On this episode of the #PWIPodcast, Al Castle & Brian R. Solomon are joined by fellow PWI contributor Scott Fishman to discuss the recent Night of Champions PLE, including WWE's controversial relationship with the Saudi Arabian government, CM Punk's apology, and the King & Queen of the Ring tournaments. Plus: Goldberg's return to WWE for Saturday Night's Main Event, previewing AEW All In, and more.
Jul 03, 2025•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 263
On this episode of the #PWIPodcast, Al Castle & Brian R. Solomon are joined by fellow PWI contributor Cameron Hawkins (@CeeHawk) for a lively and insightful discussion covering a wide range of topics: The return of Ron Killing (R-Truth) to WWE His future prospects What the latest World title change means for Jey Uso & Gunther WWE's diversity challenges with its main roster Candid thoughts on CM Punk wrestling in Saudi Arabia And much more....
Jun 13, 2025•1 hr 23 min•Ep. 262
On this episode of the #PWIPodcast, Al Castle & Brian R. Solomon are joined once again by fellow PWI writer Jason McVeigh for an in-depth review of AEW Double or Nothing. Plus: Thoughts on the WWE NXT-TNA relationship, WWE's rollback of house shows, and much more.
Jun 02, 2025•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 261
On this episode of the #PWIPodcast, Al Castle & Brian R. Solomon are joined by fellow PWI writer Alfonso Lopez to discuss WWE's purchase of Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide and all the implications around it: how each company might benefit or change, which stars could be involved, and what impact this may have on the rival CMLL promotion. Plus: The legacy of Sabu, reactions to WWE Backlash, and more.
May 15, 2025•1 hr 21 min•Ep. 260
On this episode of the #PWIPodcast, Al Castle & Brian R. Solomon reconvene for an in-depth review of WrestleMania 41, discussing everything from the controversial main event match between Cody Rhodes and John Cena to the influence (for better and worse) of the live crowd.
Apr 24, 2025•1 hr 27 min•Ep. 259
On the new #PWIPodcast , Al Castle & Brian R. Solomon are joined by Senior Writer Harry Burkett and Editor Kevin McElvaney to preview #WrestleMania41 . Plus: In an unexpected turn of events, the guys relitigate the controversial ending to WrestleMania IX.
Apr 15, 2025•1 hr 45 min•Ep. 258
Pro Wrestling INDIEstrated is back after a long absence with hosts Kaia McKenna and PWI Editor-in-Chief Kevin McElvaney. Today, they are joined by former PROGRESS and ICW (Scotland) Women's champion Rhio, who is currently one of the top names on the U.K. wrestling scene. They look ahead to Rhio's rematch for the PROGRESS Women's championship at PROGRESS Las Vegas, the WrestleMania Week show where she'll face Nina Samuels and Vertvixen in a triple-threat. Plus, how will Rhio use her ICW Square Go...
Apr 11, 2025•23 min•Ep. 257
On this episode of the #PWIPodcast, Al Castle & Brian R. Solomon are joined by author Keith Elliot Greenberg to discuss how WrestleMania (and particularly WrestleMania III) transformed the pro wrestling industry. Plus: The multitude of multi-person bouts planned for WrestleMania 41. And are we buying John Cena's explanations for his recent heel turn?
Apr 03, 2025•1 hr 21 min•Ep. 256
On Episode 250 of the #PWIPodcast , Al Castle and Brian R. Solomon are joined by PWI Editor Kevin McElvaney for an in-depth (and, at times, heated) discussion of #AEWRevolution . Plus, Brian takes his version of a victory lap after foretelling John Cena's heel turn....
Mar 14, 2025•1 hr 35 min•Ep. 255
On this episode of The PWI Podcast, Al Castle and Brian R. Solomon are joined by writer and historian Evan Ginzburg (The Wrestler, Pro Wrestling Stories). Together, they debate the pros and cons of the WWE and AEW presentations of the sport. Plus, Evan discusses his new book, previous experiences as an associate producer for Darren Aronofsky, experiences as a fan, and much more.
