The Turnbuckle Tavern
Weekly breakdown of this weeks AEW Dynamite episode, plus hot takes on everything going on in the pro-wrestling industry!
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SHOT OF NOSTALGIA: SHUFFLE | WRESTLEMANIA IX APRIL 4, 1993 | THE TOGA SPECTACLE | THE TITLE AUDIBLE | HOGAN BACK ON TOP
02/28/2026
SHOT OF NOSTALGIA: SHUFFLE | WRESTLEMANIA IX APRIL 4, 1993 | THE TOGA SPECTACLE | THE TITLE AUDIBLE | HOGAN BACK ON TOP
Shot of Nostalgia: Shuffle continues with your host Acefield Retro, and this week we revisit April 4, 1993, WrestleMania IX from Caesars Palace in Paradise, Nevada. The first fully outdoor WrestleMania. The World’s Largest Toga Party. A Roman coliseum theme complete with live animals, trumpeters, and commentators fully committed to the presentation. But beyond the spectacle, this event represents a pivot. This episode traces the road into WrestleMania IX through the March and April 1993 Wrestling Observer Newsletter coverage, capturing a company navigating lawsuits, scrutiny, roster instability, and mounting pressure. Bret Hart entered as WWF Champion. Yokozuna had been elevated as the dominant Royal Rumble winner. Hulk Hogan had returned, but his long term direction was fluid rather than locked in. The structure of the card reflects that instability. Shawn Michaels versus Tatanka opens with an Intercontinental Championship match that creates movement without definitive closure, immediately signaling protection over payoff. The Steiner Brothers versus the Headshrinkers provide one of the night’s most cohesive in ring performances, reinforcing how effective the tag division could be when execution was clean. Doink versus Crush leans heavily into character psychology and spectacle, highlighted by the double Doink finish. We examine the originally planned mechanical stunt that was scrapped and what that decision says about the era’s emphasis on visual moments. Razor Ramon secures a direct win over Bob Backlund, continuing his steady rise. The Tag Team Championship match between Money Inc. and the Mega Maniacs unfolds through referee bumps, disqualification tension, and spectacle driven pacing. We revisit the reported late reshuffling that removed the originally planned tag title blow off and centered Hogan more prominently on the card. Lex Luger’s WrestleMania debut against Mr. Perfect introduces rope leverage controversy and is layered with behind the scenes anecdotes that contribute to the uneven rhythm of the night. The Undertaker versus Giant Gonzalez becomes one of the most criticized finishes in WrestleMania history, prioritizing theatricality over decisive resolution. The championship picture ultimately defines the event. Bret Hart versus Yokozuna is framed as a generational collision until Mr. Fuji’s salt interference shifts the WWF Championship. Moments later, Hulk Hogan enters, accepts an impromptu challenge, and captures the title in approximately twenty seconds. With three decades of hindsight, this episode examines whether that closing decision reflects creative confusion or calculated business pragmatism. The Observer context suggests urgency. The optics suggest an audible. The result reshaped Bret Hart’s reign, altered Yokozuna’s trajectory, and placed Hogan back on top during a volatile moment for the company. WrestleMania IX is remembered for its ending. It deserves to be studied for what it reveals about transition, pressure, and how quickly direction can change when stability becomes the priority. Shot of Nostalgia: Shuffle premieres Saturday wherever you listen. Like, subscribe, and leave a review to support the continued growth of the series. Visit TurnbuckleTavern.com for merchandise, archives, and the full network schedule. Support the project at Patreon.com/TheTurnbuckleTavern for exclusive content and extended deep dives. Powered by G FUEL and Dick Lazers. Use code TAVERN at checkout to save twenty percent on your entire order.
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AEW Dynamite: MJF And Hangman Flip For The Stip | Texas Death At Revolution | FTR Attack Young Buck's Family | Mile High Madness Ensues
02/27/2026
AEW Dynamite: MJF And Hangman Flip For The Stip | Texas Death At Revolution | FTR Attack Young Buck's Family | Mile High Madness Ensues
It's Thursday, and you know what that means! It is time to walk through those Tavern doors and order up a round of professional wrestling coverage from One Bad Chad and Ol Reliable, Hoch! This week we talk AEW and all the happenings of the week! Make sure you go to patreon.com/theturnbuckletavern for all your Tavern needs!
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Rawdown #218: Elimination Chamber Preview | AJ Styles Is A Hall Of Famer
02/25/2026
Rawdown #218: Elimination Chamber Preview | AJ Styles Is A Hall Of Famer
The RAWDOWN boys discuss all of the news coming out of RAW and Smackdown and get you caught up on all of the news happening inside and outside the ropes in WWE. Everything is on the table. This is just the tip of the iceberg with all of the stories and news going on in the WWE. Let's talk about it and everything else in the WWE Universe! WWE RAW, WWE Smackdown, NXT... It's all there! Come get your best weekly fix for all things WWE on The RAWDOWN, right here at The Turnbuckle Tavern! PLEASE SUBSCRIBE, COMMENT, SHARE, & CLICK THE BELL! TELL A FRIEND ABOUT US! Go to patreon.com/theturnbuckletavern to join our Patreon for only $2.99/mo!
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Wrestling Tonight: ELIMINATION CHAMBER CHICAGO PREVIEW | WWE BLOCKS LOCAL WATCH PARTIES | JANEL GRANT ADDRESSES TKO | JERICHO CONTRACT FROZEN?
