Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods Mutually Part Ways With WWE

Sami Zayn Wins the Big One! Plus, Reviewing Night of Champions and Forbidden Door.

Jun 29, 20261h 38mSummary

In this episode of The Ringer Wrestling Show, the hosts break down the monumental events of the recent Night of Champions and the broader landscape of professional wrestling. The centerpiece of the discussion is Sami Zayn’s massive world title victory. The hosts reflect on his long, transformative journey from the independent scene as El Generico to his current status as a foundational figure in modern wrestling. They debate the historical significance of his win, comparing it to other iconic moments and analyzing how his deep-rooted chemistry with Kevin Owens has defined his career trajectory. Beyond the celebration, the conversation shifts to the recent King and Queen of the Ring tournaments. They discuss the rise of Oba Femi, debating the best way to handle such a dominant talent without rushing his push, and touch upon Io Sky’s victory. The hosts also examine the strategic booking patterns WWE employs during the summer months, noting how recent events are already laying the groundwork for future WrestleMania storylines. Through their analysis, they provide a deep look into the current state of wrestling storytelling and the emotional investment of the fans.

Night of Champions and Forbidden Door Preview! Plus, Slammiversary and The Great American Bash!

Jun 27, 20261h 37mSummary

In this episode of The Ringer Wrestling Show, the hosts dive into a massive weekend of professional wrestling, analyzing the cards for Night of Champions, Forbidden Door, Slammiversary, and The Great American Bash. The discussion begins with a humorous debate over which pay-per-view event has the most iconic name, with the hosts playfully debating the merits of each brand’s branding strategy. Moving into the core of the episode, the hosts analyze the current landscape of the industry, expressing frustration with the repetitive nature of champion-versus-champion formats. They propose creative alternatives, such as bringing back fan-vote concepts like Taboo Tuesday or the unpredictable "lethal lottery" style tournaments to inject new excitement into the product. The conversation also shifts to a more somber tone as they pay tribute to the late Joe Doring, celebrating his tough, old-school wrestling style and his significant impact in Japan. Finally, they break down key matchups for the upcoming events, including Cody Rhodes' championship defense and various title bouts across promotions. The hosts also touch upon the contentious topic of WWE Hall of Fame eligibility, debating whether specific career paths—like that of Nick Nemeth—truly merit inclusion in the historical canon.

A Masked Man Mailbag!

Jun 24, 20261h 3mSummary

In this episode of The Ringer Wrestling Show, the hosts return for a mailbag segment, diving into a mix of wrestling history, current storylines, and industry analysis. The conversation kicks off with a reflection on the 30th anniversary of the iconic Austin 3:16 promo. The hosts debate whether any wrestler on the modern AEW or WWE rosters could pull off a similarly transformative, career-defining moment, ultimately highlighting talents like Trick Williams and Oro Mensah for their natural charisma and microphone abilities. The discussion shifts to the upcoming SummerSlam event, focusing on the future of the Bloodline storyline and the potential for a high-stakes match between Roman Reigns and Obafemi. The hosts weigh the risks and rewards of pushing breakout stars like Obafemi into the main event picture versus the narrative value of keeping the bloodline saga front and center. Finally, the episode tackles listener questions regarding Hall of Fame criteria for modern stars like LA Knight and provides a breakdown of what constitutes the quintessential WWE style, comparing its grand, lore-focused production to the structure of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Oba Femi Advances! Plus, Is Roxanne Perez the Next Batista?

Jun 16, 20261h 9mSummary

In this episode of The Ringer Wrestling Show, the hosts dive into a wide-ranging conversation that touches on current wrestling storylines, pop culture, and the evolving nature of celebrity fandom. The discussion centers on the King of the Ring tournament, specifically the impressive momentum of Oba Femi and his recent unceremonious victory over Dominik Mysterio. The hosts analyze whether Jay Uso or Je'Von Evans should advance to the finals, debating the long-term storytelling benefits of each outcome in the context of the current WWE landscape. Beyond the ring, the hosts explore the humorous nuances of wrestling names, the conventions of addressing talent, and the strange phenomenon of celebrity fans celebrating in locker rooms. Drawing parallels to their own experiences and the wider sports world, they discuss how these interactions are perceived by fans and performers alike. The conversation also weaves in observations about the modern era of fan engagement, reflecting on everything from the logistics of post-match media obligations to the blurred lines of privacy in the digital age. It is a lively, insightful session that connects the high-stakes drama of professional wrestling to the realities of contemporary fame.

The World Cup of Pro Wrestling!

Jun 12, 202650 minSummary

In this episode of The Ringer Wrestling Show, the hosts take a creative detour from standard previews and reviews to brainstorm a hypothetical World Cup of professional wrestling. Inspired by real-world sporting events, the team attempts to assemble elite, nation-based squads using both current and all-time wrestling talent. The conversation explores which countries possess the deepest rosters, with the hosts debating the merits of teams from America, Japan, Canada, Mexico, and Australia. They discuss the difficulty of balancing star power with style, weighing legendary figures against modern icons. For instance, while Cody Rhodes and John Moxley are considered top-tier American representatives, the hosts acknowledge that Canada’s depth—bolstered by stars like Kenny Omega and Kevin Owens—makes for a surprisingly formidable contender. The episode also touches on the unique challenge of categorizing wrestlers from smaller regions and the potential for "regional" teams. Amidst the rankings, the hosts engage in a humorous, wide-ranging tangent about opening a potential American version of the famous Ribera Steakhouse, ultimately culminating in a lighthearted debate on the culinary merits of A1 steak sauce.

