In Episode 10 of Wrestling With The Willeys, the team breaks down WWE Payback 2020, a pay-per-view that aired just one week after SummerSlam. The major story of the night is the official heel turn of Roman Reigns, who aligned with Paul Heyman, showed up late to the main event, and wrecked both "The Fiend" Bray Wyatt and Braun Strowman to capture the Universal Championship. The crew debates the logic of The Fiend losing the title so quickly and the effectiveness of Reigns' new attitude. Other key discussions include Keith Lee's massive clean victory over Randy Orton, the Mysterios (Rey & Dominik) finally getting revenge on Seth Rollins & Murphy, and Shayna Baszler & Nia Jax capturing the Women's Tag Team Titles.

Key Highlights

• [02:18] Bobby Lashley vs. Apollo Crews: Reviewing the U.S. Title match. The hosts agree it was an average match (2-3 stars) but appreciate the push for the "Hurt Business" stable.
• [07:55] Big E vs. Sheamus: Discussing Big E's singles run. While criticizing the placement of a promo during his entrance, the crew praises the physicality of the match and Big E's potential main event future.
• [11:32] Matt Riddle vs. King Corbin: A lukewarm review of a match with a predictable outcome. The hosts express boredom with Corbin's move set and Riddle's character but acknowledge it was a decent mid-card bout.
• [16:47] Women's Tag Team Championship: Celebrating the title change as Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler defeat Sasha Banks and Bayley. The crew loves the finish (Baszler choking out Banks while submitting Bayley) and discusses the impending split of the Golden Role Models.
• [23:11] Keith Lee vs. Randy Orton: Reaction to Keith Lee's shockingly clean and quick victory over Randy Orton. Rated highly (4 stars), the hosts praise Orton for putting the new star over so decisively.
• [29:45] Rey & Dominik Mysterio vs. Seth Rollins & Murphy: A discussion on Dominik's continued improvement and the satisfaction of seeing the Mysterios win. The team criticizes Rollins' "Messiah" gimmick but acknowledges the good in-ring work.
• [37:45] The Main Event - Reigns Wins: A heated debate over the Triple Threat match. While some hosts hated the "show up late" booking for Roman Reigns, others see it as the perfect heel move. They mourn The Fiend's short title reign but accept Reigns as the top guy moving forward.

This week on Wrestling With The Willeys, the team (Josh and Jeremy) breaks down WWE SummerSlam 2020. Recorded in August 2020, the episode dives into a pay-per-view that delivered solid in-ring action but controversial booking decisions. The biggest talking point is the main event aftermath: "The Fiend" Bray Wyatt defeating Braun Strowman for the Universal Title, only to be immediately destroyed by a returning Roman Reigns. The hosts debate the logic of Reigns' return and his new aggressive attitude. They also praise Dominik Mysterio's impressive debut against Seth Rollins (despite the brutal ending), applaud Asuka's victory over Sasha Banks, and critique the "loser leaves WWE" match between Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville.

Key Highlights

• [01:57] Bayley vs. Asuka: Reviewing the SmackDown Women's Title match. The hosts agree it was a solid bout (3 stars) that furthered the tension between Bayley and Sasha Banks.
• [06:00] Street Profits vs. Andrade & Garza: Discussing the Raw Tag Team Championship match. The crew praises Montez Ford's charisma but wonders why the challengers can't get on the same page.
• [10:33] Mandy Rose vs. Sonya Deville: Reaction to the "Loser Leaves WWE" match. While noting the squash-like nature of the finish, the hosts appreciate the intensity of the feud and understand Deville's need for time off.
• [14:34] Seth Rollins vs. Dominik Mysterio: A deep dive into Dominik's debut match. The team is impressed by his performance (especially the frog splash) and the unique kendo stick spots, though they question the necessity of the post-match stomp.
• [22:52] Asuka vs. Sasha Banks: Hailed as the match of the night. The hosts celebrate Asuka's Raw Women's Title win and discuss Sasha Banks' underrated talent compared to the other Four Horsewomen.
• [26:59] Drew McIntyre vs. Randy Orton: Reviewing the WWE Championship match. The crew enjoys the technical wrestling and the surprise backslide finish that kept McIntyre strong without burying Orton.
• [36:43] The Fiend vs. Braun Strowman & Roman Reigns' Return: Analyzing the main event where The Fiend won the title, followed by the shock return of Roman Reigns. The hosts debate whether this return makes sense given his hiatus and speculate on a triple threat at the upcoming Payback event.

