Vince McMahon

Vincent Kennedy McMahon is an American professional wrestling executive, promoter, and former professional wrestler. He is the chairman and CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), a publicly traded company that he founded in 1982 as the World Wrestling Federation (WWF). McMahon is a controversial figure in the wrestling industry, known for his aggressive business practices and his role in shaping the modern era of professional wrestling. He is also known for his on-screen persona as a ruthless and power-hungry owner of WWE.

Million Dollar Giveaway

In 2008, Vince McMahon launched a million dollar giveaway promotion for WWE fans. The promotion involved registering on the company website, receiving a code, and being called during Monday Night Raw to potentially win a cash prize. The giveaway was a marketing stunt designed to increase viewership and build a mailing list for WWE products and services. It was also a way for McMahon to engage with fans and reward them for their loyalty.

Rick Flair

Richard Morgan Fliehr, better known as Ric Flair, is a retired American professional wrestler. He is widely considered one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time, known for his flamboyant personality, his signature “Woo!” catchphrase, and his numerous world championships. Flair is a 16-time world heavyweight champion, having held titles in various promotions, including WWE, WCW, and NWA. He is also a two-time WWE Hall of Famer, inducted in 2008 and 2012.

WWE Draft

The WWE Draft is an annual event in which WWE wrestlers are assigned to different brands, such as Raw and SmackDown. The draft is a way for WWE to shake up its roster, create new storylines, and generate excitement for fans. The 2008 WWE draft was particularly notable for the move of Jim Ross to SmackDown, which was a controversial decision that generated a lot of discussion among fans and insiders.

Jim Ross

James William Ross, better known as Jim Ross, is a retired American professional wrestling commentator, color commentator, and former professional wrestler. He is best known for his work in WWE, where he was a commentator for over 20 years. Ross is known for his distinctive voice, his insightful commentary, and his ability to call the action in a way that is both exciting and informative. He is also known for his catchphrase, “Slobberknocker,” which he used to describe a particularly hard-hitting match.

SmackDown

SmackDown is one of the two main professional wrestling television programs produced by WWE. It is broadcast weekly on the Syfy channel in the United States. SmackDown is known for its high-quality wrestling matches, its diverse roster of wrestlers, and its focus on storytelling. It is also known for its signature catchphrase, “The SmackDown Six,” which refers to a group of six wrestlers who were featured prominently on the show in the early 2000s.

Creative Process

The creative process in professional wrestling refers to the development of storylines, characters, and matches. It is a complex process that involves a team of writers, producers, and wrestlers. The creative process is often influenced by the vision of the company's owner or head booker, as well as the input of the wrestlers themselves. The goal of the creative process is to create compelling entertainment that will engage fans and generate excitement for the product.

New Stars

In professional wrestling, the creation of new stars is essential for the long-term success of the product. New stars bring fresh energy and excitement to the industry, attracting new fans and keeping existing fans engaged. The process of creating new stars often involves developing their characters, storylines, and in-ring skills. It also involves promoting them through television, pay-per-view events, and social media.

Emotion

Emotion plays a crucial role in professional wrestling. It is what connects fans to the wrestlers and the storylines. Fans want to feel something when they watch wrestling, whether it is excitement, anger, sadness, or joy. The ability to evoke emotion is what makes a wrestler truly great. It is what makes them memorable and what makes fans want to come back for more.

Main Event Attraction

The main event attraction in professional wrestling is the wrestler or team that is considered the biggest draw for fans. They are typically the champions or the top contenders for the championship. The main event attraction is often the focus of the show, and their matches are usually the most anticipated and the most important. They are the wrestlers that fans want to see, and they are the ones who drive the most revenue for the company.

Michael Hayes

Michael Sean Hayes is a retired American professional wrestler, best known for his time in World Championship Wrestling (WCW) and World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). He is a three-time WCW World Tag Team Champion and a two-time WWE World Tag Team Champion. Hayes is known for his flamboyant personality, his signature “Woo!” catchphrase, and his role as a manager and producer in WWE. He is also known for his controversial past, which includes allegations of racism and sexual harassment. Hayes was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2019.

Mike Goldberg

Mike Goldberg is an American sports commentator, best known for his work as the play-by-play announcer for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) from 1997 to 2016. He is also known for his work as a commentator for other sports, including boxing, mixed martial arts, and professional wrestling. Goldberg is known for his enthusiastic and energetic commentary style, as well as his ability to call the action in a way that is both exciting and informative. He is also known for his catchphrase, “It’s time to get ready to rumble!” which he used to introduce UFC events.

Night of Champions

Night of Champions is a professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by WWE. It is typically held in the month of September and features championship matches from all of WWE's brands, including Raw, SmackDown, and NXT. The event is known for its high-quality wrestling matches and its focus on championship competition. It is also known for its signature catchphrase, “Night of Champions,” which refers to the fact that all of the championships are on the line.

