It’s WrestleMania Season Baby!
This week on the podcast, Brian and Darryl are predicting WrestleMania XL, and reviewing X-Men ’97, Invincible, and Shogun.
Episode Index
Intro: 0:07
WrestleMania XL: 2:19
X-Men ’97: 40:30
Invincible: 45:00
Shogun: 53:23
WrestleMania XL Predictions
Night One (Saturday, April 6th)
Rhea Ripley (c) vs. Becky Lynch (Women’s World Championship) Darryl: Rhea, Brian: Rhea
Six-Pack Tag Team Ladder Match (SmackDown Qualifier Tournament) – (The Judgment Day (Finn Bálor and Damian Priest) (c) vs. #DIY (Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa) vs. The Awesome Truth (The Miz and R-Truth) vs. The New Day (Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods) vs. A-Town Down Under (Austin Theory and Grayson Waller) vs. New Catch Republic (Pete Dunne and Tyler Bate) Darryl: #DIY & The Awesome Truth, Brian: #DIY & The Awesome Truth
Rey Mysterio and Andrade vs. Santos Escobar and “Dirty” Dominik Mysterio (Tag Team Match) Darryl: Mysterio/Adrade, Brian: Escobar/Dirty Dom
Jey Uso vs. Jimmy Uso (Singles Match) Darryl: Jey, Brian: Jey
Bianca Belair, Naomi & Jade Cargill vs. Damage CTRL (Dakota Kai, Asuka, and Kairi Sane) Darryl: Bianca, Naomi & Jade, Brian: Bianca, Naomi & Jade
Gunther (c) vs. Sami Zayn (Intercontinental Championship) Darryl: Sami, Brian: Sami
The Bloodline (The Rock and Roman Reigns) vs. Cody Rhodes and Seth “Freakin” Rollins (Main Event) Darryl: The Bloodline, Brian: The Bloodline
Night Two (Sunday, April 7th)
Seth “Freakin” Rollins (c) vs. Drew McIntyre (World Heavyweight Championship Match) Darryl: Drew, Brian: Drew
Philadelphia Street Fight: The Pride (Bobby Lashley, Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford) vs. The Final Testament (Karrion Kross, Akam & Rezar) Darryl: The Pride, Brian: The Pride
LA Knight vs. AJ Styles (Singles Match) Darryl: AJ, Brian AJ
Triple Threat: Logan Paul (c) vs. Randy Orton vs. Kevin Owens (Match for the United States Championship) Darryl: Logan Paul, Brian: Randy Orton
Iyo Sky (c) vs. Bayley (WWE Women’s Championship Match) Darryl: Bayley, Brian: Bayley
Undisputed WWE Universal Championship Match: Roman Reigns (c) vs. Cody Rhodes (Main Event) Darryl: Cody, Brian: Cody
X-Men ’97 (Disney+)
Episode 4 – “Lifedeath – Part 1”
Out of 5 Mojo Risings
Darryl: 3.5/5
Brian: 3.25/5
Storm’s Loss and Forge’s Burden
Episode 4 of X-Men ’97 takes a detour from the mutant intrigue surrounding the Friends of Humanity (FOH) to focus on Storm and the aftermath of her power loss. Wracked with guilt over having created the technology used in the FOH’s dampeners, Forge tries to make amends by assisting Storm in regaining her control over the weather. The episode delves into Forge’s past through flashbacks, revealing a younger version pressured by the government to build these mutant-suppressing devices. As they work together, a sense of connection grows between Storm and Forge, hinting at a potential romance.
A Budding Romance and Unexpected Feelings
While Storm grapples with her powerlessness, we see a sweeter side of Jubilee’s personality. Her interactions with Sunspot (Roberto da Costa) suggest a budding romance blossoming between the two mutants. However, a new wrinkle appears with Forge. His interactions with Storm suggest a deeper attachment, potentially setting the stage for a love triangle in the future.
More Villains Unveiled
The episode’s true antagonist finally steps into the light: Mister Sinister. It’s revealed that he’s been manipulating the FOH from the shadows, likely with the intention of using them to capture and potentially experiment on mutants. This adds a new layer of complexity to the situation, making Mister Sinister’s goals a central point of future episodes.
A Daring Choice?
