WHAT WILL TKO DO FOR A FEW DOLLARS MORE? (Wrestling Soup 4.23.26)

Anthony and Joe break down the latest in wrestling news, starting with a wave of retirement announcements including Pat McAfee, Nikki Bella, and Billy Gunn's take on his own career future. The guys discuss the dangers of wrestlers overextending themselves across too many ventures, debate which WWE women could pull off a hardcore match, and riff on the absurdity of The Rock producing a Fighting with My Family stage musical. They also get into the parasocial entitlement of wrestling fans, AEW's merch problems, MJF's ceiling in WWE, Dan Hausen's potential, and the security failures at WrestleMania 42 weekend — including X-Pac's assault claims at the MGM Grand.Timestamps:0:00 – Intro / Three WWE retirements in 24 hours1:56 – Pat McAfee retirement breakdown16:32 – The WrestleMania ads controversy17:13 – Parasocial relationships24:00 – Back to retirements: Nikki Bella25:41 – Fantasy booking a hardcore Nikki Bella run29:27 – Brit Baker at the NFL Draft31:20 – AEW Boys & Girls Club37:55 – Billy Gunn's retirement comments & his attitude57:06 – The Rock producing a musical1:05:10 – MJF's ceiling in WWE & Dan Hausen's future1:11:24 – AEW merch problems & fired designers1:17:59 – X-Pac assaulted at WrestleMania 42 weekend1:23:17 – MGM Grand security failures & TKO cheapness1:25:59 – Wrap-upBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/wrestling-soup--1425249/support.

0:21 – Sol Ruca & Jojo Siwa's brutal moment2:58 – Is Tony D'Angelo the worst NXT champ ever?10:27 – Bronn Breaker's future & OBA's momentum15:57 – Brock Lesnar retirement: Is Summer Slam the final match?22:58 – Billy Gunn on what's wrong with modern wrestling25:33 – Fan reactions to Billy Gunn's comments36:32 – WWE going to Saudi Arabia during a war zone41:21 – TKO CEO Mark Shapiro audio: "Making enemies is fine"46:09 – Shapiro celebrates fans paying $1,000/year for sports59:39 – CM Punk confronts a fan; fan entitlement is getting worse1:01:43 – TKO is breeding entitled fans1:05:19 – Booker T's WrestleMania hotel horror story1:11:54 – Hulk Hogan Netflix documentary review1:19:33 – Moments of genuine humanity in the Hogan doc1:33:36 – Stephanie McMahon & Paige's emotional interview1:42:00 – Dream Legends House cast1:48:49 – Jim Cornett appreciation & outroBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/wrestling-soup--1425249/support.

Joe and Anthony break down Monday Night Raw the night after WrestleMania, covering every match, promo, debut, and storyline development. Topics include Roman Reigns and the Bloodline, CM Punk's move to SmackDown, the Cody Rhodes concussion promo, WWE's corporate ad problem, the Hulk Hogan Netflix documentary, and much more.Timestamps:0:00 – Intro / Tribal Chief talk & Roman Reigns discussion1:06 – WWE's "Disney Adults" theory & the Roman fanbase4:43 – Jacob Fatu fed to Roman / USOs back / Jay Uso's failed push6:11 – Post-Mania roster shuffles, Ethan Page & Sol Ruca debuts8:11 – CM Punk's goodbye promo & the fan altercation in Vegas11:03 – Show intro / five days in a row / NXT Battleground pass13:20 – Bronson Breaker busted open by Seth / hair & look changes15:08 – Logan Paul & Dom / Austin Theory comparison / A-Town Down Under16:11 – CM Punk vs. Cody: who's the heel? Crowd confusion breakdown19:01 – Cody Rhodes concussed promo: best promo he's cut?35:12 – Sol Ruca debut, Adam Pierce being awesome, women's division depth38:44 – Only 4 matches in 2 hours 40 minutes / ad overload problem41:18 – WWE's ad format vs. the old in-show app / Netflix commercial issues43:33 – Wrestlers in every commercial / Cricket Wireless rant47:27 – Hulk Hogan Netflix documentary: worth watching?49:47 – Tony Hinchcliffe / Kill Tony / Netflix WWE deal tangent55:03 – Finn Balor vs. JD McDonough / Judgment Day fallout57:59 – OBA show up and say nothing / suit vs. ring gear debate1:03:58 – Gunther's storyline dead after Brock leaves / Bronson Breaker vs. Gunther1:08:07 – Jacob Fatu & Roman / crowd not reacting / Bloodline gang colors bit1:11:53 – Overall show rating: 4 matches, depleted crowd, Vegas departure1:14:55 – Outro / see you Thursday / shoutout to loyal daily listenersBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/wrestling-soup--1425249/support.

