WWE Hall of Famer and AEW Commentator Jim Ross recently discussed WWE RAW from 2005 on the Grilling JR podcast.
This week’s episode of the show was a watch-along of RAW from 10/10/05. That episode was eventful for JR as an on-screen character as he was ‘fired’ on television. As is usually the case, Jim Ross would discuss players and events from the timeframe, including WWE Chief Brand Officer Stephanie McMahon.
JR on Stephanie McMahon
“I think she took after the old man as far as training and dieting” JR began on the podcast. “And in that era [Ruthless Aggression] she was very aware of her appearance as a television performer.”
Ross would then praise McMahon further, making a huge claim regarding her status in the Attitude Era from the late nineties to early 2000’s. “I always believe she was one of the best heels that we had in the Attitude Era. Because she took so much after her dad.”
Initially, Stephanie McMahon played more of a bit-part character in the Attitude Era. When McMahon aligned with Triple H it brought on the McMahon-Helmsley Era, it allowed her to flourish into one of the biggest heels on television at the time. McMahon would largely continue to play a heel role from that point on, both with and against her real life husband Triple H.
“I’ve always said that Vince…even though we philosophically didn’t get along all the time? He was the best heel we had in the Attitude Era” Jim Ross continued. “Because? He was the perfect foil or for top babyface (Steve Austin).”
Do you agree with Jim Ross? Do you think that Stephanie McMahon was one of the best heels in the Attitude Era? Let us know in the comments
Reports first came out earlier yesterday that the company was planning to give the Phenomenal One a bodyguard after his move to Raw during the latest WWE drafts.
Styles then confirmed these reports when he came out with Jordan Omogbehin on his side during this week’s episode of the Red Branded show.
The former World Champion had a match with Matt Riddle on the show but the bout was delayed a bit because Omogbehin refused to leave the ring. He only left when the referee threatened to disqualify AJ and started a 5 count.
His new bodyguard then also helped AJ Styles in picking up the victory against his opponent. He intimidated Riddle outside the ring by forming a fist and when a terrified Riddle ran back to the ring, he was caught by a Styles Clash:
Jordan Omogbehin is a Nigerian star who has previously played college basketball for the University of Florida and for Morgan State University. He was signed by WWE in October 2018 and he has made a handful of appearances for the NXT brand since then.
Though this is not Jordan’s first main roster appearance and the 26-year-old star has previously appeared on Raw Underground as a bouncer. He was also used as a ninja in Akira Tozawa’s group.
There is no word yet on where WWE is planning to go with this storyline and it would be interesting to see where this development leads us.
WWE RAW aired from the ThunderDome in the Amway Center. It was the season premiere of RAW and the final episode before WWE Hell in a Cell this Sunday. RAW also debuted a new theme song tonight.
RETRIBUTION then showed up as The Fiend and Alexa Bliss were holding hands in the middle of the ring. The lights went out again and The Fiend & Alexa Bliss were gone. The Hurt Business rushed the ring and a brawl broke out as RAW went to a break. The two teams faced off in an 8-man tag team match when RAW returned.
Match Recap: Lashley went right after T-Bar and sent him to the corner. Bobby connected with a Flatliner before Slapjack tagged in. Lashley greeted Slapjack with a massive Suplex and Cedric Alexander tagged himself in. Cedric connected with a kick to the face for a near fall.
MVP tagged in and beat Slapjack down in the corner of the ring. Hurt Business isolated Slapjack in the corner as Mace slammed on the steel steps. Mustafa Ali tagged in and stomped on Cedric’s arm. Ali brought Alexander out of the ring and slammed him into the barricade. The Fiend appeared on the jumbotron as RAW went to another commercial break.
When RAW returned, Shelton Benjamin hit Mace with a knee to the face for a near fall. Hurt Business then isolated Mace in the corner and took turns beating him down. Lashley planted Mace with a Spinebuster and then hit T-Bar with a Spear. Ali broke up the cover and retreated to the corner. T-Bar grabbed Lashley from behind but Bobby was able to apply the Hurt Lock. T-Bar quickly tapped out to end the match.
After the match, The Fiend showed up and beat RETRIBUTION down as Mustafa Ali retreated. The Fiend hit T-Bar with the Sister Abigail to end the segment.
Opinion: I don’t see how it is possible to take RETRIBUTION seriously after this. T-Bar, the imposing monster of the stable, tapped out after being in the Hurt Lock for a couple seconds. The Fiend then kicked RETRIBUTION’s ass with ease. RETRIBUTION is absolutely going to be dominating catering on RAW. I have no idea who I was supposed to be cheering for in this match.