02/24/2026
Wrestling Tonight: ELIMINATION CHAMBER CHICAGO PREVIEW | WWE BLOCKS LOCAL WATCH PARTIES | JANEL GRANT ADDRESSES TKO | JERICHO CONTRACT FROZEN?
Welcome to Episode 170 of Wrestling Tonight, powered by G FUEL and Dick Lazers. Use code TAVERN to save 20 percent at GFUEL.com and DickLazers.com. Acefield Retro and Chad return this week with a focused, comprehensive look at WWE Elimination Chamber: Chicago, and the broader business and legal context surrounding the event as WrestleMania 42 approaches. Elimination Chamber is not simply a February premium live event. The 2026 edition marks WWE’s first televised event at the United Center since SummerSlam 1994, the first U.S.-based Elimination Chamber since 2021, and the final structural checkpoint before WrestleMania 42. With title implications and WrestleMania main event positioning attached to multiple matches, this show operates as a pivot point in WWE’s calendar. We break down the full card in detail. The World Heavyweight Championship headlines in Chicago as CM Punk defends against Finn Bálor in Punk’s hometown. What began as professional respect shifted into hostility after Bálor was excluded from the Royal Rumble match and responded with a direct assault on the champion. Despite reported hesitation from management within storyline, Bálor forced the issue and secured the title match. A Bálor victory would immediately reshape the WrestleMania 42 main event picture. The Women’s Intercontinental Championship match between Becky Lynch and AJ Lee is built on competitive imbalance. Since returning, AJ has submitted Becky twice in non-title settings, creating a dynamic where the champion is defending not just a title but her standing within the division. This is less about opportunity and more about restoring hierarchy before WrestleMania season locks into place. Both Elimination Chamber matches will determine WrestleMania challengers. On the men’s side, the field includes Drew McIntyre, LA Knight, Sami Zayn, Bron Breakker, and Damian Priest, with one final qualifying spot to be decided on the go-home edition of Raw. Historically, the Chamber has either elevated a rising star or reinforced an established main event presence. With a mix of veteran credibility and emerging power, WWE appears to be actively testing which direction serves WrestleMania best. The women’s Chamber features Bayley, Bianca Belair, Liv Morgan, Jade Cargill, and Shayna Baszler, with one final entrant pending. Complicating the stakes is Rhea Ripley’s pending WrestleMania decision as Royal Rumble winner. The eventual Chamber victor will not know their WrestleMania opponent until Ripley makes her choice, adding strategic uncertainty to the structure. Beyond the in-ring narrative, we examine WWE’s reported restriction of public Elimination Chamber watch parties within the Chicago market. Multiple local venues were allegedly informed they could not host public viewing events. With ticket distribution reportedly below configuration and entry prices exceeding $260, the move appears connected to protecting live gate revenue. We discuss the business rationale, the optics in a historically strong WWE city, and the long-term implications for fan goodwill. We also address the week’s most significant off-screen development. Janel Grant appeared publicly at a Connecticut Alliance to End Sexual Violence briefing, where she discussed the impact of non-disclosure agreements in workplace misconduct cases and referenced the NDA central to her lawsuit against WWE and Vince McMahon. Grant spoke about the mental health toll of being publicly identified, her SEC whistleblower status, and directed remarks toward TKO leadership. As WrestleMania season accelerates, we analyze the corporate, legal, and reputational implications for WWE and its parent company. Additionally, reports indicate uncertainty regarding Chris Jericho’s AEW contract status, with speculation that his deal may be paused or frozen during his television absence. While AEW has not confirmed details, the timing raises legitimate questions about contract structure, injury clauses, and potential movement in 2026. Inside the Chamber, WrestleMania challengers will be determined. Outside the ring, issues of access, optics, and corporate accountability continue to shape the broader conversation. Episode 170 examines both dimensions with clarity and depth as WrestleMania season moves into its decisive phase. Listen now.
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The Turnbuckle Debate #261
02/23/2026
The Turnbuckle Debate #261
The week we are joined by Tanner from Kicking Out Pod! Join us as we ask should AEW run house shows in the US; outside of the Trios Championships, what is the biggest weak spot in AEW's current creative; and you can choose 4 talent (male or female) currently on the AEW roster to carry AEW in the 2030's, who are you choosing? It's going to be a fun week here at The Tavern, so to make sure you do not miss anything, go to patreon.com/theturnbuckletavern for all your Tavern needs!
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SHOT OF NOSTALGIA: SHUFFLE | AEW DYNAMITE OCT 2, 2019 | THE TNT DEBUT | THE WEDNESDAY NIGHT WARS BEGIN | THE INNER CIRCLE FORMS
02/21/2026
SHOT OF NOSTALGIA: SHUFFLE | AEW DYNAMITE OCT 2, 2019 | THE TNT DEBUT | THE WEDNESDAY NIGHT WARS BEGIN | THE INNER CIRCLE FORMS
Shot of Nostalgia: Shuffle rolls on with your host Acefield Retro, and this week we revisit October 2, 2019, the night AEW Dynamite debuted live on TNT and officially stepped into national competition. We trace the road from the January 2019 press conference to the WarnerMedia deal, the Double or Nothing launch, and WWE moving NXT to USA in the same time slot. By the time Dynamite hits the air from Washington, D.C., this is not just a premiere. It is the opening shot of the Wednesday Night Wars. The show wastes no time establishing tone. Cody vs. Sammy Guevara opens with a 20 minute statement built on pacing and credibility. PAC submits Hangman Page in a result that reshapes the early hierarchy. Riho defeats Nyla Rose to become the first AEW Women’s World Champion, signaling the company’s international lean. In the main event, The Elite fall to Chris Jericho, Santana, and Ortiz before Jake Hager debuts and The Inner Circle forms to close the night. Dynamite wins the ratings battle with 1.409 million viewers and doubles NXT in the key 18 to 49 demographic. More importantly, it establishes identity. The founders do not stand tall. A heel faction does. The message is clear. Long term storytelling over short term celebration. With 2026 hindsight, we examine who from that night became pillars, who evolved, and how this debut became the blueprint for everything that followed. Shot of Nostalgia: Shuffle premieres Saturday wherever you listen. Like, subscribe, and leave a review to help the show grow. Support the project at Patreon.com/TheTurnbuckleTavern for just $2.99 a month to keep these deep dives going. Powered by G FUEL and Dick Lazers. Use code TAVERN at checkout for 20 percent off your entire order.
