In this packed episode of Wrestling With The Willeys, Josh and Jeremy pull double duty to review both WWE SummerSlam 2021 and NXT TakeOver 36. The show kicks off with an emotional reaction to the monumental return of CM Punk on AEW Rampage, setting the stage for a wild weekend in wrestling.

For SummerSlam, the hosts are torn. They express frustration over Becky Lynch's 26-second squash of Bianca Belair, calling it a disservice to Belair's title reign. They also critique the repetitive nature of the Roman Reigns vs. John Cena main event but pop huge for the surprise return of Brock Lesnar (and his new look). Other topics include the short Bobby Lashley vs. Goldberg match involving Gage Goldberg and the impressive Edge vs. Seth Rollins encounter.

Switching to NXT TakeOver 36, the mood lightens as they rave about the instant classic between Walter and Ilja Dragunov for the NXT UK Title, calling it the brutal "Match of the Night." They also discuss Samoa Joe capturing the NXT Title from Karrion Kross, the final chapter of Adam Cole vs. Kyle O'Reilly, and the overall superior quality of the NXT product compared to the main roster.

Key Highlights

• [01:42] CM Punk Returns: Josh starts the show with his emotional reaction to CM Punk's return to wrestling on AEW Rampage, calling it a moment seven years in the making.
• [07:22] RK-Bro Wins Tag Titles: A quick review of the SummerSlam opener. The hosts are happy Randy Orton and Riddle won but feel Omos and AJ Styles held the belts for too long without direction.
• [21:45] Becky Lynch squashes Bianca Belair: A heated discussion about Becky Lynch's return. While excited she's back, the hosts rip into the decision to have her beat Bianca Belair in 26 seconds, arguing it made Belair look weak and devalued her title run.
• [28:34] Edge vs. Seth Rollins: Josh's favorite match of SummerSlam. They praise the "Brood" entrance for Edge and the in-ring chemistry that delivered one of the few long, quality matches on the card.
• [35:25] Lashley vs. Goldberg: Reaction to Bobby Lashley destroying Goldberg's knee. While glad it was short, the hosts felt the post-match angle involving Goldberg's son was necessary to keep Lashley looking like a monster heel.
• [39:34] Reigns vs. Cena & Lesnar Returns: A critique of the predictable "Roman Reigns formula" match. However, the mood shifts entirely with the return of Brock Lesnar, sporting a ponytail and beard, setting up a future clash with Reigns.
• [48:07] LA Knight vs. Cameron Grimes: Moving to NXT TakeOver, the hosts discuss Cameron Grimes winning the Million Dollar Championship and the fun dynamic with Ted DiBiase.
• [54:38] Walter vs. Ilja Dragunov: The unanimous Match of the Weekend. Josh raves about the stiffness of the chops, the brutality of the sleeper hold finish, and the sheer storytelling that made this an instant classic.
• [58:16] Cole vs. O'Reilly 3: A breakdown of the "3 Stages of Hell" match. While good, the hosts felt the ending seemed forced, likely due to Adam Cole's impending departure from NXT (and potential jump to AEW).
• [01:01:38] Samoa Joe vs. Karrion Kross: Reaction to Samoa Joe winning the NXT Title. The hosts discuss how Kross's main roster booking (losing to Jeff Hardy, ridiculous gladiator gear) hurt his aura going into this match.

In this episode of Wrestling With The Willeys, the full team (Josh, Joe, and Jeremy) reunites to tackle the confusing and controversial return of Eva Marie to WWE. The hosts express their frustration with her new gimmick, which involves taking credit for the work of her "protege" Doudrop (Piper Niven), while Eva Marie herself avoids wrestling. They question why WWE would bring back a performer known for her lack of in-ring ability while simultaneously releasing top-tier talent like Bray Wyatt and Braun Strowman. The conversation dives deep into the recent wave of "budget cuts," speculating on the logic behind letting go of major merchandise movers and main eventers. They also touch on the broader state of the women's division, the rumors of CM Punk and Daniel Bryan heading to AEW, and the upcoming SummerSlam card.