Styles claimed that the real redemption of RAW was his return and boasted about defeating Jeff Hardy and Seth Rollins last week. Styles then battled Matt Riddle in a singles match. Before the match, Styles refused to have Jordan leave the ring and the referee started counting. Jordan grabbed the referee’s hand and the ref pleaded with him to leave the ring. Eventually, Jordan Omogbehin left the ring so the match could begin.
Match Recap: Riddle planted Styles with three Gutwrench Suplex and then Clotheslined him out of the ring. Jordan stood in the way of Styles as RAW went to a commercial break. When RAW returned, Matt Riddle hit another Gutwrench Suplex and went for the Broton but Styles got his knees up. AJ connected with the Pele Kick but Riddle immediately battled back and hit a German Suplex. Styles hit Riddle with a Neckbreaker for a two count.
AJ set up for the Styles Clash but Riddle countered into a Fisherman’s Suplex for a near fall. Jordan distracted Riddle and AJ capitalized with the Styles Clash for the pinfall victory.
Drew McIntyre Vowed To Retain The WWE Title At Hell In A Cell
WWE Champion Drew McIntyre was interviewed tonight on RAW. McIntyre will defend the title against Randy Orton inside Hell in a Cell this Sunday night at the PPV. McIntyre took the microphone from Charly and said he wanted to address Randy Orton directly.
McIntyre claimed that Orton is the most evil and entitled superstar in WWE. Drew stated that this should have been over at Clash of Champions but Orton attacked the four legends the following night on RAW. McIntyre said that those with darkness in them thrive inside Hell in a Cell.
Drew added that he has never been in a Hell in a Cell match but that doesn’t give Orton an advantage. McIntyre said that he will put Randy Orton through hell to remain WWE Champion. Drew threatened to show up during Orton’s interview later tonight.
Match Recap: Asuka applied a Headlock to start the action off. Lana broke free but the RAW Women’s Champion leveled her with a shoulder tackle. Asuka went for the Asuka Lock but Lana reached the bottom rope to break the hold. Lana booted Asuka in the face and went for the cover but the champ kicked out at two.
Lana stomped on Asuka in the corner of the ring but Asuka caught her with a kick to the head. Asuka then applied the Asuka Lock for the quick submission victory. Asuka is still the RAW Women’s Champion. After the match, Women’s Tag Team Champions attacked Asuka from behind and then brought Lana outside the ring. Nia once again put Lana through the announce table with a Samoan Drop. Asuka then knocked Shayna out of the ring with the Hip Attack.
Charlotte Flair has decided to take the next step in her career as she has signed with a management company.
On Monday it was announced that the former RAW, SmackDown, and NXT Women’s Champion had inked a deal with VaynerSports Agency.
The agency is owned by entrepreneur and internet personality Gary Vaynerchuk as well as his brother AJ. The agency launched in 2016 and is under the successful VaynerMedia umbrella. Flair looks to be their first wrestler.
Gary V reacted to the news with a response of “BEEN WATING TO ANNOUNCE THIS! So pumped!!!” while Flair stated, “So excited!!!”
In this year’s WWE Draft, Flair was sent to the RAW brand even though she is currently on hiatus. She hasn’t been seen on WWE television in a few months. The reason for that is due to her taking time off to get a cosmetic procedure.
There is no firm word on when she will be back. When she first removed herself from the product, there had been rumors that she could be back by SummerSlam in August, which obviously didn’t happen, while others suggested as long as possible January for the Royal Rumble.
Eric Bischoff made some interesting comments about WWE NXT and TNA Wrestling.
While speaking on his After 83 Weeks post-show, the former SmackDown Executive Director spoke about the differences between TNA about 7 years ago and today’s NXT.
“I don’t think NXT is as good as TNA was when TNA was at its peak.”
He continued by noting that something being at its peak is subjective as some people like it at various stages. He stated that a lot of people liked it because it did feel different in the very beginning or because it was new or it had a smaller presentation. He noted that more than anything, everybody loves a competitor.
“But if you go back and look at TNA in terms of its peak across the boards, not for a moment in time but for an extended period of time across the boards in terms of television ratings, PPV buys and house show attendance. That’s going to be that period of time that I was describing earlier.
Right around the Aces and Eights peak storyline period with Brooke [Hogan] and Bully [Ray] and all of that when they were putting 2500, 3500, 5000 people in a venue.
