Squared Circle Podcast

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Hey friends,

Let’s get into it. I need to be honest: right now, Konosuke is not my IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, and it’s not just about him. There’s a bigger picture here—how NJPW operates, how talent is booked, and how the prestige of the belt has been handled.

Konosuke is strong, can hit hard, and he knows how to get a reaction. He can point at the hard cam, call himself the alpha, and fans will respond—but fans don’t always know why they like him. They see power moves, muscles, and flashes of “charisma,” and that’s enough for them to cheer. But that’s shallow. Being a champion isn’t just about looking cool or generating hype; it’s about storytelling, psychology, and committing to the company and its audience.

Right now, Konosuke’s matches are mediocre at best. He relies on power moves, strikes, and big spots, but he no-sells, doesn’t work psychology, and doesn’t evolve over time. He claims he wants to “enhance the value of professional wrestling through battles” and show unprecedented fights—but we’ve seen it before. He’s doing the same things, and there’s no improvement. It’s not being an antagonist to stay stubborn; it’s just being stuck in your ways.

Fans on the fence want to see growth, want to become fans because they can watch someone improve, adapt, and become a complete wrestler. Konosuke has time to do this, but right now he’s just doing the same stuff with no nuance or selling. That’s why he’s not my champion.

Let’s talk about the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship itself. This is supposed to be the pinnacle of professional wrestling, and historically, it’s earned respect through commitment and storytelling. Moxley tried to carry it; it failed because he didn’t have that commitment. Zack Sabre Jr. held it; he’s technical, committed, and embodies the craft. But Konosuke? He wants to take the belt everywhere globally, which is fine—but it can’t replace commitment to NJPW and its fans.

The cheers and boos he gets in Japan are not endorsements of greatness—they’re reactions to the system. NJPW relies on ticket sales, attendance, and fan engagement across the Japanese tour circuit. A champion who isn’t committed to the company undermines that structure, and the numbers reflect it. If your IWGP Champion isn’t fully present, the whole ecosystem suffers.

It’s not just about Konosuke. Finlay is one example of a proven wrestler who gets overlooked despite delivering quality matches and having the skill to hold the title. Goto is another—he had the chance to elevate the belt globally, but NJPW’s booking and media priorities sidelined him. The choices to put the belt on someone who hasn’t earned it on a deeper level have real consequences for the promotion, its storylines, and its fans.

Evil is a case study in contrast: committed, company-minded, proven over time. If he had won the G1, the title would have been in the hands of someone who understands what it means to carry it responsibly. Konosuke? Not yet. He has flashes of potential, but the foundation isn’t there.

This all comes back to commitment. AEW, NJPW, and the global wrestling ecosystem are very different. You can make money and hype elsewhere, but the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship requires allegiance, storytelling, and respect for history. Being flashy isn’t enough.

Konosuke can still change and earn it. There’s room for improvement—selling, psychology, pacing, character work—but right now, he’s just powerful, loud, and inconsistent. That’s why he’s not my champion, and why fans, myself included, are hesitant to call him a legitimate IWGP World Heavyweight Champion.

Fans, this is your space to weigh in. Tell me:

• Can Konosuke evolve into a true champion?

• Should NJPW reconsider how titles are awarded in AEW crossovers?

• How do you feel about Finlay and other overlooked talent?

We need discussion that goes beyond the hype, beyond the AEW spotlight, and really examines what makes wrestling meaningful.

Can we make honesty great again?

This isn’t a slogan or some political tagline. It’s a real question — one that’s been sitting heavy with me lately. After six years of doing The Square Circle Podcast, I’ve seen a lot — in wrestling, online spaces, and life itself. I’ve seen how fast people throw away their morals, how quick they are to scream about decency while showing none.

This episode — this post — is my honest reflection on where I’ve been, what I’ve learned, and where we’re headed next.

🎙️ The Square Circle Podcast: From Ring Talk to Real Talk

When I first started, it was all about wrestling — the matches, the stories, the industry. I loved breaking down the art of it, calling out the fake outrages, the hypocrisy in fandoms, and the way the industry handles talent.

