ASK TITO: Injuries from WWE Survivor Series, Netflix RAW’s PG Rating, Jesse Ventura, and More
The EXCELLENCE IN COLUMN WRITING is back to answer your questions sent me mostly by email, social media, and your questions below. On the last edition of “Ask Tito”, a troll dared to challenge whether the questions were legitimate or not. Seems lately here at NoDQ, when people disagree with your opinions, instead of professionally stating their opinion, they slander you and attack you. On top of that, AEW’s little cult following comes for your head anytime you DARE professionally state your opinion on their less than 600,000 viewed television show.
Let’s address the first part, the source of the questions for my “Ask Tito”… I’ve been a columnist since October 1998, which actually predates when many of you haters were born. Since that time, I’ve built relationships with many readers for YEARS and we converse daily via email and X/Twitter. That’s right, my X/Twitter seems locked, but I’ve kept a loyal fanbase on that platform and we chat often. On a daily basis, I’m reading and replying to multiple emails from long-time readers along messaging other readers on social media. Most of the time, we’ll talk current events and that’s exactly what I want for these “Ask Tito” columns. I also try to read comments at the bottom of my columns for questions ideas, too.
How dare you question my column, which is still read by thousands and thousands of people each time I post it here at NoDQ. It’s STILL the most popular column not just here on NoDQ, but the entire internet. Just because you don’t like my column or my opinion, doesn’t give you the right to slander me or accuse me of BS.
If you don’t like my column, DON’T READ IT. This is voluntary and a hobby for me, so I have zero financial interest in pleasing trolls around here. Thus, take my advice and “F off”. Go find something better to do with your time rather than becoming miserable and highly jealous from reading my columns.
Mmmmmmkay?
Geesh.
On top of this, I just have to LAUGH at how cynical the Internet Wrestling Community has become compared to me. On my end, I’ve been pretty chill on my critiques because in my view, WWE has been great and I actually pull my punches on AEW. But boy, the rest of you, you’ve been buying up lots from cynical city and kicking me out at the same time. WWE just put on a good Survivor Series show… Sure, it wasn’t perfect, but what wrestling show is? But it was good fun for the simple price of up to $13.99 to watch it. That main event and triple threat were excellent and well worth your time to check out, but somehow that’s not good enough.
For YEARS, people insisted that Vince McMahon step down as he was “too senile” to oversee Creative in the WWE. OK, since June 2022, he’s been mostly out of the picture and Triple H has been in charge. While ATTENDANCE, VIEWERSHIP, and MERCHANDISE SALES have grown during the past 2 years with HHH in charge, wrestling fans are STILL complaining. Good lord, Roman Reigns has figured out how to be a main eventer, other wrestlers are climbing up the ladder, match quality is up, the Rock is freakin’ back, and you are STILL complaining.
And to all of you AEW haters out there… Why are you still watching it? If “AEW sucks” to you, then STOP WATCHING IT. Literally, that simple. And for you AEW fans who hate the WWE… Why are you still watching WWE shows? So that you can fight with the WWE marks who hate AEW?
It’s SAD when I’m the SANE wrestling fan around here… I just get tired of fighting with internet trolls who just looking for keyboard fights as a venting vehicle for whatever is pissing them off in life. Folks, I’m not your punching bag, and neither are the fine folks who are TRYING to entertain you within the WWE or AEW.
Sure, I have my disagreements with AEW and how Tony Khan is operating it, but am I rooting for it to close down? NO! I’m rooting for it to get better but until their product satisfies my tastes/preferences, I’m going to keep watching the minimal amount just to write this column. But I’m going to get on here and rage about how bad AEW truly is… Waste of my time, as misery loves company.
For 2025, start rethinking things, guys… Start figuring out how an opinion write named after a Jackson 5 member pisses you off so much. That, or try to wonder why you get off on being so cynical towards WWE or AEW. As the “old guy” now in the room, holding onto hatred and making people victims of your anger wrath just isn’t worth it. It’s bad for your health and a waste of time.
Very simple… Don’t like my columns, don’t read them. Don’t like AEW or WWE, don’t watch them. And stop wasting your time attacking fans who like either promotion. If anything, 2024 proved that when you talk down and belittle people for something they like, they won’t forget and will get revenge on you one way or another. And you’ll be feeling it for the next 4 years, too.
Onto your questions.
ASK TITO: Your Questions, My Answers
What are your thoughts on all of the injuries racked up from WWE Survivor Series 2024?
