Welcome to the Squared Circle Podcast with your host Marie Shadows. Marie Shadow catches you up on her life and talk about TKO/WWE + WrestleMania review + a mini NJPW conversation.

Video is available on:

https://marieshadows.substack.com

https://youtube.com/squaredcirclepodcast

***

Marie Shadows returns to the Square Circle Podcast with a Substack-exclusive episode breaking down the deeper realities behind WWE’s current direction under TKO.

From WrestleMania’s presentation and ad-heavy structure to the real role of advertisers and the influence of social media personalities, this episode challenges surface-level wrestling discourse and pushes listeners to think critically about how the industry actually operates.

 * TKO’s influence on WWE and why it doesn’t align with wrestling’s structure
 * WrestleMania in Las Vegas and the idea of “safe” corporate environments
 * Why advertisers — not ticket sales — drive the business
 * The illusion of fan outrage vs real financial impact
 * Influencers, access, and why industry change rarely happens
 * Match quality vs ad placement and pacing issues
 * WWE releases and shifting philosophy toward athletes vs wrestlers

 * WWE is being treated like a fight promotion instead of a storytelling engine
 * Advertisers dictate more than fans realize
 * Complaining without action changes nothing
 * Influencer culture is tied to access, not advocacy
 * WrestleMania is shifting toward spectacle over substance

Notable Quote: “They already got paid.”



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Join the conversation about wrestling industry structure, not just surface-level takes

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TKO Needs to Take a Step Back — What WrestleMania Actually Showed Us

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

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Please leave a comment, share, and listen! Thank you!

***In this episode of Square Circle Podcast, Evil and I dive into the chaotic excitement of Battle Riot — an event that felt like the Super Bowl of wrestling. With Evil fresh off the event and me soaking in all the drama from home, we’re breaking down the action, surprises, and big moments that went down.Timestamps:

[00:00] – Intro
Marie Shadows and Dos Evil open the show and set the tone for a full Battle Riot breakdown from start to finish.

[03:15] – Overall Feel of Battle Riot
First impressions of the event. Did it feel structured? Did it feel like MLW’s tentpole show? Discussion on pacing and presentation.

[08:40] – Early Card Match Reactions
Quick breakdown of the opening matches, in-ring quality, and what felt like setup versus payoff.

[15:20] – Middleweight Championship Match
Full discussion of Kushida winning the MLW Middleweight Championship.
Why Marie and Dos Evil have been advocating for Kwon to win the title — and how Kushida taking it shifts the division.

[23:10] – Kushida Joins Contra
The bigger twist of the night.
What Kushida aligning with Contra means for the faction, the championship, and especially for Kwon’s trajectory.

[30:45] – Kwon’s Position Moving Forward
Is this delay building something bigger?
What this means politically within the division and how Kwon fits into the evolving picture.

[38:00] – The Battle Riot Match Breakdown
Structure of the Riot match.
Key eliminations.
Who gained momentum even without winning.

[48:30] – Standout Performances & Momentum Shifts
Who elevated themselves on this card?
Who feels positioned for the next step?

[55:10] – MLW’s Direction After Battle Riot
Does this show feel like a reset?
Where the major storylines seem to be heading.

[1:02:00] – Final Thoughts
Closing reflections on Battle Riot, Kushida as champion, Contra’s evolution, and what needs to happen next.

What Happened at MLW's Battle Riot 2026? New Era with Kross and Contra Unit!

Welcome to the Squared Circle Podcat by your host Marie Shadows!

Squared Circle Podcast and Discord Notes will be on Patreon and Rumble! Youtube has made my videos stagnat! Join me over at Rumble and Patreon! Any support helps keep me independent! See you in chat!

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In this episode, Marie Shadows breaks down WWE's Royal Rumble 2026 from Riyadh, calling out fanboys for blind acceptance, critiquing Gunther's "career killer" gimmick, AJ Styles' retirement match, and John Cena's lackluster final bout.

She ties it all to bigger issues in wrestling fandom, nuclear heat in 2026, and why pushing back matters.

