Music of the Mat Remix: Mania Weekend

A transitional champion in wrestling is one that only holds the title for a short amount of time before they drop it to someone else. Typically it's a way to get the belt from one wrestler to another without them wrestling each other, or in cases where the title win is the most important part of the story as opposed to the actual reign itself. On this episode, Andrew and first-time guest Anthony Puhl (a.k.a. foolinc from the VOW Discord) look at bands who have had transitional bandmates, so to speak, where certain members are only in the group for a short amount of time. Artists played include The Clash, Thin Lizzy, Blink-182, Metallica, Iron Maiden, Depeche Mode, The Moody Blues, and many more. These band members are here for a good time, not a long time, so listen and enjoy!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/DonateAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

WrestleMania Weekend is the busiest weekend of the year when it comes to wrestling. Almost every promotion under the sun descends on the city where WrestleMania is being held and runs their own shows, overloading the schedule with more wrestling than you can shake a stick at. On this episode, Andrew and first-time guest Case Lowe (Voices of Wrestling, Open the Voice Gate) focus on the "mania" of Mania Weekend, playing songs about mental illness and having an open and honest discussion about some of their own mental health issues. Artists played include Phoebe Bridgers, Militarie Gun, Alice Cooper, Jane's Addiction, Paramore, Embrace, and many more. A heavy episode at times, but it's still probably a more enjoyable experience than some of the shows happening during Mania Weekend.Theme song: "Hemispheres" by Silent PartnerTwitter: @_InYourCase / @openvoicegateBluesky: @MusicoftheMat / @justandrew / @erinquinnListen to Open the Voice Gate/Those Days: https://redcircle.com/shows/open-the-voice-gateCase's interviews on Q101: youtube.com/@Q101All 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/DonateAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Once upon a time, there was an indie wrestling company in Texas called WrestleCircus. It had a circus theme with appropriately named events and championships. It also booked a whole lot of prominent indie names who would later become regulars in AEW and WWE. But like many indie companies, it went the way of the dodo. Returning guest Erin Quinn went to several WrestleCircus shows back in the day, making her the ideal guest for this episode. Andrew and Erin go under the big top and play songs that have animals in the title. Artists played include Jethro Tull, Namoli Brennet, Lou Reed, The HU, Was (Not Was), Matthew Sweet, Kate Bush, Geggy Tah, and more. No animals were harmed in the making of this episode (just the host's patience when listening to that Lou Reed song).Theme song: "Hemispheres" by Silent PartnerTwitter: @MsErinQuinnBluesky: @MusicoftheMat / @justandrew / @erinquinnAll 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/DonateAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The ten count is a staple of pro wrestling matches: A wrestler has until the count of ten to get back in the ring or get up off the mat, or else they will lose the match. It's a way to add some more drama and suspense to a match, though it seems count outs don't happen nearly as often as they used to back in the day. On this episode, Andrew and returning guest Fred Morlan (The Good, The Bad & The Hungee) start the ten count, playing songs sequentially with the numbers one, two, three, etc. in the title, all the way up to ten. Artists played include Ben Folds Five, Sneaker Pimps, Rufus Thomas, Southern Culture on the Skids, Babymetal, Styx, Jenny Lewis, and many more. Get back in the ring and beat the count so you can listen to this episode!Theme song: ""Hemispheres"" by Silent PartnerBluesky: @MusicoftheMat / @justandrew / @FlagrantStatsListen to Fred's radio show: https://medialex.us/shows/marconis-bad-dream/All 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/DonateAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

A money mark is someone with a lot of money who runs a wrestling show or starts a promotion because they want to be one of the boys and be a big shot in the wrestling biz. It's not a good thing to be, either because you won't have the wrestlers' respect or you'll blow all your money and fail spectacularly. Typically both. On this episode, Andrew and returning guest Rich Latta (One Nation Radio) play a selection of songs about money and all the tropes and themes associated with it. Artists played include ZZ Top, Jay-Z, Tower of Power, Madonna, Camp Lo, Fitz and the Tantrums, Rick Ross, Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, Charley Crockett, and many more. We've hit up the ATM and spared no expense, so this episode is rolling in the big bucks!Theme song: "Hemispheres" by Silent PartnerTwitter: @RichLatta32Bluesky: @MusicoftheMat / @justandrew / @richlattaOne Nation Radio: redcircle.com/shows/one-nation-radioRich's YouTube: youtube.com/@RichLattaRich's merch: onelifetimeworldwide.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/DonateAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Just like the opening match on a wrestling show has the important role of setting the tone, the main event has the important role of ending the show on a strong note. Not every wrestler can be a main eventer, but the ones who prove they belong are the ones who stay in that spotlight. The same can be said for the closing track on an album. Not every song works as an album closer, but the ones that do stand the test of time. On this episode, Andrew and returning guest JoJo Remy (Voices of Wrestling) play a selection of their favorite album closers, mostly classics but a few modern ones as well. Artists played include Todd Rundgren, The Raconteurs, The Who, Superorganism, UFO, The Flying Burrito Brothers, Pink Floyd, Muse, David Bowie, and many more. The lights are bright and everybody is listening, because it's time for the main event!Theme song: "Hemispheres" by Silent PartnerBluesky: @MusicoftheMat / @justandrew / @jojorunsAll 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/DonateAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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/DonateAdvertising 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/DonateAdvertising 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/DonateAdvertising 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/DonateAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy