Chi-Town Shoot Podcast

In 1956, the U.S. Department of Justice went after the National Wrestling Alliance for operating as an illegal monopoly. The case ended in a consent decree on October 15, 1956. What did the decree require, and did it actually change pro wrestling?

A listener named Stephen asked us to go in depth on the NWA Consent Decree of 1956, so we did. On this episode of the Chi-town Shoot Wrestling Podcast, we cover:

What led to the DOJ antitrust investigation
How the NWA's territorial system factored in
What the decree required, and what the DOJ chose not to do
What happened afterward, from Richmond to Chicago's Fred Kohler to the Sonny Myers lawsuit
How the decree finally ended in 2019

SOURCES
U.S. v. National Wrestling Alliance, Final Judgment (DOJ Antitrust Division)
DOJ Judgment Termination Initiative and the April 8, 2019 termination order
National Wrestling Alliance v. Myers, 325 F.2d 768 (8th Cir. 1963)
Tim Hornbaker, Legacy of Wrestling, and his book on the NWA
Irvin Muchnick, Sam Muchnick Papers excerpts
Tony Richards, Pro Wrestling Time Tunnel

Got a wrestling history topic you want us to cover? Drop it in the comments or send it to chitownshootpodcast@gmail.com

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Roman Reigns on Akuma, The Rock being "the anomaly," and who can carry WWE. Plus Steven Borden (Sting's son) on AEW crowd reactions, and a WrestleMania 22 Money in the Bank rewatch with RVD's historic cash-in.

Episode 62 of the Chi-town Shoot Wrestling Podcast, broadcasting from Chicago, Illinois. Marcin, Chris, and David break down the latest WWE and AEW news with hot takes and no filter.

Questions or thoughts? Email us at chitownshootpodcast@gmail.com or tell us in the comments: who is the next Roman Reigns opponent?

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Chelsea Green is the NEW WWE Women’s Champion, and she’s already calling out Michael Hayes and targeting AAA!

On Episode 61 of the Chi-town Shoot Wrestling Podcast, Marcin, Chris, and David break down Chelsea’s post-SummerSlam media run, WWE’s massive tournament with AAA to determine Roman Reigns' next opponent in Mexico City, and Eric Bischoff exposing the real origins behind Chad Gable’s Shorty G gimmick!

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The Celtic Warrior’s historic 20-year run might be coming to an end, and Booker T has some strong words about it!

In Episode 60 of the Chi-town Shoot Wrestling Podcast, Marcin, Chris, and David dive deep into Sheamus rejecting his WWE extension, Kenny Omega’s massive AEW World Title victory over MJF, and a countdown of the top SummerSlam moments that forever changed professional wrestling!

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Welcome to Episode 59 of the Chi-town Shoot Wrestling Podcast!

Broadcasted straight out of Chicago, Illinois, Marcin, Chris, and David break down the craziest news and hottest takes in the wrestling world this week.

On This Episode:

🔥 The Finisher Spam Debate: Ricochet pushes back against Booker T, claiming that kicking out of multiple finishers adds suspense and drawing a comparison to Dragon Ball Z.
👑 Becky Lynch's Prediction: The Man thinks the future WWE women's division will out-headline the men at WrestleMania. We look at Sol Ruca's big win at Clash in Italy and evaluate the next generation.
⚔️ King of the Ring 2026: Oba Femi looks unstoppable on Raw, but with Brock Lesnar lurking and Seth Rollins rumored to win it all, where is this tournament heading?

Don't forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and RATE the show!

📧 Get Involved: Send your wrestling questions, predictions, and feedback to: chitownshootpodcast@gmail.com

Welcome to Episode 58 of the Chi-town Shoot Wrestling Podcast! Broadcasting from the heart of the wrestling world—Chicago, Illinois—Marcin, Chris, and David are steping into the squared circle to break down one of the wildest weeks in pro wrestling history across WWE, AEW, and classic wrestling lore.

