This week, Darragh, Cian and Kev are back with an episode that swings wildly across sci-fi, fantasy, anime, and franchise fatigue.

We kick things off with Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, debating whether Trek’s new lighter, younger tone is a bold evolution or a step too far into whimsy. Is this the future of Star Trek—or the point of no return?

From there, Kev brings unexpected praise for A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, the Game of Thrones spin-off that trades dragons and doom for hopeful knights, low stakes, and surprisingly effective toilet humour.

Then things go fully nuclear as we dive into Jujutsu Kaisen, with Kev arguing it’s delivered one of the greatest anime episodes of all time — a brutal, stylish, Kill Bill-inspired explosion of violence that sparks a wider conversation about why anime keeps running laps around Western franchises.

We wrap up with a big-picture discussion on the future of major franchises — Marvel, Star Wars, Doctor Who, and whether audiences are finally rejecting safe, recycled storytelling.

📅 Air Date: 24-01-26

📻 Phoenix 92.5 FM & wherever you get your podcasts

Spotify / YouTube Chapters

00:00 – Intro & What We’re Covering

04:12 – Star Trek: Starfleet Academy – Cute or Catastrophe?

22:45 – A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms – Thrones Gets Small (and Weird)

39:30 – Jujutsu Kaisen – Anime Goes Full Nuclear

01:02:10 – Why Anime Is Winning Right Now

01:15:40 – Franchise Fatigue: Marvel, Star Wars & Doctor Who

01:32:20 – Final Thoughts & Wrap-Up

#NerdToKnow,#StarTrek,#StarfleetAcademy,#GameOfThrones,#KnightOfTheSevenKingdoms,#JujutsuKaisen,#AnimeTalk,#FranchiseFatigue,#GeekCulture,#Podcast,#PopCulture

📅 Air Date: 27-01-26

This week on The Wrestling Rewind, we break down a loaded week of WWE TV, international crowds doing the heavy lifting, and a fascinating trip back to the Attitude Era — for better and worse.

We start with SmackDown in London, Drew McIntyre’s first appearance as WWE Champion, and the surprise spotlight on Leon Slater, as the X Division Championship appears on WWE television. We discuss what this crossover means for TNA’s role in modern wrestling, why Slater feels like a genuine future star, and how WWE has quietly embraced TNA as its long-term developmental pipeline.

From there, we head to Raw from Belfast, a genuinely special night carried by an electric crowd. We break down Becky Lynch’s unapologetic heel heat, Finn Bálor’s emotional home-country return, and why his match with CM Punk may be one of the best TV matches WWE has produced in years. We also debate whether Finn’s long-overdue main event push is finally happening — and why the Demon might be the key.

The tone shifts as we look ahead to Saturday Night’s Main Event, questioning whether WWE is fixing old problems by creating new ones. From over-saturation to nostalgia burnout, we debate whether these shows add anything meaningful so close to the Royal Rumble.

Finally, we fire up the time machine and revisit Royal Rumble 2000. We discuss the incredible Triple H vs Cactus Jack street fight, Taz’s shocking WWE debut, the strange structure of the Rumble match itself, and why a show remembered fondly by many doesn’t quite hold up on rewatch.

🎧 Thoughtful, nostalgic, and brutally honest — tune in now.

▶️ YouTube Chapters

00:00 – Welcome & Week Setup

01:50 – SmackDown in London

03:45 – Leon Slater Appears on WWE TV

06:10 – TNA’s Role in Modern WWE

08:05 – Carmelo Hayes & the Open Challenge

10:00 – SmackDown vs Raw This Week

11:40 – Raw from Belfast Begins

13:15 – Becky Lynch’s Heel Heat

15:05 – Finn Bálor’s Homecoming

17:45 – Finn vs CM Punk: TV Classic

21:00 – Is Finn Finally THE Guy?

23:00 – Judgment Day & Future Turns

26:10 – Saturday Night’s Main Event Problems

29:00 – Too Much Nostalgia?

32:00 – Time Machine: Royal Rumble 2000

34:40 – Taz’s WWE Debut

37:30 – Tables Match Reality Check

40:10 – Triple H vs Cactus Jack

43:30 – Royal Rumble Match Breakdown

47:20 – Rock, Big Show & The Finish

51:10 – Does This Rumble Hold Up?

