest first-generation experiment — something that may eventually trickle down into less expensive devices after early adopters figure out what the form factor is actually good for. Apple Watch Solves the “What Did They Just Say?” Problem A smaller Apple announcement may prove more immediately useful. The crew discusses an Apple Watch listening feature that can help recover something you recently heard. The example involved replaying information like restaurant specials, but Sorg immediately saw a production use for it: remembering instructions received in a noisy event environment. Sometimes the best technology feature isn't spectacular. It simply fixes a small problem that happens constantly. Nintendo Looks Back — and Forward Chachi's Video Game Minute brings an update on the White House Tetris-style game, which has now been removed. https://www.forbes.com/sites/zacharyfolk/2026/09/08/white-house-removes-controversial-tetris-style-game-from-arcade-website/ Nintendo also showed gameplay for the Switch 2 remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, scheduled for November 5. https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/nintendo-shares-the-first-gameplay-and-release-date-for-the-legend-of-zelda-ocarina-of-time-remake/ Sorg continues the Nintendo discussion with Mario Kart World's newly accessible recreations of classic Super Nintendo tracks and a new Metroid announcement. Mario Kart update: https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1711610297636885&set=gm.2640543926409864&idorvanity=234524630345151 Nintendo Direct roundup: https://www.ign.com/articles/nintendo-direct-september-2026-live-report-all-the-announcements-as-they-happen?utm_source=campaigner&utm_campaign=NL_FIX_Sep_09_2026&cmp=1&utm_medium=email&Ictg=46311792229 The larger question is whether Nintendo is leaning too heavily on remakes — even as genuinely new games continue arriving beside them. MapQuest Wins With Whimsy MapQuest's unexpected comeback continues, powered partly by something its bigger competitors often lack: personality. Katie introduces two more Questies — Corgi and Black Cat — along with Rufus, the dog who inspired the Corgi design, and the upcoming Jimothy character. Future MapQuest updates are also expected to include CarPlay, Android Auto and transit improvements. Corgi and Black Cat: https://www.instagram.com/p/DdNtRdGFMqk/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&stkn=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== Rufus: https://www.instagram.com/p/DdP_UXVG4bp/?img_index=2 Jimothy: https://www.instagram.com/p/DdUwv6mp_yC/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&stkn=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== It's a reminder that a challenger brand doesn't always have to beat Google on pure scale. Sometimes giving people a reason to care about the product is enough to get another look. From CAPTCHA to Duolingo For Hispanic Heritage Month, Dave's Awesome History segment highlights Luis von Ahn. Von Ahn came from Guatemala to Carnegie Mellon, became one of the researchers behind CAPTCHA and later co-founded Duolingo. The discussion expands into the importance of university research and how work that begins without an obvious commercial product can eventually become foundational technology. https://www.invent.org/inductees/luis-von-ahn Wrestling in a Military Hangar Sorg's Awesome Thing of the Week comes from a very different kind of technology production. The Sidekick Media crew helped capture Prospect Pro Wrestling's “Banger in the Hangar” at the 911th Air Wing. Wrestlers entered through a huge cargo aircraft, Stormtroopers showed up, the Pirate Parrot got involved, and the production took place inside an enormous working hangar. Watch the event: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kqJY33amJ0 It is another episode that jumps from smartphones and video games to Pittsburgh production stories — exactly the kind of wonderfully strange technology mix AwesomeCast was built for. Support AwesomeCast at Patreon.com/AwesomeCast and find more shows at www.SorgatronMedia.com.
Today on Just Pro Wrestling News: • Mason Rook defeats Tony D'Angelo and Saquon Shugars to become Grayson Waller's next NXT Championship challenger. • The Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic returns after a two year absence with teams from across WWE, Evolve and Triple A. • Triple A Reina de Reinas Champion La Catalina makes her NXT debut. • AEW announces a new streaming home in Japan through Hulu Japan. • AEW All Out sells through its current NOW Arena seating configuration. • Dynamite prepares for its final stretch toward All Out. More daily wrestling news: www.JustProWrestlingNews.com
Today on Just Pro Wrestling News: • Roman Reigns defeats Penta to retain the World Heavyweight Championship in Mexico City. • LA Knight challenges Reigns for Money in the Bank and Roman accepts. • Lola Vice and Je'Von Evans qualify for the Money in the Bank ladder matches. • Chad Gable retains the Intercontinental Championship against Dragon Lee. • Becky Lynch wants the first championship opportunity against Stephanie Vaquer. • WWE Raw, SmackDown and NXT are headed to Netflix in Japan. • Walker Stewart signs a contract extension with NJPW. More daily wrestling news: www.JustProWrestlingNews.com
Today on Just Pro Wrestling News: • El Grande Americano defeats Dominik Mysterio to become Triple A Mega Champion. • La Catalina ends Flammer's historic 1,128 day Reina de Reinas Championship reign. • Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. and Galeno shock the War Raiders to capture the Triple A World Tag Team Championship. • Omos wins the Copa Bardahl for the second consecutive year. • Rey Fenix retains the Cruiserweight Championship. • Vipress wins GCW's Ultraviolent Championship. • Yuki Kamifuku discusses her upcoming retirement. More daily wrestling news: www.JustProWrestlingNews.com
Today on Just Pro Wrestling News: • Nic Nemeth retains the TNA World Championship against Matt Hardy in a wild No Disqualification match. • Moose agrees to put his TNA career on the line against Frankie Kazarian. • Xia Brookside retains the Knockouts World Championship. • Fabian Aichner qualifies for the X Division Championship match at Bound For Glory. • Jeff Jarrett versus Blue Panther is added to CMLL's 93rd Anniversary event. • SmackDown heads to Mexico City and Triplemania 34 begins tonight in Las Vegas. More wrestling news: www.JustProWrestlingNews.com
Today on Just Pro Wrestling News: • AEW's Rebel Heart Dynamite honors Tanea Brooks and her fight with ALS. • Britt Baker earns her first victory in nearly two years. • Steven Borden wins his first televised AEW match while Josh Alexander returns from injury. • Will Ospreay defeats David Finlay ahead of his All Out clash with Jon Moxley. • WWE launches WWE Ahora, its first Spanish language podcast with dedicated Triple A coverage. • TNA IMPACT prepares for Nic Nemeth versus Matt Hardy in a No Disqualification World Championship match. More wrestling news: www.JustProWrestlingNews.com
A huge AEW All Out match is official on today's Just Pro Wrestling News as World Champion Will Ospreay prepares to defend against Jon Moxley. Also today: • Adam Copeland and Christian Cage challenge FTR and the Young Bucks to a three way championship battle involving tables, ladders and chairs. • New Level and Swerve Strickland successfully defend the AEW World Trios Championships against the Rascalz. • Thekla targets Mercedes Moné and the AEW Women's World Championship. • WWE EVOLVE crowns new number one contenders. • TNA IMPACT sets an International Championship contender match and X Division qualifier for tonight. Get more at www.JustProWrestlingNews.com.
Xbox cloud gaming limits are changing Sorg's living-room setup, MapQuest is turning navigation into a pixel-art adventure, and a rooster alarm app wants you to work for your snooze button. On AwesomeCast 795, Michael Sorg, Katie Dudas, and Dave Podnar explore gaming news, gadgets, apps, and geek culture from Pittsburgh. • Xbox Cloud Gaming limits: Sorg explains why he moved his Xbox Series S back downstairs. The hosts discuss the impact of monthly streaming allowances on long games and cloud-focused devices, plus a follow-up on Xbox's disc-to-digital licensing preview. https://www.ign.com/articles/microsoft-announces-big-changes-to-xbox-cloud-gaming-switches-to-monthly-hour-limits • Next-generation Xbox affordability: An interview about Project Helix sparks a conversation about efficiency, console prices, PC game compatibility, and unanswered disc-drive questions. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txuYKwrbq1M • Retro cartridges on modern computers: Sorg discovers Epilogue's GB Operator and SN Operator. The discussion covers playing existing Game Boy and Super Nintendo collections, preserving cartridge saves, and a Game Boy Camera connection. https://apple.news/A9oaGgCU0QpqcvQLP7ttlKQ • MapQuest's 8-bit personality: Katie shares her experience with pixel-style maps, Questies character avatars, playful navigation voices, CarPlay, and live radio. • Star Trek at 60: Dave reflects on the franchise's cultural impact, diverse vision of the future, and connections to real-world technology, from communicators to tablet-like PADDs. • John Snow and disease mapping: Dave's Awesome History explores the Broad Street cholera outbreak and connects historical mapping with modern wastewater surveillance and community preparedness. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1854_Broad_Street_cholera_outbreak • Panic's tariff refunds: ChachiSays covers the Playdate company's decision to return tariff charges to customers. https://www.al.com/news/2026/08/tariff-refunds-sent-to-video-game-customers-not-our-money.html • The Tetris Company responds: Chachi discusses the company's statement about a Tetris-like game on the White House website. https://variety.com/2026/digital/news/tetris-company-trump-white-house-build-the-wall-game-copyright-1236851993/ • Zelda anniversary reactions: Sorg discusses the presentation's movie reveal, music-tour news, and Ocarina of Time remake footage. The hosts weigh remake pricing, revisit Nintendo memories, and talk Twilight Princess, Star Fox, and Super Mario Sunshine. https://www.theverge.com/games/991265/the-legend-of-zelda-40th-anniversary-direct • Street Fighter 6 meets the movies: Movie-actor challenger screens, including Roman Reigns as Akuma, spark excitement and memories of Street Fighter's earlier film and game crossover. https://www.facebook.com/reel/1755856245623451 • Snoopy at Starbucks: Katie highlights Great Pumpkin-inspired Peanuts merchandise, including mugs, travel cups, bags, and pins. https://about.starbucks.com/stories/2026/starbucks-and-peanuts-celebrate-fall-with-a-global-merch-collection-inspired-by-the-great-pumpkin/ • Dungeon Crawler Carl LEGO Ideas: Two fan proposals bring Carl, Princess Donut, and friends into brick form. The hosts explore a dungeon scene and larger character builds seeking community support. https://ideas.lego.com/product-ideas/eb3c3057-8646-45b4-86ba-dfc08ba7e7e8 https://ideas.lego.com/product-ideas/6e47b028-7cba-48bc-81d9-a1461bdd4d08 • Clucky's demanding wake-up call: Sorg sets up a rooster alarm app with snooze challenges, samples its loud sounds, and chooses a tilt-game mission. Katie explains how the app turns getting out of bed into an interactive routine. https://tryclucky.com Plus, Dave shares his Steelers 5K experience, and the hosts bring their usual mix of hands-on discoveries, gaming opinions, and Pittsburgh personality.
Today on Just Pro Wrestling News: • The 946 escalates its Bloodline war by setting The Usos' car on fire. • Bayley makes a surprise Raw return and costs Lyra Valkyria a Money in the Bank qualifier. • Liv Morgan retains the Women's World Championship against Stephanie Vaquer. • Bron Breakker and Sol Ruca qualify for Money in the Bank. • Baron Corbin confirms he signed a multi year WWE contract. • Enjoy Wrestling provides additional confirmed details surrounding Andy Williams' medical emergency. Get your daily wrestling news at www.JustProWrestlingNews.com.
Umino told Tokyo Sports that he was diagnosed with a concussion and amnesia after the opening night of the G1 Climax. He says he is now healthy and is scheduled to return Saturday. Source: Fightful, citing Tokyo Sports Shota Umino injury report MATT HARDY CHALLENGES NIC NEMETH On TNA IMPACT, Santino Marella made a No Disqualification match between Nic Nemeth and Matt Hardy for the TNA World Championship on September 10. Source: TNA Wrestling TNA IMPACT results ROXANNE PEREZ JOINS TRIPLEMANIA 34 Roxanne Perez faces Nattie, Faby Apache and La Hiedra on September 11 in Las Vegas. The winner receives a Reina de Reinas Championship opportunity at Worlds Collide. Source: Fightful and Triple A Triplemania 34 match announcement KC NAVARRO QUALIFIES FOR BOUND FOR GLORY Navarro defeated Joe Alonzo to claim the first spot in the six way match that will crown a new X Division Champion. Source: Fightful KC Navarro Bound For Glory update CMLL 93RD ANNIVERSARY CARD EXPANDS Hechicero vs. Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Claudio Castagnoli and Persephone vs. Tessa Blanchard vs. Mina Shirakawa vs. Starlight Kid are set for September 18 at Arena México. Source: Fightful, citing CMLL Informa CMLL championship match announcement
A huge AEW All Out match is official on today's Just Pro Wrestling News as World Champion Will Ospreay prepares to defend against Jon Moxley. Also today: • Adam Copeland and Christian Cage challenge FTR and the Young Bucks to a three way championship battle involving tables, ladders and chairs. • New Level and Swerve Strickland successfully defend the AEW World Trios Championships against the Rascalz. • Thekla targets Mercedes Moné and the AEW Women's World Championship. • WWE EVOLVE crowns new number one contenders. • TNA IMPACT sets an International Championship contender match and X Division qualifier for tonight. Get more at www.JustProWrestlingNews.com.
