I Listen So You Don't Have To: DDT Wrestling Ep. 16

The infamous AJ Styles Miz TV is discussed on this DDT podcast Photo Credit: WWE.com

If you’re new, here’s the rundown. We listen to a handful of wrestling podcasts each week. Too many, probably, though certainly not all of them. In the interest of saving you time — in case you have the restraint to skip certain episodes — the plan is to give the bare bones of a given show and let you decide if it’s worth investing the time to hear the whole thing. There are many wrestling podcasts out there, of course, but this feature largely hews to the regular rotation we feel best fit the category of hit or miss. If we can save other folks some time, we’re happy to do so.

Show: DDT Wrestling
Episode: 16
Run Time: 1:00:24
Guest: none

Summary: DC Matthews of the New Age Insiders Podcast co-hosts this show with his pal, Doc Manson. They do a wrestling talk show in which current WWE and NXT storylines are discussed, with both guys evaluating current talent and situations. In this episode, Doc begins by reiterating his occasional dislike for The New Day, explaining that they simply have gotten a little stale. DC and Doc then answer some listener questions, such as "What five WWE wrestlers would you like to never see on TV again?" and "What do you think the card will be at next year's WrestleMania?" This leads to them fantasy booking The Undertaker's next Mania match, as Doc proposes a tag match with Undertaker and Brock Lesnar teaming up against the Wyatt Family.

Quote of the Day: Doc on the Miz TV segment trashing AJ Styles - "Regardless of whether or not it's what Vince McMahon really thinks, it is exactly what Vince McMahon knows the Internet Wrestling Community thinks he thinks. Therefore, to maximize the pressing of buttons, of course that's what they're going to write in a promo. It makes perfect sense. Now, does he actually believe that? I don't think so, because if he actually believed it, he wouldn't have signed him now."

Why you should listen: Doc and DC are not oafish, obnoxious wrestling fans. They have easygoing personalities and a loose dynamic going on that makes for a smooth listen. They also are not idiots. They are articulate guys with some clear ideas of how things should work in pro wrestling, so their opinions aren't totally invalid.

Why you should skip it: The segment where they talk about the wrestlers they'd like to see get off WWE television goes on for far too long, and consists solely of both guys clicking through WWE's online roster and just listing people who they don't like. They even acknowledge in the middle of the segment that it's probably not engaging radio, and no, it isn't. Also, if you come to a fan-made show like this hoping for some comedy, you won't find that here. These guys are mildly funny, but "mildly" might be pushing it.

Final Thoughts: I wanted to review a somewhat-obscure show like this to talk about a larger point within wrestling podcasts: do we need shows like this? I have a friend who refuses to listen to any wrestling podcast that isn't hosted by a former wrestler, because he doesn't think that the opinions of unqualified fans are worth his time. While I do enjoy shows hosted by non-wrestlers that don't feature wrestlers as guests, I do agree that there has to be a huge hook to bring you in. Some shows are hosted by comedians and are therefore very funny, other shows are hosted by insane weirdos. But my guess is that given the incredible podcast logjam in which we find ourselves, there are too many shows out there featuring two guys just chatting about their opinions of wrestling. Unfortunately, DDT Wrestling falls into that category for me. I don't dislike these guys after hearing their show, but I don't need to listen to another episode ever again. They had the exact same conversation I can have with my friends, and if I can gain that level of insight just from talking to people I know, then I don't see any reason to listen to those same conversations conducted by strangers on a podcast.