Contesting Wrestling
149 episodes - English - Latest episode: 9 months ago - ★★★★★ - 7 ratingsBen is an academic who loves wrestling. Doc is a wrestler. And Evan...just doesn’t get it. After twenty-plus years of friendship, they’re going to try and understand each other, and hopefully make sense of what people love...and hate...about the world's most popular form of simulated combat.
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Episodes
Premium Episode 18: AJ Lee vs Naomi, Paige + Danielson vs Punk in ROH *Unlocked*
August 03, 2023 15:48 - 1 hour - 143 MBIn advance of this Friday's AEW Collision featuring Ricky Steamboat as guest referee, we've unlocked this Premium Episode in which we the first ever match between Bryan Danielson and CM Punk, which took place at the ROH Reborn Stage One event, which was the last time Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat refereed a CM Punk match. We also delve deeper into the career of AJ Lee, discussing her FCW Divas title victory over Naomi Knight on 12/10/2010 and her WWE Divas title defense against Paige...
Premium Episode 104: CM Punk vs. Samoa Joe Trilogy with Scotland Green
June 18, 2023 01:51 - 1 hour - 64.8 MBThis time on Contesting Wrestling Doc, Ben, and Scotland Green watch the CM Punk vs. Samoa Joe trilogy from ROH in 2004. This episode was recorded six months before we are releasing it, but since it is for matches that happened almost 20 years ago, that's ok! These matches are some of Doc and Ben's favorites, but Scotland hasn't seen them before so we get down to the analysis and contesting. Follow is on IG: www.instagram.com/contestingwrestlingpodcast Follow us on Twitter @Contest...
Contesting Wrestling Episode 69: Carry Jobs with Eddie McNamara
December 22, 2022 19:48 - 1 hour - 61.2 MBThis time on Contesting Wrestling we talk to Eddia McNamara, author of "Toss Your Own Salad", about matches where one participant famously carried the other through the match! An interesting topic to breach, for a variety of reasons sometimes one participant has to take control and lead the other, step-by-step, through what they're doing. Sometimes it works out and sometimes it doesn't. Eddie McNamara is an author. He can be found on Twitter @EddieMcnamara You can support us on P...
Premium Episode 2: Harts vs HBK/Kings + Reigns vs Bryan *Unlocked*
November 24, 2022 18:27 - 1 hour - 163 MBIn celebration of Thanksgiving, we've unlocked one of our earliest Premium Episodes, from the beforetimes of 2019, in which we discuss the classic Survivor Series 1993 match pitting the Hart Family against Shawn Michaels and his "Kings" as well as the first one on one match between Daniel Bryan and Roman Reigns from Fastlane 2015! Happy Thanksgiving! Subscribe at Patreon.com/contestingwrestling for $5 a month to access our complete Premium collection of over 100 episodes! ★ Suppo...
Premium Episode 91: WCW Halloween Havoc 1990 *Unlocked*
November 01, 2022 17:23 - 1 hour - 53.7 MBAs a slightly belated Halloween gift, please enjoy our Premium Episode from last year covering the WCW Halloween Havoc event, featuring Sting vs Sid Vicious in the main event for the World Heavyweight title, Lex Luger vs. Stan Hansen for the U.S. championship and the classic encounter between the Steiner Bros. and the Nasty Boys for the U.S. Tag Team titles, plus much much more!!! Subscribe to Patreon.com/contesting wrestling to access our complete Premium library of more than 100 e...
Contesting Wrestling Episode 68: Early CM Punk with Zack Pond
June 29, 2022 19:39 - 1 hour - 76.3 MBThis time on Contesting Wrestling Doc, Ben and out guest Zack Pond talk about early CM Punk. Punk in IWA: MS, Punk in TNA and the first ROH Punk vs. Raven match! We will be doing a series on CM Punk as we have time and this is a good start. If you enjoy Contesting Wrestling, consider joining our Patreon! For $5.month you get access to our archive of over 100 extra episodes, plus new ones at this point whenever we have the time. We get really into the weeds on Patreon so if you enj...
