THE LAST RAW of 2025 (Wrestling Soup 12.30.25)

Anthony Missionary Thomas breaks down the latest Monday Night Raw from the Kia Center in Orlando! With Joe on vacation, Missionary goes solo to deliver his unfiltered thoughts on the new streaming format, wild backstage drama, and all the in-ring action.In this episode:The Vision’s new member and Paul Heyman’s mic workCM Punk’s return and his face-off with Bron BreakerThe Vince McMahon retirement lawsuit and behind-the-scenes revelationsWomen’s division shakeups and Nikki BellaGunther’s dominance, R-Truth’s comedy, and the USOs’ tag team triumphCrossover moments, and quirks of watching WWE on NetflixPlus, Missionary tackles fan reactions, wrestler injuries, and the ever-evolving landscape of pro wrestling. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/wrestling-soup--1425249/support.

Join Joe for a solo, unfiltered, and hilarious holiday episode! From reflections on Christmas with pets and family, to rants about podcasting gear, wrestling fandoms, and the wild world of sports, Joe covers it all. Whether you’re here for the wrestling takes, the football rants, or just the laughs, this episode is packed with relatable moments and sharp commentary.00:00 – Holiday Greetings & Pet TalkJoe opens with holiday wishes, muses on family vs. loved ones, and shares thoughts on pets during the holidays.00:53 – Cats, Dogs, and Family GatheringsWhy cats hate big family parties, and the chaos of holiday get-togethers.01:38 – Podcasting Gear & Tech RantsJoe’s take on podcasting equipment, tech confusion, and the reality of most podcasters.03:41 – Car Comforts & Boomer HabitsA funny look at new car features, seat warmers, and refusing modern comforts.05:41 – Solo Shows & Audience PreferencesJoe reflects on solo podcasting, being a polarizing host, and the “Friends” effect.07:23 – Midwest Vibes & Listener DynamicsHow regional differences affect audience reactions and the nature of podcast “fans.”10:06 – Wrestling Fandom & Internet DramaDiving into wrestling fandom, online arguments, and the absurdity of defending companies on Christmas.13:04 – Truth, History, and Wrestling NarrativesWhy wrestling stories are all about perspective, and how history is written by the winners.16:48 – Social Media, Memes, and InfluencersJoe’s take on Instagram, memes, and the weirdness of influencer culture.20:00 – Toxicity in Fandoms & Discord CommunityComparing wrestling fans to other fandoms, and inviting nice people to join the Discord.22:18 – Wrestling Stories, CTE, and Athlete ChoicesA deep dive into wrestling injuries, CTE, and the choices athletes make.28:50 – Sports Rants: Chiefs, Patriots, and QuarterbacksJoe’s passionate takes on NFL teams, quarterbacks, and the downfall of the Chiefs.36:00 – Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce, and Pop CultureA hilarious critique of celebrity relationships and pop music.37:50 – Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady, and Football LegendsWhy Aaron Rodgers is a “gigantic douchebag” and why Joe will always defend Tom Brady.38:47 – Wrap-Up & Final ThoughtsJoe thanks the audience, teases more content, and signs off with holiday wishes.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/wrestling-soup--1425249/support.

– Intro & Holiday Banter– Show Length & Review Philosophy– Sports Podcasts & Seth Everywhere– Nikki Bella Segment & Rumors– Wrestling Rumors & Conspiracy Theories– Bronson Reed & Promo Styles– Maxine, Becky Lynch, and Women’s Division– AJ Styles’ Role & Hair Talk– Jevon Evans’ Match & Enhancement Talent– Raquel, Judgment Day, and Storyline Threads– Bailey vs. Roxy & Character Development– Gunther’s Segment & Heel Work– Main Event Setup: Punk & Mysterio vs. Reed & Theory– Logan Paul Speculation & Closing ThoughtsBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/wrestling-soup--1425249/support.

LuFisto and Evil Dos cover the AAA GUERRA DE TITANES December 20th show. Rey Mysterio & Rey Fenix vs. El Grande Americano & Dominik MysterioDragon Lee vs. El Hijo del VikingoAAA World Cruiserweight Championship Triple Threat Match: Laredo Kid (c) vs. Je’Von Evans vs. Jack CartwheelNiño Hamburguesa & Mr. Iguana vs. Bravo Americano & Rayo Americano vs. Cruz Del Toro & Joaquin Wilde vs. La Parka & Octagón Jr.Carnival of Carnage Match: The Wyatt Sicks vs. Pagano, Psycho Clown, Dave the Clown & Murder ClownAAA Latin American Championship Match: El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. vs. Ethan PageLas Tóxicas vs. Natalya, Faby Apache & Lola ViceBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/wrestling-soup--1425249/support.

Joe and Anthony dust off the old Shitbox and take listener voicemails about the final match of John Cena and where he goes after WWE. - Old entertainers get cancelled.- political stances about rural areas of the US- Cena voicemailsBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/wrestling-soup--1425249/support.

00:00 – Opening Banter & Audio Troubles00:50 – Plastic Surgery in Wrestling02:42 – Saturday Night’s Main Event Reactions03:36 – The Influence of Algorithms & Internet Culture05:29 – Comparing Ads – Podcasts vs. Corporations09:52 – John Cena’s Retirement & Legacy14:30 – Wrestling Storytelling & Nostalgia26:44 – Foreign Invader Storylines & WWE’s Global Image52:31 – Sports Illustrated Wrestling Awards1:05:00 – State of Women’s Wrestling & Ambition1:23:44 – Closing Thoughts & Community UpdatesBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/wrestling-soup--1425249/support.

