Down The Middle Episode 91: Heel John Cena

[00:00:14] Welcome everyone to Down The Middle, bear with us one moment because oh YouTube's getting faster with those notifications. Come on there little buddy. Oh well that's weird because for some reason I didn't. What gives? I have the world's worst tablet though to be fair. Doesn't make sense why the tablet hasn't got it yet. Down The Middle podcast. That's super weird. This tablet is so slow. No problem. I'll just check it on my phone first.

[00:00:53] Got to do our obligatory audio check. Can you say something anything? Is it working out? Or is it loud enough now? You're a little low but it's not terrible. Alright give me one second. Let me...

[00:01:33] It's not bad. There you go. I can't tell. It doesn't sound much different to me. I think you got lower somehow. Oh yeah I did. I did. Wrong way.

[00:02:04] Okay. You're good now. Welcome everybody to the Down The Middle podcast. This podcast tonight is brought to you by... Who is this podcast brought to you tonight? I already forgot our sponsors. Ah! Brought to you tonight by Vizzer.ai and by Revival, book one of the Unveiled Book Series. We will give you guys more details about them as the show goes along. But uh... Holy crap. John Cena's heel.

[00:02:34] Yeah I know. The thing we never thought we would see and Triple H has given it to us. Triple H and The Rock. I think this is more The Rock. Yeah I kind of thought like he would because it was like his last goal and all. You know. I don't... I don't... I'm... I have so much to say about this but we'll get there because we have some other things. Um... First of which being also... That bitch is back. Yeah. That's not derogatory. That was her thing in AEW.

[00:03:04] Ha ha ha. Everybody if you watch the program you know I've been a fan of Jade since day one. Like... Yeah. I've always been a fan of Jade Cargill but um... And holy crap WWE can tell a better storyline in less than five minutes. Yeah I like Jade. Um... It was another girl that looks so much like Jade. I thought it was her at first. At... At Elimination Chamber? Oh she's in NXT. Oh I know who you're talking about. Yeah. Uh... Lash Legend?

[00:03:34] Yeah. Nobody... Nobody looks like Jade. I... I agree. She's tall. Yeah. She's tall. She's black. She... Yeah. But that... That's about it. Nobody looks like Jade. But... That being said um... Super stoked for what they're doing with Jade because once again though... Triple H watches the show man. Because what did I say when... When Jade first came to WWE and she was doing the...

[00:04:03] The... The friend group with uh... Bianca Belair and Naomi. I said... She has to be a babyface now cause she's just coming in. She's a name. They're pushing her. But... Mark my words. It's eventually gonna be her and Bianca Belair and... As if prophesied from on high... It's gonna be Bianca Belair and Jade Cargo. I don't know if it's gonna be WrestleMania but there's clearly a storyline going.

[00:04:30] Yeah I was wondering that. I'm assuming they might... Well they might have a match. Like a small match. Maybe. I think this story's gonna go further than that though but I think they might. I think so. They might. Um... Speaking of though... Bianca Belair... Bearair? Yeah. Bianca Belair. Belair. Um... Looked real good during the Elimination Chamber. Oh yeah, yeah.

[00:04:55] And is it just me or did she get some... Some more definition? Like she'd been in the gym. For me she looks the same. Really? I don't know. Might have been. Maybe they get... Maybe it's the different cameras. Yeah. I always like that. I don't know. From the time she got there, yes. Since to now, absolutely. Oh I mean recently. But eh... Maybe that's just me. But... Anyway. Looked good. Um...

[00:05:24] I gotta be honest. Um... Elimination Chamber for me, it was basically... I only really cared for the... It's because... They weren't bad matches. I just... I only cared about the Elimination Chamber matches because... Yeah. I... You know... The women's match was first so I was invested. And then the only reason I watched the pay-per-view, I made time for it, was because I saw... On social media, I saw John Cena kicking Cody in the Nards.

[00:05:51] And then I immediately... I immediately closed the video and I said, I... I... I... I... Oh man. I got... I can't watch any more of this. I gotta watch Elimination Chamber because if this is what I think it is... Mm-hmm. I'm gonna wanna see it. And it was exactly what I thought it was and more. Um... Actually... Could... I... I'm hoping you can clarify one thing for me because I think I missed it. The watch that Cody... It... It... It's been...

[00:06:17] From what I understand, the watch that Cody was wearing is what The Rock gave him... Before last year's WrestleMania, right? I honestly have no idea. Okay. I didn't know where it was like the significant it played and like... I think it was... Was it Dusty's watch? Maybe. I don't know. Somebody can correct me in the comments. That's... That's the indicate... That was what I inferred. Uh-huh.

[00:06:47] But, um... It was super weird seeing Cena act heel. It was very weird. In the best way possible. It was... It was... It wasn't for me. Like... Like, it was like too much of like a telltale sign that he was gonna turn... Like, when he was doing the... The false clapping or over his side or over... I don't know. Happy. For the other guy. For Cody. And... I was like, okay, nevermind.

[00:07:17] He's gonna kick him or something. The memes though. Oh my gosh. The memes have been... So good. Like, just that resting Cena face. Like... Yeah, it's been... These memes have been wonderful. And then one of my favorite ones... I've already forgotten. Who's the... The athlete... Who was with them?

[00:07:46] Oh, he's a rapper. Oh, is he a rapper? Yeah, yeah, yeah. Travis Scott. Oh, yeah, he is a rapper. That's right. Yeah. I think it was an athlete. My favorite meme thus far though has been like the cartoon of King Ghidorah with the two serious heads and then the doofy one in the middle. Oh, okay. And then on top of that, it's the Rock Cena and Travis Scott in the middle. Because the whole time I was literally like, why is he here? I said the same thing. I think because...

[00:08:13] Well, he sings the theme song or something to resume or something, I think. Oh, that would make sense. Speaking of which, this is another fun thing. Speaking of theme songs, I... Unintentionally, the band Poppy, or is it the artist Poppy? It's one of the two. Provided the theme song for Olympian Ancient Chamber and they were playing it and I'm like, sounds really familiar. I discovered that song maybe a month ago. And I was like, oh, this is badass. And then when I...

[00:08:44] When they were playing it, I'm like, why does this sound so familiar? That would be why. Yeah, I heard before. I can't remember what song that I liked of. I've liked a couple thus far. It's really... Because I became, thanks to WWE actually, I became a really big fan of the band New Year's Eve. Or New Year's Day, not New Year's Eve. So I've gone through this period that never really stopped.

[00:09:11] But for a minute there, I was like really listening to like heavy chick metal is the only term I can come up with it. Because it's a female vocalist that screams. And it's really hard stuff. And through that, I was getting reacquainted with New Year's Day. And Hoppy came up on the recommended and I was like, okay, I dig this. There's a few bands like... I got back into baby metal.

[00:09:41] Hey man, I'm telling you, don't sleep on baby metal. Baby metal is the shit. It's like you're listening to it and you're like, this should not work. But somehow... Somehow it does. But yeah, so Elimination Chamber, I'd give it a solid B-. It's not like it was a bad show, but the beginning and end are great and then the middle is just kind of there for me. Yeah, I feel the same. I would say anywhere from like a C- to a B-.

