loader from loading.io

The Wrestler: Grit, Heart, And The High Cost Of Obsession | Feat Jamie of Pario Magazine

Challenge Accepted

Release Date: 09/17/2025

Thank you and Goodbye. show art Thank you and Goodbye.

Challenge Accepted

In this final episode of Challenge Accepted, Frank and Thomas Law reflect on what the show became over three years and 250-plus episodes, and why ending it now feels like the right move. They talk about the grind of weekly reviews, the fun of theme months, the lessons they’re carrying forward, and how the best parts of this podcast will live on through Geek Freaks and what’s next for the network. Thomas also shares where Sick Burn is headed, why the message matters more than the metrics, and how storytelling and vulnerability have become a core part of the work. Timestamps and Topics 00:06...

info_outline 2025 Year in Review: Superman Takes the Crown, Thunderbolts Surprises, and Big 2026 Hype (Supergirl, Doomsday, Odyssey) show art 2025 Year in Review: Superman Takes the Crown, Thunderbolts Surprises, and Big 2026 Hype (Supergirl, Doomsday, Odyssey)

Challenge Accepted

Thomas and Frank look back on the movies and TV that defined their 2025, from why Superman hit so hard to how Marvel’s three-film run landed with Thunderbolts, Fantastic Four, and Captain America: Brave New World. They also talk about the stuff that disappointed them, why TV felt like it “won” this year, and the shows they could not stop thinking about, including IT: Welcome to Derry, Alien: Earth, and Andor. To close it out, they shift into 2026 mode: what’s got them genuinely excited again, which upcoming releases feel like “event” movies, and how they want to evolve Challenge...

info_outline Night of the Living Dead | The 1968 Classic That Wrote the Zombie Rulebook show art Night of the Living Dead | The 1968 Classic That Wrote the Zombie Rulebook

Challenge Accepted

Frank revisits Night of the Living Dead (1968) and breaks down why it still feels ahead of its time, even with a shoestring budget and simple setup. He walks through the full plot from the cemetery opening to the brutal ending, calls out the movie’s “proto zombie rules” (headshots, fire, escalating panic), and digs into the constant clash between Ben and Harry Cooper over how to survive. Frank also shares a handful of behind-the-scenes trivia, then closes by asking listeners to help pick the next holiday movie review. Timestamps and Topics 00:00:05 Welcome to Challenge Accepted and why...

info_outline Fargo | Snow, Schemes, and a Woodchipper show art Fargo | Snow, Schemes, and a Woodchipper

Challenge Accepted

In this single-player episode of Challenge Accepted, Frank bundles up with the winter classic Fargo and breaks down why this 1996 Coen Brothers film still hits so hard. From Jerry’s desperate spiral and Gaear’s cold brutality to Marge Gunderson’s calm, quietly heroic presence, Frank walks through the story, performances, music, and snow-covered Midwest setting that make the movie timeless. He also talks about how the Fargo TV series connects back to the film, why the woodchipper scene has become legend, and how the Coens turn empty white fields into one of the most effective...

info_outline Batman: Mask of the Phantasm | Fresh Look at the 90's Cult Classic show art Batman: Mask of the Phantasm | Fresh Look at the 90's Cult Classic

Challenge Accepted

In this solo episode of Challenge Accepted, Frank finally sits down with the iconic animated film Batman Mask of the Phantasm after years of calling it a major Batman blind spot. He shares his deep love for Batman The Animated Series, breaks down Bruce Timm’s distinctive art style, and explores why Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill’s performances still define Batman and Joker for entire generations. After watching the movie for the first time, Frank gives his immediate reaction, digging into Gotham’s timeless look, the horror-inspired presentation of the Phantasm, and the emotional core of...

info_outline Bob’s Burgers Thanksgiving Throwdown - Ranking The Best Holiday Episodes show art Bob’s Burgers Thanksgiving Throwdown - Ranking The Best Holiday Episodes