It’s what I call an “I TOLD YOU SO” moment… I wrote multiple columns leading up to Survivor Series 2024, along with multiple columns prior to last year’s “War Games” matches about the excessive dangers of that cage match. It was violence for the sake of presenting violence when it wasn’t needed.
Sorry, but the 5 on 5 or even the 4 on 4 elimination style tag match was PERFECTLY BUILT to entertain. Hence why it was a highly successful second Pay Per View brand during 1987 and remained successful for many years. Bloodline vs. Bloodline would have easily succeeded with that tag team elimination match. Instead, they did the slow drip cage match where a bunch of wrestlers got hurt and will need excessive time off to heal.
This is where getting nostalgic for the past bites you in the arse, Triple H. Besides, those War Games matches that you praised back in the day did NOT feature wrestlers doing high risk moves like the modern War Games matches. No, because there was a freakin’ LID on the cages that World Championship Wrestling (WCW) had on their War Games matches. Furthermore, WCW wrestlers didn’t spend like a minute searching under the ring for weapons to bring into the ring.
Here’s the crazy part… Roman Reigns or CM Punk could have been injured in that match. THINK ABOUT THAT! Especially if they lost Roman to injury, what a disaster.
Sorry, but you don’t need the excessive violence to make for a good quality show and entertaining match. Using high risk stunts and violence with weapons is what a cheaper rate promotion does to grab attention, not the world class wrestling promotion on top.
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What do you think on the Netflix WWE RAW show maintaining is PG rating?
I say “BRAVO”… We had mostly clean programming for the past 4 years in the WWE and it has been excellent without adult themes, vulgarity, and excessive violence.
What WWE needs to realize is that Netflix is a corporation who not only has to answer to its shareholders, but to Washington, DC who could threaten to regulate them with television standards like they do with Cable and even more so Broadcast TV (WWE found that out on UPN and FOX, didn’t they?). While Netflix is growing in power, the Broadcast channels still have more power and influence and they can easily twist the upcoming occupiers of Washington to regulate streaming services. Just remember, the same TV censorship groups and individuals who attacked the WWE during 2000-2001 were heavily in favor of the politicians who won during 2024.
In my view, pushing vulgarity and violence is a crutch for Creative Teams who just cannot think outside of the box…
Again, were you not entertained for the past 4 years? If you were, then why are you complaining about them continuing the PG rating for RAW on Netflix? Again, there’s that cynical side of you…
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Should WWE have a “Superstar Shake-up?
OK, let’s do a quick headcount… In the North America, there are 84.8 million subscribers to Netflix. Now, those are individual accounts and it’s safe to say that those within the same household share that account… Thus, it’s equivalent to about 70 million households who have USA Network in the United States.
Not only that, but RAW is on Monday and Smackdown is on Friday.
So again for 2025, which show will be receiving more attention? The one paying WWE $500 million per year (Netflix) or the one paying $270 million per year (USA Network)? Besides, NBC/Universal won’t complain because they’re getting Saturday Night’s Main Event specials that should pop good ratings if Roman Reigns isn’t on Smackdown weekly.
Basically, this “transfer window” and any hints at a stupid “Superstar Shake-up” is just a means to the end that Cody, Roman, and the Bloodline are coming to RAW and everybody better just enjoy Gunther as World Heavyweight Champion headlining Smackdown. Same thing happened after 2004 when all of the chess pieces were strategically moved to RAW as Smackdown became the lesser brand particularly due to weaker television deals. Smackdown only got Roman because they were on FOX for the past 5 years.
In other words, WWE is saving you time by caring about just 1 show again. LESS IS MORE as I keep trying to tell all of you. Watch RAW on Netflix and use the YouTube channel to sample if anything on Smackdown is worth watching. Go use Fridays to go talk to people, hang out, go on dates, and get laid.
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For any wrestlers that you’ve met, have any made you feel “don’t meet your heroes” vibes?
I’ve met many wrestlers in person from wrestling events to appearances to Comic Cons to random encounters. I will say this definitively… The extreme majority LOVE their fanbase and are willing to go out of their way to please them, as long as you give them space. Obviously, if they are at dinner or at an airport, back off… But at an appearance, a wrestling event, etc, where they are “working”, they’ll do whatever it takes to please fans. Want this signed? Want that signed? Let’s take a photo! And yes, there’s a price tag attached to all of it, but pay to play. These guys bump around a ring for you and thus deserve compensation for entertaining you.
