It is the finale for season six and the entire gang has come together to take care of some housekeeping before they dive headfirst into the off-season.
On the agenda: three tie-breakers for the TIA Big Board. Frank, Joaquin and Chuck present their arguments for which match goes over, but ultimately the decision resides in the hands of Producer Tom.
Then, the boys talk big picture thoughts for the season and the resource project as a whole.
The three ties to be broken are:
S5E04 Aztec Warfare 1 vs S6E3: Masashi Taked OR Masaya Takahashi
S2E10 Will Ospreay vs Jimmy Havoc OR S6E10 Stone Cold Steve Austin vs The Rock
S4E08 The Young Bucks vs The World's Cutest Tag Team OR S6E05 Triple H vs Cactus Jack
Thanks again for listening this season! We hope you had as much fun as we did. Find everything TIA at our landing page thisisawesomepod.com
Shoot us match suggestions @TIAPOD on twitter or via e-mail at thisisawesomepod@gmail.com
See you in the off-season!
Happy 4th of July to all of our listeners in the US of A! Happy Thursday to everyone else!
In celebration of the day that the American hero Lex Luger slammed Yokozuna on the deck of the USS Intrepid your boys are cracking some Croix and trying to pretend like the AC isn't broken by discussing their favorite use of fireworks (aka pyro) in wrestling.
THEN - Joaquin and Frank go head to head in a light quiz of Charlie's design about everyone's favorite July (but mostly June) tradition: The Great American Bash!
Find everything TIA at our landing page thisisawesomepod.com
Hit us up on twitter @TIAPOD or via e-mail at Thisisawesomepod@gmail.com with your match suggestions for season 7!
And stay tuned next week for our season finale where we'll break some tie scores and talk big picture for our research project with little to no methodology!
Welcome to the Watching the Elite - The only podcast you need to stay current with everything All Elite Wrestling! Your hosts are the boys of This is Awesome? - Joaquin, Frank and Chuck.
This is our special Fyter Fest recap show where we break down everything that happened at what was being billed as The Most Luxurious Gaming & Wrestling Festival of All Time. We also close out our coverage for the month of June 2019 with a classic Superlatives party.
Find everything WTE at our landing page, WatchingTheElite.com
If you have any questions, comments, or corrections please e-mail us at watchingtheelite@gmail.com or hit us up @TIAPOD on twitter.
:::SKIP TO TIMECODE 01:19:51 FOR OUR FYTER FEST PREVIEW:::
Welcome to episode 20 of Watching the Elite - The only podcast you need to stay current with everything All Elite Wrestling! Your hosts are the boys of This is Awesome? - Joaquin, Frank and Chuck.
For the June 2019 edition of WTE we are discussing Being the Elite episodes 155-158, episodes of Road to Fyter Fest and Road to Fight for the Fallen as well as previewing the entire Fyter Fest card. Highlights from this block of episodes include: Kenny scrambling to finalize Fyter Fest, Christopher Daniels wrestling with CIMA's challenge, and Luchasaurus flexing his master's degree on Rick Knox.
If you have any questions, comments, or corrections please e-mail us at watchingtheelite@gmail.com or hit us up @TIAPOD on twitter.
It's the final match of season six, and finality is central to all of the proceedings. We're flashing back to WrestleMania 19, specifically the semi-main event that saw The Rock clashing with Stone Cold Steve Austin in what would ultimately be the last match of their WrestleMania trilogy. We know now that, in hindsight, it was also the final match of Steve Austin's storied career.
Will The Rock, now a burgeoning movie star with an always expanding shoulder tattoo be able to defeat the bionic rattlesnake? Or will Austin once again defeat his rival as top dog in the WWE on wrestling's biggest stage?
Joining your boys in the research lab this week to don the lab coat and toss some (pseudo) science around is returning guest Ryan Saucier! (@FlyingSaucier)
[Steve Austin vs The Rock, WrestleMania 19, March 30 2003]
There is a Russian proverb that says jealousy and love are sisters. Perhaps it's that sentiment that drove Manami Toyota to demand a match against Toshiyo Yamada, the woman with whom she shares a tag team championship, a years-long friendly rivalry, and a bond borne out of respect.
Regardless, in the main event of AJW Mid-Summer Typhoon, Toyota defends her IWA Championship against Yamada, with the added stipulation that the loser will suffer the indignity of losing her hair.
Also discussed on this episode: Jackass, Terrace House, Marsupilami, and Bonkers.