The Wrestling Mayhem Show is back with Sorg, Mad Mike, Rizz, and special guest co-host Tina Keys for a packed conversation covering AEW's latest trip to Wembley Stadium, the aftermath of Wrestling Mayhem Show Presents: Sorgstock, WWE's upcoming Atlanta event, and a wrestling landscape where familiar chapters are closing while entirely new ones are beginning. The crew starts with AEW All In at Wembley, including a live perspective from inside the stadium and a breakdown of the enormous main event between Will Ospreay and Kenny Omega. From Ospreay's emotional entrance and callbacks to his career to the match itself and the celebration afterward, the group discusses why the victory felt like the beginning of a genuine new era for Ospreay. There's also plenty to unpack elsewhere on the card. Mercedes Moné and Willow Nightingale deliver another chapter in their rivalry, although the finish leaves the crew questioning exactly what happened. The surprise arrival of New Level — Kofi Kingston and Austin Creed — alongside Swerve Strickland instantly opens up a ridiculous number of possibilities for AEW's tag team and trios scene. The conversation expands into how wrestlers can completely reinvent themselves simply by finding the right company, presentation, or creative opportunity. Then it's time to explain what exactly happened at Sorgstock. The third wrestling event produced under the Wrestling Mayhem Show banner combined serious wrestling with intentionally ridiculous ideas: video-game-inspired wrestling, school supplies turned into weapons, a recorder with apparently supernatural powers over Rizz, aliens, surprise appearances, live music, live artwork, championship matches, and even an emergency Instacart run for concessions. Sorg reflects on why Sorgstock worked: the wrestling could still be excellent while performers were given permission to experiment, have fun, and create moments that normally wouldn't fit on a traditional wrestling card. Tina also gets to see how several of the matches she helped sponsor turned out. The WWE conversation turns toward Sunday Night's Main Event in Atlanta, including Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton, Oba Femi vs. Bron Breakker, the women's six-person match, Atlanta music and culture being incorporated into the event, and the discovery of some WWE merchandise that probably requires turning Safe Search off before doing additional research. The crew also looks ahead toward WWE and Triple A's upcoming shows in Mexico, the continuing expansion of crossover wrestling, and why a hometown crowd could make matches involving stars like Penta especially interesting. Finally, the show gets more reflective during What We Learned, as the impending end of Enjoy Wrestling leads to a discussion about what the Pittsburgh promotion meant to wrestlers, fans, production crews, and the LGBTQ+ community. Rather than only mourning what's ending, the conversation turns toward what might grow from the space Enjoy leaves behind. It's wrestling, questionable Google searches, Disney stories, Faygo, recorders, independent wrestling chaos, and a surprising amount of emotional reflection on another Wrestling Mayhem Show.
The Wrestling Mayhem Show is back with Sorg, Mad Mike, Rizz, and special guest co-host Tina Keys for a packed conversation covering AEW's latest trip to Wembley Stadium, the aftermath of Wrestling Mayhem Show Presents: Sorgstock, WWE's upcoming Atlanta event, and a wrestling landscape where familiar chapters are closing while entirely new ones are beginning. The crew starts with AEW All In at Wembley, including a live perspective from inside the stadium and a breakdown of the enormous main event between Will Ospreay and Kenny Omega. From Ospreay's emotional entrance and callbacks to his career to the match itself and the celebration afterward, the group discusses why the victory felt like the beginning of a genuine new era for Ospreay. There's also plenty to unpack elsewhere on the card. Mercedes Moné and Willow Nightingale deliver another chapter in their rivalry, although the finish leaves the crew questioning exactly what happened. The surprise arrival of New Level — Kofi Kingston and Austin Creed — alongside Swerve Strickland instantly opens up a ridiculous number of possibilities for AEW's tag team and trios scene. The conversation expands into how wrestlers can completely reinvent themselves simply by finding the right company, presentation, or creative opportunity. Then it's time to explain what exactly happened at Sorgstock. The third wrestling event produced under the Wrestling Mayhem Show banner combined serious wrestling with intentionally ridiculous ideas: video-game-inspired wrestling, school supplies turned into weapons, a recorder with apparently supernatural powers over Rizz, aliens, surprise appearances, live music, live artwork, championship matches, and even an emergency Instacart run for concessions. Sorg reflects on why Sorgstock worked: the wrestling could still be excellent while performers were given permission to experiment, have fun, and create moments that normally wouldn't fit on a traditional wrestling card. Tina also gets to see how several of the matches she helped sponsor turned out. The WWE conversation turns toward Sunday Night's Main Event in Atlanta, including Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton, Oba Femi vs. Bron Breakker, the women's six-person match, Atlanta music and culture being incorporated into the event, and the discovery of some WWE merchandise that probably requires turning Safe Search off before doing additional research. The crew also looks ahead toward WWE and Triple A's upcoming shows in Mexico, the continuing expansion of crossover wrestling, and why a hometown crowd could make matches involving stars like Penta especially interesting. Finally, the show gets more reflective during What We Learned, as the impending end of Enjoy Wrestling leads to a discussion about what the Pittsburgh promotion meant to wrestlers, fans, production crews, and the LGBTQ+ community. Rather than only mourning what's ending, the conversation turns toward what might grow from the space Enjoy leaves behind. It's wrestling, questionable Google searches, Disney stories, Faygo, recorders, independent wrestling chaos, and a surprising amount of emotional reflection on another Wrestling Mayhem Show.
Today on Just Pro Wrestling News: • Tessa Blanchard officially signs with MLW and will debut at FIGHTLAND on September 12. • WWE officially retires both the Men's and Women's Speed Championships. • The Creed Brothers make a surprise return to NXT. • Kendal Grey is sidelined for the foreseeable future with vertigo. • New verified attendance data emerges for AEW All In London. • Carmella confirms her retirement from professional wrestling. Get more daily wrestling news at www.JustProWrestlingNews.com.
How do you preserve physical video games in a world increasingly designed around downloads? How much would you pay for a really good keyboard? And what exactly happens when you sort the Nintendo Switch store from cheapest to most expensive? Those questions—and several much stranger ones—come up on AwesomeCast 794 with Sorg, Katie Dudas, and Dave Podnar. Xbox Finds a New Use for the Game Disc One of the episode's biggest discussions centers on Microsoft's Xbox Discs to Digital initiative. The concept offers an interesting middle ground between physical and digital ownership. A supported Xbox disc can be authenticated and connected to a player's digital library, potentially giving players digital access while the disc itself continues to function as the transferable proof of ownership. That last part is important. If the disc is sold and authenticated by somebody else, the digital access moves with it. For Sorg, who has stacks of Xbox One games and a console with a failed optical drive, this could solve a very practical problem. It also opens possibilities for finding inexpensive used Xbox games at stores such as GameStop and turning them into accessible digital titles. There are still questions surrounding Xbox 360 compatibility, licensing, sports games, delisted games and publisher participation, but it is a fascinating attempt to bridge two very different eras of game ownership. https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2026/08/26/your-discs-now-also-digital/?ocid=Platform_soc_omc_xbo_fb_Photo_lrn_8.26.2 Gamers Say They Want Physical Games. Are They Buying Them? That question carries directly into this week's ChachiSays Video Game Minute. Chachi points to figures showing U.S. spending on physical video games falling to levels not seen since physical-game statistics began being tracked in 1995. Nintendo represented a sizable portion of the remaining physical market. The contradiction is hard to ignore: gamers regularly criticize publishers for abandoning physical media, but those products need enough buyers to justify continuing to manufacture and distribute them. https://www.tomshardware.com/video-games/console-gaming/us-console-sales-fall-39-percent-in-july-as-memory-costs-push-average-price-to-542 Generative AI Comes to Gamescom Chachi also discusses reports of generative AI being used during development of multiple titles connected to Gamescom 2026. The larger concern is not simply whether AI tools exist inside game development. The segment focuses on how companies disclose that use, what work the systems replace, and whether developers are being transparent with their audiences. Project Zeta, Aion 2, Train Sim World 7, Crimson Desert and Crazy Taxi: World Tour are among the games brought up during the discussion. https://kotaku.com/opening-night-live-2026-genai-slop-games-geoff-keighley-2000728477 Roku City Quietly Remembers Three Entertainment Icons Katie highlights a much more thoughtful use of technology: the little visual Easter eggs hidden inside Roku City. The screensaver incorporated imagery referencing Dolly Parton and Tim Curry along with an Optimus Prime-inspired tribute to Peter Cullen. That leads the crew into memories of Cullen's massive voice-acting career and the strange experience of realizing, years later, just how many familiar childhood characters were voiced by the same small group of performers. https://www.instagram.com/p/DcrPR8alYG3/?img_index=1 From Hubble to the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope Dave's Awesome History segment turns toward NASA and astronomer Nancy Grace Roman. Roman played an important role in pushing space-based astronomy forward, helping lay the groundwork for what ultimately became the Hubble Space Telescope. The telescope carrying her name represents another enormous leap in what astronomers can observe. The hosts discuss its much wider field of view, the search for exoplanets, dark matter and dark energy, as well as the unusual orbital environments used by major observatories. https://www.planetary.org/articles/the-nancy-grace-roman-space-telescope-launch It's Already LEGO Advent Calendar Season Katie has an annual public-service announcement: if you want a particular Advent Calendar, buy it when you see it. LEGO's 2026 calendars are already appearing, including traditional Christmas offerings alongside Star Wars, Marvel and Disney sets. Waiting until December is how you end up frantically checking every store in town for the one calendar somebody decided they absolutely had to have. https://www.lego.com/en-us/search?q=advent%20calendar%202026&suggestion=true The $100,000 Keyboard Dave then discovers a corner of technology that makes even premium mechanical keyboards look inexpensive. A social video begins with keyboards priced in the hundreds of dollars, moves into models costing thousands, and eventually reaches one sitting around the $100,000 mark. At that point, calling something a “computer accessory” may no longer adequately explain what is happening. https://www.facebook.com/reel/1593262308558803 Brütal Legend Honors Tim Curry for 666 Minutes Double Fine found an extremely appropriate way to honor Tim Curry by making Brütal Legend free for 666 minutes. The Xbox 360-era heavy-metal adventure stars Jack Black and features Curry among its memorable cast. Sorg recently returned to the game and found that, despite showing its age in places, it remains surprisingly enjoyable. https://www.ign.com/articles/double-fine-productions-makes-brutal-legend-free-for-666-minutes-to-honor-tim-curry?link_source=ta_first_comment&taid=6a905803b9a113000189638d&utm_campaign=trueAnthem:+Trending+Content&utm_medium=trueAnthem&utm_source=facebook Donkey Kong Country: CGI From Another Time Speaking of things that have aged differently, Sorg rediscovers the computer-animated Donkey Kong Country television series from the late 1990s. The show provides an incredible time capsule of early television CGI: stiff animation, questionable lip synchronization and character models that can occasionally drift into nightmare territory. And yet there is something fascinating about seeing what creators were able to accomplish with 1990s rendering technology. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWpI4vahfIY Sort the Nintendo eShop From Cheap to Expensive. You Have Been Warned. There is another kind of digital archaeology available right now. Go to the Nintendo Switch store. Sort everything from lowest price to highest. Start scrolling. The result is a journey through inexpensive retro games, indie releases, zombie games, cat games, simulators, dating games, suspiciously AI-looking artwork and enough shovelware to keep the AwesomeCast crew entertained far longer than expected. There are legitimate bargains hiding in the pile—but finding them is part of the adventure. https://www.nintendo.com/us/store/sales-and-deals/#show=0&p=1&sort=pa&f=priceRangeFilter&priceRangeFilter=%240+-+%244.99 Commodore 64 Meets Cyberpunk The episode's final major retro-tech rabbit hole comes courtesy of a Cyberpunk-themed Commodore 64. The unusual crossover sends Katie and Dave back into memories of the original beige Commodore machines, while Dave recalls using GEOS for word processing and schoolwork long before the modern Windows experience became standard. https://commodore.net/store/commodore64/ Plus: Giant Medals, Slow USB-C Cables and Video Game Wrestling Dave also shows off the giant magnetic medals earned through the Pro Football Hall of Fame virtual race series. https://runsignup.com/Race/OH/Canton/HOFRaceSeries Katie introduces what may become a recurring feature, “What Is Katie Labeling Now?”, after discovering one of her USB-C cables was charging her laptop dramatically slower than the others. And before any of that, the crew revisits Sorgstock and its real-life video game wrestling match, where the performers recreated all of the awkward movement, button mashing, missed attacks and controller confusion of playing a wrestling game when nobody remembers the controls. From the future of game ownership to 1980s computers and $100,000 keyboards, AwesomeCast 794 once again proves there is always something wonderfully strange happening in technology.
The Wrestling Mayhem Show is back with Sorg, Mad Mike, Rizz, and special guest co-host Tina Keys for a packed conversation covering AEW's latest trip to Wembley Stadium, the aftermath of Wrestling Mayhem Show Presents: Sorgstock, WWE's upcoming Atlanta event, and a wrestling landscape where familiar chapters are closing while entirely new ones are beginning. The crew starts with AEW All In at Wembley, including a live perspective from inside the stadium and a breakdown of the enormous main event between Will Ospreay and Kenny Omega. From Ospreay's emotional entrance and callbacks to his career to the match itself and the celebration afterward, the group discusses why the victory felt like the beginning of a genuine new era for Ospreay. There's also plenty to unpack elsewhere on the card. Mercedes Moné and Willow Nightingale deliver another chapter in their rivalry, although the finish leaves the crew questioning exactly what happened. The surprise arrival of New Level — Kofi Kingston and Austin Creed — alongside Swerve Strickland instantly opens up a ridiculous number of possibilities for AEW's tag team and trios scene. The conversation expands into how wrestlers can completely reinvent themselves simply by finding the right company, presentation, or creative opportunity. Then it's time to explain what exactly happened at Sorgstock. The third wrestling event produced under the Wrestling Mayhem Show banner combined serious wrestling with intentionally ridiculous ideas: video-game-inspired wrestling, school supplies turned into weapons, a recorder with apparently supernatural powers over Rizz, aliens, surprise appearances, live music, live artwork, championship matches, and even an emergency Instacart run for concessions. Sorg reflects on why Sorgstock worked: the wrestling could still be excellent while performers were given permission to experiment, have fun, and create moments that normally wouldn't fit on a traditional wrestling card. Tina also gets to see how several of the matches she helped sponsor turned out. The WWE conversation turns toward Sunday Night's Main Event in Atlanta, including Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton, Oba Femi vs. Bron Breakker, the women's six-person match, Atlanta music and culture being incorporated into the event, and the discovery of some WWE merchandise that probably requires turning Safe Search off before doing additional research. The crew also looks ahead toward WWE and Triple A's upcoming shows in Mexico, the continuing expansion of crossover wrestling, and why a hometown crowd could make matches involving stars like Penta especially interesting. Finally, the show gets more reflective during What We Learned, as the impending end of Enjoy Wrestling leads to a discussion about what the Pittsburgh promotion meant to wrestlers, fans, production crews, and the LGBTQ+ community. Rather than only mourning what's ending, the conversation turns toward what might grow from the space Enjoy leaves behind. It's wrestling, questionable Google searches, Disney stories, Faygo, recorders, independent wrestling chaos, and a surprising amount of emotional reflection on another Wrestling Mayhem Show.