There are 2 wrestlers that I think could handle fan stuff a little better…
First is Kurt Angle…. Now listen, I’ve seen and met him twice… Very nice guy and when it’s your turn to get an autograph or photo, he’s 100% willing to do it and cool… However, the experience isn’t personal and it just seems like it’s a job to him rather than a moment to be appreciated by many fans. I don’t think he likes being showered with praise as others do… But also, in between signings or photos, he’s obsessively looking at his phone. Furthermore, he’s always sitting down no matter what. I’m sure the legs hurt from years of performing, but many other performers stand up for photos. If you look at the majority of photos with Kurt, it’s fans leaning down to get a photo with him as he’s sitting at a table.
Honestly with Kurt, I don’t have that much of a problem with it because I know he wants to put his energy elsewhere, but fans love him and he should know that.
The other is Ric Flair. Easily, my worst experience at an autograph signing. Flair 100% didn’t want to be there and was in a sour mood the entire time. The photos that each fan received were him looking in another direction, looking moody, or just not into it. He never cared that any fan fawned praise over him or his career. To me, it felt like an autograph signing restricted Flair for what he wants to do and that is perform in character either inside a ring or at a bar. Then, when I see stories where things go wrong with Ric Flair or various relationships he’s burned to the ground, I’m immediately like “yep”.
Other than that, guys that I’ve met have been incredibly awesome and give you great experiences ranging from Sting, Booker T, Matt Hardy, Torrie Wilson, Jim Ross, Kevin Nash, Steiners, Ron Simmons, Shawn Michaels, and even New Jack. New Jack was incredibly nice to fans, despite being highly intense inside the ring for a match that we just saw. I’d have to say, Shawn Michaels was probably the nicest that I’ve ever met and that was right after his August 2002 return. He was happy to be there, did poses with the fans, and just super nice. Kevin Nash, though, was cool as hell… The most chill human being that I’ve ever talked with, as I laughed at various hotel experiences he was telling me and others.
Honestly, if you LOVE pro wrestling, go meet your heroes no matter what. Those guys not only put their bodies on the line for you, but sacrifice family time just to entertain for mass audiences. If they give you a bad experience, just realize that people are wired differently… Many introverts put on a character when they perform at their job but SHUT IT DOWN and don’t want to be around people afterward.
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Do you think that Eric Bischoff’s NXT appearances will have any impact?
Viewership, so far, isn’t showing that impact… If Eric is there, he has to serve a purpose. He was the WCW executive who beat Vince McMahon for almost 2 years, leader of the New World Order, and RAW General Manager. Unless his experiences tap into ANY of that work experience, it’s not worth their time and it won’t be effective. Just having him on the NXT shows is just an appearance but he’s not relevant unless he taps into the character that beat Vince, who did cruel things as part of the NWO, or was the sleezy General Manager of RAW.
I’ve said this for YEARS but the WWE is really wasting brands that they have on the books. Sure, you can purchase NWO and DX merchandise on WWE Shopzone, but those brands are only associated with the older wrestlers who have long since retired. Why can’t they have those ex-wrestlers or members come back to WWE and act like a NASCAR team owner? For example, Eric Bischoff could “own” the New World Order brand and he can assemble younger wrestlers to fit that group. Maybe Shawn Michaels or even Road Dogg could be the “NASCAR owner” of the Degeneration X group.
I think it would be killer to have that NWO theme blasting on NXT and up & coming wrestlers utilizing a great brand to help get them over quicker. Eric Bischoff can just act as the money man behind the group, just like NASCAR owners can do. Then, the WWE can sell those NWO shirts and that brand gets stronger.
If you’re going to bring in Eric Bischoff, make it mean something… Tap into what he used to be great as and run with it.
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What are your thoughts about the New Day angle?
I just don’t care… Love those 3 guys, but the expiration date on a group break-up was long overdue about 6 years ago. Each of the 3 main New Day teammates have each had their peaks, with 2 as World Champion and another as King of the Ring, and each guy is in their late 30s (Xavier & Big E) or early 40s (Kofi). And I still worry about Big E’s neck and if it’s really worth coming back after that bad injury.
Now granted, I have a level of TRUST in the WWE Creative Team to make it compelling in the long-run, but I think each of the wrestlers have already accomplished so much as a team and individually. I wish them the best, but I just don’t know what else you can do with a group who was friendly for too long and make it convincing that they suddenly hate each other. Acting skills would need to improve…
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Thoughts on Jesse “the Body” Ventura” commentating on Saturday Night’s Main Event?
