Much Ado About Wrestling

The Scholars answer 21 questions about WrestleMania 42

The Scholars briefly talk through their WrestleMania worries and plans to watch (or not watch) this year. Then they discuss Darby Allin winning the AEW World Championship on this week’s Dynamite. (3:14).

Then, they focus the rest of the program on Previewing WrestleMania 42. They discuss every match on the card, the muddy build for Cody vs. Randy Orton, the people primed for WrestleMania Moments, what to expect from John Cena hosting, whether or not the rocket will be strapped to Oba Femi coming out of Mania, and so much more! (14:50).

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The Scholars talk about the illustrious history of betrayals in pro wrestling, and their roots in Greek & Shakespearean drama

The Scholars talk shop, looking at news items. They discuss Danhausen in WWE, including why his debut was not well received while his work since is beloved (02:50). Then they talk about the rumor of Brock Lesnar not wanting to lose another match until he retires, and what that means for the roster of monsters in waiting (15:27). They preview the bonkers card of Sunday’s AEW Revolution, and whether we think they will pull the trigger on Hangman being banned from the AEW Championship scene (22:24).

Then, they focus the rest of the program on the word of the day, Betrayal!. They talk about Finn Balor’s exodus from the Judgement Day and Randy Orton turning on Cody on Smackdown. Then they discuss the importance of betrayal to the creation of drama, and what makes for a deep rich betrayal in wrestling versus a lackluster one. Then they look at some of the most famous betrayals in theatre, film, and literature – and answer the question “has pro wrestling done this one before?” (31:32).

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The Scholars perform their annual (and futile) exercise of predicting the WrestleMania card – And yes, there will be BOX TALK!

The Scholars briefly talk about what wrestling entrance music would be great to perform at karaoke, before diving into some AEW NEWS ITEMS — mainly, the decision to move the Women’s World Title to Thekla, and the scary thought of Hangman Page not being able to challenge for the AEW Championship anymore. (03:19)

Then, they focus the rest of the program on Prognosticating the WrestleMania 42 card! They aim to break their two-years-running streak of only getting 4 matches correct. They start by discussing the matches they agreed upon, like the Punk vs. Roman as potential night 2 main event, and the joy of a Grande Americano vs Grande Americano match. Then they transition to the difficulty in booking the WWE Championship match with all the moving parts and potential players involved. They get into a lot of “Box Talk” and “Masked Man” talks, and try to determine if Gunther can afford to lose a match and still maintain his legend killer gimmick. And finally, they attempt to round out the card with matches that are believable but still get as many big names on the show. (19:50).

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The Scholars try to define what a Transitional Champion is and whether it’s a real thing to begin with

The Scholars hunker down from the impending snowpocalypse and talk about some recent news items. They talk about the TNA Impact on AMC debut and how to move forward (8:00), the AJ Styles vs. Gunther match booked for Royal Rumble and the impending doom of AJ’s retirement (in WWE or elsewhere…) (18:00), and then they debate whether AEW’s wrestlers have moved up/down the card in the past few years or if Bryan Alvarez’s claim that there’s stasis is valid (24:45).

Then, they focus the rest of the program on the word of the day; Transitional Champion. They talk about the pejorative usage of the phrase, and how the idea of transitional champions came from early WWE Championship title reign patterns. They debate the importance of title reign length and title defense numbers in determining a transitional champion, and whether you can call someone transitional in real time or only after the fact. They talk through some notoriously good and bad examples of transitional champions. Finally, the scholars settle on a new definition and Tyler acts as judge on a handful of past examples of title changes, labeling who is and isn’t a transitional champ (31:30).

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The Scholars do a belated post-mortem on John Cena’s last match, and make New Year’s Wrestle-utions

After some chitchat about New Year’s Eve and Stranger Things (01:50) The Scholars start by talking through John Cena’s Last Match. They talk about the difference in their opinions in the moment versus with some time to think it over, the controversial finish to the match, the intention to the very theatrical story at the heart of the match, the pomp and circumstance to the whole evening, and little details that rubbed Andrew the wrong way. Then, they discuss the retirement tour as a whole, things they would change, and what’s next for John Cena. (10:00)

Finally, it’s time for the New Year’s Wrestle-utions. They talk about what the bookers Triple H and Tony Khan should focus on in 2026, what is in store for New Japan on the eve of Tanahashi’s retirement, the crazy thing Tyler said about Mercedes Mone, and what is to be done about the state of (checks notes) Wrestler’s Necks! (46:55).

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The Scholars talk about John Cena becoming a Grand Slam Champion, and Preview AEW Full Gear 2025

The Scholars start by talking about the European Championship and Andrew attending tonight’s Full Gear PPV.

