The wrestling world is on fire! We’re breaking down the fallout from the 2026 Royal Rumble, including the massive debut of Royce Keys (fka Powerhouse Hobbs). Plus, the "Transfer Portal" just claimed a massive name as Tommaso Ciampa jumps to AEW and wins gold on Day 1! We also dive into the WWE 2K26 announcement featuring CM Punk on the cover. Is the "Monday Night War" edition worth the $150 price tag?

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Is the "Best in the World" preparing to hang up the boots? On Episode 52 of the Chi-town Shoot Wrestling Podcast, Marcin, Chris, and David break down CM Punk’s recent comments about his 50-year-old retirement goal and what that means for the World Heavyweight Championship.

In This Episode: We dive deep into the 2026 wrestling landscape! From The Miz feeling disrespected by "half-dead flowers" to our full 2026 Royal Rumble Preview, we aren't holding back. Will Roman Reigns find redemption? Is Bron Breakker the locked-in favorite? And which TNA or NXT stars might shock the world at #30?

Topics Covered:

CM Punk’s Expiration Date: Is 50 the new hard ceiling for WWE superstars?

The Cena Blueprint: Can Punk exit with the same grace as John Cena?

The Miz’s Legacy: Does the "Most Must-See Man" get the respect he deserves?

2026 Royal Rumble Betting Odds: Analyzing Oba Femi, Cody Rhodes, and the Riyadh factor.

Forbidden Door: Who is the next Joe Hendry?

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Is Aaron Rourke the future of professional wrestling? In this exclusive interview, we sit down with "The Dimepiece" himself, Aaron Rourke, to discuss his meteoric rise through the WWE ID program and his standout performances on the new WWE Evolve series.

From his roots as a competitive dancer and cheerleader to training under Brian Myers and Pat Buck at the legendary Create A Pro (CAP) wrestling school, Aaron breaks down how his unique background shaped his "Evil Gay" persona. We dive deep into:

The WWE ID Experience: What it’s really like being an "ID" athlete and the pressure of the WWE stamp.

The Evolve Brand on Tubi: Comparing the "WWE Way" to the independent circuit and the Team ID vs. Team PC rivalry.

Breaking Barriers: Aaron’s thoughts on being the first out gay man in the WWE ID program and the importance of authenticity in the ring.

The CAP "Secret Sauce": Insights into training with MJF and Kris Statlander.

The Future: Winning the 2025 Vacationland Cup and his goals for NXT and beyond.

Whether you know him from Chaotic Wrestling, WrestlePro, or his latest appearances on the WWE Evolve tapings, you won’t want to miss this deep dive into the mind of one of the industry's most polarizing and talented stars.

Jim Ross doesn't hold back on Vince McMahon's "intense animosity" and jealousy during the Attitude Era. Plus, we crown the winners of the 2025 Wrestling Awards and predict the massive shifts coming to WWE and AEW in 2026!

Welcome to Episode 50 of the Chi-town Shoot Wrestling Podcast! Today, Marcin, Chris, and David dive deep into the legendary Jim Ross’s recent comments about Vince McMahon—was the Chairman truly jealous of JR’s play-by-play skills?

We also take a look back at an incredible year in professional wrestling with our 2025 Year-End Awards. From Cody Rhodes and Gunther to Swerve Strickland and Will Ospreay, we debate who truly ran the game this year. Finally, we look ahead to 2026 predictions: Will Chris Jericho return to WWE? Is Britt Baker Royal Rumble bound?

The wrestling business just changed forever, and the greatest of all time is saying goodbye. In this episode, we break down the massive $82.7 Billion deal that sees Netflix acquire Warner Bros., HBO, and Max—and what the confusing "Discovery Global" spinoff means for AEW’s future on TNT/TBS.

Plus, we discuss the sobering comments from GCW promoter Brett Lauderdale about the independent wrestling "down cycle." Is the indie bubble bursting? Finally, we look ahead to Saturday to discuss the concept of The Perfect Retirement. From Shawn Michaels to Stone Cold, very few get it right. Can John Cena stick the landing against Gunther?

👇 TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE 👇

📺 NETFLIX BUYS WARNER BROS: The AEW Fallout Netflix has entered a definitive agreement to acquire Warner Bros. Studios and HBO Max. But with the cable networks (TNT/TBS) spinning off into a new company called "Discovery Global," where does this leave Tony Khan and AEW? We analyze if AEW loses its shot at streaming on Max and if Netflix is becoming a wrestling monopoly with WWE Raw and WB under one roof.

