Episode Details

This episode runs a little differently. We start with the actual Street Fighter video game — its 1987 arcade origins, the Street Fighter II revolution that invented the modern fighting-game genre, and the esports history that followed. Then a quick dive into 1994's gloriously campy Van Damme cult classic, including Raul Julia's final performance. From there we go into our full rundown of the new 2026 film now in theaters — and the Fight Game angle on this one is bigger than anything we've covered: Roman Reigns as Akuma, Cody Rhodes as Guile, NJPW's Hirooki Goto as E. Honda, and UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski as Joe, all in one movie.

We cover each of their real careers, the film's chaotic path to the screen (two different directors, a distributor swap, a working title called "Punch"), the plot, the box office, and the critical reception — plus a bonus pick on who else from boxing, MMA, or wrestling could have filled out this cast.

Find us on our website: https://www.fightgamemedia.com/

Find us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FightGameMedia

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-fight-game-podcast/id1594255707

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4IpirI4FyHQA3BRMhwei5X?si=c035985e950142f8

GG's Substack: https://thecoolcheckin.com/