Anthony and Joe break down WrestleMania 42 Night Two in full — what delivered, what disappointed, and what it all means going forward. From Brock Lesnar's emotional farewell to OBA FMI, to the CM Punk vs. Roman Reigns main event, the guys give their honest takes on every match, the crowd, the booking logic (or lack thereof), streaming issues, celebrity involvement, and much more. Plus, live super chats and listener reactions throughout.👉 Support the show: patreon.com/wrestlingsoup💬 Join the Discord🎵 Check out Jon Draper on Spitball Media @iamjondraper every WednesdayTimestamps:0:00 — Intro / WrestleMania Night Two first impressions11:32 — OBA FMI vs. Brock Lesnar (Brock's retirement)22:59 — Six-Man Ladder Match (IC Championship) — Penta retains39:39 — Trick Williams vs. Sami Zayn (US Championship) / Lil Yachty48:20 — Finn Bálor (Demon) vs. Dominic Mysterio (Street Fight)1:05:51 — Rhea Ripley vs. Jade Cargill (Women's Championship)1:19:33 — John Cena segment / Dan Hausen & the clown car1:31:32 — MAIN EVENT: CM Punk vs. Roman Reigns (World Heavyweight Championship)2:06:02 — Final grades, best/worst of the night, closing thoughtsBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/wrestling-soup--1425249/support.

Wrestling Soup is BACK! Anthony, Joe Numbers E, and Jon Draper of Spitball Media break down WrestleMania 42 Night One LIVE from Las Vegas. From the chaos of iShowSpeed's wrestling debut, to Paige's emotional return, to the disaster of the main event — we cover every match, every moment, and every questionable booking decision. Plus, live Patreon chat reactions, grades for the show, and plenty of tangents you didn't ask for but absolutely needed.🎙️ Hosts: Anthony, Joe Numbers E, Jon Draper (Spitball Media)📍 Event: WrestleMania 42 Night One | Las Vegas0:00 – Pre-show banter / WrestleMania 42 Night One first impressions5:55 – Introductions: Wrestling Soup with Anthony, Joe Numbers E & John Draper6:19 – Match 1: USOs & LA Knight def. Logan Paul, Austin Theory & iShowSpeed (6-man tag)7:32 – Attendance numbers & women being pushed to Night One9:26 – Bianca Belair pregnancy announcement reaction12:35 – Match 2: Brie Bella & Paige def. teams in Fatal 4-Way Tag — Paige's massive return pop21:45 – Live Patreon chat / Yé & sponsor overload on the ring apron26:23 – Seth Rollins: Will he ever retire? A passionate rant29:21 – Match 3: Jacob Fatu def. Drew McIntyre (Unsanctioned Match)32:40 – ESPN app disaster: streaming issues all night35:54 – WWE creative woes & the main event as a sign of Triple H running out of ideas41:52 – Match 4: Becky Lynch def. AJ Lee — women's IC title (+ Paige backstory deep dive)59:35 – Match 5: Becky Lynch def. AJ Lee recap continues / AJ Lee match breakdown1:13:34 – Match 6: Gunther def. Seth Rollins (with interference/fuckery) — IC Title1:26:48 – Match 7: Liv Morgan def. Stephanie (Women's World Title) — entrance, finish & future1:35:09 – MAIN EVENT: Cody Rhodes def. Randy Orton — full breakdown & grades1:46:32 – Best/Worst match of the night & overall show grades1:56:29 – Wrap-up, Patreon shoutouts & Jon Draper's band LamentBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/wrestling-soup--1425249/support.

