The Turnbuckle Tavern

Turnbuckle Tavern is powered by G FUEL, the clean zero-sugar, zero-crash energy formula that keeps you locked in for the main event. Save 20% with code TAVERN at GFUEL.com. Fuel up and keep it Tavern. Turnbuckle Tavern is also powered by the Official Dick Lazer, the ultimate gag gift with laser projections, flashlight, blacklight, and more. Head to DickLazers.com and use code TAVERN for 20% off. Keep it Tavern. Episode 184 covers a packed week across wrestling, led by WWE reshaping NXT's future. NXT Premium Live Events are moving to The CW in the U.S., with weekly episodes and PLEs also headed to ESPN Unlimited, while next-day episodes will arrive on The Roku Channel this fall. WWE is clearly trying to make NXT more accessible, more sports-adjacent, and easier to find across multiple platforms. We also break down Stephanie Vaquer's legitimate second-degree AC sprain after the Raw angle with Raquel Rodriguez and Roxanne Perez. Vaquer is expected to be out for the foreseeable future, with hope but no guarantee that she could return by SummerSlam. Talla Tonga is also sidelined with an undisclosed injury but has not been released and is expected back fairly soon. The WWE AI conversation heated up after backlash to an NXT video package for Sol Ruca and Zaria, coming just after Mark Shapiro confirmed WWE has been using AI in connection with storylines, audience data, creative direction, touring, and revenue strategy. The concern is simple: fans do not want wrestling to feel generated, synthetic, or stripped of its human emotion. Outside WWE, Carlos Silva addressed TNA pulling talent from approved indie matches involving AEW stars, including Nic Nemeth vs. MJF and Leon Slater vs. Ricochet. Silva framed the move as protecting TNA's business, while Matt Hardy said the talent were compensated and MJF publicly accused Silva of lying. We also cover SmackDown's yearly format change, with three-hour shows running from January through June before returning to two hours from July through December. AJ Lee's current WWE run appears to be finished for now after WrestleMania 42, though a future return remains possible. AEW may be adding a new July pay-per-view called Redemption, with Montreal reportedly the favorite host city. If finalized, it would bring AEW to ten yearly pay-per-views for the first time. New Japan also heads into Wrestling Dontaku 2026 with major AEW involvement, including Will Ospreay in six-man action, Andrade El Idolo challenging Yota Tsuji, and Konosuke Takeshita defending the NJPW World TV Championship. We also discuss Janel Grant launching an Instagram account tied to the broader conversation around workplace NDAs and Connecticut Raised Bill S.B. 355, ahead of a key June 10 ruling in her case. And we close the news section with a heartfelt acknowledgment of Rebel, Tanea Brooks, who revealed she has been diagnosed with terminal ALS after a long medical journey. Then we look ahead to Raw, NXT, AEW Dynamite, TNA Impact, SmackDown, AEW Collision, AAA on Fox, NWA Powerrr, and the upcoming 2026 PPV and PLE calendar. Episode 184 is about access, control, uncertainty, and change across the wrestling industry. WWE is expanding NXT's reach while facing injury and AI questions. TNA and AEW tensions are spilling into public view. AEW continues to scale. NJPW leans into crossover appeal. And the week reminds us that behind every headline are real people navigating real consequences. Be sure to support the show and join our Patreon for just $2.99 a month at Patreon.com/TheTurnbuckleTavern for exclusive content. Follow us on social media @TurnbuckleTavern for all the latest updates. Until the following week, when we wine and dine with you kings and queens, stay out of the alley and away from the pork and beans. Good luck and good speed.

The RAWDOWN boys discuss all of the news coming out of RAW and Smackdown and get you caught up on all of the news happening inside and outside the ropes in WWE. Everything is on the table. This is just the tip of the iceberg with all of the stories and news going on in the WWE. Let's talk about it and everything else in the WWE Universe! WWE RAW, WWE Smackdown, NXT... It's all there! Come get your best weekly fix for all things WWE on The RAWDOWN, right here at The Turnbuckle Tavern! PLEASE SUBSCRIBE, COMMENT, SHARE, & CLICK THE BELL! TELL A FRIEND ABOUT US! Go to patreon.com/theturnbuckletavern to join our Patreon for only $2.99/mo!

