ASK TITO: Who Headlines Night #1 for Wrestlemania 41?, Cody Rhodes & the Rock, Jade Cargill, and Much More
The Excellence in Column Writing is back in your face with snappy answers to questions sent in by the readers via email (mostly long-time readers), social media, and the comments below with current events taking priority. Lots of questions coming in lately, as we’re in the THICK of Wrestlemania season while other promotions try to do their best to compete.
True rock and roll music story for you… Years ago, there was a 1980s hairband called W.A.S.P. and you can look up what those letters stand for, if you wish. Like most 80s hairbands, they were glorified pop bands who drew people to the arena based on presentation for the most part because honestly, their music wasn’t that good. Presentation would include larger speakers, pyrotechnics, and other adult-themed antics that made the 1980s so fun as a decade to grow up in… WASP was heavy into the pyrotechnics, though, and overdid it one night trying to compete with other bands of the time.
WASP’s lead singer was named Blackie Lawless and one night, he put on a device around his waist that would allow him to shoot fireworks from his crotch. Quite a ridiculous idea, I know, as what if something were to go wrong with that device? We’ll, you’d have a cooked hotdog. And that’s exactly what happened! While on the stage, the device malfunctioned and gave Blackie various degree burns on his crotch. OUCH!
The best part was afterward, when medics were treating him backstage. Blackie screamed at the band “I wouldn’t have to do this if we wrote better songs!”
And THAT is how I feel about All Elite Wrestling (AEW). They are the equivalent of a BAD 1980s hairband who will do anything for attention, even if it injures the wrestlers.
I keep hearing the AEW marks raving about what a GREAT show AEW Revolution was and when you look at the highlights, your eyes get big from the bloody messes and the big spots off the cage. But after that event, will you remember it? By AEW Dynamite, most people will have moved on because they are so desensitized by the violence, high spots, and the high speed tempo that Tony Khan enables of his wrestlers.
But do you know what everyone remembers and are still talking about to this day? John Cena turning heel on Cody Rhodes to join the Rock’s “corporation” heading into Wrestlemania 41. That wasn’t even a match, as it was supposed to be a segment where Cody Rhodes and John Cena stare down after John Cena won the Elimination Chamber. Then, the Rock comes out and the rest was history… Cody turns down the Rock’s offer and John Cena double-crosses Cena. When your heel turn is so good that it prompts many sports medias to cover it but many people meming it to represent the Trump/Vance vs. Zelenskyy meeting, you’ve hit a homerun.
Like WASP couldn’t write good songs, AEW cannot write good creative.
Want to know what draws beyond 10,000 for big Pay Per Views or more than 4,000 seats for television shows? CHARACTERS.
AND doing MORE WITH LESS.
Want to know why the Rock and John Cena have stayed very healthy into their 40s and 50s, besides whatever pharmaceutical goods they allegedly are taking? Because they relied on CHARACTER while wrestling a very safe style inside the ring. In fact, both the Rock and John Cena were very careful with their opponents and rarely injured their opponents. Furthermore, tickets were sold to their matches based on what they did BEFORE the event to hype the show versus what they may do inside the ring.
Nobody is interested in Okada, Will Ospreay, Mercedes Mone, MJF, Adam Copeland, or the majority of AEW’s roster’s characters. We have zero attachment to any of them… The closed one we associate with, who is preserved and healthy is Christian because he dedicates himself to be a CHARACTER on-screen rather than being too dependent on the energy he brings inside the ring for his matches.
Sure, AEW Revolution was a fun ride, but what do they have to show for it after that event? Eventually, that sugar high of violent or spotty matches wears off and results in lower attendance or buyrates per show. AEW is in their 6th year as a promotion and have spent millions building that roster, yet their attendance, viewership, buyrates, and merchandise sales are LOWER now than just a few years ago. They are declining and are lucky that a high debt Warner Bros. Discovery is desperate for live sporting content or else they’d really be screwed. With WBD carrying like $45 billion in debt and reportedly looking to sell their channels and maybe even key properties, there’s no guarantee that a deal will be available with WBD in 5 years.
With John Cena’s heel turn, which was not during a match but a segment, we’re all curious as to what happens next. And at high ticket prices, fans are willing to pay a metric ton to see what happens next.
Characters and doing more with less.
Very simple formula, Tony.
To quote Bill Hicks, AEW should be focusing on “Evolution” rather than “Revolution”. Stop this high spot dangerous in-ring style and focus on creating characters who can draw money by doing less.