Contesting Wrestling Episode 67: Wrestlemania 38 with AJ Lupo
May 06, 2022 10:00 - 1 hour - 96.1 MBDoc, Ben and our guest AJ Lupo contest a selection of matches from Wrestlemania 38! We look at a few matches, and we give our opinions on today's WWE! We check out Biana Belair vs. Becky Lynch, AJ Styles vs. Sami Zayn, Cody Rhodes vs. Seth Rollins and more! Support us on Patreon for access to over 100 more episodes of Contesting Wrestling, plus more coming out when we can put them out! www.patreon.com/contestingwrestling ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
Premium Episode 84: The Whole F'n Show *Unlocked*
April 20, 2022 17:38 - 58 minutes - 37.4 MBIn celebration of 4/20, we've unlocked our premium episode all about "The Whole F'n Show" Rob Van Dam. To access our complete Premium collection of over 100 episodes, subscribe for $5 a month at patreon.com/contestingwrestling Happy 420 to those who partake!
Contesting Wrestling Episode 66 - Bob Backlund with longtime fan Omar
March 31, 2022 11:49 - 1 hour - 90.3 MBThis time on Contesting Wrestling Ben and Doc talk with their dear old friend and older wrestling fan Omar about Bob Backlund, one of the longest reigning WWF champions of all time and later, one of the shortest. We have a great time talking about nice old crazy old Mr. Backlund so check it out! Support us on Patreon for access to over 100 more episodes of Contesting Wrestling, plus more coming out when we can put them out! www.patreon.com/contestingwrestling ★ Support this pod...
Contesting Wrestling Episode 65 - Wrestling Themes with Space King Bobby!
February 03, 2022 13:00 - 1 hour - 51.4 MBDoc, Ben and three time Contesting Wrestling Guest Space King Bobby talk music! We talk about some of our favorite and least favorite wrestling theme music and what that music means to the wrestling fan. We have fun as always on this one so check it out! Twitter: @ContestingW @DrDiamondfire @ScribeBen @SpaceKingBobby And sign up for our Patreon which currently has 99 extra episodes of Contesting Wrestling on it, soon to be 100! www.patreon.com/contestingwrestling ★ Support this...
*Unlocked* Premium Episode 65: JAPW Season's Beatings 2007
December 26, 2021 01:05 - 1 hour - 54.5 MBMerry Christmas, folks! Join Ben and Doc for a discussion of an event we went to personally that shaped our fandom and relationship with wrestling. In 2007 JAPW was a large regional indy that competed directly with ROH and had a different roster and a different flavor. We attended this event in early 2007 and wanted to give our modern impressions, as well as illustrate the growth of the indy world at the time. Subscribe for $5 a month to access our full catalog of nearly 100 premium...
Contesting Wrestling Episode 64 - The saga of Bret, Yoko an Hulk With Will Fink
December 16, 2021 19:02 - 1 hour - 71.8 MBIn this episode of Contesting Wrestling, Doc and Ben bring on Will Fink, one of Ben's oldest friends who has watched wrestling only sporadically over the years to talk about Bret, Yokozuna and Hulk Hogan and the events where they all traded the WWF Championship. This episode is full of nostalgia and (surprise) a lot of praise for Bret Hart. Enjoy! Check out our Patreon to unlock almost 100 extra episodes!: www.patreon.com/contestingwrestling ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★ ...
