🔥 THE FIRST INTERVIEW & PODCAST EPISODE OF 2026 STARTS RIGHT HERE 🔥

Join the Generation of Wrestling Podcast (GOW) as we kick off 2026 in a major way with our first podcast episode and exclusive interview of the year, featuring fellow Clevelander and reigning ICW Wrestling HIGHSTAKES Champion — “Maserati” Wes Barkley.

In this must-watch episode, Wes Barkley sits down with GOW to shoot from the hip on his journey through the independent wrestling scene, championship success, and sharing the ring with some of the biggest names in modern professional wrestling.

🎙️ TOPICS & HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:

• Barkley’s recent high-profile matchup against fellow Clevelander and former WWE World Champion Nic Nemeth (Dolph Ziggler)

• What it was like stepping into the ring with Nemeth and the lessons learned from a true veteran

• Barkley’s past battles and experiences working with Matt Cardona

• The real backstage differences between grinding on the independent scene versus working for global promotions like WWE and AEW

• The mental, physical, and financial realities of indie wrestling

• Championship pressure as the ICW HighStakes Champion

• Representing Cleveland on a national stage

• Barkley’s thoughts on his hometown Cleveland Browns, sports culture, and more

🏆 NOTABLE WES BARKLEY MATCHES & FEUDS:

• Wes Barkley vs. Nic Nemeth (ICW Wrestling – HighStakes Championship spotlight)

• Wes Barkley vs. Matt Cardona

• ICW Wrestling HighStakes Championship defenses

• Midwest & Ohio indie standouts that helped define his rise

🌟 NIC NEMETH (DOLPH ZIGGLER) – CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:

• Former WWE World Heavyweight Champion

• Former United States Champion

• Multiple-time Intercontinental Champion

• One of the most respected in-ring performers of his era

• Iconic feuds with Seth Rollins, The Miz, Alberto Del Rio, Kofi Kingston, and more

• Renowned for stealing the show at events like Survivor Series, SummerSlam, and Money in the Bank

💥 MATT CARDONA – CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:

• Former WWE Intercontinental Champion (as Zack Ryder)

• One of the most influential indie wrestlers of the modern era

• GCW World Champion

• Reinvented his career post-WWE with massive success on the independent circuit

• Notable feuds across GCW, Impact Wrestling, and beyond

📺 TOP 10 MOST SEARCHED & VIEWED WRESTLING CHANNELS ON YOUTUBE:

• WWE

• AEW

• IMPACT Wrestling

• NJPW World

• Ring of Honor Wrestling

• Cultaholic Wrestling

• WhatCulture Wrestling

• Wrestling With Wregret

• Chris Van Vliet

• UpUpDownDown

🎧 FOLLOW & SUPPORT THE GOW

Be sure to follow the Generation of Wrestling Podcast on ALL social media and podcast platforms for interviews, unfiltered takes, live reactions, and in-depth wrestling discussions.

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If you love real wrestling talk, insider stories, and conversations that don’t hold back — this episode is for you.

🔔 LIKE • COMMENT • SUBSCRIBE

Let us know your thoughts on Wes Barkley, Nic Nemeth, Matt Cardona, and the indie wrestling grind in the comments below.

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