The Royal Rumble is over — and the fallout is already reshaping WrestleMania season.

On this episode of Turnbuckle Talk Wrestling, we break down everything that actually mattered coming out of the 2026 Royal Rumble. From a Women’s Rumble that struggled early but delivered big in the final stretch, to Liv Morgan punching her ticket to WrestleMania, to AJ Styles wrestling his final WWE match, this episode focuses on direction, momentum, and long-term consequences.

We also dive deep into the Men’s Royal Rumble — what worked, what raised eyebrows, and why one decision may end up defining the entire road to WrestleMania. Roman Reigns wins the Rumble, but the bigger conversation centers around Gunther: his dominant run, the legends he’s retired, and why this might have been the perfect moment to fully commit to him as WWE’s next unstoppable monster.

This isn’t a recap show. It’s a fallout episode.

Because when the Royal Rumble ends, the noise disappears — and the real stories begin.

🎙️ Turnbuckle Talk Wrestling Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon Music.

Chapters

00:00 Royal Rumble Recap and Fallout

07:52 Women's Rumble Highlights and Controversies

14:49 AJ Styles vs. Gunther: A Retirement Match

29:06 Men's Rumble: Surprises and Eliminations

49:27 Gunther's Missed Opportunity

01:12:56 Final Thoughts on the Rumble and WrestleMania Season

This is the final episode before the Royal Rumble.

On this episode of TTW, we break down everything that actually matters heading into WWE’s most important match of the year. From the fallout of Saturday Night’s Main Event to the go-home RAW, this is a full momentum check on who WWE clearly believes in — and who still feels unresolved as WrestleMania season begins.

Before predictions, we also run through a fun Royal Rumble Top 5, covering Men’s and Women’s Royal Rumble matches, debuts and returns, and Royal Rumble winners. No stakes, no forecasting — just Rumble vibes.

We close the show with full Men’s and Women’s Royal Rumble predictions, framed around belief, direction, and momentum rather than fantasy booking.

Because when the Rumble ends, the noise disappears — and everything changes.

🎙️ Turnbuckle Talk Wrestling Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon Music.

• (00:00) Final thoughts on the Rumble build and Raw’s influence
• (02:06) Review of Saturday Night's Main Event – Cody Rhodes vs Jacob Fatu
• (03:56) Drew McIntyre’s powerbomb and the chaos at Saturday Night’s Main Event
• (06:19) Shinsuke Nakamura’s departure rumors and potential retirement plans
• (11:30) Sami Zayn’s storyline trajectory and potential title implications
• (15:28) Impact of the Royal Rumble on WrestleMania avenues
• (22:33) The Paul Heyman phone call mystery – Brock Lesnar's role
• (26:18) Obafemi and Brock Lesnar storylines brewing for WrestleMania
• (39:46) Top five men's Royal Rumble matches in history
• (56:45) Top women's Royal Rumble matches and notable debuts
• (63:45) Top men's Royal Rumble winners including Stone Cold’s legendary wins
• (66:45) Women's winners like Rhea Ripley's historic victory and other key moments
• (74:35) Debut and return highlights, including AJ Styles, Edge, and Ric Flair
• (83:28) Predictions for this year's Royal Rumble winners, surprises, and dark horses
• (114:46) Final predictions, bets, and upcoming episodes

Royal Rumble: The Difference Between Momentum and Noise

With the Royal Rumble just weeks away, the gap between momentum and noise in WWE has never been clearer.

On this episode of Turnbuckle Talk Wrestling, co-hosts Alexander the Great and Aiden Haystack break down why SmackDown feels confident and intentional heading into the Rumble — while RAW continues to feel hesitant, unfocused, and unsure of itself.

This isn’t a results show.

It’s a philosophy-driven deep dive into:

• Why RAW keeps creating moments without commitment
• How SmackDown uses clarity, stakes, and character to build real momentum
• The Gunther problem — monster heel vs creative contradiction
• The Vision as a symptom of RAW’s larger identity crisis
• Why the Royal Rumble exposes belief more than any match all year

As WrestleMania season approaches, one brand feels ready to pull the trigger — and the other still sounds like it’s waiting for permission.

Because when the Rumble hits, noise disappears… and only momentum survives.

🎙️ Turnbuckle Talk Wrestling Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon Music.

00:00Welcome to Turnbuckle Talk Wrestling

02:25Rebranding and Presentation in Wrestling

05:42WWE's Current State: Raw vs. SmackDown

08:10Gunther vs. AJ Styles: A Heated Feud

13:40The Vision: WWE's Identity Crisis

23:31Building Towards the Royal Rumble

35:01SmackDown's Purpose vs. Raw's Confusion

49:42Upcoming UFC and Wrestling Events

51:55Fatal Four Way Predictions

54:06Women's Tag Team Championship and Rumble Dynamics

57:52Royal Rumble Excitement and Storylines

01:00:03Momentum and Build-Up for the Rumble

01:02:58Women's Championship and Title Defenses

01:08:01Jade Cargill's Title Reign and Performance

01:24:00Royal Rumble Readiness

In this episode, Alexander the Great and Aiden Haystack discuss the recent events in professional wrestling, focusing on John Cena's final match against Gunther, the implications of Austin Theory's reveal as the masked man, and the fallout from the Pro Wrestling Awards.