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AEW Dynamite: Grand Slam Australia Review | Swerve VS Omega | Hangman Challenges MJF To Texas Death At Revolution
02/20/2026
AEW Dynamite: Grand Slam Australia Review | Swerve VS Omega | Hangman Challenges MJF To Texas Death At Revolution
It's Thursday, and you know what that means! It is time to walk through those Tavern doors and order up a round of professional wrestling coverage from The Two Bad Chads! This week we talk AEW and all the happenings of the week! Make sure you go to patreon.com/theturnbuckletavern for all your Tavern needs!
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Rawdown #217: What's In The Box? | Elimination Chamber Qualifiers | WrestleMania Ticket Sales
02/18/2026
Rawdown #217: What's In The Box? | Elimination Chamber Qualifiers | WrestleMania Ticket Sales
The RAWDOWN boys discuss all of the news coming out of RAW and Smackdown and get you caught up on all of the news happening inside and outside the ropes in WWE. Everything is on the table. This is just the tip of the iceberg with all of the stories and news going on in the WWE. Let's talk about it and everything else in the WWE Universe! WWE RAW, WWE Smackdown, NXT... It's all there! Come get your best weekly fix for all things WWE on The RAWDOWN, right here at The Turnbuckle Tavern! PLEASE SUBSCRIBE, COMMENT, SHARE, & CLICK THE BELL! TELL A FRIEND ABOUT US! Go to patreon.com/theturnbuckletavern to join our Patreon for only $2.99/mo!
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Wrestling Tonight: WBD CONFIRMED STAKE IN AEW | GRAND SLAM AUSTRALIA FALLOUT | WM 42 TICKET SALES LAG | WON AWARDS RUFFLE FEATHERS
02/17/2026
Wrestling Tonight: WBD CONFIRMED STAKE IN AEW | GRAND SLAM AUSTRALIA FALLOUT | WM 42 TICKET SALES LAG | WON AWARDS RUFFLE FEATHERS
Welcome to Episode 169 of Wrestling Tonight, powered by G FUEL and Dick Lazers. Use code TAVERN to save 20 percent at GFUEL.com and DickLazers.com. Acefield Retro and Chad are back, and this week we are pulling on threads that could reshape how you look at the entire industry. We open with the story that quietly shifted the business conversation. CNN confirmed that Warner Bros. Discovery owns a minority stake in All Elite Wrestling. Not rumor. Not speculation. Confirmed. For years, Tony Khan has emphasized that he controls one hundred percent of AEW’s decision making while declining to confirm outside equity. Now a Warner Bros. Discovery outlet has acknowledged ownership outright. What does that mean for AEW’s future? For media rights negotiations? For leverage and perception? And why is this confirmation being framed inside a broader cultural conversation? We break down what is confirmed, what is still unknown, and what it signals long term. From there, we move into AEW Grand Slam Australia, a show that clarified the top of the card while leaving deeper storylines open. MJF retained the AEW World Championship against Brody King. Hangman Adam Page secured number one contender status. Jon Moxley and Konosuke Takeshita went to a time limit draw. Kyle Fletcher retained the TNT Championship. Wheeler Yuta lost his hair. The direction at the top is clear. The layers underneath are still shifting. Was this a defining moment for the spring? Or a stepping stone toward something bigger? We then pivot to WWE, where the numbers tell their own story. WrestleMania 42 ticket distribution currently sits at 36,964 for Night One and 36,737 for Night Two, roughly 18 percent behind last year’s pace. Allegiant Stadium is advertising a 25 percent discount. Only CM Punk versus Roman Reigns is officially locked in. Brock Lesnar still does not have a confirmed opponent. Internal discussions have reportedly included LA Knight and Oba Femi. Lesnar returns on February 23. Is the board being carefully shaped, or is urgency creeping in as sales lag? We close with the 2025 Wrestling Observer Newsletter Awards, where several results sparked immediate backlash. John Cena versus Cody Rhodes was voted Worst Match of the Year. Booker T was voted Worst Television Announcer. AEW Collision ranked ahead of WWE Raw and WWE SmackDown. Bryan Alvarez publicly disagreed with multiple categories. Meanwhile, Mistico won Wrestler of the Year nineteen years after his first victory, and CMLL dominated across major awards. Are these results reflective of industry consensus, vocal fan sentiment, or deeper bias within the voting pool? Episode 169 is not just about results. It is about ownership, optics, ticket momentum, creative positioning, and perception colliding at the same time.
