The Turnbuckle Debate #228

Welcome back to Wrestling Tonight for Episode 122. Every week we’re here breaking down everything happening across WWE, AEW, NJPW, TNA, and the rest of the wrestling world — the real stories, the real moves, and why they matter. This week, we start with The Rock, who has been making serious noise behind the scenes after WrestleMania 41. After stepping away from the Cody Rhodes and John Cena storyline at the last minute, The Rock is back in the spotlight — not just for creative decisions, but for a public clash with Busted Open’s Dave LaGreca. We’ll dig into what’s really going on, how much influence The Rock actually has right now, and whether we’re seeing the start of a bigger shift inside WWE. The returns didn’t stop there either. Aleister Black made his long-awaited comeback on SmackDown, bringing back that dark, dangerous edge. Meanwhile over on Raw, Rusev returned in a big way. We’ll break down what both of these returns could mean for WWE’s summer plans, and where they might slot into the bigger picture. It wasn’t all celebration though. Charlotte Flair had some strong words after the WrestleMania Roast crossed a few lines, and you can feel the real tension just under the surface. We’ll talk about why this isn’t just about bad jokes — it’s about respect, the locker room atmosphere, and how things backstage might be a little more unsettled than they seem. In NXT, Noam Dar continues building a quietly historic resume. He’s now the only four-time Heritage Cup Champion, and at a time when consistency is rare, Dar’s steady presence is starting to stand out even more. We’ll take a look at why this win matters, and why it might be signaling bigger things for NXT moving forward. Meanwhile, TNA Rebellion is shaping up to be one of the biggest cards of their modern era. Joe Hendry defends the World Title against Ethan Page and Frankie Kazarian. Masha Slamovich puts the Knockouts Championship on the line against a returning Tessa Blanchard. Ultimate X is back for the X-Division Title. The Hardys defend the Tag Titles against the Nemeth brothers. And Mustafa Ali vs Mike Santana in a Falls Count Anywhere match could end up stealing the show. We’ll go match-by-match and get you ready for a night that could reshape the TNA landscape. And across the border, the battle for Mexico’s wrestling future is heating up. AEW made the first move, announcing their upcoming Arena México show with CMLL — a historic partnership that immediately turned heads. Now WWE is responding in a big way, fast-tracking their plans following the acquisition of AAA and setting up their own events to plant a flag in the region. This isn’t just about who can sell tickets — it’s about who controls the narrative and future of lucha libre going forward. Finally, we’ll close tonight by paying tribute to the late Steve "Mongo" McMichael. Mongo was one of a kind — NFL champion, Horseman, commentator, and larger-than-life personality inside and outside the ring. We’ll share a few stories and a few laughs, and raise a glass to a guy who always gave the fans everything he had. Stick around — big moves, real emotion, and a lot to get into tonight on Wrestling Tonight. Grab a drink, pull up a chair — let’s talk some wrestling.

Our guests for this week are Seth and Jordan from The Goal Line Podcast! Join us as we ask who is more responsible for WWE's current boom: Roman Reigns or Cody Rhodes; is the honeymoon over for HHH’s booking in WWE; and was TNA’s champion getting squashed on WrestleMania a bad look for TNA? It's going to be a fun week here at The Tavern, so to make sure you do not miss anything, go to patreon.com/theturnbuckletavern for all your Tavern needs!

It's Thursday, and you know what that means! It is time to walk through those Tavern doors and order up a round of professional wrestling coverage from The Two Bad Chads! This week we talk AEW and all the happenings of the week! Make sure you go to patreon.com/theturnbuckletavern for all your Tavern needs!

The RAWDOWN boys discuss all of the news coming out of RAW and Smackdown and get you caught up on all of the news happening inside and outside the ropes in WWE. Everything is on the table. This is just the tip of the iceberg with all of the stories and news going on in the WWE. Let's talk about it and everything else in the WWE Universe! WWE RAW, WWE Smackdown, NXT... It's all there! Come get your best weekly fix for all things WWE on The RAWDOWN, right here at The Turnbuckle Tavern! PLEASE SUBSCRIBE, COMMENT, SHARE, & CLICK THE BELL! TELL A FRIEND ABOUT US! Go to patreon.com/theturnbuckletavern to join our Patreon for only $2.99/mo!

On this week’s Wrestling Tonight, we’re diving into all the drama, surprises, and seismic moments from an unforgettable WrestleMania 41 weekend in Las Vegas. John Cena etched his name in the history books by defeating Cody Rhodes to become a 17-time world champion—surpassing Ric Flair’s storied record. While undeniably historic, the match left fans divided: a legacy-defining moment for Cena, yet a puzzling conclusion to Rhodes’ reign. And the WrestleMania headlines didn’t stop in the ring. WWE officially announced its acquisition of Lucha Libre AAA, setting the stage for a “Worlds Collide” event with NXT this June. Triple H described it as a chance to elevate lucha libre on a global scale, though many are waiting to see how this merger will affect AAA’s creative identity and independence. While WWE was making headlines, AEW delivered one of its strongest weeks of the year. Jon Moxley laid down a challenge to Samoa Joe, Nick Wayne captured the ROH TV Title, Josh Alexander made his surprise debut by joining the Don Callis Family, and Forbidden Door was announced for London’s iconic O2 Arena. Back at WrestleMania, Jey Uso shocked the world by forcing Gunther to tap out in the opening match, and in the Night One main event, Paul Heyman dramatically aligned with Seth Rollins, who pinned Roman Reigns in a chaotic triple threat. Standout performances came from IYO SKY, Dominik Mysterio, and Drew McIntyre, while Night Two delivered a mix of highs and lows—an ongoing conversation on this week’s show. Beyond the matches, the week was filled with headline-making moments. WWE President Nick Khan defended the company’s “underdog” mentality. John Cena reflected on his relationship with Vince McMahon. CM Punk discussed WWE’s push for a new five-year contract. And Roman Reigns opened up about his future in the ring. We also cover Sabu’s emotional and brutal retirement match at Spring Break, Brodie Lee Jr.’s in-ring debut, and key developments from the WWE ID and NXT tournaments. With major movement across WWE, AEW, TNA, and NJPW, there’s no shortage of stories to unpack. It’s been a week of milestones, power moves, and turning points—and Wrestling Tonight is here to guide you through it all. Follow us on social @turnbuckletavern, support the show on Patreon for just $2.99/month, and until next week—stay out of the alley and away from the pork and beans. God luck and good speed.

