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I was wondering if you recall the WWF having a terrestrial radio network in the mid 90s. I know there's a rare audio clip of Jim Ross and Gorilla Monsoon calling the 1994 Royal Rumble on terrestrial radio which sounded pretty cool on paper. Do you think an idea like this could work in today's day and age with either AEW or WWE?
I don't think it could be successful, no. People weren't able to watch pretty much everything back then the way that they are now. Plus, even with the ability to watch everything, TV viewership is down. Both companies have social media to get their messages out. I don't see radio doing much, if anything, for either company.
I am convinced if Roman Reigns doesn’t drop the Title to Jey Uso at SummerSlam, he’s holding it to WM 40. Therefore, the only logical choice is Cody Rhodes or The Rock, with LA Knight as a dark horse to topple Roman. Who do you think SHOULD end Roman’s reign and who do you think WWE will most likely choose to be their next anointed one?
If Roman doesn't drop the Title to Jey, the logical choice to me would be Solo Sikoa. Whoever beats Roman will get a huge rub, which Cody and Rock don't need. In the case of Knight, I love him but that would come out of nowhere, plus he turns 41 this year. I would go with Solo if it's not going to be Jey.
To follow up on your comments on the whole Matt Hardy/Cornette/Brian Last situation, I agree that it turned into a sad shitshow. But honestly, what was Brian Last smoking with the garbage he said about Hardy's work and talent? Hardy's been in the business for thirty years, helped revolutionize the business with his tag work in WWF/E, managed to get himself over as a singles wrestler and got himself over the moon with his Broken persona, overcame his personal demons and got clean, and still manages to do great in-ring work as he helps younger talent in AEW. And Last has the balls to trash his in-ring work and legacy in the business?
It wasn't fun to read the exchange, not by a long shot. I think Last mocking Hardy for concussions, calling him an enabler and saying the only move people want to see Matt do is tag his brother was just brutal and I personally don't think reporters/podcasters should engage like that and make news. But that's just me. If my memory of the statement was correct, Last was referring to who is more relevant today, in 2023. He may have also taken shots at Hardy’s career but if he did I, thankfully, missed it, so let’s just focus on today. Last is part of a successful podcast, that part is true. But to say he is better at what he does right now than Hardy is at what he does? Well, that was pretty over top to me. As I said last week, I didn't know anything about Last until he joined Cornette's show. Some readers emailed me that he was part of a podcast, with David Bixenspan, before joining Cornette. Obviously, that podcast was not the juggernaut that working with Cornette has become and again, I never even knew it existed. The point is, Last is right that he's part of a top podcast but to ignore the fact that the draw is Jim Cornette is is like saying that people tuned in to Conan's show to see Andy Richter or Johnny Carson's show to see Ed McMahon. Again, Last is very good on the show but if he were still doing it with Bixenspan instead of Cornette, he would be in a much different position and certainly Hardy wouldn't be reacting to his tweets. It is not hard for any competent wrestling personality to work with the gold mine of talent that is Jim Cornette. For instance, if Last were replaced by Mike Epsenhart from our site, there wouldn’t be a drop off. That isn't a slight to Last, it's praise for the talent of Cornette and that is the point here. As for Hardy, well he’s a veteran in the winter of his career. It’s pretty obvious that he is slowing down, that happens to all of us, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t having an affect on the company. He is there for guidance, mentoring and giving back. Hardy still matters and what can’t be denied is that he made his name on his own. Again, a lot of those comments, from both sides, should have never been made in the first place if you ask me.
And while the whole situation was sad to watch, I am still kind of in agreement with Hardy concerning Jim Cornette. First off, Cornette has every right to his opinion and he's definitely earned his flowers due to his decades in the business. But don't you think that a lot of what he does nowadays contributes to the rampant tribalism seen in wrestling today? It's one thing to critique how modern wrestling is produced, but Cornette has made a habit of sullying that critique with unnecessary personal attacks, name calling, body shaming, etc. He's become a shock jock and it's not helpful. I appreciate your work because, even though you have opinions I may not always agree with on wrestling, you don't lower yourself to cruelty and grifting. It just seems, in my eyes, that Cornette has fully embraced those two things in order to drive up subscribers.
OK, I can see how you could see it that way but I don’t. Here’s the deal to me. Jim Cornette is Jim Cornette, he always has been and always will be. He has not become a shock jock, he is who he always has been. He’s authentic. He does his podcast to tell whoever wants to listen what he thinks, and he does so in a very entertaining fashion. With that said, I don’t always agree with him and that’s fine. He voices his point of view and it’s up to the listener to think about what he says. Anyone that just blindly takes on Jim, or anyone’s, opinion is probably a lost cause anyway. So no, I don’t see him having any role in tribalism.
I know you keep saying that AEW should let the Young Bucks walk, and were that to happen it’s highly likely that Omega and Page follow, but wouldn’t the Elite leaving for WWE break the company’s back? Cody going back was demoralizing enough, but if the Elite followed suit, then wouldn’t die hard AEW fans just give up at that point?
First off, I don’t see The Young Bucks having much value to WWE. They are small guys who want to work in a totally unrealistic manner. That doesn’t fly in WWE. Plus, if I know that AEW viewers turn off most of their matches, WWE knows it too. If AEW lets them walk, I don’t see a big deal waiting for them in WWE. Kenny was in the WWE system before and wasn’t a big fan of it. He likes to work a certain style, expressing his art, and also has ties to New Japan. I think him leaving AEW would be a huge mistake from a personal enjoyment perspective. I think he could succeed in WWE, as could Page if he decided to make the move, but they would have to make changes to how they work and present themselves. One thing to keep in mind that three of them were suspended for months and it didn’t kill AEW. I think that the company would survive without them. And if I am Kenny and Hangman, I am staying in AEW no matter what happens to The Bucks.
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