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The Turnbuckle Debate #260
02/16/2026
The Turnbuckle Debate #260
The week we are joined by The Rawdown's own, JBugz! Join us as we ask is it a good idea to do a blackout of WrestleMania broadcasts in Vegas; was it the right move for Matt Cardona to make a WWE return; and who will be the next 3 AEW tag champions? It's going to be a fun week here at The Tavern, so to make sure you do not miss anything, go to patreon.com/theturnbuckletavern for all your Tavern needs!
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Wrestling Tonight: AEW GRAND SLAM AUSTRALIA 2026 | FULL PREVIEW & THE EVOLUTION OF GRAND SLAM | 168
02/13/2026
Wrestling Tonight: AEW GRAND SLAM AUSTRALIA 2026 | FULL PREVIEW & THE EVOLUTION OF GRAND SLAM | 168
Welcome to Episode 168 of Wrestling Tonight, a mini episode powered by G FUEL, Dick Lazers, and Code TAVERN. Use code TAVERN to save 20 percent at GFUEL.com and DickLazers.com. Acefield Retro breaks down a weekend where AEW reinforces one of its most important global brands. This Saturday, February 14, AEW presents Grand Slam Australia 2026 live from Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney. For U.S. viewers, the event airs at 8:00 PM Eastern on TNT and streaming on Max. Because the show takes place Sunday afternoon local time in Australia, the American broadcast will air on tape delay in prime time. The episode opens with the evolution of Grand Slam. What began in 2021 as a post-pandemic statement at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York — AEW’s first stadium show in the largest media market in the United States — quickly became an annual tentpole. For four years, Grand Slam meant Arthur Ashe, championship implications, and major television moments. Then in 2025, the brand pivoted. Grand Slam Australia in Brisbane and Grand Slam Mexico at Arena México transformed the event from a New York tradition into a portable international showcase. The identity shifted from venue-based prestige to global expansion. Now Sydney becomes the next chapter. From there, the preview turns to the stakes without giving the outcomes away. MJF defends the AEW World Championship against Brody King after King pinned him in a World Title Eliminator. It’s manipulation versus physical dominance, and Sydney becomes a defining checkpoint in MJF’s reign. Jon Moxley defends the Continental Championship against Konosuke Takeshita in a rematch rooted in last year’s Continental Classic. Pride and positioning collide. Kyle Fletcher and Mark Briscoe escalate their rivalry into a TNT Championship ladder match, raising the risk factor under Grand Slam lights. Hangman Page and Andrade El Ídolo battle for a future World Title opportunity, with long-term ripple effects tied directly to Revolution. The Women’s World Tag Team Titles are on the line as the division continues to establish its identity on an international stage. And a mixed tornado tag with a hair-shaving stipulation guarantees visible consequence — the kind of moment Grand Slam has become known for. Episode 168 is a focused preview of a brand that started as a declaration in New York and has matured into a recurring global platform. From Arthur Ashe to Brisbane to Arena México and now Sydney, Grand Slam mirrors AEW’s trajectory. Saturday night at 8:00 PM Eastern, the next chapter airs.
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AEW Dynamite: Fletcher Beats Ciampa For TNT Championship | Thekla Wins Women's Championship | Private Party Return
02/13/2026
AEW Dynamite: Fletcher Beats Ciampa For TNT Championship | Thekla Wins Women's Championship | Private Party Return
It's Thursday, and you know what that means! It is time to walk through those Tavern doors and order up a round of professional wrestling coverage from The Two Bad Chads! This week we talk AEW and all the happenings of the week! Make sure you go to patreon.com/theturnbuckletavern for all your Tavern needs!
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Rawdown #216: AJ Lee Returns | Cody "Raheem" Rhodes Debuts | Oba is Toxic
02/11/2026
Rawdown #216: AJ Lee Returns | Cody "Raheem" Rhodes Debuts | Oba is Toxic
The RAWDOWN boys discuss all of the news coming out of RAW and Smackdown and get you caught up on all of the news happening inside and outside the ropes in WWE. Everything is on the table. This is just the tip of the iceberg with all of the stories and news going on in the WWE. Let's talk about it and everything else in the WWE Universe! WWE RAW, WWE Smackdown, NXT... It's all there! Come get your best weekly fix for all things WWE on The RAWDOWN, right here at The Turnbuckle Tavern! PLEASE SUBSCRIBE, COMMENT, SHARE, & CLICK THE BELL! TELL A FRIEND ABOUT US! Go to patreon.com/theturnbuckletavern to join our Patreon for only $2.99/mo!
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The Turnbuckle Debate #259
02/09/2026
The Turnbuckle Debate #259
The week we are joined by The Ace Of The Tavern, Acefield Retro and our very own Colton! Join us as we ask Is CM Punk/Roman Reigns the best option to main event WrestleMania 42 in Vegas; did the Saudi Rumble quell anxiety of having WrestleMania there or make it worse; and is AJ Styles really retiring? It's going to be a fun week here at The Tavern, so to make sure you do not miss anything, go to patreon.com/theturnbuckletavern for all your Tavern needs!
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Wrestling Tonight: AEW ‘F**** ICE’ CHANT GOES NATIONAL | JOE HENDRY WINS NXT TITLE | CENA NOT IN HOF CLASS OF ’26 | BREAKKER ONCE PLANNED TO WIN RUMBLE?