Joining in this week to supply some of the much needed data points is development executive Katie Clifford!
[Manami Toyota vs Toshiyo Yamada, All Japan Women's Pro-Wrestling, August 15 1992]
Welcome to episode 19 - part 2 - of Watching the Elite! The internet’s only podcast binging, recapping and annotating YouTube’s favorite pro wrestling show: Being The Elite and discussing all things AEW!
Your hosts are the boys of This is Awesome? - Joaquin, Frank and Chuck. Each episode we cover a month of AEW activity and episodes of BTE.
In this episode we are discussing Double or Nothin (AEW's first PPV event), Being the Elite episode 154 and an assortment of other pieces to finish our coverage of the month of May, 2019. Highlights from this block of episodes include: The Rhodes brothers' bloody brawl, a peek behind the curtain of Double or Nothing, and the surprise debut of Jon Moxley!
If you have any questions, comments, or corrections please e-mail us at watchingtheelite@gmail.com or hit us up @TIAPOD on twitter.
Skip directly to 00:31:02 for the Match Card Preview.
Due to a technical error, some portions of the audio are not mastered to our normal standards. Thank you for understanding, and enjoy the episode.
Welcome to the WTE Double Or Nothing Preview Show! Your hosts are the boys of This is Awesome? - Joaquin, Frank and Chuck.
In this episode we are breaking down the entire card of Double Or Nothing happening on May 25th, 2019! We'll discuss every match, hit you with some of our predictions, and even give you the cliffs notes for what BTE and RTDON content to binge in preparation for each contest.
But first, your boys have some unfinished business from the month of May. We start by discussing BTE 153 and RTDON 16 as well as the ITV special "Before the Bell".
If you have any questions, comments, or corrections please e-mail us at watchingtheelite@gmail.com or hit us up @TIAPOD on twitter.
Welcome to episode 19 (part 1) of Watching the Elite! The internet’s only podcast binging, recapping and annotating YouTube’s favorite pro wrestling show: Being The Elite and discussing all things AEW!
Your hosts are the boys of This is Awesome? - Joaquin, Frank and Chuck. Each episode we cover a month of AEW activity and episodes of BTE on the road to Double or Nothing!
In this episode we are discussing Being the Elite episodes 150-152 in addition to episodes of Road to Double Or Nothing, covering most of the month of May, 2019. Highlights from this block of episodes include: AEW signing a TV deal, The Best Friends demanding tag team action, and Hangman's Full Gear Challenge coming to an end.
If you have any questions, comments, or corrections please e-mail us at watchingtheelite@gmail.com or hit us up @TIAPOD on twitter.
Essential Elite Episode List - Youtube Playlist
On this week's episode your boys dip their toes back into the world of Lucha Libre and finally break the TIA seal on the CMLL promotion. It's the final match of the Torneo Nacional de Parejas Increíbles 2016, a tag team tournament with a unique wrinkle: each team is comprised of a rudo and a técnico.
Who will take home the honors tonight as Mephisto & Mistico square off against Cibernético and Carístico? And what happens when the original Mistico tangles with the young star who assumed the mantle when he left for the States?
Running in this week to help sort out the STAR ratings is screenwriter Aaron Mobley!
[Mephisto & Mistico vs Carístico & Cibernético, CMLL Arena Mexico 60th Anniversary, April 29 2016]
They say its good luck to find a penny. They say if you carry a nickel with a hole in it you'll never be without money. Well I'm not sure about those superstitions, but I do know that a roll of dimes will win you the AWA World Heavyweight Championship!
This week we're taking a look at the American Wrestling Association's Superclash II, where champion Nick Bockwinkel is defending against young upstart Curt Hennig. This one is shaping up to be an all time cl--
Wait...who's this fella in the tuxedo heading to the ring?
Helping fill out the incredibly empty Cow Palace with your boys this week is comedian and podcaster Genevieve Gearity! (@genevieveismyname)
[Nick Bockwinkel vs Curt Hennig, AWA Superclash II, May 2, 1987]
Welcome to episode 18 of Watching the Elite! The internet’s only podcast binging, recapping and annotating YouTube’s favorite pro wrestling show: Being The Elite and discussing all things AEW!
Your hosts are the boys of This is Awesome? - Joaquin, Frank and Chuck. Each episode we cover a month of AEW activity and episodes of BTE on the road to Double or Nothing in May!
In this episode we are discussing Being the Elite episodes 145-149 in addition to episodes of Road to Double Or Nothing, covering the month of April, 2019. Highlights from this block of episodes include: Kenny's Fyter Fest Prep, Two Fantastic Rhodes Promos, and a Surprise Ending!
If you have any questions, comments, or corrections please e-mail us at watchingtheelite@gmail.com or hit us up @TIAPOD on twitter.
0-7.
Hirooki Goto has had seven chances to reach the top of the New Japan mountain and claim the IWGP World Heavyweight Title. Seven times he has failed. Coming off of a stunning victory the month before at WrestleKingdom, the Aramusha has one more chance to prove it to the world - but more importantly to himself - that he can do what some state is impossible.
With new ring gear and stunning war paint, Goto heads to the ring in Osaka to take on Champion Kazuchika Okada. Is 8 the lucky number for the challenger? Or is Goto fruitlessly (but nobly) fighting against the inevitable?
Joining your boys this week to help found the Goto Fan Club is producer Caleb Negassa!
[Kazuchika Okada vs Hirooki Goto, NJPW New Beginning in Osaka, February 11 2016]
Of the three faces of Foley, it is said that Cactus Jack is the most vile, the most sadistic, the most willing to sacrifice his body. Well, in this week's offering Triple H will find out just how true that sentiment is. Your boys are back in Attitude Era, getting granular on a street fight for the World Wrestling Federation Heavyweight Championship. Its Triple H vs Cactus Jack from Royal Rumble 2000.
This one is BYOP (that's "bring your own plunder" for the uninitiated).
Running in this week to help adjudicate some STAR ratings is Muscle Temple founder, writer & story artist Zach Marcus! (@zach2themax)
[Triple H vs Cactus Jack, WWF Royal Rumble 2000, January 23 2000]
Welcome to episode 17 of Watching the Elite! The internet’s only podcast binging, recapping and annotating YouTube’s favorite pro wrestling show: Being The Elite
Your hosts are the boys of This is Awesome? - Joaquin, Frank and Chuck. Each episode we cover the past month of BTE on the road to Double or Nothing!
In this episode we are discussing Being the Elite episodes 141-144 in addition to episodes of Road to Double Or Nothing, covering the month of March, 2019. Highlights from this block of episodes include: Michael Nakazawa, Michael Nakazawa, Michael Nakazawa, and Michael Nakazawa
If you have any questions, comments, or corrections please e-mail us at watchingtheelite@gmail.com or hit us up @TIAPOD on twitter.
On this week's episode your boys are loading up the cooler and picking up some sun screen, because this episode is a real Beach Blast! Put on your favorite swimsuit and check out Rick Rude vs Ricky Steamboat in an epic 30 Minute Iron Man Challenge from WCW's Beach Blast 1992.
Classic commentary, expert pacing, airbrushed tights, lackluster entrance music and one iconic fan. There's something for everyone in this gem from Watts Era WCW.
Running in to help apply some science for this match is comedian and actress Karen Silbert (@mylifeinrattan on Instagram)
[Rick Rude vs Ricky Steamboat, WCW Beach Blast 1992, June 20 1992]
CONTENT WARNING: The match discussed in this episode is highly graphic and should only be viewed by those comfortable with excessive blood and violence.
Christmas comes extremely early this year (or is it a little late?) and we've baked a cake to celebrate! Please mind the sharpened forks and pencils. We're watching Takeda vs Takahashi from Big Japan Death Vegas 2017 for the BJW Death Match Heavyweight Championship.
Joining your boys this week to break down this (admittedly) difficult to watch match is filmmaker Charles Pieper (@inherentcharlie The Dark Collection )
And remember, what happens in Death Vegas stays in Death Vegas, even when what happens is a Dangerous Christmas for Deathmatch Fluorescent Light Tubes Tree & Glass Plate & Alpha Deathmatch
[Masashi Takeda vs. Masaya Takahashi, BJW Death Vegas 2017, December 17 2017]
THUNDER ROCK EXPLODES!
On this episode, your boys head back to the World of Stardom (or is it Stardom World?) to watch the Genius of the Sky defend her World of Stardom Championship against former tag team partner and former best friend, The Sky Blue Hyper Technician.
Will Mayu be able to defeat her unstoppable former stablemate or will it once again be a case of LOLSHIRAIWINS?
