Shake Them Ropes | Pro Wrestling Podcast

Shake Them Ropes. Jeff Almost Dies Again

·1 hr 34 min·5 clips

Jeff's cancer is back, and a routine checkup triggers a life-threatening allergic reaction.

The episode opens with host Jeff Hawkins revealing his bladder cancer has recurred, necessitating a cystoscopy. He describes a severe allergic reaction to the medication Peridium, which led to hives, dropping blood pressure, and another expensive ambulance ride to a crowded ER during fire season in Los Angeles. Co-host Chris Novembrino then shares his own health struggle: a tram supervisor's negligence led to his eardrum collapsing, requiring surgery and resulting in persistent hearing loss and infections that impact his mental health and ability to enjoy music. The conversation shifts to wrestling news, starting with a tribute to recently deceased wrestler Black Bart (Richard Harris). The hosts analyze Hulk Hogan getting booed for 30 seconds on Netflix's Raw debut, arguing it stems from accumulated negative equity from past scandals, not politics. They discuss Vince McMahon's $1.7 million SEC settlement over undisclosed payments, mocking his statement comparing it to 'minor accounting errors.' WWE's move to Netflix and a partnership with Cosm for immersive viewing events are mentioned. The hosts critically review the week's wrestling television. They pan The Rock's 40-minute segment on Raw, calling it 'negative work' that confused the Bloodline storyline for new viewers. They critique NXT's booking, particularly GM Ava's inconsistent babyface decisions, and praise Stephanie Vacquer's charisma. For AEW, they criticize an impenetrable Casino Gauntlet match, the lack of story in Jon Moxley's title reign, and Kenny Omega's underwhelming return. The episode ends with 'Vader Club,' where Chris selected a 1979 Nick Bockwinkel vs. Bruiser Brody match from Houston Wrestling, praising Bockwinkel's selling and match control despite a schmozzy finish.

As heard by us

A loose return finds its hook in wrestling's work-or-real gray area.

Shake Them Ropes comes back from its year-end break with both hosts banged up, the Royal Rumble headed abroad, and a news segment centered on wrestling's uneasy border between performance and real conflict.

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

Want wrestling news where a possible New Japan-AEW feud and a messy public reaction refuse to stay tidy?

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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