I Listen So You Don't Have To: Steve Austin Show Eps. 283/284

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HORB FLERBMINBER'S WRESTLING OBSERVER AWARD BALLOT

HOW MANY AWARDS DID I VOTE SHINSUKE NAKAMURA FOR? SEE BELOW. FUCK YOU.
Photo Credit: Scott Finkelstein

Well, well, well, YOU PEOPLE thought you were rid of Ol' Horb, didn't you? After that weasel Holzerman banished my AWARD WINNING NEWSLETTER from his false-rumor-spreading BLOG RAG, you thought you could be free of me and my scoops and takes. Well, YOU'RE WRONG. Did you know Holzerman reported AS A FACT that Candice LeRae was going to not only sign her WWE contract in blood, but that she was going to main event WrestleMania? SCANDAL. BURN HIM AT THE STAKE. But before I get myself kicked off this shitbag of a site ONCE AGAIN, let me get to my real purpose, POSTING MY OBSERVER AWARDS BALLOT.

I Listen So You Don't Have To: Steve Austin Show Ep. 285

Austin and Ted Fowler shoot the breeze
Photo Credit: WWE.com

If you’re new, here’s the rundown. We listen to a handful of wrestling podcasts each week. Too many, probably, though certainly not all of them. In the interest of saving you time — in case you have the restraint to skip certain episodes — the plan is to give the bare bones of a given show and let you decide if it’s worth investing the time to hear the whole thing. There are many wrestling podcasts out there, of course, but this feature largely hews to the regular rotation we feel best fit the category of hit or miss. If we can save other folks some time, we’re happy to do so.

Show: Steve Austin Show
Episode: 285 (Dec. 29, 2015)
Run Time: 1:13:19
Guest: Ted Fowler (2:22)

2015 Year in Review/2016 Year in Preview: New Japan Pro Wrestling

Okada began the year by falling oh so short
Photo via Cewsh Reviews/Rajah

Promotion: New Japan Pro Wrestling

What Happened in 2015: January 4 brought us Wrestle Kingdom 9, the promotion's equivalent of Wrestlemania. They go all out by putting it in the Tokyo Dome and making the entrances as grand of a spectacle as they wish. Wrestle Kingdom 9 was arguably the turning point at which Americans started paying attention to NJPW, myself included, partially because it had English commentary from Matt Striker and good ol' Jim Ross. Though Striker proved himself to be knowledgeable of the product, and Jim Ross will always be Jim Ross, all we really gained from their commentary was learning that JR had lunch with Shinsuke Nakamura and thinks he's pretty awesome. What really mattered was the wrestling itself, and WK9 contained two possible Match of the Year candidates. Nakamura retained his IWGP Intercontinental Championship by defeating Kota Ibushi in a match where the word "stiff" doesn't accurately describe what happened. Go watch that one right away. The main event saw Hiroshi Tanahashi retain his IWGP Heavyweight Championship in a classic against Kazuchika Okada. After the match, The Rainmaker made it rain with his own tears, in utter disbelief that for the second time in a main event at Wrestle Kingdom, he fell short and felt defeat at the hands of NJPW's "Ace," "The 1 in 100 Years," the supposed John Cena of New Japan, Tanahashi. Remember this, as it will be important later.

I Listen So You Don't Have To: Art Of Wrestling Ep. 282

Cabana has his longtime collaborator Marty DeRosa on this week
Photo Credit: Scott Finkelstein

If you’re new, here’s the rundown. We listen to a handful of wrestling podcasts each week. Too many, probably, though certainly not all of them. In the interest of saving you time — in case you have the restraint to skip certain episodes — the plan is to give the bare bones of a given show and let you decide if it’s worth investing the time to hear the whole thing. There are many wrestling podcasts out there, of course, but this feature largely hews to the regular rotation we feel best fit the category of hit or miss. If we can save other folks some time, we’re happy to do so.