02/06/2026
Wrestling Tonight: AEW ‘F**** ICE’ CHANT GOES NATIONAL | JOE HENDRY WINS NXT TITLE | CENA NOT IN HOF CLASS OF ’26 | BREAKKER ONCE PLANNED TO WIN RUMBLE?
Welcome to Episode 167 of Wrestling Tonight, a mini episode powered by G FUEL, Dick Lazers, and Code TAVERN. Use code TAVERN to save 20 percent at GFUEL.com and DickLazers.com. Acefield Retro breaks down the week in pro wrestling. We open with AEW Dynamite and a result that immediately changed the landscape at the top of the card. Brody King defeated MJF in decisive fashion. We break down why the finish felt intentional, how it repositioned King from a short term challenger to a more credible threat, and how the result cleanly sets up their AEW World Championship rematch at Grand Slam Australia. From there, we circle back to the broader context of the main event, including a pre bell crowd chant involving ICE that moved beyond wrestling coverage and into wider media discussion. We look at why that moment drew attention, how uncommon it is for an unscripted crowd reaction to be picked up outside the wrestling space, and why AEW choosing not to immediately move past it allowed the moment to register more clearly. The episode then shifts to WWE, starting with confirmation that John Cena will not be inducted into this year’s Hall of Fame class. We discuss why the timing is notable, why WWE may be holding Cena’s induction for a future year, and how Hall of Fame moments are increasingly planned with long term presentation in mind. We close with a backstage story tied to WrestleMania season involving Bron Breakker being considered to win the Royal Rumble at one point. Using recent reporting, we examine how injuries and creative changes altered those plans, what that shift suggests about WWE’s priorities, and where Breakker currently fits as the company moves into its biggest stretch of the year. Episode 167 focuses on moments that were not scripted, including match finishes that altered perception, crowd reactions that drew outside attention, and behind the scenes decisions that influenced the direction of WrestleMania season.
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AEW Dynamite: Ciampa Wins TNT Championship | Brody King Squashes MJF | Andrade Beats Omega
02/06/2026
AEW Dynamite: Ciampa Wins TNT Championship | Brody King Squashes MJF | Andrade Beats Omega
It's Thursday, and you know what that means! It is time to walk through those Tavern doors and order up a round of professional wrestling coverage from The Two Bad Chads! This week we talk AEW and all the happenings of the week! Make sure you go to patreon.com/theturnbuckletavern for all your Tavern needs!
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Rawdown #215: Royal Rumble Recap | Roman Hates Punk
02/04/2026
Rawdown #215: Royal Rumble Recap | Roman Hates Punk
The RAWDOWN boys discuss all of the news coming out of RAW and Smackdown and get you caught up on all of the news happening inside and outside the ropes in WWE. Everything is on the table. This is just the tip of the iceberg with all of the stories and news going on in the WWE. Let's talk about it and everything else in the WWE Universe! WWE RAW, WWE Smackdown, NXT... It's all there! Come get your best weekly fix for all things WWE on The RAWDOWN, right here at The Turnbuckle Tavern! PLEASE SUBSCRIBE, COMMENT, SHARE, & CLICK THE BELL! TELL A FRIEND ABOUT US! Go to patreon.com/theturnbuckletavern to join our Patreon for only $2.99/mo!
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Wrestling Tonight: ROMAN REIGNS CHOOSES CM PUNK | WRESTLEMANIA 42 SET | HISTORY BECOMES THE STORY
02/03/2026
Wrestling Tonight: ROMAN REIGNS CHOOSES CM PUNK | WRESTLEMANIA 42 SET | HISTORY BECOMES THE STORY
Welcome to Episode 166 of Wrestling Tonight, a mini episode powered by G FUEL, Dick Lazers, and Code TAVERN. Use code TAVERN to save 20 percent at GFUEL.com and DickLazers.com. Acefield Retro breaks down Roman Reigns officially selecting CM Punk as his WrestleMania 42 opponent, a decision driven by long-standing personal history rather than championships or accolades. On Monday Night Raw, Reigns—fresh off his Royal Rumble victory—made his choice clear. He did not present the match as an opportunity or a legacy play. He stated plainly that he chose Punk because he hated him. That framing immediately shifted the segment from promotion to explanation. This mini episode examines why that moment worked. Punk entered the exchange as the World Heavyweight Champion, positioning Raw as his domain and revisiting familiar critiques of Reigns’ schedule and WWE’s historical protection of him. Reigns responded by addressing an issue WWE had largely avoided for over a decade: Punk’s 2014 podcast comments, which helped shape public perception of Reigns before his singles push fully began. We revisit those remarks, why they mattered at the time, and why WWE acknowledging them now signals a more historically grounded approach to building WrestleMania 42. The episode also touches on Punk’s role during The Shield era, the tension between influence and resistance, and how both men have evolved since their first professional overlap. Episode 166 focuses on intent over spectacle—why Roman Reigns vs. CM Punk feels rooted in reality rather than construction, and why WWE’s willingness to incorporate real history gives this WrestleMania match added credibility.
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The Turnbuckle Debate #258
02/02/2026
The Turnbuckle Debate #258
The week we are joined by Ella Jay! Join us as we ask what WWE brand should Powerhouse Hobbs debut on; can TNA take the #2 spot, and will AJ Styles retire after the Royal Rumble and should he? It's going to be a fun week here at The Tavern, so to make sure you do not miss anything, go to patreon.com/theturnbuckletavern for all your Tavern needs!
