Podcast Summary
Pro Wrestling Developments: Shane McMahon reaches out to AEW talent, Pentagon Junior's contract expires, Pat McAfee misses RAW, Ripley and Buddy Matthews get married, Joe Henry's tweet breaks views record, AEW Double or Nothing earns $584,000, Jericho attacks Mystico, NWA signs exclusive contracts, Dijak leaves WWE, suggestions for Forbidden Door
There have been some significant developments in the world of professional wrestling this week. Shane McMahon has reportedly reached out to AEW talent about joining the company, and Pentagon Junior's contract is set to expire soon, leaving his future uncertain. Meanwhile, Pat McAfee missed WWE RAW due to a family emergency, and Ripley and Buddy Matthews got married. Joe Henry's tweet about joining WWE was the most viewed of the year, and AEW's Double or Nothing pay-per-view brought in $584,000. Chris Jericho attacked Mystico with the Judas effect at a CMLL event, and the NWA is signing some of its roster to exclusive contracts. Dijak has left WWE and made his first appearance outside the company. To make Forbidden Door more exciting, suggestions include abandoning the concept after two years and bringing in more nationally relevant talent. The full discussion covered these topics and more, so be sure to listen to the Sunday Night's Main Event podcast for all the details.
AEW communication strategy: AEW needs to improve communication and education about their matches and talent to maintain fan engagement and trust, while avoiding misleading promotional materials.
AEW needs to do a better job of educating and selling their matches to their audience, especially when introducing new names from Japan or Mexico. The fan experience is important, and constant emphasis on finding the "best" wrestler can be exhausting and boring. Additionally, transparency and accuracy in promotional materials are crucial to maintain fan trust. The recent erroneous numbers shared about AEW's reach and attendance on Fox Business caused confusion and raised questions about the credibility of such statements. AEW should focus on delivering well-justified matches and clear communication to keep their fans engaged and invested.
WWE SmackDown storyline: The WWE SmackDown storyline, led by Paul Heyman and the Bloodline, is generating buzz and excitement with unexpected twists and potential feuds between top wrestlers.
The current storyline in WWE, specifically on SmackDown, surrounding Paul Heyman and the Bloodline, is generating significant buzz and excitement among fans. The twists and turns in the story have kept viewers engaged, and Paul Heyman's performance as the new head of the table has been praised. The anticipation for the next developments in the story, including potential appearances by Roman Reigns and the Usos, is high. Additionally, there are potential feuds brewing between other wrestlers, such as Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton, which could lead to compelling matches. Overall, the current state of WWE storytelling is keeping fans engaged and excited.
Wrestling Career Insights: Al Snow discusses his 40-year wrestling career, from his beginnings to becoming a leader, his time in WWE, reinvention in ECW, being canceled before cancel culture, and his focus on developing future stars with Ohio Valley Wrestling. He also emphasizes the importance of hierarchy in wrestling and integrating big names to build a successful territory.
Al Snow, a professional wrestling veteran with over 40 years of experience, shared insights about his long career and current work with Ohio Valley Wrestling during an interview on Sunday Nights Main Event. He discussed his journey from the identification camp to becoming a natural leader, his time in WWE as a performer and commentator, and his reinvention in ECW. Snow also reflected on being canceled before cancel culture and his subsequent decade with TNA. Now, he's focusing on developing the next generation of wrestling stars through Ohio Valley Wrestling. The interview also touched on the importance of hierarchy in wrestling, with titles acting as stepping stones to the ultimate goal of becoming a world heavyweight champion. Snow emphasized the value of integrating big names into the roster to build an operational territory and prevent counterproductivity. Listeners can find the full interview on podcast platforms.
Wrestling replacements: Replacing a well-known wrestling star with a lesser-known talent can leave audiences feeling cheated and unsatisfied, but behind-the-scenes shows can provide unique and compelling content.
In the world of wrestling entertainment, bringing in a lesser-known talent to replace a well-known star can be a major turnoff for audiences if not executed properly. The audience's motivation for attending is often based on their connection with the star, and replacing them with someone who doesn't measure up can leave the audience feeling cheated and unsatisfied. Additionally, once a star has been defeated, they can no longer have competitive matches with other local talent, creating an inconsistency in the show. The Netflix wrestling show, on the other hand, was a compelling success due to its unique behind-the-scenes look at the industry, which allowed audiences to see the magic behind the curtain while still maintaining the illusion. The show's creators, led by Greg Wiley, were able to find and tell interesting stories from the wrestling world that audiences might not have otherwise seen.
Authenticity in Wrestling: Authentic self-expression is crucial in wrestling to connect with audiences, but the industry's demands require a unique approach to speaking from the heart and making genuine emotional connections.
In the world of professional wrestling, the importance of authenticity and self-expression cannot be overstated. As a trainer and mentor, the speaker has seen firsthand the transformative power of helping young wrestlers tap into their true selves and use that authenticity to connect with audiences. However, the industry's unique demands, such as selling intent and consequence rather than the move itself, can make this a challenging process. While some aspects of acting, like understanding character motivation and delivering a compelling performance, can be helpful, it's crucial not to confuse wrestling with acting. Instead, wrestlers must learn to speak from the heart and make their audience feel something genuine. This authenticity is what sets successful wrestlers apart and keeps audiences engaged.
Making the audience believe: In wrestling, making the audience believe in the narrative and characters is crucial for success, along with physical performances and great matches.
Professional wrestling is not just about physical performances or winning and losing. Instead, it's about making the audience believe in the lies and the characters, which is what makes a great worker. Hulk Hogan, for instance, was a master at selling the story and making the audience believe in the narrative, leading to packed houses and significant revenue. The business has evolved, and while technical skills and high-rated matches are essential, the focus on making the audience believe in the lies and drawing crowds seems to have been lost. The older generation of wrestlers prided themselves on selling out shows, while the newer generation tends to focus on having great matches. It's crucial to remember that wrestling is a business, and the ability to draw a crowd and make money is just as important as having a great match.
