⚠️ Disclaimer: This show contains strong opinions, adult language, and deeply unserious takes about very serious wrestling things. The views expressed are personal opinions for entertainment and discussion purposes.
🌐 Visit: www.thisisnotashootpodcast.com

Special Guest: Rick Elsey

This week, we go deeper.

Season 2, Episode 7 of This Is Not a Shoot Podcast isn’t just about match results — it’s about respect, legacy, and emotional investment in professional wrestling.

With special guest Rick Elsey at the table, we unpack the psychology of territory wrestling, what modern WWE and AEW sometimes miss, and why real heat still matters.

🔥 Booked or Cooked

Garrett highlights the AJ Styles tribute on WWE Raw, featuring Frankie Kazarian and Abyss — a rare example of respectful presentation done right. Legacy elevated. Emotion protected. Wrestling at its best.

Honorable mention goes to Dragon Lee rising against Gunther, building long-term credibility in a way that feels intentional.

But not everything is working.

Matt Cardona shifting into the United States Title scene after chasing the WWE Championship? It feels inconsistent. And Cody calls out WWE blocking watch parties as a move that hurts fan engagement.

Rick adds a worker’s lens on how booking decisions impact credibility inside and outside the ring.

👑 Ring Queens

Stephen delivers his Top 5 women in wrestling based on momentum and performance. Rick weighs in on crowd presence, believability, and what makes someone truly feel like a star — not just a featured talent.

🎥 Film Room (Anchor Segment)
The Fabulous Freebirds vs. The Von Erichs

This is the heart of the episode.

We break down:

• The cage door moment

• Texas territory heat

• Emotional realism in wrestling

• Why it felt legitimately dangerous

• Territory psychology versus modern spectacle

Rick drives much of the storytelling here, connecting past and present wrestling philosophies in a way that hits hard.

🤠 High Noon Trials

Trial Topic:
Is professional wrestling guilty of killing the finisher?

Multiple kick-outs. False finishes everywhere. Spectacle over protection. Has modern booking diluted what used to mean “it’s over”?

Rick gives the in-ring perspective.
Garrett and Stephen argue both sides.
Cody issues the final verdict.

🎭 Curtain Call

Final reflections on territory psychology, protecting the business, and what modern wrestling can learn from its past.

If you care about:

• WWE booking philosophy

• Wrestling psychology

• Territory-era storytelling

• The Von Erichs and the Freebirds rivalry

• Protecting finishers

• AJ Styles legacy

• Modern wrestling versus old-school heat

This episode is for you.

Because real heat isn’t noise.
It’s emotional investment.

🎙 Season 2, Episode 7: Territory Heat

⚠️ Disclaimer: This show contains strong opinions, adult language, and deeply unserious takes about very serious wrestling things. Listener discretion is advised.
🌐 Visit: www.thisisnotashootpodcast.com

Special Guest: Lee Gonzalez (Lee XL)

This week isn’t about wins and losses.

It’s about commitment.

Storylines. Title reigns. Promos. Characters. When wrestling commits, it thrives. When it panics, it collapses. And with special guest Lee Gonzalez (Lee XL) at the table, we break down what real commitment in professional wrestling actually looks like — from a wrestler’s perspective.

🔥 Booked or Cooked
Garrett opens with a deep dive into CM Punk’s layered storytelling with Roman Reigns and Finn Bálor — old-school psychology, meaningful promos, and elevating Balor back into a credible main-event threat.

Then we flip the coin.

Tommaso Ciampa’s 11-day title reign ending against Kyle Fletcher? The match was solid — but the short reign undercut momentum and weakened the championship’s importance. Commitment matters.

Each host delivers their takes, and Lee XL adds real in-ring insight on what works inside the ropes versus what just sounds good in a writers’ room.

👑 Ring Queens
Stephen drops his Top 5 women of the week based on momentum and performance. Lee weighs in on presence versus execution — what separates a star from someone just getting screen time?

