The Heel and Face Podcast

I realized last week that I didn't broadcast the day after SummerSlam. So, I recorded a "double episode". One half is a review of SS, the other is stupidity. Enjoy!

I'm a fat guy. My most athletic stretch of time was the span of three to five years between high school and college.

However, I never entered a tournament with only two participants, myself included.

Of course, the internet complained again about WWE. Listen to what I have to say.

Podcasters fighting podcasters. Podcasters fighting with wrestlers. Podcasters fighting with former wrestlers. Podcasters fighting with wrestlers who should be former wrestlers.

Meanwhile, the REAL action was in Extreme Dwarfanator Wrestling! I went live expecting nothing, and I left being able to say I witnessed two legendary mini-estrellas from lucha libre!

I get it. That's pretty hyperbolic, but, it's wrestling, so...

Some of the most significant events of professional wrestling history happened within the same week, mostly over the span of two years, if that makes sense.

Of course it does...

The Usos only wanted Roman to be better, and, like all good supervillians, Reigns's downfall was his own fault.

Money in the Bank was another success with plenty of great surprises...some we could see coming, others we couldn't.

Welp, Punk is back...and it went pretty much how everyone thought it would go.

Also, Hulk Hogan shared an opinion that isn't half bad.

I gave Impact Wrestling three chances, and they failed at each chance...until Against All Odds. So, I'mback on the Impact bandwagon...for now...

Also, I respect the legend.

No, I am not going to cover a freestyle hit from the 1990s.

I am formally apologizing to Tiffany Stratton for assuming she was just another blond in a bikini in NXT.

Also, I'm giving Impact one more try this weekend by going to Against All Odds live!

Ever think to compare Batman, Odysseus, and Cody Rhodes? That's why you listen to me. I'm the only wrestling podcaster who dares.

The Word of The Day is hamartia. It means "fatal flaw". This is going to be the storyline for Cody from here on out.

This is probably the weirdest title I've ever come up with, so shoutout to me.

In the clubhouse for Heel and Face Podcast Feud of the Year Award is CM Punk versus the Wrestling Observer Network.

Also, the NWA "The World Is a Vampire" event was a "C+".

Thanks for listening!

A short episode today!

More proof wrestlers shouldn't have Twitter.

Plus, the Internet Wrestling Community panics again.

Once again, when one promotion brags about its international audience, WWE says, "Hold my *cerveza*!"

WWE Backlash was a very good PLE, it was almost as good as Wrestlemania. The crowd was so hype, (shout out to the PR!) that the night had a big fight feel all night.

Plus, results from UFC 288, and which UFC fighter cut a WWE-Style promo.

Thanks for listening!

I struggled with naming this episode either "Big Ugly Belt" or "What Is Trinity Doing at the Impact Zone (For Real)?!", but, a friend suggested this, so I went with it.

Much of this week's news about pro-wrestling is overblown, but, since everyone wants to talk about it...

Thanks for your continued support!

I was afraid I wouldn't have anything to talk about this week, and then this story came up.

Trenesha Biggers, f.k.a. Rhaka Khan, put together a lawsuit against literally the entire United States with the exception of The Illuminati, The Bilderberg Group, and lizard people.

In all seriousness, lawsuits like this only get filed by the mentally unbalanced. I hope she gets the help she needs.

See what I did there?

Anyway, my absence was weird and waaaaay too long. I promise I will upload all the other episodes soon.

Also, I wished Tony Khan and AEW good luck on this year's All In.

Thanks for listening!

We are a month away from Wrestlemania, and things are starting to ramp up.  While many of the IWC are still hurt about Sami Zayn not being "the guy", the real Wrestlemania main event, Cody Rhodes versus Roman Reigns, is coming together.  

In the meantime, UFC 285 was entertaining despite the heel going over at the end. :)  Now that Brock Lesnar has been "saying goodbye" to people at WWE, could a Lesnar/ Jones UFC fight be in the works?

Speaking of free agents, some significant female wrestlers are available...where will they go?

Thanks for listening!

Happy Birthday to the G.O.A.T., "The Nature Boy", Ric Flair!  "Slick Ric" isn't the only older wrestler getting it done, albeit his last time...or, "Last Love".

...then, there's Jeff Hardy...

This, and more, so join the conversation!

...or "The Rise of Sami Zayn".

The Hometown Hero came up short, but he held his head high.  He has unlocked top tier status.  Sami was rescued from a further beatdown by another Montrealer who has no love for Roman Reigns.

Also, the IWC can stop with "RoNDa SuX aT wrEsTLiNg" at any time, and another wrestling legend meets his heavenly reward.