*Unlocked* Contesting Wrestling Premium Episode 10: Undertaker's Debut and more XSW
November 25, 2021 22:38 - 1 hour - 159 MBIn celebration of Thanksgiving and the recent Survivor Series, please enjoy one of our earliest Premium Episodes, featuring the debut of The Undertaker at Survivor Series 1990 and 2 matches from Xtremely Serious Wrestling, including one with Orange Cassidy! Subscribe for $5 a month at Patreon.com/contestingwrestling to access our full Premium library of nearly 100 Premium episodes! Happy Thanksgiving! ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
*Unlocked* Premium Episode 10: Undertaker's Debut and more XSW
November 25, 2021 22:38 - 1 hour - 159 MBIn celebration of Thanksgiving and the recent Survivor Series, please enjoy one of our earliest Premium Episodes, featuring the debut of The Undertaker at Survivor Series 1990 and 2 matches from Xtremely Serious Wrestling, including one with Orange Cassidy! Subscribe for $5 a month at Patreon.com/contestingwrestling to access our full Premium library of nearly 100 Premium episodes! Happy Thanksgiving! ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
*Unlocked* Premium Episode 58: Paul Bearer
November 03, 2021 14:40 - 1 hour - 170 MBAs a belated Halloween gift, please enjoy this premium episode from last year, in which we discuss the late, great, spooky wrestling manager extraordinaire, William Moody, aka Paul Bearer. Ohhhhh Yesssss!!!!!! ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
Contesting Wrestling Episode 63 - AEW Grand Slam with Sergio the non-fan!
October 06, 2021 10:00 - 1 hour - 67.8 MBThe Contesting Wrestling gang went to AEW Grand Slam and we took a new guy! Ben's friend Sergio (Instagram: @gomdiaz) had never been to a live wrestling event before and had barely paid attention to it in his life so let's get his impression of all the action. We at Contesting Wrestling are always interested in getting impressions from those who aren't otherwise soaked in pro wrestling and Sergio does not disappoint. We saw all the big AEW stars, and he has no idea who any of them ...
Contesting Wrestling Episode 62 - Michael Muhammad Knight talks Sid and stacked cages!
September 13, 2021 15:35 - 1 hour - 47.3 MBEvan, Ben and Doc talk to author, philosopher and scholar of Islam Michael Muhammad Knight! We talk almost exclusively about wrestling. Shawn Michaels vs. Sid from Survivor Series 1996 and the triple cage match from Nitro 2000! The sudden popularity of Sid and the almost unexplainable existence of Vince Russo make this a must-listen. Michael talk about his history of fandom and compares wrestling and religion. We had wanted to do an episode with Michael for a very long time and are...
*Unlocked* Premium Episode 64 - ROH All Star Extravaganza 2
August 26, 2021 03:53 - 1 hour - 53.2 MBTo celebrate the return of CM Punk to pro-wrestling and Samoa Joe's return to the ring in NXT, here's a Premium Episode in which Ben and Doc revisit the first ROH show they ever attended, back in 2004, which was also the first time they saw either Punk or Joe, who battled in the main event for the ROH World Championship. Subscribe for $5 a month at Patreon.com/contestingwrestling to access our full library of now almost 100 Premium Episodes with a new one dropping every week! ★ S...
Contesting Wrestling Episode 61 - British Wrestling
July 19, 2021 17:53 - 1 hour - 47.3 MBEvan, Ben and Doc check out some British Wrestling! Plus, Evan has had enough and addresses his status with Contesting Wrestling. On this edition of Contesting Wrestling we check out both classic and modern British wrestling, as well as what it looked like through the WWE lens. We see Marty Jones take on Terry Rudge in a World of Sport classic, Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Zack Gibson from NGW and the Duchess of Queensbury rules match from WWE Backlash 2001 between William Regal and Chris J...
"Where's my CW?"
June 29, 2021 15:05 - 1 minute - 1.69 MBA short message from Dr. Ben Abelson for the purpose of excusing our recent absence ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
*Unlocked* Premium Episode 76: MSG 11/31/1991 with Matt Josephson
June 15, 2021 09:00 - 1 hour - 64.4 MBIn Contesting Wrestling Premium Episode 76 we are joined by @matt2jay Matt Josephson and discuss a classic Madison Square Garden WWF House Show featuring one of the first ever one on one meetings of Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair. Subscribe at Patreon.com/contestingwrestling $5 a month gets you a new Premium Episode each week plus access to our full library of Premium Episodes. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
Contesting Wrestling Episode 60 - Gargano, Cole, Reigns and Owens. Modern wrestling with Superfan AJ Tignonsini
June 02, 2021 03:06 - 1 hour - 45.2 MBThis week on Contesting Wrestling Evan, Doc and Ben welcome Wrestling superfan AJ Tignonsini to the podcast! AJ is a big fan of NXT and has selected a couple of matches for us to contest. We watch the Adam Cole vs. Johnny Gargano 2-out-of-3 falls match and we check out Roman Reigns vs. Kevin Owens Last Man Standing! This episode is quite interesting as none of the regulars on this show are big fans of Cole OR Gargano, and the Contesting lens falls on Ben and Doc for a change! Evan...
*Unlocked* Contesting Wrestling Premium Episode 71: The Art of Raw, Part 1
May 18, 2021 02:34 - 1 hour - 51.2 MBThis week we unlock the first episode of our Premium series The Art of Raw, in which we discuss the WWE series Monday Night Raw from its inception in 1993. In this first installment, we cover the first two episodes of Raw, from January 11th and 18th, '93. To continue hearing this series and to get access to all our other Premium episodes, subscribe to our Patreon for $5 a month at Patreon.com/contestingwrestling ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
Contesting Wrestling Episode 59 - The "King of Chaos" Logan Black brings us Terry Funk!
May 07, 2021 20:03 - 1 hour - 45.1 MBThis week on Contesting Wrestling we talk to The one and only "King of Chaos" Logan Black as he brings us some of his favorite Terry Funk matches and brings some insight to the psychology of doing hardcore wrestling. We take a look at the "I Quit" Match between Terry and Ric Flair, as well as late stage WCW at it's finest as Terry takes on Norman Smiley for the WCW Hardcore title! We also discuss Logan's match with Jeff Cannonball from H2O Subterrenean Violence 3: https://www.yo...
Contesting Wrestling Episode 58 - Wrestlemania 37
April 22, 2021 02:35 - 1 hour - 53.6 MBEvan, Ben, Doc and Katy take a look at both main events from Wrestlemania 37! Plus, we check out Cesaro vs. 3 men in a Seth Rollins shaped trenchcoat and Evan starts negotiating a way out! If you enjoy Contesting Wrestling, join our Patreon! You get a bonus episode every week at $5! www.patreon.com/contestingwrestling ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
Contesting Wrestling Episode 57 - Glacier/Mortis and Undertaker/Kane with Space King Bobby!
April 06, 2021 17:06 - 1 hour - 51.8 MBThis week on Contesting Wrestling Evan, Doc and Ben are joined once again by podcaster extraordinaire and the king of all space, @Spacekingbobby! Bobby wanted to talk about wrestlers that were made specifically for each other so we showed Evan "Coming Soon" Glacier and his foil, the covered-in-skulls Mortis! We also take a look at the saga of Kane and the Undertaker, along with their match at Wrestlemania 14. Bobby's many projects including the Wrestling Time Machine podcast, the N...
*Unlocked* Contesting Wrestling Premium Episode 67: PROGRESS Wrestling 83 w/Scotland Green
March 22, 2021 20:53 - 1 hour - 54.5 MBTo give Evan a break during his midterms, this week we're unlocking Premium Episode 67, in which we are joined by comedian and Twitch streamer Scotland Green for a discussion of the UK independent wrestling promotion PROGRESS, specifically their 83rd volume, subtitled: Remove Child Before Ironing. This is one of several premium episodes we've done recently without Evan, for which we get to watch a bit more wrestling than usual and geek out fully without fear of alienating our non wr...
Contesting Wrestling Episode 56 - Daniel Bryan
March 10, 2021 03:59 - 1 hour - 56.6 MBThis week we continue our look at Daniel Bryan as he finds his way to the WWE. We take a look at the very first episode of NXT and his match with World Champion Chris Jericho, then follow him a few years into the future as he takes on John Cena at Summerslam for the WWE Championship! Finally, we take a look at the occupy raw movement and analyze how something like that could happen. We have a lot of fun on this one so check it out! If you want to support Contesting Wrestling and ge...