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ASK TITO: Your Questions, My Answers
Which match should headline Night #1 of Wrestlemania 41?
Assuming Cody vs. Cena is headlining Night #2, the easy choice, for me, is the triple threat match of CM Punk vs. Roman Reigns vs. Seth Rollins. Punk and Roman are the top draws for the main WWE roster right now, while Seth Rollins can be argued as being at least 4th in WWE drawing power only behind Cody and Roman/Punk. If you’re looking to maximize the crowd who is in attendance, you headline Night #1 with THAT match.
I understand what Jey Uso is doing and how well he’s purchasing merchandise. But his opponent, Gunther, is NOT a draw as World Champion and hasn’t been a good RAW world champion at all, in my opinion. Say what you will about Jey, but his dance partner is weaker. That said, I could understand why Jey vs. Gunther could headline Night #1 and would respect the decision. However, older WWE fans who didn’t travel to Las Vegas with their kids may actually leave early if Jey vs. Gunther is the main event to beat traffic and head back to the casinos earlier.
Sorry, but neither potential women’s matches deserve main eventing any night of Wrestlemania this year. If Charlotte defeats Tiffany Stratton at Wrestlemania 41, you’ll find out real quick how much fans hate and are tired of Charlotte Flair and her entitled ways. On the flip side, I could have argued Bianca Belair vs. Rhea Ripley as a valid headliner, but WWE pissed that away due to their ongoing Iyo Sky fascination that they just can’t shake. Iyo is a great performer, BUT NOT A DRAW other than hardcore WWE marks online.
Thus, Punk vs. Seth vs. Roman should headline Night #1, though I’d respect and understand if Jey Uso defeating the weak World Heavyweight Champion Gunther would headline. But I predict that Jey vs. Gunther actually starts Night #1…
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Could tariffs (taxes on imported goods) impact WWE merchandise sales?
Before I get into it, let me emphasize this… Tariffs, as history has shown, are a BAD idea. They punishing to domestic producers who are importing raw materials or finished goods from other countries. The tax is paid by the producer, not the other country, so this it’s an EXPENSE for them to either absorb or push that along to the consumer through higher prices. To the consumer, they are now facing higher priced goods than they witnessed before. Sure, they could purchase domestically made goods, but those wouldn’t be as cheap as the goods purchased before the tariffs. Unless there are wage/salary increases offered, too, by companies nationwide, the purchasing power of the consumer has eroded. If you open up a history book, anytime excessive tariff policies have been tried, declining economic activity follows.
The argument for them would be “well, domestic companies can just make their products or obtain their raw materials here”. Sure, but specifically for the United States, there are higher wages, overtime rules, higher environmental costs, and comparative production advantages that makes certain types of manufactured products more expensive here. Furthermore, take Lumber for example… Canada has a vast wilderness of trees and hence why they are reliable source of wood. We don’t have enough forest in our country to satisfy the building demand, hence the reliance on Canada for their wood (“huh huh, I said wood, huh huh”). Even if the companies were to produce more here, they can’t just flip on a switch and immediately manufacture. That’s a long-term process to rebuild said items here as opposed to other countries.
I also make the argument that free trade relations creates great foreign relations. China is a communist country and has been since the 1970s when Richard Nixon went over there and began to normalize relations with them. Us relying on each other for trade has kept our countries aligned and not fighting, even when China is hungry to invade Taiwan. However, they have such a financial relationship with us, they’ll hold back on their ambitions. Many Middle Eastern countries could be normally hostile towards us and our culture, but they enjoy our money as a customer. Unravelling those relationships could have significant consequences.
With tariffs affecting WWE sales of merchandise to other countries, that depends on the WWE. I’m not sure if they have international distribution channels for their products that, for example, has something produced in China that ships directly to Canada or Europe. That, or everything comes to United States and then they ship it to other countries. If the latter point is true, then the tariffs would have an impact on other countries for goods sold in their retailers. Things are different when the WWE brings their own merchandise to other countries, I believe, but there’s a hauling cost to bring that stuff over anyway.
If you’re from Europe or Canada, I’d take a look at the tags on your shirts and see where they are printed.
