Joe and Anthony discuss the current state of wrestling, focusing on WWE’s use of old footage, the Netflix deal, and the value of nostalgia content. They critique modern wrestling’s creative direction, the risks wrestlers take for fan approval, and the business of monetizing archival material. The conversation also touches on personalities like Chris Jericho, Mr. Beast, and the challenges wrestlers face after retirement, ending with commentary on the cyclical nature of wrestling trends and media.

0:00 – WWE vault, nostalgia, and old footage
4:00 – Classic wrestling humor, Andre the Giant stories
15:00 – Humanizing wrestlers, behind-the-scenes moments
40:00 – Modern wrestling risks, fan influence, dangerous spots
1:00:00 – WWE’s business model, YouTube/Netflix monetization
1:15:00 – WWE creative team, bureaucracy, and lack of vision
1:25:00 – Chris Jericho rumors, nostalgia pops, closing thoughts
1:29:35 – End


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Anthony Missionary Thomas breaks down the latest Monday Night Raw from the Kia Center in Orlando! With Joe on vacation, Missionary goes solo to deliver his unfiltered thoughts on the new streaming format, wild backstage drama, and all the in-ring action.

In this episode:

The Vision’s new member and Paul Heyman’s mic work
CM Punk’s return and his face-off with Bron Breaker
The Vince McMahon retirement lawsuit and behind-the-scenes revelations
Women’s division shakeups and Nikki Bella
Gunther’s dominance, R-Truth’s comedy, and the USOs’ tag team triumph
Crossover moments, and quirks of watching WWE on Netflix

Plus, Missionary tackles fan reactions, wrestler injuries, and the ever-evolving landscape of pro wrestling. 


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Join Joe for a solo, unfiltered, and hilarious holiday episode! From reflections on Christmas with pets and family, to rants about podcasting gear, wrestling fandoms, and the wild world of sports, Joe covers it all. Whether you’re here for the wrestling takes, the football rants, or just the laughs, this episode is packed with relatable moments and sharp commentary.


00:00 – Holiday Greetings & Pet Talk
Joe opens with holiday wishes, muses on family vs. loved ones, and shares thoughts on pets during the holidays.

00:53 – Cats, Dogs, and Family Gatherings
Why cats hate big family parties, and the chaos of holiday get-togethers.

01:38 – Podcasting Gear & Tech Rants
Joe’s take on podcasting equipment, tech confusion, and the reality of most podcasters.

03:41 – Car Comforts & Boomer Habits
A funny look at new car features, seat warmers, and refusing modern comforts.

05:41 – Solo Shows & Audience Preferences
Joe reflects on solo podcasting, being a polarizing host, and the “Friends” effect.

07:23 – Midwest Vibes & Listener Dynamics
How regional differences affect audience reactions and the nature of podcast “fans.”

10:06 – Wrestling Fandom & Internet Drama
Diving into wrestling fandom, online arguments, and the absurdity of defending companies on Christmas.

13:04 – Truth, History, and Wrestling Narratives
Why wrestling stories are all about perspective, and how history is written by the winners.

16:48 – Social Media, Memes, and Influencers
Joe’s take on Instagram, memes, and the weirdness of influencer culture.

20:00 – Toxicity in Fandoms & Discord Community
Comparing wrestling fans to other fandoms, and inviting nice people to join the Discord.

22:18 – Wrestling Stories, CTE, and Athlete Choices
A deep dive into wrestling injuries, CTE, and the choices athletes make.

28:50 – Sports Rants: Chiefs, Patriots, and Quarterbacks
Joe’s passionate takes on NFL teams, quarterbacks, and the downfall of the Chiefs.

36:00 – Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce, and Pop Culture
A hilarious critique of celebrity relationships and pop music.

37:50 – Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady, and Football Legends
Why Aaron Rodgers is a “gigantic douchebag” and why Joe will always defend Tom Brady.

