In this episode of The Experience (477), hosts Drew, Justin, and RJ discuss their midyear awards for 2026 and preview upcoming wrestling events for the weekend. The discussion covers various categories, reflecting on the current state of professional wrestling across multiple promotions.Midyear Award Highlights (4:20 - 1:31:08):Best TV Show: The group overwhelmingly chooses AAA (Triple A) for its concise, story-driven, and easy-to-follow format (6:51 - 9:55).Best Moment: The hosts highlight the El Grande Americano vs. Grande Americano mask vs. mask match entrances and the subsequent unmasking (11:21 - 14:26).Comeback of the Year: While Paige's return to WWE is noted (14:45), RJ highlights Shane Haste's return to Pro Wrestling Noah and his championship win (15:28).Feud of the Year: The El Grande Americano vs. Grande Americano rivalry is praised for its emotional weight and storytelling (18:05 - 19:18).Best PLE/Pay-Per-View: AEW Double or Nothing is cited as the best event of the year so far (25:44 - 26:10).Heel of the Year: RJ selects Techla for her impactful work, while others express frustration with corporate management decisions regarding ticket prices (1:07:18 - 1:08:12).Weekend Preview (1:33:41 - 1:52:36):The hosts preview King and Queen of the Ring in Saudi Arabia, predicting Jey Uso will win the tournament with potential interference from Brock Lesnar (1:34:00 - 1:35:48).They briefly touch upon the upcoming NXT Great American Bash, Forbidden Door, and Slammiversary events, noting that the sheer number of shows makes for a packed weekend (1:52:42 - 1:53:50).The episode concludes with the hosts sharing their social media handles and plugs for their respective projects, emphasizing their shared passion for the fun side of wrestling (1:57:35 - 1:58:34).

Topics discussed so far:Summer season: The hosts debate when summer officially begins, whether it's the start of June or later in the month (2:14-2:43).Justin's Birthday: Drew and Ruben acknowledge that Justin's birthday is the following day (2:46-2:55).Birthday Traditions: The conversation shifts to cake preferences, specifically discussing tres leches cake, various cultural styles, and preferences for ice cream brands like Häagen-Dazs over others (3:20-7:15).Travel and Costs: The hosts share anecdotes about their experiences in New York and Brooklyn, reflecting on the high cost of living and the convenience of local food, such as dollar pizza slices (8:11-10:20).Complicity and Corporate Culture: The hosts discuss the nature of the allegations against Vince McMahon, emphasizing that while his behavior is widely viewed as inappropriate, they also reflect on the role of those who participated in or were aware of the environment while financial benefits were still present (1:09:00-1:11:40).The Future of WWE Leadership: The discussion shifts to whether there is any possibility of Vince McMahon returning to a leadership role. The hosts conclude this is unlikely, noting that Triple H is currently overseeing a period where the company is financially more successful than it has been in the past, making a return to previous management styles less attractive to investors (1:11:43-1:12:48).Potential for Future Sales: The group speculates on the future business moves for TKO Group, suggesting that with the company currently in debt, they might eventually look to sell to entities with significant capital, such as potential investors from Saudi Arabia (1:18:03-1:20:36).Reflections on Life and Loss: Later in the show, the tone shifts as the hosts share personal reflections on the transience of life, sparked by the news of several public figures and content creators passing away. They emphasize the importance of prioritizing health and striving to make a positive impact on the world around them (1:23:32-1:29:59).

• MASK VS MASK: MATCH OF THE YEAR?
• HOW HAS LUDWIG MADE THIS WORK?
• ITALY PLE
• ROMAN HASN'T EVOLVED
• AND MORE...