Key Highlights

• [01:13] The Eva Marie Rant: Josh kicks off the show with a passionate rant about Eva Marie's return. He argues that she offers nothing to the product, especially when compared to the talented women's roster available.
• [06:42] The "Doudrop" Name: The hosts criticize the renaming of Piper Niven to "Doudrop," calling it a disrespectful rib and a sign of bad creative booking. They hope for a storyline where Piper turns on Eva Marie quickly.
• [08:28] Bray Wyatt Released: A somber discussion about the shocking release of Bray Wyatt (The Fiend). The team is baffled by the decision to cut one of the company's most creative and high-selling stars, speculating on where he might end up next (AEW?).
• [10:51] Budget Cuts vs. Logic: Jeremy questions the "budget cuts" narrative, pointing out that releasing top stars like Braun Strowman and Bray Wyatt while hiring Eva Marie seems contradictory.
• [27:38] Contract Disputes: A detour into the business side of entertainment, comparing the WWE releases to the Scarlett Johansson/Disney lawsuit, highlighting how talent often gets short-changed.
• [39:41] Buried Talent: Josh laments the treatment of stars like Karrion Kross (losing to Jeff Hardy on Raw) and Keith Lee, arguing that main roster call-ups often ruin NXT stars.
• [50:37] CM Punk & Daniel Bryan Rumors: The hosts get excited about the strong rumors of CM Punk and Daniel Bryan joining AEW. Josh admits he would lose his mind if "Cult of Personality" hits at All Out.

In this episode of Wrestling With The Willeys, the full team (Josh, Joe, and Jeremy) reunites to break down WWE Money in the Bank 2021, the first pay-per-view back on the road with a full live crowd. The hosts are buzzing about the electric atmosphere and the major moments that delivered. They celebrate Big E winning the Men's Money in the Bank ladder match, calling it a well-deserved moment for a fan favorite. They also discuss the surprising victory of Nikki A.S.H. in the Women's ladder match and her subsequent cash-in on Raw the next night. However, the conversation gets heated regarding Charlotte Flair defeating Rhea Ripley for the Raw Women's Championship, with the hosts expressing exhaustion over Charlotte's constant title opportunities. The episode wraps up with a reaction to the main event between Roman Reigns and Edge, culminating in the shocking return of John Cena.

Key Highlights

• [01:17] Usos Win Tag Titles: A critical look at The Usos defeating The Mysterios for the SmackDown Tag Team Titles. Josh rants about Jimmy Uso being rewarded with a title reign despite his recent DUI arrest, arguing that any other wrestler would have been punished.
• [11:41] Women's Money in the Bank: Reaction to Nikki A.S.H.'s victory. The hosts agree that while Liv Morgan was the fan favorite, Nikki's new "superhero" character winning fits the storyline and merchandise potential.
• [18:38] Styles/Omos vs. Viking Raiders: A negative review of the Raw Tag Team Title match. Josh felt the match dragged and criticized the booking of the Viking Raiders, who he feels have been ruined since their NXT "War Machine" days.
• [30:30] Lashley vs. Kofi Kingston: A discussion on the squash match where Bobby Lashley destroyed Kofi Kingston. While sad for Kofi, the hosts agree it was necessary to re-establish Lashley as a dominant "monster" champion.
• [37:30] Flair vs. Ripley: The team debates the Raw Women's Title match. While acknowledging the in-ring chemistry, they express frustration with Charlotte Flair winning yet another title (her 11th/13th/14th depending on who you ask) and the confusing booking of Rhea Ripley.
• [49:00] Men's Money in the Bank: Unanimously voted the Match of the Night. The hosts rave about Ricochet's insane spots (jumping onto the ladder), John Morrison's "Drip Stick" antics, and the emotional victory for Big E.
• [58:09] Reigns vs. Edge & Cena Returns: A breakdown of the Universal Title main event. While the match followed the typical Roman Reigns formula (ref bump, interference), the hosts popped for the return of John Cena to confront Roman, setting up the Summer of Cena.

