Show notes
Welcome to the Squared Circle Podcast with your host Marie Shadows!Season 7 kicks off going backwards through Wrestle Kingdom 20, starting with the main event: Hiroshi Tanahashi’s retirement match against Kazuchika Okada (January 4, 2026, Tokyo Dome). Why this felt like NJPW coming back (even a little), why Okada still delivers elite psychology when motivated, the weird commentary dynamic nobody’s talking about (marching orders for Chris Charlton?), Tanahashi as the most powerful man in wrestling, why he could’ve called Nakamura but chose Okada, post-match brotherhood, the creepy ten-bell salute, and why wrist control & body-part work still matter more than flips.I go in on AEW’s lazy Okada run, the failing NJPW-AEW partnership, bad yen excuses, immigration/culture takes, IWC negativity, and why Tanahashi retiring means he can finally president properly.Substack: https://marieshadows.substack.comPatreon: https://patreon.com/marieshadowsTimestamps!00:00 – Welcome to Season 7, Happy New Year, January 24 202600:46 – Where to find the podcast + what’s coming in 202601:14 – IWC negativity, wrong labels, Marty Scurll correct story03:29 – Cyber bullying still alive, be open-minded04:35 – Wrestle Kingdom 20 make-or-break for NJPW, Tanahashi retirement05:52 – Economy/yen excuses vs real issues09:49 – Sold out because of Tanahashi, Okada wins12:01 – Why Okada over Nakamura, Tanahashi power13:37 – AEW partnership not benefiting NJPW (Twitter thread proof)14:47 – Dual contracts discussion coming soon16:39 – Tanahashi could’ve called WWE for Nakamura19:12 – Match breakdown: wrestling, wrist control, psychology27:54 – Why struggle > flips, working body parts30:50 – Finish, post-match mic, brotherhood parade32:04 – Commentary dynamic: Charlton marching orders, tension37:00 – Walker indie/woke insertions, respect Japanese style42:41 – Storytelling lost art in commentary51:02 – Final thoughts, brotherhood, ten-bell creepy53:05 – Plugs: like/share/comment/poll, Patreon, Tape Study, consultations
