Digest

The podcast begins with banter and listener mail, then addresses a GoFundMe for Dutchmantel and veteran support. A significant portion is dedicated to a disturbing seizure incident involving referee Dallas Edwards at an Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW) taping, leading to criticism of OVW's safety protocols and training. The hosts compare this to past AEW incidents and discuss Jim Cornette's merchandise sale. They then delve into a detailed review of AEW Dynamite, critiquing matches, booking decisions, and the promotion's overall direction, including discussions on Dave Meltzer's analysis and AEW's pay-per-view buy rates. Promotional segments for Raycon earbuds, PrizePicks, and Brunt Work Boots are interspersed. The conversation shifts back to wrestling, analyzing segments involving Brody King, Swerve Strickland, David Finley, Tommaso Ciampa, MJF, and Hangman Page, with critiques on their booking and storylines. The podcast then transitions to a detailed historical account of an inter-promotional angle in WCW from 1993, involving the Rock and Roll Express and the Heavenly Bodies, discussing its conception, execution, and the role of post-production editing. Updates on Dallas Edwards' condition and reactions to Al Snow's comments are provided. The discussion moves to SmackDown, analyzing the booking of Drew McIntyre, Jacob Fatu, Sammy Guevara, Danhausen, The Miz, Rhea Ripley, Jade Cargill, and the controversial segment involving musician Jelly Roll and Kit Wilson. The contract signing between Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton is reviewed, focusing on Orton's heel turn and Cody's subsequent booking. Finally, the podcast explores wrestling branding and promotes Shopify as a business solution before concluding with a deep dive into the strategic execution and historical context of the 1993 WCW angle, highlighting its impact and the nuances of wrestling promotion.

Outlines

00:00:00

Introduction and Banter

The podcast opens with theme music and introductions. Jim Cornette and Brian Last engage in lighthearted banter, discussing their moods and the general state of professional wrestling.

00:02:55

Listener Mail and Tributes

The hosts read emails from listeners, offering condolences for a lost grandfather and well wishes for a wife undergoing surgery. They also pay tribute to the late comedian Archie Campbell.

00:06:11

Support for Dutchmantel and Veteran Issues

A GoFundMe campaign for Dutchmantel and his wife is highlighted, detailing their move to assisted living due to health issues. The discussion touches on the challenges faced by veterans with the VA.

00:09:05

OVW Referee Seizure Incident and Safety Concerns

The hosts discuss a disturbing incident at an Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW) taping where a referee, Dallas Edwards, suffered a severe seizure in the ring. They criticize the lack of immediate response and the potential for a lawsuit, leading to a discussion on the accreditation and safety protocols of OVW as a training facility.

00:34:08

Jim Cornette's Merchandise Sale and Raycon Promotion

Jim Cornette announces an upcoming sale of his used wrestling memorabilia. The hosts also promote Raycon's essential open-ear earbuds, emphasizing their quality and affordability.

00:44:01

AEW Dynamite Review - San Jose

The discussion shifts to AEW Dynamite in San Jose. They comment on Dave Meltzer's appearance, the commentary team, and the opening segment featuring Moxley's group.

00:49:17

AEW Match Analysis and Booking Critiques

The hosts analyze matches, including Moxley/Claudio vs. Takeshita/Omega and the AEW TNT Title Match, criticizing the lack of storytelling, repetitive angles, and booking choices.

01:06:41

AEW's Growth and Dave Meltzer's Influence

The hosts debate AEW's current state, questioning its growth potential and fan engagement. They discuss Dave Meltzer's positive reviews and contrast AEW with WWE's focus on storytelling.

01:15:22

AEW Pay-Per-View Buy Rate Discussion and PrizePicks Promotion

The hosts analyze reports on AEW's pay-per-view buy rates, questioning the methodology. They also promote PrizePicks, a daily fantasy sports platform.