Today on Just Pro Wrestling News: • Penta defeats Rey Fenix and earns a World Heavyweight Championship match against Roman Reigns in Mexico City. • Royce Keys and OTM brutally attack The Usos as Jacob Fatu declares war. • Dragon Lee becomes the next challenger for Chad Gable's Intercontinental Championship. • Joe Hendry returns to Raw to help Je'Von Evans. • Raquel Rodriguez retains against Sol Ruca after Lyra Valkyria interferes. • NXT begins the fallout from Heatwave tonight. Get more daily wrestling news at www.JustProWrestlingNews.com.
A massive AEW All In London dominates today's Just Pro Wrestling News as Will Ospreay defeats Kenny Omega to become AEW World Champion. Kofi and Austin Creed make their surprise AEW debut as New Level and immediately capture the World Trios Championships alongside Swerve Strickland. Mercedes Moné also defeats Willow Nightingale for the AEW Women's World Championship and later confirms that she suffered a broken nose during the match. Plus, Grayson Waller leaves NXT Heatwave as NXT Champion, La Parka captures the Triple A Latin American Championship, and AEW announces its next United Kingdom events for 2027. Get your daily wre
It's the Friday edition of Just Pro Wrestling News. M by Elegance becomes the first TNA Knockouts Television Champion on TNA IMPACT, Zoey Serrano officially signs with TNA, and Mustafa Ali is sidelined with a punctured lung. Plus, Willow Nightingale plans to compete at AEW All In despite a broken hand, Eddie Kingston is cleared for his CMLL World Heavyweight Championship match against Hechicero, and NWA EMPOWERRR returns tonight. Get your quick daily wrestling update at www.JustProWrestlingNews.com.
It's a packed Thursday edition of Just Pro Wrestling News. Jon Moxley and Nigel McGuinness are headed to the Continental Challenge Cup final at AEW All In after advancing on Dynamite in Glasgow. The proposed $147.5 million WWE merger lawsuit settlement has also moved another step forward, while TNA IMPACT will crown the first Knockouts Television Champion when Jada Stone faces M by Elegance. Plus, AEW adds more names to the Casino Gauntlet ahead of All In. Get the biggest wrestling stories in one quick update, without the vague backstage hearsay. Subscribe and visit www.JustProWrestlingNews.com for more.
It's Sorgstock Week on Wrestling Mayhem Show 1018, and Sorg, TruePrinceofPro (T-Pop!) and Rizz have a lot more than one wrestling show to keep straight. The crew previews the madness surrounding Sorgstock, including championship matches, unusual stipulations, returning wrestlers, live music, art and the continued question of whether anybody actually knows what is going to happen once the bell rings. The announced lineup includes The Runway against Wild Wild South for the Pit Fight Tag Team Championship, Sammy Suntheimer facing Billy the Alien, an RWA No Limits Championship “Bite-Off,” Mikey Montgomery against the returning Just An Idol in a mysterious Video Game Match, a Back to School Match involving the Department of Jocks, and Brianna Bands taking on Reese Hayes. Facade will also be creating live graffiti art while DJ Sikes provides a wrestling-themed set. Then T-Pop takes the wheel for a deep dive into AAA, where Omos creates chaos, Rey Mysterio is seemingly everywhere as an authority figure, Penta's problems with Los Perros del Mal escalate, and WWE-connected talent continues to reshape the promotion. They preview Ola de Calor, the AAA/NXT Sunday doubleheader and the rapidly approaching TripleMania. The show also examines WWE's current direction, including Solo Sikoa finding a new comedic gear opposite LA Knight, Royce Keys returning alongside OTM, the developing Kevin Owens, CM Punk and Sami Zayn situation, and whether Paul Heyman is actually adding anything to the Oba Femi/Bron Breakker story. There's plenty happening outside WWE too. The guys break down ROH Death Before Dishonor, including the wild Fight Without Honor between Lio Rush and Action Andretti, Athena's continued dominance, Bandido versus Nick Wayne and Lee Moriarty being pushed to his limits by Katsuyori Shibata. Then it's over to TNA Lockdown, where Jason Hotch and Mustafa Ali delivered one of the weekend's most spectacular cage-match moments, Kiera Hogan returned, and new talent continued to arrive. Finally, AEW All In at Wembley enters the conversation with Kenny Omega versus Will Ospreay, Willow Nightingale versus Mercedes Moné and a loaded card that has the crew wondering which match could steal the entire show. And in “What We Learned,” T-Pop discovers that CMLL stars are heading to Netflix, Rizz learns that putting wrestling shows together is every bit as difficult as advertised, and Sorg reflects on the satisfaction of watching wrestlers from the Pittsburgh scene expand their reach and find success elsewhere.
It's Sorgstock Week on Wrestling Mayhem Show 1018, and Sorg, TruePrinceofPro (T-Pop!) and Rizz have a lot more than one wrestling show to keep straight. The crew previews the madness surrounding Sorgstock, including championship matches, unusual stipulations, returning wrestlers, live music, art and the continued question of whether anybody actually knows what is going to happen once the bell rings. The announced lineup includes The Runway against Wild Wild South for the Pit Fight Tag Team Championship, Sammy Suntheimer facing Billy the Alien, an RWA No Limits Championship “Bite-Off,” Mikey Montgomery against the returning Just An Idol in a mysterious Video Game Match, a Back to School Match involving the Department of Jocks, and Brianna Bands taking on Reese Hayes. Facade will also be creating live graffiti art while DJ Sikes provides a wrestling-themed set. Then T-Pop takes the wheel for a deep dive into AAA, where Omos creates chaos, Rey Mysterio is seemingly everywhere as an authority figure, Penta's problems with Los Perros del Mal escalate, and WWE-connected talent continues to reshape the promotion. They preview Ola de Calor, the AAA/NXT Sunday doubleheader and the rapidly approaching TripleMania. The show also examines WWE's current direction, including Solo Sikoa finding a new comedic gear opposite LA Knight, Royce Keys returning alongside OTM, the developing Kevin Owens, CM Punk and Sami Zayn situation, and whether Paul Heyman is actually adding anything to the Oba Femi/Bron Breakker story. There's plenty happening outside WWE too. The guys break down ROH Death Before Dishonor, including the wild Fight Without Honor between Lio Rush and Action Andretti, Athena's continued dominance, Bandido versus Nick Wayne and Lee Moriarty being pushed to his limits by Katsuyori Shibata. Then it's over to TNA Lockdown, where Jason Hotch and Mustafa Ali delivered one of the weekend's most spectacular cage-match moments, Kiera Hogan returned, and new talent continued to arrive. Finally, AEW All In at Wembley enters the conversation with Kenny Omega versus Will Ospreay, Willow Nightingale versus Mercedes Moné and a loaded card that has the crew wondering which match could steal the entire show. And in “What We Learned,” T-Pop discovers that CMLL stars are heading to Netflix, Rizz learns that putting wrestling shows together is every bit as difficult as advertised, and Sorg reflects on the satisfaction of watching wrestlers from the Pittsburgh scene expand their reach and find success elsewhere.
Sorg, Katie Dudas, and Dave Podnar are back for another round of geeky tech, gadgets, games, collectibles, and Pittsburgh happenings. The episode opens on a somber note with a tribute to Dolly Parton and the impact of her philanthropy, including her work supporting childhood literacy. Then the crew gets into everything from simulated RC racing and Apple's latest Macs to a life-size Grogu, Linux history, Pokémon fossils, GTA VI leaks, and gaming at Pittsburgh International Airport. Topics discussed include: Remembering Dolly Parton – The crew reflects on Parton's passing, her charitable legacy, her support of literacy programs, and the positive impact she made far beyond entertainment. RC racing meets full-size driving simulators – Sorg discovers first-person RC car racing setups that combine tiny vehicles, onboard cameras, and full simulator rigs. The conversation explores CloudRC, RC aircraft, and whether experiences like this could become the next arcade, mall, or Dave & Buster's attraction. Apple updates the Mac mini and Mac Studio – Dave breaks down Apple's new Mac hardware, including the M6 chip, pricing, local AI performance, and the ability to combine machines over Thunderbolt 5. The crew discusses why local AI processing could become increasingly important for businesses dealing with cloud costs, privacy, and sensitive data. Pokémon Fossils invade Chicago – Chachi reports from the Pokémon Fossil Museum exhibit at Chicago's Field Museum, where fossils inspired by the games are compared with real paleontology. The exhibit even includes Pokémon GO bonuses and limited merchandise. Dungeon Crawler Carl and 3D printing – Katie opens her mysterious box of 3D-printed creations from Chachi's Plastic Fun Time shop, including Dungeon Crawler Carl characters, ornaments, magnets, Pokémon-inspired pieces, the infamous Rock Lobster, and more. Linux turns 35 – Dave traces the unlikely chain of events connecting AT&T antitrust action, UNIX, GNU, Linus Torvalds, and the operating system that became one of the foundations of modern computing. There's even a bonus discussion about Linux running on a Sega 32X. Kingdom Hearts expands – Chachi's Video Game Minute covers a 2027 release window for Kingdom Hearts 4 and a planned animated Kingdom Hearts series for Disney+. Mattel builds its own game studio – Mattel is expanding its internal video game operation with hundreds of developers and new games based on properties including UNO and Hot Wheels. GTA VI leaks and the digital ownership fight – The show looks at reported leaks of Grand Theft Auto VI material tied to protests over digital-only game distribution and the broader debate over whether players actually own their digital purchases. Transformers comes to Minecraft – Sorg and Katie explore the Transformers content available through the Minecraft Marketplace, including G1-inspired characters, story-based gameplay, combat modes, and plenty of temptation for Transformers fans. A nearly life-size Ultimate Grogu – Hasbro Pulse has a roughly 14.6-inch animatronic Grogu featuring movement, sounds, multiple interaction modes, cosplay-friendly settings, and a $599.99 price tag. Nature Calls restroom finder launches – The crowdsourced restroom-finding app discussed on an earlier AwesomeCast is now available, helping users locate bathrooms, water fountains, porta-potties, and other facilities. Gaming at Pittsburgh International Airport – Sorg checks out Gameway, a gaming lounge at Pittsburgh International Airport offering video games, snacks, drinks, and another option for travelers with time before a flight. Disney characters meet NFL teams – Disney and the NFL have teamed up for team-specific character merchandise. The Pittsburgh Steelers get Pete, while other combinations include Captain America with the Patriots, Thor with the Vikings, Darth Vader with the Raiders, and more. The crew also checks in on their recent Pittsburgh Shootout adventures and previews more of what's happening around the Sorgatron Media universe. RC Racing / CloudRC https://www.instagram.com/reels/Db2l4aVjpRO/ https://store.cloudrc.com/ Plastic Fun Time 3D Prints https://plasticfuntime.etsy.com/ Apple Mac mini / Mac Studio Updates https://www.wired.com/story/apple-announces-m6-and-m5-ultra-mac-mini-mac-studio/ 35 Years of Linux https://www.tomshardware.com/software/linux/linux-was-announced-by-linus-torvalds-35-years-ago-today-humble-os-started-with-10-000-lines-of-code-but-has-now-grown-to-40-million-dominates-global-infrastructure Kingdom Hearts Announcements https://thewaltdisneycompany.com/news/games-d23-digital-entertainment/ Mattel Game Studios https://kotaku.com/the-toy-maker-behind-barbie-and-hot-wheels-wants-to-make-its-own-video-games-2000724968 GTA VI Leak Story https://www.tomshardware.com/video-games/hacker-leaks-gta-vi-gameplay-and-map-to-protest-digital-only-release-claims-pre-orders-are-a-legacy-of-physical-game-releases Transformers Minecraft https://www.facebook.com/reel/1056475313409694 Nature Calls Restroom Finder – iOS https://apps.apple.com/us/app/find-toilets-nature-calls-run/id6790583853 Ultimate Grogu https://www.hasbropulse.com/product/star-wars-ultimate-grogu/G44835S00 Pittsburgh Airport Gameway https://www.instagram.com/reel/DcbcVbCBU34/?igsi=MTJweXZ1N2N4cTZ1dg== https://www.facebook.com/reel/1089385550715987 Disney x Pittsburgh Steelers https://www.nflshop.com/pittsburgh-steelers/disney/t-36604861+c-1202616796+z-8-2894738209?ab=%7Bwt-static_graphic%7D%7Bpt-TLP%7D%7Bal-HMB%7D%7Bct-Pittsburgh_Steelers_disney%7D
Today's Wrestling News 1. Kali Armstrong changed the NXT Heatwave title picture. On NXT Tuesday night, Armstrong defeated Women's North American Champion Zaria, earning entry into Sunday's title unification match with Zaria and Wren Sinclair. The bout is now a three way match. Rey Fenix also retained the Triple A Cruiserweight Championship against EK Prosper, and Saquon Shugars defeated Dion Lennox in the Weaponized Steel Cage Match. 2. AEW begins All In week tonight in Glasgow. Dynamite features Jon Moxley against Claudio Castagnoli and Nigel McGuinness against Kyle O'Reilly in the Continental Challenge Cup semifinals. Swerve Strickland faces Jack Perry, while MJF and Andrade El Idolo are also scheduled to appear four days before All In at Wembley Stadium. 3. WWE programming is leaving ABEMA in Japan. ABEMA confirmed that Raw, SmackDown and WWE premium live events will stop streaming on the service after September 30. The September 29 Raw will be its final WWE broadcast. The relationship began in 2023. 4. Eddie Kingston is still scheduled to challenge Hechicero in CMLL. Despite being removed from AEW's Continental Challenge Cup because of a medical issue, Kingston remains advertised for Friday at Arena México, challenging for the CMLL World Heavyweight Championship. CMLL's official card also confirms the bout. 5. TNA will crown its first Knockouts Television Champion tomorrow. Thursday's iMPACT in Brampton features Jada Stone against M by Elegance in the tournament final. TNA is also advertising Elijah against Bear Bronson as the company moves from Lockdown toward Bound for Glory.