🔴 First up (AEW Dynamite): Darby Allin just threw a massive wrench into MJF’s plans. After retaining his AEW World Championship against Kevin Knight with a brutal double Coffin Drop, Darby turned down the ring and the scarf—demanding MJF put his HAIR on the line for a rematch! We break down the psychological mind games and predict next week's stressed-out contract signing.

🔵 Next up (WWE Backlash & NXT): John Cena just dropped a bombshell announcement regarding the "John Cena Classic" tournament featuring Main Roster vs. NXT talent. But the internet wrestling community is losing its mind over the "Fan Vote" stipulation. Will the fans hijack the championship? Does a popularity contest devalue the in-ring workrate? We debate the booking nightmare.

🤼 Finally (Wrestling History Deep Dive): We look back at the monumental legacy of "Billionaire Ted" Turner. Without Ted Turner's checkbook and love for "wrasslin'," the Attitude Era and even the existence of AEW might not have happened. We tackle the ultimate "What If": Would WCW still be alive today if the AOL-Time Warner merger never happened?

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The "Rudester" has arrived at the summit. 🏆

In this exclusive deep dive, we sit down with the reigning Freelance Wrestling World Champion, Trevor Outlaw. From his early days at the Freelance Academy to cashing in the Red Star Medallion at the Logan Square Auditorium, Trevor discusses the mental and physical toll of becoming the face of Chicago’s independent wrestling scene.

In this episode, we discuss:

The Big Win: The split-second decision to cash in on Devon Monroe at "Lucky Charm."

The Journey: Training at the Nightmare Factory and the best advice he received from Cody Rhodes and Kylie Rae.

The Persona: How much of "The Rudester" is real, and the psychology behind his partnership with Frank The Clown.

The Grind: Balancing life on the road, social media strategy, and his time on the commentary headset.

The Future: His upcoming World Title defense against Izzy Moreno at "These Final Hours."

Chicago’s own Chi-town Shoot Wrestling Podcast is BACK for Episode 57! Today, Marcin, Chris, and David are diving into a massive week of corporate civil wars and industry-shaking drama.

TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 - Welcome to the Heart of the Wrestling World
05:22 - TNA vs. AEW Controversy: Will Ospreay and MJF unload on Carlos Silva for pulling talent from independent dates. Is TNA living in a bubble?
22:45 - WWE Leaked Texts: We break down the explosive court documents featuring Nick Khan and Triple H. Hunter admits the "weird situation" of Vince McMahon "directing traffic" long after he was supposedly gone.
45:10 - The WrestleMania Entrance Hall of Fame: We rank the gold standard of Mania walks—from Rusev’s tank to Undertaker’s legends. Plus, we fantasy book Cody Rhodes' next big entrance.

"I figured it would be easier to ask for forgiveness than permission."

On Episode 56 of the Chi-town Shoot Wrestling Podcast, Marcin, Chris, and David dive deep into the fallout from Ronda Rousey’s shocking (and unscripted) appearance at AEW Revolution. Was it a boss move or a bridge burned forever with the TKO group? Plus, we’re looking back at Chelsea Green’s hardcore roots in Lucha Underground and why Stone Cold Steve Austin is officially a fan of her "fearless" work.

Finally, we settle the debate: What is the greatest WrestleMania opener in history? From the technical masterclass of Bret vs. Owen to the historic 5-star Triple Threat at WrestleMania 41 (2025).

We’re heading back to 1994 at Madison Square Garden! In this review of WrestleMania 10, we break down why this event was a massive turning point for the WWF. From the iconic HBK vs. Razor Ramon Ladder Match to the emotional journey of Bret "The Hitman" Hart, we analyze the matches, the backstage heat, and the legacy of the first WrestleMania of the "New Generation" era.

