Mailbag Episode #171 (Pt 2): The Rock's Heel Turn, Support for Becky Lynch, Rhea Ripley, Elimination Chamber Matches

This is WWE Superstar Drew McIntyre and you're listening to the WWE podcast show,
the one that everybody wants me. God, I'll stand three sixteen s us
your ass is my you're gonna acknowledge me. Hey, everybody, welcome to
the WWE podcast. It's Seph Friday, actually February sixteen, twenty twenty four.
We're gonna get to part two of the emails in just a second.
First, I want to welcome new patrons to our community side here, and
those new people are Seph, Mikayleab. I think I might have already given
you a shot at Mikaela, but if I did, you got a second
one. But Seph, thank you, and Zeppela. I appreciate you joining.
I know that some of you have joined as free members, and hopefully
that we convince you after you've joined for a week for free that maybe supporting
us after the seven days is worth it to you. But of course everybody
can join on that opportunity seven days for free if you want to check us
out ad free for a week. That's available on Apple Podcasts on the subscribe
button there, or on a Patreon. So all right, my voice as
you know, I barely held out yesterday. Today is not much better.
I would hope that by Sunday whenever re cord that we can review things are
much improved. But I mean, this is a this is a doozy of
a cold so or whatever this is. I don't know. I feel like
you as you become a parent. I mean, you realize that you weren't
that sick the rest of your life prior. When you get kids and they're
in school, it's like they open up their own wuhan lab in the middle
of your house. You know, it's just it's crazy. All right,
Well, let's get to our email that remained from yesterday. Excuse me.
And of course we do prioritize patrons. If you didn't know, that's a
perk of becoming a patron. Let's get to actually, aj aj says.
I know many want Roman to drop the belt to Cody, but what if
when the rock is set to interfere in the Cody versus Roman match, Seth
comes out, just having lost his belt the night before to be an equalizer.
Seth proceeds to neutralize the Rock and then proceeds to stomp Cody, leaving
Roman to retain. Seth's reason for turning on Cody is due to the Bloodline
getting involved in his match, causing him to lose his belt. And then,
after all Seth has done for Cody leading up to WrestleMania, Cody being
Cody's shield, and all the one time Cody should have come to Seth's eight
he doesn't. So yes, I also got that email, AJ, I'm
glad you sent it to both. I think let me just double check if
it's the same email, than I won't. Yeah, so, AJ,
I think that right now. Seth's in a good spot though, and WWE
needs a top babyface on Raw, and Seth has done a nice job of
filling that role. Do I think Seth is eventually going to turn heel again?
Yes? I think Seth is much better suited as a heel. But
he's done a very nice job as a babyfacing and done as good as you
could imagine with the World Heavyweight Championship. But him coming in to interfere and
screwing Seth or screw screwing Cody, I think they're going to try to separate
these two storylines soon. Now Rock and Roman may still have the tag team
match with Cody and Seth. That seems to actually be where they're headed.
But after that tag team match takes place, I hope that they both go
their separate ways and in a lot of ways too. The World Heavyweight Championship
story has been consumed by the story going on over on SmackDown because they're bringing
Seth into it, and who faces Seth for the world title has really become
a backstory, and it's weird given they spent so much time trying to convince
us that that title is as or more valuable than the one Roman has.
Yet at the same time, Seth's paying more attention to the championship Roman has
than the one he has around his own waist, So I think that needs
to change soon as well. But for the time being, I mean,
sure, let's get this tag team match out of the way if it's going
to happen with Rock and Roman, and it'll be fun. And apparently the
latest is, and this is again, guys, around midday on a Tuesday
on a Friday rather before SmackDown, that Rock is pushing for that tag team
match and that may be the Rocks Night One venture is Rock and Roman doing
a tag team match and Night two being Roman versus Cody, there'll be a
lot of angry people though. No women Maine inventing WrestleMania and no one else
gets that spot. It's Roman and Roman and and Roman and Roman. But
yeah, so there are drawbacks, but thank you AJ. All right,
let's let's see here. Let's talk to a new supporter, Zep. All
right, Zep, that's what it is? Not well call yeah, Zep
is a I like that name. Zepp. So you're from Italy And no,
I'm not going to the live show your heartbroken, but the tickets went
sold out in ten minutes when you were at work. You're a huge Cody
cry baby. Even though I'm into you're into wrestling since two thousand and four.
My favorite wrestlers growing up were Edge, Christian Batista, and John Cena.
I don't bother naming Triple Ah my top heroes because he was just too
good at the moment. Cody Bailey my sweet angel. I loved her since
the Four Horse Women Times, Damian Priest and Drew McIntyre, Rhea Ripley and
Becky Lyncher my top wrestlers. I love Cody because he is the picture perfect
superhero. Gimmick of our times, and I grew up without a person to
look up to. Thirty three, now traumatized and still fighting. Cody,
like John Cena at the time, gave me the strength to keep fighting and
not letting go, to not letting go the hard work to get what you
know you deserve. Sounds childish, but a man needs in his inner child
to be happy at times. Cringe eb Yeah, going to therapy for that.
I'd be happy if Rock Versus Roman happened, actually, but I want
Cody to end Romans title run also, so both ways is good for me.
People just need to chill the f up. It's just wrestling, and
the death threats against Ava are way too much. Still hype for Rock Versus
Roman, but can't wait for Cody versus Roman. Keep up the good work
and thank you for the hours of content you provide. Training with your voices
to keep me company. Have a great, nice road to wrestle a well.
Zepp from Italy. Oh man, my voice, I'm struggling too.
First of all, a lot of different stuff in this email, A lot
of real stuff, some storyline stuff. Let me start from the back and
work my way forward. The death threats as I've mentioned on this show.
I mean, there's just no excuse for it, absolutely none. I hope
that these people, whoever they are, are somehow actually not just kicked off
social media but put in jail. I mean, charges, all that,
all the all of it. It's just it's just awful. But apparently Ava
has Rock's daughter has come back to social media, so that's a good thing.
But as far as I mean, you're always going to have trolls on
social media who take it to the extreme to get attention. All that,
it's awful. I agree, it's just it is just wrestling, for God's
sakes. Now your other stuff, I mean, you have you love Cody
Rhodes. He's a superhero, gimmick of your time. You grew up without
a person to look up to. I mean, obviously I'm not going to
ask what your trauma was. I can take guesses, but i'd only be
guesses. But I mean it's your it's your of course, your personal business.
But my more, I guess the point I'm trying to get to is
that wrestling for a lot of us, even if you do have someone to
look up to, and you're lucky enough to do to have that, if
you have a father and a mother in your home, and you're able to
look up to one or the other or both. You can still use wrestling
as you know, really a support system in your in your in your life,
and it becomes wrestling is so unique, man, it becomes like a
part of who you are. It becomes a part of your personality, you
know what I mean, Like you draw on the strength of these performers that
you know this is not real, but you use what you're watching as if
it were even Again, it's like, I don't know how to describe it,
but obviously if you have trauma, real trauma that you've had in your
life using wrestling as a way to to manifest strength, that's pretty cool,
I mean. And that's the impact that I don't think sometimes the wrestlers themselves
or w W we remember that this kind of impact can happen with their product.