I LOVE IT and I’m going to watch WWE SNME specifically for Jesse. I don’t know what it is, and it’s probably dating back to my childhood, but listening to Jesse talk is somehow soothing to me. Whether it’s talking about current in-ring action or trying to explain many conspiracies, I’m tuned in every time he talks. Hell, I could listen to Will Sasso impersonate him all day, too. Just something about that cool voice that works for me.
And I’m happy that he’s back and receiving his flowers, too. I hate when a relationship breakdown between a performer and the WWE (primarily Vince) keeps the performer away from the WWE for a long period of time. So many business opportunities were lost!
Look at Bruno Sammartino and Ultimate Warrior. Both had very personal issues with Vince McMahon and that kept both guys away from the WWE for decades. Then, they finally come back as older men and aren’t with us very long. Hell, Warrior died 2 days after his Hall of Fame speech and soon after his first RAW appearance since 1996.
That’s why I was so happy about CM Punk coming back because it would cause Triple H and Punk to mend their broken fence together. After Triple H was the one fixing bad relationships that Vince had, like bringing back Bruno and Warrior, Triple H had to heal one of his own.
Time is a luxury that we don’t have… If you spend your time being petty and holding a grudge, that’s not only time wasted against a past relationship but it’s also something that weighs on you personally. Let it go… Look at how well CM Punk is thriving in the WWE right now and that’s specifically because Triple H and Punk squashed their beef and moved on.
THAT SAID, there are times when someone is the toxic person in the equation and they have to move on. In this case with Jesse Ventura, it’s Vince McMahon whom Jesse has had various personal battles with and for justified reasons. ANYONE making royalties off of WWE content needs to thank Jesse for taking Vince to court about that.
So yeah, I’m excited… I went from possibly catching YouTube clips after the event to wanting to watch it LIVE because Jesse is there.
The old argument that “announcers don’t matter”. Yeah, I think they do in some cases. John Madden carried additional viewers… There’s a reason why many baseball announcers are allowed to perform into their 70s or 80s. Jesse was the BEST at his job as a heel color commentator, particularly when WWE was in its prime. The WCW years weren’t his best work, but remember, that promotion was a dumpster fire when he was calling it. Could you imagine how much more effective Solo Sikoa will be with Jesse fawning praise at him as the “Tribal Chief” or praising any actions that Kevin Owens does to Cody Rhodes? While Jesse is much older now, it’s like riding a bicycle for him because his entire job is TALKING. He’s got this.
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THE LAST WORD
As we near the end of the year, I just wanted to make note of columns that I’m scheduled to do…
I’ll likely be doing a Christmas themed column posted either on Christmas Eve or early Christmas morning. For the past 2 years, I’ve been doing parodies of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas and I may keep doing that, though columns like that take longer as I’m trying to hash out what rhymes and what doesn’t. THANK GOD for websites like RhymeZone.com for that column.
Again, I have a long standing policy of posting a column on bigger holidays, as it’s a present to my long-time readers but also helps the websites that I work for. After eating a big meal or opening presents, everyone gets on their Smartphone or computer… Then, to their surprise, new content is posted there and it gets read. My holiday columns draw quite well, all things considered with lower traffic on those days.
I’ll also be doing my annual PREDICTIONS column on December 31st. For over 15 years now, I usually make 10-15 bold predictions about pro wrestling but I think the real fun part is the review of the previous year’s predictions. And as I write this right now on December 7th, 2024’s predictions were a big rough… However, I would argue that wrestling is a complete trainwreck right now in terms of headlines and things change too much, month by month.
Being right or wrong on the predictions doesn’t matter… It’s called having fun.
These 2 columns are rather large and time consuming, so I may be pumping in more time to make those 2 columns great and less time on writing current events. I say that and then I’ll write like 10 columns over the next 2 weeks because news is breaking.
Thankfully after 2024 end, we’re right into the THICK of the Rumble to Wrestlemania season. Thank God that it has returned… I’m literally getting “waiting for NFL season” vibes with WWE now, as Rumble to Wrestlemania is the best time for the WWE and the rest of the year doesn’t compare. Sorry, but Wrestlemania 41 through SummerSlam was a real struggle for me as a viewer this year, as was much of the rest after SummerSlam. It’s hard to come down from the HIGH that Wrestlemania 41 gave us.
So just chill… ‘Til the next episode.
Mr. Tito Column Archive @ NoDQ