Plus, promos for Patreon exclusives like Tape Study and Discord Notes.

Make sure to like, subscribe, and comment—did AJ's retirement feel wrong to you? Follow on Spotify for more reviews.

Support on Patreon (patreon.com/MarieShadows) for unlimited Tape Study, JCW Lunacy breakdowns, and Discord Notes archives.

Check uncensored content on Rumble.com/user/MarieShadows.

Timestamps:

00:00:02 - Intro: Dislike for WWE fanboys accepting everything without pushback

00:00:47 - Real fans' valid dissatisfaction vs. complainers

00:01:11 - John Cena's final match: Worst ever, full breakdown on Patreon

00:01:37 - Patreon promo: Free follows, $7.50 tier for exclusives

00:02:44 - Welcome to Square Circle Podcast: Royal Rumble review

00:03:00 - WWE's bad decisions tying Cena's match to Rumble issues

00:03:37 - Gunther as "career killer": Doesn't make sense at 38

00:04:44 - No true nuclear heat in 2026 wrestling (except JCW Lunacy)

00:06:21 - Fanboy reactions to Cena's match: Gaslighting valid feelings

00:07:42 - Tournament for Cena's opponent was lame—should've played the hits

00:08:53 - AJ Styles' retirement at Rumble: Not accepting it yet

00:09:28 - Gunther vs. AJ should've been Cena's match level

00:10:04 - Wrestling subject to change—don't accept retirements blindly

00:11:07 - Rumble matches overview: Men's (Roman wins), Women's (Liv wins)

00:12:19 - Saudi Arabia hosting: Fan hypocrisy on human rights

00:15:02 - Gunther doesn't have nuclear heat—boos are superficial

00:17:13 - Don't let fanboys bully you into liking bad booking

00:18:50 - Rumble got a genuine reaction from me—WWE did its job

00:20:33 - Outro: Comments, polls, follow on Spotify

00:21:58 - Promotions: Rumble, Patreon, Substack, YouTube

00:23:26 - Discord Notes promo: Ep 10 on ICE "whitewashing" and Ava tweet

00:26:13 - Patreon value: Honest feedback, no sugarcoating

00:28:37 - Why Discord Notes exists: Uncomfortable conversations for growth

00:30:03 - Final thanks and sign-off

Gunther's Career K*ller Gimmick & WWE Fanboys Exposed – Royal Rumble 2026 Breakdown 

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

Visit:

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In this episode of the Square Circle Podcast, I break down Wrestle Kingdom 20 (January 4, 2026), focusing on the chaotic NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag "Ranbo" opener and the IWGP/STRONG Women's title match between Syuri and Saya Kamitani.

I also go in-depth on why activist commentary (feminism, "women fighting for visibility") feels out of place in NJPW, cultural respect for Japan, why the women's titles feel like an afterthought, and how Stardom can headline the Tokyo Dome on merit—not gender narratives.

Timestamps:

0:00 - Intro & Wrestle Kingdom 20 overview

1:45 - NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag "Ranbo" (Zack Sabre Jr., Oiwa & Hartley win)

4:20 - The IWGP Women's & STRONG Women's title match (Syuri becomes double champ)

7:10 - Rant starts: Commentary activism & inserting "woke" narratives

12:30 - Respecting Japanese culture vs. American ideology imports

18:45 - Why the IWGP Women's title exists + Stardom as separate division

25:10 - Merit over gender quotas; Stardom selling out Tokyo Dome on its own

32:00 - Women's wrestling observations: safety, training, storytelling

40:15 - Final thoughts: Retire the titles? Revive NJPW Strong?

45:50 - Outro & call to action

If you're tired of forced narratives and want real talk on wrestling, hit like/subscribe/comment your thoughts below. No brainwashing here—just passion for the squared circle.





