The Heel Federation

Halloween Havoc had two women’s matches worth talking about. So why did we leave thinking about a haunted-house angle and commercial breaks?

Will, Erik and Danny get into what worked on the show, where the Shiloh Hill–Naraku presentation lost them, and how much Danhausen is too much Danhausen. Then TNA gives Will a Jeff Hardy angle he has to talk through, Erik makes the case for bringing back Evolution, and Danny explains why he’s enjoying Sami Zayn’s run.

In Book It Better, we give the John Cena Classic some stakes, pitch Carmelo Hayes as a guy who could actually use the win, and ask what WWE could accomplish with the wrestlers who lose along the way. Plus, Finn Bálor’s Demon, a New Japan palate cleanser, and some love for AEW's Blake Christian and Lee Johnson.

Timestamps
0:00 Cold open
0:27 Welcome to Heel Federation
3:41 Nathan Kromis interview follow-up
7:44 Pop of the Week
8:12 Erik’s pick — Sami Zayn’s interview with Chris Van Vliet
14:39 Danny’s pick — Finn Bálor’s Demon return
19:19 Will’s pick — New Japan’s wrestling-first show
23:55 Main Event — Will on where Halloween Havoc went wrong
28:34 Danny on Halloween Havoc’s haunted-house angle
29:37 Danny’s Halloween Havoc match standouts
33:37 Erik grades Halloween Havoc
39:06 How much Danhausen is too much?
40:53 The Shit / The Shits / Not Shit Yet
41:16 Will’s pick — TNA’s Jeff Hardy angle
49:38 Erik’s pick — Where’s WWE Evolution?
54:03 Danny’s pick — Sami Zayn’s run
55:28 Book It Better — Will sets up the John Cena Classic
58:58 Erik’s pitch — Build new stars in one night
1:03:11 Erik’s prize idea — No. 30 in the Royal Rumble
1:04:08 Danny’s pick — Give Carmelo Hayes the win
1:05:49 Erik’s picks — Give an NXT wrestler a deep run
1:06:55 Will’s pick — Cruz Montana as a wild card
1:08:30 Three-Count Close — Will on Blake Christian and Lee Johnson
1:11:45 Danny on Crown Jewel and wrestler travel
1:13:35 Erik’s MLW Saturday Night SuperFight preview
1:19:38 Sign-off

We're joined in this bonus episode by independent photographer and lifelong pro wrestling fan Nathan Kromis of Khrome Time Photography to talk about his journey from wrestling fan to capturing some incredible moments at ringside — all with a smartphone.

Nathan shares stories about growing up around WCW wrestlers, getting shoved by MJF, chasing down Billy Gunn for an autograph, and the unforgettable experiences he's had covering the independent wrestling scene in Georgia.

We also discuss the wrestlers making waves in 1FW, why independent wrestling offers something you can't always get from WWE or AEW, and Nathan's dream of one day photographing a major wrestling show from ringside.

It's a conversation about wrestling, creativity, community, and what happens when you turn something you love into something bigger.

Follow Nathan: Instagram @khrometimephotography

AEW gave Jay White a new faction… and then apparently changed its name almost immediately after fans complained. Was Tony Khan listening to the audience, or did AEW just make itself look ridiculous?

This week on The Heel Federation, Will, Erik, and Danny get into the controversy surrounding The Last Outfit becoming The Cut, and why the whole situation raises bigger questions about AEW's creative direction.

We also tackle WWE's Giulia problem. She's one of the most talented wrestlers on the roster, so why isn't she connecting with the audience? The guys pitch their own ways to get her back on track, including a possible reunion with Asuka.

Plus, we discuss Bayley and Lyra Valkyria delivering on Raw, Queen Aminata's big championship moment, Trick Williams and Sami Zayn's increasingly intense promos, and whether the John Cena Classic could actually become something special.

And for our Nostalgia Intermission, all three of us have finally seen Street Fighter. Let's just say we have some thoughts about the movie, the fighting, and what they did to Guile.

It's wrestling talk, arguments, fantasy booking, and the usual nonsense.

Timestamps
00:33 Intro & Halloween Masks
04:08 Pop of the Week: Sami Zayn & Trick Williams
10:18 Pop of the Week: Joe Alonzo Impresses in TNA
19:18 Pop of the Week: MLW Opera Cup: Austin Aries vs. Trevor Lee
26:38 Main Event: AEW's Jay White Faction Name Controversy
36:58 Main Event: Bayley vs. Lyra Valkyria
43:28 Main Event: NXT Halloween Havoc Preview
50:38 Street Fighter Movie Review (Spoilers)
1:03:33 Wrestling Collectibles & Shipping Nightmares
1:09:23 The Shit, The Shits, or Not Shit Yet
1:14:23 Book It Better: Fixing Giulia
1:27:03 Three-Count Close: John Cena Classic
1:33:38 Three-Count Close: Ethan Page & Big Cass
1:36:48 Halloween Stories & Closing

Is there simply too much pro wrestling right now?

This week on The Heel Federation, Will Hernandez, Erik Pimentel and Danny Hernandez debate whether WWE, AEW and TNA need an off-season to give wrestlers, creative teams and fans a much-needed reset.

The guys also review AEW WrestleDream, including its controversial Clockwork Carnage match, the Young Bucks' style of wrestling, and standout performances from Jon Moxley, Mark Davis, Mercedes Moné and Thekla.

Plus, Roman Reigns enters the WarGames picture, Killer Kross continues to impress in MLW, the guys revisit their favorite wrestling catchphrases, and Danny raises an interesting question about how NXT develops male and female talent.

And where does Bayley go from here?

Timestamps
00:56 Introduction
04:06 Pop of the Week: Roman Reigns & WarGames; Dragon Lee, Rey Mysterio & Chad Gable; Killer Kross Finds His Groove in MLW
17:56 Main Event: AEW WrestleDream Review
39:56 Nostalgia Intermission: Wrestling Catchphrases
51:56 The Shit, The Shits or Not Shit Yet
59:56 Book It Better: Does Wrestling Need an Off-Season?
1:16:56 Three-Count Close: NXT's Developmental Differences; What's Next for Bayley?
1:27:26 Final Thoughts & Wrap-Up

WWE gave us one of its most frustrating Premium Live Events of the year, and The Heel Federation isn't holding back.

Will, Erik and Danny break down what went wrong at Money in the Bank, including the baffling match order, Roman Reigns vs. LA Knight, Tiffany Stratton's controversial victory, Penta's big moment, and the disastrous spots in the men's ladder match.

Then it's TNA Bound for Glory. Did TNA deliver the better show, despite questionable booking and technical problems? The guys debate Frankie Kazarian's Call Your Shot victory, Leon Slater's title win, and Max Caster's sudden departure following his controversial entrance rap.

Plus:

• Roman Reigns fires back at Conrad Thompson
• Carmelo Hayes joins 9-4-6
• Erik shares his experience attending MLW
• The guys debate whether wrestling finishers mean anything anymore
• WWE's handling of Big Cass comes under fire
• Childhood wrestling stories get completely out of hand
• AEW, New Japan, Chad Gable and Rey Fenix

We're wrestling fans who still love the business, still want it to be good, and aren't afraid to call it out when it isn't.

Follow us on Instagram: @the_heel_federation

Timestamps
00:00 - Intro Music
00:12 - Introduction & Erik's Return
02:00 - Roman Reigns Responds to Conrad Thompson
08:37 - Pop of the Week
09:14 - Carmelo Hayes Joins 9-4-6
15:28 - AEW's Mystery Debut Teaser
19:46 - Erik's MLW Experience
28:41 - Main Event: WWE Money in the Bank Review
39:00 - Oba Femi vs. Bronson Reed
41:11 - Are Wrestling Finishers Meaningless?
46:38 - Book It Better: Money in the Bank
50:21 - TNA Bound for Glory Review
1:02:31 - The Max Caster Controversy
1:11:06 - Book It Better: Bound for Glory
1:15:00 - Nostalgia Intermission: Childhood Wrestling
1:24:41 - The Shits: Jericho and Nick Wayne
1:26:50 - WWE's Big Cass Booking Problem
1:32:40 - Three Count Close
1:33:06 - AEW and New Japan's Partnership
1:37:12 - Wrestling and the Street Fighter Movie
1:41:15 - Chad Gable vs. Rey Fenix

Is it finally time for Roman Reigns to lose the World Heavyweight Championship?