It's Sorgstock Week on Wrestling Mayhem Show 1018, and Sorg, TruePrinceofPro (T-Pop!) and Rizz have a lot more than one wrestling show to keep straight. The crew previews the madness surrounding Sorgstock, including championship matches, unusual stipulations, returning wrestlers, live music, art and the continued question of whether anybody actually knows what is going to happen once the bell rings. The announced lineup includes The Runway against Wild Wild South for the Pit Fight Tag Team Championship, Sammy Suntheimer facing Billy the Alien, an RWA No Limits Championship “Bite-Off,” Mikey Montgomery against the returning Just An Idol in a mysterious Video Game Match, a Back to School Match involving the Department of Jocks, and Brianna Bands taking on Reese Hayes. Facade will also be creating live graffiti art while DJ Sikes provides a wrestling-themed set. Then T-Pop takes the wheel for a deep dive into AAA, where Omos creates chaos, Rey Mysterio is seemingly everywhere as an authority figure, Penta's problems with Los Perros del Mal escalate, and WWE-connected talent continues to reshape the promotion. They preview Ola de Calor, the AAA/NXT Sunday doubleheader and the rapidly approaching TripleMania. The show also examines WWE's current direction, including Solo Sikoa finding a new comedic gear opposite LA Knight, Royce Keys returning alongside OTM, the developing Kevin Owens, CM Punk and Sami Zayn situation, and whether Paul Heyman is actually adding anything to the Oba Femi/Bron Breakker story. There's plenty happening outside WWE too. The guys break down ROH Death Before Dishonor, including the wild Fight Without Honor between Lio Rush and Action Andretti, Athena's continued dominance, Bandido versus Nick Wayne and Lee Moriarty being pushed to his limits by Katsuyori Shibata. Then it's over to TNA Lockdown, where Jason Hotch and Mustafa Ali delivered one of the weekend's most spectacular cage-match moments, Kiera Hogan returned, and new talent continued to arrive. Finally, AEW All In at Wembley enters the conversation with Kenny Omega versus Will Ospreay, Willow Nightingale versus Mercedes Moné and a loaded card that has the crew wondering which match could steal the entire show. And in “What We Learned,” T-Pop discovers that CMLL stars are heading to Netflix, Rizz learns that putting wrestling shows together is every bit as difficult as advertised, and Sorg reflects on the satisfaction of watching wrestlers from the Pittsburgh scene expand their reach and find success elsewhere.
oyce Keys returns to WWE with OTM, Penta and Rey Fenix are headed for a brother versus brother tournament final, and Eddie Kingston has a CMLL World Heavyweight Championship opportunity. ROYCE KEYS RETURNS WITH OTM Royce Keys returned on Raw alongside Bronco Nima and Lucien Price. The group attacked The Usos, LA Knight and Solo Sikoa to close Monday's show. Source: WWE Official Raw results PENTA VS. REY FENIX Rey Fenix defeated Dragon Lee and Penta defeated La Parka to reach the final of WWE's World Heavyweight Championship contender tournament. The brothers collide next Monday. Source: WWE Official Raw results EDDIE KINGSTON CHALLENGES FOR CMLL GOLD Eddie Kingston will make his CMLL debut Friday at Arena México against CMLL World Heavyweight Champion Hechicero. Source: POST Wrestling / CMLL Read the report BIANCA BELAIR PROVIDES HEALTH UPDATE Belair says she is dealing with carpal tunnel syndrome in both hands while continuing to recover from her surgically repaired finger. Source: Fightful / Bianca Belair Read the report Also covered: Big Cass returns to a WWE ring, Stephanie Vaquer earns another Women's World Championship opportunity, and AEW prepares for its final Dynamite before All In London.
What does it actually mean to fish without bait? In Episode 529 of Fishing Without Bait, behavioral health therapist Jim Ellermeyer sits down with Producer Mike for a return to the fundamental ideas that have shaped the podcast through more than 500 episodes. At the center of the conversation is a simple relationship between expectations and serenity: “The greater your expectations, the lower your serenity. The lower your expectations, the greater your serenity.” Jim and Mike explore the difference between setting rigid expectations and setting intentions. An expectation can turn life into a pass/fail exercise where anything short of a particular outcome feels like failure. An intention gives us direction while allowing us to remain present, curious, and responsive to what actually happens. That leads to another question Mike asks himself: “What am I working so hard to get to?” Jim's answer is equally simple: “There is no there.” The conversation expands into emotional honesty and the ways people avoid uncomfortable truths. Jim challenges the automatic response of telling everyone we're “good” when we aren't—including situations where honesty with doctors, loved ones, recovery peers, or ourselves could make a meaningful difference. They also discuss the 12-step idea that “it's our secrets that keep us sick,” the discomfort involved in confronting fears and resentments, and the tendency to keep “kicking the emotional can down the road” instead of dealing with what is immediately in front of us. Mindfulness, as Jim and Mike describe it, isn't escaping daily life or spending hours in meditation. It is practical: Paying attention on purpose. It's pausing before reacting. Questioning assumptions. Making choices based on facts instead of beliefs. Recognizing how our words and actions affect others. And allowing our words to pass through three important gates: Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary? The episode closes by returning to impermanence and non-attachment. Everything and everyone in our lives is shared with us temporarily. Rather than making life meaningless, that understanding can make the present more valuable. We don't live by years, months, weeks, days, or hours. We live by moments. Make this one count. Continue the Journey Subscribe to Fishing Without Bait on your favorite podcast player. Support the show and receive ad-free episodes on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/fishingwithoutbait Pick up “Learn to Fish Without Bait: A 365-Day Mindfulness Journal and Adult Coloring Book”: https://www.lulu.com/shop/james-ellermeyer-lpc-ma-ncc-lpc/learn-to-fish-without-bait/paperback/product-6n9rd8.html?page=1&pageSize=4
Leon Slater has made his move toward the TNA World Championship, Matt Cardona has announced a significant injury, and TNA has added two wrestlers to its roster coming out of Lockdown.
Kenny Omega and Will Ospreay's AEW World Championship rivalry explodes, Adam Copeland reveals where he wants to finish his wrestling career, official WrestleMania 42 attendance figures are released, and TNA adds a new media partner. Kenny Omega sends Will Ospreay through a table on AEW Dynamite. Omega closed the show by hitting the One Winged Angel through a table as their All In World Championship match approaches. Jon Moxley and Nigel McGuinness also advanced in the Continental Challenge Cup, Konosuke Takeshita returned and Maya World retained the TBS Championship. Source: AEW Read the official AEW results Adam Copeland says he wants to retire in AEW. Copeland told Ariel Helwani that although he has not determined exactly when his final match will happen, he wants AEW to be the promotion where his wrestling career ends. Source: Fightful / The Ariel Helwani Show Read the Fightful report Official WrestleMania 42 attendance figures have been released. The Las Vegas Stadium Authority reported a combined 97,126 attendees for the two nights, an 18 percent decrease from its WrestleMania 41 figures. Source: POST Wrestling / Las Vegas Stadium Authority Read POST Wrestling's report TNA Wrestling and REVOLT announce a content partnership. REVOLT will carry exclusive Xplosion matches and material from TNA's extensive archive. Source: TNA Wrestling Read TNA's announcement
The “Neon Ninja” Facade joins Sorg and Mad Mike for a wide-ranging Wrestling Mayhem Show covering championship drama, lucha libre, JCW's evolution, Power Slap controversy, and the importance of remembering why wrestling is supposed to be fun. The show opens with Chelsea Green's emotional response to suffering an orbital injury immediately after her championship victory. The crew praises Green's fiery babyface promo, the crowd's investment in her journey, and WWE's decision to give her 30 days to return and defend the title. They also examine the strength of WWE's women's championships, Fatal Influence's fast rise, and Facade's personal experience working with Green earlier in her career. WWE's growing relationship with AAA leads to a larger lucha discussion. The hosts consider a potential Penta–Rey Fenix tournament final, Roman Reigns wrestling in Mexico, El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr.'s Raw appearance, the AAA Cruiserweight Championship appearing on NXT, and WWE adjusting its schedule around football and other media partnerships. The independent wrestling roundup includes 2PW's Battle of the Barrel, RWA's upcoming Renegade Rumble, and the final two Sorgstock match announcements: Brianna Bands against Reese Hayes and The Runway against Wild Wild South. Facade then looks ahead to the Gathering of the Juggalos and Bloodymania. He discusses JCW's transition from chaotic, insider-driven wrestling toward a more polished and accessible product—without abandoning attractions like Gore Games. Most importantly, Facade previews his three-way JCW World Heavyweight Championship opportunity against Josh Bishop and JCW American Champion Father Bronson. The conversation shifts to Facade's latest Power Slap appearance. He explains accepting the fight on extremely short notice, cutting nearly ten pounds, entering without a full training camp, and being knocked out by a clean strike from Power Slap opponent Bougie. Facade also raises concerns about how a referee repositioned his stance immediately before the slap, discusses competitor safety, and reveals what it would take to bring him back. Finally, “What We Learned” covers Rey Mysterio's seemingly ageless performance against Chad Gable, CM Punk's misguided promo material against Kevin Owens, the latest Bloodline power structure, and Sorg rediscovering his enthusiasm for wrestling at a relaxed community show. News stories and topics Chelsea Green's injury and breakout promo Green suffered a broken orbital bone shortly after winning her championship. Nick Aldis gave her 30 days to recover, find a protective mask, and defend the title. Mad Mike calls her response one of WWE's strongest pure babyface promos in years. The panel believes the injury angle may strengthen her connection with the audience. Facade recalls managing Green and praises her personality and professionalism. WWE's women's championship scene The hosts discuss the momentum surrounding WWE's women's singles titles. Fatal Influence's rapid rise and championship success receive particular attention. Chelsea Green and Tiffany Stratton's recent involvement is examined. Wrestling's greatest ring slides The Usos' synchronized slides spark a debate about the best entrances into the ring. Paul London, The Rock, John Cena, and Titus O'Neil enter the conversation. The tangent expands into Samoan wrestling families and their shared athletic traits. WWE and AAA's lucha crossover The crew anticipates a possible Penta versus Rey Fenix tournament final. Roman Reigns' scheduled appearance in Mexico adds importance to the tournament. El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. and El Fiscal appearing on Raw are discussed. The AAA Cruiserweight Championship continuing on NXT is viewed as a natural extension of the partnership. Michael Cole's difficulty with lucha names becomes a running joke. WWE programming and scheduling The panel discusses double tapings and earlier Raw start times. WWE's relationship with ESPN and the challenge of competing with Monday Night Football are considered. The hosts note how wrestling scheduling increasingly works around larger sports partnerships. CM Punk visiting an NXT live event Punk's surprise appearance and physical interaction with Myles Borne are discussed. The group jokes about Punk choosing a small Florida live event over other cities. Independent wrestling roundup TNF's Lethal Lottery and recent surprises receive a plug. 2PW's Battle of the Barrel featured four matches at a West Homestead fire department event. Matches included Jason Tyler versus Phillip Archer, Paul Atlas and Marshall Gambino against Gory and Super Hentai, and Dennis Gregory versus Zach Nystrom. Little Ginge's appearance with Chest Flexor is highlighted. RWA's upcoming Renegade Rumble is previewed. Final Sorgstock match announcements Brianna Bands will face amateur-wrestling standout Reese Hayes. The Runway will meet the newly presented team of Shelby Wylde and Georgia South, Wild Wild South. Sorg explains his goal of presenting fresh matches and unfamiliar combinations. Facade versus Ricochet A viewer asks for a complete Facade–Ricochet rivalry. Facade remembers facing Ricochet in a chaotic CZW Aerial Assault match that also featured Ruckus and AR Fox. He confirms that Ricochet was already remarkably smooth and welcomes another match. JCW's evolution The group contrasts older, loosely produced Gathering matches with JCW's current presentation. Facade argues that a more accessible product can attract viewers outside established Juggalo culture. Dangerous stipulations are now more effective when used for meaningful stories instead of appearing automatically. Gore Games is presented as the major violent spectacle on the Bloodymania card. Gathering of the Juggalos memories Sorg and Facade recall poorly lit matches, rings moved by heavy equipment, flashlight wrestling, and shows continuing until sunrise. They discuss how audiences have learned that throwing objects can prevent wrestlers from delivering the performances fans want. Faygo memories, vintage branding, and earlier JCW experiences provide several side trips. Facade's JCW World Championship opportunity Facade explains his path through the JCW American Championship picture. He will challenge World Champion Josh Bishop in a three-way also involving American Champion Father Bronson. A winner-take-all stipulation is discussed as a possibility, not a confirmed match rule. Facade hopes Vanilla Ice might provide a live “Ninja Rap” entrance. Bloodymania card The discussed lineup includes James Storm and Cocaine versus Mr. Anderson and Stephon Smith. Sonny Kiss, Haley J, J-Rod, Mickey Knuckles, Caleb Konley, Kerry Morton, EC3, Willie Mack, Too Tough Tony, Yabo the Clown, Ruffo the Clown, Donovan Dijak, Big Vito, and others are mentioned. Bloodymania will stream free on YouTube at approximately 2 a.m. Eastern Saturday morning. Facade's short-notice Power Slap fight Facade received the call while teaching at a parkour gym. He accepted only days before the event without a dedicated training camp. He reduced his weight from approximately 179 pounds to 169.5. He expected the striking order to be redrawn but learned he would have to receive the first slap. Facade believes the referee moved him out of his trained defensive posture before the strike. He credits Bougie with delivering a legitimate, clean slap and holds no personal animosity toward him. Facade is reluctant to compete again unless he receives the first strike. Power Slap safety and officiating Other competitors' experiences are used to question defensive positioning and officiating consistency. A broken arm, fighters declining unsafe situations, and commentary that ignored Facade's short-notice status are discussed. Raj Dhesi's victory over Jake Hager is highlighted as an emotional comeback. The sport's growing international schedule and involvement of wrestlers, athletes, and online creators are examined. Wrestlers finding opportunities elsewhere Power Slap, Banana Ball, American Gladiators, MMA, and visual art are presented as alternate paths. The hosts appreciate seeing wrestlers turn their personalities and athletic skills into new opportunities. “What We Learned” breakdown The chat's lesson: Solo Sikoa works surprisingly well as a babyface, while Roman Reigns' order preventing Jacob Fatu from attacking LA Knight explains Jacob's unusual inaction. The Usos also appear to have become Roman's clear seconds-in-command. Professor T-Pop's lesson: Rey Mysterio still refuses to age. His match with Chad Gable delivered match-of-the-year-level lucha action, while Gable's increasing ability to blur the line between himself and El Grande Americano continues to strengthen the character. Mad Mike's lesson: Even experienced talkers sometimes need stronger boundaries or scripting. CM Punk's endometriosis reference during his exchange with Kevin Owens was confusing, needlessly insensitive, and weaker than the material available within the story. Mike believes Owens is carrying the more effective side of the feud. Sorg's lesson: Wrestling is most rewarding when there is still room to experience it as a fan. Attending the relaxed 2PW fire department show—without being responsible for the entire production—helped him reconnect with old friends and remember what drew him to wrestling. Facade's extension of the lesson: Wrestling has taken him from local shows to touring with musicians and competing in unexpected arenas. His advice is to pause, recognize those opportunities, and appreciate where the work has led. The larger takeaway: A passion project can become so focused on logistics and business that the passion disappears. Everyone involved should remember that they choose to be there, protect their energy, and leave situations that no longer justify the cost.