In this episode of Wrestling With The Willeys, the full team (Josh, Joe, and Jeremy) reunites to discuss WWE Hell in a Cell 2021. The hosts express their overall disappointment with the pay-per-view, citing repetitive matches and a lack of excitement leading into the event. While they enjoyed the Bianca Belair vs. Bayley Hell in a Cell match and the brutal main event between Bobby Lashley and Drew McIntyre, the conversation is dominated by frustrations over creative decisions. Key topics include the controversial renaming of Piper Niven to "Doudrop", the bizarre finish to the Alexa Bliss vs. Shayna Baszler match involving hypnosis, and the confusing booking of Charlotte Flair vs. Rhea Ripley ending in a disqualification.

Key Highlights

• [01:52] Belair vs. Bayley: The hosts discuss the opening Hell in a Cell match. While Jeremy expresses his dislike for Bayley, the group agrees it was one of the better matches of the night, praising Bianca Belair's performance.
• [18:20] The "Doudrop" Controversy: A heated rant about the main roster debut of Piper Niven, now renamed "Doudrop." The hosts criticize the name change as disrespectful and a potential rib at Eva Marie's expense.
• [22:46] Rollins vs. Cesaro: Reaction to Seth Rollins defeating Cesaro via roll-up. Josh expresses his desire for Cesaro to move into the Universal Title picture and his frustration with Rollins' current character direction.
• [30:54] Bliss vs. Baszler: A mixed reaction to the supernatural elements of the match. While Josh enjoys Alexa's character work, the team questions the logic of Shayna Baszler and Nia Jax being hypnotized and the overall direction of the storyline.
• [40:24] Flair vs. Ripley: A scathing review of the Raw Women's Championship match. The hosts rip into the DQ finish involving the announce table cover, arguing it made both competitors look weak and just served to extend the feud unnecessarily.
• [01:07:39] Lashley vs. McIntyre: The unanimous Match of the Night. The hosts discuss the brutality of the Hell in a Cell main event, Bobby Lashley's dominant victory, and the confusing booking of having MVP locked inside the cage at the end.

In this episode of Wrestling With The Willeys, Josh and Jeremy sit down to review NXT TakeOver: In Your House 2021. The hosts agree that the highlight of the night was the chaotic Fatal 5-Way for the NXT Championship, featuring Karrion Kross defending against Adam Cole, Kyle O'Reilly, Pete Dunne, and Johnny Gargano. They praise the storytelling between the challengers, particularly the callbacks to previous rivalries, and debate whether Kross was even needed in the match given the talent of the other four. The duo also discusses LA Knight (Eli Drake) capturing the Million Dollar Championship in a surprisingly long ladder match against Cameron Grimes, the hard-hitting tag team match between MSK & Bronson Reed vs. Legado Del Fantasma, and their disappointment with the Raquel Gonzalez vs. Ember Moon Women's Title match.

Key Highlights

• [02:00] MSK & Bronson Reed vs. Legado Del Fantasma: Josh's second favorite match of the night. The hosts discuss the winner-takes-all stipulation and the wild spot where Bronson Reed broke the cage wall with a body splash.
• [10:14] Xia Li vs. Mercedes Martinez: A brief discussion on what the hosts considered the weakest match of the card. While the storyline build was there, the in-ring action (including the finish) fell flat for them.
• [13:00] LA Knight vs. Cameron Grimes: Reaction to the Ladder Match for the Million Dollar Championship. The hosts were surprised by the match length (nearly 20 minutes) and LA Knight's victory, though Josh expresses his dislike for the "LA Knight" name compared to Eli Drake.
• [18:11] Raquel Gonzalez vs. Ember Moon: A critical look at the NXT Women's Championship match. Josh reiterates his opinion that Raquel Gonzalez isn't ready for the top spot and compares the match structure too closely to previous Candice LeRae/Io Shirai encounters.
• [27:49] Fatal 5-Way Main Event: The unanimous Match of the Night. The hosts break down the incredible chemistry between Cole, O'Reilly, Gargano, and Dunne. They discuss the brutal spots (like the moonsault into a double superkick) and argue that the challengers carried the match, making Karrion Kross feel almost like an afterthought despite retaining.

