Wrestlesplania

CONTENT WARNING: We talk about Chris Benoit in this. Not in a graphic way, but if you understandably don't wish to think about or engage with the wrestling career of Famous Family Murderer Chris Benoit, this is an episode to skip. Happy Winter Break Splania fans! Giant Bomb’s own Alex Navarro joins Rachel and Kath this week to talk about a night of wrestling canonized by tape trading but mired in later tragedy. It’s our Super J-Cup ’94 episode. Why is this tournament so important? How can fans watch today while also grappling with the legacies of Hayabusa, Eddie Guerrero, and tournament winner Chris Benoit? How does the producer who writes these descriptions transition into listing some of the funny, not-at-all-tragic stuff that actually makes up most of the episode? (Like the fake wrestlers in WCW video games, or wild spotfests, or young Gedo’s pajamas, or how much it absolutely rules that Ricky Fuji just blatantly dressed up as Shawn Michaels and that was his thing.) The answers to the first two questions

Rachel and Kath celebrate the mid-card goof lifestyle by exploring the career of the Funky Weapon, the 69th Champ, the Coach, the Masked Horse himself: Ryusuke Taguchi. They talk dicks-out wrestling, Finn Balor’s instagram captions, wrestling in shapewear, Ariana Grande, and That Pool. Also they say “nice” a lot. (PS— don’t come complaining to us that we should have waited for episode 69 to talk Taguchi. We at Wrestlesplania believe in the Secret, and are putting it out into the universe that we get the real Taguchi as a guest for episode 69.) Materials Discussed Include: Apollo 55 vs. Golden Lovers August 14, 2011 https://njpwworld.com/p/s_series_00183_2_4#, Taguchi Japan vs LIJ May 3, 2017 https://njpwworld.com/p/s_series_00438_1_07#, Masked Horse with Taguchi Japan vs. Roppongi 3K December 17, 2017 match https://njpwworld.com/p/s_series_00459_1_07# and promo (at 13:155) https://njpwworld.com/p/s_series_00459_1_bs#, BOSJ promos: (at 4:00) https://njpwworld.com/p/s_series_00484_2_bs#, (at 8:44) https://njpww

It’s our 50th episode, and what better way to celebrate than for Rachel and Kath to flex their reality tv knowledge with an episode about The Miz! They go from the Real World to this year’s Summerslam, also tackling such crucial questions as: Was Dionne talking about butt stuff or mouth stuff in Clueless? How bad was Diva Search? Is Randy Orton hot? Is Voldemort hot? Should Daniel Bryan be wrestling? Should Rachel have to leave the room when she watches Dr. Pimple Popper videos? ALSO: Keep an eye on our Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/wrestlesplania) for a bonus episode all about The Miz’s tenure on the Real World! Materials discussed include: The Real World: Back to New York (Miz highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTjljdvCUUo&t=1s), Tough Enough Season 4, Diva Search 2006 (Miz’s Raw debut as host: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7iP1vjeKIQ), Daniel Bryan & Miz on NXT 2010 https://youtu.be/TTilxxfSK3A, Money in the Bank 2010 http://network.wwe.com/video/v2107012583?contextType=wwe-show&contextId=mo

This week Rachel and Kath fall in love with Eddie Guerrero, led by Uproxx With Spandex’s Emily Pratt (https://twitter.com/emilyofpratt) They talk humanity, hairstyles, stereotypes, and the simple beauty of making it look like someone hit you with a chair. Materials discussed include: Los Gringos Locos promo in AAA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PxLiiIzBxt0, Eddie Guerrero vs. Rey Mysterio Jr at WCW Halloween Havoc 1997 http://network.wwe.com/video/v31348221/?contentId=&contextType=wwe-show&contextId=halloween_havoc (at 28:42), Eddie forms LWO on WCW Monday Nitro 10/5/1998 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbT2bMOXw8U, Los Guerreros vignettes on Smackdown 2002 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPyFFcTqYyE, Eddie Guerrero promo on Smackdown 2/12/2004 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9LCTUGEzz6c, Eddie Guerrero vs. Kurt Angle at Wrestlemania XX http://network.wwe.com/video/v31362293?contextType=wwe-show&contextId=wrestlemania&contentId=68031410&watchlistAltButtonContext=series (at 3:03:36), Eddie Guerrero promo on R