The “Neon Ninja” Facade joins Sorg and Mad Mike for a wide-ranging Wrestling Mayhem Show covering championship drama, lucha libre, JCW's evolution, Power Slap controversy, and the importance of remembering why wrestling is supposed to be fun. The show opens with Chelsea Green's emotional response to suffering an orbital injury immediately after her championship victory. The crew praises Green's fiery babyface promo, the crowd's investment in her journey, and WWE's decision to give her 30 days to return and defend the title. They also examine the strength of WWE's women's championships, Fatal Influence's fast rise, and Facade's personal experience working with Green earlier in her career. WWE's growing relationship with AAA leads to a larger lucha discussion. The hosts consider a potential Penta–Rey Fenix tournament final, Roman Reigns wrestling in Mexico, El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr.'s Raw appearance, the AAA Cruiserweight Championship appearing on NXT, and WWE adjusting its schedule around football and other media partnerships. The independent wrestling roundup includes 2PW's Battle of the Barrel, RWA's upcoming Renegade Rumble, and the final two Sorgstock match announcements: Brianna Bands against Reese Hayes and The Runway against Wild Wild South. Facade then looks ahead to the Gathering of the Juggalos and Bloodymania. He discusses JCW's transition from chaotic, insider-driven wrestling toward a more polished and accessible product—without abandoning attractions like Gore Games. Most importantly, Facade previews his three-way JCW World Heavyweight Championship opportunity against Josh Bishop and JCW American Champion Father Bronson. The conversation shifts to Facade's latest Power Slap appearance. He explains accepting the fight on extremely short notice, cutting nearly ten pounds, entering without a full training camp, and being knocked out by a clean strike from Power Slap opponent Bougie. Facade also raises concerns about how a referee repositioned his stance immediately before the slap, discusses competitor safety, and reveals what it would take to bring him back. Finally, “What We Learned” covers Rey Mysterio's seemingly ageless performance against Chad Gable, CM Punk's misguided promo material against Kevin Owens, the latest Bloodline power structure, and Sorg rediscovering his enthusiasm for wrestling at a relaxed community show. News stories and topics Chelsea Green's injury and breakout promo Green suffered a broken orbital bone shortly after winning her championship. Nick Aldis gave her 30 days to recover, find a protective mask, and defend the title. Mad Mike calls her response one of WWE's strongest pure babyface promos in years. The panel believes the injury angle may strengthen her connection with the audience. Facade recalls managing Green and praises her personality and professionalism. WWE's women's championship scene The hosts discuss the momentum surrounding WWE's women's singles titles. Fatal Influence's rapid rise and championship success receive particular attention. Chelsea Green and Tiffany Stratton's recent involvement is examined. Wrestling's greatest ring slides The Usos' synchronized slides spark a debate about the best entrances into the ring. Paul London, The Rock, John Cena, and Titus O'Neil enter the conversation. The tangent expands into Samoan wrestling families and their shared athletic traits. WWE and AAA's lucha crossover The crew anticipates a possible Penta versus Rey Fenix tournament final. Roman Reigns' scheduled appearance in Mexico adds importance to the tournament. El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. and El Fiscal appearing on Raw are discussed. The AAA Cruiserweight Championship continuing on NXT is viewed as a natural extension of the partnership. Michael Cole's difficulty with lucha names becomes a running joke. WWE programming and scheduling The panel discusses double tapings and earlier Raw start times. WWE's relationship with ESPN and the challenge of competing with Monday Night Football are considered. The hosts note how wrestling scheduling increasingly works around larger sports partnerships. CM Punk visiting an NXT live event Punk's surprise appearance and physical interaction with Myles Borne are discussed. The group jokes about Punk choosing a small Florida live event over other cities. Independent wrestling roundup TNF's Lethal Lottery and recent surprises receive a plug. 2PW's Battle of the Barrel featured four matches at a West Homestead fire department event. Matches included Jason Tyler versus Phillip Archer, Paul Atlas and Marshall Gambino against Gory and Super Hentai, and Dennis Gregory versus Zach Nystrom. Little Ginge's appearance with Chest Flexor is highlighted. RWA's upcoming Renegade Rumble is previewed. Final Sorgstock match announcements Brianna Bands will face amateur-wrestling standout Reese Hayes. The Runway will meet the newly presented team of Shelby Wylde and Georgia South, Wild Wild South. Sorg explains his goal of presenting fresh matches and unfamiliar combinations. Facade versus Ricochet A viewer asks for a complete Facade–Ricochet rivalry. Facade remembers facing Ricochet in a chaotic CZW Aerial Assault match that also featured Ruckus and AR Fox. He confirms that Ricochet was already remarkably smooth and welcomes another match. JCW's evolution The group contrasts older, loosely produced Gathering matches with JCW's current presentation. Facade argues that a more accessible product can attract viewers outside established Juggalo culture. Dangerous stipulations are now more effective when used for meaningful stories instead of appearing automatically. Gore Games is presented as the major violent spectacle on the Bloodymania card. Gathering of the Juggalos memories Sorg and Facade recall poorly lit matches, rings moved by heavy equipment, flashlight wrestling, and shows continuing until sunrise. They discuss how audiences have learned that throwing objects can prevent wrestlers from delivering the performances fans want. Faygo memories, vintage branding, and earlier JCW experiences provide several side trips. Facade's JCW World Championship opportunity Facade explains his path through the JCW American Championship picture. He will challenge World Champion Josh Bishop in a three-way also involving American Champion Father Bronson. A winner-take-all stipulation is discussed as a possibility, not a confirmed match rule. Facade hopes Vanilla Ice might provide a live “Ninja Rap” entrance. Bloodymania card The discussed lineup includes James Storm and Cocaine versus Mr. Anderson and Stephon Smith. Sonny Kiss, Haley J, J-Rod, Mickey Knuckles, Caleb Konley, Kerry Morton, EC3, Willie Mack, Too Tough Tony, Yabo the Clown, Ruffo the Clown, Donovan Dijak, Big Vito, and others are mentioned. Bloodymania will stream free on YouTube at approximately 2 a.m. Eastern Saturday morning. Facade's short-notice Power Slap fight Facade received the call while teaching at a parkour gym. He accepted only days before the event without a dedicated training camp. He reduced his weight from approximately 179 pounds to 169.5. He expected the striking order to be redrawn but learned he would have to receive the first slap. Facade believes the referee moved him out of his trained defensive posture before the strike. He credits Bougie with delivering a legitimate, clean slap and holds no personal animosity toward him. Facade is reluctant to compete again unless he receives the first strike. Power Slap safety and officiating Other competitors' experiences are used to question defensive positioning and officiating consistency. A broken arm, fighters declining unsafe situations, and commentary that ignored Facade's short-notice status are discussed. Raj Dhesi's victory over Jake Hager is highlighted as an emotional comeback. The sport's growing international schedule and involvement of wrestlers, athletes, and online creators are examined. Wrestlers finding opportunities elsewhere Power Slap, Banana Ball, American Gladiators, MMA, and visual art are presented as alternate paths. The hosts appreciate seeing wrestlers turn their personalities and athletic skills into new opportunities. “What We Learned” breakdown The chat's lesson: Solo Sikoa works surprisingly well as a babyface, while Roman Reigns' order preventing Jacob Fatu from attacking LA Knight explains Jacob's unusual inaction. The Usos also appear to have become Roman's clear seconds-in-command. Professor T-Pop's lesson: Rey Mysterio still refuses to age. His match with Chad Gable delivered match-of-the-year-level lucha action, while Gable's increasing ability to blur the line between himself and El Grande Americano continues to strengthen the character. Mad Mike's lesson: Even experienced talkers sometimes need stronger boundaries or scripting. CM Punk's endometriosis reference during his exchange with Kevin Owens was confusing, needlessly insensitive, and weaker than the material available within the story. Mike believes Owens is carrying the more effective side of the feud. Sorg's lesson: Wrestling is most rewarding when there is still room to experience it as a fan. Attending the relaxed 2PW fire department show—without being responsible for the entire production—helped him reconnect with old friends and remember what drew him to wrestling. Facade's extension of the lesson: Wrestling has taken him from local shows to touring with musicians and competing in unexpected arenas. His advice is to pause, recognize those opportunities, and appreciate where the work has led. The larger takeaway: A passion project can become so focused on logistics and business that the passion disappears. Everyone involved should remember that they choose to be there, protect their energy, and leave situations that no longer justify the cost.
