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  • Tony Khan Fuels Fan Dissent While WWE Sweats its Netflix Debut (ep.889)
    2024/11/21
    AEW's Full Gear Approaches Amidst Fan Frustration and WWE's Netflix Jitters
    as All Elite Wrestling (AEW) is heading into its Full
    Gear pay-per-view this weekend with a cloud of uncertainty hanging over the company. While AEW has undeniably shaken up the professional wrestling landscape, recent months have seen growing criticism directed at CEO Tony Khan. Fans are increasingly vocal about the lack of television time for certain contracted wrestlers and a perceived dip in crowd excitement leading up to the big event.
    The absence of stars has fueled frustration among fans who feel AEW isn't utilizing its talent effectively. This, coupled with a sense that storylines have lost some of their spark, has led to concerns about declining audience engagement. While AEW still boasts a passionate fanbase and dedicated viewership, the buzz surrounding Full Gear feels somewhat muted compared to previous years.
    Khan has acknowledged the criticism, citing injuries and personal situations as factors in some absences. However, he remains confident in the Full Gear card and emphasizes AEW's commitment to delivering a compelling show.
    Meanwhile, WWE finds itself navigating a different set of challenges. Their recent move to stream premium live events on Netflix has been met with trepidation following the technical difficulties that plagued the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson fight last weekend. Fans are worried that similar issues could disrupt major WWE events, potentially alienating viewers and damaging the company's reputation.
    WWE executives have assured fans that they are working closely with Netflix to prevent any future disruptions. They are emphasizing the platform's vast reach and potential to introduce WWE to a new audience. However, the shadow of last weekend's streaming debacle looms large, and WWE will be under immense pressure to ensure a smooth transition to their new streaming home.
    Both AEW and WWE are facing crucial moments in their respective journeys. AEW needs to address fan concerns and reignite excitement, while WWE must overcome the technical hurdles and prove the viability of its Netflix partnership. The coming weeks will be telling for both companies as they navigate the ever-evolving world of professional wrestling.