Contesting Wrestling Episode 55 - Kane, Shane, Brisco, Patterson, and guest Brian Burgundy
February 23, 2021 04:46 - 1 hour - 63.2 MBThis week on Contesting Wrestling we welcome independent professional wrestler Brian Burgundy! When we asked Brian what we should sow Evan, he wanted to check out Kane vs. Shane McMahon and the hardcore evening gown match between Gerald Brisco and Pat Patterson. We thought it was high time to move Evan away from the excellence of Bryan Danielson so we were happy to oblige! We talk growing up on Ruthless Aggression and how to make the monster that is Kane. If you are enjoying Conte...
Contesting Wrestling Episode 55 - Kane, Shane, Brisco, Patterson, and Guest Brian Burgundy
February 23, 2021 04:46 - 1 hour - 63.2 MBThis week on Contesting Wrestling we welcome independent professional wrestler Brian Burgundy! When we asked Brian what we should show Evan, he wanted to check out Kane vs. Shane McMahon and the hardcore evening gown match between Gerald Brisco and Pat Patterson. We thought it was high time to move Evan away from the excellence of Bryan Danielson so we were happy to oblige!
Contesting Wrestling Episode 54 - "American Dragon" Bryan Danielson, ROH Champ
February 09, 2021 20:05 - 1 hour - 55 MBThis time on Contesting Wrestling, Doc, Ben and Evan cover one of Doc and Ben's favorite things in wrestling history, the ROH championship reign of "American Dragon" Bryan Danielson. With Evan being extra salty, we challenge him with some of the finest wrestling you could see according to the technical minded hardcore fan including his classic title defense against KENTA and the unification match for the ROH championship and the ROH Pure championship with Nigel McGuinness. Does Evan...
Contesting Wrestling Episode 53 - Damien Sandow and Evan's Return!
January 26, 2021 03:30 - 1 hour - 56.6 MBOn this episode of Contesting Wrestling Evan Burke makes his return and he is salty about it! Ban, Katy and Doc show him the rise and stall of Damien Sandow, an entertaining character that just didn't make it past the major players. There is also a fair amount of Ryback in here, completely coincidentally. Support Contesting Wrestling by joining our Patreon! We release a brand new bonus episode every week at our $5 tier and joining today unlocks our whole premium catalogue of over...
*Unlocked* Contesting Wrestling Premium Episode 16: More Royal Rumbles! 1999, 2005, 2007
January 18, 2021 17:13 - 1 hour - 183 MBIn honor of the upcoming Royal Rumble event, we've unlocked our Rumble Premium Episode from last year, covering the '99, '05, and '07 Royal Rumble matches! ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
*Unlocked* Contesting Wrestling Premium Episode 9: KENTA vs. Kobashi and Joe vs. Ki
January 07, 2021 04:06 - 59 minutes - 137 MBIn honor of this week's Wrestle Kingdom 15 and our upcoming ROH-centric premium episode, we've unlocked an early premium episode in which we discuss two classic "strong style" matches: Kenta Kobashi vs. his protege KENTA and Samoa Joe battling Low-Ki. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
*Unlocked* Contesting Wrestling Hollywood Backlot Film Club Episode 3 - Barton Fink with Professor Geoff Klock
December 23, 2020 19:55 - 1 hour - 111 MBWe are joined by English Professor and media scholar Geoff Klock for a mind-bending conversation about the surrealist 1991 Coen Brothers film Barton Fink. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
*Unlocked* Contesting Wrestling Premium Episode 23: "Macho Man" Randy Savage
December 15, 2020 03:52 - 1 hour - 140 MBOhhhhhhhh Yeeeeahhhhhh!!! "Macho Man" Randy Savage. Dig it! ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
*Unlocked* Contesting Wrestling Hollywood Backlot Film Club Episode 1: Hell Comes to Frogtown
December 07, 2020 14:39 - 48 minutes - 112 MBOur first film club episode, discussing the 1988 film Hell Comes to Frogtown, starring "Rowdy" Roddy Piper ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
Contesting Wrestling Episode 52 - NXT and Alumni with Chris Olson
November 23, 2020 14:37 - 47 minutes - 109 MBChris Olson, co-host of the Pop Culture Lens podcast and member of the Professional Wrestling Studies Association, joins us to examine a key match in NXT history, and the fates of its participants.