Feb 28, 2025•1 hr 37 min•Ep. 254
On this episode of the #PWIPodcast, Al Castle and Brian R. Solomon are joined by Pro Wrestling Illustrated Editor-in-Chief Kevin McElvaney to discuss the winners of this year's #RoyalRumble matches (Jey Uso & Charlotte Flair), what the #wrestlemania41 card is shaping up to be, and the takeaways from this year's #PWIAwards.
Feb 04, 2025•1 hr 48 min•Ep. 253
On this episode of The PWI Podcast, hosts Al Castle and Brian R. Solomon are joined by fellow Pro Wrestling Illustrated contributor Scott Fishman to discuss Raw's Netflix debut and various topics of debate sparked by it, such as the trajectories of The Rock and Hulk Hogan. Plus: What might John Cena's retirement run look like? When will Joe Hendry's time come? And Brian provides an update on his forthcoming Gorilla Monsoon biography.
Jan 13, 2025•1 hr 18 min•Ep. 252
On the year's final episode of The PWI Podcast, Al Castle and Brian R. Solomon are joined by Jason McVeigh to discuss the state of WWE, AEW, and TNA as 2024 becomes 2025. Plus: looking back on the return of Saturday Night's Main Event, this year's "Tag Team 100" ranking, and more.
Dec 20, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 251
On this episode of The PWI Podcast, hosts Al Castle and Brian R. Solomon are joined by fellow PWI contributor Mike Bessler to talk about the evolving tradition of pro wrestling around the major holidays. They also discuss the recent WWE Survivor Series and AEW Full Gear events (with special focus on the Costco guys.)
Dec 11, 2024•1 hr 28 min•Ep. 250
On this episode of The PWI Podcast, longtime Contributing Writer Louie Dee makes his return to chat with hosts Al Castle and Brian R. Solomon about the WWE Vault, Donald Trump's relationship with WWE, and more.
Nov 14, 2024•1 hr 20 min•Ep. 249
On this episode of Pro Wrestling INDIEstrated, Kaia McKenna & Kevin McElvaney are joined by independent wrestler Logan Knight to discuss his ongoing battle with the Oklahoma State Athletic Commission regarding the right of transgender wrestlers to perform and for indie wrestlers to square off in intergender matches.
Oct 30, 2024•30 min•Ep. 247
On this episode of the #PWINDIE podcast, hosts Kaia McKenna & Kevin McElvaney are joined by Landon Hale, who has had an exciting run on the American and international indie circuits, for a heartfelt and enlightening conversation. Topics of discussion include Hale's experiences in wXw (Germany), wrestling Paul London, and much more.
Oct 29, 2024•31 min•Ep. 248
With Brian R. Solomon on assignment, Al Castle is joined by Queen P.R. (Patricia Rogers, Those Wrestling Girls) for a wide-ranging discussion on PWI's "Women's 250," Black representation in WWE, and so much more.
Oct 24, 2024•1 hr 21 min•Ep. 246
On this Brady Bunch-sized edition of The PWI Podcast, hosts Al Castle and Brian R. Solomon are joined by fellow PWI contributor Kristen Ashly, as well as the #500-ranked wrestler of 2024, Memes (aka Blue Pain/Blue Kane). Together, they discuss the "PWI 500" issue, which just hit newsstands across the U.S. and Canada, with a special focus on the "500" spot and women ranking on the list. Plus, an in-depth look at the new Netflix series, Mr. McMahon, and the complicated, yet incomplete portrait it ...
Oct 07, 2024•1 hr 30 min•Ep. 245
On this episode of the #PWINDIE podcast, hosts Kaia McKenna & Kevin McElvaney are joined by Alexis "Friggin'" Lee for a fun, captivating conversation about Lee's career. Topics include wrestling in her native Singapore, her series with Yuki Kamifuku (Kamiyu), and the upcoming Jam of Joshis event.
