The Turnbuckle Tavern

Weekly breakdown of this weeks AEW Dynamite episode, plus hot takes on everything going on in the pro-wrestling industry!

AEW Dynamite: "The God" VS "The Devil" | MJF And Omega Set For Dynasty | Ospreay And Mox Continue Grudge | Roddy Joins Conglomeration 03/27/2026

Rawdown #222: Monday Night Crashout | Mark A** Stooge 03/25/2026

Wrestling Tonight: TONY KHAN BID $6.9B FOR WWE?! | RICOCHET CONTROVERSY HITS TMZ | DENNIS CONDREY PASSES AWAY | HECHICERO WINS CMLL GOLD 03/24/2026

Wrestling Tonight: TONY KHAN BID $6.9B FOR WWE?! | RICOCHET CONTROVERSY HITS TMZ | DENNIS CONDREY PASSES AWAY | HECHICERO WINS CMLL GOLD Turnbuckle Tavern is powered by G FUEL, the zero-sugar, zero-crash energy formula built to keep you going through late-night shows, gaming sessions, or your daily grind—save 20% now with code TAVERN at GFUEL.com. We’re also proudly powered by the Official Dick Lazer, a USB-C rechargeable multi-function pen with a red-dot laser, flashlight, blacklight, and a signature gag feature that makes it the ultimate conversation starter. Head to DickLazers.com, use code TAVERN for 20% off, and fuel up, save big, and always… keep it Tavern. Episode 175 covers one of the most news-heavy weeks across the wrestling landscape. We break down the revelation that Tony Khan submitted a $6.9 billion bid to purchase WWE during the 2023 sale process, what it means for AEW’s long-term vision, and how close it actually was to changing the industry. We also dive into the Ricochet controversy that crossed into mainstream coverage, the fallout from his comments, and what it means for his standing moving forward. Plus, Hechicero captures the CMLL World Heavyweight Championship from Claudio Castagnoli, continuing the growing crossover between AEW and CMLL. We also discuss the passing of Dennis Condrey, Mercedes Moné’s ongoing title losses, Callum Newman’s New Japan Cup win, Jade Cargill’s new alliance before WrestleMania, Gunther vs. Rey Mysterio plans in doubt, Ted DiBiase Jr.’s legal verdict, Dennis Rodman’s WWE Hall of Fame induction, Ronda Rousey’s AEW status, and the latest from AAA Rey de Reyes. Be sure to support the show and join our Patreon for just $2.99 a month for exclusive content at Patreon.com/TheTurnbuckleTavern. Follow us on social media @TurnbuckleTavern for all the latest updates. Until the following week, when we wine and dine with you kings and queens — stay out of the alley and away from the pork and beans. Good luck and good speed. /episode/index/show/turnbuckletavern/id/40571795

The Turnbuckle Debate #265 03/23/2026

AEW Dynamite: Revolution Fallout | Cope And Cage Return To Challenge FTR | Ospreay Returns For Mox | Who Is Next For MJF? 03/20/2026

Rawdown #221: '09 Randy Orton Is Back | CM Punk Is OLD 03/18/2026

Wrestling Tonight: AEW REVOLUTION ’26 FALL OUT | OSPREAY RETURNS | MJF SURVIVES HANGMAN’S TEXAS DEATH MATCH — HANGMAN BARRED FROM TITLE 03/16/2026

