Wrestling Is Real Wrestling Podcast

KOP argues that the TKO Group's business strategy, which combines the assets of WWE and UFC, is focused on securing maximum television and streaming dominance at the expense of talent and competition.  New UFC Deal with Paramount+We look at the recent, historic seven-year, $7.7 billion media rights deal between TKO Group and Paramount for UFC content, beginning in 2026. This agreement is seen as a...

In a landmark move for professional wrestling, WWE, under the umbrella of TKO Group Holdings, has secured a five-year, $1.625 billion media rights agreement with ESPN, positioning the sports entertainment giant’s Premium Live Events (PLEs) on ESPN’s new direct-to-consumer (DTC) streaming platform starting in 2026. This deal, valued at an average of $325 million annually, marks a significant shift...

In a night of unexpected turns and high-stakes championship matches, Cody Rhodes emerged victorious over John Cena in a brutal street fight for the Undisputed WWE Championship.  The night also saw Naomi successfully defend her Women's World Championship in a triple-threat match against Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky, replicating the surprise pinfall strategy used at a previous event. The Wyatt Sicks, con...

SummerSlam 2025 starts up following a plot twist in a highly anticipated rematch between two of WWE's biggest stars: the returning hero John Cena and the "American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes. The main event of SummerSlam Night 1 saw CM Punk dethrone Gunther for the World Heavyweight Championship. The celebration was short-lived, however, as Seth Rollins, who had won the Money in the Bank contract, app...

"They spent less than 10 minutes in the writer's room". Netflix’s WWE: Unreal docuseries may have promised to pull back the curtain on the larger-than-life world of professional wrestling—but it also unintentionally revealed just how thin that curtain really is.  Across multiple episodes and interviews, what stands out most is not just the backstage access or production secrets, but the shocking a...

The wrestling world is reeling today with the news of Hulk Hogan's passing at the age of 71. TMZ reported that the legendary superstar, born Terry Gene Bollea on August 11, 1953, died this morning after reportedly suffering a cardiac arrest at his home in Florida. His death marks the end of an era for a figure who transcended professional wrestling to become a global pop culture phenomenon. Hogan'...

The cynical orchestrators at WWE are once again tightening their grip, not just on the narrative, but on the wallets of their most devoted fans. Peacock, WWE's exclusive streaming home for Premium Live Events in the US, has just announced a significant price hike, adding another $3 to both its ad-supported and ad-free tiers starting July 23rd.  This move, framed by Peacock as a necessary reinvestm...

Slammiversary 2025 was a monumental event for Total Nonstop Action (TNA) Wrestling, marked by high-stakes championship battles, inter-promotional rivalries, and the highly anticipated return of a legendary figure. The show boasted an impressive attendance of 7,623, the largest for a TNA event in North America since Lockdown 2013, a testament to the growing excitement surrounding the promotion. Thi...

WWE is in an absolute scramble, attempting to build a two-night SummerSlam spectacular from August 2nd to 3rd, 2025, with less than three weeks to go. The card, while stacked with high-stakes matchups, feels rushed, largely due to the company's recent programming focus. The current lineup promises some electrifying encounters. John Cena is set to defend his Undisputed WWE Championship against a su...

The return of WWE Evolution in 2025, following the historic 2018 inaugural event, served as a powerful statement by WWE and its parent company, TKO, reaffirming their commitment to the women's division. While the event was intended as a celebratory showcase of female talent and a symbol of empowerment, critics argue that despite the efforts by TKO and WWE, Evolution 2025 ultimately did not "move t...

All Elite Wrestling (AEW) made history tonight at Globe Life Field, presenting AEW All In: Texas, a landmark pay-per-view that cemented itself as a pivotal moment in the company’s history. The event lived up to its billing as a "newsworthy" spectacle, featuring dramatic returns, significant title outcomes, and consequential storyline progression that reshaped the AEW landscape. The night’s events...

In a bold strategic maneuver, WWE is leveraging its recent "one-sided" partnership with TNA Wrestling, alongside a flurry of its own premium live events, to maximize monetization and, critically, to seek redemption for its bruised ego stemming from the "Wednesday Night Wars" against AEW Dynamite. This weekend's seemingly innocuous "Evolution" pay-per-view, however, reveals a deeper, more troubling...

