Welcome to Grappling With Wrestling – the ultimate podcast where passionate fans break down the world of professional wrestling! From legendary feuds to behind-the-scenes drama, we dive deep into the stories, eras, and moments that shaped the squared circle. Whether it’s classic territory days, the Attitude Era, or today’s high-flying action, we tackle it all with unfiltered opinions and deep wrestling knowledge. Join us as we debate, relive, and celebrate the art of wrestling—because here, every era is worth grappling with!
Will The Rock Show Up at WrestleMania? RAW Reactions, Bloodline Clues, and Penta’s IC Run
Derrick and Jacob discuss WWE storylines and RAW highlights, including speculation about The Rock appearing at WrestleMania to boost ticket sales. They note Danhausen’s growing social media push, expanding merch, and reported WWE trademark filings. They react to RAW’s opening with Paul Heyman’s battered look, Seth Rollins being kept on TV despite not being cleared, and Oba Femi’s big spotlight alongside Brock Lesnar, setting up a WrestleMania tease. They cover signs of the Bloodline reconsolidating, critique Roman Reigns and CM Punk’s promo exchange, and point to a shared pendant as a possible Rock “Easter egg,” plus rumors about Randy Orton’s mysterious phone call. They debate predictable booking in women’s matches, praise Penta vs. Dragon Lee and Penta’s IC title direction, and discuss injuries affecting the “Vision” faction. Jacob also explains what fans see at live RAW tapings, including Main Event dark matches, arena transitions, and untelevised post-show matches.
This episode was recorded at SRP Studios and Produced by Shelby Row Productions LLC
SRPStudiosLLC.com (http://srpstudiosllc.com)
12 Mar 2026
Grappling With Wrestling Returns: CM Punk’s Run, Penta’s Rise, Danhausen Debuts & Finn Bálor Turns
The hosts relaunch “Grappling With Wrestling” on a new YouTube channel via Zoom, reintroducing Jacob and teasing recurring appearances by their friend Jimmy, while explaining the move from a personal channel and plans to grow the show and interview local wrestlers. They compare their wrestling eras and viewing habits (weekly Raw, highlights for SmackDown, no NXT) and lay out topics including CM Punk, Penta, Danhausen, and Finn Bálor. They discuss Punk’s recent WWE trajectory and major feuds, his current World Heavyweight title reign heading into a WrestleMania main event with Roman Reigns, and speculate about the Bloodline’s return. They celebrate Penta winning the Intercontinental title, react to Danhausen’s WWE introduction and AEW absence, and cover Judgment Day turning on Finn Bálor, plus thoughts on favorites, women’s wrestling, and WWE’s “Unreal” behind-the-scenes series.
00:00 Show Kickoff
02:24 New Channel Reset
04:58 Wrestling Eras Talk
07:20 Topics and Questions
10:22 Punk Deep Dive
21:43 Punk vs Roman Predictions
26:28 Penta Wins IC Gold
28:27 Danhausen Discovery
32:13 Danhausen Dark Segment
33:18 Why Danhausen Works
34:01 Mentor Tag Team Ideas
34:26 Current Favorites List
36:23 Women Steal The Show
37:51 Factions That Miss
40:13 Finn Balor Turns Face
41:48 El Grande Americano Bit
45:14 Kayfabe And Unreal
49:27 Chelsea Green Backing
51:15 Where Are The Giants
54:26 Seth Rollins Crutch Pop
01:00:07 Wrestling Buffet Mindset
01:00:37 Wrap Up And Subscribe
This episode was recorded at SRP Studios and Produced by Shelby Row Productions LLC
SRPStudiosLLC.com (http://srpstudiosllc.com)
17 Apr 2025
The Botch: Hogan vs. Sting, Starrcade '97
“That Doesn’t Work for Me, Brother” - Sting, Hogan & A Count That Killed the Moment
On this episode of Grappling with Wrestling, host Derrick Michaud is joined by wrestling minds Jimmy Fulp and Jacob Turner to revisit one of the most infamous botched endings in wrestling history—Sting vs. Hogan at Starrcade 1997. They break down the year-and-a-half-long build-up, the confusing fast count that wasn’t, Bret Hart’s sudden appearance, and how the entire finish felt like a swing and a miss thanks to Hogan's creative control.