[00:10:09] I mean, but the beginning and end were really good. Like the story... The story that the women's Elimination Chamber told, the stories I should say, were phenomenal. I was actively engaged the whole time. I'm curious to see where it goes. And in the men's, it was really Cena Punk. But it was good. You know? Yeah, I heard Koei got hurt because of the guy, the rapper, hit him in the air or something like that.

[00:10:39] I wouldn't be surprised. But Jim, it hurt. Or like a busted air drum or something like that. Probably. But so the other thing that Travis Scott did, and this is a me thing. But it really annoys me when people are on television, especially if it's live. But when people are on live, it's supposed to be doing something and he keeps hitting that damn energy drink like every two seconds. It was weird. He was in the corner like doing stuff with his hands. Yeah. And he was back in his belly.

[00:11:09] Yeah. It was kind of like. He was smoking a cigarette or something. Yeah, I couldn't tell if he was hitting a vape pen or not. Like, it's just like, brother, brother, just. First of all, you shouldn't even be there. But if you're going to be there, just chill out. They aren't there for you. Not right now. But like wrestlers, wrestlers with gum. Annoyed the crap out of me, too. So they're sitting there cutting a promo and they're just going. At least we can't hear it.

[00:11:39] That's all I'm going to say. But like. Now, that being said, I know why some of them use gum in the ring, because it's a really good way to make it look like you're losing a tooth. Like if somebody kicks you in the face and you just launch that thing. But if you got a promo spot, I don't get it. Like, it's whatever. But yeah. So, Cena's a heel now. And my question is, do we think Cena's going to win the title from Cody at WrestleMania?

[00:12:09] He probably will. Just to beat the record. The thing, it doesn't really do nothing for me. He'll be a heel for eight months. When they retire. Yeah, see, this is my thing. So here's what I really want from heel John Cena. Yeah. Because I'm. I'm. Oh, no, I didn't mention. I've mentioned this on other podcasts already. So I'm getting confused.

[00:12:32] So this is brilliant because I'm pretty sure that Chris Van Vliet helped plant this seed and solidify to the higher ups that this was a good idea. Because if you recall. I think it was last year, but John Cena did an interview with Chris Van Vliet, which are always good. In fact, I just recently watched one he did with AJ Styles. Okay. Nothing made me want to go back and watch old TNA more. I have to see it.

[00:13:01] It's very good. Yeah, that one was also really good. But the one with AJ was really good. But anyway, Chris Van Vliet has an interview with Cena and it comes up. He basically asked. I don't remember the verbiage exactly, but he asked Cena like, was there ever a plan for you to turn heel? And then Cena revealed actually there was. And it got changed at the last minute because he already had new ring gear. He already had a new song recorded. And then he drops this one. He says, I still have the masters.

[00:13:30] So he has the song. Oh, that's cool. Now what I want from heel Cena, I want that new ring gear. I want that new theme song. I want full blown heel Cena. But to your point, if it's only up to WrestleMania, it's going to be like as Jim Cornette would say a popcorn fart. I want Cena to win that title and go for another year. Yeah, yeah, absolutely. Absolutely. Yeah. And here's the thing. Yeah.

[00:14:00] So what I'm hoping is that this whole like farewell tour was just a. A gimmick. Yeah, exactly. But now that he's got the title, he's like. I want champion heel John Cena and that moment. I'm now convinced. Buckle up wrestling fans, because you're going to see a resurgence in wrestling that hasn't been seen since the attitude era.

[00:14:28] I want to be like Mark Henry when he retired. Yeah. I want to be like that. Oh, but. Well, now some people may. Because we've seen it too during that time. Yeah. Now, see, some of you out there may be thinking, Jake, you're being a little. You're being a little dramatic. I'm telling you guys. There's there's things that are happening.

[00:14:55] That are they're not identical to leading up to the attitude era. But a very similar pattern is happening here. Let's review. Raw is now on a new network that reaches a much wider audience than it ever has before. Across the world now, before it was across the United States. And that that happened way back in 1993. But again, so things are happening faster and somewhat in different order. But you'll see what I mean.

[00:15:23] For the first time since WCW, there is now a legitimate competitor, albeit not as big in AEW. But there's a legitimate competitor where now talent are working. WWE is kind of going back to. I'm calling it the attitude era done right because they're going back to those kinds of stories that kind of feel that kind of attitude.

[00:15:50] What with the added benefit of they're still paying attention to like ruthless, agrar, ruthless aggression era style of wrestling. Like not to say I'm not saying that the wrestling was bad in the attitude era, but there was a different emphasis. Oh, absolutely. Because the attitude era was more about the storyline and the action, the drama, all that excitement, explosions. Yeah. And ruthless aggression was more, a little bit more about the wrestling.

[00:16:19] That's when they stopped the gimmick names. A lot of it. It was certainly, yeah, it was certainly more about the athleticism. Like. Absolutely, yeah. Yeah. But the John Cena heel. I mean, the stuff with Drew McIntyre and CM Punk is kind of the same thing. Like, yeah, they had matches, but everybody was watching to see what they would do next. You know? Yeah. The match was almost an obligatory part of the storyline. It's like, we have to do this because it has to go somewhere.

[00:16:49] But you're watching and I'm just seeing element after element. You know, you've got a program with Jade and Bianca now where it's not about a championship. It's not about wrestling. It's about, holy crap, you just beat up my friend for no reason. And I guarantee you, Jade is mad because when she got put out of action, Bianca picked up Naomi and was like, oh, you're my new tag team partner now. He he he. Yeah, that's the, it has to be like. Like it writes it, it writes itself. You know?

[00:17:16] You have to get a new tag team instantly, you know? Yeah. And I mean, it's pretty clear. And this is another very important thing. So your two main drivers of creative in WWE right now are Triple H and The Rock, both of whom were there for the Attitude Era and helped elevate that. So they know how to do it. Like they absolutely know how to tell these kinds of stories.

[00:17:44] It's just that Vince McMahon was convinced that WWE needed to go more PG, which, hey, maybe, maybe not, because as you're probably well aware, everything goes through cycles. Because eventually you have to get new fans in order for your product to exist. Right? So I think just like everything, and this is demonstrably true now, wrestling goes through cycles.

[00:18:09] And we're now coming out of the, we're coming out of the era where they had to appeal to children to get new fans. And we're coming back because those fans, there's a misconception here because a lot of people think that they're returning to the Attitude Era. That's not what I'm saying. Right? I'm saying that they're getting ready to have a resurgence of popularity in wrestling, thanks to the backing of a big giant company like TKO, in part. Yeah. The Rock coming back.

[00:18:37] Like, cause like it or not, The Rock's a big deal. John Cena coming back. Like it or not, John Cena's a big deal. CM Punk coming back. Like it or not, CM Punk's a big deal. But the difference now is, those three people appeal to different fan groups. And then add in your existing talent like Rhea Ripley, Bianca Belair, Liv Morgan, Dominic Mysterio, Gunther.

