Missy tells the origin story of Mayhem—from a fan podcast to a launchpad for real opportunities—while Tatiana shares how her wrestling career intersected with the Mayhem crew through 880 Wrestling and Thursday Night Fights, creating a space where wrestling trainees and video-production trainees get reps in a professional environment.

Rizz revisits an all-time uncomfortable/funny memory: interviewing RJ City and Dalton Castle as “shy baby Rizz”… and how that moment turned into an unexpected ongoing connection (including a nickname). The crew also reflects on the 20th anniversary live wrestling show, including Rizz’s “redemption arc,” an in-ring moment he never expected, and Tatiana’s Top Rope Tabletop match concept that mixed D&D and wrestling with dice-roll chaos.

From there, the panel dives into fandom crossover: why Japanese wrestling resonates, how comedy and seriousness can coexist, what makes great entrance music, and why wrestling storytelling hits like anime and video games. Plus: Sangawa weekend highlights (yes, including cats).

Dani Mo joins the conversation to talk about her recent seminar experience with Bayley, detailing how she was selected, what Bayley emphasized about character consistency, and how the experience pushed her to listen more closely to the crowd and adapt in the ring.

Also discussed on this episode:
• Drew McIntyre’s championship win and WrestleMania speculation
• Finn Bálor’s throwback entrance and CM Punk match
• AJ Styles and Gunther retirement-match conversations
• TNA’s TV premiere and crossover era
• Visa issues affecting wrestlers and career paths
• AAA’s AI graphic mishap involving Dominik Mysterio
• AEW roster movement and MJF defending the title on independent shows

The episode closes with the What We Learned segment, reflecting on lessons from the wrestling show and recent in-ring and backstage experiences.

Topics include WWE’s streaming-first presentation, the growing importance of short-form highlights, and the impact fewer house shows have on wrestler development and the industry as a whole.

The show features a special guest appearance by recently retired “The Gavel” David Lawless, who reflects on his career, memorable moments, and the role adaptability and reliability played in his longevity.

The episode closes with What We Learned, connecting industry trends with personal lessons from a life in wrestling.

Listen now at www.wrestlingmayhemshow.com

• AEW vs NXT Comparison:

• AEW and NXT went head-to-head on “Tuesday Night War.”

• The hosts discuss how both shows offer great content, making it hard for fans to choose. They mention how DVR and streaming have changed the viewing experience.

• AEW’s strategy might have been to avoid blood-heavy matches to appeal to NXT fans used to less violent programming.

• NXT showcased appearances from big names like Randy Orton and featured a Women’s Championship match.

• Main Points of AEW’s Strategy: AEW strategically avoided turning away WWE fans by toning down their more violent elements. Mercedes Moné made an appearance, which was seen as an attempt to pull WWE fans into AEW.

Women’s Wrestling Discussion

• NXT Women’s Segment: A significant focus was placed on a women’s wrestling segment featuring top talents, highlighting the growing depth of the division. There was a spotlight on talent who hadn’t wrestled yet, like Stephanie Vaquer, creating excitement for future matches.

Patreons and Sponsors

• Thanking Patrons and Sponsors: The hosts took a moment to thank their supporters and sponsors, including long-time patrons like Beau Diggity and Slice on Broadway.

Bad Blood Review

• Hell in a Cell Match Review: The hosts praised a recent Hell in a Cell match from WWE’s “Bad Blood” event, calling it one of the best in recent years. They discussed the use of blood in the match and its impact, noting Drew McIntyre’s real-life injury of 16 staples.

• Storyline Continuation: There was discussion about the aftermath of the match and how it set up future WWE storylines involving Roman Reigns, Jimmy Uso, and The Rock.

AEW vs WWE: Wrestling vs Storyline

• Wrestling vs Storyline Debate: The hosts reflected on the difference between WWE and AEW programming. AEW tends to focus more on in-ring wrestling, while WWE places more emphasis on storytelling, particularly in main event matches.

• They discussed how WWE’s main events often center on drama and developments in the last five minutes, while AEW matches keep fans engaged throughout with high-caliber wrestling.