38:47 – Wrap-Up & Final Thoughts
Joe thanks the audience, teases more content, and signs off with holiday wishes.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/wrestling-soup--1425249/support.

– Intro & Holiday Banter
– Show Length & Review Philosophy
– Sports Podcasts & Seth Everywhere
– Nikki Bella Segment & Rumors
– Wrestling Rumors & Conspiracy Theories
– Bronson Reed & Promo Styles
– Maxine, Becky Lynch, and Women’s Division
– AJ Styles’ Role & Hair Talk
– Jevon Evans’ Match & Enhancement Talent
– Raquel, Judgment Day, and Storyline Threads
– Bailey vs. Roxy & Character Development
– Gunther’s Segment & Heel Work
– Main Event Setup: Punk & Mysterio vs. Reed & Theory
– Logan Paul Speculation & Closing Thoughts

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/wrestling-soup--1425249/support.

LuFisto and Evil Dos cover the AAA GUERRA DE TITANES December 20th show. 

• Rey Mysterio & Rey Fenix vs. El Grande Americano & Dominik Mysterio
  Dragon Lee vs. El Hijo del Vikingo
• AAA World Cruiserweight Championship Triple Threat Match: Laredo Kid (c) vs. Je’Von Evans vs. Jack Cartwheel
• Niño Hamburguesa & Mr. Iguana vs. Bravo Americano & Rayo Americano vs. Cruz Del Toro & Joaquin Wilde vs. La Parka & Octagón Jr.
• Carnival of Carnage Match: The Wyatt Sicks vs. Pagano, Psycho Clown, Dave the Clown & Murder Clown
• AAA Latin American Championship Match: El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. vs. Ethan Page
• Las Tóxicas vs. Natalya, Faby Apache & Lola Vice

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/wrestling-soup--1425249/support.

Joe and Anthony dust off the old Shitbox and take listener voicemails about the final match of John Cena and where he goes after WWE. 

- Old entertainers get cancelled.
- political stances about rural areas of the US
- Cena voicemails

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/wrestling-soup--1425249/support.

00:00 – Opening Banter & Audio Troubles
00:50 – Plastic Surgery in Wrestling
02:42 – Saturday Night’s Main Event Reactions
03:36 – The Influence of Algorithms & Internet Culture
05:29 – Comparing Ads – Podcasts vs. Corporations
09:52 – John Cena’s Retirement & Legacy
14:30 – Wrestling Storytelling & Nostalgia
26:44 – Foreign Invader Storylines & WWE’s Global Image
52:31 – Sports Illustrated Wrestling Awards
1:05:00 – State of Women’s Wrestling & Ambition
1:23:44 – Closing Thoughts & Community Updates

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/wrestling-soup--1425249/support.

Join Anthony and Joe as they dive deep into the latest Monday Night Raw, dissecting the fallout from John Cena’s retirement, Gunther’s controversial win, and the current state of WWE’s creative direction. From hilarious opening banter to sharp critiques of booking decisions, this episode covers it all—plus, thoughts on Logan Paul, Nikki Bella, and the future of wrestling’s biggest stars. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a casual viewer, you’ll find plenty to laugh about and ponder in this unfiltered, passionate review. :gunshot:

00:00 – Cold Open & Banter: Reubens, fiber, and afternoon delight
01:10 – Anthony and Joe introduce the show
02:10 – Raw Recap: “Not trying” and the feeling of a series finale
03:00 – Gunther’s Booking: What did he do wrong?
05:00 – The Cena Conundrum: Why is everyone mad at Gunther?
08:00 – Storyline Analysis: Is WWE leaning on old tropes?
10:00 – The Foreign Heel: Are fans booing for the right reasons?
12:00 – WWE’s Creative Direction: Locker room reactions and missed opportunities
15:00 – Logan Paul in the Main Event: Is WWE out of ideas?
18:00 – Nikki Bella, Stephanie, and the Women’s Division
21:00 – Booking Blunders: Austin Theory, LA Knight, and crowd reactions
25:00 – WWE’s Business Model: International tours, ticket prices, and fan fatigue
28:00 – The Future of WWE: Can the product survive on hype alone?
31:00 – Side Tangents: Mr. Beast Land, Randy Orton, and Saudi Arabia
34:00 – Wrapping Up: Listener voicemails, final thoughts, and what’s next

Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more wrestling reviews and discussions!

