TONY KHAN MAKING HIS FINAL ROUNDS (Wrestling Soup 11.20.25)

Wrestling Soup: WarGames 2025 - The "Vision" is BlurryJoe Numbas, Anthony, and Jon Draper (@iamjondraper @spitball_media) break down a chaotic night at Petco Park where cages were locked, legends were embarrassed, and masked men ruined the finish. We’re NOT a wrestling show, we’re a show that happens to witness John Cena get hit in the yam bag.Women's WarGames (The "Nostalgia" Pop): AJ Lee proves she can still go (and make people tap), Iyo Sky attempts to murder herself with a trash can dive, and Team Ripley picks up the win over Team "Why is Lash Legend here?".The Retirement Tour Detour: John Cena does the honors for Dominik Mysterio. We discuss the "passing of the torch" (or just passing of the heat) and whether Dom actually needs the Intercontinental Title.Liv Morgan’s "Shocking" Return: The swerve that wasn't really a swerve. Liv returns, teases a face turn, and immediately low-blows Cena. The Judgment Day soap opera continues forever.Stephanie Vaquer vs. Nikki Bella: A match that happened. Vaquer retains the Women's World Title, and we question if the "Bella Army" still has any recruits left in 2025.Men's WarGames (Old Guard vs. The Vision): The "Bloodline & Friends" reunion tour hits a wall. Brock Lesnar collects a massive paycheck to throw a few suplexes, and The Vision (Breakker, Reed, McIntyre, Logan Paul) actually gets the win.The Masked Man Mystery: Who helped Bron Breakker pin CM Punk? Was it Seth? Austin Theory? We fantasy book the worst possible options and complain about interference finishes in a cage match.Final Thoughts: Was this "Cinema" or just a very long episode of Raw with a fence?Listen to the show that HAPPENS to talk about wrestling.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/wrestling-soup--1425249/support.

00:00 - Intro & Wrestling Soup Banter00:35 - John Cena & Becky Lynch Podcast Drama01:19 - Seth Rollins and John Morrison Comparisons02:33 - Becky Lynch’s Industry Revelations09:08 - Polygamy, Relationships, and Seth’s Past11:31 - Will Ospreay, Wrestling Risks & Injuries16:00 - Partying, Addiction, and Life Choices18:51 - Survivor Series Preview29:00 - Petco vs. PetSmart & Cat Food Tangent33:36 - Survivor Series Women’s Match Breakdown46:42 - Men’s War Games Match Analysis51:00 - John Cena vs. Dominic Mysterio53:20 - Fantasy Booking: Lumberjack Strap Match55:30 - Thanksgiving Wrap-Up & Outro56:17 - End of ShowBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/wrestling-soup--1425249/support.

00:36 - Health Update & Sick Kids05:00 - Raw & SmackDown Ratings Discussion07:44 - AI in WWE & Creative Stagnation11:40 - Long Entrances & Filler Segments19:55 - Carmelo Hayes vs. Gunther Discussion21:01 - Gunther’s Character & Booking24:45 - USOs Tag Team Dynamics29:05 - Dominic Mysterio Angle36:00 - Ray Mysterio vs. JD McDonough40:07 - Becky Lynch, Nia Jax, and Women’s War Games Segment48:58 - Solo Sikoa vs. Penta & Injury54:00 - Logan Paul’s Role & Booking01:06:00 - Main Event Chaos & Show Wrap-upBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/wrestling-soup--1425249/support.

