Music of the Mat Remix: Absolute Cinema

You may have noticed a trend on social media the past few years of people praising something as "absolute cinema." Wrestling seems to be no different, as internet cinephiles are quick to scream "absolute cinema" at Roman Reigns staring at Jey Uso or Seth Rollins making a face. On this episode, Andrew and returning guest Paul Wedding will discuss some actual cinema, namely songs from movies. They could be songs made specifically for the movie's soundtrack, songs that are just in the movie and come from somewhere else, or film score. Artists played include Aimee Mann, Quincy Jones, Townes Van Zandt, Moby, Motörhead, Carly Simon, Roy Orbison, Geto Boys, and many more. Grab some popcorn and put your cellphones on silent, we're going to the movies!Theme song: "Hemispheres" by Silent PartnerBluesky: @MusicoftheMat / @justandrewAll VOW podcasts, articles, previews, and reviews: VoicesofWrestling.comJoin the VOW Discord to discuss Music of the Mat and other shows/topics: VoicesofWrestling.com/DiscordDonate to Music of the Mat and other VOW podcasts: VoicesofWrestling.com/DonateSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/music-of-the-mat/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Music of the Mat is celebrating nine years the only way it knows how: with a hearty pun and a lively discussion about hair metal! Inspired by the recent retirement of Hiroshi Tanahashi and his glorious head of hair, this episode combines two hirsute topics. The hair vs. hair match is a stipulation that has been around for decades in pro wrestling, and hair metal is a genre that has been around for decades in music (even if it's heyday was forty years ago). Andrew is joined by returning guest Damon McDonald (Super J-Cast) to play some of their favorite hair metal songs. Artists played include Ratt, Cinderella, White Lion, Skid Row, Def Leppard, KIX, Bon Jovi, Poison, and many more. Grab your hairspray, pour yourself into the tightest spandex pants you can find, and enjoy this fantastic anniversary show!Theme song: "Hemispheres" by Silent PartnerBluesky: @MusicoftheMat / @justandrew / @thesuperjcastTwitter: @thesuperjcastSuper J-Cast's Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/superjcastAll VOW podcasts, articles, previews, and reviews: VoicesofWrestling.comJoin the VOW Discord to discuss Music of the Mat and other shows/topics: VoicesofWrestling.com/DiscordDonate to Music of the Mat and other VOW podcasts: VoicesofWrestling.com/DonateSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/music-of-the-mat/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

It's almost time to say goodbye and good riddance to 2025. Who knows what delights and horrors await us in 2026, but before we get there, we have a Music of the Mat annual tradition: the year-end episode! Andrew and returning guest Maura Johnston (Boston Globe, Rolling Stone) play some of their favorite music that came out during the year. Artists played include Elton John & Brandi Carlile, CMAT, Bartees Strange, Jane Inc., Pulp, Kehlani, Ghost, The Last Dinner Party, Sam Fender, and many more. Thank you to everyone for listening to and supporting the show in 2025!Theme song: "Hemispheres" by Silent PartnerBluesky: @MusicoftheMat / @justandrew / @mauraMaura's website: maura.comAll VOW podcasts, articles, previews, and reviews: VoicesofWrestling.comJoin the VOW Discord to discuss Music of the Mat and other shows/topics: VoicesofWrestling.com/DiscordDonate to Music of the Mat and other VOW podcasts: VoicesofWrestling.com/DonateSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/music-of-the-mat/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

There's a booking trope in wrestling where a wrestler loses their championship, and instead of working their way back to the belt, they say "I have a rematch clause!" and automatically get a second match. This episode of Music of the Mat Remix is all about seconds, specifically second albums. Andrew is joined by first-time guest DJ Convoy to discuss some great sophomore efforts. Artists played include Nirvana, Carole King, Prefab Sprout, Massive Attack, MS MR, Rainbow, Weezer, and many more. No need for a rematch clause to listen to this episode, just click play and enjoy!Theme song: "Hemispheres" by Silent PartnerBluesky: @MusicoftheMat / @justandrew / @djconvoyDJ's blog: lazonamuerta.netAll VOW podcasts, articles, previews, and reviews: VoicesofWrestling.comJoin the VOW Discord to discuss Music of the Mat and other shows/topics: VoicesofWrestling.com/DiscordDonate to Music of the Mat and other VOW podcasts: VoicesofWrestling.com/DonateSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/music-of-the-mat/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The shorthand reference for a wrestler not being used on TV is that they're "sitting in catering." They're sitting in the back, eating some food, while other wrestlers get the spotlight and the glory. Just in time for Thanksgiving, Andrew is joined by returning guest Sean Flynn to hunker down in catering and chow down on songs about food or have food in the title. Artists played include System of a Down, Adele, Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass, Mac Miller, Nick Drake, King Crimson, Harry Styles, and more. Load up your plate and save room for dessert, this episode will have you stuffed to the gills with delicious entertainment.Theme song: "Hemispheres" by Silent PartnerBluesky: @MusicoftheMat / @justandrewAll VOW podcasts, articles, previews, and reviews: VoicesofWrestling.comJoin the VOW Discord to discuss Music of the Mat and other shows/topics: VoicesofWrestling.com/DiscordDonate to Music of the Mat and other VOW podcasts: VoicesofWrestling.com/DonateSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/music-of-the-mat/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

