Digest

Chris Van Vleet kicks off Ask CVV #129 with live show announcements and merchandise promotion. He dives into WrestleMania 40, predicting outcomes for matches like Gunther vs. Seth Rollins and discussing the card's highlights, including Oba Femi vs. Brock Lesnar. The conversation touches on the tag team title picture and potential Tom Brady involvement. Chris champions WrestleMania 31 as an underrated gem, citing its memorable matches and moments. He addresses the art of match buildup, debating the line between effective storytelling and repetition. Looking ahead, Chris predicts an AEW All Out main event of MJF vs. Will Ospreay and analyzes Chris Jericho's AEW return. He explores the concept of wrestling "pops," comparing iconic crowd reactions, and advocates for Jim Johnston's Hall of Fame induction. A humorous April Fools' prank involving "Chris Sharpe" is revealed, leading to reminiscing about backyard wrestling days and the creation of micro brawlers. Finally, Chris shares his picks for the Mount Rushmore of active wrestling sellers and top-rope finishers, and candidly discusses his personal vices and how he maintains balance.

Outlines

00:00:00

Introduction, Live Show Announcements, and WrestleMania 40 Preview

Chris Van Vleet welcomes listeners, promotes upcoming live shows and merchandise, and begins discussing WrestleMania 40, focusing on key matches like Gunther vs. Seth Rollins and Oba Femi vs. Brock Lesnar, along with betting favorites and the tag team title picture.

00:18:22

Underrated WrestleMania & The Art of Match Buildup

Chris argues that WrestleMania 31 is an underrated event, highlighting its memorable matches. He then discusses the balance in wrestling match buildup, addressing concerns about excessive repetition.

00:24:15

AEW Future and Chris Jericho's Return

Predictions are made for AEW's All Out main event, specifically MJF vs. Will Ospreay. The recent return of Chris Jericho to AEW is analyzed, including speculation about his WWE future and contract status.

00:33:33

Defining Wrestling Pops and Hall of Fame Discussions

The podcast explores the concept of a wrestling "pop," comparing iconic crowd reactions and discussing the elements that create them. Jim Johnston's significant contribution to wrestling music and his deserving Hall of Fame induction are highlighted.

00:40:41

April Fools' Prank, Backyard Wrestling, and Collectibles

Chris reveals an elaborate April Fools' prank involving a fabricated guest, leading to reflections on his own backyard wrestling days and the creation of "Chris Sharpe" micro brawlers.

00:47:08

Mount Rushmore of Sellers & Top Rope Finishers

Chris shares his picks for the Mount Rushmore of active wrestling sellers and his favorite top-rope finishers, explaining the criteria for each.

00:59:06

Personal Vices and Maintaining Balance

Chris candidly discusses his personal vices, including pizza and sweets, and explains how his active lifestyle helps him maintain a healthy balance.

Keywords

Q&A

• What are the most anticipated matches for WrestleMania 40, and what are the predictions for the Gunther vs. Seth Rollins match?

  The most anticipated matches include Gunther vs. Seth Rollins and Oba Femi vs. Brock Lesnar. For Gunther vs. Seth Rollins, predictions suggest Gunther will win, possibly with interference from Bron Breakker, setting up a future feud between Breakker and Rollins.

• What is Chris's opinion on WrestleMania 31, and why does he consider it underrated?

  Chris believes WrestleMania 31 is an underrated event, highlighting its stacked card with memorable moments like Daniel Bryan winning the Intercontinental Championship, John Cena bringing back the US title, Sting's WWE debut, and the Undertaker vs. Bray Wyatt match.

• How does Chris feel about the buildup to wrestling matches, and can there be too much of it?

  Chris acknowledges that while buildup is crucial, excessive repetition of promos and brawls can make matches predictable and less exciting. He prefers a slow, simmering build that adds layers to the story rather than just repeating the same elements.

• What are Chris's predictions for the AEW World Championship match at All Out, and why?

  Chris predicts that MJF will still be the AEW World Champion at All Out and will face Will Ospreay. He believes this match makes sense given Ospreay's potential, the London venue, and the evolving characters of both wrestlers.

• What are Chris's thoughts on Chris Jericho's recent return to AEW and the speculation about his WWE future?

  Chris views Jericho's AEW return as a surprising and clever move, especially given the rumors of a WWE return. He speculates that Jericho likely signed a new AEW deal, potentially to finish his career there, and that his return suggests a renewed focus on challenging for the AEW World title.

• Who does Chris consider to be the greatest wrestling "sellers" currently active in the industry?

  Chris's Mount Rushmore of active wrestling sellers includes Nick Nemeth (Dolph Ziggler), Brock Lesnar, J.D. McDonough, and Austin Theory. He praises their ability to make opponents look credible and enhance the storytelling within matches.

• What are Chris's top four "Four Horsemen" of top-rope finishers, and why?

  Chris's top four top-rope finishers are Macho Man's elbow drop, Jeff Hardy's Swanton Bomb, the Shooting Star Press (in general), and the 450 Splash. He appreciates their athleticism, visual appeal, and the skill required to execute them effectively.

• What are Chris's personal vices, and how does he maintain balance?

  Chris admits his main vices are pizza, chicken wings, and a significant sweet tooth, especially for cake and cookies. He balances this with a commitment to walking 11,000-12,000 steps daily and working out four to five days a week.

Show Notes