📉 THE INDIE WRESTLING RECESSION? GCW Promoter Brett Lauderdale recently admitted the scene is in a "down cycle," citing the economy, wallet fatigue, and a lack of drawing power. We debate if the "Super Fan Promoter" era is dead and if fans are too burned out by WWE/AEW saturation to support local shows.

👋 THE PERFECT RETIREMENT: John Cena’s Last Stand It’s finally here. We analyze the art of the wrestling goodbye. Does "going out on your back" actually ruin the moment? We compare the gold standard (HBK vs. Undertaker) to the cautionary tales (Ric Flair), and debate what John Cena needs to do this Saturday to achieve the elusive Perfect Retirement.

Welcome to Episode 48 of the Chi-town Shoot Wrestling Podcast! 🎙️ We’re coming to you from the heart of Chicago to break down the biggest stories shaking up the industry ahead of WWE Survivor Series at Petco Park. Marcin, Chris, David, and Andres step into the squared circle to debate Eric Bischoff’s controversial take on battle royals, the shock returns of Matt Cardona and Nic Nemeth in the "Last Time Is Now" tournament, and the pros and cons of wrestling's "Forbidden Door" era. 📌 In This Episode: Eric Bischoff Hates Battle Royals & Multi-Man Matches Eric Bischoff recently told the Toronto Sun that he "never" enjoyed producing or watching Battle Royals, comparing the "logic gaps" to seeing a boom mic in a movie. The "Boom Mic" Theory: Why Bischoff says guys "walking around in circles" kills his suspension of disbelief. The Hypocrisy Check: We address the elephant in the room—WCW’s 60-man "World War 3" match. Royal Rumble vs. The Rest: Why does he give the Rumble a pass but buries everything else? The Shock Returns: Cardona & Nemeth in the "Last Time Is Now" Tournament Mark Henry says WWE is staring at a "pile of crisp money" if they don't re-sign Matt Cardona and Nic Nemeth full-time. Following their surprise appearances against LA Knight and Solo Sikoa in the John Cena retirement tournament: The "Ex-Boyfriend" Effect: Did leaving WWE make them bigger stars than staying ever could? Nostalgia vs. Business: Does the "Internet Champion" buzz translate to TV ratings in 2025? The Crossover Conundrum: Dilution or Elevation? With Joe Hendry in NXT and AEW stars working NJPW/CMLL dates, the "Forbidden Door" is wide open. But is it too much? Identity Crisis: Is TNA risking its brand by becoming an unofficial NXT feeder system? Dream Matches vs. Storylines: Do one-off crossover matches hurt long-term creative plans? The Fan Perspective: Are we suffering from "Crossover Fatigue"?

Welcome to Episode 47 of the Chi-town Shoot Wrestling Podcast! Join Marcin, Chris, David, and Andres as we dive deep into the biggest wrestling news from WWE and AEW this week. We're hitting the hottest takes, from AEW title dilution to John Cena's retirement tournament and the 28th anniversary of the Montreal Screwjob. 🔥 THE HOT TOPICS 1. The AEW National Championship Controversy Tony Khan announced the new "National" title, but does AEW really need another belt? We debate the problem of title dilution with 16 active titles and break down the heated NWA controversy. Is this a tribute to Georgia Championship Wrestling history or a calculated move to hijack NWA legacy? Plus, our official picks for the inaugural champion at AEW Full Gear. 2. John Cena’s Final Match Tournament WWE is running a 16-man tournament to find John Cena's final opponent at Saturday Night's Main Event. Is this the right way to book a legend's retirement? We break down the bracket and fantasy book the final match. Should Cena put over a new star like Gunther or face an old rival like Drew McIntyre? We also talk about the "Forbidden Door" teases and our official prediction for who wins the tournament. 3. Montreal Screwjob: 28 Years Later We look back at the historic and controversial event of November 9, 1997. Who was most to blame: Bret Hart, Vince McMahon, or Shawn Michaels? We discuss the infamous locker room punch, the legacy of the Mr. McMahon character, and the greatest "What If" in wrestling history. Did the Screwjob create the Attitude Era?

It’s Halloween season on the Chi-town Shoot Podcast, and we’re bringing the chills! 😈 This week, Chris, Marcin, David, and Andres dive into a wild mix of wrestling talk and spooky fun: 🔥 This Episode Includes: 🎤 Chris Jericho’s 35 Years in Wrestling! — from debuting vs. Lance Storm to conquering AEW 💬 Ric Flair CALLS OUT William Regal! — was Regal truly underappreciated? 👻 The ULTIMATE Spooky Wrestlers Tier List! — Undertaker, Kane, Bray Wyatt, Gangrel, Boogeyman, and more go head-to-head in our hilarious Halloween ranking!