Turnbuckle Tavern is powered by G FUEL, the clean zero sugar zero crash energy formula that keeps you locked in for the main event. Save 20% with code TAVERN at GFUEL.com. Fuel up and keep it Tavern. Turnbuckle Tavern is also powered by the Official Dick Lazer, the ultimate gag gift with laser projections, flashlight, blacklight, and more. Head to DickLazers.com and use code TAVERN for 20% off. Keep it Tavern. Episode 183 breaks down a week where WWE's future started changing fast. The post WrestleMania 42 roster cuts hit every level of the company, with Kairi Sane, Aleister Black, Zelina Vega, Zoey Stark, Alba Fyre, Nikki Cross, Joe Gacy, Bo Dallas, Dexter Lumis, Erik Rowan, Apollo Crews, Santos Escobar, the Motor City Machine Guns, Tyra Mae Steele, and several NXT prospects all gone. Kairi Sane's release is the hardest one to explain. She was active on television, coming off a singles win over IYO SKY on the April 13 Raw, and appeared to be headed toward a bigger story with Asuka. IYO SKY called the timing unexpected, Bayley said she was struggling to process it, and Kairi thanked fans while saying she would "set sail… in my own time." Aleister Black's exit raises similar questions after wins over Randy Orton, Sami Zayn, and Matt Cardona. These did not feel like talents being phased out creatively. They felt like cuts made while stories were still moving. The Wyatt Sicks were also wiped out, with Nikki Cross, Joe Gacy, Dexter Lumis, Erik Rowan, and Bo Dallas all released. Nikki Cross later called her time as Abby the Witch "the honour of a lifetime," tying the group back to Bray Wyatt, Brodie Lee, the Windham family, the Huber family, and the Fireflies who kept that world alive. The locker room reaction showed how heavy the day was. Alexa Bliss honored Nikki Cross and the Wyatt Sicks. Rhea Ripley called it a sad day. Chelsea Green and Piper Niven praised Alba Fyre. Asuka, Bayley, and IYO SKY supported Kairi Sane. Nathan Frazer gave a heartfelt tribute to Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin, crediting the Motor City Machine Guns for helping him during his first year on the main roster. At the same time, WWE is pushing new names forward. Ricky Saints is set for his SmackDown debut next week in Tulsa after one final NXT match against Shiloh Hill. Ethan Page and Sol Ruca already arrived on Raw, while Joe Hendry is set for his official Raw debut with a concert. SmackDown also got a jolt from Fatal Attraction, as Jacy Jayne, Fallon Henley, and Lainey Reid attacked Paige, Brie Bella, Alexa Bliss, Charlotte Flair, and Rhea Ripley. Blake Monroe is also headed to the blue brand after a vignette for "The Glamour," bringing her résumé as Mariah May, Owen Hart Cup winner, former AEW Women's World Champion, and former NXT Women's North American Champion with her. Cody Rhodes used SmackDown to send a pointed message beyond Randy Orton. Still showing the effects of Orton's punt, Cody called out the "outside forces" affecting his WrestleMania path, saying they are "0-3" and telling them to send their best or stay out of his business. The line appears aimed at TKO influence and connects to past WrestleMania shifts involving Roman Reigns, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, and John Cena. Tiffany Stratton also turned a missed WrestleMania into momentum, defeating Giulia to win the WWE Women's United States Championship. The win ended Giulia's 112 day reign and gave Stratton her third singles title in WWE. In her interview with Joey Karni, Stratton said missing WrestleMania gave her a chip on her shoulder, and she is determined to make sure it never happens again. Outside WWE, Lucha Underground suddenly resurfaced after years of silence with a "¿Más?" teaser and the caption "soon." Taya Valkyrie, Willie Mack, Ivelisse, Vinnie Massaro, The Butcher, AJ Francis, Shelly Martinez, Chelsea Green, and Brian Cage all reacted, with speculation already pointing to anything from a YouTube library rollout to something bigger. AAA is also teasing a shift of its own. Marisela Peña Roldán confirmed that a new general manager will be revealed on May 23 in Mexico City after Dorian Roldán asked for the role. She made it clear that nothing in AAA will remain the same once the new GM is announced. Episode 183 is about transition everywhere. WWE is cutting major names while elevating new ones. Cody Rhodes is calling out the power above the ring. Tiffany Stratton is forcing her way back into focus. Lucha Underground is stirring again. AAA is preparing a reset. The whole landscape feels like it is moving at once. Be sure to support the show and follow us @TurnbuckleTavern. Until next week, stay out of the alley and away from the pork and beans. Good luck and good speed.

It's Thursday, and you know what that means! It is time to walk through those Tavern doors and order up a round of professional wrestling coverage from One Bad Chad and Ol Reliable, Hoch! This week we talk AEW and all the happenings of the week! Make sure you go to patreon.com/theturnbuckletavern for all your Tavern needs!

