Mayhem Mics

Following the events of WrestleMania 34, we break down the 2018 WWE Superstar Shakeup. We analyze the roster changes for both Raw and SmackDown, including the arrivals of Drew McIntyre, The Miz, and Andrade 'Cien' Almas, while discussing the impact on future feuds and the overall balance between the two brands. We also touch on NXT's impressive TakeOver event, the upcoming Greatest Royal Rumble, and the state of WWE's booking for various superstars.

Mike Dodd joins the show to review the WrestleMania 34 card. The discussion breaks down the Intercontinental Championship triple threat match, the Charlotte Flair versus Asuka showdown, the mixed tag team match featuring Ronda Rousey, and the return of Daniel Bryan. The conversation also touches on the Cruiserweight Championship, the Bludgeon Brothers, and the build-up between John Cena and The Undertaker.

A look at the WWE 24 documentary covering WrestleMania 33, featuring a breakdown of the behind-the-scenes footage and the emotional weight of The Undertaker's final moments in the ring. The conversation explores the unique access provided by the special, John Cena’s appearances, and how the company handles character personas versus the real-life people behind them. The discussion also touches on the shift toward one-month pay-per-view events and the potential future of the brand split.

A breakdown of the Elimination Chamber and Fastlane 2018 pay-per-view events. Discussions include the inaugural women's Elimination Chamber match, the men's championship matches, the contract signing featuring Ronda Rousey, and the ongoing storylines surrounding AJ Styles, Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, and Shane McMahon on the road to WrestleMania.

An analysis of the WWE Network special documenting a year in the career of Kevin Owens. We explore the behind-the-scenes footage from SummerSlam 2016 to SummerSlam 2017, the humanizing moments shared between superstars like Owens and Finn Balor, and the surprising glimpses of Vince McMahon's involvement in daily operations. We also reflect on the value of documentary-style production in professional wrestling and discuss which other wrestlers we would like to see featured in future installments.

A look back at the matches from NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn III, including Almas versus Gargano, Authors of Pain versus Sanity, Hideo Itami versus Aleister Black, Ember Moon versus Asuka, and Bobby Roode versus Drew McIntyre. The discussion covers the impact of managers in wrestling, the shift in WWE pay-per-view lengths, the storytelling in tag team divisions, and the general quality of the NXT event format compared to the main roster.

We dive into the middle rounds of the Mae Young Classic tournament, discussing the high-stakes matchups from the Sweet 16 through the quarterfinals. We break down the performances of athletes like Kairi Sane, Bianca Belair, Shayna Baszler, and Toni Storm, analyzing how their specific styles and athletic backgrounds impacted the matches. The conversation also explores the behind-the-scenes realities of professional wrestling, including the prevalence of injuries in the tournament, the career journeys of competitors like Jazzy Gabbert and Serena Deeb, and the challenge of balancing in-ring action with limited television time.

A review of the 25th anniversary of WWE Monday Night Raw and the 2018 Royal Rumble. The discussion covers the appearances of legends like Stone Cold Steve Austin, the booking decisions regarding Enzo Amore, the return of Rey Mysterio, and Shinsuke Nakamura winning the men's Royal Rumble match. The hosts also examine current product trends, the quality of entrance music, and the shifting landscape of the roster.

A breakdown of the 2017 Survivor Series event, covering the return of The Shield, the women's traditional tag match, and the champion vs. champion clash between AJ Styles and Brock Lesnar. The discussion also touches on the status of the WWE roster following recent releases, the impact of NXT call-ups, and the potential for a women's tag team division. Thoughts are shared on the booking of Braun Strowman, the quality of Raw and SmackDown pay-per-views, and the pros and cons of part-time performers.

A review of the first four episodes of the inaugural 2017 Mae Young Classic, covering the entire opening round of the tournament. The hosts analyze the performances of the 32 competitors, the quality of the commentary provided by Jim Ross and Lita, and how the tournament format highlights talent compared to traditional weekly programming. Specific matchups are discussed, including standouts like Jazzy Gabert versus Abbey Laith, Rhea Ripley versus Miranda Salinas, and the main event between Kairi Sane and Tessa Blanchard.