Squared Circle Podcast

Marie Shadows
  • 3.9 (7)
  • Sports
  • Updated Bimonthly

Wrestling conversations we need to have to keep kayfabe, storytelling, psychology, and all teachings alive for wrestlers, fans, and the wrestling industry.

  1. Jul 20

    Has Modern Wrestling Ruined the Friendship Arc? Drilla Moloney vs Gabe Kidd (G1 Climax 36) [Tape Study]

    Welcome to Tape Study 2.0 - Post Wrestling School Tape Study for Wrestlers and Squared Circle Podcast with your host Marie Shadows! Episode Overview In this episode, we dive deep into a structured framework for professional wrestling tape study. Moving away from surface-level critiques, we explore how to conduct an objective, clinical analysis of a match to dissect character logic, narrative progression, and storytelling mechanics. Using real-world match breakdowns—including Gabe Kidd vs. Drilla Moloney—we analyze how the classic three-act structure applies inside the squared circle and how performers can elevate their craft through intentional psychology. Key Topics & Timestamps – Introduction to Objective Tape Study Why surface-level match reviews fall short when trying to learn in-ring psychology. Shifting from a fan or critic perspective to an objective, clinical analytical framework. – The Three-Act Structure & Storytelling Mechanics Applying narrative arc principles and the three-act structure to match construction. Evaluating character logic, motivation, and seamless narrative progression. – Match Breakdown: Gabe Kidd vs. Drilla Moloney Analyzing the character logic and storytelling dynamics in Kidd vs. Moloney. Key lessons performers can take away from this specific match analysis. – Actionable Tools for Performers Developing educational checklists to systematically audit in-ring psychology. How wrestlers can use tape study to identify bad habits and refine match pacing. – Resources, Mentorship, & Deep Dives Overview of the content ecosystem built around tape study framework. How to access mentorship resources, checklists, and written deep dives. Key Takeaways Clinical Analysis > Personal Opinion: True tape study requires dissecting structural choices, character decisions, and pacing rather than grading a match on personal preference. Narrative Foundations Matter: Understanding character logic and the three-act structure is what turns a series of moves into a compelling story. Systematic Learning: Utilizing structured educational checklists makes self-evaluation and match auditing repeatable and actionable for performers. Resources & Links Mentioned Substack: Visit the home base for deep-dive written breakdowns and detailed match analysis. Buy Me a Coffee: Access practical, upgradeable mentorship resources, educational checklists, and support the show.

    Has Modern Wrestling Ruined the Friendship Arc? Drilla Moloney vs Gabe Kidd (G1 Climax 36) [Tape Study]

  2. Jun 8

    Bushiroad Sells NJPW: What This Means for New Japan Pro Wrestling's Future

    Editor's Note: The news itself isn't breaking anymore. The sale happened days ago. What I want to focus on is why it happened, what led to it, and where NJPW goes from here because I think that's the conversation wrestling fans should be having.*** https://marieshadows.substack.com Welcome to the Squared Circle Podcast, hosted by Marie Shadows! From CyberAgent and ABEMA to AEW's influence on the roster, here's why this sale matters more than most fans realize. Summary:Marie Shadows breaks down Bushiroad’s sale of New Japan Pro Wrestling, the financial context behind the decision, the implications of AEW partnerships on star power, and what NJPW’s future might look like on new streaming platforms. She gives candid opinions on dual contracts, wrestling storylines, and the missed opportunities for US expansion.Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro & Bushiroad announcement context01:00 – Financial analysis: 10 billion yen loan & implications05:00 – NJPW’s ownership transfer to TVA & Cyber Agent06:30 – AEW partnership critique & star power migration15:00 – United Empire storyline & Ospreay/Death Riders commentary22:00 – Dual contracts vs WWE partnerships25:00 – Why Bushiroad sold NJPW, not Stardom30:00 – Streaming platforms: ABEMA & Cyber Agent opportunities35:00 – AEW content removal from NJPW World42:00 – Future strategies: US expansion & fan engagement50:00 – Outro & Substack/merch plugShow Notes: Discusses the financial and strategic implications of NJPW’s sale.Reviews AEW partnership and talent migration.Comments on storylines like United Empire and Will Ospreay.Highlights future possibilities with Cyber Agent, ABEMA, and US tours.Provides direct opinions and advice for NJPW management and fans.