I’ve studied tariffs and international trade for years, as it was part of my 2 finance degrees that I have and studied the data for various workplaces. For example, I looked at the Steel tariffs of the early 2000s and they didn’t too much other than provide temporary relief but many U.S. mills closed anyway. And again, everything is about access to raw materials and productivity. There are some things that you’re good at, something things you aren’t and thus relying on another country who also relies on you is good business. People like money and would rather make money together rather than fighting. In my opinion, implementing tariffs with high percentages or on a blanket group of goods does far more harm than good. Look at the markets right now, while also looking at the effects of the Smoot-Hawley Act tariffs from 1930 that worsened the recession back then (“Great Depression”).
Those who do not remember history are condemned to repeat it. (George Santayana)
And that wasn’t a political discussion, that was an economics one. Any leader who tries excessive tariff policies will have recessionary results, history has shown.
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What are your thoughts on the Dave Meltzer story drama about Rock wanting Cody Rhodes to turn heel?
It’s Dave Meltzer… If he hears anything from someone’s father’s brother’s nephew’s cousin’s former roommate of anyone associated with WWE, that’s a “trusted source” and he’ll report it. That, or someone backstage is taking pure delight on trolling Dave and I’ve heard it from a few places that wrestlers “get off” on seeing what leaked stories will get reported. Some make it a game, I’ve heard, and they’re all laughing at what gets reported. Like Mabel as the 3rd man of the New World Order…
Personally, I don’t think anybody was going to turn heel with this storyline… I think there is real truth with Las Vegas’s ticket sales being less than expected for Wrestlemania 41 and WWE opted to throw a “Hail Mary” to make it interesting. Cody has effectively become the corporate spokesperson, like John Cena once was, so hence he wasn’t going to be turned heel. Then, they talked to John Cena whom I’m willing to bet has wanted to play a heel for a while (he’s a bit smug in real life).
The REAL STORY is how initial creative plans SUCKED (some parts still kind of suck) and that the shake-up was needed to boost interest. Surprise, it worked really well and shall help boost Wrestlemania 41’s interest. The Rock not wrestling during 2025 put the wrench in plans and now, they’ve rigged him into storylines to help Wrestlemania 41 appear to be a major success in Las Vegas.
To show proof on how rigged the Rock’s involvement and the Cena heel turn was, there’s a massive loophole here with John Cena helping Cody Rhodes win the WWE Title last year, as NoDQ’s own Virtue has brought up. That and their past heat, although they understand each other better since both work for Hollywood (Cena is a better actor than the Rock, by the way). I’m glad that Rock was inserted to add some pepper to an already weak tasting Wrestlemania 41 card, but I point the FINGER OF SHAME to the WWE Creative Team since Wrestlemania 40 for a total lack of a great follow-up. Makes it look like Wrestlemania 40 was the “peak” of the Triple H era.
While I think that the Rock has pull as a Board Member, I don’t think he’s fully pulling the strings or we would have seen Rock vs. Roman last year. He agreed to that compromise, which says it all.
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Does WWE have a nepotism problem?
You are asking that now? After 13 years of Stephanie McMahon in charge of Creative and then giving Triple H Creative/Talent executive responsibilities during the 2010s? And anything involving Shane McMahon? Or overpushing Randy Orton?
Many seem to have a real anger streak towards Michelle McCool, who has not only become a WWE Hall of Famer this year, but for apparently replacing Mickie James on WWE LFG as a trainer. Mickie is married to someone on the WWE roster, too…
The real question is this: Doesn’t everywhere have a nepotism problem? Or at least a “good connections” problem? They all do, brother… I’ve seen completely talentless hacks not only get hired by big companies, but be granted high-end positions and then get promoted immediately. It’s everywhere, as many companies can hire and promote based on “who you know” in addition to “who you blow”. Many executives will literally hire based on where you went to college, as it could be their alma matter or a college that has praised or rewarded them with something or other favors.
Welcome to being human and having biases. You didn’t realize that stuff happened?
The bigger issue with Michelle McCool isn’t so much with her getting into the Hall of Fame, BUT who they couldn’t get into the Hall of Fame. WWE wants anyone getting inducted to play their game and anybody willing isn’t allowed to get in. I’ll hear things like “why isn’t Victoria getting in” or “why won’t Chyna get in by herself”… For one, ask Victoria on how her relations with WWE is lately and two, Chyna, when alive, didn’t really say too many good things about the WWE or Triple H.
