WrestleWatch Podcast

Rhea Ripley calls this "the worst time of the year" - the annual tradition of TKO record profits and WWE releases! Lots of folks to discuss such as Aleister Black, Zelina Vega, Motor City Machine Guns, Santos Escobar, Kairi Sane, Zoey Stark, and the entire Wyatt Sicks. Welcome to WrestleWatch Episode 80! This episode was recorded live on 4/26/26. Music Provided by Wendi Freeman [TikTok & Instagram: maritalstreep] Read more from WrestleWatch on our substack! https://wrestlewatch.substack.comKo-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/ryanWWBluesky: wrestlewatch.bsky.socialTwitter: wrestlewatch_ As part of this podcast episode we considered where we predict the Mania 2026 batch of WWE releases will end up by the end of 2026. We considered the folks who have been most discussed from the releases and that isn’t a comment on anybody’s talent or skill level. We’ll be doing a Free Agency Tracker reassessment next week to consider these talents’ inclusion on the Tracker.

Doug & Ryan list up the top 5 best and worst jumps between AEW & WWE since AEW started in 2019. Welcome to WrestleWatch Episode 78! WrestleWatch is a project focused on analysis and discussion of free agency in the world of professional wrestling. Each week, Doug & Ryan explore the potential jumps and the implications that they can have on the industry, as well as adjacent topics in wrestling such as business developments, statistics, and other factors and news in the landscape. This episode was recorded live on February 22nd, 2026. Music Provided by Wendi Freeman [TikTok & Instagram: maritalstreep] Read more from WrestleWatch on our substack! https://wrestlewatch.substack.comKo-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/ryanWWBluesky: wrestlewatch.bsky.socialTwitter: wrestlewatch_ As always, here are the updates to the Free Agency Tracker: First up we have two Confirmed Jumps, and both are AEW signings: The IInspiration and Lena Kross. The duo known in WWE as The IIconics left TNA last month with rumors of potential interest in both AEW and WWE; they wound up debuting for the former and being announced as signed as part of AEW’s recent Australia tour. We previously had them as a Toss-up on the Tracker so we weren’t as confident it would happen as quickly as it did. Lena Kross was a name tied to AEW for some months now, with Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful claiming she might’ve signed with the promotion some time ago; she too debuted Down Under, and we formerly had her as a Likely signing. Now for folks still on our Tracker, and we’ll start with the most intriguing one: AJ Styles. WWE announced there would be a Raw Tribute to Styles tonight (2/23/26) and we’ve yet to hear (1) if he will attend and (2) what that will entail. Could this be just a formal Stateside farewell to the Phenomenal One before he heads to another promotion? Could this be an announcement of him signing a Legends deal and being announced for the WWE Hall of Fame? He also visited the Performance Center in Orlando this past week, which similarly could be viewed both as a farewell or a new chapter in WWE. We’ve gone slightly less daring this week and downgraded him from Toss-up to Possible - and I’m sure we’ll be doing another update on him next time… Someone else who has retirement potentially in mind is Chris Jericho. We’ve been thinking for a while that him going to WWE in 2026 was a foregone conclusion and had him as high as Likely, but perhaps things are happening not so fast. Fightful reported last week that Jericho’s AEW contract was frozen when he disappeared from TV so he could focus on other projects such as filming and Fozzy. That means that January 2026 contract expiration date was just the earliest he might be a free agent, and added time brings added uncertainty for his next move. Fightful had also reported from those close to Jericho that he had concerns about having to give up outside projects if he returned to WWE - and again, with more time to mull it over it creates more of a possibility Jericho decides to stay Elite. We’ve downgraded him just one tier from Likely to Probable. Also in AEW we have Anna Jay - at least for now. We haven’t seen her since November when her and Tay Melo lost in the inaugural AEW Women’s World Tag Championships tournament and Jay’s contract is reportedly due to be expiring soon. Jay has been upgraded one tier from a Remote chance to an Unlikely chance of leaving AEW for other pastures. The final update this week is about the identity of the mystery tag team AEW teased out for Dynamite on February 11th - it turned out to be Private Party returning after nearly a year off-screen. The duo had been rumored to have their contract expiring recently and thus there was a buzz about a potential WWE move for the team. Their appearance on February 21st’s Collision in a pre-taped segment decreased the chances that was just a one-off return, but without a solid report that the duo have re-signed with AEW we’