Wrestling Tonight: AEW REVOLUTION ’26 FALL OUT | OSPREAY RETURNS | MJF SURVIVES HANGMAN’S TEXAS DEATH MATCH — HANGMAN BARRED FROM TITLE Episode 174 breaks down the fallout from AEW Revolution 2026, a chaotic and violent night that reshaped several divisions across the company. In the main event, MJF defeated Hangman Adam Page in a brutal Texas Death Match to retain the AEW World Championship. The match pushed the limits of violence with glass, barbed wire, light tubes, chains, and some of the most disturbing spots AEW has ever presented. In the end, MJF knocked Hangman out with the Dynamite Diamond Ring and hung him with a chain, leaving him unconscious and unable to answer the ten count. With the stipulation attached to the match, Hangman Adam Page can no longer challenge for the AEW World Championship. Elsewhere on the show, Jon Moxley defeated Konosuke Takeshita in a brutal war to retain the Continental Championship before the shocking return of Will Ospreay, who stormed the ring and attacked the Death Riders after months away recovering from a neck injury. FTR retained the AEW World Tag Team Championships against The Young Bucks in another instant classic between the two teams. The celebration didn’t last long, however, as the lights went out and the chaos escalated with the surprise arrivals of Adam Copeland and Christian Cage, creating a tense standoff that immediately reshapes the tag team title picture. The AEW Trios Championships changed hands as Mistico and JetSpeed defeated the Don Callis Family, followed by the announcement that Mistico is officially All Elite. Other major results included Swerve Strickland defeating Brody King before Kenny Omega returned to stop a post-match assault, Andrade El Idolo defeating Bandido in a standout lucha showcase, and Thekla retaining the AEW Women’s Championship over Kris Statlander in a controversial two-falls-to-one match. In the women’s division, Timeless Toni Storm defeated Marina Shafir, but the bigger moment came afterward when Ronda Rousey appeared and confronted Storm, creating a tense face-to-face moment that could set up a massive future clash. Plus we run down the full Zero Hour results, preview the week ahead across RAW, NXT, Dynamite, SmackDown, TNA Impact, AEW Collision, and AAA on Fox, and look ahead to the major events shaping the wrestling calendar including TNA Sacrifice, NXT Road Block, NXT Stand & Deliver, WrestleMania weekend, AEW Dynasty, and more. Be sure to support the show and join our Patreon for just $2.99 a month for exclusive content at Patreon.com/TheTurnbuckleTavern. Follow us on social media @TurnbuckleTavern for all the latest updates. Turnbuckle Tavern is powered by G FUEL — the clean, zero-sugar, zero-crash energy formula that keeps you locked in for the main event. Whether it’s a late-night pay-per-view, marathon gaming session, or just powering through your day, G FUEL’s got your back. And right now, you can save 20% instantly with code TAVERN at checkout at GFUEL.com. Fuel up, save big, and always… keep it Tavern. Turnbuckle Tavern is proudly powered by the one-of-a-kind Official Dick Lazer which is the ultimate gag gift. There's a red-dot laser with over 1,000 ft range, plus a flashlight and blacklight all wrapped into a sleek, USB-C rechargeable pen that's just 1.4 oz. Perfect for pranking coworkers, lighting up bachelorette parties, college dorm antics, or just being the funniest person in the room. So don’t settle for boring: bring out the Dick Lazer and shine bright, outrageous, and unforgettable. Head to DickLazers.com and use code TAVERN for 20% off your order today. Light up the room. Get some laughs. And always… keep it Tavern. /episode/index/show/turnbuckletavern/id/40505360

The Turnbuckle Debate #264 03/16/2026

AEW Dynamite: Revolution Go-Home Episode | MJF And Hangman Brawl At Press Conference | Speedball VS Fletcher For TNT Title | Ciampa Turns On Briscoe 03/13/2026

Wrestling Tonight: WWE SCRAPS HELL IN A CELL MANIA PLAN | GUNTHER WITHOUT A MATCH? | AEW LAUNCHES MyAEW & OSPREAY RETURN ON TRACK? 03/12/2026

