Tag Me in, Brother!
71 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 1 year ago - ★★★★★ - 6 ratingsI Hate Wrestling, your old favorite podcast, is now Tag Me in, Brother!, which is your new favorite podcast. Lucky you! Hosts "Big Beef" Buff Boyardee and Scott Halal are (tag) teaming up to dive deep into the deepest idiosyncrasies of a misunderstood performance art.
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Episodes
Mt. Rushmore
November 16, 2022 20:30 - 1 hour - 117 MBIt's become a ubiquitous question in wrestling fandom -- who's on your Mount Rushmore? What group of four wrestlers are the absolute best of all time? We answer that question with about 376 wrestlers, split into maybe a dozen sub-categories of "best." Also" Rick Rude's hot son! Don't miss it!
The Gordon Solie Pro Wrestling Trivia Game Extravaganza
August 24, 2022 02:11 - 1 hour - 101 MBThis time we've got a real treat for you: a riveting live game of pro wrestling trivia! Things get heated! Also: arranged marriage! Don't dare miss it!
Ring of Honor
July 13, 2022 04:00 - 1 hour - 107 MBJoin us as we explore the life, death and rebirth of Ring of Honor, which spent decades as the crown jewel of indie wrestling in North America. Now that it's back under the aegis of AEW, what does the future hold for the promotion that helped usher in the modern era of wrestling? Also: Eminem's contributions to the Pakistani community! Don't dare miss it!
Hangman Page
May 04, 2022 04:00 - 1 hour - 152 MBIt's an extra-long deep dive on the protagonist of AEW's phase one: "Hangman" Adam Page! We trace his career from ROH also-ran to anxious millennial cowboy to world champion, and all the bumps along the way. Also: a meditation on the nature of work friends. Don't miss it!
The Bad Guy
April 13, 2022 02:54 - 1 hour - 114 MBJoin us in saying hello -- and goodbye -- to the Bad Guy. Whether as Scott Hall or as Razor Ramon, he was a huge part of the 1990's wrestling boom -- and instrumental in both of our fandoms. We cover the highs and lows of his landmark career, as well as discussing the ways his personal approach to wrestling changed the business forever. Also: why all wrestlers need to dress like absolute weirdos outside the ring. Don't miss it!
Almost Had It!
March 30, 2022 04:00 - 1 hour - 117 MBSometimes, a wrestler has all the tools and all the talent, but just can't seem to make the final leap from star to superstar. In this episode, we try to figure out what happened in cases where big pushes seemed to derail just before the finish line. Also: mouth ska! Don't miss it!
WTF is Going On With Cody Rhodes
March 17, 2022 02:33 - 1 hour - 135 MBWTF is going on with Cody Rhodes? Nobody knows, and we definitely don't, but that didn't stop us from getting an super-sized episode out of it. We trace Cody's trajectory from naked-kneed WWE ingenue to failed face of AEW to try and figure out what happened -- and what will happen -- with the ol' Roller Codester. Also: a Kizarny reference! Don't miss it!
The Supernatural
February 23, 2022 05:00 - 1 hour - 86.6 MBIt's time for a spooky, scary dive into the supernatural side of wrestling as we strive to uncover who is magic and who isn't in the annals of grappling. Some guys have powers, sure, but what about other guys who are possessed or ensorcelled? Was Doink magic? Was Hornswoggle? All this and more! Don't dare miss it!
2021: Year In Review
February 08, 2022 16:57 - 1 hour - 132 MB2021! What a year! We relive all its highs and lows, and even some from 2020, because time is fake and we can't tell the difference! Don't dare miss it!
Debuts Part II
January 19, 2022 05:00 - 1 hour - 128 MBIn part 2 of our deep dive into the art of pro wrestling debuts, we cover the many hits and misses of AEW's first few years. From Jon Moxley to the Dark Order to Matt Sydal, we go from the sublime to the ridiculous. Also: AEW LEGEND MEL! Don't miss it!
Debuts Part I
December 29, 2021 05:00 - 1 hour - 134 MBFirst impressions are a precious commodity -- so what's the best way to introduce a new wrestler to your audience? What about an old wrestler with a new character -- how to emphasize the fresh coat of paint without drawing attention to what's familiar underneath? This week we look at some of the great debut successes and failures in WWE and WCW history.