It's not just all the fans complaining about creative. It's deeper than that
for a lot of people. And that's pretty cool, you know. But
as far as your inner child, hey, we all need that. It's
not childish, all right. We all have the inner child. It's always
there no matter what. So I mean, that's something that I think all
of us actually should embrace, is being having an inner child. That we
forget to how to have fun as we get older. I'm thirty nine,
so I mean sometimes you forget because you get lost in work and family and
issues and drama and money problems and everything else, and you just forget how
to have fun. You forget how to have that innocent, kind of childlike
love for something. And it's not that you can ever completely recapture it,
because once your innocence is gone, it's gone. Can't ever get it back.
But how to have just how do I enjoy your life? You know?
All right, I'm not here to put anybody on my couch for therapy,
but those are my two cents. And I'm glad that you're enjoying the
Cody run. As you know, I'm not a big fan of it,
and it's just however, I agree that he's the right guy to do it,
roads is the right guy to defeat Roman Reigns, And I just don't
know what they'll do. What will the fans do if Cody doesn't win it
wrestle Mania forty Just I mean, what if it's a repeat of last year?
I don't know. I don't think they'll have the guts to do it,
and I think it would be actually damaging to the character. But hey,
we'll see. Thanks Sep, and thank you for joining. All right,
let's get to our next email. And this is almost and he says,
your match card predictions and winners, Ree Ripley versus Nya Jacks. The
winner is Naya Jacks by the Annihilator. Wow. Okay, so these are
your elimination chamber predictions. You're predicting that Nia Jax is gonna win. Not
impossible, but very unlikely given that the momentum of Ria Ripley, the support
behind Ria Ripley. However, Nya Jax has done an awesome job becoming relevant.
So there's a case, but I don't think it's a strong one.
Let's go though the men's chamber match Bobby Lashley, Orton, Drew Kevin Owens,
La Knight and Nya Jax. So you're the Wait, wait a minute,
you're saying the winner is Naya Jax by this the Annihilator from the top
of the cage wherever it lands on whoever they will die? Well, actually
yeah they probably would. I mean, that's not hyperbole. They probably would
yes, Okay. The women's chamber match Becky Bianca, Tiffany, Naomi Live
and Naya once again. Nya Jackx wins by throwing Live Morgan onto the floor
and then squashing her. She will fall through the mat and it will take
twenty five minutes to scoop her out. Wow. Nia Jacks is gonna have
a hell of a night. Tag team titles Judgment Day Finn Baler and Damien
versus Pete Dunay I'm being facetious and Tyler Bate versus Nya Jackx. Okay,
I see a pattern here. Now, it took me four four matches to
see it, but I think Nia Jacks may win every match. So Nia
Jacks is gonna win here with the leg drop from the top rope crushing the
head of Pete Dunay Grayson Waller effect it gets heated between Cody and Grayson.
Then Nia Jax comes out and delivers a nasty headbutt to Seth. The referee
comes out and makes it a match for the World Heavyweight Championship in the main
event, and the main event is Seth Rollins versus Nya Jacks. The winner
is Nia Jacks by the devastating sent on from the third section in the w
Universe. Thanks for reading the one hundred percent true leaked match card. My
name is pronounced almost like the wrestler, Okay or Omas. But here's the
thing, it's you can't tell me it's pronounced like Omas the wrestler, because
because they've pronounced it multiple ways, you need to give it to me phonetically.
Is it oh Moss like an a even though it's spelled with an O,
Or is it o most like almost? I don't know how else to
ask, but yeah, this sounds very legit. I have to say.
I mean, I don't know how you got a hold of this information,
but whoever your source is, I would say, continue to get your information
from this person because it's unbelievably plausible. And I hope you're paying this person
a healthy sum of money because I'm jealous. This is a hell of a
connection. You have Omas, hell of a connection, right, Okay,
Let's get to Simone and Simone says I would have the Rock versus Roman versus
Cody for the title. In the middle of the match, Cody gets Rock
bottomed and then gets speared two times. Cody then rolls out of the ring,
the Rock and Roman in the middle of the ring, Roman with a
superman punch the rock thatches him midair with the rock bottom into the people's elbow.
He runs to the right and then the left and stops in his tracks.
As Ava is on the rope, ay Apron tells her to get the
f out and slaps the rock aka her dad. Roman then spears the rock
one, two, three. Cody gets back in too late. Roman gives
Cody a third spear and Ava joins the bloodline. Cody doesn't need to defeat
Roman, as he's already made a made guy. I believe that Roman's defeat
should be used to elevate a bron breaker. I would love if Roman gets
beat by some rookie on debut because it's only a matter of time before WWE
reuses the brock Luster or a Goldberg gimmick with a new rookie. And as
far as Cody, he should win the money in the bank so it won't
feel like his title run is shoved in our faces. Well, Simon,
I'm no Cody Rhodes fan, but I have to defend Cody on this one.
He's he's a made man in the sense that the fans are ready to
embrace him as the man, and it can't really be shoved in our faces
if he's been here two years and he hasn't won a major title. I
mean, he has not achieved the goal that he set out on day one,
that he said he was going to do. The day after WrestleMania two
years ago, he said that his goal is to win the championship that his
dad never did. That was two years ago. It's very difficult to shove
something in our faces when it hasn't happened in twenty four months. So I
wouldn't say that it's shoved in our faces. The fans are the ones who
have brought Cody Rhodes to this position, not WWE. The fans actually chose
this one. It wasn't a Roman Reigns big dog shoved down our throats for
many years. Vince mcmahonn Special that was shoving down our throats. This is
the fans truly selecting somebody. I mean, look what they did. This
isn't WWE who decided to put Cody Roads in Roman Reigns. One on one.
The fans decided, even after they presented an option of the Rock versus
Roman. So I will defend Cody on that one. As far as Ava
getting involved, I mean, I see, I could see her doing that,
but I also don't see the triple threat happening. They've already told us
it's set in stone that Cody versus the rock I'm sorry, Cody versus Roman
is happening. If the Rockets injected, the fan outrage will be just as
severe as it was when the Rock versus Roman was supposed to be the replacement
match. It's that would be a suicidal move by WWE. It just it
would be really also undermining the good will of fans telling us for sure it's
this and then changing it again. Can't you can't, But Simon, I
appreciate it. All right, Let's go to Thomas. Thomas from Tom from
Vancouver says, good afternoon, WWE family wanted to start out with information on
doggo. On the dogo topic, Cody's dog named Farroh, a white Siberian
Husky, travels with Cody a lot dude, not wanting to keep at sitters
or kennels, and he'll also be a manager card in two K twenty four.
But today I wanted to get off the Cody subject and ask you a
question, do you think we'll have fully swept into the episodic era of WWE?
Only storyline progression week to week with no major changes or fights until PLS
seems like a small detail introducing the crowd every show so much more video packages
and just all around drama is so much more like Friends Are Breaking Bad.