Inside Wrestling Observations

• Production Differences: There was a detailed discussion about AEW’s longer transition times between shows compared to WWE’s efficiency in turning over live shows for different segments or events, such as SmackDown turning into 205 Live quickly.

• Crowd Reactions: The hosts talked about their experiences at live AEW events, including engaging with chants and how the fan interaction added to the experience.

What We Learned Segment

• Rizz: Shared that Jey Uso’s Waffle House order was immense, adding a light-hearted note.

• Sorg: Reflected on attending live wrestling events and how being at live shows, like AEW Dynamite, re-energizes him, even when feeling out of place or anxious in social settings.

• Podnar: Mentioned how staying up to watch late wrestling shows can be exhausting, but how meaningful it is to catch the highlights and stories unfolding in these events.

Check out the Indy Wrestling US Network at www.indywrestling.network. For a short time, get a 7-day FREE trial to access a growing collection of content.

**A special shout out to our Manager Level Patreon supporter Bradley Ruthers (@HeelBradley)

Join us LIVE Tuesdays at 9PM ET on Facebook, Youtube, and Twitch!

You can support the show at Patreon.com/wrestlingmayhemshow! Go to wrestlingmayhemshow.com for more entertainment!

Thanks to Basick Sickness (@basicksickness) for the awesome intro for the show

AEW All In London Recap:

• Discussed the overall vibe of AEW’s All In event, noting it felt like a WrestleMania-level show with an impressive atmosphere.

• Highlighted key moments, including the main event between Adam Cole and MJF and the Bryan Danielson vs. Swerve Strickland match.

• Commentary on the attendance numbers, comparing them to WWE’s approach of inflating event statistics.

• Shared reactions from a fan on the ground in Wembley, who felt AEW delivered memorable moments that will last.

Storytelling in Wrestling:

• Explored the importance of creating moments in wrestling that resonate with fans, with comparisons to WWE’s handling of Cody Rhodes and AEW’s approach with their talent.

• Praised AEW for balancing storytelling with high-quality wrestling matches, particularly highlighting the Tony Storm and Mariah May storyline.

Wrestling’s Soap Opera Elements:

• Discussed the significance of soap opera-like storytelling in wrestling, with a focus on how it draws in and retains fans, even those who aren’t traditionally into wrestling.

• Nix Wilde shared his appreciation for these dramatic elements, tying them into his personal journey as a wrestler.

Nix Wilde’s Transformation:

• Nix Wilde explained his recent shift in character, emphasizing his decision to “shed the dead weight” and redefine himself as the Thursday Night Fights Champion.

• They touched on his growing animosity towards the fans and his former allies, explaining that his actions are rooted in his desire to succeed on his terms.

Upcoming Wrestling Events:

• Briefly mentioned upcoming events such as WWE’s No Mercy and AEW’s Grand Slam, expressing excitement for the matches and storylines to come.

• Fan Interaction and Q&A:

• Engaged with fans, including a discussion on the Black Hand Society’s activities in 880 Wrestling and their influence on the locker room.

• Addressed fan questions about Nix Wilde’s attitude change and the dynamics within 880 Wrestling.

“What We Learned” Segment:

• Nix Wilde’s Insight: Nix shared that in wrestling, true friendship sometimes means making difficult decisions for the betterment of oneself and one’s career. He reflected on how his recent actions, though controversial, have led to his success and allowed him to hold the TNF Championship with pride.

This episode is a must-listen for fans of wrestling who appreciate deep dives into character development, storytelling, and the ever-evolving landscape of professional wrestling.

Check out the Indy Wrestling US Network at www.indywrestling.network. For a short time, get a 7-day FREE trial to access a growing collection of content.

**A special shout out to our Manager Level Patreon supporter Bradley Ruthers (@HeelBradley)

Join us LIVE Tuesdays at 9PM ET on Facebook, Youtube, and Twitch!

You can support the show at Patreon.com/wrestlingmayhemshow! Go to wrestlingmayhemshow.com for more entertainment!

Thanks to Basick Sickness (@basicksickness) for the awesome intro for the show