A number of big names look like they might be leaving NJPW - we discuss who are most likely leaving and who will be staying, and what this says about the current state of New Japan. Why does this seem to be happening with NJPW more than other promotions, and is this an aberration or a trend? Welcome to WrestleWatch Episode 76!

It’s been a few weeks but we’re back with another episode of our podcast. Thanks for the patience. We did predictions for what would happen in 2025, let's see how accurate we were. Doug & Ryan will also make three predictions for 2026 too! Plus, our updated Free Agency Tracker and some hot takes. Welcome to WrestleWatch Episode 74! This episode was recorded live 12/30/25.Music Provided by Wendi Freeman [TikTok & Instagram: maritalstreep]Read more from WrestleWatch on our substack! https://wrestlewatch.substack.comKo-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/ryanWWBluesky: wrestlewatch.bsky.socialTwitter: wrestlewatch_

This week's discussions: Nixon Newell & Miranda Alize refuse to work an AEW match- what’s this mean for their free agency? The Rascalz have their TNA contracts expire this year, where might they end up? Clark Connors mentions going to America - oh? Okada announced as Tanahashi’s final opponent - does Gedo hate young people?? Will the AEW National Championship be just another belt or help build the indies again? Welcome to WrestleWatch Episode 71! WrestleWatch is a project focused on analysis and discussion of free agency in the world of professional wrestling. Each week, Doug & Ryan explore the potential jumps and the implications that they can have on the industry, as well as adjacent topics in wrestling such as business developments, statistics, and other factors and news in the landscape. Music Provided by Wendi Freeman [TikTok & Instagram: @maritalstreep] Read more from WrestleWatch on our substack! https://wrestlewatch.substack.com Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/ryanWWBluesky: wrestlewatch.bsky.socialTwitter: wrestlewatch_

A few days late, but we’re back for this week’s podcast! This week’s discussions include what’s going on with legacy acts like AJ Styles, Chris Jericho, and Shinsuke Nakamura with potential free agencies; what prospects like Adam Priest, Man Like Dereiss, Mike D Vecchio, and Zozaya are up to; plus our thoughts on if AI poses a risk to wrestlers and which wrestlers did NOT show up at WrestleDream. Welcome to WrestleWatch Episode 69! This episode was recorded 10/21/25. Music Provided by Wendi Freeman [TikTok & Instagram: maritalstreep] Read more from WrestleWatch on our substack! https://wrestlewatch.substack.com Help support WrestleWatch!Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/ryanWWBluesky: wrestlewatch.bsky.socialTwitter: wrestlewatch_

First the elephant in the room … where was last week’s episode?? Ryan recorded it with returning guest host Luke, and unfortunately Ryan’s audio did not come out fantastically on the recording. If you’d like to watch the livestream on YouTube you can find the link here, but be aware of that audio issue. This week we have Doug back and great audio! This week’s discussions include Andrade’s return to AEW, will Mercedes Mone’s Floridan opponent be a free agent jumping to AEW, and Sareee’s return to America. Welcome to WrestleWatch Episode 67! This episode was recorded live on 10/5/25. Music Provided by Wendi Freeman [TikTok & Instagram: maritalstreep] Read more from WrestleWatch on our substack! https://wrestlewatch.substack.comKo-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/ryanWWBluesky: wrestlewatch.bsky.socialTwitter: wrestlewatch_

