Professionalwrestling Podcasts

What kind of pro-wrestling critic has Tim Kail become? That's the question at the heart of this season finale episode of The Work Of Wrestling podcast. Topics include: taking a hiatus from Work Of Wrestling. doing WOW weekly for 1 year and 9 months. what Tim will do while on hiatus. the grounding power of producing a weekly podcast. is Work Of Wres…

For this week, the penultimate episode of the season, Tim Kail review WWE's latest premium live event, Backlash. Topics include: the ways in which WWE is narratively lazy. Bianca Belair carrying herself like a champ. what would Bret Hart do with Omos? Bobby Lashley vs Austin Theory vs Bronson Reed delivering. Zelina Vega overdelivering. Damian Prei…

Tim Kail returns for another week of in-depth reviews of Raw, Dynamite, and SmackDown. Topics include: A review of Monday Night Raw 4/24/23 A review of AEW Dynamite 4/26/23 A review of Smack Down 4/28/23 The similarities and differences between WWE and AEW. The way WWE puts midcard characters in little stories. Wanting the Blackpool Combat Club to …

In this episode it's Week 2 of Tim's experiment chronicling his week of pro-wrestling watching. Topics include: Quality vs consistency. The differences between WWE & AEW. WWE's robotic characters. Can Seth Rollins "put it all together"? Trish Stratus talking to us like children. The distinction between WWE and other television. The death of Rampage…

Tim Kail returns for an episode where he chronicles his week of watching wrestling. Topics include: A Monday Night Raw Review. Talking a lot without saying much. The pitfalls of tag teams behaving as individuals. The overabundance of "backstage attacks". Why is Cody Rhodes smililng so much? An AEW Dynamite Review. The "Four Pillars" scouting eachot…

This week Tim Kail talks about how he has nothing to talk about, which leads to a lot to talking! Topics include: Being on vacation and how that affected Tim's week with wrestling. Shawn Michales vs John Cena on RAW. Finishing a short film. What does the narrative 'heavy lifting' in different genres. How to deal with feelings of inadequacy. The sta…

Tim Kail is joined by friend and fellow pro-wrestling fan Al Monelli to discuss WrestleMania 39. Topics include: The meloncholy that comes with the end of a WrestleMania. What does it mean that Cody Rhodes lost? Al's gambling conspiracy theory. The excellence of the night one main event tag match between The Usos and Sami Zayn & Kevin Owens. Does R…

In honor of WrestleMania day, Work of Wrestling host Tim Kail publishes this bonus episode. Pass some time with Tim as he shares his predictions for Night 1 and 2 of the Showcase of the Immortals. Topics include: Seth Rollins' character (or lack thereof). why Trish Stratus should turn on Becky Lynch. getting bodies out there for a participation tro…

In this episode host Tim Kail chronicles his week in effort to capture what life is like for a pro-wrestling fan in 2023. Topics include: a review of Monday Night Raw. what it's like to be a wrestling fan in 2023. a review of AEW Dynamite. reflecting on a lackluster episode of Dynamite. sharing regrets and frustrations related to the podcast. a rev…

This week sees the return of the three-part format. For The Lock-Up, Tim reviews WWE 2K23, for The High Spot he discusses the role memory plays in professional wrestling fandom, and in The Finish he shares three short stories about how pro-wrestling factored into his personal life in unexpected ways. Watch Tim's wrestling videos on Youtube: https:/…

This week host, Tim Kail, answers your questions! You wanted to know: what happens if Cody doesn't win at WrestleMania? what does Tim think about gambling & WWE and whether or not it would bring more people to WWE. what Tim thinks about how the WWE has handled the transition from Sami Zayn to Cody Rhodes. Tim's feelings on refs holding ladders. Why…

Host, Tim Kail, reviews AEW's latest pay-per-view, Revolution. Topics include: was the PPV worth $50? Christian Cage vs Jungle Boy Jack Perry delivering despite expectations. Ricky Starks' awesome spear. The House of Black failing to resonate with Tim. Ruby Soho delivering her best performance to date. The bloody fun of Mox vs Hangman. Why Wardlow …