The Road to WrestleMania 42 just went through a "Very Nice, Very Evil" detour in Chicago! 🦷✨

Today we are breaking down the massive fallout from WWE Elimination Chamber 2026. From hometown heroes CM Punk and AJ Lee defending the 312, to the shocking reveal of Danhausen inside the "Mystery Crate," it was a night the United Center will never forget.

But the biggest talking point might be happening outside the ring. We’re diving into Cody Rhodes’ recent comments where he called out modern wrestlers for being "too sensitive" to fan criticism. Is the American Nightmare right to tell talent to "just cash the check," or is he out of touch with today's mental health standards?

What we’re covering:

Danhausen’s Debut: Was the "Mystery Box" reveal worth the wait? We react to the teeth, the curses, and Triple H’s "fun time" comments.

Cody’s Controversy: Breaking down the "Thick Skin vs. Mental Health" debate. Does Cody have a point about "vanity searching"?

AJ Lee & CM Punk: A historic night for Chicago’s power couple. Is the "Chicago Crew" the new dominant force in WWE?

Chamber Analysis: Full reviews of the Men’s and Women’s matches. Did Randy Orton and Rhea Ripley secure the right tickets to WrestleMania?

The Future of Chicago: With the United Center back in play, what major events are next for the Windy City?

Join the Debate:
Do you think wrestlers have gotten too sensitive, or is fan behavior crossing the line? And how do you feel about Danhausen in the "WWE Machine"? Sound off in the comments!

We are back in the heart of Chicago for a massive Episode 54! This week, the crew dives deep into MJF’s explosive interview with Chris Van Vliet. Why did Max turn down the "nice calls" from WWE to stay in AEW? We discuss his "Good vs. Great" philosophy, his role in Happy Gilmore 2 (releasing July 25!), and his surprising defense of Becky Lynch.

Then, we shift gears to "The Ruler" Oba Femi. After an incredible 39-minute Royal Rumble showing, Oba says a fight with Brock Lesnar is the "Big Money Fight." Is he the next Beast? With Brock returning to Raw this Monday in Atlanta, we predict when this massive collision finally happens.

Finally, with Elimination Chamber coming to the United Center on Feb 28, we rank the GREATEST participants in the history of the steel structure. Is Triple H still the King, or has Chris Jericho’s elimination record secured his spot at the top?

Topics Covered:

MJF on the "Bidding War of 2024" and why he stayed.

Wrestling vs. Hollywood: Can MJF really do both?

Oba Femi's "Mental Agreement" with Brock Lesnar.

The Elimination Chamber "God Tier" List.

Why the Chamber is renamed "No Escape" in Germany.

The wrestling world is on fire! We’re breaking down the fallout from the 2026 Royal Rumble, including the massive debut of Royce Keys (fka Powerhouse Hobbs). Plus, the "Transfer Portal" just claimed a massive name as Tommaso Ciampa jumps to AEW and wins gold on Day 1! We also dive into the WWE 2K26 announcement featuring CM Punk on the cover. Is the "Monday Night War" edition worth the $150 price tag?

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Is the "Best in the World" preparing to hang up the boots? On Episode 52 of the Chi-town Shoot Wrestling Podcast, Marcin, Chris, and David break down CM Punk’s recent comments about his 50-year-old retirement goal and what that means for the World Heavyweight Championship.

In This Episode: We dive deep into the 2026 wrestling landscape! From The Miz feeling disrespected by "half-dead flowers" to our full 2026 Royal Rumble Preview, we aren't holding back. Will Roman Reigns find redemption? Is Bron Breakker the locked-in favorite? And which TNA or NXT stars might shock the world at #30?

Topics Covered:

CM Punk’s Expiration Date: Is 50 the new hard ceiling for WWE superstars?

The Cena Blueprint: Can Punk exit with the same grace as John Cena?

The Miz’s Legacy: Does the "Most Must-See Man" get the respect he deserves?

2026 Royal Rumble Betting Odds: Analyzing Oba Femi, Cody Rhodes, and the Riyadh factor.

Forbidden Door: Who is the next Joe Hendry?

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Is Aaron Rourke the future of professional wrestling? In this exclusive interview, we sit down with "The Dimepiece" himself, Aaron Rourke, to discuss his meteoric rise through the WWE ID program and his standout performances on the new WWE Evolve series.

From his roots as a competitive dancer and cheerleader to training under Brian Myers and Pat Buck at the legendary Create A Pro (CAP) wrestling school, Aaron breaks down how his unique background shaped his "Evil Gay" persona. We dive deep into:

The WWE ID Experience: What it’s really like being an "ID" athlete and the pressure of the WWE stamp.

The Evolve Brand on Tubi: Comparing the "WWE Way" to the independent circuit and the Team ID vs. Team PC rivalry.

Breaking Barriers: Aaron’s thoughts on being the first out gay man in the WWE ID program and the importance of authenticity in the ring.

The CAP "Secret Sauce": Insights into training with MJF and Kris Statlander.

The Future: Winning the 2025 Vacationland Cup and his goals for NXT and beyond.

Whether you know him from Chaotic Wrestling, WrestlePro, or his latest appearances on the WWE Evolve tapings, you won’t want to miss this deep dive into the mind of one of the industry's most polarizing and talented stars.

Jim Ross doesn't hold back on Vince McMahon's "intense animosity" and jealousy during the Attitude Era. Plus, we crown the winners of the 2025 Wrestling Awards and predict the massive shifts coming to WWE and AEW in 2026!

Welcome to Episode 50 of the Chi-town Shoot Wrestling Podcast! Today, Marcin, Chris, and David dive deep into the legendary Jim Ross’s recent comments about Vince McMahon—was the Chairman truly jealous of JR’s play-by-play skills?

We also take a look back at an incredible year in professional wrestling with our 2025 Year-End Awards. From Cody Rhodes and Gunther to Swerve Strickland and Will Ospreay, we debate who truly ran the game this year. Finally, we look ahead to 2026 predictions: Will Chris Jericho return to WWE? Is Britt Baker Royal Rumble bound?

The wrestling business just changed forever, and the greatest of all time is saying goodbye. In this episode, we break down the massive $82.7 Billion deal that sees Netflix acquire Warner Bros., HBO, and Max—and what the confusing "Discovery Global" spinoff means for AEW’s future on TNT/TBS.

Plus, we discuss the sobering comments from GCW promoter Brett Lauderdale about the independent wrestling "down cycle." Is the indie bubble bursting? Finally, we look ahead to Saturday to discuss the concept of The Perfect Retirement. From Shawn Michaels to Stone Cold, very few get it right. Can John Cena stick the landing against Gunther?

👇 TOPICS COVERED IN THIS EPISODE 👇

📺 NETFLIX BUYS WARNER BROS: The AEW Fallout Netflix has entered a definitive agreement to acquire Warner Bros. Studios and HBO Max. But with the cable networks (TNT/TBS) spinning off into a new company called "Discovery Global," where does this leave Tony Khan and AEW? We analyze if AEW loses its shot at streaming on Max and if Netflix is becoming a wrestling monopoly with WWE Raw and WB under one roof.

📉 THE INDIE WRESTLING RECESSION? GCW Promoter Brett Lauderdale recently admitted the scene is in a "down cycle," citing the economy, wallet fatigue, and a lack of drawing power. We debate if the "Super Fan Promoter" era is dead and if fans are too burned out by WWE/AEW saturation to support local shows.

👋 THE PERFECT RETIREMENT: John Cena’s Last Stand It’s finally here. We analyze the art of the wrestling goodbye. Does "going out on your back" actually ruin the moment? We compare the gold standard (HBK vs. Undertaker) to the cautionary tales (Ric Flair), and debate what John Cena needs to do this Saturday to achieve the elusive Perfect Retirement.