Show: Art Of Wrestling
Episode: 282 (Dec. 24, 2015)
Run Time: 56:02
Guest: Marty DeRosa (9:08)

Best Coast Bias: Leftovers: London

Everybody's favorite ginger snap is back where he belongs
Photo Credit: WWE.com

Unfortunately, this latest episode of NXT -- and as it turns out, the last one in 2015 that'll have new fodder for Internet columnists to dissect -- suffered almost from being what in pro football parlance would be known as a trap game. The previous week had the two-hour blowout Takeover featuring three high-quality title bouts and another fun installment of Death By Asuka. For their last show of the year, it's being dubbed the best of NXT volume one, so one can only presume that since WWEN is beaming it out to us all that they're putting together the first-ever ten-match six-hour clip show.

I Listen So You Don't Have To: VIP Lounge, 12/20/15

Kenny King joined his former BDC stablemate MVP on his podcast
Photo Credit: Scott Finkelstein

If you’re new, here’s the rundown. We listen to a handful of wrestling podcasts each week. Too many, probably, though certainly not all of them. In the interest of saving you time — in case you have the restraint to skip certain episodes — the plan is to give the bare bones of a given show and let you decide if it’s worth investing the time to hear the whole thing. There are many wrestling podcasts out there, of course, but this feature largely hews to the regular rotation we feel best fit the category of hit or miss. If we can save other folks some time, we’re happy to do so.

Show: VIP Lounge
Episode: 12/20/15
Run Time: 57:27
Guests: Bobby Lashley and Kenny King

A Visit From Nick Gage

Merry f'n Christmas from The King!
Photo Credit: Scott Finkelstein, Photoshop: @NotAlexJones

Merry Christmas from all of us here at The Wrestling Blog!

---

Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the ring
Not a wrestler was working, not even Kenny King
The stockings were hung on the locker display
In hopes St. Nick would soon bring a payday

The Airing Of Grievances

Do not chant "Show your tits" at Scott or any woman, you animals
Photo Credit: Scott Finkelstein

"I got a lot of problems with you people!" -- Frank Costanza

The date on the calendar reads December 23, so once again, the sacred and honorable holiday of Festivus is upon the world at large. As is tradition, I have some grievances that I would like to bring to light. Rather than do one longform rant about something in specific, I have a few things I want to touch upon, because I am a sad, cold, bitter old man who gets irritated way too easily nowadays. The time has arrived to air some grievances.

I Listen So You Don't Have To: Cheap Heat Dec. 21

Owens comes up as a topic of discussion
Photo Credit: WWE.com

If you’re new, here’s the rundown. We listen to a handful of wrestling podcasts each week. Too many, probably, though certainly not all of them. In the interest of saving you time — in case you have the restraint to skip certain episodes — the plan is to give the bare bones of a given show and let you decide if it’s worth investing the time to hear the whole thing. There are many wrestling podcasts out there, of course, but this feature largely hews to the regular rotation we feel best fit the category of hit or miss. If we can save other folks some time, we’re happy to do so.

Show: Cheap Heat
Episode: “The Gift of the MAJies” (Dec. 21, 2015)
Run Time: 1:03:16
Guest: None

Year End Sorting Bins: *snaps fingers* HATED IT

Wrestler of the Year? LOL, no son, no
Photo Credit: WWE.com

Welcome back to another year-end tradition, the sorting bins, or where I put every wrestler into one of five neat little boxes according to how much I like or dislike them. These lists are not indicative of how talented or effective or objectively good at their jobs these people are. This list charts exclusively how much I like or dislike a certain wrestler. It's not scientific because it doesn't have to be. Anyway, bin number one is the Unequivocal Hatred bin, where I list all the wrestlers/personalities I loathe. Remember kids, unless it's explicitly stated in the entry for that person, this isn't hating the actual person, it's hatred for the character. Granted, some of the distaste will be for real life reasons as you'll see with at least one entry below, but most of it is for the portrayal of their characters in continuity.

