Pro Wrestling Podcast Showcase
A curated selection to enhance your pro wrestling knowledge
Listening to a pro wrestling podcast can be an enjoyable way to learn more about some of your favorite pro wrestlers, the history of wrestling itself, current news, and hear analysis of the latest episodes of the various weekly wrestling shows.
It all depends on your specific reasons for wanting to listen to a wrestling podcast.
There’s a huge number of pro wrestling podcasts currently active with new episodes weekly and many different themes.
This year, brand new podcasts are launching every month too it seems.
I speak from personal experience, as only having started listening to podcasts a couple of years ago, that it can be quite challenging to decide which pro wrestling podcasts to regularly listen too when there’s such a plethora of them to choose from on the major podcast platforms.
Much like choosing what wrestling promotions to watch, for many of us it’s matter of time constraints too in selecting how many podcasts we can listen to on a regular basis.
To that end, here’s my curated list of recommended wrestling podcasts where the podcasters themselves share information about their shows.
Seek out and sample.
This first-round of recommended podcasts spotlights five different shows, as well as one podcaster who co-hosts three different shows with WWE legends from the ‘80s.
To my Substack subscribers, for this round I’ve chosen to focus on wrestling podcasts not available on Substack. There are some great wrestling podcasts that can be found on Substack too, so feel free to DM me on Substack for some recommendations of shows that can be found there.
When the podcaster has provided links of episodes they wanted to highlight, I have included those too here in this post.
This is the first of what will be an ongoing periodic themed lists of pro wrestling resources, covering audio, visual and written content, as well as assorted merchandise, to guide you in a journey to get more immersed in the wonderful world of professional wrestling.
In these resource lists, I will only be featuring products that I have personally purchased if merchandise or actively “consume” if print, visual audio media, and I recommend.
Enjoy!
- Russell Franklin
Wrestling Life with Ben Veal
Podcaster: Ben Veal
On the inspiration to start a pro wrestling:
Wrestling Life launched in October 2023 with a near two-hour deep-dive interview with British wrestling veteran Nathan Cruz, but in reality the show had been many years in the making.
The purpose of Wrestling Life is to shine the spotlight brightly, and positively, on the incredibly talented performers who have shaped wrestling’s past, are driving its present, and will influence its future.
Over 30+ episodes and counting, the show has interviewed many of the industry’s biggest names, including Kurt Angle, Lilian Garcia, Rob Van Dam, Marc Mero, Mick Foley, Buff Bagwell and Candice Michelle.
Each episode focuses around delivering real talk from real talent: honest, open and inspiring conversations that delve deeper into the lives of the real people behind the larger-than-life pro wrestling business.
Ben’s background in pro wrestling:
I’ve worked in public relations and marketing for close to two decades and been a wrestling fan for over thirty years.
Wrestling has always been a place of escapism and wonder for me, going back to when I was first captivated by SummerSlam 1992 at London’s Wembley Stadium.
Ever since, I have been hooked on professional wrestling, and as I matured as a fan, I became much more interested in the artform of wrestling and the sacrifices that talent have to make in order to entertain fans worldwide.
Wrestling Life is now my opportunity to give back to a very special industry that has given me so much as a fan, by telling the stories that need telling.
On what to expect to hear on the show:
Wrestling Life looks to offer something different from other wrestling podcasts out there: an open and encouraging environment where guests can feel comfortable to talk about their lives beyond the squared circle.
Guest Comments:
“This isn’t your typical wrestling podcast. Ben digs deeper into the real stories behind the business. His conversational style is so interesting and refreshing. Truly one of the best.”
- Marc Mero
“Take any episode of Wrestling Life with Ben Veal and give it a listen. Ben is one of the most thoughtful, caring and genuinely interesting hosts in the podcast field. His unique perspective and ability get behind the persona and into the heart of his guests is unmatched.”
- Elijah, formerly WWE’s Elias
“Ben brings a fresh take to wrestling interviews. Looking forward to next time.”
- Eric Bischoff
Ben’s favorite episode:
There have been so many, but my conversation with Marc Mero stands tall as a very special one.
Marc opened up with me about going through some very dark times after leaving WWE, and how experiencing life’s valleys ultimately led to him becoming America’s leading inspirational speaker for young people.
The conversation that Marc and I had was the starting point of what has since become a very strong friendship between the two of us. I have a huge amount of respect for Marc and how he lives his life today.
Where to listen to your podcast to Wrestling Life:
Wrestling Life with Ben Veal is widely available via Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon and more.
