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.com

Patreon: https://patreon.com/marieshadows

Timestamps!

00:00 – Welcome to Season 7, Happy New Year, January 24 2026

00:46 – Where to find the podcast + what’s coming in 2026

01:14 – IWC negativity, wrong labels, Marty Scurll correct story

03:29 – Cyber bullying still alive, be open-minded

04:35 – Wrestle Kingdom 20 make-or-break for NJPW, Tanahashi retirement

05:52 – Economy/yen excuses vs real issues

09:49 – Sold out because of Tanahashi, Okada wins

12:01 – Why Okada over Nakamura, Tanahashi power

13:37 – AEW partnership not benefiting NJPW (Twitter thread proof)

14:47 – Dual contracts discussion coming soon

16:39 – Tanahashi could’ve called WWE for Nakamura

19:12 – Match breakdown: wrestling, wrist control, psychology

27:54 – Why struggle > flips, working body parts

30:50 – Finish, post-match mic, brotherhood parade

32:04 – Commentary dynamic: Charlton marching orders, tension

37:00 – Walker indie/woke insertions, respect Japanese style

42:41 – Storytelling lost art in commentary

51:02 – Final thoughts, brotherhood, ten-bell creepy

53:05 – Plugs: like/share/comment/poll, Patreon, Tape Study, consultations