“Lifedeath – Part 1” ends on a suspenseful note. Forge reveals a potentially risky method to restore Storm’s powers, leaving her with a difficult decision. The episode concludes without revealing the nature of the risk, leaving viewers eager to find out if Storm will take the chance and what the consequences might be.
Invincible (Amazon Prime)
Episode 8 – “I Thought You Were Stronger”
Out of 5 Mark Takes a Bloodbaths
Darryl: 4.15/5
Brian: 4.85/5
Season 2 Part 2
Out of 10 You Will Conquer Earths
Darryl: 8/10
Brian: 8.8/10
Invincible’s season 2 finale, “I Thought You Were Stronger,” throws Mark Grayson (Invincible) into a chaotic journey across realities. Angstrom Levy returns with a vengeance, fueled by his grudge against Mark and boasting some serious upgrades. The fight takes them on a wild trip through the multiverse, with Mark witnessing alternate versions of himself and even encountering an alternate Guardians of the Globe team.
The episode explores the emotional weight of taking a life. After Levy threatens Debbie and Oliver, Mark loses his cool and delivers a brutal beatdown, ultimately killing Levy. This act weighs heavily on him, forcing him to confront the brutality of his powers and the potential path he could follow if he loses control.
Meanwhile, back on Earth, Nolan Grayson (Omni-Man) shows a glimmer of humanity, expressing regret over his past actions while imprisoned in the Viltrumite penal colony. This emotional vulnerability suggests a possible turning point for their father-son relationship in the future.
The episode sets the stage for even bigger conflicts. With the Viltrumite Empire now targeting Earth, Mark and the remaining heroes face a potential apocalypse. Debbie remains fiercely determined to protect her family, even against the overwhelming odds. Ultimately, “I Thought You Were Stronger” leaves viewers with a bittersweet conclusion, as Mark chooses to leave college and embrace his responsibility as a hero, forever changed by the events of this season.
Shogun (FX Networks)
Episode 7 – “A Stick of Time”
Out of 5 The Rock Says
Darryl: 4/5
Brian: 4.1/5
In Shogun’s episode 7, titled “A Stick of Time,” the consequences of Yoshii Toranaga’s failed Crimson Sky plan come crashing down, completely reshaping the power dynamics within the ongoing struggle for control.
Toranaga receives a seemingly welcome visitor – his half-brother, Saeki Nobutatsu, arrives at Ajiro with a sizeable army. Hope flickers for Toranaga, believing Saeki might offer much-needed support. However, this glimmer of hope quickly extinguishes as a shocking truth unfolds. Saeki’s allegiance lies not with Toranaga, but with the Council of Regents. This unexpected betrayal throws Toranaga’s carefully laid plans into disarray, leaving him vulnerable and facing potential capture.
Blackthorne becomes an unwilling witness to this shocking turn of events. Recognizing the danger, he immediately alerts Toranaga, but the information arrives too late. Saeki asserts his dominance and takes Toranaga into custody, leaving his fate hanging in the balance.
Meanwhile, Gin, Toranaga’s ever-loyal retainer, prioritizes Blackthorne’s safety above all else. Recognizing the precarious situation, Gin skillfully maneuvers Blackthorne and Mariko towards an escape route. Their fate remains uncertain as they flee Ajiro, leaving their future shrouded in mystery.
Within Toranaga’s own family, a tragedy unfolds. His ambitious son, Nagado, sees an opportunity to seize power with his uncle weakened. He makes a bold move, attempting to assassinate Toranaga in a bid to claim his position. However, Nagado’s plan is thwarted by a combination of arrogance and clumsiness. He trips due to his excessively long robe, suffering a deadly head injury. This moment emphasizes the often-tragic and unpredictable nature of ambition, highlighting how even the most carefully planned actions can be undone by unforeseen circumstances.
“A Stick of Time” concludes with a tense cliffhanger. Saeki claims he will escort Toranaga back to Osaka to face the Council of Regents. However, Toranaga, defeated and stripped of his power, contemplates his next move from a position of vulnerability. The episode serves as a pivotal point for the season, shaking the foundation of established alliances and paving the way for a high-stakes confrontation between Toranaga and the Council.
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Our theme music is ‘Skate Beat’ provided by Michael Henry, with additional music provided by Michael Henry. Find more at MeetMichaelHenry.com.
The Infamous Podcast is hosted by Brian Tudor and Darryl Jasper, is recorded in Cincinnati, Ohio. The show is produced and edited by Brian Tudor.
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