NXT
December 08, 2021 05:00 - 1 hour - 92.1 MBThis time we relive the long, strange journey of NXT, WWE's once-beloved developmental program. We cover it all -- from a weird showcase for televised workplace bullying to the hottest wrestling show around to a shell of its former self. And after all that, what's nxt for NXT? Also: Eli Cottonwood! Don't miss it!
Defections
November 10, 2021 16:40 - 1 hour - 116 MBThis week's all about defections -- those moments when stars from one promotion leave for greener pastures in another. We cover the 1990's WCW to WWE exodus, and the current influx of WWE talent into AEW. Also: the Muhammad Hassan theme! Don't miss it!
The Top Babyface
October 27, 2021 04:00 - 1 hour - 92.5 MBEpisode two is here! This time we're discussing the Face Who Runs the Place, the Champ That Runs the Camp, the very protagonist of WWE: the top babyface. We do a complete historical rundown from Rogers to Reigns, and explore what it means for your roster when your promotion has a main character. Also: Aleister Brown becomes Scott Halal, and "Big Beef" Buff Boyardee makes his debut. Don't miss it!
WWE Booking
October 13, 2021 11:53 - 58 minutes - 79.9 MBFrom the host of I Hate Wrestling, it's the first episode of your new favorite podcast. Why start small? For the first episode, we decided to tackle one of the biggest spectres hanging over pro wrestling today: the very specific way WWE has come to book their shows and stars, and what that insistence means for the art form as a whole. Plus: the man who would become Scott Halal searches for a new identity. Don't miss it!
John Cena/The Fiend: Bray New World, ft. Dan of SpooK Squad
April 16, 2020 13:28 - 1 hour - 140 MBIHW is back to explore the intricacies of WWE's recent masterpiece, the Firefly Funhouse Match from WrestleMania 36. It will forever be remembered as the first WrestleMania held during quarantine, but also as the first WrestleMania where John Cena had to battle a shadow clown inside his own psyche.
Dusty Rhodes vs. Ric Flair: Hard Times, ft. Nicole Moore
January 08, 2020 05:00 - 1 hour - 141 MBThe saga of the Rhodes family continues --or rather begins, as Nicole joins me to travel back to the 80's, where patriarch and blue collar hero Dusty Rhodes does battle with his blood rival, the white collar champion Ric Flair. Along the way, Dusty cuts what's often called the greatest wrestling promo of all time.
Bobby Heenan: Brain Power, ft. Jinx Strange
December 11, 2019 05:01 - 1 hour - 143 MBJinx Strange returns to the show to discuss the life and adventures of Bobby Heenan, pro wrestling's greatest insult comic. We fawn over his trash talk, marvel at his ability to make audiences love to hate him, and pitch an Oscar bait drama film about his forbidden passions.
Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels: Hell in a Cell, ft. Spook Squad's Dan Roman
November 27, 2019 14:20 - 2 hours - 177 MBIt's a very special episode of IHW as I'm joined by Dan Roman of the Spook Squad podcast to talk about the impact and legacy of The Undertaker, pro wrestling's all-time champion in terms of cribbed horror movie tropes. We also discuss the blurring of lines between performers and characters, the nature of copycats in film and wrestling, and more!
Theme Music: The Beat Goes On
November 13, 2019 05:00 - 1 hour - 159 MBJason Berk returns to the show for another new episode concept: an exploration of some of the wildest and strangest theme songs in wrestling history. We've got Sexy Boys, Ass Men, Real Men's Men, All American Boys, and the finest bootleg Evanescence 2005 had to offer!
Hulk Hogan/The Giant: Halloween Havoc ft. Ahmad
October 31, 2019 04:01 - 1 hour - 106 MBBoo! I Hate Wrestling is back and spookier than ever with this Halloween spectacular. It's got everything you could ask for: Goth Hulk Hogan, tiny Bostonian Satanists, statues that come to life, a monster truck sumo battle, and, of course, fountains that aren't hot. All this and an important update on the future of the show!
