Opinion
Korey: Will The WWE & FOX Deal Be The Ultimate Sell-Out Of The Wrestling Business?
Is WWE selling out its own business with the FOX deal?
Korey Gunz wonders out loud if WWE is selling out their own business by heading to FOX.
I was driving in my car last Saturday, listening to the Fox Sports Radio Network, when a certain commercial caught my attention. It was an ad for Fox, marketing some of its various radio and TV offerings, with a lot of noise going on in the background. The announcer then remarks alluding that the noise is two of its premier radio hosts “practicing for WrestleMania.” The spot ended with the tagline “we cover all the sports, even the fake ones.”
Did I just hear that correctly? Did the Fox network, who has made a billion dollar deal with the WWE, just run an ad that openly called its newest acquisition “fake?” And on WrestleMania weekend no less?
Wrestling is not “fake.” Though the WWE is obviously comfortable being “sports entertainment,” it still pushes (and rightfully so) that its superstars are true athletes that put their bodies on the line for the viewers’ sake every time they get in the ring. What they do is just as athletic and physically taxing as any other feat a professional athlete might perform. You may characterize wrestling as “predetermined” or “choreographed,” but it is definitely not fake (unless you are at Joey Ryan’s Penis Party). Physically, what you see is what you are getting. Of course kayfabe has long been dead in professional wrestling, and I’m not here to give a “it’s still real to me” speech, but the ad I heard last week was still a little jarring and, as a wrestling fan, gave me cause for concern. Even in today’s era, the “F Word” strikes a chord in both those in and outside of the business.
Elisa looks great in her Chairshot t-shirts. You can too!
Get yours at https://www.prowrestlingtees.com/related/thechairshot.html
We have heard reports that Fox plans to really push WWE programming on its channels, even including a studio-based show on Fox Sports Network, and Triple H has gone on record as recently as this week that Smackdown will be a “reimagined version.” What that might mean is yet to be determined. The worry, as perhaps evidenced by this recent radio ad, is that the Fox network is only quasi-embracing professional wrestling with a tongue in cheek approach. I could not imagine ESPN, by comparison, running an advertisement like the one I heard on FSN. And if this is the approach being taken, and if the WWE plays along, it would be the ultimate disrespect to the wrestling business and the people in it. Not only that, but think of the damage the WWE could do to its own brand by allowing Fox to control its message. Do you think a Rhonda Rousey or even a Brock Lesnar, athletes that pride themselves on their reputations and accomplishments in the UFC, would allow themselves to be associated with a company that is openly mocked by its TV partners? And ultimately, who has benefited more from these types of associations- the WWE or the individuals themselves? I would argue the WWE has. A “fake wrestling promotion” has no chance of fostering these types of relationships in the future if that is the road they allow themselves to be thrown down.
Must Listen:
The Outsider’s Edge Wraps Up WrestleMania Week!
Yes, being on Fox might have its benefits, and we have seen numerous examples that the WWE is not above compromising itself or its “values” for the sake of a huge payday. But one would hope that the intent of partnering with a major network television company would be to expand your product, establish its worth, and legitimize it to the masses, not to reduce it back to a weekly punchline for “real” sports broadcasters. And maybe I am overreacting or reaching a bit here. As a fan, I hope that I am.
@KoreyGunz
@KYWrestleReport
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!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
Opinion
Chris King: Is Brock Lesnar Truly Retired?
Brock Lesnar retired at WWE WrestleMania 42, right? Are we totally sure? Chris King asks…
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)
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!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
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!
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!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
-
News5 days ago
Former New Day Duo Xavier Woods and Kofi Kingston Announced for GalaxyCon
-
Headline News4 days ago
Former Wyatt Sicks Announced for WrestleCon Under New Names
-
Headline News7 days ago
WWE Announces AAA TripleMania 34 as Two-Night Event; Night Two Set for Mexico City
-
Headline News7 days ago
IYO SKY Defeats Asuka at WWE Backlash 2026, Receives Apology and Hug