There’s a reason why it took forever to get Scott Steiner into the Hall of Fame, while WWE just couldn’t get Sid into the Hall while he was alive. WWE is afraid of what they’ll say on a live microphone, as they don’t want the presentation to get political. Hence why it took the Ultimate Warrior a long time to get into the Hall. And then you have other matters, such as Lex Luger waiting a while to get in but he had some past heat with the company and he wasn’t in the right place for much of the 2000s. His life is back together, hence the nomination.
I’m hearing tons of complaints about Tugboat/Earthquake getting in as the Tag Team… Yes, Demolition just signed Legends deals with the WWE, but for DECADES, they’ve been at odds with the WWE and joined a lawsuit suing them over concussions. They are both likely in a probationary period to prove that they’ll behave when they are inducted during 2026.
So yeah, Michelle McCool might have a major fan in her corner named the Undertaker who can pull strings, but she’s a company gal who can play the WWE game the way that the corporates want it played. And if she benefits from the Undertaker pulling strings, then that’s just the way it is. Happens within many, many businesses. If you haven’t seen it happen before, you’ve got blinders on.
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Do you believe there are backstage problems with Jade Cargill in the WWE?
Yep… It’s a mixture of two things. The WWE roster is a tight knit group who grew up together through the developmental system and have become like a family on the main WWE roster. They have each other’s backs and are very welcoming when “one of their own” gets promoted on the roster or gets a big spot. The stuff with Charlotte starting crap with Becky is actually abnormal, hence why Charlotte has somewhat of a cold following backstage ever since. When you bring in an outsider and pay her more money as a free agent, that creates disappointment and jealousy for those WWE wrestlers who have paid their dues internally.
Two, I think Jade Cargill is a bit cocky and not humble, while being sought after by both WWE and AEW went to her head. If you look at Cody, he was a total professional going from AEW and WWE, and he’s super well-liked in WWE. Very respected… With Jade, many female wrestlers worry about getting injured and/or looking bad inside the ring. Jade lacks training, but she also lacks the knack on how to work like a wrestler. Her muscles are cosmetic, as we’ve seen her struggle to legitimately lift any wrestlers her size or larger. Rhea and Bianca are way stronger than her.
I just don’t think she WANTS IT like other female wrestlers. AEW pushed her as a star from day 1, and WWE fell for that spell too. She is literally FEMALE Bill Goldberg who was a flash in the pan and pushed way too early in her career based on look instead of actual talent. You cannot undo that mega push early and thus Jade forever has a big head about it.
Best thing she ever did was the Naomi beatdown at Elimination Chamber, but that was Naomi selling the hell out of it. That is what’s needed to make Jade reasonably look like a superstar and you cannot have the perfect dance partner every time.
If I were a betting man, I’d suspect that after Wrestlemania, you’ll see Bianca feud with her and then dispose of her. Release of Jade to come after that, as WWE will just move on and literally dare AEW to re-sign her.
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What are your thoughts on the Queen of the Ring actress exposing the business on a live mic during AEW Revolution?
It couldn’t have happened to a “finer” promotion… All I heard was how “great” AEW Revolution was as a Pay Per View from die hard AEW fans, with lots of stars handed out for their matches. But then this Queen of the Ring actress gets on the mic and shreds their credibility.
Truth be told, there needs to be a referendum on amateur hour here with pro wrestling. Between rapper Travis Scott hitting Cody with a stiff punch to now Damaris Lewis being impressed that winners/losers in wrestling are scripted, both WWE and AEW needs to clean up their use of celebrities or other non-wrestling individuals doing things on camera. A slightly harder punch could have knocked Cody out of Wrestlemania 41 and then WWE would be in total chaos.
Actors of musicians need some training on cutting promos in the wrestling arena or trying to perform moves. The LACK OF TRAINING is making a mockery of the WWE/AEW and both could do better to protect the business. Yes, I know, “kayfabe is dead”, but QUALITY CONTROL should NEVER be dead. There is a LACK OF QUALITY when a musician can shoot punch a wrestler in the face or when an actress says something stupid on-screen.
From here on out, we’ll no longer refer to anything as “protecting kayfabe”. From now on, it’s a matter of QUALITY CONTROL and daring to put untrained individuals in a wrestling arena needs to have serious boundaries. If it takes something like changing the wording of “global warming” to “climate change” to get more people to care, then we can change “protecting kayfabe” to “quality control” to keep these doofus actors or musicians away from our product or more control what they actually do.