Challenge Accepted

In this Thanksgiving special of Challenge Accepted, Frank and Jonathan celebrate the Belchers by ranking their top Bob’s Burgers Thanksgiving episodes and crowning a definitive winner. They break down why the holiday episodes hit so hard, talk about the emotional gut punches hidden inside the jokes, and revisit the wild chaos of turkeys, hoarding, broken ovens, and cursed outdoor cooking. The guys also reveal the results of their “Turkey Brawl” social media tournament and wrap up with a few extra Thanksgiving watch recommendations to keep your holiday cozy and geeky. Bob's Burgers...

info_outline Stranger Things Seasons 1–4 Recap – Getting Ready For The Final Battle show art Stranger Things Seasons 1–4 Recap – Getting Ready For The Final Battle

Challenge Accepted

On this episode of Challenge Accepted, Frank Lourence (@franklourence79) teams up with Jonathan to walk through Stranger Things seasons 1 through 4 so you are fully refreshed before season 5 lands. The two revisit the early days in Hawkins, the rise of the Mind Flayer, the Starcourt Mall showdown, and Vecna’s terrifying curse, mixing clean plot recaps with personal memories and reactions. Along the way they talk about why the show’s ’80s nostalgia still works, how characters like Hopper, Billy, Max, and Eddie evolved, and what they hope to see in the final season. They close by sharing...

info_outline The Ballad Of Buster Scruggs | Death and Legends show art The Ballad Of Buster Scruggs | Death and Legends

Challenge Accepted

In this solo Thanksgiving episode of Challenge Accepted, Frank breaks down The Ballad of Buster Scruggs, the Coen Brothers’ Netflix Western anthology that has quietly become one of his holiday staples. Story by story, he digs into how each vignette wrestles with death, chance, and human nature, from Tim Blake Nelson’s singing gunslinger to Tom Waits’ stubborn prospector and that iconic “First time?” hanging meme. Along the way, Frank talks about why the film feels so cozy despite its bleak themes, how the Coens use digital cinematography to shape tone, and what these stories say...

info_outline Gen V Season 2 | The Boys’ Campus War, Wins, and What’s Next show art Gen V Season 2 | The Boys’ Campus War, Wins, and What’s Next

Challenge Accepted

On Challenge Accepted, we break down the Gen V Season 2 finale and how it tees up the last chapter of The Boys. We talk about the big reveal around Cipher, the season’s mid-section slowdown, and why Godolkin works best when the story actually stays on campus. We dig into standout arcs for Marie, Jordan, Emma, and Sage, the villain’s core weakness, and why those Starlight and A-Train beats matter. We also highlight the effects work, tributes woven into the story, and what we expect to carry over into The Boys. Timestamps and Topics 00:00 — Welcome and gut reactions to the finale 00:37...

info_outline Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie (1995) | Morphin’ Time at the Movies! | Feat. Becca Peterson show art Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie (1995) | Morphin’ Time at the Movies! | Feat. Becca Peterson

Challenge Accepted

On this episode of Challenge Accepted, Thomas welcomes critic and lifelong Ranger fan Becca Peterson (The Critic Buffet) for a fast-paced, fun deep dive into the 1995 feature film. We cover why this movie still hits for ‘90s kids, the charm of Ivan Ooze, the switch to ninja powers and new Zords, and how the film fits into the broader multiverse of Power Rangers stories. Becca brings great trivia, from casting changes to Sentai influences, and shares why the movie’s core message still lands. Timestamps & Topics 00:00 – 01:10 | Cold open, show intro, and guest welcome; Becca’s...

info_outline
 
More Episodes

Frank is joined by Jamie, an Australian wrestling journalist and podcaster, to unpack Darren Aronofsky’s The Wrestler. They break down Mickey Rourke’s career-defining turn as Randy “The Ram,” why the film treats wrestling with rare respect, how indie scenes work behind the curtain, and what the movie gets right about pain, pride, and the gig life. Expect talk on blading, deathmatches, deli counters, and the bittersweet final leap.