In this episode of Wrestling With The Willeys, Josh and Jeremy sit down to break down AEW Double or Nothing 2021. The hosts start by discussing the shocking wave of WWE releases that occurred the same morning, including top stars like Braun Strowman, Aleister Black, and Lana, speculating on where they might end up (AEW?). They then dive into the pay-per-view, praising Britt Baker's emotional Women's World Title victory over Hikaru Shida as a long-overdue moment. The duo also raves about the chaotic Stadium Stampede match between The Inner Circle and The Pinnacle, despite some confusing moments involving a "gay bar" scene and Konnan DJing. Other highlights include the Kenny Omega vs. Orange Cassidy vs. PAC triple threat for the AEW World Title, which Josh calls his favorite match of the night, and the debut of Lio Rush in the Casino Battle Royale.

Key Highlights

• [00:26] WWE Releases: The show opens with a reaction to the release of Braun Strowman, Aleister Black, Lana, Ruby Riott, and others. The hosts are baffled by Strowman's release given his recent main event push.
• [17:53] Hangman Page vs. Brian Cage: A positive review of the opener. Josh loves the storytelling of Page overcoming the odds and the dissension within Team Taz.
• [27:50] Casino Battle Royale: Reaction to Jungle Boy winning the title shot. The hosts discuss the electric crowd, the surprise debut of Lio Rush, and the fun chemistry of the Dark Order.
• [41:26] Britt Baker vs. Hikaru Shida: Josh’s emotional highlight of the night. He praises Britt Baker's new "bloody" entrance video and ring gear, noting that she finally reached the top of the division as expected.
• [49:34] Omega vs. Cassidy vs. PAC: Unanimously voted the Match of the Night (in-ring). The hosts loved how Orange Cassidy was booked as a serious threat who nearly won the title multiple times, and the frantic pace set by Kenny Omega and PAC.
• [56:45] Stadium Stampede: A breakdown of the cinematic main event. While entertaining, the hosts were confused by the club scene featuring Konnan and the disjointed pacing compared to the first Stadium Stampede. However, they enjoyed Sammy Guevara getting the win for the Inner Circle.
• [31:34] Cody Rhodes vs. Anthony Ogogo: A defense of the match that many fans criticized. Josh argues that Cody winning made sense for the story, and he liked the "American Dream" tribute gear for Memorial Day weekend.

In this episode of Wrestling With The Willeys, the full team (Josh, Joe, and Jeremy) reunites to break down WWE WrestleMania Backlash 2021. The hosts express their mixed feelings about the event, ranging from the highs of the hard-hitting main event between Roman Reigns and Cesaro to the absolute lows of the Damian Priest vs. The Miz "Zombie Lumberjack" match, which they universally panned as a promotional gimmick gone wrong. They also discuss Rey and Dominik Mysterio making history as the first father-son Tag Team Champions, the brutal triple threat between Bobby Lashley, Drew McIntyre, and Braun Strowman, and their frustration with the booking of the women's division, specifically the repetitive nature of Charlotte Flair's title opportunities.

Key Highlights

• [02:18] Raw Women's Title Triple Threat: A critique of Rhea Ripley vs. Asuka vs. Charlotte Flair. While the match was solid, the hosts express exhaustion with Charlotte being inserted into the title picture immediately upon her return.
• [19:35] Mysterios Win Tag Titles: Reaction to Rey and Dominik Mysterio winning the SmackDown Tag Team Titles. Josh questions the logic of the "couch attack" angle on the pre-show but appreciates the historical significance of the win.
• [26:40] Zombies in Wrestling: The team rips into the "Army of the Dead" promotional match between The Miz and Damian Priest. They call it one of the worst gimmicks in recent memory and a sign that WWE prioritizes sponsorship over wrestling logic.
• [36:55] Lashley vs. McIntyre vs. Strowman: Praise for the WWE Championship Triple Threat. The hosts enjoyed the "hoss fight" nature of the match and felt Bobby Lashley looked dominant, though they questioned the booking of Braun Strowman taking the pin.
• [35:50] Belair vs. Bayley: A positive review of the SmackDown Women's Title match. Josh highlights the innovative use of Bianca Belair's hair to secure the pin, noting it was a clever way to use her unique asset.
• [48:58] Reigns vs. Cesaro: The unanimous Match of the Night. The hosts discuss the technical mastery of the bout, Cesaro's long-awaited main event spotlight, and the post-match beatdown by Seth Rollins that suggests Cesaro's push might be stalled.