The “Neon Ninja” Facade joins Sorg and Mad Mike for a wide-ranging Wrestling Mayhem Show covering championship drama, lucha libre, JCW's evolution, Power Slap controversy, and the importance of remembering why wrestling is supposed to be fun. The show opens with Chelsea Green's emotional response to suffering an orbital injury immediately after her championship victory. The crew praises Green's fiery babyface promo, the crowd's investment in her journey, and WWE's decision to give her 30 days to return and defend the title. They also examine the strength of WWE's women's championships, Fatal Influence's fast rise, and Facade's personal experience working with Green earlier in her career. WWE's growing relationship with AAA leads to a larger lucha discussion. The hosts consider a potential Penta–Rey Fenix tournament final, Roman Reigns wrestling in Mexico, El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr.'s Raw appearance, the AAA Cruiserweight Championship appearing on NXT, and WWE adjusting its schedule around football and other media partnerships. The independent wrestling roundup includes 2PW's Battle of the Barrel, RWA's upcoming Renegade Rumble, and the final two Sorgstock match announcements: Brianna Bands against Reese Hayes and The Runway against Wild Wild South. Facade then looks ahead to the Gathering of the Juggalos and Bloodymania. He discusses JCW's transition from chaotic, insider-driven wrestling toward a more polished and accessible product—without abandoning attractions like Gore Games. Most importantly, Facade previews his three-way JCW World Heavyweight Championship opportunity against Josh Bishop and JCW American Champion Father Bronson. The conversation shifts to Facade's latest Power Slap appearance. He explains accepting the fight on extremely short notice, cutting nearly ten pounds, entering without a full training camp, and being knocked out by a clean strike from Power Slap opponent Bougie. Facade also raises concerns about how a referee repositioned his stance immediately before the slap, discusses competitor safety, and reveals what it would take to bring him back. Finally, “What We Learned” covers Rey Mysterio's seemingly ageless performance against Chad Gable, CM Punk's misguided promo material against Kevin Owens, the latest Bloodline power structure, and Sorg rediscovering his enthusiasm for wrestling at a relaxed community show. News stories and topics Chelsea Green's injury and breakout promo Green suffered a broken orbital bone shortly after winning her championship. Nick Aldis gave her 30 days to recover, find a protective mask, and defend the title. Mad Mike calls her response one of WWE's strongest pure babyface promos in years. The panel believes the injury angle may strengthen her connection with the audience. Facade recalls managing Green and praises her personality and professionalism. WWE's women's championship scene The hosts discuss the momentum surrounding WWE's women's singles titles. Fatal Influence's rapid rise and championship success receive particular attention. Chelsea Green and Tiffany Stratton's recent involvement is examined. Wrestling's greatest ring slides The Usos' synchronized slides spark a debate about the best entrances into the ring. Paul London, The Rock, John Cena, and Titus O'Neil enter the conversation. The tangent expands into Samoan wrestling families and their shared athletic traits. WWE and AAA's lucha crossover The crew anticipates a possible Penta versus Rey Fenix tournament final. Roman Reigns' scheduled appearance in Mexico adds importance to the tournament. El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. and El Fiscal appearing on Raw are discussed. The AAA Cruiserweight Championship continuing on NXT is viewed as a natural extension of the partnership. Michael Cole's difficulty with lucha names becomes a running joke. WWE programming and scheduling The panel discusses double tapings and earlier Raw start times. WWE's relationship with ESPN and the challenge of competing with Monday Night Football are considered. The hosts note how wrestling scheduling increasingly works around larger sports partnerships. CM Punk visiting an NXT live event Punk's surprise appearance and physical interaction with Myles Borne are discussed. The group jokes about Punk choosing a small Florida live event over other cities. Independent wrestling roundup TNF's Lethal Lottery and recent surprises receive a plug. 2PW's Battle of the Barrel featured four matches at a West Homestead fire department event. Matches included Jason Tyler versus Phillip Archer, Paul Atlas and Marshall Gambino against Gory and Super Hentai, and Dennis Gregory versus Zach Nystrom. Little Ginge's appearance with Chest Flexor is highlighted. RWA's upcoming Renegade Rumble is previewed. Final Sorgstock match announcements Brianna Bands will face amateur-wrestling standout Reese Hayes. The Runway will meet the newly presented team of Shelby Wylde and Georgia South, Wild Wild South. Sorg explains his goal of presenting fresh matches and unfamiliar combinations. Facade versus Ricochet A viewer asks for a complete Facade–Ricochet rivalry. Facade remembers facing Ricochet in a chaotic CZW Aerial Assault match that also featured Ruckus and AR Fox. He confirms that Ricochet was already remarkably smooth and welcomes another match. JCW's evolution The group contrasts older, loosely produced Gathering matches with JCW's current presentation. Facade argues that a more accessible product can attract viewers outside established Juggalo culture. Dangerous stipulations are now more effective when used for meaningful stories instead of appearing automatically. Gore Games is presented as the major violent spectacle on the Bloodymania card. Gathering of the Juggalos memories Sorg and Facade recall poorly lit matches, rings moved by heavy equipment, flashlight wrestling, and shows continuing until sunrise. They discuss how audiences have learned that throwing objects can prevent wrestlers from delivering the performances fans want. Faygo memories, vintage branding, and earlier JCW experiences provide several side trips. Facade's JCW World Championship opportunity Facade explains his path through the JCW American Championship picture. He will challenge World Champion Josh Bishop in a three-way also involving American Champion Father Bronson. A winner-take-all stipulation is discussed as a possibility, not a confirmed match rule. Facade hopes Vanilla Ice might provide a live “Ninja Rap” entrance. Bloodymania card The discussed lineup includes James Storm and Cocaine versus Mr. Anderson and Stephon Smith. Sonny Kiss, Haley J, J-Rod, Mickey Knuckles, Caleb Konley, Kerry Morton, EC3, Willie Mack, Too Tough Tony, Yabo the Clown, Ruffo the Clown, Donovan Dijak, Big Vito, and others are mentioned. Bloodymania will stream free on YouTube at approximately 2 a.m. Eastern Saturday morning. Facade's short-notice Power Slap fight Facade received the call while teaching at a parkour gym. He accepted only days before the event without a dedicated training camp. He reduced his weight from approximately 179 pounds to 169.5. He expected the striking order to be redrawn but learned he would have to receive the first slap. Facade believes the referee moved him out of his trained defensive posture before the strike. He credits Bougie with delivering a legitimate, clean slap and holds no personal animosity toward him. Facade is reluctant to compete again unless he receives the first strike. Power Slap safety and officiating Other competitors' experiences are used to question defensive positioning and officiating consistency. A broken arm, fighters declining unsafe situations, and commentary that ignored Facade's short-notice status are discussed. Raj Dhesi's victory over Jake Hager is highlighted as an emotional comeback. The sport's growing international schedule and involvement of wrestlers, athletes, and online creators are examined. Wrestlers finding opportunities elsewhere Power Slap, Banana Ball, American Gladiators, MMA, and visual art are presented as alternate paths. The hosts appreciate seeing wrestlers turn their personalities and athletic skills into new opportunities. “What We Learned” breakdown The chat's lesson: Solo Sikoa works surprisingly well as a babyface, while Roman Reigns' order preventing Jacob Fatu from attacking LA Knight explains Jacob's unusual inaction. The Usos also appear to have become Roman's clear seconds-in-command. Professor T-Pop's lesson: Rey Mysterio still refuses to age. His match with Chad Gable delivered match-of-the-year-level lucha action, while Gable's increasing ability to blur the line between himself and El Grande Americano continues to strengthen the character. Mad Mike's lesson: Even experienced talkers sometimes need stronger boundaries or scripting. CM Punk's endometriosis reference during his exchange with Kevin Owens was confusing, needlessly insensitive, and weaker than the material available within the story. Mike believes Owens is carrying the more effective side of the feud. Sorg's lesson: Wrestling is most rewarding when there is still room to experience it as a fan. Attending the relaxed 2PW fire department show—without being responsible for the entire production—helped him reconnect with old friends and remember what drew him to wrestling. Facade's extension of the lesson: Wrestling has taken him from local shows to touring with musicians and competing in unexpected arenas. His advice is to pause, recognize those opportunities, and appreciate where the work has led. The larger takeaway: A passion project can become so focused on logistics and business that the passion disappears. Everyone involved should remember that they choose to be there, protect their energy, and leave situations that no longer justify the cost.
Sorg, Katie Dudas, and Dave Podnar explore an AI pocket pet that grows up with its owner, clues pointing toward camera-equipped Apple AirPods, TikTok's concerning voice-call feature, robots building electric vehicles, changes to YouTube view counts, retro Mario experiments, and more technology news from Pittsburgh. This week's stories and gadgets: Pittsburgh Shootout preview: Sorg and Katie prepare to photograph the independent Formula SAE-style event at Summit Point Motorsports Park after the former Pittsburgh Raceway property was sold for a data center. Hello Kitty x Godzilla Happy Meals: Katie arrives with McDonald's crossover toys and begins the hunt for the complete collection, including Hello Kitty Godzilla, Chococat with SpaceGodzilla, and Kuromi with Mechagodzilla. TikTok voice-call warning: Dave demonstrates how TikTok users can make direct voice calls and explains why parents should review the feature. Users can go to Profile, Settings and Privacy, Notifications, and Voice Calls to limit notifications to no one, people they follow, or everyone. The calling capability itself may still remain available. See the settings reference used during the show. Drive through Google Street View: Hop Earth turns real-world map data into a browser-based driving game. Sorg attempts to create a Pittsburgh route while discovering that the experimental experience can be demanding on a computer with too many open tabs. Awesome Person of the Week: Dave celebrates Pittsburgh-area chemist Stephanie L. Kwolek, whose persistence and polymer research at DuPont led to the development of Kevlar. ChachiSays Video Game Minute: Ohio is suing Roblox over allegations involving investor disclosures and protections for children. A real Freddy Fazbear's Pizza experience inspired by Five Nights at Freddy's is planned for a New Jersey mall in 2027. The FAA recruited more than 2,000 gamers as prospective air traffic controllers following a change in recruitment strategy. An AI Tamagotchi that grows up: Sweekar is an interactive AI pocket pet that progresses from baby to child, teenager, and adult. Its personality develops according to how its owner interacts with it, and it can recognize people, remember interests, offer reminders, tell stories, use an accompanying app, and wear collectible outfits. Apple's possible camera-equipped AirPods: A video discovered inside a macOS update appears to demonstrate visual intelligence through AirPods. The hosts discuss the possibility of tiny cameras helping users identify objects and places, along with the major privacy questions Apple would need to address. The product remains speculative. AllTrails Hidden Tracks: Katie highlights Hidden Tracks from AllTrails, a collection of crowdsourced alternatives to heavily visited national parks and trails. Fandom becomes a business: A creator turned a niche idea involving Dungeon Crawler Carl-themed commentary and cosplay into a successful subscription project. The hosts examine the creator's reported early results and the growing economy around fan-made merchandise and content. Super Mario Bros. Wonder on the SNES: The hosts play with a fan-made Super Nintendo-style demake featuring Wonder Flowers, Drill Mario, Bubble Mario, and a Bowser Jr. battle. Robots inside Hyundai's EV factory: Dave takes the show inside Hyundai's Georgia Metaplant, where autonomous sleds move vehicles between workstations and Boston Dynamics robot dogs assist with quality inspections. YouTube is changing how views appear: YouTube plans to align its public view counting more closely with TikTok and Instagram by counting a view when playback begins. Creator earnings will continue to depend on engaged Shorts views and watch hours, making engagement more important than the public total. Dave celebrates the iPhoneography Podcast passing 100,000 plays and shares highlights from a recent conversation with photographer Jefferson Graham. Support AwesomeCast and receive bonus aftertalk content at https://www.patreon.com/awesomecast.