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/wrestling-soup--1425249/support.

We went live on YouTube immediately following Saturday Night’s Main Event, and let’s be honest—the chat saw exactly what we saw. We watched the "End of an Era," but instead of an emotional goodbye, WWE gave us a retirement party planned by a focus group. It was sterile, it was underwhelming, and it was the definition of corporate.We break down the disconnect: The audience wanted to give Cena his flowers, but the execution was lifeless. We talk about Gunther being the absolute right guy for the job, but being handcuffed by "cheeseball" booking that felt like it was written for a cartoon in 1988, not a retirement in 2025. The H Machine managed to take a historic moment and make it feel like an HR meeting.We also touched on the rest of the card—briefly—because we had to. We look at Cody Rhodes vs. Oba Femi, Bayley mixing it up with Sol Ruca, and AJ Styles & Dragon Lee in a tag match against... I’ve already forgotten their names, and judging by the crowd reaction, so did everyone else.Come for the rant on the booking, stay for the reality check on Cena’s farewell.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/wrestling-soup--1425249/support.

This episode covers the swirling rumors about the possible reveal of Ricky Starks, and the ever-changing landscape of wrestling stables. The guys debate the merits of Austin Theory, Ricky Starks, and other rising stars, while reflecting on the booking decisions of WWE and the influence of Netflix on the product.
You'll also hear their takes on John Cena's retirement match, the future of top talents like Gunther, and the challenges facing both new and veteran wrestlers. Plus, enjoy candid discussions about wrestling's international expansion, the business side of the industry, and plenty of hilarious side tangents about music videos, celebrity appearances, and more.

0:00 - WWE Rumors & Ricky Starks Speculation
15:00 - Austin Theory, Ethan Page, and the State of WWE Booking
30:00 - John Cena's Retirement & Future of the Roster
45:00 - International Expansion & Netflix's Role
1:00:00 - Wrestling in Pop Culture & Final Thoughts

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/wrestling-soup--1425249/support.

In this episode of Wrestling Soup, Joe and Anthony dive into the latest Monday Night Raw, breaking down the highs, lows, and everything in between. The guys discuss the rushed Maxine Dupree and Natty storyline, critique WWE’s current creative direction, and share their thoughts on the state of the women’s division. They also touch on the War Raiders’ booking, the ongoing saga of the Usos and New Day, and speculate about the future with so many top stars nearing retirement. Tthe hosts debate whether AI is secretly running WWE and what the company needs to do to get back on track.

• Show opens, Joe and Anthony banter about going live and introduce the show.
• Discussion about Monday Night Raw, initial reactions, and Anthony’s viewing habits.
• Raw review: Maxine Dupree and Natty promo, and the rushed storyline.
• Commentary on the state of WWE creative, including Triple H’s absence and speculation about AI writing the show.
• War Raiders segment: critique of the state of tag teams.
• Jay and Jim Uso segment, New Day’s involvement, and the lack of heat for tag titles.
• Talk about upcoming retirements: AJ Styles, Randy Orton, Sheamus, John Cena, and the future of WWE’s roster.
• Women’s division focus: Stephanie promo, Nikki Bella’s appearance, Raquel Rodriguez’s involvement.
• More on the women’s matches: Rox vs. Lyra Valkyria, makeup mishaps.
• Main event setup: Logan Paul, LA Knight, and the Masked Man angle.
• Criticism of Logan Paul’s inexperience and the need for better booking/protection of new talent.
• Final thoughts: lackluster promos, Gunther’s segment, and the overall poor quality of the show.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/wrestling-soup--1425249/support.