In this episode of Wrestling With The Willeys, the full team (Josh, Joe, and Jeremy) reunites to tackle the divisive topic of Celebrities in Pro Wrestling. Sparked by Bad Bunny's surprisingly impressive run culminating at WrestleMania 37, the hosts debate the difference between celebrities who respect the craft and those just looking for a payday. They praise the likes of Bad Bunny, Stephen Amell, and Snoop Dogg for their dedication and genuine fandom, while criticizing lackluster appearances by Snooki, Floyd Mayweather, and Jeremy Piven. The conversation also touches on the WWE Hall of Fame's "Celebrity Wing," questioning why William Shatner and Ozzy Osbourne are inducted while legends like Cyndi Lauper and Andy Kaufman (or Bob Uecker in a bigger capacity) are often overlooked or took longer to get in.

Key Highlights

• [02:00] The Bad Bunny Debate: Josh kicks off the discussion by praising Bad Bunny's respect for the business, noting that his song about Booker T was genuine fandom, not just a marketing ploy.
• [03:00] Hall of Fame Confusion: The hosts question the criteria for the Celebrity Wing of the Hall of Fame, specifically citing William Shatner and Ozzy Osbourne as confusing inductees compared to others with more impact.
• [10:04] Celebrities Who Care vs. Paychecks: A breakdown of the difference between "fans" like Stephen Amell (who wrestled a solid match at SummerSlam) and "paycheck" celebrities like Snooki or Kevin Federline.
• [15:45] Bad Bunny at WrestleMania: The team agrees that Bad Bunny's performance at WrestleMania 37 was one of the best celebrity matches ever, specifically highlighting his Canadian Destroyer.
• [18:23] WCW's Celebrity Obsession: Jeremy recalls the dark days of WCW involving David Arquette winning the World Title, Dennis Rodman, and Jay Leno in main events, arguing that was the "worst time" for celebrities in wrestling.
• [27:03] The Logan/Jake Paul Problem: A detour into the world of celebrity boxing. The hosts discuss Logan Paul's involvement in WWE (and his suicide forest controversy) and Jake Paul's boxing career, expressing a general disdain for their presence in combat sports.
• [48:18] AEW & The Forbidden Door: A quick shift to current events in AEW, discussing the Young Bucks turning heel, the partnership with Impact Wrestling and New Japan, and the potential for a new Bullet Club-style faction.

In this mega-episode of Wrestling With The Willeys, the trio (Josh, Joe, and Jeremy) breaks down both nights of WWE WrestleMania 37, the first WWE event with live fans in over a year. The hosts rave about Night 1, highlighting the historic main event between Bianca Belair and Sasha Banks as the match of the weekend, praising Sasha's selling and the emotional significance of the moment. They also express genuine surprise at Bad Bunny's in-ring performance, calling it one of the best celebrity matches ever.

For Night 2, the conversation turns to the dominant victory of Roman Reigns over Edge and Daniel Bryan, cementing his status as the "Head of the Table." However, the team is less impressed with the confusing opening match between The Fiend and Randy Orton, criticizing the sudden ending involving Alexa Bliss. Other key topics include Cesaro's breakout performance against Seth Rollins, Rhea Ripley capturing the Raw Women's Championship, and the surprisingly short Nigerian Drum Fight between Apollo Crews and Big E.