Contesting Wrestling Episode 51 - The Bellas w/ Jen Ortiz
November 09, 2020 13:32 - 1 hour - 163 MBJen Ortiz, Deputy Editor at Cosmopolitan and scholar of the Bellas, joins us for a discussion about the pivotal role Nikki and Brie played in the women's division.
Contesting Wrestling Minisode 50 - 10/26/20
October 26, 2020 12:47 - 31 minutes - 71.5 MBIn which we reflect on the end of our Eddie Guerrero series, and talk about the changing future of Contesting Wrestling.
Contesting Wrestling Episode 50 - The Ballad of Mox and Brodie, with Eddie Dougrou
October 19, 2020 09:00 - 1 hour - 183 MBWriter, comedian and actor extraordinaire Eddie Dougrou (@didgeridougrou) joins us to examine the beautiful, decades-long relationship between two great wrestlers who just love hurting each other.
Contesting Wrestling Episode 49 - Eddie Guererro, Part Two
October 12, 2020 09:00 - 1 hour - 179 MBWe return to the illustrious career of the late great Eddie Guerrero. A major event happens in the Contesting Wrestling storyline.
*UNLOCKED* Contesting Wrestling Premium Episode 25 - Kenny Omega and Kota Ibushi
October 05, 2020 11:20 - 56 minutes - 130 MBThis week we're unlocking a Very Special episode recorded in the Before Times, chronicling one of the richest and most complex relationships in all of wrestling history...the intertwined fates of the Golden Lovers.
Contesting Wrestling Episode 48 - One Year of CW: Bret/Austin and Bret/Owen Revisited
September 28, 2020 09:00 - 1 hour - 166 MBIt's been something vaguely like a year that we've been doing CW, and figured it was time to see if Evan's attitudes towards the early matches we watched have changed at all.
Contesting Wrestling Minisode 49 - 9/27/2020
September 27, 2020 10:00 - 32 minutes - 29.6 MBThis week we have a major correction up front. Once that business is taken care of, we talk about why wrestling stories were better at points in the past and what the WWE in particular has to do to get better. We also debate the merits of Hamilton and let our minds wander a bit. Some deep conversation in this one. Don't miss it!
Contesting Wrestling Minisode 48 - 9/22/2020
September 22, 2020 15:33 - 23 minutes - 21.7 MBIn Minisode 48 we talk Rey Mysterio and the rise of Dominic! We have Evan watch their tag match from Raw vs. Seth Rollins and Murphy. Plus we get Evan's take on the THUNDERDOME! As fun as it is a few days late, give Minisode 48 a listen and enjoy!
Contesting Wrestling Episode 47 - Eddie Guerrero, Part One
September 21, 2020 09:00 - 1 hour - 157 MBWe delve into the tragic and beautiful story of Eddie Guerrero, and Evan feels the love wrestling fans have for the late, great master.
Contesting Wrestling Minisode 47 - 9/13/2020
September 13, 2020 22:54 - 23 minutes - 21.3 MBWe reflect on our conversation with Francis Wright, and Evan sees the Mimosa Mayhem match between Chris Jericho and Orange Cassidy! Evan gives us his impressions of the first feud he has now taken in beginning to end.
Contesting Wrestling Episode 46 - Rey Mysterio, Part Two
September 13, 2020 22:45 - 1 hour - 176 MBWe delve back into the career of the greatest luchador of all time, and discuss the complicated path his career took after the tragic death of Eddie Guerrero.
Contesting Wrestling Episode 45 - Punk/Lesnar and Bischoff/Long with @FrancisWrightPW
September 07, 2020 09:00 - 1 hour - 144 MBWrestler and "purifier" Francis Wright joins us for our most....contentious episode yet. We examine two matches of contrasting quality, and delve into the question of wrestling's negative impact on society. Evan finds he has more in common with Francis than you'd think.