Squared Circle Podcast

By Marie Shadows

I created a wrestling planner for you in 2024. Now I'm podcasting my thoughts with you about wrestling, media press and indie events, & exclusively bringing you into the workshop rooms of Inside T... more

· Sports

3.7

66 ratings

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FAQs about Squared Circle Podcast:

How many episodes does Squared Circle Podcast have?

The podcast currently has 352 episodes available.

Squared Circle Podcast episodes:

September 10, 2024AEW Drama: Unthinkable Violence for the Sickos! AEW All Out 2024
Welcome to the Squared Circle Podcast with your host Marie Shadows! Please support Marie Shadows via the links:
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All my links
***
In this episode, Marie Shadows takes a stand against the shocking and controversial ending of AEW All Out 2024, highlighting actions that cross ethical boundaries and violate human rights within wrestling. Focusing on specific incidents—such as Bryan Danielson being suffocated with a bag by Jon Moxley and Hangman Adam Page's disturbing actions towards Swerve Strickland—Marie argues that these acts go beyond entertainment and pose real dangers to the wrestlers' safety and autonomy. She discusses the implications of such imagery on the perception of wrestling, the importance of respecting the humanity of wrestlers, and the potential consequences of ignoring these issues. Marie also addresses the difference between sponsorships and affiliate sponsorships in this context and reaffirms her commitment to speaking out, despite others being silenced.
Introduction: Overview of the controversial ending to AEW All Out 2024, featuring extreme acts that push the boundaries of acceptable wrestling content.

Segment 1: Detailed analysis of Bryan Danielson's match ending, with a focus on the dangers of being suffocated with a bag and the broader implications for wrestler safety.

Segment 2: Examination of the unsanctioned match between Hangman Adam Page and Swerve Strickland, discussing the unethical implications of using a needle and the impact of unprotected chair shots to the head in light of what we know about CTE.

Segment 3: Exploring the theme of human rights violations in wrestling, focusing on the loss of autonomy and the line between entertainment and exploitation.

Segment 4: Discussion on the role of sponsorships vs. affiliate sponsorships in the wrestling industry, and how such incidents can affect the business side of wrestling.

Segment 5: Marie’s personal stance on the matter, her intent to not be silenced, and the importance of standing up against unethical practices in wrestling.