I’m not going to blame Travis Scott or Damaris Lewis at all… I’m going to blame WWE and AEW for putting both in a position to FAIL as participants in a big event. That’s a QUALITY CONTROL issue, folks. That would be like the Kansas City Chiefs bringing me in to play in one of their football games. I’d look terrible and it would hurt the rest of the team by me being there and participating in their sport!
Quality control, folks.
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What are your thoughts on BET’s 15 Greatest Black Wrestlers list?
LIST can be found here, but here is the list in short form to save you on additional clicks:
1. Booker T
2. The Rock
3. Kofi Kingston
4. Mark Henry
5. Sasha Banks/Mercedes Mone’
6. Junkyard Dog
7. Ron Simmons
8. Bobby Lashley
9. Bianca Belair
10. D’Von Dudley
11. Big E
12. Jacqueline
13. Naomi
14. Shelton Benjamin
15. Jazz
Disagree STRONGLY with Booker T as #1 an Rock #2. Flip those two. Sorry, but Booker T didn’t have a fraction of the relevancy that the Rock had as a pro wrestler. Not even close.
Kofi Kingston is too high. Should be on this list, yes, but too high.
Junkyard Dog should easily be #3, but I can see the reasons for him not being based on his exit from Mid South and spiraling downhill from there.
Otherwise, I’m struggling to see many issues other than the lack of inclusion of Ernie Ladd and personally, I really loved Kamala and “Hacksaw” Butch Reed as performers. And I’ll admit this now, but Koko B. Ware was a great performer before he joined WWE and basically became “bird guy”. I could see the argument for Mr. T based on his Wrestlemanias 1 and 2 contributions…
And here’s a very sincere admission… I LOVE me some Jacqueline. LOVE HER! Great talent who brought serious credibility to WCW while she was there for women, but was very reliable and tough during her WWE run too. I got legit emotional when I saw her at the very first Women’s Royal Rumble and was proud that she got that opportunity. LOVE that music.
And I love Mark Henry. So proud of what he became, as he was kind of a laughing stock due to his big contract after the Olympics and the stuff with Mae Young. But then, he turned into a legitimate star and main eventer. On top of that, he’s the one who scouted Bianca Belair to join the WWE.
Love Ron Simmons, too. Great talent who made something out of a bad initial WWE gimmick and name, while getting paid just to say one word.
Other than positioning (especially the Rock), not a bad effort, BET. Respect that you’re giving wrestling some coverage.
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WWE recently created a WCW channel… Any recommendations or events to watch?
Pull up a chair… Seriously, I could talk about WCW all day if you’d let me. I loved that promotion, particularly the late 1980s and then the NWO era of 1996-1997 before things went to crap in 1998.
Ric Flair vs. Ricky Steamboat – Chi-Town Rumble 1989
This match was perfect and showed how a heel should operate. Flair was terrified of Ricky Steamboat and the psychology of that played throughout this match. Steamboat wins clean and sets up two classic rematches in which Ric Flair begins to build confidence to turn babyface himself by the end of WrestleWar 1989.
The Outsiders (Hall & Nash) vs. Team WCW (Sting, Luger, Macho) – Bash at the Beach 1996
For those thinking that John Cena’s heel turn was great, watch this. Hall and Nash had the threat of a “third man” joining them and that fueled the heat of this match. Started out as Hall and Nash refusing to show the third man, so thus they wanted to wrestle 2 on 3. Then, Luger gets injured and the tension rises. Hulk Hogan arrives in his babyface Hulkster gear but turns heel to join Hall and Nash, thus beginning the New World Order trio. Gene Okerlund’s performance is highly underrated, while Hulk Hogan’s heel promo is tremendous.
First WCW Nitro – September 4th, 1995
Fascinating to see what WCW was through 1995, which was basically Sting/Flair representing older WCW and Hogan/Macho representing older WWE. But they are wrestling on a show with a lot of energy and hype, and then Lex Luger suddenly arrives as a shock. This show, alone, set the tone that WCW was serious as a challenger and was coming for WWE’s top spot. LESS than a year later, WCW would become the #1 company in the world. They had a few weak spots to correct, such as the Dungeon of Doom and other bad storylines, but following the terrible Uncensored 1996 event, WCW was about to start cooking and quality was served all around. Honestly, binge watching WCW Nitro from this episode through late 1997 is a treat and highly recommended of any wrestling fan.
Just a few recommendations for newer fans to check out.
So just chill… Till the next episode.
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