NJPW Commentary Gone Woke? Wrestle Kingdom 20 Women's Match & Feminism Rant

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

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Dive into my raw take on Wrestle Kingdom 20's fatal four-way match for Doki's IWGP Junior Heavyweight contendership: El Desperado vs. Taiji Ishimori vs. Sho vs. Kosei Fujita. Plus, my rant on why commentary (Walker Stewart) is killing kayfabe with lectures and fake outrage. Heels like Doki deserve better—let's talk real wrestling!

Timestamps:

00:00:00 - Intro to the Episode and Wrestle Kingdom 20

00:00:32 - Open Mind Warning and Commentary Issues

00:01:36 - Human Nature vs. Utopia Lectures

00:02:50 - Individuality and Why We Don't All Agree

00:03:27 - Rant on Fake Outrage and Woke Commentary

00:04:50 - Doki's Quote and Walker's Lecture

00:06:11 - Heels Being Heels: Kayfabe Explained

00:07:53 - Doki's Confidence vs. Tanahashi's Tour

00:09:17 - Destroying Characters with Lectures

00:10:34 - Why Vince Was in Commentators' Ears

00:12:15 - Japanese vs. English Commentary Preference

00:13:33 - Heels Can't Be Heels Anymore

00:15:03 - Veda Scott Commentary Example

00:16:25 - Commentary's True Job: Storytelling

00:17:21 - Match Breakdown Starts

00:18:58 - Why Not Sho vs. Doki? Storytelling Potential

00:20:54 - Match Action: Attacks, Teams, Shenanigans

00:22:57 - House Interference and Commentary Whining

00:24:10 - Enjoy Wrestling as Escape

00:25:52 - Robbie Eagles & X Help Out

00:26:05 - El Desperado Wins: My Thoughts

00:27:00 - Fantasy Booking Sho vs. Doki

00:29:04 - Elevating House of Torture's Playbook

00:31:02 - Master Wato Deserves a Shot

00:31:37 - Final Rant: No Activists on Commentary

00:33:51 - Respect Individuality

00:34:56 - Outro and See You Next Time

Douki Just Buried Tanahashi's Retirement…And Commentary Had a Meltdown | Despe vs Douki Next! WK 20 review 

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

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In this episode of the Square Circle Podcast, I break down that chaotic ten-man tag from Wrestle Kingdom 20: Bullet Club War Dogs (David Finlay, Gabe Kidd, Drilla Moloney) teaming with the unaffiliated LIJ pieces (Shingo Takagi & Hiromu Takahashi) against a rebuilt United Empire (Callum Newman, Great-O-Khan, HENARE, Andrade El Idolo, Jake Lee).

HENARE is completely exempt—he’s a warrior, loyal as hell, and the only one I still fully believe in. The match had wild energy—twisting corkscrews from Andrade, DDTs and suplexes from Shingo, Drilla Killer, stunners, spinebusters, Finlay & Hiromu using each other as human weapons (their classic circumstantial teammate dynamic). But the finish? Jake Lee hits a big boot on Hiromu for the clean pin—abrupt, flat, and one of the weakest endings I’ve seen for a match with this much built-in heat.

The story was Callum vs. Finlay—why not let one of them get the decisive fall? That layup was right there. Post-match, Francesco Akira returns in a hoodie, superkicks Hiromu, unmasks… and gets zero pop. It just fell flat.

The bigger issue: lost identities. United Empire used to have class, structure, and purpose—Ospreay & Fletcher leaving wrecked it, no real handover, now random additions like Andrade funding and Jake Lee jumping over.

What does it even stand for anymore? Callum’s whiny brat heel push has emotion but no control. Bullet Club War Dogs + Unaffiliated are floating too—fractured after Naito/Bushi, Tsuji didn’t seize his moment. Both sides drifting, no direction, no convictions.

New Japan needs urgency in storytelling again. If Callum had swung a chair at Ospreay during New Year’s Dash instead of hugging it out? Real teacher-vs-student arc. That’s the fire we’re missing.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro & Why These 5-on-5 Matches Feel Off

01:20 - HENARE Exempt – Warrior Forever

02:45 - United Empire in Shambles: Ospreay/Fletcher Exit, Drama, Lost Identity

07:10 - Callum Newman’s Heel Turn – Growth or Just Whiny Brat?