Yes, they did, and they actually paid for it. I don’t know that NXT is doing anything better than TNA was when TNA was at its peak. I would be pretty sure…that I would bet that there are a lot more resources being pumped into NXT than there ever were being pumped into TNA.”
Bischoff came into the promotion in January 2010 alongside Hulk Hogan. He would be behind various storylines including the Aces & Eights group and Bully Ray becoming TNA World Heavyweight Champion.
It turns out that WWE originally had a different opponent in mind for John Cena at WrestleMania 36.
It wasn’t supposed to be Bray Wyatt, but rather Elias. Plans changed though. Elias shared the news in a recent interview with Sports Illustrated.
“New Orleans, I’m in the mix with John and the Undertaker. The next year, I’m in there with John and the Undertaker again—John at WrestleMania, the Undertaker the night next on Raw. I was supposed to go on and face the Undertaker at the show in Saudi Arabia.
That never ended up happening because of Goldberg, but that was supposed to be my match. The year after was supposed to be myself against John Cena at WrestleMania in a three-year running story. Things obviously changed and that didn’t end up happening.”
Cena took part in the Firefly Fun House match against Wyatt at WrestleMania. It was a trip down memory lane for Cena as it wasn’t a normal match. Instead, WWE aired a series of segments where he went through all of his old gimmicks.
Elias ended up wrestling and beating Baron Corbin at Wrestlemania 36 at Night 1.
Cena hasn’t been on WWE television since this contest. Instead, he has continued to focus on his career in Hollywood.
Former NBA referee Tim Donaghy was sentenced to 15 months in prison for his role in the 2007 NBA betting scandal. An FBI investigation concluded that Donaghy bet on games that he was officiating in the 2005/06 and 2006/07 seasons. While his career officiating basketball is over, he is about to begin one as a pro-wrestling referee.
Donaghy and Major League Wrestling have reached a deal that will see the 53-year-old return to officiating.
“Pro wrestling is entertainment, and I always joked the NBA was a form of entertainment and I compared it a little bit to pro wrestling behind the scenes,” Donaghy said to Sports Illustrated. “When I was growing up, I always enjoyed pro wrestling, guys like Hulk Hogan and Ivan Putski. I thought it would be fun to get involved and see where it goes.”
Donaghy is set to be the “personal referee” for Richard Holliday in the promotion. Holliday is part of the Dynasty faction in MLW. He is also the self-proclaimed “Caribbean Champion” although the title actually belongs to Savio Vega.
“If there is a good response, who knows where it can go from here?” Donaghy continued. “I’m willing to do whatever I can to make the show entertaining and fun for everyone watching, and I’m excited to be a part of it.”
Vice TV’s hit series Dark Side of the Ring has ben officially renewed for a third season. According to The Wrap, season three will feature 14-episodes and premieres in 2021.
Jason Eisner, Vice TV’s Executive VP and General Manager tells The Wrap that Dark Side is a ‘knockout show’ for the channel. He touted series Executive Producers Evan Husney and Jason Eisener as “true heavyweight champions of the world.”
Eisner continued, “Seasons 1 and 2 of ‘Dark Side of the Ring’ are examples of the compelling, thought-provoking, and engaging storytelling we champion here at Vice TV. We can’t wait to see what the series will throw down in the third round!”
Eric Bischoff recently announced that he was interviewed for two episodes of Dark Side of the Ring season three. The subject matters he was interviewed for include Brian Pillman and WCW’s Collision in Korea pay-per-view (1995).
Evan Husney and Jason Eisner both commented on the renewal on social media.
It’s been hard to keep this secret but Season 3 is finally announced and underway! Can’t believe we’re making 14 more documentaries! https://t.co/sKTfraARS5
Kia Stevens, aka Awesome Kong, plays the role of Tammé Dawson on the Netflix series GLOW. The show was canceled due to the pandemic but efforts are underway to possibly end the series with a movie.
According to a recent Instagram post by Stevens, the show does not have any writers who are persons of color. She also stated the show has been irresponsible with how they have portrayed storylines related to racial stereotypes.
“It has been problematic to use our faces, oftentimes solely in the context of a racist storyline, and to be brief with our story development to serve the in-depth white storylines,” she wrote.
Stevens continued to mention that there are no persons of color on the show’s writing team.
“With zero persons of color in the writer’s room this season, it’s a huge oversight to be writing our narratives without anyone else to represent us besides ourselves,” she continued.
She also pointed out that a central theme of the show is performers from the original GLOW dealing with portraying characters who are racial stereotypes. She noted that the same thing is happening again with actors on the Netflix series.
