Wrestling's Identity Crisis: AEW, NJPW, and the Fall of Storytelling

Welcome to the Squared Circle Podcast! I am your host Marie Shadows!Help support the content:https://marieshadows.substack.comhttps://youtube.com/squaredcirclepodcast/joinhttps://buymeacoffee.com/marieshadowshttps://instagram.com/marieshadowshttps://marieshadows-shop.fourthwall.com***Marie Shadows returns with a fiery, no-holds-barred podcast tackling the state of professional wrestling across AEW, NJPW, and more. From critiquing Mercedes Moné’s “belt collector” run to questioning AEW’s inconsistent storytelling and NJPW’s baffling booking at Dominion and G1 Climax 35, Marie holds nothing back.She explores the toxic fan gatekeeping culture plaguing AEW, questions Tony Khan’s public media behavior, and challenges both promotions on their failure to prioritize storytelling. Marie also offers passionate insight into how NJPW Strong could’ve succeeded with better leadership, and why New Japan feels like it’s on “life support.”This is more than a rant—it's a reality check for the industry.Timestamps:(00:00) – Welcome and creator update(00:14) – AEW fandom gatekeeping + brand stagnation(03:00) – AEW's metrics, privacy, and delusions of growth(07:50) – AEW x CMLL criticism, bad presentation of partners(08:45) – Mercedes Moné’s belt collection: harmful, not helpful(11:20) – Lack of women’s promos or storyline retaliation(13:30) – AEW creative laziness with Monet vs Toni Storm(17:00) – Asking the real AEW storytelling question(22:00) – New Japan Strong mismanagement + opportunities lost(30:00) – Dominion fallout: DOUKI, Bullet Club, War Dogs(35:00) – Gabe Kidd’s confusing direction + Moxley ties(42:00) – G1 35 blocks feel underwhelming and rushed(46:00) – Why NJPW must elevate new talent and stop relying on AEW