Cesaro: The Ballad of Big Tony, ft. Tara Giancaspro
July 24, 2019 02:50 - 1 hour - 128 MBCesaro is 6'5", cultured, talented, super handsome, impossibly athletic, absurdly marketable, and employed by the biggest wrestling promotion on the planet, so why haven't you heard of him? Join Tara and myself as we attempt to figure out why WWE decided to hide this beautiful demigod's epic battle with a monstrous super hillbilly on a third-string syndicated show.
Kurt Angle vs. Shawn Michaels: Dream Match, ft. Stephen "The Train" Graham
July 10, 2019 04:00 - 1 hour - 128 MBStephen "The Train" Graham is here, and we're fixing to talk about two men who were hugely influential to our own fandom, and for that matter, to the performers at the center of today's wrestling zeitgeist. Kurt Angle was a legit Olympic gold medalist and maybe the quickest study in pro wres history. Shawn Michaels was the consummate performer who turned show theft into an art form. All that talent, and a personal rivalry ten years in the making? It's a legitimate dream match.
Jon Moxley: The Escape Artist, ft. Ahmad
June 26, 2019 01:34 - 1 hour - 136 MBAhmad returns to the show to discuss a guy we've been watching for years with no particular interest, who recently reinvented himself as a performer by way of a WWE exodus: "Death Rider" Jon Moxley. Also: Hot dog combat! Flower children! Jeremies!
Tables & Ladders & Chairs: Oh My! featuring Katy Lees
June 19, 2019 04:57 - 1 hour - 92.1 MBKaty returns to the show to support her childhood favorites, the cargo-pantsed, opera-gloved Hardy Boyz as they attempt to capture the tag team championships in a match also featuring furniture-obsessed maniacs and a pair of weird Canadian Jeff Spicollis.
Fenix/Mil Muertes: Gift of the Gods, ft. Julian Xeer
June 05, 2019 04:00 - 1 hour - 91.4 MBJulian returns to cap off our epic trilogy of episodes featuring Mil Muertes and Fenix, as the two eternal rivals go to war over the Lucha Underground championship in an absolute bloodbath. Join us as we determine whether life really does trump death, what the true nature of time is, and Burt Ward's truly repugnant dog food graphic design.
Rob Van Dam/Jerry Lynn: The F'n Show, ft. Hambone McGuire
May 29, 2019 04:00 - 1 hour - 103 MBExtreme Championship Wrestling enjoys a reputation as a wrestling product that was revolutionary, transgressive, and before its time; but how well does it hold up 20 years later? Hambone joins the show to watch Rob Van Dam -- the ECW Star with the biggest mainstream appeal -- battle his archnemesis Jerry Lynn in what's usually called the best match in the promotion's history.
Becky Lynch: The Man Comes Around, ft. LaToya Ferguson and Tara Giancaspro
May 22, 2019 04:00 - 1 hour - 147 MBLaToya and Tara return to the show to discuss the meteoric rise of Becky Lynch from a popular undercard wrestler to a molten-hot main eventer capable of matching the star power of second-generation prodigy Charlotte Flair and the most famous female combat sports athlete of all time in Ronda Rousey. Also: Pro wrestling fantasy-casting! How to drive a car with no hands! A whole bunch of archaic sitcom catchphrases!
Scooby-Doo: A WrestleMania Mystery, ft. Jason Berk and Tara Giancaspro
May 15, 2019 04:00 - 1 hour - 138 MBVariety is the spice of life, and also of pro wrestling podcasts. To that end, this special episode doesn't focus on a match. Instead, it's an extended meditation on the inexplicable feature film, 'Scooby-Doo's WrestleMania Mystery." Aside from general "How Did This Get Made?"-adjacent content, get hype for Scooby-Doo fantasy casting and the secret origin of the whimsical green elf known as The Heffergon.
Bayley vs. Sasha Banks: The Oldest Story, ft. Ahmad
May 08, 2019 09:31 - 1 hour - 127 MBAhmad joins me to discuss a match that served as the catalyst for a lot of what eventually became a full-blown renaissance of women's wrestling in WWE. Bayley and Sasha Banks put on an absolute clinic in terms of wrestling as narrative art, and it's a perfect example of the beautiful simplicity that wrestling can be capable of. Also: Fake Avengers Endgame spoilers, proceed with caution.
Asuka, Nikki Cross, IIconics: Modern Ladies of Wrestling, ft. Tara Giancaspro
May 01, 2019 03:08 - 1 hour - 99.8 MBTara return to the show as we continue our extended look at women's wrestling. This time we're back in NXT, with four huge personalities that could have come straight from the cast of G.L.O.W. Also: The Mariana Trench! A bird gets stuck in a wall! Gratuitous Frasier references intensify!
Chyna: 9th Wonder of the World, ft. LaToya Ferguson
April 24, 2019 04:00 - 1 hour - 116 MBOur extended feature on women's wrestling continues as LaToya joins the show to discuss Chyna, the Attitude Era icon who wrestled men, won their championships, and stole their spotlight. Also: Mandy Moore, extensive Frasier fantasy casting, and important (untrue) information about Chavo Guerrero!
Alundra Blayze/Bull Nakano: Big Egg Wrestling Universe, ft. Nicole Moore
April 17, 2019 00:24 - 1 hour - 107 MBNicole is back for the first in our series of episodes spotlighting women's wrestling. This time, it's a deep cut from mid-90's WWE as midwestern-fitness badass Alundra Blayze travels to Japan to defend her championship against the impossibly cool-named Bull Nakano. Also: Dildo nunchucks! A vomiting Garfield! MEDIUM TALENT!
Johnny Gargano vs. Andrade "Cien" Almas: Philadelphia Story, ft. Brandon Deslandes
March 27, 2019 04:00 - 1 hour - 112 MBBrandon joins the show to dive into the Rocky-ass story of Johnny Gargano, who worked his way up from rock bottom to challenge Andrade "Cien" Almas, a third generation, born-to-greatness champion. Also: Dragon Ball metaphors! A truly weird intro where a slip into an old-timey boxing announcer voice!
Pete Dunne/Pentagon Jr: Hateful Young Men, ft. Ahmad
March 20, 2019 04:00 - 1 hour - 91 MBAhmad returns for an IHW first: a match that neither I nor my guest has seen before. But that doesn't mean we aren't invested, because the wrestlers involved are our current favorites, Pete Dunne and Pentagon Jr. Despite being a thuggish brawler from England and a skeleton ninja from Mexico, these two are kindred spirits when it comes to malice, and their meeting (hopefully!) won't disappoint.
Mark Henry: Hall Of Pain, ft. Stephen "The Train" Graham
March 13, 2019 04:00 - 1 hour - 104 MBIt's a Stephen "The Train" Graham joint as we delve into the ups and downs of of the career of Mark Henry, and try to explain why there were so many downs considering how incredible Henry could be. Despite being a strong candidate for the strongest man who ever lived, Dude spent YEARS as a comical sex maniac. Here, after almost 15 years of trying, he finally finds himself challenging for a world title.
Velveteen Dream/Ricochet: Two Princes, ft. Nicole Moore
March 06, 2019 05:00 - 1 hour - 110 MBNicole and the Velveteen Dream both make triumphant IHW returns as our noble, Prince-impersonating hero continues his journey of pro wrestling self-actualization, this time by challenging the frankly unmatchable athleticism of Ricochet. Also: Camelids! Dick smashing! Naked Hulk Hogan! I promise none of those are related!
Eddie Guerrero/Brock Lesnar: David and Goliath, ft. Jason Stack
February 27, 2019 05:00 - 1 hour - 113 MBJason (no, a different Jason) joins the show to discuss the time Eddie Guerrero's feel-good redemption story ran directly into the human brick wall that is Brock Lesnar. Also in this episode: fight choreography! Unfrozen vikings! Why the X-men film franchise should probably just stop!
Sexy Star/Mariposa: No Mas, ft. Renee Pickup
February 20, 2019 05:00 - 1 hour - 101 MBRenee returns to the show (and we return to the Temple) for another jaunt into Lucha Underground. This time, pro wrestling becomes psychodrama as Sexy Star must battle her way through trauma and PTSD by beating up a butterfly lady and her giant goofy moth brother.
Magnum TA/Tully Blanchard: Blood and Guts, ft. Stephen "The Train" Graham
February 13, 2019 05:00 - 1 hour - 105 MBStephen "The Train" Graham chugga-chugs around the bend to tackle one of the most legendary cage matches of all time. Consummate shithead Tully Blanchard is forced to face not only the stalwart Magnum T.A. but also his own insecurities in a literal bloodbath that shows both men for what they truly are.
Goldberg: Who's Next?, ft. Ahmad
February 06, 2019 05:00 - 1 hour - 99.5 MBThrill as Ahmad and I tackle the career, legacy, and legendary undefeated streak of one William Scott Goldberg. We grapple with his status as one of the most sensationally popular wrestlers who ever lived, and try to reconcile that with his not being very good. Also: Tasers! Hamburgers and red wine! Howie Mandel!
Curt Hennig/Nick Bockwinkel: Older School, ft. Kevin O'Connell
January 30, 2019 05:00 - 55 minutes - 75.6 MBIt's a family affair as my dear old dad joins the show to discuss the generational clash between eternal champion Nick Bockwinkel and hungry young challenger Curt Hennig. Also: Bobby Heenan! Youth vs. experience! Underpants!
Mil Muertes/Fenix: Death Match, ft. Julian
January 23, 2019 05:00 - 1 hour - 96.2 MBJulian makes his long-awaited return to discuss the second part of the epic trilogy of matches featuring the high-flying Fenix and the merciless Mil Muertes. Also featured in this episode: me dunking on WWE's writing and then asking them for a job!
Ages Of Rock Part III: Hollywood Babylon, ft. Jason Berk
January 16, 2019 05:00 - 1 hour - 105 MBJason calls in to discuss the legendary clash between maybe the most recognizable stars in the history of pro wrestling. Also: the nature of celebrity, performance art, the power of nostalgia, and the importance of listening up, slap nuts.
Ages Of Rock, Part II: Halftime Heat ft. Katy Lees
January 09, 2019 05:00 - 59 minutes - 82 MBKaty Lees makes a long-awaited return to the show to revisit our old friend Mick Foley, as well as explore the Rock at the height of his powers as WWE Champion. Also: Wrestling as slapstick comedy! Brand new international Christmas greetings! BEEF MACHINES!
Ages Of Rock Part I: Growing Pains, ft. Joey Lewandowski
January 02, 2019 05:00 - 1 hour - 113 MBPart one of our three part series chronicling the wrestling career of Dwayne Johnson! Our story begins as The Rock sheds his goofball rookie persona and weaponizes his outsized personality against angry, sub-Stallone beef slab Ken Shamrock.
Miracle on 34th Street Fight, ft. Tara Giancaspro
December 26, 2018 05:00 - 1 hour - 84.8 MBTara returns to revisit the time that an episode of Monday Night Raw revolved around breathless updates about the health of Santa Claus after he got hit by a car. Santa Claus definitely isn't Mick Foley in disguise! It's a Christmas Miracle!
Glacier: Blood Runs Cold, ft. Nick Wreden
December 19, 2018 05:00 - 1 hour - 99.1 MBWith winter nearly upon us, Nick joins the show to discuss the chilling exploits of Glacier, pro wrestling's best-ever bootleg Mortal Kombat character. Despite alarming amounts of cheese, it turns out that Glacier and his karate pals were maybe pretty dope?
Pete Dunne & Tyler Bate: Stiff Upper Lip, ft. Ahmad
December 12, 2018 05:00 - 1 hour - 83.6 MBIt's another Ahmadventure as his current favorite Pete Dunne is in action against Tyler Bate in a thrilling example of what's known as British Strong Style.
DDP/Randy Savage: Polishing a Diamond, ft. Shawn Waits
December 05, 2018 05:00 - 1 hour - 106 MBShawn returns to the show as Randy Savage's mid-life crisis collides with the career upswing of one of wrestling's great unsung heroes, Diamond Dallas Page. Also in this episode: embarrassing dad gangs, the value of hard work and self-improvement, and Randy Savage's ill-fated rap career!