Kayfabe Café

Burnout is real, yo. Sometimes we don't even realize it.

On this episode of the podcast, Ant, Linus, and Link are joined by The Slickmaster in talking about everything that has to do with being burnt out in wrestling as a fan, and how to avoid losing interest in something that you enjoy.

The more things evolve, the more they replicate images of the past— that goes double in pro wrestling. On this episode of the podcast, the boys celebrate Ant’s birthday by breaking down one of his observations: how modern wrestling adapted the territory system.

14 months, 7 men, 1 bad series of bookings. But what if the Nexus was booked better? In this edition of our wrestling what if series, we took a look at how things could have gone a different way and what the alternate timeline could have looked like for one of WWE’s most misused factions.

Does being a ‘smark’ make you a better wrestling fan, or does it just turn you into an annoying fan? On this episode of the podcast, we talked about everything that has something to do with the smark culture and how it affects the larger wrestling community.

It's pretty weird to find other wrestling fans trying to be heavily involved with the product in a way that goes beyond watching the program - kinda like they want to be wrestlers as well. On this episode of the podcast we took a closer look at this strange behavior to try and answer why this happens often.

It’s a brand new year in wrestling and we want to be as optimistic as ever. So, on this episode of the podcast, we shared some of the things we want to see happen in the world of pro wrestling this 2024!

Join Ant, Linus, and Link this holiday season as they figuratively feast on everything that happened this past MWF Noche Buena 2023, on this retrospective episode of the podcast. Let’s cap off KC’s 2023 as we take a look back at everything that happened in the show plus how it shapes up Pinoy wrestling in 2024!

In wrestling there are many things that shaped the industry as we know it today— decisions that if it went differently, would have had major implications in the entertainment that we’re enjoying right now. Peeps, this is the first of our new episode series ‘Wrestling What Ifs’ where we talk about such things, and in this episode it’s all about WCW The Big Bang.

The holiday season is near and what better gift could you give a wrestling fan than a collectible wrestling action figure! Learn more about the culture of wrestling toy collection as Ant, Linus, and Link sit down for a chat with Lou of the Wrestling Boy Toys and Collectibles.

Why the hell are some fans just so entitled to give wrestlers career advice and c**kblock others in the community from liking all of wrestling? Just because they dislike a certain promotion? In this episode, the boys (collectively known as LiLiAn) talked about the toxic habit of tribalism within the wrestling industry.

#MakeWrestlingAHobby by following our partner page, DeXcon!

www.facebook.com/DexconPH

So CM Punk is fired from AEW— but is he the only one to blame for everything that happened? On this episode of the Kayfabe Café podcast Ant, Linus, and Link had a rare Friday coffee night as they took a closer look at the entire scenario, how it sheds light on AEW’s inexperience and how this sets a tone for the wrestling promotion in the foreseeable future.

Why blend with the crowd when you can stand out? In this episode of the podcast, we are joined by one of the rising wrestling content creators in the scene, Turning Heel's host Troy Gonzales. Join us as we talk about Troy's journey in the world of content creating, his views on women's wrestling, and more.

We also talked about WUW PH Presents: DeXcon Live where for the first time, we co-organized and co-produced a live wrestling show.

It's different yet it feels familiar. Last August 20, Manila Wrestling Federation held one of their live shows, Road to Fate 2023 at the Power Mac Center Spotlight in Makati City. On this episode of the podcast, we talk about some of the notable things that had happened on the show and what outcomes may happen moving forward.

We also talked about the passing of the wrestling icons, Terry Funk and Bray Wyatt, and how they impacted the wrestling world.

DeXcon, the country’s FIRST AND ONLY wrestling trading card and collectibles convention in the Philippines is headed to Brawl Pit Bulusan for World Underground Wrestling PH! Ant and Linus share their personal thoughts on the show (without organiser bias of course) as we await to watch a stacked card.

Who would have thought these things would have happened within 7 years? On this episode of the podcast, we’re joined by the OTHER 2/5ths of the group PLK (Pogi Lang Kami) as we talked about some of the moments, milestones, and everything in between that we never imagined would take place during Kayfabe Café’s existence. 

