Talks at the Tap
Crafted for curious minds
Have a thirst for knowledge? Join us for Talks at the Tap.
Listen, learn and socialize as Wake Forest professors and other experts speak on timely topics in the comfort of a local bar. This new monthly series features small group lectures, hands-up Q&A and opportunities for conversation.
Talks at the Tap takes place on the last Thursday of the month and features a wide range of speakers and topics at various Charlotte venues. The series will take a break over the summer months.
Tickets and registration
Tickets will be available at an affordable cost that varies by event. Advance registration is required and quantities are limited.
The Squared Circle of Influence: Wrestling’s Invisible Hand in Pop Culture
August 27, 2026
5:30pm: Doors open, 6pm: Talk begins
Pins Mechanical*
307 W Tremont Ave
Charlotte, NC 28203
*Pins Mechanical does not have food, but you can bring your own or order delivery!
Tickets: $20
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN: What do a rap album, a Saturday Night Live sketch, a presidential campaign, and your yoga instructor have in common? More than you think.
The Squared Circle of Influence is a fast-moving, high-energy session that argues professional wrestling is one of the most underestimated cultural forces of the last 40 years. From the moment Hulk Hogan and Cyndi Lauper put WWF on MTV in 1985, to The Rock’s crossover into Hollywood, to the unmistakable presence of wrestling’s storytelling DNA in today’s reality TV, politics, and sports culture—wrestling didn’t just entertain. It exported a worldview.
Dr. Adam Dovico guides you through three eras of wrestling’s pop culture influence, unpacking connections most people never noticed — and the ones they knew about but never linked back to the squared circle. Along the way, you’ll explore why athletes fell in love with championship belts, how kayfabe became the unofficial grammar of modern media, and what educators, communicators, and leaders can steal from the WWE playbook.
No wrestling knowledge required. Just curiosity — and a willingness to have a few assumptions body-slammed.
Dr. Adam Dovico
Associate Professor of the Practice, Academic Director, at Wake Forest University
5:30 p.m. Doors open
Arrive early! It’s “open seating” for registered guests. Expect a line at the bar to purchase drinks. *Pins Mechanical does not have food, but you can bring your own or order delivery!
5:55 p.m. Guest speaker is introduced
6 p.m. Presentation begins
6:45 p.m. Q&A session
7 p.m. Hang out to chat with others about your thoughts on the lecture while enjoying another cocktail or mocktail.
Wake Forest is composed of seven different schools and many disciplines. Our professors conduct research on everything from “Wuthering Heights” to weighted vests. We want to offer the community an approachable way to engage with thought-provoking topics.
Lauren Burns
Chief Marketing and Student Services Officer,
Wake Forest School of Professional Studies in Charlotte