The Truth Behind Jericho, Tony Khan, and the Real Wrestling Power Players | Coach & Bro | January 1st, 2026 |

Full Podcast Summary / Show Notes (with Timestamps): [00:00:00] - Welcome & New Year Vibes The Coach and Vince Russo ring in 2026, celebrating the growth of the Coach & Bro show, promising fresh angles and fearless discussions. They highlight their bold approach: this isn’t about recapping matches, it’s about the business and future of wrestling. [00:03:05] - Chris Jericho Free Agency: Hype vs. Reality A heated breakdown of Chris Jericho’s value as a 55-year-old free agent. The Coach questions if nostalgia is masking current realities, while Vince Russo shares behind-the-scenes Y2J anecdotes and analyzes Jericho’s physical prep for a WWE or AEW move. [00:08:37] - Superstar Fitness, Comebacks & Cardio in Wrestling An honest critique of Kevin Owens’ public appearance, CM Punk’s condition, and the expectation of WWE World Champions. The Coach and Vince Russo discuss why in-ring shape and work ethic still matter and compare legends to the current crop. [00:14:35] - The Age Factor in Pro Wrestling They debate the industry’s infatuation with older talents, draw parallels with mainstream sports, and express concern for creative stagnation due to lack of young stars. [00:20:32] - House Shows, Cardio, and the Champion’s Image Discussion of live events’ role in maintaining talent’s fitness and how skipping house shows impacts performance—featuring commentary on Nash’s take regarding in-ring t-shirts and casual presentation. [00:25:29] - Tony Khan’s Booking Philosophy Unpacked The Coach reads AEW CEO Tony Khan’s controversial quote, “We don’t need to sacrifice wrestling for storytelling,” and Vince Russo explores why money isn’t Khan’s motivator—he’s just booking for himself, not the mass audience. [00:35:12] - Are Today’s Heels Effective? (Ricochet & Rousey Talk) AEW's Ricochet is critiqued as a "top heel," Ronda Rousey's savage takes on wrestling’s bubble, and why mainstream crossover is so rare in wrestling. How does reality conflict with wrestlers' self-perception? [00:49:27] - The Real WWE Power Struggle: Vince, Stephanie & Saudi Arabia Shocking analysis of leaked WWE emails: Did Stephanie & Triple H’s “vote against Vince” break really mean anything? Is Vince plotting his silent return through Saudi-backed deals, and what’s the real end game for the WWE brand? [01:00:23] - Building Success Outside the WWE Machine The Coach and Vince Russo talk entrepreneurship, why building their own brands (JCW, this podcast, etc.) is just as fulfilling as big-corporate gig, and lessons they learned working for Vince McMahon. [01:15:13] - The Winning Mindset: What Wrestling Is Missing Today A candid segment on why the will to win—the burning drive that built WWE—has faded among talent and management. “Are we here to make money or just have fun?” [01:31:06] - Closing Thoughts: The Year Ahead, JCW, and Listener Q&A Announcing big targets for 2026, the ongoing evolution of the show, and fan-driven segments like renaming the Wheel of Doom, plus some playful betting and sports talk sprinkled in. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.