Welcome to the Squared Circle Podcast! I am your host Marie Shadows!

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Marie Shadows returns with a fiery, no-holds-barred podcast tackling the state of professional wrestling across AEW, NJPW, and more. From critiquing Mercedes Moné’s “belt collector” run to questioning AEW’s inconsistent storytelling and NJPW’s baffling booking at Dominion and G1 Climax 35, Marie holds nothing back.

She explores the toxic fan gatekeeping culture plaguing AEW, questions Tony Khan’s public media behavior, and challenges both promotions on their failure to prioritize storytelling. Marie also offers passionate insight into how NJPW Strong could’ve succeeded with better leadership, and why New Japan feels like it’s on “life support.”

This is more than a rant—it's a reality check for the industry.

Timestamps:

• (00:00) – Welcome and creator update

• (00:14) – AEW fandom gatekeeping + brand stagnation

• (03:00) – AEW's metrics, privacy, and delusions of growth

• (07:50) – AEW x CMLL criticism, bad presentation of partners

• (08:45) – Mercedes Moné’s belt collection: harmful, not helpful

• (11:20) – Lack of women’s promos or storyline retaliation

• (13:30) – AEW creative laziness with Monet vs Toni Storm

• (17:00) – Asking the real AEW storytelling question

• (22:00) – New Japan Strong mismanagement + opportunities lost

• (30:00) – Dominion fallout: DOUKI, Bullet Club, War Dogs

• (35:00) – Gabe Kidd’s confusing direction + Moxley ties

• (42:00) – G1 35 blocks feel underwhelming and rushed

• (46:00) – Why NJPW must elevate new talent and stop relying on AEW

Welcome to the Squared Circle Podcast with your host Marie Shadows! This is ep 1 of Ringology!

Ringology:Smart match analysis & storytelling breakdowns.The classroom for wrestling minds.Industry terms, match analysis, psychology, and tape study — sharpen your wrestling IQ with thoughtful storytelling and educational insight.***

What does it really mean to be “worked” in wrestling? In the very first episode of Ringology, I break down the insider term “work” using R-Truth’s fake release and shocking WWE return as a case study. I also challenge misinformation from fans and trainees on Twitter, explain what separates a “work” from an “angle,” and tell you why it’s okay to be fooled by good storytelling.

So…🧠 What is a work?🗣️ Is it okay to get worked?🎭 And why do some people resist that so hard?

Let’s dig into it.Let’s talk about what we love in this wild world of pro wrestling.And most of all—let’s learn together.

💥 Timestamps:00:00 – Intro to Ringology + Show Mission04:17 – R-Truth’s WWE “release” and return to attack John Cena06:45 – Why WWE planned the story and how fans got “worked”08:55 – Defining “work” in pro wrestling13:00 – Twitter beef: ProWrestleTimes vs. Logan (the trainee)16:50 – The difference between “work,” “getting worked,” and “angle”20:11 – Explaining the misuse of the term “work” with real match examples27:00 – Wrestling is still a carny business: the ethical debate36:00 – Gender bias, deflection, and misusing disabilities to avoid accountability44:00 – Conclusion: Wrestling is supposed to make you feel, not prove you’re right

Welcome to the Squared Circle Podcast! I am your host Maire Shadows!

If you love the content, help me pay the bills — free or paid, your support keeps this going.

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Marie Shadows and Dos Evil return to break down MLW War Chamber 2025 in full. From the opening street fight to the closing cage war, this episode dives into the stories being told, standout performances, faction shifts, and the impact of key free agents leaving MLW. They also discuss fantasy bookings, division rebuilding, the future of Mr. Thomas, and the unique chemistry between MLW’s unlikely alliances.

📍 Featuring:

• Myron Reed vs. Ariel Dominguez

• Delmi XO vs. Shoko

• Rogue Horseman vs. Boomeria in War Chamber

• Hammerstone, Dijak, and MLW Free Agent Talk

🔥 Let us know your favorite War Chamber moment in the comments!

Timestamps:

• 0:00 – Welcome & Opening Thoughts

• 0:41 – Matt Riddle, Tom Lawlor, Street Fight Breakdown

• 2:01 – Kruger’s Path, Dijak Interference, and Giant Showdown

• 3:32 – Kwan Promo & Middleweight Division Talk

• 6:13 – Lightning Match: Myron Reed vs. Ariel Dominguez

• 8:33 – Middleweight Fantasy Booking (Javi, Fredericks, Trevor Lee)

• 11:11 – Boomeria Club Promos & Paul London’s Antics

• 13:29 – Cesar Duran & Salina de la Renta Segment

• 15:12 – Speculation on Mystery Tag Team Opponents

• 18:21 – Kojima/Akamora Tag Match Storyline

• 22:02 – Alex Hammerstone’s Promo & Summer of the Beast Plug

• 23:00 – Rogue Horseman Promo (Brock Anderson Takes Lead)

• 26:32 – Shoko vs. Delmi XO for the Featherweight Title

• 30:15 – Main Event: War Chamber Breakdown

• 36:22 – BRG Turns on Brock Anderson | Smoothest DDT Ever

• 37:55 – Reflections on Alex Kane, BRG, Delmi XO, and Departures

• 43:00 – Locker Room Culture & Behind-the-Scenes Memories