Oct 02, 2024•29 min•Ep. 244
On this episode of the Pro Wrestling INDIEstrated podcast, Hyan joins hosts Kaia McKenna & Kevin McElvaney to reflect on her recent victory in West Coast Pro Wrestling's prestigious Queen of the Indies tournament, her recent appearances for TNA, Deadlock Pro, and F1RST Wrestling, and much more.
Sep 17, 2024•29 min•Ep. 243
On this episode of The PWI Podcast, Al Castle and Brian R. Solomon are joined by Dustin Wilson (Big Dust), who ranked #500 in the 2022 PWI 500. After some discussion of Wilson's forthcoming documentary, #Being500, the three dive in to this year's PWI 500 list, discussing the criteria, some of the surprises on the list, and more.
Sep 12, 2024•1 hr 27 min•Ep. 242
On this episode of The PWI Podcast, Al Castle is joined by guest cohost, PWI U.K. correspondent (and self-professed Sideshow Mel) Jason McVeigh, for a preview of the upcoming All In event at Wembley Stadium. Plus: Post-show analysis of SummerSlam, with a special focus on the futures of Gunther and Damian Priest; remembering Kevin Sullivan; and more.
Aug 16, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 241
On this episode of The PWI Podcast, Al Castle & Brian R. Solomon discuss a bevy of recent hot topics, including Hulk Hogan hitching his wagon to the Donald Trump presidential campaign at the RNC, John Cena's upcoming retirement tour (and his legacy, especially as compared to Roman Reigns), and many other topics. Plus, Al Castle shares his recent conversation with WWE NXT Women's champion Roxanne Perez.
Jul 23, 2024•1 hr 51 min•Ep. 240
Dani Mo has kept a busy schedule as of late, between her usual busy slate of singles matches and tag bouts (w/ Facade as The Neon Blondes). But she also made history, with a certified world record for the highest altitude ever for a women's wrestling match. Dani details her recent trip to Nepal, the difficulties of performing at such an altitude, and more.
Jul 18, 2024•42 min•Ep. 239
On this episode of the #PWINDIE podcast, Viva Van joins hosts Kaia McKenna & Kevin McElvaney to chat about her upcoming title opportunity at #fantasticamania, creating a viral moment with Man Like DeReiss and Fuego Del Sol over WrestleMania Weekend, and her goals for the future.
Jul 10, 2024•26 min•Ep. 238
On this episode of The PWI Podcast, Al Castle & Brian R. Solomon are joined by Righteous Reg to discuss the legacy of Sika, the Forbidden Door concept (and how it has evolved), VICE TV's Who Killed WCW? series, and much more.
Jun 28, 2024•1 hr 36 min•Ep. 237
The Grandmaster of Sicilian Jiu-Jitsu joins Pro Wrestling INDIEstrated hosts Kaia McKenna & Kevin McElvaney for a freewheeling discussion of independent wrasslin'. Due to some strong language, listener discretion is advised.
Jun 25, 2024•1 hr•Ep. 236
On this episode of The PWI Podcast, Senior Writer Al Castle shares his extended phone conversation with would-be TNA X division champion Mustafa Ali, who opens up for the first time about the genesis of his ingenious politician character and marketing campaign. But first: Al is joined by cohost, fellow PWI Contributing Writer Brian R. Solomon, to discuss the recent AEW Double or Nothing and WWE King & Queen of the Ring events.
Jun 07, 2024•2 hr 1 min•Ep. 235
On this episode of The PWI Podcast, hosts Al Castle & Brian R. Solomon are joined by one of PWI's newest contributors, Alfonso Lopez, for a wide-ranging discussion about the current state lucha libre (AAA, CMLL), WWE's growing presence in Europe and Mexico, and the possibility of future big-time events in those countries. Plus: The AEW EVP storyline, how it may have rebounded, and playing to the strengths of wrestlers with limitations. Brian's Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ShutUpandWrestl...
May 06, 2024•1 hr 32 min•Ep. 234