Chad Gable’s World Champion Odds and Could There Be Three Bloodlines Loading?

Jun 9, 20261h 18mSummary

The hosts of The Ringer Wrestling Show dive into the latest developments in WWE, starting with a lively discussion about the history of five-star wrestling matches. They explore whether the star-rating system remains a meaningful benchmark for greatness or if it distracts from the storytelling that truly matters to audiences. A major focus of the episode is Chad Gable’s return to Raw. The hosts analyze his seamless transition into a babyface role, questioning whether this pivot is a genuine change in direction or a calculated ruse by a wrestler still capable of villainy. They discuss his potential to rise to the level of world champion, emphasizing his technical prowess, legitimate athletic background, and the impressive, high-impact style he brings to the ring. Additionally, the conversation touches on the recent Intercontinental Championship match, the electric atmosphere of the crowd in Paris, and the enduring legacy of Rey Mysterio. The hosts round out the show by debating the "long-term" prospects for current storylines, including the potential evolution of the Bloodline, and why certain wrestlers remain fan favorites regardless of their current character alignment.

Mercedes Moné Returns! Plus, Kevin Knight Joins the Don Callis Family

Jun 4, 20261h 5mSummary

In this episode of The Ringer Wrestling Show, the hosts break down the latest developments in professional wrestling, starting with Kevin Knight’s recent turn to the dark side and his integration into the Don Callis Family. The discussion explores the narrative effectiveness of joining a stable versus establishing a standalone persona, while also examining the internal hierarchy and unique aesthetics of the Don Callis group. The conversation shifts to the recent return of Mercedes Moné, analyzing her performance as a wild card in the Owen Hart tournament. The hosts discuss the challenges of ring rust and the impact of long-term creative storytelling in AEW, contrasting it with other promotions. Additionally, the episode covers the impressive recent match quality across various brands, highlighting standouts like the high-stakes bouts involving Will Ospreay, Swerve Strickland, and the physical prowess of Oba Femi. The hosts also touch on the broader culture of professional wrestling, including the evolution of wrestler fashion and the importance of institutional memory in booking. It is a deep dive into the momentum behind current storylines and the technical execution of top-tier talent.

WWE Clash in Italy Review! Plus, El Grande Americanos Go Off

Jun 1, 20261h 7mSummary

The hosts of The Ringer Wrestling Show dive into an action-packed weekend of professional wrestling, headlined by the Clash in Italy event and the high-energy happenings in Mexico. The conversation begins with a look at the standout performances from the Noche de los Grandes event in Mexico, which the hosts praise for its incredible atmosphere, storytelling, and the emotional resonance of the main event. They highlight the genuine passion displayed by the fans and the performers alike, noting how it transformed a unique character gimmick into one of the most compelling storylines of the year. Turning to Clash in Italy, the hosts break down the major matches, including the opening contest between Cody Rhodes and Gunther. While they enjoyed the match, they offer constructive critiques regarding the controversial finish, suggesting that more realistic, athlete-like reactions from the wrestlers would have heightened the drama. Furthermore, they discuss the impressive showing from Rhea Ripley and Jade Cargill, describing it as a high-water mark for both performers. The episode serves as a deep dive into the evolving narratives across the global wrestling landscape.

WWE Clash in Italy Predictions!

May 29, 20261h 8mSummary

In this episode of The Ringer Wrestling Show, the hosts preview the upcoming Clash in Italy premium live event. The conversation kicks off with a lighthearted segment debating whether a recent real-world incident involving a former wrestler should be turned into a television storyline before transitioning into the event’s card. The hosts analyze the main championship matches, offering predictions for Roman Reigns versus Jacob Fatu, Cody Rhodes versus Gunther, and the high-profile showdown between Rhea Ripley and Jade Cargill. Beyond specific match outcomes, the discussion explores the creative direction of the current WWE landscape, touching on the concept of the "Cody-verse" and the challenges of booking a top babyface champion. The hosts also delve into their love for wrestling aesthetics, debating potential locations and subjects for future wrestling-themed murals, while highlighting the surprising number of professional wrestlers who hail from the New York metropolitan area. Throughout the episode, the duo maintains an engaging and candid tone, questioning whether these matches require major storyline pivots or if high-quality in-ring performances will be enough to make the event feel significant.

Reviewing Double or Nothing and Saturday Night’s Main Event

May 27, 20261h 5mSummary

In this episode of The Ringer Wrestling Show, the hosts break down the aftermath of AEW’s Double or Nothing, reflecting on the event’s match quality and overall structure. They analyze the title match between MJF and Darby Allin, highlighting the storytelling chemistry between the two and questioning the long-term status of the hair-versus-title stipulation. The conversation touches on the broader "Tony Khan Hall of Fame" of wrestling gimmicks and the unique, sometimes hyperbolic nature of AEW pay-per-view discourse. Beyond the main event, the hosts praise the encounter between Konosuke Takeshita and Kazuchika Okada, describing it as an athletic highlight. They also discuss the AEW Tag Team Championship match between Cope and Christian Cage and FTR, noting how well it served as an opener. Additionally, the episode features a discussion on the rise of emerging talent, specifically the booking of Jevon Evans and the evolving character work of wrestlers like Mike Bailey. The hosts also pivot to some lighthearted speculation, imagining how AEW stars would fare if they were translated into professional basketball roles, keeping the tone engaging and deeply immersed in the nuances of modern wrestling culture.