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Wrestlenomics

Wrestlenomics
439 episodes   Last Updated: Jul 09, 25

Wrestlenomics covers the business of pro wrestling. Pollock & Thurston is a weekly podcast hosted by John Pollock of POST Wrestling and Wrestlenomics’ Brandon Thurston. They are often joined by a relevant guest. Wrestlenomics Radio is also available weekly for subscribers at patreon.com/wrestlenomics, and is hosted by Brandon Thurston. The video version incorporates charts and visual elements.

Episodes

John Pollock and Brandon Thurston preview the battle between AEW & WWE this weekend with three shows on Saturday.Trish Speirs joins us from The Trish and Sarah Wrestling Podcast to discuss the promotion of All In Texas, the attendance and gate figures, WWE’s opposition by placing two shows on the same day, and AEW’s overall direction after the first six months of the year. Plus, Carlos Silva shares ambitious hopes for TNA, an update in the Christopher Dispensa lawsuit against AEW & Jon Moxley, Tony Khan speaks with the media, and SmackDown falls on the 4th of July.VIDEO VERSION: https://youtube.com/live/za7pTk_Cm5cMusic courtesy: “Panic Beat” by Ben TramerPOST WrestlingSubscribe: https://postwrestling.com/subscribePatreon: http://postwrestlingcafe.comForum: https://forum.postwrestling.comDiscord: https://discord.com/invite/Q795HhRMerch: https://store.postwrestling.comTwitter/Facebook/Instagram/YouTube: @POSTwrestlingBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/postwrestling.comWrestlenomicsSubscribe: https://wrestlenomics.com/podcast/Patreon: https://patreon.com/wrestlenomicsSubstack: https://wrestlenomics.substack.com/Twitter/Facebook/Instagram/YouTube: @WrestlenomicsBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/wrestlenomics.comSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/wrestlenomics-radio2532/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
John Pollock and Brandon Thurston cover the past week involving CM Punk’s trip to Saudi Arabia, apology for past comments, and the backlash. We go into the comments made in the past, how Punk addressed them at the kickoff event, the reaction online, and Thurston’s opinion piece from earlier this week. Plus, Pollock & Thurston have exclusive details on the WWE Unreal series coming to Netflix, WWE & Vince McMahon file motions to stop the discovery phase for Janel Grant, Tony Khan discusses Q2 ratings and a return to Wembley Stadium in 2026. VIDEO VERSION: https://youtube.com/live/xNk-QCyQHw0RELATED:Opinion | From defiance to dignity: CM Punk’s redemptive turn toward nihilismhttps://www.postwrestling.com/2025/06/30/opinion-from-defiance-to-dignity-cm-punks-redemptive-turn-toward-nihilism/WWE Unreal episode descriptionshttps://www.postwrestling.com/2025/06/30/exclusive-episode-details-for-wwe-unreal-on-netflix/Motions filed by WWE & Vince McMahon to stop discoveryhttps://www.postwrestling.com/2025/06/30/wwe-vince-mcmahon-file-to-prevent-janel-grant-from-receiving-new-evidence-in-lawsuit/Music courtesy: “Panic Beat” by Ben TramerPOST WrestlingSubscribe: https://postwrestling.com/subscribePatreon: http://postwrestlingcafe.comForum: https://forum.postwrestling.comDiscord: https://discord.com/invite/Q795HhRMerch: https://store.postwrestling.comTwitter/Facebook/Instagram/YouTube: @POSTwrestlingBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/postwrestling.comWrestlenomicsSubscribe: https://wrestlenomics.com/podcast/Patreon: https://patreon.com/wrestlenomicsSubstack: https://wrestlenomics.substack.com/Twitter/Facebook/Instagram/YouTube: @WrestlenomicsBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/wrestlenomics.comSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/wrestlenomics-radio2532/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
