Re-run: Rufi Thorpe - Margo's Got Money Troubles

We’re joined by Rufi Thorpe, author of the book Margo’s Got Money Troubles (which will also have a series on Apple TV soon). Bret Hart’s match against Stone Cold Steve Austin at WrestleMania 13 and his infamous exit from WWF are both well documented; but in between those moments was a largely under-discussed heel turn that helped lay the foundation for the Attitude Era.

This podcast is made possible by the generous contributions of our MaxFun Members! It’s always a great time to help this show continue for as little as $5 a month. Just go to maximumfun.org/join. WWE’s Elimination Chamber PLE is behind us and there’s nothing in front of us but the road to WrestleMania. Jade Cargill will defend her WWE title against Rhea Ripley while Drew McIntyre will defend that title against Randy Orton… and most likely Cody Rhodes. Hal, Danielle and Lindsey take a look at how we got here and where the pitfalls of WWE’s existing strategy are– is there a better way to build to the biggest matches at the biggest show of the year? Plus: Consider us fanhausens of Danhausen. The Main Event AJ Lee defeated Becky Lynch for the Women's Intercontinental Title. For the first time in over a decade AJ Lee is a champion in WWE. She has a brand new belt. And hopefully, CM Punk's photo, she bleaches it before someone else touches it. We take a look at her career so far and where we hope her run goes from here. The Three Count Danielle put over the messy build of Rhea Ripley and Jade Cargill Lindsey put over Lin-Manuel Miranda writing for The Rock. Hal put over this reactionhausen.  Keep up with this show all week long on instagram, tiktok and bluesky. This show was produced by Julian Burrell for Maximumfun.org

This podcast is made possible by the generous contributions of our MaxFun Members! It’s always a great time to help this show continue for as little as $5 a month. Just go to maximumfun.org/join. After weeks of speculation, the answer to why AJ Styles kept his gloves on after his (supposed) final match against Gunther are now here: He wanted to leave them in his hometown of Atlanta Georgia.  There was no swerve or final FINAL match announced. But we did learn that he WILL be headed to the WWE Hall of Fame as the first induction of the 2026 class. We also need to talk about the Vision: They suffered yet another loss in membership with Bronson Reed out for the foreseeable future with a significant injury. Where does this group here with the story of Seth Rollins, the box, and the masked man left unresolved? The Main Event If you're listening to this the day that it comes out, you know that it's Elimination Chamber day! And afterwards we'll know our title matches for WrestleMania. Which title match do we expect to be booked? And why is it a sign that WWE needs to start having an eye on the future? The Three Count Danielle put over the legend of Trish Adora. Lindsey put over celebrating the US Women's Hockey Team. Hal put over the Total Divas reboot.  Keep up with this show all week long on instagram, tiktok and bluesky. This show was produced by Julian Burrell for Maximumfun.org

This podcast is made possible by the generous contributions of our MaxFun Members! It’s always a great time to help this show continue for as little as $5 a month. Just go to maximumfun.org/join. Lindsey Kelk is back once again! After a whirlwind tour of book events and rewatching, “Heated Rivalry,” she’s prepared to discuss WWE’s Elimination Chamber PLE. It sure is nice to have an event the company cares about building to! The Main Event In a recent episode of AEW, Wheeler Yuta and Marina Shafir took on Toni Storm and Orange Cassidy. And a much bigger deal than the hair stakes was the fact that this had that rare feature of boys fighting girls and girls fighting boys in our wrassles! The Three Count Danielle put over Cody's best entrance track. Lindsey put over Heated Punk Rock Rivalries. Hal put over what we do.  Keep up with this show all week long on instagram, tiktok and bluesky. This show was produced by Julian Burrell for Maximumfun.org

This podcast is made possible by the generous contributions of our MaxFun Members! It’s always a great time to help this show continue for as little as $5 a month. Just go to maximumfun.org/join.Finn Balor will not be denied! Even though CM Punk has accepted Roman Reigns’ challenge for the World Heavyweight Championship, he will take on the Prinxe in Chicago at Elimination Chamber.Given how there’s no chance Finn will win this match, what does this mean for his path to WrestleMania?We also take a look at Liv Morgan– she has yet to pick which championship she will challenge for. We can think of a solid case for both the WWE and the World Titles.The Main EventOver the years there's been a lot of wrestling gimmick matches. And some of them have gone on to be staples of wrestling like the Elimination Chamber and the Royal Rumble. And others are the Punjabi Prison match.The Three CountDanielle put over WWE Superstar Bad Bunny.Julian put over Stone Cold Jane Austen.Hal put over Sad Johnny Gargano. Keep up with this show all week long on instagram, tiktok and bluesky.This show was produced by Julian Burrell for Maximumfun.org