00:00 - Intro & Spanish Commentary Surprises01:21 - Show Overview & First Impressions03:50 - Grande Americano: The Local Hero04:36 - Production Quality & No English Commentary06:10 - Lucha Libre vs. WWE Style07:47 - Recap: Why the Main Event Matters08:40 - Founders of AAA Presentation09:25 - Cruiserweight #1 Contender Match: Axiom vs. Jovan Evans vs. Octagon Jr.14:05 - Match Analysis: High-Flying Action & Selling16:11 - Jovan Evans Wins, Sets Up December 20th16:32 - Tag Team Chaos: Psycho Circus vs. El Hojo’s Team18:46 - No Rules, Wild Spots, and Table Bumps20:06 - Psycho Circus Wins, Aftermath & Wyatt 6 Tease24:01 - Promo: Vikingo & Dragon Lee, Crowd Reactions27:01 - Mixed Tag Team Title Match: Lola Vice & Mr. Iguana vs. Chelsea Green & Ethan Page30:41 - Intergender Action & WWE Influence33:01 - Finish: Kendo Stick, Title Retained, Wagner Run-In36:00 - Main Event: Dragon Lee, Vikingo, Grande Americano, Dominik Mysterio39:18 - Crowd Dynamics: Heels & Faces Reversed41:01 - Grande Americano’s Crowd Work43:00 - Match Finish: Grande Americano & Dominik Win45:00 - Lucha Brothers Challenge for December 20th47:00 - Final Thoughts & Upcoming Matches49:00 - Plugs: YouTube, Patreon, Socials52:00 - Outro & Thank YousBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/wrestling-soup--1425249/support.

Did people really hate Jar Jar Binks?James Earl Jones is the most recognizable voice for white nationalists in the galaxy.unpacking accidental hatredDid mental deficiencies hold Kanye back?Did Kim make Kanye worse?Fan gets weird with AJ LeeA practical way to stop stalkers in 2025The line between what makes a creepAncient Chinese secret on how to get rid of your Boston accentJoe talks about the SouthMish breaks down the new ad-pocalypseWrap up. Shitbox next week for Cena's retirement.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/wrestling-soup--1425249/support.

00:00 – Cat stories and pet banter06:00 – Reincarnation jokes & animal personalities15:00 – Mercedes Moné’s belts & wrestling fandom25:00 – Marks, kayfabe, and fan double standards45:00 – AEW, Tony Khan, and wrestling media01:15:00 – Ratings talk, Jericho’s future, and the AEW roster01:30:00 – Bella Twins, Nick Hogan, and celebrity wrestling01:35:00 – Wrap-up & shoutoutsBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/wrestling-soup--1425249/support.

Wrestling has been uneventful lately, but recent developments on SmackDown have sparked interest.Drew McIntyre is being positioned as a key member of "the Vision" stable, possibly replacing Seth Rollins.Drew has lost many matches in the past, but aligning him with Paul Heyman and others could revitalize his character.Bronson Reed is being elevated and is no longer treated as a secondary character.WWE often struggles to build multiple stars at once, focusing too much on one or two at a time.The Bloodline and Judgment Day stables succeeded because every member had a role and story.There’s skepticism about WWE’s long-term planning, especially with sudden changes due to injuries.Merchandise and branding are a big focus, sometimes at the expense of storytelling.Judgment Day members are likely to become babyfaces soon due to their popularity.Managers are lacking in WWE; bringing back more managers could help talent who struggle with promos.The women’s division is giving midcard titles to less experienced but marketable wrestlers.Some matches and segments (e.g., Maxine Dupree vs. Becky Lynch, Jade Cargill’s push) are criticized for prioritizing looks over in-ring skill.Ticket and merchandise prices are rising, but many feel the product quality isn’t keeping up.Nostalgia acts (like John Cena) are used to boost interest, but there’s concern about what comes after.The show’s structure sometimes puts the biggest moments at the start, making the rest feel less important.There’s debate about past booking decisions, like John Cena’s role in the Nexus storyline.New talent like Jevon Evans shows promise, but there’s concern about how WWE will develop them.The episode ends with thanks to listeners and promotion for related shows.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/wrestling-soup--1425249/support.

