Podcast Summary
Food and Wrestling: The Off Menu Podcast featured a wrestling-themed episode with Will Ospreay, where they discussed favorite restaurant orders, signature moves, and the art of storytelling in wrestling.
The Off Menu Podcast, hosted by James Acaster, invites guests to share their favorite restaurant orders, but this week, they welcomed wrestler Will Ospreay, making it the first wrestling-themed episode. Will is a top wrestler at AEW, and they're coming to London for a show at Wembley Stadium. James was excited about the upcoming event and shared his experience from attending All In last year. The podcast hosts discussed Will's signature move, "Cheeky Nando's," and joked about the secret ingredient being "chops," a wrestling move. The episode was filled with wrestling-related banter, and James admitted that he was recently re-converted to wrestling fandom by his wife. Will discussed his experience in Japan, where wrestling is treated as a sport, and the art of storytelling in wrestling. Overall, the podcast episode showcased the unique blend of humor and conversation about food and wrestling.
British wrestling atmosphere: British wrestling offers a unique atmosphere with unpredictable moments and a strong sense of community, making it a cherished part of the sport despite its cultural shock for newcomers, and the ultimate goal for some wrestlers is to perform at iconic venues like Wembley Stadium.
British wrestling is known for its unique and unpredictable atmosphere, with indie shows often featuring a mix of serious wrestling matches and unexpected moments. These shows can be a cultural shock for newcomers, but the excitement and sense of community make them a cherished part of British wrestling. Wrestlers, like in comedy, must adapt to changing situations and audience reactions. The ultimate goal for some wrestlers is to perform at iconic venues like Wembley Stadium, which represents the pinnacle of their career and a chance to bring the sport back to its fans as an annual event.
Nando's and Wrestling: The wrestler's strong connection to Nando's chicken inspires his wrestling persona and even names some of his moves, making it a comforting part of his tour experience.
The speaker, a wrestler, has a strong connection to Nando's chicken and has incorporated it into his wrestling persona. He shares stories of his love for Nando's, particularly the mango chutney, and how it has become a part of his wrestling experience, even inspiring the name of some of his moves. The speaker also mentions his preference for sparkling water, but his love for Nando's is so strong that it seems to be his go-to comfort food, even on tour. The speaker's stories about Nando's are filled with humor and nostalgia, showcasing the joy he finds in simple pleasures like good food.
Wrestling etiquette: Wrestling involves unique interactions between wrestlers and audience, food traditions, and unspoken rules, all requiring respect and etiquette for a memorable and enjoyable experience
Wrestling involves a unique blend of performance, competition, and unspoken rules. During matches, wrestlers may interact with each other and the audience in unexpected ways, creating memorable moments. Food is also a significant part of the experience, with some wrestlers having specific pre-match rituals or preferences. However, there's an unwritten code of conduct to avoid disrupting the performance or offending fellow wrestlers or fans. The conversation also touched upon the importance of etiquette and respect within the wrestling community. Overall, the discussion highlighted the complexity and richness of the wrestling world, filled with both serious competition and playful moments.
Japanese culture, family support: Growing up in Japan, the speaker was won over by its culture and kindness, which eventually won over his mother's reservations. Family support played a crucial role in his wrestling career.
Japan holds a special place in this individual's heart as it's where he grew up and eventually brought his parents to experience its culture and hospitality. His mother, who initially had reservations due to her father being a prisoner of war there, was won over by the kindness of the Japanese people. The speaker's wrestling career also brought him pride, with his parents supporting him from the start despite initial skepticism. The speaker also shared his love for sweet potato mash and his wife's cooking skills. Additionally, he mentioned his friendship with a fellow wrestler and their shared experiences in the industry. Overall, this conversation highlights the importance of family support and the impact of cultural experiences on personal growth.
Impact on People: Negative impacts are easier to make but the speaker chooses to connect authentically and positively with people, valuing their interactions. Alcohol affects him differently, with red wine causing past incidents, while vodka is his preferred choice for enjoyment without overindulgence. Wrestling provides entertainment and inspiration.
Making a negative impact on people is easier than making a positive one, but the speaker prefers to be a good guy and connect with everyone. He finds joy in engaging with people and values authentic interactions. The speaker also shared his experiences with alcohol, particularly with red wine, which he cannot handle due to past incidents. He enjoys vodka as his go-to drink and has never overindulged to the point of affecting his wrestling performance. The speaker also mentioned his admiration for The Rock's inflated bravado and influence on his onstage persona. He appreciates how wrestling can be a source of entertainment and inspiration in various situations. Overall, the speaker values genuine connections and enjoys living life to the fullest.
New Japan Pro-Wrestling experience: New Japan Pro-Wrestling offers a captivating experience with diverse crowds, a high percentage of female fans, and a homely feel. The promotion is known for its unpredictable nature and balance of comedy and serious wrestling.
New Japan Pro-Wrestling offers a unique and captivating wrestling experience with a diverse crowd and a high percentage of female fans. The speaker, who spent eight years with the promotion, fondly remembers the homely feel of the shows and the energetic crowds. He was surprised by the balance of women in the audience and even jokingly used the presence of "hunky Japanese men" as a selling point. The speaker's dessert preferences were also discussed, with a shared love for brownies and ice cream. The conversation then shifted to the speaker's past experiences in comedy wrestling matches, where he sang his own name and got hit in the face with a tray both times. The speaker reflected on how these experiences were a part of the unpredictable nature of wrestling. Overall, the conversation highlights the excitement and uniqueness of New Japan Pro-Wrestling and the speaker's fondness for the promotion.
Wrestling anecdotes: The episode featured humorous stories and unexpected twists from Will Osprey's experiences in Japan and his transition from MMA to wrestling, as well as the hosts' playful banter.
The conversation between the hosts and their guest, Will Osprey, was filled with humorous anecdotes, wrestling references, and unexpected twists. Will shared stories about his experiences in Japan and his transition from MMA to wrestling. The hosts joked about various topics, including food and wrestling moves. A highlight of the episode was when Will admitted that he saw the hosts as brothers. The episode also included shout-outs to various food and beverage brands that had sent in samples for the show. Overall, the conversation was light-hearted and entertaining, showcasing the unique dynamic between the hosts and their guest. If you're a fan of wrestling or just enjoy a good conversation, give this episode of Off Menu a listen.