This week on AwesomeCast 788, Sorg, Katie Dudas, and Dave Podnar explore the growing appeal of retro technology, screen-free devices, customizable gadgets, and digital tools that give users more control. Katie begins with Mama's Night Off, a browser game inspired by Dungeon Crawler Carl and the Maeve Chocolate Dirty Shirley bar. Dave introduces Garmin's new screenless fitness tracker, an alternative to smartwatches and subscription-heavy wearables. Sorg shares his experience setting up RetroArch on Apple TV, including its wide range of supported systems, open-source games, ROM management, controllers, and the tinkering required to make everything work. The conversation expands into the tension between digital convenience and physical ownership. The hosts discuss GameStop's response to Sony's physical-media decisions, the rapid progress of PlayStation 5 emulation, and why consumers are returning to CDs, vinyl, cassettes, retro games, and other physical formats. They also have an extended discussion about generative AI, creative production, AI-assisted image editing, automation tools, corporate responsibility, electrical-grid pressures, and the rapid construction of data centers. The hosts examine the difference between rejecting AI entirely and learning how to use it responsibly while still demanding accountability from businesses and government. Later, the show looks at NASA's Psyche spacecraft capturing a Mars flyby, Pittsburgh movie history through the Pastfinders app, a minimalist flip phone for people who want fewer distractions, a development board that turns old Nintendo Wii Remotes into customizable controllers, and Google Photos restoring a traditional search option alongside Ask Photos. Stories and Gadgets Discussed Awesome Things of the Week Mama's Night Off and the Maeve Chocolate Dirty Shirley Bar Katie shares a browser-based game connected to Dungeon Crawler Carl. Players fire magical projectiles at cherries to help create Mama's Dirty Shirley. The hosts discuss the game's intentionally retro presentation and voice work by Jeff Hays. Play the game and view the chocolate bar: https://maevechocolate.com/products/virgin-dirty-shirley/?game Garmin's Screenless Fitness Tracker Dave introduces Garmin's wearable fitness tracker designed without a screen. The device offers health and activity tracking without requiring users to wear a full smartwatch. The hosts discuss its approximately ten-day battery life, Garmin Connect compatibility, optional Garmin Connect+ subscription, and Garmin's reputation for durable hardware and direct fitness feedback. Engadget: https://www.engadget.com/2219713/garmin-finally-made-a-screenless-fitness-tracker/ Garmin product information: https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/1989182/#specs RetroArch on Apple TV Sorg explains how RetroArch can turn an Apple TV into a multi-system retro-gaming device. The software supports numerous systems, including Nintendo, Sega, arcade, PlayStation-era platforms, and older computer games. The hosts discuss Bluetooth controllers, open-source games, shareware versions of Doom and Wolfenstein, storage limitations, organizing ROM libraries, and troubleshooting incompatible files. Apple App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/retroarch/id6499539433 Supported platforms: https://www.retroarch.com/?page=platforms Awesome Person of the Week Ralph Teetor and the Invention of Cruise Control Dave highlights engineer Ralph Teetor, who became blind as a child and later earned engineering degrees. Frustrated by the repeated acceleration and deceleration of drivers, Teetor developed an early version of cruise control. The hosts discuss the evolution from basic speed control to adaptive cruise control and its relationship to modern driver-assistance systems. Teetor later served as president of the Society of Automotive Engineers, and an SAE award for educators bears his name. Automotive Hall of Fame: https://automotivehalloffame.org/honoree/ralph-r-teetor/ Chachi Says Video Game Minute Playing GTA III and Vice City Inside GTA: San Andreas A PC mod allows players controlling CJ in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas to walk up to an in-game television and launch GTA III or Vice City. The hosts compare the concept to a video-game version of Inception. https://www.tomshardware.com/video-games/pc-gaming/gta-3-and-vice-city-are-now-playable-inside-san-andreas-a-mod-lets-you-revisit-liberty-city-and-vice-city-without-leaving-san-andreas GameStop's CEO Responds to the Decline of Physical Games GameStop CEO Ryan Cohen argues that Sony reducing physical-disc support will not significantly hurt the company because new video-game sales represent a relatively small portion of its business. The discussion includes GameStop's continued interest in eBay and the changing economics of physical game retail. https://www.ign.com/articles/gamestop-ceo-ryan-cohen-insists-sony-killing-physical-discs-doesnt-matter-at-all-because-video-game-sales-make-up-so-little-of-his-business PlayStation 5 Emulation Progress Developers are making progress booting PlayStation 5 titles through multiple emulation projects. Two-dimensional games are advancing more quickly, while fully rendering complex three-dimensional games remains a significant challenge. The story sparks a broader conversation about game preservation, physical ownership, digital licensing, and consumer distrust. https://www.tomshardware.com/video-games/playstation/ps5-emulation-ramps-up-in-wake-of-sonys-end-to-physical-media-ps5-titles-now-booting-across-different-emulators-with-rapid-community-development-for-both-2d-and-3d-games AI, Creative Work and Data Centers The hosts discuss the growing use of AI-assisted tools in image editing, video production, business documents, email, captions, background extension, and design mockups. Sorg explains how AI can help reformat posters for different social-media dimensions without replacing the original creative work. The discussion distinguishes generative AI from other machine-learning tools, such as automated transcription, rotoscoping, search, and image organization. Dave raises concerns about social-media challenges potentially being used to gather free voice-training data. The group discusses how Google, Adobe, Canva, and other platforms increasingly build AI functions directly into existing software. The hosts argue that professionals cannot simply ignore the technology, but they should evaluate where it is appropriate and disclose its use when needed. The discussion also addresses the electrical demands of new data centers, corporate incentives, local government decisions, environmental protections, grid capacity, and the disproportionate placement of industrial infrastructure near lower-income communities. Their central argument is that rapid technological growth must be accompanied by accountability, regulation, public representation, and responsible development. NASA Psyche Mars Flyby NASA's Psyche spacecraft used a Mars flyby as a gravitational assist while traveling deeper into the solar system. The mission captured detailed images and a time-lapse view of Mars during the maneuver. Dave highlights the value of scientific exploration driven by curiosity and the desire to understand more about the universe. https://science.nasa.gov/blogs/psyche/2026/07/17/nasas-psyche-mission-delivers-mars-flyby-data-time-lapse-video/ Pittsburgh Bridges on Film and Pastfinders Sorg highlights a collaboration between Pastfinders and the Pittsburgh Film Office focused on Pittsburgh bridges featured in movies and television. Examples discussed include locations connected to Mayor of Kingstown, Sweet Girl, Jack Reacher, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, The Dark Knight Rises, Dogma, The Silence of the Lambs, and Mindhunter. The hosts discuss how the Pastfinders app sends location-based notifications about historical sites, movie locations, landmarks, and unusual local stories. Pastfinders: https://www.pastfinders.app/ Pittsburgh Film Office bridge-tour post: https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1458603939638716&set=pcb.1458603999638710 The Light Flip Minimalist Phone The hosts examine a modern minimalist flip phone inspired by classic designs. It uses physical buttons, T9-style typing, a small screen, and a dedicated operating system rather than standard Android. The group discusses the appeal for people who want calls, messages, navigation, and limited apps without carrying a high-powered smartphone. They also consider whether younger users might adopt simpler phones to reduce social-media use and screen time. https://9to5google.com/2026/07/21/light-flip-minimalist-phone-announcement/ OpenMote: Repurposing the Nintendo Wii Remote Sorg introduces OpenMote, a drop-in development board that turns a Nintendo Wii Remote into a customizable controller. Demonstrations include pointing the remote at lamps to control them. The hosts brainstorm uses for smart-home controls, games, production equipment, lighting effects, custom 3D-printed controllers, and event technology. OpenMote: https://openmote.io/?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio Instagram demonstration: https://www.instagram.com/reels/Da8p5B7PNKP/ OpenMote Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/openmote.io/ Google Photos Restores Classic Search Google Photos is adding an option that lets users choose between the newer Gemini-powered Ask Photos experience and a more traditional search interface. The hosts discuss why some users prefer entering straightforward terms rather than asking an AI-generated question. The change becomes an example of why providing a choice can reduce frustration when companies add AI to familiar products. https://9to5google.com/2026/07/20/google-photos-classic-search-toggle/ Also Discussed The return of CDs, vinyl records, cassettes, retro games, and physical media. The difference between owning digital media and licensing access to it. Consumer distrust of large technology companies. The space required to store large physical-media collections. Using Gemini to interpret business acronyms and generate a first draft of a statement of work. Severe-weather alerts and Katie briefly leaving the podcast during a tornado warning. Dave's upcoming races, including the Two-Face Race and Trick or Trot 5K. The next AwesomeCast interview with Spotter Global and its technology for detecting drones and identifying operators. Support the show at: https://www.patreon.com/awesomecast Discover more from the Sorgatron Media Podcast Network: https://sorgatronmedia.com
This week on AwesomeCast 788, Sorg, Katie Dudas, and Dave Podnar explore the growing appeal of retro technology, screen-free devices, customizable gadgets, and digital tools that give users more control. Katie begins with Mama's Night Off, a browser game inspired by Dungeon Crawler Carl and the Maeve Chocolate Dirty Shirley bar. Dave introduces Garmin's new screenless fitness tracker, an alternative to smartwatches and subscription-heavy wearables. Sorg shares his experience setting up RetroArch on Apple TV, including its wide range of supported systems, open-source games, ROM management, controllers, and the tinkering required to make everything work. The conversation expands into the tension between digital convenience and physical ownership. The hosts discuss GameStop's response to Sony's physical-media decisions, the rapid progress of PlayStation 5 emulation, and why consumers are returning to CDs, vinyl, cassettes, retro games, and other physical formats. They also have an extended discussion about generative AI, creative production, AI-assisted image editing, automation tools, corporate responsibility, electrical-grid pressures, and the rapid construction of data centers. The hosts examine the difference between rejecting AI entirely and learning how to use it responsibly while still demanding accountability from businesses and government. Later, the show looks at NASA's Psyche spacecraft capturing a Mars flyby, Pittsburgh movie history through the Pastfinders app, a minimalist flip phone for people who want fewer distractions, a development board that turns old Nintendo Wii Remotes into customizable controllers, and Google Photos restoring a traditional search option alongside Ask Photos. Stories and Gadgets Discussed Awesome Things of the Week Mama's Night Off and the Maeve Chocolate Dirty Shirley Bar Katie shares a browser-based game connected to Dungeon Crawler Carl. Players fire magical projectiles at cherries to help create Mama's Dirty Shirley. The hosts discuss the game's intentionally retro presentation and voice work by Jeff Hays. Play the game and view the chocolate bar: https://maevechocolate.com/products/virgin-dirty-shirley/?game Garmin's Screenless Fitness Tracker Dave introduces Garmin's wearable fitness tracker designed without a screen. The device offers health and activity tracking without requiring users to wear a full smartwatch. The hosts discuss its approximately ten-day battery life, Garmin Connect compatibility, optional Garmin Connect+ subscription, and Garmin's reputation for durable hardware and direct fitness feedback. Engadget: https://www.engadget.com/2219713/garmin-finally-made-a-screenless-fitness-tracker/ Garmin product information: https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/1989182/#specs RetroArch on Apple TV Sorg explains how RetroArch can turn an Apple TV into a multi-system retro-gaming device. The software supports numerous systems, including Nintendo, Sega, arcade, PlayStation-era platforms, and older computer games. The hosts discuss Bluetooth controllers, open-source games, shareware versions of Doom and Wolfenstein, storage limitations, organizing ROM libraries, and troubleshooting incompatible files. Apple App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/retroarch/id6499539433 Supported platforms: https://www.retroarch.com/?page=platforms Awesome Person of the Week Ralph Teetor and the Invention of Cruise Control Dave highlights engineer Ralph Teetor, who became blind as a child and later earned engineering degrees. Frustrated by the repeated acceleration and deceleration of drivers, Teetor developed an early version of cruise control. The hosts discuss the evolution from basic speed control to adaptive cruise control and its relationship to modern driver-assistance systems. Teetor later served as president of the Society of Automotive Engineers, and an SAE award for educators bears his name. Automotive Hall of Fame: https://automotivehalloffame.org/honoree/ralph-r-teetor/ Chachi Says Video Game Minute Playing GTA III and Vice City Inside GTA: San Andreas A PC mod allows players controlling CJ in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas to walk up to an in-game television and launch GTA III or Vice City. The hosts compare the concept to a video-game version of Inception. https://www.tomshardware.com/video-games/pc-gaming/gta-3-and-vice-city-are-now-playable-inside-san-andreas-a-mod-lets-you-revisit-liberty-city-and-vice-city-without-leaving-san-andreas GameStop's CEO Responds to the Decline of Physical Games GameStop CEO Ryan Cohen argues that Sony reducing physical-disc support will not significantly hurt the company because new video-game sales represent a relatively small portion of its business. The discussion includes GameStop's continued interest in eBay and the changing economics of physical game retail. https://www.ign.com/articles/gamestop-ceo-ryan-cohen-insists-sony-killing-physical-discs-doesnt-matter-at-all-because-video-game-sales-make-up-so-little-of-his-business PlayStation 5 Emulation Progress Developers are making progress booting PlayStation 5 titles through multiple emulation projects. Two-dimensional games are advancing more quickly, while fully rendering complex three-dimensional games remains a significant challenge. The story sparks a broader conversation about game preservation, physical ownership, digital licensing, and consumer distrust. https://www.tomshardware.com/video-games/playstation/ps5-emulation-ramps-up-in-wake-of-sonys-end-to-physical-media-ps5-titles-now-booting-across-different-emulators-with-rapid-community-development-for-both-2d-and-3d-games AI, Creative Work and Data Centers The hosts discuss the growing use of AI-assisted tools in image editing, video production, business documents, email, captions, background extension, and design mockups. Sorg explains how AI can help reformat posters for different social-media dimensions without replacing the original creative work. The discussion distinguishes generative AI from other machine-learning tools, such as automated transcription, rotoscoping, search, and image organization. Dave raises concerns about social-media challenges potentially being used to gather free voice-training data. The group discusses how Google, Adobe, Canva, and other platforms increasingly build AI functions directly into existing software. The hosts argue that professionals cannot simply ignore the technology, but they should evaluate where it is appropriate and disclose its use when needed. The discussion also addresses the electrical demands of new data centers, corporate incentives, local government decisions, environmental protections, grid capacity, and the disproportionate placement of industrial infrastructure near lower-income communities. Their central argument is that rapid technological growth must be accompanied by accountability, regulation, public representation, and responsible development. NASA Psyche Mars Flyby NASA's Psyche spacecraft used a Mars flyby as a gravitational assist while traveling deeper into the solar system. The mission captured detailed images and a time-lapse view of Mars during the maneuver. Dave highlights the value of scientific exploration driven by curiosity and the desire to understand more about the universe. https://science.nasa.gov/blogs/psyche/2026/07/17/nasas-psyche-mission-delivers-mars-flyby-data-time-lapse-video/ Pittsburgh Bridges on Film and Pastfinders Sorg highlights a collaboration between Pastfinders and the Pittsburgh Film Office focused on Pittsburgh bridges featured in movies and television. Examples discussed include locations connected to Mayor of Kingstown, Sweet Girl, Jack Reacher, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, The Dark Knight Rises, Dogma, The Silence of the Lambs, and Mindhunter. The hosts discuss how the Pastfinders app sends location-based notifications about historical sites, movie locations, landmarks, and unusual local stories. Pastfinders: https://www.pastfinders.app/ Pittsburgh Film Office bridge-tour post: https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1458603939638716&set=pcb.1458603999638710 The Light Flip Minimalist Phone The hosts examine a modern minimalist flip phone inspired by classic designs. It uses physical buttons, T9-style typing, a small screen, and a dedicated operating system rather than standard Android. The group discusses the appeal for people who want calls, messages, navigation, and limited apps without carrying a high-powered smartphone. They also consider whether younger users might adopt simpler phones to reduce social-media use and screen time. https://9to5google.com/2026/07/21/light-flip-minimalist-phone-announcement/ OpenMote: Repurposing the Nintendo Wii Remote Sorg introduces OpenMote, a drop-in development board that turns a Nintendo Wii Remote into a customizable controller. Demonstrations include pointing the remote at lamps to control them. The hosts brainstorm uses for smart-home controls, games, production equipment, lighting effects, custom 3D-printed controllers, and event technology. OpenMote: https://openmote.io/?