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    43 分
  • Can Survivor Series Sustain Stale Bloodline Inner Turmoil Storyline? (ep.888)
    2024/11/14
    RAW had the usual roster of decent matches, but WWE is really stretching to make every feud and faction feel relevant. Damage CTRL (Dakota Kai, Kairi Sane, and IYO SKY) defeated Pure Fusion Collective (Sonya Deville, Shayna Baszler, and Zoey Stark) in what felt more like a team-building exercise for Damage CTRL than a serious contest. There’s only so much suspense you can get from throwing together another “heel team vs. heel team” clash. The booking team may need to decide if they want to push Damage CTRL’s dominance or start rotating some fresh faces in, or else we’re looking at a faction that’s already lost its impact.Then there’s Pete Dunne versus Kofi Kingston. Don’t get me wrong—Dunne is an incredible talent, and he deserves some spotlight. But is beating Kingston, a former WWE Champion, really going to catapult him up the card? Instead, this victory felt like a consolation prize with no long-term implications. Why not develop a real feud here, something that goes beyond a one-off win? WWE has the talent for meaningful storylines; what they seem to lack is the willingness to push anything outside the box. The main event featured yet another “wild brawl” between Seth “Freakin” Rollins and “Big” Bronson Reed, continuing their feud with little evolution. It was the same formulaic scrap as usual—lots of yelling, predictable interferences, and a whole lot of nothing by the end. If they’re going to push this storyline, at least let them do something memorable rather than recycling the same tactics. For next week’s RAW, we’re set up for Rollins vs. Reed again, alongside a WWE Intercontinental Championship match between Sheamus and champion Bron Breakker. Here’s hoping something fresh finally lands on Monday night.SmackDown wrapped up with The Bloodline firmly in control, but was there much substance beyond the familiar themes? Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes took center stage once again, facing off in an opening segment that sparked some crowd energy. However, Reigns’ return to make his presence felt was met with the usual mix of cheers and jeers. By now, the routine has become predictable: Cody talks big, Reigns responds with stoic silence or brief intimidation, and everyone teases a climactic showdown. It’s time WWE adds some new layers if they’re serious about maintaining this rivalry’s heat.The Bloodline’s influence continued as Solo Sikoa and Jimmy Uso took down LA Knight and Sami Zayn in a tag team match. While the action was solid, the storyline hasn’t evolved enough to keep fans fully engaged. LA Knight, for instance, has been riding a wave of popularity, but he’s been stuck in situations that don’t maximize his potential. WWE has an opportunity to elevate Knight beyond these filler roles, yet they seem hesitant to pull the trigger. Zayn, too, deserves more than to simply be a pawn in Bloodline drama that’s overstayed its welcome.The main event saw WWE Women’s Champion Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez facing Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill. While the women’s division has gained considerable talent, it’s clear that this match was more about keeping Belair and Cargill dominant than anything else. Morgan and Rodriguez deserve credit for their resilience, but at this point, the lack of depth in their storyline is undercutting the division’s momentum. For next week, WWE could inject some creativity to stop the show from feeling like a rinse-and-repeat cycle with predictable outcomes. On NXT Stephanie Vaquer & Giulia defeated Jakara Jackson & Lash Legend.Women’s Iron Survivor Qualifier Match: Sol Ruca defeated Cora Jade.Men’s Iron Survivor Qualifier Match: Wes Lee defeated Cedric Alexander.Nikkita Lyons defeated Adriana Rizzo.Men’s Iron Survivor Qualifier Match: Je’von Evans defeated Lexis King.Women’s North American Championship: Fallon Henley (w/ Fatal Influence’s Jacy Jayne & Jazmyn Nyx) defeated Kelani Jordan.Contact KOP for professional podcast production, imaging, and web design services at http://www.kingofpodcasts.com and click on Podcast Production Services. Subscribing to KOPs YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@kingofpodcastsFind all past episodes, plus where to subscribe to and how to follow KOP on social media at www.kingofpodcasts.com/Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/wrestling-is-real-wrestling-podcast--1559158/support.
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    35 分
  • Bloodline's Desert Storm: A Dynasty Under Creative Siege (ep.887)
    2024/11/07
    WWE NXT was the place to be for nostalgia as a hardcore legend made his presence felt. Bubba Ray Dudley, one half of the legendary Dudley Boyz, competed in his first WWE match since 2016. He teamed with Trick Williams to take on Ethan Page and Ridge Holland in a tag team bout. Elsewhere on the show, Tony D'Angelo continued his dominant reign as North American Champion, adding another successful defense to his record. The NXT Tag Team Champions also put their individual skills on display as they faced off against each other in a singles competition. The night concluded with an action-packed Ten Women Tag Match that showcased the depth of the NXT women's division.

    SmackDown emanated from Brooklyn and delivered a night of surprises and high-stakes matches. The women's division took center stage as NXT Women's Champion Roxanne Perez made a shocking appearance, confronting SmackDown Women's Champion Charlotte Flair. This led to an impromptu title match, which saw Flair retain her championship. In tag team action, The Brawling Brutes (Sheamus and Ridge Holland) picked up a win against the formidable team of LA Knight and Grayson Waller. However, the biggest moment of the night belonged to The Bloodline. The original Bloodline, consisting of Roman Reigns and The Usos, reunited in a powerful show of force, leaving the WWE Universe buzzing.

    Finally, Monday Night Raw saw several stars punch their tickets to championship opportunities. Damian Priest emerged victorious in a chaotic Fatal Four-Way Number One Contenders Match, earning a shot at the World Heavyweight Championship. IYO SKY soared to victory in a women's Battle Royal, securing her place as the Number One Contender for the Women's World Championship. The red brand also featured tag team excellence as the War Raiders, the reigning NXT Tag Team Champions, made a statement by defeating the New Day. In a clash of styles, the high-flying Dragon Lee overcame the technical prowess of Chad Gable.

