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Franklin: AEW Is Not Just A T-Shirt Company

Not just a t-shirt company–it is truly making an impact.

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Cody Rhodes AEW

When businesses refuse to change with the times, the die. Is AEW showing the wrestling world how to evolve?

In early February, AEW held an elaborate press conference in Las Vegas to hype their Double or Nothing Show. The whole night was memorable for a handful of reasons, yet it was a sentence from Cody that has been ringing in my ears since. Dressed to the 9s and looking more like a hotshot comic book hero out sans disguise than a wrestler, he approached the mic and asked: “if not us, who? And if not now… when?”

Recalling it still makes my heart race, and I am reminded of all the seemingly invincible companies that have fallen throughout American history. Sears, not Wal-Mart used to be the undisputed retail king. Now, look at them. Remember Blockbuster? What about Pan Am airlines? Kodak and Polaroid? You were probably bemusing the fall of Toys R Us on social media when it collapsed a few years back, but when was the last time you actually stepped foot in one? When was the last time you had actually given them your business?

Borders, Tower freakin’ Records and General Motors, all blown aside. Replaced. Forgotten.

As I list these companies, I realize they all have another thing in common. One thread that binds them all into a combustible package. They all built a sizable lead over their competition, grew complacent and refused to change with the times. Failed to innovate and remain creative, thus cutting themselves off at the legs.

That sound like any company you know? If that doesn’t scream WWE, I don’t know what does. I don’t know Vince McMahon. I don’t think I’ve ever been in the same state as him, let alone in the same room. Yet we can figure out certain aspects of owners by looking at how their companies do business. Think about Tesla. We know what they are about because Elon Musk is so prominent in our news feeds and headlines. What about your favorite sports teams? The owners’ willingness to spend and take risks is a direct reflection of their values as a human being.

WWE is stubborn, constantly bucking against what fans want to see, seemingly because it just can. All the while, the company tells us that (feel free to read this in Triple H’s voice in your head) we the fans don’t know what we want, only they do. We don’t understand “the business” and Vince, he’s been in the game longer than anyone.

He’s the only Game in Town for a reason. Well, not anymore, pal.

Decades ago, the idea of titans of the industry falling would have been laughable. But times change. So do people, and what they want to see out of their entertainment. Gone are the days of laugh tracks and segregated comedy shows. Recall the countless empires that have come and gone; the ruthless dictators that seemed immortal, only to have their outdated ideas get recontextualized and swept to the side.

Vince is supposed to be more irreplaceable than these humans? Get real. Maybe in his own mind, but the reality will be cold and taste a lot like black and gold.

AEW has the flexibility and size to respond to crowd reaction with haste. While the WWE can’t seem to tell a good story to save its tanking ratings–to save its life–creative from the upstart will come from the performers themselves. The guys and gals who’re feeling the response will get to react to it, free from the worry that has crippled the WWE and their ability to tell compelling stories.

Many have said that All Elite Wrestling is just a t-shirt company. That’s already proven to be laughable. Is AEW guaranteed to take down WWE? Of course not. Yet the company seems poised to, at the very least, sweep the leg. And who knows where this thing will go once it’s on the proverbial ground.

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Opinion

Chris King: Is Brock Lesnar Truly Retired?

Brock Lesnar retired at WWE WrestleMania 42, right? Are we totally sure? Chris King asks…

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Brock Lesnar WWE WrestleMania 42 Retirement

Brock Lesnar retired at WWE WrestleMania 42, right? Are we totally sure? Chris King asks…

At WrestleMania 42, ‘The Beast Incarnate’ Brock Lesnar took off his boots and gloves following his loss to Oba Femi. Lesnar has done it all inside of his twenty-four-year career in professional wrestling. He’s a ten-time WWE Champion and former UFC Heavyweight Champion, and he’s one who ended The Undertaker’s undefeated streak at WrestleMania. 

While Lesnar was in the ring, he was visibly overwhelmed with emotion and crying while he thanked the fans in his own way. The Beast even threw up an x to signal to Paul Heyman, his longtime friend and advocate, that this was not scripted and was real. There had been rumors that Lesnar and Oba were supposed to have a series of matches before everything went down at Mania. 

‘The Career Killer’ Gunther was doing Heyman’s bidding as he faced Seth Rollins for a favor. For a while now since Gunther retired Goldberg, John Cena, and AJ Styles, the rumor has been Gunther was set to retire Lesnar in his hometown at this year’s SummerSlam event. There’s been no confirmation if Lesnar is truly retired, but on this week’s episode of Friday Night SmackDown, we saw Heyman talking with General Manager Nick Aldis. Later that night following Rhodes’ match against the debuting Ricky Saints, Gunther choked out the WWE Champion. Could this be the favor from Heyman? 

I know in the world of professional wrestling we live by the mantra of “never say never,” but what if Lesnar is actually retired and this was WWE’s way of shutting down those rumors about Gunther and Lesnar? What if Gunther’s next program is chasing after the WWE title, and where is Randy Orton at in all of these plans? There are so many questions that need to be answered, hopefully soon!

Chairshot Radio Network

Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!

 MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)

TUESDAY - 4 Corners Podcast (sports)

WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling) 

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FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)

SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast

SUNDAY - 30 Mindless Minutes

CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast: The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history) Unidentified History (Ufology) & Game Gone Wrong (Game of Thrones Universe)


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Opinion

Chris King: Defend The Intercontinental Championship At Backlash!

With WWE Backlash upon us, Chris King wants to see Penta defend the Intercontinental Championship in Tampa!

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Penta WWE Intercontinental Championship WrestleMania 42

With WWE Backlash upon us, Chris King wants to see Penta defend the Intercontinental Championship in Tampa!

This year’s annual Backlash showcase is only a few days away, and while there are many big matches announced, one that definitely should be isn’t on the card. In my opinion, outside of Roman Reigns/Jacob Fatu and Seth Rollins/Bron Breakker, the Intercontinental Championship scene has been stellar over the last month. 

Penta has been an excellent champion, especially after his triumphant title defense in a ladder match against JeVon Evans, Rusev, Dragon Lee, and the Hall of Famer Rey Mysterio at WrestleMania 42. Their ladder match at Mania was one of the best that WWE has produced in a while. 

The momentum never stopped, as on the post-Mania episode of Monday Night Raw, ‘All Ego’ Ethan Page made his debut and was quickly inserted into the Intercontinental title scene. Page had a fantastic showing against his longtime NXT rival Evans and picked up a big win in his debut match thanks to an assist from Rusev. 

All Ego immediately joined forces with ‘The Bulgarian Brute’ Rusev, who was also vying for the Intercontinental Title in his own right. On this week’s episode of Raw, Page and Rusev defeated Evans and Penta. All Ego pinned the champion, making a huge statement and putting him one step closer to getting a title shot. For the past few weeks I’ve been anxiously waiting to see if WWE was going to add this incredible fatal four-way match for the Intercontinental Championship, but it hasn’t happened yet. 

As much as the WWE Universe enjoys witnessing great matches on free television, I truly believe all four superstars deserve the chance to showcase their talents on the PLE. While Penta has done a terrific job as the intercontinental champion, it’s time for a fresh face to hold the prestigious title. Page would make a great braggadocious heel that would help elevate the Intercontinental Championship to new heights!

Chairshot Radio Network

Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!

 MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)

TUESDAY - 4 Corners Podcast (sports)

WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling) 

THURSDAY - Nefarious Means

FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)

SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast

SUNDAY - 30 Mindless Minutes

CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast: The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history) Unidentified History (Ufology) & Game Gone Wrong (Game of Thrones Universe)


Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!

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