54:30 – Final Verdict & Grades

59:45 – Plugs & Sign-Off

🎧 Spotify-Formatted Timestamps

00:00 Intro & show overview

01:50 SmackDown in London fallout

03:45 Leon Slater & the X Division title on WWE TV

06:10 TNA as WWE’s true developmental

08:05 Carmelo Hayes & open challenge praise

10:00 SmackDown outperforming Raw

11:40 Raw from Belfast review

13:15 Becky Lynch heel promo reaction

15:05 Finn Bálor’s return & crowd response

17:45 CM Punk vs Finn Bálor analysis

21:00 Finn’s future as a top babyface

23:00 Judgment Day tension

26:10 Saturday Night’s Main Event criticism

29:00 WWE creating new problems

32:00 Royal Rumble 2000 overview

34:40 Taz debuts & chokes out Kurt Angle

37:30 Hardy Boyz vs Dudleys tables match

40:10 Triple H vs Cactus Jack street fight

43:30 Royal Rumble match structure issues

47:20 The Rock, Big Show & McMahon chaos

51:10 WrestleMania 2000 fallout

54:30 Final thoughts on RR 2000

59:45 Plugs, thanks & sign-off

#TheWrestlingRewind #WrestlingPodcast #WWE #TNA #LeonSlater #FinnBalor #CMPunk #RoyalRumble2000 #AttitudeEra #ProWrestling #WrestlingAnalysis #WrestlingCommunity

📅 Air Date: 20-01-26

This week on The Wrestling Rewind, we split our focus between WWE’s UK tour plans for 2026 and a forensic rewatch of one of the most infamous pay-per-views of the Ruthless Aggression era — Royal Rumble 2005.

We open by breaking down what WWE’s early UK announcements really tell us about demand, pricing, venue strategy, and why the UK fanbase continues to feel both loyal and undervalued. From ticket availability to expectation management, we question whether WWE truly understands its international audience in 2026.

Then it’s time to hit the rewind button and revisit Royal Rumble 2005 — a show remembered less for greatness and more for chaos. We dissect a painfully thin roster, the consequences of a hard brand split, and a commentary team that sounded more hostile than professional. From JBL’s underwhelming title reign and an overlong Triple H vs Randy Orton main event, to Edge vs Shawn Michaels quietly stealing the show, the cracks are everywhere.

The Royal Rumble match itself takes centre stage as we unpack the Daniel Puder beatdown, the shallow mid-2000s talent pool, and the infamous botched finish that ended with Vince McMahon tearing both quads in real time. We debate whether the ending was truly a botch, Vince’s need to be part of the moment, and how the chaos accidentally reshaped WrestleMania 21.

We close by grading the show, questioning whether nostalgia has softened its legacy, and asking whether this era was less Ruthless Aggression peak and more Attitude hangover.

🎧 Honest, detailed, and unapologetically nerdy — tune in now.

▶️ YouTube Chapters (Short & Punchy)

00:00 – UK Tour Talk Begins

02:40 – WWE & the UK Market

06:10 – Pricing, Demand & Expectations

09:30 – Why the UK Still Gets Shortchanged

12:10 – Royal Rumble 2005 Overview

15:00 – Commentary Team Chaos

18:40 – JBL’s Title Run (Not Great)

22:00 – Triple H vs Orton Goes Too Long

25:30 – Edge vs HBK Steals the Show

28:40 – Undertaker vs Heidenreich Lore

32:20 – Casket Match Weirdness

35:40 – Thin Roster Problems

38:30 – Daniel Puder Beatdown Explained

42:10 – Mid-2000s Talent Pool Reality

45:30 – Cena & Batista Final Two

48:10 – Vince Tears Both Quads

51:30 – Botch or Planned Chaos?

54:20 – Grading Royal Rumble 2005

57:00 – Is It Worth Rewatching?