This week on Wrestling With The Willeys, the crew tackles one of the most controversial WWE pay-per-views in recent memory: The Horror Show at Extreme Rules 2020. Recorded in July 2020, this episode captures the raw frustration and confusion surrounding the event's bizarre booking decisions. The hosts dissect the "Eye for an Eye" match between Seth Rollins and Rey Mysterio, criticizing the literal interpretation of the stipulation and the nauseating finish. They also debate the confusing ending to the Raw Women's Championship match between Asuka and Sasha Banks involving Bayley as a referee. The only saving grace for the team was the cinematic "Wyatt Swamp Fight" between Braun Strowman and Bray Wyatt, which leaned heavily into horror tropes and nostalgic callbacks.

Key Highlights

• [03:43] New Day vs. Cesaro & Nakamura: Reviewing the Tables Match for the SmackDown Tag Team Championship. The hosts express disappointment in the New Day's loss and the lackluster booking of Cesaro and Nakamura as champions.
• [13:00] Bayley vs. Nikki Cross: Discussing the SmackDown Women's Championship match. The crew laments the lack of progression in the Bayley/Sasha Banks storyline and criticizes the repetitive "cheating heel" finish.
• [26:54] Eye for an Eye Match: A heated rant about the Seth Rollins vs. Rey Mysterio match. While praising the in-ring work, the hosts give the match a 0 to 2-star rating due to the "stupid" stipulation where Rollins literally extracts Mysterio's eye (complete with a fake eyeball prop).
• [39:44] Asuka vs. Sasha Banks: Analyzing the confusing finish where Bayley put on a referee shirt to count the pin for Sasha. The team criticizes the lack of logic and how it makes Asuka look weak.
• [53:47] Drew McIntyre vs. Dolph Ziggler: Reviewing the WWE Championship match where Ziggler had the advantage of Extreme Rules while McIntyre had to wrestle a standard match. The hosts praise the storytelling and McIntyre's decisive victory.
• [01:02:45] The Wyatt Swamp Fight: The standout segment of the night. The crew enjoys the cinematic battle between Braun Strowman and Bray Wyatt, featuring Alexa Bliss as Sister Abigail and a cliffhanger ending with "The Fiend" emerging from the swamp.

In this "viewer request" episode of Wrestling With The Willeys, the team fires up the WWE Network for a live watch-along of the September 13, 1993 edition of Monday Night Raw. Recorded in 2020, the crew (Josh, Joe, and Jeremy) riffs on the classic "New Generation" era action from the Manhattan Center. The centerpiece of the episode is the Tag Team Championship match where The Quebecers (managed by Johnny Polo, a.k.a. Raven) defeat The Steiner Brothers via "Quebec Province Rules" disqualification. The hosts also react to squash matches featuring Mr. Perfect and Razor Ramon, Doink the Clown's water bucket antics, and Bobby Heenan's commentary gold. The episode wraps with a nostalgic discussion about their personal favorite wrestling moments, including the "Summer of Punk" pipebomb and Austin vs. Rock.

Key Highlights

• [02:01] Watch-Along Begins: The crew syncs up the episode on the WWE Network, navigating some buffering issues to start the show live from the Manhattan Center.
• [09:26] Quebecers vs. Steiners: Commentary on the Tag Team Title match. The hosts discuss the "Quebec Province Rules" (title changes hands on DQ, no pile drivers, etc.) and realize that manager Johnny Polo is actually a pre-ECW Raven.
• [23:20] The Finish: Reacting to the bizarre finish where The Quebecers win the titles because Scott Steiner used a hockey stick, violating the specific rules of the match.
• [24:40] Mr. Perfect vs. Tony DeVito: Watching Mr. Perfect in action. The crew jokes about his "perfect" gum swat and the squash match nature of the bout.
• [32:53] Razor Ramon Squash: Commentary on Razor Ramon destroying The Executioner (who the hosts suspect is Buddy Rose or another veteran in a mask).
• [42:15] Doink the Clown: Reacting to Doink's match and his post-match antics, where he throws a bucket of actual water (and later confetti) on Bobby "The Brain" Heenan.
• [50:12] Favorite Moments Discussion: After the watch-along, the hosts share their all-time favorite wrestling memories. Josh cites CM Punk's pipebomb, while Joe recalls seeing Austin vs. Shawn Michaels live at WrestleMania 14.