Joining in on this week's analysis is writer and Muscle Temple member Geoffrey Golden! (@geoffreygolden geoffreygolden.com)
[Io Shirai vs Mayu Iwatani, Stardom Year-End Climax, December 12 2016]
Remember to keep those match suggestions coming to us via e-mail at thisisawesomepod@gmail.com or on twitter @TIAPOD
And find everything TIA at our landing page: thisisawesomepod.com
Check out Joaquin's LA Marathon fundraiser info HERE
The regular season begins with one of our most highly requested matches: a five star NXT instant classic that sees NXT Champion Andrade 'Cien' Almas (with the ever present Zelena Vega) defending his gold against the ultra charismatic white meat babyface challenger, Johhny Gargano (née Wrestling).
In the city of brotherly love, will Johnny Wrestling manage to complete his Rocky story? And if so will that story be more like Rocky I where the victory comes in simply showing up and giving it your all? Or the more satisfying yet far less emotionally complex Rocky's 2-4 where it's about Rocky winning the big one in the end?
Either way, we'll find out with the help of concept artist and illustrator Dave Alegre. (@scrotumnose)
[Andrade Almas vs Johnny Gargano, NXT TakeOver: Philadelphia, January 27 2018]
Find everything TIA at our landing page thisisawesomepod.com and hit us up on twitter @TIAPOD or via e-mail at thisisawesomepod@gmail.com
And if you can, please take a minute to check out and support Joaquin's fundraiser as he takes on the LA Marathon once again to raise funds for the International Rescue Committee. Find it at gf.me/u/ppk4ax
Welcome to episode 16 of Watching the Elite! The internet’s only podcast binging, recapping and annotating YouTube’s favorite pro wrestling show: Being The Elite
Your hosts are the boys of This is Awesome? - Joaquin, Frank and Chuck. Each episode we cover the past month of BTE on the road to All Elite Wrestling's premiere!
In this episode we are discussing Being the Elite episodes 137-140 covering the month of February, 2019. Highlights from this block of episodes include: Joey Ryan's self-defense issues, Christopher Daniels' dental issues, and Adam Page's fitness issues.
If you have any questions, comments, or corrections please e-mail us at watchingtheelite@gmail.com or hit us up @TIAPOD on twitter.
Get out your buzzers and put on your game face because it's time, once again, for the fourth edition of the Everything is Wrestling Quote Game.
Who said it!? That's the question of the hour. Joaquin is your host as Chuck, Frank, Tom and returning guest AC Boral face off in a battle for the ages. Spoiler: this edition features an actual, functional lightning round.
Check out everything AC @ACBoral (Rice & Shine)
Find everything TIA at our landing page thisisawesomepod.com and hit us up either on twitter @TIAPOD or via e-mail thisisawesomepod@gmail.com
We want your match suggestions for the regular season! We want a five star review on iTunes. We want to keep this podcast rolling on Thursday nights.
It is the penultimate episode of the TIA off-season and your boys are finishing up strong with another rousing edition of the King of the Thing trivia game! The categories are: Movez with a Z, Making an Entrance, Tuning Up the Band, The Mania of WrestleMania and (as always) Potpourri & Plunder!
And because it's our biggest King of the Thing ever we are joined by a new challenger: Muscle Temple member and chef extraordinaire AC Boral! (@ACBoral Rice & Shine)
Who will be crowned this off-seasons King of the Thing?
Keep those match suggestions coming on twitter @TIAPOD or via e-mail at thisisawesomepod@gmail.com
Everything TIA is found at our landing page: ThisisAwesomepod.com
Did you guys know Frank went to Japan? Well he did! And he has thoughts! On this off-season episode Frank breaks down his trip, discussing Korakuen Hall, Dragon Gate, wrestling merch stores and the best part of Sushi Bar Yasuda.
Welcome to episode 15 of Watching the Elite! The internet’s only podcast binging, recapping and annotating YouTube’s favorite pro wrestling show: Being The Elite
Your hosts are the boys of This is Awesome? - Joaquin, Frank and Chuck. Each episode we cover the past month of BTE on the road to All Elite Wrestling's premiere!
In this episode we are discussing Being the Elite episodes 133-136. Highlights from this block of episodes include: The Elite barnstorming the indies, Cody introducing the boys to his new ward, and pyro! Lots and lots of pyro!
If you have any questions, comments, or corrections please e-mail us at watchingtheelite@gmail.com or hit us up @TIAPOD on twitter.
This week's episode of TIA is in honor of our very special guest, Dario Barrera! Because of his well known love of all things related to the dirt sheets, Joaquin is challenging the boys to take a trip into the deep waters of the Daz Files in a new game of his own invention. It's a buzzer game with multiple rounds (until it isn't) and by the end we will have one final winner remaining (until we don't)!