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Wrestling Tonight: ROMAN REIGNS & LIV MORGAN WIN THE ROYAL RUMBLE | GUNTHER DEFEATS AJ STYLES | McINTYRE RETAINS vs. ZAYN | RIYADH RECAP & STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS | 165
02/01/2026
Wrestling Tonight: ROMAN REIGNS & LIV MORGAN WIN THE ROYAL RUMBLE | GUNTHER DEFEATS AJ STYLES | McINTYRE RETAINS vs. ZAYN | RIYADH RECAP & STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS | 165
Welcome to Episode 165 of Wrestling Tonight, powered by G FUEL, Dick Lazers, and Code TAVERN. Use code TAVERN to save 20% at GFUEL.com and DickLazers.com. Acefield Retro breaks down Royal Rumble: Riyadh, WWE’s first traditional Royal Rumble held outside North America, with a full recap of what happened and why it happened. We start with the Men’s Royal Rumble, won by Roman Reigns after lasting 58 minutes. The focus here is on structure more than surprises — Oba Femi’s early dominance, some jarring eliminations involving major players, the Bloodline-heavy finish, and why this Rumble leaned into timing, hierarchy, and direction instead of pure chaos. From there, we go back to the Women’s Royal Rumble, a match that got off to a rough start thanks to production issues and uneven pacing, but steadily improved as it went. Liv Morgan picked up the win with a smart, controlled performance. Lash Legend led everyone with five eliminations, Sol Ruca continued to look like a long-term piece, and Rhea Ripley still felt like the biggest presence in the match, even without the victory. We then break down Gunther vs. AJ Styles, a 24-minute match that was the closing chapter of AJ’s WWE run. Styles stayed competitive throughout, but Gunther’s patience and late-match execution decided it, leading to a bigger conversation about what this loss means for Styles moving forward. The episode also covers Drew McIntyre vs. Sami Zayn for the WWE Championship. McIntyre retained after a physically demanding, emotionally heavy match that leaned hard into Zayn’s toughness and McIntyre’s increasingly ruthless edge as champion. Episode 165 is about results, structure, and intent — what worked, what didn’t, and what Royal Rumble: Riyadh tells us about where WWE is heading on the road to WrestleMania.
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AEW Dynamite: Tommaso Ciampa Is All Elite | Brody King Gets World Title Eliminator Match | MJF Confronted By All Of His Competitors
01/30/2026
AEW Dynamite: Tommaso Ciampa Is All Elite | Brody King Gets World Title Eliminator Match | MJF Confronted By All Of His Competitors
It's Thursday, and you know what that means! It is time to walk through those Tavern doors and order up a round of professional wrestling coverage from The Two Bad Chads! This week we talk AEW and all the happenings of the week! Make sure you go to patreon.com/theturnbuckletavern for all your Tavern needs!
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Rwdown #214: SNME Fallout| Royal Rumble Riyadh Preview
01/28/2026
Rwdown #214: SNME Fallout| Royal Rumble Riyadh Preview
The RAWDOWN boys discuss all of the news coming out of RAW and Smackdown and get you caught up on all of the news happening inside and outside the ropes in WWE. Everything is on the table. This is just the tip of the iceberg with all of the stories and news going on in the WWE. Let's talk about it and everything else in the WWE Universe! WWE RAW, WWE Smackdown, NXT... It's all there! Come get your best weekly fix for all things WWE on The RAWDOWN, right here at The Turnbuckle Tavern! PLEASE SUBSCRIBE, COMMENT, SHARE, & CLICK THE BELL! TELL A FRIEND ABOUT US! Go to patreon.com/theturnbuckletavern to join our Patreon for only $2.99/mo!
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Wrestling Tonight: WWE ROYAL RUMBLE: RIYADH PREVIEW | SNME FALLOUT | WRESTLEMANIA 42 & 43 TAKING SHAPE | CMLL’S HISTORIC MÍSTICO RUN | 164
01/27/2026
Wrestling Tonight: WWE ROYAL RUMBLE: RIYADH PREVIEW | SNME FALLOUT | WRESTLEMANIA 42 & 43 TAKING SHAPE | CMLL’S HISTORIC MÍSTICO RUN | 164
Welcome to Episode 164 of Wrestling Tonight, powered by G FUEL and Dick Lazers. Use code TAVERN for 20 percent off. Acefield Retro and Chad are back, and this week is built around the road to Royal Rumble: Riyadh, while also zooming out to examine how WWE, AEW, TNA, AAA, NJPW, Stardom — and the global wrestling economy itself — are all adjusting direction at the same time. We open with a full preview of Royal Rumble: Riyadh, taking place January 31, 2026 at the King Abdullah Financial District as part of Riyadh Season. This marks the first traditional Royal Rumble ever held outside North America, the first Royal Rumble in Saudi Arabia, and the first of WWE’s “Big Five” events to take place in the Kingdom. We break down why this Rumble matters more than usual, with both the men’s and women’s winners earning world championship matches at WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas, the event’s return to its traditional January slot, and the shift in distribution with ESPN streaming the Rumble in the U.S. for the first time while Netflix carries most international markets. From there, we dig into what’s already locked in for Riyadh: the Men’s and Women’s Royal Rumble matches, Drew McIntyre defending the Undisputed WWE Championship against the winner of the Saturday Night’s Main Event four-way, and Gunther vs. AJ Styles in a career-threatening match where Styles must retire if he loses. We also run through the early betting odds, where Roman Reigns and Bron Breakker sit at the top of the board, followed by Sami Zayn, Gunther, and Cody Rhodes, and