    Bushiroad Sells NJPW: What This Means for New Japan Pro Wrestling's Future

  3. May 19

    Kevin Nash's Wrestling Union Comments Sparked a Bigger Conversation on Instagram

    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: https://buymeacoffee.com/marieshadows https://marieshadows.substack.com https://instagram.com/marieshadows.scp 00:00 - 01:50Marie 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 - 05:30The 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 - 12:30Marie breaks down why unions sound good in theory but become far more complicated once applied to industries like professional wrestling. 12:31 - 18:00The 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 - 24:30Workers 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 - 31:20The episode explores why wrestling’s creative structure could completely collapse under heavy union involvement, especially involving creative decisions and storyline disputes. 31:21 - 37:45International 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 - 43:20Teachers 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 - 48:40Marie 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 - EndThe episode closes with a deeper breakdown of why professional wrestling could become damaged if union structures begin controlling too many aspects of the industry.

    Kevin Nash's Wrestling Union Comments Sparked a Bigger Conversation on Instagram

  4. Apr 29

    TKO Needs to Take a Step Back — What WrestleMania Actually Showed Us

    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 structureWrestleMania in Las Vegas and the idea of “safe” corporate environmentsWhy advertisers — not ticket sales — drive the businessThe illusion of fan outrage vs real financial impactInfluencers, access, and why industry change rarely happensMatch quality vs ad placement and pacing issuesWWE releases and shifting philosophy toward athletes vs wrestlersWWE is being treated like a fight promotion instead of a storytelling engineAdvertisers dictate more than fans realizeComplaining without action changes nothingInfluencer culture is tied to access, not advocacyWrestleMania is shifting toward spectacle over substanceNotable Quote: “They already got paid.” Follow Marie Shadows on Substack for exclusive episodes Join the conversation about wrestling industry structure, not just surface-level takes Support independent wrestling analysis that challenges the norm

    TKO Needs to Take a Step Back — What WrestleMania Actually Showed Us

  5. Feb 12

    MLW is K*ller Kross! MLW Battle Riot VIII 2026 review with Dos Evil!

    Welcome to the Squared Circle Podcast with your host Marie Shadows! https://patreon.com/marieshadows https://rumble.com/user/marieshadows 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.

    MLW is K*ller Kross! MLW Battle Riot VIII 2026 review with Dos Evil!

  6. Feb 2

    Gunther's Career K*ller Gimmick & WWE Fanboys Exposed – Royal Rumble 2026 Breakdown

    Welcome to the Squared Circle Podcat by your host Marie Shadows! Squared Circle Podcast and Discord Notes will be on Patreon and Rumble! Youtube has made my videos stagnat! Join me over at Rumble and Patreon! Any support helps keep me independent! See you in chat! https://patreon.com/marieshadows https://rumble.com/user/marieshadows In this episode, Marie Shadows breaks down WWE's Royal Rumble 2026 from Riyadh, calling out fanboys for blind acceptance, critiquing Gunther's "career killer" gimmick, AJ Styles' retirement match, and John Cena's lackluster final bout. She ties it all to bigger issues in wrestling fandom, nuclear heat in 2026, and why pushing back matters. Plus, promos for Patreon exclusives like Tape Study and Discord Notes. Make sure to like, subscribe, and comment—did AJ's retirement feel wrong to you? Follow on Spotify for more reviews. Support on Patreon (patreon.com/MarieShadows) for unlimited Tape Study, JCW Lunacy breakdowns, and Discord Notes archives. Check uncensored content on Rumble.com/user/MarieShadows. Timestamps: 00:00:02 - Intro: Dislike for WWE fanboys accepting everything without pushback 00:00:47 - Real fans' valid dissatisfaction vs. complainers 00:01:11 - John Cena's final match: Worst ever, full breakdown on Patreon 00:01:37 - Patreon promo: Free follows, $7.50 tier for exclusives 00:02:44 - Welcome to Square Circle Podcast: Royal Rumble review 00:03:00 - WWE's bad decisions tying Cena's match to Rumble issues 00:03:37 - Gunther as "career killer": Doesn't make sense at 38 00:04:44 - No true nuclear heat in 2026 wrestling (except JCW Lunacy) 00:06:21 - Fanboy reactions to Cena's match: Gaslighting valid feelings 00:07:42 - Tournament for Cena's opponent was lame—should've played the hits 00:08:53 - AJ Styles' retirement at Rumble: Not accepting it yet 00:09:28 - Gunther vs. AJ should've been Cena's match level 00:10:04 - Wrestling subject to change—don't accept retirements blindly 00:11:07 - Rumble matches overview: Men's (Roman wins), Women's (Liv wins) 00:12:19 - Saudi Arabia hosting: Fan hypocrisy on human rights 00:15:02 - Gunther doesn't have nuclear heat—boos are superficial 00:17:13 - Don't let fanboys bully you into liking bad booking 00:18:50 - Rumble got a genuine reaction from me—WWE did its job 00:20:33 - Outro: Comments, polls, follow on Spotify 00:21:58 - Promotions: Rumble, Patreon, Substack, YouTube 00:23:26 - Discord Notes promo: Ep 10 on ICE "whitewashing" and Ava tweet 00:26:13 - Patreon value: Honest feedback, no sugarcoating 00:28:37 - Why Discord Notes exists: Uncomfortable conversations for growth 00:30:03 - Final thanks and sign-off