We all have our own ways of appreciating pro wrestling, and in this episode, Lesther AKA ‘Roman Reigns’ of the cosplay group Multiverse Wrestling Unlimited shares with us just how fun, creative, and productive it could be for some of the most dedicated fans in the community.

Also, Linus chimes in on the entire CONQuest 2023 fiasco, and how this could impact conventions moving forward.

A great shoot-style wrestler once said, "In fact, pro-wrestling is strong." On this episode of the podcast, Linus is joined by one of the hardest hitting wrestlers in the Philippine pro-wrestling scene and the owner/promoter of World Underground Wrestling - Philippines, Saint John Martin. The "Patron Saint of Shoot Style" shared his stories on how he got into the local wrestling scene, his style of wrestling, his vision for WUW - PH, and more.

Thank you to Hobby Stadium for allowing us to record this episode of the podcast!

It's different but it feels familiar. Last April 30, Manila Wrestling Federation held Republika 2023 at the Power Mac Center Spotlight in Makati City, which to some may feel at home whenever watching wrestling there. On this episode of the podcast, we talk about some of the notable things that had happened during this year's Republika and possible outcomes that may happen after the event.

Ant, Linus, and the rest of the boys sat down for a drink with one of Pinoy wrestling’s most popular names, Razael of World Underground Wrestling and Manila Wrestling Federation. ‘Ang Katagay ng Tondo’ shared his wrestling journey so far, his philosophy when it comes to professional wrestling, and more. One shot of gin at a time. 

PS: Y’all gotta try the nachos from Tacio’s. This ain’t sponsored but, man… they’re hella generous with the serving. 

WrestleMania 39 Nights 1 and 2 seem to be a tad bit too different from one another. On one hand, everything had a satisfying ending; the other, well, let's just say it's not THAT good. But where does everyone go from here? On this episode of the podcast we talked about the possible routes WWE might take coming from the 4 marquee matches in the card.

Is it THAT hard to realize that clearly they also need personal space? While it is normal for us fans to appreciate seeing wrestlers in public places, some don't respect their privacies and boundaries. Join us as we have a quick talk about some fans not being able to read the room and let wrestlers continue on with their lives aside from performing in the ring.

What if Pinoy Wrestling in the 1980s continued through the ‘90s and 2000s? That’s the first thing that we thought of after the iWitness feature by GMA7. So on top of day drinking at Funki Izakaya, we decided to figure out what could have been had the Filipino wrestling scene not fade away, on this episode of the podcast.

After an exciting day of DeXcon with members of the Pinoy wrestling community, we, alongside our bro Slickmaster, sat down at Gold Brew for a cup of coffee to absorb the tears of bitter, in-denia— Oh wait, we can’t write that? Ayt ayt.

On this episode of the podcast, we’re looking at the fallout of the WWE Elimination Main event and how each moving component factors in as we fast track on the road to WrestleMania 39, and beyond!

Thanks again to everyone who joined us for DeXcon. See you at WrestleMania!

After a night of drinking— Ant, Linus, and their friends Slick and Link, sobered up at a burger joint by commenting on internet comments made by the different kinds of wrestling “fans” and how said remarks impact the broader culture as a whole.

Welp, 2023 is off to an awful start for wrestling fans now that Vince McMahon is back in the WWE. Join us in this PUN-tastic episode as we speculate what the potential sale could mean for the future of the federation, and how it affects the people involved, including us wrestling fans.

Happy New Year, Patrons!

2022 is done and it only means one thing: new year and new stuff to hope for, especially in pro-wrestling. In our attempts to be optimistic, we're looking at some of the things we wish to happen in the sport this upcoming year!

We're ending this season of Pinoy wrestling with its industry-standard bearer being THE quintessential Pinoy wrestler, Fabio Makisig! If you missed out on the happenings with the past MWF Noche Buena 2022, then we got you covered on the episode of the podcast as the boys take a look back at some of the notable things that happened at the show.

Jag takes over hosting duties as Linus consoles the crying old man Ant after the last episode. ‘The Decent One’ is joined by one of the most sought after persons in broadcasting. Host, WWE correspondent, and a fellow Philippine wrestling podcast pioneer, the one and only, Stan Sy of the Wrestling-Wrestling Podcast!

