Podcast Summary
Podcast: Casuals with Katie Nolan
Episode: Giant Rats, Worcester, and Being the Perfect Pro Wrestler | with Orange Cassidy
Date: October 16, 2025
Host: Katie Nolan
Guest: Orange Cassidy (AEW wrestler)
Episode Overview
This week, Katie Nolan dives into the world of professional wrestling with guest Orange Cassidy from AEW, famed for his “Sloth Style” persona. The episode is a blend of sports banter, wedding shoutouts, baseball talk, wrestling as entertainment, and a candid interview with Orange Cassidy about his unique approach to pro wrestling and his relatable character. The episode is packed with accessible explanations, listener engagement, and plenty of humor, making complex sports culture friendly to "casuals."
Key Segments & Discussion Points
1. Community Corner: Listener Stories & Weddings (07:24–14:38)
- Weddings Galore: The episode opens with Chris sharing three listener stories, all themed around engagements and weddings—shoutouts to Rigo and Andrea, Chris from Chicago, and Nikki and Amanda from Seattle. Katie and the crew gush about wedding moments and the emotions they elicit.
- Quote (09:56, Katie): "If you're not crying for me, then we're breaking up on the spot."
- Sports & Marriage: The team jokes about attending weddings, professional wedding guest ideas, and the experience of crying at strangers' weddings.
- Baseball Q&A: Nikki asks about increased pitching changes in the MLB postseason.
- Expert Explanation (14:41): Katie and Brady break down postseason pitching strategies and roster rules, explaining the three-batter minimum and why more relievers are used.
- Quote (16:57, Katie): "One of the most exciting things of the postseason, I think, is when you see a starting pitcher coming in relief..."
2. The Bad Bunny Halftime Show and American Identity (18:27–27:28)
- Katie’s Yap: Katie delivers a passionate monologue about the backlash to Bad Bunny headlining the Super Bowl Halftime Show, comparing public reactions to past performers and pushing back against “counterprogramming” efforts that mask xenophobia.
- Quote (22:51, Katie): "You're not going to out-family Puerto Rico. What are we talking about?"
- Quote (24:30, Katie): "You should at least have an artist to announce... it's such a transparent move to go, 'We're gonna do our own show.' First follow up question: 'Who's gonna be there?' And they go, 'Who do you want to be there?'"
- Cultural Commentary: The crew riffs on marketing stunts, Kid Rock confusion, and how halftime show outrage often proves people don’t actually care about football.
3. Wrestling for the Casuals: Introduction to Orange Cassidy (28:37–36:14)
- Pro Wrestling 101: Katie introduces AEW and WWE to Isabella, who is almost entirely new to pro wrestling. The conversation simplifies wrestling’s appeal—“fighting theater” for a modern audience.
- Quote (30:22, Isabella): "It's almost like... a fighting theater."
- Why Orange Cassidy Works: Katie explains why Cassidy is a great “entry point”—his jeans-clad, sunglasses-wearing, hands-in-pockets “Doesn’t Care” persona is immediately accessible, silly, and relatable, while his technical wrestling chops are legit.
- First-Time Reaction: Isabella watches an Orange Cassidy highlight:
- Quote (33:24, Isabella): "Yeah, I love this guy."
- Gateway Wrestler: Cassidy’s appeal is in normalizing the silliness and making wrestling accessible to newcomers.
4. Interview: Orange Cassidy on Character, Fans, Rats, and Wrestling (39:17–77:45)
A. The Man Behind the Gimmick
- Character vs. Real Life: Orange Cassidy affirms there’s “nothing to break”—his character is just him, taken to a fun extreme.
- Quote (39:41, Orange Cassidy): "You ask me whatever you want. You live your life. That's what I do."
- Merchandise Talk: Orange reveals the story behind his iconic white t-shirt, bucking wrestling norms:
- Quote (41:18): "They told me six years ago that white shirts don't sell..."
- Announces new meta-shirt: a shirt of him wearing his classic shirt.
B. Rat Tales & East Coast Stories (45:10–48:14)
- Philly Life: Recalls living with wrestler Chuck Taylor and confronting a giant rat in their Philadelphia apartment.
- Quote (45:55, Orange Cassidy): "The rat that was in my apartment and on my bed was as big as my shoe, and the tail was double that..."