    Gunther's Career K*ller Gimmick & WWE Fanboys Exposed – Royal Rumble 2026 Breakdown

  7. Jan 30

    NJPW Commentary Gone Woke? Wrestle Kingdom 20 Women's Match & Feminism Rant

    Welcome to the Squared Circle Podcast with your host Marie Shadows! Visit: https://patreon.com/marieshadows https://rumble.com/user/marieshadows In this episode of the Square Circle Podcast, I break down Wrestle Kingdom 20 (January 4, 2026), focusing on the chaotic NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag "Ranbo" opener and the IWGP/STRONG Women's title match between Syuri and Saya Kamitani. I also go in-depth on why activist commentary (feminism, "women fighting for visibility") feels out of place in NJPW, cultural respect for Japan, why the women's titles feel like an afterthought, and how Stardom can headline the Tokyo Dome on merit—not gender narratives. Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro & Wrestle Kingdom 20 overview 1:45 - NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag "Ranbo" (Zack Sabre Jr., Oiwa & Hartley win) 4:20 - The IWGP Women's & STRONG Women's title match (Syuri becomes double champ) 7:10 - Rant starts: Commentary activism & inserting "woke" narratives 12:30 - Respecting Japanese culture vs. American ideology imports 18:45 - Why the IWGP Women's title exists + Stardom as separate division 25:10 - Merit over gender quotas; Stardom selling out Tokyo Dome on its own 32:00 - Women's wrestling observations: safety, training, storytelling 40:15 - Final thoughts: Retire the titles? Revive NJPW Strong? 45:50 - Outro & call to action If you're tired of forced narratives and want real talk on wrestling, hit like/subscribe/comment your thoughts below. No brainwashing here—just passion for the squared circle.

    NJPW Commentary Gone Woke? Wrestle Kingdom 20 Women's Match & Feminism Rant

  8. Jan 29

    Douki Just Buried Tanahashi's Retirement…And Commentary Had a Meltdown | Despe vs Douki Next! WK 20 review

    Welcome to the Squared Circle Podcast with your host Marie Shadows! https://patreon.com/marieshadows https://rumble.com/marieshadows https://marieshadows.substack.com Dive into my raw take on Wrestle Kingdom 20's fatal four-way match for Doki's IWGP Junior Heavyweight contendership: El Desperado vs. Taiji Ishimori vs. Sho vs. Kosei Fujita. Plus, my rant on why commentary (Walker Stewart) is killing kayfabe with lectures and fake outrage. Heels like Doki deserve better—let's talk real wrestling! Timestamps: 00:00:00 - Intro to the Episode and Wrestle Kingdom 20 00:00:32 - Open Mind Warning and Commentary Issues 00:01:36 - Human Nature vs. Utopia Lectures 00:02:50 - Individuality and Why We Don't All Agree 00:03:27 - Rant on Fake Outrage and Woke Commentary 00:04:50 - Doki's Quote and Walker's Lecture 00:06:11 - Heels Being Heels: Kayfabe Explained 00:07:53 - Doki's Confidence vs. Tanahashi's Tour 00:09:17 - Destroying Characters with Lectures 00:10:34 - Why Vince Was in Commentators' Ears 00:12:15 - Japanese vs. English Commentary Preference 00:13:33 - Heels Can't Be Heels Anymore 00:15:03 - Veda Scott Commentary Example 00:16:25 - Commentary's True Job: Storytelling 00:17:21 - Match Breakdown Starts 00:18:58 - Why Not Sho vs. Doki? Storytelling Potential 00:20:54 - Match Action: Attacks, Teams, Shenanigans 00:22:57 - House Interference and Commentary Whining 00:24:10 - Enjoy Wrestling as Escape 00:25:52 - Robbie Eagles & X Help Out 00:26:05 - El Desperado Wins: My Thoughts 00:27:00 - Fantasy Booking Sho vs. Doki 00:29:04 - Elevating House of Torture's Playbook 00:31:02 - Master Wato Deserves a Shot 00:31:37 - Final Rant: No Activists on Commentary 00:33:51 - Respect Individuality 00:34:56 - Outro and See You Next Time

    Douki Just Buried Tanahashi's Retirement…And Commentary Had a Meltdown | Despe vs Douki Next! WK 20 review
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About

Wrestling conversations we need to have to keep kayfabe, storytelling, psychology, and all teachings alive for wrestlers, fans, and the wrestling industry.

Information

  • Creator
    Marie Shadows
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    442
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Marie Shadows
  • Show Website
    Squared Circle Podcast