Wrestlenomics

John Pollock and Brandon Thurston chat about the political identity of WWE and the promotion of CM Punk’s match in Saudi Arabia at Night of Champions.

Plus, WWE & McMahons refile motions in the ring boy lawsuit, Janel Grant requests travel logs for Colker & McMahon, BKFC president details a past meeting with Vince McMahon, a lawsuit is filed against Jon Moxley & AEW, and Zuffa Boxing is official.

VIDEO VERSION: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2v8hw9Ie_Ag

Music courtesy: “Panic Beat” by Ben Tramer

POST Wrestling

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Wrestlenomics

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John Pollock and Brandon Thurston chat about R-Truth returning to WWE, the WBD split, WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas, and Canelo vs. Crawford.

First, we examine the six days between Ron Killings stating that his WWE contract wasn’t being renewed, the ensuing fan outrage, his return at Money in the Bank, and Paul Levesque’s non-answer at the post-show press conference.

Plus, WBD splitting its companies, WrestleMania 42 is confirmed for Las Vegas, Netflix lands Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford, an internal memo at TKO addresses Trump’s latest travel ban, and Vince McMahon sells more TKO stock. 

VIDEO VERSION: https://youtube.com/live/nDDhmZaxXU0

Music courtesy: “Panic Beat” by Ben Tramer

POST Wrestling

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Wrestlenomics

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John Pollock and Brandon Thurston cover this week’s major stories, including more information on Vince McMahon’s new company, 14TH & I.

Then, they chat about SmackDown staying in its three-hour format and how important the program is for the USA Network, the recent contract expirations, and what leverage points the talent possess.

Plus, two more antitrust lawsuits were filed against the UFC, a report on the status of the UFC’s domestic rights negotiations, Nick Khan sells a portion of his TKO stock, more Pollstar attendance data & more.

VIDEO VERSION: https://youtube.com/live/HNb6IW0Q-vg

Music courtesy: “Panic Beat” by Ben Tramer

POST Wrestling

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Wrestlenomics

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John Pollock and Brandon Thurston cover the news that WrestleMania 42 is leaving New Orleans and is expected to land in Las Vegas.

They chat about Thurston’s exclusive report, WWE’s handling of the announcement, how Las Vegas is expected to land ‘Mania for the second year in a row, and the ramifications of such a significant change.

Major news broke on Wednesday that Janel Grant is dropping John Laurinaitis as a defendant in her civil case, and we have additional details with a statement from her team.

Plus, AEW Double or Nothing business notes and reaction, WWE confirms three major events in Atlanta for July, Vince McMahon says shareholders are overreaching, Triller is issued a delinquency letter by the Nasdaq exchange.

VIDEO VERSION: https://youtube.com/live/XRRDniU9iyk

RELATED:

• WrestleMania 42 is leaving New Orleans
• https://wrestlenomics.com/articles/2025/exclusive-wrestlemania-2026-no-longer-set-for-new-orleans-local-organization-says/
• John Laurinaitis dropped as a defendant in Grant case https://www.postwrestling.com/2025/05/28/john-laurinaitis-dropped-as-defendant-in-janel-grant-lawsuit-against-wwe-and-vince-mcmahon/ 
• WrestleMania Week gate figures in Las Vegas https://wrestlenomics.com/articles/2025/wwe-gates-for-arena-events-wrestlemania-week-in-las-vegas-europe-tour/
• WWE confirms events in Atlanta during All In Weekend
• https://www.postwrestling.com/2025/05/27/wwe-to-run-great-american-bash-at-center-stage-in-atlanta/
• Vince McMahon responds to shareholder lawsuit https://wrestlenomics.com/articles/2025/vince-mcmahon-says-shareholder-lawsuit-is-trying-to-harass-and-pressure-him-through-discovery-demands/

Music courtesy: “Panic Beat” by Ben Tramer

POST Wrestling

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Wrestlenomics

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John Pollock and Brandon Thurston dissect the history of AEW as it heads into Double or Nothing, six years after the promotion’s first event.

John and Brandon discuss the company's highs and lows since its launch, the important moments in its history, the most impactful moves, and how it affected the professional wrestling industry.

Plus: WWE presents SNME & Battleground this weekend, Pollstar data on recent shows, AEW All Out in Toronto, Collision runs into technical issues, and NJPW financial notes. 

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

Music courtesy: “Panic Beat” by Ben Tramer

POST Wrestling

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Wrestlenomics

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John Pollock and Brandon Thurston discuss the latest developments in the wrestling industry, including TKO COO Mark Shapiro’s appearance at the JP Morgan conference following the company’s Q1 earnings report, highlighting cost-cutting and WWE’s live events strategy.

Plus, the influence of Sabu, WWE confirms Night of Champions in Saudi Arabia on June 28, AEW moves 12,000 tickets for Forbidden Door in London, comments from CW’s president on NXT, a six-show residency for AEW in Chicago, and possibly implications for Grant v. WWE as a result of an appeals court ruling.

