The Finisher a Loading Snacks Podcast

Who had the better wrestling gimmick: Sting or The Undertaker? Jokes and Marcus take opposite sides in a debate about two legendary characters and what made them stand out.

First, the conversation turns to AEW WrestleDream, including Ilja Dragunov's debut, Will Ospreay retaining the AEW World Championship in Clockwork Carnage, the Young Bucks retaining their tag titles, and the New Level losing the Trios Championships.

The hosts also discuss Adam Copeland's potential final run, the future of Clockwork Carnage, AEW's changing tag team scene, and the Max Caster controversy.

Then the main debate begins: Sting's mysterious, Crow-inspired presentation versus The Undertaker's supernatural character and legendary presence. Jokes and Marcus disagree, and now it's your turn to pick a side.

Follow Loading Snacks for more wrestling and pop culture conversations. Find us at loadingsnacks.com and follow @thefinisherpodcast on Instagram.

Is WWE's Money in the Bank formula becoming too predictable?

On Episode 51 of The Finisher Podcast, Jokes and Marcus debate whether Money in the Bank still serves a purpose in WWE or whether it's time to completely reinvent the concept. They explore moving the event to WrestleMania, introducing an Option C-style system through the midcard championships, changing the ladder-match formula, and even having one briefcase for the entire company.

The conversation then turns to The Fiend and Bray Wyatt. Was The Fiend actually a failure, or did WWE's booking and creative decisions prevent the character from reaching its full potential?

The episode also touches on Goldberg, John Cena, Alexa Bliss, the Firefly Fun House, supernatural characters, and what could have made The Fiend work even better.

Follow Loading Snacks for more wrestling, gaming, anime, tech, conventions, and pop culture.

CHAPTERS
00:00 Intro & Remembering PAC
04:03 Money in the Bank
09:44 The Option C Idea
13:51 Making Midcard Titles Matter
26:04 Reinventing the Match
29:24 One Briefcase?
31:03 What Went Wrong With The Fiend?
46:12 John Cena & Goldberg
47:53 The Fiend Needed a Weakness
52:40 The Fiend's Legacy
54:29 Outro

The Finisher Podcast is back with two major wrestling discussions! Jokes and Marcus break down the controversy surrounding Trick Williams' pulled Lemon Pepper Steppers shirt, including the design, cultural optics, WWE's Wingstop partnership, and whether the shirt actually fit Trick's character. Then we dive into the ultimate WWE “What If?” — what would have happened if CM Punk never left WWE? transcript (15)Key topics covered: - Trick Williams' Lemon Pepper Steppers shirt controversy and WWE pulling the merchandise- The design, cultural context, and optics surrounding the shirt- Whether WWE's Wingstop partnership could have changed the presentation- Could the Lemon Pepper Steppers gimmick survive the controversy?- What if CM Punk never left WWE?- How CM Punk staying could have changed Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, The Shield and The Bloodline- CM Punk's potential feuds with Daniel Bryan, Brock Lesnar and John Cena- How Punk staying could have affected future WWE and AEW stars- Could WWE have eventually gotten its own version of Bullet Club?Chapters:00:00 – Intro & Housekeeping02:00 – Trick Williams' Lemon Pepper Steppers Shirt07:30 – Is the Shirt Actually Offensive or Just Bad Design?12:30 – WWE, Wingstop & The Cultural Context17:30 – What Should Trick Williams' Next Shirt Look Like?22:00 – Could WWE Abandon the Lemon Pepper Steppers Gimmick?26:00 – What If CM Punk Never Left WWE?31:00 – How CM Punk Could Have Changed The Shield36:00 – Roman Reigns' Career Without CM Punk Leaving41:00 – CM Punk vs. Daniel Bryan, Cena & Lesnar46:00 – AJ Lee, The Women's Division & Other WWE Stars51:00 – Would The Fiend, AEW & Other WWE Stars Be Different?56:00 – Could WWE Have Gotten Bullet Club?59:00 – Final Thoughts & Closing#WWE #TrickWilliams #CMPunk #TheFinisherPodcast #Wrestling #RomanReigns #TheBloodline #SethRollins #ProWrestling