Corporate influence significantly stifles creativity in media by prioritizing profit and broad appeal over niche or innovative content, leading to risk aversion and a fear of failure that discourages original ideas. This is clearly exemplified within the WWE, especially under TKO Group Holdings (Endeavor) and the creative leadership of Triple H, despite some shifts from the Vince McMahon era. The...

WWE's return to Riyadh for Night of Champions 2025 delivered a mix of unexpected outcomes and frustrating booking, leaving fans with a sense of both excitement and disappointment. While the event saw the elevation of new talent in rare singles showcases, the title matches were marred by overbooked finishes and excessive interference, contributing to a feeling of generic storytelling. In a night th...

At this weekend's Night of Champions in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the WWE is delivering a massive dose of nostalgia—and a heavy dose of irony—as WWE Champion John Cena defends his title against CM Punk in the main event. In a stunning role reversal, the once-rebellious Punk is now at the mercy of a heel John Cena, who's in the midst of a "farewell tour" that promises to "ruin wrestling" on his way out...

The once-dominant Bloodline has devolved into a disjointed and often perplexing saga since Roman Reigns lost his championship. While Roman has seemingly faded from the immediate title picture, the remaining members have embarked on disparate and, at times, baffling paths.  Jey Uso has experienced a frustrating cycle of brief championship reigns, failing to capitalize on his significant momentum de...

A whirlwind of change has swept through the WWE Universe in the days following the monumental Money in the Bank premium live event, where Seth Rollins and Naomi secured their respective championship opportunities. The aftershocks of the event have seen a significant title change, a blockbuster match announcement fraught with controversy, and the startling return and evolution of a beloved veteran,...

At the 2025 Money in the Bank event, Seth Rollins climbed the ladder to victory in the Men's Money in the Bank match, outlasting LA Knight, Solo Sikoa, Andrade, El Grande Americano, and Penta to earn his second career briefcase. The match also saw a significant turn of events as Jacob Fatu betrayed his ally, Solo Sikoa. In the Women's Money in the Bank Ladder Match, Naomi captured the briefcase, t...

TKO Group Holdings, the parent company of WWE and UFC formed in September 2023, is actively shaping WWE's operational landscape, with its financial strategies appearing to exert significant influence on talent roster management.  While claims regarding the "sudden upcoming releases" of all specific talents like The Miz are not entirely accurate (as reports indicate he is not leaving and his contra...

WWE appears to be reigniting a new front in its competitive battle with All Elite Wrestling (AEW), scheduling major NXT events directly against AEW's flagship pay-per-view, All In: Texas. This move follows the recent counter-programming of AEW's Double or Nothing with NXT Battleground and signals a more aggressive strategy, reportedly with more head-to-head clashes planned for 2025. These tactics...

AEW Double or Nothing 2025 was a testament to the promotion’s evolution, blending established stars, fresh faces, and compelling narratives to deliver a show that reaffirmed AEW’s place as a powerhouse in professional wrestling. Double or Nothing delivered a masterclass in professional wrestling, showcasing a revitalized All Elite Wrestling that has rebounded from a challenging 2024. With a well-r...

At WWE Saturday Night's Main Event in Tampa, Florida, Paul Heyman shocked the wrestling world by completing the formation of his new "Triple Threat" faction, reminiscent of his legendary ECW stable. With Seth Rollins as the cunning leader akin to Shane Douglas, Bron Breakker as the explosive powerhouse mirroring Chris Candido, and the returning Big Bronson Reed as the destructive force in the mold...

WWE in 2025 is choosing celebrity clout over their roster to get their wrestling over, delivering an insult to the faithful fanbase. The year 2025 in WWE has starkly illuminated a troubling trajectory, one where the supposed pursuit of mainstream relevance through celebrity sideshows has taken clear precedence over the craft of professional wrestling. The company's increasing reliance on figures l...

In the past, WWE thrived under time constraints, delivering tight, compelling hour-long wrestling shows that left fans wanting more. Fast-forward to today, and the landscape is flooded with content—up to eight hours weekly between Raw, SmackDown, NXT, premium live events, and online programming. Despite this abundance, or perhaps because of it, the product is suffering creatively. With more hours...

Tonight's WWE Backlash largely lived up to the unfortunate reputation of many "B-level" premium live events: a card filled with solid in-ring action but hampered by predictable finishes and stagnant storylines. While the matches themselves offered moments of quality, the overall narrative landscape felt disappointingly bland. The United States Championship remained with Jacob Fatu (c), who overcam...