ECW

Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) was a professional wrestling promotion that was founded in 1992. It was known for its hardcore style of wrestling, which featured violent matches, extreme stunts, and a focus on storytelling. ECW was also known for its rebellious attitude and its counterculture appeal. The promotion was purchased by WWE in 2003 and was relaunched as a third brand in WWE. However, the relaunched ECW brand was not as successful as the original promotion and was eventually discontinued in 2010.

Kofi Kingston

Kofi Kingston is a Ghanaian-American professional wrestler currently signed to WWE. He is a former WWE Champion, a former Intercontinental Champion, and a former United States Champion. Kingston is known for his high-flying wrestling style, his charismatic personality, and his signature move, the Trouble in Paradise. He is also known for his incredible athleticism and his ability to perform amazing feats of strength and agility. Kingston is a popular figure in WWE and is considered one of the most talented wrestlers in the company.

CM Punk

CM Punk is a retired American professional wrestler, best known for his time in World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). He is a former WWE Champion, a former World Heavyweight Champion, and a former Money in the Bank winner. Punk is known for his straight-edge lifestyle, his outspoken personality, and his ability to connect with fans. He is also known for his innovative wrestling style and his signature move, the Go To Sleep. Punk is a controversial figure in the wrestling industry, but he is also considered one of the most talented and popular wrestlers of his generation.

Chris Jericho

Chris Jericho is a Canadian professional wrestler currently signed to AEW. He is a former WWE Champion, a former World Heavyweight Champion, and a former Intercontinental Champion. Jericho is known for his charismatic personality, his innovative wrestling style, and his ability to connect with fans. He is also known for his signature move, the Walls of Jericho. Jericho is a popular figure in the wrestling industry and is considered one of the most talented and versatile wrestlers of all time.

Triple H

Triple H, real name Paul Michael Levesque, is a retired American professional wrestler, executive, and actor. He is the current Chief Content Officer of WWE, a position he has held since 2022. Triple H is a 14-time world heavyweight champion, having held titles in various promotions, including WWE, WCW, and NWA. He is also a two-time WWE Hall of Famer, inducted in 2019 and 2023. Triple H is known for his intense wrestling style, his signature move, the Pedigree, and his role as a leader in WWE. He is also known for his on-screen persona as a ruthless and power-hungry wrestler.

John Cena

John Cena is an American professional wrestler, actor, and rapper currently signed to WWE. He is a 16-time world heavyweight champion, having held titles in various promotions, including WWE, WCW, and NWA. Cena is also a two-time WWE Hall of Famer, inducted in 2012 and 2023. Cena is known for his intense wrestling style, his signature move, the Attitude Adjustment, and his ability to connect with fans. He is also known for his on-screen persona as a charismatic and heroic wrestler. Cena is a popular figure in WWE and is considered one of the most successful wrestlers of all time.

Edge

Adam Copeland, better known as Edge, is a retired Canadian professional wrestler. He is a 11-time world heavyweight champion, having held titles in various promotions, including WWE, WCW, and NWA. Edge is also a two-time WWE Hall of Famer, inducted in 2012 and 2023. Edge is known for his intense wrestling style, his signature move, the Spear, and his ability to connect with fans. He is also known for his on-screen persona as a ruthless and cunning wrestler. Edge is a popular figure in WWE and is considered one of the most talented and charismatic wrestlers of all time.

Batista

Dave Bautista, better known as Batista, is a retired American professional wrestler and actor. He is a six-time world heavyweight champion, having held titles in various promotions, including WWE, WCW, and NWA. Batista is also a two-time WWE Hall of Famer, inducted in 2010 and 2023. Batista is known for his intense wrestling style, his signature move, the Batista Bomb, and his ability to connect with fans. He is also known for his on-screen persona as a powerful and intimidating wrestler. Batista is a popular figure in WWE and is considered one of the most successful wrestlers of all time.

Mark Henry

Mark Henry is a retired American professional wrestler, best known for his time in World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). He is a former WWE Champion, a former World Heavyweight Champion, and a former European Champion. Henry is known for his incredible strength, his signature move, the World's Strongest Slam, and his ability to connect with fans. He is also known for his on-screen persona as a powerful and intimidating wrestler. Henry is a popular figure in WWE and is considered one of the most dominant wrestlers of all time.

Big Show

The Big Show, real name Paul Donald Wight, is a retired American professional wrestler. He is a former WWE Champion, a former World Heavyweight Champion, and a former WCW Champion. Big Show is known for his immense size and strength, his signature move, the Chokeslam, and his ability to connect with fans. He is also known for his on-screen persona as a powerful and intimidating wrestler. Big Show is a popular figure in WWE and is considered one of the most dominant wrestlers of all time.

Kane

Kane, real name Glenn Jacobs, is a retired American professional wrestler. He is a former WWE Champion, a former World Heavyweight Champion, and a former ECW Champion. Kane is known for his imposing size and strength, his signature move, the Chokeslam, and his on-screen persona as a demonic and intimidating wrestler. Kane is a popular figure in WWE and is considered one of the most successful and enduring wrestlers of all time.

