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 work
CM Punk’s return and his face-off with Bron Breaker
The Vince McMahon retirement lawsuit and behind-the-scenes revelations
Women’s division shakeups and Nikki Bella
Gunther’s dominance, R-Truth’s comedy, and the USOs’ tag team triumph
Crossover moments, and quirks of watching WWE on Netflix

Plus, Missionary tackles fan reactions, wrestler injuries, and the ever-evolving landscape of pro wrestling. 


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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 Talk
Joe opens with holiday wishes, muses on family vs. loved ones, and shares thoughts on pets during the holidays.

00:53 – Cats, Dogs, and Family Gatherings
Why cats hate big family parties, and the chaos of holiday get-togethers.

01:38 – Podcasting Gear & Tech Rants
Joe’s take on podcasting equipment, tech confusion, and the reality of most podcasters.

03:41 – Car Comforts & Boomer Habits
A funny look at new car features, seat warmers, and refusing modern comforts.

05:41 – Solo Shows & Audience Preferences
Joe reflects on solo podcasting, being a polarizing host, and the “Friends” effect.

07:23 – Midwest Vibes & Listener Dynamics
How regional differences affect audience reactions and the nature of podcast “fans.”

10:06 – Wrestling Fandom & Internet Drama
Diving into wrestling fandom, online arguments, and the absurdity of defending companies on Christmas.

13:04 – Truth, History, and Wrestling Narratives
Why wrestling stories are all about perspective, and how history is written by the winners.

16:48 – Social Media, Memes, and Influencers
Joe’s take on Instagram, memes, and the weirdness of influencer culture.

20:00 – Toxicity in Fandoms & Discord Community
Comparing wrestling fans to other fandoms, and inviting nice people to join the Discord.

22:18 – Wrestling Stories, CTE, and Athlete Choices
A deep dive into wrestling injuries, CTE, and the choices athletes make.

28:50 – Sports Rants: Chiefs, Patriots, and Quarterbacks
Joe’s passionate takes on NFL teams, quarterbacks, and the downfall of the Chiefs.

36:00 – Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce, and Pop Culture
A hilarious critique of celebrity relationships and pop music.

37:50 – Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady, and Football Legends
Why Aaron Rodgers is a “gigantic douchebag” and why Joe will always defend Tom Brady.

38:47 – Wrap-Up & Final Thoughts
Joe thanks the audience, teases more content, and signs off with holiday wishes.

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– 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 Thoughts

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LuFisto and Evil Dos cover the AAA GUERRA DE TITANES December 20th show. 

• Rey Mysterio & Rey Fenix vs. El Grande Americano & Dominik Mysterio
  Dragon Lee vs. El Hijo del Vikingo
• AAA World Cruiserweight Championship Triple Threat Match: Laredo Kid (c) vs. Je’Von Evans vs. Jack Cartwheel
• Niño 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 Clown
• AAA Latin American Championship Match: El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. vs. Ethan Page
• Las Tóxicas vs. Natalya, Faby Apache & Lola Vice

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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 voicemails

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00:00 – Opening Banter & Audio Troubles
00:50 – Plastic Surgery in Wrestling
02:42 – Saturday Night’s Main Event Reactions
03:36 – The Influence of Algorithms & Internet Culture
05:29 – Comparing Ads – Podcasts vs. Corporations
09:52 – John Cena’s Retirement & Legacy
14:30 – Wrestling Storytelling & Nostalgia
26:44 – Foreign Invader Storylines & WWE’s Global Image
52:31 – Sports Illustrated Wrestling Awards
1:05:00 – State of Women’s Wrestling & Ambition
1:23:44 – Closing Thoughts & Community Updates

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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 delight
01:10 – Anthony and Joe introduce the show
02:10 – Raw Recap: “Not trying” and the feeling of a series finale
03:00 – 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 opportunities
15:00 – Logan Paul in the Main Event: Is WWE out of ideas?
18:00 – Nikki Bella, Stephanie, and the Women’s Division
21:00 – Booking Blunders: Austin Theory, LA Knight, and crowd reactions
25:00 – WWE’s Business Model: International tours, ticket prices, and fan fatigue
28:00 – The Future of WWE: Can the product survive on hype alone?
31:00 – Side Tangents: Mr. Beast Land, Randy Orton, and Saudi Arabia
34:00 – Wrapping Up: Listener voicemails, final thoughts, and what’s next

Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more wrestling reviews and discussions!

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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.

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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 Speculation
15:00 - Austin Theory, Ethan Page, and the State of WWE Booking
30:00 - John Cena's Retirement & Future of the Roster
45:00 - International Expansion & Netflix's Role
1:00:00 - Wrestling in Pop Culture & Final Thoughts

Become 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.

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• 0:00 – Opening banter, ice cream and mall food courts
• 1:45 – Dippin' Dots and ice cream nostalgia
• 3:03 – Bubble tea and unique drinks
• 5:23 – Ben & Jerry’s, ice cream in Chicago
• 8:22 – Movie and pop culture discussion
• 18:56 – WWE, John Cena, and wrestling business talk
• 31:11 – The Rock, Roman Reigns, and wrestling storylines
• 47:23 – WWE business, ESPN, and pay-per-view pricing
• 1:00:00 – Audience, ticket prices, and wrestling economics
• 1:20:00 – Security at wrestling events, Paige story
• 1:34:52 – Closing remarks, shoutouts, and outro

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In this episode, Anthony and Joe deliver a sharp, humorous, and unfiltered review of WWE’s latest programming, focusing on the fallout from War Games and the current state of Monday Night Raw. They debate the quality of the pay-per-view, critique WWE’s creative direction and booking—especially the use of gimmick matches and the influence of agents and writers—and discuss the ongoing storylines involving Jay Uso, Roman Reigns, and the Bloodline. The hosts also spotlight the women’s division, particularly the evolving dynamic between Maxine Dupree and Natalya, and praise standout performances like Gunther’s match with Solo Sikoa. Throughout, they mix wrestling insight with fan perspective, touch on the live event experience and ticket prices, and offer forward-looking thoughts on WWE’s future, all while keeping the conversation lively and engaging.