Wrestling interaction: The shift from income generation to match quality in wrestling has led to a loss of audience engagement and interaction, with younger wrestlers focusing too much on their next spot and losing sight of the importance of pacing, timing, and emotional beats.
The evolution of professional wrestling from a full-time profession to a hobby has led to a shift in focus from income generation to match quality. Older wrestlers used to provide guidance and direction, creating a sense of interaction and audience engagement. However, with the older generation retiring and younger wrestlers focusing too much on their next spot, the connection with the audience and referee has been lost. Now, wrestlers are seen more as placeholders for the next physical activity rather than performers engaging with the crowd. The speaker laments the loss of this interaction and the importance of pacing, timing, and emotional beats in a wrestling match. He wishes he could provide guidance to younger wrestlers but recognizes the limitations of his role as a boss and promoter. The speaker still enjoys wrestling but only occasionally due to his responsibilities with OVW. He believes that wrestling is like having sex, and once you reach a certain point, the audience just wants you to stay and perform the same moves over and over. The speaker advocates for a focus on match quality and audience engagement rather than just physical activity.
Unexpected performances: Authentic, unexpected performances can create memorable experiences for audiences. Understand your audience and deliver a compelling story, even if it's not traditional.
Unexpected and authentic performances can create a memorable experience for audiences, even if it goes against the norm. Al Snow discussed his unconventional head gimmick in professional wrestling, which defied audience expectations and resulted in explosive reactions. He emphasized the importance of understanding the audience and delivering a story effectively, even if it's not the traditional long-winded match. Snow also highlighted the influence of his trainers, Jim Lancaster, who taught him the importance of working angles and telling stories through experience rather than just words. Overall, the key takeaway is to be authentic, understand your audience, and deliver a compelling story, no matter the length.
Reasoning behind ideas: Understanding the reasoning behind ideas is essential for making informed decisions in various aspects of life, including business and wrestling.
Understanding the "why" is crucial in every aspect of life, including business and wrestling. Al Snow, a former WWE superstar and current OVW trainer, emphasized this during an interview on Sunday Night's Main Event podcast. He shared that when people pitch ideas, he needs to know the reasoning behind them. This concept applies to everyone, whether it's evaluating someone's reaction after being struck on the street or determining the success of a wrestling event. Snow also highlighted the importance of learning from others, using Hulk Hogan as an example. He's not just reminiscing about working with Hogan; he's emphasizing the value of learning from successful individuals to improve one's own business. Snow's ultimate objective for wrestlers is to ensure the audience believes in their lives, leave the ring unharmed, and make money to secure their future in the business.
WWE Money in the Bank matches: WWE's Money in the Bank matches are unpredictable due to their unique qualifying process, which provides opportunities for lesser-known talents, and the company focuses on great booking and building new stars, rather than fan expectations.
WWE's Money in the Bank matches are unpredictable due to their innovative qualifying process, which often gives opportunities to lesser-known talents. The company is not afraid to disappoint fans with unexpected results, focusing instead on great booking and building up new stars. For instance, the Men's and Women's Money in the Bank matches feature various intriguing competitors, making it difficult to predict the winner. Some fan favorites, like Jey Uso, might not win due to ongoing storylines or bigger picture considerations. In the Intercontinental Championship match, Sami Zayn faces Braun Strowman, with the latter being favored due to his current momentum and heel persona. The World Heavyweight Championship match between Damian Priest and Seth Rollins includes a significant stipulation, as the loser will either relinquish the title or leave the Judgment Day stable. Overall, these matches offer exciting possibilities and multiple layers of storytelling.
Money in the Bank: Unexpected participants and storylines add excitement to the Money in the Bank matches, creating opportunities for lesser-known wrestlers to shine and deepening ongoing feuds
The WWE's Money in the Bank ladder matches for both men and women are full of unexpected surprises and intriguing storylines. The participants weren't chosen based on popularity alone, but rather, their losses were part of larger stories. For instance, in the women's match, fan favorites like Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill lost their qualifying matches, but their absence doesn't diminish the excitement surrounding the event. Instead, it opens up opportunities for lesser-known wrestlers like E.O. Sky, Chelsea Green, Lyra Valciria, Tiffany Stratton, Naomi, and Zoe Stark to shine. Similarly, in the men's match, the Bloodline versus Cody Rhodes, Randy Orton, and Kevin Owens, the underdogs could potentially surprise fans and secure a win, adding more depth to the ongoing feud. Overall, the Money in the Bank matches are not just about winning the briefcase, but also about the journey and the stories that unfold along the way.
Wyatt 6 match predictions: Speaker predicts Jacob Fatu's debut in Wyatt 6 tag team match at Money in the Bank, admires Bo Dallas' performance, and speculates dual in-ring personas for Wyatt 6 members.
The six-man tag team match at Money in the Bank is predicted to feature Tomatanga, Tonga Loa, and Jacob Fatu against Kevin Owens and Randy Orton or Cody Rhodes. The speaker believes that Jacob Fatu's debut was delayed due to visa and travel issues, and he strongly believes that Fatu will be in the match. The speaker also speculates that Solo might not be in the match and could instead play a managerial role. Additionally, the speaker expresses admiration for Taylor Rotunda's performance as Bo Dallas during the Wyatt 6 promo and has coined the term "Tay Wyatt." The speaker also discusses the possibility of the Wyatt 6 members having dual in-ring personas, similar to Bray Wyatt's Fiend character. Overall, the speaker is excited about the compelling television being produced by the Wyatt 6 storyline.