Turnbuckle Tavern is powered by G FUEL — the clean, zero-sugar, zero-crash energy formula that keeps you locked in for the main event. Save 20% with code TAVERN at GFUEL.com. Fuel up and keep it Tavern. Turnbuckle Tavern is also powered by the Official Dick Lazer — the ultimate gag gift with laser projections, flashlight, and more. Head to DickLazers.com and use code TAVERN for 20% off. Keep it Tavern. Episode 181 focuses on the Raw after WrestleMania fallout and what it tells us about where WWE is heading. Mark Shapiro made it clear that TKO Group Holdings has full control over WWE, leaning into celebrity crossover and bigger media reach while admitting not every fan will be on board with the direction. On Raw, Cody Rhodes and CM Punk teased a future match with the "just say when" moment, while Roman Reigns pushed back on part-timer talk and said he'll be around all summer. Jacob Fatu stepped up and challenged Roman Reigns for Backlash, while Brock Lesnar's status remains unclear after his WrestleMania loss, with no real confirmation on whether he's done. Outside the ring, Booker T called out major security issues during WrestleMania weekend. Elsewhere, Darby Allin wins the AEW World Title, Shotzi Blackheart takes the GCW Clusterf—, Josh Barnett ends Bloodsport, and Callum Newman confirms his NJPW future. Be sure to support the show and follow us @TurnbuckleTavern. Until next week, stay out of the alley and away from the pork and beans. Good luck and good speed.

Turnbuckle Tavern is powered by G FUEL, the clean, zero-sugar, zero-crash energy formula that keeps you locked in for the main event. Whether you're watching late-night pay-per-views or grinding through your day, G FUEL has you covered. Save 20% with code TAVERN at GFUEL.com. Fuel up and keep it Tavern. Turnbuckle Tavern is also powered by the Official Dick Lazer, the ultimate gag gift that guarantees a reaction. With laser projections, a red-dot laser, flashlight, and more, it's built to stand out. Head to DickLazers.com and use code TAVERN for 20% off. Keep it Tavern. Episode 180 dives into the fallout from WrestleMania 42 across both nights, as Matt from the Extra Cooler Show and JBugz from the Rawdown join Acefield Retro to break it all down. Night 1 saw The Usos and LA Knight pick up the win over Logan Paul, Austin Theory, and IShowSpeed in a six-man tag opener. Jacob Fatu defeated Drew McIntyre in an unsanctioned match, while Brie Bella and Paige captured the WWE Women's Tag Team Championships with Nikki Bella at ringside. Becky Lynch defeated AJ Lee to become Women's Intercontinental Champion, Gunther forced Seth Rollins to submit, and Liv Morgan defeated Stephanie Vaquer to win the Women's World Championship. In the main event, Cody Rhodes retained the Undisputed WWE Championship against Randy Orton. Night 2 kicked off with Oba Femi defeating Brock Lesnar. Penta retained the Intercontinental Championship in a six-pack ladder match against Je'Von Evans, Dragon Lee, JD McDonagh, Rusev, and Rey Mysterio. Trick Williams defeated Sami Zayn to win the United States Championship, and "The Demon" Finn Bálor defeated Dominik Mysterio in a street fight. Rhea Ripley defeated Jade Cargill to win the WWE Women's Championship, while John Cena appeared alongside Danhausen to announce the attendance. The weekend closed with Roman Reigns defeating CM Punk to win the World Heavyweight Championship. Be sure to support the show and join our Patreon for exclusive content. Follow us @TurnbuckleTavern for all the latest updates. Until next week, stay out of the alley and away from the pork and beans. Good luck and good speed.

The RAWDOWN boys discuss all of the news coming out of RAW and Smackdown and get you caught up on all of the news happening inside and outside the ropes in WWE. Everything is on the table. This is just the tip of the iceberg with all of the stories and news going on in the WWE. Let's talk about it and everything else in the WWE Universe! WWE RAW, WWE Smackdown, NXT... It's all there! Come get your best weekly fix for all things WWE on The RAWDOWN, right here at The Turnbuckle Tavern! PLEASE SUBSCRIBE, COMMENT, SHARE, & CLICK THE BELL! TELL A FRIEND ABOUT US! Go to patreon.com/theturnbuckletavern to join our Patreon for only $2.99/mo!

The week we are joined by The Ace Of The Tavern, Acefield Retro and Colton! Join us as we ask is this new media trained or the old rebellious Tony Khan better for AEW; WWE making ticket price a story: good or bad; and is Pat McAfee the right choice to pair with Randy Orton? Who would you pick? It's going to be a fun week here at The Tavern, so to make sure you do not miss anything, go to patreon.com/theturnbuckletavern for all your Tavern needs!