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    36 分
  • WWE Crown Jewel 2024: Predictable Spectacle and Bloodline Climax Goes Bust
    2024/11/04
    WWE's annual trip to the Saudi Arabian desert proved to be a lucrative yet creatively hollow spectacle, with Crown Jewel 2024 offering little more than over-the-top entrances and predictable outcomes. While the pyrotechnics dazzled and the production was undeniably grand, the event ultimately fell flat, particularly for those hoping for a satisfying resolution to the long-running Bloodline saga.

    The main event saw Roman Reigns, once again, defend his Undisputed WWE Universal Championship, this time against Cody Rhodes. Despite a valiant effort from Rhodes, the outcome was never truly in doubt. Reigns, with the predictable interference from Solo Sikoa, emerged victorious, further cementing his record-breaking reign and leaving fans with a sense of déjà vu.

    The Bloodline storyline, which had captivated audiences for years with its intricate family drama and power struggles, reached an anticlimactic conclusion. The much-hyped "Civil War" within the faction amounted to little more than a series of predictable betrayals and reconciliations, ultimately leading to a status quo that left many feeling underwhelmed. The teased tension between Reigns and Jey Uso, which had the potential to be an emotionally charged climax, fizzled out without any meaningful payoff.

    The rest of the card offered little respite from the predictability. Brock Lesnar and Bobby Lashley brawled their way through another underwhelming encounter, while the women's division was relegated to an afterthought, with a hastily assembled tag team match that did little to showcase the talent involved.

    Crown Jewel 2024 was a testament to WWE's reliance on spectacle over substance. While the event undoubtedly generated significant revenue, it failed to deliver on its promise of a memorable night of wrestling action. The Bloodline storyline, once a shining example of long-term storytelling, ended with a whimper, leaving fans to wonder if the creative investment was ever worth it.

    As the WWE Universe moves on from Crown Jewel, the question remains: can the company break free from its reliance on predictable outcomes and tired formulas? Or are we destined to witness a continued cycle of overblown events that prioritize spectacle over substance? Only time will tell.

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    18 分
  • NXT's CW Gamble Backfires: Desperate Measures and a Netflix Hail Mary (ep.885)
    2024/10/31
    WWE's recent creative negligence preparing NXT for their rollout on the CW only to deliver declining ratings on their new partners investment. Transitioning from main roster cameos to trying to recreate ECWs One Night Stand at the 2300 Arena next week. Aside from a Bloodline storyline restart what does WWE have to work with once they make the jump to Netflix?

    WWE's developmental brand, NXT, is facing a crisis of its own making. After a much-hyped move to the CW Network, promising a new era for the brand, ratings have plummeted faster than a Baron Corbin main event push. Sources within WWE suggest a chaotic creative direction, characterized by last-minute changes, main roster cameos that go nowhere, and storylines that evaporate faster than a Karrion Kross title reign, are to blame.
    "It's like they're throwing everything at the wall and seeing what sticks, but nothing is sticking," one disgruntled NXT performer, who wished to remain anonymous for fear of reprisal, told us. "We're getting whiplash from the constant changes. One minute we're supposed to be the future of WWE, the next we're doing hardcore matches in Philly to try and recapture some ECW magic."
    Indeed, in a move that reeks of desperation, NXT is set to invade the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia next week for a show with a distinct "One Night Stand" flavor. While the nostalgia play might appeal to some die-hard fans, many see it as a cheap imitation of a bygone era, unlikely to solve NXT's fundamental problems.
    Adding to the turmoil are persistent rumors of a potential move to Netflix. While the streaming giant offers a potentially larger audience and creative freedom, some see it as a last-ditch effort to salvage a sinking ship.
    "Netflix might give them more money and looser reins, but it won't fix the core issue: WWE has no idea what it wants NXT to be," commented a former WWE writer. "They'll probably just restart The Bloodline storyline and call it a day."
    With the CW experiment faltering and the Netflix lifeline still uncertain, the future of NXT looks increasingly precarious. One thing is clear: unless WWE finds a coherent vision for its developmental brand, NXT risks becoming another forgotten footnote in the company's long and turbulent history.