YouTube - https://bit.ly/4it8ATq (https://bit.ly/4it8ATq)
[00:00:00] | “That doesn’t work for me, brother” – Breaking down the Hogan vs. Sting controversy
[00:00:45] | The epic build-up to Starrcade and Sting's silent storytelling
[00:01:15] | The planned finish vs. what actually happened in the ring
[00:02:00] | The referee botch and the awkward "fast count" cover-up
[00:03:00] | Bret Hart’s appearance and being misused… again
[00:04:00] | Why it confused the live crowd and damaged the payoff
[00:05:00] | Hogan’s politics and nostalgia for Hulkamania
Produced by SRP Studios Podcasting (https://www.facebook.com/shelbyrowproductions), SRPStudiosLLC.com (http://SRPStudiosLLC.com)
10 Apr 2025
WWE Belts Through the Ages
On this special episode of Grapling with Wrestling, Derrick, Jimmy and Jacob dive deep into the golden legacy of WWE championship belts. From the modern Universal Title to the iconic Winged Eagle belt, it's a show-and-tell session filled with nostalgia, hot takes, and wrestling history. Hear them debate designs, share personal stories, and pay homage to the belts that defined eras.
YouTube - https://bit.ly/4it8ATq (https://bit.ly/4it8ATq)
00:00 – Intro & belt hype
01:00 – Universal Championship: Roman Reigns to Cody Rhodes
02:30 – WWE Championship color wars
04:00 – Unifying the titles & WrestleMania 38
05:30 – The Winged Eagle: the crown jewel of Derrick’s childhood
07:00 – Wrestling legends who held the Winged Eagle
08:30 – The Brutus beef & IC title drama
09:30 – Cody bringing back the classic IC belt
11:00 – Ted DiBiase’s controversial belt buy
13:00 – Ultimate Warrior’s colorful belt run
15:00 – Belt evolution: ornate vs logo styles
17:30 – Women’s title belts & their rise in prestige
20:00 – Breaking down current WWE men’s titles
22:00 – Booking belts & the balance of storytelling
Produced by SRP Studios Podcasting (https://www.facebook.com/shelbyrowproductions), SRPStudiosLLC.com (http://SRPStudiosLLC.com)
3 Apr 2025
AEW vs. WWE: Does Selling Still Matter?
In this episode of Grappling with Wrestling, host Derrick Michaud welcomes guests Jimmy Fulp and Jacob Turner to break down the key differences between WWE and AEW’s storytelling styles. They discuss Jim Cornette’s take on AEW’s high-flying, fast-paced approach versus WWE’s more traditional psychology-driven wrestling. The conversation dives into how wrestlers like Penta adapt between promotions, the importance of selling moves, and why no-selling can hurt a match’s credibility. Plus, they reflect on legendary moments like The Undertaker’s iconic sit-up and the art of building real in-ring drama.
YouTube - https://bit.ly/4it8ATq (https://bit.ly/4it8ATq)
[00:00:00] - Introduction: Wrestling Styles & Storytelling
[00:01:15] - AEW vs. WWE: The Selling Debate
[00:02:45] - Penta’s Transition from AEW to WWE
[00:04:30] - Jim Cornette’s Perspective on AEW’s "Gymnastics"
[00:06:00] - The Role of Selling in Building a Match
[00:08:15] - The Importance of No-Selling in Wrestling Psychology
[00:10:30] - Legendary No-Sellers: The Undertaker & Hulk Hogan
[00:12:00] - When High Spots Become Choreography
[00:14:00] - Final Thoughts: Does AEW Need More Storytelling?
Produced by SRP Studios Podcasting (https://www.facebook.com/shelbyrowproductions), SRPStudiosLLC.com (http://SRPStudiosLLC.com)
27 Mar 2025
Stone Cold, Hogan, and the Wars that shaped Wrestling
In this episode, the discussion begins by reflecting on the inception of professional wrestling and its evolution through the golden era territories and into the iconic Monday Night Wars. The conversation highlights key moments and wrestlers such as Scott Hall, Kevin Nash, and Hulk Hogan's shocking heel turn. They delve into the anti-hero phenomenon with stars like Stone Cold Steve Austin and The Rock, and recount Kurt Angle's transition from a hero to a heel. The episode also covers significant storylines and characters in WCW and WWF, including the creation of the nWo, the rise of Goldberg, and memorable incidents like Vince giving away match finishes on taped Raw shows. The dynamic nature of wrestling during the Monday Night Wars and the Attitude Era's impact on the industry are underscored, celebrating how these periods captivated audiences and changed the landscape of professional wrestling.
YouTube - https://bit.ly/4it8ATq (https://bit.ly/4it8ATq)
00:00 Introduction to the Golden Era of Wrestling
00:12 The Monday Night Wars: A Personal Perspective
01:24 The Rise of Anti-Heroes in Wrestling
06:39 The Birth of Stone Cold Steve Austin
09:12 The Curtain Call Incident and Its Impact
10:48 The Goldberg Phenomenon
12:55 The Attitude Era: A Wrestling Revolution
13:24 Switching Between WCW and WWF
Produced by SRP Studios Podcasting (https://www.facebook.com/shelbyrowproductions), SRPStudiosLLC.com (http://SRPStudiosLLC.com)
22 Mar 2025
Behind the Bomb: Punk's Work Exposed
In this episode, we delve into the exact moment when CM Punk became a significant figure in professional wrestling. We discuss a pivotal house show in Memphis where CM Punk's unexpected popularity amazed the crowd and broke traditional wrestling norms. The conversation covers CM Punk's controversial 'pipe bomb' promo, his frustrations with WWE's booking decisions, and how his mic dropping moment changed the landscape of wrestling promos. We also touch on his admiration for Bret Hart, his straight edge savior persona, and his influence on wrestling fans and culture. Join us as we recount how CM Punk disrupted the status quo and became an enduring icon in the wrestling world.
YouTube - https://bit.ly/4it8ATq (https://bit.ly/4it8ATq)
00:00 The Moment CM Punk Became a Star
01:29 The Infamous Pipe Bomb
02:16 CM Punk's Frustrations and References
03:08 The Rise of CM Punk
04:28 The Impact of the Pipe Bomb
06:27 The Aftermath and Legacy
Produced by SRP Studios Podcasting (https://www.facebook.com/shelbyrowproductions), SRPStudiosLLC.com (http://SRPStudiosLLC.com)
22 Mar 2025
Work or Shoot?: Montreal Screwjob
In this episode, Derrick, Jimmy and Jacob dive deep into one of the most controversial moments in wrestling history: the Montreal Screwjob. We debate whether it was an orchestrated storyline (work) or a genuine betrayal (shoot). We explore various viewpoints, including arguments from Scott Hall and real-life events surrounding Vince McMahon, Shawn Michaels, and Bret Hart. Was Bret screwed for real, or was it the most brilliantly crafted storyline in wrestling? Join us as we analyze this pivotal event and its aftermath, including Bret's move to WCW and the impact on his career.
YouTube - https://bit.ly/4it8ATq (https://bit.ly/4it8ATq)
00:00 Introduction to the Montreal Screwjob
00:13 Debating the Screwjob: Work or Shoot?
01:01 Arguments for the Screwjob Being a Work
02:10 Arguments for the Screwjob Being a Shoot
04:04 The Aftermath and Legacy of the Screwjob
05:56 WCW's Mishandling of Bret Hart
07:19 Speculations and What-Ifs
Produced by SRP Studios Podcasting (https://www.facebook.com/shelbyrowproductions), SRPStudiosLLC.com (http://SRPStudiosLLC.com)
22 Mar 2025
Wrestling Eras Unleashed: A Generation Smackdown
In this episode, the hosts discuss their personal journeys and experiences as wrestling fans spanning different eras, from the 80s territorial days to the PG era of WWE in the late 2000s. They reflect on the nostalgia of wrestling through different time periods, share personal anecdotes, and discuss the impact of iconic wrestlers like John Cena, Randy Orton, Triple H, and others. They also delve into the evolution of wrestling shows, the behind-the-scenes dynamics such as kayfabe and storyline development, and their love for wrestling documentaries and podcasts. The episode highlights their collective passion for wrestling and sets the stage for future discussions on the history and ongoing storylines in the world of professional wrestling.
YouTube - https://bit.ly/4it8ATq (https://bit.ly/4it8ATq)
00:00 Introduction and Wrestling Eras
00:29 Meet the Hosts
01:04 The Concept of the Show
01:42 Diving into Wrestling History
05:58 Territory Era Memories
15:29 Personal Wrestling Stories
19:40 Rediscovering Wrestling
20:18 Modern Wrestling and Conclusion
Produced by SRP Studios Podcasting (https://www.facebook.com/shelbyrowproductions), SRPStudiosLLC.com (http://SRPStudiosLLC.com)
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
606,320
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Podcast Authority Score: 35 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
35
Social presence
0
YouTube
86
Engagement
0
Contact Grappling with Wrestling
Guest appearances
Does not typically book guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Host of Grappling with Wrestling?
Claim your podcast to manage its listing and keep your show details accurate.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
