What is up, everyone! Marie Shadows here.
If you came over from my latest Substack article on the Avery Styles vs. Marcus Mathers GCW match, you know we talked about the real value of post-wrestling school tape study. We broke down why working with veterans matters, how pacing is controlled, and why in-ring execution outweighs outdated internet gatekeeping every single time.
https://marieshadows.substack.com/p/tape-study-avery-styles-vs-marcus
While the full video review is over on Substack, I wanted to drop something practical right here on Buy Me A Coffee that you can actually take with you to your next show.
When you finish a match, get backstage, and get your footage back a few days later—how are you actually watching your tape? Are you just watching your favorite spots, or are you auditing your work like a professional?
Below is my Post-Match Self-Audit Worksheet. You can copy this, save it to your phone notes, or print it out for your gear bag to use after every single match.
📋 The Tape Study 2.0 Post-Match Self-Audit
1. Entrance & First Impression
Did my body language match my character from the second I walked through the curtain?
Did I give the camera/audience time to register my presence before entering the ring?
2. Pacing & Transition Control
Where did the crowd react the loudest, and did I give that moment room to breathe?
Did I rush between spots, or did I sell the physical toll of the match?
3. Communication & Safety
Was my communication with my opponent hidden, or could you see/hear it on camera?
How clean were my position adjustments before major bumps or high-risk moves?
4. The Finish & Post-Match
Did the finish feel earned based on the story told during the match?
Did I maintain character all the way back through the curtain?
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Want Me to Audit Your Tape With You?
Using this worksheet on your own is a great start, but having an objective set of eyes is how you level up faster.
If you’re done with wrestling school, taking indie bookings, and want personalized feedback on your matches, join the Tape Study 2.0 Membership right here on Buy Me A Coffee.
When you sign up, you get:
Direct match breakdowns from me (drawing from my background in production and working at WWE back in 2018).
Handwritten match notes with specific timestamp callouts.
Custom feedback on your psychology, positioning, and storytelling.
Save the worksheet above, use it after your next booking, and when you're ready for full 1-on-1 feedback, hit the membership button below!
👇 Join the Tape Study 2.0 Tier to submit your match link!
One-off Match Audit
Monthly and yearly and lifetime mentorship