I'm not okay, I'm trying to figure out what you mean, so I
don't uh. I mean, they're not in the business of trying to make
this a sitcom or breaking bad. But they're episodic television, meaning they give
you a chapter of the story every single week, so they're similar in that
respect. But I'm not sure. I guess you'll have to clarify exactly what
you mean, because I don't know what you're after. My overall answer is
I don't think they're going to change what they're doing. They're going to continue
moving forward with the formula they have. Also, I have to say Live
Morgan is horrible to watch. Cute but so many weird, clunky spots.
I would love for somebody like Tiffany to shine in that position, as I
think she is hands down the best in Ring women's wrestler athlete i've seen.
Thank you in advance for your opinions. Tom Okay, Tom Well, I
will say say, I don't think Live Morgan is horrible. I don't think
she's out of this world amazing. I think she's okay. She's certainly an
attractive woman that doesn't hurt her little outfits. You know, it appeals to
the male audience, let's be real. But I don't think her body type
lends the audience to believe she's ever going to be a true contender when it
comes to being a face of the women's division or being a dominant champion.
Not that you need to be a muscular like Jade Cargill or Bianca bell Air,
who are just unbelievably muscular in a way that is otherworldly. I mean
it's a compliment. I'm not trying to make it all they look like men,
No, they don't. They look very They look like females. But
they have a lot more muscle mass than I would say some men do,
which allows them to do some of the things they do. I have no
issue, by the way, with how they look. So those of you
that are about to jump down my throat because of whatever you think I'm saying.
My point about Live is she doesn't pose a threat when you look at
her. She may be this little spitfire. That's that's cute. She's a
little spitfire who screams a lot, and she's on this revenge tour that means
nothing. I she is clunky sometimes, yes, and Tiffany Stratton, I
think is a superior wrestler to Live. I agree. I just think that
Live has and I know a lot of you been out agree with this.
I think Liv has found her ceiling. I don't even know the next time.
I mean, think about it, guys, when is the next time
Live Morgan is going to be Women's Champion. The one time she did win
it, she had to use the money in the bank to win it and
then have some luck along the way to beat ron A Rousey twice. So
yeah, I mean, I think Liv has found her ceiling as she you
know, hey, if she proves everyone wrong, I hope she does.
I'm on board for that. But I wouldn't say she's horrible. I would
say she's okay. All right, let's see here, I've got I got
a weird email. I don't know what that is Let's go to Tim.
Tim says, good morning and thank you for taking the time to read my
email. Just wanted to comment and the Cody Roman at versus Roman at Mania.
What if to help with the bloodline instead of Seth being in his corner,
he has multiple people in his corner to watch his back. Have like
two or three people, maybe Austin, Seth and someone else. Let Roman
have the bloodline at ringside if need be, along with Cody's team. I
feel like Cody did something similar when he faced Nick All this for the NWA
Championship. Even show Cody doing some training montages leading up to Mania. Have
a wonderful weekend or a good weekend, and keep up the good podcast.
Thanks to Tim Well, This is exactly what I proposed, Tim. I
wouldn't say they should be hanging out at ringside. I think a more dramatic
way to present it would be that Cody says he has a few aces in
his hole or in his pocket that if the bloodline interfere that he'll be you
know, he'll play those cards, you know, and we'll have to speculate
who those people are. And as I've said, I think it is going
to be Johnsena and Stone Cold Steve Austin if they do this, that are
his quote aces in the hole where they come out and as the Bloodline is
doing what they did last year, and it's gonna be a repeat, maybe
maybe even Cody gets the Samoan Spike. That's how exactly I would play it,
where we have call going uh and this is disgusting. This is the
same thing that happened last year, Samoe and Spike. Cody's down, Roman
goes for the spear, or he's setting up for the spear, and excuse
me, as Roman is about to hit it. John Cena's music hits.
John Cena comes down, tries to take out Solo, and Jimmy maybe does
so, but then gets speared by Roman. Roman takes out Sena and we
still have maybe Solo left or Jimmy left, and then outcomes Stone Cold Steve
Austin to hit a stunner or two and really even the odds, I think
you could do that. As I said, the danger is that you look
like Cody needs a crutch to beat Roman reigns, and that's not how you
want to present Cody's first title victory or especially ending the reign. Of Roman
reigns at a very questionable way. You want it to be definitive and you
wanted to mean something. So I think that's how you could do it.
I mean, or you could just have one of them. Doesn't have to
be John and Austin. It could just be John or Joss Austin. So
I think that's how you could do it. Thanks to him, let's get
to Sage. Sage says, hello there, first time listener, for a
few thoughts and observations. I hate the What Chance a lot of times they'll
ruin good promos like Rock and Cody. I agree, can as wrestling fans,
can we all just make a pact and just stop the what Chance?
Can we please make a pact with one another? Not sold Undo Koda Kai
still thinks she may turn on Bailey, although I hope not. I think
I presented my thoughts on this yesterday. I think she's gonna turn on Bailey,
and it'll be right after Bailey wins the belt number three. I missed
a couple of smackdowns over the summer. One week Jimmy hates Roman and the
next he loves him. Did I miss an episode? No, you didn't,
Sage they just decided to suddenly wants to be Roman's friend again. You
didn't miss a thing. It was one of those things that wwe didn't care
to explain why Jimmy really went back or why Roman accepted him back, so
simply it was a yes, uh, you did miss a thing. Okay,
you love the Cody Cryberry babies. What I love even more is I
don't think that it's creative. I really think Rock calls them that off script.
Yeah, possibly, which makes it even more fun. Or it could
be one of the writers who came with it to him, Emmy who knows.
The end result is it's still a pretty good catch line. It is,
and it's gonna make money and Cody can try to spin it to own
it so Rock can't use it as some kind of insult, but it's still
pretty funny. Five Is it me? Or is the Crossroads like the weakest
finish? Why does Cody show up wearing a suit and then come out wearing
a different suit every week? Okay, well, I'm gonna really really try.
You guys are gonna see my willpower here to not go on to Cody
rant. I'm just gonna answer the question since Cody Roads, his Crossroads finish,
it is pretty bad. I would put the Big the Big ending from
Bigie as the number one worst finish I've ever seen, and this is a
close second. It's so weak, and not only does it look terrible even
in real time, but it never usually it doesn't even end a match,
and Cody oftentimes will hit it multiple times without even trying to get a victory
or go for the pin, almost as if he knows that it's gonna take
more than one. Well, then then that should sell tell you something about
your finish pal. You know. As far as him changing suits, I
mean what, I've got nothing to say about his suits anymore, his dogs
or his stupid smile. We've I've talked about that so many times. I
don't get it. I don't understand it. I'm just gonna leave it there.