Thanks for the listens and the follows!

We're on the Road to Wrestlemania, and The Bloodline has hit a bump named Sami Zayn.  However, is he "The Guy" to take Roman's titles?  I don't think so, and someone else integral to this storyline agrees.

Speaking of guys, rumors are hot and heavy over the nominees for the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2023.  One tag team deserving yet long overdue are The Midnight Express.  Will they get in?

Tell me what you think?

...or, for those of you following from Day One on Facebook, EPISODE 200!!!!

Either way, thanks for joining me!

Vengeance Day wasn't great, but had some good spots.

Plus, a Derrick Lewis update and remembering a "good hand"...and that's NOT an insult.

I don't know how the wrestling world would take The Bloodline's storyline being nominated for an Emmy, but it shouldbe.

Two of the loudest pops in the WWE in recent history happened: one was from a chairshot, the other was from the crowd.

...no, it wasn't the return of Cody Rhodes this time...

As things gear up for The Royal Rumble, I do something I did way too much last year...mourn the loss of another wrestler too soon.  

In another news, a business man acts accordingly, and everyone else considers it a sneak-diss on his competition.

Thanks for listening!

I don't usually do review shows. I leave that to the other great podcasters to do that.  However, this came up randomly on Peacock, so how could I avoid reminiscing about Vince's second greatest creation, #MondayNightRaw? 

The best match of the night was Max Moon, played by a very underrated mid-card guy, versus Shawn Michaels.   Honestly, Damian Demento wasn't even as bad as we remembered.

This first Raw set the template, good or bad, for what Raw has become.  (It even got me hyped to re-watch the '93 Royal Rumble.)

Thanks for the support!

He simply won't go away...or...maybe he's trying to...

Vince sent a letter of re-installment to WWE.  WWE is interested with conditions.  Vince wants to oversee the eventual sale of WWE to [insert investor here].

Hopefully, Vince will keep to his word and stay away from Creative.

Oh, yeah, btw, Wrestle Kingdom 17 happened...if anyone is interested in actual wrestling.

It's that time of year, kids! The often imitated, never duplicated #HeelAndFaceAwards!  These completely non-binding, arbitrary, and totally opinionated awards are my own biased attempts at bringing about the best in pro-wrestling this year!

Get in on the conversation on my social medias or here!  Just hashtag #TheHeelAndFaceAwards when you do!

Well, the Internet Wrestling Community is at it again...one wrestler gets criticized for trying to secure the bag, one deactivates her Twitter because it is apparently the IWC's business who her friends are, and one gets fired because one of her "only fans" (see what I did there?) leaked her adult-oriented pictures to the world.

Hey, the good news is Vince is still gone, right...?

Thanks for your continued support!

If you had William regal leaving AEW for WWE on your bingo card, you win!  What surprising is how mature Tony Khan is being about it.

Nothing else surprising happened, with the slight exception on NXT Deadline.

...and the IWC resurrecting a stupid argument...

It's World Cup 2022 Fever, even in the WWE!  The E celebrates as only they know how: a gimmick tournament!  Unlike, the actual Cup, The U.S. fared much better.

Speaking of globalism, Stephanie McMahon had some interesting comments about the future of WWE at the Wells Fargo Summit.

Thanks for listening!

Not simply was Kevin Owens a last-minute add-on to even out the teams for Survivor Series: War Games, but he was most importantly the integral piece to the greatest pro-wrestling storyline ever written.  

This is the difference between booking for an audience of one and collaborating with group of wrestling veterans and brilliant writers.

2022 is the year of the delusional promoter.  Vince and Tony are well-documented, and even The Pizza Guy turned out to be an anti-vaxxer.  Now, add NWA President and Owner William Corgan to the list.  After his controversial remarks about the "NWA Level Quality" of his Women's Division, he doubled-down on his choice to put the belt on Tyrus.

Tyrus joined the insanity by trolling the "woke haters".  

Thanks for listening, anyway!  

I get it.  How else is anyone going to get likes and plays if they don't say anything half-stupid? 

The Big Energy move is to say something dumb, double down on it, then delete it when the heat comes...like Braun Stroman.

...or, maybe just get on your podcast and say things that don't need to be said...

...or, just denigrate a whole division of a company you run without any self-awareness of how bad the entire product is...

Whatever.  Anyway, thanks for the support!

Logan Paul has already won the #HeelAndFaceAward for Rookie of the Year.  Tune in for the rest of the awards at the end the year.

I never knew that, when I'm feeling blue, all I need to do it feel more "ucey".  You should try it.