In this marathon episode of Wrestling With The Willeys, the team hosts a live watch-along for WWE Backlash 2020. Recorded in June 2020, this 3-hour special captures real-time reactions to the entire pay-per-view. The crew endures the "cinematic" goofiness of the Street Profits vs. Viking Raiders segment (complete with ninjas and a dumpster monster), critiques the booking of Braun Strowman vs. Miz & Morrison, and expresses frustration with the Nia Jax vs. Asuka finish. The centerpiece of the night is the heavily hyped "Greatest Wrestling Match Ever" between Edge and Randy Orton. The hosts debate whether it lived up to the billing, noting the piped-in crowd noise, the excessive length, and the brutal "punt" finish that wrote Edge off TV.

Key Highlights

• [16:01] Women's Tag Team Title Match: Reacting to Bayley & Sasha Banks vs. The IIconics vs. Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross. The crew discusses the tension between Bayley and Sasha.
• [32:16] Jeff Hardy vs. Sheamus: Commentary on a hard-hitting match where Sheamus targets Hardy. The hosts express concern over the "redemption" storyline using real-life issues.
• [52:14] Asuka vs. Nia Jax: A critical look at the Raw Women's Championship match. The team criticizes the double count-out finish and Nia Jax's ring work.
• [01:14:21] Braun Strowman vs. Miz & Morrison: Reacting to the Universal Title handicap match. The hosts laugh at the "slime" music video recap and question the logic of Strowman struggling against two smaller opponents before retaining.
• [01:34:00] Drew McIntyre vs. Bobby Lashley: A solid WWE Championship match ruined by the interference of Lana. The crew laments how the finish hurts Lashley's momentum as a serious threat.
• [01:57:01] Street Profits vs. Viking Raiders (Cinematic): The team is baffled by the cinematic segment featuring bowling, ninjas, Akira Tozawa, and a dumpster monster. It's universally panned as one of the weirdest segments in recent memory.
• [02:15:34] The Greatest Wrestling Match Ever: The main event between Edge and Randy Orton. The hosts discuss the unique presentation (different camera angles, piped-in noise) and the grueling 45-minute length. They react to the multiple finisher kick-outs and the final punt kick that secured the win for Orton.

In this live watch-along episode of Wrestling With The Willeys, the team gathers to react in real-time to NXT TakeOver: In Your House. Recorded in June 2020, the crew navigates the technical hiccups of syncing their streams to enjoy a throwback-themed event. Key moments include the hard-hitting six-woman tag match featuring Tegan Nox and Shotzi Blackheart, the brutal physicality of Finn Bálor vs. Damian Priest, and the cinematic "Backlot Brawl" between Adam Cole and Velveteen Dream. The night culminates in a triple threat main event where Io Shirai captures the NXT Women's Championship, a result the hosts celebrate enthusiastically. Throughout the show, the team riffs on wrestling tropes, critiques booking decisions (especially regarding Charlotte Flair), and praises the production value of the In Your House set.

Key Highlights

• [09:56] Six-Woman Tag Match: Reacting to Tegan Nox, Shotzi Blackheart, and Mia Yim vs. Candice LeRae, Dakota Kai, and Raquel González. The hosts praise the action and Shotzi's tank entrance.
• [30:08] Finn Bálor vs. Damian Priest: A grueling match where Priest takes a nasty bump on the steel steps. The crew discusses the physicality and Priest's "Razor's Edge" on the apron.
• [47:40] Keith Lee vs. Johnny Gargano: Watch-along for the North American Title match. The hosts enjoy the storytelling, the "key" spot to the eye, and Keith Lee's impressive agility.
• [01:18:21] Adam Cole vs. Velveteen Dream: Commentary on the cinematic "Backlot Brawl." The team jokes about the setting (Old Town?), the Uber arrival, and Dexter Lumis's creepy involvement.
• [01:55:42] Women's Title Triple Threat: The main event featuring Charlotte Flair vs. Rhea Ripley vs. Io Shirai. The hosts express frustration with Charlotte's booking but erupt in cheers when Io Shirai hits a moonsault to pin Ripley and win the title.
• [02:23:26] Final Thoughts: A wrap-up of the event, with the crew agreeing that TakeOver events consistently outperform main roster pay-per-views, setting a high bar for the upcoming Backlash.