Wrestling Tonight: WWE SCRAPS HELL IN A CELL MANIA PLAN | GUNTHER WITHOUT A MATCH? | AEW LAUNCHES MyAEW & OSPREAY RETURN ON TRACK? Turnbuckle Tavern is powered by G FUEL — the clean, zero-sugar, zero-crash energy formula that keeps you locked in for the main event. Whether it’s a late-night pay-per-view, marathon gaming session, or just powering through your day, G FUEL’s got your back. Save 20% with code TAVERN at GFUEL.com. Fuel up, save big, and always… keep it Tavern. Turnbuckle Tavern is also proudly powered by the Official Dick Lazer — the one-of-a-kind gag gift that projects five penises with the flip of a switch. Featuring a red-dot laser with over 1,000 feet of range, plus a flashlight and blacklight, all packed into a sleek USB-C rechargeable pen. Head to DickLazers.com and use code TAVERN for 20% off. Light up the room, get some laughs, and always… keep it Tavern. Episode 173 dives into a packed week across WWE, AEW, NJPW, and the global wrestling scene as WrestleMania season continues to take shape. We break down the latest WrestleMania 42 plans, including Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton for the WWE Championship — and the original pitch that would have seen Rhodes face Drew McIntyre inside Hell in a Cell before WWE scrapped the idea. With McIntyre now expected to face Jacob Fatu, we look at what changed and why. The women’s division picture is also coming into focus, with Rhea Ripley set to challenge Jade Cargill for the WWE Women’s Championship, Tiffany Stratton reportedly heading toward a match with Giulia for the Women’s United States Championship, and internal discussions around IYO SKY vs. Asuka — possibly with Kairi Sane added to the mix. Meanwhile, one of the biggest mysteries heading into WrestleMania is Gunther, who currently holds the World Heavyweight Championship but reportedly does not have a locked-in WrestleMania program yet. We also discuss the growing WWE–ESPN controversy after reports surfaced that ESPN removed letter grades from WWE PLE reviews following objections from the company. Over in NXT, the road to Stand & Deliver is heating up with a tag team number one contender’s tournament announced for the NXT Tag Team Championships. We also look at the surprising distribution change as Stand & Deliver will stream globally on YouTube on April 4 following NXT’s exit from Peacock. On the AEW side, we examine the launch of the company’s new MyAEW streaming platform, which introduces AEW’s first FAST channel and a new international subscription model — a move that could reshape how fans watch AEW content worldwide. We also cover Will Ospreay’s progress toward an in-ring return, with reports suggesting a possible spring comeback and hopes that he’ll be ready for AEW All In at Wembley Stadium. Across the wider wrestling world, we look at Alex Windsor winning the NJPW Strong Women’s Championship, Konosuke Takeshita returning to NJPW for the New Japan Cup Finals, and the latest developments in the New Japan Cup tournament with Yuya Uemura, Shingo Takagi, Ren Narita, and Oleg Boltin advancing. We also preview major WrestleMania week events, including Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport XV featuring Yuji Nagata, Timothy Thatcher, Shayna Baszler, and Pete Dunne, Bandido vs. Amazing Red at HOG Culture Clash, and Mark Davis vs. Masato Tanaka at the WrestleCon SuperShow. Plus: AJ Styles’ new backstage WWE role, Pat McAfee addressing a potential WWE return, Maple Leaf Pro’s Multiverse event lineup, and the reported release of Niño Hamburguesa from AAA following an incident with a fan. WrestleMania season is heating up, streaming platforms are evolving, and major stories are unfolding across the wrestling world. Listen now. Be sure to support the show and join our Patreon at Patreon.com/TheTurnbuckleTavern for just $2.99 a month for exclusive content. Follow us on social media @TurnbuckleTavern for the latest updates. /episode/index/show/turnbuckletavern/id/40417605

Rawdown #220: Cody Rhodes Is Champion...Again | CM Punk Apologizes...Sort Of 03/11/2026

Wrestling Tonight: AEW REVOLUTION PREVIEW | CODY RHODES RECLAIMS WWE TITLE, SET FOR WM 42 CLASH WITH RANDY ORTON | NXT VENGEANCE DAY FALLOUT | 172 03/10/2026