[00:19:04] You know, all these people, Damien Priest, all these people have fan bases built in. But now they're just appealing to a much wider audience. And I haven't looked at the ratings, but I guarantee you they're going up. In WWE. Not, not, not AEW. I can't see them ever going down. Well, not ever going down, but not for this. I was gonna say, we just need somebody dressed up like a turkey and it'll, it'll go down. Like, yeah. Remember where we came from, folks.

[00:19:36] The gobbledygooker happened. We can't do anything about it. But we can get better. And, um. Yeah, they're clearly and then did you notice too, they are now. Oh, does everybody I don't know why I'm yawning so much. Um, they're now doing combined. They're not combined events. What did they say? They're like, we, oh, they're calling them takeovers actually. TKO takeovers. Cause they're running. Like the same. Yeah.

[00:20:05] The same weekends in the same city, UFC, WWE. And then, um, it's another organization they own. I can't remember what sport it is. Cause I hadn't heard of it until I saw that. But it's like, holy crap. That's so brilliant. Cause it's going to save them a ton on event spaces. I guarantee you. If they can run the same shows at the same event. Yeah. It's going to, it's, it's a no brainer.

[00:20:34] And even that same city, like. It's a big deal. So AEW needs to get their shit together. Like. Cause otherwise they will, you know, everybody says, and I said it too. AEW will exist as long as Tony Khan is willing to pay for it. But. But. If, if you're a television channel or an event. Like space or. Even a city bidding for contracts.

[00:21:02] If you have the option of AEW or WWE. You're, you're an idiot to pick a W over WWE. People are taking a W because it's a smaller venue and they can't get the bigger. The bigger crowd. Yeah. It's a no brainer. So AEW. Get your act together. But speaking of the expansion. We mentioned that WWE has said they're bringing evolve back. Yeah. Do you.

[00:21:31] The first episode. Of it. It was okay. Like, okay. I liked the women's match the most. And then this went kind of downhill. It's usually the opposite, but. Hey. Yeah. Cause. Okay. It was like a 15 minute tag match. Four people I'd never seen in my life. But they were really good. They honestly, they were really, really good. They went on maybe about five minutes more than they should have.

[00:22:01] Yeah. It was like a long match. It was 15, but it felt like 20, 25 even. See, here's, here's the, here's the weirdest thing. And I, I don't know where this comes from, but you'll notice. Like, think about this with some very rare exceptions. Like UFC highlights. Usually like the quickest knockouts.

[00:22:23] Like in, in like those are often the moments that are remembered with the exception of like, there are, there are fights that go the distance and those are, but those are typically the main event. Typically. And again, UFC fans, if I'm wrong, let me know in the comments, but this is what I've come to understand based on what I've seen. Same here. I don't know why.

[00:22:46] It's not as big of a problem in WWE, but I think it's independent wrestling that kind of started this where everybody feels like the, the, they think that a five minute match is like a Cardinal sin. And I get it. It's, it's a different, it's a different audience. Like at a live event, people want to feel like they're getting their money's worth, but for a television recording, you got to keep time and tell a story. So I get it.

[00:23:12] But to me, it seems like if evolve has a lot of people that are coming from the Indies, for example. Yeah. They might still feel like, you know, oh yeah. Tag match has to be 15 minutes. Yeah. It was really good. Both teams were great. One was a little bit better than the other, the one that won, but still. It was like, I don't know. The beginning part drag on who's got to know, like, you never seen these people before. So it's like what they're doing, you know?

[00:23:40] So the beginning part, it was not that good, but then it just really got really better. Yeah. And, and so, like we said, evolve is going to be on to be, um, I need to check it out because that's, it is, it is always really difficult to get into a new wrestling program, but it only takes, it only takes one character. It kind of peaks your interest. Cause that's exactly what happened to me. Yeah.

[00:24:05] Like my, my buddy Joe, who, if you're watching the episodes of weekly wrestling wrap up, it's hot stuff. Joey Holmes, um, hung out at his before I, before he and I lived together, hung out at his apartment. He was watching wrestling and he was watching ECW. And I was like, wait, come on, man, you're into wrestling. Like, come on. Like, you know, it's fake, right? But then, but then I see a match featuring the one and only Rob Van Dam.

[00:24:33] And I'm, you gotta understand at this point in time, I'm also a martial artist. Like I'm heavily into Taekwondo and I'm seeing what this dude is doing. And I'm like, holy crap. Like, so I'm into it. And then, so I start watching ECW and then CM Punk is around and then you start seeing other people. And then of course you inevitably start watching raw and SmackDown. And then before you know it, you're, you're a frigging wrestling fan. So it only takes one. It only takes one. I'm kind of nervous.

[00:25:03] Like NXT. Yeah. But the beginning part of NXT, how it first came out. Well, yeah. Cause NXT is just a third brand at this point. It's, it's become too big. It used to be. It's not developmental. Like that is literally like NXT now is, I shudder to even call it developmental because it's literally like your last opportunity to screw up. Like, cause by the time you're on NXT TV, you're, you're good. It's, it's not like it was at one point.

[00:25:33] Honestly, I think NXT is now more like a proving ground where, you know, you're trying to like, you've got your wrestling fundamentals down. Now it's just polishing your gimmick and finding something that works. But yeah, basically, or it's almost like a fake minor league. Like it's, it's, it's kind of like college athletics. If, if it weren't college, you know what I mean? Yeah. I know exactly what you mean. Yeah. So it's, I guess it's more like minor league. Like, yeah.

[00:26:02] Ricky Starks and whoever they'll sign up. Yeah. Well, yeah. Yeah. I forgot about that. Yeah. Ricky Starks is in NXT. Although what's, what's his new name? I think it's Ricky. Ricky Saint. That's what it is. Oh, Ricky Saint. Yeah. I was, yeah. I really hate that name, but. I hate it so much. Just come. But. Just call him Ricky. This is one time. I don't mind. They cut his last name. Just call him Ricky. That's better than Ricky.

[00:26:30] But that makes me, that makes me think about Ricky Ricardo. I don't want him to, I don't want him to come out singing Babalu. Although if anyone can do it and make it look cool. Ricky Starks can do it. That and if they had, if they ever had, if they ever had, if they ever had, if they ever had a wrestler in NXT that was like just a bad Donald Trump impression, you'd call him little Ricky. Little Ricky's coming out to the ring.

[00:27:01] I think that gimmick would get over surprisingly well, actually. Oh, it will. Well, Conan, a few years ago during Trump's first term, not to get into politics. I just found this hilarious. Conan. I watched Triple Mania one year. I think it was 2016 actually. Now that I think about it, 2016 or 2017. And Conan was in this big battle royale and he came out wearing like a pro Donald Trump shirt. Oh, you did.

