Welcome to the Squared Circle Podcast with your host Marie Shadows.

For all new, first hearing of my livestreams and podcasts, and what I'm sharing online, Substack and Instagram is where I'm at. Please follow the links:

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00:00 - 01:50
Marie Shadows opens the episode discussing her content creation goals, her wrestling coverage ambitions, her Tennessee scouting trip, and promoting her tape study sessions for wrestlers looking to improve their matches.

01:52 - 05:30
The conversation shifts into Kevin Nash’s comments regarding rumored WWE pay cuts and the idea of wrestlers potentially aligning with SAG or union structures.

05:31 - 12:30
Marie breaks down why unions sound good in theory but become far more complicated once applied to industries like professional wrestling.

12:31 - 18:00
The discussion intensifies around online arguments with House of Hasbro, accusations of being “anti-union,” and the broader issue of people refusing to analyze consequences objectively.

18:01 - 24:30
Workers rights, healthcare, parental leave, deductions, and union fees become a major focus as Marie questions how sustainable blanket systems really are across every industry.

24:31 - 31:20
The episode explores why wrestling’s creative structure could completely collapse under heavy union involvement, especially involving creative decisions and storyline disputes.

31:21 - 37:45
International business, sponsorships, royalties, and wrestling’s unique economics become central to the discussion as Marie explains why wrestling differs from normal entertainment industries.

37:46 - 43:20
Teachers unions become a major comparison point, including discussions about school systems, classroom funding, and why unions are not always fixing the industries they represent.

43:21 - 48:40
Marie explains the difference between criticism and being labeled “anti” something, while also discussing how online conversations have become emotionally reactive instead of thoughtful.

48:41 - End
The episode closes with a deeper breakdown of why professional wrestling could become damaged if union structures begin controlling too many aspects of the industry.

Welcome to the Squared Circle Podcast with your host Marie Shadows. Marie Shadow catches you up on her life and talk about TKO/WWE + WrestleMania review + a mini NJPW conversation.

Video is available on:

https://marieshadows.substack.com

https://youtube.com/squaredcirclepodcast

***

Marie Shadows returns to the Square Circle Podcast with a Substack-exclusive episode breaking down the deeper realities behind WWE’s current direction under TKO.

From WrestleMania’s presentation and ad-heavy structure to the real role of advertisers and the influence of social media personalities, this episode challenges surface-level wrestling discourse and pushes listeners to think critically about how the industry actually operates.

• TKO’s influence on WWE and why it doesn’t align with wrestling’s structure
• WrestleMania in Las Vegas and the idea of “safe” corporate environments
• Why advertisers — not ticket sales — drive the business
• The illusion of fan outrage vs real financial impact
• Influencers, access, and why industry change rarely happens
• Match quality vs ad placement and pacing issues
• WWE releases and shifting philosophy toward athletes vs wrestlers

• WWE is being treated like a fight promotion instead of a storytelling engine
• Advertisers dictate more than fans realize
• Complaining without action changes nothing
• Influencer culture is tied to access, not advocacy
• WrestleMania is shifting toward spectacle over substance

Notable Quote: “They already got paid.”

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Welcome to the Squared Circle Podcast with your host Marie Shadows!

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https://marieshadows.substack.com

Please leave a comment, share, and listen! Thank you!

***In this episode of Square Circle Podcast, Evil and I dive into the chaotic excitement of Battle Riot — an event that felt like the Super Bowl of wrestling. With Evil fresh off the event and me soaking in all the drama from home, we’re breaking down the action, surprises, and big moments that went down.Timestamps:

[00:00] – Intro
Marie Shadows and Dos Evil open the show and set the tone for a full Battle Riot breakdown from start to finish.

[03:15] – Overall Feel of Battle Riot
First impressions of the event. Did it feel structured? Did it feel like MLW’s tentpole show? Discussion on pacing and presentation.

[08:40] – Early Card Match Reactions
Quick breakdown of the opening matches, in-ring quality, and what felt like setup versus payoff.

[15:20] – Middleweight Championship Match
Full discussion of Kushida winning the MLW Middleweight Championship.
Why Marie and Dos Evil have been advocating for Kwon to win the title — and how Kushida taking it shifts the division.

[23:10] – Kushida Joins Contra
The bigger twist of the night.
What Kushida aligning with Contra means for the faction, the championship, and especially for Kwon’s trajectory.

[30:45] – Kwon’s Position Moving Forward
Is this delay building something bigger?
What this means politically within the division and how Kwon fits into the evolving picture.

[38:00] – The Battle Riot Match Breakdown
Structure of the Riot match.
Key eliminations.
Who gained momentum even without winning.

[48:30] – Standout Performances & Momentum Shifts
Who elevated themselves on this card?
Who feels positioned for the next step?

[55:10] – MLW’s Direction After Battle Riot
Does this show feel like a reset?
Where the major storylines seem to be heading.

[1:02:00] – Final Thoughts
Closing reflections on Battle Riot, Kushida as champion, Contra’s evolution, and what needs to happen next.