On this week's off-season offering, your boys are in listicle mode as they gather together once again in the studio to rank each and every Raw theme, starting all the way back with the original 1993 classic.
On this journey, strange alliances will be formed & broken, multiple co-hosts will come to the defense of Nickelback, and Joaquin will desperately try to get his patent pending SLAP theme rating system over.
Don't forget to check out everything TIA at thisisawesomepod.com and send us match suggestions for season 5 via twitter @TIAPOD or by getting us at thisisawesomepod@gmail.com
Most wrestling fans are aware of WWE's tourist trap slash eat-a-torium WWF New York (aka The World), but did you know that WCW also dipped their toes into running a themed restaurant? Well they did. And your boys pulled up the menu to see how many bad puns Eric Bischoff's chefs could come up with.
On this week's off-season episode, Joaquin, Chuck and Producer Tom dive deep into the menu of WCW's Las Vegas restaurant: The WCW Nitro Grill. Where the Big Boys Eat!
The off-season continues to keep it weird! This week, Joaquin moderates the first ever TIA Debate-a-Mania with Chuck and Producer Tom going head to head in a war of words scheduled for two topics.
First, your boys debate the merits of cheering favorites vs underdogs through the lens of a hypothetical match-up between Daniel Bryan and the Big Dog Roman Reigns.
Then, Chuck and Tom takes sides on the issue of Dolph Ziggler's career outlook. Should be stick it out in the WWE and see if he can crack the ceiling, or should he go the Cody route and explore new frontiers?
Remember to keep sending in match suggestions via twitter @TIAPOD or via e-mail at thisisawesomepod@gmail.com
And find everything TIA at thisisawesomepod.com
Recorded shortly after the season 4 finale, Aubrey Sitterson (@aubreysitterson) is once again in studio for the 3rd edition of Joaquin's Everything is Wrestling Quote Game!
The rules are tweaked, there's a 4th player entering the game, and there's even a theme: all the quotes are motivational.
It's standing room only and the stakes have never been higher. Who will win bragging rights in the Greatest quote game yet?
Be sure to check out Aubrey's upcoming book The Comic Book Story of Professional Wrestling available for pre-order now! (http://amzn.to/2Ex7DIi)
As always we want your match suggestions for season 5. Hit us up on twitter @TIAPOD or via e-mail at thisisawesomepod@gmail.com
And find everything TIA at our landing page thisisawesomepod.com
In this week's off-season offering, the boys make like Scott Bakula in Quantum Leap and journey into the past to talk about the moments in wrestling history that they wish they could have been there for (oh boy).
THEN, the gang dusts off the old hat for a new game! Taking a cue from The Greatest Royal Rumble, Joaquin has filled the hat with upgraded show names and each of your boys will take turns pitching how to upgrade every PPV on the calendar.
As always, send in your match suggestions for season 5 and beyond to our inbox at thisisawesomepod@gmail.com or on twitter @TIAPOD
Check out our landing page thisisawesomepod.com for everything TIA and please hit us up with a BIG 5 stars on your preferred podcatcher app.
For this season's final episode we are excited to be joined by writer, podcaster and master of the heart punch Aubrey Sitterson! (@aubreysitterson)
Aubrey joins your boys to talk big picture about our research project with zero methodology before digressing into topics like the importance of Atmosphere, the excellence of Triple H, and the 2008 Royal Rumble. Then, your boys have a look at our STAR ratings and break a tie on the Big Board™
Be sure to check out Aubrey's upcoming book The Comic Book Story of Professional Wrestling available for pre-order now! (http://amzn.to/2Ex7DIi)
As always, we are looking for your suggestions for great matches to watch for future episodes. Hit us up @TIAPOD on twitter or via e-mail at thisisawesomepod@gmail.com
And you can find everything TIA at our landing page, thisisawesomepod.com
After yet another week of prepping the anticipated season 4 finale, Joaquin, Frank, Chuck and Producer Tom sit down to talk about the how to tune up the WWE productions and then break down the mind blowing art of wrestling hype vignettes.