[00:27:30] Oh, and then I heard him talking about it afterwards. Oh, I heard him talking about it afterwards on his show. And he was like, bro, it was a heat seeking missile. That's why I did it. He was like, I need, I needed to figure out a way to get them to hate me. And now I'm like, cause I've, I've been doing the stuff in AAA so long. It's kind of like impossible for me to get heat. So I wore that shirt and I was like, yeah, that worked. But that worked really good in Mexico at the time, especially.

[00:28:00] Speaking of AAA, I saw a video earlier today of a really, uh, how shall we say this delicately? A rotund luchadora, uh, injuring herself. And when I say injure, she does a swanton off the apron and lands on her feet. But then it's, it's too much.

[00:28:21] So her, her right, it appears that her right ankle just breaks, but I can't, I couldn't tell if it was her ankle or her actual leg. It might've been the leg. It's like, Oh, I felt so bad for her. But, but given, given I'm not trying to be ugly here, but given her rotundness, I don't know that a somersault landing on your feet was the greatest idea. Oh, I get it now. Yeah.

[00:28:51] I, I, I, I don't, you gotta think there was a moment where she might've been thinking, is this a bad idea? The answer was yes. It's a very bad idea. There was this guy, he's like, I don't know, 450 pounds. He does like the best moonsault I ever seen in my life. Wow. Oh, yes. Oh, that's that.

[00:29:21] That was one of the funnier. Um, what, what was the spot? Um, because remember everybody TNA used to have that six sided ring. Remember that? Oh yeah. AJ, AJ talks about it, which we we've all known for a while that it was, it was not forgiving on, on your back because it's a, it's a tighter, it's a tighter ring. But apparently Kurt angle used to do, Oh, Kurt angle used to do a spot there. It was a belly to back off the top rope.

[00:29:50] And AJ Salas was talking about it. He said he did that in a match and I took it and I told Kurt, I said, Kurt, I'm sorry. He said, never again. He said, never again. He said, but then when they switched back, they did like European tour or something where they were in a four sided ring. And Kurt was like, he's like, Hey man, do you think we can do it? And AJ said, yeah, fine. It was like, and I took it and it was like, by comparison, it was nothing. And I was like, Oh, every night if it's in that ring.

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[00:33:36] Yeah. Well, that's that's a big thing, especially when you're getting started and you don't quite know, especially if you don't have a background in editing, which is a luxury. I forget constantly that other people don't have. Yeah. Yeah. Because to me, it's like, oh, yeah, I can do that. But visitor day. I lets me do it faster. Um, if there was something I'm drawing a complete blank, there was something else I wanted to talk about. I totally spaced it. Was it?

[00:34:06] Uh huh. I do have a question about evolved, though. I'm just curious because I haven't seen it yet. Is it a really plain Jane set or is it pretty cool looking? Oh, no, plain Jane. It was really. Yeah, it's not. It's like. Raw on the ground. Oh, really? Yeah, it's dark. And well, I actually I like that. Like I said, I still. I still love black and gold NXT like the the original.

[00:34:34] Well, not the original, but the the original wrestling program. It's circa 2014. I would say it puts more focus on the wrestlers. Mm hmm. Because there's no advertisements that saw of and there's nothing flashy. Yes, we know you hate the logos in the ring. I absolutely hate. I really. I hate them. We know. And I hate the prime.

[00:35:03] Drink stuff display. I see it. Have you ever. Have you have you ever had a prime? Because I've never had one. I don't know what it tastes like. Unfortunately, I did. I got a money back from it. Did you really? I did. Target. Target. Okay, now I have to hear this story. Oh, yeah. I just got the money back. I was like, it's awful. And.

[00:35:31] So you just went up there and you were like, this drink is hot garbage. I want my money. Yeah. And they gave me back in my dollar and 58 cents. So what you're saying is that you took some of Logan Paul's money. Well, I took back my own money. Well, yeah, but it was his for a brief period of time. For a second. Yeah. And then you said my money is worth more than your prime. So absolutely not that good.

[00:36:01] I didn't think about. Drinks. So many monsters, rock stars. So many different ones. And his is by far the worst one ever takes my life. Oh, see, I've never been. Yeah. Weak. And it's doesn't give you energy. It's awful. It makes my throat dry. It is. I've heard that. I've heard that you might be allergic to one of the ingredients.

[00:36:30] Honestly, that's true. Uh huh. Yeah. You might be because my my nephew is a big monster kid. He likes energy drinks. But I was never really big into energy drinks. I don't like the taste of them. But like, I remember the first time I had a Red Bull, I almost gagged because it was just like, oh, yeah, I had to get used to Red Bull. And back in the day, Red Bull had more touring in it. And it has way less now. So it's a little bit more milder now compared to when.

[00:36:58] If that's true, I haven't had one in a very long time just because I don't I don't typically like citrusy. It's weird. I love citrus drinks, but I don't like carbonated citrus drinks. If you ever try, I won't try the blue one. It's blueberry something or summertime berry. Yeah, but does it. So here here's here's my beef with berry flavors generally is because whether it's carbonated or not, it usually has a really strong like aspartame aftertaste.

[00:37:27] Oh, no, this one. This doesn't. I'm the only one that tastes like a almost a blue slushy. Oh, really? Kind of like that. Yeah. Okay. Unfortunately, this podcast is not brought to you by Red Bull, but hey, call us. I wish you was. But speaking of because like, I don't know. Are you familiar with by like the flavored water drinks? I think so. Okay.

[00:37:55] So I'm a big fan of theirs, but I can only drink the citrus flavors like the mango, the pineapple, the. Okay. Yes. Yeah. The tangerine because all the berry flavors. I don't. First of all, I don't like I dude. I wish I liked coconut because every store you go into that sells by they got the coconut, but I hate it. I hate coconut and nobody ever carries the flavors that I like. Yeah, I just I never have.

[00:38:21] I'm not a like you hate the real coconut or like the artificial sweet candy. Oh, both. I hate both of them. I don't know why I have no I just never liked it. I don't. Yeah, but unfortunately, they always have the coconut and I wish I liked it because I'd love to. To have like coconut water. I think it's it's so weird. I wish I could drink the same thing with coffee. I wish I liked the taste of coffee. I can't stand coffee.

[00:38:51] It's it's horrible to me. You ever had white coffee? What's white coffee? It's like the beans are slightly. Roasted. So this brown and you have to use like a mocha pot to brew it. It's pretty good. I've never heard of it. So the answer is no. No, I thought you're about to say it's coffee for white people. And I was like, I didn't know there was.

[00:39:18] I didn't know there was a designation not being a coffee guy. It's like, yeah, it takes all the flavor out of it. You know, only sugar. Basically, if Starbucks sells it. Speaking of speaking of selling.

[00:39:42] It was funny when seeing a hit Cody with the watch the first time I didn't I didn't literally see Cody do it, but I knew it. I was like, oh, because he went down with there and I'm like, oh, he's gonna. I'm surprised he didn't bleed more. Frankly, I did, too. Yeah. I think it was very frustrated with that because I think he was going for it. Yeah. Honestly, I think that Travis Scott guy in that spot. I don't I'll be honest the way he was acting.