But over time, something shifted. Wrestling stopped being the only story. The world around it started bleeding in — morality, outrage culture, freedom of speech, how social media manipulates what we see and feel.

That’s why this episode feels different. I’m not just talking about wrestling — I’m talking about us.⚖️ The Moral Shift — And What We’ve Lost

Let’s be real: the morality of online culture has dropped off a cliff.

People preach empathy and decency until it no longer fits their narrative. Then it’s open season — no compassion, no context, no respect. That’s what’s been breaking my heart about social media and even the wrestling community.

We’ve lost the art of nuance. We’ve lost the ability to just have a conversation without needing to “win.”

So when I say make honesty great again, I mean bringing that back — being real without being cruel.

💭 Discord Notes — My Unfiltered Space

This is why I created Discord Notes. It’s the sidecast that lets me be freer, rawer, and more open.

On Discord Notes, I talk about everything — culture, politics, burnout, authenticity, and yes, wrestling when it ties into real life. It’s where I process the world outside the ring.

And I moved it all to Patreon because I want everything in one space — away from the noise, away from algorithms, and closer to the people who genuinely care about the conversation.

I’m not chasing numbers. I’m chasing honesty.

🌱 Looking Forward — The Future of The Square Circle Podcast

Six years in, I’m proud of the growth — the good, the bad, the fiery. I’m grateful for everyone who’s supported me, challenged me, and believed in this space for real talk.

Moving forward, I’m centralizing everything:
🎧 The Square Circle Podcast → still wrestling-based, still storytelling.
💬 Discord Notes → unfiltered conversations exclusive to Patreon.
🎥 More live streams → right on Patreon and YouTube.
🛍️ New merch → over at Fourth Wall.
🗣️ Group chat → no more Discord servers, just real conversations.

I’m embracing the imperfections — because that’s where the truth lives.

💝 Join the Conversation

If you’re tired of performative outrage… if you still believe in decency, in nuance, and in seeing both sides of a story — this community is for you.

Thank you for six years of conversations, disagreements, laughter, and growth. Here’s to the next chapter — and to making honesty great again. 💫

You can follow everything I do here:
👉 patreon.com/marieshadows

Welcome to the Squared Cirlce Podcast! I am your host Marie Shadows!

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Please visit the following:

https://patreon.com/marieshadows

https://campsite.bio/marieshadows

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Wrestling legend Mick Foley addressed an open letter to the President, warning about societal chaos, terrorism, and fear. But does his message capture the realities Americans face every day? In this video, Marie Shadows breaks down the letter, providing context, nuance, and a perspective that emphasizes personal agency and real-world understanding.

Key Points Covered:

• Leadership is a networked effort, not a solo act – “The president… is a face for what happens… it is his team that gets everything done.” (00:36:38)

• Separating fear from reality – Foley’s claims of absolute power and societal collapse are unpacked. (00:35:50)

• Immigration & choice – Legal immigrants vs. undocumented workers, and the real challenges of employment and opportunity. (00:55:17)

• Media perspective matters – Why relying on a single source can distort understanding. “Ground News… shows how headlines are made and how propaganda is shaped.” (00:51:17)

• Chaos does not equal progress – True progress comes from action, effort, and informed decision-making. (00:45:04)

Welcome to the Squared Circle Podcast! I am your host Marie Shadows!

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Support the brand and channel:

https://patreon.com/marieshadows

https://campsite.bio/marieshadows

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In this episode of the Square Circle Podcast, we dive into the latest development in the Raja Jackson case. Raja, son of former UFC champion Rampage Jackson, recently pled not guilty to felony and misdemeanor battery charges, despite clear video evidence of the incident.

I explain why this decision might not be in his best interest:

• Everything was live streamed, leaving little room for doubt.

• A guilty plea could have led to a reduced sentence and possible therapy, which he clearly needs.

• Streaming culture and “chat hoppers” may have contributed to the incident, but they do not absolve his responsibility.

We also touch on the wider context: the indie wrestling scene, fan interactions, and the challenges of navigating social media while live streaming. Finally, I weigh in on California’s legal system and what Raja might face moving forward.