0:00 – 13:00Show opens. Joe and Anthony greet each other and start discussing the AEW Blood and Guts show, with initial banter about recording and the state of the show.13:00 – 55:00Deep dive into AEW women’s wrestling: match quality, specific wrestlers (Sky Blue, Julia Hart, Mina Shirakawa, etc.), and comparisons to WWE. Includes jokes and critiques about in-ring skills and presentation.55:00 – 1:20:00Broader analysis of the women’s division, talent scouting, and the differences between AEW and WWE’s approach to developing female wrestlers. Discussion of individual potential and shortcomings.1:20:00 – 1:35:00The conversation shifts to the men’s division, with humorous commentary on appearance, performance, and the overall quality of AEW’s male roster. Includes tangents about pop culture, gaming, and generational differences.1:35:00 – End (~1:36:00)Closing thoughts, shoutouts to friends and other podcasts, and wrapping up the episode.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/wrestling-soup--1425249/support.

Anthony and Joe kick off the episode with technical difficulties and banter about everyday frustrations, quickly segueing into Thanksgiving travel woes and the quirks of city life. The conversation shifts to wrestling, with commentary on the current state of WWE and AEW, including recent releases, backstage drama, and the challenges of building new stars. They discuss the significance of John Cena’s return, the aging roster, and the future of the industry, touching on topics like ticket prices, fan engagement, and the economics of wrestling entertainment. The episode wraps up with a review of Monday Night Raw, thoughts on the women’s division, and reflections on the changing landscape of professional wrestling.1:10 – Thanksgiving plans, travel, and family stories3:00 – E-bikes, city traffic, and TikTok moments4:30 – Wrestling high spots, the evolution of risk, and show open5:15 – “Wrestling Soup” intro, weather, and Discord updates6:00 – AEW and WWE news, Sasha Banks, and the women’s 250 list8:00 – Teagan Knox walkout, enhancement talent, and backstage communication13:00 – WWE releases, indie vs. TV wrestling, and career trajectories17:00 – The ethics of walking out, fan reactions, and women’s wrestling narratives25:00 – Monday Night Raw recap: John Cena’s appearance, Triple H, and Boston crowd32:00 – Tournament talk: aging stars, new prospects, and the future of WWE38:00 – CM Punk, Paul Heyman, and the “season finale” energy of current storylines45:00 – The economics of wrestling, streaming, and fan accessibility50:00 – Reflections on John Cena’s legacy, accessibility, and fan engagement58:00 – Main event: Women’s tag match, War Games hype, and closing thoughts1:18:00 – Final banter, Patreon plugs, and sign-offBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/wrestling-soup--1425249/support.

00:41 – Discussion of AEW fan signs, merchandise, and Hangman Page’s recent notoriety.02:54 – Introduction of AEW’s new book and its author “Keg”; first impressions.09:05 – Early history of Tony Khan’s wrestling fandom and the book’s revisionist approach.11:41 – The book’s portrayal of the wrestling landscape, including shots at NWA and other promotions.13:05 – Comparisons to DK encyclopedias and children’s books; the book’s visual style.14:31 – Excerpts from the book: Tony Khan’s early internet wrestling community experiences.23:29 – The real indie wrestling boom, with a critique of the book’s selective history.24:22 – TNA’s role in wrestling and the broader landscape of promotions.25:10 – AEW’s impact on the indies and the book’s self-promotional tone.26:38 – The “all-star” mentality of AEW and its approach to talent acquisition.35:14 – The timing of the book’s release and the perception of AEW as a “clown show.”37:25 – Satirical comparison: “If Scientology was a wrestling promotion, this would be AEW.”41:40 – Comparison of fast food pricing/business models to wrestling ticket pricing.45:30 – The Hart family, championship collecting, and the credibility of wrestling titles.57:13 – Introduction of AEW’s new championship and Tommy Dreamer’s reaction.59:13 – Dave Meltzer’s response to criticism about the proliferation of wrestling titles.1:02:01 – Jokes about the “Undisputed Continental” title and the absurdity of belt names.1:06:53 – Disney’s partnership with DraftKings and the implications for WWE.1:08:25 – WWE’s ticket pricing, touring model, and the economics of live events.1:22:34 – Broader challenges in wrestling and the cost of living.1:41:55 – Eva Marie’s interview about WWE, performing, and the Ridge Holland scenario.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/wrestling-soup--1425249/support.