The Work Of Wrestling

Tim Kail has an announcement...he's writing a book! Inspired by J.J. McGee's Fight Forever: A Ballad of Kevin and Sami, Tim is endeavoring to distill his decade's long analysis of pro-wrestling into a single project. This book, The Work Of Wrestling: A Book About Art, will be a combination of his best writing with all new writing on the subject of wrestling being an art. Follow on the social media gimmicks @WorkOfWrestling to stay tuned on his progress. Give the podcast a five star rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Email questions, thoughts, or suggestions to wrestlingworks@gmail.com.

This week host Tim Kail is joined by renowned author J.J. McGee (MithGifs) to discuss their book Fight Forever: The Ballad of Kevin and Sami, a detailed history of two of pro-wrestling's greatest...ahem...the two greatest wrestlers of all time. Tim and J.J. discuss how this project came to be, J.J.'s writing practice, the most surprising piece of research they found, interviewing Kevin and Sami for the book, chronicling the history of these two modernday folk heroes, Kevin and Sami's legendary obsession with detail, their ability to weave macro and micro narratives into their matches, how the Montreal Screwjob is like their comic book characters' childhood trauma, and their small acts of kindness, revealing two genuinely good people. You can buy Fight Forever: The Ballad of Kevin and Sami on Amazon by clicking here. Follow J.J. McGee on Social Media @MithGifs. Thank you for listening! 

This week Tim Kail opens up about his increased passion for professional wrestling and what that means for his mental state. He discusses Fight Forever: The Ballad of Kevin and Sami by JJ McGee and how it uncorked his imagination as he spent three days cat sitting in an apartment overlooking The Hudson River.  

In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day host Tim Kail examines the internet meme that transformed MLK into a WWE heel. Tim shares his initial reactions to these A.I. videos followed by a deeper examination of the history of racism in America.

Work Of Wrestling host Tim Kail has had an idea for an episode of the pod for the past ten years, but he could never figure out a way to bring it to life. Well he's finally done it! In this episode he explores the connection between pro-wrestling and sex, how they follow parallel narrative paths. His goal is to help listeners better appreciate good wrestling (and good sex). This episode was originally a blog on the alternative social media site Lavish Made, https://lavishmade.com. Follow Tim on social media @WorkOfWrestling and give the podcast a five star rating and review.

It's the 2026 Season Premiere! This week, host Tim Kail examines how the priorities and values of a society are revealed through the art that society produces. He discusses the creative gulf between WWE and AEW, and how the latter has a discernible worldview. Follow on social media @WorkOfWrestling.

Today's episode is a story submitted by Liam Lambert, @crowtagonist on Instagram. Liam shares a coming of age tale about creating his own backyard wrestling federation in the suburbs of Lincolnshire. It's a heartwarming story about pro-wrestling's ability to forge strong bonds among people, even as they grow up and move apart. To submit your story go to The Work Of Wrestling's Facebook page and click on the pinned post. That will take you to a Google form you can fill out. Thank you for your listenership in 2025. 

Tim Kail reacts to Mick Foley severing ties with WWE in the wake of President Trump's disparaging remarks on Rob Reiner. Tim reads Mick's original social media post on the matter, offers up some thoughts of his own, and then shares a pivotal decision he's made about what he's willing to cover in pro-wrestling in 2026. 

Host Tim Kail is joined by longtime friend and fan-favorite guest Alexander Monelli to discuss John Cena's last match at Saturday Night's Main Event. First, Tim & Al unload on annoying pro-wrestling fans for inserting themselves into Cena's final moments. Then they discuss Cena's greatest promos and matches. Finally, they examine what John Cena and the other greatest of all-time have in common. Follow Al on social media @monellifilms and subscribe to his YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@monellifilms

For this bonus episode of The Work Of Wrestling podcast, host Tim Kail reflects upon 2025. Topics include John Cena's last match, staying healthy, becoming a responsible adult, and his changing priorities with the podcast.

This week on The Work Of Wrestling podcast host Tim Kail is joined by friend and fellow pro-wrestling fan John Macy to discuss the massive sale of WB to Netflix. They examine the implications of the deal on AEW's longterm future. They also discuss John's disappointment with The Smashing Machine, John Cena's heel run, and more. Subscribe to John's The B-Team Podcast. Follow Tim @WorkOfWrestling on social media.

Work of Wrestling host Tim Kail discusses the healing qualities of time, AEW Dynamite, the effectiveness of a moral binary in storytelling, whether or not a moral binary works in society, and what he hopes to accomplish as he reaches middle-age. Follow on social media @WorkOfWrestling and give the podcast a five star rating and review in Apple Podcasts!

This week WOW host, Tim Kail, reviews AEW's latest pay-per-view, Full Gear.

Trigger Warning - this episode contains discussion of thoughts of suicide, depression, and mental illness. Tim Kail shares a story he's been holding onto for years.  What happened to Tim when he stumbled upon a podcast that "lambasted" him for an article he's written? How did he process it and attempt to maintain control of the situation (and his emotions). Listen to this frank, personal story to find out.

Your ears do not deceive you - this is a special BONUS episode of The Work Of Wrestling podcast. You sent in more questions so Tim answers them. Why doesn't he talk about where he works? What role can house shows and indie wrestling play in our lives as wrestling fans? Has Tim ever tried to write for WWE? Learn the answers to all these questions and more! Follow on the social media gimmicks @WorkOfWrestling.

This week host Tim Kail asked for your questions. One of them was so good he had to devote an entire episode to it. Tim articulates his frustrations with WWE and AEW, pondering whether there will ever be fundamental changes to the way fans relate to and understand the art of professional wrestling. Share this episode with a friend, post it on your social media, and spread the word.  Follow on the social media gimmicks @WorkOfWrestling, and give the podcast a five star rating and review in Apple Podcasts.

This week Tim Kail covers not watching WWE, falling back in love with AEW, updating The Work Of Wrestling website, and why he'd rather President Trump not attend John Cena's last match.

Tim Kail lifts the hood on The Work Of Wrestling podcast and gives you a glimpse inside by sharing the results of the latest WOW survey! How do you feel about the format of the latest episodes? How does Tim make you feel? Why haven't you submitted your story?! Would you be upset if Tim didn't review The Royal Rumble or WrestleMania? All this and more in a fun episode you're sure to enjoy.  

Host Tim Kail reviews AEW's latest pay-per-view, Wrestle Dream.

This week Tim Kail discusses the actual worth of WWE, why he believes they've swindled Netflix, and what we can do to push back against the darkness of our times.