The Working Week #21: CM Punk, NDAs, Chris Jericho, Kylie Rae
Production personnel changes at WWE and AEW, the Elite still sore, CM Punk breaking records, and stooge Chris Jericho is likely hoping power will protect him.
Production personnel changes at WWE and AEW, the Elite still sore, CM Punk breaking records, and stooge Chris Jericho is likely hoping power will protect him.
Why those of us covering pro wrestling shouldn't allow industry contacts to compromise reporting the truth which is under attack by Twitter, why Mastodon can increase engagement, and notes on Dave Meltzer, David Bixenspan, Sean Ross Sapp, and Leslie Lee III. Please check out the artist behind our podcast track, SmokeyTheBearr - who you can find, with all the Left Fist links, here: https://linktr.ee/theleftfist
Lack of investment in pro wrestling coverage has left Vince McMahon to slime back into WWE offices to hit headlines preparing the company for a sale while his scandals sit behind the smokescreen. And even though the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are more likely buyers as part of their sportswashing campaign, Tony Khan's AEW product is perhaps inadvertently being creatively prepared for a seamless merge with WWE's tainted product. But is there still chance of a boost from Mercedes Mone finally appearing in AEW? Please check out the artist behind our podcast track, SmokeyTheBearr - who you can find, with all the Left Fist links, here: https://linktr.ee/leftfist
MJF stopped The Firm to save Regal, telegraphing the Full Gear finish. But has the booking of MJF inadvertently attracted Cornette's conservative fan base? Plus, Tony Khan (intentionally or otherwise) publicly vindicates CM Punk, while rabid crowds continue the hate and the AEW EVPs stoke it. Please check out the artist behind our podcast track, SmokeyTheBearr - who you can find, with all the Left Fist links, here: https://linktr.ee/theleftfist
It's the 25th anniversary of the infamous Montreal Screwjob! What were the real causes? And how does it relate to events twenty-five years later? Please check out the artist behind our podcast track, SmokeyTheBearr - who you can find, with all the Left Fist links, here: https://linktr.ee/theleftfist
As a morally bankrupt WWE reportedly poaches AEW talent, whether it be The Elite and CM Punk, or Sammy Guevara and Andrade, wrestlers are fighting with each other when they could be fighting for the rights they so desperately require. Please check out the artist behind our podcast track, SmokeyTheBearr - who you can find, with all the Left Fist links, here: https://linktr.ee/theleftfist
A momentous arrival in AEW for Saraya promises a women's revolution - but the sexism remains as she is immediately held to standards that the men are not subjected to. Please check out the artist behind our podcast track, SmokeyTheBearr - who you can find, with all the Left Fist links, here: https://linktr.ee/theleftfist
A look at the NWA and Jim Crockett Promotions, and how Vince McMahon hurt them, as we turn attention to the WWF in 1990 - Ultimate Warrior set up to replace Hulk Hogan, Dusty Rhodes feuds with kings and millionaires, Big Boss Man gets a push as a face while Akeem remains an embarrassment, Roddy Piper hits a low point, Sgt Slaughter turns heel as fans embrace a "Russian," and the Gobbledygooker debuts alongside someone called The Undertaker! Please check out the artist behind our podcast track, SmokeyTheBearr - who you can find, with all the Left Fist links, here: https://linktr.ee/theleftfist
Everything finally came to a head in AEW this week, with conflict between CM Punk and the EVPs going from words to violence. What's the background? Who's really to blame? What can we take from this? How does this relate to Eddie Kingston and his suspension that may have set a bad precedent? And why is Triple H really enjoying it all so much? All this and more in this huge episode! Please check out the artist behind our podcast track, SmokeyTheBearr - who you can find, with all the Left Fist links, here: https://linktr.ee/theleftfist
Further to previous episodes on embracing the featuring of all genders in pro wrestling, it's still important to ensure marginalised groups are represented, rather than lost in the shuffle. Please check out the artist behind our podcast track, SmokeyTheBearr - who you can find, with all the Left Fist links, here: https://linktr.ee/theleftfist
