Shawn Michaels’ Reaction to DX Invading WCW
…
Tag: today
Bischoff on Wrestling Recap – Working as a Guest Referee, Bret Hart in WCW, Why Was Bischoff Hired in TNA? More!
Bischoff is joined on today’s show by his co-host Nick Hausman. Today’s show will be a question and answer session with Bischoff.
One listener writes into the show and asks Bischoff what he considers to be the new key performance indicator for professional wrestling, since television ratings are starting to become out of date. Bischoff thinks that’s a great question and he’s not really sure if the answer. There’s no denying that television ratings were his main consideration in WCW in the late 90s, but today’s promotions don’t seem to be nearly as motivated by ratings alone.
Another listener asks Bischoff if he thinks finishing moves are beginning to become obsolete. Bischoff says that the style of professional wrestling that we see today requires different things from the performers, and finishing moves aren’t nearly as ‘effective’ as they have been in years prior. Fans seem to enjoy multiple false finishes in matches, and this devalues finishing moves. He believes the devaluation of finishing moves is a result of the change in the in-ring product over the last two decades.
The next listener asks Bischoff what it was like to be a guest referee. Bischoff says that he hated it, and he always felt very uncomfortable. Being a professional wrestling referee is an art within itself, and it takes a lot of time and practice in order to master. He points out that a good referee does more than count to 3, they direct the match and are as important to the match’s execution as the two talents involved.
Vince Russo’s The Brand Recap – Balor’s Promos Need Work, Meltzer Disrespects Al Snow, When Will Corbin Cash in? More!
Russo is joined on today’s show by his co-host Jeff Lane.
Speaking about the new Elias Samson/Finn Balor feud, Bruce Mitchell from PWTorch recently said that Samson needs programs like this, because he can learn from Balor and Balor can carry him in the ring. Russo says if we look at it from a promo perspective, he hasn’t seen Balor cut a good one yet, and Samson has been cutting great promos ever since he arrived on the main roster.
From a promo perspective Samson can ‘eat Balor alive’, but all these ‘journalists’ just look at things based on the in-ring product. Russo still wonders where Balor’s ‘Demon’ character is, and if the ‘Demon’ isn’t going to be a regular part of Balor’s presentation, Balor is going to have to show us more on the mic.
Russo also comments on the notion that perhaps Finn Balor doesn’t want to cover his face with paint every night because he’s a mark for himself and he wants to build his own brand. Russo says that this can happen when talents start to buy into their own hype from the niche audience. Today’s Superstars will never get over like Hulk Hogan or Steve Austin, because they don’t even understand what it takes to be a star in the wrestling business.
Lana Shoots Down Rumors of Her Inheriting Eva Marie’s Gimmick
While recent reports would suggest that Lana inherited the gimmick that was originally planned for Eva Marie, Lana is saying otherwise. During an interview with USA Today, she claims that she is still using the “Ravishing Russian” gimmick she previously had while she was managing Rusev.
“I’m the same ‘Ravishing Russian’ that you’ve always known. It’s funny to me when I hear people say that it’s a new character. I embody ‘Ravishing.’ I come out in the most ravishing dress. I have a ravishing entrance. I’m ravishing people’s hearts. I was managing Rusev and wearing a suit because if you’re managing someone or an agent in real life, you are going to wear a suit to work. Right now, I’m the focal point, I’m the one competing. If people know anything about Russians, we do things really over the top. We wear high heels everywhere. We show up in the most extravagant outfits. I am just embodying how I was raised and what I grew up in. Some people might think we’re extra, I just think we’re ravishing. I’m the same woman, I’m just going to be crushing people myself.”
You can check out her full interview at this link.
Austin Aries Says He’s Not Taking Time Off
While speaking to Josh Barnett of USA Today, Austin Aries addressed reports that he was taking time off from WWE soon. He explained that the quote from the interview he was featured in was taken out of context.
“If you look at the full quote and what I said was, Everyone is dealing with various stuff,” Aries said. “I don’t think there is anyone in the locker room is 100%. We’re all nicked and banged up to various degrees. Like anything else, you pick and choose the times you need address when it needs to be addressed and some times are better than others. I figure no matter what interview I do, the real good ‘journalists’ are going to find the completely irrelevant quotes that will drum up some controversy and stick it on their page to get some clicks and completely miss the real context of what the interview is about. That’s what we do nowadays and call it ‘journalism.’”