Pro Wrestling Illustrated Presents

Al Castle & Brian R. Solomon check in after an eventful (and, at times, tragic) early-October, reflecting on recent wrestling news. They discuss the heartbreaking loss of Benjamin "PAC" Satterley, the unfortunate incident in Mexico involving the death of referee El Buho, and the TNA debut/subsequent firing of Max Caster following a controversial promo. They also discuss lingering thoughts about the #PWI500, the potential liability of WWE running events in Saudi Arabia, and more. Then, Al is joined by wrestler/manager Sidney Bakabella to discuss his #500 placement (among other topics).

This special episode of the #PWIPodcast offers a glimpse behind the pages of the 36th annual #PWI500 issue. Pro Wrestling Illustrated's Al Castle & Brian R. Solomon are joined by two other members of the ranking committee, Kevin McElvaney and birthday boy Jason McVeigh. Together, they review the criteria used to compile the list, explain the rationale for the top 10, and give their predictions for who might top next year's "500."

Former PWI Senior Writer Dan Murphy joins Al Castle & Brian R. Solomon to share his fond, personal memories of Andy Williams (AEW's The Butcher). Then, the trio reflects on the career of Bill Dundee and AEW's recent "Rebel Heart" edition of Dynamite (featuring "Rebel" Tanea Brooks).

Plus:

• Should Penta have defeated Roman Reigns for the WWE World heavyweight title?
• Was Sami Zayn becoming World champion again the right call?
• Thoughts on Stephanie Vaquer's success in Chile/house show title changes
• Concerns about the use of fire in pro wrestling (and dangerous stunts that may go too far)

On the heels of a packed wrestling weekend in London, Pro Wrestling Illustrated Editor-in-Chief Kevin McElvaney checks in with Al Castle & Brian R. Solomon to discuss all things All In Wembley:

• Will Ospreay and Mercedes Mone finally claiming AEW World championships
• Was Ospreay vs. Kenny Omega really Match of the Year? (or AEW's greatest match?)
• Overall thoughts on the show, including some hidden gems
• Brief discussion of satellite events from RevPro and Pro Wrestling: EVE

All that and so much more on this edition of the PWI Podcast!

On this edition of the #PWIPodcast, Al Castle & Brian R. Solomon are joined by fellow PWI contributor Cameron Hawkins, the author of the Trick Williams cover story in the September 2026 edition of #ProWrestlingIllustrated. They discuss this year's two-night SummerSlam in Minnesota, including what the event might mean for key names such as Williams, Cody Rhodes, Oba Femi, CM Punk, and more.

Still recovering from that last big pro wrestling weekend? Al Castle & Brian R. Solomon have got you covered, as they join fellow PWI writer Jason McVeigh to reflect on the biggest stories from WWE Night of Champions and AEW Forbidden Door. What's next for Oba Femi, Sami Zayn, and Jacob Fatu? Who should Will Ospreay face at All In: Wembley Stadium? You'll find the answers to these questions (along with some fun SummerSlam nostalgia and reminiscences) in this episode of the #PWIPodcast.

Al Castle & Brian R. Solomon catch up with Alfonso Lopez, PWI's lead Mexican lucha libre correspondent, to parse through the latest wrestling happenings in his home country. The recent mask-vs.-mask match between El Grande Americano (Ludwig Kaiser) and Grande Americano Original (Chad Gable) is discussed at length, as is the larger topic of WWE's influence on AAA. Plus: the continued AEW/CMLL relationship, MJF's return to the main event picture, and more.

On this episode of the PWI Podcast, Senior Writer Al Castle is joined by PWI Editor-in-Chief Kevin McElvaney to catch up on a variety of big news stories, including the passing of Ted Turner, the premiere of the Hulk Hogan documentary on Netflix, the return of Brock Lesnar, and the possibility of MJF losing hair in his latest AEW World title bid.

Once again, Al Castle & Brian R. Solomon are joined by the Steve "Mongo" McMichael of the #PWIPodcast, Jason McVeigh, to pick up right where they left off last week. The guys offer an exhaustive, no-holds-barred review of WrestleMania 42, including the occasional bursts of wrestling that took place between the omnipresent commercials. Thankfully, there will be no ads in this episode (save for a few quick plugs at the beginning and end). Instead, the PWI crew dissects WM 42 in Las Vegas, the Raw after WrestleMania, the 2026 WWE Hall of Fame ceremony, and more before undertaking an important conversation about the boundaries between pro wrestlers and wrestling fans.