John Pollock and Brandon Thurston discuss WWE’s return to Saudi Arabia amid political unrest in the Middle East, and speak with journalist Karim Zidan. Pollock & Thurston review the latest requests from Janel Grant for the discovery phase of her case. Stephanie McMahon sits down with WWE President Nick Khan.Additionally, Tony Khan discusses AEW’s cable audience, we examine AEW's popularity as it approaches All In, Netflix announces details for ‘WWE: Unreal’, and Zohran Mamdani’s pro wrestling tie-in.VIDEO VERSION: https://youtube.com/live/uIad1d964HsMusic courtesy: “Panic Beat” by Ben TramerPOST WrestlingSubscribe: https://postwrestling.com/subscribePatreon: http://postwrestlingcafe.comForum: https://forum.postwrestling.comDiscord: https://discord.com/invite/Q795HhRMerch: https://store.postwrestling.comTwitter/Facebook/Instagram/YouTube: @POSTwrestlingBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/postwrestling.comWrestlenomicsSubscribe: https://wrestlenomics.com/podcast/Patreon: https://patreon.com/wrestlenomicsSubstack: https://wrestlenomics.substack.com/Twitter/Facebook/Instagram/YouTube: @WrestlenomicsBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/wrestlenomics.comSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/wrestlenomics-radio2532/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
John Pollock and Brandon Thurston chat about the political identity of WWE and the promotion of CM Punk’s match in Saudi Arabia at Night of Champions.Plus, WWE & McMahons refile motions in the ring boy lawsuit, Janel Grant requests travel logs for Colker & McMahon, BKFC president details a past meeting with Vince McMahon, a lawsuit is filed against Jon Moxley & AEW, and Zuffa Boxing is official.VIDEO VERSION: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2v8hw9Ie_AgMusic courtesy: “Panic Beat” by Ben TramerPOST WrestlingSubscribe: https://postwrestling.com/subscribePatreon: http://postwrestlingcafe.comForum: https://forum.postwrestling.comDiscord: https://discord.com/invite/Q795HhRMerch: https://store.postwrestling.comTwitter/Facebook/Instagram/YouTube: @POSTwrestlingBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/postwrestling.comWrestlenomicsSubscribe: https://wrestlenomics.com/podcast/Patreon: https://patreon.com/wrestlenomicsSubstack: https://wrestlenomics.substack.com/Twitter/Facebook/Instagram/YouTube: @WrestlenomicsBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/wrestlenomics.comSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/wrestlenomics-radio2532/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
John Pollock and Brandon Thurston chat about R-Truth returning to WWE, the WBD split, WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas, and Canelo vs. Crawford.First, we examine the six days between Ron Killings stating that his WWE contract wasn’t being renewed, the ensuing fan outrage, his return at Money in the Bank, and Paul Levesque’s non-answer at the post-show press conference.Plus, WBD splitting its companies, WrestleMania 42 is confirmed for Las Vegas, Netflix lands Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford, an internal memo at TKO addresses Trump’s latest travel ban, and Vince McMahon sells more TKO stock. VIDEO VERSION: https://youtube.com/live/nDDhmZaxXU0Music courtesy: “Panic Beat” by Ben TramerPOST WrestlingSubscribe: https://postwrestling.com/subscribePatreon: http://postwrestlingcafe.comForum: https://forum.postwrestling.comDiscord: https://discord.com/invite/Q795HhRMerch: https://store.postwrestling.comTwitter/Facebook/Instagram/YouTube: @POSTwrestlingBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/postwrestling.comWrestlenomicsSubscribe: https://wrestlenomics.com/podcast/Patreon: https://patreon.com/wrestlenomicsSubstack: https://wrestlenomics.substack.com/Twitter/Facebook/Instagram/YouTube: @WrestlenomicsBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/wrestlenomics.comSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/wrestlenomics-radio2532/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
John Pollock and Brandon Thurston cover this week’s major stories, including more information on Vince McMahon’s new company, 14TH & I. Then, they chat about SmackDown staying in its three-hour format and how important the program is for the USA Network, the recent contract expirations, and what leverage points the talent possess. Plus, two more antitrust lawsuits were filed against the UFC, a report on the status of the UFC’s domestic rights negotiations, Nick Khan sells a portion of his TKO stock, more Pollstar attendance data & more.VIDEO VERSION: https://youtube.com/live/HNb6IW0Q-vgMusic courtesy: “Panic Beat” by Ben TramerPOST WrestlingSubscribe: https://postwrestling.com/subscribePatreon: http://postwrestlingcafe.comForum: https://forum.postwrestling.comDiscord: https://discord.com/invite/Q795HhRMerch: https://store.postwrestling.comTwitter/Facebook/Instagram/YouTube: @POSTwrestlingBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/postwrestling.comWrestlenomicsSubscribe: https://wrestlenomics.com/podcast/Patreon: https://patreon.com/wrestlenomicsSubstack: https://wrestlenomics.substack.com/Twitter/Facebook/Instagram/YouTube: @WrestlenomicsBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/wrestlenomics.comSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/wrestlenomics-radio2532/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