Number six. Who's most likely to turn heel next? Sammy's a and
Seth Rollins or Randy Orton? Great question, hmm, great question. Wow,
I don't know, you don't, Sage. I'm gonna put that question
up to the listeners, guys, putting this out to you. Who to
andt heeal next? Sammy, Seth or Randy? If I was to guess,
I would say Sammy's Zaan. He's on a losing streak. He doesn't
seem to have an identity right now. He's frustrated, and that's sometimes when
the babyfaces go to the dark side. Seth's on a role as a babyface
still as champion. You need that top babyface on Raw. Randy Orton got
back just a couple months ago. You don't want to pour cold water on
his return just yet, So I say Sammy, but boy, you could
really make a case for all of them, all right. Next question from
John John says it seems like next week's Raw is almost like a mini pl
e. Cody versus Drew is arguably the biggest match Cody's had since Brock,
although I expect some sort of non decision. You've got the Women's Battle Royal
where I've heard Jade Cargill is supposed to be in, and Jay versus Guntherro
is probably Gunther's biggest title defense in a year. Yeah, I mean,
so as far as next week's goes, Yeah, it's a big, big
week. Jade Cargill, I don't know if she's supposed to be in it.
I haven't gotten that confirmation, but I have heard there has been reports
kind of consolidating on the idea that Jade Cargill is not now going to be
in the women's elimination Chamber, and whether or not that's because she's not quote
unquote ready by WWE standards to be in that position, or they just have
better or alternate creative for her. I don't know, maybe a combo of
both. As far as Jane GUNTHERR, Yeah, that's a massive match,
massive, but I don't think it's see Gunther losing on Raw. I think
it would be out a pl e you'd think, but who knows. I'm
hoping Jay beats Gunther. I really think it's time to move on and progress
both men's stories, and the only way to do this is for Jay to
win. I can see the New bloodline ordering Jimmy Jimmy to go over to
Raw and win the belt from his brother, setting up a title match at
WrestleMania Jimmy versus Jay. I have to say, I hope not. Am
I the only one that doesn't want to see Jimmy versus Jay I? And
the reason is I'm I'm all I'm all bloodlined, civil ward out. I
feel like, I've seen it enough. I mean, but hey, more
power to you if this happens. Also, do you think there's any chance
Roman turns face before the Rock? What if Rock becomes what Roman is now
and all arrogant and bossy is head of the table and tears into Roman if
he loses to Cody, kind of like Roman what he did to the USOS
last year. Rock makes Solo his right hand man, and then Roman is
like Jay and has had an enough and turns on the Rock. John.
Okay, I also hope not. The reason is that Rock Roman when it
happens, needs to still be babyface Rock against Heal Roman. I don't want
to be in a position where WWE is trying to pretend that Roman beating the
Rock is a better option. I don't want to be there, you know.
I still believe it should be a baby face Rock against Heal Roman.
That's my personal preference, and honestly, I think it's the better match,
bigger match. It's the match that all of a sudden, up until fifteen
minutes ago, we all wanted, and I think it still could be done
very successfully. The problem and the poison of that whole success being stopped from
Rock and Roman was the title on being involved. If you took the title
out of that whole equation, the people would be going nuts for Rock Roman.
It's the belt that screwed the whole thing up, and that's WWE's fault,
nobody else's. Thanks John. All Right, guys, my voice is
hanging on by a thread here, but we'll see how much longer I can
go. All Right, we've got Dennis Dennis O'Brien. He says, Hey,
Matt, I hope you and the listeners are doing well. I have
a little scenario to put your way, which may make sense or not.
With the ongoing story between Drew and Sammy, with Drew costing Sammy matches and
just being a bully, what if someone gets eliminated from the cage and Sammy
runs in attacks Drew, costing him the match. Sammy versus Drew at WrestleMania
in some sort of stipulation either Helen a cellar last man standing, and then
you have Seth and versus La Knight at WrestleMania. Okay, A couple problems
with this, and that is I don't think they want to turn La Night
heel or Seth rollins heel I know you're thinking, well, they don't have
to, but the fans will have to choose. And I don't think either
one of them are on a path right now to make a strong case for
them turning heel. Both are both have not seen the best days yet as
them with them as baby faces plus Seth Rolinds seems to be on some kind
of collision course with the Rock in the tag team match or otherwise. And
again, la Knight hasn't even touched the best days of his career. And
as far as Sammy and Drew, I don't have a problem with this.
It seems to logically be heading in that direction based on the story. But
Drew is on another level right now. And no disrespect to Sammy, but
Drew in the pecking order of things and in the minds of fans, is
kind of above Sammy right now. And I think Drew deserves a little bit
higher of a profile match. I mean, I just do right now.
So if Drew had stayed the same, I would have said yes. But
Drew right now is a world title contender. I think he's the favorite to
win the Chamber. So but Drew, I mean, hey, Dennis,
you could be right when it comes to Drew and Sammy, I just I'm
against Rollinson Knight for WrestleMania. All right, let's go with Milan, and
Milan says, I'm Matt. So. I found Seth Rawlins's shield reference on
Monday Night interesting. I also find it funny how Seth is warming up to
Cody at all. Aren't these two supposed to hate each other. Seth's old
Cody right before Survivor series. I don't like you, but agree with their
difference. With their differences aside for one night for wargames. Now all of
a sudden, he's acting buddy buddy with him. I also feel like Seth
has a bit feels a bit slighted that he's not getting the attention like Cody,
and maybe there's a jealousy factor. Could seth Rawlins turn on Cody or
Wrestlemanian cost him the title He's backstabbed him with the shield before. I think
it's possible. I think that Seth Rawlins could turn heel. But again,
as I've said throughout the show, raw needs a top babyface and Seth is
filling that role very nicely. Also, we have Cody who's kind of self
kind of being a bit self destructive when it comes to the attention. I
mean Seth. Seth Rawlins is the one who continues to bring up roman reigns
and tries to inject himself into Hey, I'll help you out. You know.
That's not Cody asking Seth to be a part of it. Seth is
doing this all on his own. And if he's telling us that he has
some more valuable title than Roman, what's he have jealous to be jealous about.
He's already the champion. He's already the champion of that of the title
that he believes is the most valuable. You know. But with all that
said, do I think Seth and Cody are eventually going to have a program
in the words of Stone colds Dy of Austin. Oh hell yeah. We've
already seen them face one another three times, but I think we could easily
have a fourth. I just don't think it's going to be anytime the next
few months. All right, let's continue with your email. You said that
I said last week that I think Triple H has his mind made up for
a long time and when Roman is going to ultimately drop the belt, and
it will be some time after he passes Hogan. I think Triple H's original
plan was a punk Cody Seth three way at WrestleMania and Rock would face Roman
and retain. I don't think pivoting to Cody Roman just to please the fans
is going to change Triple Ah's mind and who he wants to win the belt.
Just curious on your thoughts. It's a good point to bring up.
You know, the fans changed WrestleMania. I believe that. Excuse me,
I believe that. Great Now my voice is cracking. But did they change
the even larger plan of when Roman drops the belt. That's a hell of
a good question. I still believe that Cody can't lose it WrestleMania though.
He just can't. I mean for the sake of his character, even if
it's in some wonky way with forty people interfering. It's overbooked, something stupid,
you know, Samoe and Spike again. I mean, a big heel
turn on Cody Seth costs Cody the match, Dean Ambrose comes back, mjf
hits his finish. I mean, like something insane right, no matter what
it is, I don't think Roman can come out of there as champion.
