Maxxed Out Before War Games: The Episode That Hit Harder Than a Chop From Gunther
Some episodes come and go, Others hit at the perfect moment — right before a major shift, right before the fanbase splits wide open, right before Survivor Series War Games sets the entire wrestling world buzzing.
This one? This one mattered.
The Maxxed Out crew kicked off Thanksgiving week with a loaded show, breaking down the road to War Games, the John Cena Tournament, and the state of WWE storytelling. And for the first time in a minute, the mic welcomed back a familiar voice:
Anthony D. Vaughn (@kiddmula_jax) — longtime friend of the pod, wrestling analyst, and the guy who steps in whenever Jose is out serving his community as an Army Reserve member and NYC police officer.
The chemistry snapped right back into place. The conversation had heat and the real talk? It didn’t miss.
Ilya Dragunov: The Man Who Makes Wrestling Feel Real Again
The conversation opened with a theme Anthony has been beating the drum on for months: Ilya Dragunov isn’t just good — he’s different.
“He’s bred in that UK strong-style lane… he makes you believe every match is legit.”
Anthony went deep:
- Dragunov’s NXT UK run with Walter/Gunther
- His return from injury
- The open challenge era he’s now carrying
- Why pairing him with guys like JD McDonagh elevates the whole division
It wasn’t hype. It was respect — the kind that comes from someone who studies the work, not just the finish.
This wasn’t “what did you think of SmackDown?” filler. This was a wrestling clinic.
Representation, Booking, and the Stuff Fans Actually Talk About
We then dove into the longstanding issue of representation in WWE booking:
- Why Asian champions rarely get mic time
- Why women like Iyo Sky are forced to carry storylines without speaking
- Why talents like Carmelo Hayes keep hitting a ceiling that makes no sense
- Why SmackDown — the “B brand” — oddly holds most of WWE’s Black talent
Anthony didn’t dance around it, “If people who look like me can’t be ambassadors for the brand… that’s a problem.” No bitterness. Just truth. And that honesty is exactly why this episode stands out. Because Maxxed Out isn’t pretending these gaps don’t exist. You’re talking about them plainly — as fans who love the product enough to critique it.
Carmelo Hayes: The Star Fans See (Even If Creative Doesn’t)
When the Cena Tournament came up, the whole room shifted into high gear.
They broke down:
- Carmelo defeating Bronson Reed
- Nearly upsetting Gunther
- The Boston crowd ready to crown him
- Why his size shouldn’t be the barrier people pretend it is
- How every NXT contemporary around him (Roxanne, Tiffany, Dragunov, Bron Breakker) has already captured gold
Anthony summed it up, “All the setbacks had to mean something… it felt like the perfect storm.” But WWE blinked. Again. So if you’re a Melo fan, you felt that.
War Games Talk: Roman, Cody, CM Punk, and Peak Drama
Once Raw came up, the pod hit a different stride — the fun stride. The ten-minute entrances, Roman soaking in the crowd, Cody’s theme blaring and CM Punk stepping out with a title over his shoulder. It was all there, Jose put it best, “The best entrance in sports and entertainment right now.”
Anthony pushed the fantasy booking button:
- A potential Punk vs. Roman WrestleMania showdown
- A possible triple threat fans would lose their minds over
- The faction politics behind The Vision
- Drew McIntyre’s “mercenary” era
- Where Bronson Reed goes next
- Why Triple H’s booking is starting to feel too “safe”
This wasn’t a recap, it was analysis fueled by passion.
The Women’s War Games Match: Hype, Questions, and Big Moves Coming
The crew didn’t skip the women’s match, either.
They broke down:
- Lash Legend’s rise
- Alexa Bliss’ return
- Iyo Sky still being the most dynamic worker in the match
- Why this matchup didn’t land as the ideal War Games story
- The inevitable betrayal angle brewing
Anthony even pitched an already-iconic heel turn promo Charlotte could cut if Bliss flips, “You made me smile and then you broke my heart.” The storytelling gears were turning all episode.
Nostalgia Hit Harder Than Expected: The John Cena Effect
No one expected the conversation to land here — but it did. The crew admitted something that caught listeners off guard. They’re getting emotional about John Cena’s final run, seeing the video packages, the history, the OG clips…the last stretch of his career…
Even Jose — famously not a Cena fan — admitted it hit different now. That’s the beauty of wrestling, you don’t appreciate an era until it’s almost gone.
This Episode Was More Than Wrestling Talk
This episode showed why Maxxed Out works. It wasn’t just takes. It wasn’t just fantasy booking. It wasn’t just jokes and debates.
It was:
- Raw honesty
- Cultural insight
- Hardcore wrestling knowledge
- Humor without the toxicity
- Three fans who genuinely love this world
- And a guest who elevated the whole room
Anthony D. Vaughn didn’t just appear — he showed why he’s family on this show.
If You’re a Fan Who Wants Real Talk, You Need to Tune In
Maxxed Out isn’t chasing shock value. It’s not trying to be “insider dirt sheet” drama. It’s fans talking wrestling the way fans actually talk wrestling:
Passionate. Smart.
Funny and honest.
And always with love for the sport. Whether you’re old-school, new-school, lapsed, casual, or deep in the weeds. This episode has something for you.
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Survivor Series War Games hits November 29.
We’ve got predictions, reactions, and a post-show episode coming right after. And yes — Anthony will be back soon for the promised John Cena Career Retrospective episode.
Stay tuned.
Stay loud.
Stay Maxxedout!
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