The New Level has arrived in AEW! 🔥On The Finisher Podcast Ep 49, Jokes and Marcus break down the debut of The New Level at AEW All In and discuss what their arrival could mean for the future of AEW.Then we take a trip back to the Attitude Era and debate some of our favorite WWE entrance themes from one of the most iconic periods in wrestling history. Which themes still hit today? Which superstar had the ultimate entrance music? And which Attitude Era theme deserves more love?🔥 In This Episode:The New Level makes their AEW debutBreaking down The New Level's arrival at AEW All InWhat The New Level could mean for AEWOur favorite WWE Attitude Era entrance themesThe best entrance music of the Attitude EraWrestling nostalgia and the themes that defined an eraChapters:00:00 – Intro02:15 – Remembering Andy Williams, “The Butcher”06:00 – The New Level Debuts in AEW10:00 – Why The New Level Won the AEW Trios Championships14:00 – What’s Next for Austin Creed & Kofi Kingston?18:00 – The New Level, Swerve & Future Matchups22:00 – Could The New Level Revive AEW Gaming?27:00 – The New Level’s Future in AEW31:00 – Attitude Era Entrance Themes Begin34:00 – Undertaker & The Rock38:00 – DX & Triple H42:00 – Kurt Angle’s “Medal”46:00 – The Rock’s “Electrifying”50:00 – Chris Jericho’s “Break the Walls Down”54:00 – Stone Cold’s “Glass Shatters”58:00 – The Disturbed Version of “Glass Shatters” Debate01:02:00 – Chris Benoit’s “Whatever” & Honorable Mentions01:07:00 – WWE Theme Songs We Want to Discuss Next01:10:00 – Final Thoughts & Outro#TheFinisherPodcast #AEW #TheNewLevel #WWE #AttitudeEra #Wrestling #KofiKingston #AustinCreed #StoneCold #WrestlingPodcast

WWE contract season is heating up, and The Finisher Podcast breaks down the stars who could be on the move — including Bayley, Johnny Gargano, Rey Mysterio, Damian Priest and more. Jokes and Marcus also debate AEW's current direction, potential WWE-to-AEW moves, and which wrestlers across wrestling need the most work on the microphone.Key topics covered:WWE contracts expiring and potential releasesBayley's WWE future and possible AEW/independent opportunitiesJohnny Gargano's WWE status and potential departureRey Mysterio and Damian Priest contract speculationCould The New Day end up in AEW?AEW's current creative direction and lack of long-term storytellingWho across WWE, AEW and TNA needs the most mic work?Austin Theory, Liv Morgan, JD McDonagh, Maxxine Dupri and othersChapters:00:00 – Intro & The Finisher Podcast03:15 – WWE Contract Season Begins07:30 – Bayley's WWE Future13:00 – The New Day & Potential AEW Move17:30 – Johnny Gargano's WWE Status21:30 – Rey Mysterio & Damian Priest26:00 – WWE Releases & AEW's Current Direction31:30 – Who Needs the Most Mic Work?35:00 – Austin Theory, Liv Morgan & More39:30 – Final Thoughts

Zilla Fatu has finally arrived in WWE! The Finisher Podcast breaks down his shocking NXT debut, his impressive indie résumé, and what could be next for the son of Umaga. We also discuss Chelsea Green finally becoming a WWE Women’s Champion before suffering an orbital bone injury, Baron Corbin’s WWE return, and the growing rumors surrounding The New Day.Key topics covered:Zilla Fatu makes his WWE/NXT debut after years of anticipationZilla Fatu’s indie wrestling career, championships, and Samoan dynasty connectionsShould Zilla Fatu become the next member of The Bloodline?Chelsea Green finally wins a major WWE Women’s ChampionshipChelsea Green’s orbital bone injury and what WWE should do with the titleBaron Corbin returns to WWE and wins the United States ChampionshipCould Austin Creed and Kofi Kingston appear in AEW?New Day rumors and the possibility of appearances outside WWEChapters:00:00 – Intro & The Finisher Podcast02:00 – Zilla Fatu Makes His WWE Debut05:30 – Zilla Fatu’s Wrestling Career & Championship History08:00 – Could Zilla Fatu Join The Bloodline?10:00 – Chelsea Green Becomes WWE Women’s Champion12:00 – Chelsea Green’s Injury & The Championship’s Future14:00 – Baron Corbin Returns to WWE15:30 – New Day, AEW & Austin Creed Rumors17:00 – Final Thoughts & Episode 47 Outro