I mean, however, dude, we are going to find out how deeply
convicted WWE is to Roman beating Hulk Hogan. If and I have continued new
to say this, why we all assume that Roman Reigns is dropping the belt
at forty even doubly convinced even more than last year. If Roman Reigns wins
at WrestleMania, you can take it to the bank that he's making it to
September as champion to beat Hogan's record. It will be a The reason for
Roman Reigns winning it WrestleMania will one hundred percent be because they are trying to
surpass Hulk Hogan's record. So we're gonna see real in short order, in
just what seven weeks, how deeply convicted they are and how committed they are
to beating Hulk Hogan's record. So that's a good question. You know,
the fans changed WrestleMania, but they did did they change the even larger plan?
Good question? All right, let's go to Let's go to Nick and
Nick says, hey, WW podcast, wanted to share some of the we
had at Mondayette Raw in Lexington last night. It was my wife's birthday and
she really wanted to see Ria Ripley, so she did a full makeup look
and dressed like goth. There were tons of other people, young and old
who were there to see Ria Ripley, and even a couple of probably five
or six year old girls who sat near us cheering, we want Mommy.
The match of the night was definitely Jay versus I'm sorry Jay, and Newday
versus Imperium. I couldn't tell where the commercial break fell because they kept working
over poor Kofe the Gunther and Jay Stardown's got all of us super hyped.
Keeping it short, leave it there, have a great week called nick.
Okay, thanks for sharing. That always fun to hear from people attending live
events and seeing the support for Mommy. I'm telling you, young and old,
she has captured a wide audience. This isn't a niche audience that she
has grasped, and she's done it by being a heel, which tells you
when they flip her and actually get behind the baby face Rhea Ripley, She's
going to explode, which is why I continue to show evidence that I think
when she faces Becky Lynch in WrestleMania, she'll have the majority of support,
not all of it. I don't think Becky Lynch is gonna get booed out
of the building. I've said that. I just think that the majority of
support will be behind Rhea Ripley and I continue continue to believe that. But
it's fun that your wife a dressed like a Gotha. That's commitment right there,
right, I mean, if you're going there in full makeup, that's
commitment, and I love it. That's a wrestling fan right there, And
it shows you that your wife is emotionally invested. It shows you that these
five and six year old girls are invested. That's connection. That's the money
right there. That's how you know people care about your character. So thanks
Nick. All Right, we're getting down here. We're getting closer and close,
I promise. Okay, let's go to Aaron. Aaron g He says,
Hey, Matt, touching on your thoughts on WrestleMania as surprises. I
would love to see Rock interfere in Cody versus Roman. For the fans to
think, oh, here we go again, only to hear the glass shatter
Austin Clean's house leading to a Cody victory. Would be reminiscent of Austin taking
down the corporation leading to Mankind's first title win, and the pop would be
amazing. Love the podcast. You've helped me rekindle my love of wrestling after
a fifteen year hiatus. Thanks Erin, that's really cool that I could help
you do that. And if you've listened to the show in the last couple
of days, I have been on the bandwagon of this scenario of Austin interfering
to level the playing field. The only thing I have that needs to be
filled with the storyline is why does Austin care. I mean, it's sure
as WrestleMania, it's Austin, But I mean there's there has to be for
me, some kind of logical reason why Austin would give a damn about this
story. I mean, if they don't provide me with it, Austin's a
big enough star and he has enough support where I'd be like, uh,
this would be my one exception because he's so beloved and it'd be fun as
hell to watch Austin and Rock go face to face after all these years in
the ring. But I also think that there does need to be even loosely
a reason why Austin cares about this, so thanks erin appreciate it. Guys,
I apologize. I know I'm talking low. If I don't talk low,
my voice will go so a couple more This is from Tim. Tim
says, thank you for taking the time to read my email. First,
I wanted to say this is my first listen every day during the week,
I'm on the road all day in my van, so podcasts get me through.
I just wanted to comment on the Rock and Roman and Cody stuff.
My only issue with it was Rock Roman don't need the belt. The head
of the table is big enough. I've been saying this since before my lat
before the last WrestleMania. I know I'm not alone. You've been saying that
for a long time now. If they did it for the championship, it's
predictable. I get people say the same thing about Roman and Cody, but
it's not as one hundred percent predictable as Rock and Roman for the title.
I'm a huge fan and wan Rock and Roman as well. It needs to
happen sooner than later or we are gonna have another sting undertaker situation. With
many of being two nights. They can make it happen. They really do
have an opportunity here to make this the biggest WrestleMania of all time. Let's
enjoy this the next two months and see where it takes us. Tim.
Thank you, Tim. Glad that can help be a part of your day
and be a part of your soundtrack for the day. So stay safe driving
in your van. Now. I one hundred percent agree. There's nothing you've
said here that I'm going to debate because I've been beating this drum until the
drum's broken. At this point. With Rock Roman not needing a belt,
I've never been a fan of it. I don't want Rockets Champion, even
though I want Rock Roman. I don't want Rockets Champion, even if the
Rock sticks around. Honestly, to me, it would be kind of you
know that it's going to be a short rain and you did it all for
what you know, And yeah, I mean it could turn into a sting
undertaker situation. Although that that was like a twenty year gap of they had
you know, they should have done it in what two thousand and two,
and they did it in twenty twenty two or whatever disastrous year it was.
I mean, so they did it twenty years too late. Where in this
case, they're still both within the realm of able to compete. Now,
they don't have a long window to do this, but I'm still for WrestleMania
forty one. Hopefully nothing catastrophic happens with Rock's career or anybody getting injured or
anything like that. Right, So, they're running an inherent risk of pushing
it out a year, but it's the risk I think they're going to have
to take to tell the story right and get the fans behind Rock with no
title on the line. I think that's the way to do it in the
way that I think a lot of people would want it. Because the title
makes it predictable. That's one problem among others. And you're right Cody and
Roman, for the title is predictable, but not as predictable Cody Roman at
least presents some kind of unpredictability of just wwe dare to have Cody Rhodes lose
again. I mean, aren't you almost cynical enough to just have WW and
want them to do that to see how the fans would react. I almost
want to see it. I mean, imagine they do the same finish I
would that to me, it would be a much more interesting outcome just to
see how the fans would react. But thanks to him. Okay, one
more Wait, no, that's a garbage email, garbage Gmail. Okay al
aluyah. Well that means we get to voicemails if I can hold out here,
Let's get to as many voice smails as we can. If we don't
get to your voicemail, you know what the deal is, We'll get to
you on Sunday night and the wee can review. So here we go,
going on ww podcast World. This is none other than DJ Coulsbell back at
it again on your mail Bag show, and this is a Wednesday morning.
I'm doing things a little bit differently. I'm bringing down my energy level.
If it's too high for you, I apologize, but please don't go to
sleep on my voice message. Now let's get to your favorite show. Come
with every single week on the mail Bag and I'm talking about the far de
Verer, the verer, the verer, the Verer. Mahama Report now,
the Fever Mahama Report took place this past monthing night on Mondnight Row Live from
Lexington, Kentucky, home of the college basketball team, the men's college basketball
team Kentucky Wildcats and once again, as always, we have not seen an
appearance of the Indus Shear for the up team time as we're on the road
to WrestleMania. But two things I want to make about the Tag team division.