Ted Dibiase

Ted Dibiase Jr., real name Ted DiBiase Jr., is an American professional wrestler. He is a former WWE Tag Team Champion and a former Million Dollar Champion. Dibiase is known for his flamboyant personality, his signature move, the Million Dollar Dream, and his on-screen persona as a wealthy and arrogant wrestler. Dibiase is a popular figure in WWE and is considered one of the most talented and charismatic wrestlers of his generation.

Cody Rhodes

Cody Rhodes, real name Cody Runnels, is an American professional wrestler currently signed to AEW. He is a former WWE Intercontinental Champion, a former WWE Tag Team Champion, and a former AEW TNT Champion. Rhodes is known for his charismatic personality, his innovative wrestling style, and his ability to connect with fans. He is also known for his signature move, the Cross Rhodes. Rhodes is a popular figure in the wrestling industry and is considered one of the most talented and versatile wrestlers of his generation.

Intercontinental Championship

The Intercontinental Championship is a professional wrestling championship in WWE. It is one of the oldest and most prestigious championships in the company, and it has been held by some of the greatest wrestlers of all time. The Intercontinental Championship is known for its high-quality matches and its focus on in-ring competition. It is also known for its signature catchphrase, “The Intercontinental Championship,” which refers to the fact that it is a championship for wrestlers who are not currently competing for the WWE Championship or the World Heavyweight Championship.

Chris Benoit

Chris Benoit was a Canadian professional wrestler. He is a former WWE Champion, a former World Heavyweight Champion, and a former WCW Champion. Benoit is known for his intense wrestling style, his signature move, the Crippler Crossface, and his ability to connect with fans. He is also known for his on-screen persona as a ruthless and cunning wrestler. Benoit is a controversial figure in the wrestling industry, due to the tragic events that led to his death in 2007. He is also known for his incredible athleticism and his ability to perform amazing feats of strength and agility. Benoit is a popular figure in WWE and is considered one of the most talented wrestlers of all time.

Randy Orton

Randy Orton is an American professional wrestler currently signed to WWE. He is a 14-time world heavyweight champion, having held titles in various promotions, including WWE, WCW, and NWA. Orton is also a two-time WWE Hall of Famer, inducted in 2012 and 2023. Orton is known for his intense wrestling style, his signature move, the RKO, and his ability to connect with fans. He is also known for his on-screen persona as a ruthless and cunning wrestler. Orton is a popular figure in WWE and is considered one of the most successful and enduring wrestlers of all time.

Eugene

Eugene, real name Nick Dinsmore, is a retired American professional wrestler. He is a former WWE Tag Team Champion. Eugene is known for his unique character, which was based on a person with Down syndrome. He is also known for his signature move, the Eugene-O-Mania. Eugene is a popular figure in WWE and is considered one of the most unique and entertaining wrestlers of all time.

Amazing Kind

The Amazing Kind is a CBD product that is designed to help with pain and sleep. It is made with natural ingredients and is available in a variety of forms, including roll-on, cream, and oil. The Amazing Kind is a popular choice for people who are looking for a natural way to manage pain and improve their sleep.

Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW)

Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW) is a professional wrestling promotion that is based in Louisville, Kentucky. It is a developmental territory for WWE, meaning that it is used to train and develop new wrestlers for the company. OVW is known for its high-quality wrestling matches and its focus on training and development. It is also known for its signature catchphrase, “The OVW Heavyweight Championship,” which refers to the promotion's main championship.

Straight Edge

Straight edge is a subculture that is characterized by its abstinence from alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drugs. It is often associated with punk rock music and is seen as a rejection of mainstream culture. Straight edge individuals often live a healthy and disciplined lifestyle, and they are known for their strong moral convictions. CM Punk, a former WWE wrestler, is a well-known straight edge individual.

Pavlovian Reaction

A Pavlovian reaction is a learned response to a stimulus that is associated with a previously learned response. It is named after Ivan Pavlov, a Russian physiologist who conducted experiments on dogs in the early 20th century. Pavlov discovered that dogs could be conditioned to salivate at the sound of a bell, even if the bell was not associated with food. This is because the bell had become associated with the food, which triggered the salivation response. In the context of professional wrestling, a Pavlovian reaction can occur when fans are conditioned to react in a certain way to a wrestler or a move. For example, fans may be conditioned to cheer for a babyface wrestler and boo a heel wrestler, even if they do not know the wrestlers personally. This is because they have been exposed to the wrestlers in a certain way, and they have learned to associate them with certain emotions.

Merchandise Sales

Merchandise sales are a significant source of revenue for professional wrestling companies. Fans often purchase merchandise, such as t-shirts, hats, and action figures, to show their support for their favorite wrestlers. Merchandise sales can be a good indicator of a wrestler's popularity, as fans are more likely to purchase merchandise for wrestlers that they enjoy watching. In the context of this podcast, Bruce Pritchard mentions that John Cena was the number one merchandise seller in WWE, which is a testament to his popularity among fans.