[00:40:12] I don't think he was 100% sober. Oh, no, there's no way. He was grabbing him up and pull him down at the same time. There's no way on earth. He was sober. He was like, which up his way. I'm thinking I was going to I was going to say some segment bad. But it did that, but it lessened the effects of me.

[00:40:41] Oh, speaking of speaking of TNA. Gosh, I saw a video today. It made me uncomfortable. I forget who's in the it might have been styles and angle. But oh, man, I didn't see this match. But Kurt angle, you know, got by color. He bled, but he must have. He must have hit a really big one because there was literally like a pool, like a puddle and you could see the puddle. Still getting bigger on the canvas. And I was like, whoa.

[00:41:12] That was oh yeah, I don't know. I've got this really nostalgic TNA kick and I kind of I've had. The DVD set of AJ Styles, like the story of AJ Styles, but made from TNA in my wish list for a while. And I think I think I might buy it because like I've always been an AJ Styles fan. I just didn't watch TNA that much when it was, you know, back in its heyday.

[00:41:37] I seen some of the matches, but I did see Kurt Angle's debut, which I still think is one of the best moments in wrestling. I'll say it. I also didn't. Yeah, I also didn't know. I've learned this in the AJ Styles interview. Did you know that Kurt Angle's when TNA he was in and this makes sense. He was in TNA longer than he was in WWE. Yeah, I knew but yeah, I was shocked at first because so much he did in WWE that was it felt like he was in it for years, but he was good.

[00:42:06] Well, he was in WWE for like seven years, wasn't he? Yeah, close to that. But I think TNA was like what nine and a half almost 10. Oh, okay. Yeah, and I did see his his match with Samoa Joe the first one they had together which is like yeah, that's that's up there man. That's that's one of the best like it's so frustrating to see what impact wrestling became because TNA back in the day like it had some goofy crap. Don't get me wrong.

[00:42:36] Looking at you clockwork orange house of fun match. But like or what the electric the electric cage that had selective electrocution. But hey, it's not as bad as made it's not as bad as an AEW exploding ring match. Oh, that was horrible. That was sad.

[00:43:06] Sparkles. Oh, no sparklers. It was like Gilbert had more of a better interest than that. That was it had major Gilbert energy. For those of you who don't know what we're talking about just Google Gilbert. Thank us later. Yeah. Oh, gosh.

[00:43:30] Oh, so so the but I bring up the AJ Styles DVD because now that actually AJ was asked about doing a return to TNA for a title and he was like, he was like, I'd love to and I'm like. Please. Just once just just happen like AJ Styles and Nick Nemeth. Come on. That'd be great. Or AJ Styles and Joe Hendry. AJ Styles and anyone.

[00:43:59] AJ Styles and Moose like he doesn't have the title right now, but honestly, I was thinking I know it won't happen, but I was thinking like John Cena goes to the Indies. This is like the only time I could see him going to TNA. No, just for like just to say he went. I agree. Oh, and here's the other thing. Like again, I think these guys are too big in names, but like people forget CM Punk was briefly in TNA. Yeah, so that'd be interesting.

[00:44:27] Now for those of you who don't know CM Punk left. Okay, so this is going back a ways. I think was that in 2002 or 2004 when the Rob Feinstein scandal happened. Oh, wasn't that 2004 when that happened? I think it was 2004. It might have been 2002. I can't remember. Yeah, if you could look that up for me. But anyway, so Rob Feinstein was the founder of Ring of Honor and at the time they had a talent sharing relationship with TNA.

[00:44:58] And but there was a Feinstein got caught talking to people he shouldn't have online and he left the company, but there were still a lot of bad press. So TNA decided to end their relationship and start. Yeah, that was 2004. Yeah, 2004. I thought so. But where was I? Oh, so certain talents had to choose. So he was CM Punk was one of the people that chose to stay in Ring of Honor.

[00:45:26] And then you had AJ Styles who chose to stay in TNA because they were like I said, they were sharing. But so, yeah, CM Punk was briefly in TNA for a couple of years. It's part of Raven's brood. Yeah. Was it? Oh, Raven's flock. Now Raven's brood back then, too. Yeah. The Pepsi plunge. Yeah. Yeah. Or are you talking about AJ Styles? No, no, no. Yeah.

[00:45:56] Every time I see him do the Pepsi plunge, I'm just like, like, obviously, obviously it wasn't dangerous because he did it for years. But every time I see it, I'm just like, oh, I guess that's why he did it, because it looks so dangerous. It does. But I mean, the pedigree looks dangerous. The guy taking it has no protection. Right. I know. I mean, same thing about the pedigree and honestly, the Styles clash. Honestly, I hate that move. Really? To me, it's like so much effort. Yeah.

[00:46:25] To me, it's like so much set up and effort for very little payoff. Oh, it doesn't look effective. I just don't really care for it that much. I don't know. I always liked it because it was different. I'll give credit. Like, at least it was different. Yeah, yeah. Absolutely. I've never seen anything else like it. Yeah, that's and plus it's yeah, I mean, that's a killer name. Styles clash. Mm hmm. But yeah, I can see that.

[00:46:53] But at the same time, like when it's done well, and when AJ Styles does it, it's always done well. Like, I don't know. I think it looks pretty tough. But at the same time, I can see how somebody could protect themselves from it. That yeah, I don't know. Seems is it? I see what you mean, though. It seems like it would be you. You basically have to already knock the guy out so that you can hit it because you have to step over and trap his arms.

[00:47:21] So it does seem kind of redundant at the end of the day. It looks better on smaller guys when oh, yeah, way taller than him. It looks like a dragon like he's dragging the person. I mean, he effectively is right. Yeah. It's kind of like watching John Cena do the F you. Yes, I'm still calling it the F you because the AA is the dumbest name ever. But it's like watching that. Yeah, it's it's like watching Cena do the F you on Rockstar Spud like it's just not impressive.

[00:47:52] Oh, yeah, yeah. Yeah. Or Rey Mysterio. Mm hmm. But yeah, he should go back to the F you and the STF you. I think he should. I don't see why not. I don't either. I saw another meme that had him holding up the towel and the towel just said fuck them kids. This has the potential to be so awesome.

[00:48:16] And with this group in charge, like don't get me wrong. I'm worried that it's going to be a popcorn for it, but I don't think it is because they've been hitting everything else so well. Like even Penta Penta still hasn't lost really any steam. I'm in the middle of the wrong. I haven't seen him this week, but. No, he hasn't. Oh, but you that's the other thing. I just reminded myself. That's the other thing. Yeah, because you you would send in our group chat.

[00:48:45] Ray Phoenix is officially released from a W. Yeah, yeah. See, I can only I can only think that they held onto his contract just to screw this career and that's if you're not going to use it right. He's eventually going to go to WWE. So the only thing I can think of is like you don't want them to be as successful as quickly.

[00:49:11] Because it's happening or something like that, or if you have something and I can see. In the business way. In the business way. Like if you have something planned and you think that's going to, I don't know, diminish your plan. Oh, maybe. So you don't hold on, you know, but, but still, why pay the guy? That's that's where I'm getting at. Yeah. And then the Ruse, Ruse. Do better stuff with it. Right. Yeah. And Rusev is officially out too.

[00:49:40] Although that that happened earlier. But wasn't he in? He was in Bulgaria for like a year. Yeah, exactly. He was in a different country. Like he been was out. Yeah. See what I want to know. What I want to know is what that phone call was like, because for a minute there, it seemed like Tony may not have known that he was in Bulgaria. Yeah. And it seems like maybe that phone call was something effective, like, well, if you want me on TV, let me know.

[00:50:10] But until then I will. There was probably a conversation of Tony being like, well, I need you here because what if I need you on TV? And to which, you know, Miro probably said, well, I haven't been on TV, so I just went home literally. I wonder, is that like a breach of contract being that he is no way on earth he could make any show if he's in a different country?

[00:50:38] I'm going to say probably not because he wasn't sued. Like that's that's or terminated, you know, like he was. I'll be honest. I think he was probably trying to get fired if I had to guess. And I mean, if you're looking at it from Miro's perspective, it's a win win. And either he gets to stay at home and hang out with his family for a year and get paid, you know, hundreds of thousands of dollars. To still screaming too on Twitch. Yeah, exactly. So he's yeah.

[00:51:08] So he's making more money or he gets fired and gets to go back to WWE. Because that's common. Like, you gotta know it's common. Yeah. Miro's too valuable of an asset to not have if he's available. Yeah. I don't know his mindset of does he still have that fire to wrestle or if he's like, I'm done. Like, see, I've done my run. And no, I would say yes.

[00:51:36] Just because of like when he was in the later stages when he was on a W TV, he was. Oh, yeah, absolutely. You could see he wanted to be there when to like make something of that character. Yeah. Yeah. And then I guess I haven't seen the a W episode, but I saw on social media. I guess the young bucks are doing their fake tough guy act again. Oh, they are. I don't know. I've seen was a ricochet and swerve.

[00:52:05] That's something that really and the hurt business. Yeah. I think it's quite hurt. No, they were holding bats for some reason. Oh, yeah. And then like one of them actually said something effective. Like this has been the best version of the this is the best version of the elite. And I'm just like, no, it's not. No, it is not. The best version of the elite was in twenty eighteen. Hate to break it to you. It's been downhill since then. When they were like doing the Indies and our age.

[00:52:34] All the places during matches selling t-shirts. Oh, my gosh. I just realized I haven't watched. I haven't watched being the elite in like three years. Oh, didn't they cancel that? Like, I don't know. So I couldn't tell you. I appreciate it. I can't tell you. That was over a year ago. Oh, man. I'm telling you whether being the elite used to be not missed for me. And then it was so good.

[00:53:02] It was a giant to people you didn't see on TV. Exactly. Yeah. Yeah. There was one gag on there that I will always appreciate that they did. It was when they were they were getting started with a W hadn't started yet, but they were doing the behind the scenes stuff and they'd sign guys like SCU and Kenny Omega. No, Kenny Omega hadn't signed yet. Oh, OK, good. Real early. Cody had signed the Bucks had signed. But anyway, they were doing this.

[00:53:29] They were doing this gag where they're doing a backstage brawl. Right. But it's obviously fake. And then as the cameras pulling out Scorpio Sky comes into frame, but he's only wearing a towel. Oh, and he's trying to pull these guys. Oh, that was so funny. The bro Lee stuff was really good. It was him in the dark water. Oh, that that was good stuff. Yeah.

[00:53:58] Oh, Alistair Black is released, too. Oh, yeah, that's right. He did. Yeah. Yeah. I remember that now. He's coming back to WWE. Yeah, it was weird because like he was saying for like over like six months. No, you weren't leaving. He's like, no, I don't. I'm happy here. So, so, so now there's so many, there's so many things that have happened to now convince some of those things that happened before are right now pretty obviously people trying to get fired.

[00:54:29] You know, that kind of stuff. I cannot wait for the tell all book to come out. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Oh, yeah. I would say that and a lot of like the release wrestlers that had problems.

[00:54:57] Well, you could you could do you could do an entire episode on a W thus far a company that's been in business less than six years. Yeah. Or is it. Okay, so probably sick. This will be it's sixth year. I don't. It'll be a six years in October. Yeah. Okay. Well, time flies. Right. If it simultaneously feels like it's been super fast, but also like it hasn't been that long. All right.

[00:55:25] Like it's been longer than as it's wild. And like where Sammy Guevara. He's on our age. Oh, God, that's right. You told you told me that you told me that. Yeah, he is where can you? He's so good. I think he has a good, I don't know, heat with people backstage or. I'm sure he does. He has a tattoo problem or something, but. And Dustin's maybe trying to like help him out a little bit. Well, one of the incidents I'm talking to was.

[00:55:57] Apparently. Andrade when he was in AEW. Got into. He got he got into a scuffle. I think it was with Sammy. And then Tony Khan told him. Don't hit people or you're going home. And he immediately. Find Sammy Guevara and punches him in the face. Because I'm sure he was like, don't threaten me with a good time.

[00:56:28] Yeah. And then. I think Sammy got in a fight with Eddie, Eddie Houston too. He got fined for a bit. And sent home. Yeah. I think you're right. Yeah. Can't we all just get along? Like. Like, and I know, I know Ricky Starks had to be really frustrated. You know, just waiting, waiting to leave. Deanna Parrazzo's got. Deanna Parrazzo's got to be super pissed.

[00:56:59] She's a jobber now. It's like. I know. That's yeah. And then. So I didn't know this till recently. I know. I know this is old news to some people, but apparent. I didn't know that Britt Baker and Adam Cole broke up. So. Yeah. Yeah. I would say that Britt's headed to WWE. However. I do know that she has her. Her dental practice in Florida. So. I would wager to say she will stay in a W because of the schedule, but.

[00:57:29] I don't know. Maybe they can work something out. Yeah. With her. I just wonder. I don't know. Again, I don't know her backstage how she is. Cause like, there's so many people who said, like she has like a group. And it has like. Problems with other wrestlers. That. That's true. Well, I. Yeah. Thunder Rosa. I guarantee. Well, I saw the bit with Ivalice. I still. I don't.

[00:57:59] I don't. But again, this all goes back to Tony Khan being an ineffective leader. Absolutely. Like, because I don't think Ivalice should be blacklisted to the point. I think she should have been punished. But. I mean, to no sell for somebody on TV like that. Like. Yeah. Even. Oh God. What was the other girl that she's married to. Oh God. I forgot. She's married to God.

[00:58:29] No. But. Yeah. Maria. Yeah. Yeah. I think it was thunder Rosa. They had it with. And she was. A job really bad. Well, thunder Rosa. Yeah. I think Thunder Rosa is someone who's probably WWE bound as soon as she can. I could see her fit really good in that and actually make a better storyline.