The news this week is of an AEW in turmoil, and an improved WWE. But is this the whole picture? Has there really been "contract tampering"? What does the future really hold for the two big companies? And what can we really take from the rumours around CM Punk, Thunder Rosa, and Eddie Kingston? All this and more in this episode of The Working Week! Please check out the artist behind our podcast track, SmokeyTheBearr - who you can find, with all the Left Fist links, here: https://linktr.ee/theleftfist
Yes, Vince McMahon is G-O-N-E! But how far removed is he really? We look at the incoming regime, changes they've made and might make, as well as quotes from CM Punk and report on Tony Khan's thoughts. Also: Should we expect a worked-shoot return from Sasha and Naomi? Please check out the artist behind our podcast track, SmokeyTheBearr - who you can find, with all the Left Fist links, here: https://linktr.ee/theleftfist
Continuing the discussion on gender representation in pro wrestling: why it's time for terms like "ladies and gentlemen" to be dispensed with, inclusive language in introductions, commentary, and promos - and why titles and divisions having gender restrictions aren't helping, either. Please check out the artist behind our podcast track, SmokeyTheBearr - who you can find, with all the Left Fist links, here: https://linktr.ee/theleftfist
The latest on the ongoing Vince McMahon allegations, the scourge of misogyny in pro wrestling going all the way back to Brutus Beefcake and the Rockers, Sasha Banks may be breaking free and demanding a handsome fee, plus PAC, Christian Cage, MJF and contracts! Please check out the artist behind our podcast track, SmokeyTheBearr - who you can find, with all the Left Fist links, here: https://linktr.ee/theleftfist
It's two years since Speaking Out, so let's talk about women's rights, Roe v. Wade, women beautifully browbeating Glenn "Kane" Jacobs, and the revival of the Rita "Marie" Chatterton allegations against Vince McMahon now being corroborated as New York Magazine follow up on the Wall Street Journal report. And we'll quickly cover Forbidden Door, CM Punk, and the fact the pandemic isn't over so wrestlers are still getting Covid. (CW: rape, first 2-3mins) Please check out the artist behind our podcast track, SmokeyTheBearr - who you can find, with all the Left Fist links, here: https://linktr.ee/theleftfist
Discussing the implications of WWE's Board of Directors investigating Vince McMahon's hush money, Mercedes "Sasha Banks" Varnado possibly free from WWE, and the bad example of Cody Rhodes wrestling injured. Please check out the artist behind our podcast track, SmokeyTheBearr - who you can find, with all the Left Fist links, here: https://linktr.ee/theleftfist
Discussing Sasha Banks and Naomi walking out of Monday Night Raw and WWE, Vince McMahon having Michael Cole bury them on TV, CM Punk's tweets and his awesome "abortion rights" t-shirt, Warner Bros Discovery and their deal with AEW, how that may relate to MJF's future, a quick overview of AEW shows this week, Joey Janela on fire (literally), and more. Please check out the artist behind our podcast track, SmokeyTheBearr - who you can find, with all the Left Fist links, here: https://linktr.ee/theleftfist
Discussing King Kota, name changes, copyright in wrestling and how it relates to the issue between Bret and Martha Hart, Tony Khan's failure of diplomacy with Big Swole and now Hikaru Shida, indie talents Man Scout and Dan the Dad and how Danhausen is being introduced, wrestling's links to cabaret, Starrcast and "wrestling weekends," AEW Dark, Dynamite, Rampage, and more. Please check out the artist behind our podcast track, SmokeyTheBearr - who you can find, with all the Left Fist links, here: https://linktr.ee/theleftfist
Discussing the divisions in pro wrestling based on gender - from the marginalised women's divisions, to creating categories based on gender binaries, and why we can instead learn from Lucha Underground and, present day, indie companies like Enjoy Wrestling and Industrial World Wrestling. Please check out the artist behind our podcast track, SmokeyTheBearr - who you can find, with all the Left Fist links, here: https://linktr.ee/theleftfist
Discussing Candice LeRae leaving WWE, the differences between cuts and contract expiration, opportunities on the indies, the Forbidden Door, and AEW Dark, Dynamite, Rampage, and more. Please check out the artist behind our podcast track, SmokeyTheBearr - who you can find, with all the Left Fist links, here: https://linktr.ee/theleftfist
A preview of what's to be expected in podcast episodes of the Left Fist! Please check out the artist behind our podcast track, SmokeyTheBearr - who you can find, with all the Left Fist links, here: https://linktr.ee/theleftfist