Timestamps:0:00 – Intro / Media Overload Before WrestleMania0:35 – How's Your Media Intake? Everything Feels Hollow6:04 – Is WWE in Its Death Throes?8:44 – Roman Reigns & the Fading Star Problem3:12 – Dan Hausen Curses Stephen A. Smith4:25 – Dan Hausen & Stephen A. Smith Interaction22:21 – WWE Needs to Lean Into Millennial Nostalgia29:09 – WWE Needs More Athletes30:51 – TKO / UFC & WWE: A One-Sided Relationship32:40 – Floyd Mayweather vs. Jelly Roll33:40 – Paige Returns to WWE: Reaction & Discussion45:09 – Roman Says He'll Leave If He Loses1:00:06 – Night Two Card: Omos vs. Brock Lesnar – OBA FEMI HAS TO WIN1:05:33 – 6-Pack Ladder Match for the IC Title1:10:18 – Nia Jax vs. Jade Cargill / Women's Division Talk1:21:43 – Trick Williams vs. Sami Zayn1:24:27 – Dom Mysterio vs. Demon Finn Bálor1:30:03 – Roman Reigns vs. CM Punk – Main Event Preview1:38:43 – Outro / Get Out of HereBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/wrestling-soup--1425249/support.

Anthony and Joe kick off their WrestleMania 42 preview with a full breakdown of Night One — but first, they can't help diving into Roman Reigns' scathing video promo on CM Punk, Triple H's revisionist history tour, Nick Khan's bold WrestleMania 43 claims, and the looming question of WWE's Saudi Arabia deal as geopolitical tensions rise. Predictions, hot takes, and zero corporate slop.0:00 — Cold Open: Where was this Ronda Rousey 10 years ago?3:41 — Intro / WrestleMania 42 Breakdown Show0:33 — Roman Reigns Calls CM Punk a Mark6:20 — Roman vs. Punk: Two Very Different Career Paths23:24 — Triple H on Fan Criticism & "Thinking About Tomorrow"34:41 — "Philanthropy Is the Future of Marketing" — Stephanie McMahon47:17 — Nick Khan: WrestleMania 43 in Saudi Arabia Is Happening52:54 — WrestleMania 42 Night One Predictions Begin53:10 — Vision (Logan Paul & iShowSpeed) vs. USOs & LA Knight57:46 — Jacob Fatu vs. Drew McIntyre (Unsanctioned Match)58:58 — Stephanie vs. Liv Morgan (Women's World Championship)1:03:08 — AJ Lee vs. Becky Lynch (Women's IC Championship)1:05:01 — Fatal 4-Way Women's Tag Match (Bellas, Charlotte & Bliss, Bailey & Lyra, Lash & Naya)1:11:58 — Seth Rollins vs. Gunther1:16:20 — Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton (Undisputed WWE Championship)1:23:05 — Wrap-Up / Night Two Preview TomorrowBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/wrestling-soup--1425249/support.

Joe and Anthony break down the chaos surrounding WrestleMania as ticket sales continue to struggle, TKO takes heat from the fanbase, and Monday Night Raw delivers a go-home show that leaves a lot to be desired. From Vegas hotel mini-bar horror stories to the state of WWE's booking, no stone is left unturned. Plus full Raw recap including the Brock/OBA FEMI contract signing, CM Punk and Roman Reigns' go-home promo, Charlotte vs. Bird Girl, Stephanie Vaquer, Liv Morgan's music video, IShowSpeed, and more.0:00 – Intro / WrestleMania Season Chaos0:47 – WrestleMania Ticket Sales Are a Disaster1:49 – TKO's Saudi Arabia Problem3:30 – TKO vs. The Fanbase / Ticketmaster Squeeze6:17 – Would Saudi Fans Even Come to WrestleMania Right Now?7:49 – The Card in a Vacuum / WM Going Cheap8:35 – Roman's Promo Acknowledges the Failure9:03 – Live Ticket Numbers: 3,000+ Still Available11:24 – Vegas Hotel Mini-Bar Horror Story ($400 Gone)27:39 – Raw Recap Begins28:20 – Brock Lesnar / OBA FMI Contract Signing30:45 – OBA FMI's Breakout Promo32:23 – IYO SKY Overworked / Women's Division Thin33:21 – Nikki Bella Possibly Out of WrestleMania45:55 – IShowSpeed, Austin Theory & Logan Paul Segment57:19 – Charlotte vs. Bird Girl (Bayley)1:04:36 – Stephanie Vaquer Promo / Liv Morgan's Music Video1:16:09 – Usos & LA Knight vs. MFTs1:19:07 – IYO SKY vs. Kairi Sane / Jade Cargill Discussion1:25:51 – CM Punk & Roman Reigns Go-Home Promo1:29:24 – Outro / WrestleMania Coverage ScheduleBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/wrestling-soup--1425249/support.