Wrestling Tonight: AEW REVOLUTION PREVIEW | CODY RHODES RECLAIMS WWE TITLE, SET FOR WM 42 CLASH WITH RANDY ORTON | NXT VENGEANCE DAY FALLOUT | 172 Turnbuckle Tavern is powered by G FUEL — the clean, zero-sugar, zero-crash energy formula that keeps you locked in for the main event. Whether you’re watching a late-night pay-per-view, grinding through a gaming marathon, or powering through your day, G FUEL has you covered. Save 20% with code TAVERN at GFUEL.com. Fuel up, save big, and always… keep it Tavern. The Tavern is also proudly powered by the Official Dick Lazer — the one-of-a-kind gag gift that projects five images at the flip of a switch. Featuring a red-dot laser with over 1,000 feet of range, plus a flashlight and blacklight, all built into a sleek USB-C rechargeable pen. Head to DickLazers.com and use code TAVERN for 20% off. Light up the room, get some laughs, and always… keep it Tavern. AEW Revolution headlines Episode 172 as AEW returns to Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on March 15. The show is anchored by a Last Chance Texas Death Match for the AEW World Championship, with MJF defending against “Hangman” Adam Page, who puts his future title opportunities on the line. Also set for Revolution: • Jon Moxley vs. Konosuke Takeshita for the Continental Championship (no time limit) • FTR vs. The Young Bucks for the AEW World Tag Team Championships • Thekla vs. Kris Statlander for the AEW Women’s World Championship in a two-out-of-three falls match • Kazuchika Okada, Kyle Fletcher, and Mark Davis defending the AEW World Trios Titles Plus on Zero Hour, Ricochet defends the AEW National Championship in a 21-man Blackjack Battle Royal. In WWE, the road to WrestleMania 42 shifted when Cody Rhodes defeated Drew McIntyre on SmackDown to win the WWE Championship for the third time, officially setting up Rhodes vs. Randy Orton in Las Vegas. Another title change saw Penta defeat Dominik Mysterio on Raw to capture the Intercontinental Championship, capitalizing on tension within The Judgment Day. We also break down the fallout from NXT Vengeance Day, where Joe Hendry retained the NXT Championship against Ricky Saints, Tatum Paxley captured the NXT Women’s North American Championship, and new storylines began forming on the road to Stand & Deliver. Plus, we examine reports of a potential Paramount–Warner Bros. Discovery merger, which could combine HBO Max and Paramount+ and potentially reshape the streaming landscape — including what it could mean for AEW’s future distribution. AEW’s biggest spring pay-per-view approaches, the WrestleMania main event picture takes shape, championships change hands, and the wrestling industry continues to evolve. Listen now. Support the show and join our Patreon at Patreon.com/TheTurnbuckleTavern for just $2.99 a month for exclusive content. Follow us on social media @TurnbuckleTavern for the latest updates. /episode/index/show/turnbuckletavern/id/40357315

The Turnbuckle Debate #263 03/09/2026

Flagship Episode #300! AEW Dynamite: David Finlay Is All Elite | MJF VS Kevin Knight | Don Callis Family Wins Trios Titles 03/06/2026

Rawdown #219: Build For WrestleMania Continues | Penta Wins Intercontinental Championship | Danhausen Curses Dom 03/04/2026

Wrestling Tonight: WWE ELIMINATION CHAMBER FALLOUT | AJ STYLES HOF ENDS AEW TALK | ANDROID INOKI & MORE 03/03/2026

Wrestling Tonight: WWE ELIMINATION CHAMBER FALLOUT | AJ STYLES HOF ENDS AEW TALK | ANDROID INOKI & MORE Turnbuckle Tavern is powered by G FUEL, the clean, zero sugar, zero crash energy formula that keeps you locked in for the main event. Save 20 percent with code TAVERN at GFUEL.com. We are also proudly powered by the Official Dick Lazer. Head to DickLazers.com and use code TAVERN for 20 percent off. Fuel up, light it up, and always keep it Tavern. Episode 171 centers on Elimination Chamber fallout and the way one night in Chicago shifted the structure of WrestleMania 42. Randy Orton outlasted Cody Rhodes, Logan Paul, Trick Williams, LA Knight, and Je’Von Evans to secure a WWE Championship match on the biggest stage, but the path there was defined by interference rather than endurance. Logan Paul eliminated three competitors before Seth Rollins returned through an open Chamber door and attacked him, immediately destabilizing the match. That same opening allowed Drew McIntyre to enter and strike Rhodes with the WWE Championship. Orton dropped McIntyre with an RKO, Rhodes answered with Cross Rhodes, and as Rhodes stood, Orton delivered a second RKO to win. In the aftermath, Nick Aldis announced McIntyre will defend the WWE Championship against Rhodes on SmackDown, leaving Orton locked in for WrestleMania while Rhodes remains in pursuit and Rollins reenters the equation. The women’s Chamber provided clearer direction. Rhea Ripley defeated Tiffany Stratton, Raquel Rodriguez, Asuka, Kiana James, and Alexa Bliss to earn her WrestleMania match against Jade Cargill. Rodriguez created chaos with a double elimination, Asuka misted Bliss before being eliminated, and Ripley closed with the Riptide to formalize a high level collision at WrestleMania. AJ Lee added another headline by submitting Becky Lynch to win the Women’s Intercontinental Championship, her first singles title victory in over a decade, while CM Punk retained the World Heavyweight Championship against Finn Bálor after surviving sustained rib targeting and finishing with the GTS in his hometown. The long teased mystery crate revealed Danhausen, drawing a mixed reaction and existing more as spectacle than structural shift on the road to WrestleMania. Outside the Chamber, AJ Styles formally confirmed his in ring retirement. He will remain with WWE in a non wrestling capacity and enter the 2026 Hall of Fame, closing the door on speculation about a final run elsewhere. We also examine the newly announced Android Inoki project targeting 2027, which begins with an AI model trained on Antonio Inoki’s speech patterns and philosophy before integration into a humanoid form. Positioned as legacy preservation, it raises broader questions about likeness rights, commercialization, and how wrestling history will intersect with artificial intelligence moving forward. From a business standpoint, TKO disclosed that WWE generated 1.709 billion dollars in revenue for 2025. The 2026 Royal Rumble in Riyadh produced 55 million dollars, and WrestleMania 43 in Saudi Arabia is projected to exceed 100 million. WrestleMania 42 will follow a hybrid distribution model, beginning on ESPN and ESPN2 before shifting to ESPN Unlimited domestically and Netflix internationally, reflecting WWE’s continued evolution in broadcast and streaming strategy. Across weekly programming, championships changed hands on SmackDown and NXT, Bronson Reed suffered a distal biceps tear that forces creative adjustments, and AEW builds toward Revolution under schedule compression with MJF set to defend the AEW World Championship against Hangman Page in a Texas Death Match with permanent stakes language attached. Internationally, NJPW crowned new STRONG and Television champions, CMLL delivered a high stakes hair match at Arena México, and Mauro Ranallo joins commentary for Global Wars Canada. Episode 171 connects creative fallout, retirement finality, AI experimentation, revenue transparency, and shifting broadcast strategy as WrestleMania season accelerates. Listen now. /episode/index/show/turnbuckletavern/id/40270585

The Turnbuckle Debate #262 03/02/2026

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. /episode/index/show/turnbuckletavern/id/40238315

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

Rawdown #218: Elimination Chamber Preview | AJ Styles Is A Hall Of Famer 02/25/2026

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. /episode/index/show/turnbuckletavern/id/40192290

The Turnbuckle Debate #261 02/23/2026

SHOT OF NOSTALGIA: SHUFFLE | AEW DYNAMITE OCT 2, 2019 | THE TNT DEBUT | THE WEDNESDAY NIGHT WARS BEGIN | THE INNER CIRCLE FORMS 02/21/2026

AEW Dynamite: Grand Slam Australia Review | Swerve VS Omega | Hangman Challenges MJF To Texas Death At Revolution 02/20/2026

Rawdown #217: What's In The Box? | Elimination Chamber Qualifiers | WrestleMania Ticket Sales 02/18/2026

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. /episode/index/show/turnbuckletavern/id/40115030

The Turnbuckle Debate #260 02/16/2026

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. /episode/index/show/turnbuckletavern/id/40105035

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