Key Highlights

• [02:14] Lashley vs. McIntyre: Reaction to the Night 1 opener. The hosts appreciate the decision to keep the title on Bobby Lashley, setting a strong tone for the weekend.
• [15:02] Cesaro vs. Seth Rollins: Josh and Jeremy discuss their favorite match of the undercard. They praise Cesaro's "UFO" spin and hope this signals a long-awaited main event push for the Swiss Superman.
• [18:01] AJ Styles & Omos: A mixed reaction to Omos' in-ring debut and winning the Tag Team Titles. The hosts question the logic of putting the belts on a rookie giant but acknowledge the spectacle.
• [22:09] Bad Bunny's Debut: The team is shocked by Bad Bunny's performance, highlighting his Canadian Destroyer and Falcon Arrow. They agree he set a new bar for celebrity involvement in wrestling.
• [25:06] Belair vs. Banks: Unanimously voted Match of Night 1. The hosts break down the storytelling, the brutal hair whip spot, and Sasha Banks' incredible ability to make her opponents look like stars.
• [28:38] The Fiend vs. Randy Orton: A disappointment for the group. They discuss the "melted" Fiend's entrance but are baffled by the booking that saw him lose to one RKO after a distraction from Alexa Bliss.
• [36:46] Owens vs. Zayn: Praise for the chemistry between Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn. The hosts enjoyed the storytelling and the satisfaction of Owens stunning Logan Paul after the match.
• [41:05] Sheamus vs. Riddle: A critique of the US Title match, noting several botches, including a scary White Noise off the top rope, though they credit Sheamus for the win.
• [49:31] Ripley vs. Asuka: Reaction to Rhea Ripley winning the Raw Women's Title. While a good match, the hosts feel the build was rushed but are excited for Ripley's reign.
• [53:46] Reigns vs. Edge vs. Bryan: The definitive Match of Night 2. The hosts discuss the "con-chair-to" finish and Roman Reigns stacking both opponents for the pin, solidifying his heel run.

In this double-header episode of Wrestling With The Willeys, Josh and Jeremy sit down to review both nights of NXT TakeOver: Stand & Deliver. The hosts agree that the Unsanctioned Match between Adam Cole and Kyle O’Reilly stole the show, serving as the perfect culmination to the Undisputed Era’s breakup. They also discuss the surprising title change as Raquel Gonzalez defeated Io Shirai for the NXT Women's Championship, a move that left Josh questioning the timing. Other highlights include the hard-hitting "hoss fight" between Walter and Tommaso Ciampa for the NXT UK Title (Josh's favorite match of Night 1) and the crowning of MSK as the new Tag Team Champions. The duo also touches on the lackluster Karrion Kross vs. Finn Balor match and looks ahead to WrestleMania 37.

Key Highlights

• [03:34] Pete Dunne vs. Kushida: A solid technical opener for Night 1. Josh notes that while Kushida always delivers good matches, he seems to be losing too often on big stages.
• [06:49] Gauntlet Eliminator Match: The hosts discuss Bronson Reed’s big win to earn a North American Title shot. They praise the performance of Dexter Lumis and his creepy character work, with Jeremy calling this his favorite match of Night 1.
• [12:07] Walter vs. Tommaso Ciampa: Josh’s Match of the Night for Night 1. The team raves about the physicality, the chop-fest, and the storytelling around Ciampa working Walter’s hand to neutralize the chop.
• [16:15] MSK Wins Tag Titles: A breakdown of the Triple Threat Tag Team match. The hosts are impressed by the high-flying ability of MSK (formerly The Rascalz) and agree they were the right choice to win the vacant titles.
• [19:27] Raquel Gonzalez vs. Io Shirai: A mixed reaction to the main event of Night 1. While praising Io Shirai’s entrance and performance, Josh expresses disappointment in her dropping the title to Raquel Gonzalez, feeling Raquel wasn't quite ready for the spot.
• [32:22] Johnny Gargano vs. Bronson Reed: Discussing the North American Title match from Night 2. The hosts enjoyed the "David vs. Goliath" dynamic but felt the match went a bit longer than necessary.
• [35:54] Karrion Kross vs. Finn Balor: A disappointment for both hosts. Despite the spectacle of Kross's entrance, they felt the match lacked the "big fight feel" usually associated with Balor's title defenses.
• [39:27] Cole vs. O’Reilly Unsanctioned Match: The undisputed Match of the Weekend. Josh and Jeremy break down the brutal spots, including the brainbuster on the steel steps and the chain-wrapped knee drop finish that solidified Kyle O'Reilly as a singles star.