🎥 Film Room
Cody leads a storytelling-focused match breakdown. Structure, pacing, crowd psychology, escalation — and Lee adds the wrestler’s lens on what actually makes a match click.

🤠 High Noon Trials
A wrestler or booking philosophy goes on trial. Arguments are made. Verdicts are delivered. Cody drops the ruling. Lee provides perspective before the gavel hits.

🌀 Weird AF
Billy & Chuck’s wedding.
Weeks of build. A full in-ring ceremony. Eric Bischoff’s reveal. 3 Minute Warning chaos. Shock value… and then nothing. The perfect example of wrestling committing fully — then immediately backing out.

🎭 Curtain Call
A reflective close on storytelling, momentum, and why commitment is the most important currency in wrestling. Appreciation for Lee XL and where to follow his journey.

If you’re into:

• WWE booking analysis

• Wrestling psychology breakdowns

• CM Punk vs Roman Reigns promo analysis

• Finn Bálor title momentum

• AEW and NXT storyline critique

• Indie wrestler perspective

• Long-form wrestling discussion

This episode is for you.

Because in wrestling — like in life — commitment is everything.

🎙 Season 2, Episode 6: Commitment Issues

⚠️ Disclaimer: This show contains strong opinions, adult language, and deeply unserious takes about very serious wrestling things. Listener discretion is advised.
🌐 Visit: www.thisisnotashootpodcast.com

🎙️ Season 2, Episode 5 – “Fog Machines & Foolishness”
Presented by This Is Not a Shoot Podcast

We’re back with a loaded episode full of hot takes, strong praise, and Dungeon of Doom-level nonsense. Garrett opens the fire with Booked or Cooked, spotlighting Sol Ruca’s legit rise and Kit Wilson’s stop-start spiral. Stephen crowns a brand new Ring Queen, then takes us into the Film Room for a thoughtful breakdown of pacing and purpose in one of wrestling’s most interesting recent matches.

Cody returns to the courtroom for another edition of High Noon Trials, but it’s Garrett who brings the chaos with a Weird AF deep dive into WCW’s ridiculous Dungeon of Doom era — fog machines, Taskmaster cults, and mummies, oh my.

Whether you’re here for the booking analysis, character work, or just the pure wrestling absurdity, this episode has something for every kind of fan.

🧠 Smart talk.
🔥 Strong opinions.
💀 Mummies for some reason.

🔗 New episodes weekly. No holds barred.
📲 Follow us everywhere @ThisIsNotAShoot
🎧 Listen, rate, and tell your wrestling group chat.

#WWE #AEW #WWENXT #ProWrestlingPodcast #DungeonOfDoom #SolRuca #RingQueens #WrestlingTikTok #WrestlingAnalysis #IndieWrestling #WrestlingFans #WrestlingCommentary

The dust has settled. The 2026 Royal Rumble shook the WWE universe — and This Is Not a Shoot Podcast is here to break down everything that changed.

🎙 In this explosive Fallout-heavy episode, the crew unpacks a night that ended AJ Styles' career, launched Oba Femi into the spotlight, and crowned Roman Reigns and Liv Morgan as WrestleMania-bound.

💥 Fallout takes center stage, brought to you by Lubbock Pro Wrestling 101:

• Roman Reigns dominates the Men’s Royal Rumble

• Liv Morgan shocks the world in the Women’s Royal Rumble

• Gunther retires AJ Styles in a brutal career-ending match

• Drew McIntyre retains the Undisputed Championship

• Oba Femi turns heads as the breakout Rumble monster

🔥 In Booked or Cooked, Cody calls out Oba’s instant credibility while questioning WWE’s treatment of Matt Cardona.

👑 Ring Queens delivers a fresh Top 5 in women’s wrestling, with momentum shifts post-Rumble.

🎥 In Film Room, Garrett walks us through Shawn Michaels vs. Razor Ramon from WrestleMania — the match that made ladders legendary.