Join Anthony and Joe as they dive deep into the latest Monday Night Raw, dissecting the fallout from John Cena’s retirement, Gunther’s controversial win, and the current state of WWE’s creative direction. From hilarious opening banter to sharp critiques of booking decisions, this episode covers it all—plus, thoughts on Logan Paul, Nikki Bella, and the future of wrestling’s biggest stars. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a casual viewer, you’ll find plenty to laugh about and ponder in this unfiltered, passionate review. :gunshot:00:00 – Cold Open & Banter: Reubens, fiber, and afternoon delight01:10 – Anthony and Joe introduce the show02:10 – Raw Recap: “Not trying” and the feeling of a series finale03:00 – Gunther’s Booking: What did he do wrong?05:00 – The Cena Conundrum: Why is everyone mad at Gunther?08:00 – Storyline Analysis: Is WWE leaning on old tropes?10:00 – The Foreign Heel: Are fans booing for the right reasons?12:00 – WWE’s Creative Direction: Locker room reactions and missed opportunities15:00 – Logan Paul in the Main Event: Is WWE out of ideas?18:00 – Nikki Bella, Stephanie, and the Women’s Division21:00 – Booking Blunders: Austin Theory, LA Knight, and crowd reactions25:00 – WWE’s Business Model: International tours, ticket prices, and fan fatigue28:00 – The Future of WWE: Can the product survive on hype alone?31:00 – Side Tangents: Mr. Beast Land, Randy Orton, and Saudi Arabia34:00 – Wrapping Up: Listener voicemails, final thoughts, and what’s nextDon’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more wrestling reviews and discussions!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/wrestling-soup--1425249/support.

We went live on YouTube immediately following Saturday Night’s Main Event, and let’s be honest—the chat saw exactly what we saw. We watched the "End of an Era," but instead of an emotional goodbye, WWE gave us a retirement party planned by a focus group. It was sterile, it was underwhelming, and it was the definition of corporate.We break down the disconnect: The audience wanted to give Cena his flowers, but the execution was lifeless. We talk about Gunther being the absolute right guy for the job, but being handcuffed by "cheeseball" booking that felt like it was written for a cartoon in 1988, not a retirement in 2025. The H Machine managed to take a historic moment and make it feel like an HR meeting.We also touched on the rest of the card—briefly—because we had to. We look at Cody Rhodes vs. Oba Femi, Bayley mixing it up with Sol Ruca, and AJ Styles & Dragon Lee in a tag match against... I’ve already forgotten their names, and judging by the crowd reaction, so did everyone else.Come for the rant on the booking, stay for the reality check on Cena’s farewell.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/wrestling-soup--1425249/support.

This episode covers the swirling rumors about the possible reveal of Ricky Starks, and the ever-changing landscape of wrestling stables. The guys debate the merits of Austin Theory, Ricky Starks, and other rising stars, while reflecting on the booking decisions of WWE and the influence of Netflix on the product.You'll also hear their takes on John Cena's retirement match, the future of top talents like Gunther, and the challenges facing both new and veteran wrestlers. Plus, enjoy candid discussions about wrestling's international expansion, the business side of the industry, and plenty of hilarious side tangents about music videos, celebrity appearances, and more.0:00 - WWE Rumors & Ricky Starks Speculation15:00 - Austin Theory, Ethan Page, and the State of WWE Booking30:00 - John Cena's Retirement & Future of the Roster45:00 - International Expansion & Netflix's Role1:00:00 - Wrestling in Pop Culture & Final ThoughtsBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/wrestling-soup--1425249/support.

In this episode of Wrestling Soup, Joe and Anthony dive into the latest Monday Night Raw, breaking down the highs, lows, and everything in between. The guys discuss the rushed Maxine Dupree and Natty storyline, critique WWE’s current creative direction, and share their thoughts on the state of the women’s division. They also touch on the War Raiders’ booking, the ongoing saga of the Usos and New Day, and speculate about the future with so many top stars nearing retirement. Tthe hosts debate whether AI is secretly running WWE and what the company needs to do to get back on track.Show opens, Joe and Anthony banter about going live and introduce the show.Discussion about Monday Night Raw, initial reactions, and Anthony’s viewing habits.Raw review: Maxine Dupree and Natty promo, and the rushed storyline.Commentary on the state of WWE creative, including Triple H’s absence and speculation about AI writing the show.War Raiders segment: critique of the state of tag teams.Jay and Jim Uso segment, New Day’s involvement, and the lack of heat for tag titles.Talk about upcoming retirements: AJ Styles, Randy Orton, Sheamus, John Cena, and the future of WWE’s roster.Women’s division focus: Stephanie promo, Nikki Bella’s appearance, Raquel Rodriguez’s involvement.More on the women’s matches: Rox vs. Lyra Valkyria, makeup mishaps.Main event setup: Logan Paul, LA Knight, and the Masked Man angle.Criticism of Logan Paul’s inexperience and the need for better booking/protection of new talent.Final thoughts: lackluster promos, Gunther’s segment, and the overall poor quality of the show.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/wrestling-soup--1425249/support.