58:30 – Final Thoughts & Plugs

🎧 Spotify-Formatted Timestamps

00:00 Intro & WWE UK tour discussion

02:40 WWE’s UK demand vs delivery

06:10 Ticket pricing, availability & expectations

09:30 Why the UK market feels overlooked

12:10 Royal Rumble 2005 context

15:00 Commentary team rivalry & brand split issues

18:40 JBL, Big Show & Kurt Angle title match

22:00 Triple H vs Randy Orton analysis

25:30 Edge vs Shawn Michaels standout opener

28:40 Undertaker vs Heidenreich casket match

32:20 Kane, Snitsky & forgotten lore

35:40 WWE’s thin 2005 roster

38:30 Daniel Puder & the Kurt Angle incident

42:10 Hardcore Holly receipts & backstage culture

45:30 Cena & Batista botched finish

48:10 Vince McMahon tears both quads

51:30 Accident vs ego debate

54:20 Final grades & legacy of RR 2005

57:00 Should you rewatch this Rumble?

58:30 Plugs, thanks & sign-off

#TheWrestlingRewind #WrestlingPodcast #WWE #RoyalRumble2005 #WWETwitter #UKWrestling #WrestlingHistory #ProWrestling #WrestlingAnalysis #RuthlessAggression #WrestlingCommunity

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📅 Air Date: 11-01-26

This week on The Wrestling Rewind, we react to one of the biggest and most unexpected moments in recent WWE history as Drew McIntyre finally captures the WWE Championship in front of a live crowd. We break down why this win feels long overdue, how it corrects years of missed opportunities, and why Drew’s run could represent a genuine reset at the top of the card.

We dive deep into the Three Stages of Hell match, the return of Jacob Fatu, and how WWE suddenly went from having a “Cody problem” to multiple fresh, intersecting main-event feuds. We also discuss SmackDown’s return to three hours, why this episode justified the format, and how WWE seems to be learning when to pull the trigger instead of forcing the plan.

The conversation expands into the wider roster: Carmelo Hayes’ rise, Jordynne Grace’s WWE future, Jade Cargill’s exposed limitations, Chelsea Green’s unexpected momentum, and what WWE’s women’s divisions are still getting wrong. We also touch on Mark Cardona’s return, the Wyatt Six, CM Punk vs Bron Breakker, Netflix-era WWE presentation, and why this felt like a statement week for the company.

We close by hopping back into the time machine to review Royal Rumble 2012, revisiting Sheamus’ win, CM Punk vs Dolph Ziggler, forgotten booking decisions, and how different WWE felt — for better and worse.

00:00 Intro & Drew McIntyre title win reaction

02:10 Why this is Drew’s real championship run

06:30 Three Stages of Hell match analysis

10:40 Jacob Fatu return & future feuds

15:20 WWE’s Cody Rhodes problem revisited

20:10 SmackDown’s three-hour test

24:30 Carmelo Hayes & the US title scene

28:20 Jordynne Grace arrival & Jade Cargill criticism

34:10 WWE women’s division depth issues

39:40 Mark Cardona’s WWE return

43:10 Wyatt Six vs Bloodline comparisons

47:30 CM Punk vs Bron Breakker main event

52:10 Netflix-era WWE production & pacing

55:40 Royal Rumble 2012 review

58:30 Final thoughts, plugs & sign-off

#TheWrestlingRewind #WrestlingPodcast #DrewMcIntyre #WWE #SmackDown #ProWrestling #WrestlingAnalysis #WWENews #RoyalRumble #NetflixWWE #WrestlingCommunity

The new year kicks off with big franchises, bold predictions, and one extremely large snake as Darragh, Cian and Kev return for the first Nerd To Know Basis of 2026.

We dive into Stranger Things, discussing what lies ahead for Netflix’s flagship series and whether the hype can survive the long wait. From Hawkins, we head back to Pandora to unpack Avatar: Fire and Ash, breaking down what we know so far and whether James Cameron is about to dominate the box office once again.

Things then take a sharp turn into creature-feature territory with a review of Anaconda, revisiting the cult classic to decide if it’s dumb fun, misunderstood chaos, or just pure nonsense.

Finally, the NTKB Box Office Game returns, as the lads lock in their predictions for the biggest movies of 2025 — setting themselves up for glory, ridicule, and receipts later in the year.