What it finally happens that Awesome Truth wins the Understuwed Tag Team Championships at
WrestleMania. Can we finally break these tag team belts and have a tag team
belt on Raw and a tag team Belt on SmackDown so that we could put
the end of the Vince mcmahn. I guess you could say tag team era
to rest and finally have some sort of tag team division on SmackDown. And
of course we have tag team champions that are so true when they win it
at WrestleMania for Monday Night Raw. The second thing, can we have also
some storylines with the tag teams? It doesn't always have to revolve around the
tag team Championships. Look at this past By the Night where were the Creed
Brothers? Where was none other than the alf Academy. We need to see
the tag team division start to build up with some storylines with some interesting best
of seven series matches for Crying Out Loud and most portly can be in this
share, get some constant booking. Now what that be? It said?
And before I go to continue red about the tag team division, and of
course none other than the in the share have a blessed sweetpea kite to on
that. This is DJ cuzmo, stay warm, stay safe and peace Well,
DJ, I don't have a problems with your energy level, but if
other people do, I don't know. Not everyone's gonna like everything right,
but I have no issue with it. Now that said, it is Shear
have been very inconsistent. I feel like I said that all the time.
There are m I a again and every time Here's the thing. The weird
thing is every time they're on, every time Javia Mahan is on, or
Sanga or especially Jenner Mahall, they deliver. They have a presence. I'd
like what they have to bring to the table, and they just don't seem
to have a plan for them right now. And I feel like I said
this after last year's WrestleMania, Oh we'll look out after WrestleMania, will be
you know, put in the tag team division, and I feel like we're
here, we are again, you know, And I feel like I'm saying
the same thing. But your point about bringing the tag team belts to split
again, right like you want them from Ron SmackDown, But you also at
the same time want the tag team divisions to have a story and not be
about the belts. Well it's kind of a contrasting solution though, isn't it.
Because if the goal is to make rivalries between tag teams like the Creed
Brothers who go Mia, like Diy who seems to be rolling right now,
but everything is about the belts, creating another tag team belt for the other
show, wouldn't that actually make it more about the belts, because then the
tag teams are competing for the belts if there's more than one of them.
So I mean, I feel like you got to pick one. I'm a
big fan of just one because they have not shown consistently to me ever,
that the tag team divisions are a priority. You'll see here and there,
all little main event here and there, but it has never ever been a
consistent priority for WWE. The money is in singles. I understand why they
do it. So until they can show me that tag teams have personal rivalries,
which, by the way, when's the last time that happened like a
real deep fun personal rivalry between tag teams. With the men, I mean,
don't even bother with the women, there are a whole other problem and
a worse problem. But yeah, the personal rivalries can be a big and
a big deal and fun and even sometimes more fun than tag team belts being
on the line. But until they can show us that they're capable of that
on a consistent basis, I wouldn't split the tag team belts again because aren't
you also taking the undisputed part of it away, which makes it inherently less
valuable on top of it, So now you're going to have two belts and
you want them about the rivalries to not be about the belts, but now
you've created another belt, so you're doubling the problem that you say you don't
want. So, I mean, the tag team division has always been a
mess. It's just how bad of a mess. It's like degrees of terribleness.
And right now I think they're in and okay, terrible, They're not
awful awful, But because the tag team divisions are starting to heat up,
the wrestling is always going to be, you know, really good. The
judgment day obviously are the Hot team right now. So Hey, I feel
you, but I feel like you can't at this point the way WWE treats
those belts and treats the tag team division, you can't have both of those
things. So all right, let's continue. Hey, this is the Waws
go back. I'm from the Indianapolis area, but I did call it.
Unfortunately, you weren't able to get my voicemail loaded or whatever. I don't
know. It doesn't matter. I understand sometimes things don't work out. But
I did call it. I did say that Roman would actually have to pair
up with the Rock. The Rock would be on Roman side, and it
would end up being Roman versus Cody, and I do think in the process
of doing that, I can see easily the same formula playing out for Roman.
That Solo shows up, that Jimmy shows up and they're going to do
something, but the Rock stops it and says, no, we're not doing
it this way, and then Cody wins, and then it's the Roman,
Roman and the Rock for however long they want to carry it out, maybe
all way until next year's WrestleMania, or maybe just to the SummerSlam or Survivor
series or something like that it would be great to see a Survivor series with
a Roman team versus a Rock team. I don't know we'll see other than
that. I just want to say, obviously, Dakota Tie is going to
turn on Bailey, and I actually think she's annoying. She comes across his
wine, and so I like to see her get her teeth knocked out or
whatever by Bailey. And I like Bailey to do a little more with her
character right now. She just kind of seems, eh like I want to
see more of the baby face out of her come out. So unfortunately we
have to say go Cody because we want to see that title change and I
want to see Bailey win Win's Championship or whatever it's called. So anyways,
I have a good one. Guys, this is the wise. It was
good to hear from you. And yeah, I think you were one of
the messages last week that when I downloaded and it was just didn't work.
Bailey, let me start in reverse. She does need I don't know if
identity is the word, but maybe maybe it's the right word, a baby
face identity because we've seen the whole Bailey buddy thing and obviously is not going
to revert back to that, it'd be like going back to childhood, right,
it would be ridiculous, mad I mean imagine if she did that,
it'd be so ridiculous. But she does need some kind of like foothold as
a babyface. I don't know what that looks like. She's not in a
bad spot. We all wanted this, so we're getting it, and then
that's good. So it's not a complaint she turned, but like you're right,
she does feel kind of like, all right, you're a babyface now,
so what are you going to show us. I'm not looking for pandering
or smiling or bringing your dog to work day. I'm not looking for any
of the Cody Road stuff, right, but I am looking for something a
little bit different with her character. Okay, you're a face. What does
that look like? You know, what's a little wrinkle you can add to
your promo or to your you know, to your personality something. I agree
as far as the coda, Kai goes, Yeah, there is a bit
of a whininess to her. I think you're right, though, she is
going to turn on Bailey, maybe sooner than later. I hope it's not
a scenario though, where she turns on Bailey and costs her the belt at
WrestleMania because there's no need to keep the belt on EO Sky. None,
I mean nobody. I'm sorry. EO Sky's run has been it's one of
the most underwhelming runs in women's history, I mean in the women's championship history.
And it's sad because EO Sky is a hell of an athlete. They
just didn't give her much of a personality. She was hidden in the damage
control group. She was actually the one that people least talked about in the
group that she's the champion of. So EO Sky's run has been very,
very underwhelming. I think it would benefit the championship itself because and this is
I feel awful saying this, but it's true. The championship is losing value
around the waste of EO Sky. It's not a referendu amount Eo. It's
the referendum on creative of how they've dealt with eos champion, and that's the
problem. But I think there's just no need to keep it on her.
I don't I don't want to see old Dakota Kai costs Bailey at WrestleMania.
No, stop it, you know what I mean, But I do think
that Leo, or rather Dakota is going to turn on Bailey at some point.