Closing Remarks: Recap of the episode’s key points, Marie’s call to action for fans and industry professionals to reconsider the direction of wrestling content, and a reminder of the need to respect wrestlers' rights and safety.
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1h 15min
August 28, 2024 Mercedes Mone & Tony Khan Meltdowns! Explosive AEW Drama Over Media Members!!
Welcome to the Squared Circle Podcast with your host Marie Shadows!
Join my reddit community: 18+ community https://www.reddit.com/r/squaredcirclepodhub
Join my substack community: https://marieshadows.substack.com
Buy Me A Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/marieshadows
Buy Merch + Memberhsip: https://marie-shadows-shop.fourthwall.com
Subscribe to the youtube: https://youtube.com/squaredcirclepodcast
All my links: https://campsite.bio/marieshadows
***
Episode Summary:
In this episode, Marie Shadows dives deep into the recent unprofessional behavior displayed by Mercedes Mone and Tony Khan, highlighting key moments where both figures overstepped during media interactions:
• Mercedes Mone's Unprofessional Conduct: During a media Q&A session, Mercedes Mone interrupted a reporter who was attempting to ask for her advice on handling struggles. Mone, who has talked in previous interviews about her divorce, took the opportunity to embarrass and insult the reporter, suggesting he was hitting on her, to which he clarified he had been married for nine years. Marie discusses how Mone's overreaction showed a lack of professionalism and awareness in handling media.
• Tony Khan's Meltdown: Tony Khan had a public meltdown during a press conference when a reporter described a "championship title" as a "joke." Khan immediately cut off the reporter to vehemently defend the title's significance, correcting him as if he were a child. Marie points out the immaturity and the lack of adult behavior within AEW's management and roster. She argues that knowing the proper history and not the AEW history, the title is indeed a "joke."
• Will Ospreay's Misunderstanding of AEW's Finances: Marie discusses Will Ospreay's lack of understanding regarding Tony Khan's "business strategy." She highlights that Tony Khan essentially breaks even while hosting AEW shows in the UK. No report ever says AEW was profitable during a UK event. PPV buys are one thing. Ticket sales are another. But the breakdown of how much is left over after everyone gets a cut on the money is still unclear and thus, AEW most likely breaks even without a profit. With the recent AEW All In event, there was a notable absence of celebration around the attendance numbers, hinting at a low turnout. The reality, Marie argues, is that the UK has (some) money to spend while the U.S. market is currently struggling financially.
• Ricochet's Mistake of Alienating AEW Fans and AEW fans wanting only GOOD SHOWS!: In another example of poor decision-making, Ricochet, who recently moved from WWE to AEW, engaged in a spree of responses to trolls and negative comments just three days into his AEW tenure. Marie explains how such behavior only serves to alienate fans. She highlights the lack of understanding among AEW fans regarding how to sustain a business. An exciting show doesn't mean everyone gets paid, and the financials need to make sense.
Key Takeaways:
• The importance of professionalism when representing a brand.
• AEW's management struggles to maintain a mature and constructive dialogue with the media.
• The reality of AEW's financial situation in the UK versus the USA.
• Wrestlers' need to understand their impact on fan relations and business sustainability.
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1h 9min
August 07, 2024 Konosuke Takeshita Made Me Go Viral - A THREADS Emotional Love Story
Welcome to the Squared Circle Podcast. I am the host, Marie Shadows.
Since questioning the booking of Konosuke, all kinds of fanboys came from left field to not have a conversation with me. Mostly they didn’t and wanted to talk amongst themselves as if I — the OP — wasn’t there. I had conversation with those I replied to so they can understand my perspective on the matter but for those that laughed at me because I stand firm in being a realist when talking about pro wrestling and told me that: wrestling isn’t that deep. I know for a fact, that person wasn’t looking for a productive conversation, so I simply said: “Then don’t seek out and comment on wrestling threads if you believe that.” Before that a comment read: Takeshita winning is always the correct decisions if we’re being honest.” I automatically knew that commentator didn’t want to have a conversation. He wanted to just hear his comment. This is where I find out ‘fanboy’ can be offensive. My response to that previous statement was: If you’re a fanboy, yeah. If you're a realist no.
Konosuke Takeshita Made Me Go Viral - A THREADS Emotional Love Story (substack.com)
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1h 4min
August 06, 2024 Cody Rhodes vs The Internet: How Fan Backlash Is Destroying Wrestling Interviews
Happy Tuesday!
Welcome to a brand new podcast episode called: Cody Rhodes vs The Internet: How Fan Backlash Is Destroying Wrestling Interviews
On this epsiode, your lovely host, Marie Shadows did the research by watching the Cody Rhodes interview with Chris Van Vilet and consulted her Young Bucks book to see what this “lie” is about that has fans calling Cody Rhodes out on.
News flash! There is no lie. How can someone lie about their experience and truth at a company they’ve helped build, found, and wrestled for? In the interview with Chris, Cody Rhodes is completely right. He said that the IWC and [dirt sheet] writers will take what he’ll say and spin it and everyone will argue about it. This is paraphrasing, but the jist of what happened.
I tweeted, and it went viral. Thanks twitter! I defended in general that all wrestlers should be able to speak their truth on a podcast interview. If you don’t agree with the guest, then that’s ok too. There are exceptions to the rule, of course. Like if a guest is truly lying and you can prove it with evidence, then yes, call it out. But if Cody Rhodes is recounting his tale and the experiences, he has with AEW and you weren’t a fly on the wall to know what actually, then don’t speak on that kind of business.
In my tweet, I call out that Tony Khan and enablers have created an environment of hate, backlash, and negativity without consequences, and it must be stopped. In the episode, I give specific examples on how Tony Khan and enablers have created such an environment, and this teaches fans that it is ok to say hurtful, harmful, and even bully wrestlers and other fans who do not agree with them at all.
Thank you for reading this and listening to the episode. As always, please share this post and leave a comment! Tell a friend!
Notes:
1. I am working on a discord — stay tuned.
2. Subscribe to http://youtube.com/squaredcirclepodcastt
3. Buy my http://marieshadows.my.canva.site/wrestlingplanner
4. https://open.spotify.com/show/1xiOxkejNwRRSnqFV1tcF8?si=9b1f7a0d29dd4c4e
5. marieshadows.substack.com
6. campsite.bio/marieshadows
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56min
July 26, 2024G1 Climax 34: Nights 2 & 3 - Wrestling Analysis & Threads Viral Moment
Welcome to a brand new episode of the Squared Circle Podcast by yours truly Marie Shadows. I review night 2 and 3 of the G1 Climax 34 and talk about my bonus podcast episode all about Konosuke and the viral moment I had on Threads. Thanks for listening, and don’t forget to keep an eye for the brand new Wrestle Threads dropping soon too.
Link: https://campsite.bio/marieshadows
Link: marieshadows.substack.com (wrestling newsletter)
Show Notes:
Introduction:
Welcome to the latest episode of our G1 Climax 34 coverage!