Kia Stevens Statement On GLOW
“The meta-narrative of our show — actors dealing with the conflict of perpetuating stereotypes in order to have opportunity — is exactly what is happening in our real life.”
“We can no longer be quiet about the pain this has caused and the harm it has done in perpetuating the representation of people of color as sidekicks to elevate white leads.”
Stevens concludes her statement with a call for showrunners to hire an executive producer who is a person of color. They also would like the show to address how portraying racial stereotypes has impacted the performers and amplify their voices and characters in Season 4.
Stevens’ comments seem to imply some version of the show will be returning for a new season or a movie. This cannot be confirmed, however. It was also revealed recently that Taya Valkyrie was cast in season 4. At least one episode had been filmed before the pandemic shut down production. The series was always scheduled to end following the 4th season as well.
Kong returned to the wrestling world last year with AEW. She was briefly a member of Brandi Rhodes’ Nightmare family before the angle was scrapped.
WWE and Lillian Garcia have announced that the longtime ring announcer’s podcast “Chasing Glory” is headed to the WWE Network. The show will be available on the free version of WWE’s streaming service. Garcia’s podcast heading to the WWE Network is just the latest in a series of shows that are doing the same.
“I’m proud to announce that my show, ‘Chasing Glory’ will now appear on the WWE NETWORK!!! That’s right! You will now be able to see it on the FREE side of the Network beginning Monday, October 26!!”
Garcia commented on her decision to start the show in 2016 after leaving WWE.
“Since departing the WWE in 2016, I reflected on what would be next, and it didn’t take long to know the next chapter would be to create positive impact in the world! That is exactly what has happened with “Chasing Glory” as the very real stories of my WWE colleagues, athletes, entertainers and entrepreneurs have impacted millions around the world! On the show, they have had the freedom to express who they are, feel connected to one another, and leave the listeners empowered.”
WWE Network To Feature Several New Podcasts & Shows
In addition to Lillian Garcia’s podcast headed to the WWE Network, so too will the “Swerve City” podcast by Isiah “Swerve” Scott. he noted the show will have a bigger budget as well.
Sam Roberts is also set to host a new show on the WWE Network. This will not be a different version of his podcast but an entirely different show, however. His new show will premiere Thursday morning.
This will be a brand new show- not a video version of the podcast, produced by me, every Thursday morning on @WWE Network. This is surreal. Let’s have some fun. pic.twitter.com/Wn2zj487ro
All 3 podcasts are currently hosted in video form on YouTube and on various podcast platforms. They will be available in video once debuting on the WWE Network as well.
A new episode of Steve Austin’s “Broken Skull Sessions” will also premiere next month. The Undertaker will return to Austin’s show as part of the “30 Days of the Deadman” series announced recently.
It is currently being reported that Ben Carter has signed or is expected to sign with WWE shortly. No official announcement has been made, however. According to recent comments on Wrestling Observer Radio, Carter’s decision had much to do with current international travel restrictions.
Due to Carter living in the UK and current travel restrictions, he would not be able to travel to independent shows as much as he would have been able to before COVID-19. Not being able to work the independent shows reportedly made his decision to sign with WWE easier.
“He’s already really good but he could get a lot better by wrestling a few more years in the indies,” said Dave Meltzer.
It is being speculated that Carter will be part of the NXT UK brand.
Carter broke out last month in matches on AEW Dark and the Late Night Dynamite special. Both AEW and WWE are said to have had interest in him although it is not clear if AEW offered him a contract as well.
News that Carter was likely headed to WWE was first revealed by Miro on a video game stream.
“We lost Ben Carter. Ben Carter is lost. He’s gone to the dark side,” said Miro. “I mean, good luck to Carter. All the best to him. I was really impressed with his stuff.”
Tino Sabbatelli is once again signed to a WWE contract. According to a report from PW Insider, the 37-year-old from Orlando re-signed with the company last week. The report also states that Ace Steel has been re-hired in a coaching role at the PC as well.
According to a report from Fightful, there are those in AEW who believe Sabbatelli was responsible for leaking news from AEW tapings. It is not clear if he did or not, however.
Shortly after Eric Bischoff’s appearance on an episode of AEW Dynamite was leaked before airing, accusations were made that it was leaked by an “NXT reject” who was at the tapings. Chris Jericho stated as much on an episode of his Saturday night live stream.
“For example, when we had the debate and Eric Bischoff, and it was announced on Reddit. We know who the spy is by the way, oh we know, and he’ll never be back in f*ckin AEW. NXT reject was the spy, so print that!” Jericho said.
