WOW - EP433 - Growing Up
The Work Of Wrestling
Today's episode is a story submitted by Liam Lambert, @crowtagonist on Instagram. Liam shares a coming of age tale about creating his own backyard wrestling federation in the suburbs of Lincolnshire. It's a heartwarming story about pro-wrestling's ability to forge strong bonds among people, even as they grow up and move apart. To submit your story go to The Work Of Wrestling's Facebook page and click on the pinned post. That will take you to a Google form you can fill out. Thank you for your listenership in 2025.
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WOW - EP432 - The Final Straw
The Work Of Wrestling
Tim Kail reacts to Mick Foley severing ties with WWE in the wake of President Trump's disparaging remarks on Rob Reiner. Tim reads Mick's original social media post on the matter, offers up some thoughts of his own, and then shares a pivotal decision he's made about what he's willing to cover in pro-wrestling in 2026.
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I Will Not Talk About Backstage Segments For One Year
The Work Of Wrestling
I've talked about my hatred of backstage segments for twenty years (ten of those on my podcast). They look terrible, they elicit terrible performances, and they are conceptually dubious. Over the past decade I've attempted myriad ways to dissect them and prove beyond a shadow of a doubt they're an antiquated, character-killing device that does nothing but get wrestlers "under". I've talked and written so much about them that it's become something of an inside joke with my listeners (that and Seth Rollins' pants). At this point, my listeners know I despise back stage...
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WOW - EP431 - Farewell John Cena w/Al Monelli
The Work Of Wrestling
Host Tim Kail is joined by longtime friend and fan-favorite guest Alexander Monelli to discuss John Cena's last match at Saturday Night's Main Event. First, Tim & Al unload on annoying pro-wrestling fans for inserting themselves into Cena's final moments. Then they discuss Cena's greatest promos and matches. Finally, they examine what John Cena and the other greatest of all-time have in common. Follow Al on social media @monellifilms and subscribe to his : https://www.youtube.com/@monellifilms
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WOW - EP430 - 2025
The Work Of Wrestling
For this bonus episode of The Work Of Wrestling podcast, host Tim Kail reflects upon 2025. Topics include John Cena's last match, staying healthy, becoming a responsible adult, and his changing priorities with the podcast.
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WOW - EP429 - "This company died yesterday..."
The Work Of Wrestling
This week on The Work Of Wrestling podcast host Tim Kail is joined by friend and fellow pro-wrestling fan John Macy to discuss the massive sale of WB to Netflix. They examine the implications of the deal on AEW's longterm future. They also discuss John's disappointment with The Smashing Machine, John Cena's heel run, and more. Subscribe to John's . Follow Tim @WorkOfWrestling on social media.
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To Buy-In Or Not To Buy-In, That Is The Question
The Work Of Wrestling
For months I've been making the argument that people should stop watching WWE and definitely stop paying for their over-priced PLEs (if they find the product unsatisfactory). $30/month for ESPN Unlimited remains a prickly price point for me - I just can't justify it. That said, I came very close to taking the plunge this past weekend about an hour before Survivor Series: War Games. I held steady though, and I'm glad I did because it doesn't seem like I missed anything too spectacular. For the first time in months, though, I don't think I'll be able to abstain from The Royal Rumble and...
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WOW - EP428 - Time: Part II
The Work Of Wrestling
Work of Wrestling host Tim Kail discusses the healing qualities of time, AEW Dynamite, the effectiveness of a moral binary in storytelling, whether or not a moral binary works in society, and what he hopes to accomplish as he reaches middle-age. Follow on social media @WorkOfWrestling and give the podcast a five star rating and review in Apple Podcasts!
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WOW - EP427 - AEW Full Gear Review (2025)
The Work Of Wrestling
This week WOW host, Tim Kail, reviews AEW's latest pay-per-view, Full Gear.
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WOW - EP426 - This Too Shall Pass
The Work Of Wrestling
Trigger Warning - this episode contains discussion of thoughts of suicide, depression, and mental illness. Tim Kail shares a story he's been holding onto for years. What happened to Tim when he stumbled upon a podcast that "lambasted" him for an article he's written? How did he process it and attempt to maintain control of the situation (and his emotions). Listen to this frank, personal story to find out.
info_outlineTim Kail watched #Fyterfest, had an intense reaction to it, and fired up the microphones to record a passionate, detailed review of the show.
What does "sports-focused" professional wrestling actually mean? Is it just an emphasis on rules, or is it a larger philosophical approach to pro-wrestling that informs the overall aesthetic of a promotion?
Is pro-wrestling destined to always contain "goofy sh%*", and if that's the case, what's the real difference between AEW and WWE?
Which matches worked, which didn't, the validity or lack thereof of unprotected chair shots, video game references, and, finally, the majesty of Jon Moxley.
Tim covers all of it and more, sharing some revelations about the nature of WWE vs indy-wrestling along the way.
Follow on Twitter @WorkOfWrestling and visit www.facebook.com/theworkofwrestling.