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio Instagram demonstration: https://www.instagram.com/reels/Da8p5B7PNKP/ OpenMote Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/openmote.io/ Google Photos Restores Classic Search Google Photos is adding an option that lets users choose between the newer Gemini-powered Ask Photos experience and a more traditional search interface. The hosts discuss why some users prefer entering straightforward terms rather than asking an AI-generated question. The change becomes an example of why providing a choice can reduce frustration when companies add AI to familiar products. https://9to5google.com/2026/07/20/google-photos-classic-search-toggle/ Also Discussed The return of CDs, vinyl records, cassettes, retro games, and physical media. The difference between owning digital media and licensing access to it. Consumer distrust of large technology companies. The space required to store large physical-media collections. Using Gemini to interpret business acronyms and generate a first draft of a statement of work. Severe-weather alerts and Katie briefly leaving the podcast during a tornado warning. Dave's upcoming races, including the Two-Face Race and Trick or Trot 5K. The next AwesomeCast interview with Spotter Global and its technology for detecting drones and identifying operators. Support the show at: https://www.patreon.com/awesomecast Discover more from the Sorgatron Media Podcast Network: https://sorgatronmedia.com
In this episode of Fishing Without Bait, Jim Ellermeyer and Mike dive into the transformative power of gratitude and what it means to live as a “high-frequency” person. Drawing from principles rooted in 12-step recovery and mindfulness, Jim explains how shifting your mindset—away from comparison, criticism, and complaint—can fundamentally change your thinking, relationships, and even your brain chemistry. Together, they explore how gratitude isn't just a feeling, but a disciplined practice that reshapes perspective and attracts more positive, authentic connections. The conversation also tackles real-world challenges: handling gossip, navigating negativity in professional environments, and learning the “graceful art of leaving” situations that no longer serve you. Through relatable examples and practical techniques—like redirecting conversations or simply saying “I don't need to know”—listeners gain tools to set boundaries without conflict. Jim introduces a powerful mindfulness exercise centered on prioritizing who and what you “nourish” in your life, emphasizing the importance of investing energy into supportive relationships rather than draining ones. This episode is a reminder that everyone is in recovery from something—and that choosing gratitude, awareness, and intentional action can lead to a more fulfilling life. Check out Katie Dudas' story at https://www.fishingwithoutbait.com/search?q=katie%20dudas ⸻
In this episode of Fishing Without Bait, Jim Ellermeyer and Mike dive into the transformative power of gratitude and what it means to live as a “high-frequency” person. Drawing from principles rooted in 12-step recovery and mindfulness, Jim explains how shifting your mindset—away from comparison, criticism, and complaint—can fundamentally change your thinking, relationships, and even your brain chemistry. Together, they explore how gratitude isn't just a feeling, but a disciplined practice that reshapes perspective and attracts more positive, authentic connections. The conversation also tackles real-world challenges: handling gossip, navigating negativity in professional environments, and learning the “graceful art of leaving” situations that no longer serve you. Through relatable examples and practical techniques—like redirecting conversations or simply saying “I don't need to know”—listeners gain tools to set boundaries without conflict. Jim introduces a powerful mindfulness exercise centered on prioritizing who and what you “nourish” in your life, emphasizing the importance of investing energy into supportive relationships rather than draining ones. This episode is a reminder that everyone is in recovery from something—and that choosing gratitude, awareness, and intentional action can lead to a more fulfilling life. Check out Katie Dudas' story at https://www.fishingwithoutbait.com/search?q=katie%20dudas ⸻
Sometimes an episode of AwesomeCast really shows the full range of what makes the show fun. Episode 775 goes from the emotional high of a successful Artemis 2 splashdown all the way to the absurd joy of seeing someone force macOS onto an original Nintendo Wii. Sorg and Podnar open with one of the week's best feel-good tech stories: Artemis 2 made it home successfully, and Dave shares the unexpectedly charming story of the mission mascot RISE. In a week that needed some good news, the conversation lands on something larger than space hardware alone. This was about optimism, engineering, and a rare moment of collective excitement. Then the show pivots back to Earth with the kind of story that feels custom-made for AwesomeCast: yes, someone got early Mac OS X running on a Nintendo Wii. It is not practical. It is not necessary. It is absolutely wonderful. That same spirit carries into Sorg's hands-on experiment with Mythic, a tool aimed at helping M-series Mac users access Windows games through the Epic ecosystem. The conversation explores how much better Apple Silicon has become for compatibility, even if some rough edges still show up in real-world testing. A big chunk of the episode also digs into Amazon Luna's latest changes. Sorg reacts to the platform ending game purchases and outside store access, and the discussion quickly becomes about more than Luna itself. It becomes a conversation about trust in digital platforms, cloud gaming ownership, and what happens when convenience gets taken away after users have already bought in. It is one of the sharpest segments in the episode because it blends personal use with a bigger industry trend. There is also a lighter side this week. Dave shares The Weather Channel's retro weather experience, which sends both hosts into a funny and surprisingly thoughtful conversation about the old cable era, nostalgic interfaces, and how channels drift from their original purpose. On the more practical side, they also touch on Overcast's new transcript support and Waymo's plan to help cities identify potholes using vehicle data. That latter topic turns into a very Pittsburgh-flavored discussion about 311 systems, local government tech, and whether cities are really taking advantage of the tools they have. Finally, Dave closes with his Arab American History Month spotlight on Tony Fadell, best known for his work on the iPod and Nest. It is a fitting end to an episode that is really about the many layers of tech: breakthrough engineering, strange experimentation, product design, infrastructure, nostalgia, and how all of it shapes everyday life. Links from this episode: Artemis / RISE: https://www.space.com/space-exploration/artemis/how-artemis-2-commander-reid-wiseman-saved-the-missions-moon-mascot-its-hard-not-to-love-this-little-guy-i-cant-let-rise-out-of-my-sight macOS on Wii: https://apple.news/AJdU3eghQT2-jfhrGvzI2_g Mythic: https://getmythic.app/ Amazon Luna: https://www.ign.com/articles/amazon-luna-will-no-longer-allow-owners-to-buy-games-access-game-stores-or-third-party-subscriptions-starting-today?utm_campaign=trueAnthem%3A+Manual&utm_medium=trueAnthem&utm_source=facebook Amazon Luna alt link: https://apple.news/A2cb25SwgQX-AuvSPHdRsHw Waymo potholes: https://apple.news/AnxW6o9QWQJOcCGLqCsW6XQ Overcast transcripts: https://9to5mac.com/2026/04/08/overcast-launches-podcast-transcripts-in-new-app-update-for-iphone/ Retro Weather Channel: https://weather.com/retro/ Tony Fadell: https://design.mit.edu/community/people/tony-fadell Subscribe for more tech talk from Pittsburgh and support the show at Patreon.
Sometimes an episode of AwesomeCast really shows the full range of what makes the show fun. Episode 775 goes from the emotional high of a successful Artemis 2 splashdown all the way to the absurd joy of seeing someone force macOS onto an original Nintendo Wii. Sorg and Podnar open with one of the week's best feel-good tech stories: Artemis 2 made it home successfully, and Dave shares the unexpectedly charming story of the mission mascot RISE. In a week that needed some good news, the conversation lands on something larger than space hardware alone. This was about optimism, engineering, and a rare moment of collective excitement. Then the show pivots back to Earth with the kind of story that feels custom-made for AwesomeCast: yes, someone got early Mac OS X running on a Nintendo Wii. It is not practical. It is not necessary. It is absolutely wonderful. That same spirit carries into Sorg's hands-on experiment with Mythic, a tool aimed at helping M-series Mac users access Windows games through the Epic ecosystem. The conversation explores how much better Apple Silicon has become for compatibility, even if some rough edges still show up in real-world testing. A big chunk of the episode also digs into Amazon Luna's latest changes. Sorg reacts to the platform ending game purchases and outside store access, and the discussion quickly becomes about more than Luna itself. It becomes a conversation about trust in digital platforms, cloud gaming ownership, and what happens when convenience gets taken away after users have already bought in. It is one of the sharpest segments in the episode because it blends personal use with a bigger industry trend. There is also a lighter side this week. Dave shares The Weather Channel's retro weather experience, which sends both hosts into a funny and surprisingly thoughtful conversation about the old cable era, nostalgic interfaces, and how channels drift from their original purpose. On the more practical side, they also touch on Overcast's new transcript support and Waymo's plan to help cities identify potholes using vehicle data. That latter topic turns into a very Pittsburgh-flavored discussion about 311 systems, local government tech, and whether cities are really taking advantage of the tools they have. Finally, Dave closes with his Arab American History Month spotlight on Tony Fadell, best known for his work on the iPod and Nest. It is a fitting end to an episode that is really about the many layers of tech: breakthrough engineering, strange experimentation, product design, infrastructure, nostalgia, and how all of it shapes everyday life. Links from this episode: Artemis / RISE: https://www.space.com/space-exploration/artemis/how-artemis-2-commander-reid-wiseman-saved-the-missions-moon-mascot-its-hard-not-to-love-this-little-guy-i-cant-let-rise-out-of-my-sight macOS on Wii: https://apple.news/AJdU3eghQT2-jfhrGvzI2_g Mythic: https://getmythic.app/ Amazon Luna: https://www.ign.com/articles/amazon-luna-will-no-longer-allow-owners-to-buy-games-access-game-stores-or-third-party-subscriptions-starting-today?utm_campaign=trueAnthem%3A+Manual&utm_medium=trueAnthem&utm_source=facebook Amazon Luna alt link: https://apple.news/A2cb25SwgQX-AuvSPHdRsHw Waymo potholes: https://apple.news/AnxW6o9QWQJOcCGLqCsW6XQ Overcast transcripts: https://9to5mac.com/2026/04/08/overcast-launches-podcast-transcripts-in-new-app-update-for-iphone/ Retro Weather Channel: https://weather.com/retro/ Tony Fadell: https://design.mit.edu/community/people/tony-fadell Subscribe for more tech talk from Pittsburgh and support the show at Patreon.
AwesomeCast 771 features special guest hosts Missy Sorg and Dave Podnar while Mike Sorg is away, and they bring a fun mix of geek culture, health tech, AI, and gaming news. They kick things off with a Mario Day discussion about the mystery goo in Super Mario Bros. Wonder, then dive into Dave's experience with the WatchPAT ONE at-home sleep apnea test and how healthcare technology is becoming more accessible. They also unpack Amazon's new healthcare AI assistant, discuss privacy concerns around medical data, and explore how ChatGPT's new interactive math and science visuals could help visual learners and change education. Plus, Chachi checks in with video game news on Nintendo tariffs and Microsoft's Project Helix, and Dave closes things out with a lighter story about a custom Chicago-built hybrid Ford Explorer for the Pope.
AwesomeCast 771 features special guest hosts Missy Sorg and Dave Podnar while Mike Sorg is away, and they bring a fun mix of geek culture, health tech, AI, and gaming news. They kick things off with a Mario Day discussion about the mystery goo in Super Mario Bros. Wonder, then dive into Dave's experience with the WatchPAT ONE at-home sleep apnea test and how healthcare technology is becoming more accessible. They also unpack Amazon's new healthcare AI assistant, discuss privacy concerns around medical data, and explore how ChatGPT's new interactive math and science visuals could help visual learners and change education. Plus, Chachi checks in with video game news on Nintendo tariffs and Microsoft's Project Helix, and Dave closes things out with a lighter story about a custom Chicago-built hybrid Ford Explorer for the Pope.
In Episode 493 of Fishing Without Bait, we continue our powerful two-part conversation on the lifelong impact of religiously reinforced guilt, shame, and fear. Building on the foundation set in Episode 492, Jim Ellermeyer and host Mike Sorg peel back the layers of how religious structures shape personal identity, relationships, sexuality, and self-worth. This episode dives deep into how early conditioning around sin, purity, and punishment affects the human psyche for decades — especially for women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and anyone raised in shame-based environments. We explore how these rigid systems influence romantic relationships, create lifelong anxiety, damage self-esteem, and push people into cycles of self-criticism and fear of judgment. Jim shares personal stories from his upbringing, his time teaching within the Church, and the pivotal moment he challenged the doctrine of baptism and walked away. Together, he and Mike examine how religious authority has historically been used to suppress autonomy, silence questioning, control sexuality, and maintain power structures. Listeners will discover: • How guilt and fear are used as behavioral tools • How shame becomes internalized as a “harsh inner critic” • Why religious control disproportionately targets women • How cycles of guilt affect sexuality and relationships • How these systems contribute to depression, anxiety, and trauma • Why many still struggle with worthiness, identity, and self-acceptance • How to reclaim your inner authority, self-compassion, and spiritual autonomy This episode challenges harmful narratives—but does so with sincerity, honesty, and compassion. As always, we end with our free prescription: Fruits, nuts, and vegetables. Unplug your television and take up fishing. Forgive yourself and forgive another. Till all are free, none are free. Namaste, my friends.
Welcome back, friends, to Fishing Without Bait: A Lifetime Without Definitive Expectations. In Episode 490, Jim Ellermeyer and producer Mike Sorg explore what leadership truly means through the lens of Jesus of Nazareth. From the radical humility and servant leadership he modeled 2,000 years ago to his timeless call for justice and compassion, Jim examines how these teachings apply to the world's political and social climate today. This thoughtful conversation covers: • How Jesus's example challenges modern power and ego • The moral responsibility of leaders to serve everyone—not just their supporters • Why integrity, honesty, and empathy are essential in times of division • The enduring wisdom of “Blessed are the peacemakers” and “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” Jim also reflects on the story of the Good Samaritan and closes with a reminder that hope—and helping others—remains our greatest prescription.
In this episode of Fishing Without Bait, Jim Ellermeyer and producer Mike Sorg wade into some deep—and dangerous—waters. Together, they explore how stochastic rhetoric and obfuscation have become the most powerful tools in modern political communication. What do those words mean? In short, they describe how leaders and media use vague, coded, or confusing language to manipulate emotions, create division, and dodge accountability. From “dog whistles” to “plausible deniability,” Jim explains how these tactics quietly shape behavior and beliefs—without ever saying things outright. But this episode isn't just about politics; it's about mindfulness in the face of manipulation. Jim and Mike offer practical ways to recognize these tricks, question what we're told, and bring compassion back into our conversations. “If you have a choice between being right and being kind, choose kind—and you're going to be right every time.” In a time of noise and division, Fishing Without Bait invites listeners to slow down, think critically, and reconnect with what truly matters: kindness, awareness, and authenticity.
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