John Cena, the biggest wrestling star of the past two decades and one of the biggest wrestling stars of all time, is just weeks away from his last match. On this episode, Andrew and returning guest Suit Williams (Voices of Wrestling) discuss Cena's imminent retirement and the putridity of his final run, then get musical by playing bands and artists that start with the letter C. It's a play on Cena's catchphrase "You can't see me," where we replace the word "see" with the letter... well, you get it. Artists played include Cheap Trick, Ciara, Chaka Khan, The Crystal Method, Chromatics, Clipse, Chappell Roan, The Cult, and many more. Put on your finest jorts and brush up on your basic thuganomics, because this episode is all about hustle, loyalty, and respect.Theme song: "Hemispheres" by Silent PartnerBluesky: @MusicoftheMat / @justandrew / @suitwilliamsTwitter: @suitwilliamsSuit's blog: Suitwilliams.comAll VOW podcasts, articles, previews, and reviews: VoicesofWrestling.comJoin the VOW Discord to discuss Music of the Mat and other shows/topics: VoicesofWrestling.com/DiscordDonate to Music of the Mat and other VOW podcasts: VoicesofWrestling.com/DonateSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/music-of-the-mat/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The Halloween Spooktacular is back! Yes, the Music of the Mat October tradition returns after not happening last year, and to celebrate Andrew and returning guest Cola the Lodger (VOW Discord) are crafting a playlist of songs that fit right in with spooky season. Artists played include Ozzy Osbourne, Lady Gaga, TV on the Radio, Gravediggaz, Smashing Pumpkins, Norma Tanega, Rob Zombie, Doug E. Fresh, The Crypt Keeper, and many more. There may be things that go bump in the night, but this episode will have you bumping right back!Theme song: "Hemispheres" by Silent PartnerBluesky: @MusicoftheMat / @justandrewAll VOW podcasts, articles, previews, and reviews: VoicesofWrestling.comJoin the VOW Discord to discuss Music of the Mat and other shows/topics: VoicesofWrestling.com/DiscordDonate to Music of the Mat and other VOW podcasts: VoicesofWrestling.com/DonateSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/music-of-the-mat/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

On this landmark 200th episode, Andrew and returning guest Dakota Jones (Voices of Wrestling) are diving into hall of fame season. Yes, this is the time of year when people discuss and debate the candidates for the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame, but Andrew and Dakota are focusing on a different (though just as noteworthy) institution: the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The Class of 2025 was announced months ago, but the induction ceremony is just a few weeks away, so there's no better time to celebrate the group of music luminaries entering the hall: Bad Company, Chubby Checker, Cyndi Lauper, Joe Cocker, Outkast, Soundgarden, The White Stripes, Salt-N-Pepa, Warren Zevon, Carol Kaye, Nicky Hopkins, Thom Bell, and Lenny Waronker. Thank you to everyone for listening to and supporting the show!Theme song: "Hemispheres" by Silent PartnerBluesky: @MusicoftheMat / @justandrewAll VOW podcasts, articles, previews, and reviews: VoicesofWrestling.comJoin the VOW Discord to discuss Music of the Mat and other shows/topics: VoicesofWrestling.com/DiscordDonate to Music of the Mat and other VOW podcasts: VoicesofWrestling.com/DonateSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/music-of-the-mat/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

"Oh my God!" wasn't just Joey Styles's famous catchphrase in ECW, it's also what many wrestling fans exclaim when something wild happens like a crazy spot or a surprise appearance. On this episode, Andrew is joined by first-time guest and actual pastor Josh to play songs with the word God (or Gods) in the title. They don't have to be religious songs, just the word will do. Artists played include Queens of the Stone Age, Ida Maria, Monsters of Folk, Coldplay, Beach Boys, Def Leppard, John Denver, and many more. Despite a nightmarish amount of scheduling and technical issues that went into recording this episode, it's still a lot of fun, so give it a listen!Theme song: "Hemispheres" by Silent PartnerBluesky: @MusicoftheMat / @justandrewAll VOW podcasts, articles, previews, and reviews: VoicesofWrestling.comJoin the VOW Discord to discuss Music of the Mat and other shows/topics: VoicesofWrestling.com/DiscordDonate to Music of the Mat and other VOW podcasts: VoicesofWrestling.com/DonateSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/music-of-the-mat/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

One of the ways that wrestlers and musicians are alike is that they are not set in stone. Just like a wrestler is often prone to changing their gimmick, a musician is often prone to changing their sound. On this episode, Andrew is joined again by Jeremy Sexton (Voices of Wrestling) to look at some instances of bands and artists changing things up with their music. Artists played include Led Zeppelin, Nas, Bee Gees, Black Eyed Peas, Ministry, Metallica, Rush, John Mayer Trio, and many more. If you ever wanted to hear what Neil Young sounded like with a vocoder, then this is the episode for you!Theme song: "Hemispheres" by Silent PartnerBluesky: @MusicoftheMat / @justandrewSportofProWrestling.comAll VOW podcasts, articles, previews, and reviews: VoicesofWrestling.comJoin the VOW Discord to discuss Music of the Mat and other shows/topics: VoicesofWrestling.com/DiscordDonate to Music of the Mat and other VOW podcasts: VoicesofWrestling.com/DonateSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/music-of-the-mat/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy