WWE UnReal vs Indie Realness: Behind the Curtain with The Production | Episode 967

Hosts Sorg and Rizz are joined this week by special guests Derek Dillinger and Katie Arquette of The Production! They dive into Netflix’s new WWE: UnReal documentary, strip club wrestling, and the wonderfully chaotic legacy of indie wrestling icon Jimmy DeMarco. Along the way, they explore the blurred lines between wrestling and performance art, reminisce about the evolution of The Production, and laugh through tales of Pop-Tarts, Darby Allin action figures, and surprise moments at shows.

Whether you’re interested in WWE’s backstage production secrets, the indie grind, or the bizarre worlds of DildoMania and Buff Eagle, this episode is full of laughs, insight, and wrestling love.

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🔍 WWE: UnReal on Netflix
• Deep dive into WWE’s UnReal docuseries on Netflix, especially Episode 1.
• Features behind-the-scenes looks at:
• Writer’s room discussions
• Triple H producing Cena’s segment
• Real injuries becoming storylines (e.g., Rhea Ripley’s shoulder)
• The chaotic last-minute nature of creative decisions (e.g., who wins the Royal Rumble)
• The magic of seeing production trucks, agent cues, headset calls, etc.

🎥 Pro Wrestling Production Talk
• Sorg reflects on similarities in production challenges across indie shows (880 Wrestling) and large companies (like New Japan).
• Derek Dillinger discusses directing wrestling matches and the struggle to communicate spots to camera ops and producers.
• Mention of “Top Gun”-style nicknames in production (e.g., Goose, Sweaty, Scorpion).

🔨 Behind-the-Scenes Stories
• The weird experience of filming a wrestling show at a strip club (Neopro at a venue with a neon-paint shower and no A/C).
• Tales of match planning, stress in locker rooms, and botch recovery as part of “the process.”
• Katie and Derek share stories of fans giving Pop-Tarts, driving with broken arms, and shouting at Sorg during ringside production.

🐦 Jimmy DeMarco Retrospective
• Wild stories about indie legend Jimmy DeMarco, including:
• Fans throwing dildos during cage matches
• Outrageous entrance antics with crutches and poems
• The legacy of “Suck My Muscles”
• Hopes for one final DeMarco match vs. Derek Dillinger

🔍 WWE SummerSlam Build Discussion
• Drew McIntyre’s travel issues and replacement with The Miz due to passport/visa problems.
• Discussion on Jelly Roll’s transformation and WWE training since last year’s SummerSlam appearance.
• Predictions and excitement for:
• The Triple Threat Intercontinental Match
• TLC multi-team tag match
• Cage match: Solo Sikoa vs. Jacob Fatu

🎭 WWE Character Highlights
• Love for Joaquin Wilde (fka DJ Z) and his standout tag team work on Raw.
• Discussion on El Grande Americano’s mystery identity (hinted to be Ludwig Kaiser).
• CM Punk’s stories on WrestleMania backstage hijinks and poop accidents during matches.

🌈 Indie Scene: “The Production” and Tag Teaming Life
• Katie and Derek reflect on teaming as The Production.
• History of The Production including Danhausen’s early days and viral “Tequila” bar spot.
• Shoutouts to Calvin Couture, Jock Samson, Magnum CK, and PB Smooth.

📺 WWE & Indie Storytelling
• Analysis of how WWE creates storylines on the fly and recovers from chaos.
• Insights on how indie wrestlers, like Derek, obsessively study others’ matches for improvement.

⚰️ Legacy Talk: Hulk Hogan’s Complicated Passing
• A nuanced conversation on the legacy of Hulk Hogan (the character) vs. Terry Bollea (the person).
• Acknowledgement of Hogan’s impact on the business and the importance of separating art from artist.
• Wrestlers’ reactions on-screen and audience discomfort discussed.
• Praise for genuinely kind legends like Roddy Piper and Ricky Steamboat.

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💡 “What We Learned” Segment Specifics
• Rizz learned that Bron Breakker is nearly indestructible after landing on his head mid-spear.
• Katie Arquette learned how incredible Joaquin Wilde (DJ Z) still is and how he continues to elevate.
• Derek Dillinger emphasized how even minor botches can be folded into a match with the right character work.
• Sorg reflected on the WWE UnReal doc and wrestling at a strip club, among other absurd indie tales.
• Tina (chat): It’s fascinating to understand wrestling’s backstage mechanics and how plans are often made up in real time.
• Ponder (chat): Pop-Tarts > handshake > hot dog.