This week host Tim Kail shares with listeners the ten things he's learned since becoming a pro-wrestling critic. The list includes: Allow for change. Set goals - even if they're big. Interviews with fellow fans are better than interviews with "in the business". Emotional detachment might be necessary. Relationships evolve, and if the foundation is …

This week host Tim Kail reviews WWE's latest premium live event, The Elimination Chamber. Topics include: The enduring excellence of Asuka. The humor of Carmella. What makes a good Elimination Chamber match? The dissapointment of Bobby Lashley vs Brock Lesnar. The messy fun of Edge & Beth Phoenix vs Finn Balor and Rhea Ripley. Crowds not responding…

Work of Wrestling host Tim Kail discusses, in The Lock-Up (1:03:14), the February 10th episode of Friday Night Smackdown and how The Bloodline Story may be the first wrestling story ever where he's been emotionally invested in every character. In The High Spot (1:19:00) Tim asks whether or not the WWE audience has been beaten into submission. And i…

This week for The Lock-Up (2:18) Tim Kail reviews the February 3rd episode of SmackDown. He critiques a few matches before discussing, in more detail, the closing Romen Reigns/Sami Zayn segment. In the High Spot (13:23) he examines the idea that the Bloodline saga is one of the best things to ever happen in wrestling and why that's sad (it'll make …

Work Of Wrestling host Tim Kail is joined by his friend and fellow pro-wrestling fan Al Monelli to discuss this year's Royal Rumble. Topics include: the men's Rumble being bland and forgettabl by design. Cody Rhodes on the road to winning at WrestleMania. whether or not it should have been Sami Zayn winning the Rumble. the core purpose of the Wrest…

Tim Kail returns for an all new and free episode of The Work Of Wrestling podcast. This week, for The Lock-Up (4:15) Tim reviews the January 18th episode of AEW Dynamite. For The High Spot (22:08) he examines the complex relationship between fandoms and coorperations. For The Finish (31:26) he opens up about how the consistency of his pro-wrestling…

This week, on The Work Of Wrestling podcast, in The Lock-Up (2:58) host Tim Kail reviews the January 13th episode of AEW Rampage. In The High Spot (17:15) Tim examines the potential sale of WWE, and how that may not impact professional wrestling as much as some fans fear. He cites the Speaking Out Movement as an example of how pro-wrestling isn't o…

Work Of Wrestling host Tim Kail unleashes on the story that WWE has been sold to Saudi Arabia, and how the terrible reporting misled the wrestling community. He explains the damage that can be done through this kind of reporting, the real problem with their being a lack of accountability, and the real benefit of their being a mechanism in place to …

The Work Of Wrestling returns to the original three-part format once again! For The Lock-Up (4:40) Tim Kail reviews the January 4th episode of AEW Dynamite. For The High Spot (28:09) Tim focuses on the importance of "taking care of each other" and how art helps people. He emphasizes that the specific perspective an individual artist has may be just…

This week on The Work Of Wrestling podcast, host Tim Kail returns to the original three-part format of the show. In the intro he explains that it's been a struggle to write about wrestling lately, leaving him unsure if he'll be able to keep writing one article a week. In The Lock-Up (9:38) Tim reviews the latest episode of NXT. He describes the bla…

It's the 2022 season finale! In this episode Tim opens up about the insecurities he's faced this season. He's visited by an old friend who has just the right words of wisdom. Thank you, dear listener, for sharing your time with me this year. It's been a pivotal season, where I finally feel like the show is back to where it was meant to be. Enjoy th…

Warning: this episode contains descriptions of suicidal ideation and depression. This week Work Of Wrestling host Tim Kail is joined by longtime listener, occasional contributor, and overall friend of the pod Daniel Lee. Topics include: The origin of Daniel's fandom. Explaining your pro-wrestling fandom to people who don't get it. Tony Khan being j…

Work Of Wrestling host Tim Kail reflects on 2022. Having a new episode ever week. Pro-wrestling Tees. Patreon. Great interviews with Mith Gifs and Kayla Fabienne. Writing weekly again. CM Punk having a great and terrible year. Wrestling proving structure to Tim's life. Getting better. And much more! Buy WOW-themed tee-shirts at www.prowrestlingtees…