11:30 - Bullet Club War Dogs + Unaffiliated LIJ: Floating & Directionless

14:50 - Match Highlights – Chaos, Double Teams, Human Weapons

19:00 - Commentary Rant: Stop Acting Shocked at Finlay/Hiromu

22:40 - The Abrupt Finish: Jake Lee Pins Hiromu – Weakest Ever?

26:15 - Francesco Akira Return Falls Completely Flat

29:00 - Lost Identities: Factions Need Meaning & Convictions

32:30 - Final Thoughts – Faith in HENARE, Frustration with the Rest

35:00 - Call to Action: Comment, Like, Subscribe, Join Patreon

What did you think of the finish? Should Callum have pinned Finlay? Drop your thoughts below—keep it civil!

Jake Lee Pins Hiromu – Worst Finish Ever? Bullet Club War Dogs With Unaffiliated vs United Empire WK 20 Review

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

Please support via these links!

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Aaron Wolf shocked the wrestling world by winning the NEVER Openweight Championship in his NJPW pro wrestling debut against EVIL at Wrestle Kingdom 20.

Olympic judo gold medalist to champion in one match? Bold move... but is it good booking?

In this episode of the Square Circle Podcast, I break down why I'm not a fan of Aaron Wolf... yet. From the pre-shaved head twist killing the stipulation stakes, to the kayfabe issues of a newcomer surviving full House of Torture chaos, to EVIL being the ultimate selfless company man — we dive deep.

I also discuss the NEVER title's faded relevance in 2026, why the Young Lion system needs rethinking (Tanahashi's WWE envy is telling), and NJPW's bigger problems with faction stagnation and uneven pushes.

Timestamps:

0:00 – Intro & my stance: Not a fan of Aaron Wolf... yet

1:45 – NEVER Openweight history & why it feels outdated now

4:20 – Aaron Wolf's background vs. NJPW's newcomer model

7:10 – The buildup & that hair-shaving stipulation nonsense

9:50 – Match breakdown: House of Torture shenanigans overload

13:30 – Kayfabe problems — how does a debutant survive all that?

17:05 – EVIL appreciation: The Miz of NJPW, selfless vet

20:15 – Young Lion system critique (too long, too rigid)

24:40 – Broader NJPW issues: Factions, loyalty, and pushing the wrong people

28:20 – Final thoughts & hope on the horizon (Tsuji as champ)

30:45 – Upcoming: April 6, 2026 NJPW Las Vegas event

32:00 – Outro & call to comment/subscribe

Aaron Wolf Beats EVIL for NEVER Championship – Bold Debut or Forced Push?

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

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In this episode of the Square Circle Podcast, I break down Yota Tsuji defeating Konosuke Takeshita at Wrestle Kingdom 20 to become double IWGP World Heavyweight & Global Heavyweight Champion in front of 46,913 in the sold-out Tokyo Dome.

We go match psychology, storytelling, why Tsuji targeted the gut, the stinger spot that almost derailed him, why the Boston Crab finish was perfect NJPW essence, Konosuke actually being decent for once (thanks to Tsuji leading), post-match Jake Lee attack (now United Empire), and Tsuji's NJPW interview insights on philosophies clashing, Young Lions, and keeping the Dome sold out every year.No AEW coattails needed. Tsuji earned this. He's my champion.

Timestamps below

0:00 – Intro & Wrestle Kingdom 20 attendance / no two-night nonsense

2:00 – Why Tsuji has always been my guy (since Sonata days)

4:30 – My issues with Konosuke (no-selling, no psychology, "alpha" talk)

7:00 – Match breakdown starts: chain wrestling, dare spot, early equality

10:30 – Brain buster stinger – Tsuji hurt, pace thrown off

13:00 – Konosuke advantage, apron spots (stop apron bumps!)

15:30 – Tsuji comeback, Gene Blaster double down (allowed this time)

18:00 – Gut work psychology – weaken the core

21:00 – Big spots: reverse Canadian Destroyer, Blue Thunder Bomb, Guerrero Special

24:00 – Finish: Boston Crab on hurt gut – Tsuji wins!

27:00 – Post-match Jake Lee big boot, United Empire angle

29:00 – Tsuji NJPW interview key points (philosophies, stinger, Boston Crab meaning)

33:00 – Unbound Co. explanation & Bullet Club thoughts

37:00 – Tanahashi loyalty, AEW partnership rant, future Dome sellouts

41:00 – Wrap-up, Patreon plug, love you guys

Tsuji vs. Konosuke at Wrestle Kingdom 20 – My IWGP Champion Finally Arrives (And Yes, He Won with the Boston Crab)

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

Season 7 kicks off going backwards through Wrestle Kingdom 20, starting with the main event: Hiroshi Tanahashi’s retirement match against Kazuchika Okada (January 4, 2026, Tokyo Dome).

Why this felt like NJPW coming back (even a little), why Okada still delivers elite psychology when motivated, the weird commentary dynamic nobody’s talking about (marching orders for Chris Charlton?), Tanahashi as the most powerful man in wrestling, why he could’ve called Nakamura but chose Okada, post-match brotherhood, the creepy ten-bell salute, and why wrist control & body-part work still matter more than flips.

I go in on AEW’s lazy Okada run, the failing NJPW-AEW partnership, bad yen excuses, immigration/culture takes, IWC negativity, and why Tanahashi retiring means he can finally president properly.

Substack: https://marieshadows.substack.com

Patreon: https://patreon.com/marieshadows

Timestamps!

00:00 – Welcome to Season 7, Happy New Year, January 24 2026

00:46 – Where to find the podcast + what’s coming in 2026

01:14 – IWC negativity, wrong labels, Marty Scurll correct story

03:29 – Cyber bullying still alive, be open-minded

04:35 – Wrestle Kingdom 20 make-or-break for NJPW, Tanahashi retirement

05:52 – Economy/yen excuses vs real issues

09:49 – Sold out because of Tanahashi, Okada wins

12:01 – Why Okada over Nakamura, Tanahashi power

13:37 – AEW partnership not benefiting NJPW (Twitter thread proof)

14:47 – Dual contracts discussion coming soon

16:39 – Tanahashi could’ve called WWE for Nakamura

19:12 – Match breakdown: wrestling, wrist control, psychology

27:54 – Why struggle > flips, working body parts

30:50 – Finish, post-match mic, brotherhood parade

32:04 – Commentary dynamic: Charlton marching orders, tension

37:00 – Walker indie/woke insertions, respect Japanese style

42:41 – Storytelling lost art in commentary

51:02 – Final thoughts, brotherhood, ten-bell creepy

53:05 – Plugs: like/share/comment/poll, Patreon, Tape Study, consultations



Tanahashi vs Okada Wrestle Kingdom 20: "Never Tired" Ace Retires to Rainmaker – NJPW Retirement Match Breakdown & Why It Hit Hard 

Welcome to Season 7 of the Squared Circle Podcast, with your host Marie Shadows!

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https://marieshadows.substack.com

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Damn, January 2026—wisdom tooth out, cold recovery, but Season 7 of the Square Circle Podcast is here! We're closing 2025 (burnout, reflections, cesspool Twitter) & charging into 2026: chasing conversations, tape study breakdowns, calling out wrestling community BS. No trendy voice—real talk on partnerships (WWE/TNA good, AEW/NJPW slimy), content creator fakeness, women's "equity" nonsense (merit over gender/skin color—fuck feminism ruining minds), and more.