VIDEO VERSION: https://youtube.com/live/F50V9CX750U

RELATED:

• TKO COO Mark Shapiro at JP Morgan media conference: https://www.patreon.com/posts/audio-tko-coo-at-128856610
• Judge denies doctor’s motion to dismiss Janel Grant’s petition: https://www.postwrestling.com/2025/05/12/judge-denies-motion-to-dismiss-in-janel-grants-petition-to-obtain-evidence-from-doctor/
• Will Grant v. WWE go to arbitration? https://wrestlenomics.com/articles/2025/will-grant-v-wwe-stay-in-open-court-or-go-to-arbitration/
• CW president comments on NXT: https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/cw-nxt-game-changer-1236390902/
• AEW adds six-show residency in Chicago for July: https://www.postwrestling.com/2025/05/13/aew-announces-six-show-residency-in-chicago/
• TKO Boxing event to run head-to-head with UFC 320, per The Ring Magazine: https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/story/sports/ufc/2025/05/13/ufc-320-tko-boxing-canelo-crawford-dana-white-conflict-mma-turki-alalshikh/83608450007/

Music courtesy: “Panic Beat” by Ben Tramer

POST Wrestling

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Wrestlenomics

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John Pollock and Brandon Thurston cover an extensive Wrestlenomics study, movement in the Janel Grant case & a TKO Q1 earnings preview.

Brandon Thurston has conducted a big study into Reddit, focusing on fan opinions toward WWE over AEW over the past six years and when shifts occurred.

Judge Sarah Russell has made a notable ruling in the Janel Grant case, while Dr. Carlon Colker filed a defamation suit against Ann Callis and her law firm over the past week.

Plus, A WWE shareholder lawsuit update, a preview of this week’s TKO Q1 earnings, TKO’s first boxing event is announced, AEW will take up residency at the 2300 Arena, and more.

VIDEO VERSION: https://youtube.com/live/ZGz9xWUSoPQ

RELATED:

• Plaintiffs in shareholder lawsuit ask court to order Vince McMahon to comply with discovery https://www.patreon.com/posts/plaintiffs-in-to-128122445 
• Reddit sentiment for WWE and AEW and how it correlates with attendance trends https://wrestlenomics.com/articles/2025/reddit-sentiment-for-wwe-and-aew-and-how-it-correlates-with-attendance-trends/  
• Dr. Carlon Colker’s defamation suit against Ann Callis https://www.postwrestling.com/2025/05/05/dr-carlon-colker-files-defamation-suit-against-janel-grants-attorney/
• First TKO boxing event on Sept. 12 featuring. Canelo vs. Terence Crawford at Allegiant Stadium https://www.boxingscene.com/articles/saul-canelo-alvarez-vs-terence-crawford-official-for-september-12

Music courtesy: “Panic Beat” by Ben Tramer

POST Wrestling

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Wrestlenomics

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John Pollock and Brandon Thurston discuss the amended complaint and new allegations in the ongoing ring boy lawsuit.

This past week, a 111-page amended complaint was filed, including three additional “John Does” added to the suit. We discuss the new allegations being levied, provide further information, discuss the plaintiffs’ argument in favor of the case moving forward in Maryland, and paint a culture within WWE.

They will also discuss Jacob Whitehead's story on Turki Al-Sheik in the New York Times this week, MoffettNatahanson’s analysis on UFC & WWE PLE rights, Real American Freestyle Wrestling & the latest viewership figures.

VIDEO VERSION: https://youtube.com/live/GwshG6P-JJ4

RELATED:

• Three more ring boys join lawsuit against WWE & McMahons (POST Wrestling)
• Turki Al-Sheikh and the two sides of boxing’s new king (New York Times)
• UFC’s $900M Play (Puck)

Music courtesy: “Panic Beat” by Ben Tramer

POST Wrestling

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Wrestlenomics

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John Pollock and Brandon Thurston go through the success of WrestleMania 41 as WWE promotes the biggest weekend in its history.

They discuss WWE’s released business metrics, Netflix stats, the reception for the two-night event, Paul Levesque’s speech at the Hall of Fame, and many other topics from Las Vegas.

The major news on Saturday included WWE announcing its acquisition of Lucha Libre AAA, and we are joined by The Cubs Fan from Luchablog to discuss the major ramifications this deal could represent, the details that are known, the many questions following this news, and how it will affect CMLL.

Note: The interview we planned to do with co-CEO of Fillip, Bárbara González Briseño, was cancelled just before the scheduled time. We hope to reschedule.

Plus: Dwayne Johnson on The Pat McAfee Show, WWE Unreal on Netflix, Orlando secures funding for bids, ROH moves dates & more.

VIDEO VERSION: https://youtube.com/live/pvpMvUVYrl0

RELATED:

• Data Report: WWE WrestleMania 41 
• Press Release: WrestleMania 41 Becomes Most Successful Event in WWE History
• WWE acquires Lucha Libre AAA 
• ROH Supercard of Honor rescheduled 
• Survivor Series at Petco Park in San Diego
• Paul Levesque thanks Vince McMahon 
• AEW announces 4-hour special on June 11

Music courtesy: “Panic Beat” by Ben Tramer

POST Wrestling

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Wrestlenomics

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John Pollock and Brandon Thurston discuss WrestleMania Week and more developments from WWE and AEW.

Pollock and Thurston go through expected attendance and revenue, how Las Vegas landed the event, and a historical look at WWE’s business across closed circuit, PPV, WWE Network, and Peacock eras. 

Plus: Nick Khan on The Bill Simmons Podcast, Paul Levesque on how his booking philosophy is different from Vince McMahon, Levesque’s praise for Donald Trump, SBJ’s profile on WWE executive Chris Legentil, Ryan Nemeth lawsuit against AEW moves to private arbitration, Forbidden Door set for O2 in London, and more.

VIDEO VERSION: https://youtube.com/live/921tZpUXRTo

RELATED:

• How Las Vegas won the bid for WrestleMania 41
• Paul Levesque on High Performance & Andrew Schulz Podcasts
• Ryan Nemeth vs. AEW & CM Punk lawsuit update
• Forbidden Door set for O2 Arena in London on 8/24

Music courtesy: “Panic Beat” by Ben Tramer

POST Wrestling

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Wrestlenomics

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