[00:58:58] She's kind of a luchador. She's kind of like Penta in a way. Well, so that's WWE. WWE is obviously like it's been obvious for some time, but they're obviously trying to expand to the Latino audience. It's acquisitions like Penta, acquisitions like, you know, Ray Phoenix when he comes, doing the LWO stuff, getting Rey Mysterio back, which they had other reasons, I know. But like it makes sense.

[00:59:27] Like I'm not dogging him for it. It makes perfect sense because, I mean, there's a lot of Latinos in the United States. And I mean, there's a lot. La gente is well represented. You know, like and these are these are people that are bona fide stars in around Mexico and, you know, the southeastern, the southwestern United States. So but like to your point, yeah, much like I said about Penta, Penta is unique because

[00:59:57] he is a luchador, but he can wrestle different styles. Thunder Rosa is the same way. And plus, she's just likable, at least her character. She's just likable. You instantly gravitate toward her because she's got an interesting look. She has a hard sitting, a hard hitting mood move set. And you just I don't know about you guys, but I like watching her win. So. Yeah, she's a she's a baby faces baby face.

[01:00:25] I hate is that for a lot of the other luchadors that are more typically like stick to the traditional way. They group them together. Yeah. And they don't book them as well. Like Dragon Lee. Like he was a big thing, but now he's not at all. Yeah. And that's a shame. That's a shame because Dragon Lee is really good.

[01:00:49] And I wouldn't classify him as a stereotypical luchador because he has he has he brings more martial arts stuff into his style than like, don't get me wrong. He does the acrobatics and all, but yeah, he's he's really polished in that look because he looks so much like Ray. Yeah, I can see that. I think that's why they weren't looking as Ray Mysterio. But again, even Ray Mysterio is not typical. Right.

[01:01:19] Yeah. He wrestles way different now. He wrestles way different. Like it's funny because if you go back and watch like his brief sit in Lucha Underground, it was like watching a time machine because he did more Lucha stuff there, which makes perfect sense. But it was wild. It was kind of like watching his old ECW matches a little bit because it was it was more straight up Lucha. Yeah.

[01:01:42] But kind of what I keep getting to is WWE is demonstrating they're significantly better than basically any. Well, I don't know. TNA is telling some interesting stories. They just don't have the reach. But WWE is kicking AEW's ass when it comes to the storytelling department. And another exceptional story that really kicks ass is our friend Debbie Lynn's book, which book two is supposed to be coming out this year.

[01:02:10] But book one is available for purchase now. Revival book one of the Unveiled Book Series. And here is a snippet to tell you more about it. So today's episode sponsored by the Spirit of the Moment podcast. Everybody come join us. The veil between her world and the other realm has faded, unleashing magic into the lives of ordinary citizens. Awakening from a four-year coma, Tori James discovers a world transform.

[01:02:39] For some, like Tori, the unveiling ignites hidden abilities. With her expertise in classical languages, she's drawn into a world of thieves and magic. Join Tori on her magical journey in book one of the Unveiled Book Series, Revival. Unveil your destiny.

[01:03:12] Sorry, everyone, about airing the wrong commercial spot for you there. Sorry about that. But you can check out the Spirit of the Moment podcast, too, on YouTube. But yes, you can get your copy of Revival. I mean this with all the love in the world because I was kind of surprised when I read it because I wasn't expecting it to be garbage. It was recommended to me. But then I'm reading it and I'm like, oh, it's actually good. I was kind of surprised.

[01:03:40] Because you know how, like, when your friend recommends an indie band or something like that and they're like, oh, it's really good. And then you listen to it and it's just kind of like, eh. I kind of see why there's, I kind of see why there's, yeah, I kind of see why they're still in the garage. But then just occasionally you get to them and you're like, holy crap. It was like that for me and Valena. I was like, oh, okay. Yeah, I'll listen to your, not girlfriend, but I'll listen to your female friend's band. And I listen to them and I'm like, holy shit.

[01:04:10] It's actually good. But yeah, available for purchase on Amazon or Kindle. I can't do it, man. I just, I'm old school. I can't do the e-read. Although I did see, I didn't know this. Apparently the Kindle has like, how do I describe this? It's not like a typical computer screen. Yeah. Yeah. So I might be able to do that. I might be able to do that. So now, okay.

[01:04:40] Do you have a Kindle? Okay. Can, I think the answer is no, but I have to ask because if it can do this, I will absolutely get one. Can it like, can it read the book for you? You text a speech. Yeah.

[01:05:10] Yeah. I need to look that up because I have found, I, yeah. Because I, I do like to read, but sometimes I'll read a book that just for whatever reason, it's a tough read. Because believe it, I actually did this for another. I wanted to read the communist manifesto because I wanted to, I didn't want to keep being in situations where like I'm criticizing communism, but have not read the damn book. So I tried to read it. It's, oh my God, it's so horrible. It's horribly written guys. It's terrible.

[01:05:40] But I listened to the audio book and it's, it's equally terrible, but it's, it's digestible. Like it's a horrendously bad book. It's, it's not good. Oh, another one. I did that. This is actually where I discovered the difference. I have, it's Richard Dawkins book, The God Delusion. I can't, oh, there it is right there. It's right there behind me. Yeah. So I got this. I was trying to read it and it's one of the worst written books I've ever read. Like it's awful.

[01:06:10] Just, just the, I was kind of surprised how much I actually hated it. But it's a real boring, like it's not a hard read, but it's a real boring read. So it's like hard to stay engaged with it. But I found the audio book narrated by Richard Dawkins. So it was digestible. So, but I get it for, for, yeah.

[01:06:37] But for those of you who may be, those of you who may be curious, I can save you a lot of time by just telling you it's 10 chapters of him shitting on the same points. So read chapter one and you've pretty much got it. You don't, you don't need to read all 10 chapters. Because it's, I'm marveled that a man who has, you know, like an advanced degree like he does just keeps making the same point over and over and over again.

[01:07:03] Kind of like a John Cena match where he just does the same five moves and the five moves in doom. And so you're kind of wondering, it's like, why do we keep doing this? I don't really understand why we keep coming back here. Why is John Cena having a 25 minute match when he can only do five moves? Oh, what was the one he, where he actually made fun of himself?

[01:07:31] He was like, I've been studying in China. I've come up with the sixth move. It was like a back fist or an elbow or something. And I remember seeing that. I was like, wow, that would, I prefer five moves. Like what's worse than this? And hey, for everybody who's hating on the Judas effect though, I'm going to defend Jericho for a minute.

[01:08:00] But that's actually a really cool, I like it as a move. The thing that a lot of, and this goes back to how it's presented on television. This is why I like it. So as someone who really, really likes elbow strikes, because they're really powerful and you can do them very quickly and very close.

[01:08:29] That's the drawback is you have to be close, but you can close the distance like he does. A back elbow is not impossible to defend, but it's really hard to defend because you don't see it coming. And like case in point, my buddy Sosa, retired professional Muay Thai fighter, my favorite fight of his, he ends the fight, knocks the dude clean out. Because he was going for a back elbow strike and then realized the guy was just a little bit further away. And so just turned it into a back fist, knocks him out cold.