Joe and Anthony kick off with a deep nostalgia dive into classic arcade games, Sega vs. Nintendo rivalries, and the evolution of gaming culture — from beach arcades and LAN parties to streamers and speedrunners. From there, the guys shift into wrestling talk: WWE's creative direction under TKO, the internet's reaction to the worst-rated SmackDown in history, the Jelly Roll/Pat McAfee rumor, the CM Punk vs. Roman Reigns buildup, and a full breakdown of the leaked WrestleMania 42 two-night card. Plus: Jade Cargill's PED controversy, Finn Bálor's future, and why WWE keeps putting celebrities over logic.Timestamps:0:00 — Intro & Chucky Doll bit1:02 — One Piece, live action anime, and Michael Bay's Transformers crime4:43 — Sega history: Alex the Kid, Sonic, Altered Beast & Streets of Rage6:42 — The return of arcades & the "third space" crisis18:15 — Watching streamers & gaming content creators19:53 — Chris Chan, internet culture & the cancel cycle20:57 — Pat McAfee's WWE debut reaction & booking confusion33:47 — Jelly Roll reportedly added to the McAfee/Orton feud36:36 — Show intro (better late than never) + responding to comments43:16 — Worst SmackDown ever? YouTube dislikes & fan backlash53:07 — WrestleMania 42 Night One card breakdown1:08:04 — WrestleMania 42 Night Two card breakdown1:43:10 — CM Punk vs. Roman Reigns preview & final thoughtsBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/wrestling-soup--1425249/support.

0:00 — Intro / Io Sky & WWE's censorship problem1:55 — Tiffany Stratton, Maxine, and chasing the Mandy Rose dragon4:59 — WWE's Puritan censorship on Netflix & the self-inflicted PG problem11:02 — CM Punk's Raw promo: breaking down what worked and why Roman can't respond15:27 — The Pat McAfee SmackDown segment: death rattle wrestling16:55 — Roman Reigns' limitations: prepped but can't improv20:46 — What Roman SHOULD say to get real heat on Punk29:14 — Cody Rhodes crowd backlash & the Randy Orton/Pat McAfee pairing problem37:17 — Why Cody needs to turn heel & the Stephanie McMahon missed opportunity44:29 — Gunther being criminally misused — the Larry Bird analogy51:28 — TKO inserting themselves into creative? Celebrity overload in WWE55:41 — The celebrity problem: Logan Paul, IShowSpeed, Tom Brady & more1:05:52 — AJ Lee's return: is this the right version of her character?1:09:00 — Kairi Sane & Asuka/Damage CTRL situation1:15:24 — Oba Femi vs. Brock Lesnar: WrestleMania's real main event?1:18:20 — The Goldberg/Brock problem — will they screw up Oba's moment?1:25:47 — Gunther interference theory: Brock puts over two guys on the way out?1:28:35 — How does Seth Rollins ruin the Brock/Oba match?1:32:20 — Pat McAfee's SmackDown ratings bomb & the Ari Emanuel/Stallone comparison1:35:47 — Wrap-up / Alberto Del Rio arrested againBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/wrestling-soup--1425249/support.