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CONRAD THOMPSON DISCUSSES STARRCAST 3, BRINGING CM PUNK TO STARRCAST, WWE LAUNCHING A PODCAST NETWORK, MALENKO, MOXLEY, CODY AND MORE: COMPLETE MEDIA CALL RECAP

By Mike Johnson on 2019-08-22 16:32:00

Starrcast held a media conference call to promote next weekend’s Starrcast III event, which is taking place the same weekend as All Elite Wrestling’s All Out PPV.  The event will be streamed live and VOD www.StarrcastonFITE.com for $39.99.

The call kicked off with Conrad Thompson running down all the events taking place on the Starrcast stage.

Thompson was asked about the process of booking CM Punk for the event.  They were looking for something that would be a banner event for Vegas and Chicago.  He hung his hat on the Roast of Ric Flair and The Undertaker, which didn’t pan out.  He wanted to do something that was bullet proof.  He got Punk’s email address and spoke over the course of months and he didn’t think the deal would get done and then it came together.

I asked Conrad Thompson about remaining Switzerland with all the different WWE and AEW personalities involved in Starrcasts and his podcasts.  He said he’s just a fan and he has friends and connections in the different companies but it’s only Starrcast where he has to tip toe and he doesn’t have any current plans to do another Starrcast after this, so he’s good.

He said this time around, he’s doubled down on AEW stars but they have Hall of Famers and legends as well.

Thompson was asked if he had any plans for an attraction for the next event.  He said that every time, they try not to repeat content, which is why they don’t have Bruce Prichard or Eric Bischoff or Sting this time around.  He doesn’t want to repeat stuff for viewers at home.  He said that he still hopes to do the Roast of Ric Flair and possible a grouping of ECW originals down the line.  He wants to continue some aspects of the show.  They are doing more pro-photo opportunity that are included that aren’t upcharges.

It was noted that Thompson said the first Starrcast was the “worst weekend of his life” and was asked how he feels this time.  They thought the first time was going to be Woodstock and it was.  They had way too many talents and it was way congested.  They changed things up this time.  Last time, they the lobby.  They have a better handle on all the moving parts.  Last time he spent too much time on the stage shows and less time on the other aspects.  Now he has a better handle on everything.

Thompson was asked if WWE was trying to put him out of business with their new podcast network.  Thompson said they should have been in the podcast game years ago and perhaps the success of his projects and others showed them that they should have been.  He doesn’t know anything about the network right now and his shows are with Westwood One and he expects that will be the case going forward.  He said he’s going to handle his own business.

Thompson was asked how he’s going to “combat” CM Punk being barraged by fans asking him what he’s going to do next.  He said he’s not.  Fans love Punk and he holds a place in their heart.  He and Punk suspect he’s going to get that question over and over.  Punk can answer them.

Conrad made it clear he booked Punk independently and it’s not a “piggy-back” booking through AEW and stated Punk will not be appearing at All Out.  He said that anyone expecting Punk at AEW All Out will be greatly disappointed if that’s what they are waiting for.  He said Punk would be an asset to any wrestling company and it’s up to Punk to decide if and what he wants to do and he’s sure they will get into the heart of the matter on his panel at Starrcast.

Thompson said that the best part of the weekend for him is the end that it’s done and they’ve done a good job.  He has a group chat on Twitter with friends and they all talk about how they can make ideas better.

Thompson was asked about TNT being there.  He said “TNT will have a presence” at Starrcast 3 with displays and staff there.  If they want to film, permission is granted.    He said he wants to be a good partner for AEW and he expects TNT will be there to promote their new series.

Thompson said Cody at Starrcast 2  was a very entertaining show.  He said Jon Moxley is a different cat.  He doesn’t know if we’ll get the Moxley we heard on Jericho’s podcast or if he’ll have his game face on ready for Kenny Omega.  He said he expects Cody to be a little looser on a Thursday.

Thompson was asked about Chris Jericho.  He said Jericho is not banned.  MJF was banned but he was hoodwinked into letting MJF appear this time.  He does not expect a Jericho appearance at Starrcast.

Dean Malenko was always known as quiet on the mic, so was it hard to get him to open up.  Thompson said he’s kept it close to the vest.  Thompson is interested in hearing about his time working within WWE and his wrestling influences.  He hasn’t written a book, hasn’t done 38 shoot interviews and doesn’t have a podcast, so getting to pick his brain live is a real treat.  You can learn a lot from his matches, and getting him to open up with someone he trusts In Tony Schiavone.

He was asked about there being other wrestling shows around that weekend.  Thompson didn’t want to have live wrestling on his show so they were unique and a good partner for Cody.  There’s lots of good wrestling but the main event next weekend is All Out.

Thompson was asked where he places the CM Punk booking.   He said Punk is the biggest tentpole they’ve had.  The All In press conference was the most anticipated show then.  Getting Punk to do something in the wrestling space is a big thing but Something to Wrestle will be what most people associate with him the most.

Conrad was asked about a takeaway from each Starrcade.  The first one was “Less is more” which they took to heart.  Vegas was a different animal.  He’ll probably be more selective with markets in which they do it and he doesn’t know if they’d want to go back to Vegas.

Has there been any talk of doing an international Starrcast?  He’s been approached to do stuff on a few different continents.  It’s hard enough to do it in Chicago, so he can’t envision doing it overseas.  He said perhaps the right scenario and partnership will come together.  He feels Starrcast is a he and Cody deal.  He loves everyone involved and he wants to keep the association.  If there’s a big show in London or something, he would piggy-back but he wouldn’t do a standalone.

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