A few days before "The Grandaddy Of Them All," PWI's Al Castle, Brian R. Solomon, and Jason McVeigh gather 'round the proverbial card table to make their official predictions and share their final thoughts about #WrestleMania42 in Las Vegas. Plus: a look at the progress of MJF and the upward trajectory of AEW.

Are we living in a pro wrestling version of Groundhog Day, where we have this same conversation every year, or has WWE's creative team done a lackluster job of building excitement for WrestleMania 42? PWI Contributing Writer Mike Bessler joins Al Castle & Brian R. Solomon for a review of how the card is shaping up, plus a critical look at ticket prices and the perception that the company has "turned heel" against its loyal fans (among other topics).

From Gorgeous George to "Macho Man" Randy Savage, Shawn Michaels to Mick Foley, and Mercedes Mone (Sasha Banks) to Seth Rollins, pro wrestling has been punctuated by fashion statements of all kinds. In this episode of About Face, PWI's Candace Cordelia speaks with TNA ring announcer McKenzie Mitchell about her new book, Threads of Triumph, which offers tremendous insight into some of the most iconic looks and ring gear in wrestling history.

PWI Contributing Writer Candace Cordelia presents the inaugural episode of her podcast, About Face, featuring interviews from her popular Pro Wrestling Illustrated column (and beyond). Her first guest is recent AEW signee (and Women's tag division standout) Maya World.

On this episode of the podcast, Al Castle & Brian R. Solomon are joined by wrestling writer/ connoisseur/YouTube host/jack of all trades Warren Hayes. Together, they discuss the state of pro wrestling in Japan, with special focus on New Japan and Stardom, as well as the evolving road to WrestleMania 42. Plus, Warren recalls his early wrestling fandom growing up in Quebec, waxing nostalgic about "Le Brunch De Pat Patterson."

Pro Wrestling Illustrated's Al Castle & Brian R. Solomon are joined by PWI Editor-in-Chief Kevin McElvaney for a thorough review of this year's #PWIAwards. The winners, runners-up, and arguable snubs are discussed in detail, along with some analysis of what we might see in the year ahead. Plus: Should AEW lean into the anti-ICE chants and position itself as a political alternative to WWE?

PWI Contributing Writer and U.K. correspondent Jason McVeigh returns to the PWI Podcast, joining hosts Al Castle & Brian R. Solomon for a breakdown of the 2026 Royal Rumble event, as well as what it portends for the company's key figures going forward. Plus: discussion of TNA's AMC debut, AJ Styles' future, and WWE's mixed efforts in presenting main-event babyfaces.

Eisner-nominated comic writer/artist Kyle Starks (Rick and Morty, Sexcastle) joins PWI's Al Castle & Brian R. Solomon for a compelling chat about the common threads between pro wrestling and comic books, which inspired his new Wrestle Heist series for Image Comics. How important is it to have defined heroes and villains (heroes and babyfaces)? Is the concept of the "wrestling Mount Rushmore" flawed? Plus: What NXT is doing right, remembrances of CHIKARA, and so much more.

As has become tradition, Al Castle & Brian R. Solomon are joined by PWI Senior Writer Harry Burkett for the final PWI Podcast of the year. Together, they examine John Cena's last match and its ensuing fallout. They also look at the recent successes of The Hardys (the #1 team in this year's #TagTeam100) before discussing Mick Foley's recent announcement that he would be departing WWE, citing the company's continued association with President Donald Trump. All this, plus a look at the current trajectories of WWE and AEW as we look back on 2025 and ahead to 2026.

On this episode of the #pwipodcast, Steve Maclin (TNA Wrestling) and Deonna Purrazzo (AEW, ROH) join PWI's Al Castle and Brian R. Solomon to discuss their pro wrestling efforts in their respective companies, how they've weathered some of the challenges thrown their way, and their podcast ⁨@BootsToBootsPod⁩.​

On this episode of #ProWrestlingINDIEstrated, first presented live on YouTube and X, hosts Kaia McKenna & Kevin McElvaney are joined by the newly crowned (and second-ever) WWE ID Women's champion Laynie Luck for a conversation about her upward trajectory, long path to success, and intentions for the future.