It's Thursday, and you know what that means! It is time to walk through those Tavern doors and order up a round of professional wrestling coverage from The Two Bad Chads! This week we talk AEW and all the happenings of the week! Make sure you go to patreon.com/theturnbuckletavern for all your Tavern needs!

Turnbuckle Tavern is powered by G FUEL — the clean, zero-sugar, zero-crash energy formula that keeps you locked in for the main event. Save 20% with code TAVERN at GFUEL.com. Fuel up and keep it Tavern. Turnbuckle Tavern is also powered by the Official Dick Lazer — the ultimate gag gift with a red-dot laser, flashlight, blacklight, and more. Head to DickLazers.com and use code TAVERN for 20% off. Keep it Tavern. Episode 177 centers on a week where creative direction and real-world influence collided. We start with WWE SmackDown, where Pat McAfee's heel turn reshapes the entire WrestleMania build, shifting the focus from a personal rivalry into something much bigger — and far more controversial. From there, we preview AEW Dynasty 2026 in Vancouver, headlined by MJF vs. Kenny Omega, alongside a loaded championship card and strong late ticket movement heading into the final stretch. We also give you everything you need to know about TNA Rebellion 2026 in Cleveland main evented by Mike Santana vs. Eddie Edwards. We also break down NXT Stand & Deliver fallout, as Lola Vice and Tony D'Angelo emerge as new champions, signaling a clear shift in the brand's direction moving forward. Be sure to support the show and join our Patreon for exclusive content. Follow us on social media @TurnbuckleTavern for all the latest updates. Until the following week, when we wine and dine with you kings and queens — stay out of the alley and away from the pork and beans. Good luck and good speed.

It's Thursday, and you know what that means! It is time to walk through those Tavern doors and order up a round of professional wrestling coverage from The Two Bad Chads! This week we talk AEW and all the happenings of the week! Make sure you go to patreon.com/theturnbuckletavern for all your Tavern needs!

Turnbuckle Tavern is powered by G FUEL—the zero-sugar, zero-crash energy formula built for late nights, gaming, and your daily grind. Save 20% with code TAVERN at GFUEL.com. Fuel up and keep it Tavern. We're also powered by the Official Dick Lazer—a USB-C rechargeable multi-function pen with a red-dot laser, flashlight, blacklight, and a signature gag feature. Perfect for pranks and parties. Head to DickLazers.com, use code TAVERN for 20% off, and keep it Tavern. Episode 176 centers on a week where real-life disruption and storyline momentum collided across the wrestling landscape. We start with TNA Sacrifice 2026, where the main event between Mike Santana and Steve Maclin was stopped early due to a legitimate injury, immediately destabilizing the world title picture heading into Rebellion. Eddie Edwards' involvement shifted the finish into an angle, but the bigger story is the uncertainty now at the top of the card. Elsewhere on the show, Leon Slater retained the X-Division Championship in a decisive performance, while Mustafa Ali and Tasha Steelz vs. Trey Miguel and Jada Stone stood out despite interference shaping the result. Across the board, strong in-ring work was consistently influenced by outside factors rather than clean resolution. TNA also introduced 21-year-old Ricky Sosa, a high-upside international prospect, in a segment grounded by Chris Bey's real-life recovery story. We then shift to Global Wars, where ROH and Maple Leaf Pro delivered meaningful crossover momentum. The Good Brothers became inaugural MLP Tag Team Champions, followed by Bishop Dyer turning on Kaito Kiyomiya, while the promotion also announced a new weekly TV deal launching in July. That momentum takes a hit with Josh Alexander confirming a severe knee injury and upcoming surgery, leaving no timetable for return and forcing adjustments across AEW, TNA, and MLP. We also break down Kyle Fletcher's comments about AEW All In stirring internal reaction, highlighting the balance between personal frustration and locker room perspective when injuries impact major moments. On the business side, ESPN has moved to intervene in the WWE PLE lawsuit, aiming to push the case into arbitration, while WrestleMania 42 ticket sales show a more aggressive discount-driven approach despite strong projected attendance. Plus, Sami Zayn forces his way onto the WrestleMania card by winning the United States Championship and setting up a defense against Trick Williams, Chris Jericho files a new "Cornerstone" trademark, Toni Storm's absence shifts into a mystery angle, and NJPW begins rolling out the Best of the Super Juniors field. Be sure to support the show and join our Patreon for just $2.99 a month for exclusive content at Patreon.com/TheTurnbuckleTavern. Follow us on social media @TurnbuckleTavern for all the latest updates. Until the following week, when we wine and dine with you kings and queens—stay out of the alley and away from the pork and beans. Good luck and good speed.