discuss what those numbers tell us about WWE’s short-term and long-term thinking. We cover the growing list of announced entrants on both the men’s and women’s sides and how the field is already beginning to take shape. We then pivot into Saturday Night’s Main Event fallout from Montreal, breaking down Cody Rhodes vs. Jacob Fatu, AJ Styles vs. Shinsuke Nakamura, the Women’s Tag Team Championship defense with Rhea Ripley & IYO SKY against Liv Morgan & Roxanne Perez, and the massive four-way number one contender’s match featuring Damian Priest, Randy Orton, Sami Zayn, and Trick Williams, with the winner stepping directly into McIntyre’s title picture at the Royal Rumble. From there, we widen the lens to WrestleMania season planning. We discuss WWE’s current reluctance to turn Cody Rhodes heel, how WrestleMania 42 plans remain fluid, and why AJ Lee vs. Becky Lynch is shaping up as one of the most locked-in matches on the card. We also look ahead to WrestleMania 43 in Saudi Arabia, with The Rock openly addressing his excitement for the event and internal speculation swirling about possible appearances from Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin as WWE enters its busiest stretch of the year. We then shift fully into the global business of wrestling, as Dave Meltzer reports that Místico has headlined 13 consecutive sellouts at Arena Mexico in 2026, a venue that holds approximately 16,000 fans. Meltzer called the run unprecedented, noting that sustained, high-frequency sellouts in the same building represent a business pattern rarely seen in wrestling history. We contextualize the streak against past drawing eras, the legacy of El Santo, and why comparisons to Japan or North American touring models often miss the structural realities of how wrestling draws actually function. We also discuss the growing push for Místico to capture a major championship currently held by talent from All Elite Wrestling, and what that would signal about CMLL’s place in the current power structure. Outside WWE, AEW remains in a moment of transition. We break down Powerhouse Hobbs officially signing with WWE, the company parting ways with longtime executive Nik Sobic, and what those exits say about AEW’s current phase. We also cover Will Ospreay’s next step toward a return as he undergoes a medical evaluation, Hikaru Shida being backstage in Orlando as she edges closer to U.S. competition, and clarity emerging on AEW’s streaming future as reports indicate the promotion is expected to remain aligned with Warner-backed platforms rather than moving to Netflix. TNA continues to operate within a shared ecosystem, as we revisit the fallout from Genesis and Impact’s AMC debut amid lingering visa issues, the accidental TNA+ audio leak revealing No Surrender plans, Trey Miguel’s emotional return, and the Knockouts Tag Team picture coming into focus with ZaRuca crowned as new number one contenders. We also hit international headlines, including AAA’s FOX era officially beginning, Dominik Mysterio’s accidental AEW belt graphic during a promo, El Hijo del Vikingo emerging as number one contender for the Mega Championship, NJPW seeing TMDK lose the NEVER Six-Man titles at Korakuen Hall, and Stardom keeping its options open following an alleged intellectual property violation involving trading cards. Episode 164 is a full-scale snapshot of the wrestling industry at a turning point — Royal Rumble season underway, WrestleMania plans coming into focus, media rights shifting, talent moving, and promotions everywhere adjusting direction rather than delivering final outcomes as the calendar heats up.
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The Turnbuckle Debate #257
01/26/2026
The Turnbuckle Debate #257
The week we are joined by Tanner from Kicking Out Pod! Join us as we ask should Trey Miguel be signed to AEW or is he too much of a liability; who make a bigger impact, Rascalz in AEW or Hobbs in WWE; and of the latest AEW signings, who are you most excited about? It's going to be a fun week here at The Tavern, so to make sure you do not miss anything, go to patreon.com/theturnbuckletavern for all your Tavern needs!
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AEW Dynamite: MJF And Brody King Have Words | JetSpeed And Hangman Win Trios Gold | Alec Price And Jordan Oliver VS FTR
01/23/2026
AEW Dynamite: MJF And Brody King Have Words | JetSpeed And Hangman Win Trios Gold | Alec Price And Jordan Oliver VS FTR
It's Thursday, and you know what that means! It is time to walk through those Tavern doors and order up a round of professional wrestling coverage from The Two Bad Chads! This week we talk AEW and all the happenings of the week! Make sure you go to patreon.com/theturnbuckletavern for all your Tavern needs!
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Rawdown #213: 4-Way #1 Contender Spot Match | AJ Styles Career Ending Match?
01/21/2026
Rawdown #213: 4-Way #1 Contender Spot Match | AJ Styles Career Ending Match?
The RAWDOWN boys discuss all of the news coming out of RAW and Smackdown and get you caught up on all of the news happening inside and outside the ropes in WWE. Everything is on the table. This is just the tip of the iceberg with all of the stories and news going on in the WWE. Let's talk about it and everything else in the WWE Universe! WWE RAW, WWE Smackdown, NXT... It's all there! Come get your best weekly fix for all things WWE on The RAWDOWN, right here at The Turnbuckle Tavern! PLEASE SUBSCRIBE, COMMENT, SHARE, & CLICK THE BELL! TELL A FRIEND ABOUT US! Go to patreon.com/theturnbuckletavern to join our Patreon for only $2.99/mo!