This week on The Heel Federation, Will and Danny break down Conrad Thompson's controversial comments about Roman Reigns, debate whether WWE should pull the trigger on LA Knight, and deliver their predictions for Money in the Bank and TNA Bound for Glory.

Plus, AEW Grand Slam France delivers a standout night of wrestling, Will makes his case for Kazuchika Okada and Will Ospreay, and the guys try to understand one of the most ridiculous wrestling spectacles of the year: TNA's Dude Wipes match.

We also discuss whether Oba Femi is being booked into a corner, Penta's championship potential, MJF heading to New Japan, and John Cena's latest Hollywood adventure.

It's wrestling conversation without the tribalism — plenty of praise, plenty of criticism, and more than a few laughs.

Follow us on Instagram: @the_heel_federation

Timestamps

0:42 Introduction & the 946 Mystery
3:48 Conrad Thompson's Roman Reigns Criticism
13:43 WWE Commercials, AEW & Wrestling Tribalism
16:32 Pop of the Week: Roman Reigns & LA Knight
20:20 Will's Pop: Okada vs. Ospreay
23:16 AEW Grand Slam France Review
29:01 AEW's New Gimmick Match
33:59 The Shit, The Shits or Not Shit Yet
34:56 TNA's Dude Wipes Disaster
37:33 TNA's Bound for Glory Ticket Problems
41:47 Bound for Glory Predictions
56:37 Money in the Bank Predictions
1:12:37 Three Count Close: MJF Heads to New Japan
1:17:24 John Cena's New Movie & Wrestling Actors
1:21:48 Closing Thoughts

The Heel Federation opens on a somber note this week as Will, Erik and Danny remember PAC following his shocking passing, reflect on his career from NXT and WWE to AEW, and discuss AEW’s emotional tribute show.

The conversation also turns to the ugly side of wrestling fandom and why using injuries and tragedy as ammunition in the WWE vs. AEW tribalism war has gotten completely out of hand.

Then the guys finally get into AEW All Out. Was the show actually good? Did another pay-per-view come too soon after All In? Why did the main event fall flat? And who deserves responsibility for the scary Steve Borden spot?

Plus:

• CM Punk brings back “This Fire Burns”
• Randy Orton shows why great promos don’t need constant yelling
• Our favorite supernatural wrestling gimmicks
• WWE’s renewed focus on its Mexican stars
• Is WWE already fumbling Big Cass?
• Should Enzo Amore return?
• TNA’s troubling ticket-sales situation
• Was Cruz Montana’s emotional NXT promo used too soon?

It’s another packed episode of The Heel Federation!

Timestamps

00:44 Intro
05:50 Remembering PAC
23:10 Wrestling Tribalism Has Gone Too Far
27:01 Pop of the Week
37:06 AEW All Out: Did It Deliver?
48:48 The Steve Borden Spot
1:00:43 Intermission: Favorite Supernatural Wrestling Gimmicks
1:18:07 The Shit, The Shits or Not Shit Yet
1:23:25 What Is WWE Doing With Big Cass?
1:35:34 Three Count Close
1:38:09 Is TNA in Crisis Mode?
1:42:40 Cruz Montana’s Emotional NXT Promo
1:47:09 Closing the Show

Is Avery Styles relying too much on his father’s playbook?

Will went to ETU Wrestling and got his first live look at AJ Styles’ son against Joey Janela. And while Avery absolutely impressed Will, his moveset sparked a bigger debate about when paying tribute becomes copying.

Will and Erik also react to the PWI 500, discuss WWE continuing to present Penta like a main-event star, debate Jade Cargill’s recent struggles, and ask two huge wrestling “What Ifs”: What happens if WCW survives, and what changes if Bret Hart never leaves WWE?

Plus: TNA gets something right with its TV title, AEW Collision desperately needs its own identity, and Mason Rook impresses on the mic.