In this episode of Wrestling With The Willeys, the crew takes a break from match reviews to tackle a polarizing figure in the wrestling world: Jim Cornette. Recorded in June 2020, the discussion is sparked by Cornette's controversial comments regarding Becky Lynch's pregnancy and his ongoing feud with AEW stars like The Young Bucks and Kenny Omega. Host Josh leads a passionate debate about the clash between old-school mentalities and the evolution of modern wrestling. They criticize Cornette's refusal to accept comedy wrestling (like Orange Cassidy) and high-flying styles, while acknowledging his historical knowledge. The episode serves as a plea for more positivity and open-mindedness in the wrestling community, rather than the "angry shock jock" approach.

Key Highlights

• [01:27] Intro & Topic Change: Josh introduces the topic, shifting from match reviews to a discussion on Jim Cornette's impact on the business—both good and bad.
• [02:39] Ryback & "Shock Jock" Style: Discussing Cornette's comments on Ryback and the theory that Cornette's anger is largely a "work" to generate views and revenue.
• [03:36] Comedy Wrestling Debate: Analyzing Cornette's hatred for "comedy wrestling" figures like Colt Cabana, Joey Ryan, and Orange Cassidy. The hosts argue that different genres of wrestling have a place.
• [07:35] Will Ospreay vs. Ricochet: Revisiting the famous 2014 match that sparked the "flippy shit" debate and how Cornette's old-school view clashes with modern athleticism.
• [14:28] The Young Bucks Feud: A deep dive into Cornette's issues with The Young Bucks, stemming from a Global Force Wrestling interaction. The crew defends the Bucks' success in creating AEW despite Cornette's criticisms.
• [16:59] NWA Powerrr Controversy: Discussing Cornette's firing from NWA due to an offensive joke, highlighting how his refusal to adapt to modern social climates hurts his career.
• [24:51] Becky Lynch Pregnancy Comments: The crew slams Cornette's negative take on Becky Lynch stepping away for pregnancy, arguing that personal happiness should prioritize career earnings.
• [39:13] Closing Thoughts: A call for more positivity in wrestling fandom and less gatekeeping, encouraging listeners to enjoy what they like regardless of "expert" opinions.

In this special episode of Wrestling With The Willeys, the crew gathers for a live watch-along of the 2020 Netflix film, The Main Event. Before diving into the movie, the hosts address the elephant in the room: the massive wave of WWE releases that occurred in April 2020 (recorded around that time). They discuss the shock of Rusev, Zack Ryder, and Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson being let go, speculating on their futures in AEW or other promotions. The majority of the episode is a fun, riff-filled commentary track for The Main Event, where the hosts joke about the cheesy plot, the cameos by Keith Lee, Otis, and The Miz, and the logic gaps of a magical luchador mask. It's a lighthearted look at a kids' movie through the eyes of cynical (but entertained) wrestling fans.

Key Highlights

• [01:04] WWE Releases Discussion: The episode begins with a somber discussion about the April 2020 WWE releases. The hosts express shock over Rusev, Sarah Logan, and The OC (Gallows & Anderson) being cut and speculate on Rusev's potential as a main eventer elsewhere.
• [14:11] Watch Party Begins: The crew starts the Netflix movie The Main Event.
• [22:27] The Magical Mask: Reaction to the protagonist finding the magical luchador mask that gives him superpowers (and smells like mothballs).
• [36:25] Cameo Appearances: Spotting WWE superstars in the film, including Keith Lee, Otis, Sheamus, and The Miz. The hosts enjoy Otis's "stink face" and Keith Lee's charisma.
• [51:16] Fight Scenes & Logic: Riffing on the wrestling logic within the movie, such as an 11-year-old wrestling grown men, the "fart of doom" spot, and the lack of disqualifications for obvious cheating.
• [01:40:49] The Climax: Commentary on the final cage match between the kid (Leo) and Samson. The hosts joke about the "power was inside you all along" trope when he wins without the mask.
• [01:52:36] Final Thoughts: The crew gives their verdict on the movie. They agree it's a cookie-cutter "Like Mike" style film for kids that shouldn't be taken too seriously but had some fun moments.