The Wrestler - CA

Timestamps & Topics

  • 00:00 Welcome and guest intro, Jamie’s magazine and The Commentary Booth

  • 01:33 Why The Wrestler, and why it treats wrestling seriously

  • 02:21 Indie wrestling in Australia and how regional styles differ

  • 04:27 Two-minute plot speed run for The Wrestler

  • 06:12 Rourke’s comeback, near-miss Oscar, and how his story mirrors Randy’s

  • 07:03 Aronofsky parallels with Black Swan and the “passion vs body” theme

  • 08:46 The physical toll: pain, injuries, and why “fake” is the wrong word

  • 10:04 Casting what-ifs and why Rourke was the right choice

  • 11:07 Marisa Tomei’s character, boundaries, and mirrored struggles

  • 14:18 Real wrestlers on screen: Necro Butcher, Blue Meanie, R-Truth, Nigel McGuinness

  • 15:43 Backstage authenticity: planning matches and protecting spots

  • 16:38 Filmmaking choices: over-the-shoulder, docu feel, sound and silence

  • 17:11 The deli counter sequence and why it hurts so much

  • 21:16 Blading 101, when companies allow blood, and modern policies

  • 23:05 The indie hustle: bookings, calendars, and life on the road

  • 25:07 Health care, rehab access, and duty of care today

  • 26:42 Drugs, CTE, and hard lessons from wrestling’s past

  • 28:46 Favorite scenes and the ambiguous ending

  • 31:04 Locker room rituals, “match memory,” and shared shorthand

  • 32:50 What aged well and what hits harder in the gig economy era

  • 34:16 Deathmatch primer and recommended watch list

  • 43:56 Awards talk, where The Wrestler ranks, and Jamie’s current projects

  • 46:04 Outro and how to send us your challenges

Key Takeaways

  • The Wrestler is a love letter to pro wrestling that treats the craft and its workers with respect.

  • Rourke’s performance lands because his real-life arc echoes Randy’s fall and claw-back.

  • The movie nails backstage realities: match planning, protecting limbs, and protecting spots.

  • “Fake” is a myth. Stories are scripted. Physicality is very real.

  • Aronofsky’s choices — handheld camera, long silences, ring sounds — put you in Randy’s head.

  • The deli scene is a perfect “what if” path that collapses under one bad interaction.

  • Indie wrestling is a grind: bookings, travel, day jobs, and recovery are constant tradeoffs.

  • Modern policies are better on rehab and blood, but the culture still battles pain and risk.

Memorable Quotes

  • “It’s definitely a love letter to wrestling overall.” — Jamie

  • “The stories are fake, but the physicality is real.” — Frank

  • “It almost feels more like a fly on the wall documentary rather than a big budget motion picture.” — Jamie

  • “I love the ambiguity of the ending.” — Jamie

  • “You have to survive the bad days.” — Frank

Links & Resources

  • Our site: GeekFreaksPodcast.com
    GeekFreaksPodcast.com is the source of all news discussed during our podcast.

  • Mentioned by Jamie: The Commentary Booth, Wrestle Radio Australia, Australian Wrestling Cards, and his magazine project all found at pariomagazine.com.au

  • Related watches: You Can’t Kill David Arquette, Queen of the Ring

  • Film: The Wrestler (2008), directed by Darren Aronofsky

Call To Action

Enjoyed this conversation? Follow and subscribe, rate us 5 stars, and share the episode with a friend using #ChallengeAcceptedLive. Your reviews help more listeners find the show.

Follow Us

  • Challenge Accepted: Instagram @challengeacceptedlive, TikTok @challengeacceptedlive, Twitter @CAPodcastLive

  • Hosts: Frank on Instagram @franklourence79, Thomas @thomascraigviii

Listener Questions

Send your challenges, hot takes, and questions for the next episode: ChallengeAcceptedGFX@gmail.com. We might read yours on air.

Apple Podcast Tags

The Wrestler, Mickey Rourke, Darren Aronofsky, Marisa Tomei, indie wrestling, deathmatch wrestling, Ring of Honor, Necro Butcher, backstage wrestling, blading, wrestling journalism, Australian wrestling, movie review, Aronofsky style, Challenge Accepted Podcast