Synopsis
A lively discussion about the world of pro wrestling, hosted by Pro Wrestling Illustrated Senior Writers Al Castle and Dan Murphy
Episodes
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Ep. 278: Femi, Zayn, Will Ospreay, & Time (w/ Jason McVeigh)
02/07/2026 Duration: 01h08minStill recovering from that last big pro wrestling weekend? Al Castle & Brian R. Solomon have got you covered, as they join fellow PWI writer Jason McVeigh to reflect on the biggest stories from WWE Night of Champions and AEW Forbidden Door. What's next for Oba Femi, Sami Zayn, and Jacob Fatu? Who should Will Ospreay face at All In: Wembley Stadium? You'll find the answers to these questions (along with some fun SummerSlam nostalgia and reminiscences) in this episode of the #PWIPodcast.
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Ep. 277: Dos Americanos En Mexico (w/ Alfonso Lopez)
10/06/2026 Duration: 01h21minAl Castle & Brian R. Solomon catch up with Alfonso Lopez, PWI's lead Mexican lucha libre correspondent, to parse through the latest wrestling happenings in his home country. The recent mask-vs.-mask match between El Grande Americano (Ludwig Kaiser) and Grande Americano Original (Chad Gable) is discussed at length, as is the larger topic of WWE's influence on AAA. Plus: the continued AEW/CMLL relationship, MJF's return to the main event picture, and more.
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Ep. 276: Ted Turner, Mass Releases, And MJF's Hair
22/05/2026 Duration: 01h27minOn this episode of the PWI Podcast, Senior Writer Al Castle is joined by PWI Editor-in-Chief Kevin McElvaney to catch up on a variety of big news stories, including the passing of Ted Turner, the premiere of the Hulk Hogan documentary on Netflix, the return of Brock Lesnar, and the possibility of MJF losing hair in his latest AEW World title bid.
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Ep. 275: Commercial-Free WrestleMania Review (w/ Jason McVeigh)
24/04/2026 Duration: 01h33minOnce again, Al Castle & Brian R. Solomon are joined by the Steve "Mongo" McMichael of the #PWIPodcast, Jason McVeigh, to pick up right where they left off last week. The guys offer an exhaustive, no-holds-barred review of WrestleMania 42, including the occasional bursts of wrestling that took place between the omnipresent commercials. Thankfully, there will be no ads in this episode (save for a few quick plugs at the beginning and end). Instead, the PWI crew dissects WM 42 in Las Vegas, the Raw after WrestleMania, the 2026 WWE Hall of Fame ceremony, and more before undertaking an important conversation about the boundaries between pro wrestlers and wrestling fans.
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Ep. 274: WrestleMania Predictions (w/ Jason McVeigh)
15/04/2026 Duration: 01h36minA few days before "The Grandaddy Of Them All," PWI's Al Castle, Brian R. Solomon, and Jason McVeigh gather 'round the proverbial card table to make their official predictions and share their final thoughts about #WrestleMania42 in Las Vegas. Plus: a look at the progress of MJF and the upward trajectory of AEW.
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Ep. 273: Has WWE Lost Its Smile? (w/ Mike Bessler)
03/04/2026 Duration: 01h32minAre we living in a pro wrestling version of Groundhog Day, where we have this same conversation every year, or has WWE's creative team done a lackluster job of building excitement for WrestleMania 42? PWI Contributing Writer Mike Bessler joins Al Castle & Brian R. Solomon for a review of how the card is shaping up, plus a critical look at ticket prices and the perception that the company has "turned heel" against its loyal fans (among other topics).
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ABOUT FACE: McKenzie Mitchell Threads The Needle
02/04/2026 Duration: 47minFrom Gorgeous George to "Macho Man" Randy Savage, Shawn Michaels to Mick Foley, and Mercedes Mone (Sasha Banks) to Seth Rollins, pro wrestling has been punctuated by fashion statements of all kinds. In this episode of About Face, PWI's Candace Cordelia speaks with TNA ring announcer McKenzie Mitchell about her new book, Threads of Triumph, which offers tremendous insight into some of the most iconic looks and ring gear in wrestling history.
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ABOUT FACE: Maya World Is All Elite
19/03/2026 Duration: 24minPWI Contributing Writer Candace Cordelia presents the inaugural episode of her podcast, About Face, featuring interviews from her popular Pro Wrestling Illustrated column (and beyond). Her first guest is recent AEW signee (and Women's tag division standout) Maya World.
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Ep. 272: Quebec, Japan, And Between (w/ Mr. Warren Hayes)
13/03/2026 Duration: 01h35minOn this episode of the podcast, Al Castle & Brian R. Solomon are joined by wrestling writer/ connoisseur/YouTube host/jack of all trades Warren Hayes. Together, they discuss the state of pro wrestling in Japan, with special focus on New Japan and Stardom, as well as the evolving road to WrestleMania 42. Plus, Warren recalls his early wrestling fandom growing up in Quebec, waxing nostalgic about "Le Brunch De Pat Patterson."
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Ep. 271: PWI Awards In Review
20/02/2026 Duration: 01h22minPro Wrestling Illustrated's Al Castle & Brian R. Solomon are joined by PWI Editor-in-Chief Kevin McElvaney for a thorough review of this year's #PWIAwards. The winners, runners-up, and arguable snubs are discussed in detail, along with some analysis of what we might see in the year ahead. Plus: Should AEW lean into the anti-ICE chants and position itself as a political alternative to WWE?
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Ep. 270: Royal Rumble Fallout
03/02/2026 Duration: 01h08minPWI Contributing Writer and U.K. correspondent Jason McVeigh returns to the PWI Podcast, joining hosts Al Castle & Brian R. Solomon for a breakdown of the 2026 Royal Rumble event, as well as what it portends for the company's key figures going forward. Plus: discussion of TNA's AMC debut, AJ Styles' future, and WWE's mixed efforts in presenting main-event babyfaces.
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Ep. 269: Pro Wrestling & Comics (w/ Kyle Starks)
14/01/2026 Duration: 01h24minEisner-nominated comic writer/artist Kyle Starks (Rick and Morty, Sexcastle) joins PWI's Al Castle & Brian R. Solomon for a compelling chat about the common threads between pro wrestling and comic books, which inspired his new Wrestle Heist series for Image Comics. How important is it to have defined heroes and villains (heroes and babyfaces)? Is the concept of the "wrestling Mount Rushmore" flawed? Plus: What NXT is doing right, remembrances of CHIKARA, and so much more.
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Ep. 268: Dear John & Saint Mick (w/ Harry Burkett)
23/12/2025 Duration: 01h14minAs has become tradition, Al Castle & Brian R. Solomon are joined by PWI Senior Writer Harry Burkett for the final PWI Podcast of the year. Together, they examine John Cena's last match and its ensuing fallout. They also look at the recent successes of The Hardys (the #1 team in this year's #TagTeam100) before discussing Mick Foley's recent announcement that he would be departing WWE, citing the company's continued association with President Donald Trump. All this, plus a look at the current trajectories of WWE and AEW as we look back on 2025 and ahead to 2026.
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Ep. 267: Wrestling Power Couple Goals (w/ Deonna Purrazzo & Steve Maclin)
17/12/2025 Duration: 01h07minOn this episode of the #pwipodcast, Steve Maclin (TNA Wrestling) and Deonna Purrazzo (AEW, ROH) join PWI's Al Castle and Brian R. Solomon to discuss their pro wrestling efforts in their respective companies, how they've weathered some of the challenges thrown their way, and their podcast @BootsToBootsPod .
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PWINDIE: Laynie Luck, WWE ID Women's Champion
26/11/2025 Duration: 35minOn this episode of #ProWrestlingINDIEstrated, first presented live on YouTube and X, hosts Kaia McKenna & Kevin McElvaney are joined by the newly crowned (and second-ever) WWE ID Women's champion Laynie Luck for a conversation about her upward trajectory, long path to success, and intentions for the future.
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Ep. 266: The 2025 Women's 250 (w/ Lyric Swinton, Kristen Ashley)
24/11/2025 Duration: 01h54minOn this edition of #ThePWIPodcast, Al Castle & Brian R. Solomon are joined by fellow #PWI contributors Kristen Ashley and Lyric Swinton, members of the 2025 #Womens250 committee, to break down the top 10 of the list.
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Ep. 265: Too Many Titles In Pro Wrestling?
07/11/2025 Duration: 01h11minOn this edition of the #PWIPodcast, Al Castle & Brian R. Solomon weigh in on the additional championships being added to AEW programming (as well as Mercedes Mone's collection). Plus: What is the best possible outcome for the WWE tournament to determine John Cena's final opponent? Plus: Thoughts on Jade Cargill, the current state of tag team wrestling, and much more.
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Ep. 264: You Drive Me Ape (You Big Gorilla)
17/10/2025 Duration: 01h22minOn this episode of the #PWIPodcast, Brian R. Solomon talks at length with fellow host (and #PWI writer) Al Castle about his Gorilla Monsoon biography, Irresistible Force, sharing insight on one of the most beloved voices in WWF history. Plus, TNA Bound for Glory and WWE Crown Jewel: Perth are reviewed, while AEW WrestleDream is previewed.
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Ep. 263: The 35th Annual PWI 500
23/09/2025 Duration: 01h43minOn this edition of the #PWIPodcast, Al Castle is joined by guest cohost Jason McVeigh and #PWI Editor-in-Chief Kevin McElvaney to discuss the 2025 #PWI500 ranking, with a special focus on the criteria used to evaluate the top 10 ranked wrestlers.
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Ep. 262: WrestleMania In Saudi Arabia, Rising Ticket Prices, & More
12/09/2025 Duration: 01h15minOn this episode of the #PWIPodcast, longtime #PWI contributor Dan Murphy returns to speak with Al Castle & Brian R. Solomon about a range of topics, including: - The implications of WrestleMania in Saudi Arabia - The impact of ticket prices on profits, fans - The return of AJ Lee to WWE TV ... and much more!