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Wrestling Is Real Wrestling Podcast

Wrestling Is Real Wrestling Podcast

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 Navigating the ever-evolving landscape of professional wrestling since 2012, the Wrestling Is Real Podcast, with your host @KingOfPodcasts, offers in-depth, bold, and uncensored commentary. We go beyond the surface to analyze the intricate storylines, pivotal TV moments, and creative directions across all major promotions including WWE, AEW, TNA, MLW, NWA, and more.

Expect insightful critiques, passionate debate, and a commitment to exploring why some angles captivate us and others fall flat. If you're looking for a podcast that truly understands the psychology and spectacle of wrestling and isn't afraid to speak its mind, you're in the right place. We're here for the highlights and the low blows, because wrestling needs us!

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/wrestling-is-real-wrestling-podcast--1559158/support.Copyright Wrestling Is Real Podcast Arte Deportes de Combate y Defensa Personal
Episodios
  • The TKO Effect: WWE Reluctantly Forced to Cut Veteran Talent (ep.933)

    The TKO Effect: WWE Reluctantly Forced to Cut Veteran Talent (ep.933)
    Jun 5 2025
    TKO Group Holdings, the parent company of WWE and UFC formed in September 2023, is actively shaping WWE's operational landscape, with its financial strategies appearing to exert significant influence on talent roster management.
    While claims regarding the "sudden upcoming releases" of all specific talents like The Miz are not entirely accurate (as reports indicate he is not leaving and his contract runs until at least late 2025), the departure of R-Truth following a non-renewal of his contract in early June 2025, Karrion Kross's uncertain contract status with no new deal in sight, and broader talent cuts in May 2025 affecting both main roster and NXT Superstars, underscore a period of strategic adjustments.
    These personnel changes are widely interpreted as part of TKO's broader cost-cutting measures and a shift towards a more business-driven, financially disciplined approach to talent management, where even WWE's Chief Content Officer Paul "Triple H" Levesque operates within the financial framework set by TKO.
    TKO's financial profile provides critical context for these decisions. Despite reporting record revenue of $2.804 billion in 2024 (a 67% year-over-year increase, with WWE contributing $1.39 billion) and a strong gross profit margin of 68.66%, the company's net income was a modest $6.4 million, reflecting a slim net profit margin of 0.34% due to high operating expenses. More recent Q1 2025 figures show improvement, with TKO posting $1.269 billion in revenue and $165.5 million in net income, leading to an upward revision of its full-year 2025 guidance. However, TKO carries a substantial gross debt load, around $2.76 billion as of December 2023 (largely from pre-merger UFC obligations due by 2026), which stood at $2.776 billion by March 31, 2025. While its debt-to-equity ratio (approximately 0.31) suggests a balanced capital structure, a previously low interest coverage ratio highlighted limited flexibility. Significant one-time costs, such as the $341.8 million in Q1 2024 legal expenses (including a $335 million UFC antitrust settlement), have also impacted past profitability.
    The company's strategic acquisitions, including the WWE merger which added $2.19 billion in trademarks and $5.06 billion in goodwill, and the $3.25 billion all-stock deal for PBR, On Location, and IMG, aim to create a powerhouse in premium sports and entertainment. However, integrating these assets and achieving synergies while managing debt and controlling operating costs are paramount. Therefore, the strategic talent cuts and a "colder" operational environment reported within WWE can be seen as direct consequences of TKO's imperative to improve profitability and manage its financial obligations, particularly the substantial debt due by 2026.
    While TKO's leadership, including Ari Emanuel and Nick Khan, focuses on maximizing shareholder value through expanded media rights and operational efficiencies, the on-the-ground decisions regarding talent rosters, though likely involving creative input from figures like Triple H, are inevitably influenced by these overarching corporate financial mandates.
    The outlook for TKO hinges on successfully leveraging its valuable IP and media rights while maintaining fiscal discipline, a strategy where talent costs are a significant and scrutinized component.
    Contact KOP for professional podcast production, imaging, and web design services at http://www.kingofpodcasts.comSupport KOP by subscribing to his YouTube channel and search for King Of PodcastsFollow KOP on X and TikTok @kingofpodcasts (F Meta!)Listen to KOP’s other programs, Podcasters Row… and the Wrestling is Real Wrestling Podcast and The Broadcasters Podcast.Buy KOP a Coffee https://buymeacoffee.com/kingofpodcastsDrop KOP a PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=3TAB983ZQPNVLDrop KOP a CashApp https://cash.app/$kingofallpodcasts