John Pollock and Brandon Thurston cover the news that WrestleMania 42 is leaving New Orleans and is expected to land in Las Vegas.They chat about Thurston’s exclusive report, WWE’s handling of the announcement, how Las Vegas is expected to land ‘Mania for the second year in a row, and the ramifications of such a significant change.Major news broke on Wednesday that Janel Grant is dropping John Laurinaitis as a defendant in her civil case, and we have additional details with a statement from her team.Plus, AEW Double or Nothing business notes and reaction, WWE confirms three major events in Atlanta for July, Vince McMahon says shareholders are overreaching, Triller is issued a delinquency letter by the Nasdaq exchange.VIDEO VERSION: https://youtube.com/live/XRRDniU9iykRELATED:WrestleMania 42 is leaving New Orleanshttps://wrestlenomics.com/articles/2025/exclusive-wrestlemania-2026-no-longer-set-for-new-orleans-local-organization-says/John Laurinaitis dropped as a defendant in Grant case https://www.postwrestling.com/2025/05/28/john-laurinaitis-dropped-as-defendant-in-janel-grant-lawsuit-against-wwe-and-vince-mcmahon/ WrestleMania Week gate figures in Las Vegas https://wrestlenomics.com/articles/2025/wwe-gates-for-arena-events-wrestlemania-week-in-las-vegas-europe-tour/WWE confirms events in Atlanta during All In Weekendhttps://www.postwrestling.com/2025/05/27/wwe-to-run-great-american-bash-at-center-stage-in-atlanta/Vince McMahon responds to shareholder lawsuit https://wrestlenomics.com/articles/2025/vince-mcmahon-says-shareholder-lawsuit-is-trying-to-harass-and-pressure-him-through-discovery-demands/Music courtesy: “Panic Beat” by Ben TramerPOST WrestlingSubscribe: https://postwrestling.com/subscribePatreon: http://postwrestlingcafe.comForum: https://forum.postwrestling.comDiscord: https://discord.com/invite/Q795HhRMerch: https://store.postwrestling.comTwitter/Facebook/Instagram/YouTube: @POSTwrestlingBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/postwrestling.comWrestlenomicsSubscribe: https://wrestlenomics.com/podcast/Patreon: https://patreon.com/wrestlenomicsSubstack: https://wrestlenomics.substack.com/Twitter/Facebook/Instagram/YouTube: @WrestlenomicsBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/wrestlenomics.comSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/wrestlenomics-radio2532/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
John Pollock and Brandon Thurston dissect the history of AEW as it heads into Double or Nothing, six years after the promotion’s first event.John and Brandon discuss the company's highs and lows since its launch, the important moments in its history, the most impactful moves, and how it affected the professional wrestling industry.Plus: WWE presents SNME & Battleground this weekend, Pollstar data on recent shows, AEW All Out in Toronto, Collision runs into technical issues, and NJPW financial notes. VIDEO VERSION: https://youtube.com/live/qmFloyUDFvgMusic courtesy: “Panic Beat” by Ben TramerPOST WrestlingSubscribe: https://postwrestling.com/subscribePatreon: http://postwrestlingcafe.comForum: https://forum.postwrestling.comDiscord: https://discord.com/invite/Q795HhRMerch: https://store.postwrestling.comTwitter/Facebook/Instagram/YouTube: @POSTwrestlingBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/postwrestling.comWrestlenomicsSubscribe: https://wrestlenomics.com/podcast/Patreon: https://patreon.com/wrestlenomicsSubstack: https://wrestlenomics.substack.com/Twitter/Facebook/Instagram/YouTube: @WrestlenomicsBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/wrestlenomics.comSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/wrestlenomics-radio2532/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