I'm I'm in lockstep with you there, but good to hear from you.
Was glad we can't connect this week. All right, a couple more
and we'll close it out tonight. He's kind of both First in the middle
of the year Rod review and but the whole dechy probo portion of it,
I had a fail you go to have a felity to talk about tempest,
and I kind of agree that it was at Becky's that's problem. That's this
year the general has to have has it had a great year cost to have
a great problem. So I think that's just behind her at this point.
She's just you know, she already has a book coming out later on this
year. She's like she is a mother, she is established. He's not
all she's She's done all she can do. As I guess this versus of
the man character from twenty eighteen till now and the big the only big thing
for Becky to do at this placed the face of very Ripley of WrestleMania and
now once she gets booed at Wressemania, probably still, I don't know,
she's I don't know, probably still, But that's the biggest match for Becky
to do and for Ria both to do coming out of Wressemania. I don't
know what those that's that's that's up to debate, what they have heard or
that debate is up in the air what they do with Becky Lynch after Wrestle
India. But just as for me, I've been a fan of Becky since
her time she came up to the main roster till now, and I'm still
a fan of Becky. I will agree though that her character I was because
she's just been there for a very long time and she's, like I said,
establi it, I've published a lot, and Ria Ripley and Beyoncapella Bolls
are the new toys now in the woman's division that they would have focused on.
And I love very Ripley. I love Yaca Belair as well. Devs
a fan of both, and so maybe this is her, this is their
time is not ending, but her time as that top star or as a
champion is over we at this point. So that's what two sets of beck
get this point. I think it's it's just it's just to the point where
she Becky said all she could do and now it's just all about out rare
Ripley at biacapell Air, which is fine, which is great because I like
I guess I was of Biaka every of both and focus on every other person
was vigificate them an opportunity. So that's just where some doctor that get this
point in her career. So yeah, I see, that's just the problem
is that get this way. So that's a two sets of what I would
say about that, because I know Becky David was cup of tea at this
plate and I somewhat get it, understand it. I guess she's a great
rest of there. But with us, the promos is like hit or miss.
So that's what it comes down to Becky for me for that, though
I'm the big fan of her, I will agree that it's often one with
Becky lately. So there's a two tests there. But they strow qualify.
Kyleie bring up a pretty good point here. I mean, it does reiterate
my point, So it's not a self serving compliment. It's really not because
the element that I haven't really dove into is about Becky is that you just
brought up. She's a mom, very well established, she brings that up
any many times. And she said that she's done, there is everything that
there is to do, and it's like, okay, so like, why
why should I care about pushing you to the top anymore? As a fan?
When you tell me you've done everything there is to do and it's great
being a mom and all the like, it's like, all right, so
what is my support going to do for you or help you accomplish that you
haven't already accomplished. It takes a little bit of the support out and steam
out of the support for her, because it's not like fans supporting somebody that's
the underdog anymore. You know, fan supporting someone that hasn't made it to
the top yet that you want to see get pushed and see what it looks
like. Becky is admitting we've been there, done that, So it's like,
all right, well, then why do you need us anymore? I
think maybe that's the missing key And in terms of why the support for Becky
has waned on top of her promos, as we've mentioned, which her promos
is not just last week with her cheersing us and talking about having serious conversations
and difficult conversations with an fing three year old give me a break, which
is a whole bunch of nonsense. But also the promos with her rhyming and
NXT. If you've seen that over the last four or five months, that
was horrific. Her promos in general have been annoying and just boring. But
I know I'm pissing off some of these fans here. I know, Shahar,
I know you're listening, going, that's my girl, and she is.
I know she's your girl, and a lot of others. And I
have the utmost respect for Becky Lynch. Okay, she has accomplished almost everything
there is to do and you can't ever take that away from her. But
I'm talking about the right now. The right now Becky Lynch is it's like
I'm watching a rerun every week and she's trying different outfits and trying to cheers
us with an alcoholic beverage or whatever she had, and trying to be relatable.
I appreciate that, but it's not clicking. You may love her,
you may support her, you may not like my comments. It doesn't change
reality that the fans I think are not going to be behind her in the
way that they're behind Rea Ripley. I mean, it's a feeling that you
just you just as a wrestling fan, you know it's coming. The support
for Ria Ripley is superseding the support for Becky Lynch when you put those together,
especially when you put those two in a ring in WrestleMania, forget it.
And if I eat my words, I eat my words. But to
me, that's how I feel, and I've felt for a while. And
Becky Lynch, what's the solution? I don't know. See that's the thing.
Someone is gonna come to me and say, well, you're complaining about
her all the time. How does she fix it? I honestly don't know.
I don't know what the solution is. Maybe it is turning her into
a heel again, but a different kind of heel, turning her hair black,
changing her music, having her go a little goth, maybe I don't
know, something extreme, maybe having her join a group. I really don't
know. Maybe it is extreme, maybe it's subtle. Maybe you stay the
course and hope things just pan out and the fans get behind her again.
But the fans have kind of moved on from Becky. They helped make her
a star, and now they see another big star in the making in Rhea.
She's different, she looks different, she feels different, she talks different,
and she's more physically imposing than a lot of the women. She's fun
to get behind, the mommy thing's on fire. All of it right now
is clicking with Rhea, and they feel like Becky Lynch is kind of like
we've been there, done that. I just feel like that's the sense of
the fans. She's like a legacy star in her in her prime. It's
weird, but at the same time, again, she's one of the greatest
to ever do it. So all right, well, thanks Kyle good point
and all you Becky supporters. I get it. I'm sure you don't like
my words, but at some at some level, you know they're probably true
when it comes to fans support and that they're just not there's not that connection,
that strong connection that used to exist with the fans. It's just not
there. Now. You may say, well, she's getting a positive reaction.
She is, but there's an extra layer that's not there for Becky right
now that used to be there has been missing for a while. So all
right, thank you so much, Kyle, And what do we have one
or two more let's find out. Hell well, Matt, this is the
gardener, Michael Gross and I just wanted to say, on behalf of everybody
who's on the team Wrestle Magic, a very happy birthday to you. I
also want to say a happy Valentine's Day to over all of our couples.
I love you, Jennifer, if you're listening, I doubt you are,
and Rocky and Missus T and of course Memphis, Mark and Melissa. You
know, all of our couples out there, mister and missus casual wrestling fan,
all of you. Happy Valentine's Day. I hope you have a great
time you celebrated. Aside from that, the money left on the table,
Nickols is still not wrestling. Can we just talk about that. The guy
needs to wrestle. He has years left And if nobody's ever seen his matches
with Cody in the NWA or his matches with Cody on some of the free
aw shows, please YouTube it, because probably one of the best wrestlers that's
not going to wrestle at WrestleMania is playing a different role have a good day.
Bye, mister Gardner. It's been a long time, my friend.