Sabbatelli wrestled on an episode of AEW Dark this summer after having been released from his NXT contract this spring. He teamed with Brady Pierce in a losing effort to The Best Friends.
AEW star Colt Cabana recently discussed the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the affect it is having on live pro wrestling. On the Art of Wrestling podcast, Cabana talked about how his style of performance is not attuned to a setting without live fans in the arena.
“I think my wrestling has taken a tad of a hit, you know?” Colt Cabana began on the podcast. “I was just starting to move forward. My last match was this really fun match, you could watch it on YouTube, it was myself and Peter Avalon in Utah.”
Colt Cabana on ‘No-crowd’ Wrestling
Cabana elaborated further, saying “I’d never been to Utah! The crowd for Utah in this match on [AEW] Dark was going crazy for me! I felt this real connection to the fans and something that I have lived off of for years is a true connection to the wrestling fan.”
Colt would then relay how it felt with the pandemic hitting and the lack of fans being available live in the arena. “I felt the momentum going, ahen we shut down and then when we wrestle? It’s in front of nobody, there are no fans.”
Cabana would finish by making some intriguing comments regarding AEW Champion Jon Moxley. Whilst in context it may be a complement to the Champion, there’s potentially scope to put Cabana in the title picture down the line?
“And I’m not really the wrestler who thrives in front of no fans. Maybe Jon Moxley and his style is. So it’s a perfect time for Jon Moxley to be the AEW champion. But for me? It put me on ice. It put me on ice big time. So if that’s the worst of my worries? It’s fine.”
Bret Hart recently opened up about the career-ending kick he received from Goldberg at Starrcade 1999. Hart spoke about the incident during a recent episode of his Confessions of the Hitman series, noting how, although he liked Goldberg as a person, his “workrate was 0/10.”
Hart explained how Goldberg “was a guy that nobody seemed to have taught how wrestling really works.” He argued how Goldberg’s approach revolved around picking up an opponent and slamming them down as hard as possible.
“His wrestling, his workrate was 0/10. Like, everything he did hurt – everything! He could tie up with you and hurt you. He’d tie up with himself and hurt himself!”
Turning his attention to the kick that would, unfortunately, end his career, Hart stressed how it was the work of “somebody who had absolutely no skill at all.”
Reflecting on the incident, Hart recalled how Goldberg simply threw him into the ropes and then “tried to kick my head off my shoulders.” As far as he’s concerned, there was no “working aspect” to the strike.
“There’s no way you can do it without hurting somebody, and the thing with Bill was that all the ‘I’m sorries’ in the world don’t mean anything when you hurt somebody for real.”
Bret Hart Explains “The Nature Of The Business”
Bret Hart then shared how he never received a call from Goldberg following the career-ending kick. He explained how Goldberg never reached out to ask how he’s doing or discuss the incident.
“[…] but he did say when I saw him about a year after I got hurt, in fact a few weeks before [WCW] terminated my contract, I remember he said to me, ‘it’s the nature of the business – we all know what can happen out there. It’s the nature of the business.'”
Hart took issue with Goldberg’s flippant approach, arguing how their incident wasn’t reflective of the business at all. He stressed how the nature of the business is to not hurt the guy you’re working with.
AEW recently announced a single-elimination tournament to determine a new #1 contender for the promotion’s world championship. AEW has confirmed that the entire 1st round of the tournament will take place on this week’s Dynamite.
Here are the 1st round matches that will take place on Dynamite this Wednesday night:
Penta El Zero M vs Rey Fenix
Colt Cabana vs Adam “Hangman” Page
Kenny Omega vs Joey Janela
Wardlow vs Jungle Boy
Additionally, the following has also been confirmed for this week’s Dynamite:
The Young Bucks (Matt Jackson & Nick Jackson) vs. Private Party (Isiah Kassidy & Marq Quen) vs. The Butcher And The Blade (The Blade & The Butcher) vs. Dark Order (Alex Reynolds & John Silver) – winner receives a tag-team title shot.
Dr. Britt Baker DMD vs TBA
Chris Jericho and Maxwell Jacob Friedman have a steak dinner.
The finals of the AEW tournament will take place at Full Gear on November 7th, 2020. Former tag-team champions Kenny Omega and Adam “Hangman” Page are on opposite sides of the bracket. If they were to face each other in the tournament, it would not take place until the finals.