Someone who certainly isn't very "ucey" is Uncle Howdy, the phantom haunting Bray Wyatt.

Listen to other things that happened this week. 

Thanks for your support!

Ev-er-y WEEK I get sucked into  discussing some b.s. in AEW.  What happened to Adam Page is sad, and I hope he's okay, but it was EASILY avoidable.

Apparently, flat back bumps are boring.

Anyway, Halloween Havoc wasn't boring.  It was a nice hors d'oeuvre for Crown Jewel next week.

Tony Khan embarrasses himself on a podcast with a professional journalist.  A returning Bray Wyatt is haunted by a mysterious figure wearing a mask.  A lucha legend takes his off.

Thanks for the continued support!

While one company is allowing its Hispanic and Latino wrestlers to embarrass themselves on Twitter during Hispanic Heritage Month, another company is taking its product to a whole new level by bringing back a familiar face.

Thanks for your support!

I discuss the significance of the icon, Antonio Inoki.  His legacy is greater than Japan.  He changed the perception of pro-wrestling and elevated it to a sport.  He will be missed.

Also, the best match of NWA 74 might have been Max the Impaler versus Kamille for the NWA Women's Championship.

Note: As of this podcast, Sami Zayn's Wikipedia page has been edited.

For a brief moment, even Wikipedia recognized the leveling up that happened to Sami Zayn on Friday.  You will now acknowledge him as the Honorary Uce!

This storyline might be the greatest storyline in pro-wrestling...ever.

Meanwhile, yet another uncleared former WWE Superstar and influencer made her debut in AEW.  In the NWA this week, two wrestlers were humbled.

Thanks for listening!

Unoriginal, I know.

I do talk a little boxing that's actually wrestling related.

Thanks for listening!

Too often, lately, the pro-wrestling world has been beset with tragedy. Finally, someone who seems destined for tragedy turned his life around and has become a rare triumph.  A & E's WWE Biography Legends on Lex Luger was truthful yet heartwarming.  You should check it out.

Also, another victim of Vince McMahon's hush fund is back in WWE, lighter and hopefully with some humility.  Time will tell.

Thanks for all your support!

Bullying? Fighting? Random drama that goes nowhere?  An administrator who can't control the building?

No, I'm not describing my first day back in the classroom. (It was awesome, thanks for asking!)

I'm talking about everything that happened on last week's episode of AEW Dynamite.  

In an effort to "compete" with the changes Papa H is making, AEW was hoping to make a significant leap forward with the Unification Match.

They didn't.

Sadly, they don't even get an "A" for effort. 

I don't normally do a retrospective show, but an interesting thought permeated this week: is it time for a Ruthless Aggression Renaissance?  Two greats from that era are still going strong.

Also, a controversial athlete cut a "face turning heel" promo on national t.v.  So did C M Punk.

Not much wrestling to report about, but the fans sure showed out.  While I understand how upsetting not getting your money's worth at a fan event can be, I also understand that female wrestlers are tired of being accosted at such events.  Fans aren't weird, they're just excited, you say?  Ask new wrestling fan and actor Kat Dennings if wrestling fans aren't weird.

With a full week of Triple H's reign as Head of Creative over, he has already made a positive impact on what some of you are dubbing "The Authentic Era".  Papa H wasn't done just yet, as another impactful wrestler came back to WWE. Who was it? Tick, tock...only time will tell...

Meanwhile, The Greatest Pro-Wrestler of ALLLLLLL TIIIIIIIIME officially retired from in-ring competition.  Even as a die-hard "Nature Boy" Ric Flair fan, let me tell you why I DIDN'T watch "Flair's Final Match".

Thanks for your continued support!

SummerSlam was bananas!

The first Premium Live Event without Vince McMahon at the helm was even crazier than regular cards.

Meanwhile, Tony Khan is getting cursed out (rightfully so) by a wrestler.

Vince McMahon has retired from WWE.

The day has finally come, and it is certainly bittersweet.  Many have wished for this day, but always be careful for what one wishes...

Will Vince McMahon's legacy be completely marred by the recent scandal?  How should he be remembered?  I will take a look at the life and career of Vincent Kennedy McMahon, warts and all.

People tend to make big deals out of nothing.  Mercedes Varnado, f.k.a. Sash Banks, is asking for $30,000 per appearance, which seems commensurate for a popular actor/cosplayer/stunt-woman/pro-wrestler.  WWE is being rumored to be going back to "TV-14" programming because [insert reason here].

I have results from NJPW's Night 1 of the G1 Climax and MLW's Kings of Colosseum.