⚖️ High Noon Trials puts one Royal Rumble decision on the stand for trial. Garrett and Stephen debate. Cody rules.

🎭 Curtain Call wraps the episode with what’s coming next on the road to WrestleMania.

Whether you're deep in the WWE booking weeds, hyped about Liv Morgan’s rise, or heartbroken over AJ Styles’ sendoff, this episode delivers insight, banter, and sharp takes.

Tap in, follow the pod, and get ready — WrestleMania season has begun.

The Baddy Daddy returns — and This Is Not a Shoot Podcast feels whole again.

In this jam-packed wrestling podcast episode, the crew breaks down the WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event and everything it shifted heading into Raw and the Royal Rumble build.

We’re talking:

• Sami Zayn winning the Fatal 4-Way and punching his ticket to a World Heavyweight Championship match

• AJ Styles vs. Shinsuke Nakamura stealing the show with high-level psychology and pacing

• Cody Rhodes vs. Jacob Fatu ending in chaos — and setting up one of the wildest feuds in recent WWE memory

• Rhea Ripley & IYO SKY continuing their dominance as WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions

🔥 In Booked or Cooked, Cody praises AJ Styles’ upcoming title shot — but questions the long-term value of Sami Zayn’s win.

👑 Ring Queens returns with Stephen’s updated Top 5 women in wrestling, spotlighting this week’s biggest riser, reigning queen, and surprise faller.

🎥 Film Room breaks down one of wrestling’s most emotional matches — with deep insight on match structure, crowd psychology, and why it holds up.

🤠 High Noon Trials is back as Cody puts a polarizing decision on the stand. Garrett and Stephen debate and the gavel drops.

🎭 Curtain Call closes the show with final thoughts, bold predictions, and what to watch as the road to Rumble heats up.

Whether you’re into WWE, indie wrestling, or just love hearing strong takes with real chemistry, this is where you wanna be.

Follow now — and don’t miss a single episode.

The Baddy Daddy is out this week — and chaos takes the wheel. With Garrett missing from the table, Cowboy Cody and Doctor Stephen hold it down, bringing unfiltered energy, strong opinions, and just enough nonsense to keep things unpredictable.

🔥 Booked or Cooked opens the show as Cody leads the charge. Finn Bálor vs. CM Punk in Ireland? Booked. Matt Cardona earning a title shot? Booked. But there’s still plenty to cook — and Garrett’s not here to stop the heat.

👑 Ring Queens reigns supreme as Stephen unveils his updated Top 5 women’s wrestlers of the week. Momentum shifts, surprise risers, and a reigning Queen who's holding on tight.

🎥 Film Room takes center stage with Cody guiding a breakdown of one of wrestling’s most iconic matches — frame by frame. What worked, what didn’t, and whether the legacy still holds.

With the Baddy Daddy out of office, the gloves are off.

Click play and find out what happens when Daddy’s Missing.

Season 2 is here — new format, same chaos.
In our Season 2 premiere of This Is Not a Shoot Podcast, the crew is back with a sharper format, stronger takes, and absolutely zero patience for bad booking. From a Stranger Things crossover on Raw to Matt Cardona’s shocking return, we break down the best (and worst) in the wrestling world this week.

We’re calling it now: this season hits different.

💥 Fallout
We break down the January 5th Stranger Things–themed Raw and what actually changed:

• Becky Lynch claims the Women’s Intercontinental Championship

• Rhea Ripley & IYO SKY take tag team gold

• CM Punk fends off Bron Breakker

• And AJ Styles slaps Gunther into a new rivalry
  Garrett drops a Wreckage Level 4 rating — title shifts, tension, and fallout worth talking about.

🔥 Booked or Cooked (with Cody)

• BOOKED: Matt Cardona’s return brings instant energy

• COOKED: Finn Bálor’s absence and Chelsea Green’s U.S. Title loss leave us asking… why now?