Timestamps:

00:00:00 - Intro: Happy New Year, Season 7 Kickoff, and Episode Overview

00:00:51 - Reflections on 2025: Building Over Six Years, Burnout, and Looking Ahead

00:01:07 - January Update: Wisdom Tooth Recovery, No NJPW Reviews, and Smooth Healing

00:03:19 - Back to Normal: Diet Changes, Solid Foods, and Tweeting Wrestling

00:03:31 - Wrestling Community Critique: Kayfabe vs. Real Analysis, Partnerships, and True Voices

00:07:07 - Partnerships Breakdown: AEW/NJPW (No Boost, Overpaid) vs. WWE/TNA/Noah (Done Right)

00:08:51 - Content Creators: Drop Fake Voices, Longevity Over Trends, Standalone Episodes

00:11:52 - Avoiding Burnout: Balance Streaming with Essays, Mental Health Real Talk

00:13:41 - Anti-Drama Farming: Stop Clowning Meltzer/Russo/Bischoff, Debunk with Sources

00:15:40 - Original Content: Value Perspectives, Not Bullying—When Does It Stop?

00:18:19 - Cyberbullying Flip: From "Bad" to Normalized, Need a Facelift in 2026

00:19:24 - Season 7 Vision: Chasing Conversations, 30-45 Min Topics, No Overwhelm

00:20:21 - Topics Tease: Women's "Equity" BS (Merit Over Gender/Color), Fuck Feminism

00:22:46 - Men/Women as Units: Help Isn't Weakness, Destroyed Minds from Ideology

00:23:25 - Tape Study Focus: Match Breakdowns, Psychology, Under Square Circle Umbrella

00:24:45 - 2025 Burnout: Hogan/Charlie Kirk Losses, Cesspool Twitter, Lost Friends

00:26:02 - Branding Shift: Ditch Ringology, Stick with Tape Study—Open to Pros for Consults

00:26:30 - Patreon Revival: Discord Notes for Off-Topic (Current Events, Frustrations)

00:32:52 - Discord Notes Examples: Minnesota Anarchy, EBT Misinfo, Denying the Obvious

00:35:10 - JCW Lunacy Exclusives on Patreon: YouTube Copyright Issues Suck

00:37:00 - Money in Content: Transparency on Splits, Memberships, Support Options

00:39:46 - More Patreon: Tape Study Reviews, Submit Ideas (No Guarantees)

00:40:59 - Fantasy Booking/Reviews: Slow Down, Add Elements, Showcase Untouched Areas

00:42:32 - Community Building: Create Original Lanes, Confidence, Adaptability

00:50:00 - Recap: Season 7 Plans, Chasing Conversations, Tape Study Sessions Interviews

00:57:02 - Spotify 2025 Wrapped: Growth Stats, Top Episode, Awards, Partner Program Goal

01:01:07 - Content Plans: Mini Episodes, Reviews, Live Streams on Patreon/Rumble/Twitch

01:05:22 - Substack Shift: Newsletter for Write-Ups, Links to Content

01:06:30 - Wrestle Kingdom 20 Tease: New Directions, Contracts Rumors (Evil to WWE?)

01:07:54 - Timeline BS: Engagement Farming on "Who Is Evil?"—Tag Knowledgeable People

01:09:09 - Algorithm Rant: Negativity Wins, But Try Positive/Educational

01:11:47 - Community Frustrations: Unload Negativity, No Productivity, Want Authority

01:13:16 - Marty Scrull Me Too Clarification: Story Wrong, One-Time, Victim Forgave—Facts Over

Explaining Marty Scurll's Controversy (Hangman Pic Drama) + Calling Out Wrestling Twitter Drama Farming | Season 7 Launch

Everyone has a wrestling podcast. Squared Circle Podcast teaches professional wrestling by watching, talking, & breaking down all aspects of what makes wrestling fantastic. This is a daily episodic wrestling podcast show. Wrestling isn't perfect. I'm your host, Marie Shadows, a former WWE Employee now turned podcaster, twitch live streamer, interviewer, writer, & huge supporter of wrestling. If you are interested in listening to an unapologetic female host podcaster talk all things wrestling, follow the podcast & to support further click here: https://linktr.ee/marieshadows

Marie Shadows

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