Manila Wrestling Federation’s Migs Valdez joined "old man" Ant and Linus for the first time as they had a quick chat about party life, social media, and more! PLUS discover the roots of why Jag doesn’t like Pop Up in Katipunan, and what it means for the future.

#ComebackIsReal is not just a hashtag, it’s a philosophy. We’re taking a break from wrestling on this episode to take a look back at things that have happened during the biggest esports and gaming events in the Philippines this year, ESGS 2022!

Special thanks to Gariath Concepts for inviting us as one of the content creators involved in this event!

The best way to know a wrestling community is to get to know how its members became fans and what made them carry on the admiration for pro wrestling. Ant (that alcoholic SOB) sat down for a call with two members of the Kayfabe Cafe community to chat about their wrestling fandom and much more on this episode of the podcast

What remains of the Revolution is now Filipino Pro-Wrestling. With their upcoming show Unfinished Business drawing near, it has become the talk of the scene. Listen as Jag and Linus talk to FPW's Revo Ranger as they discuss the possibilities that may happen in the show and what us fans can expect from them.

Well, Kazuchika Okada won NJPW’s G1 Climax, again. With that result, it’s kind of hard not to feel like New Japan’s world title picture is a little bit stale. So, on this episode of the podcast Men of the Minute (Yes, we’re still workshopping the duo name) takes a look at the implications of this booking, and how it ripples through New Japan Pro Wrestling heading into Wrestle Kingdom in 2023.

6-years and counting. On this episode of the Kayfabe Café podcast, Ant and Linus decided to share candid stories on their years of creating pro wrestling content, and how those experiences helped to fuel KC moving up and forward.

The stakes have never been this high as Manila Wrestling Federation is about to crown a new champion. On this episode of the Kayfabe Café Podcast, the Drunky Dawgs, (again, we’re STILL workshopping the duo name) Ant and Linus, are joined by community member, Angelo, as they give their predictions on the next MWF champion, and foresight on how the champ would carry the local industry in the near future.

In this episode, one of the most buzzworthy fresh faces in Filipino Pro Wrestling drops by Kayfabe Café for quick chitchat. Linus sits down with Manila Wrestling Federation’s CJ Serafin as they talk about his young career and future plans in professional wrestling.

TARA, LET’S GO! The Daredevil himself is back with Los Lasenggos (we’re still workshopping the duo name) in this episode of the Kayfabe Café podcast. The inaugural Manila Wrestling Federation champion, Robin Sane joins Ant and Linus as they talk about his return, career goals, and more!

You can watch Robin Sane as well as your other favorite Pinoy wrestlers by subscribing to Manila Wrestling Federation on Gank. You can also follow the Kayfabe Café podcast wherever available!

MWF on Gank: https://ganknow.com/manilawrestlingfed

Kayfabe Café on Discord: https://discord.com/invite/4atswZkRWB

The boys are back with another episode!

Catch Ant and Linus as they discuss what are the possible matchups in the upcoming mega-event of New Japan Pro-Wrestling and All Elite Wrestling: Forbidden Door!

Listen as they also talk about the things happening right now with NJPW star Kota Ibushi as he continues to drop cryptic tweets and conversations.

Will the two book themselves into a corner? Will Ant book MJF against Master Wato? Will Linus continue to insist Taguchi Japan is a legitimate stable? Tune in to find out!

The boys are back with a fresh episode! 

Catch Ant, Frankie, and Linus as they talk about the difference of casual fans to hardcore fans in professional wrestling. Listen as they talk about the changes WWE made as they continue to shift their fanbase. 

Will they talk about e-drones? Will they mention any slander that hardcore fans bring up? Will they bring up the name changes? Tune in to find out!

#KayfabeCafe

Ring of Honor is Tony Khan's brand new toy, and it's about time he got rid of the most unimportant one: AEW DARK Elevation. Ant broke down the reason why the addition of the program seems to be a bit of an overkill, and what they can do to at least make its existence make more sense. 

The boys are back in town once more for the Royal Rumble!

Catch Ant, Frankie, and Linus as they discuss about the recent Rumble and how things went down.

Did they like the Women's and Men's Rumble? Did they like Roman winning against Seth Rollins? Did they like Bad Bunny nearly winning the Rumble? 

Tune in to find out!