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/wrestling-is-real-wrestling-podcast--1559158/support.
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    1 h y 10 m
  • WWE Goes Double or Nothing Pitting NXT All In on AEW (ep.932)

    WWE Goes Double or Nothing Pitting NXT All In on AEW (ep.932)
    May 29 2025
    WWE appears to be reigniting a new front in its competitive battle with All Elite Wrestling (AEW), scheduling major NXT events directly against AEW's flagship pay-per-view, All In: Texas. This move follows the recent counter-programming of AEW's Double or Nothing with NXT Battleground and signals a more aggressive strategy, reportedly with more head-to-head clashes planned for 2025. These tactics are unfolding against a backdrop of fluctuating viewership for some WWE programming and dedicated fan loyalty that often fuels intense online discourse and disdain for the rival promotion.In a bold scheduling decision, WWE has announced that its NXT Great American Bash will take place on Saturday, July 12, 2025, the same day as AEW's highly anticipated All In: Texas stadium show. The weekend will also see WWE present Saturday Night's Main Event and the all-women's Evolution event in Atlanta, creating a direct challenge for fan attention and expenditure. This strategy echoes the recent scheduling of NXT Battleground on the same night as AEW's Double or Nothing, a move that AEW President Tony Khan has publicly addressed, comparing it to WWE's historical tactics against Jim Crockett Promotions but predicting a different outcome this time.Industry observer Bryan Alvarez of Wrestling Observer Live has reported that WWE intends to schedule at least two more head-to-head "battles" with AEW throughout 2025, indicating a sustained effort to compete directly with AEW's major events.This competitive maneuvering comes as WWE navigates a changing media landscape and manages its live event business under the TKO Group Holdings umbrella. While TKO reported strong overall financial results for the first quarter of 2025, citing robust live event performance and new media deals like WWE Raw's move to Netflix, some specific WWE metrics have shown fluctuations. For instance, the May 19, 2025, episode of WWE Raw on Netflix reportedly garnered 2.7 million global viewers, equalling its second-lowest audience on the platform at the time, with 5 million hours viewed.Furthermore, NXT recently faced challenges with its Tampa residency. The final night of tapings, scheduled for May 27, 2025, at the Yuengling Center, was moved back to the much smaller WWE Performance Center after reportedly distributing only around 1,700 tickets for the larger arena. This contrasts with the user's initial information suggesting NXT and AAA Worlds Collide would precede the Great American Bash during the All In weekend; the WWE x AAA Worlds Collide event is actually scheduled for June 7, 2025.The decision to directly counter-program AEW's biggest shows is seen by some as a way to energize WWE's loyal fanbase. Wrestling fandom is often characterized by passionate, sometimes tribal, allegiances. Segments of WWE's extensive and long-standing fanbase frequently express strong loyalty to the brand and, in some cases, open disdain for AEW. This dynamic, often amplified on social media, can create an "us vs. them" mentality. WWE's direct counter-programming could be perceived as a move to rally its base, encouraging them to support WWE's offerings and potentially overshadow AEW's milestones in online discourse and viewership metrics where direct comparison is possible.While AEW has celebrated successes, such as reportedly outperforming NXT Battleground during the Double or Nothing weekend in various metrics, WWE's renewed focus on direct competition suggests a long-term strategic vision under TKO to assert its market dominance. The upcoming "All In" weekend in July will be a significant test, as fans will be forced to choose where to direct their attention and spending, potentially reigniting a modern-day version of past promotional wars, this time fought across multiple nights and platforms.Contact KOP for professional podcast production, imaging, and web design services at http://www.kingofpodcasts.comSupport KOP by subscribing to his YouTube channel and search for King Of PodcastsFollow KOP on X and TikTok @kingofpodcasts (F Meta!)Listen to KOP’s other programs, Podcasters Row… and the Wrestling is Real Wrestling Podcast and The Broadcasters Podcast.Buy KOP a Coffee https://buymeacoffee.com/kingofpodcastsDrop KOP a PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=3TAB983ZQPNVLDrop KOP a CashApp https://cash.app/$kingofallpodcastsBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/wrestling-is-real-wrestling-podcast--1559158/support.
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    1 h y 3 m
  • AEW Rebounds at Double or Nothing and a Trick Williams TNA Takeover