📅 Raja Jackson is due back in court on November 24th, 2025, for a preliminary hearing.

I want to hear your thoughts: should Raja have pled guilty? Do you think he will serve the full seven years if convicted? Leave your thoughts in the comments, and let’s keep the discussion civil and thoughtful.

Welcome to the Squared Circle Podcast! I am your host Marie Shadows!

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Check this out - https://patreon.com/marieshadows

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In this episode, Marie Shadows and Dose Evil review MLW Slaughterhouse 2025 — the barbed wire, the electric chair, the tequila, and the tombstones. From the chaotic Chamber of Horrors to Shotzi’s horror show debut, this review balances comedy, critique, and passion for independent wrestling.

Timestamps

• 00:00 — Intro: Marie’s cold and Dose’s dwarf jokes 😂

• 02:00 — Opening Cage Match: “Chamber of Horrors” Breakdown

• 05:00 — Mr. Thomas’ rise and MLW’s booking puzzle

• 07:00 — Face vs. Heel confusion — who’s who in MLW?

• 12:00 — The Shotzi Segment: “The Graveyard Shift” debuts

• 14:30 — Priscilla Kelly returns — Hellfire vs. Halloween

• 18:00 — Don Gatto’s tequila chaos & Kwon’s revenge

• 23:00 — Podcast crossover dreams & Halloween talk

• 28:00 — The Opera Cup Begins: Star Jr. vs Volador Jr.

• 34:00 — Kojima vs. Bishop Dyer — the big man clash

• 40:00 — The MLW tombstones and Marie’s refusal to be buried

• 42:00 — Reflections: indie wrestling, fan connections, and future hopes

In the latest installment of Discord Notes, I opened up about more than just wrestling. Volume 7 is about building strong foundations — whether in conversations, communities, or creative platforms. It’s also about being honest: with myself, with you, and with the content I create.

For years, creators have been told to avoid politics and religion. I broke that rule in this episode. Why? Because culture itself is inseparable from both — and avoiding uncomfortable conversations only weakens our foundation.

Key Themes from Volume 7

• Patreon Relaunch: After experimenting with Fourthwall, I relaunched Patreon on September 9th, 2025. Fourthwall stays as my merch home (with fully original designs), but Patreon is now the hub for community, group chats, and deeper conversations.

• Cancel Culture & Free Speech: From Gail Kim vs. Riho to hateful comments on my Raja Jackson video, I highlight how we’ve confused opinions with facts — and how online discourse has lost the ability to find common ground.

• Foundations Matter: I use the metaphor of building blocks to explain why obsessing over “chipped blocks” (small issues) prevents us from building strong structures in culture, wrestling, and community.

• Wrestling Meets Culture: Saudi Arabia is buying influence — WrestleMania, Royal Rumble, and now EA. WWE continues its global growth, while AEW stagnates, and NJPW is suffocating under outdated traditions.

• Breaking My Own Rules: I reflect on faith, being raised Catholic, and the phrase “walk by faith, not by sight.” I argue that growth requires discomfort — and conversations about religion, politics, and culture can’t be ignored anymore.

Why This Matters
Wrestling isn’t just about matches — it’s a mirror of culture. Discord Notes is my space to unpack those intersections without the algorithm dictating what gets heard. Patreon allows me to have unfiltered conversations with you — free of censorship, rage-bait, and corporate control.

As I said in the episode: “Discord Notes Volume 7 is all about trying to find a really firm foundation in the things that we should talk about… not in a way that’s preachy, but in a way where we can grow.”

Please note: future Discord Notes will be on Patreon. I will keep this as wrestling. Stuff will be moving around.

https://patreon.com/marieshadows

Marie Shadows and Dos Evil review MLW Fury Road 2025, unpacking wild trios matches, Opera Cup intrigue, indie standouts like Shotzi, and unforgettable promos.