📅 Air Date: 03-01-26

📻 Phoenix 92.5 FM & wherever you get your podcasts

📅 Air Date: 06-01-26

This week on The Wrestling Rewind, we kick off 2026 by taking a hard look back at WWE in 2025 which was a a year defined by transition, contradictions, and an industry searching for its identity. With a new co-host joining the show, we reflect on a year that felt less like a reset and more like a vibe check for modern wrestling.

We break down the arrival of the Netflix era, TKO’s growing influence, and how corporate priorities continue to reshape WWE’s creative direction. The discussion centers on John Cena’s retirement tour; his long-awaited heel turn, why it felt historic in the moment, and why it ultimately fell apart. From Cena’s final matches to the missing payoff involving The Rock, the run became a perfect snapshot of WWE’s ongoing struggle between nostalgia and progression.

The conversation expands to the bigger picture: WWE’s acquisition of AAA, the ongoing search for the next true top star, the lingering effects of the “John Cena problem,” and whether rotating faces at the top is the only way forward. We also dig into CM Punk fatigue, Paul Heyman’s latest betrayal, Becky Lynch passing the torch, AJ Styles’ emotional return to TNA, and one of the most chaotic TLC tag matches in recent memory.

We close with honest reflections on Goldberg’s unnecessary farewell, WWE’s increasing reliance on Saudi Arabia and Las Vegas, and what all of it says about where the business is really heading.

Timestamps

00:00 Intro, New Year & Martin stepping away

02:20 Welcoming new co-host Christopher Fanning

04:40 Christopher’s background, fandom & WWE gaps

10:40 2025 as a “vibe check” year

13:50 John Cena’s retirement tour & heel turn

17:40 Comparing Cena’s turn to Hogan & Taker

21:20 Why the heel run fizzled out

26:10 Cena’s matches, IC title & finality

29:40 The Rock’s role & missing payoff

33:20 WrestleMania fallout & Travis Scott confusion

36:20 WWE acquiring AAA

38:30 WWE’s next top star debate

43:20 The “John Cena problem” explained

46:40 CM Punk, Rollins fatigue & Heyman turn

49:40 Becky Lynch, torch-passing & acting

52:10 AJ Styles, TNA return & Cena classic

54:40 Match of the Year: SummerSlam TLC

57:10 Goldberg retirement rant

58:20 Saudi Arabia, Vegas & WWE money moves

59:00 Final thoughts, plugs & sign-off

Christopher's Podcast: The Josh Zodiac Podcast

YouTube: youtube.com/@THEJoshZodiacPodcast

TikTok: tiktok.com/@thejoshzodiacpodcast

X: x.com/joshzodiacpod

#TheWrestlingRewind #WrestlingPodcast #WWE #JohnCena #NetflixWWE #ProWrestling #WrestlingAnalysis #WrestlingHistory #BestOfTheYear #WrestlingCommunity

The new year kicks off with big franchises, bold predictions, and one extremely large snake as Darragh, Cian and Kev return for the first Nerd To Know Basis of 2026.

We dive into Stranger Things, discussing what lies ahead for Netflix’s flagship series and whether the hype can survive the long wait. From Hawkins, we head back to Pandora to unpack Avatar: Fire and Ash, breaking down what we know so far and whether James Cameron is about to dominate the box office once again.

Things then take a sharp turn into creature-feature territory with a review of Anaconda, revisiting the cult classic to decide if it’s dumb fun, misunderstood chaos, or just pure nonsense.

Finally, the NTKB Box Office Game returns, as the lads lock in their predictions for the biggest movies of 2025 — setting themselves up for glory, ridicule, and receipts later in the year.

📅 Air Date: 03-01-26

📻 Phoenix 92.5 FM & wherever you get your podcasts

📅 Air Date: 24-12-25

This week on The Wrestling Rewind, we cut through the nostalgia and tackle one of the most divisive moments in modern wrestling: John Cena’s final match and the fallout that followed. We break down the outrage, the unhinged fan reactions, and why Cena passing the torch to Gunther wasn’t just the right call in fact it was long overdue.

We dig deep into how Cena’s 20-year run reshaped (and arguably damaged) the wrestling business, why WWE fans struggle with the idea of legends losing, and how nostalgia has warped people’s understanding of how wrestling is supposed to work. From Super Cena and the Nexus burial, to Vince McMahon revisionism and the dangers of endless retirement tours, nothing is off-limits.