AJ Styles just teased a retirement!... or teased leaving WWE? We'll discuss that plus the other big free agency updates (Dragon Lee contract, Michael Oku gets an Okada match, Sami Zayn is US Champ and maybe re-signed, and Saraya wants back into WWE) plus the big Saudi-WrestleMania elephant in the room. Welcome to WrestleWatch Episode 64! This episode was recorded live on 9/12/25. Music Provided by Wendi Freeman [TikTok & Instagram: maritalstreep] Read more from WrestleWatch on our substack! https://wrestlewatch.substack.comKo-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/ryanWWBluesky: wrestlewatch.bsky.socialTwitter: wrestlewatch_ As always, here is the updated Free Agency Tracker:

Doug & Ryan chat about Maki Itoh leaving TJPW, a number of rumored European wrestlers finishing their bookings before signing to WWE (Zozaya & Mike D Vecchio), and more happenings in the world of professional wresting. Welcome to WrestleWatch Episode 62!

Time to do some ... summer cleaning? We'll discuss Athena winning a contract (and maybe a clue to her *other* contract), Adam Priest's odds of joining ROH, and the latest on a slew of others (Alexander Hammerstone, Gabe Kidd, Leon Slater, Sami Zayn, Saraya, Utami Hayashishita) Welcome to WrestleWatch: Pro Wrestling Free Agency Podcast Episode 60! Music Provided by Wendi Freeman [TikTok & Instagram: @maritalstreep] Read more from WrestleWatch on our substack! https://wrestlewatch.substack.com Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/ryanWW Bluesky: wrestlewatch.bsky.socialTwitter: wrestlewatch_

Doug & Ryan chat about how the AAA has been managed so far by WWE and the implications for free agency. We also have updates on Alex Windsor, Danhausen, Private Party, and the New Day. Welcome to WrestleWatch: Pro Wrestling Free Agency Podcast Episode 58! This episode was recorded on 6/14/25. Music Provided by Wendi Freeman [TikTok & Instagram: @maritalstreep] Read more from WrestleWatch on our substack! https://wrestlewatch.substack.com Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/ryanWWBluesky: wrestlewatch.bsky.socialTwitter: wrestlewatch_

Mariah May appears to be WWE bound - how accurate were we in seeing that coming? Thekla debuted in AEW too! Plus we'll take a look at AJ Styles, Bayley, Bea Priestley, Bishop Dyer, Deonna Purrazzo, and Zozay. And we have discussions on Ace Austin, Athena, and Masha Slamovich based on viewer suggestions! Welcome to WrestleWatch: Pro Wrestling Free Agency Podcast Episode 56! WrestleWatch is a project focused on analysis and discussion of free agency in the world of professional wrestling. Each week, Doug & Ryan explore the potential jumps and the implications that they can have on the industry, as well as adjacent topics in wrestling such as business developments, statistics, and other factors and news in the landscape. Music Provided by Wendi Freeman [TikTok & Instagram: @maritalstreep] Read more from WrestleWatch on our substack! https://wrestlewatch.substack.com Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/ryanWW Bluesky: wrestlewatch.bsky.socialTwitter: wrestlewatch_

The Good Brothers are back in NJPW! Let's talk about that, Sareee back at Stardom, a few people possibly AEW bound (Alex Windsor, Cedric Alexander, and Thekla), all those WWE releases (Dakota Kai, Eddy Thorpe, Gigi Dolin, and Shayna Baszler in particular), and a vibe check on Sami Zayn. We'll also do some Report Cards on Finn Balor, Seth Rollins, and Drew McIntyre a year after re-signing with WWE. Welcome to WrestleWatch: Pro Wrestling Free Agency Podcast Episode 54! This episode was recorded live on 5/10/25. Music Provided by Wendi Freeman [TikTok & Instagram: maritalstreep] Read more from WrestleWatch on our substack! https://wrestlewatch.substack.com Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/ryanWWBluesky: wrestlewatch.bsky.socialTwitter: wrestlewatch_ Here is the updated Free Agency Tracker (with new, hopefully clearer tier names!): Based on requests from our listeners we have changed the names of our tiers to hopefully make them clearer. All should be thought of in the context of likelihood of signing to a new promotion (ex: Certain Jump, Possible Jump, Unlikely Jump, etc).