AEW’s is advertising a season’s pass for upcoming shows at Daily’s Place:
Tickets for this Wed, Oct 21st & 3 additional live Dynamites available NOW with outdoor physically-distanced seating in compliance w/state/local regulations + CDC guidelines.
When asked if she believes PWI was right in making her #1, Bayley stated, “Hell yea. I think it’s obvious that I made a major change late last year.”
She explained how it felt that everybody thought her heel turn was doomed to fail. Bayley highlighted how people maybe thought the wrong decision had been made and she “couldn’t pull it off.”
As far as Bayley’s concerned, she’s “proved everyone wrong, especially with the craziness of what has been going on with the pandemic and not being able to perform in front of fans, which makes everything harder. But, I was still able to pull it off and use it to my advantage.”
Bayley On How Doubters Helped Fuel Her Motivation
Bayley also spoke about how everyone second-guessed turning her heel. She stressed how the uncertainty stemmed from her long-term run as a babyface, highlighting how she had found so much success with that character over 7 years. Despite this success, she knew it wasn’t something she wanted to do forever.
“I want to experience everything in my career. I want to ride the wave and do all sorts of things. I knew I couldn’t do it being that one character. Honestly, once I had the company’s blessing and Vince’s blessing, I knew I had to make it work. I had to make it work because it was my decision. If I failed then I failed myself and I failed the company.”
She shared how she used people’s doubts as fuel to prove them wrong. Bayley noted how this translated on-screen, explaining how she was committed to making the heel turn work for herself on a personal level.
By making it work and proving it to herself, it subsequently quietened the doubters and proved she could do it to those backstage, including Vince McMahon.
Former WWE Producer Lance Storm hasn’t been too impressed with how All Elite Wrestling has been utilizing one of its latest signings, Miro.
Storm shared his thoughts on AEW’s use of the former WWE Superstar during a recent appearance on the Figure Four Daily podcast. He revealed how he’s personally “not a fan” of Miro’s current character direction. Storm did, however, acknowledge how he’s not necessarily representative of AEW’s target audience.
He argued how, if AEW were able to put on shows with full arenas, fans “would get a far better feel on how the Miro presentation is working.” Storm explained how the lack of live fans means pro wrestling is missing a vital “barometer to which you gauge what was working.”
Real Life Interests Weakening On-Screen Characters
Lance Storm explained how he’s always been a fan of powerhouse wrestlers like Miro, juxtaposing his current gimmick with how Rusev was portrayed in WWE. To him, showcasing real life interests with onscreen characters can potentially weaken a wrestler’s gimmick.
“Tying him up in a wedding angle and playing video games, which may be who he really is, I’m not a big fan of. I think it’s very much like when they did the personality type profile thing with Finn Balor in NXT when they showed him playing with his Legos. I’m like, ok, he may really play with Legos, but the demon Finn Balor shouldn’t be playing with Legos. I thought he was a cool badass and now I think he is a guy that plays with Legos.”
Although he knows Miro has interests outside of pro wrestling, Storm would rather see them kept separate from his AEW character.
He explained how he’d much rather see a “big badass Miro” instead of the version “hanging out with Kip Sabian playing video games.”
Storm then stressed how he is aware he may not be the kind of viewer AEW is targetting. He acknowledged how he’s barely in the over 50+ demographic versus the younger demo that is so crucial to AEW’s ratings.
WWE Hall of Famer Booker T has shared his thoughts on the WWE Draft during a recent episode of his Hall of Fame podcast. He also explained why he’s “glad” Big E has been separated from his New Day stablemates.
Booker T noted how the recent WWE Draft was different from the drafts that took place when he was an active in-ring competitor. He stressed how the hype WWE attempted to create for the Draft was only “for the fans.’
“The draft to me, it’s just working for another show. It wasn’t about the hype. The hype was for the fans. […] I’m not trying to rag on these guys or anything these days, but the draft back in the day, there was a reason why we had to have a draft, and a SmackDown and a RAW. We had so much talent on the roster.”
Booker T was quick to add that today’s current roster is also filled with talented Superstars. However, according to him, there was a notable “abundance of talent” flooding WWE after WCW was purchased.
“[…] we literally had the best talent roster in the world at that time. We had an abundance of talent that could fuel two shows. It was totally different as far as how I looked at the draft back then compared to how I look at it now.”
Booker T On Big E Going Solo On SmackDown
Regarding the New Day, Booker T shared how separating the stable is in the best interest of Big E:
“This is the only way Big E can really run on his own. He could really put himself out there without having that umbrella of the New Day. You have to let it go and go out there and be Big E and create his own brand in order to fuel what he’s trying to do right now and that’s take it to the next level.”
