Episodes

Join us for this week's flagship show as we discuss the WWE WrestleMania kickoff event in Las Vegas, Roman Reigns vs. Cody Rhodes, The Rock and Seth Rollins' involvement, and one completely convoluted storyline. Plus, thoughts on this week's AEW Dynamite, Sting capturing gold, Mercedes Mone's pending arrival, Swerve, Hangman Page, The Young Bucks, and much more. For bonus content from Top Rope Nation, as well as Patreon-exclusive reviews of classic wrestling shows, consider supporting us on Pat...

A special treat for you this week. Due to some illness with the TRN hosts, we had to reschedule this week's 'TRN Classics' episode on Royal Rumble '91. So next week, we will be putting out 'TRN Classics' for our Patreon supporters, as well as a new flagship next Thursday for all. In the meantime, we're putting out this week's edition of 'TRN Unplugged' (Jesse's Patreon-only bonus show) free here on our main feed for everyone! If you enjoy the show, sign up to support us on Patreon to hear every...

Cody Rhodes won the 2024 WWE Royal Rumble on Saturday night in St. Petersburg, Florida to setup a showdown with Roman Reigns at WrestleMania XL (40) in Philadelphia. Will Cody actually finish the story this time? Plus, we cover the rest of the matches in our WWE Royal Rumble review. Both the men's and women's Rumble matches, as well as Roman Reigns retaining over AJ Styles, Randy Orton and LA Knight, and Kevin Owens vs. Logan Paul. (Apologies for the background noise in the first 10 minutes. K...

Vince McMahon was accused of horrific acts in a new lawsuit stemming from a relationship with former WWE employee Janel Grant. WWE just signed a new multi-billion dollar deal with Netflix to stream Monday Night Raw in 2025 and beyond this week. The Royal Rumble is this Saturday night, which we planned on previewing. What will be the fallout from the new McMahon scandal? For bonus content from Top Rope Nation, as well as Patreon-exclusive reviews of classic wrestling shows, consider supporting u...

Kazuchika Okada and New Japan Pro Wrestling have announced that Okada is leaving NJPW. Where will he end up? We talk about the possibilities of the Rainmaker in both AEW and WWE, as well as where we think he ends up. Then, our main topic takes a look at what it would be like if WWE and AEW could engage in trades for talent like major sports franchises. We propose several ideas and discuss whether WWE and AEW would be open to them (and why). A really fun exercise. For bonus content from Top Rop...

Join us as we countdown the best matches, wrestlers, events, and tag teams of 2023. We're talking Match of the Year. Male and Female Wrestler of the Year. Wrestling Event of the Year. Tag Team of the Year. Both WWE and AEW get a lot of discussion here, with some ROH, Impact, and NJPW thrown in as well. We do the awards a little bit differently this year -- fantasy draft style. Which host can select the best overall ballot? We'll leave it up to you to decide. Special thanks to Phil Lindsey of Gra...

We discuss The Rock's return during this past Monday's WWE Raw show and what that means for Roman Reigns, and most notably, Cody Rhodes heading into WrestleMania season. Is a match at Elimination Chamber between Rock and Roman more likely than WrestleMania 40? Plus, we discuss this week's edition of AEW Dynamite and have some thoughts on NJPW's WrestleKingdom 18. For bonus content from Top Rope Nation, as well as Patreon-exclusive reviews of classic wrestling shows, consider supporting us on Pa...

Jesse and Ryan review Saturday night's AEW Worlds End show. We're joined by Frank Peteani, who was in attendance at the Nassau Coliseum and gives us the live perspective. Samoa Joe wins the world title. The Devil is revealed. Christian Cage and Adam Copeland tear it down. Eddie Kingston and Jon Moxley have a classic. And so much more! For bonus content from Top Rope Nation, as well as Patreon-exclusive reviews of classic wrestling shows, consider supporting us on Patreon. We have over 120 bonus...

Join us for a really fun show this week. First, friend of the pod Gabe Benson (who lived in Dallas during the heyday of the Von Erichs and World Class Championship Wrestling) joins us to review The Iron Claw. Did the movie capture the spirit of the Sportatorium? What were the major positives and negatives of the film? Then, we go on to preview this Saturday's big AEW Worlds End PPV event. For bonus content from Top Rope Nation, as well as Patreon-exclusive reviews of classic wrestling shows, c...

This is your monthly free preview of the latest edition of 'Top Rope Nation Classics,' our monthly deep-dive retro show for our supporters on Patreon. We discuss World Class Championship Wrestling's 'Christmas Star Wars 1982' event from Reunion Arena. This show featured Ric Flair vs. Kerry Von Erich for the NWA World Title, as well as the Freebirds challenging for the Six Man Titles. However, the show is best remembered as the beginning of the Freebirds vs. Von Erichs feud. The full podcast inc...

A fun episode this week as Ryan and Jesse discuss the WWE and Warner Bros. Discovery rumors, as well as some thoughts on WWE Monday Night Raw (Drew McIntyre, that CM Punk & Seth Rollins promo), AEW Dynamite, the Continental Classic, and more. Then, we settle in on our main topic: who are some names in both the WWE and AEW who should consider jumping ship to the competition? What would their arrival look like and how would it help them freshen up their careers? An interesting discussion that sho...

Here is a free teaser of the latest edition of 'TRN Unplugged' from Jesse Velasquez, one of three bonus shows that are part of our Patreon-only rotation. On this episode, Jesse discusses a Patron Q & A, Wrestler of the Year criteria, and a salute to Rey Mysterio on his 49th birthday. Head to ⁠https://www.patreon.com/topropenation⁠ to hear the entire podcast. Multiple episodes of 'TRN Unplugged' drop every month. We'd be honored to have your support. As mentioned, Patrons receive multiple bonus ...