    AEW Rebounds at Double or Nothing and a Trick Williams TNA Takeover
    May 26 2025
    AEW Double or Nothing 2025 was a testament to the promotion’s evolution, blending established stars, fresh faces, and compelling narratives to deliver a show that reaffirmed AEW’s place as a powerhouse in professional wrestling.Double or Nothing delivered a masterclass in professional wrestling, showcasing a revitalized All Elite Wrestling that has rebounded from a challenging 2024. With a well-rounded card, strategic roster adjustments, and compelling storytelling, AEW proved it’s in a strong position from top to bottom, captivating fans with high-octane matches and fresh rivalries.The **Men’s Owen Hart Foundation Tournament Final** saw Will Ospreay and Hangman Adam Page deliver a classic that lived up to the hype of an already stellar pay-per-view. Page’s victory cemented his resurgence as a top star, while Ospreay’s electrifying performance kept him a fan favorite, setting the stage for future clashes.In the **Women’s Owen Hart Foundation Tournament Final**, Mercedes Moné defeated Jamie Hayter to earn a shot at the AEW Women’s World Championship. Moné, having solidified her identity since Kamille’s face turn, showcased her dominance as a heel champion. A year into her AEW run, Moné has conquered territories and remains a cornerstone of the women’s division.The **AEW World Tag Team Championship** match saw The Hurt Syndicate (Bobby Lashley & Shelton Benjamin) overpower the Sons of Texas (Dustin Rhodes & Sammy Guevara). The Hurt Syndicate injected new life into a stagnant tag team division, evoking the dominance of WCW’s Doom and Harlem Heat. Their reign promises fresh challenges, while FTR and The Young Bucks remain entangled in separate, gripping storylines.FTR (Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler) leaned into their heel personas, channeling the Midnight Express in a thrilling **tag team match** against Nigel McGuinness and Daniel Garcia. Garcia’s pure babyface push resonated with the crowd, but FTR’s cunning tactics secured the win, proving they remain a draw without titles, as fans eagerly await their comeuppance.The **Six-Man Tag Team Match** pitted Paragon (Adam Cole, Roderick Strong, & Kyle O’Reilly) against The Don Callis Family (Kyle Fletcher, Konosuke Takeshita, & Lance Archer). The Family’s dominance was undeniable, overpowering Paragon in a chaotic spectacle that somehow kept the crowd roaring despite following the intense Anarchy in the Arena. AEW’s knack for building hated heels shone through, with the Family emerging as a formidable force.The **Anarchy in the Arena** match was pure madness, as Kenny Omega, Swerve Strickland, Willow Nightingale, and The Opps (Samoa Joe, Powerhouse Hobbs, & Katsuyori Shibata) clashed with the Death Riders (Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli, Marina Shafir, & Wheeler Yuta) and The Young Bucks (Matthew & Nicholas Jackson). The babyface team triumphed after the Death Riders were detained in an ambulance from the stretcher match and The Young Bucks were neutralized, delivering a satisfying conclusion to a wild brawl.In a **stretcher match**, Ricochet defeated Mark Briscoe, fully embracing his fleshed-out heel persona. His ruthless performance marked a turning point, establishing him as a top-tier antagonist in AEW.The **AEW Continental Championship** match saw Kazuchika Okada defend his title against Speedball Mike Bailey in a technical masterpiece. Okada’s precision outmatched Bailey’s high-flying brilliance, though Bailey’s performance echoed his standout TNA run, proving he’s a rising star.Meanwhile, at **NXT Battleground**, cross-promotional action took center stage. Trick Williams captured the TNA World Championship by defeating TNA’s Joe Hendry, a historic moment for NXT and TNA’s partnership. Oba Femi retained the NXT Championship against Myles Borne, and Stephanie Vaquer successfully defended the NXT Women’s Championship against Jordynne Grace, further solidifying NXT’s dominance.Contact KOP for professional podcast production, imaging, and web design services at http://www.kingofpodcasts.comSupport KOP by subscribing to his YouTube channel and search for King Of PodcastsFollow KOP on X and TikTok @kingofpodcasts (F Meta!)Listen to KOP’s other programs, Podcasters Row… and the Wrestling is Real Wrestling Podcast and The Broadcasters Podcast.Buy KOP a Coffee https://buymeacoffee.com/kingofpodcastsDrop KOP a PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=3TAB983ZQPNVLDrop KOP a CashApp https://cash.app/$kingofallpodcastsBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/wrestling-is-real-wrestling-podcast--1559158/support.
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    24 m
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