John Pollock and Brandon Thurston discuss the latest developments in the wrestling industry, including TKO COO Mark Shapiro’s appearance at the JP Morgan conference following the company’s Q1 earnings report, highlighting cost-cutting and WWE’s live events strategy.Plus, the influence of Sabu, WWE confirms Night of Champions in Saudi Arabia on June 28, AEW moves 12,000 tickets for Forbidden Door in London, comments from CW’s president on NXT, a six-show residency for AEW in Chicago, and possibly implications for Grant v. WWE as a result of an appeals court ruling.VIDEO VERSION: https://youtube.com/live/F50V9CX750URELATED:TKO COO Mark Shapiro at JP Morgan media conference: https://www.patreon.com/posts/audio-tko-coo-at-128856610Judge denies doctor’s motion to dismiss Janel Grant’s petition: https://www.postwrestling.com/2025/05/12/judge-denies-motion-to-dismiss-in-janel-grants-petition-to-obtain-evidence-from-doctor/Will Grant v. WWE go to arbitration? https://wrestlenomics.com/articles/2025/will-grant-v-wwe-stay-in-open-court-or-go-to-arbitration/CW president comments on NXT: https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/cw-nxt-game-changer-1236390902/AEW adds six-show residency in Chicago for July: https://www.postwrestling.com/2025/05/13/aew-announces-six-show-residency-in-chicago/TKO Boxing event to run head-to-head with UFC 320, per The Ring Magazine: https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/story/sports/ufc/2025/05/13/ufc-320-tko-boxing-canelo-crawford-dana-white-conflict-mma-turki-alalshikh/83608450007/Music courtesy: “Panic Beat” by Ben TramerPOST WrestlingSubscribe: https://postwrestling.com/subscribePatreon: http://postwrestlingcafe.comForum: https://forum.postwrestling.comDiscord: https://discord.com/invite/Q795HhRMerch: https://store.postwrestling.comTwitter/Facebook/Instagram/YouTube: @POSTwrestlingBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/postwrestling.comWrestlenomicsSubscribe: https://wrestlenomics.com/podcast/Patreon: https://patreon.com/wrestlenomicsSubstack: https://wrestlenomics.substack.com/Twitter/Facebook/Instagram/YouTube: @WrestlenomicsBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/wrestlenomics.comSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/wrestlenomics-radio2532/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
John Pollock and Brandon Thurston cover an extensive Wrestlenomics study, movement in the Janel Grant case & a TKO Q1 earnings preview.Brandon Thurston has conducted a big study into Reddit, focusing on fan opinions toward WWE over AEW over the past six years and when shifts occurred. Judge Sarah Russell has made a notable ruling in the Janel Grant case, while Dr. Carlon Colker filed a defamation suit against Ann Callis and her law firm over the past week.Plus, A WWE shareholder lawsuit update, a preview of this week’s TKO Q1 earnings, TKO’s first boxing event is announced, AEW will take up residency at the 2300 Arena, and more.VIDEO VERSION: https://youtube.com/live/ZGz9xWUSoPQRELATED:Plaintiffs in shareholder lawsuit ask court to order Vince McMahon to comply with discovery https://www.patreon.com/posts/plaintiffs-in-to-128122445 Reddit sentiment for WWE and AEW and how it correlates with attendance trends https://wrestlenomics.com/articles/2025/reddit-sentiment-for-wwe-and-aew-and-how-it-correlates-with-attendance-trends/  Dr. Carlon Colker’s defamation suit against Ann Callis https://www.postwrestling.com/2025/05/05/dr-carlon-colker-files-defamation-suit-against-janel-grants-attorney/First TKO boxing event on Sept. 12 featuring. Canelo vs. Terence Crawford at Allegiant Stadium https://www.boxingscene.com/articles/saul-canelo-alvarez-vs-terence-crawford-official-for-september-12Music courtesy: “Panic Beat” by Ben TramerPOST WrestlingSubscribe: https://postwrestling.com/subscribePatreon: http://postwrestlingcafe.comForum: https://forum.postwrestling.comDiscord: https://discord.com/invite/Q795HhRMerch: https://store.postwrestling.comTwitter/Facebook/Instagram/YouTube: @POSTwrestlingBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/postwrestling.comWrestlenomicsSubscribe: https://wrestlenomics.com/podcast/Patreon: https://patreon.com/wrestlenomicsSubstack: https://wrestlenomics.substack.com/Twitter/Facebook/Instagram/YouTube: @WrestlenomicsBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/wrestlenomics.comSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/wrestlenomics-radio2532/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy