The Work Of Wrestling Performing Arts Podcast · Updated Weekly · Professional wrestling is an art. The Work of Wrestling is dedicated to exploring that simple truth. Produced & hosted by Tim Kail.

Check out the latest episode of The Work Of Wrestling podcast where I open up about my second manic episode:

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Sending A Message Podcast Episode · The Work Of Wrestling · April 19 · 40m

NEW #podcast on why I'm not watching #WrestleMania this year. Give it a listen and let me know your reactions. May the Moment of Pop be with you:

podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s...

I will not be watching or reviewing #WrestleMania this year because the $30/month price point for ESPN is absolutely absurd. It's my hope that if enough people don't buy-in WWE/TKO/ESPN will get the message and be forced to adjust their model.

Daddy’s Little Girl: Stephanie McMahon & Toeing the Company Line Line Stephanie McMahon is being inducted into the World Wrestling Entertainment Hall of Fame, so I'm posting the chapter about her from my book, A Diva Was a Female Version of a Wrestler.

In honor/horror of Stephanie McMahon's WWE Hall of Fame induction tonight, I published my chapter on her from my book at my Substack. Check it out and buy a copy if you haven't already! scarlettwoman.substack.com/p/daddys-lit...

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#CMPunk is my 2nd favorite wrestler of all time, but #RomanReigns has been the standout performer in this particular rivalry. For that, and a few other reasons, I'm rooting for him on Sunday. I think his victory would be the most interesting & satisfying result.

a man with a beard is wearing a black t-shirt that says `` the bloodline '' . ALT: a man with a beard is wearing a black t-shirt that says `` the bloodline '' .

I'm putting myself over in saying this, but what the hell:

I'm proud of the fact that I don't allow my favorite wrestlers to pollute my ability to critique their work.

I'm loyal to professional wrestling, the art itself.

#WrestleMania

I've heard Metlzer's take on Darby Allin winning the title and all I think is, "That's so antiquated". Darby winning the title is not just good, it also makes sense to anyone who's been consistently watching for the past several years. Professional wrestling deserves a better class of criticism.

When people talk about their favorite wrestlers they rarely discuss wrestling moves or rivalries - they talk about how the wrestler made them feel less alone in this often grim, chaotic universe.

That's the power of the great wrestler. Their soul links with yours and you're inspired to keep going.

I’m sorry I missed #AEWDynasty. Looks like it was a great time (just need to save $). I do plan on watching Double Or Nothing though.

This is beautiful.

Need a new #ProWrestling tee-shirt? Check out my store, #WrestleSky! 🤼👕

www.prowrestlingtees.com/workofwrestl...

Dear #WrestleSky, The #WorkOfWrestling is officially BACK on #ProWrestling tees! 👕 Choose between six original designs - some are references to my podcast but some are just fun for wrestling fans. Here's a link to my store:

www.prowrestlingtees.com/workofwrestl...

Let me know if you get one!

Ciampa is fucking awesome. Love that entrance theme.

#WrestleSky #AEWDynamite

About to watch #AEWDynamite live with you. Follow along, #WrestleSky, and let's enjoy some great #ProWrestling that rewards our emotional and financial investment.

I have a project UPDATE on my Facebook page. Find out about my podcasts and my book 🎙️📕:

www.facebook.com/workofwrestl...

The Work Of Wrestling: Here's How To Fix WWE, But Also Why They Won't Do It It’s clear WWE creative is in a woeful state when Raw and SmackDown start cannibalizing their own product. Unable to generate interest through carefully considered narratives with logical emotional be...

NEW ARTICLE on how to fix #WWE (and why they won't do it). In response to #CMPunk and #PatMcAfee:

www.workofwrestling.com/heres-how-to...

If WWE was really interested in changing or selling tix they'd do creative things to change up the product, like making the first hour of #WWERaw a pre-show, rebuild the midcard, put on must-see matches, and push characters who form a natural connection with the fans.

Such are superficial attempts to generate controversy that do nothing to fix the institutional rot present in WWE's creative apparatus. To fix WWE would require a multi-year effort, strip it of its narrative infrastructure, and start again from scratch.

As is almost always the case - when WWE has characters talk about how much WWE sucks it doesn't magically fix the problem. Patt McAffee talking about the "forgotten wrestling fan" and Punk talking about ticket prices doesn't make WWE-TV more watchable or a ticket more worth purchasing.

CM Punk is absolutely not the ‘Voice of the Voiceless’ Last night on Raw, CM Punk (Phil Brooks) delivered his latest Pipe BombTM, and the internet is buzzing. The buzz is down to his indirect mention of Vince McMahon – the ‘weird old man’ –…

Read this great article on why #CMPunk is decidedly NOT the "voice of the voiceless" and how his latest "pipe bomb" is just another example of #WWE commodifying dissent:

workshootconfessional.com/2026/04/07/c...

Punk did not "torch" the company, The Rock, TKO, or Pat McAfee. Punk (and WWE) is working us. His lines about lowering ticket prices is a form of pre-approved crowd-service designed to create the illusion of subversion.

#WWERaw

He is not Punk Rock. He is not anti-establishment. He is an integral cog in a corporate, capitalistic machine. I hope fans who've been watching the past fifteen years are able to tell the difference between 2011-Punk and this Punk. A gulf separates them.

#WWERaw

Don't confuse #CMPunk's original pipe bomb from 2011 (or any of his promos during his dominant 434-day reign as champ) with what he did tonight on #WWERaw. It was a mostly good promo but his call to lower ticket prices was clearly pre-approved and not indicative of subversion.

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In #AEW I get the sense that the booker genuinely likes his roster and actively wants them all to get over. In #WWE I get the sense that the booker actively dislikes several members of the roster and wants to embarrass them. Chad Gable's booking is one such example.

Where Does Inspiration Come From? Podcast Episode · The Work Of Wrestling · April 6 · 1h 2m

This week on The Work Of Wrestling #podcast I ask and answer, where does inspiration come from?

podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/w...

#AEW 's roster impresses me more and more every week, particularly the younger wrestlers. Excellent episode of #AEWCollision. Time well spent.

Seeing @refaubrey.bsky.social beside herself with disgust after Andrade kissed her hand is yet another example of the lovely little details in her performance.

I think Roderick Strong is low-key one of the best wrestlers in the world. Doesn't get enough credit. You can't see through his work at all. He's so technically sound while also being genuinely funny - a unique combination.

#AEWCollision

I wish we could see Tomasso Chiampa vs Bret Hart. What a match that would be. #AEWCollision

I like how even the lesser matches in #AEW have little stories. Here we have a Bowens vs Mox match which could easily be a throwaway but it’s about Bowens “proving he has grit” to Hook so that he can join The Opps.

#AEWCollision