Quick update on my recent viral moment on Threads due to my discussion about Konosuke Takeshita.

Why the term "fanboy/fangirl" is somehow offensive thus automatically making me clown and exposes me.
Night 2 Review:
Match-by-match breakdown of G1 Climax 34 Night 2.

Key highlights and standout performances.

Analysis of the win/loss decisions and their impact on the tournament.

Extra insight into the booking choices and possible storyline directions.

Questions and thoughts on the booking decisions.
Night 3 Review:
Detailed review of the matches from Night 3.

Discussing the in-ring action and notable spots.

Critique of the match outcomes and their implications for the tournament brackets.

Additional commentary

Throwing the idea around for NJPW to have draw decision in the tournament
Fan Reactions and Social Media Buzz:
Small recap of how the wrestling community reacted to my viral Threads post.

Teasing the full bonus podcast episode
Final Thoughts:
Summarizing the key takeaways from Nights 2 and 3 of G1 Climax 34.

Speculations and predictions for the upcoming matches.

Encouraging listeners to tune in to the full podcast episode dropping later today.

Call to action: Subscribe, leave a review, and join the discussion on our Threads community.
Outro:
Thanking listeners for their support and engagement.

Teasing the next episode and upcoming content.

Signing off with social media handles and contact information.
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1h 5min
July 22, 2024 NJPW G1 Climax 34 (night 1): The Smart, The Worst, Unpredictable Wins/Losses, & AEW+TK Influence
Welcome to an epsidoe of the Squared Cirlce Podcast! I am your host Marie Shadows! Today, I'm reviewing night 1/opening night of the G1 Climax 34.
G1 Season is upon us, and night 1 — the opening night for the G1 Climax 34 — has happened. I’m shocked, in awe, and mostly head-scratching. In this episode, I review all matches except for one, questioning the decisions of New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) and discussing the influence of AEW and Tony Khan.
Overview:
The G1 Climax tournament is supposed to build new stars, new stories, and feuds. However, with the random wins and losses, nothing makes sense at this moment. The writing is on the wall: Tony Khan doesn’t want any of his guys to lose to NJPW wrestlers. This might change as the tournament progresses, but I doubt it. The impact of AEW politics is evident in the tournament's early stages.
The Smart G1 Climax 34 Match: Gabe Kidd vs. EVIL
EVIL and the House of Torture are known for their interference and shenanigans. This match, however, was clean, taken outside among the Japanese fans, which has become Gabe Kidd’s calling card. The smart segment was the ref bump situation. Usually, in House of Torture matches, the babyface is naive to the obvious ref bump, followed by chaos. In this match, Gabe Kidd threw the ref out in a rage, leading to minimal interference until Dick Togo choked Gabe Kidd, and EVIL used his finisher for the win. The ending fell flat, but the match was well-executed.
The Worst G1 Climax 34 Match: Callum Newman vs. Shota Umino
My constructive criticism is nothing personal. Callum Newman’s constant high spots without storytelling made the match feel like two rookies in wrestling school. Shota Umino, who recently recovered from an injury, can have good matches but went along with Newman's pace, resulting in a sloppy performance. It felt like neither wrestler had a grip on the other. Callum needs to develop a character beyond just being fast. Shota, mentored by Jon Moxley, also needs to step out of his mentor's shadow and find his unique style. This match was the worst of the night, highlighting that both wrestlers are still green.
AEW+Tony Khan’s Influence in the G1 Climax 34: Yota Tsuji vs. Konosuke Takeshita
Tony Khan’s reluctance to let his wrestlers lose is evident. Yota Tsuji, who recently had a documentary made about him, should have been pushed as part of the Reiwa Musketeers. Instead, he lost to Konosuke Takeshita, who represents AEW more than DDT Pro. Takeshita should have had more NJPW matches before the tournament to make his win believable. Tsuji has put in the work and should be allowed to win more to solidify his status. This match exemplifies Tony Khan’s influence and NJPW’s inability to say no to him.
Final Thoughts:
The G1 Climax 34 is supposed to build new stars and stories. However, with random wins and losses and external influences, it’s hard to make sense of the direction. NJPW needs to balance pushing young talent without making it feel rushed or influenced by external politics.
Links:
campsite.bio/marieshadows
...more
1h 43min
July 16, 2024 [Tape Study Series] AJ Styles vs Naomichi Marufuji | Pro Wrestling Noah Destination 2024 | WWE 🤝 NOAH
Welcome to a new episode of Tape Study by Marie Shadows! Hello everyone! Hope all is well!