This week Kath and Rachel finally tackle the career of Asuka! They talk about her controversial joshi manifesto, stiff style, iconic look, and legendary streak. PLUS: Behind the Music, Svengoolie, and the visceral image of a busted underwire. Materials discussed include: Kana vs Sara Del Rey at Chikara Klunk In Love, 2011 http://chikarapro.com/events/season-10/10-08-2011_klunk-love (PLUS: Asuka and Drew Gulak reminiscing about that match https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klWvm4ZoT4U ), Kana & Kenny Omega vs Hikaru Shida & Masato Tanaka 2014 https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x45wy4k, Asuka vs Bayley at NXT Takeover Brooklyn II, 2016 http://network.wwe.com/video/v1855152683/?contentId=&contextType=wwe-show&contextId=asuka_the_undefeated_empress, Asuka vs Ember Moon at NXT Takeover Brooklyn III, 2017 http://network.wwe.com/video/v1738045683/?contentId=&contextType=wwe-show&contextId=wwe_nxt (starts 1:13:07)

In this week’s episode, Rachel and Kath are joined by Ali Acampora (https://twitter.com/ali_west) to chat about Dean Ambrose, Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins. Three tough guys who care about each other so much it hurts face off against swamp goths, the company, and their own feelings.

In this week’s episode, Rachel and Kath are joined by Colette Arrand (https://twitter.com/colettearrand) to learn about Big Sexy, Big Daddy Cool, the Big Nickname Large Man Himself— Kevin Nash. They talk his career from WCW to Magic Mike and the joy of watching a charming guy just being real, real big. PLUS: dating websites, the gaze of “Sexy Boy,” and Danny DeVito’s good good politics.

Joined by returning west coast producer LB Hunktears (http://www.twitter.com/hunktears), Rachel and Kath talk about the cool gear, scary head kicks, and general ‘holy shit’ness of Meiko Satomura. PLUS: Scorpio Season, loving Io Shirai and a really distracting plane crash. Materials discussed include: Meiko Satomura vs. Aja Kong in GAEA Japan 1999 (this match is on our Patreon with a Patron exclusive commentary track! Check it out: https://www.patreon.com/posts/commentary-5-vs-22385681), Meiko Satomura vs Io Shirai in World Wonder Ring Stardom 12/23/15, Meiko Satomura vs Chihiro Hashimoto in Sendai Girls 9/24/17, Meiko Satomura vs Mercedes Martinez in WWE’s Mae Young Classic 2018 Episode 5

This week Rachel and Kath are joined by special guest Grace Spelman (https://twitter.com/GraceSpelman), who came by to talk about musical theater and learn about wrestling. Rachel and Kath wrestlesplain WWE’s second favorite singing wrestler: Aiden English, and his big Bulgarian ex best friend Rusev. Materials discussed include: Rusev Day vs New Day Promos on Youtube (the first Rusev Day https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6QSZDkQei8, Rusev Day or New Day? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyeMvhMRrpE, Rusev Day & New Day Halloween https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftTOUR7orZs, Xmas with Rusev Day & New Day https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXvoyH8XCcU, New Years with Rusev Day & New Day https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThXwCHfWTEQ), Rusev Day vs New Day SmackDown Live 12/19/17, Rusev Day vs The Bar SmackDown Live 9/11/18, Rusev Day vs New Day Hell In A Cell 2018 Kickoff Show.

Big news: we have merch! Rep Wreslemania Champ Snooki, NJPW’s rudest dudes Suzuki Gun, and Wrestlesplania all at once with our new SNOOKI GUN merch designed by @FreezeGraphic. Get your t shirt, sweatshirt, tote bag, or sticker from http://teepublic.com/user/wrestlesplania ! From now through the end of November, 100% of the proceeds from our merch will be donated to Trans Lifeline and the Silvia Rivera Law Project. Trans Lifeline http://www.translifeline.org/ Silvia Rivera Law Project: http://srlp.org/

This week Dan Barry (http://www.twitter.com/thedanbarry) stopped by Wrestlesplania HQ to talk to Rachel and Kath about canceling retirement, weird jobs, salad bar pudding, and becoming Dad Barry. PLUS: Sadness, bad movies, standup comedy, and the nicest wrestlers.

This week, Rachel and Kath go all the way back to 2016 to celebrate the friendship and rivalry of Kevin Owens and Chris Jericho. They talk discovering Chris Jericho as adults, male tenderness, exfoliating, and the pitfalls of bonding over hatred. PLUS: Seth Rollins’ lack of architecture experience, bad tattoos, the return of Roommate Braun Strowman, and number one carny Susan G Komen. Materials discussed in this episode: all the Chris Jericho and Kevin Owens promos, Sign My Yearbook Megan https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtOgBiJZUKY, Kevin Owens vs. Seth Rollins at HIAC 2016 + Raw Talk, the Festival of Friendship, Highlight Reel on Raw 3/20/17 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Izx7TEePODU, Chris Jericho vs. Kevin Owens at Wrestlemania 33, Chuck Taylor's drunk livetweets.

This week Rachel and Kath are joined by Aubrey Sitterson (https://twitter.com/aubreysitterson) to talk about his new book: The Comic Book History of Professional Wrestling! They get into his writing process, what makes wrestling so great, what makes wrestling so frustrating, and what makes wrestling so frustratingly great. PLUS: cons, forums, hotness, and botches.

This week Rachel takes on wrestlesplaining duties to guide Kath through the Raw guest era. They tackle the Jeremy Piven, Bob Barker, and Pee Wee Herman episodes of Monday Night Raw, plus Snooki winning at Wrestlemania in Uggs! Also in this episode: muppet discourse, the cultural dead zone of 2009, and respecting Jersey Shore. Materials discussed include: Monday Night Raw #845 8/3/09, Monday Night Raw #850 9/7/09, Monday Night Raw #901 8/30/10, Monday Night Raw #929 3/14/11, Wrestlemania XXVII 4/3/11.

This week Rachel and Kath make their first foray into the world of TNA, guided by wrestling and television writer LaToya Ferguson (http://www.twitter.com/lafergs)! They talk iconic matches, mid-2000s hairstyles, and Brooke Hogan. PLUS: pop punk ailments and a wrestling episode of Charmed! Matches Discussed Include: AJ Styles vs. Christopher Daniels vs. Samoa Joe TNA Unbreakable 2005, Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin vs. James Storm & Robert Roode TNA iMPACT #319 2010, and Gail Kim vs. Taryn Terrell TNA Slammiversary XI 2013.

Grab your favorite pair of goggles because this week Rachel and Kath are riding an airship straight into the heart of everyone’s favorite steampunk: Becky Lynch. They talk babyface energy, Full Sail Takeovers, ugly belts, developing perspective, and enjoying Carmella. PLUS: a preteen lifehack that’ll change how you live. Material discussed includes: Sasha Banks vs. Becky Lynch at NXT Takeover Unstoppable 2015, Becky Lynch vs. Mickie James at Elimination Chamber 2017, Becky Lynch & Sami Zayn Mixed Match Challenge promo videos, Becky Lynch vs. Charlotte Flair vs. Carmella at Summerslam 2018, The Baby-Sitters Club Super Mystery #4: Christmas Chiller.

Referee extraordinaire and Chikara Director of Fun Bryce Remsburg (https://twitter.com/dabryceisright) joined Rachel and Kath at Wrestlesplania HQ last month before heading to Joey Janela’s Lost in New York. They talked fanny packs, missing finals to ref a Terry Funk match, Macho Man Randy Savage, and the oral history of the Great Sasuke singing Bon Jovi. Material discussed includes: “It’s My Life” by the Great Sasuke, 2011 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NeTRePr3Ci8), The Nanny (why isn’t it streaming!?!?), Sofia Vergara at PWG (https://www.instagram.com/p/4bHIAcLpRT/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=9dco1vwzyrkd), “Be a Man” by Randy Savage (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMbcOC5dS5k).

When Kath and Rachel recorded this episode a few weeks ago, their righteous fury over what WWE was doing to PAC was so powerful that they psychically forced WWE to release him from his contract! We’re like… 90% sure that’s what happened. Anyways, please enjoy this discussion of flips, muscles, dick outlines, and shitty corporate behavior. Material discussed includes: Pac vs El Generico at PWG All Star Weekend 2006, Pac vs Ricochet at Dragon Gate Infinity 2011, Adrian Neville vs Sami Zayn at NXT R-Evolution 2014.

Rachel and Kath are joined by Powerbomb TV Independent Champion “Hot Sauce” Tracy Williams (http://www.twitter.com/sauce_williams) to talk about wrestling life, being online, weiners, music, and favorite muppets. Also in this episode: the picture of Kermit with his dick out, the gif of Wolverine with his dick out, Evolve 100, Pissed Jeans, Bringing Down the House, and “Pie” by The Rock ft. Slick Rick(big content warning on this song for racism, misogyny, bad vibes.)

In this very special Summerslam week edition of Wrestlesplania, Rachel and Kath wrestlesplain the appeal of pro wrestling to author/funny human/owner of hair DC Pierson (www.twitter.com/dcpierson)! They get into the essential connection between WWE and the Real Housewives before playing a game to see DC’s first impressions of the Summerslam card. (The uncut Summerslam game is on the full length giant-size 2 hour episode available exclusively on our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/wrestlesplania.)