They analyze match outcomes, character developments, and fan reactions, particularly regarding Cena's retirement and Gunther's rise as a top heel.

00:00John Cena's Final Match Recap

02:49Austin Theory and the Masked Man Reveal

06:11Carmelo Hayes and Ilja Dragunov Spoilers

09:01Pro Wrestling Awards Discussion

11:48Dominic Mysterio's Injury Update

15:02Cody Rhodes vs. Oba Match Analysis

18:12Sol Ruca vs. Bayley Breakdown

21:08Gunther vs. John Cena: The Retirement Match

23:58Fan Reactions and Gunther's Heat

26:55Future of Gunther and Potential Feuds

45:06AJ Styles and Gunther: Anticipating Future Matches

49:00Bronn Breaker and CM Punk: Rising Stars and Promos

52:11Title Contention: Breaker vs Punk and Future Predictions

56:03Austin Theory's Reveal: Potential and Expectations

01:01:15Pro Wrestling Awards: WWE's Performance and AEW's Dominance

01:09:12Wrestler of the Year: Controversies and Discussions

01:12:29TKO's Impact: Future of WWE and Fan Expectations

In this episode, the hosts recap the recent Survivor Series event, expressing their disappointment with the overall product and the WarGames match.

They discuss the implications of John Cena's last match against Gunther, predictions for Saturday Night's Main Event, and the future of various wrestlers, including Maxine and Gunther.

The conversation also touches on the current state of WWE, long-term storytelling, and the potential for surprises at Cena's final match.

They also discuss the emotional farewell of John Cena, his potential last match, and the legends of wrestling. They share their predictions for Cena's final performance, reflect on his greatest rivals, and rank his most memorable matches.

The discussion is filled with nostalgia, excitement, and a touch of sadness as they prepare for a significant moment in wrestling history.

00:00Welcome Back and Survivor Series Recap

06:27AJ Lee vs. Becky Lynch: A Closer Look

12:35John Cena's Last Match: A Controversial Ending

18:27Nikki Bella vs. Stephanie Vaquer: A Disappointing Match

36:21Masked Intruders and Predictions

42:55Predictions for Saturday Night's Main Event

48:37Match Predictions and Potential Outcomes

58:29The State of WWE and Long-Term Storytelling

01:08:23Punk's Influence and Edge's Potential Appearance

01:16:25LA Knight's Mid-Card Status and Fan Reactions

01:23:15Mount Rushmore of John Cena's Rivals

01:31:17John Cena's Greatest Matches

01:38:07The Brutality of Wrestling Matches

01:44:39The Rise of Daniel Bryan

01:50:38Cena's Legacy and Retirement Matches

In this episode, Alexander the Great and Aiden Haystack discuss the upcoming SummerSlam event.

They delve into predictions for the matches, the 'Evolution' of women's wrestling, and the impact of celebrity appearances in WWE.

The conversation also touches on Seth Rollins' 'injury'(?) status, the dynamics between Cody Rhodes and John Cena - potentially leading to a RARE double turn and the overall quality of WWE's product as they close out the Summer.

The conversation also touches on the Mount Rushmore of SummerSlam, highlighting memorable matches and PPV events from the past.

It's the biggest party of the summer!

00:00Personal Reflections and Loss

06:23SummerSlam Preview and Predictions

12:31WWE's Current Product and Advertising Concerns

18:29Charlotte Flair's Evolution in the Ring

24:26Final Thoughts on SummerSlam Predictions

35:37The Struggles of Women's Promos

44:42Seth Rollins: Injury or Work?

51:37The Anticipation of a Double Turn

01:01:50Celebrity Involvement in Wrestling

01:06:59Travis Scott's Wrestling Journey

01:14:02Predictions for Upcoming Matches

01:24:09Women's Championship Dynamics

01:30:59The Evolution of WWE Pay-Per-Views

01:34:28Women's Championship Predictions

01:39:32Dominik Mysterio vs AJ Styles

01:46:30Solo Sikoa vs Jacob Fatu

01:54:25Main Event: Cena vs Cody

02:00:17Betting on Predictions: Stakes and Outcomes

02:14:41Best SummerSlam Events: Ranking the Classics

In this episode of StS, hosts Alexander the Great and Aiden Haystack discuss the recent shocking releases in WWE and the implications for the wrestling industry..