It’s another week of wrestling without (too much) misery.

Timestamps

00:11 PWI 500 Reactions
12:35 Pop of the Week: NXT Delivers
19:10 Pop of the Week: Will Goes to ETU Wrestling
27:17 The Main Event: Avery Styles vs. Joey Janela
38:01 The Main Event: Penta Is Still a Main Eventer
44:31 What If Eric Bischoff Bought WCW?
51:53 What If Bret Hart Never Left WWE?
1:01:16 The Shit: TNA’s Women’s TV Title
1:06:23 The Shits: What’s Happening With Jade Cargill?
1:15:59 Book It Better: Give Wrestling Shows an Identity
1:25:39 Three Count Close: A Huge Wrestling Weekend
1:28:26 Three Count Close: Mason Rook Impresses on NXT
1:34:12 Closing Thoughts

WWE went all-in on Mexico last weekend, and the Heel Federation has plenty to say about it.

Will, Danny and Erik break down WWE’s big weekend, including Roman Reigns vs. Penta, whether Penta proved he belongs in the main-event picture, Sami Zayn’s latest title win and why a little championship unpredictability might actually be a good thing.

Then the guys get into Stephanie Vaquer’s title moment, the rise of El Grande Americano, and whether fans are being asked to pay for too many different services just to follow one wrestling company.

Plus, Nostalgia Intermission takes us back through our favorite wrestling video games—from WCW vs. nWo: World Tour and WrestleFest to Def Jam and the SmackDown vs. Raw era—and Book It Better tackles TNA’s taped television format and why the company may need a permanent home base.

0:42 Intro
2:54 Reaction to Our Viral WWE vs. AEW Reel
10:16 Pop of the Week
15:03 TripleMania’s Four-Way Tag Match
20:28 The Lucha Style Debate
24:20 Stephanie Vaquer’s Championship Moment
29:06 Main Event: WWE’s Weekend in Mexico
33:50 Did Penta Prove He’s a Main Eventer?
35:36 WWE’s World Title “Hot Potato”
41:49 Should Penta Have Beaten Roman Reigns?
47:12 El Grande Americano & WWE’s Mexico Stars
50:31 Nostalgia Intermission: Greatest Wrestling Games
1:08:03 The Shits
1:11:01 How Many WWE Paywalls Are Too Many?
1:14:53 Book It Better: Fixing TNA’s Weekly TV
1:22:52 TNA’s Attendance Problem
1:27:49 Three Count Close
1:35:18 Outro

One week. Two very different live wrestling experiences.

Erik was in the building for both AEW Dynamite and WWE's Sunday Night Main Event, and the difference between the two shows sparked a bigger conversation about what wrestling fans actually want from the live experience. From WWE's nonstop commercials to AEW's more intimate atmosphere, we break down what worked, what didn't and whether wrestling has become a little too corporate.

We also discuss AEW's emotional tribute to Rebel, Randy Orton reminding everyone how a heel is supposed to work, whether Cody Rhodes' babyface act is starting to wear thin, Bronson Reed's monster potential, the rise of Steve Borden and some of our favorite celebrity wrestling matches ever.

Plus: Motor City Machine Guns, NXT, Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling, WWE in Mexico and plenty more.

00:12 Intro
04:14 Pops of the Week
04:50 Motor City Machine Guns
07:09 NXT Delivers
13:08 Bronson Reed's Monster Potential
15:20 AEW Honors Rebel
23:50 Dynamite & the AEW Live Experience
35:42 Sunday Night Main Event
40:17 WWE's Commercial Overload
42:18 AEW vs. WWE Live
47:16 Disney Wrestling?
54:19 Favorite Celebrity Wrestling Matches
1:09:00 The Shit, The Shits & Not Shit Yet
1:11:16 Randy Orton Knows How to Be a Heel
1:12:57 Should Cody Rhodes Turn Heel?
1:15:55 Three Count: Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling
1:20:26 WWE in Mexico, TripleMania & CMLL
1:23:21 Steve Borden's Potential
1:29:45 Around the Horn & Goodbye