Timestamps:

• 00:00 – Welcome & Marie’s fiery intro

• 00:01:15 – MLW’s new “We Choose Violence” tagline & Texas crowd reaction

• 00:02:45 – Pirate trios match: Blue Panther’s technical mastery vs. awkward finish

• 00:17:30 – Paul London vs. Akamura: Kojima steals the spotlight with bagels

• 00:27:45 – Volador Jr. vs. Teton: Mask pull finish draws major heat

• 00:31:10 – Alex Hammerstone promo: “That crackhead Riddle” & MLW takeover plans

• 00:36:08 – Mads Krueger’s dark ambush & “Hail Contra” sign-off

• 00:37:43 – Shotzi vs. Alejandra Quintanilla: pacing issues but indie magic

• 00:42:30 – Closing thoughts: MLW’s balance of legends, chaos, and indie stars

Support:

https://patreon.com/marieshadows - I'm creating conversations in wrestling and culture - extended and other thoughts podcasts and shows

https://campsite.bio/marieshadows

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/got-presents-the-gospel-of-thomas-doug-the-epic-malo/id1562434265?i=1000729121093

Welcome to the Squared Circle Podcast! I am your host Marie Shadows!

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Support the brand further:

https://patreon.com/marieshadows - all other topics besides wrestling such as culture, life, advice, free speech

https://buymeacoffee.com/marieshadows - donations if you found this ep valuable

https://campsite.bio/marieshadows - all links

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In this episode of the Square Circle Podcast, Marie Shadows breaks down the shocking arrest—and near-instant release—of Raja Jackson on felony battery charges. What should have been a moment of accountability became a case study in how money bends the system, how parents blur the line between love and enabling, and how social media culture fuels real-world violence.

Marie dismantles the lazy “white money” narrative by showing how Rampage Jackson—himself a wealthy Black MMA fighter—used $50,000 in cash to secure his son’s release. She challenges listeners to look beyond race to the deeper forces of resources, character, and responsibility, while also examining the role of livestreaming, toxic chats, and the need for therapy and healing in an age of constant online escalation.

Time Stamps

• 0:00 – Intro: “How can good news turn into a what the fuck?”

• 1:30 – Podcast milestones, Patreon & merch announcements

• 5:00 – Setting the stage: Raja Jackson’s arrest and near-instant bail

• 10:00 – Breaking the myth of “white money” privilege

• 16:00 – Rampage’s $50,000 decision and the hypocrisy of parenting vs. discipline

• 22:00 – Streaming platforms, Kick culture, and how live chats fuel violence

• 29:00 – Therapy, trauma, and why punishment alone won’t fix this

• 35:00 – Broader warning: when creators can’t self-regulate, government will

• 42:00 – Final thoughts: money stays green, character decides everything

Welcome to the Squared Circle Podcast! I am your host Marie Shadows

***

Support:

https://campsite.com/marieshadows

https://patreon.com/marieshadows

https://open.spotify.com/show/5nGoROIAggUjr04rAQkKfR?si=7a6958d00f2940f4

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This episode isn’t gossip. It’s a case study in how love, anger, and performance collide until nobody knows where the act ends and the damage begins. Using the Masha Slamovich–Akira situation as a lens, we break down the patterns that trap people in toxic cycles—both in relationships and in industries that profit from chaos.

Big Idea 1: The Cycle of Toxic Love
Relationships don’t start toxic—they start with care, attention, and the promise that someone sees you. But when affection escalates into humiliation, apology, and repetition, love itself becomes a weapon.

• Affection That Feels Safe at First: “Because I care about you.” What should be comfort becomes a plea: please don’t hurt me again.

• Words as Weapons: “Now you can love the memory of me.” Poetry as a tether, keeping a victim tied to pain.

• Devotion Turned Against You: “Once again, my love doesn’t come with an asterisk.” Unconditional love can become leverage.

• Identity Attacks: “You’re femme as f* and I’m not gay.” Humiliation disguised as honesty cuts deeper than fists.

Big Idea 2: Abuse Isn’t Always Physical
Not all damage leaves a bruise. Emotional abuse can linger for years and is often invisible.

• Invisible Scars: Words like “you’ll never be enough” echo long after a busted lip heals.

• Silence Feeds the Cycle: Unsounded protests allow the pattern to repeat.