This podcast is made possible by the generous contributions of our MaxFun Members! It’s always a great time to help this show continue for as little as $5 a month. Just go to maximumfun.org/join.The Royal Rumble has come and gone; the first ever edition of the show to be in Saudi Arabia. And once again, it’s the clearest sign of WWE placing profit before the fan experience.The audience felt slim, the women were forced to wear their full-coverage jumpsuits and the whole just had a vibe that wasn’t befitting a Big 5 PLE.But there were things that we enjoyed: Roman Reigns and Liv Morgan won the titular match; the former sets up an incredibly compelling match for the World Heavyweight Championship against CM Punk.Plus seeing Gunther retire AJ Styles was something that clearly emotionally affected everyone in attendance and around the world. But we’ll explain why we actually think this is really compelling booking.All that and plenty more, but we’re left dreading the next time WWE decides to hold another show in Saudi Arabia. The Three CountDanielle put over The Bellas on ImpaulsiveJulian put over Roman's shoes.Hal put over Dominik Mysterio’s three dads. Keep up with this show all week long on instagram, tiktok and bluesky.This show was produced by Julian Burrell for Maximumfun.org

This podcast is made possible by the generous contributions of our MaxFun Members! It’s always a great time to help this show continue for as little as $5 a month. Just go to maximumfun.org/joinWWE has recently released the second season of “Unreal” on Netflix. It’s another peak into how the company works. It’s probably not as “real” as it claims to be; but there are still some great insights that we’re happy to discuss… especially the ones about Chelsea Green.The Main Event: What we’ve loved and loathed about the Royal Rumble.This Saturday is the Royal Rumble. It's one of WWE’s most important shows of the year. So why does the marketing for the show feel so slipshod? We take a look and examine some of the highs and lows from the event’s history.The Three CountDanielle put over Becky's weather reports.Lindsey put over Cat Dad Drew.Hal put over  Wrestling newbies and Royal Rumble ribs.Keep up with this show all week long on instagram, tiktok and blueskThis show was produced by Julian Burrell for Maximumfun.org

This podcast is made possible by the generous contributions of our MaxFun Members! It’s always a great time to help this show continue for as little as $5 a month. Just go to maximumfun.org/joinWWE has recently released the second season of “Unreal” on Netflix. It’s another peak into how the company works. It’s probably not as “real” as it claims to be; but there are still some great insights that we’re happy to discuss… especially the ones about Chelsea Green.The Main Event: What we’ve loved and loathed about the Royal Rumble.This Saturday is the Royal Rumble. It's one of WWE’s most important shows of the year. So why does the marketing for the show feel so slipshod? We take a look and examine some of the highs and lows from the event’s history. The Three CountDanielle put over Becky's weather reports.Lindsey put over Cat Dad Drew.Hal put over  Wrestling newbies and Royal Rumble ribs.Keep up with this show all week long on instagram, tiktok and blueskThis show was produced by Julian Burrell for Maximumfun.org

This podcast is made possible by the generous contributions of our MaxFun Members! It’s always a great time to help this show continue for as little as $5 a month. Just go to maximumfun.org/join.There’s been some really strong matches lately, not the least of which was Finn Balor’s effort against CM Punk for the World Heavyweight Title. There’s also a really promising rivalry coming up between Jade Cargill and Jordynne Grace.But we haven’t been able to get excited about the Royal Rumble, mainly because of how poor the build to the show has been. What gives? And can WWE heat this thing up in a week?The Main Event: Wrestling Interview ShowsSometimes we just wanna take a break from all that wrestling on our wrestling show. That is when WWE makes a change in presentation and throws in the classic wrestler-hosted interview show. So let's talk about some of our favorites from over the years and what makes them work. The Three CountDanielle put over Jojoblacco.Lindsey put over Jade Cargill's interview skills.Hal put over John Cena making Bruce Prichard's Streak Baby.Keep up with this show all week long on instagram, tiktok and bluesky.This show was produced by Julian Burrell for Maximumfun.org

This podcast is made possible by the generous contributions of our MaxFun Members! It’s always a great time to help this show continue for as little as $5 a month. Just go to maximumfun.org/join.Drew McIntyre is WWE Champion! Just one week after we’d noticed that the company seemed hesitant to shake things up at the top of the men’s card, the Scottish Psychopath beat Cody Rhodes for the top title in the company. Where does Drew go from here? And will there be cats? Hopefully!Plus, how we would make Finn Balor vs. CM Punk more interesting.The Main Event: Alison Lyn MillerThere's a new wrestling book hitting store shelves this month:Rough House: A Father, a Son and thePursuit of Pro Wrestling Glory. It's the story of Georgia born Hunter James as he tries to surpass the wrestling legacy of his father. That includes the turbulent world of the indies where things are, shall we say, not as glamorous as all televised wrestling we see every week.Alison Lyn Miller joins us to discuss the book. You can find her on tour now.The Three CountLindsey put over Bayley on What's Your Story?.Julian put over Glasgow's favorite son returning home.Hal put over John Cena making Bret Hart noticing Goldberg on that grassy knoll.Keep up with this show all week long on instagram, tiktok and bluesky.This show was produced by Julian Burrell for Maximumfun.org