I Listen So You Don't Have To: Tights and Fights, Ep. 2

The crew discusses the CWC including one Sabre 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: Tights and Fights
Episode: 2
Run Time: 1:01:00
Guest: none

Summary: From the smarty pants comedy podcasting network Maximum Fun comes a brand new wrestling podcast, Tights and Fights. It is hosted by Thrilling Adventure Hour alum Hal Lublin, comedian Danielle Radford, and rapper Open Mike Eagle. All three come into the show as experienced wrestling fans, and their goal is to hit on "the latest headlines" as well as "cultural analysis" of old angles. This episode begins with Radford giving a rundown of her live experience at RAW in Anaheim, talking about what we didn't see on TV. Conor McGregor's recent comments are discussed, and everyone agrees that his nonsense will lead nowhere as far as cross-promotional ventures go. They also run down recent matches from the Cruiserweight Tournament, and Eagle doesn't care for Zack Sabre Jr.

Quote of the Week: Radford, on the Women's Title - "I cannot love that new Women's belt enough, y'all. The old Women's belt was great, but just anything that's not that Lisa Frank, baby's first tattoo belt is going to be my favorite. This feels like people hurt themselves for it, and that's what a championship title is supposed to feel like. It's supposed to feel like someone could be injured getting it, not like, 'I did my nails and they match my belt!'"

Why you should listen: First of all, Open Mike Eagle is one of the coolest dudes out there. His music is really inventive and good, and he loves wrestling with no shame, so he's okay in my book. He brings the laid-back vibes here while Danielle Radford is the more engaging contributor with a lot of funny stuff to say. Hal Lublin facilitates things and also brings good insight. Their choices of topics play to their strengths as a unit, and they have a strong ability as a unit to comfortably discuss wrestling without stepping on each other's toes.

Why you should skip it: This is another show that will likely never have wrestlers on as guests. It's a fan podcast, and I know some people handwave those without even trying them. The show description does promise that they will delve into old angles, but this episode doesn't really see them do that at all.

Final Thoughts: I was both delighted and frustrated upon discovering Tights and Fights, because it is really good and really funny, and dammit, this means that I might have to add another wrestling podcast to my already-jam-packed weekly listening schedule. I will try my best to find time for it, because I can already tell that Tights and Fights have the type of regular person dynamic that I need in my podcast hosts. After Radford talks about the brilliance of Lucha Underground, Eagle admits that he hasn't seen it, and that he likely won't anytime soon. Why? He says it's because there's already 5 hours of WWE shows a week, and with adding NXT and the CWC into that mix, he says things are becoming very tense at home between him, his wife and their television. That's an intensely relatable issue that married parents such as myself will find endearing. If Tights and Fights can keep this relaxed and hilarious tone, they will quickly become essential listening for level-headed wrestling fans.