I Listen So You Don't Have To: Steve Austin Show Ep. 281

Austin, shown here with Mike Tyson, has another episode with Ted Fowler
Photo Credit: WWE.com

If you’re new, here’s the rundown. We listen to a handful of wrestling podcasts each week. Too many, probably, though certainly not all of them. In the interest of saving you time — in case you have the restraint to skip certain episodes — the plan is to give the bare bones of a given show and let you decide if it’s worth investing the time to hear the whole thing. There are many wrestling podcasts out there, of course, but this feature largely hews to the regular rotation we feel best fit the category of hit or miss. If we can save other folks some time, we’re happy to do so.

Show: Steve Austin Show — Unleashed!
Episode: 281 (Dec. 17, 2015)
Run Time: 1:22:43
Guest: Ted Fowler (13:30)

Three Theories on Who or What Snowflake Is

The nefarious Snowflake has taken over Condron... is Snowflake someone already known to the Chikara world?
Photo Credit: Zia Hiltey

Kevin Condron burst onto the scene at Tomorrow Never Dies, the Chikara Season 14 finale, and his 2015 was a crusade to remind everyone that the ills of the company were self-inflicted. He preached against the wanton death and destruction until he himself turned his rage lethal and compromised Orbit Adventure Ant to a permanent end at King of Trios. Via Condron's Twitter account, an otherworldly being known as Snowflake took responsibility for the heinous act and claimed possession of the flesh.

Best Coast Bias: Demon Days

The King of Cosplay still reigns, however narrowly
Photo Credit: WWE.com

In Greil Marcus' novella about what makes the original Manchurian Candidate such a masterwork, one of his successful arguments in his and its favor is that "you're going to see everything you ever believed in suspended and then dashed to the ground. That's a thrill." (For the opposite of that feeling, have your computary source seize up on you the moment after you write that sentence, thus leaving you to brave a big box store the weekend before the biggest holiday of the year. But we digress.)

I Listen So You Don't Have To: Art Of Wrestling Ep. 281

Abyss makes the rounds on the Art of Wrestling
Photo Credit: Lee South/ImpactWrestling.com

If you’re new, here’s the rundown. We listen to a handful of wrestling podcasts each week. Too many, probably, though certainly not all of them. In the interest of saving you time — in case you have the restraint to skip certain episodes — the plan is to give the bare bones of a given show and let you decide if it’s worth investing the time to hear the whole thing. There are many wrestling podcasts out there, of course, but this feature largely hews to the regular rotation we feel best fit the category of hit or miss. If we can save other folks some time, we’re happy to do so.

Show: Art Of Wrestling
Episode: 281 (Dec. 17, 2015)
Run Time: 1:02:41
Guest: Abyss (11:56)

Twitter Request Line, Vol. 147

Bringer of hope?
Photo Credit: WWE.com

It's Twitter Request Line time, everyone! I take to Twitter to get questions about issues in wrestling, past and present, and answer them on here because 140 characters can't restrain me, fool! If you don't know already, follow me @tholzerman, and wait for the call on Wednesday to ask your questions. Hash-tag your questions #TweetBag, and look for the bag to drop Thursday afternoon (most of the time). Without further ado, here are your questions and my answers!

@tholzerman is there any hope For WWE or just in hentai

— Jeanne D'ank (@fuckinalpamare) December 16, 2015

For the record, his follow-up tweet corrected the "hentai" to "general," which is good because I think hentai is a hopeless genre of film anyway. Ahem. Anyway when Vince McMahon is declared non compos mentis, and Triple H is the filter through which all programming is run through, then things will have to get better. Right? Right? Bueller? Anyway, even if it's false hope, WWE still has hope. As for real life, well, Bernie Sanders still has a shot at taking the Presidency, I guess...

Smackdown: Friendship is Magic

Owens should be everyone's friend
Photo Credit: WWE.com

Worst Friend – Roman Reigns
I don't normally deal with the talky bits on this show, but I need to talk about Smackdown's opening segment this week because it was so weird. Roman Reigns started the show in the middle of the ring for some recap theatre and then Sheamus came out on the Authority's behalf to tell Reigns to leave. And Reigns refused. But like...why? He didn't have a match scheduled, and he wasn't looking to have one, so why NOT just leave? What was he planning to do? Just stand there all night? Is the power of being WWE World Heavyweight champion going to his head? He even fought off security just so could retain the important right of...standing in the ring and preventing the show from starting. Way to deprive all the other performers of their paycheques and the audience of their show, buddy! Keep fighting the good fight! I've also noticed that since winning, his close family and friends the Usos and Dean Ambrose are nowhere to be found. Can't find a place in the sun for your bestest best friends, eh? (Please note that I do actually like Reigns, but his friendship record remains spotty at best)

I Listen So You Don't Have To: Cheap Heat Dec. 16

Roman Reigns is the big topic of discussion this week
Photo Credit: WWE.com

If you’re new, here’s the rundown. We listen to a handful of wrestling podcasts each week. Too many, probably, though certainly not all of them. In the interest of saving you time — in case you have the restraint to skip certain episodes — the plan is to give the bare bones of a given show and let you decide if it’s worth investing the time to hear the whole thing. There are many wrestling podcasts out there, of course, but this feature largely hews to the regular rotation we feel best fit the category of hit or miss. If we can save other folks some time, we’re happy to do so.

Show: Cheap Heat
Episode: “Everybody Loves Roman” (Dec. 16, 2015)
Run Time: 1:19:35
Guest: Phonte (26:02)

I Listen So You Don't Have To: The Jim Cornette Experience #106

The cheeseburger man gets mad and red at Muslims on his wrestling podcast
Photo via @FightOwensFight

If you’re new, here’s the rundown. We listen to a handful of wrestling podcasts each week. Too many, probably, though certainly not all of them. In the interest of saving you time — in case you have the restraint to skip certain episodes — the plan is to give the bare bones of a given show and let you decide if it’s worth investing the time to hear the whole thing. There are many wrestling podcasts out there, of course, but this feature largely hews to the regular rotation we feel best fit the category of hit or miss. If we can save other folks some time, we’re happy to do so.

Show: The Jim Cornette Experience
Episode: 106
Run Time: 1:03:12
Guest: None

I Listen So You Don't Have To: Steve Austin Show Eps. 280/281

A double shot of Austin recaps
Photo Credit: WWE.com

If you’re new, here’s the rundown. We listen to a handful of wrestling podcasts each week. Too many, probably, though certainly not all of them. In the interest of saving you time — in case you have the restraint to skip certain episodes — the plan is to give the bare bones of a given show and let you decide if it’s worth investing the time to hear the whole thing. There are many wrestling podcasts out there, of course, but this feature largely hews to the regular rotation we feel best fit the category of hit or miss. If we can save other folks some time, we’re happy to do so.

Show: Steve Austin Show — Unleashed!
Episode: 280 (Dec. 10, 2015)
Run Time: 1:27:01
Guest: Ted Fowler (13:10)

How Roman Reigns Won over the WWE Universe

A moment well earned by WWE's deserving new ace
Photo Credit: WWE.com

The last time WWE was in Philadelphia for a live, televised event, Roman Reigns was booed out of the building. He won the most lackluster Royal Rumble in history, one plagued with terrible layout, uninspired performances, and an inexplicable positioning of Kane and Big Show as the big bads. Not even The Rock, who usually guarantees a decibel level above the OSHA threshold for hearing protection, could save his crowning moment. Imagining that moment in time as the impetus for Vince McMahon deciding that WrestleMania 31 would end not with Reigns triumphant but with Seth Rollins cashing in Money in the Bank is not a stretch of the imagination by any sense.

I Listen So You Don't Have To: Art Of Wrestling Ep. 280

The Boogie Woogie Man sits down with Cabana
Photo Credit: Pro Wrestling Illustrated via WWE.com

If you’re new, here’s the rundown. We listen to a handful of wrestling podcasts each week. Too many, probably, though certainly not all of them. In the interest of saving you time — in case you have the restraint to skip certain episodes — the plan is to give the bare bones of a given show and let you decide if it’s worth investing the time to hear the whole thing. There are many wrestling podcasts out there, of course, but this feature largely hews to the regular rotation we feel best fit the category of hit or miss. If we can save other folks some time, we’re happy to do so.

Show: Art Of Wrestling
Episode: 280 (Dec. 10, 2015)
Run Time: 1:01:16
Guest: Joey Ryan (3:00); Jimmy Valiant (12:17)

2015 Year in Review/2016 Year in Preview: Chikara

The season-capper
Photo Credit: Zia Hiltey

The Year-End Blowout begins in its new, changed form that will last past the new year with a look back at the fun and funky Americanized lucha-libre extravaganza, Chikara Pro Wrestling.

Promotion: Chikara Pro Wrestling

What Happened in 2015: The waters of the Flood had receded quite tidily after Icarus used the Estonian Thunder Frog's hammer to dispatch Deucalion at the 2014 season finale. With the behemoth and his hype man, Jimmy Jacobs out the picture, Chikara was left in a state of flux, albeit a happy one given the ragtag band of masks had been granted a new lease on life. Still, the way the Flood was beaten back left many with a bitter taste in their mouths. Deucalion killed many Chikara stalwarts, but was fighting death with death the best path to go down?

I Listen So You Don't Have To: Cheap Heat Dec. 10

Reigns as a Mongol warlord? The idea was floated on this podcast
Photo Credit: WWE.com

If you’re new, here’s the rundown. We listen to a handful of wrestling podcasts each week. Too many, probably, though certainly not all of them. In the interest of saving you time — in case you have the restraint to skip certain episodes — the plan is to give the bare bones of a given show and let you decide if it’s worth investing the time to hear the whole thing. There are many wrestling podcasts out there, of course, but this feature largely hews to the regular rotation we feel best fit the category of hit or miss. If we can save other folks some time, we’re happy to do so.

Show: Cheap Heat
Episode: “Tables, Ladders, Who Cares?” (Dec. 10, 2015)
Run Time: 56:24
Guest: None

Best Coast Bias: You Have One New Message

If Bálor keeps getting his lunch handed to him, maybe there's something he can summon...
Photo Credit: WWE.com

Next week was the trip to the fireworks factory, and it's not exactly a secret. Given the fact that it's going to be not only a two-hour live spectacuganza that usually causes a spasm of hosannas and fist pumps from the cognoscenti, but in addition will not only be the first time that NXT takes such things out of the country but into a sold-out and presumably rabid London crowd to boot? Well, it can be forgiven that this week's show was the bubble wrap to make sure the value package that the entire imprint has on the line coming up on the 16th got delivered across the pond safely.

I Listen So You Don't Have To: Steve Austin Show Ep. 279

Austin talks to a daredevil this episode
Photo Credit: WWE.com

If you’re new, here’s the rundown. We listen to a handful of wrestling podcasts each week. Too many, probably, though certainly not all of them. In the interest of saving you time — in case you have the restraint to skip certain episodes — the plan is to give the bare bones of a given show and let you decide if it’s worth investing the time to hear the whole thing. There are many wrestling podcasts out there, of course, but this feature largely hews to the regular rotation we feel best fit the category of hit or miss. If we can save other folks some time, we’re happy to do so.

Show: Steve Austin Show
Episode: 279 (Dec. 8, 2015)
Run Time: 1:17:13
Guest: Lathan McKay (21:48)

I Listen So You Don't Have To: Talk is Jericho, Episode 201

Jericho has the Lass-Kicker on his podcast
Photo Credit: WWE.com

If you’re new, here’s the rundown. We listen to a handful of wrestling podcasts each week. Too many, probably, though certainly not all of them. In the interest of saving you time — in case you have the restraint to skip certain episodes — the plan is to give the bare bones of a given show and let you decide if it’s worth investing the time to hear the whole thing. There are many wrestling podcasts out there, of course, but this feature largely hews to the regular rotation we feel best fit the category of hit or miss. If we can save other folks some time, we’re happy to do so.

Show: Talk is Jericho
Episode: 201
Run Time: 1:19:42
Guest: Becky Lynch

The Crowning Glory: Live Report from Chikara's Top Banana

An important Champion
Photo Credit: Zia Hiltey

At the end of Top Banana, Chikara's season 15 finale, a small girl, couldn't have been older than seven, walked by me. She was decked out in a tiara and the Disney-stylized "We believe!" Crown and Court shirt, completed with a huge, beaming smile on her face. She had a good reason for walking out of the 2300 Arena (formerly ECW Arena) in such high spirits despite the fact that the show probably ended two hours after her bedtime. Kimber Lee left the arena as Chikara Grand Champion. Chikara is not a promotion where women are segregated from men, but it's also not necessarily a promotion where women are considered to be title contenders as a rule. So when the show ended with Lee, who scored the decisive pin for her Crown and Court over Blaster McMassive in the Challenge of the Immortals finals earlier in the night to earn her the three points necessary to challenge for said Grand Championship, as the Champion, that little girl had all the reason in the world to be jolted into exuberance. Someone who looked reasonably like her ended the show supremely victorious.

The Hoss Playground: Inspire Pro Undeniable Review

Starks and ACH hear Hoyt roar
Photo Credit: Joel Loeschman

Inspire Pro Wrestling's Undeniable took place February 15, 2015 at the Marchesa Theater in Austin, TX. This report is done in the TH Style, of course. You can get this event at Smart Mark Video on DVD or VOD. I strongly recommend that you do. Also, if you're in the Austin area on January 17. 2016, head on over to the Marchesa for Ecstasy of Gold III: Gold Runs Cold, which will feature Scot Summers vs. Eddie Kingston. You can get tickets here.

Smackdown: Friendship is Magic

Trouble amongst friends again?
Photo Credit: WWE.com

Should Be Friends – Neville and the Miz
They teased Miz taking Neville under his wing and while the reference they used was Daniel Bryan, I'd really, really like to see Damien Sandow return as a result. Maybe he could pop up to warn Neville or feud with him. I don't care. It's a crime that Sandow has been off my TV for so long, and Neville needs something to do, since every other potential storyline he's been involved in has been pretty instantly aborted. His match against Tyler Breeze was fine, but Neville could have been anyone, as the match was just furthering Breeze's angle with Dolph Ziggler (who managed to not be insufferable on guest commentary). Neville needs something of his own, and the Miz is so good at being awful that everyone who associates with him is instantly elevated.

I Listen So You Don't Have To: Steve Austin Show Ep. 278

The Patriot is on Steve Austin's show
Photo Credit: WWE.com

If you’re new, here’s the rundown. We listen to a handful of wrestling podcasts each week. Too many, probably, though certainly not all of them. In the interest of saving you time — in case you have the restraint to skip certain episodes — the plan is to give the bare bones of a given show and let you decide if it’s worth investing the time to hear the whole thing. There are many wrestling podcasts out there, of course, but this feature largely hews to the regular rotation we feel best fit the category of hit or miss. If we can save other folks some time, we’re happy to do so.

Show: Steve Austin Show — Unleashed!
Episode: 278 (Dec. 2, 105)
Run Time: 1:29:56
Guest: Del Wilkes (5:42)

Best Coast Bias: This Show Sponsored By 1-800-COLLECT-AN-ASS-WHUPPIN'

A hard-hitting main event win for the number one contender
Photo Credit: WWE.com

The close of the program this week showed Samoa Joe, borderline frothing at the mouth with the look of a man possessed and Tommaso Ciampa still recovering from having almost being pressed into a cube before being made to tap out lest he get choked out. In the previous 600 seconds that'd wrapped up the show, the message to Finn Bálor being about as transparent as a newly cleaned glass window--the Champ better show up with a handful of explosives if he wants to keep his reign going, since what we're getting now is Peak Joe, a superheavyweight who moves like a cruiser and only blows up his opponent's internal organs with his striking capabilities.

The Last Refuge Of the Scoundrels: CWF Mid-Atlantic BattleCade '16 Preview

Lee and Royal are big reasons why CWF Mid-Atlantic needs your attention
Photo Credit: Scott Finkelstein

We're getting to the end of the year, and, for one of the best (and perhaps most underrated) promotions in the country, it means one thing, and one thing only. CWF Mid-Atlantic is going to try and knock our socks off again. And I, for one, am betting on them. Because they might be the best promotion that not enough people are talking about. BattleCade, their end of year spectacular where we assume all of the major storylines will be ended in satisfying fashion. But what if you're like me, and can't get down to Burlington, NC for the big show but are still a fan of this company? Welcome aboard. I'll help.

I Listen So You Don't Have To: Art Of Wrestling Ep. 279

Scorpio appears on the Art of Wrestling
Photo Credit: Scott Finkelstein

If you’re new, here’s the rundown. We listen to a handful of wrestling podcasts each week. Too many, probably, though certainly not all of them. In the interest of saving you time — in case you have the restraint to skip certain episodes — the plan is to give the bare bones of a given show and let you decide if it’s worth investing the time to hear the whole thing. There are many wrestling podcasts out there, of course, but this feature largely hews to the regular rotation we feel best fit the category of hit or miss. If we can save other folks some time, we’re happy to do so.

Show: Art Of Wrestling
Episode: 279 (Dec. 3, 2015)
Run Time: 1:00:45
Guest: 2 Cold Scorpio

I Listen So You Don't Have To: Cheap Heat Dec. 2

The League of Nations gets prime audio real estate on Cheap Heat
Photo Credit: WWE.com

If you’re new, here’s the rundown. We listen to a handful of wrestling podcasts each week. Too many, probably, though certainly not all of them. In the interest of saving you time — in case you have the restraint to skip certain episodes — the plan is to give the bare bones of a given show and let you decide if it’s worth investing the time to hear the whole thing. There are many wrestling podcasts out there, of course, but this feature largely hews to the regular rotation we feel best fit the category of hit or miss. If we can save other folks some time, we’re happy to do so.

Show: Cheap Heat
Episode: “The Clotheshorsemen” (Dec. 2, 2015)
Run Time: 1:08:25
Guest: None

Believe Victims, Believe Survivors

The accusations against Honma are grave, but accusers should be believed
Photo via Wikipedia

Kiyoko Ichiki, a former wrestler and current significant other of New Japan Pro Wrestling's Tomoaki Honma, has come out and accused him of domestic violence against her. While the accusations are just that, the fact that they have been brought to light is troubling. Yes, I hope the accusations aren't true, but the most troubling fact in the world right now is that the default in public perception is to assume that the accusations are bullshit. More care is taken to tapdance around the charges and do everything to discount what accusers have to say, or worse, lay blame at accusers' feet.

Best Coast Bias: Y'All A Bunch Of Puppets

Special Guest Star Charles Robinson!
Photo Credit: WWE.com

Small wonder that around this time last week it was NXT's resident beacon of light who found herself in a situation that, for non-fans of chilling alternate universes, most easily brought to mind It's A Wonderful Life.

I Listen So You Don't Have To: Steve Austin Show Eps. 276/277

Foley is on Austin's latest podcast
Photo Credit: WWE.com

If you’re new, here’s the rundown. We listen to a handful of wrestling podcasts each week. Too many, probably, though certainly not all of them. In the interest of saving you time — in case you have the restraint to skip certain episodes — the plan is to give the bare bones of a given show and let you decide if it’s worth investing the time to hear the whole thing. There are many wrestling podcasts out there, of course, but this feature largely hews to the regular rotation we feel best fit the category of hit or miss. If we can save other folks some time, we’re happy to do so.

I Listen So You Don't Have To: Art Of Wrestling Ep. 278

Roode talks to Cabana this week
Photo Credit: Lee South/ImpactWrestling.com

If you're new, here's the rundown. We listen to a handful of wrestling podcasts each week. Too many, probably, though certainly not all of them. In the interest of saving you time — in case you have the restraint to skip certain episodes — the plan is to give the bare bones of a given show and let you decide if it’s worth investing the time to hear the whole thing. There are many wrestling podcasts out there, of course, but this feature largely hews to the regular rotation we feel best fit the category of hit or miss. If we can save other folks some time, we’re happy to do so.

Show: Art Of Wrestling
Episode: 278 (Nov. 26, 2015)
Run Time: 1:04:24
Guest: Bobby Roode (10:44)