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Great to see AEW still pushing Lance Archer as a monster...oh, wait, they're not. Well, that lasted about 3 weeks. A non-sensical loss to someone half his size (shocker) in match with no build and a stipulation that wasn't needed. Par for the course. I'm an idiot for trying to have faith.
At this point Tony Khan has shown us who he is as a booker. We should expect him to be who he is.
I seem to notice with WWE releases that a large number of fans seem shocked bordering on offended, and have a view that jobs in that company are for life. I remember Lio Rush making a comment in 2017 about Velveteen Dream getting hired: "He just turned 22 and he landed himself a job for life over there". It struck me as unusual and even naive. Job for life? Uh, no. I'm guessing these are younger fans who don't remember the territory days or even pre-2000 or so very well. Even top flight 80's acts in WWF like Paul Orndorff, Rick Rude & King Kong Bundy only had runs of about 4 years. Same as in the NWA, specifically JCP. Have you noticed this as well, or is it just me?
Wrestling is like any other business. The people in charge will look at the cost vs. the reward that they get from workers and the reality is that it will make some people expendable. To think any differently is just naive.
You were talking on a recent audio about an embarrassment of riches when it comes to WWE's talent pool. Do you believe with the depth of the roster, it more or less has curtailed most bad behavior from talents, ie: 90's Shawn Michaels or mid-2000's Randy Orton? One would only have to look around and the state of the product and say, “Yeah, I can be replaced at the drop of a hat". Obviously, there will always be egos to be massaged, but flat out bullying and even some criminal acts that have taken place over the years are hopefully a thing of the past?
The one thing missing from those days to today is Vince McMahon. He encouraged chaos, both intentionally and not. Back in those days things were so much different. They changed a bit in Vince’s later years as there was no competition for wrestlers to use as leverage if they wanted to make big money. Now with Endeavor owing the company, it’s a more professional workplace than it was back then.
I know you have fond memories of ECW, and were at a lot of shows during it's heyday. That period seemed to coincide with the Monday Night Wars. Do you think the WWE-WCW ratings war played a part in getting more eyeballs on ECW? Was there a noticeable ratings increase at that time? Also, do you think Paul Heyman's booking influenced Vince McMahon to adjust what he was doing, to try and win the war?
It was the other way around. Vince Russo watched the things that Paul Heyman was doing in ECW and brought his version of it to WWE. ECW was also a proving ground for a lot of talents that went on to bigger and better things in WCW and The WWF. After all, the Stone Cold Steve Austin character had its genesis in ECW. ECW was a a juggernaut. It's just a shame that they couldn't reap the rewards for the innovations than they did.
I've noticed in the last few years that traditional wrestling boots have fallen out of favour for athletic shoes and kickpads. Is there any reason, or is it just a chance in trends? I imagine boots give more stability and protection, so has there been a noticeable increase in ankle or leg injuries lately?
I think it’s just that talents have found that they can wrestle at least as well in different footwear. To me, it’s just an evolution in the business. If there is an uptick in injuries, I am not aware of it.
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