Our guests this week are Scott from Going Ringside and Austin from Pro Wrestling Central! Join us as we ask is WrestleMania more about the spectacle than the actual product; did Vader make a mistake going to work for Vince McMahon; and what is the strongest booked mid-card championship in professional wrestling? It's going to be a fun week here at The Tavern, so to make sure you do not miss anything, go to patreon.com/theturnbuckletavern for all your Tavern needs!

It's Thursday, and you know what that means! It is time to walk through those Tavern doors and order up a round of professional wrestling coverage from The Two Bad Chads! This week we talk AEW and all the happenings of the week! Make sure you go to patreon.com/theturnbuckletavern for all your Tavern needs!

The RAWDOWN boys discuss all of the news coming out of RAW and Smackdown and get you caught up on all of the news happening inside and outside the ropes in WWE. Everything is on the table. This is just the tip of the iceberg with all of the stories and news going on in the WWE. Let's talk about it and everything else in the WWE Universe! WWE RAW, WWE Smackdown, NXT... It's all there! Come get your best weekly fix for all things WWE on The RAWDOWN, right here at The Turnbuckle Tavern! PLEASE SUBSCRIBE, COMMENT, SHARE, & CLICK THE BELL! TELL A FRIEND ABOUT US! Go to patreon.com/theturnbuckletavern to join our Patreon for only $2.99/mo!

Welcome to Wrestling Tonight, your go-to source for smart, thoughtful coverage of the entire wrestling landscape — from the bright lights of WWE and AEW to NJPW, TNA, and the vibrant indie scene. This is Episode 120, and it’s our WrestleMania Week Megapreview — the most stacked episode of the year for the most stacked week of the year. We kick things off in Las Vegas with WrestleMania 41, and we’ve got your full match-by-match breakdown across both nights at Allegiant Stadium. From the decade-in-the-making Triple Threat between Roman Reigns, CM Punk, and Seth Rollins, to Cody Rhodes vs. John Cena, Gunther vs. Jey Uso, and Tiffany Stratton vs. Charlotte Flair, this Mania card might be one of the most balanced and compelling we’ve seen in years. But Mania is just the start. We also spotlight the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2025, with Triple H, Lex Luger, and Michelle McCool getting their flowers — and a special nod to the legendary Bret Hart vs. Steve Austin submission match from WrestleMania 13, now enshrined as the first-ever “Immortal Moment.” Then it’s over to NXT Stand & Deliver, where the next generation looks to steal the weekend. We’ve got Oba Femi defending the NXT Title, a chaotic ladder match to crown the first Women’s North American Champion, and crossover talent from TNA and NJPW thrown into the mix. From there, we pivot to the AEW side of things — and it’s anything but quiet. PAC’s latest injury has reshuffled the deck, and now Jon Moxley finds himself pulling double duty, defending both the AEW World Title and the Trios Championships. The Owen Hart Foundation Tournament is heating up too, with semifinal showdowns set: Will Ospreay vs. Konosuke Takeshita, Mercedes Moné vs. Athena, and more. Plus, The Hurt Syndicate (Lashley & Benjamin) are rolling, while Chris Jericho steps away from AEW — for now. We’ll also take you through the key fallout from NJPW Windy City Riot, where Hiroshi Tanahashi wrestled his final U.S. match in an emotional clash with Konosuke Takeshita. Plus, Tomohiro Ishii claims gold in a brutal Iron Man Match, and Hirooki Goto continues his reign atop NJPW. And don’t worry — we’re not skipping the indies. Vegas is a wrestling playground this week. From the no-ropes chaos of Bloodsport XIII, to the glam of Effy’s Big Gay Brunch 10, the spectacle of WrestleCon, and the unhinged insanity of Joey Janela’s Spring Break, we run through every major show you should have on your radar — including talent, match cards, and where to stream it all. We wrap things up with your Las Vegas survival guide: How far is Allegiant from the Strip? What’s the best way to get from Pearl Theater to T-Mobile Arena? Where to eat between sessions? And what’s streaming on Peacock vs. FITE vs. Wrestle Universe? 🍻 Whether you’re flying into Vegas or streaming from home, this is your one-stop audio companion for the biggest week in wrestling. Until next time— stay out of the alley and away from the pork and beans. God luck and good speed. 💥 Join our Patreon for just $2.99/month to unlock bonus content. 📲 Follow us @turnbuckletavern and visit theturnbuckletavern.com for everything we’ve got coming your way.

Our guest this week is Tanner from Kicking Out Pod! Join us as we ask has the build to WrestleMania lived up to expectations; with recent signings, and rumor of Miro re-signing, is WWE getting too crowded again; and with the Young Bucks return at Dynasty, will Death Riders become hottest story in AEW? It's going to be a fun week here at The Tavern, so to make sure you do not miss anything, go to patreon.com/theturnbuckletavern for all your Tavern needs!