On this week's show, our trio discusses CM Punk in WWE so far. Has he already started to lose his edge despite just arriving? Are we still looking forward to this run? What are the issues coming off that disappointing Raw promo? Plus, thoughts on Randy Orton, Kazuchika Okada's contract, the AEW Continental Classic so far, and more! For bonus content from Top Rope Nation, as well as Patreon-exclusive reviews of classic wrestling shows, consider supporting us on Patreon. We have over 120 bonus p...

This is your monthly free preview of the latest edition of 'Top Rope Nation Classics,' our monthly deep-dive retro show for our supporters on Patreon. We discuss WWF Survivor Series 1995. This show featured Diesel vs. Bret Hart. The Wild Card Match. The return of The Undertaker. And much more. The full podcast includes deep dives on every match on the card, all the news in the wrestling world surrounding the event, and so much more. Head to ⁠https://www.patreon.com/topropenation⁠ to hear the en...

CM Punk returned to WWE at the Allstate Arena during the final moments of Survivor Series. We break down Punk's return, how it came about, what the future looks like, the impact on AEW, and much more. Plus, a full review of Survivor Series, both War Games matches and more. For bonus content from Top Rope Nation, as well as Patreon-exclusive reviews of classic wrestling shows, consider supporting us on Patreon. We have over 110 bonus podcasts available in the Patreon archive the minute you sign u...

With the WWE Survivor Series happening this weekend, we examine the history of the show itself — from the TRN archives! This is a selection from a podcast we recorded back in November 2016, a real deep dive on what led to WWE creating the event in 1987 (their second-ever yearly PPV, only behind WrestleMania). The rivalry between Jim Crockett Promotions and the WWF is examined in depth. If you enjoy this selection on the origins of the Survivor Series, check out the full podcast (Episode 13) from...

Ryan and Justin review the 2023 edition of AEW Full Gear. We debate where Swerve Strickland vs. Hangman Adam Page ranks in the match of the year discussion this year. Plus, thoughts on MJF, when he'll actually drop the title, and the way this show was booked around his match with Jay White. Plus, thoughts on every other match on the card as well! For bonus content from Top Rope Nation, as well as Patreon-exclusive reviews of classic wrestling shows, consider supporting us on Patreon. We have ove...

We preview every match for this Saturday's AEW Full Gear event. Plus, thoughts on who the Devil might be as well as Tony Khan's latest signing. For bonus content from Top Rope Nation, as well as Patreon-exclusive reviews of classic wrestling shows, consider supporting us on Patreon. We have over 110 bonus podcasts available in the Patreon archive the minute you sign up. We just released a new 'Classics' show covering WCW Halloween Havoc 1998 and a new episode of 'TRN Unplugged.' Read more abou...

Ryan, Justin, Jesse, and special guest Zack Heydorn count down the best matches in the career of Steve Austin. It's all eligible: Hollywood Blonds, Stunning Steve, and Stone Cold. Sorry, no Ringmaster matches were chosen (spoiler alert!) This draft is done fantasy auction style, with each host starting with $100 and bidding taking place. This turned out to be a really fun night, one of our favorite shows ever. Hope you enjoy! For bonus content from Top Rope Nation, as well as Patreon-exclusive...

We preview this Saturday's WWE Crown Jewel event and dissect some of the issues plaguing AEW right now, including Ric Flair's signing. For bonus content from Top Rope Nation, as well as Patreon-exclusive reviews of classic wrestling shows, consider supporting us on Patreon. We have over 110 bonus podcasts available in the Patreon archive the minute you sign up. We just released a new 'Classics' show covering WCW Halloween Havoc 1998 and a new episode of 'TRN Unplugged.' Read more about how to ...

This is your monthly free preview of the latest edition of 'Top Rope Nation Classics,' our monthly deep-dive retro show for our supporters on Patreon. We discuss WCW Halloween Havoc 1998. This show featured Hulk Hogan vs. Warrior, Sting vs. Bret Hart, DDP vs. Goldberg, and much more. The full podcast includes deep dives on every match on the card, all the news in the wrestling world surrounding the event, and so much more. Head to ⁠https://www.patreon.com/topropenation⁠ to hear the entire podca...

We convene to discuss the WWE and AEW title pictures moving forward. We look at our picks when it comes to the five likeliest contenders to defeat both Roman Reigns and MJF over the next few months, as well as our "honorable mentions" for the list. For bonus content from Top Rope Nation, as well as Patreon-exclusive reviews of classic wrestling shows, consider supporting us on Patreon. We have over 110 bonus podcasts available in the Patreon archive the minute you sign up. We just released a ne...

We convene to discuss this week's so-called "Tuesday Night War." What went down on AEW Dynamite and NXT, as well as Tony Khan's much-talked about reaction to the ratings news. Plus, we discuss our reactions to the first trailer for "The Iron Claw" and more. For bonus content from Top Rope Nation, as well as Patreon-exclusive reviews of classic wrestling shows, consider supporting us on Patreon. We have over 110 bonus podcasts available in the Patreon archive the minute you sign up. We just rele...

Ryan, Justin and Jesse break down everything from Sunday's WrestleDream show. Plus, a discussion on where Bryan Danielson vs. Zack Sabre, Jr. ranks all time, the decision to have Julia Hart lose, Swerve's prospects moving forward, and much more. For bonus content from Top Rope Nation, as well as Patreon-exclusive reviews of classic wrestling shows, consider supporting us on Patreon. We have over 110 bonus podcasts available in the Patreon archive the minute you sign up. We just released a new '...