The concept of Tape Study Series is to be observant with pro wrestling and breakdown matches so wrestling fans can have a deeper appreciation for the art and wrestlers can learn from the masterclass of the review and live reaction. Tape Study Series does not invoke any kind of toxicity or negativity. Tape Study won’t dive into a simple: this sucks - and leave it as such and like we’ve seen so many times on the internet. Tape Study is about breakdown characters, stories, angles, and more.I’m passionate about wrestling.
AJ Style vs Naomichi Marufuji
This is a dream match done correctly and had the right amount of buzz surrounding a bucket list of a match in our lifetime. WWE always had a small hand in the Japanese wrestling market with their few shows in Japan some years ago. But currently, WWE has inked a media rights deal to showcase and broadcast WWE programming in Japan on their media rights deal to showcase WWE programming in Japan on the Abema network.
Now we are seeing the rise of other Japanese promotions wanting to work with WWE. Pro Wrestling Noah is one of the few.
AJ Styles vs Naomichi Marufuji is the match we did not know we needed. It was a game of chess between the two. Very well-seasoned veterans with legendary careers fought like warriors with counters and power moves to see who the best was/is.
It seemed like Marufuji studied AJ Styles just based off of the counters you see during the match. AJ Styles gave us a phenomenal match. It felt like NJPW AJ appeared.
The ending is a surprise — to me at least. I won’t spoil it, but I would love to hear your comments!I hope you enjoyed the breakdown video!
Leave me a message!
What was your favorite part of the match?
Was this your dream match?
How many ‘stars’ do you feel AJ vs Marufuji deserves?
How was my breakdown?
If you’re a lurker of the newsletter, you can send me a direct message anytime!
Links: https://campsite.bio/marieshadows
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49min
July 09, 2024 Moxley vs Naito - AEWxNJPW Forbidden Door 2024 - Tape Study Series by Marie Shadows
Welcome to the Squared Circle Podcast with your host Marie Shadows! Marie Shadows reviews Jon Moxley vs Naito for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship at the one-side AEWxNJPW Forbidden Door PPV for 2024.
The Internet Wrestling Community made this match a bigger deal than usual. It wasn't that bad, but the chemistry was off because Moxley and Naito have two different mindsets when it comes to wrestling and the wrestling audience. It was evident here and Marie Shadows breaks it down and explains the two mindsets.
What works for NJPW in Japan doesn't have a high percent chance of working with an American audience. And what American audiences are used to and enjoy during their wrestling doesn't have a high percent chance of working with a Japanese audience.
This video is podcast is about breaking down the match for the Tape Study Series. It's similar to what Stevie Richards does on his show.
Thanks for watching, commenting, liking, and sharing.
All my links: campsite.bio/marieshadows
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56min
July 07, 2024 Cash-in. Failure. Retirement. Money In The Bank 2024 Review
Welcome to the Squared Circle Podcast by your host Marie Shadows! Marie Shadows reviews Money In The Bank 2024! She deeps dive into the Men's MITB Ladder Match and why Drew McIntyre was the right choice and why Damien Priest retaining made sense. She gives Triple H flowers for standing by Damien Priest and the whole crew given that the ref for that match didn't count to three. Marie gives her reaction to John Cena retires in 2025. Marie Shadows goes over the rest of the card. Thanks for listening! Please share!
All my links: campsite.bio/marieshadows
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51min
June 20, 2024 The Glasgow Screw Job - Clash At The Castle WWE PLE Review 2024
Welcome to the Squared Circle Podcast with your host Marie Shadows! On this episode of the Squared Circle Podcast, Marie Shadows dives into a review for Clash at the Castle PLE and agrees that Drew McIntyre got screwed. Drew McIntyre should have won against Damien Priest! However, the Glasgow Screw Job was done to perfection! CM Punk screwing over Drew is cinema and awesome. The story is deep between Drew and Punk.
Marie Shadows reviews the other matches on the card and what she liked about them and didn't like about the matches. Marie Shadows quickly talks about NXT PLE, Monday Night Raw (6.17.24), and gives a disclaimer on The Wyatt Sicks.
Thank you for listening! Please share!
Links:
https://youtube.com/insidersprowrestling (for all Wyatt Sicks info!)
campsite.bio/marieshadows
marieshadows.substack.com
https://marie-shadows-shop.fourthwall.com
Direct tips: https://venmo.com/marieshadows
youtube.com/squaredcirclepodcast
twitch.tv/marie_shadows
...more
51min

FAQs about Squared Circle Podcast:

How many episodes does Squared Circle Podcast have?

The podcast currently has 352 episodes available.