The conversation shifts to Will Ospreay's perspective on the rivalry between WWE and AEW, and the importance of finding a balance of both in-ring skills and storytelling in wrestling versus only choosing to do one or the other,

The episode shifts to it's Backlash theme - with a discussion on the host's Mount Rushmore of Backlash pay-per-views and matches, highlighting the best moments in both Backlash and wrestling history.

They reflect on the significance of certain matches, the impact of crowds, and the nostalgia associated with past events.

The discussion wraps up when the hosts give their in depth predictions for Backlash 2025 -

Gunther and Pat McAfee, and the potential implications of their match on future storylines.

They discuss the dynamics of the Women's Intercontinental Championship, focusing on Becky Lynch's role in elevating Lyra Valkyria's character and the women's Intercontinental Championship.

The conversation turns to Dominik Mysterio's match against Penta, the Fatal Four-Way for the United States Championship, and the main event featuring John Cena and Randy Orton with discussions on Cena's character evolution and the implications of his potential retirement with the title - and going over the actual lineage of the WWE Championship.

Final Predictions and bets are made, and the hosts express their hopes for exciting matches while acknowledging the complexities of wrestling storylines.

00:00Wrestling World Updates and Shocking Releases

22:26Will Ospreay's Perspective on WWE vs AEW

36:41Comparing In-Ring Skills: Ospreay, Rollins, and Gunther

43:19Wrestling Roster Dynamics

49:10Wrestling Loyalty and Career Decisions

55:01Comparing Wrestling Greats

01:12:41Exploring Backlash 2016 Matches

01:18:51Backlash 2023 Highlights

01:24:38Backlash 2002: A Nostalgic Card

01:32:59Mount Rushmore of Backlash Matches

01:44:39Cody Rhodes vs AJ Styles: A Clash of Titans

01:52:58The Evolution of Women's Wrestling

01:58:52Nostalgia and the Attitude Era

02:13:57Commentary and Personalities in Wrestling

02:20:17Women's Intercontinental Championship Dynamics

02:26:23Lyra Valkyria's Rise and Character Development

02:31:53Becky Lynch's Gimmick and Future Directions

02:44:29The Fatal Four Way for the US Championship

02:53:34Expectations vs. Reality in Wrestling

03:00:52The Legacy of Championship Titles

03:10:51Final Predictions and Wrap-Up

The conversation delves into the aftermath of WrestleMania, analyzing match outcomes, performances, and future storylines. The hosts discuss the contrasting energies of the two nights, highlight key matches, and express concerns about the women's division and tag team dynamics.

They also speculate on potential future feuds and the direction of various wrestlers in the coming months.

Overall, the discussion highlights the evolving landscape of wrestling and the need for fresh storylines and character arcs. In this conversation, the hosts delve into the intricacies of WWE's storytelling, particularly focusing on WrestleMania's outcomes and the implications of John Cena's championship victory.

The hosts discuss the mismanagement of storylines, the controversial involvement of The Rock, and the overall impact on future WWE narratives.

The conversation also touches on the state of the tag team division, fan reactions to returns, and predictions for upcoming events in WWE.

00:00WrestleMania Fallout and Initial Reactions

06:38Tag Team Dynamics: New Day and War Raiders

12:46Mid-Card Spotlight: Jacob vs. LA Knight

25:41Main Event Breakdown: Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns, and CM Punk

41:05The Anticipation of Night 2

47:22Roman's Future and Storyline Direction

53:28Potential Winners for Money in the Bank

01:02:24Future Directions for Io and Women's Division

01:10:02WrestleMania Match Analysis

01:20:01Dominik Mysterio's Rise and Title Win

01:25:12Joe Hendry's Surprise Appearance

01:40:38Logan Paul vs AJ Styles Breakdown

01:45:53The Blurred Lines of Wrestling Promos

01:52:24Becky Lynch's Return and Title Dynamics

02:01:40The Controversial Main Event: Cena vs. Cody

02:11:11The Rock's Involvement and Its Impact

02:23:44Reflections on WrestleMania and Future Directions

02:31:34Crowd Reactions and Match Dynamics

02:40:45Alistair Black's Return and Crowd Reception

02:52:48Tag Team Division and Championship Elevation

02:58:54Predictions for Upcoming RAW

TTW Hosts Alexander the Great and Aiden Haystack dive deep into their predictions for WrestleMania, discussing each match on the card for both nights.

They give an in depth analysis of the potential outcomes, the implications of each wrestler's performance, the storytelling involved, and the implications of each match, while also engaging in friendly bets and speculating on character developments, particularly regarding the potential of: Jey Uso, Seth Rollins and Bianca Belair's potential heel turns.

The conversation is filled with excitement and unpredictability surrounding the event, with a mix of humor and critical insights into the wrestling world with a shared passion for professional wrestling.