00:06 – The challenge of grading multi-person matches
01:10 – Cage match gimmicks and creative frustrations
05:31 – Blame game: creative, agents, and match quality
06:10 – Extended intro and transition to Raw review
06:10 – Jay Uso’s storyline and emotional promo
18:11 – Roman Reigns, Bloodline, and the future of the faction
22:55 – Under Armour ad parody and Maxine Dupree’s storyline
30:33 – Natty as a mentor and women’s division storytelling
36:00 – Maxine Dupree’s character direction and limitations
54:00 – WWE’s use of veteran talent
01:01:50 – Raw’s “epic” billing and show structure critique
01:20:00 – Main event: Women’s tag match and aftermath
01:28:36 – Closing thoughts, Gunther praise, and sign-off

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Wrestling Soup: WarGames 2025 - The "Vision" is Blurry
Joe 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.

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00:00 - Intro & Wrestling Soup Banter
00:35 - John Cena & Becky Lynch Podcast Drama
01:19 - Seth Rollins and John Morrison Comparisons
02:33 - Becky Lynch’s Industry Revelations
09:08 - Polygamy, Relationships, and Seth’s Past
11:31 - Will Ospreay, Wrestling Risks & Injuries
16:00 - Partying, Addiction, and Life Choices
18:51 - Survivor Series Preview
29:00 - Petco vs. PetSmart & Cat Food Tangent
33:36 - Survivor Series Women’s Match Breakdown
46:42 - Men’s War Games Match Analysis
51:00 - John Cena vs. Dominic Mysterio
53:20 - Fantasy Booking: Lumberjack Strap Match
55:30 - Thanksgiving Wrap-Up & Outro
56:17 - End of Show

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/wrestling-soup--1425249/support.

00:36 - Health Update & Sick Kids
05:00 - Raw & SmackDown Ratings Discussion
07:44 - AI in WWE & Creative Stagnation
11:40 - Long Entrances & Filler Segments
19:55 - Carmelo Hayes vs. Gunther Discussion
21:01 - Gunther’s Character & Booking
24:45 - USOs Tag Team Dynamics
29:05 - Dominic Mysterio Angle
36:00 - Ray Mysterio vs. JD McDonough
40:07 - Becky Lynch, Nia Jax, and Women’s War Games Segment
48:58 - Solo Sikoa vs. Penta & Injury
54:00 - Logan Paul’s Role & Booking
01:06:00 - Main Event Chaos & Show Wrap-up

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/wrestling-soup--1425249/support.

00:00 - Intro & Spanish Commentary Surprises
01:21 - Show Overview & First Impressions
03:50 - Grande Americano: The Local Hero
04:36 - Production Quality & No English Commentary
06:10 - Lucha Libre vs. WWE Style
07:47 - Recap: Why the Main Event Matters
08:40 - Founders of AAA Presentation
09:25 - Cruiserweight #1 Contender Match: Axiom vs. Jovan Evans vs. Octagon Jr.
14:05 - Match Analysis: High-Flying Action & Selling
16:11 - Jovan Evans Wins, Sets Up December 20th
16:32 - Tag Team Chaos: Psycho Circus vs. El Hojo’s Team
18:46 - No Rules, Wild Spots, and Table Bumps
20:06 - Psycho Circus Wins, Aftermath & Wyatt 6 Tease
24:01 - Promo: Vikingo & Dragon Lee, Crowd Reactions
27:01 - Mixed Tag Team Title Match: Lola Vice & Mr. Iguana vs. Chelsea Green & Ethan Page
30:41 - Intergender Action & WWE Influence
33:01 - Finish: Kendo Stick, Title Retained, Wagner Run-In
36:00 - Main Event: Dragon Lee, Vikingo, Grande Americano, Dominik Mysterio
39:18 - Crowd Dynamics: Heels & Faces Reversed
41:01 - Grande Americano’s Crowd Work
43:00 - Match Finish: Grande Americano & Dominik Win
45:00 - Lucha Brothers Challenge for December 20th
47:00 - Final Thoughts & Upcoming Matches
49:00 - Plugs: YouTube, Patreon, Socials
52:00 - Outro & Thank Yous

Become 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 hatred
• Did mental deficiencies hold Kanye back?
• Did Kim make Kanye worse?
• Fan gets weird with AJ Lee
• A practical way to stop stalkers in 2025
• The line between what makes a creep
• Ancient Chinese secret on how to get rid of your Boston accent
• Joe talks about the South
• Mish breaks down the new ad-pocalypse
• Wrap 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 banter
06:00 – Reincarnation jokes & animal personalities
15:00 – Mercedes Moné’s belts & wrestling fandom
25:00 – Marks, kayfabe, and fan double standards
45:00 – AEW, Tony Khan, and wrestling media
01:15:00 – Ratings talk, Jericho’s future, and the AEW roster
01:30:00 – Bella Twins, Nick Hogan, and celebrity wrestling
01:35:00 – Wrap-up & shoutouts

Become 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 – 13:00
Show 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 – 55:00
Deep 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 – 1:20:00
Broader 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 – 1:35:00
The 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.