Wrestling Tonight: THE ROCK'S POWER PLAY IN WWE | ALEISTER BLACK & RUSEV RETURN | RIP MONGO MCMICHAEL episode artwork

EPISODE · Apr 29, 2025 · 2H 12M

Wrestling Tonight: THE ROCK'S POWER PLAY IN WWE | ALEISTER BLACK & RUSEV RETURN | RIP MONGO MCMICHAEL

from The Turnbuckle Tavern · host Turnbuckle Tavern

Welcome back to Wrestling Tonight for Episode 122. Every week we're here breaking down everything happening across WWE, AEW, NJPW, TNA, and the rest of the wrestling world — the real stories, the real moves, and why they matter. This week, we start with The Rock, who has been making serious noise behind the scenes after WrestleMania 41. After stepping away from the Cody Rhodes and John Cena storyline at the last minute, The Rock is back in the spotlight — not just for creative decisions, but for a public clash with Busted Open's Dave LaGreca. We'll dig into what's really going on, how much influence The Rock actually has right now, and whether we're seeing the start of a bigger shift inside WWE. The returns didn't stop there either. Aleister Black made his long-awaited comeback on SmackDown, bringing back that dark, dangerous edge. Meanwhile over on Raw, Rusev returned in a big way. We'll break down what both of these returns could mean for WWE's summer plans, and where they might slot into the bigger picture. It wasn't all celebration though. Charlotte Flair had some strong words after the WrestleMania Roast crossed a few lines, and you can feel the real tension just under the surface. We'll talk about why this isn't just about bad jokes — it's about respect, the locker room atmosphere, and how things backstage might be a little more unsettled than they seem. In NXT, Noam Dar continues building a quietly historic resume. He's now the only four-time Heritage Cup Champion, and at a time when consistency is rare, Dar's steady presence is starting to stand out even more. We'll take a look at why this win matters, and why it might be signaling bigger things for NXT moving forward. Meanwhile, TNA Rebellion is shaping up to be one of the biggest cards of their modern era. Joe Hendry defends the World Title against Ethan Page and Frankie Kazarian. Masha Slamovich puts the Knockouts Championship on the line against a returning Tessa Blanchard. Ultimate X is back for the X-Division Title. The Hardys defend the Tag Titles against the Nemeth brothers. And Mustafa Ali vs Mike Santana in a Falls Count Anywhere match could end up stealing the show. We'll go match-by-match and get you ready for a night that could reshape the TNA landscape. And across the border, the battle for Mexico's wrestling future is heating up. AEW made the first move, announcing their upcoming Arena México show with CMLL — a historic partnership that immediately turned heads. Now WWE is responding in a big way, fast-tracking their plans following the acquisition of AAA and setting up their own events to plant a flag in the region. This isn't just about who can sell tickets — it's about who controls the narrative and future of lucha libre going forward. Finally, we'll close tonight by paying tribute to the late Steve "Mongo" McMichael. Mongo was one of a kind — NFL champion, Horseman, commentator, and larger-than-life personality inside and outside the ring. We'll share a few stories and a few laughs, and raise a glass to a guy who always gave the fans everything he had. Stick around — big moves, real emotion, and a lot to get into tonight on Wrestling Tonight. Grab a drink, pull up a chair — let's talk some wrestling.

NOW PLAYING

Wrestling Tonight: THE ROCK'S POWER PLAY IN WWE | ALEISTER BLACK & RUSEV RETURN | RIP MONGO MCMICHAEL

0:00 2:12:02

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

Big Old Life: Heather Blackbird interviews people on planet earth. Heather Blackbird loves asking questions. This podcast is a learning experience. Join me, Heather Blackbird, as I talk to people about their lives. Frequency of new episodes is a little all over the place and I'm learning as I go. Big Old Life is a small way of talking about the vastness of life, one person at a time. If you are reading this or found this podcast it's probably because someone you know gave you a link to it. :) Explicit Tales Of A Superstar DJ The Insomniac Spun seemingly out of nowhere from her complacent life in the corporate world, turned seemingly overnight from 16-Hour shift work and into the life of a literally starving artist and working musician, The Protagonist navigates her supposed rise to fame and superstardom on a journey through spiritual awakening, coming-of-age, and intimate self-realization--guided by an omnipresent force and equipped with the power of love, magic, and music. {Enter The Multiverse.} [The Festival Project] The Festival Project, Inc.™ is a multidimensional multimedia platform which encompasses exploratory and artistic social personifications and expressions on cosmic theory, spirituality, growth, health & wellness, philosophy and theoretic dynamics in entertainment such as music, design, film, television, radio, dance and festival culture, art, fashion, literature, and science. The Festival Project™ and its subsidiary Non-Profit, The Collective Complex © aims to challenge modern artistic and philosop Explicit Bitcoin Is Dead Trey Carson Welcome to Bitcoin is Dead, the ultimate Bitcoin variety show where host Trey takes you on a journey through the ever-evolving world of Bitcoin. Each episode brings new personalities, fascinating locations, and insightful conversations with politicians, educators, and innovators shaping the future of Bitcoin. Whether you're a seasoned Bitcoiner or just starting your journey, tune in for thought-provoking discussions, unique perspectives, and a deep dive into the ideas and people driving the Bitcoin revolution. Explicit The Sacred +Profane Podcast nephtaragrace The Sacred + Profane Podcast is a provocative conversation dedicated to cementing a better future for all. We specialize in unpacking the nuances of what is considered sacred and profane, particularly focusing on sex, death, and all that pertains to the circle of life. Our aim in focusing on such ”taboo” subject matter is to demystify what is unconscious, bring to light what has been known for centuries as ”the occult,” and empower the rapid transformation that is occurring on the Planet. Explicit

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of The Turnbuckle Tavern?

This episode is 2 hours and 12 minutes long.

When was this The Turnbuckle Tavern episode published?

This episode was published on April 29, 2025.

What is this episode about?

Welcome back to Wrestling Tonight for Episode 122. Every week we're here breaking down everything happening across WWE, AEW, NJPW, TNA, and the rest of the wrestling world — the real stories, the real moves, and why they matter. This week, we start...

Can I download this The Turnbuckle Tavern episode?

Yes, you can download this episode by clicking the download button on the episode player, or subscribe to the podcast in your preferred podcast app for automatic downloads.
URL copied to clipboard!