Royal Rumble: The Difference Between Momentum and Noise

With the Royal Rumble just weeks away, the gap between momentum and noise in WWE has never been clearer.

On this episode of Turnbuckle Talk Wrestling, co-hosts Alexander the Great and Aiden Haystack break down why SmackDown feels confident and intentional heading into the Rumble — while RAW continues to feel hesitant, unfocused, and unsure of itself.

This isn’t a results show.

It’s a philosophy-driven deep dive into:

• Why RAW keeps creating moments without commitment
• How SmackDown uses clarity, stakes, and character to build real momentum
• The Gunther problem — monster heel vs creative contradiction
• The Vision as a symptom of RAW’s larger identity crisis
• Why the Royal Rumble exposes belief more than any match all year

As WrestleMania season approaches, one brand feels ready to pull the trigger — and the other still sounds like it’s waiting for permission.

Because when the Rumble hits, noise disappears… and only momentum survives.

🎙️ Turnbuckle Talk Wrestling Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon Music.

00:00Welcome to Turnbuckle Talk Wrestling

02:25Rebranding and Presentation in Wrestling

05:42WWE's Current State: Raw vs. SmackDown

08:10Gunther vs. AJ Styles: A Heated Feud

13:40The Vision: WWE's Identity Crisis

23:31Building Towards the Royal Rumble

35:01SmackDown's Purpose vs. Raw's Confusion

49:42Upcoming UFC and Wrestling Events

51:55Fatal Four Way Predictions

54:06Women's Tag Team Championship and Rumble Dynamics

57:52Royal Rumble Excitement and Storylines

01:00:03Momentum and Build-Up for the Rumble

01:02:58Women's Championship and Title Defenses

01:08:01Jade Cargill's Title Reign and Performance

01:24:00Royal Rumble Readiness

In this episode, Alexander the Great and Aiden Haystack discuss the recent events in professional wrestling, focusing on John Cena's final match against Gunther, the implications of Austin Theory's reveal as the masked man, and the fallout from the Pro Wrestling Awards.

They analyze match outcomes, character developments, and fan reactions, particularly regarding Cena's retirement and Gunther's rise as a top heel.

00:00John Cena's Final Match Recap

02:49Austin Theory and the Masked Man Reveal

06:11Carmelo Hayes and Ilja Dragunov Spoilers

09:01Pro Wrestling Awards Discussion

11:48Dominic Mysterio's Injury Update

15:02Cody Rhodes vs. Oba Match Analysis

18:12Sol Ruca vs. Bayley Breakdown

21:08Gunther vs. John Cena: The Retirement Match

23:58Fan Reactions and Gunther's Heat

26:55Future of Gunther and Potential Feuds

45:06AJ Styles and Gunther: Anticipating Future Matches

49:00Bronn Breaker and CM Punk: Rising Stars and Promos

52:11Title Contention: Breaker vs Punk and Future Predictions

56:03Austin Theory's Reveal: Potential and Expectations

01:01:15Pro Wrestling Awards: WWE's Performance and AEW's Dominance

01:09:12Wrestler of the Year: Controversies and Discussions

01:12:29TKO's Impact: Future of WWE and Fan Expectations

In this episode, the hosts recap the recent Survivor Series event, expressing their disappointment with the overall product and the WarGames match.

They discuss the implications of John Cena's last match against Gunther, predictions for Saturday Night's Main Event, and the future of various wrestlers, including Maxine and Gunther.

The conversation also touches on the current state of WWE, long-term storytelling, and the potential for surprises at Cena's final match.

They also discuss the emotional farewell of John Cena, his potential last match, and the legends of wrestling. They share their predictions for Cena's final performance, reflect on his greatest rivals, and rank his most memorable matches.

The discussion is filled with nostalgia, excitement, and a touch of sadness as they prepare for a significant moment in wrestling history.

00:00Welcome Back and Survivor Series Recap

06:27AJ Lee vs. Becky Lynch: A Closer Look

12:35John Cena's Last Match: A Controversial Ending

18:27Nikki Bella vs. Stephanie Vaquer: A Disappointing Match

36:21Masked Intruders and Predictions

42:55Predictions for Saturday Night's Main Event

48:37Match Predictions and Potential Outcomes

58:29The State of WWE and Long-Term Storytelling

01:08:23Punk's Influence and Edge's Potential Appearance

01:16:25LA Knight's Mid-Card Status and Fan Reactions

01:23:15Mount Rushmore of John Cena's Rivals

01:31:17John Cena's Greatest Matches

01:38:07The Brutality of Wrestling Matches

01:44:39The Rise of Daniel Bryan

01:50:38Cena's Legacy and Retirement Matches