01:29:54

Wrestling Booking Critiques: Standby Matches and Gimmicked Props

The discussion shifts to the concept of "standby matches" and critiques the booking of a quick match involving Brody King. The conversation delves into the technical aspects of "gimmicking" props, specifically chains, and criticizes the execution of a chain spot.

01:38:32

Booking Analysis: Brody King, David Finley, and Tommaso Ciampa

The hosts analyze the booking of Brody King, discussing his potential feuds. They also critique the debut of David Finley in a tag team match and express frustration with the booking of Tommaso Ciampa.

01:49:02

MJF vs. Hangman Page Press Conference and Confrontation

The hosts discuss the execution of the press conference between MJF and Hangman Page, criticizing the timing and setting. They detail the physical confrontation, including a beer-throwing incident.

01:56:36

Brunt Work Boots Promotion and Wrestling Segments

This is a promotional advertisement for Brunt Work Boots. The hosts also discuss wrestling segments involving Danhausen, The Miz, Rhea Ripley, Jade Cargill, and Jelly Roll.

02:42:59

Contract Signing: Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton and Fan Reaction

Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton sign a contract for the WWE Championship. Orton turns heel, attacking Cody. The hosts discuss the fan reaction and Cody's booking.

02:49:17

Cody Rhodes' Selling and Potential Heel Turn

The hosts praise Cody Rhodes' performance in selling Randy Orton's attack. They speculate on the possibility of Cody Rhodes eventually turning heel to revitalize his character.

02:52:11

Wrestling Branding and Shopify Promotion

The discussion explores the importance of branding in professional wrestling. This segment transitions into a promotional pitch for Shopify, highlighting it as a commerce platform for businesses.

02:56:49

The Genesis of a WCW Inter-Promotional Angle (1993)

The conversation shifts to a detailed account of how an inter-promotional angle was conceived and pitched to Bill Watts for WCW in 1993, involving the Rock and Roll Express and the Heavenly Bodies.

02:59:07

The "Outsider" Angle and Explaining Wrestling Narratives

This section delves into the history of "outsider" or "invader" angles in wrestling. The importance of explaining storylines and wrestler departures to the audience is discussed.

03:05:42

Execution of the WCW Angle at Center Stage

The narrative details the execution of the angle, including the surprise appearance of Jim Cornette and the Heavenly Bodies, the confrontation with Bill Watts, and the subsequent arrival of the Rock and Roll Express.

03:08:19

Post-Production Editing and its Impact on WCW Angles

The segment addresses post-production editing, specifically concerning the muting of certain lines during the promo, and the perceived intent behind these edits. The conversation revisits the edited audio, with the speaker expressing frustration.

03:16:35

The Unexpected Arrival and Confrontation in WCW

The audio segment begins with Jim Ross introducing the Heavenly Bodies, highlighting the unexpected nature of their appearance and the ensuing confrontation with Bill Watts. Jim Cornette directly addresses Bill Watts, demanding a face-to-face meeting.

03:18:08

Strategic Execution and Audience Impact of the WCW Angle

The speakers discuss the strategic elements of the angle, including the timing of their emergence and the deliberate pacing of the confrontation. The discussion touches on how the segment impacted viewers at home and the significance of a particular line that was later muted.

03:20:23

Heavenly Bodies' Grievance and Cornette's Demand

Jim Cornette explains the Heavenly Bodies' reasons for leaving the Midnight Express and their subsequent success. Jim Cornette demands a public apology from Bill Watts for showing the videotape and attempting to embarrass them.

03:22:24

Muting of Threats and Exaggeration in Post-Production

The audio is paused again to highlight another instance of muted audio, this time involving a threat to sue. The speakers suggest that post-production editing made the situation appear worse than it was, potentially misrepresenting the intensity of the confrontation.

03:24:19

Crowd Reaction, Drawing Power, and WCW History

The crowd's strong reaction to the confrontation is noted, with the belief that the storyline could have been extended for significant drawing power. This part of the discussion frames the events within the context of a significant period in WCW, marking the beginning of Eric Bischoff's influence and Jim Ross's departure.

