The Work Of Wrestling

Your ears do not deceive you - this is a special BONUS edition of The Work Of Wrestling podcast. In this episode host Tim Kail previews WrestleMania 42, going through every match and allowing each participant to inspire deeper thoughts. He discusses the evolution of Bayley (currently in her adolescence in Tim's head-canon), why "The Road To WrestleMania" simply doesn't matter anymore, why exactly...

This week Tim Kail announces a return of the music to the podcast! Why he's bringing it back and how he had help from a longtime listener. He's also reopened his Pro-Wrestling Tees store. Visit www.prowrestlingtees.com/workofwrestling to shop the collection and show your support for the podcast. Tim also discusses framing the term "Sports Entertainment" as a specific genre in professional wrestlin...

For this special bonus episode of The Work Of Wrestling podcast host Tim Kail examines CM Punk's promo from the April 6th, 2026 episode of Monday Night Raw. Is it a true "pipe bomb"? Did CM Punk "torch" TKO, The Rock, Roman Reigns, and Pat McAfee? Or is he merely a cog in a corporate machine, his subversion nothing more than the appearance of being anti-establishment? Tim asks and answers these qu...

This week host Tim Kail asks (and answers) "Where does inspiration come from?" Is it the result of committing to a daily creative habit like writing 500 words a day or is it something delivered from the muse, a divine spark that uses the artist as a medium to express itself. Is it both? Or is it something a little more particular than either dynamic. Tim describes how he stays inspired through a b...

This week Tim Kail discusses the complexities of modern social media, how it drives us toward discord and pollutes the way we discuss and analyze professional wrestling. Tim shares what he's learned from AI about how modern social media works, and describes how he'd fundamentally have to change aspects of his personality in order to see social media success. He also talks about the importance of w...

This week Tim Kail returns to the here and now with a blunt assessment of WWE's current road to WrestleMania. Tim analyzes the CM Punk/Roman Reigns drama - how it's straining for emotional complexity and is failing to generate interest in the process. Tim dissects Austin Theory & Logan Paul, one being an "angry child" while the other is an "immature teenager". He discusses the unintentionally funn...

Tim Kail has an update about his book The Work Of Wrestling: A Book About Art . He shares details about the submission process, crafting a proposal, and writing a cover letter. He just received his first response from a publisher and he reads the email for the listener. Listen to find out whether it's an acceptance or rejection letter! Follow on social media @WorkOfWrestling. Give the podcast a fi...

This week we're joined by writer Tom Dean, who hails from Northern England, to discuss his PHD project, which is partially inspired by the kayfabe breaking drama between Matt Hardy, Lita, and Edge. Tim and Tom discuss the fundamental difference between AEW and WWE, finding escapism in characters who are one's polar opposite, working as a freelancer, teaching literature courses, and what new kinds...

This week, host Tim Kail opens up about his seven year long journey with therapy. He offers what he's learned from being in analysis with therapists and psychiatrists, his go to suite of "moves", "signatures", and "finishers" for coping with the slippery beast that is our minds. He offers this because he believes it's useful information that should be freely offered to all rather than a select, we...

For this special bonus episode host Tim Kail reads his latest article titled On Timeless Toni Storm, Orange Cassidy, and Reclaiming My Imagination.

This week, Work Of Wrestling host Tim Kail doesn't review Elimination Chamber. Instead, he reacts to the comments on his Facebook post about skipping this year's Chamber. Tim discusses the blandness of modern WWE, the consistency of AEW Dynamite, why he's becoming more choosey with how he spends his time and money, and why the consolidation of money and power in the world makes him uneasy about th...

For this short, bonus Friday episode of The Work Of Wrestling progress host Tim Kail gives an update on the status of his forthcoming book The Work Of Wrestling: A Book About Art. He reads a bit from his book proposal and explains why the book has been great for his mental health. Give the podcast a five star rating and review in Apple Podcasts! Follow on social media @WorkOfWrestling. Keep an ear...