This week we begin the off-season slightly prematurely with a bit of a preview pod for what's to come after next week's season finale. Joaquin, Frank, Chuck and even Producer Tom recently watched HBO's documentary film "Andre the Giant" and wanted to share their thoughts and observations.
They discuss their favorite talking head performances, the honesty of Hulk Hogan & Vincent K. McMahon, Dave Shoemaker's close-ups, the mistreatment of everyone's favorite referee/bar owner Tim White, and much more.
Find everything TIA at thisisawesomepod.com and please keep sending in match suggestions for season five via twitter @TIAPOD or at thisisawesomepod@gmail.com
For the final match of the season Joaquin, Frank & Chuck are finally exploring the world of modern Joshi as they sit down and watch a wonderful gem of a match from Tokyo Joshi Pro. In this contest, the only thing they have more of than kicks... is streamers.
It's the young ace of TJP, Miyu Yamashita, squaring off against the well-respected veteran, Meiko Satomura.
Joining in for the super kick party is cartoonist and game designer Jimmy Chang! (@jimmythechang / secretitemworld.com)
[Miyu Yamashita vs Meiko Satomura, Tokyo Joshi Pro, August 26 2017]
In our third and final entry of the Mania Dispatch series, Chuck once again joins Frank & Joaquin to discuss everything that happened at the biggest show of the year: WrestleMania 34.
We'll go over the highlights, the lowlights, and ask important questions like:
Which matches are potential episodes? (spoilers: only 1) Which matches had disappointing outcomes? (spoilers: more than 1) And how many matches had us pleasantly surprised? (spoilers: more than you'd think)
Thanks for indulging us in this special series for Mania weekend. We will return to our regularly scheduled programming Thursday with the last match of season 4.
Check out everything TIA at thisisawesomepod.com and find us on twitter @TIAPOD
Recorded in the wee hours of Saturday night, Joaquin and Frank are once again joined by friend of the pod Dario Barrera to break down everything from last night's epic show at the Smoothie King Center.
They ask all of the important questions, like: Do the Authors of Pain need a repackage? Is Shayna Baszler ready to lead the NXT women's division? And does Kyle O'Reilly play better championship belt air guitar than Hollywood Hogan?
TIA's mania weekend coverage rolls on to the grandaddy of them all so stay tuned for more dispatches from New Orleans!
Apologies for the quality drop - Producer Tom unfortunately could not make the trip and Joaquin didn't want to pack a Ye-TAY.
Joaquin & Frank are joined by friend of the pod Dario Barrera (and cameos by Rosemary Travale & Craig Arndt) to break down the first two days of their extended WrestleMania weekend. First up was Thursday's WrestleCon Supershow live from the Sugarmill in New Orleans.
Then, they break down everything they saw Friday at PROGRESS Wrestling's Chapter 66 'Mardi Graps'
Your Croix boys talk about their favorite matches, the best individual performances, and all of the sweet merch they scored.
If you want to check out any of these matches, get over to Highspots.com and ProgressWrestling.com - it's always a good idea to support indie wrestling with your hard earned dollars.
And stay tuned all weekend for more TIA dispatches from New Orleans!
Follow us on twitter @TIAPOD and find everything TIA at thisisawesomepod.com
A Beast, an architect and a marine walk into a bar... tell me if you've heard this one before. I think the punchline has something to do with crossfit.
This week we are watching Lesnar vs Cena vs Rollins from 2015 - one of the final matches that the Beast Incarnate participated in that was longer than 30 seconds and not entirely comprised of german suplexes.
Joining in this week is one half of The Weezer Bracket Podcast, Andrew Woods! (@JimJarmuschHair @WeezerBracket)
[Brock Lesnar vs John Cena vs Seth Rollins, January 25 2015, Royal Rumble 2015]
This week in Reseda, at the American Legion Playhouse, the Guerrilla Players proudly invite you to join them for an evening of theater and candy as they mount their hit 2014 play: "The Passion of Candice"
Concessions will be provided and proper footwear is required.
Actually, we're watching The Young Bucks battle Candice LaRae and Joey Ryan in a Guerrilla Warfare match for the PWG World Tag Team Championships. Which is only kinda, sorta, a morality play.
Joining in to discuss this brutal tag team matchup is Kurt Kroeber, writer of Psycho Sleepover!
Remember to hit us up on twitter @TIAPOD, e-mail us match suggestions at thisisawesomepod@gmail.com and find EVERYTHING TIA at thisisawesomepod.com
Also, if you have a moment, please toss us a big 5 on whatever podcatcher you prefer.
[The Young Bucks vs The World's Cutest Tag Team, July 26 2014, PWG ELEVEN]
It turns out Powerman 5000 had it all wrong. When Worlds Collide, it isn't the end of all time, but it IS the end of all mullets. This week we are watching the classic AAA double hair vs double mask 2 out of 3 falls battle between El Hijo Del Santo & Octagón and La Pareja Del Terror.
Listen in to find out everything you ever wanted to know about early 90s hair styles, El Tirantes, and Madonna's Boyfriend (disclaimer: he was never Madonna's boyfriend).
Joining the fray this week is Technology's very own Will Smith! (@willsmith, foovr.com)
Don't forget to give us a BIG 5 rating on your favorite podcatcher and to send us match suggestions either via twitter @tiapod or via e-mail at thisisawesomepod@gmail.com
[Eddie Guerrero & Art Barr vs El Hijo Del Santo & Octagón, AAA When Worlds Collide, November 6 1994]
At the dawn of the ruthless aggression era, only one emo boy was brave enough to challenge the big dog by pushing him into a pile of vomit. Brave enough to refuse to back down. To even sit on Bikertaker's hog. And that boy was Jeff. This week, we look back to 2002's classic Raw ladder match between The Undertaker and Jeff Hardy.
In this episode we cover a number of topics including, but not limited to, magnum ladders, chokers, commentator sabermetrics, and crying in wrestling.
Joining Joaquin, Frank and Chuck on their journey up the steel ladder is comedian Mary Kate Martin (twitter @marykatemartin IG @runawaymk)
Keep sending in match suggestions to us @tiapod on twitter or at thisisawesomepod@gmail.com
Find everything TIA at thisisawesomepod.com and PLEASE give us a 5-star rating/review in your favorite podcatcher app. It helps us get ears on our project.
[The Undertaker vs Jeff Hardy, Jule 1 2002, WWE RAW]
Two champs enter, one champ leaves! It's title unification time in Ring of Honor as we see 'American Dragon' Bryan Danielson grapple with Nigel McGuinness under PURE Championship rules. There must be a winner and this crowd must learn when it's appropriate to throw things in the ring (the answer is: only if its WCW in the 90s).
Running in to help throw science at this match-up is author, publisher and Muscle Temple member Amanda Meadows (@amandonium)
Remember to get at us on twitter @TIAPOD or via e-mail at thisisawesomepod@gmail.com with match suggestions for future episodes. And find everything TIA at thisisawesomepod.com
[Bryan Danielson vs Nigel McGuinness, August 12 2006, ROH Unified]
I'm not sure what we're celebrating, but apparently there's a big ass extreme bash and you're all invited. Grab your favorite Hawaiian shirt, a sixer of Yuengling and get your ass to the ECW arena because it's time for some Hardcore Lucha.
This week we're talking Rey Mysterio Jr vs Juventud Guerrera in a 2 out of 3 falls match.
Joining in the discussion is actor, writer and producer Darren Barnet! (@darrenbarnet on Instagram. Find his latest show Simi Valley on Vice's BlackPills.com)
Remember to send us your match suggestions via twitter @TIAPOD or via e-mail at thisisawesomepod@gmail.com
And check out our landing page thisisawesomepod.com for all things TIA including the phone number to our hotline!
[Rey Mysterio Jr vs Juventud Guerrera, ECW Big Ass Extreme Bash Night 2, Hardcore TV Episode 152, March 9 1996]
If you like Pina Coladas and watching big Brian Cage, then hang with your boys for another episode as we watch the The F*cking Machine take on Katsuhiko Nakajima.
Joining the TIA crew is Producer and legendary mastermind behind the ORIGINAL Tide Pod Challenge Eric Rusch!
So kick back, relax, don't eat dishwashing detergent, and join us for TIA's first ever NOAH match!
[Katsuhiko Nakajima vs Brian Cage, Pro Wrestling NOAH, July 27 2017]
On this week's 'sode your boys are heading to the mecca of sports entertainment to check out the rumble match with the highest Meltzer rating to date! It's the 2008 Royal Rumble which, as per tradition, sends the winner on to challenge for a world title at WrestleMania.
This match has everything... except for good pacing, good commentary, innovative eliminations, and decent music for any of the lower card wrestlers. Let's get ready to Rumble!
Entering the booth this week is producer, professional masshole and returning guest Mikey McManus! (wearemanenough.com)
Remember to keep sending in awesome match suggestions to us @TIAPOD on twitter or to thisisawesomepod@gmail.com
And don't forget to visit our landing page for everything TIA at thisisawesomepod.com
[Royal Rumble 2008, WWE, January 27 2008]
Imagine that for over three seasons, you have podded about the best matches in wrestling. Then you walk away. When you return one off-season later, nothing is the same.
Or nothing's changed at all, because your boys are back once again tackling one of the WWF's premiere heavy-hitter matches - it's Bret Hart vs Steve Austin from WrestleMania 13. We cover it all in this one, from double-turns and Ken Shamrock's surprising competence as a special guest referee to the location of Canada's belt line and the dangers of head-touching.
This week, joining your boys in the booth is writer, director and animator Tyson Hesse! (@tyson_hesse)
Remember it's never too late to suggest some great matches for us to watch because there are always more episodes and seasons coming down the pike. Hit us up on twitter @TIAPOD or e-mail us at thisisawesomepod@gmail.com
Also check out everything awesome at thisisawesomepod.com
[Bret Hart vs Stone Cold Steve Austin, WrestleMania 13, March 23 1997]
This week, your boys gather together for the final time this off-season to check out episode 1 of MTV's Wrestling Society X. The conversation covers a range of topics including XPW, Joaquin's backyard wrestling connections, and the benefits of having a screaming ring announcer slash hype man.
Season 4 begins next week but we still want you sending in your suggestions for great matches to watch and discuss. Hit us up on twitter @TIAPOD or via e-mail at thisisawesomepod@gmail.com
And check out our landing page thisisawesomepod.com for everything TIA.
On this week's pod, your boys gather together once again and turn their attention toward everyone's favorite yearly tradition. That's right... We're talkin' 'bout rumbles!
Joaquin, Frank, Chuck and Tom go around the table for both the men's and women's rumbles this year and make predictions on four categories: who will be called up from nxt, who will make a surprise return, who you WANT to win the rumble, and who you think will ACTUALLY win the rumble.
So put on your favorite hat, prepare yourself for the inevitability of Roman Reigns, and have yourself a listen.
Also, be sure to check out our landing page thisisawesomepod.com and throw us some match suggestions for future episodes by getting at us on twitter @TIAPOD or via e-mail at thisisawesomepod@gmail.com
In this week's Awesome off-season episode, the gang gathers together to reflect on their favorite matches of 2017 (that didn't include Okada or Omega). Then, things get a little hypothetical as they talk about what would be their ideal dream-matches for 2018.
Our next season of episodes is on the way but that doesn't mean we don't want your match suggestions. Send us awesome matches to watch via twitter @TIAPOD or at thisisawesomepod@gmail.com
Also, be sure to check out our landing page at thisisawesomepod.com and throw us a big 5 star rating on your favorite pod player if you are so inclined.
Happy new year from all of your friends at This is Awesome! On this week's off-season podcast, Joaquin has resurrected his Everything is Wrestling quote game and challenges Frank, Chuck and Tom to pull out their buzzers and throw down in quote-tastic combat.
Who will emerge victorious? What comes after a lightning round? How is the lightning round even different from the other rounds? All of these questions are asked and answered (sort of)!
Remember to check us out on twitter @TIAPOD and at our landing page thisisawesomepod.com
Also please send in your match suggestions for Season 4. We are only weeks away and have a few episodes left to fill.