Work Of Wrestling host, Tim Kail, is joined by the iconic pro-wrestler, podcaster, and comedian Colt Cabana. Topics include: when Colt first starting thinking of pro-wrestling as an art. why Colt thinks it's harder to be a babyface than a heel. the two Art of Wrestling guests who made Colt nervous. what it's like to have people rooting for him. how…

This week Tim Kail reviews Survivor Series: War Games! Topics include: 2 of the 5 matches being of consequence. The women's War Games match. Nikki Cross not connecting with her new, old character. Roman and Jey Uso talking backstage. Finn Balor vs AJ Styles. Shotzi vs Ronda Rousey. Seth Rollins vs Bobby Lashley vs Austin Theory. The men's War Games…

Work Of Wrestling host Tim Kail is joined by his friend John Macy to discuss and dissect the latest AEW pay-per-view, Full Gear. Topics include: the matches on the buy-in. the excellence of Jungle Boy vs Lucha Saurus. the uplifting return of The Elite. Ring Of Honor not fitting with AEW. The return of Saraya. Tim's match of the night Toni Storm vs …

This week, host Tim Kail reviews the November 11th episode of SmackDown. Topics include: Writing 1 article a week, producing 1 video a week, and 1 podcast a week. Ronda Rousey and the damage done by scripted promos. The New Day vs The Usos for the unified Tag Titles. How it wasn't cool to like Roman Reigns just a few years ago. Why Bray Wyatt shoul…

Tim Kail shares his thoughts on the reborn Bray Wyatt following Bray's promo at Crown Jewel. He also discusses the revitalized www.workofwrestling.com Topics include: Why modern wrestling fans cheer & boo. Why Bray Wyatt has always been a babyface. Why Tim is on board with this latest version of Bray. Wyatt's story being evocative of an addict's. A…

Work Of Wrestling host Tim Kail reviews SmackDown and Rampage, before answering your questions! Topics include: The Bloodline drama being the best thing in WWE. An analysis of Jey Uso and Sami Zayn. Liv Morgan vs Sonya Deville. Not really liking Ronda Rousey anymore. Analyzing Karion Kross and his entrance. The visual beauty of Bray Wyatt. How to g…

This week Tim Kail is joined by pro-wrestling gif-essayist Mith Gifs! Among other topics, the two discuss: Mith's creative process. Why Gifs are so perfect for pro-wrestling. What it is about Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens that captivates Mith so much. Dealing with the pressures of content creation. Mith's favorite wrestling match. Mith's favorite films…

*Warning - this episode contains explicit content... Granny Franny joins Tim Kail for a very special and very personal episode of The Work of Wrestling podcast. Topics include: Bray Wyatt's return address on Friday Night SmackDown. Sami Zayn and Roman Reigns stellar segments. Tim's new favorite shirt, Sami Zayns "Honorary Uce" tee. And just how tha…

This week Tim Kail reviews WWE's latest premium live event Extreme Rules. Topics include: Sheamus being great as a babyface. Ronda Rousey's bad attitude affecting her performance. The superficiality of the Karrion Kross character. Drew McIntyre in need of a reinvention. Edge vs Finn Balor bringing the good kind of melodrama. The many characters of …

This week Tim Kail talks ticket sales and cognitive behavorial therapy for the entire wrestling fanbase. Topics include: Catastrophizing after the news of AEW's low ticket sales and dipping ratings. Why Tim likes AEW more than WWE, but doesn't assume that means anything in particular. Different cognitive distortions within the pro-wrestling communi…

This week Tim Kail dissects a segment from Smack Down and tells a story about sleep walking & wrestling action figures. Topics include: The quality and depth of Sami Zayn's performance. Roman being bound for Hollywood. Tim's thoughts on the rest of Smack Down. How sleep walking has affected Tim's life. How a surprise placement of a figure helped hi…

It's Suicide Prevention Month, and host Tim Kail, who has faced his own mental health issues of late, lets you know you're not alone and that things can get better. CLICK HERE for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Dial 988 for the suicide and crisis lifeline. Reach out to Tim on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram @WorkOfWrestling.…

This week host Tim Kail is joined by Kayla Fabienne, a writer, teacher, ring announcer, and lover of professional wrestling. You can read her and others' work on http://thespectacleofexcess.com. Topics include: the unappreciated role of the ring bell. the difficulty of music cues. the improvisational nature of pro-wrestling. attempting to honor kay…