👑 Ring Queens
Dr. Stephen returns with a sharp Top 5 women’s rankings — with major movement at the top. One Queen reigns, but a few contenders are rising fast.

🎥 Film Room
We rewatch Stone Cold Steve Austin vs. The Rock at WrestleMania X-Seven and break it down in real time. Chair shots, crowd heat, Vince McMahon, and one infamous heel turn — did it elevate the match or taint it forever?

🤠 High Noon Trials
Cowboy Cody puts a questionable booking decision on trial.
Garrett and Stephen give their verdicts — but Cody’s got the final say.

🌀 Weird AF
Remember the Anonymous Raw General Manager?
We revisit one of WWE’s strangest plotlines ever — the laptop, the mystery, the email dings… and that Hornswoggle payoff.
Live reactions included.

🎭 Curtain Call
Dr. Stephen closes the episode with key takeaways and what to expect from Episode 2. The stories are evolving — and we’re just getting started.

🎧 Available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and wherever wrestling fans gather to yell about booking decisions.

#WrestlingPodcast #WWERaw #Season2Premiere #MattCardona #CMpunk #BeckyLynch #RingQueens #BookedOrCooked #WrestleManiaXSeven #WrestlingDebate #ProWrestling #WWE #AJStyles #Gunther #ChelseaGreen #ThisIsNotAShootPodcast #WeirdAF #FilmRoom #IndependentWrestling #WrestlingTakes

🔥 Segments This Episode:

TNA just leveled up. NXT Deadline shook the NXT universe. And Dr. Stephen? He’s out here causing problems again.

In Episode 21 of This Is Not a Shoot Podcast, we’re back in the studio breaking down the best, the worst, and the flat-out unhinged moments from a packed week in pro wrestling. With the debut of new stars, controversial booking calls, and one loud-mouthed doctor, this episode hits harder than a sledgehammer to the push.

💥 FALLOUT: NXT Deadline 2025
We unpack the impact of NXT's latest premium live event:

• Oba Femi regains the NXT Championship

• Kendal Grey and Je’Von Evans make big moves in the Iron Survivor Challenges

• Ethan Page continues to hold it down as North American Champ

• And a few top names are left trying to pick up the pieces
  Garrett rates it a Wreckage Level 4 — big shifts with serious potential.

🔥 BOOKED OR COOKED

• BOOKED: TNA lands a huge AMC partnership and Frankie Kazarian finally gets his flowers

• COOKED: The Usos dropping back into tag team action — why now?

👑 RING QUEENS
Dr. Stephen returns with another spicy Top 5 — and the reigning Queen has reclaimed her crown.
Expect some surprising shifts, rising stars, and a few eyebrow-raising placements (because of course).

🤠 SADDLE UP OR BUCK OFF – The Cowboy Debate
Cody throws 5 wrestlers in the ring — Garrett and Stephen must decide to saddle up or buck off.
The twist? There’s no Saddle King this week.
Only the Ranch Reject… and someone definitely earned it.

🌀 WEIRD AF
The Doctor may have been bad, but this story is worse.
Garrett drops a real-life wrestling tale that gets weirder by the second.
One of those “this actually aired on TV?” moments that leaves everyone questioning their life choices.

🏁 FINAL FALL
We wrap with closing thoughts, tease what’s coming next, and plug the return of Dark Match — our bonus pod highlighting indie wrestling talent from around the world.

🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and wherever wrestling fans go to yell at their screens.

#WrestlingPodcast #WWE #AEW #TNA #NXTDeadline2025 #RingQueens #BookedOrCooked #SaddleUpOrBuckOff #WeirdAF #ProWrestlingPodcast #Kazarian #EthanPage #JeVonEvans #ObaFemi #WrestlingRecap #IndieWrestling #WrestlingTakes #ThisIsNotAShootPodcast

🔥 This Week’s Breakdown: