Wrestlenomics

John Pollock and Brandon Thurston discuss WWE’s increasingly aggressive strategies to compete with AEW, and whether these practices raise antitrust concerns. They break down what this means for AEW’s future and how the company can realistically respond.

Also on the show:

• WWE’s September PLE possibly airing on ESPN
• TNA is open to a move to directly oppose AEW
• Triplemanía XXXIII from Mexico City
• WrestleMania 41 attendance notes from the Las Vegas Stadium Authority
• G1 Climax attendance figures across nineteen shows

VIDEO VERSION: https://youtube.com/live/Z25kV9Wg-iY

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#UFC #WWE #AEW #TKO #MMA #ProWrestling #CombatSports

📌 Subscribe for weekly coverage of the business of professional wrestling with John Pollock & Brandon Thurston.

Music courtesy: “Panic Beat” by Ben Tramer

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Wrestlenomics

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John Pollock and Brandon Thurston break down the UFC’s historic $7.7 billion deal with Paramount, which will end the company’s pay-per-view business. We discuss what this means for UFC fans, the promotion’s future, and the broader combat sports industry.

We also cover WWE running a Premium Live Event in Indianapolis set to go head-to-head with AEW All Out in September, plus:

• Judge grants Janel Grant access to medical records
• TKO close to a deal for Zuffa Boxing
• ESPN shows interest in the WWE archive
• Vince McMahon interviewed for the Hulk Hogan documentary on Fox

VIDEO VERSION: https://www.youtube.com/live/ROE3FojlTug

Music courtesy: “Panic Beat” by Ben Tramer

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Wrestlenomics

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John Pollock and Brandon Thurston present a bonus show as they welcome Alex Sherman of CNBC to break down the WWE deal with ESPN.

On the show:

• The value of the deal for ESPN for its direct-to-consumer service
• Carriers that are offering the service to cable subscribers, and others that are not 
• WWE splitting its rights across platforms and impact on the fan
• The status of the UFC rights negotiations 
• The prospects of ESPN’s streaming service and the future of cable

Plus: John & Brandon review this past Wednesday’s TKO Q2 earnings report and call with analysts, the major talking points, and what was the value of its deal on Peacock?

VIDEO VERSION: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4_r1DzqpCY

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Music courtesy: “Panic Beat” by Ben Tramer

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Wrestlenomics

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John Pollock and Brandon Thurston react to the news that ESPN has secured WWE’s premium live event package in the U.S. beginning in 2026.

John & Brandon go over the details, what this means for the consumer, and specific factors to pay attention to.

They also cover WWE’s controversial decision to bring back Brock Lesnar after the former champion was named in the lawsuit filed by Janel Grant.

We will break down the allegations against Lesnar in the complaint, including whether he’s accused of committing a crime, and provide a comprehensive timeline of events related to the case. The episode also explores WWE’s decision to cancel post-PLE press conferences, coming just as Lesnar is reintroduced.

VIDEO VERSION: https://youtube.com/live/-igBphgK31I

Also:

• Paul Levesque and Cody Rhodes respond to questions about Vince McMahon
• Levesque’s visit to the White House
• Netflix viewership figures for WWE: Unreal
• SummerSlam attendance at MetLife Stadium
• AEW’s refusal to unseal redacted info in the Christopher Dispensa case
• TKO’s Q2 earnings call preview
• Update on Peacock’s subscriber growth

Music courtesy: “Panic Beat” by Ben Tramer

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Wrestlenomics

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John Pollock and Brandon Thurston are joined by David Bixenspan (Between the Sheets) to discuss the life, death, and complex legacy of Terry Bollea a.k.a. Hulk Hogan. We cover the reaction to Hogan’s passing, his controversial lawsuit against Gawker, and how the media has handled the coverage of his death.

VIDEO VERSION: https://youtube.com/live/04MQQD19PfU

Also on the show:

• Update on the WWE Ring Boy lawsuit
• Vince McMahon involved in major car wreck

Subscribe for weekly analysis on the business of pro wrestling.

#HulkHogan #WWE #ProWrestlingNews #DavidBixenspan #WrestlingPodcast #Gawker #SummerSlam2025

Music courtesy: “Panic Beat” by Ben Tramer

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Wrestlenomics

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John Pollock and Brandon Thurston analyze WWE’s Netflix performance after six months, based on the latest Netflix engagement report.

Special guest Lavie Margolin joins the show to break down TNA Slammiversary at UBS Arena, attendance insights, its U.S. TV distribution, and his upcoming book project.

We also cover:

• San Diego’s budget plans for WWE Survivor Series 2025
• Real American Freestyle coming to Fox Nation
• AEW All Out date at Wembley Stadium
• Peacock is raising its subscription prices
• Legal updates

Plus: key WWE & AEW ratings updates, and your Super Chats!

VIDEO VERSION: https://youtube.com/live/Yav9pHT2uVg

Music courtesy: “Panic Beat” by Ben Tramer

POST Wrestling

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Wrestlenomics

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John Pollock and Brandon Thurston wrap up AEW’s All In Texas weekend, which aired against WWE’s Great American Bash & Saturday Night’s Main Event.

Who were the winners and the losers of the weekend? How successful was All In Texas? How did WWE fare with its strategy of presenting three cards in Atlanta?

Plus, viewership for Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano on Netflix, legal updates across various lawsuits, and ratings notes from the week.

VIDEO VERSION: https://youtube.com/live/FQY-sAdzNYg

Music courtesy: “Panic Beat” by Ben Tramer

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Wrestlenomics

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John Pollock and Brandon Thurston preview the battle between AEW & WWE this weekend with three shows on Saturday.

Trish Speirs joins us from The Trish and Sarah Wrestling Podcast to discuss the promotion of All In Texas, the attendance and gate figures, WWE’s opposition by placing two shows on the same day, and AEW’s overall direction after the first six months of the year.

Plus, Carlos Silva shares ambitious hopes for TNA, an update in the Christopher Dispensa lawsuit against AEW & Jon Moxley, Tony Khan speaks with the media, and SmackDown falls on the 4th of July.

VIDEO VERSION: https://youtube.com/live/za7pTk_Cm5c

Music courtesy: “Panic Beat” by Ben Tramer

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Wrestlenomics

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John Pollock and Brandon Thurston cover the past week involving CM Punk’s trip to Saudi Arabia, apology for past comments, and the backlash.

We go into the comments made in the past, how Punk addressed them at the kickoff event, the reaction online, and Thurston’s opinion piece from earlier this week.

Plus, Pollock & Thurston have exclusive details on the WWE Unreal series coming to Netflix, WWE & Vince McMahon file motions to stop the discovery phase for Janel Grant, Tony Khan discusses Q2 ratings and a return to Wembley Stadium in 2026. 

VIDEO VERSION: https://youtube.com/live/xNk-QCyQHw0

RELATED:

Opinion | From defiance to dignity: CM Punk’s redemptive turn toward nihilism

https://www.postwrestling.com/2025/06/30/opinion-from-defiance-to-dignity-cm-punks-redemptive-turn-toward-nihilism/

WWE Unreal episode descriptions

https://www.postwrestling.com/2025/06/30/exclusive-episode-details-for-wwe-unreal-on-netflix/

Motions filed by WWE & Vince McMahon to stop discovery

https://www.postwrestling.com/2025/06/30/wwe-vince-mcmahon-file-to-prevent-janel-grant-from-receiving-new-evidence-in-lawsuit/

Music courtesy: “Panic Beat” by Ben Tramer

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Wrestlenomics

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John Pollock and Brandon Thurston discuss WWE’s return to Saudi Arabia amid political unrest in the Middle East, and speak with journalist Karim Zidan.

Pollock & Thurston review the latest requests from Janel Grant for the discovery phase of her case. Stephanie McMahon sits down with WWE President Nick Khan.

Additionally, Tony Khan discusses AEW’s cable audience, we examine AEW's popularity as it approaches All In, Netflix announces details for ‘WWE: Unreal’, and Zohran Mamdani’s pro wrestling tie-in.

VIDEO VERSION: https://youtube.com/live/uIad1d964Hs

Music courtesy: “Panic Beat” by Ben Tramer

POST Wrestling

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Wrestlenomics

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