Welcome to the Squared Circle Podcast! I am your host Marie Shadows!

Join me as I break down the latest New Japan Cup matches, offering insight into character development, booking decisions, and what these moments mean for the future of NJPW's roster. I bring my signature analysis and unfiltered opinions to topics like Gabe Kidd's AEW appearances, Shota Umino's dramatic transformation, and NJPW's evolving storytelling landscape.

Time Stamps

• 00:00 - 04:00: Introduction, podcast updates, and engagement reminders

• 04:00 - 06:30: Overview of the New Japan Cup format

• 06:30 - 18:00: Gabe Kidd vs. Taichi analysis and critique of Gabe's AEW appearances

• 18:00 - 23:30: Discussion on AEW's lack of narrative consistency

• 23:30 - 29:00: Shota Umino vs. Great Okan match breakdown, Shota’s transformation, and new finisher

• 29:00 - 30:00: Closing thoughts and listener engagement reminders

Bullet Points

• Deep character analysis of Gabe Kidd and the inconsistency in his booking

• Shota Umino's striking character transformation and potential heel turn

• The need for stronger narrative storytelling in wrestling

• Evaluating the significance of match finishes and their storytelling impact

• Opportunities for further character development in NJPW

Call to Action

• Follow me on Substack at marieshadows.substack.com for exclusive content

• Join the Fourth Wall platform for access to Tape Study Roadmap coaching sessions

• Engage in the wrestling conversation through comments and polls on Spotify and YouTube