He noted how Big E doesn’t have to “change anything” and uses this opportunity to “step up.”
Booker T then shared how he wished he could have the opportunity to coach Big E, sharing how:
“If I was to manage someone, it would be a guy like Big E because I really feel Big E could run through the whole territory if the stars were aligned right for him. I’m not saying I want to be a manager, but I feel if there is anyone I could manage and get some feelings out of the fans watching this would be a guy like Big E. Big E could really be the guy if he had the right expert tutelage.”
“That was very, very personal, and it’s one of my favorite feuds in my career. For me, the pandemic has really given me a chance to be who I really am. I’ve never been afraid of cutting to the bone and saying things that put people in an uproar. The match with Jeff at the end, the barroom, that brought out this new shady side of Sheamus.”
Now a member of WWE’s red brand, Sheamus turned his attention to Raw’s roster. In particular, he pointed to the WWE Champion, Drew McIntyre. Regarding a potential match with the champion, Sheamus promised how, if it does happen, McIntyre will quickly remember “how hard I hit.”
Sheamus confessed he isn’t aware of Raw’s landscape since being drafted. However, he has heard rumblings about a feud between himself and McIntyre.
“If it does happen, I feel sorry for Drew. He’s going to remember very, very quickly how hard I hit. I’m worried I’ll hit him so hard that he’ll just turn to dust. He’s my friend, I don’t want to do that to him,” Sheamus said. “He’s been messing around with these American wrestlers for so long, tippy-tappying around the ring, but one shot from me will make him realize how easy he’s had it before I got there.”
Sheamus was recently drafted to Raw as part of the 2020 WWE Draft.
Following the ending of the G1 Climax 30 tournament yesterday, NJPW is moving forward with the Power Struggle tour. The live-streamed events for this tour on NJPW World will October 23, November 1, November 2, and the major event to end the tour on November 7th.
It was also announced that the Wrestle Kingdom 15 contract will allow its holder to challenge for both the IWGP Heavyweight and IWGP Intercontinental Championships at Wrestle Kingdom.
NJPW Power Struggle 2020 Card
New Japan has announced the full card for the upcoming Power Struggle event on November 7th. Six singles matches are signed:
King of Pro-Wrestling 2020 Championship: Toru Yano (c) vs. Zack Sabre Jr.
NEVER Openweight Championship: Minoru Suzuki (c) vs. Shingo Takagi
Kazuchika Okada vs. Great O-Khan
IWGP US Heavyweight Championship #1 Contender Match: KENTA vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi
Wrestle Kingdom 15 Contract Match: Kota Ibushi (c) vs. Jay White
WWE Superstar Daniel Bryan appeared on Talking Smack after this Friday’s episode of SmackDown on FOX. The ‘Yes’ man discussed a number of topics on the show, including his future as a Superstar on the blue brand.
“I am at a point now, in my life and career, where I want to test myself against the best performers in WWE,” Bryan stated. “Whether that’s against people I haven’t faced yet, and even people I have faced, since we’ve all evolved.”
Daniel Bryan would also admit on the show that he has lost a ‘spring’ in his step. Bryan has of course had multiple issues with his health in the past, including the head injury that forced him to retire back in 2016 before returning in 2018 at WrestleMania 34.
“I noticeably have lesser spring in my step as the match goes on, something I realized during my match against AJ Styles. I never had a problem with endurance before. [Although] I still don’t get tired but later in a match, I can’t jump as high anymore, and AJ still can.”
credit Talking Smack and a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.
New Japan Pro Wrestling confirmed at the G1 Climax final that next year’s Wrestle Kingdom will be a two night event.
This year’s event was the first time that the 2-night WK format was used. That was presumably due to the fact that January 4th (the traditional date for WK) was a Saturday and January 5th a Sunday. The 2021 shows do not fall on a weekend, so this announcement was somewhat unexpected.
New Japan managed to draw over 70,000 fans in the Tokyo Dome for Wrestle Kingdom 14 over the two nights earlier this year.
Kota Ibushi will once again be in the main event of Wrestle Kingdom, having won the G1 Climax tournament this weekend. His opponent will likely be IWGP Heavyweight Champion Tetsuya Naito, however that is not yet confirmed.
AEW EVP and Star Cody Rhodes recently tweeted an infographic with some of the company’s major stats in the United Kingdom.
All Elite Wrestling is currently broadcast on ITV4, a channel that is much more widely accessible on Freeview than WWE is on BT Sport (a paid channel). Cody wrote “this is some really positive/staggering data & research about our friends across the pond! @ITV / @AEW. Thanks to our incredible fans for such a successful first year of #AEWDynamite. We can’t wait to take the team over and wrestle there.”
Cody Rhodes on AEW’s UK Success
Here’s some of the bullet points from the infographic:
AEW Dynamite is beating the first-run broadcast of all its competitors in the UK for audience volume
Dynamite’s audience is 5 times that of NXT, double that of SmackDown and almost double of RAW
It is also almost double the audience of Impact Wrestling; which had been airing in the same slot as Dynamite and also free-to-air channel.
Dynamite benefits from reaching considerably more people than any of its competitors.
Full episodes of Dynamite on ITV4 have reached 2.8m people, based on five plus consecutive minutes of viewing.
This is some really positive/staggering data & research about our friends across the pond!@ITV / @AEW ????
Thanks to our incredible fans for such a successful first year of #AEWDynamite
WWE Hall of Famer and AEW Commentator Jim Ross recently discussed WWE RAW from 2005 on the Grilling JR podcast.
This week’s episode of the show was a watch-along of RAW from 10/10/05. That episode was eventful for JR as an on-screen character as he was ‘fired’ on television. As is usually the case, Jim Ross would discuss players and events from the timeframe, including former WWE COO Triple H.
Jim Ross on Triple H
“Triple H, he has a great heel too. Great deal, he was…he felt it. He lived it, You know?” Jim Ross began on the podcast. “He really was an extension of his own personality, or what he perceived his personality to be. He did a good job. I never had too many issues with him.”
JR would then add an interesting little tidbit into the conversation. The Man in The Black Hat would admit that he found negotiations with Triple H difficult once ‘The Game’ moved into a position higher than JR in the company.
“When he became an administrator? We didn’t have…we didn’t have a lot of successful negotiations. I was kind of always disappointed in that a little bit because I was…I always went to bat for him and got him the contract that he wanted.”
JR has mentioned in the past how he had to be the liaison between talent and management in the then WWF. JR was the Head of Talent Relations at the time Triple H was becoming a major player in the company (1999 onwards), and Jim Ross said that he helped get him a huge deal. “That was important to him, to have the same million dollar downside guarantee that all the other guys had.”
Not Reciprocating
Co-host of the podcast Conrad Thompson would then ask “are you saying that when those roles reversed and then he was sort of moving up the food chain, he wasn’t willing to reciprocate for you?”
JR then finished by admitting that he felt Triple H was just ‘following Vince McMahon’s lead.’ Alluding to how the industry had changed to a more corporate style in the years since JR stopped working in talent relations.
“Well, I’m just saying that…I think he just took Vince’s lead. ‘JR’s just an announcer.’ And then they found out over the years that to the audience [that wasn’t the case].”
Former WWE Agent and AEW on-screen Coach Arn Anderson recently discussed the FTR tag team on the ARN podcast.
This week’s episode of the podcast was an ‘Ask Arn Anything’ edition of the show. Co-host Conrad Thompson opted to give the podcast this format every other week as Anderson has been involved in the industry at many levels; from the NWA and WCW all the way to the last decade where he worked as an agent for WWE.
One the questions posed to Anderson involved the FTR tag team. Cash Wheeler and Dax Harwood are hugely influenced by the team of Arn and Tully Blanchard, and Conrad asked Arn Anderson if he believed the group would ever ‘split’ and have singles runs. The reasoning being that the Brainbusters ‘split’ themselves and had singles runs.
Arn Anderson on FTR
“Backing up a little bit, Tully and never split up” Arn Anderson began on the podcast. “We went separate ways because of business decisions, but it was [cordial]. We never got into a feud or anything of that nature. These guys [FTR] are committed to being a team. I think being the best team, when it’s all said and done? That ever lived.”
Arn Anderson would then make a huge claim about the AEW Tag Team Champions. “I think that’s a very achievable goal for them. And I think it’s a admirable one, because if they do become that team and they do survive the test of time? That’ll mean they’ve been in some incredible tag matches with some of the best teams alongside them of their era.”
Anderson would finish by stating that he doesn’t see the team ever splitting up. “I don’t see them splitting up, I think their goals are too consistent. I think their friendship is too consistent and they really are tight close friends. And to be honest with you? I don’t want to see them split up. I think the sum of the parts is more valuable than them individually.”
Do you agree with Arn Anderson? Do you think that FTR could end up the greatest tag team of all time? Let us know in the comments