[01:09:00] Like it's, it's, it's a devastating move, but I get it in a pro wrestling match. It may not necessarily look like it, but trust me, you taking an elbow strike sucks. Even if it's light, it's not. Yeah. Yeah.

[01:09:23] Well, the, the irony, the irony, and this is why I both love and hate forearms and pro wrestling is because a forearm strike is essentially an elbow strike because an elbow strike can be anywhere. Forearm strike is so the damage you can do is insane.

[01:09:41] So to see two guys sitting there like forearms striking each other in the face, it's, I mean, unless you suck at it, it's not happening like that. You might get to, I mean, you might get to before you break a jaw or knock somebody out or, you know, they're gnarly. Okay.

[01:10:11] Well, and you'll, you know, you'll notice when they do it, a lot of times guys don't even hit like some of them, the ones that do it well actually will like hit them around here to at least make it look. And again, they're doing it where you, you wouldn't, they're, they're not laying it in, but they look like they are. But some of the guys are actually hitting like down in the chest area. And I, that's the ones I hate because it's like, come on, you can, you can do better than that. But, or if you can't, don't do it, you know?

[01:10:48] Well, as, as Jim Cornette says, if you can't do it right, don't do it at all. And if you can't do it safe, don't do it at all. And if you can't do it safe and right, don't even think about it. Yeah. His head's here. Yeah.

[01:11:16] We watched a gimmick get changed in real time that day. So we're like, oh, we're going to turn you guys into a comedy troupe now. It was so unintentionally hilarious because it's like the way they were presented is they, they brought them out there. They turned the lights on and there's these two guys sitting there all menacingly.

[01:11:45] And everyone is like, who are they? The announcers are like, oh my God, it's those people that you should know. But they don't have names yet. Or what do you, I think he called them Evil Uno and Stu Gratian. I'm like, who? Like that.

[01:12:10] That's, that's a moment where if the announcers don't have something, the announcer should have said nothing. Because them being a mystery was better than being like, you should totally know who these people are. Or is Evil Uno still there? Is gone. Yeah. Which, okay.

[01:12:40] Here, I'm going to, here's my thing about the Dark Order, right? Or as Jim Cornette calls them the Dark Order. And that's what they've become. Um, the only one of them that actually looked and behaved as though he could be somewhat menacing was Stu Grayson. And he was also the first one to get fired. The first one with a name to get fired.

[01:13:09] Because they got rid of the freaks. Uh, Preston, Preston Vance. And I think he's still there. He's just not wearing the mask anymore. Yeah. Well, okay. And this is going to sound weird, but you'll understand why I'm saying it. Like, you, like, we've seen him without a mask on now.

[01:13:38] Like, he's a, he's a pretty boy. Like, he ain't ugly. Why did you put him in a mask? Okay. Just. Alan Angels, I get. Because, like, he ain't ugly. But he's kind of typical looking. You know. Yeah. But Preston, well, actually, I think I know why.

[01:14:03] Because Preston Vance was, had such a pretty baby face that, okay, I get it. If you're going for a heel, I get it. But, eh. Eh. It's the Dark Order. It's still there. And then, um, Johnny. Johnny. Johnny. What's his name? Johnny Hungy. John Silver. Yeah, yeah. That's it.

[01:14:34] Which they, they turn, they turn them into a joke. Him and Alex Reynolds. Like, they're, they're a, they're a joke. They've been a joke team. I don't know. No. No, they do not. Yeah. No, they are. Well, and, and any of them that have done well came in as a group.

[01:15:04] Because, like, you've got, uh, you've got the group formerly known as The Pride. The Hurt Syndicate. They were, they were already a thing, though. Um, any other thoughts on heel John Cena before we roll out of here? At least not yet.

[01:15:31] Well, what I'm, what I'm hoping, if I had my druthers, this year, Cena would win the title from Cody. And then we get a year, we get a full year of heel champion John Cena. And then it culminates at next year's WrestleMania with him and Punk in the main event. Now, I understand, I understand, though, why they may not want to risk that. Because neither of these guys are as young as they once were.

[01:15:59] And an injury will derail the whole thing. But I think you can still have a plan for that. Yeah.

[01:16:34] I actually. Yeah, that's where my Raw is paused right now. That match is about to start. So, I kind of, I kind of figured it's, uh, I kind of figured it was going to go that route. I, I will say this much. At least they're making it quasi-interesting because Gunther is trying to get inside Jay's head. Just being like, you're a failure. And the same thing he did with The Miz. Yeah.

[01:17:04] But I still maintain that match between him and Miz was awesome because of that element. Like, Miz, yeah. Miz, Miz did such a great job fighting from underneath. I, I really appreciated that. So, that was, that was very good. Um. He is. He's such a good. Which is really, really funny because a couple weeks ago on Weekly Wrestling Wrap-Up, we were just cutting up The Miz so bad.

[01:17:31] And he was like, he was like, and Jinko shorts? Really? He, he calls himself the chick magnet. I don't get it. But you have to understand, at the time, The Miz was terrible back then. But, but he was supposed to be. To the ring wearing Jinko shorts and a fucking fedora. Like, it was rough. Okay. That being said, um, he, The Miz is a fantastic worker now.

[01:18:02] He, he was, he was, but you know what I mean. Very, very good. Um, next, not next week, but next episode. Hmm. Next episode, we're gonna have a special one for you guys. When I, I should run this by you first to make sure you can see it. But, as you may or may not be aware, there's a new wrestling film that has been released. Or will be released. What is today's date? What is today's date? Oh, it was released today.

[01:18:32] Yep. Uh, Queen of the Ring. A Mae Young biopic. Yeah. Yeah. Featuring the talents of, or no, I'm sorry. It wasn't Mae Young. It was Mildred Burke. I apologize. This is a film about Mildred Burke. And Tony Storm is in it. Naomi is in it. Um, there, there's some other, Athena is in it, I think. Yeah. So you'll want to see it. But yeah.

[01:19:00] So I figure in two weeks we can both have seen it. And then we can do kind of an in-depth review of Queen of the Ring on the next episode of the Down the Middle Podcast. You don't want to miss it. And it'll give you guys, it'll give you guys time to watch the movie as well. But, uh, until then, check out visit.ai. Check out the, the book. Watch wrestling. And, uh, what was the other thing I need you? Oh yeah. And stay tuned for episode, next week, the latest episode to be released, re-released of Weekly Wrestling Wrap-Up.

[01:19:30] Um, this is when it starts getting pretty funny. And I believe the next episode is where I plant the seed for the Weekly Wrestling Wrap-Up pay-per-view that's free. So I think that storyline starts, starts to germinate in that episode. And, and fair warning, they're coming. There are two Rocky-style training montages coming up. So, stay tuned for those. It's gonna be, it's gonna be fun.

[01:19:58] But anyway, thanks for enjoying this episode of Down the Middle. Please like, share, and subscribe if you have not already. And we will see you guys in two weeks to review.