Nick Aldis is finally stepping back into the ring at SummerSlam—but many WWE fans only know him as SmackDown General Manager. In this episode of The Finisher Podcast, we break down his career from TNA to the NWA, preview his blockbuster match with Gunther, and debate our Mount Rushmore of Black wrestlers.Key topics covered:Nick Aldis' journey through TNA, NWA, and WWE leading into SummerSlamWhy Gunther vs. Nick Aldis could steal the showOur Mount Rushmore of Black wrestlers and Bayley's rumored WWE futureChapters:00:00 – Intro & SummerSlam preview04:30 – Nick Aldis' TNA (Magnus) career explained13:45 – NWA World Championship run & Cody Rhodes rivalry21:40 – Gunther vs. Nick Aldis: SummerSlam predictions29:50 – Mount Rushmore of Black wrestlers42:20 – Bayley's WWE contract & AEW rumors47:15 – Final thoughts & outro#WWE #SummerSlam #NickAldis #Gunther #WrestlingPodcast #TheFinisherPodcast #SmackDown #AEW #TNA #ProWrestling

Sami Zayn is finally WWE Champion—but was this the right time, or is he destined to be a transitional champion? On Episode 45 of The Finisher Podcast, Jokes and Marcus break down the shocking title change, Oba Femi giving up his King of the Ring opportunity to challenge Brock Lesnar, and finish things off by debating which WWE game has the greatest soundtrack of all time.Key topics covered:Sami Zayn's WWE Championship victory and what's nextOba Femi vs. Brock Lesnar at SummerSlamThe greatest WWE wrestling game soundtrack debateChapters:00:00 – Intro & Welcome02:10 – Sami Zayn becomes WWE Champion12:35 – Is Sami Zayn a transitional champion?22:05 – Oba Femi gives up King of the Ring to face Brock Lesnar35:30 – Who should challenge Sami next?43:40 – Best WWE game soundtrack ever?58:45 – Final thoughts & Outro

Who will leave Night of Champions as King and Queen of the Ring? This week on The Finisher Podcast, Jokes and Marcus break down WWE's tournament finals, discuss Oba Femi's massive rise, and explore how wrestling history could have changed if Cody Rhodes never left AEW.From SummerSlam predictions to the future of the Bloodline and Judgment Day, this episode dives into some of wrestling's biggest "what if" scenarios and hottest storylines.Key topics covered:Oba Femi vs Jey Uso and King of the Ring predictionsLiv Morgan vs Iyo Sky and the future of the women's divisionHow WWE and AEW would look if Cody Rhodes never left AEWChapters:00:00 – Intro & Wrestling Headlines03:05 – King of the Ring Finals: Oba Femi vs Jey Uso12:30 – SummerSlam Scenarios & Roman Reigns Discussion19:45 – Queen of the Ring: Liv Morgan vs Iyo Sky29:10 – Judgment Day, Dominik Mysterio & WWE Predictions38:20 – What If Cody Rhodes Never Left AEW?49:30 – How WWE Would Change Without Cody Rhodes58:45 – Final Predictions & Closing Thoughts#WWE #AEW #CodyRhodes #KingOfTheRing #QueenOfTheRing #NightOfChampions #RomanReigns #ObaFemi #WrestlingPodcast #TheFinisherPodcast

Chad Gable’s El Grande Americano storyline may have changed his WWE career forever. We break down Gable’s redemption arc, the future of his push, WWE championship potential, and one MASSIVE hot take: Is Rey Mysterio the greatest babyface in WWE history?We also debate John Cena vs Rey Mysterio as WWEs greatest face, discuss WWE’s booking history, Money in the Bank predictions, and where Chad Gable fits into the future of WWE.Key topics covered:Chad Gable’s El Grande Americano redemption storylineRey Mysterio vs John Cena debate as WWE’s greatest faceWWE title potential, Royal Rumble predictions, and future storylinesChapters:00:00 – Intro & Finisher Podcast opening03:18 – Chad Gable revealed as El Grande Americano09:42 – Why the storyline worked so well16:55 – Chad Gable’s redemption arc begins24:30 – WWE championship potential for Chad Gable33:12 – Future factions, Alpha Academy & WWE booking discussion42:08 – Marcus’ hot take: Rey Mysterio is WWE’s greatest face49:40 – John Cena vs Rey Mysterio debate58:15 – Final thoughts & audience questions