Each and every episode is also available on our Youtube channel - with plenty of short clips if you prefer to engage with content that way.
Every episode also receives its own written feature on our website: Wrestling Life online
Keepin' It Strong Style
Podcasters: Jeremy Donovan and “Young Boy” Josh Smith (all answers from Jeremy)
On the inspiration to start a pro wrestling podcast
The beginnings of our podcast traces back to the origins of Social Suplex itself. In 2014, I set out to create a place where I could share my passion for wrestling content. Instead of joining an established site, I decided to build my own platform. After a few months of writing for Social Suplex, I connected with Rich Latta, who had his own wrestling podcast, One Nation Radio. We quickly hit it off, and in 2015, we brought One Nation Radio onto Social Suplex, marking the start of the Social Suplex Podcast Network.
As the network grew, we continued to bring in more shows. I wanted to start a podcast myself, but since most of our content centered around WWE, I felt another WWE-focused show wasn’t necessary. By 2017, though, I was growing disillusioned with WWE and diving more into NJPW. After watching an incredible NJPW show with my friend Joshua Smith, we were inspired to launch a New Japan podcast for the network. Our first episode dropped on December 4, 2017, and we’ve been going strong ever since.
Jeremy and Josh’s background in pro wrestling
Both Josh and I have been passionate wrestling fans since we were young, following nearly every major promotion and independent company over the past 30 years.
I even trained briefly with the now-defunct Florida All Star Wrestling, while Josh has been training recreationally with Matt Sydal in recent years.
We've attended countless live shows and are deeply connected to the Florida wrestling scene.
Through Social Suplex and Keepin' It Strong Style, we've had the privilege of receiving media credentials for wrestling shows and interviewing several notable wrestlers, including Robbie Eagles, Rocky Romero, El Phantasmo, Hikuleo, and Matt Sydal.
On what to expect to hear on the show:
Keepin' It Strong Style is the longest running weekly episodic NJPW podcast, delivering the most comprehensive coverage available.
We review and preview every NJPW event that airs, making our show an ideal companion for both new fans and longtime puroresu enthusiasts.
After seven years of dedicated coverage, we’ve built a strong reputation and credibility among NJPW fans and wrestlers.
Jeremy’s favorite episode:
One of my favorite episodes is Episode 253 where we paid tribute to the legacy and career of Antonio Inoki following his passing.
We were joined by Justin M. Knipper from Fight Game Media and Mike Sempervive from Wrestling Observer Live, making it a special collaboration.
We put a lot of research into that episode, and it led to an incredible conversation about Inoki's impact and career. We are really proud of how it turned out and the work we put into it.
Where to listen to Keepin’ It Strong Style:
Readers can listen to us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or the podcast app of their choice. We drop new episodes every Tuesday.
Getting Over: Wrestling Podcast
Podcasters: Adam Silverstein and Chris Vannini (all answers from Adam)
On the inspiration to start a pro wrestling podcast:
I was owner of the popular Top Rope Newsletter back in the 1990s and early 2000s but stepped away from wrestling in 2002.
When I returned a few years later, I started casually but quickly dove all-in again, which proved beneficial when I began a career in sports journalism.
Suddenly, I was writing about WWE like the good ol’ days, interviewing wrestlers and expanding my interest to New Japan at its height.
My company decided to start a wrestling podcast with me as a co-host. The show was immensely successful but ultimately ended, and just a few months later in March 2020, I started Getting Over.
Yes, right at the start of the pandemic. It was an interesting time, indeed.
On what to expect to hear on the show:
Getting Over strives to set itself apart from many of our competitors.
Co-host Chris Vannini and I are active sports journalists who approach coverage of WWE, NXT, AEW and beyond from an analytical perspective.
The show does not exist as a platform for hot takes but rather offer in-depth analysis of wrestling.
We offer weekly, comprehensive WWE breakdowns on Tuesdays and coverage of NXT and AEW on Thursdays along with additional episodes featuring instant analysis of pay-per-views, instant reactions to breaking news and interviews with some of the top names in the business.
We were extremely proud to learn that Getting Over was named Wrestling Podcast of the Year in the 2024 Sports Podcast Awards.
Adam’s most memorable episode:
There are a number of episodes that our listeners often cite as their favorites.
Most recently, our instant reaction to the WrestleMania 40 Kickoff event – when The Rock slapped Cody Rhodes – got rave reviews, as did our instant analysis episodes for each night of WrestleMania 40.
Getting Over was the first media outlet to interview former WWE ring announcer Samantha Irvin back in June 2023. That conversation received a lot of attention, and she told us it helped put her on the map.
