Welcome to another awesome edition of Mark’s Podcast Countdown! Anyone that hasn’t listened to atleast one wrestlecast this week must be living under a rock. And I don’t mean Dwayne Johnson of course, but a boulder big enough to block your access to what I’ve dubbed “Pipebomb 2.0.” However more on that when we start getting closer to to the top of our list. How about we jump right into the thick of things and start with the man who drew number five.
5. The Ross Report
Boomer Sooner! Down but not out! It’s no surprise that Jim Ross should maintain a place on our list, even though he might have dropped a few spots from last week. JR has started doing review shows after each pay per view, and to recap last Sunday’s Survivor Series, Jim invited Pro Wrestling Torch’s Wade Keller. It was good to have a fresh voice on the program as Jim seems to grow increasingly grouchier about the business as week’s progress. Maybe it’s the NJPW booking that makes him feel as though he has to have a snarky attitude, or SMARKY, if we’re being technical. Wade and JR both had plenty of positive things to say about the Series, yet on multiple occasions referred to it as a one-match show. I agree with that if you don’t wish to ponder on the possibilities of Wyatt and Ambrose going forward, or even the direction of the Tag division. Was I the only person who LIKED that tag match? It was old school but with a new style and came at an appropriate time on what, yes, was basically a one-match show. It’s always refreshing to hear Jim Ross speak with a third party wrestling journalist as opposed to some retired wrestler or current superstar who obviously has to keep their answers politically-sound. I think the overall theme to this week’s wrestling podcastdom has been transparency. The Ross Report keeps things honest and factual while providing always intriguing fantasy booking from a man who knows how the business works, perhaps better than anyone. I’m very excited for Wrestle Kingdom and I can’t wait to hear Jim on commentary once again calling what was at one-time referred to as “The Sport of Gentlemen.” If you love Jim Ross and don’t mind his occasional “grumpy old man” routine (which I say with love and oftentimes admire) then hit the “subscribe” on Good Ol’ JR today.
4. The Voices of Wrestling
Dropping to number Four this week, the Voices of Wrestling are celebrating their 100th episode! Congratulations fellas. Our friends Joe and Rich discuss the details that went into creating the original Voices of Wrestling website and how it ultimately became one of the most highly regarded networks of wrestling podcasts. Another gripping three hours of programming that went into expressed detail on every major promotion on God’s Green Wrestling Earth. I’ve mentioned on occasion that I tend to lose interest in any podcast that veers too far from the wrestling road. But as far off coarse as these two tend to take it, they are never without a safe route back to the main highway. This special anniversary show features a stunning display of podcast-navigation when Joe manages to come full circle on a story about an unpaid electic bill, directly relating it to wrestling. I think one of my favorite parts of the show is whenever Rich has to seemingly comprehend whatever radical, yet usually accurate statement Joe has just let fly out into radioland. If you’re interested in an intelligent show with a lot of laughs that covers a broad range of wrestling topics, then go to the voicesofwrestling.com or hit subscribe using iTunes. It’s that easy!
3. Talk is Jericho
As the week began to unfold, Chris Jericho claimed that he would have the number one podcast in the world, but I’m sad to report he was mistaken. That’s alright though, because as he is frequently absent from my countdown I’m happy to say that he hit a homerun with his show this past Tuesday featuring none other than Mr. Money in the Bank Seth Rollins. The man who was once known as Tyler Black, and still known to friends and family as Colby Lopez had a lot of really fun and exciting things to talk about including the really bizarre origins of The Shield. I never like to give too much away, as the point of counting down the best podcasts is to get you to enjoy each show for yourself. I will however say that this show is sort of rare in that it features a current main eventer talking openly and honestly regarding a variety of topics that they might not usually cover. Jericho pulls no punches when he asks Seth everything from how the Shield came to be, to what’s actually inside that hideous briefcase he has to carry around. Hint: it’s not an official WWE document that grants him a title match. Did I need to tell you that? Jericho keeps it rolling on Friday where he opens up on a myriad of controversial issues, but most notably a situation he found himself in after shoving a certain South American flag up his nose. Which nation was it? It’s the one that doesn’t speak Spanish. Check out both fun-spirited episodes of Talk is Jericho, available through Podcast One and iTunes.
2. The Steve Austin Show
The Steve Austin Show is back on the board thanks to an awe-inspired Tuesday effort featuring a behind the scenes look at the man known as Bray Wyatt. I’ve been clamoring for a personal accounting of how Windham Rotunda became Bray Wyatt for some time now, and this interview serves to open up several doors including those to a potential football career and the short-lived masked persona of Axel Mulligan. Steve Austin has truly found his second calling in life, as both a highly-talented interviewer and as a television personality. I don’t think that Stone Cold will ever find the cinematic success of Dwayne Johnson or even Dave Bautista, but I could certainly see him hosting his own hard-hitting hour of television on any one of several major networks. Imagine someone as edgy yet intelligent as The Rattlesnake sitting down for a Charlie Rose-style television series featuring actors, artists, politicians, even world leaders. But I digress. This was only the first of a two-part series in which Bray Wyatt uncovers the details as to what inspired his character and even how his name came to be. I don’t believe it will top Austin’s upcoming interview with a considerably shell-shocked Vince McMahon, but what went down on this Tuesday’s family-friendly version of The Steve Austin Show was enough to earn it the number two spot on this week’s countdown. Hit the subscribe button on Stone Cold or head over to Podcast One for all of his edge-of-your-seat episodes.
1. The Art of Wrestling
Was there any question in anyone’s mind as to what the number one podcast of the week would be? I mean seriously. I’m not going to go into detail about what was said, as I assume the majority of people reading this also have had the chance to either watch or listen to Colt Cabana’s interview with CM Punk. But if you haven’t, it is undoubtedly the number-one, must-listen-to podcast of the year. I’m reluctant to voice my entire opinion on the show, but there are of course a few things that I would like to address. I understand that Ryback isn’t the most seasoned athlete in the WWE, but the extent to which Punk buried Ryan Reeves was, at least in my opinion, completely uncalled for. I feel as though he could have said what needed to be said about his injury without making offhanded comments about Ryback as a human being. I’m not disagreeing that the man appears to have a “steroid-look,” but in respect to professionalism I feel it went too far. I don’t however think he went far enough in regards to how he feels about Triple H. I’m admittedly a fan and supporter of Hunter on the production side of the WWE. However, in light of these recent revelations over Punk’s health and well-being, I would have liked to have had more insight as to how Paul Levesque felt about a wrestler working with a staph infection for so long. It’s safe to say that perhaps he played the businessman in that situation, rather than the twenty-year veteran he is. There’s far too much to cover than I could ever cram into this review, and if you’re going out of your way to read a wrestling podcast countdown, I imagine you’ve already heard the show. But if not, do yourself a solid and check out this week’s episode of The Art of Wrestling with Colt Cabana, the show I could be prematurely calling the Best Show of the Year. But that’s only because Punk will be back next week answering fan emails.
This has been a groundbreaking week in professional wrestling. Who would have thought that Sting’s WWE debut, after nearly thirty years of never working for Vince McMahon, would be outshadowed by anything? But it was. I’m super stoked to embark on another week of exciting episodes of audio content from some of the most talented podcasters in the wrestling industry. Until next week, I’m Mark Haggerty, reminding you to support all of your favorite podcasts however you can, because without an active audience, what good is the gift of wrestling radio?
