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

Welcome to the Squared Circle Podcast! I am your host Marie Shadows! Joining me on this epsiode where we talk about what is wrong with AEW and how to fix it is the lovely Courtney Rice from Women's Wrestling Talk! We deep dive into a lot of things! But first, we must pay the bills! Help us keep the content going with free and paid features that are budget friendly!

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Spotify now has a comment section! Drop your thoughts below! Follow the Spotify Squared Circle Podcast channel!

🎙 In this episode of the Squared Circle Podcast, Marie Shadows is joined by Courtney from Women’s Wrestling Talk for a full AEW breakdown. They cover Darby Allin’s potential return, the upcoming Omega vs Okada clash, and dive deep into what’s going wrong—and right—in the AEW women’s division. From fantasy booking to PR failures, no topic is off-limits.

Topics Covered:

• Darby Allin fantasy booking and NJPW crossover potential

• Concerns about Omega vs Okada at All In Texas

• Why the unified title is confusing and unnecessary

• AEW’s lack of story structure and clear booking direction

• How AEW can fix the women’s division

• The importance of PR, influencers, and vlogs in wrestling today

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

A deep dive into Gabe Kidd’s chaotic character shift, AEW’s inconsistent storytelling, and why fans are struggling to suspend disbelief.

In this passionate episode of the Squared Circle Podcast, Marie Shadows tackles the inconsistencies in Gabe Kidd's recent storytelling arc—especially his alliance with Jon Moxley after proclaiming loyalty to NJPW and Bullet Club War Dogs. Marie breaks down kayfabe logic, character psychology, and the missed beats in AEW's storytelling framework. This episode explores not just the creative struggles behind the scenes, but also the creative mindset required to maintain strong wrestling narratives.

🧠 Topics Covered:

• Gabe Kidd’s character integrity

• Why AEW storytelling feels inconsistent

• Bullet Club War Dogs fallout

• Kayfabe vs Reality

• Wrestling’s creative direction

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Welcome to the Squared Circle Podcast!

https://youtube.com/squaredcirclepodcast

https://marieshadows.substack.com

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https://marieshadows-shop.fourthwall.com

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***

In this episode, Marie Shadows breaks down R-Truth’s shocking return and what it reveals about WWE’s evolving narrative mastery. She dives into the blurred lines between kayfabe and reality, the echo chamber of wrestling media, and why fans should question what they’re being fed. Bonus takes on Jey Uso's booking, Trick Williams becoming TNA Champ, and the power of storytelling that still surprises us. It’s raw, real, and unfiltered—just like the Squared Circle Podcast always is.

💬 Topics:

• The art of the work (and how it fooled us all)

• Why Cena holding the title could be the end of a legacy

• Trick Williams is the new TNA World Heavyweight Champ?!

• Jey Uso deserves better — let's talk about it

• A warning to fans about who you give your time & money to

👀 Comment below: Who do you think should dethrone John Cena?
🛒 Merch Sale for Father's Day happening now!

📱Follow me everywhere: @Marie_Shadows / @urfavmarieshadows
🎙️ Subscribe, comment, and hit that bell!

Welcome to the Squared Circle Podcast with your host Marie Shadows!

Is it Kwon's time?

Key Podcast Summary Notes & Timestamps:

• [00:00:00] Intro + Banter
  Marie Shadows and Dos Evil discuss intergender podcast titles and the mythical undefeated "Vacant."

• [00:00:55] Match 1 – Tag Team Title Bout
  Los Depredados vs. Blue & Dark Panther. Clunky pacing, awkward ref spots, botched low blow finish.

• [00:04:55] Thoughts on Lucha Style & Crowd Energy
  Confused Cicero crowd, slow match energy, and commentary love for Austin Aries.

• [00:10:26] Mystico’s Return & Templario Segment
  Templario shows NJPW Strong Tag Title. Marie & Dos speculate on future feuds and Cesar Duran’s subtle heel lean.

• [00:17:01] Match 2 – Hammerstone vs. Kojima
  Heavyweight clash; great dropkick, Hammerstone wins. Post-match promo sets up his title chase.

• [00:21:49] Myron Reed Returns
  Kills Azteca 13, claims he's back. Cold crowd response, good long-term upside.

• [00:25:36] Lucha Tag Match (Atlantis, Esfinge)
  Veterans and Sphinx shine; Marie calls for Esfinge's solo push.

• [00:31:36] Rogue Horsemen Segment
  BRG challenges Bouma Ye to War Chamber. Inter-team tension with Brock Anderson stepping up.

• [00:35:36] Triple Threat – Guerrero vs. Caveman vs. Zandokan Jr.
  Fast-paced and entertaining. Guerrero retains. Hammerstone attacks to ignite feud.

• [00:40:00] Main Event – Matt Riddle vs. Dijak (World Title)
  Hard-hitting match. Krug’s interference costs Dijak. Riddle retains.

• [00:42:00] Final Thoughts
  MLW trying to balance Lucha traditions with U.S. indie style. June 7th = War Chamber + NXT vs AAA. Lucha overload ahead!

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