In Episode 3 of Wrestling With The Willeys, the team returns to discuss Night 2 of the historic, empty-arena WrestleMania 36. Recorded in April 2020, this episode captures the crew's reactions to a night that many felt redeemed the lackluster Night 1. The conversation is dominated by two major segments: the grueling Last Man Standing match between Edge and Randy Orton, and the surreal, psychological trip that was the Firefly Fun House Match between John Cena and "The Fiend" Bray Wyatt. The hosts also celebrate Drew McIntyre's crowning moment against Brock Lesnar (despite the match's short length) and debate the booking of Charlotte Flair defeating Rhea Ripley for the NXT Women's Championship.

Key Highlights

• [01:43] Charlotte Flair vs. Rhea Ripley: A heated debate over Charlotte winning the NXT Women's Championship. The hosts express disappointment that Ripley didn't get the rub but acknowledge the match quality.
• [19:53] Aleister Black vs. Bobby Lashley: Reviewing a match that felt thrown together. The team discusses the potential of both stars and the need for better storylines for Lashley.
• [26:14] Otis vs. Dolph Ziggler: A feel-good moment where Otis finally gets the win and the girl (Mandy Rose). The crew praises the storytelling and the satisfying payoff to a long-term storyline.
• [34:38] Edge vs. Randy Orton (Last Man Standing): A deep dive into the longest match of the night. The hosts rate it highly (4/5 stars) for its brutality and storytelling, though some felt it dragged slightly in the middle.
• [44:29] Street Profits vs. Angel Garza & Austin Theory: A quick review of the Raw Tag Team Title match, noting the chaotic finish and the post-match save by Bianca Belair.
• [51:35] SmackDown Women's Title Match: Discussing the Fatal 5-Way where Bayley retained. The hosts express frustration with the lack of a major Sasha Banks turn but accept the outcome.
• [01:03:12] Firefly Fun House Match: The standout segment of the night. The team raves about the deconstruction of John Cena's career, the trippy visuals, and the brilliance of Bray Wyatt. Rated 4.5 to 5 stars.
• [01:10:56] Drew McIntyre vs. Brock Lesnar: Celebrating Drew McIntyre's WWE Championship win. While criticized for being a typical "finisher spam" Lesnar match, the result is universally praised as a necessary changing of the guard.

In Episode 2 of Wrestling With The Willeys, the team tackles the unprecedented "Pandemic WrestleMania"—specifically Night 1 of WrestleMania 36. Recorded in April 2020, this episode captures the raw reactions to the first-ever empty arena WrestleMania. The hosts debate the awkwardness of the silence, critique the short "Raw-style" matches like Elias vs. King Corbin, and express disappointment in the booking of Shayna Baszler vs. Becky Lynch. However, the mood shifts entirely when discussing the cinematic masterpiece that was the Boneyard Match between The Undertaker and AJ Styles. The crew praises its storytelling, production, and the return of the "American Badass" Undertaker, unanimously declaring it the highlight of the night.

Key Highlights

• [00:46] Women's Tag Team Title Match: Reviewing Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross vs. The Kabuki Warriors. The hosts appreciate the hard-hitting action despite the lack of a crowd.
• [08:41] Elias vs. King Corbin: A harsh critique of this match, labeled a "pee break" and criticized for King Corbin's stale gimmick.
• [17:04] Becky Lynch vs. Shayna Baszler: The team expresses confusion and disappointment over the booking, feeling that Shayna Baszler should have won to capitalize on her Elimination Chamber dominance.
• [25:30] SmackDown Tag Team Ladder Match: High praise for the Triple Threat Ladder Match (Morrison vs. Kofi vs. Jimmy Uso). The hosts rate it highly (4/5 stars) for its creativity and spots, despite the lack of a crowd.
• [36:16] Sami Zayn vs. Daniel Bryan: A lackluster review of the Intercontinental Title match, with the hosts feeling it was too short and didn't give the two technical masters enough time to breathe.
• [57:53] Goldberg vs. Braun Strowman: Reacting to Braun Strowman's Universal Championship win. While acknowledged as a "finisher fest," the hosts are happy Strowman finally got his big moment.
• [01:09:22] The Boneyard Match: The absolute highlight of the episode. The crew raves about the cinematic Undertaker vs. AJ Styles match, praising the trash talk, the movie-like production, and the perfect storytelling. Rated 4.5 to 5 stars.