C. Sports Fandom & Regional Roots (48:29–54:46)
- Not a Sports Diehard: Cassidy enjoys sports but doesn't let wins/losses affect his mood—a contrast to Katie's all-consuming Red Sox fandom.
- Boston Roots: Orange grew up in Massachusetts (Taunton, Framingham), shares Red Sox heartbreak and moving to Philly, where loyalty depends on city boundaries.
D. Wrestling Philosophy & Audience Connection (56:07–64:35)
- Relatability & Casual Fan Appeal: Cassidy explains why so many “casuals” become fans through his performances. Stories of fans, families, kids dressing as him.
- Quote (56:11, Orange Cassidy): "That is a very similar story that I hear all of the time. And I take the most pride in that..."
- On Silliness: His character invites everyone to acknowledge wrestling’s inherent absurdity, making it more fun.
- On Wrestling as Wrestling: Pushes back on debates over “fake” vs. “real” — just call it pro wrestling and enjoy.
E. Wrestling & Hygiene: The Realities (65:58–68:08)
- Physical Pranks: Katie and Cassidy banter about the close-quarters, sometimes awkward, realities of wrestling—face-in-crotch, shaving armpits, and avoiding “stank.”
- Quote (66:57, Orange Cassidy): "There are some stinky people out there… it’s just, like, you don’t. It takes away some stank."
F. On Magic, Relationships, and Halloween (68:11–77:45)
- Magicians & DJs: Both agree magicians are untrustworthy; Katie maintains a "no magicians, no DJs, (usually) no athletes, and no musicians" policy when it comes to dating.
- Quote (70:10, Orange Cassidy): "You can't trust a magician."
- Costume Ideas: Cassidy jokes about being the ultimate last-minute Halloween costume.
G. Where to Watch
- AEW Dynamite: Wednesdays on TBS and HBO Max
- AEW Collision: Saturdays on TNT and HBO Max
- Wrestle Dream: Upcoming pay-per-view live from St. Louis
H. On Owning Mistakes (74:35):
- Quote (74:45, Orange Cassidy): "This is the thing that I feel like we have a problem with in our world right now is people do not admit when they're wrong. It is okay to be wrong."
5. Post-Interview Banter & Fantasy Football Updates (81:57–95:16)
- Character Crisis: Katie reflects on interviewing wrestlers in and out of character—mentions run-ins with The Miz and MJF.
- Isabella's Fantasy Life: Despite injuries, Isabella remains undefeated in fantasy football, debating lineup choices and strategies for early morning London games.
- Vibes: Nails, sleep habits, team names, and friendly chatter round out the segment.
Notable Quotes & Moments
- Orange Cassidy on accessibility: (56:11)
"That is a very similar story that I hear all of the time. And I take the most pride in that..." - Katie on wrestling’s appeal: (30:22)
"It's almost like... a fighting theater." - Isabella on her wrestling persona: (83:44)
"Mine would be... I'm just, like, perpetually scared. Like, in the ring, I'd be like, stop. Get away from me." - Cassidy on owning up: (74:45)
"It is okay to be wrong. It is okay to say something, be very, very passionate about it. And it's wrong. But just say it."
Timestamps
- Listener wedding stories & community Q&A: 07:24–14:38
- Super Bowl Halftime Show talk: 18:27–27:28
- Pro wrestling intro & Orange Cassidy highlight: 28:37–36:14
- Interview begins: 39:17
- Philly rat story: 45:10
- Sports fandom & Boston nostalgia: 48:29
- Relatable wrestling—parents, kids, casuals: 56:07–64:35
- On wrestling’s reality: 62:36
- Physical realities of wrestling: 65:58
- Magic & dating rules: 68:11
- Halloween & AEW events: 76:01
- Post-interview wrap-up: 81:57
- Fantasy Football & closing banter: 85:17–95:16
Episode Tone & Style
- Laid-back, witty, inclusive: Katie gently demystifies sports and wrestling, always open to “casual” or “outsider” questions.
- Balanced: Mix of personal stories, sincere interview, and playful tangents.
- Accessible: Focused on making wrestling and sports fandom inviting for everyone.
Suggested for...
- Listeners with only casual sports knowledge or interest.
- Anyone looking for a primer on why Orange Cassidy’s wrestling persona has crossover appeal.
- Fans of witty, personality-driven sports talk and light behind-the-scenes interviews.
Love sports? Love wit? Want a low-key doorway into pro wrestling? This episode is for you.