Ladders were climbed, inaugural champions were crowned, and earlobes were split at this past weekend’s NXT Battleground and we’re here to run through (most of) the card. After watching a video essay on kayfabe, Rachel ignites a conversation with Matt on Andy Kaufman’s legacy and nuanced understanding of transgressions to use kayfabe to reveal kayfabe itself (how many times can we say kayfabe?). (I guess we just really like wrestling, as well as using parentheses in this description).

THREADS @ilwpod

TWITTER @ilwpod

RACHEL’S THREADS @rpolansky77

BEN’S TWITTER @grumphandleslam

MATT’S TWITTER @maxvocalmedia

INSTAGRAM @ilwpod
TIKTOK @mattvogel5 and @ilwpod

#ilikewrestlingpod #ilwpod

We’re rich in PPVs and predictions, with the ILW Lounge opening up to discuss NXT Battleground and which female superstar we see having the most success in the next 10 years. We also speculate if there will be a title change during Sami Zayn and Chad Gable’s Clash at the Castle match and what it means for the future of Alpha Academy. Some fascinating statistics about how the NWO stacks up to the Judgement Day sparks a conversation about what makes a faction matter.

THREADS @ilwpod

X @ilwpod

INSTAGRAM @ilwpod

TIKTOK @ilwpodcast

RACHEL’S THREADS @rpolansky77

AUDIO BEN X @grumphandleslam

Legends, friends, father and uncle Rey Mysterio and Eddie Guerrero put their skills to the test at 2005 SummerSlam in a ladder match to determine custody of young Dominik Mysterio. The mustached and mulletted Dominik Mysterio of today has nothing on the puppy-dog eyed child from the past but it doesn’t matter what his age is when he’s doing such great work. We speculate if Logan Paul’s baby will be part of his story, run through some preliminary Clash at the Castle predictions, and finally finish the In Your House series.

THREADS @ilwpod

TWITTER @ilwpod

RACHEL’S THREADS @rpolansky77

BEN’S TWITTER @grumphandleslam

MATT’S TWITTER @maxvocalmedia

INSTAGRAM @ilwpod
TIKTOK @mattvogel5 and @ilwpod

#ilikewrestlingpod #ilwpod

Rachel is joined by Uncle Naitch, Adam, and Matty Ice to talk about King and Queen of the Ring highlights, TNA’s burgeoning relationship with WWE, and how the NXT call ups are cooking. Naitch leads us in an AEW Double or Nothing recap and discussion of where the brand is heading. The guys take a trip down memory lane to remind Rachel how lucky she is to be able to consume virtually any PPV at the click of a button.

THREADS @ilwpod

X @ilwpod

INSTAGRAM @ilwpod

TIKTOK @ilwpodcast

RACHEL’S THREADS @rpolansky77

AUDIO BEN X @grumphandleslam

All Hail Queen Nia and King Gunther, your newest Queen and King of the Ring crowned this weekend in Saudi Arabia. Rachel and Matt run through the card and reveal their favorite moments, matches, and predictions for SummerSlam. Evolution explores how The Great Khali got his SAG membership, Sexxy Red’s guest appearance on NXT, and if the UFC/Endeavor era might actually be a flop.

THREADS @ilwpod

TWITTER @ilwpod

RACHEL’S THREADS @rpolansky77

BEN’S TWITTER @grumphandleslam

MATT’S TWITTER @maxvocalmedia

INSTAGRAM @ilwpod

TIKTOK @mattvogel5 and @ilwpod

#ilikewrestlingpod #ilwpod

Matt attended ECW One Night Stand live way back in 2006 and we’re here for the second time on ILW to talk about this iconic PPV, this time featuring a watch-along of The Spirit of WWE (John Cena) vs. The Spirit of ECW (Rob Van Dam). Rachel finds a compelling reason to convince Matt to give her his commemorative chair from the event, we’re introduced to Goldust’s provocative new look, and a unique direction is predicted for the winners of King and Queen of the Ring.

THREADS @ilwpod

TWITTER @ilwpod

RACHEL’S THREADS @rpolansky77

BEN’S TWITTER @grumphandleslam

MATT’S TWITTER @maxvocalmedia

INSTAGRAM @ilwpod
TIKTOK @mattvogel5 and @ilwpod

#ilikewrestlingpod #ilwpod

It’s almost time to crown the King and Queen of the Ring and the lounge is open with our various configurations and speculations of who we think should be crowned. We continue to give the NXT Women’s Roster its proper flowers, with special thanks to Lash Legend and Lola Vice. Rachel poses the question of what The Attitude Era would look like without The Montreal Screwjob and ends up causing quite the divide amongst the ITCOGs.

THREADS @ilwpod

X @ilwpod

INSTAGRAM @ilwpod

TIKTOK @ilwpodcast

RACHEL’S THREADS @rpolansky77

AUDIO BEN X @grumphandleslam

The Montreal Screwjob is perhaps the most iconic moment in professional wrestling and Rachel has finally arrived and watched in its full Survivor Series glory. She shares thoughts, vibes, and feelings with special guest co-host Black Sabre Jr. who was lucky enough to watch it happen live 27 years ago. We talk about the legacies and impacts of Rick Roode, Jeff Jarrett, and brand sweepstakes, as well as what the Attitude Era might have looked like if Bret hadn’t been screwed.

THREADS @ilwpod

TWITTER @ilwpod

RACHEL’S THREADS @rpolansky77

BSJ’s TWITTER _@blacksabrejr

BEN’S TWITTER @grumphandleslam

MATT’S TWITTER @maxvocalmedia

INSTAGRAM @ilwpod
TIKTOK @mattvogel5 and @ilwpod

#ilikewrestlingpod #ilwpod