This week Tim Kail talks about CM Punk's post-All Out media scrum, the fallout, what it means from the perspective of art, and Jon Moxley's Dynamite promo. Topics include: Tim's initially positive response to Punk's press conference. Realizing the toxicity of Punk's words. Taking issue with the idea that Adam Page has "done nothing..." The hypocris…

Tim is joined once again by his friend John Macy to discuss AEW's latest pay-per-view, All Out. Topics include: The masked man with the casino chip. There being one too many trios matches. The trios matches detracting from the Tag Champions. Has John changed his mind on Jade Cargil?? Should Wardlow hug children? Powerhouse Hobbs defeats Ricky Stark…

This week we journey to Cardiff to review Clash At The Castle. Tim gives his thoughts on every match and then some. Topics include: an analysis of every woman in the opening six-woman tag match. Sheamus and Gunther beating the hell out of each other in the match of the night. Some of Liv Morgan's shortcommings and how they could be improved. The ba…

This week Tim Kail analyzes Jon Moxley's squash of CM Punk and Sami Zayn's ascent to "honorary uce". Topics include: CM Punk's UFC losses. Jon Moxley becoming "The Man". What this loss means for Punk and, conversely, what this victory means for Mox. Falling in love with Sami Zayn in 2014. Forcing one's self to fall out of love with Zayn upon his ma…

Tim Kail and The Work Of Wrestling podcast have reached 300 episodes! In honor of this milestone Tim focuses in on the basics of a good pro-wrestling segment rather than the dirt behind the scenes. He also share his thoughts on Mid South Wrestling. Topics include: lack of focus on pro-wrestling. frustration with wrestling fans and media. CM Punk vs…

This week Tim Kail shares who his top five active wrestlers are and why. He also answers your questions. Topics include: Inhabiting your character. AEW being new. Lack of diversity (even in Tim's own list). Who should win, Moxley or Punk? Is Tim going to WrestleMania?! And much more! Buy WOW-themed tee-shirts at www.prowrestlingtees.com/workofwrest…

This week Tim Kail covers the AEW special event, Battle of the Belts. Topics include: Tim's 2 year anniversary and of being diagnosed bi polar. How Wardlow can regain some momentum. Thunder Rosa vs Jamie Hayter underwhelming. Is Claudio the right fit for the Blackpool Combat Club? And more! Buy WOW-themed tee-shirts at www.prowrestlingtees.com/work…

This week host Tim Kail reviews the WWE premium live event, Summer Slam! Topics include: Becky Lynch vs Bianca Belair as match of the night. Great storytelling developments for Becky Lynch. Logan Paul doing big moves to hide his lack of fundamentals. Theory on the dak path of symbolically answering for Vince McMahon's misdeeds with booking and beyo…

Tim Kail is sick this week. He's tested negative for Covid so this is just a good old-fashoined cold or sinus infection. Unfortunately this means he won't be able to review all of Summer Slam. So he gives a mini review in this short, informative episode. Buy WOW-themed tee-shirts at www.prowrestlingtees.com/workofwrestling Become a Patreon subscrib…

This week Tim Kail reviews the Ring Of Honor pay-per-view Death Before Dishonor. Before he gets to the ppv, though, he offers his thoughts on Vince McMahon retiring from WWE. Topics include: Claudio winning his first world Championship. Dalton Castle making an impression. Serena Deeb being a vicious, technical master. Samoa Joe and Jay Lethal going…

This week Tim Kail checks in with the listener on the state of his mental health, pro-wrestling fandom, and critical wrestling theory. Topics include: Tim's wrestling viewing habits. Low expectations for RAW. High expectations for Dynamite. Broad vs specific arts analysis. Being fair in one's critical analysis. And more! Buy WOW-themed tee-shirts a…

This week Tim Kail discusses the recent news from the Wall Street Journal that Vince McMahon comitted acts of sexual misconduct and paid millions to keep it quiet. Topics include: Tim's article "Hold Vince McMahon Accountable". The practical reason Vince McMahon must be removed. Thinking about his misdeeds through the prism of art. A simple way fan…