She was a fantastic guest as was Becky Lynch earlier this year while on her book tour.
At the end of each year, we produce two special, high-effort episodes that are host favorites: a year-in-review covering every memorable moment and major news item from the prior 12 months along with a Getting Over Awards show with awards voted on by our listeners that has grown in popularity over the years.
Where to listen to Getting Over: Wrestling Podcast:
Getting Over is available wherever you listen to podcasts, though most of our listeners utilize Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
We also have a YouTube channel where episodes get uploaded automatically, but right now it is the same audio-only presentation.
We plan to offer a greater variety of content in 2025 and beyond.
You can also find us on X where we tweet out every episode as soon as it drops.
The Chokeslam Wrestling Report
Podcaster: Ultimate One
On the inspiration to start a pro wrestling podcast:
I decided to do a podcast back in 2019. I was leaving my current employment and started to ask myself what am I going to do with my life.
I wanted to do something that I was passionate about.
Every day I would be in the dirt sheet looking at wrestling news. And I said, everyone seems to be doing a podcast so I figured why not try to launch one. On May 31st, 2019, the Ultimate Wrestling News was born, known today as The Chokeslam Wrestling Report.
On what to expect to hear on the show:
The Chokeslam Wrestling Report is a podcast that brings you the latest news and feedback from a non-tribalism opinion. I cover most of the major promotions and that includes New Japan.
Ultimate One’s most memorable episode:
My best episode has to be the second episode where we cover several events in the summer of 2019. That episode gets a lot of views to this day. It has 10K on my YouTube channel.
Where to listen to Chokeslam Wresting Report:
Everyone can go to my YouTube channel and subscribe and check any episode that they may have missed.
Also, you can follow me on Facebook, IG, and X.
And Then The Bell Rang
Podcasters: Dangerous Dave and Lex Lloydy (all answers from Dangerous Dave)
On the inspiration to start a pro wrestling podcast
I have been a wrestling fan since 1992 and haven't stopped watching even in the down periods. My co-host [Lex Lloydy] got into wrestling in 1994 and loved it, but he stopped watching towards the end of 1998. We have watched all the old events and the 80s and 90s were such a great period. There are so many great characters.
We released our 1st episode in April 2024.
On what to expect to hear on the show
We are just two friends who love the events and wrestlers we talk about, and we wanted to share that with other listeners. We take certain events from the 80s and 90s and review the show and what was happening that year.
Dangerous Dave’s favorite episode
My favorite episode so far is the Mount Rushmore of wrestling episode where we both go through wrestlers and who we would put on our Mount Rushmore.
It's interesting because I have a master knowledge of wrestlers who continued their careers after the 90s.
Where to listen to And Then The Bell Rang:
We can be found on Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Music and anywhere else you find podcasters.
Snake Pit (with Jake Roberts), Hacksaw Hour (with Hacksaw Jim Duggan), Ted Dibiase (with Ted Dibiase)
Podcast Co-Host for above shows: Marcus DeAngelo (all answers from Marcus DeAngelo
On the inspiration to start a pro wrestling podcast:
I started with Jake Roberts as my first podcast in December 2022. I had become friends with Jake after spending time working for Ad Free Shows and when the DDP Snake Pit show with Jake and Dallas went away, Jake and I came to an agreement on doing a podcast together.
On what to expect to hear on the show:
I am passionate about getting untold stories from these legendary figures in the sport. Very often, these talents will do radio interviews and often get asked the same questions every time.
What I want to do is cover the ENTIRETY of their careers, even the stuff that happened before they “made it”.
At one point I did an episode with Jake, and his daughter reached out to me to say that she had never heard some of the stories before. It gave me real satisfaction to know that some of these lost stories are being recovered from all the guys I work with.
Marcus’s favorite episode:
It’s really hard to pick just one episode.
With Jake, I really enjoyed the episode we called Teaching Warrior The Darkside, which is about when he made his heel turn in 1991.
For Ted, it’s probably our SummerSlam 1993 episode when he talks about leaving the WWF to return to Japan and the end of his in-ring career.
With Jim, I love doing Hacksaw Mailbag episodes. We never know what direction we’ll go in and his charisma is unbelievable.
Where to listen to the shows Marcus co-hosts:
I’d love for readers to find me on their podcast app, but YouTube is where it’s at. The Hacksaw Hour is a YouTube exclusive show and it shares the same page as EGAP with Ted. That’s at Golden Era Network YouTube channel
For The Snake Pit, you can use your podcast app or watch at Snake Pit Pod
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