This week host Tim Kail explains why professional wrestling is the least pretentious art. He discusses working in various mediums, telling stories with wrestling video games, and dealing with pretentious writers and filmmakers. You can read the blog that inspired this episode on www.workofwrestling.com . Music by Ben Holland.

Tim Kail explains why he's taken down The Work Of Wrestling's library of episodes. Follow on social media @WorkOfWrestling. May The Moment of Pop be with you!

This week host Tim Kail provides a real-time commentary for the triple threat match from NXT Stand and Deliver featuring NXT Champion Oba Femi and challengers Trick Williams and Je'Von Evans. Here is the link to the match on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMOaSqIMV5c Enjoy and thanks for listening! Music by Ben Holland.

Tim Kail has an announcement...he's writing a book! Inspired by J.J. McGee's Fight Forever: A Ballad of Kevin and Sami, Tim is endeavoring to distill his decade's long analysis of pro-wrestling into a single project. This book, The Work Of Wrestling: A Book About Art, will be a combination of his best writing with all new writing on the subject of wrestling being an art. Follow on the social media...

This week host Tim Kail is joined by renowned author J.J. McGee (MithGifs) to discuss their book Fight Forever: The Ballad of Kevin and Sami, a detailed history of two of pro-wrestling's greatest...ahem...the two greatest wrestlers of all time. Tim and J.J. discuss how this project came to be, J.J.'s writing practice, the most surprising piece of research they found, interviewing Kevin and Sami fo...

This week Tim Kail opens up about his increased passion for professional wrestling and what that means for his mental state. He discusses Fight Forever: The Ballad of Kevin and Sami by JJ McGee and how it uncorked his imagination as he spent three days cat sitting in an apartment overlooking The Hudson River. Music By Ben Holland.  

Work Of Wrestling host Tim Kail has had an idea for an episode of the pod for the past ten years, but he could never figure out a way to bring it to life. Well he's finally done it! In this episode he explores the connection between pro-wrestling and sex, how they follow parallel narrative paths. His goal is to help listeners better appreciate good wrestling (and good sex). This episode was origin...

Today's episode is a story submitted by Liam Lambert, @crowtagonist on Instagram. Liam shares a coming of age tale about creating his own backyard wrestling federation in the suburbs of Lincolnshire. It's a heartwarming story about pro-wrestling's ability to forge strong bonds among people, even as they grow up and move apart. To submit your story go to The Work Of Wrestling's Facebook page and cl...

Tim Kail reacts to Mick Foley severing ties with WWE in the wake of President Trump's disparaging remarks on Rob Reiner. Tim reads Mick's original social media post on the matter, offers up some thoughts of his own, and then shares a pivotal decision he's made about what he's willing to cover in pro-wrestling in 2026. 

Host Tim Kail is joined by longtime friend and fan-favorite guest Alexander Monelli to discuss John Cena's last match at Saturday Night's Main Event. First, Tim & Al unload on annoying pro-wrestling fans for inserting themselves into Cena's final moments. Then they discuss Cena's greatest promos and matches. Finally, they examine what John Cena and the other greatest of all-time have in common. Fo...

Trigger Warning - this episode contains discussion of thoughts of suicide, depression, and mental illness. Tim Kail shares a story he's been holding onto for years.  What happened to Tim when he stumbled upon a podcast that "lambasted" him for an article he'd written? How did he process it and attempt to maintain control of the situation (and his emotions). Listen to this frank, personal story to...

This week Tim Kail is joined by his mom, Granny Franny, to review Dwayne Johnson's latest film, The Smashing Machine. Tim and Franny discuss the film's unique perspective on sports-psychology, the turbulent relationship between Mark and Dawn, and Dwayne Johnson's Oscar-worthy, sensitive performance. Let us know what you think on The Work Of Wrestling Facebook page. Thank you for listening. May the...

In the 11th hour Tim Kail puts together an episode about coming down off the WrestleMania high, his plans for the podcast, going on hiatus, his short film, and his dog. Music by Ben Holland.