Then, they check in on John Cena’s Retirement Tour. They talk through the remaining wrestlers in the Last Time is Now tournament, speculate about who will replace Sheamus, and take a live look at how expensive tickets are for Cena’s last match (10:40)

Then, the Scholars pivot to our mini-word of the day; Grand Slam Champions. They talk about the different title paths needed to be a Grand Slam champ, the way this accolade is used by WWE in the periphery, what wrestling can take from EGOTs or Golf Grand Slams, and determine what the criteria should be for an AEW Grand Slam (26:21).

Finally, it’s time for the Full Gear 2025 Preview. They talk about the trend of assigning cash prizes to matches in AEW, whether Moxley/O’Reilly or Brodido/FTR will steal the show, if Mercedes Mone will win the big one, whether Hangman is going to do a moonsault off the cage, and if Briscoe joining the Don Callis Family would be giant buyer’s remorse. (47:15).

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The Scholars talk about Tournaments in Pro Wrestling History, from the simple to the complicated

The Scholars start by opening a pack of WCW Trading Cards from 1991! The question isn’t whether Andrew will draw a Ric Flair card, but how many Ric Flairs will he draw. (05:40)

Then, the Scholars pivot to taking news items. They contemplate the serious implications on AEW of a Warner Brothers Sale, discuss the strange Andrade Contract situation, debate if CM Punk of Jey Uso should be the next WHC, and speculate what a Broken Hardyz match looks like in 2025. (18:00).

Then, it’s time for the Word of the Day: Tournaments. They talk about the machinations and multiple storylines that can be mined within a bracket format, run through predictions for the upcoming tournament to crown the first AEW Women’s Tag Champions, run through wrestling history to talk about tournaments that worked or didn’t work, and then pitch some new wacky tournament ideas (48:45).

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The Scholars answer totally real listener questions

The Scholars start by briefly talking about, (checks notes) the etymology of the word “palooza” (01:10)

Then, the Scholars pivot to taking listener questions from the Kayfabe Mailbag. They start with questions about the future head of WWE creative, the status of “kayfabe” in 2025, and the underwhelming launch of ESPN Unlimited (06:54).

Then, they pivot to a series of questions about WrestleMania 43 in Saudi Arabia, AEW’s response to this, and the overall TKO strategy of making money over keeping ticket prices affordable for families (27:23).

Next, they discuss nostalgia filled weeks of tv with NXT Homecoming and AEW from the ECW Arena (46:10).

And finally, they answer a series of questions about today’s double big-event day with AEW All Out & WWE WrestlePalooza (55:53).

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The Scholars recount the life and times of Hulk Hogan

The Scholars start by briefly talking about SummerSlam this weekend, and what is in store for the two night event. (06:00)

Then, the Scholars pivot to the life of the late Hulk Hogan. They try to correctly explain the legacy and impact he had on professional wrestling as an industry and art form while also holding in their hands the flaws of Terry Bollea. They talk about the amazing timing his return to WWF had in the lead up to WrestleMania 1, the disappointing and now final appearance of his career at the Netflix Raw Premiere, and all of the highs and lows in between — including obits and comments from various people in the wrestling industry. (13:06)

They close their episode by breaking out the Tony Atlas Truth Index to, lovingly, revisit some of our favorite wild claims that Hogan said in interviews over the years. What band did Hogan almost play bass for? What other sports star was too afraid to fight Hogan in WCW? Wait, how many days did Hulk say he wrestled in a calendar year??? (59:55)

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Follow us/ leave us a question for the Kayfabe 5000 on TWITTER or FACEBOOK

Listen to Tyler’s band TURBO MANSION

Check out Andrew’s WRITING

The Scholars recount the life and times of Hulk Hogan

The Scholars start by briefly talking about SummerSlam this weekend, and what is in store for the two night event. (06:00)

Then, the Scholars pivot to the life of the late Hulk Hogan. They try to correctly explain the legacy and impact he had on professional wrestling as an industry and art form while also holding in their hands the flaws of Terry Bollea. They talk about the amazing timing his return to WWF had in the lead up to WrestleMania 1, the disappointing and now final appearance of his career at the Netflix Raw Premiere, and all of the highs and lows in between — including obits and comments from various people in the wrestling industry. (13:06)

They close their episode by breaking out the Tony Atlas Truth Index to, lovingly, revisit some of our favorite wild claims that Hogan said in interviews over the years. What band did Hogan almost play bass for? What other sports star was too afraid to fight Hogan in WCW? Wait, how many days did Hulk say he wrestled in a calendar year??? (59:55)

Subscribe to our show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

Follow us/ leave us a question for the Kayfabe 5000 on TWITTER or FACEBOOK

Listen to Tyler’s band TURBO MANSION

Check out Andrew’s WRITING