03:31:06

Upcoming Topics and Ridiculous Wrestling Moments

The hosts preview upcoming discussions on the AEW pay-per-view and reflect on a period of "bad times" in wrestling. The infamous segment where Eric Watts gets into a fight at a gas station is recalled as a particularly nonsensical moment.

03:31:45

Fan Reaction, Need for Freshness, and Legitimizing Angles

The discussion highlights how fans reacted more enthusiastically to fresh talent and impactful storylines. Bill Watts's acknowledgment of the need for new and exciting content is discussed. The segment concludes by reiterating the principles of making inter-promotional or "outsider" angles legitimate and impactful.

Keywords

Q&A

• What was the incident that occurred at an Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW) taping?

  During an OVW taping, referee Dallas Edwards suffered a severe seizure in the ring. The hosts criticized the delayed and inadequate response from those present, highlighting potential safety and legal ramifications.

• How do the hosts critique AEW's current product?

  They criticize AEW for repetitive storylines, a lack of compelling angles, and matches that prioritize stunts over believable wrestling. They also question the promotion's growth and its reliance on Dave Meltzer's positive reviews.

• What is the controversy surrounding AEW's pay-per-view buy rates?

  The hosts question Dave Meltzer's reported figures, particularly the idea that fans only buy one pay-per-view a year. They find the numbers illogical and suggest potential bias in how the data is presented.

• What is Prize Picks and what features does it offer?

  Prize Picks is a daily fantasy sports platform where users can select two or more players and predict whether they will go over or under their statistical projections. It offers features like social feeds to share picks with friends and the ability to copy lineups from winners.

• What is a "standby match" in wrestling, and why was it criticized?

  A standby match is a pre-arranged match held in reserve to fill time if a show runs short. It was criticized when a quick, seemingly unprofessional match involving Brody King against an inexperienced wrestler was used, highlighting poor booking and appearance.

• What were the main criticisms of David Finley's debut match?

  Critics questioned why Finley, a significant acquisition, was placed in a tag team match instead of a singles match. Additionally, it was noted that his partner, Gabe Kidd, got the pinfall victory, not Finley himself, diminishing Finley's debut impact.

• Why was the press conference segment for MJF and Hangman Page criticized?

  The segment was criticized for being saved for the overrun, the awkward execution in an empty room, and the choice of Brian Danielson as host. The overall presentation lacked believability and felt poorly produced.

• What is the latest update on OVW referee Dallas Edwards after his in-ring medical emergency?

  Dallas Edwards suffered a concussion and brain bleed but is recovering. He has issued a statement emphasizing the need for injury assistance training for wrestlers and is focusing on his health, with a positive outlook for recovery.

• What was the reaction to Al Snow's initial response to the Dallas Edwards incident?

  Al Snow's initial response, a Waffle House joke and past comments about death in wrestling, drew significant criticism. Many felt his response was tone-deaf and inappropriate given the severity of the situation.

• What happened during the contract signing between Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton?

  After a friendly contract signing, Randy Orton turned heel, brutally attacked Cody Rhodes, and took the WWE Championship. The attack was depicted as severe, leaving Cody bloody and seemingly incapacitated.

• What is the significance of branding in professional wrestling according to the discussion?

  Branding in wrestling, through wrestler nicknames and personas, is crucial for creating business potential and enhancing fan engagement by making characters memorable and marketable.

• What was the core idea behind the inter-promotional angle discussed involving WCW?

  The angle aimed to create excitement by bringing wrestlers from Smoky Mountain Wrestling into WCW, leveraging existing rivalries and the "outsider" concept to generate buzz and viewership.

• How did the angle contribute to the excitement of the WCW broadcast?

  The unexpected appearance of wrestlers from another promotion, combined with a heated confrontation and a subsequent impromptu match, created a fresh and exciting segment that captivated the audience.

Show Notes