WrestleMania is our SUPER BOWL!

00:00WrestleMania Predictions Overview

03:33Night One Match Card Breakdown

06:25World Heavyweight Championship Match Analysis

09:44Tag Team Championship Match Speculations

12:44Jade Cargill vs. Naomi: A Feud in the Making

15:27Rey Mysterio vs. El Grande Americano: A Luchador's Journey

39:52Fantasy Booking and WrestleMania Predictions

40:38The Role of Rey Mysterio in WrestleMania

42:37El Grande Americana's Potential

43:36Jacob Fatu vs. LA Knight: Title Match Dynamics

51:34Women's Championship: Tiffany Stratton vs. Charlotte Flair

57:37Main Event Predictions: Triple Threat Match Analysis

01:15:21Bianca Belair's Gimmick Change

01:18:18Predictions for the Intercontinental Championship

01:26:08Excitement for WrestleMania Matches

01:34:57Drew McIntyre vs. Damien Priest

01:42:02Women's Tag Team Championship Match

01:42:54Randy Orton's Mystery Opponent

01:44:30Cody Rhodes vs. John Cena Main Event

01:50:15Theories and Speculations on WrestleMania

01:53:23Cody Rhodes and John Cena's Potential Outcomes

01:58:09Unpredictability in WrestleMania Matches

02:01:37The Role of Jey Uso and Other Potential Allies

02:05:47Cena's Heel Turn and Its Implications

02:10:12The Future of John Cena's Character

02:14:49Final Predictions and Bets for WrestleMania

In this episode of Wednesday Night Marks, hosts Alexander the Great and Aiden Haystack discuss the upcoming WrestleMania 41, including match predictions, the recent 'Go Home' Monday Night Raw, and the overall state of wrestling storylines.

They express their frustrations with the current build-up to WrestleMania, the treatment of mid-card talent, and the women's division in WWE.

The discussion also briefly touches on Josh Alexander's debut in AEW and the implications for wrestling narratives moving forward.

In this segment of the conversation, the hosts delve into various aspects of wrestling, including the complexities of storyline favors, the impressive mic skills of Seth Rollins, and the anticipation surrounding WrestleMania.

They also list ten Hall of Fame Snubs - that includes some CONTROVERSIAL wrestlers - such as focusing on figures like Chris Benoit, Chyna, and Vince McMahon - mainly reflecting on the significant impact he had on the wrestling industry.

The hosts also delve into the significance of wrestling themes, the legacy of figures like Jim Johnston and DDP, and the emotional connections fans have with wrestlers. They discuss the Hall of Fame's recognition criteria, the evolution of wrestlers over time, and rank their top 10 WrestleMania pay-per-views, highlighting iconic moments and matches that shaped wrestling history.

Finally, they dive deep into the excitement and analysis of various WrestleMania events, discussing memorable matches, the evolution of wrestling storytelling, and the impact of specific wrestlers. They explore the significance of opening matches, the highs and lows of WrestleMania history, and the future of women's wrestling. The discussion also touches on the business side of wrestling, including contracts and the dynamics between WWE and AEW, highlighting the challenges and opportunities for wrestlers in today's landscape.

00:00WrestleMania 41 Overview

06:32Building Anticipation for WrestleMania

12:39Predictions and Match Card Discussion

18:38Reflections on WrestleMania Builds

35:54The Return of Nick Aldis

41:39Randy Orton's WrestleMania Build-Up

47:28The State of Mid-Card Wrestling

52:30Women's Division and Title Opportunities

57:50Reflections on Storylines and Character Development

01:03:37The Favor Dilemma in Wrestling Storylines

01:09:45Anticipating WrestleMania: Predictions and Expectations

01:20:37Hall of Fame Snubs: Controversial Figures in Wrestling History

01:35:36The Legacy of Pete Rose

01:42:27The Art of Catchphrases in Wrestling

01:59:20Women in Wrestling: The Rise of Victoria

02:05:29Reflections on the Ultimate Warrior's Legacy

02:12:19The Emotional Toll of Wrestling Losses

02:19:20WrestleMania 1: The Beginning of an Era

02:28:19WrestleMania 39: The Latest Chapter

02:35:41The Evolution of WrestleMania: From 20 to 21

02:41:21The Impact of Eddie Guerrero and Chris Benoit

02:46:59WrestleMania 30: The Night of Shocking Moments

02:52:52Reflections on WrestleMania's Best and Worst Matches

03:00:48WrestleMania 19 Breakdown

03:07:18WrestleMania 40 Anticipation

03:20:01WrestleMania 40 Recap and Highlights

03:26:34Epic WrestleMania Moments

03:32:49Wrestling Contracts and Career Decisions

03:49:41The Future of Women's Wrestling

03:54:57AEW vs WWE: The Talent Dilemma