Welcome to Episode 48 of the Chi-town Shoot Wrestling Podcast! 🎙️ We’re coming to you from the heart of Chicago to break down the biggest stories shaking up the industry ahead of WWE Survivor Series at Petco Park. Marcin, Chris, David, and Andres step into the squared circle to debate Eric Bischoff’s controversial take on battle royals, the shock returns of Matt Cardona and Nic Nemeth in the "Last Time Is Now" tournament, and the pros and cons of wrestling's "Forbidden Door" era. 📌 In This Episode: Eric Bischoff Hates Battle Royals & Multi-Man Matches Eric Bischoff recently told the Toronto Sun that he "never" enjoyed producing or watching Battle Royals, comparing the "logic gaps" to seeing a boom mic in a movie. The "Boom Mic" Theory: Why Bischoff says guys "walking around in circles" kills his suspension of disbelief. The Hypocrisy Check: We address the elephant in the room—WCW’s 60-man "World War 3" match. Royal Rumble vs. The Rest: Why does he give the Rumble a pass but buries everything else? The Shock Returns: Cardona & Nemeth in the "Last Time Is Now" Tournament Mark Henry says WWE is staring at a "pile of crisp money" if they don't re-sign Matt Cardona and Nic Nemeth full-time. Following their surprise appearances against LA Knight and Solo Sikoa in the John Cena retirement tournament: The "Ex-Boyfriend" Effect: Did leaving WWE make them bigger stars than staying ever could? Nostalgia vs. Business: Does the "Internet Champion" buzz translate to TV ratings in 2025? The Crossover Conundrum: Dilution or Elevation? With Joe Hendry in NXT and AEW stars working NJPW/CMLL dates, the "Forbidden Door" is wide open. But is it too much? Identity Crisis: Is TNA risking its brand by becoming an unofficial NXT feeder system? Dream Matches vs. Storylines: Do one-off crossover matches hurt long-term creative plans? The Fan Perspective: Are we suffering from "Crossover Fatigue"?

Welcome to Episode 47 of the Chi-town Shoot Wrestling Podcast! Join Marcin, Chris, David, and Andres as we dive deep into the biggest wrestling news from WWE and AEW this week. We're hitting the hottest takes, from AEW title dilution to John Cena's retirement tournament and the 28th anniversary of the Montreal Screwjob. 🔥 THE HOT TOPICS 1. The AEW National Championship Controversy Tony Khan announced the new "National" title, but does AEW really need another belt? We debate the problem of title dilution with 16 active titles and break down the heated NWA controversy. Is this a tribute to Georgia Championship Wrestling history or a calculated move to hijack NWA legacy? Plus, our official picks for the inaugural champion at AEW Full Gear. 2. John Cena’s Final Match Tournament WWE is running a 16-man tournament to find John Cena's final opponent at Saturday Night's Main Event. Is this the right way to book a legend's retirement? We break down the bracket and fantasy book the final match. Should Cena put over a new star like Gunther or face an old rival like Drew McIntyre? We also talk about the "Forbidden Door" teases and our official prediction for who wins the tournament. 3. Montreal Screwjob: 28 Years Later We look back at the historic and controversial event of November 9, 1997. Who was most to blame: Bret Hart, Vince McMahon, or Shawn Michaels? We discuss the infamous locker room punch, the legacy of the Mr. McMahon character, and the greatest "What If" in wrestling history. Did the Screwjob create the Attitude Era?

It’s Halloween season on the Chi-town Shoot Podcast, and we’re bringing the chills! 😈 This week, Chris, Marcin, David, and Andres dive into a wild mix of wrestling talk and spooky fun: 🔥 This Episode Includes: 🎤 Chris Jericho’s 35 Years in Wrestling! — from debuting vs. Lance Storm to conquering AEW 💬 Ric Flair CALLS OUT William Regal! — was Regal truly underappreciated? 👻 The ULTIMATE Spooky Wrestlers Tier List! — Undertaker, Kane, Bray Wyatt, Gangrel, Boogeyman, and more go head-to-head in our hilarious Halloween ranking!