• Love as a Trap: Staying out of hope that love will “win” can keep someone trapped.

• Abuse Has No Gender: Men can be victims. Women can be abusers. No stereotype protects anyone.

Big Idea 3: Wrestling Culture Makes It Worse
This is bigger than two people. Wrestling rewards chaos and blurs lines between performance and personal boundaries.

• Brutal Schedules and Frayed Tempers: Exhaustion makes patience harder, and abuse more likely.

• “Work the Gimmick” = Blur the Line: Selling intimacy as a job makes it easy to forget where the act ends.

• Public Pain as Content: Online outrage consumes real suffering for clicks.

• The Pop Isn’t Worth Your Soul: No angle, booking, or cheer is worth living in fear.

Big Idea 4: Lessons We Have to Carry
This story is a mirror for every relationship and community that confuses passion with pain.

• Anger Is Not Love: Hitting, throwing, or humiliating is control, not passion.

• Communication Saves Lives: Speak up. Step away. Break the cycle with conversation.

• Love Yourself Enough to Leave: Walking away isn’t weakness—it’s survival.

• Truth Over Gossip: Talk about hard things without turning pain into entertainment.

Three Smaller but Crucial Ideas

• Performance Isn’t Consent: A crowd pop doesn’t erase personal boundaries.

• Algorithms Thrive on Suffering: Outrage and pain get clicks; popularity doesn’t equal truth.

• Healing Requires Accountability: No one is a cartoon villain. Acknowledging harm is step one.

Final Thought
The Masha–Akira story isn’t about picking sides. It’s about recognizing patterns before they trap us, refusing to mistake chaos for love, and remembering that no pop, storyline, or relationship is worth your soul.

Time Stamp

• 00:00 – Intro, context, and my personal disclaimers.

• 03:00 – My brief interactions with Masha & Akira in the wrestling scene.

• 08:00 – The first text message exchange—what it reveals about anger and control.

• 17:00 – Overstimulation, bad matches, and misplaced frustration.

• 28:00 – Physical abuse and the pictures of injuries.

• 35:00 – Weaponizing sex and status in a toxic relationship.

• 41:00 – Why communication matters more than winning an argument.

• 47:00 – The breakup texts and what they teach us about self-awareness.

• 50:00 – My call for accountability and healthier outlets for anger.

Welcome to the Squared Circle Podcast! I am your host Marie Shadows!

In this episode of the Square Circle Podcast, Marie Shadows dives deep into WWE’s WrestleMania 43 announcement for Saudi Arabia. She calls out the hypocrisy of wrestling activists, defends freedom of speech as the bedrock of her platform, and highlights why wrestling needs to be experienced worldwide. From ticket price outrage to the debate over Saudi women wrestling, Marie doesn’t shy away from uncomfortable truths — instead, she offers perspective, solutions, and a challenge: stop the performative activism and start doing the real work.

Wrestling belongs to the world, not just the loudest voices online. And if you value honest conversations that don’t shy away from the messy parts of wrestling, politics, or life, I invite you to join me over on Patreon - https://patreon.com/marieshadows

That’s where I share Discord Notes, Tape Study, and Crossroads interviews and editorials — content that dives deeper than what you’ll find here. Patreon is also where we can build community, exchange ideas, and have conversations that actually matter. Wrestling talk stays free right here, but if you want the full picture — join me on Patreon. The door is always open.

Timestamps

• 00:00 – 02:00 Gratitude to listeners + free speech foundation

• 02:00 – 07:00 Wrestling activism & Twitter outrage

• 07:00 – 13:00 WWE’s Saudi Arabia partnership explained

• 13:00 – 19:00 Sports washing, identity politics, and double standards

• 19:00 – 25:00 Women wrestling in Saudi vs. OnlyFans hypocrisy

• 25:00 – 33:00 Positive impacts of WrestleMania in Saudi

• 33:00 – 39:00 Indie promotions’ opportunity during Saudi WrestleMania week

• 39:00 – 47:00 WWE ticket price inflation & TKO’s strategy

• 47:00 – 51:00 Patreon, Discord Notes Vol. 7, and community-building