We should do a show together. It's been too long. And you know
what, Memphis Mark who by the way, I don't know if I'm a
lot of people know he's here, Memphis Marcus here because of a connection with
Michael. So hey, I do thank you so much and for the birthday
wishes and all that, and yeah, it's it's been a it's been a
lot of fun with you guys, I gotta say. And you guys add
a lot to the show. And I know the fans are listeners are very
appreciative of it. But Nick Aldus, yeah, I mean I saw some
of his works. He's a good worker. He's a good worker, to
say the very least. And you're right, if anybody hasn't seen those matches,
I haven't seen all of them. I'm not going to sit here and
pretend to have. I've seen enough of it to analyze his work and go,
yeah, he does. Looking at him now, he does have some
years left. And at the same time, though, is it worth sacrificing
a GM that is one of the most perfectly placed and cast gms of all
time? I mean, We already have a lot of wrestlers. You know,
WWE's roster is stacked. So is it worth sacrificing a guy that actually
adds to the show because he's so good and done, He's so well done
and well executed. Is it worth sacrificing that to put him in what I
mean, I'd like to know what for what reason? You know what I
mean. There's got to be a really good reason to take him out of
that role and make him a wrestler again, unless you're proposing he just wrestles
a couple times, but he still stays GM. So all right, thanks
buddy. One more because I am on the end of my voice, hanging
on. There have been so many cuts in this show. You guys like
with the magic of editing, have no idea. I've been coughing and hacking
like a animal throughout the show, but you wouldn't know it because I keep
pausing. So all right, let's get to the final voice fail act to
French guy here your currents European champion. Wow, what a press conference that
was last week. That's what I'm talking about. I wanted Roman Rains versus
the Rock. However, I can totally and I was not expecting the Rocks
to side with Roman Reigns. I have to say that was a really really
clever move, making in a way everyone happy by involving the Rock in the
blowline storyline and having Cody Rose finish his story. But guys, what do
you expect? Do you expect who you to win? No? I don't
think it will win at WrestleMania. But that's another story. So what a
week in wrestling? That was absolutely Cinema. The press con first was Cinema.
I watched it live from France, so it was two am in the
morning in France. I did not regret any bit of it. But that's
not the subject of today. I have to say to you, Matt,
that's not the first time I don't agree with you on MJF. I really
love the guy. That's one of my favorite supersized the moments. I think
he's super good at promos, but I really think that's a mistake of him
coming to WWE. I think he is the NJF because of aw because he
has this creative freedom, and also because he has the right to say like
trash worlds and also some you know, he is doing a freedom of speech
in a way in AW which you don't have in WWE. And I don't
think that him coming to WW is a good idea at the moment. I
think he needs to build himself as quote unquote undeniable. And that's probably for
this week by guys. All right, Uh, Alex, thank you for
uh for contributing every week and I appreciate it. So the Rock, or
rather MJF, let me just talk about that, because I feel like I've
talked about Cody Roman and Rock for two hours. MJF, whether people want
to believe it or not, at some point in our lives, is at
WWE bound. He is WW bound because you know it's it's it's meant to
happen. What do I mean by that? Eventually he's going to look around
and go, you know what, I've made all the money I need to
make here. I want to actually I want to actually expand my career.
I want to work with guys that have never worked with before. I want
to increase my star power. I want to increase my name brand value.
How do I do that? Oh, I don't know. Go to a
brand that actually has a foothold established for many decades all over the world.
Some places don't even know what AW is still right. The ratings pan it
out too. The ratings are up and down. The attendance is a lot
of people have seen on social media is up and down and great and not
right. So eventually MJF is gonna stop caring about the dollars and start caring
more about his his own brand, and his own brand is going to expand,
I think in a bigger way in WWE. Right now, he's a
big fish in a small pond, just a fact, and when he comes
to WW he'll be a big fish in a big pond, I think.
And sure, stay in AW. Haven't to stay in AW. I think
he will for now based on all the reports I'm hearing, and have him
continue to just do what he does best, run his mouth and be able
to have really good matches, stay in shape, don't get in trouble outside
of the company. That's it. And I think he'll do that, which
will increase his you know, his his own value, which will increase,
of course, the price that W will eventually pay to get him whatever his
next contract is up. I'm gonna guess if he has a contract with AW
right now, it's another three or four years. At that point, I
think he's going to say bye bye and come to w WWE. So we're
looking at what twenty twenty seven, twenty twenty eight, probably the next presidential
cycle. But that said, though, you're the argument about well WW doesn't
allow freedom of speech, so does well freedom of freedom of creative control?
Is? I think what you really meant? And you got to remember the
old man ain't there anymore. Mister Paul Levec is the guy in charge.
Now. He's not going to just let MJF say whatever he wants, of
course, I mean within PG rules, but he can say he is.
Here's a perfect example. One of the best promos that cmpunk, or rather
i'm sorry MJF had I just buried the lead was against cmpunk a few years
ago when cmpunk returned and MJF collided with him and they met in the ring.
It was one of the best promos that MJF cut and he didn't have
to. He said, maybe, what a couple of cuss words, But
no one remembers the cuss words. They remember the content of the promo,
how you delivered it. You don't need four letter words to make an effective
promo. MJF does not need to say the S. I can't say down
the show because we're pg the F word the S word. He doesn't need
that. The flexibility of cussing that ww currently has will work fine with what
he needs to deliver and how he delivers his promos. So I'm not worried
about that. But as far as creative control, I mean, we've seen
it be allowed with a lot of stars that don't need a script. Cmpunk
currently has that with WWE doesn't need a script. We know that MJF same
thing. And you know what, the guys that are currently in WWE can
vouch for MJF, like Punk, like Cody Rhods, so he has some
connections here. So I mean, I'm not worried about that, Especially with
Vince McMahon gone and all that. I think that that will lend itself to
really open up the creative open up the promos to exactly what helps make MJF
MJF. It would make no sense for WWE to pay MJF a boatload of
money to come to WWE if he did, and then take away the one
thing that really helped him make that money and really force WWE to pay him
that much to come here in the first place, which is his mic work.
Why would they take away the one thing that they paid for, you
know what I mean? I mean, sure, his n ring I think
is undervalued. I don't think people pay attention to his in ring because his
microphone, his micwork is just so superior to everyone else's. But you're I
mean, you're paying for an insane a good promo, a plus plus plus
plus promo, and you're paying for I think a minus work in ring,
which is not a slight on his ringwork. His his promo work is just
that good. But again, just to reiterate, and then I'll close it
out here, they wouldn't pay MJF to come to WWE and then take away
the one thing they paid for him to come to WWE four. So that's
my thought. But all right, thank you so much everybody. I'm going
to now take a few cough drops. I'm gonna lay down and I'm gonna
ride out SmackDown, which just has started as I record this. It's eight
o'clock Eastern time, so I hope you all enjoy SmackDown. Obviously, we'll
have our SmackDown review up tomorrow with Michael Ritter, who does an excellent job,
and then Sunday I'll be joined with a co host. Amanda from the
UK is going to join me on Sunday for the week in reviews, so
I know you guys enjoyed her. We'll be bringing her back on Sunday for
her thoughts on everything going on. And until then, take care guys.
Thanks so much, I'll talk to you next time. Thanks for listening to
the WWE podcast. Don't forget to subscribe on your favorite podcast app so you
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