We also explore what this moment means for WWE’s future, the lack of truly established next-generation stars, and whether today’s wrestling wars will be won by building talent or simply selling memories.

#TheWrestlingRewind #WrestlingPodcast #JohnCena #Gunther #WWE #ProWrestling #WrestlingAnalysis #PassingTheTorch #WrestlingHistory #NoNostalgiaGlasses #WrestlingCommunity

Timestamps

00:00 – Intro, Christmas Eve broadcast & why this isn’t a festive episode

02:10 – AEW Dynamite in Manchester & Triller streaming issues

06:40 – Streaming services rant (Triller, Victory+, GAA app comparisons)

12:30 – Wrestling access, nostalgia & how fans used to find wrestling

17:10 – John Cena’s final match discussion begins

20:00 – Cena tapping out & immediate fan backlash

23:45 – Death threats, online derangement & misunderstanding wrestling logic

28:30 – Why Cena had to lose & how retirement matches should work

33:20 – Super Cena era, Nexus burial & long-term damage

38:40 – Why a Cena heel turn should’ve happened years ago

42:30 – Gunther as the correct opponent & nuclear heel heat

47:00 – WWE nostalgia culture & endless retirement runs

51:30 – Vince McMahon revisionism & rewriting wrestling history

55:30 – Final thoughts on Cena, the future, and closing remarks

59:22 – End

This week on The Wrestling Rewind, we dive headfirst into the biggest talking points shaping professional wrestling today. The Continental Classic returns — once again proving why pure wrestling still matters. We break down why AEW’s C2 has become one of the most legitimate and refreshing tournaments in modern wrestling, standing out in an era overloaded with gimmicks.

We also discuss the latest John Cena retirement tour news, including backstage rumors of a potential heel turn, celebrity involvement, and how WWE is handling the final chapter of one of the biggest stars in wrestling history.

The conversation turns critical as we review WarGames and Blood & Guts, questioning whether these once-special matches have lost their impact through overuse and questionable timing. Plus, we tackle WWE’s spiraling live event ticket prices, the long-term damage being done to the fanbase, and what this strategy says about TKO’s future plans.

Finally, we break down the industry-shaking news involving Warner Bros Discovery, Netflix, WWE, and AEW, discussing what a potential mega-deal could mean for the future of wrestling, streaming exclusivity, and whether the next wrestling war will be fought in boardrooms instead of rings.

🎧 Tune in now and join the conversation.

#TheWrestlingRewind #WrestlingPodcast #AEW #WWE #ContinentalClassic #C2 #JohnCena #WarGames #BloodAndGuts #WrestlingAnalysis #ProWrestling #StreamingWars #NetflixWWE #AEWOnTV #WrestlingCommunity

This week on The Wrestling Rewind, we dive headfirst into the biggest talking points shaping professional wrestling today. The Continental Classic returns — once again proving why pure wrestling still matters. We break down why AEW’s C2 has become one of the most legitimate and refreshing tournaments in modern wrestling, standing out in an era overloaded with gimmicks.

We also discuss the latest John Cena retirement tour news, including backstage rumors of a potential heel turn, celebrity involvement, and how WWE is handling the final chapter of one of the biggest stars in wrestling history.

The conversation turns critical as we review WarGames and Blood & Guts, questioning whether these once-special matches have lost their impact through overuse and questionable timing. Plus, we tackle WWE’s spiraling live event ticket prices, the long-term damage being done to the fanbase, and what this strategy says about TKO’s future plans.

Finally, we break down the industry-shaking news involving Warner Bros Discovery, Netflix, WWE, and AEW, discussing what a potential mega-deal could mean for the future of wrestling, streaming exclusivity, and whether the next wrestling war will be fought in boardrooms instead of rings.

🎧 Tune in now and join the conversation.

#TheWrestlingRewind #WrestlingPodcast #AEW #WWE #ContinentalClassic #C2 #JohnCena #WarGames #BloodAndGuts #WrestlingAnalysis #ProWrestling #StreamingWars #NetflixWWE #AEWOnTV #WrestlingCommunity