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    45 分
  • Slamovich Stuns, Hardys Triumph, and JBL Steals the Show at Bound for Glory!
    2024/10/27
    TNA Bound for Glory 2024 was a night of thrilling action and shocking moments. High-flying matches like Mike Bailey vs. Hijo del Vikingo for the X-Division Championship kept fans on the edge of their seats, while shocking turns like Rosemary's attack on her tag team partner and JBL's interference in the main event left the audience stunned. Masha Slamovich captured the Knockouts Championship in an upset victory, and The Hardys made a triumphant return to TNA, winning the Tag Team Championships in a brutal Full Metal Mayhem match.The event capped off a year of exciting storylines in TNA, including the rise of "Speedball" Mike Bailey, Josh Alexander's quest to reclaim the World Heavyweight Championship, and the formation of the dominant Knockouts tag team, SPITFIRE. Other highlights from the year included PCO's unstoppable rampage, Nic Nemeth's cunning rise to the World Heavyweight Championship, and the return of The Hardys. Bound for Glory 2024 cemented TNA's reputation for delivering exciting and unpredictable action, leaving fans eager to see what unfolds next.

    Contact KOP for professional podcast production, imaging, and web design services at http://www.kingofpodcasts.com and click on Podcast Production Services.
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    25 分
  • Tony Khan Triggers Twitter Raged Temper Tantrum (ep.883)
    2024/10/24
    Tony Khan Spars with a vocal wrestling podcaster on Social Media. KOP explains how Tony Khan and AEW gain nothing by engaging in online battles with these specific individuals. They represent a vocal minority who are deeply entrenched in their opinions and unlikely to be swayed by any argument, no matter how logically sound or passionately delivered. This "punching down" only serves to amplify their voices, giving them more attention and a larger platform to spread their negativity. It also creates a perception of AEW as thin-skinned and defensive, potentially alienating neutral fans who might be turned off by the constant online drama. Khan's time and energy would be better spent focusing on those who are receptive to AEW's product and building a positive community around the brand. AEW owner Tony Khan has once again become embroiled in online controversy, this time engaging in heated exchanges with various wrestling podcasters and content creators. Khan is known for his passionate and sometimes impulsive social media presence.The recent disputes stem from criticisms levied against AEW's booking decisions, storylines, and wrestler utilization. Khan, seemingly sensitive to these critiques, has taken to X to defend his creative choices and occasionally launch personal attacks against his detractors.These interactions have ignited a firestorm of debate within the wrestling community. Some fans applaud Khan's willingness to engage directly with critics, while others find his behavior unprofessional and unbecoming of a company leader. "It's certainly entertaining," says wrestling journalist Mike Johnson. "But it's also a risky strategy. Khan's emotional responses can sometimes give more oxygen to the criticisms he's trying to address."This isn't the first time Khan's social media activity has drawn attention. He has previously clashed with former WWE personalities like Eric Bischoff and Jim Cornette, often engaging in public arguments that have spilled over into AEW programming.While Khan's passion for professional wrestling is undeniable, his tendency to engage in online feuds raises questions about his leadership style and the potential impact on AEW's public image. "He's clearly a very invested owner," says wrestling analyst Brandon Thurston. "But there's a fine line between defending your product and getting dragged into petty squabbles. It's something he may need to be more mindful of moving forward."As AEW continues to grow and challenge WWE's dominance in the wrestling landscape, Khan's social media presence will undoubtedly remain a topic of conversation. Whether he can harness his passion in a more constructive manner remains to be seen.Both Eric Bischoff and Vince Russo have been highly critical of wrestling fans, often using derogatory terms like "marks" to describe those who vehemently criticize their creative decisions in professional wrestling. They often argue that these fans are overly invested in the storylines and characters, failing to recognize that wrestling is ultimately a form of entertainment. They also suggest that these fans are resistant to change and new ideas, clinging to outdated notions of what wrestling should be.Specifically, Bischoff has often dismissed those who criticize his work as being "out of touch" with the modern wrestling audience. He argues that his approach to wrestling, which often involved pushing boundaries and breaking traditional norms, was necessary to attract new viewers and keep the product fresh.Russo, on the other hand, has been even more vocal in his disdain for critical fans. He often accuses them of being "toxic" and "negative," claiming that they are more interested in tearing down the industry than supporting it. He also argues that these fans have an unrealistic view of the wrestling business, failing to understand the complexities and challenges involved in producing a successful wrestling product.In essence, both Bischoff and Russo believe that many wrestling fans are too critical and fail to appreciate the effort and creativity that goes into producing professional wrestling shows. They argue that these fans should be more open-minded and accepting of new ideas, recognizing that the industry must evolve to stay relevant.Criticism of Eric Bischoff and Vince Russo's creative direction in professional wrestling stems from a variety of sources and perspectives:**Traditional wrestling fans:** Many fans who grew up with a more traditional style of wrestling, focused on in-ring action and straightforward storytelling, disliked the shift towards more controversial and reality-based storylines that Bischoff and Russo championed. They felt it cheapened the sport and undermined the athleticism of the performers.**"Smarks" or "Internet fans":** This group of fans, who are often more knowledgeable about the behind-the-scenes aspects of wrestling, criticized Bischoff and Russo for what they perceived as illogical booking decisions, nonsensical storylines, ...
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    1 時間 22 分
  • Is Triple H's NXT Vision Blinding WWE to Mainstream Success? (ep.882)
    2024/10/17
    When Triple H took over WWE creative, many lauded the arrival of his "NXT style" to the main roster. But five years into his reign, a growing concern lingers: has his focus on in-ring action and "smart" storytelling alienated casual viewers and hindered the rise of new stars?
    While die-hard fans revel in the technically sound matches and nuanced narratives, there's a sense that WWE is losing its broader appeal. The emphasis on long-term storylines, while satisfying for dedicated viewers, can be confusing and inaccessible to new audiences. The result? A potential decline in casual viewership and difficulty attracting mainstream attention.
    The Veteran Ceiling:
    Another troubling trend is the over-reliance on established veterans. While stars like Seth Rollins, Kevin Owens, and AJ Styles continue to deliver phenomenal performances, their dominance leaves little room for new talent to break through. Despite Triple H's reputation for nurturing young stars in NXT, the main roster tells a different story.
    Where are the breakout stars of the Triple H era? While promising talents like Theory and Bron Breakker exist, none have achieved the mainstream recognition of a John Cena, Roman Reigns, or The Rock. This lack of fresh, marketable faces could hinder WWE's ability to connect with new generations of fans and expand its reach.

    Sacrificing Spectacle for Substance?
    Some critics argue that Triple H's focus on "workrate" and intricate storylines has come at the expense of the larger-than-life characters and over-the-top spectacle that once defined WWE. While the current product is undeniably compelling for wrestling purists, it may lack the broad appeal necessary to capture the imaginations of casual viewers.
    The question remains: can Triple H strike a balance between his NXT vision and the mainstream appeal that propelled WWE to global stardom? Or will his dedication to a specific style ultimately limit the company's growth and alienate potential new fans? Only time will tell.


    Liv Morgan and Rhea Ripley feud continues not just with Raquel Rodriguez and now add Tiffany Stratton and her briefcase.
    Back to back to back vignettes with American Made, Brom Breakker and Bronson Reed. What's this a classic ECW Pulp fiction segment?
    War Raiders gets their NXT gimmick back.
    Judgement Day is full of misfits.
    Cody Rhodes and Gunther start with not much bad to say about you.
    NXT returns back to normal numbers on CW.
    Women's Tag Team faces NXT Stars Lash Legend and Jakara Jackson. No other teams left for them to face
    United States Title Match with LA Knight giving Carmelo Gates another loss.
    Roman Reigns appears with Jimmy Uso and the Bloodline storyline restarts thin.

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    1 時間 2 分