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Wrestling Tonight: TNA GENESIS FALLOUT (VISA ISSUES & AMC DEBUT) | WRESTLEMANIA 42 PLAN PIVOT? | POWERHOUSE HOBBS TO WWE | RASCALZ TO AEW | AAA FOX ERA BEGINS
01/20/2026
Wrestling Tonight: TNA GENESIS FALLOUT (VISA ISSUES & AMC DEBUT) | WRESTLEMANIA 42 PLAN PIVOT? | POWERHOUSE HOBBS TO WWE | RASCALZ TO AEW | AAA FOX ERA BEGINS
Welcome to Episode 163 of Wrestling Tonight, powered by G FUEL and Dick Lazers. Use code TAVERN for 20 percent off. Acefield Retro and Chad are back, and this week focuses on how multiple promotions are adjusting direction rather than delivering final outcomes. We begin with TNA Genesis, where several championships were defended and key moments shaped the current hierarchy. The event took place amid confirmed visa issues that affected both Impact’s AMC debut and Genesis, requiring multiple card changes and substitutions. Those adjustments highlighted the degree to which TNA is currently operating within a broader, shared wrestling ecosystem. WWE made notable changes at the top of the card. WrestleMania 42 plans have been revised, Drew McIntyre is the current WWE Champion, and the direction toward WrestleMania remains fluid. On Raw, a confrontation involving management and top talent escalated into a suspension, adding another layer of uncertainty to the weekly product. AEW saw movement in both directions. FTR learned their next challengers for the AEW World Tag Team Championships, while The Rascalz were confirmed as new signings as were Jordan Oliver & Alec Price. At the same time, Powerhouse Hobbs appears to be nearing the end of his AEW run, with WWE expected to be his next destination. NXT continues its transition following the NXT Championship being vacated, with a multi-man ladder match scheduled to determine a new champion. Meanwhile, AAA began its new FOX television run, crowned a new number one contender for the AAA Mega Championship, and featured the return of a familiar name. The promotion also outlined a broadcast model centered on periodic live events rather than weekly live television. Episode 163 centers on how these developments fit together across the industry, as companies make adjustments and set short-term direction heading into a busy stretch of the calendar.
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The Turnbuckle Debate #256
01/19/2026
The Turnbuckle Debate #256
The week we are joined by The Rawdown's own, JBugz! Join us as we ask will Drew McIntyre hold the world title until WrestleMania; should AEW add an on-screen GM; and will Chris Jericho hold the TNA world championship in 2026? It's going to be a fun week here at The Tavern, so to make sure you do not miss anything, go to patreon.com/theturnbuckletavern for all your Tavern needs!
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Wrestling Tonight: TNA DEBUTS ON AMC | AJ STYLES OPENS “NEW ERA” | 3 MATCHES IN 2 HOURS?
01/16/2026
Wrestling Tonight: TNA DEBUTS ON AMC | AJ STYLES OPENS “NEW ERA” | 3 MATCHES IN 2 HOURS?
Welcome to a bonus episode of Wrestling Tonight, powered by G FUEL and Dick Lazers. Use code TAVERN for 20 percent off. Acefield Retro with a focused breakdown of TNA’s AMC debut, a show that looked professional, sounded historic, and still felt unsure of what it wanted to be. This was not a loud failure. There were no disastrous matches or segments that collapsed in real time. That is exactly why it matters. This was a failure of priorities, not execution. A failure of conviction, not talent. On the night TNA needed to be decisive, it hesitated. The framing told the story. From the opening seconds, commentary, graphics, celebrity shots, and symbolism worked overtime to declare the moment historic. Wrestling does not build momentum by saying something matters. It builds it by showing it. When action is rationed, importance feels manufactured. AJ Styles opening the show worked emotionally. He is the most iconic figure in company history, and the goodwill is real. But it also exposed the core issue. TNA still seeks legitimacy through validation rather than assertion. Styles blessed the era, promised wrestling, and what followed leaned far more on legacy than identity. Three matches in two hours on a live network debut for a company called Total Nonstop Action is indefensible. Wrestling is the clearest language a promotion has, especially for new viewers. When talking outweighs bell to bell action, the message is simple. TNA did not fully trust wrestling to carry the show. That is the irony. The roster clearly can deliver. The six man tag warmed the crowd but felt disposable. The Knockouts Tag Title match was overbooked to the point of undercutting what has historically been TNA’s strongest division. Production choices and celebrity cutaways weakened the illusion the broadcast was trying to sell. The TNA Plus outage compounded everything. On a night this big, reliability is not optional. New viewers do not contextualize failures. They leave. The clearest vision of what TNA could be came in the main event. Mike Santana versus Frankie Kazarian was physical, focused, and credible. For stretches, it felt like a mission statement. That is why the cluttered finishing stretch was so frustrating. Santana winning was the right call. One strong match was not enough. This episode is not about piling on. It is about recognizing the pattern. TNA’s AMC debut did not collapse. It stalled. The talent is there. The platform is there. Until TNA commits fully and unapologetically to wrestling as the centerpiece rather than the accessory, moments this big will continue to feel smaller than they should.
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AEW Dynamite- Maximum Carnage: MJF Beats Bandido To Retain | Omega Returns | Rascalz Are All Elite| PAC VS Darby
01/16/2026
AEW Dynamite- Maximum Carnage: MJF Beats Bandido To Retain | Omega Returns | Rascalz Are All Elite| PAC VS Darby
It's Thursday, and you know what that means! It is time to walk through those Tavern doors and order up a round of professional wrestling coverage from The Two Bad Chads! This week we talk AEW and all the happenings of the week! Make sure you go to patreon.com/theturnbuckletavern for all your Tavern needs!
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